Live... from Port Canaveral.... It's the CPA

Despite being moved from the Canaveral Port Authority's normal meeting space and being scheduled during normal business hours, it looks like a good turnout has made its way to Cruise Terminal 1. There are quite a few suits here, as it is the annual budget meeting for CPA. But there are also quite a few yellow shirts and casually dressed residents on hand to help voice their opinion on the CPA's embattled plan to build a 6,000-foot earthen-berm causeway across a National Wildlife Refuge and federally-managed manatee refuge.

First takeaway: The movement of the meeting was intended to minimize the presence of concerned citizens and opponents of the rail plan; the meeting facility at Cruise Terminal 1 is large enough to hold a small trade show and is reminiscent of those massive no-man's land hallways in some of Vegas' larger casinos.

Capt. Alex Gorichky, founder of the No Fill, No Kill movement is expected to introduce an alternative rail plan for Port Canaveral, one that he says is a "common sense approach" that allows the CPA and its elected commissioners to enjoy in the experience of commercial cargo rail coming to Brevard.

We're here at the meeting, wading through mounds of numbers and stale Power Point presentations. Interestingly, there was a shortfall in cargo revenue this year of nearly $3 million dollars. Apparently that sector isn't thriving as they thought it would. This shortfall would seem to dovetail well with the CPA's plan. I can see that they would like to make the point that without rail, cargo will never take off here.

It's also interesting that cruise passengers — a continuing burgeoning source of revenue for the port — made up for that shortfall. Perhaps they should focus more on cruise operations and that would be money better spent than "investing in America" and hewing a commercial railway through environmentally sensitive wetlands and federally-managed sanctuaries.

Stay tuned. We'll bring you more as this story unfolds. 

CPA Changes Public Meeting Location

The first public meeting where anybody might have the chance to voice their support or opposition for the Canaveral Port Authority's embattled commercial cargo rail plan has been moved from the Maritime Center to Cruise Ship Terminal #1 at Port Canaveral in anticipation of another standing-room-only crowd for Wednesday morning's meeting.

No Fill, No Kill founder Alex Gorichky and former Port Commissioner Sue Ford will unveil a new alternative to the CPA's plan.

"Our plan requires a minimum of fill," says Gorichky. "It uses existing travel corridors, and gives folks involved a real opportunity to celebrate commercial rail. It's a very common sense approach that we think will be embraced by the community."

The meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. at Cruise Ship Terminal 1, just next store to Grill's... right where the Canaveral Port Authority closed the public boat ramp.

CPA Myth NO 3: A commercial rail crossing will harm the lagoon

In this series of posts, we are looking at the various myths which the Canaveral Port Authority says it wants to educate the public about. This is a part of CPA's community outreach concerning its proposal to erect an earthen-berm causeway — more than a mile in length — across the northern Banana River Lagoon. In this installment, we're taking a look at Myth No. 2 contained in the Port's document Port Canaveral Rail System Myths vs. Facts, distributed after its April 30th informational meeting. That link takes you to the CPA's website, where the full document is available.

MYTH NO. 3 — The Phantom Plan

The Canaveral Port Authority’s third myth on its hit-list, is that the Commercial Rail Crossing will harm the lagoon.

The fact they purport: The pile-supported trestle crossing will allow water to flow freely. We are currently researching whether oyster net systems placed on each column could help filter pollutants from the water in a natural way. Also, Florida Institute of Technology scientists claim they can create a seawater baffle system for water flush capabilities to enhance the lagoon system and its sea grass beds. Port Canaveral supports this logical, scientific approach and continues to work with multiple agencies and scientists in all areas to support a healthy lagoon system. We believe that in working with environmental professionals, we can enhance, not harm, the lagoon system.

What we know: In this video, Port CEO John Walsh says their is no fill in their current plan.

What we don't know: What plan he is talking about.

Photo of plan preferred by CPA according to latest information from Surface Transportation Board.

