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INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA BOARD MEMORANDUM TO: Joseph A. Baird, County Administrator THROUGH: Christopher R. Mora, P.E. Public Works Director FROM: James D. Gray, JrA Coastal Engineer SUBJECT: FDEP Grant Agreement No. 50839 Indian River County Oyster Bed Project DATE: February 15, 2016 DESCRIPTION AND CONDITIONS CONSEN The Indian River Lagoon has more than 2,100 species of plants and 2,200 species of animals making it one of North America's most diverse estuaries. Indian River County is committed to protecting and preserving the Indian River Lagoon (IRL). In 2013, the County successfully established an oyster bed reef in an area adjacent to Spoonbill Marsh, which has reduced the amount of total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) entering into the Indian River Lagoon and has provided habitat for marine animals in the project area. Staff wishes to continue the County efforts by constructing another oyster bed reef southeast of the 45th Street drainage ditch. The purpose of the proposed oyster bed reef would be to improve water quality conditions of discharges from the 45th Street drainage ditch into the IRL and to construct a new habitat for marine animals. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) received funding pursuant to line item 1662A of the FY 2015/2016 General Appropriations Act to provide financial assistance for the Indian River County Oyster Bed Project. FDEP has issued Agreement No. 50839 committing, on a cost reimbursement basis, up to a maximum of $50,000 forthe construction of the 45th Street Oyster Reef Project; no County match is required. The Agreement identifies Indian River County as the Local Sponsor, County Coastal Engineer James Gray as the project manager, and has an expiration date of June 30, 2018. In preparation for permit application submittals to both FDEP and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, staff has conducted site condition analysis (bathymetric and Sidescan surveys and sediment probes) within the proposed project area and has completed the Oyster bed reef conceptual design. Staff anticipates bidding the project late 2016 for construction in 2017. All project design, permitting, bidding, and construction management services will be conducted in house by Coastal and Stormwater Division staff. F\Public WorksUamesG\Oyster Reef\Agenda Items\agenda item S0839 FDEP Grant Agreement — Indian River County Oyster Bed Project--3-1-16.docx 43