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Bay County RESTORE Act Direct Component Proposals 2014-2015 1 Proj # Bay PRP 2014 - 003 Project Name Mexico Beach - Beach Restoration Feasibility and Design Plan Project Proposer, affiliation, web site Kimberly Shoaf Mexico Beach Community Development Council www.mexicobeach.com Project Description The proposed project will 1) provide an updated beach management feasibility study, which will provide long-term beach restoration strategies that Mexico Beach may pursue, 2) develop a design strategy based on the updated feasibility study, 3) provide permitting efforts for the sand bypassing project, which will allow Mexico Beach to relocate the inlet- dredged sand to the critically-eroded portion of the beach to the east, 4) a US Army Corps of Engineers federal feasibility study determination. Proj. Size (acres) 12 Economic The erosion of the beach will threaten both upland structures and infrastructure. The erosion of the beach will also threaten tourism as the beach becomes unusable by residents and visitors. A beach restoration plan will ensure the beach provides adequate upland protection and recreational use. Environmental The erosion of the beach is threatening coastal habitat used by many species, including endangered and threatened sea turtles, shorebirds, and beach mice, as well as vegetation. A beach restoration plan will ensure the coastal dune and beach habitat continue to be available to these species. Social A beach restoration plan and project will ensure that both residents and visitors can continue to recreate on the beach and enjoy all that it has to offer. In addition, a project will provide upland protection to upland structures, both residential and commercial. Other A beach restoration plan and project are key to coastal resiliency for the 2.0-mile Mexico Beach shoreline and will provide protection from hurricanes and sea level rise. Project Location The feasibility study and design strategy will include the 2.0-mile Mexico Beach shoreline, east of the Mexico Beach Inlet, from FDEP range monuments R-128 - R-138. Est total project cost $135,000 Amount requested $135,000 Describe what funds will be used for 1) update the beach management feasibility study, 2) development of a design strategy based on the updated feasibility study, 3) permitting efforts for the sand bypassing project, and 4) USACE federal feasibility study determination. Long term funding needed? Source? Availability? Funding will be sought from either RESTORE and/or the State of Florida's Beach Management Funding Assistance Program. Est yrs completion 0-2 Matching $ available? Match source? Secured? Amount match secured % proj cost from match ---PAGE BREAK--- Bay County RESTORE Act Direct Component Proposals 2014-2015 2 Partners anticipated? Partner names Funds request other source? If yes, name source, decision date Proj fully funded by other source? FULL PROPOSAL FORM Project number (proposal) Bay PRP 2014-003 Submittal date proposal 2/7/2015 Project name (proposal) Mexico Beach - Beach Restoration Feasibility and Design Plan Applicant name Mexico Beach Community Development Council Project description (proposal) A portion of the 2.0-mile Mexico Beach shoreline (FDEP R-mons 132-138) has been eroding and is threatening upland structures and infrastructure, coastal habitat, and recreational use. A feasibility study and beach management plan was completed in 2008 for the City of Mexico Beach. Following various coastal analyses, this study ultimately identified alternative beach restoration strategies with cost-estimates, including a less expensive alternative to relocate inlet-dredged sand (sand bypass) from just west of the Mexico Beach inlet (FDEP R-mon 127) to the state designated critically eroded shoreline between FDEP R-mons 132-138. The proposed project seeks to update the dated beach management feasibility study in terms of shoreline and volume changes based on an updated beach survey that will also be conducted as part of this project. Other components to the feasibility study that will be updated include beach restoration cost estimates. The updated feasibility report will be the basis for the design strategy to be developed as a part of this project. The design study will evaluate beach restoration alternatives including the sand bypassing project. Preliminary design of, construction cost-estimates for, and permitting efforts for the recommended alternative will be included. Finally, as part of this phase of the proposed project, Mexico Beach will seek an initial federal determination from the US Army Corps of Engineers as to whether there may be federal interest in pursuing a federal feasibility study - the first step in establishing a federal shore protection project. With permitting and design complete, Mexico Beach will be able to bypass inlet-dredged sand to the critically-eroded portion of the beach to the east - the project becomes "shovel- ready." Project location description The 2.0-mile Mexico Beach shoreline is located east of the Mexico