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Update on Canal Restoration Demonstration Projects Water Quality Protection Program August 14, 2014. Update on DEP Funded Sediment Characterization and Design/Permitting of a Geiger Key Culvert. DEP has been funding canal restoration tasks for several years.
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Update on Canal Restoration Demonstration Projects Water Quality Protection Program August 14, 2014
Update on DEP Funded Sediment Characterization and Design/Permitting of a Geiger Key Culvert • DEP has been funding canal restoration tasks for several years. • Two Major Tasks in the 2013/2014 Scope: • Additional characterization of sediments at two demonstration projects selected for organic removal – #266 Doctors Arm BPK and #290 Ave J BPK • Design and permit of 3rd ranked demonstration canal for culvert installation to enhance natural flushing – #472 Geiger Key, Geiger Mobile Homes
Update on DEP Funded Sediment Characterization • Nine cores collected in each canal for detailed field logging and laboratory testing to refine removal volumes • Organic material found to top of limerock • 6 feet of organics (top of sediment at ~-6 MLW) • Estimated volumes • #266 8,300 cubic yards • #290 4,700 cubic yards • 4-5 x higher than from dual frequency survey data estimates • Laboratory Testing • Polymer Testing for dewatering • Chemical Testing for disposal • #266 below Residential Soil Cleanup Target Levels • #290 below Industrial/Commercial Soil Cleanup Target Levels • Working with DEP for disposal options
Need to Identify Disposal Options for Removed Organic Materials • Cost to dispose of organic materials at a landfill in Miami-Dade County is expensive • ~ $67/cy or $870,000 for the two demonstration projects • Alternatives are needed • Environmental Restoration Projects • Commercial location in the Keys • Other? The Loop Current
Update on DEP Funded Design/Permitting of a Geiger Key Culvert • Design and permitting of a culvert to connect canals #472 and #470 under Boca Chica Road • Field work completed in December 2013 • Topographic and bathymetric survey • Benthic and threatened and endangered species surveys – no sensitive resources will be impacted • Geotechnical soil borings • Tidal study • Engineering site condition survey • Preliminary Design Plans including a Hydraulic Evaluation Report completed by February 17 • Report approved by DEP State Hydrographic Engineer (Mariano Guardo)
Update on DEP Funded Design/Permitting of a Geiger Key Culvert (continued) • Pre-application permitting meetings with Canal Restoration Designated Regulatory Staff completed by February 28, 2014 • SFWMD ERP • Several General Permits (GP) could apply to the canal restorations • GP for Environmental Restoration or Enhancement projects (62-330.31), if qualify. No mitigation required. • Culvert for Geiger Key meets criteria for Minor Activities within Existing County ROW (GP 62-330.447(1)(c)) • USACE & NOAA Fisheries • Construction methodology key to determining ‘no effect’ and if a Section 7 Consultation is required • FKNMS • Reviewed benthic survey protocols • Monroe County ROW/Building Permits • Submitted by construction contractor
Update on DEP Funded Design/Permitting of a Geiger Key Culvert (continued) • Final designs and permit applications submitted April 8, 2014 • All permits received within 35 days • SFWMD ERP General Permit for Minor Activities within Existing County ROW - April 25, 2014 • USACE Nationwide (NW) 7 - May 13, 2014 • NW 7 – Outfall Structures and Associated Intake Structures • No Section 7 Consultation required • FKNMS - May 2, 2014 • Future permits may not be obtained so easily due to different technologies SFWMD ERP 44-00-560-P SAJ-2014-01041 (NW-IF) FKNMS-2014-061
Update on DEP Funded Design/Permitting of a Geiger Key Culvert (continued) • Construction Plans with Technical Specifications submitted June 6, 2014 ready for bidding • All deliverables submitted on, or ahead of schedule, within budget • Canal Restoration Advisory Subcommittee voted that the construction of this culvert should be the project selected for the 2014/2015 DEP funding • Project is ready to proceed and has received all required permits • Project has not received County funding
Update on Monroe County Demonstration Projects • AMEC initiated design/permitting of 6 Monroe County demonstration projects on May 21, 2014 • Four different technologies being evaluated separately; one combination Same Canal – 2 categories #2 #3 #1 #4 #5 #6
Update on Monroe County Demonstration Projects (continued) • Site visits performed in June to meet with homeowners to verify locations of equipment and identify areas required for construction • Field work underway in July/early August • Baseline conditions surveys/engineering reconnaissance • Mangrove surveys • Review of FIU benthic survey results • Bathymetric and planimetric surveys • Sediment and soil borings • Preliminary Design and Permitting - Aug/Sept/Oct The Loop Current
Monroe County Demonstration Project Permitting Status • Permit applications being prepared – estimated submittal dates in September • “De Minimis” exemptions, GPs, and NW permits will be used where possible: • USACE planning to meet with FKNMS to identify GPs that can be utilized in the in the future in the Keys • Need to identify ways to expedite the Section 7 Consultation process: • Minimize impacts to eliminate the need for Consultation • Expedite the NOAA Fisheries consultation review time • Pre-application meeting held with Monroe County Growth Management/Planning and Environmental Resources • Temporary Use Ordinance needed for staging equipment in residential vacant lots • Comprehensive Plan language prohibiting maintenance dredging to below - 6 feet mean low water – Comp Plan amendment underway • Need assistance from State reviewing agencies to expedite review
Islamorada Village of Islands Top 10 Canals and Approved Canals for Demonstration Funding
Islamorada Village of Islands Demonstration Project Update • #1 Selected Demonstration Project - #137 Treasure Harbor Plantation Key • Weed Barrier Air Curtain and Aerator Upgrade • Final Design Tasks Completed • Bathymetric survey at mouth to ensure boat draft clearance • Reviewed FIU benthic survey data • Finalized equipment locations • Completed design drawings • Bidding/Selection of Contractor Completed • Obtained 3 quotes from various vendors • Selected VERTEX as low bidder • Developed Operation and Maintenance Costs • Homeowner performing work • VERTEX performing work • Islamorada to contract VERTEX for 2 years
Islamorada Village of Islands Demonstration Project Update (continued) • Assisted HOA with preparing letter to obtain HOA member approval • Required full installation and O&M costs • Responses: 36 Yes, 2 No, 9 No Response • Received 77% Yes votes, only needed 51% • Permitting • Permit applications submitted by August 1, 2014 • SFWMD – Verification of “de minimis” exemption • USACE • FKNMS • Construction – October time frame assuming permits are obtained
Next Steps for Canal Restoration Demonstration Projects • Construct Geiger Key #472 culvert using DEP funds • Expedite permitting of other demonstration projects • Bid and Construct Restorations • Construction ranges from 2 weeks to 3 months • Islamorada – Potential October start for construction • Monroe County – Feb 2015 construction start for several projects • Monitor effectiveness (FIU) • AMEC utilizing data in designs and permits • Public outreach and education/Implement BMPs in canals • Awarded EPA Grant for Citizen Canal Water Quality Monitoring and Education • Identify additional sources of funds to implement more restorations