A new Anna Maria City Commission, with a swearing in set for Nov. 17 for three officials, will decide the current Australian pine tree issue at Gulf Park.
Folks who turned out for an Oct. 31 commission meeting to give their opinion on removal of some of the trees in the city’s Gulf Park along the Gulf of Mexico voiced disappointment when Commission Chair Chuck Webb said discussion of the pines was moved to the Nov. 17 meeting agenda.
The city is considering the removal of six to eight pines in Gulf Park between Willow and Oak avenues. The Anna Maria landscaping ordinance passed in 2008 lists Australian pines as an invasive, non-native species and prohibits planting new trees in the city.
Commissioners decided two months ago to have public works director George McKay survey residents in the neighborhood for their opinion on removal and present his findings to the commission before taking any action.
Not all the surveys were returned to McKay, observed Webb.
McKay said some people surveyed prefer to keep the trees. Several letters written to Mayor Mike Selby expressed the same opinion.
Forestry and plant experts, such as Anna Maria resident Tim Eiseler, have said in other letters to Selby that Australian pines are invasive and harmful to native plants and some wildlife.
According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida municipalities and county governments are to remove Australian pines on public property “whenever possible.”
In 2004, the city removed an Australian pine on city property that was interfering with the growth of native plants. Before the tree was removed, a number of people, including those in an organization called Stop Taking Our Pines, demanded the city halt the project. Petitions were circulated and tempers flared at some commission meetings on the issue.
Then-Mayor SueLynn proceeded with removal of the Australian pine after receiving a DEP order.
Commissioners will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17, in a regular session. The Gulf Park-Australian pines issue is scheduled to be on the agenda, Webb said.
Newly elected commissioners will be sworn in at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 17, just before the regular meeting.
Anyone who wants to preserve Australian pines on Anna Maria Island is welcome to visit http://www.australianpines.org and use any of the materials presented on the website.
Please pay particular attention to the news stories re: Gulf Stream and Key West – both of which were granted special dispensation from the State of Florida not only to preserve existing pines, but to cultivate Australian pines in order to replace those that died or were impaired.
Good luck, Anna Maria pine-huggers – you can DO this! – Friends of the Pines