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Avocet Lagoon Viewing Platform UpdateBy Jim MeyerThings are picking up on the Project! Ben Baggs, lead Lockmaster, has provided a contact at Clewiston for the drawing requirements. Art Berger, a local building contractor, has volunteered to pick up the task of making the drawings and has been in contact with the Clewiston POC. The revised schedule has the drawings going to the Corps of Engineers for approval by the end of January with 1 month allotted for approval. Once the drawings are approved, the Viewing Platform construction phase should complete within a month. Two more weeks are projected for completion of the trail along with the signage. This would have the Project completed sometime in late April. This would be just in time to have our "Grand Opening" before May. On the donation front, things have been proceding well. To date, $3700 has been received of the needed $10,000. Several SCAS members have recently made donations, in addition to Laurilee Thompson's generous donations. In addition, two grants have recently been submitted to USA and Audubon of Florida in the total of $3000. And we still expect to get support from the Port Authority. Two other Companies have made pledges to the Project. Snappy Signs, Cocoa Beach, has offered their help with the trail signs and the donation plaque to be displayed at the site. Florida Aggregate has also been contacted and are evaluating their ability to donate or discount aggregate for the trail that will be needed. Also, I recently met a gentleman at the Locks, during our recent field trip, who is very interested in helping with the project and has ties to a Lumber Co. and Concrete Co. I took him to the Avocet Lagoon trail where we observed many species of birds enjoying the tranquilty of the lagoon, including Roseate Spoonbills, N. Shoverler and Mottled ducks, and Blue-winged Teals plus just about all the waders. If any members wish to help with a donation, please do so. Remember, a $100 donation gets your name on the plaque and $500 gets your name on a step plank and plaque. You may give your checks to any Board members or send your donations to: SCAS/Avocet Lagoon |