Beaches restoration moving along

Picture enough sand to fill 255 Goodyear blimps. That's how much is being spread along the beaches of Broward and Palm Beach counties this winter, as work crews race to bulk up eroded shorelines.

In Palm Beach County, at least five major projects are in the works from Jupiter to Boca Raton. In Broward, a long-awaited project to restore beaches from Fort Lauderdale to Pompano Beach has been delayed at least until next winter, but a smaller project from just south of Hillsboro Inlet to Commercial Boulevard is adding sand to the dry beach but not providing any additional width.

The multimillion-dollar projects are designed to protect billions in real estate and preserve the region's most important draw for tourists.

BROWARD COUNTY

About 130 dump trucks a day are making the two-hour trip from a mine near Lake Okeechobee to Pompano Beach and Lauderdale-by-the-Sea. The project has passed the halfway point, with about 3.5 miles of beach restored out of a planned 5.1 miles. So far 83,000 cubic yards have been spread on the beach, out of projected total of 115,000 cubic yards.

But problems have delayed Segment 2, the long-awaited $44 million project to restore about 5 miles of beach in portions of Pompano Beach, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea and Fort Lauderdale. Currently some stretches narrow to just a few feet at high tide.

"We have been promised time and time again that this project would be underway and we were going to see some sand on the beaches in November," said Pio Ieraci, president of the Galt Mile Community Association, representing 28 buildings and 16,000 residents. "We are tired, frustrated and despondent beyond belief."

Eric Myers, the county's beach erosion administrator, attributed the latest delay to permitting issues. The Army Corps of Engineers has not acted on Broward's application, and the county objects to a Florida Department of Environmental Protection draft permit that would hold Broward responsible for any harm to coral reefs in the area, even if not directly related to the project.

Planning is being done on Segment 3, a 6.2-mile stretch of Dania Beach, Hollywood and Hallandale Beach. The area received a lavish amount of sand in a restoration project that ended in 2006. But a lot of the sand has washed away, particularly at the southern end. Work to plug the gaps won't take place until 2016 or so, Myers said.

PALM BEACH COUNTY

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Beaches restoration moving along

Weighing a massive plan to redo Wildwood’s beaches

WILDWOOD, N.J. - The thought is preposterous to Wildwood Mayor Ernie Troiano: The state and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers want to build a $21.8 million two-story-tall sand dune along a beach so wide that in some spots trams are used to get beachgoers from the boardwalk to the water's edge.

"The idea is ludicrous," Troiano said of the proposal to build a 16-foot-tall dune and berm along a five-mile beachfront from Hereford Inlet in North Wildwood to Cape May Inlet in Wildwood Crest.

"I'm all for helping our neighbors to our north and south, but not at the expense of Wildwood," Troiano said.

Since the plan calls for a 700-foot-wide swath to be used to construct the dune, Troiano said the plan could ultimately decrease the width of Wildwood's beaches to the point where certain uses of the beachfront - like an annual international volleyball championship and large music festivals - would be curtailed. He said that could mean lost revenue for a town already struggling to fund the cost of maintaining its famous beachfront - which is one of only a few in New Jersey that do not charge admission.

Beach replenishment work under the widespread plan began earlier this month in Monmouth County on a stretch between Asbury Park and Avon where the $18.3 million in costs are paid for out of Sandy funds approved by Congress. Beach towns in Monmouth and Ocean Counties were among the hardest hit by the Oct. 29, 2012, storm.

Based on where Sandy made landfall in Brigantine, Atlantic County, the damage was significantly less in the southern Shore counties of Atlantic and Cape May, although places like Ventnor, Ocean City, and Sea Isle City experienced considerable flooding. In the "Wildwoods" - collectively, the towns of Wildwood, Wildwood Crest, and North Wildwood - where almost no dunes exist, storm experts said the ocean just "rolled into town" as Sandy roiled off the coast, the report said.

While the 1,500- to 2,000-foot width of Wildwood's beaches helped minimize flooding in that resort, both North Wildwood and Wildwood Crest experienced more widespread damage, losing a considerable amount of sand from some of the beaches, municipal officials said.

And while Wildwood's beaches grow about 20 feet in width each year, beaches in the two other towns on the island known as Five Mile Beach routinely erode, especially around the two inlets, according to a 341-page report from a study of the region that was begun nearly a decade before Sandy hit.

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Weighing a massive plan to redo Wildwood's beaches

Island Trader Vacations Reviews The World’s Top Ten Best Beaches

Michigan (PRWEB) January 26, 2014

There are beaches everywhere in the world, from idyllic to famous, popular to secluded. What makes a beach great depends on any of a hundred reasons. Whether it is because of the view or the sand, the people or the wildlife, these beaches have found their way into the hearts of millions of travelers. Island Trader Vacations reviews the top ten beaches in the world both famous and not so famous.

