Cleaning work continues at Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands in Viera
The Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands in Viera is at the moment closed to the general public as work continues on an in depth $2.7 million environmental venture.
The Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands — identified to many because the Viera Wetlands — has been closed to the general public since final June.
But county officers say the wetlands — a well-liked spot for bird-watching and different nature viewing due to its numerous array of birds, different wildlife and crops — needs to be reopening quickly. The reopening had been delayed by recent wet climate.
Meanwhile, Central Viera Community Association is coordinating a yearlong bird-spotting competitors for the Viera space, with a primary prize of $1,000.
Here’s what it’s worthwhile to know:
When will the wetlands reopen?
The wetlands — situated at 3658 Charlie Corbeil Way in Viera — is scheduled to partially reopen to the general public on Monday, March 4, assuming there aren’t any extra weather-related delays.
Why has the wetlands been closed?
For the previous eight months, a $2.7 million venture has been underway to take away vegetative muck and overgrown cattails from 4 ponds situated on the positioning, which is adjoining to the South-Central Regional Water Reclamation Facility in Viera.
The most important focus of the cleanup effort was to cut back nitrogen and phosphorous ranges from the ponds that feed into Four Mile Canal, which finally leads into the St. Johns River.
“When people come back and walk and bike the wetlands that people are familiar with, they will see it has eventually received a haircut that improves visibility and water quality,” Brevard County Utility Services Director Edward Fontanin mentioned.
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Why was the venture required?
The work on the wetlands was wanted in order that the county might be in compliance with a 2021 Florida Department of Environmental Protection consent order associated to ranges of nitrogen launched into the adjoining Four Mile Canal, which results in the St. Johns River.
As a part of the consent order, the county agreed to pay a complete of $6,750, for civil penalties and for the cost of the investigation, in addition to agreeing to restrict future nitrogen flows.
Who is paying for this work?
The wetlands venture is funded via federal American Rescue Plan Act.
Why has the reopening been delayed?
The reopening initially was focused for late-February, however heavy rainfall totals in January and early-February led to delays.
Why is not the wetlands space being totally reopened on March 4?
Some work stays in progress on the 200-acre website.
Fontanin expects that vegetation plantings will happen within the April-to-May time interval, with completion of the general venture someday in June.
Who can use the wetlands when it reopens?
Access to the wetlands will probably be for pedestrians and bicyclists solely. Motor automobiles will proceed to be banned.
What about parking?
An space adjoining to the wetlands and beforehand used for pedestrian car parking stays in use as a staging space for the contractor.
Fontanin mentioned guests ought to park their automobiles away from the staging areas and keep away from blocking access to contractor supplies and tools.
Volunteers with the Viera Wetlands Facebook group plan to be there on reopening day to assist with guiding the parking exterior the wetlands property.
What ought to guests be cautious about?
Fontanin mentioned the dust access roads to the wetlands are rutted, and may develop into muddy when it rains.
The heavy-equipment-rutted access roads stay in use by contractor automobiles.
Also, the general public mustn’t transcend the access areas as a result of this stays an energetic work website, Fontanin mentioned.
“We are happy to provide a limited access to allow the public to experience the wetlands, but what they will see on March 4 is not the finished product,” Fontanin famous. “We ask for patience as the contractor is working on the completion.”
How can residents preserve monitor of developments associated to the reopening of the wetlands?
Brevard County has established a particular hotline quantity: 321-255-4488.
What’s this a few birding contest with money prizes?
“Viera’s Big Year” will run from Jan. 1 thought Dec. 31 throughout the boundaries of Viera’s growth of regional influence, and extends to a couple outer areas of curiosity, such because the Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands/Viera Wetlands, the River Lakes Conservation Area, and the Helen and Allan Cruickshank Sanctuary in Rockledge.
Throughout the yr, members will doc species noticed utilizing eBird.org, and share their hen guidelines with the VieraBigYear ebird account.
Participants will probably be up to date on rankings, fascinating findings, and courses and occasions being held via Viera’s Big Year coordinators through the competitors time-frame.
Todd Pokrywa, president of The Viera Co., mentioned there are greater than 500 native hen species to search out within the space.
Why is it referred to as Viera’s Big Year?
In the birding world, a “Big Year” sometimes is a yearlong bird-spotting problem amongst birders, with the aim of figuring out and documenting as many hen species as potential. There are a number of variations of a “Big Year,” such countywide, statewide and nationwide.
And there are money prizes?
Yes. After completion of the competitors, the participant who has documented and submitted probably the most species discovered will win $1,000. The second-place prize is $500, and third place will get $250.
Winners will probably be introduced subsequent January.
What are another guidelines?
- The competitors is open to all Brevard County residents.
- Birds should be recognized and recorded while you’re standing throughout the Viera growth of regional influence boundaries, or the opposite places recognized on the Viera’s Big Year Birding Map. The hen might be simply exterior the boundaries, however your toes should be throughout the boundaries.
- Birds might be recognized by sight or sound.
- Birds should be wild, unrestrained and alive.
- All hen checklists are topic to query by Viera’s Big Year coordinators. Rare, unusual or scarce sightings might require extra documentation to be counted towards your rely. Documentation would come with images or video.
- Do not trespass onto non-public property.
How do I get began?
Register by emailing Viera’s Big Year coordinators along with your contact data. Send the e-mail to [email protected]. And embody your identify, telephone quantity and e-mail.
Participants additionally must arrange an eBird.org account.
Organizers additionally advocate downloading the eBird app in your cellular machine and obtain the Florida packet. This would be the most handy option to doc your findings whereas within the area. They additionally advocate downloading the Merlin hen identification app to assist determine birds.
Where can I get extra particulars?
Go to CVCAviera.com for extra data.
Dave Berman is business editor at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Berman at [email protected], on X at @bydaveberman and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dave.berman.54
