OFFICIAL PETITION: Moratorium on Black Creek Watershed Destruction
OFFICIAL PETITION: Moratorium on Black Creek Watershed Destruction
The Issue
OFFICIAL PETITION: Moratorium on Black Creek Watershed Destruction
Regarding the cumulative environmental, safety, and structural impacts of the "Firefly - Riverbend" development, "The Knoll at Black Creek" (COMP 26-0002), and the Long Bay/Sunrise Farms Rezoning (COMP 26-0006 / Ordinance No. 2026).
We, the undersigned residents and taxpayers, demand an immediate moratorium on all current and proposed development projects impacting the Black Creek watershed. The County’s piecemeal approval process is facilitating the industrialization of a rural, flood-prone basin, ignoring catastrophic cumulative risks to public safety, private property, and our protected ecosystem.
I. THE DEVELOPMENT THREATS TO THE WATERSHED
Firefly - Riverbend (4500 Trefoil Trail): This site has already suffered the destruction of over 250 acres of forest canopy, stripping the land of its natural absorption capacity. The current plan introduces high-density RV lots and heavy commercial amusement infrastructure—including splash pads, lagoons, and water park features—that threaten to industrialize a protected floodplain.
The Knoll at Black Creek (COMP 26-0002): This proposal seeks to rezone 46.39 acres, explicitly requesting to convert land within the Branan Field Primary Conservation Network (BF PCN) into a high-density "Master Planned Community" (BF MPC) for single-family residential development.
Long Bay/Sunrise Farms (COMP 26-0006 / Ordinance No. 2026): This Ordinance reconfigures 27.96 acres, shifting designations from Branan Field Rural Suburbs and Community Center to high-density "Master Planned Community" (BF MPC) and "Primary Conservation Network" (BF PCN). This conversion from rural use to 126+ units on a compact site creates an unsustainable density footprint in a flood-prone area.
II. THE HYDRAULIC "SPONGE" & SOIL FAILURE
Destruction of Natural Mitigation: Native wetlands act as "nature’s sponge," critical for absorbing stormwaters. Mass clear-cutting strips the land of this capacity, turning a self-regulating ecosystem into a flood-diversion trap.
The "Land Fill" Deception: Developers are dumping tons of artificial landfill to elevate sites. This "fill" is inherently unstable; without native root systems, it washes away into the creek, causing structural failure, foundation sagging, and soil loss in existing homes.
Drainage Toxicity:Retention Ponds: Standard retention ponds are dangerous "paper solutions." They stagnate for 20+ days, becoming breeding grounds for disease-carrying insects and accumulating concentrated pollutants from residential waste. They then siphon this chemical-laden, stagnant water directly into the protected Black Creek habitat.
Amusement Infrastructure: The proposed splash pads, water parks, and industrial-scale lagoons are not standard drainage; they are high-capacity water systems. They are prone to overflow during normal rainfall, carrying chemically treated water, synthetic waste, and debris directly into the watershed.
III. IMPACT ON ECOSYSTEM, WILDLIFE & MANATEE REFUGE
Critical Habitat Loss: Black Creek is a vital refuge for manatees and protected native wildlife. The removal of forest canopy and the introduction of industrial noise and light pollution destroy the natural habitat required for their survival.
Pollution & Sedimentation: The watershed is currently suffering from degradation due to increased sediment and chemicallly treated water runoff from construction sites and flooding run off and debris from 458 RV camp sites with splash pads and a water park feature. This sedimentation and waterway contamination smothers and kills aquatic vegetation, critical for manatee foraging, and alters the water quality of our "No Wake" and "Slow Wake" zones, causing permanent ecological damage.
IV. HURRICANE RISKS & PUBLIC SAFETY
The "Death Trap" for Tourists: Developers are marketing high density RV parks and water resorts to out of towners who lack local knowledge of hurricane evacuation routes, road flooding, sandbars, and narrow creek channels.
Infrastructure Failure: The access roads to these sites have a documented history of chronic, impassable flooding during minor hurricane events. Introducing mass-density tourism to an area that cannot support emergency evacuation is a public safety crisis.
