Thanks to Councilwoman Jane Gruenebaum for her support of a pause in land-use development.
A pause will permit more time for using sound scientific techniques to study needed safeguards for water quality and marine life protection, and to develop new innovative areas to investigate such as:
• Exploring the true effectiveness of beach armoring (such as work at Indian River Inlet) that at times can actually exacerbate effects of climate change
• Evaluating whether the flood insurance systems can actually encourage development
• Exploring the data that requiring green infrastructure (such as green roofs, rain gardens and other nature-based systems) prevents polluting runoff
• Determining if requiring public disclosure of a home's flood history to prospective buyers helps reduce repeat flooding
• Discovering techniques that protect wetlands and coastal marshes by setting aside areas so they can adapt to changes development brings
• Encouraging, supporting and coordinating with the Center for the Inland Bays’ ongoing studies like resiliance planning.
These and other initiatives all require the time a pause would permit.
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