Diamond Awards Recognize Shoreline Habitat Protections

By Melody Melody Jameson

Observer News

July 29, 2004

RUSKIN - Diamonds celebrate human achievements. They have come to

signify betrothals and anniversaries, births and retirements, friendships

and gratitude. They're gifts of love that mark the milestones in life.

Now, one South County resident means to expand their significance. Gus

Muench is linking the high value of the precious jewel with what he sees

as the great value of priceless waterfront habitat that protects many

forms of sealife. To make his point, Muench has established the Tidal

River, Stream and Bay Habitat Diamond Awards. It's a long moniker for a

simple  plan: reward people with cash on an annual basis for creating

innovative, natural landscaping of their shoreline frontage, the kind that

encourages oysters and pond birds and fish to take up residence.

The objective is positive reinforcement, Muench said this week. "I'm not

interested in criticizing anyone and I don't think being negative works,"

he added. "The Southshore area of Hillsborough County is recognized

for unique waterways�essential estuarine, riverine habitat for birds,

fish, crabs and a host of organisms vital to the health of Tampa Bay " 

the lifelong fisherman pointed out. And it's these property owners

fortunate enough to own waterfront properties who have the ability to

either preserve and enhance or remove and destroy the vital functions

of the shoreline habitats, Muench emphasized. It's those who do the

former that he wants to reward. To start the ball rolling toward the 

objective, Muench contributed the first seed cash - $200 - to the

awards kitty on July 15, the opening date for award nominations. He's 

also contacted many local citizen and government groups dealing with

marine life and shoreline habitats offering the opportunity to join him in

building the awards program, he said. He would like other organizations

or individuals first to help him form an overseeing committee. This

steering group would, in turn, assist with obtaining  grantsto underwrite

the necessary expenses and to fatten the awards kitty. Then, there's a

judging panel to be named and evaluation of award nominations to be

undertaken.. At this point, he foresees an awards presentation conducted

in July, 2005, he added. He envisions a process unfolding over the next

year in which owners of shoreline properties either undertake the kind

of landscape planting along their shorelines that becomes habitat or put

their existing shoreline habitats into tiptop shape. All property owners -

private home owners, commercial enterprises located on waterfront and

government agencies holding title to waterfront land - from the Alafia

River to the south county line are eligible to nominate their shoreline

habitats for an award and the accompanying recognition, Muench said.

The one restriction is that the property must be located on tidal water

such as a river, stream or bay, he added. He plans to make one cash

award in each shore line category. Muench is no stranger to the subject

of shoreline habitats. A Tampa native, he said he has fished the waters

in and around Tampa Bay by cast net, pole and trap for nearly 60 years.

And he practices what he preaches on his own property located on the

south shore of the Little Manatee River. He added that his homesite is

surrounded by stands of red, black and white mangroves which he has

carefully cultivated to attract many types of birds, fish and oysters.

Muench can be reached by telephone at 813/645-6063 or by e-mail at

Baychopgus@verizon.net

Diamond Habitat Award Winners

2005 Winners    (received cash and native plant awards)

1.   Mr. & Mrs. John R. Paulk, 3 Dickman Island, Ruskin, FL

2.   Mr. & Mrs. Ronald H. Moore, 1428 Deirdre Dr., Ruskin, FL

3.   Robert Minthorn & Sue Croley, 8613 Magnolia St., Gibsonton, FL

2006 Winners      (received cash awards)

1.  Frank & Dolly Cummings, 106 Janie St., Ruskin, FL 33570

2.  Melanie Hubbard & Arthur “Mac” Miller,  Ruskin, FL

3.  Laura & Joe Luzzolino, 10610 ½ East Bay Road, Gibsonton, FL

 Award Home Sites

 My home with flora and fauna.

Neighbors chose concrete seawalls...dead zone-no living littoral zone.