Plan Framework for Coastal Management The purpose of this element is to provide for the protection of residents and property in within the coastal area of the host community, and to limit expenditures, and where appropriate, restrict development, in those areas subject to destruction by natural disaster within the coastal high hazard area. NOTE: While most of the 600-acre Florida Atlantic University campus is located along the Indian River Lagoon, and in the coastal zone, only a portion of the site is located in the coastal high hazard area. Additionally, portions of the Harbor Branch Property is maintained and operated by others. Goal 1 To protect the public health, safety and property from the harmful effects of natural disasters. Objective 1A The east campus (east of Old Dixie Highway) is located in the high hazard and St Lucie County evacuation zone, see Table 18.1. Students, faculty, and employees are expected to evacuate prior to and during a disaster. Policy 1A-1 The University shall coordinate with appropriate agencies to identify if any facilities on the west campus outside of the storm surge are suitable for use as emergency shelters. Policy 1A-2 FAU shall identify those facilities on the West Campus including the existing hurricane shelter to determine if they comply with the public shelter standards and criteria. These facilities shall then be scheduled for retrofitting for use as public shelters as needed. Policy 1A-3 New buildings on the west campus, if required, shall be constructed in accordance with the public shelter as needed. Policy 1A-4 The University shall designate existing large open areas (i.e parking lots, open fields) for use as staging areas for emergency supplies, equipment, etc. if necessary. Policy 1A-5 The information collected through the implementation of Policies 1A-1 through 1A-4 shall be made available to local emergency management agencies. Policy 1A-6 The University shall incorporate procedures for the management and operation of the University facility shelter in its Emergency Preparedness and Operations Plan. Page 1 of 6
Table 18.1 St Lucie County Evacuation Plan Source: St Lucie County Department of Public Safety Division of Emergency Management 2009 Page 2 of 6
Goal 2 The Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute at Florida Atlantic University shall protect real property and conserve coastal resources on the property to the extent practicable, while limiting development within coastal high hazard areas. (Refer to Figures 18.1 through 18.5) Objective 2A The University will manage the facility s operations in an effort to minimize potential impacts to coastal resources; while protecting and conserving or enhancing coastal resources on University property. Policy 2A-1 The University shall develop and maintain a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan for the various operational program areas of the property, and the University shall have all lessees comply with said plan. Policy 2A-2 The University shall endeavor to relocate or flood proof, activity areas where potential Recognized Environmental Concerns exist, (from a pollutant perspective), that are subject to coastal flooding. Policy 2A-3 The University shall endeavor to establish and maintain BMP s for the program areas of the marina and Marine OPS area, consistent with the FDEP s Clean Marina and Clean Boatyards programs. Policy 2A-4 The University shall maintain the water dependent activities on site consistent with its programs, and minimize non-water dependent activities immediately adjacent to and along the improved and maintained waterfront of the site. Policy 2A-5 The University shall employ design and construction techniques which minimize the potential for damage to real property from wind and wave impacts and flood proof buildings and infrastructure, within the 100 year flood plain, to the extent practicable. These techniques shall consider the following guidance and technical bulletins: Technical Bulletin 1-93: Openings in Foundation Walls for Buildings Located within Special Flood Hazard Areas in accordance with the National Flood Insurance Technical Bulletin 2-93: Flood Resistant Material Requirements for Buildings Located within Special Flood Hazard Areas in accordance with the National Flood Insurance Technical Bulletin 3-93: Non-Residential Floodproofing Requirements and Certification for Buildings Located within Special Flood Hazard Areas in accordance with the National Flood Insurance Technical Bulletin 5-93: Free-of-Obstruction Requirements for Buildings Located in Coastal High Hazard Areas in Accordance with the National Flood Insurance Technical Bulletin 7-93: Wet Floodproofing Requirements for Buildings Located in Coastal High Hazard Areas in Accordance with the National Flood Insurance Page 3 of 6