Beach Inlet, between FDEP range monuments R-128 and R-138. See attached Exhibit. ---PAGE BREAK--- Bay County RESTORE Act Direct Component Proposals 2014-2015 3 1. Restore nat res The erosion of the beach not only directly threatens the beach itself, but also the coastal habitat used by many species to include endangered and threatened sea turtles, shorebirds, and beach mice, as well as beach dune vegetation. With permitting and design complete, Mexico Beach will be able to bypass inlet-dredged sand to the critically-eroded portion of the beach to the east. This sand bypass would counter the erosion and provide protection to natural resources. The updated beach management feasibility study and design strategy will provide other long-term beach restoration strategies for coastal flood protection that Mexico Beach may pursue. 2. Mitigate 3. Implement plan 4. Workforce/Jobs 5. Improve state park 6. Infrastructure 7. Flood protect With permitting and design complete, Mexico Beach will be able to bypass inlet-dredged sand to the critically-eroded portion of the beach to the east. This sand bypass counters ongoing erosion and directly provides much needed coastal flood protection to the upland structures and infrastructure. The updated beach management feasibility study and design strategy will provide other long-term beach restoration strategies for coastal flood protection that Mexico Beach may pursue. 8. Planning The updated beach management feasibility study and design strategy will provide other long-term beach restoration strategies - planning assistance - that Mexico Beach can pursue. Additionally, Mexico Beach will seek an initial federal determination from the US Army Corps of Engineers as to whether there may be federal interest in pursuing a federal feasibility study - the first step in establishing a federal shore protection project. 9. Promote tourism The erosion of the beach is threatening both upland structures and infrastructure and negatively affecting tourism as the beach becomes unusable by residents and visitors. With permitting and design complete, Mexico Beach will be able to bypass inlet-dredged sand to the critically-eroded portion of the beach to the east. This sand bypass will help to ensure that there is beach upon which tourists can continue to recreate and enjoy all it has to offer. The updated beach management feasibility study and design strategy will provide other long-term beach restoration strategies for beach sustainability, and thus tourism sustainability, that Mexico Beach can pursue. 10. Promote seafood ---PAGE BREAK--- Bay County RESTORE Act Direct Component Proposals 2014-2015 4 1.1 Diversify The erosion of the beach is threatening both upland structures and infrastructure and negatively affecting tourism as the beach becomes unusable by residents and visitors. The sand bypassing project will help to ensure that there is beach upon which tourists can continue to recreate and enjoy all it has to offer. The updated beach management feasibility study and design strategy will provide other long-term beach restoration strategies for beach sustainability, and thus tourism sustainability, that Mexico Beach can pursue. It will also provide short term opportunities for improving the beach through what will be a shovel ready project proposed by this application. 1.2 Infrastruc 1.3 Airport 1.4 Job train 1.5 Workforce dev 1.6 Facil tourism/econ dev The erosion of the beach is threatening recreation as the beach becomes unusable by residents and visitors. The sand bypassing project to dredge the inlet sand traps and relocate the material to the critically-eroded portion of the beach to the east will help to ensure that there is beach upon which residents and visitors can continue to recreate and enjoy all it has to offer. The updated beach management feasibility study and design strategy will provide other long-term beach restoration strategies for beach sustainability, and thus recreational sustainability, that Mexico Beach can pursue. It will also provide short term opportunities for improving the beach through what will be a shovel ready project proposed by this application. 1.7 Rec, transport, wage The erosion of the beach is threatening recreation as the beach becomes unusable by residents and visitors. The sand bypassing project to dredge the inlet sand traps and relocate the material to the critically-eroded portion of the beach to the east will help to ensure that there is beach upon which residents and visitors can continue to recreate and enjoy all it has to offer. The updated beach management feasibility study and design strategy will provide other long-term beach restoration strategies for beach sustainability, and thus recreational sustainability, that Mexico Beach can pursue. It will also provide short term opportunities for improving the beach through what will be a shovel ready project proposed by this application. 