Emails about dredging and Sea Forest canals

1:29:17We'll go back to We have uh fifteen minutes before the lunch break. We'll go back to emails.

1:29:25I checked the ones that were not on the list um but they were submitted a timely. They were all about dredging and one is in regards to P sixty four for this afternoon.

1:29:39Okay. Then s the one for this afternoon needs to be read this afternoon. Yeah, those for

1:29:44this afternoon will be read this afternoon. And now we need to read those that are for this morning to try to I don't know if you can finish it up in fifteen minutes, but Do your best.

1:29:57Okay.

1:30:01Okay, let's see.

1:30:09All right. Um this email address is from um Jim Thurkill. I reside at [address removed]. I respectfully request the Board of County Commissioners to add an amendment to approve phase two permitting scheduled for the five eighteen twenty one BCC meeting, the inclusion of all canals and waterways in the Seaforest area which include those of the Gulf Landings Association. We love our house on the canal and the area, but unfortunately the canals

1:30:39are becoming less navigable every year and very badly need to be dredged so we can be more fr uh frequently enjoy the waters, the local waters. Thank you very much for this attention.

1:30:58Next email is from uh Jeffrey and Joanne K-A-Z-I-S-T-A Residing at [address removed]. Want uh I want to I want our email right into the record during the May 18th BCC meeting or whatever the date the agenda item is heard. I reside never mind, I've already read that. I respectfully request Board of County Commissioners Board of County Commissioners to add an amendment and to approve in the

1:31:28phase two permitting scheduled for five eighteenth 2021 BCC meeting the inclusion of all canals and waterways in the Seaforest area, which includes those of Gulf Landings Association.

1:31:48Next email is from Lawrence Paul MD, um [address removed]. I have owned a home in Sea Colony Gulf Harbors for 17 years. I previously voiced concerns about taking out our canals off the list for the upcoming dredging project. At the time that Woodlands wished to not participate, we were erroneously removed. I request that Sea Colony and our canals be added to the project sincerely.

1:32:22Next email is from David Goens, um [address removed]. My family lives on Jobeth Drive. Our canal is relatively shallow and needs to be dredged. We have trouble getting out our back at the lowest tides. We would love to see this happen for our canal and the rest of Seaforest.

1:32:44Yeah.

1:32:47The Mir A R and I'm gonna spell the last name. K A D D O U R I Junior P A Address is [address removed]. I want this email read into the record during the May 18th BCC meeting or whatever the date the agenda item is to be heard in support of expanding this project to include the inclusion of all canals and waterways in the seaforest area, which includes those of the Gulf Landings Association. It is my understanding

1:33:18that the workers would likely have to pass through the canals. We would like to get Included in the scope of the work just to access the original targeted area. It makes the most sense to work on the items we are suggesting to better manage the waterways as well as make it a wonderful opportunity for those for use by the residents. Finally, I doubt that this would significantly increase cost as at some point the work of the seafood area canals would be needed. If we don't do it now, it would mean another mob mobilization challenge. charge and ultimately more

1:33:48costs. Thank you very much.

1:33:51Next email is from Leslie Stella, [address removed]. Uh [address removed]. For the ongoing usability of the canals. I'm sorry, I want this email read into the record during the May eighteenth BCC meeting or whenever the agenda uh the date the agenda item is heard for the ongoing usability of the canals in Gulf Landings I request they be included in the dredging plans. It was through an oversight that they were omitted and as an o homeowner using canals

1:34:21for saltwater access is important to me both for my family, both for my personal use as well as for the eventual resale value whenever there sh that should occur.

1:34:33Next email is from

1:34:37Robert uh Sprout.

1:34:41Uh dear Pasco County Commissioners, I live at [address removed]. There are 60 plus residents in my condominium community. I respectfully request the Board of County Commissioners to add as an amendment and to approve in the phase two permitting scheduled for the 518-2021 BCC meeting, the inclusion of all canals and waterways in the Seaforce area, which include those of the Gulf. Association. This highly affects hundreds of boaters in this area. This needs to be done in order for our community to continue to

1:35:11be the ideal beach community it has become.

