Subject:
Title
Approvals, Re: State Grant and an Agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to Conduct a Feasibility Study for Increasing Passage of Water, Fish and Wildlife under Highway 528 Across the Banana River (District 2)
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Fiscal Impact:
Up to $350,000 from the Save Our Indian River Lagoon Trust Fund (1260)
Dept/Office:
Natural Resources
Requested Action:
Recommendation
It is requested that the Board authorize the Chair to execute 1) a state grant contract, 2) a resumption letter, an agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), a certification regarding lobbying, and a self-certification of financial capability to commit $350,000 of required match for the USACE to conduct a Feasibility Study to assess alternatives for reestablishing natural circulation and flow to support self-regeneration of marine life and habitat, including seagrass beds, within the Banana River, which is currently inhibited by the Highway 528 Causeway, 3) authorize the County Manager to execute all necessary grant amendments, USACE agreement amendments and budget amendments (BCRs).
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Summary Explanation and Background:
In 1996, Congress authorized the USACE to initiate investigations and implement projects for aquatic ecosystem restoration that improve the quality of the environment, are in the public interest, and are cost effective. Maximum federal expenditure for a project is $15,000,000.
On February 26, 2019, the County Commission sent a letter (attached) to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) noting that their plans to widen SR 528 from Industry Road to Port Canaveral provide "an exceptionally rare opportunity to consider infrastructure improvements that will improve transportation in a manner that could also provide decades of improved circulation within a highly impaired and unnaturally stagnant section of the Banana River." Resolutions of support were approved by the Space Coast Transportation Planning Organization, Canaveral Port Author...
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