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Tequesta EAC finalizes living‑shorelines workshop details; grant for mangrove planting described as uncertain
Summary
The Environmental Advisory Committee set a public workshop titled “Living shorelines: Protect our shores, preserve our future” for March 4, will mail waterfront residents, and discussed a related federal mangrove/urban forestry grant that staff said may be cut at the federal level.
Village staff and committee members finalized details for a public workshop on living shorelines and discussed related restoration funding opportunities during the Feb. 12 Environmental Advisory Committee meeting.
Staff said the workshop is scheduled for March 4 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Tequesta Recreational Center and will include three 15–20 minute presentations: a staff overview (including mention of a local resiliency study), a presentation by Reef Arches (and a partner organization referenced as MAANG in discussion), and a presentation by Peter DeWitt describing recent work at Gellona and other shoreline projects. Staff said the village has adopted a living‑shorelines ordinance that is mandatory when seawalls are repaired and that the workshop will explain the ordinance at a high level while also presenting voluntary living shorelines options.
The committee voted (raise of hands) to adopt the title for promotional materials: “Living shorelines: Protect our shores, preserve our future.” Staff said the village will mail a hard‑copy flyer and a letter to waterfront homes, include links to the ordinance and additional resources in the mailing, and publish the event in the village newsletter and on social media. Staff and committee members said the letter will point recipients to ordinance text and contact staff (Jake is the staff contact mentioned) for more detail.
Grant discussion: staff described a federal urban/urban‑forestry grant opportunity that would fund shoreline plantings and riparian/mangrove activity; staff said the federal tool used to prioritize awards (the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool) appears disabled and that the federal program (referred to in discussion as the Urban and Community Forestry program) is under review and could be cut or reduced. Staff said the state allocation for the program appeared small in the current cycle (staff stated the state allocation listed was about $200,000) and noted the specific grant request in question would award up to four projects with maximum awards near $50,000 each. Staff further noted the federal uncertainty makes the grant a higher‑risk target and recommended exploring alternate state or local funding sources in parallel.
Why it matters: for waterfront homeowners the ordinance changes the regulatory framework for seawall repair and living‑shoreline work; the workshop is intended to improve community awareness and explain voluntary and mandatory options. For restoration projects, the grant could help fund planting and small projects, but federal uncertainty means staff may pursue other funding and partnership options.
Ending: Staff and committee members agreed to proceed with publicity, mailings and the March 4 workshop; staff said they will continue monitoring the federal grant’s availability and will pursue alternatives if the federal program does not move forward.
