b'Whats Going On in Munyon Cove?by Tom Twyford, WPBFCPresidentNumerous WPBFC angling records have been set along its man-grove shoreline; its a favorite haunt for schools of pilchards, pinfish and mullet; light-tackle enthusiasts catch jack crevalle, snook and an occasional redfish, bonefish or trout there; wading birds, manatees and juvenile green sea turtles are a frequent sight; and it is home to protected species of sea grassThe place being described is Munyon Cove.This biologically diverse area is situated just south of MacArthur Beach State Park between A1A on Singer Island and Little Munyon Island.It is one of the the most ecologically important portions of the Munyon Cove looking north Lake Worth Lagoon.While not as pristine as it once was, this spot still remains a reminder of what a healthy estuary is supposed to look like. Cause for ConcernThreats to Munyon Cove have been lingering just below the surface for years.Much of the bottom is privately owned.Approximately two dozen individuals or entities own the long slivers of submerged lands.Some of these parcels have been owned for a generation or more by local families.Others, more recently, have been purchased by speculators hoping to turn a profit from controversial development proposals.Some of these proposals have included marinas, luxury waterfront homes and condos, and even a floating home community.Are these proposals realistic?Or are they simply being used to create Munyon Cove looking south strategic leverage to inflate the value of the submerged lands?It is hard to know at this juncture. This is Not the 1950sDredge and fill projects were once common in the la-goon, especially in the 1950s and 1960s.But over time tightened environmental laws, regulations and zoning restrictions have prevented many of these operations to continue.The protections have been enough to prevent the degradation of places like Munyon Cove.Addition-ally, the long slender parcels with little to no upland area do not lend themselves to development.However, these protective road blocks are being aggressively tested like never before.Some land owners have attempted to challenge the requirement of environmental review by trying to resurrect a nearly century old state policy.So far no one is buying it.Allowing this to occur would open the door for other owners of submerged lands to do the same in environmentally sensitive waters throughout the state. The West Palm Beach Fishing Club (WPBFC) has commented on past proposals, raising concerns about the environmental implications and far reaching precedent they would set.Other groups like Sustain-able Palm Beach County, The Everglades Law Center and Lake Worth Waterkeeper are raising awareness, voicing concern and making sure decisions makers are held accountable for a thorough environmental review. There is no question municipal and county leaders, the countys Property Appraisers Office and agencies like the Department of Environmental Protection and The Army Corps of Engineers are being tested.They need to hold the line.52 W estP almB eachF ishingc luB'