COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
SUBJECT:
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The Riverside Conservancy Restoration for a Healthy Lagoon Hold Harmless Agreement
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DEPARTMENT: Parks & Recreation Department
SUMMARY:
The Riverside Conservancy, a not-for-profit, has obtained a grant from the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program (IRL) to provide living shoreline features and has volunteered to enhance the shoreline habitat along Veteran’s Memorial Park, located at 1811 South Riverside Drive, Edgewater 32132, through plantings and oyster reef enhancement project.
As part of the project, The Riverside Conservancy proposes to plant 300’ of shoreline along Veteran’s Park while enhancing 200’ of oyster reef. The scope of this project will occur along the south shoreline of Veteran’s Park, which has seen escarpment of the bank due to boat wakes and storm events. These events have also disarticulated and fragmented the existing oyster reefs along the shore. Stabilizing the shoreline through carefully selected plantings will immediately provide habitat for many aquatic species, sequester nutrients from runoff, and reduce erosion and escarpment. Furthermore, restoration of the oyster reefs will provide habitat for juvenile aquatic species while cleansing the water and stabilizing the intertidal area.
There is no cost to the City for this project. All elements of the project including design, construction, vegetation, and permitting will be paid for through the IRL Council grant and Riverside Conservancy.
Riverside Conservancy will provide monitoring services for two years. The City will assume maintenance on April 22, 2022.
Additionally, Riverside Conservancy will seek additional funding to expand stormwater treatment through the canal at Veteran’s Memorial Park as well as the 18th Street Canal System.
Riverside Conservancy has previously partnered with City of Edgewater, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Bethune-Cookman University and Marine Discovery Center with the Living Shoreline Project at the north shore of Menard May Park and the Water Goat located in the 18th Street Canal. For more information visit <https://www.riversideconservancy.org/>
BUDGETED ITEM: ☐ Yes ☐ No ☒ Not Applicable
BUDGET AMENDMENT REQUIRED: ☐ Yes ☐ No ☒ Not Applicable
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a Hold Harmless Agreement between The Riverside Conservancy and the City of Edgewater.