THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND GROWTH MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING AND COMMUNITY RESILIENCE DIVISION RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE MOTIONS.
This item supports the Board’s Value of “Encouraging investment in renewable energy, sustainable practices and environmental protection” and Goal 2: Proactively lead in the planning, design and construction of projects to support community resilience and climate adaptation by ensuring that publicly accessible beaches are sufficient in dimension (i.e. >75 feet in width) to provide storm protection, recreational opportunities, and sea turtle nesting habitat.
In April 2018, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Jacksonville District, completed Project Information Reports (PIRs) for Hurricane Irma impacts to the previously constructed Broward County Segment II and Segment III Shore Protection Projects. These reports were subsequently approved by the South Atlantic Division and Headquarters (Washington, D.C.) on May 30, 2018. Following the approval of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, disaster recovery Flood Control and Coastal Emergency (FCCE) funding was provided for the rehabilitation of Hurricane Irma damage to the previously constructed portions of the Segment II and Segment III Shore Protection Projects. The USACE has prioritized partial restoration of Segment III for initial sand placement, with Segment II rehabilitation and potentially a larger Segment III rehabilitation project to follow.
The current Segment III beach restoration project includes almost the entire coastline extending from the Port Everglades Inlet south to the County line, inclusive of beaches within Dr. Von D Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park, and the cities of Dania Beach, Hollywood and Hallandale Beach.
Based on the post-Hurricane Irma beach survey, erosion damage to this stretch of beach was calculated to be 123,200 cubic yards of sand above Mean High Water (MHW). This volume is identified as the rehabilitation volume at an estimated project cost of $9,735,000. The USACE intends to plan, design, engineer, and construct the project. Pursuant to the Project Cooperation Agreement, the Project Sponsor (Broward County) is responsible for obtaining the requisite real estate needs such as easements, beach access, and maintenance. The County has no cash contribution responsibility; construction costs are entirely (100%) Federal.
The USACE plans to place sand on the dry beach only (above the mean high water line), which will put sand in the system without needing to obtain the State and Federal Joint Coastal Permit necessary for “in water” sand placement. Both the Use Agreement and Certification of Lands allow for the USACE to place sand along the county’s coastline. Coordination is ongoing with the local municipalities to accommodate project needs.
In order to meet the strict timeline requirements provided by the USACE for the post-Hurricane Irma rehabilitation of the Segment III Shore Protection Project, expedited execution of all requisite documents is required. The USACE is requesting that all project contract and agreements be executed no later than late-October, with project construction anticipated to start in January of 2019. County staff is coordinating with federal and state agency partners to receive final form agreements for legal review and approval. The proposed motions seek the Board of County Commissioner’s authorization for the County Administrator to execute these requisite contracts and agreements upon final legal approval by the County Attorney's Office.
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