Board Members Present: Betty O'Laughlin, Robert Haviland, Brynn Newton
Group Representatives Present: David Hartgrove (Halifax Audubon), Sharon Rich (Native Plant Society, Paw Paw Chapter)
Members Present: Jay Crocker

Approval of the minutes of the June meeting was deferred.

David Hartgrove reported that he has been discussing with the Ponce de Leon Inlet Port Authority the possibility of installing rip rap along east Pelican Island.

Jay Crocker has announced that he is running for the Zone 1 open seat on the New Smyrna Beach City Commission. The primary will be held on October 11th, the election on November 8th. This prompted a discussion of the need for contributions to support environmental candidates in the various local races. Mr. Crocker renewed his suggestion that he first made in 2003, that one way in which the Environmental Council could participate in encouraging more environmentally friendly candidates and holding elected officials accountable is to establish a program similar to the League of Conservation Voter's "score card" for local officials. There was a discussion about forming a committee to monitor official's votes on key
environmental issues.

Betty O'Laughlin reported that Michelle Moen has requested an additional $360.00 to assist Al Hadeed with expenses related to the Leffler appeal. Jay Crocker suggested that member organizations be asked to send more contributions.

David Hartgrove reported on the July 22nd attempt to mediate the Tomoka Farms Road dispute. Jim Stansbury, new Department of Community Affairs Central Florida Administrator, did not attend but chaired the meeting via a conference call at the Volusia County Legal Department and announced that the question is not whether the road is necessary but what its cumulative impacts will be. The next mediation session has been scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 14th, in the County Manager's conference room.

The next meeting of the Environmental Council will be held August 23rd.
 
 
 
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