1.8 Protect nat res The beach is the natural resource that forms the basis of the tourism industry in Mexico Beach and Bay County. The erosion of the beach is threatening this natural resource. The sand bypassing project to dredge the inlet sand traps and relocate the material to the critically-eroded portion of the beach to the east will help to protect this natural resource (the beach) upon which residents and tourists can continue to recreate and enjoy all it has to offer. The updated beach management feasibility study and design strategy will provide other long-term beach restoration strategies for beach sustainability that Mexico Beach can pursue and short term opportunities for improving the beach. It will also provide short term opportunities for improving the beach through what will be a shovel ready project proposed by this application. ---PAGE BREAK--- Bay County RESTORE Act Direct Component Proposals 2014-2015 5 1.9 Promote fishing 1.10 Commun resil The continued erosion of the beach will threaten both upland structures and infrastructure. The sand bypassing project to dredge the inlet sand traps and relocate the material to the critically-eroded portion of the beach to the east will help to ensure coastal resiliency for these upland structures and infrastructure and will provide protection from coastal storms and sea level rise. The updated beach management feasibility study and design strategy will provide other long-term beach restoration strategies for beach and coastal sustainability that Mexico Beach can pursue. It will also provide short term opportunities for improving the beach through what will be a shovel ready project proposed by this application. 2.1 Protect SAB 2.2 Improv wtr qual 2.3 Protect seagrass 2.4 Wildl hab The erosion of the beach is threatening coastal habitat used by many species, including endangered and threatened sea turtles, shorebirds, and beach mice, as well as vegetation. The sand bypassing project to dredge the inlet sand traps and relocate the material to the critically-eroded portion of the beach to the east will help to ensure coastal dune and beach habitat remains available to these species and raises awareness of the beach and its importance as a wildlife habitat. The updated beach management feasibility study and design strategy will provide other long-term beach restoration strategies for coastal dune and beach habitat sustainability that Mexico Beach can pursue. It will also provide short term opportunities for improving the beach through what will be a shovel ready project proposed by this application. 2.5 Acq lands 2.6 Preserve dunes, shore The continued erosion of the beach will threaten both upland structures and infrastructure. The sand bypassing project to dredge the inlet sand traps and relocate the material to the critically-eroded portion of the beach to the east will help to preserve and restore the beach and dune system and reduce the shoreline erosion. It will also ensure coastal resiliency for these upland structures and infrastructure and will provide protection from coastal storms and sea level rise. The updated beach management feasibility study and design strategy will provide other long-term beach restoration strategies for beach and coastal sustainability that Mexico Beach can pursue. It will also provide short term opportunities for improving the beach through what will be a shovel ready project proposed by this application. ---PAGE BREAK--- Bay County RESTORE Act Direct Component Proposals 2014-2015 6 2.7 Protected spp The erosion of the beach is threatening coastal habitat used by many species, including endangered and threatened sea turtles, shorebirds, and beach mice, as well as vegetation. The sand bypassing project to dredge the inlet sand traps and relocate the material to the critically-eroded portion of the beach to the east will help to ensure coastal dune and beach habitat remains available to these species and assist in these species recovery. The updated beach management feasibility study and design strategy will provide other long- term beach restoration strategies for beach and coastal sustainability that Mexico Beach can pursue. It will also provide short term opportunities for improving the beach through what will be a shovel ready project proposed by this application. 2.8 Water data 3.1 Deer Pt Lk wtr qual 3.2 Stabil roads 3.3 Sewer AWT 3.4 Septic to central 3.5 3.6 LID 3.7 Coast resil The continued erosion of the beach will threaten both upland structures and infrastructure. The sand bypassing project to dredge the inlet sand traps and relocate the material to the critically-eroded portion of the beach to the east will help to ensure coastal resiliency for these upland structures and infrastructure and will provide protection from hurricanes and sea level rise. The updated beach management feasibility study and design strategy will provide other long-term beach restoration strategies for beach and coastal sustainability that Mexico Beach can pursue. It will also provide short term opportunities for improving the beach through what will be a shovel ready project proposed by this application. 