1 U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS AND ST. JOHNS RIVER WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT Indian River Lagoon North Restoration Feasibility Study Public Meeting September 2001

2 PRESENTERS David Schmidt, USACE Troy Rice, SJRWMD

3 STUDY AUTHORIZATION n The study will be conducted under the authority of Section 309 (l) of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 1992 and Section 528 (b) (1) (C) of WRDA 1996 to provide for the water related needs of the region served by the Central and South Florida project.

4 WHERE? BREVARD INDIAN RIVER VOLUSIA INDIAN RIVER LAGOON NORTH INDIAN RIVER LAGOON SOUTH ST. LUCIE MARTIN

5 WHERE?

6 TONIGHT’S MEETING n Public coordination, n Provide information, n Answer questions, and n Gather information on water resource problems and opportunities

7 BACKGROUND –St. Johns River Water Management District in the North, and –South Florida Water Management District in the South Administer Water Projects. n Local governments and Two Water Management Districts:

8 BACKGROUND (cont.) n This study will build upon previous and ongoing projects including: n Indian River Lagoon South n Upper St. Johns River Basin (~97% complete) n Intracoastal Waterway n C-1 Diversion

9 PLANNING EFFORTS TO DATE n Indian River Lagoon Surface Water Improvement and Management Plan (SWIM) n Indian River Lagoon - Nine Volume Characterization Report n Indian River Lagoon Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP) 1996.

10 STUDY PURPOSE n Ecosystem restoration while meeting other water resources needs of area.

11 STUDY PURPOSE (cont.) Possible examples: n Improve Fish and Wildlife Habitat –Seagrass –Wetlands n Improve Water Quality n Increase Recreational Opportunities n Maintain and Where Possible Improve Flood Protection and Water Supply

12 WHO WILL BENEFIT? n Environment n General Public Commercial Users Recreational Users

13 MAJOR PROJECTS ALREADY IMPLEMENTED BY SJRWMD & NEP n Volusia County & Municipalities Stormwater Cost-Share Projects = $2.6 million n Brevard County & Municipalities Stormwater Cost-Share Projects = $7.1 million n Indian River County & Municipalities Stormwater Cost-Share Projects = $14.4 million n Removal of +500,000 cubic yards of muck sediment from Crane & Turkey Creeks

14 MAJOR PROJECTS ALREADY IMPLEMENTED BY SJRWMD & NEP (cont.) n Reconnection of +18,555 acres of impounded wetlands n Acquisition of +52,600 acres of Environmental Endangered Lands within the watershed n Development of a Water Quality Model for the IRL for use in establishing PLRGs/TMDLs n Removal of +500 acres of Invasive Exotic Plants and +35 acres of Native Mangroves Replanted

15 POTENTIAL ALTERNATIVES n Remove muck from lagoon and tributary areas n Restore or reconnect wetlands n Improve flow through or past causeways n Develop sediment strategy, including retention and detention facilities n Control water runoff n Determine septic contributions and develop recommendations n Remove exotic vegetation n Ensure flood protection and water supply

16 CORPS WATER RESOURCES PROJECT PROCESS n Study - Develop plan, alternatives, costs and conduct NEPA with 50% Federal and 50% non-Federal cost sharing n Pre construction, Engineering and Design (PED) - Cost shared 75% Federal, 25% non- Federal Sponsor n Construction - cost shared according to project purpose and Federal law n Operation & Maintenance - Normally 100% non-Federal, for CERP 50% non-Federal

17 PROCESS Phase Estimated Duration Project Management Plan 3 months Cost Sharing Agreement 3 months Feasibility 3-4 years Pre-construction Engineering & Design 2-3 years Construction 3 years estimated Operation & Maintenance Project life

18 *REMINDER* OPPORTUNITIES n Improve Fish and Wildlife Habitat –Seagrass –Wetlands n Improve Water Quality n Increase Recreational Opportunities n Maintain and Where Possible Improve Flood Protection and Water Supply

19 SJRWMD RESPONSIBILITIES n Demonstrate intent to contribute 50% of study costs, 25% of PED costs, and non-Federal share of construction costs n Provide lands, easements, rights-of- ways, relocations, and disposal areas n Operate and maintain project

20 CORPS RESPONSIBILITIES IN COOPERATION WITH SJRWMD n Complete Project Management Plan n Complete Feasibility Phase n Provide Federal share of funds required n Design and Construct project features

21 LOCAL RESPONSIBILITIES n Help us!! n Continue efforts on behalf of the Lagoon to solve problems n Provide input into alternative plan development

22 NOTE Prior to Q&A, just a note about the following: n Our goal is to help restore the IRL n We are here to help you and your community n Please contact us anytime –USACE, Erwin Wunderlich (904) –SJRWMD, Troy Rice (321)

23

24 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS We will post information to the following Web site:

25