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

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DEP has been funding canal restoration tasks for several years.

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Two Major Tasks in the 2013/2014 Scope:

1.

Additional characterization of sediments at two demonstration projects selected for organic removal – #266 Doctors Arm BPK and #290 Ave J BPK 2.

Design and permit of 3 rd ranked demonstration canal for culvert installation to enhance natural flushing – #472 Geiger Key, Geiger Mobile Homes

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Update on DEP Funded Sediment Characterization

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Nine cores collected in each canal for detailed field logging and laboratory testing to refine removal volumes

1.

2.

3.

Estimated volumes a) b) c) #266 8,300 cubic yards #290 4,700 cubic yards 4-5 x higher than from dual frequency survey data estimates 

Laboratory Testing

1.

Polymer Testing for dewatering 2.

Organic material found to top of limerock 6 feet of organics (top of sediment at ~-6 MLW) Chemical Testing for disposal a) b) c) #266 below Residential Soil Cleanup Target Levels #290 below Industrial/Commercial Soil Cleanup Target Levels Working with DEP for disposal options

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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 1.

2.

3.

Environmental Restoration Projects Commercial location in the Keys Other?

The Loop Current 4

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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

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Field work completed in December 2013

1.

Topographic and bathymetric survey 2.

Benthic and threatened and endangered species surveys – no sensitive resources will be impacted 3.

4.

5.

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)

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Update on DEP Funded Design/Permitting of a Geiger Key Culvert (continued)

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Pre-application permitting meetings with Canal Restoration Designated Regulatory Staff completed by February 28, 2014

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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

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Update on DEP Funded Design/Permitting of a Geiger Key Culvert (continued)

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Final designs and permit applications submitted April 8, 2014

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All permits received within 35 days

1.

SFWMD ERP General Permit for Minor Activities within Existing County ROW - April 25, 2014 SFWMD ERP 44-00-560-P 2.

USACE Nationwide (NW) 7 - May 13, 2014 a) NW 7 – Outfall Structures and Associated Intake Structures b) No Section 7 Consultation required SAJ-2014-01041 (NW-IF) 3.

FKNMS - May 2, 2014 

Future permits may not be obtained so easily due to different technologies

FKNMS-2014-061

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Update on DEP Funded Design/Permitting of a Geiger Key Culvert (continued)

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Construction Plans with Technical Specifications submitted June 6, 2014 ready for bidding

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All deliverables submitted on, or ahead of schedule, within budget

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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

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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

Weed Barriers Organic Removal Culvert Installation Pumping Backfilling

Same Canal – 2 categories

#1 #2 Not Included in current scope – access issue caused delay, evaluating redesigns #4 (canal already has an existing effective weed gate) #5 #6 #472 Geiger Key Geiger Mobile Homes Next DEP Grant Project #3 9

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 1.

Baseline conditions surveys/engineering reconnaissance 2.

3.

4.

5.

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 10

1.

Monroe County Demonstration Project Permitting Status

Permit applications being prepared – estimated submittal dates in September

2.

“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 3.

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 4.

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

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2 3 4 5 6

Islamorada Village of Islands Top 10 Canals and Approved Canals for Demonstration Funding Weed Barriers Organic Removal Culvert Installation Pumping Backfilling 12

Islamorada Village of Islands Demonstration Project Update

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#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

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Islamorada Village of Islands Demonstration Project Update (continued)

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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

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Next Steps for Canal Restoration Demonstration Projects

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Construct Geiger Key #472 culvert using DEP funds

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Expedite permitting of other demonstration projects

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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 15

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