The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutDocumentation_Environmental Advisory Committee_Tab 02_3/11/2026 Agenda Item #2. Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) STAFF MEMO R Meeting: Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) - Mar 11 2026 Staff Contact: Jay Hubsch Department: Community Development April 11 th Vertical Oyster Garden (VOG) Event At the February Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) meeting, the committee voted to host a Vertical Oyster Garden (VOG) educational and assembly event during the Village's April 11 concert at Constitution Park. The concert will take place from approximately 4:00 PM — 9:00 PM. The VOG activity is expected to occur earlier in the event, around 5:00 PM, Village staff will prepare marketing materials and promote the event through the Village's social media channels and newsletter once the event time is finalized. The Village will also use these outlets to request volunteers interested in installing VOGs at their properties. Village staff has confirmed the following materials, and equipment will be needed for the event: 1. Cured Oyster Shells — To be provided by the Palm Beach Fishing Club. Village staff will pick up the shells prior to the event. 2. Stringing Material — To be purchased by Village staff. 3. Heavy-Duty Work Benches/Tables — To be provided by Village staff. 4. Mallets and Hole Punches — To be purchased by Village staff. 5. 5-Gallon Buckets (for transporting shells) — To be purchased by Village staff. If EAC members have buckets they are willing to donate, please consider doing so. 6. Gloves and Safety Goggles — To be provided by the Village or purchased if necessary. 7. VOG Installation Guide — The attached guide will be printed and distributed by Village staff. Additional logistical details and preparations can be discussed at the March 11 EAC meeting. This document and any attachments may be reproduced upon request in an alternative format by completing our Accessibility Feedback Form, sending an e-mail to the Village Clerk or calling 561- 768-0443. BUDGET INFORMATION: BUDGET AMOUNT NA AMOUNT AVAILABLE NA EXPENDITURE AMOUNT: NA Page 10 of 83 Agenda Item #2. FUNDING SOURCES: NA IS THIS A PIGGYBACK: ❑ Yes ❑ N/A DID YOU OBTAIN 3 QUOTES? ❑ Yes ❑ N/A QUOTE 3 - BUSINESS NAME Arial COMMENTS/EXPLANATION ON SELECTIONNA VOG Installation Guide Page 11 of 83 Agen em #2. IIERTICAL OYSTER GARDEN Installation Gardener -- Guide Vertical Oyster Gardens (VOGs) Can Improve Water Quality! If you live on a waterway where some oysters are already present and would like to help improve water quality and ' clarity by increasing oyster habitat then you might want � \ to install several Vertical Oyster Gardens (VOGs) under your dock. You can attend a local VOG workshop and build your own, or you can pick up pre-made VOGs at the West Palm Beach Fishing Club. Please call before stopping by 561 832-6780. Han some VOGs and start ourjourney of oyster restoration! � Y Why VOGs and Not Other Methods of Restoration? There are many types of oyster restoration techniques including placing cured shells in wire cages, mesh bags or simply piling up large quantities of shell to build oyster reefs. If the shell is being placed on the bottom, then a permit is required from an authorized governmental agency (FDEP, SFWMD,Army Corps of Engineers, etc.). These restoration techniques are utilized with success by large organizations,but they require significant planning and approval. Because Vertical Oyster Gardens are sus- pended in the water column (not laying on the bottom) they do not require a permit, only the permission of the dock owner. With thousands of privately owned docks in Palen Beach County the potential to increase oyster habitat using VOGs is significant. Because they are suspended,VOGs are also less impacted by sedimentation,a serious problem in Palm Beach County waterways. Determine if):Our Dock is Suitable for VOGs For a VOG to be successful some oysters should already be present. The existing oysters are the ones that are most Y likel to`seed' our VOGs. If ou alrea oysters have some o .� Y Y Y Y �` J�?� t- • on your seawall dock pilings or other structures like ladders then your location is ideal to receive a VOG. Not all docks are suitable for VOGs, especially those in close proximity to inlets where salinity levels are too high, or where the water remains mostly fresh. Again,if you already see some oysters then you should have a suitable lo�age f��vC��s3 T Agenda Item #2. How to install VO Gs A�' :_ a .. VOGs should be installed in coastal waterways and � � hung underneath a dock or pier.The VOGs must be hung av,• 5. in brackish water in the intertidal zone (between the tidal ranges. Use existing oysters as a reference. Suspending the VOG at the same elevation where oysters are already present is critical to successfully recruiting new oyster � growth. Pro Tip: It is best to install your VOGs during a low tide so you can accurately adjust the shells at the same elevation as the existing oysters on your dock, seawall, or other nearby structures Like Ladders. 