The North Point of Virginia is not the despoiled wasteland a Sept. 12 Miami Herald story ("Bike Trail Project A lot Tougher Than Expected) would have you believe.
A biological evaluation of the area by Miami Dade County’s Environmental Endangered Lands division completed earlier this year indicates the area contains acres of mangroves, tropical hammock and dune communities, all essential wildlife habitat, replete with endangered species.
Perhaps we shouldn't be so fast with those trail-blazing bulldozers after all...or so cavalier about allowing more dredge material dumping on the island from future Port of Miami projects.
In the northern and eastern portion, beach dune communities include Sea Oats, inkberry, railroad vine and burrowing four o’ clock, the latter of which is a State endangered listed species. The beach areas are essential sea turtle nesting areas.
The surrounding shallow waters along the shoreline are densely lined with seagrass beds, including turtle grass, manatee grass and shoal grass. The healthy and diverse communities support various species of sponges, invertebrates, and algae.
A high quality coastal mangrove community thrives along the west portion of North Point and is part of the state-designated Bill Sadowski Critical Wildlife Area, a 700-acre wildlife preserve created to protect the extraordinary habitat values of the area.
At the northern end of North Point is a mangrove community of red, white, and black mangroves, and green buttonwood created under supervision of the Miami-Dade County Department of Environmental Resources Management as part of a mitigation project.
The EEL report states the restoration project was performed “to resolve a violation that occurred in 1992, when Port of Miami dredging contractors damaged seagrasses, beach dunes and mangrove wetlands without authorization while Government Cut was being deepened.”
The mitigation project created five acres of coastal hammock, four acres of dune, 12 acres of new mangrove forest and new tidal habitat through the creation of new channels that run from Norris Cut to the Bill Sadowski Critical Wildlife Area.
Resources: Miami Herald, "Bike Trail Project A Lot Tougher Than Expected," Sept. 12, 2010. http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/09/12/1820390/bike-trail-project-a-lot-tougher.html
Photo: North Point beach.
Mangroves are a critical ecosystem and sustaining them is vital to the future of our ecosystem so I am pleased to see this article highlighting the importancce of areas others would consider a wasteland!
ReplyDeleteIf anyone reading this article is interested in learning more about Mangroves, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in conjunction with 6 other organizations, have produced a global assessment of the worlds mangroves. You can view their findings here: http://www.fao.org/forestry/mangrove/en/
Sam Van Leer, executive editor of the Urban Paradise Guild also commented on the Miami Herald story in a letter to the editor published Sunday, Sept. 19, 2010:
ReplyDeleteVIRGINIA KEY
Follow charrette plan
Re the Sept. 12 story, Bike-trail project a lot tougher than expected: The Virginia Key Master Plan approved by the city of Miami in July 2010 is based largely on the consensus reached at the Virginia Key Coalition's Charrette of September 2009.
On Northpoint it protects the unique nature preserves and recreates lost habitats inland, creating new opportunities for recreation within conservation. The modest monetary investments are wise considering the stench that sometimes comes from the sewage treatment facility next door and seasonal presence of mosquitoes and ``no-see-ums.''
A public beach is shared by people during the day and nesting sea turtles at night. Everyone can enjoy the multiuse paths. North Ridge is planted with native vegetation selected to preserve the stunning views of the Bill Sadowski Wildlife Area, Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserve and the city of Miami beyond. A large area is reserved for mountain biking.
Picnic areas are along the beach and the North Ridge. Walking paths allow people to explore the different native habitats found in coastal and inland areas. The campground is on high ground, with exposure to cooling and bug-abating breezes. Services are near the already-developed sewage-treatment area.
Buffers between major human uses are absolutely essential to provide visitors with more personal experiences. Quiet nature hikers and wildlife won't be startled by fast bikers. Campers can enjoy peace without intrusion. Mountain bikers can ride challenging paths free of walking explorers. Mountain bikers were well represented at the charrette's Northpoint planning sessions and were part of the consensus. The city planning department assures me that 30-yard buffers will be in all final plans.
Oleta River State Park is frequently mentioned as an example of great mountain bike trails, and it is true that they are fun to ride. What is less understood is that bikers built trails under Australian pines, and expect that the big trees that shade their riding will be preserved. These destructive exotic trees actually kill native habitats and the wildlife that depend on them.
In addition, Oleta trails often wind so tightly that there is very little room for native habitat. The land use is so intense that it is a form of development and is not an example to follow for Virginia Key. Fortunately, there are environmentally sensitive layouts that allow for shared use between bikers and nature.
The 2009 charrette plan should be followed, and Northpoint should never be used as a dumping ground again. How many public meetings must we attend to defend it?
Listen to the will of the public, and please get on with it!
SAM VAN LEER, executive director and founder, Urban Paradise Guild, Miami
Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/09/19/1830128/follow-charrette-plan.html#storylink=fbuser#ixzz0zzovKpm9