Water Solutions Working Group

The Water Solutions Working Group has had an active and engaged few weeks as we sought to identify parameters and objectives as a collective group. As individual leaders of our respective bodies, we agree that it is important for all levels of government and all public stakeholders to support efforts to improve water quality in South Florida. We also agree that the problems we face as a community today are the result of many different sources and it is time to eliminate finger pointing and blame, and get to work on funding and completing identified projects that the scientific community agrees must be completed to address these significant water quality issues. Over the past few weeks, we have had the opportunity to learn from several scientists, engineers and local stakeholders, and look forward to continue to meet with other members of our communities. We have also started to meet with officials at various levels of government to better understand their policy agendas and ideas. While we are continuing to evolve as a working group, and our objectives and issues will continue to be refined, we wanted to update you on some of the parameters we have identified to date. We have identified both large scale objectives and specific community oriented objectives that need to be fully funded and in many cases expedited. We look forward to continuing to work, meeting and working with the many people and businesses who have reached out to be part getting solutions moving forward.
Local Objectives

• Ensure long term water quality and quantity protection of the Loxahatchee River System
• Work with Palm Beach County, Martin County and associated municipal and governmental entities towards protection of all of our community watersheds
• Ensure that funding for Palm Beach County and Martin County water quality initiatives are fully funded in the next state budget cycle
• Ensure that projects slated for completion impacting the Loxahatchee River System are fully funded in the next state budget cycle
• Meet with local elected officials, community leaders, non-profits, and identified stakeholders to identify ways to work together towards achieving these goals.

Regional Objectives

• Identify and advocate for specific and near term funding sources for the Conservation Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), the Central Everglades Planning Project (CEPP), and Kissimmee River Restoration projects:
  • Specific funding of projects in the state budget
  • Advocate at the federal levels to increase urgency on US Army Corps to move forward with funding for projects
  • Advocate for funding for state-wide septic tank conversions
  • Advocate for land acquisition as part of implementation of CERP and CEPP
  • Advocate for Army Corps review of Herbert Hoover Dike discharge schedules to determine if the amount of discharges currently conducted are necessary
  • Meet with elected state legislators and officers, federal elected officials, and state and federal agencies to advocate for expedited funding for these projects

_________________________________________________________________

Mayor Brennan Responds to FECR Regarding Proposed Solutions to Lengthy Train Delays

On Saturday, March 7, 2015, a Florida East Coast Railway (FECR) train traveling southbound was forced to stop due to a mechanical malfunction on the lowering/raising of the Loxahatchee River bascule bridge. Because of the lengthy traffic delays to our residents and the severe safety issues involved, Mayor Abby Brennan initiated contact with the Florida East Coast Railway, Senior Vice President, requesting the FECR work with the Village to implement a solution.
On Friday, March 13, 2015, the FECR responded to the Mayor’s request with solutions to mitigate the extensive traffic issues due to the malfunctioning bridge and to ensure the continued safety and well being of our Village residents. Attached is the Mayor’s response welcoming the FECR’s recommended solutions.

Click here for FECR response letter.

Click here for Mayor's response letter.

___________________________________________________________________________

Mayor Brennan Requests Solutions from FECR for Lengthy Train Delays

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
3.10.15
On Saturday, March 7, 2015, a Florida East Coast Railway (FECR) train traveling southbound was forced to stop due to a mechanical malfunction on the lowering/raising of the Loxahatchee River bascule bridge. Because of the lengthy traffic delays to our residents and the severe safety issues involved, Mayor Abby Brennan initiated contact with the Florida East Coast Railway, Senior Vice President, requesting the FECR work with the Village to implement a solution.
The Mayor’s letter is attached. She is awaiting a written confirmation of their communications and actions that will be taken by FECR to mitigate the extensive traffic issues due to the malfunctioning bridge and to ensure the continued safety and wellbeing of our Village residents.

Letter from Mayor