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Regional Waterways Plan for Martin & St. Lucie Counties

Regional Waterways Plan for Martin & St. Lucie Counties. Presentation of Draft Report Martin MPO Advisory Committees September 2014. The Study Area: 120+ Miles of Waterways. St. Lucie County. Martin County. N O R T H. Public Participation & Outreach. Project Steering Committee.

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Regional Waterways Plan for Martin & St. Lucie Counties

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  1. Regional Waterways Plan for Martin & St. Lucie Counties Presentation of Draft Report Martin MPO Advisory Committees September 2014

  2. The Study Area: 120+ Miles of Waterways St. Lucie County Martin County N O R T H

  3. Public Participation & Outreach Project Steering Committee

  4. Key Findings: Natural Resources • Paramount Concerns over Water Quality • (Discharges from Lake Okeechobee, Uplands, Other) • Local & Regional Restoration & Stormwater Efforts • Need More Pump-Outs, Restrooms & Boater Education • Expanded Environmental Education • (K-12, Public At-Large) • Inter-Agency Permit Protocol • Deficiencies for Enforcement Personnel & Vessels • Multiple Agencies with Overlapping Regulations

  5. Key Findings: Marine Transportation • Need for Maintenance Dredging(inlets & channels) • Need for Improved Boater Facilities • (ramps, docks, parking, dredging) • St. Lucie River RR Bridge Concerns • Potential for Water Taxis • Improved Navigational Aids • “Alternative” Marine Modes (seaplanes, high-speed ferries) • Designated Anchorages

  6. Water Taxi Potential • Service Assumptions • Vessel Types & Speeds • Boarding/Alighting • Sample Routes • Manatee Speed Restrictions • Operational Considerations • Special Events • Waterside Infrastructure • Seasonal vs. Annual • Station Screening

  7. Potential Water Taxi Route: Port Salerno • Potential Initial Stations: • Manatee Pocket Restaurants • (Shrimpers, Twisted Tuna, Manatee • Island Bar & Grill, etc.) • Fish Market/Fishing Docks • Pirates Loft Marina • Sandsprit Park • St. Lucie Inlet Preserve State Park • On-Demand Service: • Hutchinson Island Marriott (+/- 45 mins) • Other marinas (within 45 mins)

  8. Potential Water Taxi Route: Stuart • Potential Initial Stations: • Downtown Floating Dock • Sunset Bay Marina • Harborage Marina • Rio Town Center / Stuart Harbor • Proposed Hotel/Restaurant • On-Demand Service: • Club Med Sandpiper (+/- 45 mins) • Other marinas (within 45 mins)

  9. Key Findings: Land Use & Upland Transportation • Waterfront Villages & Centers • Need for Multi-ModalConnections • Last-Mile Transportation for Boaters • Desire for More Waterfront Destinations • Need for Waterways Circulator (Transit) & Greenways • Water Taxi Stations as Central Nodes • Port Salerno • Stuart • Rio • Jensen Beach • Palm City • Indiantown • Fort Pierce • Port St. Lucie

  10. Port Salerno: Authentic Fishing Village

  11. Port Salerno: Authentic Fishing Village

  12. Old Palm City:Rowing Niche Opportunity

  13. Old Palm City:Rowing Niche Opportunity Expanded Boat Ramp Parking

  14. Key Findings: Recreation & Public Access • Need for Improved Paddling Launches & Facilities • (signage, kiosks, camping sites, events) • Expand Water Sports Concessions & Uses in Parks • Opportunity for Blueways/Greenways Network • Growing Inventory of Water Sports Activities • (Human-Powered, Wind-Powered, Other) • Opportunities for Expanded Events (tourism benefits)

  15. Key Findings: Economic Development • Constraints upon Marine Industries • (dredging, workforce, roadway network) • Fishing industry Impacts (Commercial & Recreational) • Implementation of Unique Waterfront Villages • Potential of the Hospitality Industry • Potential of Treasure Coast Water Sports Industry • Uncertainty of Port of Fort Pierce • (niche cargo, maritime academy, mixed-use)

  16. Marine Industries Sub-Sector

  17. Marine Industries – Career Training • Development of Marine Industries • “Career Track” within School Districts • Foundational Courses • Off-site Instruction (internships) • Former Chapman School of Seamanship HS Program • Partnership with MIATC • Opportunity to Expand Marine Industrial Technical Training with IRSC • Potential for Collaboration with Maritime Academy

  18. The Water Sports Industry of Today US Sailing Center / Martin County Treasure Coast Rowing Club

  19. The Water Sports Industry of Tomorrow? TREASURE COAST (TBD) * MAY 2015

  20. The Hospitality Industry • Need Better, Consistent Data (Direct & Indirect) • Benefits from Maintaining Authenticity & Individuality of Waterfront Villages • Secondary Benefits from Water Taxi System, Expanded Water Sports Base, Special Events • Marketing & Branding

  21. Summary of Key Recommendations • Support On-Going Waterways Restoration Efforts • Initiate Water Taxi Working Group • Design & Fund Public Multi-Use Docks • Utilize Federal Process & FDOT re: St Lucie River RR Bridge • Protect “Marine Transportation Routes” for Boat Builders • Prioritize “Last Mile” Connections & Greenways to/from Marinas & Waterfront Centers • Work with SFWMD to Create Canal-bank Greenways

  22. Summary of Key Recommendations Issue Area: Natural Resources • Develop “Treasure Coast Water Sports” Brand • Support Redevelopment Programs & Key Infill Opportunities (e.g., Old Palm City - Rowing • Club Expansion; Port Salerno Fish Market) • Establish “Lagoon Partnership Network” (parks/preserves) & Regional Env. Education • Prioritize Recreational Improvements • (Boat Ramps, Paddling Launches, Amenities) • Develop Comprehensive Datasets for Marine Industries & Hospitality Industry • Advance “Marine Industries” Career Training

  23. Waterways Plan for Martin & St. Lucie Counties For More Information: Kim DeLaney, Ph.D. Strategic Development Coordinator Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council (TCRPC) kdelaney@tcrpc.org 772.221.4060

  24. Questions & Discussion

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