MONROE COUNTY RESILIENCE OFFICE PROVIDES UPDATE ON BREAKWATERS AND LIVING SHORELINES PROJECTS

MONROE COUNTY, FL – The Monroe County Resilience Office provided an update to the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners today on several ongoing breakwater repair and living shoreline projects designed to protect vulnerable coastal communities and infrastructure throughout the Florida Keys.
 
The presentation highlighted active and upcoming projects in Rock Harbor, Long Key, Tavernier, and Duck Key that focus on reducing storm surge impacts, protecting low-lying homes and infrastructure, and improving shoreline resilience through both traditional breakwaters and environmentally conscious living shoreline techniques.
 
“These projects are important investments in protecting Monroe County neighborhoods, public infrastructure, and waterways from future storm impacts and sea level rise,” said Monroe County Resilience Officer Rhonda Haag. “The work being completed today will help strengthen our communities for years to come while incorporating environmentally sustainable solutions.”
 
Among the projects discussed was the Duck Key Breakwater and Living Shoreline project, which is currently underway and includes repairs to approximately 10,000 linear feet of jetty span damaged during Hurricane Irma, along with the addition of a living shoreline component to further enhance storm protection and coastal resilience. Work will be complete by mid-June.
 
Also presented was the Rock Harbor Breakwater Repair project in Key Largo, which includes repairing approximately 500 linear feet of jetty span damaged during Hurricane Irma and installing an air curtain system to reduce the amount of vegetative debris entering canals during storm events. The project is funded through a Florida Department of Commerce Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Infrastructure Repair Program grant.
 
The county also provided updates on the Long Key Living Shoreline project, which is underway and will construct a 1,282-foot living shoreline with 480 wave attenuation devices and native plantings to help protect the Long Key Transfer Station from storm surge flooding. Work will be complete by mid-June.
 
In Tavernier, Monroe County is preparing to repair approximately 1,500 linear feet of breakwater damaged by Hurricane Irma and to install an air curtain system to help protect canal water quality and reduce impacts from vegetative debris. Construction is expected to begin in late May.
 
All of the projects are fully funded by grants from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Florida Department of Commerce.
 
To learn more about sustainability projects in the Florida Keys, visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/sustainability.
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