Detail showing earthen-berm causeway on detailed drawing above. Note, CPA has removed the 6,000-foot distance. But according to the scale in the lower right, this is 6,000 feet in length. 

Fact: Drawings for the plan preferred by the CPA and on file with the STB include a 6,000-foot earthen-berm, filled causeway.

Earthen-berm causeways like those on SR 520 and 528 and the Pineda Causeway have significantly decreased the wind-driven flow of water throughout the river and led to water quality degredation and habitat loss.

Open Ocean Wanderer Calls on Canaveral National Seashore

Very cool story and video from Florida Today on a rare day-time nesting of a leatherback sea turtle along the Canaveral National Seashore. 

This is the largest of the sea turtles, and really are an awesome glimpse at a prehistoric creature. 

NEW CPA MYTH: NO FILL WITH RAIL

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This video is a clip from the April 30th informational meeting held by the Canaveral Port Authority on plans to erect a commercial rail line across the federally protected northern Banana River Lagoon. An earthen-berm causeway is a primary component for two of the CPA's four preferred alternatives.  Although the berm won't completely span the lagoon, it will extend more than a mile (6,000 feet according to engineering documents filed with the application) into the river, ostensibly restricting the wind-driven hydrology of the lagoon, resulting in water-flow restriction, degraded water quality and habitat loss.

Port Canaveral CEO John Walsh attempts to diffuse the crowd of more than 300 opponents to the project by matter-of-factly dismissing the notion that ANY fill would be used. This is despite its inclusion in the document provided above.

The earthen-berm causeway is a major concern for the US Fish and Wildlife Service and US Army Corps of Engineers, who specifically mention the use of fill in their scoping comments submitted in December to the National Surface Transportation Board.

The Canaveral Port Authority specifically mentions the use of fill in its response to the NSTB's request for supplemental information submitted in March. This document explains why all of the options proposed, except for CPA's preferred ones, are infeasible. You will note that they admit that a trestle-only rail would still require fill.

The CPA's monthly, public board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 20th, at 9 AM a the  Maritime Center on Challenger Drive in Port Canaveral. Members of the public are invited to attend and may voice their support, opposition and other concerns during public comment periods limited to three minutes each.

Map to Canaveral Port Authority. Click for directions.

Port Canaveral Crafts Own Feature on Myths

While we're taking a look day-by-day at the myths that the port is attempting to dispel, we figured we'd give you a look at their side of the story. This is a glowing feature that ran on the website Space Coast Daily. Note the byline: Canaveral Port Authority.

CPA Meeting Un-Edited

If you'd like to see the third segment where Canaveral Port Authority CEO John Walsh addressed the public on its commercial cargo rail plan that includes proposals for an earthen-berm causeway through the middle of a federally-managed manatee sanctuary and No Motor Zone in the northern Banana River, here it is. I'd suggest that you watch the video, then read the press release that CPA media relations and marketing put out the following day. You can find it here, for now, on the Port Authority website. All comments for or against are welcome. 

CPA: It's A Myth Rail Project Will Hurt Seagrasses

In this series of posts, we are looking at the various myths which the Canaveral Port Authority says it wants to educate the public about. This is a part of CPA's community outreach concerning its proposal to erect an earthen-berm causeway — more than a mile in length — across the northern Banana River Lagoon. In this installment, we're taking a look at Myth No. 2 contained in the Port's document Port Canaveral Rail System Myths vs. Facts, distributed after its April 30th informational meeting. That link takes you to the CPA's website, where the full document is available.

The CPA has vaguely denied the existence of an earthen-berm, filled causeway, but two of its four proposed preferred options include 6,000 feet of causeway according to its application.

MYTH NO. 2 — Commercial Rail Will Harm Seagrasses

The second “myth” according to the Canaveral Port Authority is that a commercial rail project will hurt seagrasses.

What they say is fact:

The EIS (Environmental Impact Statement) process will scientifically study all sea grass impacts. To mitigate any possible impacts, the Port-proposed north rail area can be constructed with an enhanced foundation region to create new and vibrant sea grass areas to help improve lagoon quality for future generations.