Deceptive Flood Claims: Marketing materials for these sites often omit verified flood zone data. When hurricane events occur, these developments will inevitably force floodwaters into existing residential areas, creating an emergency situation for which current infrastructure is entirely unprepared.
V. CONGESTED NARROW WATERWAY NAVIGATIONAL HAZARDS
Industrializing the Creek: Proposing commercial boat tours in the narrow, shallow portions of is a safety crisis. This creek is too narrow for large tour vessels, leading to collisions with non-motorized kayakers and direct harm to endangered manatees.
No/Slow-Wake Violations: Large pontoon boats and commercial vessels frequently violate "No Wake" and "Slow Wake" zones, creating dangerous currents and increasing erosion along the narrow, sensitive banks.
VI. DEMANDS FOR SCIENTIFIC ACCOUNTABILITY
Independent Environmental Impact Study (EIS): We demand a comprehensive, third-party EIS for all proposed developments, specifically including Firefly - Riverbend, COMP 26-0002, and COMP 26-0006. This must assess the cumulative impact of mass deforestation, toxicity of amusement-park runoff (specifically the 21-day pond siphon effect), hurricane evacuation capacity, and commercial boating hazards.
Public Hearing Requirement: We demand a formal Public Hearing where residents can present photographic and historical evidence regarding the failure of existing drainage, foundation damage, and creek congestion.
Moratorium: Halt all approval processes for COMP 26-0002 and COMP 26-0006 until these independent studies are completed, reviewed, and made available for public scrutiny.
PETITION: Moratorium on Black Creek Watershed Destruction
Regarding the cumulative environmental, safety, and structural impacts of the "Firefly - Riverbend" development, "The Knoll at Black Creek" (COMP 26-0002), and the Long Bay/Sunrise Farms Rezoning (COMP 26-0006 / Ordinance No. 2026).
We, the undersigned residents and taxpayers, demand an immediate moratorium on all current and proposed development projects impacting the Black Creek watershed. The County’s piecemeal approval process is facilitating the industrialization of a rural, flood-prone basin, ignoring catastrophic cumulative risks to public safety, private property, and our protected ecosystem.
I. THE DEVELOPMENT THREATS TO THE WATERSHED
Firefly - Riverbend (4500 Trefoil Trail): This site has already suffered the destruction of over 250 acres of forest canopy, stripping the land of its natural absorption capacity. The current plan introduces high-density RV lots and heavy commercial amusement infrastructure—including splash pads, lagoons, and water park features—that threaten to industrialize a protected floodplain.
The Knoll at Black Creek (COMP 26-0002): This proposal seeks to rezone 46.39 acres, explicitly requesting to convert land within the Branan Field Primary Conservation Network (BF PCN) into a high-density "Master Planned Community" (BF MPC) for single-family residential development.
Long Bay/Sunrise Farms (COMP 26-0006 / Ordinance No. 2026): This Ordinance reconfigures 27.96 acres, shifting designations from Branan Field Rural Suburbs and Community Center to high-density "Master Planned Community" (BF MPC) and "Primary Conservation Network" (BF PCN). This conversion from rural use to 126+ units on a compact site creates an unsustainable density footprint in a flood-prone area.
II. THE HYDRAULIC "SPONGE" & SOIL FAILURE
Destruction of Natural Mitigation: Native wetlands act as "nature’s sponge," critical for absorbing stormwaters. Mass clear-cutting strips the land of this capacity, turning a self-regulating ecosystem into a flood-diversion trap.
The "Fill" Deception: Developers are dumping tons of artificial landfill to elevate sites. This "fill" is inherently unstable; without native root systems, it washes away into the creek, causing structural failure, foundation sagging, and soil loss in existing homes.
Drainage Toxicity:Retention Ponds: Standard retention ponds are dangerous "paper solutions." They stagnate for 20+ days, becoming breeding grounds for disease-carrying insects and accumulating concentrated pollutants from residential waste. They then siphon this chemical-laden, stagnant water directly into the protected Black Creek habitat.
