Save The Bays Meeting – Feb. 3, 2009   Minutes

Save The Bays held its winter meeting in the Lucerne Condominium Social Room at 10 AM.
Present: M Tempest, A Katz, R Katz, D Spina, B Lazear, D Herndon, D Craig, E Ten Eyck, G Rosow, R Brady, M Williams
Absent: W Larson, S Burberry
Guests:  M Bauer, K Laakkonen, J Sorey
Speaker: Dr. Aswani Volety , Marine Biology Dept. Head FGCU
The Minutes of the Nov. meeting were summarized.
Dudley Herndon presented the Treasurer’s Report, noting that in 2008 our contributions increased and the year ended with a net gain in our bank accounts and overall income.  We discussed the possible reasons for our increase in donations in 2008 and we think it could be our DVD describing our Award from the Guardians of the Gulf, a division of the EPA, and the use of photographs to illustrate our projects to protect and/or improve our water quality.  The photos improve our communications with members through our newsletters and prove that their donations are put to good use.
Bill Lazear previously had sent his report on membership.  For 2008 we had 690 donations for a total of $17,216.  So far in 2009, we have received 5 donations for a total of $255.  After our last newsletter in 2008 we received 188 donations totaling $4,792.
Dr. Aswani Volety
Dr. Volety then spoke to the group summarizing the year long project we funded through our Dan Spina Grant for seeding clams and oysters in 6 areas of the Bays to find out if the mollusks thrived in the various locations.  The locations, under docks, were selected in parts of the bays farther from the Pass.
What we found was that except for predation at one location, and problems during the rainy season decreasing the salinity, all the areas supported good growth in the clams and oysters.  Dr. Volety noted that in areas of high salinity the clams are more successful than oysters and in areas of lower salinity the oysters are more successful than the clams.  Moorings Bay is actually higher in salinity than the Gulf.  Both species had wonderful growth rates.  
It was noted there was little fresh water run off until the rainy season when the salinity was lowered in the bay water.  Unless the fresh water is abundant, it sits in a thin layer on top of the salt water and does not adversely affect the mollusks.  But during the rainy summer season, there are often heavy storm events pouring greater amounts of fresh water into the bay, along with the contaminants from the streets and yards from Tamiami Trail west.
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Dr. Volety said our study concluded that since both species grew very well in the bay waters, it could be possible, with proper substrate for each, to seed large numbers of both mollusks in the Moorings Bay System to filter the water.
There were questions following Dr. Volety’s presentation about whether both species were necessary for the success of their growth and affecting the water quality.  He said each one thrives individually and each has its own particular substrate requirements.
What number would be necessary to totally clean the entire bay?  It is estimated that it would take millions of mollusks to adequately filter the bay.  Dr. Bauer and Katie Laakkonen said our water quality is good and the totally filtered water was not necessary for high water quality.  They both discussed the city’s oyster project on the shoal in our bay.  This project ran into difficulties when the tidal ebb and flow buried the oyster shell bags with sand.  They questioned how the design might be modified to support an oyster colony and grow.  The best solution to using the shoal for increasing water quality could be planting mangroves.
Dan Spina moved to thank Dr. Volety for his speech and the handling of the project. Dan hoped to have him propose new projects to further improve the water quality and thus our property values.  To live on the cleanest water possible would increase property value.
Mike Bauer and Katie Laakkonen spoke about storm water runoff and how it was the source of the only problems we seem to have.  They proposed that we encourage water gardens by our downspouts to allow the water to be filtered and seep into the ground rather than sheet off our property.  Other suggestions were the introduction of mangroves (on the shoal) and the addition of rip rap along our seawalls (or in place of seawalls), to provide support for oysters and habitat for fish.  One could also plant mangrove plants among the rip rap for further habitat and filtration of the water.
Councilman John Sorey reported that the dredging of Wiggins Pass was to commence on Monday, Feb. 9 and the project should reach Doctors Pass on March 10, lasting for 17 days.  Bob Brady asked what could be done to protect the dredge and to keep boaters away from the equipment.  He thought posted signs could aid in protecting the equipment and the boaters.  Al Katz and John Sorey noted that there was a boat monitoring the operation last time to keep the transiting boats from harm’s way and communicating with boaters about the operations and safe navigation.
Al Katz gave us the report from the MBCAC.  A survey of the entire bay system to find the channel and note the location and depth of the channel is requested.  Several companies are bidding to perform this survey.  Al said that the city code 56 –93 discusses the channel and the construction of docks.  It notes that the channel “generally” is located 20 ft. from the seawalls.  The construction and positioning of docks is a problem that is still being discussed in MBCAC.
The stormwater drains are being located and the medallions for them are being designed.  City Council wants a notification on each medallion that pouring certain liquids into the drains is 
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Illegal and fines may result.  This warning should be in English and Spanish.  The cost and design are under consideration.
We are about 20 years away from a system of non potable water for lawn watering.  It requires extensive infrastructure and cost.  Water collection and filtration fields and lakes are under construction currently so that storm water collected in the city is not just pumped out into the Gordon River.
The City of Naples received a grant of $250,000 to repair the north jetty.  All bids so far have come in far above this amount.  It is reported that the south jetty is also in need of repair although the steel ribs are not exposed as those on the north side are.  This project will be included in a greater jetty project to begin in about a year beginning in Marco Island and continuing in other areas where it is necessary.  
Bob Brady reported that the DP light is working properly.
Ed Ten Eyck noted that the Web Page had about 75 “hits” in January.  He needs new material to post to it.  He said he would link to the city projects of the water gardens.  We need to get pictures for Ed.
Gerry Rosow said no problems have been reported lately concerning debris in the bay waters.
There have been no new reports of thefts of high speed boats.  The people who own those types of boats have been notified and warned by the City Police to take proper precautions to protect their boats.  They should lock their boats, disconnect the power to the lifts and secure the boats to the lifts with chains and locks.
The date for our Annual Meeting will be Friday, April 3, at 2 PM, if that is agreeable with Mr. Moss, the City Manager, whom we would like to have as our speaker.