Just one problem.

The EIS is a paper chase (statement), not a study.

There will be no scientific "studies" conducted.

How do we know this?

Because of involvement in a similar project in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary where members of the Chamber of Commerce wanted to dredge critical bottom habitat in order to accommodate larger cruise ships. They were seeking a city-wide, public referendum to help get the statement; these things, after all, are very expensive.

The dredging project was defeated by a 3:1 vote of the residents who chose quality of life over the enrichment of a select few that benefitted from the largesse of the cruise ship industry.

Covering the process, we heard all the same lines.

"We need to get the facts so we can make informed decisions."  

"This is just a study, not an approval. We don't make the decision."

"It's not up to us."

But the reality of the situation was — and is — that the US Army Corps of Engineers has a VERY high completion rate on projects that make it to the EIS stage; nearly 100 percent.

So an EIS (statement) is not a study; its a statement on what the project will do and how to mitigate (get around) it based on existing information.

It's kind of like going to an orthopedic surgeon and being surprised when he tells you he's going to operate. It shouldn't be a surprise. He's an orthopedic surgeon.

That's what they do.

They cut.

Canaveral Port Authority CEO John Walsh continues to use the terms “statement” and “study” interchangeably. By doing so, he implies there will be actual boots-on-the-ground (or boats-on-the-water) research.

The EIS is a statement — a compilation of existing research — not a study.

The process that the CPA is trying to respect is not one to determine if they can build a commercial rail line. Rather, it is one of determining how they can build it.

That's a pretty important distinction.

nd two of their four preferred alternatives include over a mile of earthen-berm causeway.

Let's be clear about one thing: The National Surface Transportation Board promotes and permits the construction of railways and: 

"has wide discretion, through its exemption authority from certain federal, state and local laws, to tailor its regulatory activities to meet the nation’s changing transportation needs"

In this case, they're looking at permitting the construction of an earthen-berm causeway one-third of the distance across the northern Banana River Lagoon No Motor Zone.

The lagoon has suffered horrendous water quality issues over the past 10 years and has lost more than 47,000 acres of seagrass.

47,000. Acres.

Research has shown that such causeways restrict the wind-driven flow of both the Banana and Indian River lagoons.

The Port-preferred rail alignments cut smack-dab through the middle of the last remaining nearly-virgin meadows of seagrass in existence throughout the five counties comprising the IRL and BRL lagoons.

It is also home to the largest concentration of West Indian manatees in the Western Hemisphere.

That’s exactly why the US Fish and Wildlife Service is concerned about it. They submitted a 19-page compilation of comments during the scoping period last fall.

Excerpt from 19-page comment document submitted by US Fish and Wildlife regarding concerns with building a causeway to support commercial rail for Port Canaveral.

To date, no one has built one of these causeways (or bridges for that matter) that “create new and vibrant sea grass areas to help improve lagoon quality for future generations.”

This is seriously good news for the CPA, its constituents and the environment if it is true — and can be done.

And the Geico Pig really does fly.

Myth vs. Reality According to the Canaveral Port Authority

As mentioned in an earlier post, I wanted to take a look at the Myth vs. Facts publication that the Canaveral Port Authority put out. This is the first installment.

View fullsize

MYTH NO. 1: The Port Canaveral Commercial Rail Will Be Built on Causeways and block river flow

After last Thursday's public relations nightmare, The Canaveral Port Authority distributed a informative handout entitled Port Canaveral Rail Extension Myths vs. Facts. In it, the CPA asserts the notion that its railway will be built on filled-in berm causeways is a myth. 

Closer examination of the application materials currently on file from the CPA with the National Surface Transportation Board  — the federal entity charged with examining and permitting the Port project — tells a largely different story.

Two of the four components of the CPA's preferred routes that cut directly across a National Wildlife Refuge and No Motor Zone both include man-made, filled causeways extending about 1/3 of the distance across the Banana River Lagoon — a distance of a little more than a mile.

