INDIAN RIVER LAGOON
50
TREASURE COAST BOATING
Tropical Kayak Tours
Overnight camping is allowed on several of the spoil islands.
monthly Paddle Group outings and beach-ups on the islands
says, “We find a variety of trash — glass and plastic bottles,
cans, paper, plastic grocery bags (... very dangerous because
sea turtles mistake them for jellyfish ...), rope, plastic six-pack
rings, etc.”
Richard Baker, University of Florida professor emeritus,
has served on many boards of directors and committees that
focus on the environment in a variety of ways. He agrees
with Jarman, citing a serious need to require portable toilets,
either personal or commercial, for people using the islands.
“I am appalled at the condition of some of the spoil islands.
... Out west, on the Green River that flows into the Colorado,
they give permits to camp. ... You pay a fee for being outfitted,
including garbage bags. … They are very strict about
‘leaving no trace.’ ” He feels there should be permits issued
for those camping and picnicking on the spoil islands to help
control the trash, with signs posted “to tell folks to pack out
their garbage.”
In retirement after a career as a mosquito biologist and
other endeavors, Baker, president of the Pelican Island Audubon
Society, is a canoe excursion guide and workshop leader.
These ventures have given him a unique view of the Treasure
Coast’s natural assets. “I have been leading canoe trips out
to the rookery at spoil island IR37, and IR36 before that, for
years. ... Both islands were in the top 10 nesting sites for the
brown pelican for the State of Florida.” Wood storks, four
kinds of egrets, five kinds of herons and the resident doublecrested
cormorant are among the birds that nest there. White
ibises nest on the island and fly to the mainland to feed. The
American oystercatcher breeds on a small spit just north of
IR37, and there is some nesting on IR33, visible from the 17th
Street bridge, he says.
“Spoil islands in Indian River and St. Lucie counties are
treasures that we all should help to maintain ...,” Jarman says.”