The Environmental Committee met on February 3, 2016. This is an abridged version of the minutes.
There will be an Audubon International booth at the annual meetings on February 13th where questions can be asked and brochures will be available.
The Wildlife Portal has been updated and appears to be working well. It is very easy to access and to report sightings now.
The Greenery
Steve Hirsch reported that shrubbery and medians have been trimmed. In addition lattice screens will be removed and shrubbery planted to hide electrical boxes over the next months. Steve also reported that the shore scaping project across from the Lake House will be replanted.
Charley Moore asked about shrubbery being trimmed on Mallard Lake by residents. Some lots appear to be cleared of all vegetation to the waters edge.. Michael Orris reminded the committee that there are clear rules and regulations in place for trimming and removal on the island by residents. The Committee agreed to request the ARC to look at this and see if regulations were being followed.
Wildlife Sightings
There were many bobcat sightings in the last month. Joe Stevenot reported that there were also two sightings of a panther. They do live in our region.
Earth Day Celebration
Rich Siegel reported that there are several members working on ideas. He also talked about the Adopt a Highway scheduled for February 20. More volunteers are needed to pick up litter on Betsy Kerrison Parkway.
Off Shore Drilling
Barry Shedrow has been in touch with BOEM to find out their timeline for publishing documents and for holding public hearings.
Deer Management
Charley Moore reported that the culling of deer according to the recommendation of the Deer Task Force (75 does) had been carried out during January.
SIB (Seabrook Island Birders)
Charley Moore reported that there was a large turnout (102) at the first meeting. There are currently 130 paid members. The next meeting is April 27 with the topic of Birds of Prey.
Bluebird Report
Dean Morr reported that the kick off meeting will be on Feb. 24 at 4 pm in the Lake House. Monitoring boxes will begin in March. Bluebirds are now under the Seabrook Island Birders.
Submitted by Jane Marvin
Hi regarding the Audubon accreditation and the ‘panther’ sighting. 1st back before November we owned at Sealoft Villas and the lawn company there was cutting below the highway we mark, even cypress type trees (not the skinny Christmas tree shape kind) that were large enough to cast shadows (cooling) on our villa in the marsh AND spraying weed killer all under the high watermark. I did call the board and the fellow came to talk about it & said that hey would replace the trees. They put the ‘unnatural’ Christmas tree shape skinny cypress back shamefully. I’m writing this because some people apparently are more desirous of views than being careful with the environment and wildlife.
Secondly a friend was with me, who is a frequent visitor & helps at a small zoo around Charlotte, as we drove down Oyster Catcher Court at the stop sign to Seabrook Island road to the right at the edge of the marshy grass area there was a large cat. Tall enough for me to see it from the driver’s side out the passenger window. I told her ‘There is a large bobcat.’ & she said as we drove left at the stop sign away from it that “That animal didn’t have tuft ears and it had a long tail.” I told a fellow Seabrooker about this and while she was at a John’s Island veterinarian’s office she said saw a picture, and she text me the pic, of a large cat with a tube in its mouth. She ask the nurse about it and they told her that Kiawah wildlife people had brought in a puma that was injured sometime back. Pet?😳💁🏼 Have a great weekend.
Cindy Rogers
704-608-9339 text/cell