In fact, according to the detailed plans and drawings, there is exactly 6,000 feet of causeway in each.

According to the engineering schematics.

But don't take my word for it.

Check it out at the NSTB website with the CPA's official application documents, current as of Sunday morning, May 3, 2015.

Out of the 174 pages included, you'll find exacting, detailed maps  like this one:

Note the causeway proposed in the CPA's application packet to the NSTB includes a causeway that extends 1/3 of the width of the river (totaling 6,000 feet), from the north side of Port Canaveral into the No Motor Zone, Manatee Sanctuary and National Wildlife Refuge.

You'll also find detailed engineering drawings like this one, showing a cross- section of how the causeway will be built in the river, with fill and the use of rip-rap.

If it looks familiar, that's because It's the same sort of construction used on the earthen-dam causeways spanning the river at SRs 528 and 520.

Engineering renderings of proposed rail features for the Port Canaveral Commercial Rail Extension. Note the diagram in the upper right hand corner. That's the cross-section of an earthen-dam berm causeway to support the rail line.

Bearing these facts in mind, you can understand the confusion generated by CPA leader John Walsh – among the 300 anglers, boaters, fishing guides, conservationists and journalists in attendance — when he said that CPA's plans on file with the NSTB "don't include" a causeway option.

So, there are several potential reasons for this.

A) The CPA has not submitted its revised plan which removes any concept or mention of berm or causeway.

B) The CPA has submitted a revised plan, omitting any references to berm and the NSTB hasn't updated its website.

C) The third option is too ugly to suggest, but it is implausible that a savvy executive like Walsh could actually utter that type of statement and not think he'd get caught.

Everybody has a right to be heard in this discussion, as long as their voice is educated and informed.

I highly recommend that you take a look at these documents for yourself and draw your own conclusion. 

Coming soon: MYTH NO. 2 — The commercial rail will be bad for seagrasses.

Mitigation is No Laughing Matter

MITIGATION

In an effort to "mitigate" the effects of Thursday’s disastrous meeting held by the Canaveral Port Authority to discuss plans to erect an earthen-dam railway across the northern Banana River, the Port posted one of its handouts from the meeting on its Facebook page.

"Mitigate" is a verb, that has several definitions, both of which are relevant here. The first is to make less severe, serious, or painful as in "he wanted to mitigate misery in the world."

The second is to lessen the gravity of (an offense or mistake). As in "if not for mitigating circumstances, he would have been convicted."

It also used all the time to excuse or reduce the  environmental damage caused by projects... l-i-k-e this.

Unfortunately, this handout was about as well conceived as Port CEO John Walsh's assertion that train noise shouldn't be a big deal, because people lineup to clap and celebrate when a rocket goes off on the Space Coast.

Entitled 10 Myths vs. Facts on the Port Canaveral to Florida East Coast {Railway] Connection, it contains several "facts" that that aren't quite true and at worst are used with reference to a situation involving deception or founded on a mistaken impression (outright lies.)

I am going to take a look at some of the funniest parts of this document in upcoming blog posts. Stay tuned.

Canaveral Port Authority Next Public Meeting

The Canaveral Port Authority says it is committed to informing the public and is interested in hearing their feedback on its controversial railway plan that calls for an earthen-dam causeway with rip-rap to extend more than a mile into the environmentally sensitive northern region of the Banana River Lagoon.

Now is the chance for residents (who pay taxes and vote) to voice their support or opposition for the plan. Concerned members of the public will have the opportunity to address the five port commissioners during a public meeting starting at 9 a.m., Wednesday, May 20th at the Maritime Center in Port Canaveral.

Under Port Authority guidelines, members of the public can address the commission for three minutes.

Unless they change their mind.

If you are interested in attending, it's recommended that you arrive early. The meeting room only seats 125 people.

