Tampa Bay Watch Dock Expansion

Tampa Bay Watch (TBW) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection and restoration of the Tampa Bay estuary through scientific and educational programs. Established in 1993, TBW performs a variety of habitat restoration and protection activities, utilizing volunteers to help the bay recover from its environmental problems.  Individuals of all ages from community groups, scout troops, schools and others are demonstrating stewardship by participating in salt marsh plantings, storm drain markings, oyster bar creation, coastal cleanups, and wildlife protection each year.  

EAP with help from GFY surveyors was asked to provide survey, hydrographic, ecological, wetland and permitting services for the expansion and improvement of the TBW facility, and the ability to continue to provide conservation, scientific and educational activities.

The project involved expanding the existing dock and performing maintenance dredging to accommodate a larger boat. The main dock will extend by 15 feet, adding a 30,000-pound boat lift. Additionally, the southern boat slip will lengthen to a total of 40 feet, to aid in boarding the larger boat. About 150 cubic yards of substrate was dredged, with no seagrass impact. EAP and GFY secured a larger FDEP submerged land easement. The new larger boat will have a two-foot draft, and the dredging will provide the depth to handle his requirement. Spoil disposal options were explored and provided for the dredged material. No seagrasses or wetlands were affected by the new dock and slip, or by the dredging.