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Board of County Commissioners Meeting Minutes - Final April 6, 2021 <br />G Public Works <br />12.6.1. 21-0357 Research Review Phase of the IRC Lagoon Management Plan: Update 3 <br />Recommended Action: Staff is requesting continued support for the Research Review phase of the <br />Indian River Lagoon Management Plan development <br />Attachments: Staff Report <br />A. Research Plan Timeline <br />B. Supporting Research <br />Lagoon Plan Environmental Specialist Molly Klinepeter referred to a <br />PowerPoint presentation and staffs memorandum dated March 22, 2021, to <br />provide Update 3 of the Research Review Phase of the Indian River County <br />Lagoon Management Plan. Update 3 covered Hydrology and Hydrodynamics, <br />Water Quality, Organic Material and Sediments, Marinas and Boat Ramps (Part <br />1), and Sustainability and Resiliency (Part 1). <br />Following the Hydrology and Hydrodynamics portion of the presentation, the <br />Commissioners commented on the changes to the Lagoon that had occurred <br />over the past 120 years, noting that the Lagoon had been primarily freshwater. <br />It was suggested that partnerships with the water control and drainage districts <br />would be beneficial, as well as a recently disclosed visioning project by the <br />Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). <br />The Water Quality portion of the presentation brought Board discussion on <br />muck and the effects of rainfall in the Lagoon. Vice Chairman O'Bryan stated <br />that he would like to see 100 rain gauges scattered throughout the County to get <br />a better feel for the amount and location of rainfall. Commissioner Earman <br />shared feedback he had received from local fishermen, with Commissioner <br />Adams and Commissioner Moss in agreement that controlling the muck was <br />necessary. <br />Included in the topic on Materials and Sediments, Ms. Klinepeter offered muck <br />control ideas such as muck dredging and muck capping. Chairman Flescher <br />made mention of a past project which had brought concern over the smell <br />associated with muck removal, yet the muck dried quickly and without an odor. <br />Vice Chairman O'Bryan offered the following suggestions: 1) begin a pilot <br />muck study, starting in the north area of the County near the Sebastian Inlet, 2) <br />invite Dr. John Trefry, Professor of Ocean Engineering at Florida Institute of <br />Technology, to address the Board with a muck -related update, and 3) inquire <br />with Brevard County regarding the results of their muck project. <br />Commissioner Adams offered to assist staff, if needed, in putting together a <br />grant application to help with funding for a muck map. Commissioner Moss <br />noted that the County's newly -appointed Florida Inland Navigation District _ <br />(FIND) representative may be able to provide funding guidance/assistance. <br />Indian River County Florida Page 14 <br />