Amusement Infrastructure: The proposed splash pads, water parks, and industrial-scale lagoons are not standard drainage; they are high-capacity water systems. They are prone to overflow during normal rainfall, carrying chemically treated water, synthetic waste, and debris directly into the watershed.
III. IMPACT ON ECOSYSTEM, WILDLIFE & MANATEE REFUGE
Critical Habitat Loss: Black Creek is a vital refuge for manatees and protected native wildlife. The removal of forest canopy and the introduction of industrial noise and light pollution destroy the natural habitat required for their survival.
Pollution & Sedimentation: The watershed is currently suffering from degradation due to increased sediment and chemicallly treated water runoff from construction sites and flooding run off and debris from 458 RV camp sites with splash pads and a water park feature. This sedimentation and waterway contamination smothers and kills aquatic vegetation, critical for manatee foraging, and alters the water quality of our "No Wake" and "Slow Wake" zones, causing permanent ecological damage.
IV. HURRICANE RISKS & PUBLIC SAFETY
The "Death Trap" for Tourists: Developers are marketing high density RV parks and water resorts to out of towners who lack local knowledge of hurricane evacuation routes, road flooding, sandbars, and narrow creek channels.
Infrastructure Failure: The access roads to these sites have a documented history of chronic, impassable flooding during minor hurricane events. Introducing mass-density tourism to an area that cannot support emergency evacuation is a public safety crisis.
Deceptive Flood Claims: Marketing materials for these sites often omit verified flood zone data. When hurricane events occur, these developments will inevitably force floodwaters into existing residential areas, creating an emergency situation for which current infrastructure is entirely unprepared.
V. CONGESTED NARROW WATERWAY NAVIGATIONAL HAZARDS
Industrializing the Creek: Proposing commercial boat tours in the narrow, shallow portions of Black Creek is a safety crisis. This creek is too narrow for large tour vessels, leading to collisions with non-motorized kayakers and direct harm to endangered manatees.
No/Slow-Wake Violations: Large pontoon boats and commercial vessels frequently violate "No Wake" and "Slow Wake" zones, creating dangerous currents and increasing erosion along the narrow, sensitive banks.
VI. DEMANDS FOR SCIENTIFIC ACCOUNTABILITY
Independent Environmental Impact Study (EIS): We demand a comprehensive, third-party EIS for all proposed developments, specifically including Firefly - Riverbend, COMP 26-0002, and COMP 26-0006. This must assess the cumulative impact of mass deforestation, toxicity of amusement-park runoff (specifically the 21-day pond siphon effect), hurricane evacuation capacity, and commercial boating hazards.
Public Hearing Requirement: We demand a formal Public Hearing where residents can present photographic and historical evidence regarding the failure of existing drainage, foundation damage, and creek congestion.
Moratorium: Halt all approval processes for COMP 26-0002 and COMP 26-0006 until these independent studies are completed, reviewed, and made available for public scrutiny.
Regarding the cumulative environmental, safety, and structural impacts of the "Firefly - Riverbend" development, "The Knoll at Black Creek" (COMP 26-0002), and the Long Bay/Sunrise Farms Rezoning (COMP 26-0006 / Ordinance No. 2026).
We, the undersigned residents and taxpayers, demand an immediate moratorium on all current and proposed development projects impacting the Black Creek watershed. The County’s piecemeal approval process is facilitating the industrialization of a rural, flood-prone basin, ignoring catastrophic cumulative risks to public safety, private property, and our protected ecosystem.
I. THE DEVELOPMENT THREATS TO THE WATERSHED
Firefly - Riverbend (4500 Trefoil Trail): This site has already suffered the destruction of over 250 acres of forest canopy, stripping the land of its natural absorption capacity. The current plan introduces high-density RV lots and heavy commercial amusement infrastructure—including splash pads, lagoons, and water park features—that threaten to industrialize a protected floodplain.
The Knoll at Black Creek (COMP 26-0002): This proposal seeks to rezone 46.39 acres, explicitly requesting to convert land within the Branan Field Primary Conservation Network (BF PCN) into a high-density "Master Planned Community" (BF MPC) for single-family residential development.
