TO: Board of County Commissioners
THROUGH: John A. Titkanich, Jr., County Administrator
Kylie Yanchula, Natural Resources Director
FROM: Melissa Meisenburg, Sr. Lagoon Environmental Specialist
DATE: May 15, 2025
SUBJECT: Clean Vessel Act Grant Application Request
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BACKGROUND
In 2005 the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) was determined by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to be impaired for nutrients. Indian River County (IRC) falls within the Central Indian River Lagoon Basin Management Plan (CIRL BMAP), which establishes total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) for total nitrogen (TN) and Phosphorus (TP) for the IRL. To better address the issues impacting the IRL, the Board of County Commissioners (Board) adopted the Indian River County Lagoon Management Plan (LPM). The Marinas, Boats and Boat Ramps key factor noted action was needed to increase the number and distribution of pumpout facilities in IRC. A survey of the pumpout operations determined there was limited access to facilities for boaters and several locations are non-operational. Increasing pumpout capacity of IRC is necessary as vessel sewage is highly concentrated with up to 40 times as many nutrients as raw municipal sewage. A mobile pumpout service would meet the needs of the boating community and decrease nutrient loading to the IRL.
The Clean Vessel Act was passed in 1992 and provides funding for the development, operation and maintenance of pumpout facilities. Since 1994, FDEP has awarded nearly $246 million dollars to assist boaters in proper sewage disposal. The Clean Vessel Act Grant Program provides a 75% reimbursement grant for the purchase, operation and maintenance of a pumpout vessel. Staff received two quotes from boat builders as well as letters of financial support from Indian River Land Trust and the Clean Water Coalition to assist in the coverage of the 25% cost-share required by IRC...
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