Manatee Pocket Project Update

Stuart, Fla. - February 2, 2010 - As the expected dredging start date in late February approaches, the final pre-construction activities for the Manatee Pocket Project are underway. “We are doing as much as we can to prepare so that when we are able to start dredging we can hit the ground running,” Martin County Coastal Engineer Kathy FitzPatrick said.

Manatee Pocket Activities for the week of February 2 – February 9

• Pipeline is being delivered and will be fused together at the project staging area located at Sandsprit Park. Once constructed, the pipeline will be installed from Crooked Creek along the drainage easement west of St. Lucie Blvd. and under A1A through the drainage system to the material handling site off of US1. The pipeline will be located within the County easements. Additionally, storm drain improvements at the material handling site will be underway.

• The dredge is expected to be placed in the water in early February. A crane will be used to place the 50 ton Hydraulic Cutter Suction Dredge in the Manatee Pocket at Hinckley Yachts.

• A groundbreaking event is in the planning stages to celebrate the commencement of dredging. Details will be forthcoming.

For more information about the Manatee Pocket Project, visit www.manateepocketproject.com.

About the Manatee Pocket Project
The Manatee Pocket Project is a dredging project that entails the removal of about 280,000 cubic yards of muck in the Manatee Pocket in Port Salerno. Once completed, the project will result in a clean, 100-foot-wide channel that will provide navigational, economic and environmental enhancements to the Manatee Pocket and its adjacent waterways.

The goals of the project are to:
• Increase the draft and size of vessels that will be able to access the Pocket
• Define a channel to minimize impacts to adjacent shallow water areas and benefit manatee protection
• Remove detrimental muck sediments
• Improve the ability of marine life to re-establish in the Pocket
• Improve the water quality in the Pocket

For more information visit www.manateepocketproject.com

Contact:
Kathy Fitzpatrick
Martin County Coastal Engineer
772-288-5429
kfitzpat@martin.fl.us