Long Bay/Sunrise Farms (COMP 26-0006 / Ordinance No. 2026): This Ordinance reconfigures 27.96 acres, shifting designations from Branan Field Rural Suburbs and Community Center to high-density "Master Planned Community" (BF MPC) and "Primary Conservation Network" (BF PCN). This conversion from rural use to 126+ units on a compact site creates an unsustainable density footprint in a flood-prone area.
II. THE HYDRAULIC "SPONGE" & SOIL FAILURE
Destruction of Natural Mitigation: Native wetlands act as "nature’s sponge," critical for absorbing stormwaters. Mass clear-cutting strips the land of this capacity, turning a self-regulating ecosystem into a flood-diversion trap.
The "Fill" Deception: Developers are dumping tons of artificial landfill to elevate sites. This "fill" is inherently unstable; without native root systems, it washes away into the creek, causing structural failure, foundation sagging, and soil loss in existing homes.
Drainage Toxicity:Retention Ponds: Standard retention ponds are dangerous "paper solutions." They stagnate for 20+ days, becoming breeding grounds for disease-carrying insects and accumulating concentrated pollutants from residential waste. They then siphon this chemical-laden, stagnant water directly into the protected Black Creek habitat.
Amusement Infrastructure: The proposed splash pads, water parks, and industrial-scale lagoons are not standard drainage; they are high-capacity water systems. They are prone to overflow during normal rainfall, carrying chemically treated water, synthetic waste, and debris directly into the watershed.
III. IMPACT ON ECOSYSTEM, WILDLIFE & MANATEE REFUGE
Critical Habitat Loss: Black Creek is a vital refuge for manatees and protected native wildlife. The removal of forest canopy and the introduction of industrial noise and light pollution destroy the natural habitat required for their survival.
Pollution & Sedimentation: The watershed is currently suffering from degradation due to increased sediment and chemicallly treated water runoff from construction sites and flooding run off and debris from 458 RV camp sites with splash pads and a water park feature. This sedimentation and waterway contamination smothers and kills aquatic vegetation, critical for manatee foraging, and alters the water quality of our "No Wake" and "Slow Wake" zones, causing permanent ecological damage.
IV. HURRICANE RISKS & PUBLIC SAFETY
The "Death Trap" for Tourists: Developers are marketing high density RV parks and water resorts to out of towners who lack local knowledge of hurricane evacuation routes, road flooding, sandbars, and narrow creek channels.
Infrastructure Failure: The access roads to these sites have a documented history of chronic, impassable flooding during minor hurricane events. Introducing mass-density tourism to an area that cannot support emergency evacuation is a public safety crisis.
Deceptive Flood Claims: Marketing materials for these sites often omit verified flood zone data. When hurricane events occur, these developments will inevitably force floodwaters into existing residential areas, creating an emergency situation for which current infrastructure is entirely unprepared.
V. CONGESTED NARROW WATERWAY NAVIGATIONAL HAZARDS
Industrializing the Creek: Proposing commercial boat tours in the narrow, shallow portions of Black Creek is a safety crisis. This creek is too narrow for large tour vessels, leading to collisions with non-motorized kayakers and direct harm to endangered manatees.
No/Slow-Wake Violations: Large pontoon boats and commercial vessels frequently violate "No Wake" and "Slow Wake" zones, creating dangerous currents and increasing erosion along the narrow, sensitive banks.
VI. DEMANDS FOR SCIENTIFIC ACCOUNTABILITY
Independent Environmental Impact Study (EIS): We demand a comprehensive, third-party EIS for all proposed developments, specifically including Firefly - Riverbend, COMP 26-0002, and COMP 26-0006. This must assess the cumulative impact of mass deforestation, toxicity of amusement-park runoff (specifically the 21-day pond siphon effect), hurricane evacuation capacity, and commercial boating hazards.
Public Hearing Requirement: We demand a formal Public Hearing where residents can present photographic and historical evidence regarding the failure of existing drainage, foundation damage, and creek congestion.
Moratorium: Halt all approval processes for COMP 26-0002 and COMP 26-0006 until these independent studies are completed, reviewed, and made available for public scrutiny.
