The Lake Worth Inlet & the Port of Palm Beach_________________________THE DREDGE REPORT
Janet DeVriesFlorida Atlantic University
AMH5902Dr. Evan Bennett
Fall, 2015
Port of Palm Beach at Lake Worth Inlet
ca. 2007
Lake used as sewer system
Special taxing district
formedca. 1915
Geo. Hills drawing of the planned inlet
Lake Worth Inlet ca. 1920
1. Lake used as a public sewer system2. Water pollution from drainage and
dumping3. Beach erosion4. Air pollution from burning imported
crude oil5. Deep water dredging6. Reef damage7. Oyster decline8. Invasive species9. Sea turtle nesting habitat10. Manatee safe zone11. Recreational Litter
Environmental Issues
Havana railroad car ferry,
ca. 1940s
Shipping pier, ca. 1920
Dredging
Oyster beds
Beach erosion
Invasive species
Litter from recreational boaters
FPL smokestacks demo, ca. 2011
Blue Heron Bridge underwater reef trail,
ca. 2015
Manatees
10 year plan – dredging for freighters
Economics vs. Environment
Commercial business vs. recreational boaters, divers & fishermen
Issues & Controversies
Cause & Effect
Thoughts of the future
Shift happens
Questions?