Approval of proposal from Beemats, New Smyrna Beach, FL, in the amount of $171,072 for the annual harvesting, maintenance and re-nourishment of vegetated mats at the Indian Hills Recreation Area.

The Indian Hills Recreation Area utilizes a vegetated floating wetland system to improve the water quality prior to discharging excess stormwater to the Indian River Lagoon.  This system consists of mats made of a buoyant material fitted with perforated pots which are planted with specific aquatic plants to absorb and store excess nitrogen and phosphorus from the water column.  A total of twelve (12) islands will be maintained every four (4) months, which consists of trimming the plants, collecting and composting the plant biomass, collecting samples for laboratory testing and reporting results of removed excess nutrients. 

Some floating mats have been in-use for over seven years and have exceeded their life expectancy.  A replacement program has been implemented to replace all the islands within the next 3 years.  This proposal includes the complete replacement of four (4) of the mats and the refurbishment of each anchoring system. 

Engineering recommends approval

Train in-house staff on harvesting and replanting of the wetland system

Engineering Department

Beemats