1,343
The Issue
OFFICIAL PETITION: Moratorium on Black Creek Watershed Destruction
Regarding the cumulative environmental, safety, and structural impacts of the "Firefly - Riverbend" development, "The Knoll at Black Creek" (COMP 26-0002), and the Long Bay/Sunrise Farms Rezoning (COMP 26-0006 / Ordinance No. 2026).
We, the undersigned residents and taxpayers, demand an immediate moratorium on all current and proposed development projects impacting the Black Creek watershed. The County’s piecemeal approval process is facilitating the industrialization of a rural, flood-prone basin, ignoring catastrophic cumulative risks to public safety, private property, and our protected ecosystem.
I. THE DEVELOPMENT THREATS TO THE WATERSHED
Firefly - Riverbend (4500 Trefoil Trail): This site has already suffered the destruction of over 250 acres of forest canopy, stripping the land of its natural absorption capacity. The current plan introduces high-density RV lots and heavy commercial amusement infrastructure—including splash pads, lagoons, and water park features—that threaten to industrialize a protected floodplain.
The Knoll at Black Creek (COMP 26-0002): This proposal seeks to rezone 46.39 acres, explicitly requesting to convert land within the Branan Field Primary Conservation Network (BF PCN) into a high-density "Master Planned Community" (BF MPC) for single-family residential development.
Long Bay/Sunrise Farms (COMP 26-0006 / Ordinance No. 2026): This Ordinance reconfigures 27.96 acres, shifting designations from Branan Field Rural Suburbs and Community Center to high-density "Master Planned Community" (BF MPC) and "Primary Conservation Network" (BF PCN). This conversion from rural use to 126+ units on a compact site creates an unsustainable density footprint in a flood-prone area.
II. THE HYDRAULIC "SPONGE" & SOIL FAILURE
Destruction of Natural Mitigation: Native wetlands act as "nature’s sponge," critical for absorbing stormwaters. Mass clear-cutting strips the land of this capacity, turning a self-regulating ecosystem into a flood-diversion trap.
The "Land Fill" Deception: Developers are dumping tons of artificial landfill to elevate sites. This "fill" is inherently unstable; without native root systems, it washes away into the creek, causing structural failure, foundation sagging, and soil loss in existing homes.
Drainage Toxicity:Retention Ponds: Standard retention ponds are dangerous "paper solutions." They stagnate for 20+ days, becoming breeding grounds for disease-carrying insects and accumulating concentrated pollutants from residential waste. They then siphon this chemical-laden, stagnant water directly into the protected Black Creek habitat.
Amusement Infrastructure: The proposed splash pads, water parks, and industrial-scale lagoons are not standard drainage; they are high-capacity water systems. They are prone to overflow during normal rainfall, carrying chemically treated water, synthetic waste, and debris directly into the watershed.
III. IMPACT ON ECOSYSTEM, WILDLIFE & MANATEE REFUGE
Critical Habitat Loss: Black Creek is a vital refuge for manatees and protected native wildlife. The removal of forest canopy and the introduction of industrial noise and light pollution destroy the natural habitat required for their survival.
Pollution & Sedimentation: The watershed is currently suffering from degradation due to increased sediment and chemicallly treated water runoff from construction sites and flooding run off and debris from 458 RV camp sites with splash pads and a water park feature. This sedimentation and waterway contamination smothers and kills aquatic vegetation, critical for manatee foraging, and alters the water quality of our "No Wake" and "Slow Wake" zones, causing permanent ecological damage.
IV. HURRICANE RISKS & PUBLIC SAFETY
The "Death Trap" for Tourists: Developers are marketing high density RV parks and water resorts to out of towners who lack local knowledge of hurricane evacuation routes, road flooding, sandbars, and narrow creek channels.
Infrastructure Failure: The access roads to these sites have a documented history of chronic, impassable flooding during minor hurricane events. Introducing mass-density tourism to an area that cannot support emergency evacuation is a public safety crisis.
