HomeMy WebLinkAboutSubmittal-Public Comments Submitted Online for the May 31, 2022 Special City Commission MeetingSpecial Commission Report - 5/31/22
Special Commission Meeting Public Comment Form - May 31, 2022
As of May 31st, 2022, 5:52 p.m. EST
Public Comment
motero@miamigov.com
First
Name
Gabriela
Last Name Street
Address
McGrath flagler n
Moreira 69 ave
Rodolfo Tomarchio
Maria
Claudia
Jaimee
Fontes
690 SW
1st Ct.
Miami,
FL 33130
1610
Salzedo
St. Coral
Gables,
FL 33178
apt.8
1690 SW
27th Ave
Spector Apt 809
Miami,
FL 33145
Agenda
Item
FR. 2
#11938
Amend
Code -
Chapter 38 -
Parks and
Recreation
FR. 2
#11938
Amend
Code -
Chapter 38 -
Parks and
Recreation
FR. 2
#11938
Amend
Code -
Chapter 38 -
Parks and
Recreation
FR. 2
#11938
Amend
Code -
Chapter 38 -
Parks and
Recreation
Public Comment
As a resident of Miami the banning of planting Mangroves is a
direct contradiction to the natural beauty and ecosystem of
Miami furthering the issue of the climate crisis and creating an
unnecessary negative effect on the environment.
I can't believe this needs to be said to a local government that
should be interested in protecting its own property and residents:
Mangroves are essential to the health of the bay and to
protecting our shoreline from storm surge. This would be the
equivalent of destroying the sand dunes on the beach for a
"better view." The view will not be great when the next storm
comes and residents near the park sustain more damage and pay
even higher insurance premiums due to the lack of natural
protection. Just build a boardwalk for a better view in city parks
with mangroves. It's not difficult.
Mangroves are integral to achieving costal resilience in our
community.
Mangroves are well-known to be our best defense against effects
of sea level rise. I was just at a wedding in North Carolina, and
even those who do not live in South Florida are baffled by the
proposal of this ordinance. No one can understand why anyone
would ban native species from our landscape. I understand the
need for a beautiful view, and the 1996 Mangrove Trimming and
Preservation Act
(https://floridadep.gov/sites/default/files/mtpa96_0.pdf) was
passed specifically to help address this issue. The Act even notes
the importance of mangroves and requires any mangroves that
are removed to be replanted. Furthermore, Miami is at the
forefront of sea -level rise worldwide, so what we do sets an
example of how to address these challenges. Miami -Dade County
just declined a proposed project by the Army Corps of Engineers
12059 Submittal -Public Comments Submitted Online for the May 31, 2022 Special City Commission Meeting
Bianca
14817
SW
166th
Banato Street
33187
Miami,
FL
1690 SW
27th Ave
Jaimee Spector Apt 809
Miami,
FL 33145
FR. 2
#11938
Amend
Code -
Chapter 38 -
Parks and
Recreation
FR. 2
#11938
Amend
Code -
Chapter 38 -
Parks and
Recreation
to build a 30-foot-high wall in the middle of Biscayne Bay to
address storm surge in favor of a locally preferred option. If grey
infrastructure is not the answer, and this ordinance would make
green infrastructure not be the answer - what is the answer to
address the flooding, storm surge and other impacts of sea level
rise? Increased flooding and pollution from aging sewer
infrastructure and septic tanks will actually lower property values
and further destroy the beauty of why we all love living in Miami.
However, mangroves can help mitigate these impacts by
sequestering carbon from the atmosphere and harmful nutrients
from entering the bay. Let's have Miami be a positive example of
how to address climate change, not an example of what not to
do. Therefore, I implore you to not move this ordinance forward
and make sure it does not pass.
Mangroves provide multiple benefits for our community,
including millions of dollars in ecosystem services each year.
Mangroves stabilize the coastline by reducing erosion from wave
impacts and storm surges. Mangroves also store carbon and help
fight climate change. Mangroves' unique prop roots provide food
and refuge for commercially and economically valuable marine
species. If you like to fish, then you like mangroves! Their
branches serve as bird rookeries, protecting strength in numbers
for birds to nest near each other. - Taken from Miami
Waterkeeper. I hope this can be enough to raise your interest, if it
isn't, please consider that the mangroves provide beautiful
running trails that I, a Miami runner from age 7, absolutely adore.
If the mangroves did not keep these beautiful outlets to see the
whole Miami skyline from Matheson or Key Biscayne then I don't
think I would appreciate this city as much as I do. Mangroves
provide so many habitats, it would destroy coral reef connectivity
and in turn affect scuba and other eco-tourism that I am a part of
too, and is a strong attraction for many people to come to Miami
and invest in restaurants and other hospitality! Banning
mangroves would be banning a blessing of a keystone species.