LTC 274-2019 Higher Than Average Seaweed AccumulationCity of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139, www.miamibeachfl.gov
Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager
Tel: 305-673-7010, Fax: 305-·673-7782
274-2019
NO. LTC#
TO: Mayor Dan Gelber and Members of
FROM: Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager
DATE: May 9, 2019
SUBJECT: Higher Than Average Seaweed
TTER TO COMMISSION
Over the past few weeks, we have received numerous questions and concerns regarding higher
than average seaweed accumulating along our beaches. The purpose of this Letter to
Commission is to provide you with information regarding the nature of these concerns and the
steps we are taking to address them.
Sargassum seaweed is a natural element of the marine environment that usually floats on the
surface of the open ocean. It is carried close to shore by the currents and deposited along the
shoreline with each incoming tide. The amount of seaweed that accumulates on our beaches
varies seasonally, with higher than average accumulations observed from late Spring into the
early Fall months. Over the last few years, the volume of seaweed that accumulates during this
· period has been increasing.
In Miami Beach, the beaches are owned by the State of Florida and fall under several
jurisdictions. Miami-Dade County is responsible for beach maintenance and the City is
responsible for managing activities that occur on the beach. Beach management is a team
effort. As it relates to seaweed, Miami-Dade County Beach Operations and Maintenance is
responsible for beach maintenance activities, including cleaning and grooming of the shoreline.
Consistent with the City's Beachfront Management Plan approved by the State, County staff
regularly turns the seaweed accumulated along the shoreline into the sand to reduce its visibility
and smell, while preserving the ecological value it offers the beach and dune system, such as
providing food for shorebird communities and nutrients for a healthy dune. In addition, covering
seaweed with sand and turning the seaweed into the shoreline helps to reduce sand erosion.
Miami Beach staff works closely with County staff on every aspect of their beach maintenance
work, regularly discussing and evaluating their performance on our beaches. In response to the
higher than average seaweed observed over the last few weeks, City staff has contacted Miami-
Dade County and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to pursue
alternatives for addressing the seaweed over the coming months, including removing seaweed
in areas with the heaviest accumulations. This permit is particularly challenging to obtain during
sea turtle nesting season (April 1 through October 31) due to the heavy equipment required, but
FDEP has advised that seaweed removal can be approved on a case-by-case basis. To
expedite the permit process, the City has engaged FDEP to obtain a permit to remove seaweed
in areas with high accumulation. The City has requested that Miami -Dade County assist with
these beach maintenance operations. Once the permit is approved, the City will also be
evaluating hiring a second party to compliment Miami~Dade County's efforts. At this time,
Miami-Dade County has not committed to removing seaweed from the beaches.
City staff is working with FDEP to provide the necessary information to review our request. We
will continue working diligently with the County and the State to communicate our community's
concerns and get permission to enhance the County's management of seaweed on our
beaches.
Should you have any 'questions regarding beach maintenance, please contact John Ripple at
x2635. For questions regarding the on-going coordination with FDEP, please contact Elizabeth
Wheaton at x6121 .
Cc: Commissioner Sally A Heyman
Commissioner Eileen Higgins
Michael Spring, Senior Advisor/Director for Miami Dade County Office of the Mayor
Maria Nardi, Director for Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces
James Martinello, Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Jenna Caderas, Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Tom Reinhart, Regional Director for Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
SMT/MJT/ESW/JR/MKW