In September 2019, the City retained the consulting team of E-Sciences, Incorporated to evaluate the steps necessary to establish a managed mooring field and to guide the City as to the regulatory permitting requirements. Their analysis included exploring the physical extent of a viable area west of Maurice Gibb Memorial Park, provide example layout concepts based on common vessel sizes and physical extents, present possible options for phased expansions, investigate requirements for upland support facilities and explore management options.
Regulated mooring fields have many benefits, including the following:
- Deter improperly stored, abandoned or derelict vessels,
- Increase general public safety by identifying mooring field users,
- Enhance navigational safety,
- Protect the marine environment and seagrass beds from anchor dragging,
- Improve water quality by requiring sewage pump-out and preventing polluting discharges,
- Enrich the local economy by attracting customers to the area and providing a source of revenue for the City, and
- Ensure appropriate public access to waters of the State.
A public meeting was held in the Sunset Harbour neighborhood on February 11 to present the study and obtain feedback. Staff also presented and obtained feedback from the West Avenue Neighborhood Association, Marine and Waterfront Protection Authority, and representatives from the Sunset Harbour Yacht Club. Major concerns from the public included location of upland facilities, operational considerations, shifting vessels from newly regulated area into unregulated areas, and impediments to navigation. The public in general was in support of creating a managed mooring area reduce environmental impacts to Biscayne Bay and establish a more orderly mooring area.
A mooring field is required to include a support facility on land that incorporates a dinghy dock and sewage pump-out facility. Other amenities that are often included, but are not a regulatory requirement include bathrooms, showers, and laundry. Members of the Sunset Harbour neighborhood expressed concerns regarding providing bathrooms, showers, and laundry. If this project is to move forward, the Administration will need guidance as to what further amenities should be included on the upland.
Other concerns raised during the public outreach were related to specific operational components of a mooring field. If the Mayor and City Commission elect to move forward with establishing a mooring field, an ordinance or resolution would be created that establishes the mooring field and sets forth the operational including:
- length of time a vessel may remain at the mooring field;
- the establishment of fees, safety and insurance considerations;
- operational hours for noise and machinery;
- requirements relating to the display of signs;
- sanitation requirements; and
- provisions regarding fishing, swimming and other recreational activities.
The City can either choose to operate a mooring field itself, or contract with a private company or non-profit organization to oversee its operations. The City can either pay the management firm a fixed annual fee or establish a percentage of the revenue to be provided as compensation. Staffing required for the management mooring facility can be limited by utilizing mobile applications. The annual gross revenue for 50 slips is estimated to be approximately $250,000, using current mooring field rates in the Miami-Dade County area and assuming 70% occupancy with half daily and half monthly customers.
The consultant team prepared preliminary opinions of probable costs for design, permitting and construction of a 50-slip mooring field such as those presented as Phase I alternatives in this study. A preliminary opinion of probable costs for design, permitting and construction was established to be on the order of $630,000 for one phase of a mooring field and $970,000 for a harbormaster building.
The study also outlined potential funding opportunities that can help fund design and construction. It is estimated that external sources could fund between 70-80% of planning, design, permitting, and construction of a managed mooring field.
- Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND) – FIND may fund up to 50% of the project cost including design, permitting and construction. FIND grant applications are due at the end of March and funding is awarded in October.
- Boating Infrastructure Grant Program (BIGP) – This program is administered through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), this program provides funding for construction projects such as this one up to $200K. Grant applications are due in July and funding is awarded in March.
- Florida Boating Improvement Program (FBIP) – The FWC provides funding for construction of boating access projects and boating-related activities on coastal and inland waters within the State. Grant applications are due in April. Matching funds are not required however, additional points are awarded if the project is a cost share.
- Clean Vessel Act Program – This program provides funding administered through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and provides grants to marinas across the state to install pump out facilities and to purchase pump out vessels. Grants are awarded a rolling basis.