TO: Honorable Board of County Commissioners
FROM: Kylie Yanchula, Natural Resources Director
DATE: May 20, 2025
SUBJECT: Memorandum of Understanding between Indian River County and
Sebastian Inlet District for Coordination of Supplemental Downdrift
Nourishment and Related Coastal Activities
__________________________________________________________________
BACKGROUND
On April 2, 2013 the Indian River County Board of County Commissioners (Board) approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Indian River County (County) and the Sebastian Inlet District (District) for the coordination of supplemental downdrift nourishment and related coastal activities. This MOU was put into place to foster regional coordination of coastal projects between the County and District and to share objectives, goals, and areas of collaboration as they relate to beach nourishment and erosional hot spot repair along the County’s beaches north of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Reference monument R-40 (Wabasso Beach Park).
The original MOU included a term limit of five (5) years, with one renewal option of an additional five (5) years, which was executed. In 2022 the District convened a Technical Advisory Committee (2022 TAC) to update the Sebastian Inlet Management Plan (SIMP). In 2023, the original MOU was extended for an additional one (1) year upon agreement by both the County and District. This original MOU has since lapsed and County and District staff have continued to negotiate on a new proposed MOU (2025 MOU) that incorporates updates that acknowledge the 2022 TAC findings and our prospective beach management planning efforts.
The 2025 MOU reflects the current needs of the District and County as they relate to coordination of our coastal projects. Changes between the original MOU and the 2025 MOU are provided in the attached staff report along with a justification that supports the changes made.
Upon agreement between County and District staff, the 2025 MOU was presented at the Beach and Shores Preservation Advisory Committee (Committee) Meeting on April 21st, 2025. The Committee formally made a motion to support the 2025 MOU between the District and County. The 2025 MOU was then brought to the Sebastian Inlet District Commission for approval on May 14th, 2025. The District Commission voted 4:1 to approve the 2025 MOU. The 2025 MOU is being brought before the Board for consideration.
ANALYSIS
The beaches 9.5 miles south of the Sebastian Inlet (R-1 to R-51.3) within Indian River County have been designated as critically eroded by FDEP. The area of inlet influence identified by the 2022 TAC as between R-1 and R-30, is within this critically eroded section of shoreline. Consistent with the Florida Beach & Shore Preservation Act, the Sebastian Inlet District bypasses sand that migrates into the inlet system to downdrift beaches within the area of inlet influence. The 2022 TAC set a target of 75,000 cubic yards of sand on average annual basis for the District to bypass on to the beaches within the area of influence. This MOU allows for the District and County to coordinate placement of sand within the fill template for Sectors 1 and 2, including the supplemental fill template within Sector 3.
BUDGETARY IMPACT
There is no funding associated with the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Indian River County and the Sebastian Inlet District
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTIONS
On April 2nd, 2013, Indian River County entered into a Memorandum of Understanding for Coordination of Supplemental Downdrift Nourishment and Related Coastal Activities with the Sebastian Inlet District with a 5-year term. The agreement was then renewed for an additional 5-year term and then once again for an additional 1-year term extending the agreement through April 1st, 2024.
POTENTIAL FUTURE BOARD ACTIONS
The proposed 2025 MOU has a term of 10 years with a 5-year renewal option which may be exercised prior to May of 2035. The 2025 MOU also has a termination clause that allows for 90-day written notice of termination should the agreement no longer work for either party
OTHER PLAN ALIGNMENT
Indian River County Beach Preservation Plan
Sebastian Inlet Management Plan
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
Staff recommends approval of the attached Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Coordination of Supplemental Downdrift Nourishment and Related Coastal Activities between the County and the Sebastian Inlet District. Staff also recommends that the Chair execute the agreement on behalf of the County upon concurrence by the County Attorney.