Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Environment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sustainability task force wins private funding for Vogel Park living seawall pilot
Summary
The Sustainability and Resilience Task Force reported private funding to install reef-arch tiles, sponges and bivalves at Vogel Park to improve water quality and habitat; staff said the project aligns with planned kayak-launch and seawall work and is moving through permitting.
The Sustainability and Resilience Task Force told the commission it has secured private funding to install a living seawall pilot at Vogel Park.
Task‑force chair Alicia Graham described a phased approach to add 40 reef-arch tiles intended to host sponges and bivalves (oysters and clams) and a hybrid habitat that could include mangroves. Graham said the installation is expected to filter thousands of gallons of bay water daily and could produce measurable water-quality benefits: "This project is now 100% privately funded," she said. "We're aiming for around 180 sponges and 300 bivalves... with the capability to filter more than 5,000 gallons of bay water daily and almost 2,000,000 gallons annually."
Staff said the pilot is compatible with planned kayak-launch and jet-ski staging improvements and that legal and contracting details are being worked out so the village can accept privately funded construction. The commission asked staff to coordinate permitting, confirm monitoring plans for E. coli and other bacteria, and explore inviting private property owners to participate in future phases.
Next steps: staff and the task force will finalize a contract arrangement and confirm permits, then coordinate installation and public‑facing education about monitoring results.
