Doug Anderson
St. Lucie County
Fl 34981
Dear Mr. Anderson,
Indian Riverkeeper would like to submit the enclosed plans for shoreline restoration
on the Indian River Lagoon from the south county line to
Our intent is to see the scenic, habitat and structural integrity protected by restoring native vegetation and working with homeowners to alter practices that have weakened the bank and made it susceptible to erosion.
We want to work in a public/ private partnership with the county to seek grant funding and to employ agricultural workers in the area with the assistance of the Workforce Development Board.
Sincerely,
Kevin Stinnette
cc. Commissioner Frannie Hutchinson, Commissioner Paula A. Lewis, Commissioner Doug Coward, Commissioner Chris Craft, Commissioner Joseph Smith, Don West, Michael V. Powley
Purpose:
Indian Riverkeeper proposes to coordinate shoreline restoration with St. Lucie County. Indian Riverkeeper will conduct a planting program to provide biological control of erosion in a manner that is consistent with the environmental, historic and scenic qualities of the area.
The effects of hurricanes Francis and Jeanne, with the compounding impact of up to nine inches of rain from the remnants of hurricane Ivan has left the shoreline of the Indian River Lagoon in St. Lucie County in a state that places the health of the Indian River Lagoon, property, transportation and future tourism in jeopardy.
St. Lucie County has moved quickly to stabilize
The Coastal Element of the St. Lucie Comprehensive
Plan is very specific about the county’s intentions for preservation on
Literature cited in the attached Marine Resources Council document supports the contention that biological stabilization of the shoreline is the most effective means of protecting the county’s resources from erosion. Indian Riverkeeper supports a combined approach wherein the county will stabilize the 13 mile shoreline and Indian Riverkeeper, with the involvement of The Marine Resources Council, Conservation Alliance of St. Lucie County, ONE WILD WORLD, Audubon of St. Lucie County, the St. Lucie County Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society and other regional homeowner and angler groups, will plant native species called for in the St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan. Additionally, we will employ available agricultural workers in conjunction with the Workforce Development Board through a National Emergency Grant.
Indian Riverkeeper will employ laborers to hand plant native upland edge (i.e., transitional) vegetation. Mangroves and shoreline plants. 3’ to 6’ red mangrove Rhizophora mangle will be planted alternatively over 12% of the shoreline. Smooth cordgrass Spartina alterniflora, rush Scirpus spp., as identified by the Office of Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas will be planted along another 38% of the shoreline toward a density consistent with that called for by the St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan (see appendix 2). Indian Riverkeeper will concentrate cordgrass/scirpus in high density wherever rip rap ends (if it is not contiguous).
Further stabilization shall be conducted by the planting of native species at the toe of the slope, intermixed with rip-rap (e.g., red mangrove Rhizophora mangle, sea purslane Sesuvium spp., sea ox-eye daisy Borrichia spp., black mangrove Avicennia germinans, white mangrove Laguncularia racemosa, cord grass Spartina bakeri, cord grass Spartina patens), and landward of the rip-rap (e.g., sabal palm Sabal palmetto, gumbo limbo Bursera simaruba, buttonwood Conocarpus erectus, cord grass Spartina bakeri, seagrape Cocoloba uvifera, oaks Quercus spp., saltgrass Distichlis spicata, dune sunflower Helianthus spp., blanketflower Gaillardia pulchella)*
The wave break is usually needed but will require state and federal permit authorization (possibly streamlined under emergency but only the county can apply). There is a sill of sediment now present that will act as a wave break. Planting will not require permit. The intent is to plant cordgrass and sedge (Spartina alterniflora/Scirpus spp). in high density wherever rip rap ends (if it is not contiguous).
Indian Riverkeeper will secure landowner permission/ authorization and will coordinate with homeowners to find plants consistent with both the provisions of the Comprehensive Plan and homeowner preferences.
Indian Riverkeeper will take before/after photos in order to document conditions and restoration in order to document planted mangroves for future trimming by homeowners.
The plan is consistent with the Indian Riverkeeper River and Reef Survival Program for which grant funding has been applied and is expected in coming months.
The mission of the Indian Riverkeeper is to protect and
restore the waters of
Located on
The Indian River Lagoon is designated an Estuary
of National Significance under the Ocean and Dumping Act of 1988. It is a member
body of the National Estuary Program as defined by the EPA in 1990. It is an
Aquatic Preserve as defined by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
It is a priority water body as recognized by the Surface Water Improvement Management
(SWIM) Act of the State of
Indian Riverkeeper is a member of Waterkeeper Alliance and has over 600 members. The organization not only studies the science behind problems but also is involved with urban planning, oversight of government, stakeholder involvement and legal actions. Indian Riverkeepper crosses the lines between scientific, environmental, sport fishing, homeowner and public service organizations.
Indian Riverkeeper is uniquely qualified to be actively engaged in projects to meet challenges to the health of the Indian River Lagoon in several areas.
