Project concept · Use case 2 of 8
Spoil island restoration with dredged lagoon muck
One project for two agencies: restore a buried island with muck that has nowhere to go.
Brevard County, Florida · Mullet Creek Islands, Indian River Lagoon
The project
The problem
A 29-acre island was buried under dredge spoil in the 1950s and is now about 60% invasive Australian pine. The state's plan calls restoring it too costly, and the county is running out of places to put lagoon muck.
What sets it apart
The connections made it work. Brevard County's Maritime Hammock Sanctuary nearby became our planting model, a professor with ties to the community opened doors, and the local riverkeeper joined early.
- Where
- Mullet Creek Islands, Brevard County
- Scale
- 29 acres of coastal forest and mangrove edge, raised about 3 feet with reused muck
- What we provided
- Elevation mapping, habitat target, volume and cost check, and renderings
Who helped shape this concept
- Maritime Hammock Sanctuary Brevard County's Environmentally Endangered Lands Program. The sanctuary's native maritime hammock is our planting model for the island
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Florida Sea Grant Extension scientists helped set the habitat target - University scientists Helped set the habitat target
- C-HAWQ technical advisors Checked fill volumes, cost and value engineering
See it
Renderings, maps and media
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The island today. -
Raised and planted as maritime hammock. Concept rendering.
Want to see the full concept? Ask us for it, and we'll share what's ready to be public.
How we got here
Where the project stands in our proven process
- 1. Discovery Done
Found two problems that fit together: an island the state can't afford to restore and a county short on places to put dredged muck.
- 2. Development Done
Mapped six islands for elevation. University and Sea Grant advisors set the habitat target; technical advisors checked volumes, cost and value engineering.
- 3. Mobilization Underway
Walked the islands with a community-connected professor and the local riverkeeper.
- 4. Close Next
We prepare a proposal the agencies can use to request and solicit the work, plus partners to design, build, fund and research it.
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