----- Original Message -----

Sent: Friday, December 10, 2004 8:59 AM

Subject: Re: questions from the attorneys

Kevin,

Because the project is changing the estuarine shore zone above the tidal zone from a vegetated or sand bank to a concrete bank it has potential to change the physics of rain and wave runoff from the upper intertidal and supratidal zone. This creates a change in water movement, flow dynamics and what ever the water may carry into the lagoon. There are additional activities that could be implemented which would mimic a natural vegetated sand or rocky shoreline that would allow aquatic biota to utilize this margin of the Indian River Lagoon. Native vegetation plantings, or coquina rock rip rap along the shore line would enhance this project from the standpoint of mitigating runoff from concrete. I believe the present project is missing an opportunity to not only protect the properties and road above the bluff, but also in reducing the potential impact of any activity on or above the bluff on the biota of the Indian River Lagoon.

The generic problem appears to be the time allowed to spend the money on the project. There should be an allowance for potential grave environmental impacts, particularly when they are large enough to deleteriously impact the local economy in the long run. If the western shore of the Indian River Lagoon between Jensen Beach and Fort Pierce is reduced to a eutrophic anoxic sulfurous dead zone, devoid of support communities for shrimp, crab and fishery species, this could lead to a major reduction in regional fisheries which contributes significantly to regional economies. Real estate value may also be impacted if the gases emitted by anoxic west shore organic materials are blown downwind (prevailing easterlies and southeasterlies) over these properties. As you had stated previously, algal production may be literally up against the wall, continuously submerged, rather than oxidizing on a beach.

My greatest concern would be the water and sediment flow dynamics from the supratidal zone and how this will impact the intertidal zone below it.

The present engineering may be necessary, but it needs some ecologically sensitive dressing which should be part of the original plan, particularly when it will impact a national treasure, the Indian River Lagoon.

Grant

R. Grant Gilmore, Jr., Ph.D.,
Senior Scientist
Estuarine, Coastal and Ocean Science, Inc. (ECOS)
5920 First St. SW
Vero Beach, FL 32968
Tel.: 772/562-9156
email: rggilmorej@aol.com