BY MANDY BOLEN
Key West Citizen Staff
1/26/2007
KEY WEST — Residents continue to voice concern about the removal of Australian pine trees at Fort Zachary Taylor, yet park officials say no mature trees have been taken out since Hurricane Wilma toppled or forced the removal of 91 trees.
The storm uprooted some trees that became dangerous, and officials continue to remove saplings and other species deemed invasive exotics, Park Ranger Mark Knapke said in November 2005.
The removal of non-native plants is a statewide initiative by the Florida Park Service, but it is one that has come under heavy fire from fierce supporters of the Australian pine trees at Fort Taylor, which provide a significant amount of shade for beachgoers.
"There have been no pines removed since Hurricane Wilma, and right now, the Florida Park Service is working with all interested parties to come to an agreement to work out the situation," said Katie Flanagan, spokeswoman for the park service.
Officials at the popular beach at the end of Southard Street have applied for 3,600 cubic yards of sand for beach renourishment, and received a permit for the sand in August 2006. The permit also states that the removal of Australian pine trees is to continue at an annual removal rate of 10 percent for the next 10 years until the pines are eradicated.
Flanagan emphasized that pine trees currently are not being removed, but also said that there are no dates or plans set for the arrival of the new sand.
"Fort Zachary Taylor is not scheduled for any sand, and we're trying to reach an understanding with Ms. [Helen] Harrison," she said.
Harrison, a local artist, has been one of the island's most outspoken protectors of the pines, and has followed all permit applications between the park and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
She wrote in a recent letter to the editor in The Citizen that there are about 836 pine trees remaining at Fort Taylor, and pointed out that the 10 percent removal rate would not give ample time for newly planted native species to provide the same amount of shade in the next 10 years.
"We do have a rapport going right now with the park service," Harrison said, encouraging residents and visitors to contact State Rep. Ron Saunders and U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen for their support in keeping the trees, but also acknowledging that no further trees have been removed.