Eau Gallie River and Indian River Lagoon to benefit from cost-share project
PALM BAY, Fla., April 19, 2016 — A new sediment trap, or “baffle box,” funded through the St. Johns River Water Management District’s Cost-Share Funding Program will capture hundreds of pounds of pollutants annually before they reach the Eau Gallie River, a tributary of the Indian River Lagoon, helping to improve water quality in the waterways.
“The Lime Drive Stormwater Enhancement Project is an example of how government agencies can work together on projects that protect our natural resources,” said St. Johns River Water Management District Executive Director Dr. Ann Shortelle. “Capturing pollutants before they reach an Indian River Lagoon tributary is an important part of the larger effort to restore the health of the estuary.”
The Lime Drive project is now fully functioning and is designed to receive stormwater runoff from an 84-acreresidential, commercial and suburban area, capturing 547 pounds of nitrogen and 170 pounds of phosphorus annually that would otherwise flow to the Eau Gallie River.
“This baffle box is one of several stormwater projects that the city of Melbourne has planned this year to prevent pollution from entering the Eau Gallie River,” said Melbourne Engineering Supervisor Dani Straub. “The city is extremely thankful for the grant that it received from the St. Johns River Water Management District to help fund this project. Additionally, the city would like to thank Brevard County for its help with permitting this baffle box within the Croton Road right-of-way.”
Projects funded through the district’s cost-share program must provide a benefit to at least one of the district’s core missions of water supply (water quantity), water quality, flood protection and natural systems.
Under the cost-share agreement, the district funded $153,615 of the $465,500 Lime Drive project,with Melbourne funding the balance.