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Indian River County, Florida *xioA # MEMORANDUM qN Indian River County Administration Complex 1801 27th Street Vero Beach, Florida 32960 indianriver.gov File ID: 25-0587 Type: Consent Staff Report Meeting Date: 6/3/2025 TO: Board of County Commissioners THROUGH: John A. Titkanich, Jr., County Administrator Kylie Yanchula, Natural Resources Director FROM: Melissa Meisenburg, Sr. Lagoon Environmental Specialist DATE: May 15, 2025 SUBJECT: Clean Vessel Act Grant Application Request BACKGROUND In 2005 the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) was determined by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to be impaired for nutrients. Indian River County (IRC) falls within the Central Indian River Lagoon Basin Management Plan (CIRL BMAP), which establishes total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) for total nitrogen (TN) and Phosphorus (TP) for the IRL. To better address the issues impacting the IRL, the Board of County Commissioners (Board) adopted the Indian River County Lagoon Management Plan (LPM). The Marinas, Boats and Boat Ramps key factor noted action was needed to increase the number and distribution of pumpout facilities in IRC. A survey of the pumpout operations determined there was limited access to facilities for boaters and several locations are non -operational. Increasing pumpout capacity of IRC is necessary as vessel sewage is highly concentrated with up to 40 times as many nutrients as raw municipal sewage. A mobile pumpout service would meet the needs of the boating community and decrease nutrient loading to the IRL. The Clean Vessel Act was passed in 1992 and provides funding for the development, operation and maintenance of pumpout facilities. Since 1994, FDEP has awarded nearly $246 million dollars to assist boaters in proper sewage disposal. The Clean Vessel Act Grant Program provides a 75% reimbursement grant for the purchase, operation and maintenance of a pumpout vessel. Staff received two quotes from boat builders as well as letters of financial support from Indian River Land Trust and the Clean Water Coalition to assist in the coverage of the 25% cost -share required by IRC. Staff is requesting approval to apply for the Clean Vessel Act Grant to proceed with the purchase of a pumpout vessel. ANALYSIS The IRC Indian River Lagoon Management Plan (LMP) identifies the need to encourage the increase in the number and distribution of pump out facilities within our section of the lagoon as one of our short term actions to improve water quality, reduce the potential for harmful algal blooms, and minimize the environmental impacts of boats and marinas. The Lagoon Division pumpout boat program is a way to address this action item as part of the implementation of the LMP without relying upon the installation of additional infrastructure. Long term this is one of the first steps in working towards the northern aquatic preserve becoming a no discharge zone. We also intend to utilize this program to provide information to boaters on best management practices for boat care and maintenance which is another action item identified within the LMP. Indian River County, Florida Page 1 of 2 Printed on 5/29/2025 pow"'" LegistarT ,