PLACEMENT: Requests and Presentations
TITLE:
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UNITED STATE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS (USACE) AND THE NON-FEDERAL SPONSOR (NFS) THE FLORIDA INLAND NAVIGATION DISTRICT (FIND) FOR THE INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY (IWW) & OKEECHOBEE WATERWAY (OWW) MAINTENANCE DREDGING PROJECT WILL PROVIDE A PRESENTATION
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
executive summary
USACE & FIND will update on the ongoing IWW/OWW Crossroads dredging project with placement in the St. Lucie Inlet.
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DEPARTMENT: Public Works
PREPARED BY: Name: Jessica Garland
Title: Coastal Program Manager
REQUESTED BY: Don Donaldson, P.E., County Administrator
PRESET: 9:45 AM
PROCEDURES: None
BACKGROUND/RELATED STRATEGIC GOAL:
The USACE & FIND performed Operations and Maintenance (O&M) dredging within the (OWW) and (IWW) that began on April 30, 2026. The construction is within the portion of the IWW located in St. Lucie inlet locally known as Crossroads, and the OWW along with sections of the IWW north towards the Stuart Causeway around Boy Scout Island in Martin County, Florida.
The OWW Cut 1 is approximately 3,500 feet in length and 80 feet wide with an authorized depth of -8 feet mean low water (MLW) and -2 feet allowable over depth. The centerline of Cut 1 extends into the intersection of the IWW along the eastern boundary and was authorized by the Rivers and Harbors Act of March 2, 1945. An 8-foot by 75-foot wide IWW channel from Jacksonville to Miami was authorized January 21, 1927. The present configuration (12 feet deep and 125 feet wide) and the maintenance dredging of the IWW - Jacksonville to Miami, was authorized by the Rivers and Harbors Act of March 2, 1945.
The USACE completed an environmental assessment (EA) to analyze potential effects of maintenance dredging of the OWW Cut 1 and IWW Cuts 1 through 6 (“Crossroads”) and the placement of dredged material. The Corps determined that the EA’s Preferred Alternative (maintenance dredging of the OWW Cut 1 and IWW Cuts 1 through 6 with placement in dredged material management area (DMMA) MSA 5 and/or St. Lucie Impoundment Basin) would not cause significant adverse effects on the quality of the human environment.
The project required the dredging of approximately 81,000 of shoaling from IWW cuts M-1 through M-6 and OWW Cut-1 to a required depths of 10 feet and 8 feet, plus 2 feet of allowable over-depth. Dredge material will be dispersed in the St. Lucie Impoundment Basin for portions of the IWW near St. Lucie Inlet. The dredge pipe will be weighted and submerged, and its underwater route marked with orange poly balls and lighted danger diamond buoys. Dredging and placement will be continuous, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, until the project is complete.
The USACE team will conduct protective turtle monitoring and turbidity monitoring throughout the duration of the project.
ISSUES:
None
LEGAL SUFFICIENCY REVIEW:
None
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
RECOMMENDATION
Hear the presentation.
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: