Historic Key West fort's a site for a battle -- over trees
CAMMY CLARK/MIAMI HERALD STAFF But the crumbling brick fort turned historic state landmark and park never hosted a real battle -- until now.
At stake: the fate of about 800 Australian pine trees that provide a canopy of shade and peaceful place for residents and tourists to enjoy the rocky beach and breathtaking sunsets.
Some have dubbed it ``The Battle of the Tree Huggers.''
On one side is the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, which plans to continue its phased removal of the invasive exotic trees from Down Under. State biologists say the pines harm native species and wildlife, and say they will replace them with indigenous trees and vegetation.
On the other side is a passionate citizen brigade called Save Our Pines, which loves the precious green space as it has been for decades and is on a mission to ``Stop the Massacre.''
The two sides met last week in a packed room at the Harvey Government Center for a public workshop on the state park's updated draft management plan.
Before hearing the first of 30 citizen speakers, Lew Scruggs, a planning manager with the state DEP that oversees the Park Service, said:
``We agree with you folks 100 percent that shade is absolutely important. It's one of the most important recreational amenities . . . But our plan, and the removal of invasive exotics, has been policy of state parks and all state lands for 20 years.''
It was a long night for Scruggs and other state employees, whom Key West songwriter Ben Harrison, quoting Joni Mitchell, called 'the villains in `Pave paradise and put up a parking lot.' ''
Although the management plan centers around a $9.7 million project to preserve the 162-year-old fort, the boisterous crowd showed up primarily to object to the tree removal and the proposed construction of a pavilion at the prime sunset location.
One after another, birders, botanists, lawyers, retirees, artists and a New Jersey tourist pleaded their case with science, anger against state intervention, a U.S. Supreme Court ruling and anecdotes.
It's a place where they have gone to paint, write, celebrate Thanksgiving, spread ashes of deceased loved ones and simply enjoy beauty and serenity.
The Key West City Commission and the Monroe County Commission have already passed resolutions against the tree removal.
But Keys-based biologist Randy Grau of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said the Australian pines are pests that cause many environmental problems.
''They invade natural areas, poisoning the soil for other plants,'' he said. ``They don't provide food benefits for wildlife, especially migratory birds that rely on the Keys for stopovers. They cause coastal erosion instead of stabilizing it and they don't stand up to hurricanes well.''
Longtime residents disputed how much damage is done by the small clump of Australian pines at Fort Zach, arguing they could be contained and their ambience outweighs any negatives.
''While this [eradication] may be good policy in some parts of the state, it is wrong for this park,'' said artist Helen Harrison, head of Save Our Pines.
The 56-acre state park is one of Key West's remaining few green spaces.
''This is a magical place,'' retired scientist Nils Muench said while strolling under the Australian pines. ``When the wind blows, it rustles through the trees and sounds beautiful.''
Muench's mood changed when he came upon a cleared site: ``Look what they've done. It's devastating.''
In March, 88 Australian pines got the chainsaw during the first of a $200,000, 10-year removal plan.
Attorney David Paul Horan, working for Save Our Pines, said a June 2006 U.S. Supreme Court decision ruled that the Army Corps of Engineers does not have jurisdiction in such matters.
Regardless, the state said the invasive exotic trees must eventually go. On Navy property adjacent to the state park, the 60 Australian pines were cut down last year and replaced with indigenous vegetation.
Scruggs told the crowd he understands that removing all the Australian pines at once at Fort Zach would be detrimental to parkgoers. But the replanting at the park so far was called ''pathetic'' by several at the workshop.
''By the time they grow tall enough to provide shade, we'll all be dead,'' said Muench.
The state has a 54-page revegetation plan that includes using large native trees 20 to 25 feet tall to more quickly replace lost shade, state DEP spokeswoman Katie Flanagan said.
But those at the workshop vowed the fight wasn't over.
Said Key West businessman Chris Belland: ``It's nice. Leave it the hell alone.''
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Labels: advocacy, endangered, Key West
posted by LadyIrene @ 10/22/2007 04:18:00 PM
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