HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-030BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
February 13, 2018
Engineering, Hydrology & Geology Program
Division of Water Resource Management
Department of Environmental Protection
Bob Martinez Center
2600 Blair Stone Road M.S. 3595
Tallahassee, Florida 32399
Attn: Robert Brantly, P.E., Program Administrator
RE: Request Department evaluation of Indian River County Shoreline (R-51.3 —R-70) for
Critically Eroded Shoreline Determination.
Dear Mr. Brantly:
Pursuant to rule 62B.36-.002(5), F.A.C, Indian River County respectively requests the
Department's assistance in evaluating our shoreline between R-51.3 and R-70 for the purposes of
a critically eroded shoreline designation. The majority of this shoreline is referred to by the
County as Sector 4, with the exception of R-51.3 — R-55 which is within the southern portion of
our Sector 3 project area. As highlighted in the County's Beach Preservation Plan (BPP) (2015),
the R-51.3 — R-70 beach condition from 1972 to present has changed from stable to accretional
to the current erosional condition. Additionally, the erosional condition on these beaches have
been amplified recently by Hurricanes Sandy (2012), Matthew (2016), and Irma (2017).
The southern portion of Sector 3 and all of Sector 4 shoreline is within the Town of Indian River
Shores jurisdiction. Concerned that the beach condition has progressed enough to potentially
threaten upland property and important sea -turtle wildlife habitat, the Town has requested
assistance from the County regarding this matter. The County will assume the local sponsor
responsibilities along this section of shoreline and assigns James Gray, County Natural
Resources Manager as the project manager.
Letter to Robert Brantly, P.E., Program Administrator
Page 2
To assist the Department with their shoreline evaluation we have enclosed a collection of recent
beach profile surveys and a summary of sea turtle nesting specific to the R-51.3 — R-70
shoreline.
Thank you for your assistance. Please let James Gray or me know if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Jason Bro n
Enclosures:
1) Beach Profile and Sea Turtle Nesting Data
2) Letter dated January 29, 2018 from the Town of Indian River Shores
cc: Robert H. Stabe, Jr., Town Manager, Indian River Shores
Richard Szpyrka, P.E., IRC Public Works Director
James Gray, Jr, IRC Natural Resources Manager
OFFICE OF THE COUNTYADMINISTRA TOR
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY
180127 1h Street, Vero Beach, FI 32960-3388
PHONE: 772-226-1408 - FAX: 772-978-1822
Sector 4
Sea Turtle Nesting Data (R -51.3-R-70)
The chart below identifies the long-term sea turtle nesting data from 2010-2017 between Florida
Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Reference Monuments R-51.3 — R-70. For the
purposes of discussion, data on the three (3) species of nesting sea turtles (Loggerhead, Green,
and Leatherback) in Indian River County have been combined.
Based on review of these data, there is an increasing long-term trend in sea turtle nesting from
2010-2017 within the limits of the Sector 4. However, from 2015-2017 there has been an
increase in sea turtle false crawls (non -nesting events) possibly suggesting that erosion and
recession of the beach and dune system has had a negative effect on sea turtle nesting in this
area.
i
Longterm (2010-2017)
Sea Turtle Nesting R-51.3 - R-70 (Indian River County)
;1800
;1600
;1400 1276 1268
1204 ..
1200 10851074
1025 ..............
.........
11000
i
j 800
652
600
{
400
! 200
0 —_ _ _ _ _ _ __ __._-. _ _ _ -- .--- -- - -- _ ------ _ _.__
2010
1671
2011. 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
® Nest FC ......• Linear (Nest)
MAYOR
BRIAN M BAREFOOT
\\
TOWN MANAGER
1�c
ROBERT H. STABE JR.
VICE MAYOR
-
MICHAEL B. OCHSNER
TOWN CLERK
LAURA ALDRICH
COUNCIL:
ROBERT F. AUWAERTER
TOWN ATTORNEY
RICHARD M. HAVERLAND
CHESTER CLEM
DEBORAH H PENISTON
INDIAN RIVER SHORES
t. FLORIDA
6001 North A1A, Indian River Shores, FL 32963
(772) 231-1771 FAX (772) 231-4348
Mr. Jason Brown January 29, 2018
Indian River County Administrator
1800 271" Street
Vero Beach, FL 32960
Dear Mr. Brown,
The Town Council of Indian River Shores formally requests the County's help in support of
petitioning the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to perform a study, as soon as
possible, to determine if our shoreline (County Sector 4 R-51.3 — R-70) should be re-classified as
a "Critically Eroded" Beach.
Pursuant to FAC, rule 6213-36.002 (5), it is the Town's position that the change rate has
accelerated in this stretch of shoreline resulting in significant erosion and it has recessed to the
point that some upland developments within Sector 4 are potentially threatened. Also, the Town
is very concerned about the threat of these effects on our sea -turtle wildlife habitat. Our sea -turtle
habitat is historically robust, and it is the Town's position that this important habitat is being
directly threatened due to the elimination of typical nesting areas, especially during higher tides.
At times, the surf literally reaches the vertical face of the dune.
We are aware that your office routinely assesses the shoreline of the entire County and that you
are in possession of data that clearly supports this issue regarding the erosion of Sector 4. The
Town would ask for that data to also be included in this request along with any sea -turtle data
that may be helpful. I am also including some photographs of areas within Sector 4.
The Town Council would appreciate any assistance from the County regarding this matter.
Respectfully submitted at the request of and on behalf of the Town Council of Indian River
Shores,
Robert H. Stabe Jr.
Town Manager
Beach Erosion in Indian River Shores, Florida
10-10-16 Ocean Colony, La Mer, The Victoria 10-10-16 5' tall resident by escarpment
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11-30-17 looking south to Sunrise Terrace & Beachcomber
9-9-09 Looking south from Beachcomber
North of Beachcomber (Bermuda Bay) 5-4-17
5-14-2010 Looking north from Beachcomber
9-11-17 Beachcomber access after H. Matthew
10-25-15 Beachcomber access
10-10-16 Beachcomber access
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10-10-16 The Victoria in the distant north
10-10-16 Irrigation pipes out at LaMer
10-5-16, Beachcomber looking north
Shuttle Discovery Launch seen from Beachcomber 10-23-07