1.Drill or Nail Identify a few spots underneath your dock or pier {wood cross beams are often best} to suspend your VOGs. Use stainless steel screws, nails or hooks (stainless steel is preferred to prevent rust). Leave the screw or nail sticking out at least 1 inch to hang the VOG from. 2.Attach your VOG to the rope Using a knot of your choice attach a length of 3/16" or 3/8"rope to the loop at the top your VOG. Standard clothesline available at most hardware stores works fine, parachute cord is even better and more durable. "°°-"'" Pro Tip: Be sure to give yourself enough rope to work with allowing you to adjust the VOG higher or lower. The length of line you will need depends on how high � the attachment point is in relation to the existing oysters. 3.Measure the Distance to the Intertidal Zone &Attach your VOG Oysters naturally grow in the range between low and high tide {intertidal zone}. Loweryour VOG with the attached rope to the location where other oyster growth can be seen. Once you have identified the proper po- sition tie off the rope to your screw or nail. The VOG should now be hanging in the intertidal zone! - 4.Hang Multiple VOGs If you are hanging more than a single VOG from �. your dock, repeat steps 1-3 for each VOG. Install the VOGs at least 12 inches {1 ft} apart from each other. This will leave space for the oysters to grow on the VOGs over time without crowding each other. Page 13 0 3 Aged OR)t9gbilgr the VOGs Each VOG is tagged with a number and weighed prior to being deployed. This information, along with the address associated with the VOGs are noted on a master spread sheet. This helps us monitor the progress of the VOG program and gives us important data that will be useful to resource managers. More Pro Tips: L You can pre-measure and pre-tie the length of rope on ,",,a. the VOG before hanging it on the screw or nail. 2. Wear gloves, waders and/or heavy-duty wading shoes to prevent getting cut by existing oysters ....... ------- I If the water under your dock is shallow with afirm. bot- - tom,you can walk under the dock at low tide and use a ladder to install your VOGs. However, most locations will require the use of a small boat,pad'dleboard or kayak. Frequently Asked Questions: Where do the oyster shells come from? The cured shells we are using for VOG restoration come from local restaurant partners. The Breaker's Resort in Palm Beach and Cod & Capers in NPB are our primary partners supplying shells. We anticipate this recycling program will expand to other restaurant partners in the future. The shells we are using for locally based environmental restoration were previously being sent to the landfill. Can I cat the oysters? No! Oysters in Palm Beach County waters are not suitable for human consump- tion. Do not eat the oysters that grow on the VOGs. Oysters that are harvested for eating are grown in waters that are monitored for water quality and bacteria/viruses. Remember, oysters are filtering out excessive sediments, nutrients, pollutants and bacteria out of the water. We are using VOGs to increase oyster habitat and improve water quality& clarity. Is it okay if My VOG is out of the water on low tide? Because they grow in the intertidal zone oysters often become exposed on low tides. This is normal. Try to position your VOG so that at least the bottom third of the VOG remains in the water on normal tides. You can expect the entire VOG to be exposed on extreme low tides. What else is growing on my VOG? In addition to oysters, you may see barnacles, sponges, invertebrates, and other creatures on your VOG. This is normal. VOGs increase biodiversity in the waters near you and improve water quality. Each VOG will become its own mini-ecosystem! Can Iput my VOG in freshwater? No,oysters need brackish water to live.They require an average salinity of 8 ppt to 20 ppt. This means some oysters can live in tidal coastal rivers,where the saltwater Page 14 of 83 iq%ROAhk Mii#1 -at parts of the river that are mostly freshwater are not likely to support oyster growth. Freshwater ponds and lakes will not work either. Can my Business have VOGs? Yes, if you have a business on the water and want to grow VOGs reach out to us. We would love for your business to help support coastal oyster habitat restoration! How Long will it take before I see Growth on My VO G? It will take some time to see growth on your VOG. Oysters grow slowly and start off very small. It will be at least six months to one year before oysters can be identified. While you are waiting, continue to check on your VOGs! If growth does not occur after this time,it maybe necessary to adjust the elevation of the VOGs, or in some instances relocate them. 5, V Contacts for additional questions? � �`` - If you have additional questions or would like to receive pre-assembled VOGs reach out to the Palm Beach County Fish- ingFoundation at{561)832-6780 or email ttwyford@westl2almbeachfish'ingclub.orQ Related Sources for Additional Information: https:ZZtaml2abaywatch.org/our-12rograms/restoration/oyster-reefs/vertica1-oyster-gardens/ https://www.gulfshellfish.orgZvog-citizen-science-program %_11 https..-,ZZblog,s.ifas.ufl.eduZpascocoZ202-5Z04 16/vertic al-oyster-gardens/ woo TEAM A*b _ IMPROVING WATER QUALITY ONE OYSTER AT A TIME The Palm Beach County Fishing Foundation is the charitable affiliate of the venerable West Palm Beach Fishing Club. 201 5th Street West Palm Beach,FL 33401 obop- ph* (561}832-6780 westpalmbeachfishingclub.org *REGISTRATION #CH40192. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE(800-435-7352)WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL,OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. Page 15 of 83