CURRENT STATUS:

1. The project includes approximately 3.3 miles of shoreline from Normandy Beach south to the Martin County line.

    

2. The proposed federal project provides for 50 years of federal participation, starting with an initial nourishment that must be completed by July 2022 (per USACE). Two additional nourishments are proposed after initial construction, the cost of which is not included in the initial nourishment effort.

    

3. Authorization of a Federal Project Participation Agreement (PPA) completed November 10, 2020.

    

4. The Army Corp of Engineers estimate for the project is set at $22.8 million, with the non-Federal (local share) of the project currently set at 65%, or $14,821,950. The federal contribution (35%) is estimated at $7,981,050.

    

5. Erosion District staff has secured a state supplemental Grant 19SL4 (184234) from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) for the initial federal project in the amount of $3,096,946.00, with no local match required.

    

6. Erosion District staff has also received a second state grant (20SL3) from FDEP for the initial federal project in the amount up to $3,381,281.00, requiring a local grant match up to $4,393,566.08. The grant (and associated match) is on a sliding scale based on need.

    

7. To date, the estimated local share of construction is approximately $8.3 million, excluding potential costs associated with financing and/or administering future funding options. County staff currently anticipates post-construction biological monitoring to be included within the USACE project cost estimate (per letter from USACE).
   

   (Note: As of December 14, 2020, no property owners in the three strategic areas discussed below have notified the County of their interest in providing public easements)

8. The non-federal share (local) of the project can be further reduced with the creation of additional public beach access with associated parking, strategically located along the project area to eliminate “gaps” where there is currently no public beach access (based on USACE criteria).

    

9. Three public beach access/parking easements along the project area have been identified in order to achieve maximum project savings (Empress/Princess, Turtle Reef Club, and Miramar Condominiums). To date, conceptual plans have been developed and tentatively approved by the USACE for two of the easement areas. Approval from each “gap” condominium involved (either by Board or unit owners) by July 31 is needed to advance these conceptual plans, and a third potential location must be identified and planned to achieve maximum project savings. Staff has worked with the President’s Council and several affected communities and continues those efforts. It also is adding a website and planning community meetings to ensure property owners are kept informed.