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Tim
McIntosh, Miami-Dade Department of Environmental Resource Management (DERM)
and Jose Lago, City of Miami, provided an update on water, sediment, and
fish testing in the Wagner Creek / Seybold Canal area.
Lago provided the SSC with their consultants, “Preliminary
Characterization Sampling Plan of Sediments and Surface Water in Wagner
Creek”. Lago noted that
the preliminary test results indicate traces of dioxin were found in the
sediments at 11 of 12 testing stations, and the deeper sediments have
higher levels of dioxin than the surface sediment. Lago reported traces of dioxin were detected in the water at
5 of 6 testing stations. Lago
noted that the preliminary test results were forwarded to Wilbur Mayorga,
DERM, on May 28 for analysis and determination of whether the detected
dioxin levels are “hazardous” or constitute any health threat.
Lago stated the City’s consultant has taken additional samples
at two stations in the Wagner Creek / Seybold Canal area to test for
bacteria, and results are expected by June 11.
Lago pointed out that the currently designed Wagner Creek
dredging was for shoreline stabilization and flood conveyance capacity,
so DERM’s review of the test results may result in amending the
City’s Corrective Action Plan to directly address the environmental
issues. McIntosh
stated DERM sent fish samples from the area to the lab three weeks ago,
and the lab is expected to take 3-4 weeks to provide the test results.
The further analysis of the test results should be completed by
the rescheduled public hearing on Saturday, June 21, 10 AM in Lummus
Park, 404 NW 3rd ST, Miami, FL.
Lago noted the need for further research to determine the source
of the dioxin, and the ownership of the Seybold Canal.
Jan Rogers, Environmental Protection Agency, noted the most
likely dioxin source was the City’s incinerator, which operated at
approximately NW 12 Ave and NW 20 ST, approximately 30 years ago, with a
storm sewer line that drained into Wagner Creek.
Rogers stated that since the incinerator ceased operation several
decades ago, it would make sense that the dioxins have been covered with
new sediments, explaining the higher levels of dioxin detected in the
deeper sediment samples. David Miller, MRC, asked Lago if the City is currently
researching where the incinerators ash was disposed of, or used as fill.
Lago responded that he would ask Dianne Johnson, City of Miami,
who is also researching the jurisdiction and potential funding sources
for dredging the Seybold Canal.
The SSC discussed the planned utility replacement in Art Greenfield
Park, which is required prior to dredging the Miami River.
Miller stated that the existing utility is not at the federally
required depth of 6 feet beneath the Federal Navigable Channel,
therefore it needs to be relocated deeper to come into compliance prior
to dredging the River. The
Water and Sewer Department stated in writing to the Spring Garden Civic
Association (SGCA) that the Park would be restored to its original
condition upon completion of the utility relocation project.
SGCA President, Jay Veber, stated they will be meeting with the
Chair of the Board of County Commissioners, Barbara Carey Shuler, to
discuss the issue. The SGCA
would like to explore alternatives to canceling their lease for one
year, because doing so would cause a lapse in the SGCA’s current
insurance policy for the park, resulting in increased rates when the
insurance is renewed. Furthermore,
the SGCA requests all landscaping and monuments requiring relocation to
go to the Spring Garden Point Park, located a few blocks east on N.
River Drive and NW 7 Street Road.
Mr. Rene
Idarraga, DERM, updated the SSC on the “Miami River Outfall Basin-21
Capital Improvement Project”, originally presented during the SSC’s
January 2003 meeting. The
project’s design is complete, and the permits are currently being
processed. The Florida
Legislature did not approve the County’s $1,000,000 request to add to
the County’s matching $800,000 allocation.
DERM is currently seeking potential sources for the $1,000,000
still needed to develop the project.
Lago stated the
City of Miami’s Allapattah Stormwater retrofitting project will
commence construction in July 2003.
In addition, the City of Miami’s Pinehurst Stormwater retrofit
project design proposals are under City review.
Both projects contain pollution control boxes, and meet all
current stormwater standards.
The next SSC
meeting was scheduled for July 9, 10 am, in the SFWMD service center,
172-A West Flagler Street, Miami, FL.
The meeting
adjourned.
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