The Port Authority just announced they are officially moving the rail path away from the sanctuary. I honestly never thought we could change the outcome like this so this win belongs entirely to all of you who stepped up. We need to stay observant as they finalize the new plans …
December 5, 2014
Final supporters
The North Banana River is a no motor zone, a manatee sanctuary, and is largely untouched, and is the ONLY area of the banana river that still boasts lush seagrass beds. These beds are on an exceptional rebound from just a few years ago. The grass itself may not seem like nearly enough of a worthy reason to deny new infrastructure linking the port to Merritt Island, but damage and/or loss of these seagrass beds could create an unforseen ripple effect in the Banana River that could have a very distant reach in the years and decades ahead.
If this plan goes forward, they are proposing over 10,000 feet of earthen seawalls in order to complete the project. This equates to almost TWO MILES of seawall that will further choke off the river. Other areas of this river that have many causeways spanning it are devastated and completely devoid of vegetative life due to dramatically decreased flow caused by earthen seawalls bottle necking the flow. The seagrass beds are the absolute foundation of life in our river, as almost 90% of 3,000 species in the Indian River Lagoon's watershed will rely on this grass at some point during their life cycle. It is the last bit of this extremely crucial habitat that we still have in this area.
Please sign the petition today if you agree that the Port Authority should alter it's current proposed path (there are several viable alternatives to consider). A railway spanning the Banana River is an intrusive and invasive impact that will forever alter the hydrology of the North Banana River. Our Causeways are killing these unique and beautiful bodies of water and it is time to say enough is enough! We DO NOT need another causeway here. The Banana River is a body of water in sharp decline. Let's preserve the only part of this lagoon that is still alive and thriving.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
November 26, 2014
Reached 100 supporters
November 20, 2014
November 18, 2014
I am honestly stunned by how many of you care about our river and the manatees. We are almost at one hundred signatures and reaching that mark would be a huge push for us. If you can help get this back in front of new people we might just hit that milestone today.
97 Comments
After growing up here and fishing the port for the last 50 years and seeing what they are doing enough is enough we need the growth and yet residents get none of the revenue received.
Save our Manatee! KARS Park is home to protected Manatee.... not to mention, countless other wildlife creatures that rely on the Banana River for their food & water supply. Do not fill in our river.
The river is still trying to rebound from several years ago. Far less sea grass then in the years past. If this was to happen it will further destroy the natural surroundings and fishing in the area.
I have fished this area over the years and feel this project will harm the delicate balance of the lagoon. It also does not make sense when there is an existing railroad system that could be used which would reduce the cost .
I do not think filling in part of the Banana River to build a bridge to protected and pristine wildlife areas is the appropriate path for this trail. I would not like this influx of cargo coming into the port at all. But if this rail must be constructed it should be done as part of the 528 corridor.
This is just another BAD IDEA !!! When will we ever learn !!
NOT ALL ABOARD
Share this petition
Share this petition to help it reach more people.
Your share link
The Port Authority just announced they are officially moving the rail path away from the sanctuary. I honestly never thought we could change the outcome like this so this win belongs entirely to all of you who stepped up. We need to stay observant as they finalize the new plans …
December 5, 2014
Final supporters
The North Banana River is a no motor zone, a manatee sanctuary, and is largely untouched, and is the ONLY area of the banana river that still boasts lush seagrass beds. These beds are on an exceptional rebound from just a few years ago. The grass itself may not seem like nearly enough of a worthy reason to deny new infrastructure linking the port to Merritt Island, but damage and/or loss of these seagrass beds could create an unforseen ripple effect in the Banana River that could have a very distant reach in the years and decades ahead.
If this plan goes forward, they are proposing over 10,000 feet of earthen seawalls in order to complete the project. This equates to almost TWO MILES of seawall that will further choke off the river. Other areas of this river that have many causeways spanning it are devastated and completely devoid of vegetative life due to dramatically decreased flow caused by earthen seawalls bottle necking the flow. The seagrass beds are the absolute foundation of life in our river, as almost 90% of 3,000 species in the Indian River Lagoon's watershed will rely on this grass at some point during their life cycle. It is the last bit of this extremely crucial habitat that we still have in this area.
Please sign the petition today if you agree that the Port Authority should alter it's current proposed path (there are several viable alternatives to consider). A railway spanning the Banana River is an intrusive and invasive impact that will forever alter the hydrology of the North Banana River. Our Causeways are killing these unique and beautiful bodies of water and it is time to say enough is enough! We DO NOT need another causeway here. The Banana River is a body of water in sharp decline. Let's preserve the only part of this lagoon that is still alive and thriving.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
November 26, 2014
Reached 100 supporters
November 20, 2014
November 18, 2014
I am honestly stunned by how many of you care about our river and the manatees. We are almost at one hundred signatures and reaching that mark would be a huge push for us. If you can help get this back in front of new people we might just hit that milestone today.
97 Comments
As a 42 yr resident of Brevard County specifically growing up on the Banana River there needs to be better options to look at including running the rail across the river at the current northern causeway location on the Space Center / Air Force Base.
After growing up here and fishing the port for the last 50 years and seeing what they are doing enough is enough we need the growth and yet residents get none of the revenue received.
Save our Manatee! KARS Park is home to protected Manatee.... not to mention, countless other wildlife creatures that rely on the Banana River for their food & water supply. Do not fill in our river.
The river is still trying to rebound from several years ago. Far less sea grass then in the years past. If this was to happen it will further destroy the natural surroundings and fishing in the area.
I have fished this area over the years and feel this project will harm the delicate balance of the lagoon. It also does not make sense when there is an existing railroad system that could be used which would reduce the cost .
I do not think filling in part of the Banana River to build a bridge to protected and pristine wildlife areas is the appropriate path for this trail. I would not like this influx of cargo coming into the port at all. But if this rail must be constructed it should be done as part of the 528 corridor.
This is just another BAD IDEA !!! When will we ever learn !!
NOT ALL ABOARD
Share this petition
Share this petition to help it reach more people.
Your share link
Petitions like this
Other petitions you might want to support
Scan to share
Anyone who scans this can sign the petition.
As a 42 yr resident of Brevard County specifically growing up on the Banana River there needs to be better options to look at including running the rail across the river at the current northern causeway location on the Space Center / Air Force Base.