Avocet Lagoon Viewing Platform Update

By Jim Meyer

We have a revised schedule for Avocet Lagoon Viewing Platform (ALVP) at the Canaveral Lock. The ALVP drawings were given to the Corps of Engineers (CoE) for approval the 1st week of May. Bowman A&E completed the drawings in less than 2 weeks from when I met with Walter Bowman at Rusty's at the Port. He was a blessing to the Project and donated his Engineering expertise and only charged us a nominal fee for drafting time. He also recommended putting a landing in the stairs which allows for a 16 foot height of the Platform. Additionally, he included a roof in the design which will keep us birders cool.

Once CoE approval is received, FPL will be able to put the poles , they donated, into the ground at the site. A MOA (Memorandum of Agreement) will also be developed between the CoE and SCAS. After the construction materials have been acquired, Art Berger our volunteer Construction Contractor, will be able to move out on the actual construction of the Viewing Platform.

Hopefully, the recent front page article by Larry Hobbs in the Florida Today's Press Tribune (4/18) about our Project will precipitate some more funding support. With the recent National Audubon Grant of $750 and some other donations, the kitty is approaching $6000. I'm estimating we still need $4-6000 more to complete the Project, depending on how much discount we get on the materials. We potentially have $2-3000 pending from USA and The Port Authority Grants.

If all this falls into place, SCAS will have provided a fantastic environmental gift to the community and visitors at the Canaveral Lock for next fall's migrants and resident wildlife at Avocet Lagoon.

NOTE: Any additional SCAS members wishing to support the ALVP Project can send their checks, marked "Avocet Lagoon", to : SCAS, P.O. Box 1741, Cocoa, FL 32923. Remember a $100 donation gets your name on the plaque at the site and $500 gets you name on a stair plank and on the plaque.