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Statement by  Larry Fleming and Jack Jost to LMA November 3, 2005 

Jack and I appreciate the opportunity to be on your agenda this evening to present some thoughts about the Nature Preserve, or as some know it, the Eagle Preserve.

The impetus to study possible improvements to the Nature Preserve arose out of a series of brainstorming sessions aimed at identifying things that could be done to improve the quality of life in The Landings. More than 50 Landing residents have been involved in these ongoing sessions. Improvements to the Nature Preserve emerged as one of the highest priority areas for near-term attention.

For many years the Nature Preserve area has served no real function other than providing a buffer zone for the homes surrounding it.   Landings residents don't go into the preserve. The two experts we have consulted tell us that the preserve is an environmental wasteland and an extremely undesirable habitat for wildlife. They both strongly recommend removal of Brazilian Pepper trees, China Berry trees, Muscadine Grape vines and other exotic herbaceous plants. The experts we consulted are Bruce Hoist, the Director of Research and Conservation at Selby Gardens; and Paul Semenec, an Environmental Specialist with Sarasota County's Resource Protection Division.

Preliminary long term recommendations for Nature Preserve environmental mitigation and remediation are set-out in the document you received prior to this meeting. Tonight, however, we are seeking Board action on only three of the recommendations contained in that report:

Our first request is that LMA authorize retention of legal counsel to determine the rights of LMA to use the Nature Preserve for the good of the whole Landings community without heed to the encumbrances placed on the property by the previous owner.    Every effort should be made to obtain pro-bono advice from a Landings attorney ... but if that is not possible outside counsel should be contracted to make the determination.

Our second request is that LMA sponsor development of a specific plan for transformation of the Nature Preserve into a genuine community asset though replacement of noxious trees and shrubs with attractive species native to Florida. If asked, Jack and I would be pleased to assist with the development of such a plan.

Our  final request is that the LMA board include a line item in their fiscal 2006 budget for expenses related to: (A) The Nature Preserve legal investigation, and

(B) begining the removal of Pepper Trees and other noxious vegetation from th§

Preserve. The amount of funding for 2006 is to be at the discretion of the board.

2007 and 2008 funding requests will be determined after a specific plan for

mitigation and restoration is approved by the board.

Thank you for your consideration of our three requests. For your reference, I would like to pass around a handout containing the text of my comments.