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After looking at the consultant's report, the BSPAC is unanimously <br />recommending that the County proceed with a prefabricated erosion <br />protection (PEP) reef and negotiate a contract with American <br />Coastal Engineering to permit and construct the reef. <br />MOTION WAS MADE by Commissioner Eggert, SECONDED by <br />Commissioner Tippin to authorize staff to negotiate <br />a contract with American Coastal Engineering for the <br />design, permitting and construction of the <br />prefabricated erosion protection (PEP) reef and <br />present it to the Board for approval, as recommended <br />by the Beach and Shore Preservation Advisory <br />Committee. <br />Under discussion, Commissioner Adams commented that this is <br />the culmination of a 13 -year search for a way to provide protection <br />for the beaches. She stressed that Indian River County is a <br />special place with some unique reefs that are an attraction to <br />divers and are important to our shoreline. The PEP reef seems to <br />be the least environmentally destructive way to put sand on the <br />beach. American Coastal Engineering has a design that has shown <br />success in Florida waters and has been permitted by the State of <br />Florida, which is no easy task for an experimental project. She <br />added that the PEP reef must be constructed during the summer <br />months because of the nature of the bottom. The goal is to have <br />the reef in place by the end of summer 1994, so the committee will <br />be working with the consultant and staff to move quickly on this <br />project. She was pleased that various groups such as Save Our <br />Shores and Conserve Our Resources have agreed to this alternative. <br />Discussion ensued concerning the technical aspects of the <br />project and some of the provisions of the contract. <br />A gentleman from the audience who represents a company that <br />builds artificial reefs asked to speak, and Chairman Bird explained <br />that the proper forum for a presentation would be at a BSPAC <br />meeting, since we work through the Committee structure. <br />A lady from the audience, who was with the gentleman, stated <br />that they had already spoken to the BSPAC about this. <br />Commissioner Adams responded that the BSPAC already decided on <br />the PEP reef, which is the only artificial reef that has been <br />demonstrated to be successful along Florida shorelines. She added <br />that they are welcome to attend the next beach committee meeting, <br />which will be held towards the end of October. However, the BSPAC <br />members have worked hard on this project and do not want to change <br />course in mid -stream. <br />35 <br />BOOK 90' F k c U.) <br />SEP 21 NO <br />