[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6249151,"mediaKeyId","3207688-174de38665b01fd095f340145e36cdba","parentId",3207688,"title","Natural Resource Board breaks Sustainable Sebastian plan into championed tasks; members outline next steps","audioSeconds",3949,"startMs",3955000,"endMs",5560,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3207688-174de38665b01fd095f340145e36cdba&start=3955&end=5","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3207688-174de38665b01fd095f340145e36cdba/thumbnail_3955000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6249151/Sebastian/Indian-River-County/Florida/Natural-Resource-Board-breaks-Sustainable-Sebastian-plan-into-championed-tasks-members-outline-next-steps","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6249151-2473b0d90a177ce00f4882f52953611a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151755&Signature=XgKGeaPdCm~AJtTZqLAz8NvHJ21kZMSqsqoT0gZkdDao~YmV-NucS92ngGrF4O1vQJImgqddYfvuKpGHc602m1aUasVTCvmckY62UdzPMa205YHx9MOiWyVjD62bJ1k~HVrfvCPde5~StoeibrmwzeogzczEzMBU7BrIDyz2hEtZRFqXydqfnS3742ybXXXUL7h2I5pClRxk1Wa6ve1iC-w7l7TyFzLFhK8a-d-eHI2xBYs~nOhiei0oN-DZGvhpWDup5tDJz~ROw-kW771PPXjPsaA-j1Nm2LcEIMOrwdDDSCbfUrXSUbkT1UAu7L3HJn~PMWdQsfDLlZSK8zIWyA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Sebastian, FL","date","2025-05-07T11:09:03Z","article","The Natural Resource Board on May 6 reviewed the Sustainable Sebastian five‑year implementation plan and assigned board champions and near‑term tasks across multiple goals including single‑use plastic reduction, incentives for businesses, landscaping and tree programs, stormwater best practices, waste‑reduction workshops, and food‑security coordination.

Felicia Gordian, Natural Resource Board staff, framed the evening as an opportunity for board members to identify which of the plan’s goals they would champion and to set up one‑on‑one follow‑up meetings with staff to develop implementation steps. The board then discussed each listed objective and several members described immediate next steps.

Donna Ware, who is championing reductions in single‑use plastics, said she will continue work on replacing single‑use items in city break rooms, assemble suggested alternative products for restaurants, and seek to incorporate event‑specific reductions into the master park plan. Members noted outreach and business education will be required before a recognition program could be established by the plan’s December 31 target.

Members also discussed creating incentives and recognition for businesses, and the need to research models other Florida cities use for business recycling and recognition. Waste Management and other vendors were mentioned as potential partners to develop small‑business recycling options.

Paul Develle and others described Leave No Trace ethics and training as a possible board training that would support outreach at events such as the Treasure Coast Waterway Cleanup and future Earth Day activities. Laura Thompson (via Zoom) said she supported reviving a champion‑tree program and using social media to promote goals. Thomas Carano described work on predictive analytics and an AI model intended to support citywide data needs; he said he will prepare presentations on potential vendors and capabilities.

Board members also discussed stormwater topics: Paul asked about the stormwater fee credit program and staff said GIS technician Ross Kelly handles that work and staff will coordinate follow‑up. Members discussed creation of toolkits for low‑impact design and green infrastructure and increasing educational signage at parks and stormwater features.

Recycling and resource‑conservation ideas included business workshops, event planning changes to reduce single‑use plastics, and expanded public education so materials are correctly sorted for recycling. Board members noted that some recyclable materials lack markets and that contamination from food residue complicates restaurant recycling.