Deceptive Flood Claims: Marketing materials for these sites often omit verified flood zone data. When hurricane events occur, these developments will inevitably force floodwaters into existing residential areas, creating an emergency situation for which current infrastructure is entirely unprepared.
V. CONGESTED NARROW WATERWAY NAVIGATIONAL HAZARDS
Industrializing the Creek: Proposing commercial boat tours in the narrow, shallow portions of is a safety crisis. This creek is too narrow for large tour vessels, leading to collisions with non-motorized kayakers and direct harm to endangered manatees.
No/Slow-Wake Violations: Large pontoon boats and commercial vessels frequently violate "No Wake" and "Slow Wake" zones, creating dangerous currents and increasing erosion along the narrow, sensitive banks.
VI. DEMANDS FOR SCIENTIFIC ACCOUNTABILITY
Independent Environmental Impact Study (EIS): We demand a comprehensive, third-party EIS for all proposed developments, specifically including Firefly - Riverbend, COMP 26-0002, and COMP 26-0006. This must assess the cumulative impact of mass deforestation, toxicity of amusement-park runoff (specifically the 21-day pond siphon effect), hurricane evacuation capacity, and commercial boating hazards.
Public Hearing Requirement: We demand a formal Public Hearing where residents can present photographic and historical evidence regarding the failure of existing drainage, foundation damage, and creek congestion.
Moratorium: Halt all approval processes for COMP 26-0002 and COMP 26-0006 until these independent studies are completed, reviewed, and made available for public scrutiny.
PETITION: Moratorium on Black Creek Watershed Destruction
Regarding the cumulative environmental, safety, and structural impacts of the "Firefly - Riverbend" development, "The Knoll at Black Creek" (COMP 26-0002), and the Long Bay/Sunrise Farms Rezoning (COMP 26-0006 / Ordinance No. 2026).
We, the undersigned residents and taxpayers, demand an immediate moratorium on all current and proposed development projects impacting the Black Creek watershed. The County’s piecemeal approval process is facilitating the industrialization of a rural, flood-prone basin, ignoring catastrophic cumulative risks to public safety, private property, and our protected ecosystem.
I. THE DEVELOPMENT THREATS TO THE WATERSHED
Firefly - Riverbend (4500 Trefoil Trail): This site has already suffered the destruction of over 250 acres of forest canopy, stripping the land of its natural absorption capacity. The current plan introduces high-density RV lots and heavy commercial amusement infrastructure—including splash pads, lagoons, and water park features—that threaten to industrialize a protected floodplain.
The Knoll at Black Creek (COMP 26-0002): This proposal seeks to rezone 46.39 acres, explicitly requesting to convert land within the Branan Field Primary Conservation Network (BF PCN) into a high-density "Master Planned Community" (BF MPC) for single-family residential development.
Long Bay/Sunrise Farms (COMP 26-0006 / Ordinance No. 2026): This Ordinance reconfigures 27.96 acres, shifting designations from Branan Field Rural Suburbs and Community Center to high-density "Master Planned Community" (BF MPC) and "Primary Conservation Network" (BF PCN). This conversion from rural use to 126+ units on a compact site creates an unsustainable density footprint in a flood-prone area.
II. THE HYDRAULIC "SPONGE" & SOIL FAILURE
Destruction of Natural Mitigation: Native wetlands act as "nature’s sponge," critical for absorbing stormwaters. Mass clear-cutting strips the land of this capacity, turning a self-regulating ecosystem into a flood-diversion trap.
The "Fill" Deception: Developers are dumping tons of artificial landfill to elevate sites. This "fill" is inherently unstable; without native root systems, it washes away into the creek, causing structural failure, foundation sagging, and soil loss in existing homes.
Drainage Toxicity:Retention Ponds: Standard retention ponds are dangerous "paper solutions." They stagnate for 20+ days, becoming breeding grounds for disease-carrying insects and accumulating concentrated pollutants from residential waste. They then siphon this chemical-laden, stagnant water directly into the protected Black Creek habitat.
Amusement Infrastructure: The proposed splash pads, water parks, and industrial-scale lagoons are not standard drainage; they are high-capacity water systems. They are prone to overflow during normal rainfall, carrying chemically treated water, synthetic waste, and debris directly into the watershed.
