Supporting Documents (Data and Analysis) - Satellite Beach
Supporting Documents (Data and Analysis) - Satellite Beach
Supporting Documents (Data and Analysis) - Satellite Beach
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conclusive evidence of large amounts of artesian water in the City’s stormwater system. However,<br />
they point in that direction <strong>and</strong>, if considered important, suggest further, more precise, analyses are<br />
necessary.<br />
Groundwater Resources<br />
The top of the Floridan aquifer, the deep water artesian aquifer underlying <strong>Satellite</strong> <strong>Beach</strong>, locally<br />
occurs at 200 to 250 feet below mean sea level (MSL). Over pumping of the aquifer has resulted in<br />
local seawater intrusion. Otherwise, the aquifer provides water with a salinity of about 5,000 parts<br />
per million in <strong>Satellite</strong> <strong>Beach</strong> - useable for irrigation, but exceeding Federal st<strong>and</strong>ards of no more<br />
than 250 parts per million salinity for potable water. Confined under the impervious Hawthorn<br />
Formation, the water in the Floridan Aquifer is artesian; it will rise above the surface of the ground<br />
in a tightly cased well. As such, there is no recharge of the Floridan Aquifer in the City; that occurs<br />
in western Orange <strong>and</strong> Lake Counties where the rock formations containing it lie near the surface<br />
without overlying impervious formations.<br />
The surficial aquifer is a non-artesian source of groundwater, recharged directly by infiltration of<br />
water from the ground surface. The quality of water drawn from the shallow aquifer depends on the<br />
source of recharge water <strong>and</strong> minerals in the soil. Water from the surficial aquifer underlying<br />
<strong>Satellite</strong> <strong>Beach</strong> often contains iron <strong>and</strong> sulfur. Due to this fact, the surficial aquifer is used only for<br />
shallow well irrigation systems.<br />
Natural Environment<br />
<strong>Satellite</strong> <strong>Beach</strong> is part of an intricate <strong>and</strong> delicate system--the coastal barrier isl<strong>and</strong>. This area<br />
naturally serves as the mainl<strong>and</strong>'s first line of defense against storms. Barrier isl<strong>and</strong>s are naturallyformed<br />
dynamic features which act as a buffer system between the ocean <strong>and</strong> the mainl<strong>and</strong>. They<br />
absorb the impacts of storms, which reshape their geography <strong>and</strong> topography in response to natural<br />
conditions. Therefore, they are particularly vulnerable to strong winds, flooding, <strong>and</strong> erosion.<br />
Furthermore, the barrier isl<strong>and</strong> has unique environmental features.<br />
Due to the moderating influence of surrounding water bodies, the climate on the barrier isl<strong>and</strong><br />
supports tropical species of plants normally found far to the south. Brevard County's barrier isl<strong>and</strong><br />
to, approximately, Cape Canaveral, constitutes the northernmost limit of the range of many of these<br />
plant species. At the same time, the infrequency <strong>and</strong> mildness of freezes in the Central Florida<br />
region serves to define the southern limit of many plants found in temperate zones. Thus, the barrier<br />
isl<strong>and</strong> in the vicinity of <strong>Satellite</strong> <strong>Beach</strong> represents a unique climatological region which sustains<br />
unique habitats characterized by mixed tropical <strong>and</strong> temperate plant species, in addition to a<br />
significant number of endemic species only found in the local region.<br />
In order to protect coastal resources <strong>and</strong> critical habitat within the City, it is necessary to encourage<br />
the preservation <strong>and</strong> restoration of native vegetation, <strong>and</strong> to discourage the placement or maintenance<br />
of noxious plant species. The City has no programs which directly involve residents in preserving or<br />
restoring native habitats on their property. However, the City is involved with several projects<br />
Coastal Management/Conservation Element<br />
<strong>Data</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Analysis</strong> 5-9