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JVT'S Community Involvement
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Rose Bay, Harbor Oaks, Florida Restoration Project
Being a leader and supporter of causes that involve the mistakes
of mankind -- restoring Rose Bay (now a designated State of Florida
Protected Waterway) to its once uncontaminated clearer depths
with white sandy bottom; that supported manatees, Egrets, Roseate
Spoonbill, various marshland waterfowl, oyster beds, shrimp, etc. --
was a natural for me as a shoreline homeowner.
Over 12 years ago it all started with an idea by C. Larry Hains
and together we teamed up to start the efforts through the support
of our Harbor Oaks Area Homeowners Association, Inc. -- coupled with
constant news coverage by the Daytona Beach News-Journal,
ecology reporters. Now, through the 5-point management
program that began with our community and the City of Port Orange
(which we ultimately voted to incorporate into); St. John's Water
Management District; Halafax/Indian River Task Force; State of
Florida DOT and U. S. Corps of Engineers -- the project had a
targeted completion date of 2004, with the help of State and Federal
dollars. After the bridge replacement (that opened the bay to full
flush and flow); 2 to 10 feet of muck still must be suctioned from
the bottom; stored, drained and hauled off to accepting dump sites;
along with the removal of the old causeway and pilings east of the
new bridge.
However, the $5.3 M Federal dollars, allocated to this phase of
the project had been pulled back due to the "9-11" crisis. So, a
new push to regain funding was begun by the homeowners association
through publicity and a letter writing campaign to anyone who could
help -- from The Office of the President of the United States
down through local organizations who had given their total support
for the past 12+ years. Which appears to have worked; because the
new completion date is set for 2005/6.
The unique project has been touted as a first in the United
States and a model program to be used elsewhere.
Mrs. Joanne V. (Lewis) Thomas
Harbor Oaks Area Homeowners Assoc.
Membership since 1989.
Holding past offices of:
Advisry Board & Board Member
Publicity Chairman
Secretary
Treasurer
Vice President
STILL UNDER
CONSTRUCTION
by:
JVTh007@aol.com
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Music Playing: Bridge Over Troubled Waters
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