III. IMPACT ON ECOSYSTEM, WILDLIFE & MANATEE REFUGE
Critical Habitat Loss: Black Creek is a vital refuge for manatees and protected native wildlife. The removal of forest canopy and the introduction of industrial noise and light pollution destroy the natural habitat required for their survival.
Pollution & Sedimentation: The watershed is currently suffering from degradation due to increased sediment and chemicallly treated water runoff from construction sites and flooding run off and debris from 458 RV camp sites with splash pads and a water park feature. This sedimentation and waterway contamination smothers and kills aquatic vegetation, critical for manatee foraging, and alters the water quality of our "No Wake" and "Slow Wake" zones, causing permanent ecological damage.
IV. HURRICANE RISKS & PUBLIC SAFETY
The "Death Trap" for Tourists: Developers are marketing high density RV parks and water resorts to out of towners who lack local knowledge of hurricane evacuation routes, road flooding, sandbars, and narrow creek channels.
Infrastructure Failure: The access roads to these sites have a documented history of chronic, impassable flooding during minor hurricane events. Introducing mass-density tourism to an area that cannot support emergency evacuation is a public safety crisis.
Deceptive Flood Claims: Marketing materials for these sites often omit verified flood zone data. When hurricane events occur, these developments will inevitably force floodwaters into existing residential areas, creating an emergency situation for which current infrastructure is entirely unprepared.
V. CONGESTED NARROW WATERWAY NAVIGATIONAL HAZARDS
Industrializing the Creek: Proposing commercial boat tours in the narrow, shallow portions of Black Creek is a safety crisis. This creek is too narrow for large tour vessels, leading to collisions with non-motorized kayakers and direct harm to endangered manatees.
No/Slow-Wake Violations: Large pontoon boats and commercial vessels frequently violate "No Wake" and "Slow Wake" zones, creating dangerous currents and increasing erosion along the narrow, sensitive banks.
VI. DEMANDS FOR SCIENTIFIC ACCOUNTABILITY
Independent Environmental Impact Study (EIS): We demand a comprehensive, third-party EIS for all proposed developments, specifically including Firefly - Riverbend, COMP 26-0002, and COMP 26-0006. This must assess the cumulative impact of mass deforestation, toxicity of amusement-park runoff (specifically the 21-day pond siphon effect), hurricane evacuation capacity, and commercial boating hazards.
Public Hearing Requirement: We demand a formal Public Hearing where residents can present photographic and historical evidence regarding the failure of existing drainage, foundation damage, and creek congestion.
Moratorium: Halt all approval processes for COMP 26-0002 and COMP 26-0006 until these independent studies are completed, reviewed, and made available for public scrutiny.
Regarding the cumulative environmental, safety, and structural impacts of the "Firefly - Riverbend" development, "The Knoll at Black Creek" (COMP 26-0002), and the Long Bay/Sunrise Farms Rezoning (COMP 26-0006 / Ordinance No. 2026).
We, the undersigned residents and taxpayers, demand an immediate moratorium on all current and proposed development projects impacting the Black Creek watershed. The County’s piecemeal approval process is facilitating the industrialization of a rural, flood-prone basin, ignoring catastrophic cumulative risks to public safety, private property, and our protected ecosystem.
I. THE DEVELOPMENT THREATS TO THE WATERSHED
Firefly - Riverbend (4500 Trefoil Trail): This site has already suffered the destruction of over 250 acres of forest canopy, stripping the land of its natural absorption capacity. The current plan introduces high-density RV lots and heavy commercial amusement infrastructure—including splash pads, lagoons, and water park features—that threaten to industrialize a protected floodplain.
The Knoll at Black Creek (COMP 26-0002): This proposal seeks to rezone 46.39 acres, explicitly requesting to convert land within the Branan Field Primary Conservation Network (BF PCN) into a high-density "Master Planned Community" (BF MPC) for single-family residential development.
