Stallworth Community Meeting Summary

Monday, April 10, 2006

I. Areas of Concern


Three major concerns regarding the Stallworth Lake were identified during the meeting:

● Storm-water Management in the face of development
Focusing on the bigger picture of the watershed
Protecting the drainage areas of wetlands and floodplains
Improving storm-water infrastructure along 30-A

● Management of Outfall
Repairing man-made disturbances such as storm debris
Protecting outfalls during coastal construction of seawalls/other projects
Researching potential impact from Beach Renourishment Project

● Establishing Baseline Data and Criteria for Ecosystem Management
Defining current ecological conditions
Increasing baseline data for trend analysis
Researching the historical formation of the lakes
Defining criteria to base lake management plan

II. Potential Solutions addressing Storm-water concerns for Stallworth Lake

● Approach School Board/private landowners about protecting the headwaters

● Incorporate Stallworth Lake into the school curriculum

● Identify/establish conservation easements to protect wetlands

● Buffer zones should be placed in conservation easements for new developments

● Conservation easements should be mapped with GPS

● Readdress buffer zone protection to ensure enforcement of current regulations

● Septic tanks around the dune lakes should be removed or properly maintained

● Improve storm-water infrastructure along 30-A

● Readdress and enforce the impervious area ordinance for the County

● Ensure current rules/regulations are being enforced

For more information visit DuneLakes.org

As a direct result of the management meetings and Celeste Cobena's inquiries (story can be found in this week's Walton Sun) into the School Board's proposed project near Stalworth Lake, a meeting was coordinated by Commissioner Meadows to discuss the possible solutions that would allow the School Board to build much needed recreational facilities while protecting the headwaters of this globally rare lake. Mr. Miller of the School Board agreed to postpone current construction activities so the County (and community) can attempt to persuade the DEP to swap an adjacent parcel to the school board. This parcel lacks wetlands, and will allow the school board to build more facilities than was originally planned. In return the state can put into conservation the current parcel that is awaiting development and protect the headwaters of Stalworth Lake. I will keep you posted on this activity.