Shoreline

2018-02-08 - 06:07:00 Shannon Blankinship commented

2/8/2018 - Shannon Blankinship called Roxanne and learned of several issues with the issuing of the permit from the Town to a spouse of the person who won the contract, of the use of grant funds to enhance recreation that was illegally obtained, of the start of construction without a permit, of the issuance of a stop work order that was ignored, and of a visit from the permitting agency, the SJRWMD, who then turned a blind eye to the ongoing activity and had taken no action. I informed Roxanne our interest would be exclusive to the activity impacting the St. Johns River, and recommended other departments she may want to call related to the Town's nepotism, etc.

2018-02-09 - 06:08:00 Shannon Blankinship commented

2/9/2018 - Palatka Daily News runs story with headline - Water District Halts Seawall Repairs Over Permit Concerns

2018-02-14 - 06:08:00 Shannon Blankinship commented

2/14/2018 - Shannon Blankinship spoke with SJRWMD head of compliance for the LSJRB, Erick Revuelta. Erick knew of the activity, but had a different description of the events that occurred. The SJRWMD was informed of the activity after it had begun. Once it was realized a permit is necessary for this type of construction/repair, the Town of Welaka issued their own stop work order on construction pending a visit from the SJRWMD. The SJRWMD (exact date unknown) visited the site and their interest was also specific to activity relating to impacts to the river, and more specifically, repair of the seawall. Although an ERP is required for seawall construction activity, there is an exception for connecting and repairing 2 existing seawalls. When broken, 2 seawalls can actually erode faster than when stabilized. Because of this, it was determined that the repair activity could continue. Plans were submitted for the activity from the contractor, and permit fees paid. The contractor was notified of the need for BMPs, or practices to reduce impacts to the St. Johns from construction. However, it was determined that construction would likely be done in a matter of days and extensive BMP implementation was not likely to reduce any immediate impact to the river. Erick Revuelta, erevuelt@sjrwmd.com

2018-02-14 - 06:09:00 Shannon Blankinship commented

2/14/2018 Shannon Blankinship replied to Roxanne with the updated information.

2018-02-14 - 06:10:00 Shannon Blankinship commented

2/14/2018 Roxanne Weeks, via FB messenger, wrote "I will send you the entire email complaint I am working on now when it is finished later today - along with the pictures and permit application. They falsified it when they wrote it was a repair. The seawall never existed. I am also reporting them for grant fraud. Be in touch soon."

2018-02-14 - 06:11:00 Shannon Blankinship commented

2/14/2018 Allen Baggett from the SJRWMD called Shannon Blankinship to confirm that all information needed from the agency had been received and asked if any other concerns existed. I asked about the possibility that the seawall never existed. Allen said that based on imaging the WMD had indicated that yes, the seawall had existed and this was a repair.

2018-02-24 - 06:26:00 Shannon Blankinship commented

SJRWMD Contacts Erick Revuelta, Compliance Coordinator, (386) 643-1933 Allen Baggett, Environmental Resource Program Coordinator (386) 329-4565