9/10/1975 - Laserfiche WebLink

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With respect to your first request; what we believe to be this specific concept proposed by Mr. Jeeves, that of placing approximately 4,000 reinforced concrete units.in the surf zone at and near Vero Beach, is not being addressed in our study. As we can surmise from the copy of Mr. Jeeves' statement you furnished and recent local newspaper articles. the 4,000, 6 -pronged units would be placed in approxirately•6 to 10 feet of water, or about 200 to 350 feet offshore, along a 4 -mile stretch of shoreline at and near Vero Beach. The spacing of the 6 -foot, 1 -ton, self - anchoring units would be approximately 5.3 feet. If the preceding is a correct supposition of the jacks concept, then it is the position of the Corps that the system cannot be considered to be a viable long-term solution to the beach erosion problem occurring at Vero Beach.for the following reasons: 1. The submerged, multi -pronged units would be a hazard to both navigation and the bathing public. 2. The amount of wave energy dissipated upon the structures would be minimal during normal wave conditions and ineffective during severe storm conditions. 3. There is the distinct possibility that the structures may become unstable and be displaced during storm conditions. Effective erosion control measures are expensive. A properly designed offshore breakwater of the massive reinforced concrete tetrapod class could be designed and constructed to withstand the breaking wave energy in the surf zone at Vero Beach; however, the cost of such a structure would be substantially greater than Mr. Jeeves' concept, and for that matter, most of the conceptual alternatives presented at the 10 June 1975 public meeting. With regards to your second request,.a report that should answer all your questions, is under preparation by this office and will be made available to you after it has been reviewed by our higher authority. It should be stated that if local interests wish to implement Mr..Jeeves' idea, a per- mit for the construction of the jacks system will be required from the State of Florida and the U. S. -Army Corps of Engineers. If they were granted the permit, sponsors would be wholly -responsible for the systems construction, maintenance, and liabilities. : We hope the above information will.be of -assistance to you. Sincerely yours, 2 Incl . -GEORGE MARSCH 1. Concept drawing Acting Chief, Engineering Division . 2. Presentation to County Comm. Copy furnished: 14s. Alma Lee Loy, Chairman Indian River County Board of County Comm., Vero Beach, Florida 32960 2 SEP 101915 8001 •eaGE292