Brevard natural resources officials outline $50 million program for stormwater, beaches and remediation

Summary

Deputy Director Amanda Elmore told commissioners the Natural Resources budget is about $50 million, nearly all restricted, covering permitting, remediation, beaches and a large stormwater capital program; she described constraints on derelict vessel removal, a regional petroleum remediation contract and increased mechanical vegetation harvesting.

Amanda Elmore, deputy director of natural resources, told the Board of County Commissioners during the April 15 budget workshop that the department’s programs are covered by a roughly $50 million budget and that almost all of that funding is restricted. “Good afternoon commissioners. I'm Amanda Elmore, deputy director of natural resources,” she said as she began the presentation.

The budget covers five programs including environmental resources management (permitting and enforcement), remediation and compliance, beaches/boating and waterways, stormwater management and support services. Elmore said about $10 million of the budget comes from grants and about $8 million was encumbered ARPA money for stormwater projects. She said the division has 75 positions and six vacancies and that nearly 99% of program funding is restricted to fees, stormwater assessments and project reserves.

Why it matters: Natural Resources manages permits and reviews for wetlands, coastal dunes and aquifer recharge areas, runs remediation inspections and cleanup work under a state contract, and delivers the county’s stormwater capital program that funds flood mitigation and water-quality projects. Those activities affect development review, water resources and flood resilience across Brevard County.

Key program details

- Environmental resources management: Elmore said the program’s $2 million budget is…

Brevard natural resources officials outline $50 million program for stormwater, beaches and remediation

Summary

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