Location
Coastal Engineering Division
1801 27th Street
Vero Beach, FL. 32960
Phone: (772) 226-1648
Coastal Engineering Division
Beach Renourishment Update
SECTOR 3
Phase I of the Sector 3 Beach and Dune Renourishment Project (Seaview Subdivision to Wabasso) is anticipated to commence January 4, 2021. The County's contractor, Guettler' Brothers Construction, LLC has planned to operate out of Golden Sands Park and Treasure Shores Park first then move to Wabasso Beach Park around March. Construction shall not continue past April 30, 2021. The current plan is to haul 307,000 cubic yards of beach compatible sand from Stewart Materials in Fort Peirce. Sand will be placed on the dune as well as on the berm, including in the water, resulting in a wider beach. Following sand placement, native dune grasses will be installed along the dune.
Phase II of the Sector 3 Beach and Dune Renourishment Project (Wabasso to Turtle Trail) is anticipated to commence in November 2021 after the County selects a contractor.
Treasure Shores Beach Park will be closed from January 4, 2021 to March 1, 2021.
Golden Sands Beach Park will be closed for the entire duration of the project from January 4th, 2021 to April 30th, 2021.
SECTOR 2
Sector 2 Dune Restoration Project managed by the Sebastian Inlet District has an anticipated start date of January 4th, 2020. Sand that was dredged from the inlet then stored until now will be placed along the northern County in the dunes.
This project will result in the closure of Amber Sands Beach Access from January 4th, 2021 to January 8th, 2021.
2019 Beach Preservation Plan Update Available for Review and Public Comment
The purpose of the 2019 Beach Preservation Plan Update is to support the County in managing its beaches; assess the impact of recent storm events, evaluate current vulnerability to future storm events, and document the overall performance of the management program from 2013 to 2019. This plan will also discuss the remaining estimated sediment volumes in known borrow sources, as well as exploration of additional offshore and upland sources. It also presents conceptual beach fill design templates to reduce damage from future storms, avoiding impact to known hardbottom areas, and reviews management strategies to enhance coastal resiliency.The public is invited to review the plan at the link below and make comment to coastal@ircgov.com before January 29, 2021.
Sector 7 Project Public Webinar
Indian River County has received roughly 50% of the required beach easements to construct the Sector 7 Beach and Dune Renourishment Project which will restore sand lost from Hurricanes Matthew, Irma, and Dorian. To move forward with the project the County seeks a high percentage of easements signed and returned to the County. Stakeholders within Sector 7 (Treasure Cove Sub. To Floralton Beach Sub.) are invited to view the Public Webinar Presentation that reviews details of the project, clarify easements and FAQs.
Statement of Function
The major function of the Coastal Engineering Division is the planning, permitting and construction of projects related to coastal protection. These projects include large-scale beach nourishment at critically eroding areas of the beach, dune restoration to mitigate storm damage and protect upland properties and reviewing applications for coastal armoring. The Coastal Engineering Division also manages and executes the County's Habitat Preservation Plan (HCP) for the protection of sea turtles, which allows the County to regulate and issue permits for emergency shoreline protection measures when necessary. Coastal Engineering also manages the County's artificial reef program and serves as a resource for citizens on the issues of beach erosion and coastal zone management.
Beach Nourishment Projects Easements
Indian River County will be constructing three (3) beach nourishment projects over the next two years within the Sector 3, Sector 5 and Sector 7 beach management areas. A portion of the sand may be placed on the beach landward of the Mean High Water Line and seaward of the dune line, which is private property. In order to proceed with the sand fill project on these sections of private property, the County will require a beach management and assessment easement from property owners or Condo Associations of beachfront parcels in the project areas. View a map of beach projects and properties requiring easements at www.ircgov.com/easements.
2019/2020 Goals and Objectives
Beach Project Design, Construction, and Monitoring Related Activities
- Construct the Sector 5 Beach and Dune Restoration Project while continuing the design and permitting on the Sectors 3 and 7 Beach and Dune Restoration Projects.
- Continue working with the Sebastian Inlet District to manage the Sectors 1 and 2 shorelines.
- Continue countywide beach profile survey as part of the Beach Preservation Plan.
- Design a Coastal UAS Program to improve management of coastal resources.
Artificial Reef Program
- Continue to construct artificial reefs offshore of Indian River County.
- Create an artificial reef program website to promote visitation at reef sites.
- Design and draft an artificial reef management plan.
- Coordinate reef monitoring programs to document reef success and exotic lionfish populations.
Emergency Response and Recovery
- Assist the community in response to natural coastal emergencies, like hurricanes and fish kills.
Grant Related Activities
- Secure FEMA funds for the Sector 3 and 7 Beach and Dune Restoration Projects.
- Secure State funding for the Sector 5 Beach and Dune Restoration Project.
- Secure grants to continue expansion of the County's offshore artificial recreational reefs.
- Secure grants to continue the County's efforts to remove derelict vessels.
Sea Turtle Habitat Conservation Plan Related Activities
- Continue sea turtle monitoring under Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP).
- Continue to successfully implement Amendment #1 of the HCP.
- Continue invited speaker engagements about sea turtles within County schools, HOA's, Condo Associatons, City and County officials, and local businesses.
- Continue Sea Turtle Trunk Programs for 5th and 7th grade within county public and private schools.
Public Outreach Activities
- Continue to implement outreach programs on sea turtles, natural resources, and dune vegetation.
- Partner with Coastal Connections to organize large-scale community outreach programs.
- Continue to work with KIRB to conduct annual coastal cleanups to remove debris from public waterways and secure community improvement grants.
Additional Activities
- Construction of the Jungle Trail Roadway Stabilization Project.
- Finalize and adopt the 2019 Beach Preservation Plan update.
- Permit and Construct an emergency beach access at Round Island Park.
- Continue maintenance of channel markers and maintenance of marker buoys on the PEP reef.
Learn more about Indian River County's eight offshore artificial reefs.
Report dead, sick, or injured sea turtles or marine mammals to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) toll-free at 1-888-404-3922.
