Located in St. Lucie County Mosquito Control District Impoundment 1, south of the Ft. Pierce Inlet, in Sections 12 and 13, Township 35 South, Range 40 East, St. Lucie County, Class III Waters.

The Mitigation Bank permits authorize St. Lucie County to establish a 317 acre mitigation bank (Bear Point Mitigation Bank) on County-owned wetlands adjacent to the Indian River Lagoon.

Mitigation activities include enhancing water quality and wildlife habitat within St. Lucie County Mosquito Control District Impoundment 1 by installing 24 culverts through the impoundment levee, removal of exotic plants and modifying current impoundment management practices.

Work implemented under the Bank permits are to be used as mitigation for future impacts within the service area, from Sebastian Inlet to the Saint Lucie Inlet in the Indian River Lagoon, yielding a potential total of 49.8 estuarine mangrove mitigation bank DEP credits and 43.3 ACE credits.

The basis of the mitigation plan is the enhancement of water quality and hydrology by adding (24) 36” culverts in the impoundment levee and increasing the volume of pumped water (using an additional pump station, previously permitted). The additional gated culverts will allow for significantly increased water, nutrient and faunal exchange during the open culvert months (generally mid-September to mid-April), approximating natural conditions with no levee.

During the flooded, pumping period (May-September), approximately 42,000-49,000 gallons per minute will be continuously pumped into the impoundment. After an initial impoundment “pump-up” period when culvert gates are closed, the volume of pumped water will be maintained to allow several of the culvert gates to be opened partially or completely, mimicking the natural tidal exchange volume, while maintaining desired impoundment water levels

During the pumping period, the target exchange volume of water is 80% of that which would be naturally exchanged if the levee were not present. Although this exchange volume will not occur freely in and out of all culverts, several different types of culvert gates allow various discharge types: bottom waters, surface waters, outflow only, or open two-way exchange. The setting and adjustment of these control structures regulates the circulation and water quality in the impoundment, and will be conducted weekly, based on water level and water quality data. In addition to the enhanced water exchange, the mitigation plan also calls for at least one drawdown in the summer for a 2 week period to allow for more complete flushing of water and to enhance the feeding opportunity for wading birds.

In addition to the hydrological enhancements, the mitigation bank site will be treated for exotic vegetation and regularly maintained. Brazilian pepper that has become established in the impoundment will be treated, and those locations will be re-visited on a regular basis for follow-up treatment and to inspect the recovery of native vegetation. Flooding the impoundment with salt water should help reduce any additional infestation; however, mangrove planting may be required in some areas to ensure that the success criterion for re-vegetation is attained. Exotic vegetation on the levee may also include Casuarina and/or exotic grasses. These areas are currently being treated by the County, but the permit contains additional conditions for the monitoring, management and success.