Long Bay/Sunrise Farms (COMP 26-0006 / Ordinance No. 2026): This Ordinance reconfigures 27.96 acres, shifting designations from Branan Field Rural Suburbs and Community Center to high-density "Master Planned Community" (BF MPC) and "Primary Conservation Network" (BF PCN). This conversion from rural use to 126+ units on a compact site creates an unsustainable density footprint in a flood-prone area.
II. THE HYDRAULIC "SPONGE" & SOIL FAILURE
Destruction of Natural Mitigation: Native wetlands act as "nature’s sponge," critical for absorbing stormwaters. Mass clear-cutting strips the land of this capacity, turning a self-regulating ecosystem into a flood-diversion trap.
The "Fill" Deception: Developers are dumping tons of artificial landfill to elevate sites. This "fill" is inherently unstable; without native root systems, it washes away into the creek, causing structural failure, foundation sagging, and soil loss in existing homes.
Drainage Toxicity:Retention Ponds: Standard retention ponds are dangerous "paper solutions." They stagnate for 20+ days, becoming breeding grounds for disease-carrying insects and accumulating concentrated pollutants from residential waste. They then siphon this chemical-laden, stagnant water directly into the protected Black Creek habitat.
Amusement Infrastructure: The proposed splash pads, water parks, and industrial-scale lagoons are not standard drainage; they are high-capacity water systems. They are prone to overflow during normal rainfall, carrying chemically treated water, synthetic waste, and debris directly into the watershed.
III. IMPACT ON ECOSYSTEM, WILDLIFE & MANATEE REFUGE
Critical Habitat Loss: Black Creek is a vital refuge for manatees and protected native wildlife. The removal of forest canopy and the introduction of industrial noise and light pollution destroy the natural habitat required for their survival.
Pollution & Sedimentation: The watershed is currently suffering from degradation due to increased sediment and chemicallly treated water runoff from construction sites and flooding run off and debris from 458 RV camp sites with splash pads and a water park feature. This sedimentation and waterway contamination smothers and kills aquatic vegetation, critical for manatee foraging, and alters the water quality of our "No Wake" and "Slow Wake" zones, causing permanent ecological damage.
IV. HURRICANE RISKS & PUBLIC SAFETY
The "Death Trap" for Tourists: Developers are marketing high density RV parks and water resorts to out of towners who lack local knowledge of hurricane evacuation routes, road flooding, sandbars, and narrow creek channels.
Infrastructure Failure: The access roads to these sites have a documented history of chronic, impassable flooding during minor hurricane events. Introducing mass-density tourism to an area that cannot support emergency evacuation is a public safety crisis.
Deceptive Flood Claims: Marketing materials for these sites often omit verified flood zone data. When hurricane events occur, these developments will inevitably force floodwaters into existing residential areas, creating an emergency situation for which current infrastructure is entirely unprepared.
V. CONGESTED NARROW WATERWAY NAVIGATIONAL HAZARDS
Industrializing the Creek: Proposing commercial boat tours in the narrow, shallow portions of Black Creek is a safety crisis. This creek is too narrow for large tour vessels, leading to collisions with non-motorized kayakers and direct harm to endangered manatees.
No/Slow-Wake Violations: Large pontoon boats and commercial vessels frequently violate "No Wake" and "Slow Wake" zones, creating dangerous currents and increasing erosion along the narrow, sensitive banks.
VI. DEMANDS FOR SCIENTIFIC ACCOUNTABILITY
Independent Environmental Impact Study (EIS): We demand a comprehensive, third-party EIS for all proposed developments, specifically including Firefly - Riverbend, COMP 26-0002, and COMP 26-0006. This must assess the cumulative impact of mass deforestation, toxicity of amusement-park runoff (specifically the 21-day pond siphon effect), hurricane evacuation capacity, and commercial boating hazards.
Public Hearing Requirement: We demand a formal Public Hearing where residents can present photographic and historical evidence regarding the failure of existing drainage, foundation damage, and creek congestion.
Moratorium: Halt all approval processes for COMP 26-0002 and COMP 26-0006 until these independent studies are completed, reviewed, and made available for public scrutiny.
1,343
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Petition created on June 17, 2026