A $24,500 grant will pay for a study that Indialantic town leaders say will assess impacts from sea level rise, flooding and storm surge.
The grant, awarded through the Florida Resilient Coastlines Program, is funded by the Florida Coastal Management Program in partnership with NOAA, and the Florida Legislature.
The town council approved the study, which will be conducted by LaRue Planning & Management, to help guide future infrastructure improvements, including replacing failing stormwater pipes. Many of the pipes, made from corrugated metal and originally installed in the 1960s, are now rusted and in danger of collapsing. The study would assess the system and the current plan, so adjustments to it can be made if necessary.
“The study will show what potential impacts the town will need to take into consideration to protect and upgrade the infrastructure,” Councilwoman Mary Jo Kilcullen said.
Town Manager Chris Chinault says the study should be complete by July 1, 2019.
“The scope of the project is for the town to educate and engage its residents and businesses in the conversation of resiliency and assess impacts from sea level rise, flooding and storm surge,” Chinault said.
“The town has been working for the past 18 to 24 months through our planning consultant, LaRue Planning and Management, toward revising the town’s comprehensive plan to meet state requirements that address sea level rising and storm surge.”
Article by: Jennifer Torres, correspondent
