HomeMy WebLinkAboutSubmittal2Wagner CreeklSeybold Canal
O5--op 7/3
JUBMITTED INTO THE
UBLIC RECORD FOR
FM P.5-5- ON 7-a t-o5
On behalf of the Spring Garden neighborhood 1 would first like to express ourcunttuterrces to tl�
family of Arthur Teele.
Wagner Creek is one of, if not the most polluted bodies of water in Florida. And the Seybold Canal is part of
Wagner Creek.
• Since at least 1983 the Seybold Canal and Wagner Creek have consistently been shown to have the highest
level of hazardous toxins of several test sites on the Miami River and its tributaries.
➢ In a 1996 New Times article, Wagner Creek was found to be the most contaminated waterway in the
State, with mercury, ammonia, nitrogen, phosphates and coliform in excess of State standards.
➢ In a February 2003 article, the Miami Herald reported a new discovery: dioxins in the Seybold Canal
and in Wagner Creek "which many scientists regard as the most toxic of the chemicals studied."
➢ A March 2003 public hearing resulted in "No Fishing" signs being posted along the Seybold Canal and
Wagner Creek, and a pledge to residents by the City of Miami to dredge the Canal.
➢ Still, a March 2005 report to the Miami River Commission on pollution in the River Basin showed
only slight improvements in pollution readings in Wagner Creek and the Seybold Canal, with the three
tracking stations there still showing the highest violations of State standards of all sites tested.
➢ The Seybold Canal is one polluted waterway! ,w,,Y,,,
❖ The waterways on either side of the Seybold Canal are being dredged. Ail/At
➢ At recent meetings of the Miami River Commission Stormwater Subcommittee, City representatives
have reported that part of Wagner Creek is scheduled for dredging, (mostly) funded just miiitilmiblrlth Nw / (
an i At the meetings, residents have been told there is SJ
no funding plan in place for the Seybold Canal. sb,��
➢ Also, there has been much publicity about the Miami River dredging now underway and fundedby
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U.S. Army Corps of Engineers with supplemental funding from Miami Dade County, the State of
Florida, the Florida Inland Navigation District, and the City of Miami.
➢ Yet the Seybold Canal is not included in either of these plans!
❖ The Seybold Canal is the only part of Wagner Creek that is navigable.
➢ Several homes have dock spaces and several marine industries are located there. Residents not only
are concerned about the contaminants and toxins in the back yard, but the contaminated silt built up in
their boat slits is located a few feet away from their bedroom windows.
> The silt buildup extends to the center of the Canal. Boats cannot be moved at low tides, and the
commercial use of the Canal is restricted. Further, propeller action from the boats churns up toxic
wastes, allowing surface waste to become airborne, and allowing tidal transfers of these wastes both
upstream and downstream.
➢ Left undredged, the Seybold Canal will eventually re -pollute both Wagner Creek and the river!
❖ We want a memorandum of understanding:
➢ That the Seybold Canal section of Wagner Creek will be included in dredging plans.
A That funding sources will be immediately pursued to commit resources for this neglected section.
One of many potential sources might be the use of existing impact fees, and the consideration of
new impact fees. There have been over 10,000 new units and mixed -use development proposed in
the Miami River basin.
➢ That a plan of action be prepared within 60 days. Thank You.
Jay Veber, President
Spring Garden Civic Association
In the audience there are also residents here from Spring Garden who live on the Canal who would like to
speak if you wish to allow them.