3.8 Support port Budget justification The budget is $135,000 for the following tasks: conduct new beach survey (R-127/128 to R- 138); update the feasibility report to include data collected since the report's completion for shoreline and volumetric changes, etc.; design study of beach restoration alternatives including the sand bypassing project, and preliminary design of, construction cost- estimates for, and permitting efforts for the recommended alternative; USACE federal shore protection project feasibility determination. Ongoing costs With design and permitting complete, the City will be able to apply for funding to support the sand bypassing system so that Mexico Beach can dredge the inlet sand traps and relocate the material to the critically-eroded portion of the beach to the east to counter ongoing erosion. It is anticipated that the city will maintain the system with City personnel and equipment if assistance for obtaining additional equipment is available. ---PAGE BREAK--- Bay County RESTORE Act Direct Component Proposals 2014-2015 7 Objective and measures The overall objectives of the proposed project are 1) to provide an updated beach management feasibility study, which will provide long-term beach restoration strategies that Mexico Beach may pursue, 2) develop a design strategy based on the updated feasibility study, and 3) permit the sand bypassing project, which will allow Mexico Beach to relocate the inlet-dredged sand to the to the critically-eroded portion of the beach to the east. Success will be measured by completion of an updated beach management feasibility study, design strategy, and permit progress. Nat Res Proj Yes Best Avail Science By law, the Florida Legislature directs the Department of Environmental Protection to develop and maintain a comprehensive long-term management plan for the restoration and maintenance of the state’s critically eroded beaches fronting the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Straits of Florida. The state of Florida's Beach Management Plan deems the Mexico Beach shoreline from FDEP R-mon 132-138 as critically eroded. In addition, the state's plan recommends "additional nourishment and protective measures are needed....including....a truck haul bypass system." It also references the 2008 feasibility study's recommendations regarding "increasing the sand bypassing at the inlet, constructing a beach restoration project in the critical erosion area, and modifying the bypassing protocol following an additional feasibility investigation." The proposed project is in keeping with and based upon best available science as defined by the law and policy of the State of Florida. The project will apply and advance the state of the art in coastal engineering and sciences. Env issues A state Florida Department of Environmental Protection permit and federal US Army Corps of Engineers permit will be required to implement the sand bypassing project and/or other beach restoration project, if sand placement in the water is proposed. The federal permitting process will require authorizations (biological opinions from the US Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service) for any placement of sand in the water. Econ Dev proj? Econ Dev description Job Creation? Describe how jobs created No. jobs created No. jobs created Yr 1 No. jobs created Yr 2 No. jobs created Yr 3 Avg wage Total proj cost ---PAGE BREAK--- Bay County RESTORE Act Direct Component Proposals 2014-2015 8 Complement. proj descr. The City of Mexico Beach dredges the Mexico Beach Inlet for channel navigation purposes on an as needed basis and as frequently as daily (within permitted limits). This program costs approximately $50,000 and produces approximately 16,000 cy of sand annually. It is funded by the City of Mexico Beach and the Mexico Beach CDC. The sand bypassing project, once implemented, would allow Mexico Beach to continually bypass that inlet- dredged sand to the critically-eroded portion of the beach to the east to counter the erosion. The proposed project complements the ongoing navigation dredging in that it expands the beneficial use of the dredged material. Proj readiness descr The Mexico Beach CDC can secure contracts within 2-4 months for the work as soon as funds are available. The major work can then start and be completed within a 12-24 month time frame. Permits required? Yes Permits status A state Florida Department of Environmental Protection permit and federal US Army Corps of Engineers permit will be required to implement the sand bypassing project and/or other beach restoration project, if sand placement in the water is proposed. The federal permitting process will require authorizations (biological opinions from the US Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service) for any placement of sand in the water. Land acq? Acquire fee simple? Acquire easement? Fee and easement descri The beach, waterward of the private properties, was platted as public lands. Terms of easement Entity to hold title Easement acres Fee simple acres Appraisal avail? Appraised value Title opinon avail? Material risks There