Video and Update: The "Living Shoreline" in Intracoastal off Bryant Park in Lake Worth and mangroves: Issues explained.

This topic has generated quite a bit of interest. There has been public confusion and, quite frankly, misinformation spread throughout the community about mangroves. Much of that was put to rest by a representative from the County:

Daniel Bates, the Deputy Director of the Palm Beach County Dept. of Environmental Resources Management did a very good job summing up the issues. He gave a very good presentation at the City Commission meeting on August 16th. There are, or were, a lot of misconceptions about what's going on vis-à-vis the Snook Islands, the "Living Shoreline", mangroves, and environmental efforts.  

Drew Martin didn't do much to help the situation when he falsely claimed the City was cutting down mangroves: not true.

There are many others who believe, falsely, that these environmental efforts are City projects. Again, not true. The County is responsible for these projects and for the ongoing maintenance as well, pruning for example. It should be noted that Commissioner Chris McVoy was absent for this entire meeting.

The issue of mangroves, one part of the presentation and many questions that followed by the elected's, is one of competing interests. On the one hand you have enviros who want the Intracoastal au naturel vs. property owners, park visitors, and the public being able to enjoy the water vistas.

Commissioner Andy Amoroso stated quite clearly he wanted a solid agreement going forward on the maintenance of mangroves so they don't grow out of control. And he made another good point also: when the mangroves aren't pruned it makes cleaning the shoreline very difficult because volunteers can't get through the branches to pick up the trash, balloons, and other items that wash up.

This is the link to my YouTube channel (click the red "Subscribe" button to get noticed when new videos are published). Enjoy the video (the first 30 seconds is staff trying to fix an equipment problem):