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Coordinators of the International Coastal Cleanup from the United States and Around the World Respond to the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill Crisis |
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April 30, 2010
Cancun, Mexico— Coordinators of Ocean Conservancy's International Coastal Cleanup are currently gathered in Cancun Mexico for their annual conference. The global network of organizations and individuals remove trash and debris from the world's beaches and waterways; identify the sources of debris; and advocate for changing policies and behaviors that cause marine debris in the first place. Today they issued the following statement:
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"For 25 years we have worked to keep our oceans and waterways clean and safe from trash for current and future generations. Now, we are watching heartbroken as these same coasts are being enveloped in a thick black slick. On behalf of the 500,000 volunteers of the International Coastal Cleanup, we urge that every measure possible be taken by expert responders in the coming days to protect our precious coasts. As coordinators we are dedicated to activating our volunteer networks to assist in this cleanup effort at the appropriate time." |
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Spencer Ryan, Alabama coordinator with Alabama PALS, said: "As coordinators of the Gulf Coast region's coastal cleanup effort, we have so appreciated the support of cleanup coordinators from around the world as this tragedy has unfolded. The international community shares our concerns, and we have their support at this difficult time."
Annie Griffin, Florida coordinator with the Perdido Key Association, said: "This is the beginning of the turtle nestling season on the Gulf Coast. They are just one part of a pristine ecosystem that we on Perdido Key call home. I fear that our environment, community and economy could be devastated by the fallout of this spill."
John Kieser, South Africa country coordinator, said: "Having seen major oil spills here in South Africa that have devastated our wildlife and coasts, we empathize with the people of the Gulf. The world's coastlines are a precious resource, which the International Coastal Cleanup volunteers work to protect every day. We urge US authorities to do everything they can to protect the Gulf from the worst of this crisis."
Ocean Conservancy is the world's foremost advocate for the oceans. Through science-based advocacy, research, and public education, we inform, inspire and empower people to speak and act for the oceans. Ocean Conservancy is headquartered in Washington, DC, and has offices in Florida, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Pacific, including Alaska, with support from more than half a million members and volunteers.
Source: www.OceanConservancy.org |
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Perdido Kids
Park
- There have been a lot of great improvements made this summer
at Perdido Kids Park. The restrooms are now finished, sidewalks
have been poured, and two picnic pavilions have been installed.
They are a favorite for birthday parties. A lovely Nature Walk
Trail has been constructed by Eagle Boy Scout Troop 692, and big
shade umbrellas for the picnic tables were purchased with funds
raised by area school children. The tops of the swing sets have
sprouted bird houses and the zinnias planted at the entrance are
attracting butterflies. Perdido Kid's Park is a community
treasure that everyone should be very proud of. Not a single day
goes by that it is not used by area families as a free, fun and
imagination inspiring outing. PKA is proud to continue to it's
support of the volunteers that built this park and work so hard
to keep it up.
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FOR PHOTOS
All BCC meetings are open to
the public and are held in Board Chambers, First Floor, Escambia County
Governmental Complex, 221 Palafox Place. You are encouraged to attend.
Please
contact the commissioners
with your views on this important issue.
Make yourself heard
- If you have a request or
problem with Escambia County there is a special place on their website to
make yourself heard.
LINK
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Bingo
Update
The county's
temporary moratorium which prevents consideration of development
applications for new gaming facilities has been extended until
July 2, 2010.
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The Planning Board and the Board of County Commissioners will meet on April 12, 2010 in a special joint workshop to discuss proposed zoning ordinances that would provide some guidelines for Adult Amusement Arcades and Electronic Bingo machines. The meeting is open to the public. The PKA
board is closely following this issue and has made comment at every
opportunity. The County Commissioners are waiting to see what new gaming
legislation comes out of Tallahassee in the coming weeks. It has been
suggested that the electronic bingo may be allowed exclusively at the
Dog Track. We will keep you advised.
Approval of
Perdido Key Habitat Conservation Plan Will Allow County Officials to
Issue permit to "take" endangered Species. “The County is requesting an Incidental Take
Permit that will authorize the incidental take of
Perdido Key beach mouse, four (4) nesting sea
turtle species (loggerhead, green, leatherback,
and Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles), and the nonbreeding
piping plover within the Plan Area for
a period of 30 years pursuant to the terms and
conditions of this Habitat Conservation Plan and
the ITP.”
