We get monthly updates from the Palm Beach County Department of Environmental Resources Management (you see why we call it ERM all the time?), and I thought I’d share some items of interest with you. They’re all self-explanatory, so I’ll let them explain themselves, but here are the key items: T.S. Fay took out a few sea turtle nest sites; seagrasses (for more on seagrasses, see the upcoming legislative session proposal from the FWC) and mangroves are on the increase in the Lake Worth Lagoon; the Lake Worth Lagoon Initiative is meeting tomorrow.

Tropical Storm Fay Update

Wave action changed the shape of the beaches by moving sand from the dry berm out to the nearshore sand bar. The beaches retreated 20-30 feet and lost an average of 2.5 feet in elevation. Post-storm waves have been moving some of that sand along shore and back up to the dry beach, but full recovery is not expected for some areas. Staff toured FEMA and USACOE representatives shortly after the storm. With the loss of sand came a corresponding loss of incubating sea turtle nests. Approximately 20-50% of the remaining nests were lost, which represents 10-20% of the nesting for the entire 2008 season.

Lake Worth Lagoon Initiative (LWLI)

Work continued on establishment of the framework for LWLI’s Steering Committee, which will consist of an Executive Committee of lead environmental agencies and Committee Chairs representing major areas of emphasis: Water, Habitat, Pollution Prevention and Public Outreach. The LWLI will coordinate local, state and federal agencies’ activities that affect the LWL, heighten awareness of LWL’s resources and issues and carry out the mission & projects outlined in the LWL Management Plan. Lake Worth Lagoon Partnership Grant Program (LWLPGP):The LWLPGP Selection Committee will convene on September 5th to allocate $700,000 in State funds to projects that benefit habitat and water quality in the Lake Worth Lagoon and Chain of Lakes. Vying for funding this fiscal year:

1. Lake Worth 2nd Ave North Outfall Water Quality Improvement: $210,000
2. City of WPB Monroe and Monceaux Stormwater Improvements: $450,000
3. City of WPB Stub Canal Stormwater Improvements: $500,000
4. PBCERM South Cove Restoration Phase II: $419,600
5. Golfview Heights/Belvedere Homes Phase I: $500,000
6. PBC Parks Department Peanut Island Lagoon Enhancement: $214,000
7. PBC Parks Department John Prince Park Campground Sewer Project: $200,000.

Lake Worth Lagoon Habitat Classification

The 2007 Project mapped essential fish habitats, specifically seagrasses, mangroves, and oyster reefs. Seagrass beds covered 1,688 acres or 21.74% of the LWL. This is a slight increase of 42 acres over the 2001 calculation. Mangrove habitat continues to expand from 248 acres in 1985, to 264 acres in 2001, and 283 acres in 2007. This 14% increase, mostly in the northern and central portions of the lagoon, are associated with the County’s restoration projects; Munyon Island, Peanut Island, John’s Island and Snook Islands. In addition to mangroves and seagrasses, 4.2 acres of oyster reefs and 1.5 acres of spartina wetlands were identified during this large scale mapping project.
For more information on Palm Beach County environmental restoration projects, please visit: http://www.co.palm-beach.fl.us/erm/