Indian Riverkeeper, with the county’s assistance will apply for habitat restoration grants from the Environmental Protection Agency, US Fish and Wildlife, other governmental agencies and many private foundations that support habitat restoration and reforestation.
As a community not-for-profit Indian Riverkeeper will coordinate the employment of unemployed citrus laborers through a National Emergency Grant under the Employment and Training Administration Workforce Investment Act under the FEMA declaration. These workers are restricted from working in the water so Indian Riverkeeper volunteers and staff will plant vegetation in areas below the mean high water line. Indian Riverkeeper will recruit volunteers to do much of the work as a match for county/ grant resources. Experienced agricultural workers will plant the larger trees on the slope and volunteers will plant mangroves and shoreline vegetation. Indian Riverkeeper will involve school children in the planting and care of native vegetation where possible.
The Treasure Coast Environmental Defense Fund/ Indian Riverkeeper has an established track record of unifying homeowner, fishing and environmental organizations in the defense of our waters. It has grown, with the committed support of Waterkeeper Alliance and has a broad base of support from local community leaders who want to support clean water. Indian Riverkeeper has established credibility with the media and the permitting agencies charged with enforcement of our environmental laws. Membership has grown rapidly with the expectation to continue to attract new members from homeowners, environmentalists and fishing enthusiasts who want clean water. Indian Riverkeeper involves the community in working to protect the ecosystem of the Indian River Lagoon. by uniting volunteers in patrolling the waters to find infestations of the invasive algae early, while there is still time to remove it.
Indian Riverkeeper Programs are supported primarily by memberships, donors, fundraising events and grants. The second annual Fishing Expo, scheduled for October, was cancelled because of the Hurricanes. This year, our first benefit concert, Rockin’ for the Waters, was held at the Lyric Theater in Stuart. General meetings where food is served and Party in the Park, with the Conservation Alliance of St. Lucie County had to be cancelled as well.
*The following plant list (appendix 1) is not comprehensive, but representative of species that will be planted after the first phase of the shoreline stabilization project is completed. Other appropriate native species will be considered based upon preferences, availability, price, etc.
Scrub Habitat:
grasses/Wildflowers:
Broomsedge Bluestem (Andropogon virginicus)
Blazing Star (Liatris app)
Jointweed (polygonella gracilis)
Lupine (Lupinus diffuses)
Palatoxia (Palafoxia feayi)
pawpaw (Asimina reticulata)
Scrub Sun-rose (Helianthemum nashii)
Vines:
Railroad Vine (Ipome pes-caprae)
ground Covers:
Beach Sunflower (Helianthus debilis)
Blanket flower (Gaillardia pulchella)
Beach Verbena (Glandularia maritime)
gopher Apple (Liciana michauxii)
Spanish Bayonet (Yucca filamentosa)
Prickely pear cactus (opuntia spp.)
Rosemary (Ceratiola ericoides)
Runner Oak (Quercus minima)
Scrub Mint (Conradina grandiflora)
Shrubs:
Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens)
Scrub palmetto (Sabal etonia)
Blueberry (Vaccinium myrsinites)
Yaupon Holly (flex vomitoria)
Beautyberry (Callicarpa
Buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus)
Rusty Lyonia (Lyonia ferruginea)
Tallow-wood (Ximenia Americana)
Tarflower (Befaria racemosa)
Trees:
Chapman’s Oak (Quercus chapmanii)
Myrtle Oak (Quercus mytrifolia)
Sand Live Oak (Ouercus geminata)
Sand pine (pinus clausa)
So. Red Cedar (Juniperus silicola)
Live Oak (Quercus vlrglniana)
cabbage palm (Sabal palmetto)
Coastal Hammock Habitat:
grasses:
Purple Love grass (Eragrotis spectabilis)
muhly Grass
Vines:
White passion Vine (passiflora incarnata)
Limber Caper (Capparis flexuosa
Ground Covers:
Sea Oxeye Daisey (Borrichia arborescens)
portulaca (portulaca pilosa)
Spiderwort (Tradescantia ohiensis)
golden Creeper (Ernodea)
Coontie (Zamia floridana)
Shrubs:
Marlberry (Ardisia escallonioides)
Sea grape (Coccoloba Uvifera)
cocoplum (Chrysobalanus Icaco)
Myrsine (Myrsine floridana)
Florida Privet (Forestiera segregata)
Necklace pod (Sophora tomentosa)
Simpson’s Stopper (Myrcianthes fragrans)
Wild Coffee (psychotria, nervosa)
Jamaican Caper (Capparis cynophallophora)
Wax Myrtle (Myrica cerifera)
Trees:
Blolly (Guapira discolor)
Pigeon
Hercules-club (Zanthoxylum clava— herculis)
gumbo Limbo (Bursera simaruba)
strangler Fig (Ficus aurea)
Wild Lime (Zanthoxylem fagara)
Paradise Tree (Simarouba glauca)
Live Oak (Quercua virgiana)
Cabbage talm (Sabal palmetto)
Satinleaf ()