Healthy Waterways

Dear Neighbors,

I am sharing this info release recently sent to local media. It includes information about upcoming LOSOM workshops. Here is link to Martin County news and info releases.

Martin County remains steadfast in commitment to healthy waterways

STUART, Fla (April 2, 2021) – Earlier today, it was announced that there is a potential for encountering Blue Green Algae (BGA) in and around Lake Okeechobee. On Monday, March 29, BGA was visible at the Port Mayaca (S-308) on the lakeside, with the existence of microcystins detected at .79 parts per billion (ppb). Subsequent testing done at the St. Lucie Lock and Dam (S-80) measured levels of microcystins at .34 ppb. While these are trace amounts, Martin County reminds residents and visitors to maintain vigilance when recreating on and near the water in an area where BGA is present.

What Martin County is doing
Martin County continues to advocate on behalf of residents and the environment. Working with a team of experts, the county has been actively engaged in the development of a new Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual (LOSOM). The county’s approach prioritizes the health and wellness of the community and environment, and focuses on the harmful impacts that lake discharges have on the estuary and near shore coral reefs.

What residents can do
Members of the public are encouraged to participate in upcoming meetings including April 12 and 15, with the US Army Corps of Engineers and other stakeholders. Public comment is welcome during designated public comment periods. Key messages for Martin County include:

· There is no historic natural connection of the St. Lucie Estuary to Lake Okeechobee
· There is no ecological benefit in the St. Lucie Estuary relationship to Lake Okeechobee
· Salinity is the only performance measure modeled but not the only consideration for impacts and harm to the St. Lucie Estuary
· There is no performance measure for Harmful Algal Bloom impacts
· There is no performance measure for impacts to near shore Coral reefs
· There is no water quality treatment for discharges to the St Lucie Estuary
· Preventing non-emergency discharges to the St Lucie Estuary doesn’t preclude improvements to the rest of the system

LOSOM PDT Technical Workshop (Part 1)
Monday, April 12, 2021, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
https://usace1.webex.com/meet/lisa.e.aley
+1-844-800-2712 US Toll Free
+1-669-234-1177 US Toll
Access code: 199 737 9512
Password: 1234

LOSOM PDT Technical Workshop (Part 2)
Thursday, April 15, 2021, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
https://usace1.webex.com/meet/lisa.e.aley
+1-844-800-2712 US Toll Free
+1-669-234-1177 US Toll
Access code: 199 737 9512
Password: 1234

About the Martin County Board of County Commissioners The five-member Board of County Commissioners is the legislative governing body of Martin County. Each Commissioner is elected to a four-year term by voters in the countywide area. Chapter 125.01 of the Florida Statutes establishes the specific duties and powers of the Board of County Commissioners. Exercising their legislative powers, the County Commission adopts ordinances (local laws) and resolutions to establish policies and programs to protect the health, safety and general welfare of Martin County residents.

Media Contact
Martha Ann Kneiss | Office of Communica

Hurricane Sally EFO; OGC 21-0328

Great News Membership,

For those that work in the Panhandle; Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton Counties will no longer require a FDEP Permit for reconstruction of docks, seawalls, boathouses, boatlifts, etc as a result of Hurricane Sally for an additional sixty days. The FMCA President, John Loftis and I, worked diligently with the Governor’s Office and FDEP to make this happen. Please refer to the Emergency Final Order for additional details.

We would like to compliment both Florida DEP and the Governor’s Office for the immediate response we received as a result of our request to extend the Emergency Executive Order. It reflects the importance of the association and our industry in general.

A thank you is in order to “Hal Lovato w/ HMP Marine Construction” for your help as well!! This order would not have happened without your assistance.

Please reach out if you would like a copy of the order to kelly.white@myfmca.org. John Loftis will be releasing a more detailed description of events at a later date with more details and thank you’s to follow.

Respectfully,
Kelly White
Executive Director

Boaters could be charged with Racketeering for Accidentally Kill or injuring a Manatee!

BOATERS COULD BE CHARGED WITH RACKETEERING FOR ACCIDENTALLY KILLING OR INJURING A MANATEE OR OTHER PROTECTED SPECIES

There is a bill working its way through the Florida that in its current form is dangerous to our industry and your customers.

From Missy Timmins, Marine Industries of Florida lobbyist. Racketeering.
Senate Bill 776: by Senator Gainer and House Bill 783 by Overdorf. We have met with Senators and need this to be changed. As written, anyone who has a “take” (including an incidental take) of a protected species can be charged under the RICO Act (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization), the same law used to charge mob bosses.

While FWC says they would not pursue a RICO violation for an incidental take, this law would allow it and there is no guarantee FWC would not use it in the future. This can include very heavy penalties, forfeiture of property (they can take your boat), and jail time.

The Senate bill is ready for the Senate floor. The House bill has two more committee stops. Please, contact your legislator and ask them to change “take” to “collect, harvest or capture”.

Sorry for the short notice but time is of the essence. This will be on the floor again tomorrow (Thursday, 3/25), so please reach out today and let your opinion be known!

Email Scams – intercepting emails

Good Afternoon Membership,

We recently found out about a couple of our members having their emails intercepted by scammers. In one instance an email with wiring instructions had been intercepted. Fortunately, the sender called the recipient and verified bank information, which was incorrect. In a second incident, wiring instructions were sent to a contractor for vendor payment, however it wasn’t from the vendor, but rather a scammer.

We are hearing about more of these types of situations. Please be cautious, call the person you are wiring/ACHing payments too, to confirm the information, request that anyone you do business with call you and confirm your wiring/ACH info before sending as well. Other suggestions we have received are two factor authentication on your email settings, regularly check your rules settings under your email for forwarding orders you didn’t setup, firewalls, and running various virus software, malware, spyware software (to include browsers), as well as removing any/all software that allows outsiders to call into your computer. Hackers love these programs and they can gain access to all of your data in a few clicks.

We recommend consulting an outside IT person, however wanted to share what we have discovered so far. Be safe and diligent! Don’t let others steal your hard end money.

Kelly White, ED

“No Notice” work

The Hurricane Sally Emergency Final Order has not been extended. The Department can no longer issued Emergency Field Authorizations under the Hurricane Sally Emergency Order. However, “No Notice” work can be completed for up to one year after the execution date of the last Order, which is November 13, 2020.