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I.
Update on the Development of Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) for
Wagner Creek-
Mr. Dan Apt, Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP),
addressed the SSC. Mr. Apt discussed the recent developments regarding
creating TMDL’s for Wagner Creek.
As recommended by Brett Bibeau, MRC Managing Director during the
SSC’s April meeting, Mr. Apt attended the
April
13, 2004
,
meeting at the
Lois
Pope
Life
Center
,
commencing the new
Civic
Center
area planning effort. Mr. Apt identified additional stakeholders during
the meeting, which he will seek input from in the process of setting the
TMDL water quality parameters. Mr.
Apt thanked the SSC for agreeing to have this agenda item every month,
in order to solicit the required input from multiple environmental
agencies, stakeholders, and residents, in a monthly publicly noticed
meeting. Apt stated the
required “Basin Management Action Plan” (BMAP) will focus on
coliform.
Ms.
Liz Abbot, South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), welcomed Mr.
Francis Mitchell, the City of
Miami
’s
Assistant Director of Public Works. Mr. Mitchell stated that he was
aware of the progress to create TMDL’s for Wagner Creek, followed by
the
Miami
River
. He
advised the SSC that the city is currently aware of the pollutant
problem and is pursuing programs to target pollution.
These programs include studying outfalls with the Florida
Department of Transportation (FDOT), and the capacity of the system
while still satisfying the TMDL requirement.
Mr. Mitchell advised the subcommittee that the City is in the
process of applying for FDEP grant (319H) to fund the installation of
solid waste interceptors on the
Miami
River
’s
outfalls. Mr. Bibeau
provided Mr. Mitchell with a copy of the SSC’s Miami River Basin Water
Quality Improvement Report, which recommends the installation of the
aforementioned solid waste interceptors.
Mr. Bibeau noted that the environmental agencies provide the SSC
with quarterly reports tracking their progress on implementing the plan,
and the reports are posted on the MRC’s website, www.miamirivercommission.org.
II.
Discuss Wagner Creek Pollution Source Identification and
Abatement Project
-
Mr.
Bibeau provided the SSC with copies of CDM’s submitted line item
budget proposal in response to the Request for Proposals for the
“Upper Wagner Creek Isolation Survey.” The SSC agreed to conduct
smoke testing in Wagner Creek “Basin 50”, and therefore delete that
area from the “Wagner Creek Isolation Survey” scope of services. Rod
Lovett, Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department (WASD) and Steve Blair,
Miami-Dade Department of Environmental Protection (DERM), agreed to fund
this round of smoke testing from the SWIM funding DERM allocated to WASD.
Mr. Lovett stated that the
agreement is ready with DERM, and testing only needs to be scheduled and
completed. He stated that
the project can begin within a week or two, and that analysis will be
completed and prepared for presentation by the SSC’s July 2004
meeting. The SSC agreed to delete Basin 150 from the proposed scope of
services as well. The SSC
authorized MRC staff to negotiate an “Upper Wagner Creek Isolation
Survey” contract with CDM for the MRC’s consideration, consisting of
all proposed basin’s except 50 and 150, for a grand total of $53,785,
funded by MRC from a SFWMD grant. The
SSC agreed to seek additional funding in future fiscal years in order to
expand the geographic area of the Isolation Survey.
III.
Stormwater Stencil Project Update
–Mr. Bibeau stated that he completed a site visit with “Storm Drain
Markings” and members from the Florida International University (FIU)
Hemispheric
Center
for
Environmental Technologies (HCET). The “stormwater stencil” product
was tested adjacent to a Miami River Storm Drain. Ms. Vega, FIU, stated
the details of the project have been forwarded to the FIU HCET Project
Manager and Safety Manager who have given their approval.
Ms. Vega stated that FIU may have a cost share sponsorship
available to co-fund the installation of environmental messages on
Miami
River
storm drains. Bibeau noted the samples product requires the use of a
blow torch to apply the marking, so he was going to do further research
into the products offered by “Applied Surfaces,” which do not
require a blow torch for installation. Mr. Bibeau stated he would bring
final proposals and prices for the SSC’s consideration at their June
meeting.
IV.
