Natural committee proposed for city
By Bill Lawson / Staff Writer / blawson@maumellemonitor.com
Friday, December 11, 2009 1:06 PM CST
Mayor Mike Watson has proposed the creation of a natural features advisory committee to help the city develop long-term policies and strategies to protect its wetlands, woodlands, rivers, lakes, streams, farmland and open space.
He announced the idea at Monday’s City Council meeting and said it grew out of the wetland’s task force chaired by Ken Saunders.
Similar to the Tree Board, the group would have seven members appointed by the mayor and would include residents from a variety of interests.
Although the city currently contains no farmland, Watson said the city has about 2,000 acres on its southwestern border that is the next natural place for development to come and the city at some point in the future would like to annex the land.
The group would be involved in plant and wildlife protection, habitat protection, flood control, public access, wetland tours, wildlife surveys, plant surveys, clean up of trash and illegal dumps, removing invasive plants, reintroducing native trees, promoting conservation and fundraising.
Although the decision on creating the committee will come at a later date, Watson encouraged those interested in serving to submit letters of interest along with resumes.