-Page 1– Escambia County HCP for Perdido Key. [Read
the complete
article by Alan Dennis]
Traffic
Analysis – State Road 282
Perdido Key Drive
By Kelly G. Robertson
& Dan Henderson
Traffic conditions on the Perdido Key Drive portion of SR-292 continue
to be a contested local issue. Should Perdido Key Drive be widened to
the four-lane divided highway as called for in the county funded PD&E
study, or should we seek some alternative solution? What are the reasons
that contribute to either approach?
If traffic concurrency (to allow for more development on Perdido Key) is
the reason, then widening makes little sense as we already have
concurrency for building out to the allowed Cap. If hurricane evacuation
is the primary concern, then it makes little sense to widen Perdido Key
Drive before there are improvements to the Theo Baars Bridge and other
roads leading out of the county. Four lanes of traffic leading up to a
two-lane bridge and evacuation route is not sound (or sane) fiscal
practice. Improvement to SR-292 for safety concerns should be the number
one criteria for any proposed changes to the road. So, how dangerous is
Perdido Key Drive, and are there any alternatives to the current
configuration that will alleviate the problems?
According to a summary of the crash data along the stretch of SR-292
from the west end of the bridge to the state line, Perdido Key Dr. isn’t
all that dangerous when compared to other county or state roads.
Jonathan Harris, District 3 Safety Program Manager for FDOT states
“there were 120 total crashes over the past 5 years (through the end of
2007). The percentages are roughly the same for each year. Looks to be
the worst problems are on Friday and Saturday and are probably out of
town folks, some drinking and driving, but not much worse than ‘average’
for the state. Nearly half of the crashes involved speeding, some
excessive speeding. Seat belt usage is about average for the state.”
Over that five-year period, PK Drive had four accidents involving
pedestrians, one involving a bicycle, and ZERO fatalities (although
there was one accident resulting in fatalities in 2008, unrelated to
alcohol or drugs). “Average” for the state doesn’t point to any critical
or specific problems, but hardly anyone will argue against the need for
improvements to the road. Here are a few suggestions:
First, providing pedestrian and bicycle paths as called for in the
1997/2003 PKNP would be a terrific help. On any given day, at any given
time, you might see upwards of a dozen or more joggers/walkers along the
road regardless of weather conditions. The Plan called for this
improvement designed to “enhance the overall character of the
neighborhood”, and “encourage non-motorized transportation, thus
increasing recreational opportunities to Perdido Key residents” by the
year 2002 - independent of widening the road. So it is long overdue.
Second, a reduction in the speed limit along with added strict
enforcement would be welcome to combat safety issues.
And third, let’s not forget those pedestrian rights-of-way for safely
crossing the road, which is a common practice throughout Florida’s
coastal paradise. (Added note: a few more public beach access points,
also called for in the plan, would be a tremendous addition to the
ped-xing program.)
The fact is most visitors and residents alike don’t see SR-292 as
“over-crowded.” Back-ups at the state line or elsewhere do not occur
during most hours of use or under normal operating conditions unless
special events are scheduled on the island – such as Mullet Toss weekend
- and 6 lanes of highway wouldn’t help that situation. If you want to
see real traffic – try the four-lane stretch of Hwy. 98 through Panama
City or Destin. Or try 8am or 5pm anywhere in any city.
Regarding 2, 3, or 4 lanes for Perdido Key Drive, consider this: will
increasing the number of lanes curb driving while under the influence?
Will it increase or decrease the average speed; lessen or focus greater
amounts of thru traffic? How will it impact compatibility with a
pedestrian/bicycle friendly neighborhood environment? And consider this:
even though the Perdido Key Area Chamber of Commerce professes that
“people need to realize how important it would be for us to have
four-lane roads,” there are only two sections of four lane road on all
the islands on the western side of Florida from Sanibel northward
through Perdido Key.
We may or may not get an opportunity to voice our opinions at the ballot
box on how we shape Perdido Key in the future, including the road, but
don’t you think we should?
The more things change -
the more they
stay the same
Read Carl Wernike's 2003 Editorial regarding Caps and
Zoning on Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key. Our future was being
forecast.
Perdido in the
News
2-21-09:
Upscale bingo set for key - Facility would partner with Creek Indians
10-16-08:
The Perdido Key
Dwelling Cap Stands!
8-24-08:
Hatchling sea turtles need
help from humans to survive
7-22-08:
Escambia to restrict area at Perdido Key from development forever
6-21-08:
Letter to Editor: Key dwelling
'cap'
4-10-08:
Perdido Key Sea Turtle
Friendly Lighting Workshop
10-2-07:
SW Escambia Roads Presentation
8-11-07:
Hurricane lessons lost in county's Perdido Key plan
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