Environmental Considerations

As this project begins construction, it is the County's responsibility to minimize impacts to environmental resources, specifically beach and nearshore ecologies. To minimize erosion and ensure suitable sea turtle nesting habitat, a source of compatible sand (suitable material and grain size) was identified. This source, resulting from the accumulation of beach sand coming in the inlet and depositing by Sailfish Point, is show in the map below.

The permit has taken into account several environmental considerations and impacts to resources which will be mitigated. The permit includes active monitoring for: Hard bottom resources, including Sabellariid worm reef, sea turtle nesting and foraging habitats, and potential seagrass impacts around the donor dredging site.

Bathtub Reef
This reef system is created by tube-building Sabellariid sea worms and is not only unique, but very fragile. The worms use sand to create their tubes, with colonies building on top of themselves to create the reef system. This habitat is used by over 500 marine species (see pictures below), including endangered sea turtles who forage on and around the reef. Due to its importance, this ecosystem is federally designated as Essential Fish Habitat.  

The dune construction is taking place landward of the mean high water line, thus protecting this critical habitat. In addition, to ensure the ecosystem’s sustained health, the county will be responsible for extensive monitoring.

Sea Turtle Nesting
Nesting season for these turtles is May through October. After mating at sea the female turtle swims to shore to dig a nest for her eggs. Female turtles dig their nests on the beach with their flippers, then lay their eggs and cover them with sand. They then crawl back to the surf zone and swim out to sea. After 50 - 60 days the baby turtles hatch from the nests and try to make their way through the surf zone and out to sea.

Construction activities will be completed before sea turtle nesting season. In addition, sand grain analysis from the donor site has shown that the sand source is compatible to that on the beach already, making it good quality for sea turtle nesting activities.

Seagrass Habitat
Seagrasses play a critical role in estuarine ecology. They are a major source of primary productivity in shallow waters and thus are an important source of food for many organisms. In addition, they offer shelter to juvenile fish and other species. As a result, these important habitats are protected through the permitting process. The Bathtub Beach Dune Restoration Project will avoid all impacts, both direct and secondary, to seagrasses. This graphic shows the current seagrass coverage in the sand donor location.

Dredging at the donor site location will avoid all impacts, both direct and secondary, to seagrasses. This graphic shows the current seagrass coverage in the sand donor location.

Download the BTB_Resource_map.pdf

Bathtub Reef Species Utilization
The Following Images provided by Florida Sportsman Communication Network, May 2008.