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:
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 volumes
1. Organic material found to top of limerock
2. 6 feet of organics (top of sediment at ~-6 MLW)
3. Estimated volumes
a) #266 8,300 cubic yards
b) #290 4,700 cubic yards
c) 4-5 x higher than from dual frequency survey data estimates
Laboratory Testing
1. 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
The Loop Current
1. Environmental Restoration Projects
2. Commercial location in the Keys
3. Other?
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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 (62330.31), 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, 2014
a) NW 7 – Outfall Structures and Associated Intake Structures
b) No Section 7 Consultation required
SFWMD ERP 44-00-560-P
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)



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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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
Same Canal – 2 categories
#2
#1
#4
(canal already has an
existing effective weed
gate)
#5
Not Included in
current scope –
access issue caused
delay, evaluating
redesigns
Backfilling
#3
#6
#472 Geiger Key
Geiger Mobile Homes
Next DEP Grant
Project
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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 August
1. Baseline conditions surveys/engineering
2.
3.
4.
5.
reconnaissance
Mangrove surveys
Review of FIU benthic survey results
Bathymetric and planimetric surveys
Sediment and soil borings
The Loop Current
 Preliminary Design and Permitting - Aug/Sept/Oct
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Monroe County Demonstration Project Permitting
Status
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
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Islamorada Village of Islands Top 10 Canals and
Approved Canals for Demonstration Funding
Weed
Barriers
Organic
Removal
Culvert
Installation
Pumping
Backfilling
2
3
4
5
6
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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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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
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