1:35:17Next email is from James and Gina Drake. Dear Board of County Commissioners, we own property at the Sea Forest area of Gulf Landings Community [address removed]. As you know, this is a unique neighborhood with saltwater canals giving homeowners boating access to the Gulf of Mexico. Many of these canals are owned by Pasco County, and maintain these canals, maintaining these canals are essential for upholding upholding the property values and in terms

1:35:46Accordingly, we are asking that all canals and waterways in the Seaforest area, including the Gulf Landings Association, be included in your phase two permitting agenda item that is currently scheduled for May eighteenth, twenty twenty-one. Additionally, we request that the letter be read into the meeting. And included the board record. Thank you.

1:36:05Next email is from Ron and Sharon Getty, [address removed]. Um [address removed].

1:36:17My husband and I moved from Tampa to Mariners uh Way, a part of Gulf Landings Association off at Seaforce Drive in two thousand eighteen. It was supposed to be our last home as we Made Condo Life our permanent residence at this time. It's been a wonder it has been wonderful having the access to the Gulf through the Mark Canals that we follow in our boat along the many beautiful homes and mangroves with all its natural to explore. Maintaining these canals is essential to our future boating in the Gulf Coast and

1:36:47property values, which is linked to the tax base for Pasco County. We're proposing for your consideration that all the canals and waterways in the Sea Forest area be included in phase two permitting agenda item on May eighteenth, twenty twenty one. Thank you very much for all your efforts to see that that every boater is able to continue to make their way out to the Gulf for a beautiful day on the water. We appreciate your interest and attention to this matter close close to our hearts. Hearts. Heaven is a little closer in a home by the water. We request that our letter be read at the meeting and therefore on record.

1:37:17Sincerely, Ron Getty and Sharon Getty. Alright. Uh next email is from Tom Um Haworth.

1:37:29I own the property at [address removed]. I am sure As I am sure you know, this area is unique with its saltwater canals and boating access to the Gulf of Mexico. The vast majority of these canals are owned by Pasco County. Maintaining these canals is essential to upholding our property values and in turn tax base for Pasco County. Accordingly, I am asking that all the canals and waterways in the Sea Forest area, which includes Gulf Landings Association, be included in your phase two permitting agenda item that is currently scheduled for.

1:37:59May eighteenth, twenty twenty one. Additionally, I request that the letter be read at the meeting and included in your board record. Thank you for your assistance in this matter.

1:38:09The next email is from Edward and Karen Gorillo. Dear Pasco County Commissioners, we own two properties in Seaforest area of Gulf Landings Association, [address removed] and [address removed]. As I am sure you know, this area is unique with its saltwater canals and boat access to the Gulf of Mexico. The vast majority of these canals are owned by Pasco County. Maintaining these canals is essential to upholding our property value and in turn the

1:38:39tax base for Pasco County. Accordingly, we are asking that all of the canals and waterways in the Seaforce area, which includes the Gulf Atlantic Association, be included in your phase two permitting agenda item that is currently scheduled for May 18th, 2021. Additionally, we request that this letter be read at the meeting and included in your board record. Thank you in advance sincerely. Next email is from Deborah uh Gornick, [address removed]. I live in golf landings.

1:39:09I have a deeded boat slip that may become worthless in the near future. The canals leading to Mariner's Way are very shallow in some spots. Most of the time it's difficult to get in and out, but at low tide impossible. I know over time it's just going to get worse if nothing is done. Water access is what brought me to Pas Pasco County. Property values have increased in the last two years. Unfortunately, if we lose our water access, property values will decrease and there will be no Draw for new residents. As you know, property values and taxes

1:39:39go hand in hand, so that it would be a win-win for Pass County to maintain the canals by dredging. I request Pasco County Board of County Commissioners add an amendment and approval by the Board of County Commissioners to include all the canals and waterways in the Seaforse area, which includes Gulf Landing Association, to be included in the phase two permitting that is scheduled for the May 18th, 2021 BOCC meeting. The request I request my email to be read into the read and entered into record of the May eighteenth, twenty twenty-one Board of County Commissioners meeting. Thank you in advance for your consideration.

1:40:19Please. Warren Waytrek is um the next one. [address removed].

1:40:33I want this email read into the record during the May eighteenth BOCC meeting or whatever the date the agenda item is heard. My name is Warren Uh Weightrich.

1:40:43Do we have to listen to this one? The agenda is not being heard today.

1:40:48Yes, you have to listen to it's public comment. I said you didn't have to listen to things before you took action on your consent agenda.

