SEBASTIAN — The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has awarded the city of Sebastian more than $175,000 in grant funding for the Tulip Drive Stormwater Improvement Project, part of the city’s Stormwater Master Plan.
The project will include a wet retention pond and drainage improvements to reduce nutrients from entering Indian River Lagoon and St. Sebastian River.
“DEP is pleased to partner with the city of Sebastian to protect the Indian River Lagoon and St. Sebastian River,” said Trina Vielhauer, director of the Division of Water Restoration Assistance. “This project combines creative community enhancement with improved environmental protection.”
The installation of a wet retention pond along Tulip Drive will help manage and treat stormwater runoff during heavy rainfall events. The project will also allow for the installation of pervious surface angle parking to direct stormwater into an adjacent grassy field and help reduce runoff.
Additionally, a new two-foot wide shallow curb will be constructed to guide runoff from Tulip Drive back into the grass swale system near the intersection of Tulip and Persian Lane. While the stormwater flow will continue along the existing swale system, the wet retention pond and drainage improvements will allow for treatment and removal of nutrient pollutants from stormwater runoff and will reduce nutrient loading into the impaired Indian River Lagoon and St. Sebastian River.
Preliminary engineering and design for the project is underway and construction is scheduled to begin in May 2016.
“The city of Sebastian is very excited about this project,” said Frank Watanabe, public works director and city engineer. “The project design incorporates some new, innovative treatment technologies, which are expected to decrease the amount of pollutants from stormwater runoff. With this stormwater treatment plan, we can expect more protection for the Indian River Lagoon and St. Sebastian River.”
Funding of $176,840 comes from a Federal Clean Water Act grant, or 319 grant, which supports projects that reduce pollution from nonpoint sources and urban stormwater. The city of Sebastian will match the grant with $172,540 in funding.