Congressman Weldon Meets with the FOTC

 

John Mongioi from the FOTC, with an assist from Sue Hann from the City of Palm Bay, met with Congressman Weldon, JB Kump, and Pam Gillespie on Feb. 22, 2005.  The purpose of the meeting was to thank Congressman Weldon for earmarking Section 206 funds for the C1 Rediversion Program for 2005, and to ask him to continue to support this program by earmarking funds for 2006.  The congressman was shown how seriously and how often the C1 canal damages both Turkey Creek and the Indian River Lagoon.

 

Congressman Weldon was very interested in what we showed him and told us that he understands the importance of this C1 Rediversion Program.  He realizes how it adversely affects Turkey Creek and the Indian River Lagoon and said he would continue to support it.

 

After discussing the C1 Rediversion, we briefly discussed our next project, which was the Section 206 for the Stabilization and Restoration of Turkey Creek.  That program is where we hope to address the possibility of changing the MS1 (water retention structure now controlling all the flow from the C1 canal into Turkey Creek) from bottom flowing to top flowing.  The congressman said that he would keep this one in mind for later once we get the C1 Rediversion well under way.  Congressman Weldon even thought that a trip to see Turkey Creek in the future might be something worth doing and would keep it in mind for the future.

 

I found the meeting to be very productive and I was very appreciative of all the time that Congressman Weldon took to discuss the problems. I look forward to his continued support.

 

John Mongioi

Chair FOTC