John Varner wrote:
> Beach renourishment involves more than pumping temporarily sulfide-rich muck onto the beach (snip)

Quite true. As you point out, beach renourishment is not done
with beach sand, but with sediments that, in Southeast Florida's
case, have settled between reef systems. This greyish stuff
drying on the beach is full of smashed mollusk and turtle shell,
along with lots of scaphopods.

Reef Rescue is primarily devoted to forcing the Boynton/Delray
sewer treatment plant/outfall to comply with existing law. So
far, we have been able to prevent renewal of their permit and to
force the State of Florida and Palm Beach County to acknowledge
the requirements of the federal Clean Water Act.

Not much, but a lot more than many big name conservation groups
have been able to do, and the vast majority of costs have come
out of our own pockets.

We also documented turbidity levels associated with beach
renourishment that were far in excess of what is allowed. The
response by the Army Corp of Engineers is a request for a
100-fold increase in allowable turbidity levels.

Note that the environmental impact statements issued by the ACE
for beach renourishment projects make no mention of mollusks,
not even of the endangered and protected S. gigas.

That's where yer shells are going, and it's all paid for with
yer tax money.

The pollution caused by the Boynton/Delray outfall is in
violation of existing law, rules, and regulations.

Much of the destruction accompanying beach renourishment is in
violation of existing law, rules, and regulations.

Simply forcing compliance with the law can accomplish big results.

For a look at what a small group with very meager funds can
accomplish, go to:

Palm Beach County Reef Rescue
www.reef-rescue.org

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