For a complete list of all of the Port's public meetings, go here. For more information on attending or participating in the discussion, contact Capt. Alex Gorichky or former Port Commissioner Sue Ford.

Anglers Run Port Authority Meeting Off the Rails

The Canaveral Port Authority decided to hold a meeting to "inform the public" as to where it was in the process of trying to erect an earthen-dam commercial railway across a federally managed manatee sanctuary — home to the world's largest population of the slow-moving, docile creatures — and an area that's been off-limits to mechanically-propelled vessels (No Motor Zone) for more than 20 years. 

I attended the meeting, and wrote one of my weekly columns for FLORIDA TODAY.

For more information on the project, visit here or here.

Canaveral Port Authority Plan Keeps Chugging Along

Plans to bisect the headwaters of the Banana River Lagoon — a national wildlife sanctuary and home to the largest concentration of endangered manatees on the planet — are continuing along. Here's an update on the story. 

Air Force Responds to National Surface Transportation Board

Although the Canaveral Port Authority has yet to respond to the National Surface Transportation Board's request for more information on its plan to erect an 11-mile long earthen-dam commercial rail causeway through protected wetlands and an estuarine system that is home to the world's highest concentration of endangered West Indian manatees, the United States Air Force has.

The NSTB gave the CPA a deadline of Feb. 26 to respond, although there was no penalty associated with the deadline. The United States Air Force, on the other hand, responded on March 19 -- one day before its deadline from the NSTB. 

In that letter, posted below, Thomas Eye, Director of Plans and Programs for the 45th Space Wing, dismissed any of the alternatives mentioned during scoping meetings -- required by federal statute -- that involved routing the project across Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Alternative's 1a and 1b were not feasible because they crossed the airfield, which Eye said would "render the facility unable to support our mission." Those alternatives also ran past critical launch complexes and that any proposed route coming in close proximity to those facilities "would not be considered feasible due to safety, security and hazardous operations related to those facilities."

There is a shred of hope for those opposing gouging the earthen-dam causeway out of the northern end of the Banana River Lagoon, however. Plan 1c, which runs along the western transportation corridor of CCAFS, was not possible to evaluate due to "multiple hazardous operating facilities, critical telemetry and radar equipment, and cultural and natural resources along the route." 

Eye says that an evaluation of that route, similar to the one conducted relating to the existing NASA routes would be needed to be performed by the NSTB. That could be just the opening that concerned environmentalists and outdoorsmen need.

The Wing did not comment on route 1d, which does not fall on their property. 

Presumably its not a matter of if, but when the CPA will respond. If you want to keep track of incoming correspondence regarding the Rail Extension Project, go here. If you'd like more information about possible impacts and how to get involved, visit here.

Now things are getting interesting...

Via email, Dave Navecky of the National Transportation Surface Board confirmed that there's still no response to its Request for Additional Information sent to the Canaveral Port Authority back in February.

Here's what's interesting, though: His response, below, indicates that his office in the NSTB doesn't want to talk about it any more, and that anybody that wants to know about it can dig for it themselves. This is kind of the same tactic the Canaveral Port Authority has taken on it... by referring people to the NSTB website on the project here rather than cooperating or commenting.

Rest assured, I'll keep looking. But just incase you'd like to dig yourself, here's a click-through version of the link for the all incoming correspondence relating to the Canaveral docket. Although Mr. Navecky wasn't quite forthcoming with instructions, I'd recommend sorting the list by incoming date, then expanding the list... I'm sure there will be more to come, so stay tuned.

Also, for those that feel so inclined, here's a petition relating to the rail project.

Gulf Reef Survey Signup Becomes Mandatory

A quick note from the FWC... as of April 1st it will be mandatory for anglers targeting Gulf reef species like red snapper and gag grouper. It's free, can be completed on line and FWC has even posted a video on how to do it.

Recreational anglers in the Gulf of Mexico will now have to participate in a survey being conducted by the State of Florida on Gulf reef species.

