Subject:
Title
Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Grant INV64 - Indian River Lagoon Circulation and Water Quality Forecast Model
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Fiscal Impact:
Revenue of $295,065 in Legislative Appropriations
Dept/Office:
Natural Resources Management
Requested Action:
Recommendation
It is requested that the Board of County Commissioners 1) authorize the Chair to execute this grant contract upon review and approval by the County Attorney’s Office, Risk Management, and Purchasing; 2) authorize the County Manager to execute any future amendments to this contract; and 3) authorize the County Manager to execute all necessary budget amendments (BCRs).
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Summary Explanation and Background:
Grant funding of $295,065 will be used to fully fund an Indian River Lagoon Circulation and Water Quality Forecast Modeling project. The Indian River Lagoon (IRL) is a vital ecological asset, supporting diverse species and providing significant economic benefits through tourism and fisheries. However, the increasing frequency and intensity of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs), driven by nutrient pollution and other factors, threatens the lagoon’s health and sustainability.
Numerical modeling offers a powerful tool for forecasting HABs, enabling proactive management and mitigation strategies. By using new artificial intelligence (AI) tools to integrate environmental parameters, such as water temperature, salinity, nutrient levels, and meteorological data, a comprehensive model can provide timely predictions and help in decision-making processes. This project will implement a real-time hydrodynamic water quality forecast model over the Indian River Lagoon system. The forecast will be an early warning system for adverse water quality conditions, including harmful algal blooms (HABs).
Clerk to the Board Instructions:
Please execute 2 copies of the grant contract agreement, one copy for FDEP and one for Natural Resources Management.