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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:

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 3rd 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

Nine cores collected in each canal for detailed field logging and laboratory testing to refine removal volumes1. Organic material found to top of limerock

2. 6 feet of organics (top of sediment at ~-6 MLW)

3. Estimated volumesa) #266 8,300 cubic yards

b) #290 4,700 cubic yards

c) 4-5 x higher than from dual frequency survey data estimates

Laboratory Testing1. Polymer Testing for dewatering

2. Chemical Testing for disposal a) #266 below Residential Soil Cleanup Target Levels

b) #290 below Industrial/Commercial Soil Cleanup Target Levels

c) 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.Environmental Restoration Projects

2.Commercial location in the Keys

3.Other?

The Loop Current

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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

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. Geotechnical soil borings

4. Tidal study

5. 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)

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

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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

1. SFWMD ERP General Permit for Minor Activities within Existing County ROW - April 25, 2014

2. USACE Nationwide (NW) 7 - May 13, 2014a) NW 7 – Outfall Structures and Associated Intake Structures

b) No Section 7 Consultation required

3. 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

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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

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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

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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 August1. Baseline conditions surveys/engineering

reconnaissance

2. Mangrove surveys

3. Review of FIU benthic survey results

4. Bathymetric and planimetric surveys

5. Sediment and soil borings

Preliminary Design and Permitting - Aug/Sept/Oct

The Loop Current

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1. 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

Monroe County Demonstration Project Permitting Status

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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

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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

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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

Next Steps for Canal Restoration Demonstration Projects

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