Anse Source dArgent, Seychelles A remote beach, this beach ranks as one of the most popular in the Seychelles. Pink sands and massive granite boulders characterize this stunning beach which is protected by a lovely reef.

Horseshoe Bay Beach, Bermuda Brilliant blue waters and beautiful pink sand make this a beach worth exploring. Named one of the most romantic and beautiful beaches, this quarter mile stretch of sand is a couples paradise.

Whitehaven Beach, Australia Crystal clear blue waters and white sand characterize this stunning 4 mile beach.

Gulf Islands National Seashore, Pensacola, Florida A number of beaches along the Gulf of Mexico barrier Islands, this national seashore encompasses some of the most stunning scenery in the U.S. and protects a variety of unique plant and animal species.

White Beach, Philippines Named for the color of its sand, White Beach, is unique in that its sands are cool to the touch thanks to the makeup of the sand. Coral reefs, sparkling sand, and clear waters make this a top destination for any beach lover.

Kaanapali Beach, Hawaii The most famous beach in Hawaii, Kaanapali Beach is a long sandy beach with plenty of sun, shallow water and amazing opportunities for exploring including sailing, snorkeling, excursions and just relaxing.

Rabbit Beach, Islands of Sicily Remote and unspoiled, Rabbit beach is famous for its natural beauty and wildness. Difficult to access, its remoteness and wildness sets it apart.

Eagle Beach, Aruba Eagle Beach is famous for its soft sand and clear waters. It is the widest beach in Aruba and is perfect for nature lovers and luxury travelers.

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Island Trader Vacations Reviews The World's Top Ten Best Beaches

St. Johns River: two sides of an issue

By Amanda Durish Cook

amanda.durishcook@jacksonville.com

Seven years after Beaches-area elected officials publicly opposed a plan to tap freshwater from the St. Johns River, a drafted plan seeks to tap the river again to supply water to Central Florida.

A draft of the Central Florida Water Initiative water supply plan focuses on meeting future water requirements for Central Floridas growing population, and Northeast Floridas stores of freshwater are targeted.

The average amount of water needed in the area charted in the CFWI is projected to increase from 800 million gallons per day in 2010 to 1,100 million gallons per day in 2035. At this rate, central Floridas main source of water, the Floridan aquifer cannot sustain the growth. The CFWI plan determined the sustainable level is 850 million gallons per day, about 50 million gallons per day greater than the current amount being used.

Presently, 10 bodies of water in Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Polk and southern Lake counties are below their established minimum flows and levels, with another 15 water bodies predicted to fall to unsafe levels in the future.

According to the CFWI initiative, the rate of groundwater withdrawal in certain areas of the CFWI Planning Area is either rapidly approaching, or has surpassed the maximum rate that can be sustained without causing harm or adverse impacts to the water resources and related natural systems.

More than 135 potential options to source water are named in the CFWI draft plan, including options listing the St. Johns River and one of its major tributaries, the Ocklawaha River, producing an estimated 391 million gallons of water per day in additional water supply over the next 20 years. From the St. Johns River alone, a maximum 155 million gallons a day could be taken from the river, the draft suggests.

Water suppliers could choose to pursue any of these potential projects in the future, or water suppliers may identify other projects to pursue. They would still need to go through the permit review process, said Teresa Monson, public communications coordinator at the Office of Communications and Intergovernmental Affairs, in a statement on behalf of the St. Johns River Water Management District.

SJRWMD completed a four-year study in 2012 that focused on the possible consequences of withdrawing a significant amount of water from the St. Johns River. The evaluation was peer-reviewed by the National Academy of Sciences. The Water Supply Impact Study concluded approximately 150 million gallons of water per day could be withdrawn from the St. Johns River with no more than negligible or minor effects.

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St. Johns River: two sides of an issue

Funding restored for beach water testing

Water at South Florida beaches will continue to undergo routine testing for bacteria, now that Congress has restored funding for the program.

The Obama administration had proposed eliminating $9.5 million given to states each year to pay for testing beach water. Florida relies on the money to fund its program, which includes testing at 42 sites in Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties.

Congress put back the money after lobbying by environmental groups, and the budget bills have been signed by President Obama.

Mara Dias, water quality manager for the Surfrider Foundation, an environmental group that had lobbied to restore the funding, said the testing program is a vital and cost-effective way to protect human health.

"Without beach testing, we're not going to know if the water's clean or not, if we're going to get sick or not," she said. "If we don't test and identify where the pollution sources are, we can't fix them and make them better."

Florida's share of the federal money was $488,000 last year a lower-than-normal number because of the government shutdown - and $512,000 the previous year.

Among the advocates for restoring the funds was U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Florida, who joined several senators in a letter to Senate leaders urging that the money be put back in.

"Families across the country look forward to beach vacation and expect that it is safe to go in the water," they wrote.

