​ Commissioner Hal Valeche

I could almost hear a huge, collective sigh of relief when Palm Beach County missed a direct hit by Hurricane Dorian.  With so much uncertainty of the path of the storm, our emergency managers and county staff mobilized expertly to full activation at the Emergency Operations Center, opened and staffed shelters, and issued evacuation orders where recommended by national hurricane forecasters.  Seeing the results of this ferocious storm on the Bahamas, we are reminded more than ever of how important preparation is during hurricane season.
                I wanted to mention some of the post-storm issues raised that may be of interest to you:

• Disturbed sea turtle nests and turtle eggs visible on county beaches
  Palm Beach County has had a record-breaking sea turtle nesting season with year-end counts likely to top 50,000 nests.  Prior to Hurricane Dorian, approximately two thirds of those nests had already hatched.  Waves disturbed some of the remaining nests but the overall impact to the population is minimal.  The eggs seen on the beach are no longer viable and may be the remaining shells from nests that hatched prior to the storm. 
  PBC's Environment Resources Management informs us that sea turtles have adapted to storms through various strategies.  Each female lays 6-8 nests during a single season, which means she is laying 500-900 eggs.  They also place their nests at various locations on the beach.  Those laid closer to the water are more prone to washing out in storms while those laid closer to the dune are more vulnerable to predators.  By laying eggs in various locations and laying multiple nests per year, the mama turtles ensure hatchling survival against natural events.
  If eggs are found exposed or in the surf, the only thing to do is to leave them alone as they are no longer viable.  Relocation of nests ahead of a storm is prohibited as it could endanger the eggs.  If you find a turtle in distress, you can call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) at 1-800-404-3922.

• Yard vegetation
  At the risk of sounding like a broken record… my staff and I have observed many properties conducting extensive yard trimming and pruning of trees and shrubs.  That is fine as long as it occurs outside of any major impending weather events.  If you are located in unincorporated Palm Beach County, you know that the Solid Waste Authority requires you to limit curbside vegetation to 6 cubic yards, which is roughly the size of two refrigerators.  If you reside in a municipality, check with city officials to confirm how much they will allow curbside for pick up.

• Water discoloration in estuaries and along the coast
  You may have observed darker water flowing out of the Jupiter Inlet and along the beaches. This is due to local basin runoff (storm water) that is flowing out the inlet during outgoing tide.  This is typical after large rain events.  The color difference can be dramatic and appear as a distinct line in the water just off the beach.  While many of the coastal areas have dried out since Dorian, wetlands in the western areas of the basin are still holding a lot of water, which eventually drains into the Loxahatchee River and out the inlet.
  
  Many factors can influence the color of water along the beach.  Within the Loxahatchee River, a big factor is the tannins that leach into the water as vegetation decays, making it appear as a dark color resembling tea. The same effect shows up as brown stains on the hull of boats that frequently use those waterways.  During high flows of storm water following heavy rain events, elevated levels of nutrients and bacteria entering the system compromise water quality.  The Department of Health monitors the water quality along the beaches through the Healthy Beaches Program and issues advisories when bacterial concentrations exceed the microbiological standards.
  
  Another contributing factor to the current water clarity is turbidity, which is the suspension of fine sediments along the beaches.  According to ERM officials, wave energy from Hurricane Dorian eroded approximately 1M cubic yards of sand from Palm Beach County beaches.  The coarser sand falls out of suspension quickly and deposits within a sand bar just off the beach.  The fine material remains suspended in the water column for a longer period and creates the chalky opaque appearance versus the clear blue water we usually see.
  
  We have a very dynamic and sometimes delicate environment.  Our county staff work hard to address issues that affect our quality of life.  Your input on areas of concern is very helpful.  As always, please contact me if I can be of assistance at (561) 355-2201, or by email at hvaleche@pbcgov.org.