Technical Bulletin 8-93: Corrosion Protection for Metal Connectors in Coastal Areas for Structures Located in Coastal High Hazard Areas in Accordance with the National Flood Insurance Technical Bulletin 9-99: Design and Construction Guidance for Breakaway Walls Below Elevated Coastal Buildings in Accordance with the National Flood Insurance Policy 2A-6 The University shall protect, monitor, maintain, and enhance the site s natural shoreline to the extent practicable. Policy 2A-7 The University shall limit the direct and potential secondary and cumulative impacts of future development on coastal resources on the property. Policy 2A-8 The University shall maintain all coastal structures and inspect said improvements, shoreline stabilization and natural shoreline on a periodic basis. Policy 2A-9 The University shall continue to implement, (protecting property and residents), review and update the facility s Harbor Branch at Florida Atlantic University, Harbor Branch Campus and Off Site Labs, Continuity of Operations Plan on an annual basis. The plan considers hurricane emergency procedures and evacuation logistics. Policy 2A-10 The University shall designate and maintain large open tracts of land for potential use in staging emergency management personnel, equipment and resources as practicable. Objective 2B Future Development in the Coastal Area of the facility, east of Dixie Highway, shall continue to protect the natural resources of the coastal area from adverse impacts to the extent practicable given the needs of the University. Policy 2B-1 Post-disaster redevelopment should consider the existing and proposed land use in coastal high hazard areas; structures with a history of repeated damage in coastal storms; coastal or shore protection structures; infrastructure in coastal high-hazard areas; and the shoreline conditions. Measures which could be used to reduce exposure to hazards should be analyzed, including relocation and structural modification as appropriate. Policy 2B-2 Future development or redevelopment within the coastal area shall provide infrastructure to service the development or redevelopment as required to protect the coastal resources as practicable as required by the Master Plan. Page 4 of 6
Policy 2B-3 Future development or redevelopment within the coastal area shall maintain a minimum fifty (50) foot buffer zone of native upland and transitional vegetation along the river and estuary, maintained from the landward extent of state waters or from mean high water of the river and estuary, whichever is greater, except for those areas where the adjacent land use is water dependent. Policy 2B-4 A buffer zone of native upland edge (i.e., transitional) vegetation shall be provided and maintained around wetlands and deepwater habitats which are constructed or preserved in areas of new development on the site. The buffer zone may consist of preserved or planted vegetation but shall include canopy, understory, and ground cover of native species only. The edge habitat shall begin at the upland limit of any wetland or deepwater habitat. As a minimum, ten (10) square feet of such buffer shall be provided for each linear foot of wetland or deepwater habitat perimeter that lies adjacent to uplands. This upland edge habitat shall be located such that no less than fifty (50) percent of the unimproved shoreline is buffered by a minimum width of ten (10) feet of upland habitat. Policy 2B-5 New sanitary sewer facilities in the hurricane vulnerability zone shall be flood-proofed to prevent inflow and insure that raw sewage does not leak from them during flood events. Policy 2B-6 New development and redevelopment within V or A flood zones as designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall employ building construction techniques which are consistent with the requirements of the Federal Emergency Management Agency Flood Insurance Program and the County s Coastal Construction Code. Objective 2C The University will limit expenditures for development in areas on campus property designated within coastal high hazard areas, except for natural resource enhancement or restoration projects. Policy 2C-1 Infrastructure within the coastal high hazard area shall be inventoried and a condition assessment should be conducted on an annual basis. This assessment should also include an evaluation of the potential for relocating threatened infrastructure. Policy 2C-2 The University shall encourage future development on the property to be in areas outside of the COBRA zone and Coastal High Hazard Area. Policy 2C-3 The University shall limit future improvements within the COBRA zone and Coastal High Hazard Area to those activities necessary to meet the University s program needs. Existing and said future activities shall be maintained in such a manner to minimize impacts to the environment. Page 5 of 6
Policy 2C-4 The University shall indentify improvements within the coastal high hazard area and COBRA area and prioritize said further improvements to protect and maintain said infrastructure to the extent practicable. Policy 2C-5 The University shall conduct maintenance dredging of the Linkport Channel as needed to maintain the ability to qualify for FDEP maintenance dredging permits. Policy 2C-6 The University shall develop a monitoring plan to maintain the jetties, such that they continue to provide protection to vessels and the harbor from the elements. Policy 2C-7 The University shall require tenants/lessees of on the property to comply with the University s Storm water Pollution Prevention Plan, the Continuity of Operations Plan, and best management practices for storage of hazardous materials. Policy 2C-8 The construction of facilities in the coastal high hazard area shall be prohibited, unless the facility is necessary for public access, natural resource restoration or enhancement, or to provide for recreational facilities and other appropriate water dependent facilities. Page 6 of 6