PLACEMENT: Departmental
TITLE:
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APPROVAL OF A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE FLORIDA DIVISION OF RECREATION AND PARKS FOR THE CYPRESS CREEK FLOODPLAIN PROJECT AND ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION APPROVING AND ACCEPTING EASEMENTS FROM THE DIVISION OF STATE LANDS
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
executive summary
This item seeks approval to execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Recreation and Parks (DRP) to construct a weir structure as part of the Cypress Creek Floodplain Restoration Project at Jonathan Dickenson State Park (Project). Included is a request to adopt a resolution approving and accepting certain upland and sovereign submerged lands easements from the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund of the State of Florida (Board of Trustees). The Project, once completed, will restore natural floodplain function, reduce erosion and improve downstream water quality.
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DEPARTMENT: Public Works
PREPARED BY: Name: Michael Yustin
Title: Senior Project Manager
REQUESTED BY: Public Works Department
PRESET:
PROCEDURES: None
BACKGROUND/RELATED STRATEGIC GOAL:
The Project consists of constructing a weir structure within Cypress Creek to reestablish natural floodplain hydrology that has been disrupted by historic channelization and dredging. These alterations have limited floodplain inundation, degraded habitat, and contributed to erosion and sediment transport downstream.
By staging water higher within Cypress Creek, the weir will allow water flows to spread into the floodplain, thereby reducing bank erosion and improving water quality entering the Northwest Fork of the Loxahatchee River and the broader Loxahatchee River system.
Because the Project is located within Jonathan Dickinson State Park, implementation of the Project requires an MOU with DRP, in addition to certain upland and sovereign submerged lands easements granted from the Board of Trustees over portions of the Project area. Since Martin County is a government agency, the easements will not require an application fee or payment of an annual fee; however, a resolution is necessary to formalize Martin County’s request and acceptance of such easements. The Project is included in the Martin County Capital Improvement Plan.
ISSUES:
None
LEGAL SUFFICIENCY REVIEW:
This item has been reviewed for legal sufficiency to determine whether it is consistent with applicable law, has identified and addressed legal risks, and has developed strategies for legal defensibility.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
RECOMMENDATION
Move that the Board (i) authorize the Chair to execute the MOU between Martin County and DRP along with any additional documents necessary to complete this Project and (ii) adopt a resolution approving and accepting all necessary easements from the Board of Trustees upon review and concurrence from the County Attorney’s Office.
ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
None
FISCAL IMPACT:
RECOMMENDATION
None
ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
None
DOCUMENT(S) REQUIRING ACTION:
☐Budget Transfer / Amendment ☐ Chair Letter ☒Contract / Agreement
☐Grant / Application ☐Notice ☐Ordinance ☒Resolution
☐Other: