County roadway manager Michael Nixon: “…Indian River County does not plan to withdraw the (Oslo Boat Ramp) project.”

MILT THOMAS

Even though the County Commission voted to postpone enhancements to the Oslo Road Boat Ramp for three to five years, and the public seemed to support that decision, it appears the county is still pushing to fast-track a key permit from the Army Corps of Engineers needed to proceed.

Last October 21, the controversial project was tabled by a 3-2 vote, much to the delight of a large audience opposed to it. At that meeting, Citizen Gail Norris then asked, “Why postpone it. It should be laid to rest permanently,” to which Commissioner Bob Solari replied that delaying it three to five years “would effectively kill it.” He added that we should know much more about the lagoon and its problems by then to better evaluate the damage if any. Presumably, that meant no decision would be made until then.

Two and a half weeks later, in a November 7 letter from Irene Sadowski, chief of the Cocoa Permits Section, Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) to Michael Nixon, the county’s roadway production manager, she states that because the County Commission tabled the project and based on other input they received, the county had 30 days to present further information to justify ACOE approval of the project, and if not, they will take action “which may result in an unfavorable permit decision.”

Nixon responded in a November 21 letter, “This is to inform you that Indian River County does not plan to withdraw the project.” He went on to cite arguments previously made in favor of the project, concluding with, “No project changes have occurred, no new information has been presented, and no request for additional information should be required. The permit should be issued at this time.”

In a December 5, 2014 email from Nixon to Sadowski, he asks her to confirm she received his November 21 letter and asks “When can we expect a response?”

Sadowski responded that day, saying “Tamy (Tamy Dabu of her office) has received your package and will contact you shortly should additional information be required. Otherwise we will continue processing your permit request.”

InsideVero spoke with Tamy Dabu at ACOE on March 6 regarding the permit status, to which she responded that it was still in progress and no decision has been made. When asked how long a permit, once issued, would be valid and she answered up to five years.

That falls within the range agreed to by Commissioners, but since they tabled a decision for three to five years, why the rush to obtain all necessary permitting immediately when no decision has been made?

InsideVero has requested a response from Chairman Wesley Davis. The subject of the Oslo Road Boat Ramp is on next Tuesday’s Commission agenda as a discussion item requested by Commissioner Tim Zorc.