The board asked staff to prepare individualized lists of each champion’s tasks and to reconvene on the Sustainable Sebastian plan at the June meeting; no formal ordinance, budget appropriation, or new regulation was adopted at this session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","May 6, 2025 - Natural Resources Board","oneSentenceSummary","The Natural Resource Board on May 6 reviewed the Sustainable Sebastian five‑year plan and assigned champions for multiple goals, including single‑use plastic reduction, landscaping, stormwater toolkits, recycling outreach and food‑security coordination.","taxTitle","Sebastian , Indian River County, Florida","taxId",52013,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6249156,"Natural Resource Board to sponsor Treasure Coast Waterway Cleanup at Robert Hardy Boat Ramp; chair volunteers as board champion",329,3718000,4047000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3207688-174de38665b01fd095f340145e36cdba&start=3718&end=4047","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3207688-174de38665b01fd095f340145e36cdba/thumbnail_3718000.jpg","/articles/6249156/Sebastian/Indian-River-County/Florida/Natural-Resource-Board-to-sponsor-Treasure-Coast-Waterway-Cleanup-at-Robert-Hardy-Boat-Ramp-chair-volunteers-as-board-champion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6249156-44db8dfb6b78ce06e8e102187e5f1693/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151755&Signature=KvE8NzRfQG3i80LvWvHjXcR-nzhwdYCgWm099Il2~0OsguRcmSP183PeMUPkYnbbkspMHXm8h5hcBes3IHYIioax4-8dLHe7QHOdOts9gOapRNKZu6R5a1c9q25~nejK4G~0ExDkKpsBrm40BcTPlqSufWlIvTdSdqAzmN2yqrZYy6FqQd6Gaj9W06esDkjNgxJwwnN6LIY~k8p3UuiAw4twtIaXIduENF7Zy4VoUBip0aAxRqd3c1XSNLNbCqa7uEV1G4OnRFf40y-Mwpy2ExmopStXnPCNyuH8KPFYqni0vfzesoF2VEt0-mQG3ghIl5Qs2CxhfgTTtaVIkyNyXg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Natural Resource Board voted by voice to host the Robert Hardy Main Street Boat Ramp location for the Treasure Coast Waterway Cleanup on July 26 and appointed a board champion to coordinate its participation.

Chair Charles asked for a voice vote and the board responded with “Aye” to sponsor the Captain Robert Hardy Main Street Boat Ramp site. The board did not make the item a formal motion because it was advisory; members recorded no nays.

Chair Charles then offered to serve as the board’s point person and attend Marine Industries Association committee meetings on Zoom to coordinate arrangements. He said, “I’ll accept that responsibility and I’ll work my best at the Treasure Coast Waterway Cleanup, basically, being the point person for the board.”

Board staff and members discussed typical event logistics and partners: hours were expected to be about 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; NJROTC cadets were likely to assist; major sponsors previously included Sebastian Veil and Waste Management. Members discussed possible committee meeting attendance and staff assistance for logistics.

The board recorded these sponsorship and assignment decisions but did not formalize additional budgetary commitments at the meeting.","The board agreed by voice vote to sponsor the cleanup at the Robert Hardy Main Street Boat Ramp on July 26 and the chair volunteered to serve as the board’s point person for the event; the board recorded typical event hours and potential partner organizations.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6249160,"North Indian River Lagoon shellfishing reopens locally; longtime resident urges restoration efforts",632,1908000,2540000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3207688-174de38665b01fd095f340145e36cdba&start=1908&end=2540","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3207688-174de38665b01fd095f340145e36cdba/thumbnail_1908000.jpg","/articles/6249160/Sebastian/Indian-River-County/Florida/North-Indian-River-Lagoon-shellfishing-reopens-locally-longtime-resident-urges-restoration-efforts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6249160-a27c6b1e364ba5aa74769337235bab81/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151755&Signature=dv0imf32IPk1I66IeQ2jn9J7SNd3Q8HCQYm~wybACKycb3h4BYuON5K1F0fs13g40Kfv66ovlAQZ3DVKMUye~~O5bJUOl0Y0Pn1KeW~zR5kSUm~4Q6eHE4aFX4kUmsdpoT6tiMYXYteQ0E-pSoMTB4tXhunkWxBUhdJQYsFomXUpVMc1qplxlHCudjtKWd8RCLsCXcKwdZBEEM8PuGlcYGJJHF3bduG6oTYtbOBtFs8m337q~JH8gg3XoyRcQ~zjCU1m8Ev05PoGQl5qFrDjiqAon8VZTo08MQePhwigc3ZwR~azsgN07E6yRXPz-c8DA~hshvUexO0mEJWUPv84eA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sebastian’s Natural Resource Board heard public comment on May 6 that the north portion of the Indian River Lagoon in the city’s area reopened for shellfishing in March, and a longtime local fisherman urged continued restoration efforts to rebuild shellfish beds.