1:40:55Okay, it just sounds like he wanted it on the day it's being heard. All right. Yeah. It came early, so

1:41:08I want to express the concerns of many of the citizens of my community and I ha and I have about the canal. We find ourselves in desperate need of dredging, not only for the water quality, but most of all safety. I feel everyone here knows someone or has been stuck themselves in the canal during low tide, no matter the model of boat they have. My neighbor had to spend almost twenty Four hours stuck in the mud at the inlet of the canal under until the water was deep enough for him to limp his way home. He could not even he could not even get out we

1:41:38could not even get out to him to deliver water or food. It is a scary, it is a scary thought living in an area with an older population that only a Coast Guard helicopter would be able to rescue one of our citizens in an emergency. I myself have a kayak and it's sad that even Even I cannot get to the golf in a kayak during winter low tide. I have seen many boaters run aground due to the extreme shallows throughout our canals year round. It is only a matter of time until someone

1:42:09is seriously injured or killed. I know we are not as large as Gulf Harbors or Hudson, but these areas already have deep water access canals with clear water, so why not help a community that is desp in desperate need of more than inches of water at a time? As a waterfront community, we are trying to better our neighborhood, clean up what we can and make the area we live in more desirable place. We would t I would it would take one boat ride through the canal of our community and planners to see the unquestionable

1:42:39need of dredging to assist not only in our community efforts to create a more desirable place to live, but to create a safer waterway for everyone.

1:42:50Next email is from William Van Vexten. [address removed]. I want this email read into the record during the May 18th BCBOCC meeting. The canals need to be dredged because as sediment builds up on the bottom of the waterway, it reduces the depth of the water. Dredging strips away the accumulated debris which can restore the water body to its original depths and and reduce the risk of flooding. Respectfully

1:43:20yours. Next emails from Susan Moskowitz, [address removed]. The canals need to be dredged in order to maintain the health, recreational enjoyment. It is beneficial to the environment and to the quality of the canal. Thank you.

1:43:44The next email is from Eddie and Joe Welsh, uh Westport Waterfront Homeowners. I do not see an em uh an address. A good morning, members of the board. My wife and I recently became waterfront homeowners in the Westport Subdivision. We are active members of the Westport Homeowners Association and the Westport Boat Club organization. It was brought to our knowledge that on in August 2020, the Board of County Commissioners unanimously voted to push forward changes to the comprehensive and

1:44:14strategic plans that support the restoration efforts of our Pasco Coastline. We are writing today to express our utmost support of the BOCC's vote and pledge our dedication to the restoration and preservation of the canals, channels, and the adjacent Salt Springs. As we are sure you are all aware, the canal, channels, and waterways in the Westport area have been neglected for years. In fact, we could find no record of dredging has ever been done. The effects of this neglect has become a safety issue for the aquatic life. Um Bethnic

1:44:44organisms, vegetation, plant growth, wildlife and wetlands. The water quality is poor. Due to an abundance of resting decomposition decomp decomposing organic matter and silt, which depletes the oxygen supplies in the water. When weather events occur that occur the silt turns up and the decomposing bottom waters are driven to the surface. As a result, all of the above mentioned are s are suffering the adverse side effects. Dredging is a key component to the health of our canals and channels.

1:45:16And can significantly reduce the effects of shoreline erosion. Dredging improves aquatic habitats for local plants and animals, the material displaced while dredging can be used as a valuable resource in promoting native. Plant growth in our wetland area. When strategically deposited, this material can be used to reinforce and restore aquatic environments for our wildlife. Additionally, the neglect to our canal has had an adverse impact on boaters, residents, and visitors to our local salt springs.

1:45:46A lack of maintenance and dredging of the canal have caused them to become silted in. For many residents and visitors, This restricts golf access solely to high tides, resulting in lower waterfront property values and a decrease in tourism in the Salt Springs. We have an immediate and urgent need for the help and support of the Pasco County BOCC. We are in desperate situation and is imperative. that we begin the process of res restoration and preservation of our canals and channels post haste before the damage of of the neglect

1:46:16is irreversible. We respectfully request that this restoration and dredging of the Westport uh Channel and canals be Marked as a high priority, if not the highest priority, on the dredging schedule and funded at least in part by the Restor Act monies. Again, we want this email read into the record on May eighteenth, BOCC meeting or whenever the date of the agenda item is heard. Thank you for your consideration.

1:46:37How many do you have left?

1:46:42I think of this. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen.

1:46:55So what is the pleasure of the board? Will it continue into lunch hour or

1:47:00lunch. A meeting.

1:47:01A meeting?

1:47:01Yeah.