10/07/2014 (3) - Laserfiche WebLink

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10-7-2_0p OSLO RAMP The Indian River County Historical Society has pictures of Mr. Wood's Fish House at the end of Oslo Road from 1914. All parties would agree that this is a pristine area. It became this way while being used by Fishermen everyday for the past 100 years. Indian River County residents have been enjoying the use of and protecting the area for the better part of a century before the environmental group decided they wanted the ramp all to themselves for canoes & kayaks. The storms in 2004-05 really changed the area and brought about the need to clean up the damage that was done by the storms and protect the area. This has always been a beautiful and well protected ramp and the county commission wanted to make sure it continued that way for all the residents of our county. Well! How do you do this. You start by continuing the things that has made it the great place it is and add in and observe all the new laws and criteria that, by the way, the environmentalist helped put in place. This has not been a project taken lightly and the Indian River County Commission has worked with all groups within the frame work of the Federal, State, and Local laws for seven years and altered the plan several times to appease the other side. Over the last seven years the counties plan has withstood all challenges either "As is" or with some changes. This plan will continue to protect the lagoon by removing the muck and silt which is detrimental to sea grass by way of suction not dredging, stopping the harmful runoff from the shell and marl road, turn around and parking area, which limits parking and has already limited the size boats that can launch by putting in a short ramp for smaller boats. What we have here is the environmentalist never believed anyone could meet all the hurdles and have resorted to scare tactics and outright fault statements and attacks. The counties plan has been upheld by all State, Federal, and local departments and agencies, and withstood the challenge of the court, showing the commission has done everything it could to help the lagoon; staying within the law. At this point, the plan to improve the health of the lagoon, allow all citizens access to the water and the law is on the side of the Indian River County commission. It would be remiss of the commission as someone that took an oath to uphold the laws to not move forward with this project. If they don't it would appear strictly political. The lagoon needs the improvements and there is plenty of room for the canoes and kayaks. I would ask the commission to move forward with this plan. Ralph Poppell 191.5