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I. Update
on the Development of TMDL’s for Wagner Creek –
Mr. Brett Bibeau, MRC Managing Director, asked Mr. Omar Abdelrahman,
Miami Dade County Department of Environmental Resources Management (DERM),
to provide an update regarding the County’s progress on setting Total
Maximum Daily Load’s (TMDL) for Wagner Creek.
Mr. Abdelrahman stated to his knowledge, DERM selected a point
person, Mr. Forrest Shaw, to coordinate the TMDL issue.
Mr. Bibeau asked Mr. Jose Lago, City of Miami Capital Improvement
Department, if the City of
Miami
finalized their previously reported contracting of a consultant to
assist with TMDL’s and the Basin Management Action Plan (BMAP), and
Mr. Lago responded that the City of
Miami Public Works Department
, specifically Mr. Francis Mitchell, is more informed on that issue.
Bibeau stated per the Florida Department of Environmental
Protection’s suggestion, the MRC’s Stormwater subcommittee will have
the creation of the TMDL and BMAP on the monthly agenda, and pledged the
MRC is willing to assist the City and County in their efforts to meet
the upcoming deadline to create TMDL’s in Wagner Creek.
II.
Status of the Draft Wagner Creek Corrective Action Plan and Dredging
Permit Applications
–Mr. Lago stated the status
of the Wagner Creek dredging project remains unchanged: the City of
Miami
is continuing to research potential temporary staging sites, as well as
evaluate alternate technologies/methods for dredging and dewatering
creek sediment. Mr. Evan Skornick, South Florida Water Management
District (SFWMD), asked if the City of Miami is paying more particular
attention to researching dredging alternatives versus locating potential
temporary dredging sites, or vice versa, and Mr. Lago responded that all
possibilities regarding dredging sites and methods are being looked into
simultaneously. Mr. Lago added the City of
Miami
is continuing discussions with EcoTech, an environmental firm, about
dioxin removal within Wagner Creek, and the City consultant is currently
revising EcoTech’s submitted proposal. Mr. Lago explained the City’s
main priority at this time remains selecting a temporary staging site
for the Wagner Creek dredging project.
III.
Status of WASD Smoke Testing of the
Western
Sub
Basin-
Mr. Rod Lovett,
Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department (WASD), stated WASD had
pinpointed, and is currently in the process of repairing, minor defects
within several stormwater collection systems.
Mr. Lovett vouched for the effectiveness of “smoke testing”
along Wagner Creek, describing it as a definitive tool able to establish
a connection between stormwater systems and sanitary sewers. Mr. Lovett
added, however, that due to financial constraints, the WASD remains on
“lockdown” for non-emergency overtime projects, prohibiting the
continuation of “smoke testing” along Wagner Creek.
Mr. Bibeau asked
whether SWIM funding could be
advanced in order to avoid budget complications and/or “lockdown” of
the project, and Mr. Lovett responded that WASD would possibly need to
request SWIM funding in writing, following their submittal of invoices
for completed “smoke testing” jobs.
Mr. Bibeau agreed to follow-up with Mr. John Chorolog, WASD and
Steve Blair, DERM, regarding this matter.
IV.
New Business-
Mr. Charlie Hand, a
Seybold
Canal
resident, asked if the City of
Miami
is considering dredging
Seybold
Canal
, which is connected to Wagner Creek and the
Miami River
. Mr. Lago responded that
the City of
Miami
currently did not have any plans or funds allocated to dredge
Seybold
Canal
. Mr. Lago added, however, that
Seybold
Canal
is currently on a federal mitigation local strategy list, making it
feasible to receive future funding for dredging.
Mr. Hand explained he and several neighbors strongly support
including dredging with the
Seybold
Canal
along with the plans for dredging Wagner Creek.
Mr. Hand stated the
Seybold
Canal
contains similar contaminated sediments than those found in Wagner
Creek, including dioxin. Mr. Hand stated he had received a letter from
FDEP regarding the area’s high levels of fecal coliform, and has since
seen signage posted along the River pertaining to eating fish along the
creek. In addition Mr. Hand
stated the
Seybold
Canal
should be dredged for navigational purposes, because the canal filled
with sediments are blocking navigation at low tide for boats along the
canal. Mr. Lago encouraged
Mr. Hand to contact CIP director Ms. Mary Conway, regarding his
recommendation to dredge the
Seybold
Canal
.
The next
regularly scheduled SSC meting was confirmed for the first Wednesday of
the month,
September 7, 2005
,
10 am
, Miami River Inn,
118 South River Drive
.
The meeting
adjourned.
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