Every two weeks of so, state health department workers take water samples from various sites along the coast and test it for enterococcus bacteria. It's not that this particular bacteria is harmful itself. But it's an indicator of the presence of human or animal waste, which carries germs that can cause a variety of illnesses, including salmonella, shigellosis, hepatitis A, skin rashes and eye infections.

Typically, a few swimming advisories a year are posted in South Florida, until the contamination clears up. The source of the high bacteria levels is rarely found, although often the counts spike after heavy rains, which washes animal waste into the water. Among the other causes are sewage line breaks and pets, according to the Florida Department of Health.

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Funding restored for beach water testing

Astronomy enthusiasts to meet in Blaine County

GEARY The Oklahoma City Astronomy Club invites the public to share views of a rare event at their Blaine County observatory Saturday night.

Astronomy club members will gather at the club's Cheddar Ranch Observatory to view the supernova and other objects including Jupiter and a number of galaxies.

Club members will meet visitors from the public at the Cherokee Truck Stop at Exit 108 on Interstate 40 at its junction with U.S. 281 south of Geary at 5 p.m. Saturday to escort them to the observatory, which features a spacious building, according to a news release.

Participants are advised to dress warmly in several layers, though Saturday temperatures are predicted to be milder than in recent days.

Astronomers in several locations detected a new supernova explosion in the nearby galaxy M 82 early in the week, and the exploded star has been brightening steadily for several days, promising a rare show this weekend for those with telescopes. Neither the supernova nor its home galaxy can be seen with the naked eye.

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Astronomy enthusiasts to meet in Blaine County

OKC Astronomy Club Hosts Stellar Explosion Public Viewing In Watonga

WATONGA, Oklahoma -

The Oklahoma City Astronomy Club will host a public viewing of a stellar explosion this Saturday night in Blaine County.

Earlier this week, astronomers detected a new supernova explosion in M 82, a nearby galaxy close to the Milky Way galaxy.

The last supernova to travel this close to Earth was at least 1993. The brightness of a supernova is based on its magnitude. The lower the magnitude number, the brighter the object will be. Astronomers have rated the new supernova at less than magnitude 12 with a potential to brighten to magnitude eight or nine. With a low magnitude number, the stellar blast will be easy to view through telescopes.

The public is invited to join the OKC Astronomy Club members at the Cheddar Ranch Observatory in Watonga, Oklahoma. The public will have the opportunity to share views on the stellar explosion, as well as Jupiter and other galaxies.

Public attendees have been asked to meet at 5 p.m. Saturday at the Cherokee Truck Stop at exit 108 on I-40 at the US-281 junction. Club members will meet and escort public attendees to the observatory.

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OKC Astronomy Club Hosts Stellar Explosion Public Viewing In Watonga

Osmar Zaiane Artificial Intelligence Part I Tech and Future of Medicine Course Winter 2014 – Video


Osmar Zaiane Artificial Intelligence Part I Tech and Future of Medicine Course Winter 2014
Dr. Osmar Zaiane presents Problems and Perils of AI Part I on January 21, 2014 in the Technology and Future of Medicine course at the University of Alberta i...

By: Kim Solez

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Osmar Zaiane Artificial Intelligence Part I Tech and Future of Medicine Course Winter 2014 - Video

UND aerospace school plans new building

GRAND FORKS The University of North Dakota aerospace school aims to break ground this spring on a new building, with the goal of attracting businesses that want to be part of the universitys growing aerospace research and development conglomerate.

Bruce Smith, dean of the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences, called it a nice statement about the good things that have happened at the school.

Some of the new space will provide a secure area for research into unmanned aircraft systems and other projects that need security, according to state documents. Other space will house research facilities for air traffic control, Smith said.

Total cost for what has been tabbed the Center for Aerospace Innovation and Research, could be as high as $25 million, UND officials told state lawmakers last year. But Smith said Friday that the cost could be trimmed and most of it will be privately raised.

The proposed 65,000-square-foot building will be connected to Ryan Hall on the far west end of campus.

Ownership of the building will be under the UND Aerospace Foundation, a private nonprofit group formed to help the Odegard school grow, state documents say. Operating costs will be paid by the university using existing funds and any funds raised through research activities in the building.

So far, the Aerospace Foundation has been promised a $7.5 million gift over three years from a couple involved in an aviation-related company, who, while not UND alumni, are big fans of the university, Smith said. He declined to divulge their names.

The foundation is providing another $3.5 million of its own funds.

So we have $11 million, cash in the bank, for that building, Smith said. Right now, we are trying to figure out just how big a building we can have.

Some money from the states Education Challenge Fund could be involved. Last year, the Legislature created the fund to match private donations, with the state paying $1 for every $2 donated with a cap of $10 million for UND. Earlier this month, the UND Foundation announced that it had raised enough to get a $3.3 million match.

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UND aerospace school plans new building