 FWC: Signup for Gulf Reef Survey Mandatory Beginning April 1st

          Attention Gulf reef fish anglers: You’ve asked for better data and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has listened and taken action. Now the FWC needs your help.

Signing up to participate in the Gulf Reef Fish Survey becomes mandatory April 1, so sign up today. The easy, no-cost process will help the FWC paint a clearer picture of how many people are targeting Gulf reef fish, like red snapper and gag grouper, and what anglers are seeing on the water.

The Gulf Reef Fish Survey is for anglers (including those 65 and older) fishing in the Gulf of Mexico (excluding Monroe County) from a private boat, who plan to harvest, possess or land any of the following reef fish: red and vermilion snapper; gag; black and red grouper; gray triggerfish; greater and lesser amberjack; banded rudderfish; and almaco jack.

Those fishing from a for-hire vessel are not required to participate in the Gulf Reef Fish Survey. Anglers under 16 years of age and those fishing from a vessel that has a vessel recreational fishing license also do not need to participate.

To sign up online, visit License.MyFWC.com, enter your date of birth and one of the required “Lookup Method” identifiers (Social Security number, FWC customer ID or driver’s license number) and click continue. If you are a new customer, you may have to create a customer account before you proceed to the next steps. Once you are in the system, click “Purchase a License.” Add the no-cost Gulf Reef Fish Angler to your cart (found under “Saltwater Fishing”) and then check out. Make sure to print a copy to take with you when you are fishing.

You can also sign up in person at tackle shops, sporting goods stores and your local tax collector’s office, or by phone at 1-888-FISHFLORIDA (347-4356). Renewal will be on an annual basis, just like any one-year license.

Are you a Florida resident 65 or older and exempt from needing a recreational saltwater fishing license? No worries! You are not required to purchase any other license, such as a recreational saltwater fishing license, or pay any other fees to participate. When signing up online, you are still required to click “Purchase a License,” but signing up as a “Gulf Reef Fish Angler” is no-cost.   You can also sign up in person at any tackle store or tax collector’s office.

Through this program, researchers will be able to better determine how many people in Florida are fishing for reef fish in the Gulf of Mexico. Many of those who sign up for the Gulf Reef Fish Survey will be contacted by the FWC and asked if they would be willing to provide information about their Gulf reef fish fishing activities. The Gulf Reef Fish Survey will improve recreational data collection, giving the FWC a more realistic picture of what is happening on the water and allowing for more informed fisheries management decisions.

Participants who are contacted by the FWC and do provide information about their Gulf reef fishing activities will be entered into a drawing to win an annual, five-year or lifetime recreational saltwater fishing license.

Want to know more about the Gulf Reef Fish Survey? Visit MyFWC.com/Fishing and click on “Saltwater,” “Recreational Regulations” and “Gulf Reef Fish Survey.”

Canaveral Port Authority Response Expected This Week

In chatting with David Navecky of the National Surface Transportation Board, it looks like he is expecting the Canaveral Port Authority to respond this week to the NSTB's request for additional information -- weeks after the slated deadline from the Federal Authority. He's supposed to keep me updated on the response, and I hope to have a copy of the response and their explanation as to why none of the alternatives proposed during scoping are feasible. Stay tuned... The original story is here.

Kayak Buyers Guide 101

Kayak fishing is becoming big business. Here's how to get started.

Kayak's by Bo owner Tom Atlif, right, demonstrates the Mirage Drive system by Hobie. KBB is one of the top speciality kayaking stores in the Southeast US. KBB Outfitters, the fishing arm of the shop is located next store.

This was an interesting piece I did with the help of Chuck Levi at KBB Outfitters in Titusville, Florida. You can read it here. I'll be positing a video feature of the story including walk-throughs of three different kayaks plus a couple of accessories. It's amazing how the design inputs improve as you range upwards in price point. No doubt the Hobie products are the Holy Grail of fishing kayaks, with the combination of the unique Mirage Drive and add ons like Torqeedo's electric motor.