is regulatory risk associated with permitting the sand bypassing project and/or other beach restoration project; however, that risk is low. Staff at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection have historically been supportive of the project. Mexico Beach and its contractors will need to work diligently and communicate effectively with FDEP to work through permit requirements and negotiate reasonable conditions to ensure successful attainment of a state permit. There is no reason to believe a permit is not achievable. ---PAGE BREAK--- Bay County RESTORE Act Direct Component Proposals 2014-2015 9 Likelihood of success The likelihood of the project accomplishing its goals is very high. There are no challenges associated with updating the beach management feasibility study and developing a design strategy. As stated above, Mexico Beach and its contractors will need to work diligently and communicate effectively with FDEP to work through permit requirements and negotiate reasonable conditions to ensure successful attainment of a state permit for sand bypassing. There is no reason to believe a permit is not achievable. Contract out work? Yes Contracting strategy With minor amendments/agreements, the Mexico Beach CDC can use existing contracts for beach management (Sustainable Beaches, LLC) and coastal engineering services (Preble- Rish/MRD Associates) via the Bay County TDC and Bay County in order to issue contracts for the proposed work, which the Mexico Beach CDC will then oversee. It is anticipated that these contracts could be issued within 2-4 months and that the work schedule itself would allow for a 6-24month time frame to completion. The project schedule will be detailed in these agreements, and the Mexico Beach CDC will routinely monitor and ensure the schedule is met, just as it does with other contracts and agreements it oversees. Applic manage proj? Yes L 1. Proposed mgr Kimberly Shoaf- President, Mexico Beach Community Development Council L 2. Mgr agreed? Yes L 3.Mgr experience The Mexico Beach Community Development Council, with Kimberly Shoaf acting as President, has applied for and been awarded numerous grants, all with the goal to promote Mexico Beach as a year-round vacation destination. The most recent grants have been awarded by Visit Florida and Gulf Tourism and Seafood Promotional Fund Grants, part of the Deepwater Horizon Settlement. Visit Florida granted the with a $2,500 advertising matching grant for the development of the Mexico Beach Visitors Guide. This project and grant were concluded in a 12-month time and the fulfilled all the requirements deemed by Visit Florida. Two Gulf Tourism Seafood Promotional Fund Grants were awarded for marketing campaigns. The first grant in the amount of $300,000 was for a 12-month time period. This advertising grant focused on an Internet marketing campaign. The fulfilled all the requirements deemed by the Deepwater Horizon Claims Center. The second grant awarded from this program was for the amount of $200,000. This second advertising campaign was a television campaign and targeted markets in both the drive and demographic area for Mexico Beach. The fulfilled all the requirements for this grant which was also a 12- month time period. The maximum amount of $500,000 was awarded to the from the Deepwater Horizon Claims Center's Gulf Tourism Seafood Promotional Funds. ---PAGE BREAK--- Bay County RESTORE Act Direct Component Proposals 2014-2015 10 L 4. Post proj maint The Mexico Beach Community Development Council is a branch of the Bay County Tourist Development Council and an incorporated part of the Bay County Board of County Commissioners. The stability of the is dependent on the bed tax collected in the Mexico Beach taxing district, which has maintained itself since its incorporation in 1998. The capability to maintain any projects conducted by the would be very positive and assured. L 5. Mgmt approach The Mexico Beach Community Development Council would work with both the City of Mexico Beach and the Bay County TDC to assure this project is conducted to its fullest potential. Utilizing the resources that are available and already in place will allow the project the best outcome to accomplish the goal at hand. With minor amendments/agreements, the Mexico Beach CDC can utilize existing contracts for beach management (Sustainable Beaches, LLC) and coastal engineering services (Preble- Rish/MRD Associates) via the Bay County TDC and Bay County in order to issue contracts for the proposed work, which the Mexico Beach CDC will oversee. These entities have a proven track record of success for their work on the large-scale (18-mile) and long-term (initial beach restoration in 1998) Panama City Beaches shore protection project, located to west of Mexico Beach, also in Bay County. Outreach descr As part of the permitting process, the adjacent property owners are notified of the project. The names and contact information of the project representatives will be included in that correspondence should there be any questions or comments.