Page 6 - Jupiter Ocean Mile - October '23

Page 6, Jupiter Ocean Mile
Commissioner’s Update

Water Works including Loxahatchee River restoration – are part of the its Water Resources Task Force Advisory Board, and the
vast Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Project, led Loxahatchee River Management Coordinating Council.
By Commissioner Maria by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Local initiatives rely on financial support from state
Marino Project goals seek to capture water flows through canals and federal partners. Recently, Palm Beach County
Water, an element we and basins to meet drinking water demands; recharge received a $7.7 million grant from the Florida Department
cannot live without, is canals and wells; reduce discharge to tide; treat/filter water of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to upgrade the
something Florida receives headed to the Loxahatchee River and the Lake Worth levee at the southeast side of the J.W. Corbett Wildlife
a lot of, especially through Lagoon; and, reduce flooding. Management Area, which will reduce the risk of flooding
the summer rainy season, Water managers and project engineers have determined in the Acreage and Loxahatchee communities within the
adding up to an annual that these goals are achievable by utilizing wetlands under Indian Trail Improvement District.
rainfall of about 4½ feet on conservation and by constructing stormwater treatment Additionally, FDEP awarded grants totaling $113
average. This abundance of areas and reservoirs. Mecca Farms, a site just north of million to the county toward the construction of Cells 12
water presents challenges to Northlake Boulevard on Seminole Pratt Whitney Road and 13 of Phase II of the C-51 Reservoir. The L-8 Canal
improving systems to store, will serve as one of the water storage areas. Additionally, sends water from Lake Okeechobee into our region.
filter, and send it to where it is needed most, rather than rock pits owned by Palm Beach Aggregates on the north Once these cells are fully connected to the L-8 Canal, the
letting it flow out to the ocean. side of Southern Boulevard at Twenty-Mile Bend are the reservoir will be capable of providing water to restore the
In 1985, the U.S. Department of Interior designated the site of a multiphase public/private project comprising the northwest fork of the Loxahatchee River and connected
northwest fork of the Loxahatchee River for inclusion in C-51 Reservoir. wetlands, combat salt water intrusion by canal recharge,
the Federal Wild & Scenic River system, recognizing its Local government agencies have contributed expertise and increase water supply.
essential habitats supporting a wide spectrum of ecological and funding to plan and implement features of the overall Each of these costly and complex projects are pieces of
resources. In the decades to follow, the South Florida project, such as the L-8 reservoir, purchasing and restoring the overall puzzle to effectively store, filter and manage
Water Management District (SFWMD) embarked on a wetlands to connect the flow of water, construction of water, while enhancing our natural environment, and as
plan, in collaboration with local government and drainage control structures and pumps, and increasing capacity. you can see, requires the help of numerous stakeholders
districts to create additional water storage in the L-8 canal These agencies include Palm Beach County, the City of to achieve.
basin in order to protect and restore the Loxahatchee River. West Palm Beach – whose drinking water supplies relies on At the end of the day, water is a precious resource and
Components of the Lower East Coast Regional Water adequate levels of filtered water in Grassy Waters Preserve, our county continually needs to think outside the box to aid
Supply Plan affecting Northern Palm Beach County – Indian Trail Improvement District, SFWMD, South Indian in water management strategies. As a man stated recently
River Water Control District, Lake Worth Drainage District,
at a county commission public hearing, water is life.
Reading Time and Pal Mar Water Control District. The county also Please contact me if I can assist you at (561) 355-2201
or by email at mmarino@pbcgov.org.
receives input on options studied and recommended through
With Dad “Service is our number one priority”

561-743-0070
By Jim Forgan, Ph.D.,
School Psychologist www.palmspoolservices.com
James and the Giant
Peach and Danny, Champion
of the World were two of
Roald Dahl’s books my dad
read with me when I was in
elementary school. Some
of my fondest childhood
memories were reading these
books with my dad. We did
other things together like
playing basketball, going fishing, and riding bikes but the
relational connection of sitting next to my dad on the couch
and feeling his presence and love was strong and evident.
Dad gave me his precious gift of time.
The father-child relationship is powerful and creates a Expires 11/15/23.
foundation for your child’s psyche to develop. Will your child
feel loved and affirmed or rejected and ignored by dad? As State Licensed & Insured
a school psychologist and dad, I get it. Dads are busy. Dads Serving Palm Beach County CPC # 1457468 • LPG#30099
might believe they don’t have the nurturing instinct that mom
holds. They are busy providing for their family. Parenting
expert, Meg Meeker, M.D., says, “After 30 years in my
medical practice and extensive research, I see one common
thread in children of all ages: the direct correlation between
a father’s presence and a child’s well-being.”
If you are a dad reading this, it’s not meant to guilt you.
Whether you’ve messed up or think it’s too late, your child
of any age still needs you. They don’t need perfection; they
need your presence and affirmation. Start small. Perhaps
for you it’s asking them more thoughtful questions, taking
a genuine interest in them telling you about a favorite video
game, or watching a funny video together. For other dads
it is telling your child what every child wants to hear: You
love them and are proud of them. Life moves fast—
Parenting is an on the job learning experience. Here are

a few resources to help you along the way: Meg Meeker’s prepare for the unexpected
book Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters, Robert Lewis’ book
Raising A Modern Day Knight or John C. Maxwell’s book with Accident Insurance.
Intentional Living, are thoughtful books to help dads along
their parenting journey. Check out AllProDad.com. Dad, you
got this.
Call or text to discuss your child as we test for autism,
dyslexia, dysgraphia, ADHD, depression, and anxiety. Visit
We’re here to help.
JimForgan.com or call (561) 625-4125.

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