Martin County finalizes 'Ripple' stormwater eco-art project to reduce runoff into St. Lucie Estuary

Martin County and private-sector partners finalized a multi-site stormwater eco-art project called Ripple in 2024 aimed at capturing and reducing stormwater runoff that drains to the St. Lucie Estuary.

The project, located within a roughly 20-acre drainage basin in Palm City, combines environmental infrastructure with public art and includes four distinct sites: a wetland with an interpretive trail and educational pieces; a bioswale with a pavilion and rainwater-harvest system; a wet retention pond with a pavilion and pier; and a dry detention area with a natural walking path. The county and partners described the sites as intended to slow, clean and retain stormwater before it reaches the estuary.

County presenters said the Ripple project complements other estuary restoration work completed in 2024, including about 10 acres of seagrass plantings at roughly five locations around the estuary. Presenters also reported a research partnership with the University of Florida on a strip-spawning technique for clams native to the estuary; county staff said the technique is intended to increase clam populations planted alongside seagrass to improve meadow productivity.

Speakers described active habitat management at project preserves, including removal of a dense monoculture of the nonnative shrub Downy Rose Myrtle. County staff said they used mechanical vegetation treatment—heavy machinery to shred dense shrubs—to open the site, allow sunlight to reach the understory and permit native herbaceous plants to reestablish. They said the opening also makes it possible to introduce prescribed fire, which officials described as a way to mimic natural lightning-caused burns, benefit native plant and wildlife communities and mitigate future wildfire risk.

County presenters characterized Ripple as a nature-based, multi-benefit approach that pairs stormwater control, habitat restoration and public amenities. They said additional monitoring and maintenance will be required but did not provide a detailed maintenance schedule or funding breakdown at the presentation.

The presentation identified the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and an artist, Lucy Kashavars, as partners in finalizing the Ripple design; the county reported other Martin County departments and private-sector partners were also involved. No formal votes or legislative actions were recorded during the presentation.