SPECIAL MEETING

LEVY COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

January 23, 2003

 The Special Meeting of the Board of Levy County Commissioners was held on January 23, 2003  at 9:00 a.m. in the Levy County Board of County Commissioners' meeting room, with the following Commissioners present:

Chairman Danny Stevens
Vice Chairman Lilly Rooks
Comm. Tony Parker

 Also present were:

County Coordinator - Fred Moody

Chairman Stevens called the workshop to order at 9:00 a.m. for the discussion of the clamming industry.

Ms. Leslie Sturmer presented a power point presentation showing the inception of the aquaculture industry in Cedar Key beginning with Project Wave and Project Ocean to establish a job retraining program for commercial fishermen affected by the net ban.

Ms. Sturmer identified the leased areas on state land and discussed the suitability of the coastal area of Cedar Key to make the clamming industry successful and creating supporting industries.

Mr. Mark DeHaven, Department of Agriculture Consumer Services, explained their department is responsible for the environmental assessment of the shellfish waters in Florida and to be sure harvested shellfish meet USDA guidelines.

Mr. DeHaven said there are testing stations throughout the shellfish harvest areas and certain conditions will require the closure of the shellfish harvest areas if there is a chance of contamination to the water.

Mr. DeHaven explained the guideline requirements of the National Shellfish Program (NSSP) classification of shellfish waters.

Mrs. Sue Colson explained the clam farmers are concerned on any developmental  impact to the shellfish industry and their livelihood. Mrs. Colson said the shellfish waters are affected by rainfall runoff from the recharge/discharge area in Rosewood and there are grave concerns for residential and commercial development whose wastewater could impact the waters.

Comm. Rooks said this is the opportunity to take preventive measures rather than intervention after pollution has affected the shellfish waters.

Chairman Stevens explained there has not been any filings for a wastewater treatment facility or drinking water with the State for the Cedar Key Plantation and this workshop provides additional information for a more informed review of the project.

THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS THE MEETING ADJOURNED.

                                                          
 Danny Stevens, Board Chairman

ATTEST:

                                                      
 Danny J. Shipp, Clerk of Court