Brent Wahlberg, who identified himself as working both commercial and recreational fisheries, said the lagoon’s north section “is open for shell fishing again” and recalled historical abundance: “When I was a kid…foam blowing across US 1. Well, they removed all the shell, and you put that back.” He cited a local dredging example in which calcium carbonate substrate allowed clams to reappear rapidly, and said shrimp returned in as little as 90 days under favorable conditions.

Board members acknowledged the comment as positive news about the lagoon’s recovery and thanked Wahlberg for speaking. The board did not take any formal action at the meeting related to shellfish restoration or change existing management programs.

Wahlberg’s remarks were delivered in public comment and reflected his commercial experience; the board’s record only documents his observations and the city’s note that the North Lagoon area is open for shellfishing as of March.","Board members and residents noted that shellfishing in the north part of Sebastian's section of the Indian River Lagoon reopened in March; a longtime commercial fisherman said restoring shell habitat can rapidly revive oysters, clams and shrimp and urged continued restoration work.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6249163,"Canal residents urge herbicide transparency; board points to existing protocol and agrees to post notices",381,2162000,2543000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3207688-174de38665b01fd095f340145e36cdba&start=2162&end=2543","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3207688-174de38665b01fd095f340145e36cdba/thumbnail_2162000.jpg","/articles/6249163/Sebastian/Indian-River-County/Florida/Canal-residents-urge-herbicide-transparency-board-points-to-existing-protocol-and-agrees-to-post-notices","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6249163-1b31490664c0550b04e47fcce4546494/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151755&Signature=ILfm3gE4qw0VwLo5PFmzrsZeOzq~XXSEfm1~1jNS7FAEufN8Ij1~BZ8QgIuLbFjCqA5m1tmCAZ-8LiHjECX3V7GK~lFPdGU6i289kccjQnkpGJyOFZBm45flypUiaZmxpmVEA7AeTzzm9xQL4yFTaR1v9TwUoHlJbMMX8TvU-vYM~4PgcuBTiFSSzXccaIZFQPpSnO-4rHWizYy567hJgolbyDcsGpkuxhvmKeLOTijUe65ucP~JArn~FwEP2TCKMV6rayk3UESe7NymgzC4pTsPSdftaH~m8LIYxe3Fi6OWllk8emX9AXcr0XF-F6R-esj-~folZxhYMXotTAHMhw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Sebastian resident told the Natural Resource Board on May 6 that he and other canal-side homeowners are not being given advance notice or clear information about the chemical herbicides used to control floating vegetation.

Frank Trinkle, a canal-side resident on Joy Haven Drive, said the treatments “may be unknowingly sprayed on edible crops and play areas” and that “decaying treated vegetation releases nutrients that worsen runoff into the Indian River Lagoon.” He asked the board for posted notifications, “clear public disclosure of what specific compounds are being used,” and consideration of mechanical or less-harmful alternatives in residential areas.

The board’s staff response said a formal herbicide and pesticide protocol already exists and is available at City Hall. Felicia Gordian, Natural Resource Board staff, told Trinkle the protocol “lists everything that we spray, how we spray, when we’re gonna spray, who’s spraying it,” and that residents can request the spraying schedules at City Hall. Board members agreed to work on making that information more accessible online and to provide a parks-department update at the next meeting.

The exchange made a clear distinction between public concern and board direction: Trinkle’s remarks were public comment; staff described an existing written protocol; and the board committed to posting the protocol and giving a formal update rather than changing spraying practices immediately.

Board members also noted that littoral vegetation around canals can support wildlife and help with filtration, a factor the city considers when managing canal edges. No changes to spraying policy or a new prohibition were proposed or voted on at the meeting.

The board asked staff to follow up with a parks-department briefing on spraying activities at a future meeting and to post the herbicide/pesticide protocol where residents can find it.","A resident told the Natural Resource Board he and neighbors lack information about herbicides used in Sebastian canals and asked for advance notice and public disclosure; staff said a written herbicide/pesticide protocol exists at City Hall and agreed to post it online and provide a parks department update next month.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Natural Resource Board breaks Sustainable Sebastian plan into championed tasks; members outline next steps

Natural Resource Board to sponsor Treasure Coast Waterway Cleanup at Robert Hardy Boat Ramp; chair volunteers as board champion

North Indian River Lagoon shellfishing reopens locally; longtime resident urges restoration efforts

Canal residents urge herbicide transparency; board points to existing protocol and agrees to post notices