MITCH NEEDELMAN

State Representative, District #31

 Chair: Environmental Regulations l  Vice Chair: Juvenile Justice Committee
lState Resources Council l Justice Appropriations
lSelect Committee on Juvenile Detention Facilities

     

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	Contact: Bill Johnson
February 24, 2005	(321) 984-4848

MELBOURNE, FLA. – Media are invited to a press conference at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 28 announcing a historic partnership to tackle flood control and water quality issues affecting the ecologically sensitive Crane Creek.

The press conference, to be held at the gazebo in the newly renovated area of Florida Tech’s Botanical Garden, details how this multi-agency joint venture will clean up Crane Creek, answering the prayers of thousands of area residents.

“It has been a15 year work in progress”, said District 31 Rep. Mitch Needelman, R-Palm Bay, one of the architects of the partnership. “This project is not only beneficial for Crane Creek but will also go a long way towards tackling one source of pollution in the Indian River Lagoon.”

Speaking will be representatives from all participating bodies, including Needelman, Florida Tech’s President Dr. Anthony J. Catanese, Professor of Oceanography Gary Zarillo and Professor of Civil Engineering Ashok Pandit. Also speaking will be Melbourne City Council Woman Kathy Meehan and Michael Slayton of the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD).

The partnership marks Florida Tech’s first foray into a local community project. Crane Creek runs through the campus and ends near the Ralph S. Evinrude Marine Operations Center on the Indian River. The creek typically floods during the rainy season.

Zarillo recently completed a survey of about two miles of Crane Creek, charting its depth and bottom configuration. The university will provide scientific expertise and support with any necessary permitting in the project. The SJRWMD will spearhead a fund-raising effort for what is expected to be a major dredging project.