Sustainability In The City of Cape Canaveral

SUSTAINABILITY IN THE CITY OF CAPE CANAVERAL

CONTRIBUTING WRITER: Zachary Eichholz, Sustainability Manager, City of Cape Canaveral

In recent years you may have heard the word “sustainability” grow in usage throughout municipalities across the country, including in the City of Cape Canaveral. But what does it mean and why is its implementation not only important but VITAL to improving City operations and the wellbeing of residents?

Sustainable development is commonly defined as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Many associate this phrase as only having to deal with environmental assets when in reality it actually deals with so much more. Sustainability is about balancing strong economic growth and cost savings with increased social equity while also protecting and even enhancing our natural surroundings. In keeping with the tenets of the City of Cape Canaveral Vision Statement and 2018 Community Survey, the City intends to be a leader in this emerging field so that the City can optimize its current operations while building resilient future.

Many challenges will face our Community in the decades to come, including an increased risk of hurricanes, flooding and drought. Being on a barrier island set in a county with a growing population, the City must proactively prepare for these challenges. Sustainability practices can help do this!

Photo credit Shelby Kasowski

Luckily, City Staff has already begun the initial steps of drafting a sustainability action plan to help set the scope and direction of all future sustainability initiatives. Recently the East Coast Regional Planning Council completed a City-wide Vulnerability Assessment, the results of which will go on to better inform the structure of the sustainability action plan. But the City already has a diverse portfolio of projects aimed at sustainable socioeconomic and environmental development.

To help save one of the City’s biggest environmental assets, the Indian River Lagoon (IRL), the City of Cape Canaveral has a summer ban on fertilizer applications that runs from June 1 st to September 30 th . The City is also moving towards xeriscaping practices at its facilities. This is a landscaping practice in which native, drought tolerant plants are used with little to no sod, thereby reducing water consumption and the need for large amounts of fertilizer. A great example of this practice can be seen at City Hall and Xeriscape Park.

To improve stormwater quality, the City constructed a series of exfiltration tanks placed under the Canaveral City Park baseball field, which included the installation of stormwater chambers beneath two outfield areas and one infield area of the park that capture approximately 931,000 gallons of water, preventing it from entering the IRL.

Other sustainability-based projects include solar street lighting, four public dual EV charging stations (with more in the works!), the Zagster Space Coast Bike Share program, annual sea oat plantings, an active community garden and Mobi-Mats that allow beach access pathway for individuals of all abilities and wheelchair users.

To see all of the City’s sustainability initiatives please visit: cityofcapecanaveral.org/sustainability