Status of the Wagner Creek Corrective Action Plan
– John Gutman, Consulting Engineer and Sciences (CES), presented the
status of the CAP. The original permit applications and plans were to
dredge three feet deep in Wagner Creek Phases IV and V. When dioxins
were found in the sediment, the plans and permits were amended to dredge
seven feet deep in Wagner Creek Phases IV and V. Mr. Gutman is still
awaiting permits from the Army Corp of Engineers, who have transferred
Project Manager’s three times since the applications were submitted.
Mr. Gutman asked for the City of
Miami
to
assist in encouraging the Army Corps to process their permit
applications in a timely manner. Mr. Gutman stated he would submit the
response to DERM’s request for additional information in the CAP by
May
15, 2004
.
With respect to the storage of dredged material from the Wagner Creek
project, all materials will be taken to a temporary site at
NW
16th Avenue
and
17th
ST
,
which will serve as a drying ground for the material. The site was
donated to the City of
Miami
from the FDOT. The City Commission is scheduled to consider this
temporary use of the property in June 2004.
Jose Lago, City of
Miami
,
stated the City of
Miami
has
$3 million for the planned Wagner Creek Dredging Phases IV and V, which
is scheduled to commence in April 2005, and they are seeking an
additional $1.3 million from the State of
Florida
this session for the project. Mr.
Bibeau stated the MRC has been supporting the City of
Miami
’s
request in the legislature. Mr. Gutman noted the DERM permit for the
project requires approval by the Board of County Commissioners.
V.
New Business-
Mr. Bibeau reminded the SSC that the MRC had provided $100,000 in grant
funding, matched by $100,000 from the City of Miami, for the Scavenger
2000 De-Pollution Vessel services. Mr.
Bibeau provided the SSC with an Interim Report and Analysis of the
vessel’s services from
June
16, 2003-October
31,
2003, which included the removal of 5,055 cubic yards of floatable
debris, removal of 245 hazards to navigation, and the decontamination of
337,616,000 gallons of water. Mr. Bibeau stated the allocated funding
has been used, and the City of
Miami
is
considering the renewal of the contract.
Mr. Bibeau stated the draft scope of services excluded the
Miami River
.
Mr. Mitchell clarified that the
Miami
River
is
in the scope of services for the renewal of the Scavenger 2000 contract,
and the City Commission is scheduled to consider the renewal in June
2004. Mr. Dan Apt suggested including additional funding for the
De-Pollution vessel be included in the City of
Miami
’s
319H application.
Miami River
Basin
Water
Quality
Improvement
Report-
Agency-
Quarterly Reports:
-
Mr.
Michael Self, FDEP, provided the subcommittee with the January –
March 2004 quarterly report. He noted that there had been some
sewage overflows and spillage, but that the areas had been cleaned.
Mr. Self suggested using the Scavenger 2000 De-pollution Vessel in
areas where overflows occur. Self stated FDEP inspections lead to 14
out of compliance letters being issued during the quarter.
Self stated he would report on the compliance of those sites
during the SSC’s
June
2, 2004
meeting. Self stated
FDEP has not received illegal dumping complaints during the quarter.
Mr. Bibeau recommended the existing riverwalks railing along City
property on the River’s north shore, immediately east of the NW 5
ST Bridge, be extended the additional 12 feet to the eastern
adjacent private property, in order to eliminate access on the
narrow parcel between
North River Drive
and the shoreline, where private individuals have been illegal
dumping. Mr. Mitchell
stated he would look into it. The
Quarterly Reports from all other agencies will be presented during
the June SSC meeting.
Mr.
Bibeau stated pursuant to the City of
Miami
’s
adopted Fiscal Year 2003 and 2004 Budgets, and City Code Section 18-298
(6), the City Commission is scheduled to approve the renewal of a
$25,000 annual appropriation from the City of
Miami
to the MRC in late May 2004,
primarily for administrative costs associated with the Stormwater
Subcommittee. Mr. Bibeau
expressed the MRC’s gratitude for the City’s continued support, and
noted that the efforts of the SSC have resulted in significant
improvements to the City of
Miami
’s
natural environment and millions in appropriations from State and
Federal agencies for
Miami
River
related projects in the City of
Miami
.
The
SSC confirmed their next regularly scheduled first Wednesday of the
month meeting for
June
2, 2004
, at
10:00
AM
in
the Miami River Inn, located at
118
South River Drive
.
Meeting
adjourned.
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