Request approval of proposal from Beemats in the amount of $84,400.00 for the annual harvesting, maintenance and replanting of floating vegetated mats at the Indian Hills Recreation Area.

One element of the stormwater improvements recently completed at the Indian Hills Recreation Area, is the vegetated floating wetland system.  This system consists of mats made of a buoyant material fitted with perforated pots and then planted with specific aquatic plants to absorb and store excess nitrogen and phosphorus from the water column.  The periodic harvest of the plant biomass is a key component of the effective nutrient removal process.

The Indian Hills project has 12 of these floating islands covering approximately one acre of water surface.  This proposal is for the annual maintenance of these islands which will consist of harvesting, replanting of all material, repair to any damaged areas of the mats, removal off-site or composting on-site of the plant material and laboratory reports indicating biomass volumes and nutrient composition. 

The maintenance will be performed on a monthly basis harvesting and replanting one island per month for an annual cost of $84,400.   

Engineering recommends award of this proposal.

Train in-house staff on harvesting and replanting.

Jack Andrews, City Engineer

St. Lucie County Public Works