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MIAMI RIVER COMMISSION 
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4600 Rickenbacker Cswy,
Miami, Fl. 33149
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  e-mail: mrc@rsmas.miami.edu

Mr. Milian asked if there was any progress by the agencies in determining a water quality standard for Wagner Creek and the Miami River.  DERM representative Craig Grossenbacher responded that some effort had been put forth yet no definitive standard had been set.  Milian stated that the subcommittee has been discussing this issue for years.  It is an important issue because if have a plan for improving the water quality of the river, you must have some sort of target, which should be resolved between agencies.  Rick Alleman, South Florida Water Management District, stated he would like the target to be a reasonable good goal to keep us motivated, yet achievable.

Mr. Milian noted that the subcommittee has less than three months to issue a status report concerning the Upper Creek Water Quality Improvement Plan results and provide recommendations for the future.  Alleman said that he needs to collect/receive more information from the different agencies.  The Miami River Commission will obtain all documents from storage and meet with Alleman on Friday September 29 at 10 am in the MRC office.  A two-year-old report by Dan Williams would be beneficial.  Jan Rogers, EPA representative, stated that the EPA has ongoing status reports.  DERM, City of Miami Public Works, and the Water and Sewer Department will all provide relevant information for the report.

Hector Badia, City of Miami Public Works Department, stated that Wagner Creek between 14^th Ave and 20^th Street has been dredged and stormwater culverts cleaned.  Steve Hurst mentioned that the City could possibly piggyback Wagner Creek dredging with the federal dredging of the navigable channel of the Miami River.   Badia said he was made aware of that opportunity.

Mr. Milian wants all pertinent information to be given to Alleman by October 14 so he can prepare a draft report for review at the next meeting.

During general discussion concerning how to reduce the amount of sediment and garbage flowing into the River, Captain Miller suggested a sediment trap be constructed above the salinity dams, which would greatly reduce sediment from entering the River.  Also, floating debris collects at the upriver side of the salinity dams and this would be an ideal place to remove debris prior to opening the dam and flushing the trash into the River and Bay.

All property owners that have septic tanks have been notified of the new sanitary sewer lines recently installed along the River.  Owners are required to connect to the sewer lines vice utilize septic tanks.  Capt. Miller stated this would positively affect the dredging efforts, because another source of contamination will be eliminated.

The Water and Sewer Department pointed out that since deterioration of the systems is ongoing, so is the maintenance.  Maintenance is a major effort and expense.

Over the past few years, DERM dye tested sewer systems at various facilities along Wagner Creek including:  single-family homes, multi family residences and commercial facilities.  In the majority of locations, the dye testing did not reveal problems with the sewer system.  In addition, DERM conducted coliform testing in the upper Wagner Creek areas and found high levels of coliform, but they don’t feel it was due to the produce in the Allapattah market.  DERM stressed it was spot testing and was not a comprehensive testing protocol.

The next meeting was scheduled for 10 am, Wednesday Oct 18, at the Miami River Inn.

The meeting was adjourned.

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