Environment Committee Meeting Minutes
Taylor County Vision 2060
July 19, 2007|
Taylor County 2060 Trend Analysis

Meeting Attendees:

Bill Eggers, MSCW, introduced himself and then gave a brief overview on the objective of the meeting. Bill then asked the Committee to complete the sign in sheet, and then asked if there were any new committee members. John Aman introduced himself as a new committee member.

Bill then gave a brief presentation on the overall Taylor County 2060 Trend Analysis Assumptions (Jay Kalter, MSCW, presentation) and environmental issues/concerns that could occur based on the current Taylor County Trend Analysis. The Committee was then asked to assess the overall Trend Analysis Assumptions and environmental issues/concerns and determine if there are additional issues and which trend assumptions are priorities.

Bill then had the committee illustrate any changes on the trend map that needed to change. The committee made some suggestions to the map based on local knowledge. Chet Thompson noted that the conservation area in the San Pedro Wildlife Management Area did not correctly illustrate lands that the state owned. Diane Whitfield mentioned a rumor of an 8,000 unit development in the Blue Spring area. The Committee noted that the Cypress Mill development (New Urbanism) should be taken into consideration when trend alternatives are put together. The Committee also mentioned Dwight Night’s property (approximately 12,000-14,000± acres), which is going to be used as hunting grounds, along US 27 in southeastern Taylor County.

Bill then went over the environmental issues/concerns list and asked the Committee to select which issues/concerns are top priorities that the Environmental Committee needs to evaluate during the Trend Alternatives.

Environmental Issues/Concerns

• Wetland Loss
• Habitat Loss/Fragmentation
• Water quality/quantity degradation
• Public land connectivity/access
• Spring/Sink/River Protection
• Loss of agriculture/silviculture
• Increased carbon footprint
• Increased flooding potential
• Green Building Practices (added to list)
• Historical/Cultural impacts (taken off list)
• Increased use of hazardous chemicals (taken off list)

Comments to the Environmental Issues/Concerns

• Chet – noticed that the trends looked counter industrial – as housing development grows the need for industrial services could potentially be forced out.
  • Loss of agriculture is the centerpiece to affect all the other environmental issues/concerns.
  • As agriculture/silviculture industry changes environmental degradation such as wetland loss, habitat fragmentation, and water quality/quantity will occur.
• Magnolia Bay types of development could potentially force out industrial development.
• Diane would like to keep increased carbon footprint.
• Committee determined/assumed that Foley Timber will probably be the major structural change in Taylor County development patterns.

New Committee Priorities:

• Quality and quantity of water
• Coastal integrity
• Loss of agriculture

Other Comments:

• The Committee asked, “Why didn’t we assume Perry would grow?”
• Michele Curtis noted that the current road system in Taylor County will not support growth trends.
  • Committee members then started to discuss stop-and-go traffic along US 27.