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MAY s `; E:.`:0%A:, D UNI T0: Ruth Stanbridge March 22, 1982 FROM: Ellie Van Os SUBJECT: Jungle Trail Biological Assessment (Erosion) -Jungle Trail extends along the east side of a portion of the Indian River on the barrier island in Indian River County, Florida. The particular stretch under consideration is that between S.R. 510 and Winter Beach Road, approximately two and one-half miles long. An on-site investigation of erosion problems along the trail was made February 20, 1982. In addition to relatively minor erosion in front of private riverfront property adjacent to the trail, there are currently two severely eroded sections of the road bed itself that are being threatened. The first section is located approximately two thousand feet south of the S.R. 510 intersection where the first view of the river can be seen from the trail. The condition continues for roughly one thousand feet along the river's edge. The second section `i§ approximately one-tenth of a mile north of the Jungle Trail/Winter Beach k6ad junction, again, because of a lack of shoreline vegetation, the river can be clearly seen from the trail. It is likely that the causes for this eroision are closely related to the position of the sections both along the river and along the trail. The entire length of the Jungle Trail section being considered is immediately adjacent to the Intracoastal Waterway. There is no shelter from boat wakes by either natural or spoil islands. Also, it is apparent that both locations, providing the first view of the river from either end of the trail, are being used as recreational access points to the river. Unauthorized roadside parking and the trampling of paths to and from the river have taken their toll on nature's defense of the shoreline, the stabilizing vegetation. The problem at the north end of the trail is complicated by the fact that it is on the outside corner of a turn in the Intracoastal Waterway which tends to accent the height of boat wakes on the trail side and thus their erosive properties. The Intracoastal is also very close to the shoreline at this point, adding to the already steep offshore slope causing any waves including boat wakes and wind -driven waves to break right at the shoreline. Also, because of the offshore drop and the lack of shoreline vegetation, people use this spot to launch small boats, reducing the chances of any colonizing vegetation to survive. Recommendations to stabilize the shoreline along this curve should include several approaches, each one of which will depend on the implementation of the others for success. A permanent, well -marked, vertical breakwater should be constructed as far offshore as possible in order to diminish the strength of boat wakes. Behind the breakwater, a well-planned planting program along the length of the damaged shoreline shou d begin 5 1982 FOSE Ps:K 9 '�5' J