That is when the Mercabo Cove project plan
began to take shape. The GICIA hired Coastal
Engineer and Florida native Hans Wilson to
begin formulating a plan that would maximize
habitat, improve aesthetics and reduce long term
maintenance of the seawall. Adding an extra layer
of complexity to the design of this project was the
fact that the Mercabo Preserve and Cove sites are
within the northernmost boundary of the Federally
designated smalltooth sawfi sh protection area,
which triggered the need for the GICIA to be able
to obtain approvals and receive both a Florida
34 GASPARILLA MAGAZINE March/April 2020
Department of Environmental Protection permit
and a U.S. Army Corps of Engineer’s permit for
construction. Wilson was successful in moving
GICIA’s design plans and applications for construction
through the tedious process and both
permits were granted ahead of schedule. Wilson
has designed an exciting and innovative plan that
will become a model for anyone living along the
coast and looking for an alternative to seawalls for
shoreline stabilization or for waterfront residents
who want to improve the stark nature of their
existing seawall.
The $2 million Cove Project, which
will break ground on March 1, 2020 will
incorporate multiple techniques for improving
water quality, enhancing habitat and
stabilizing the shoreline. In areas where the
seawall will remain intact reef balls, riprap
and reinforced culvert pipe (RCP) will be
placed in front of the wall. Reef balls are
hollow and typically have several holes of
varying sizes that provide protected areas
for juvenile fi sh to hide from larger predators.
They are made of concrete and treated
to create a rough surface texture, which
promotes settling by marine organisms
such as oysters. Reef balls used in front of
seawalls in shallow water will be partially
exposed during low tides, which provide
shorebirds with areas for foraging.