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MIAMI RIVER COMMISSION 
c/o Robert King High
1407 NW 7 St.,  Suite D
Miami, FL  33125

  Phone 305-644-0544
Fax 305-642-1136

The Miami River Commission's (MRC) Stormwater Subcommittee (SSC) met October 3, 2007, 10 am , at the Miami River Inn, 118 South River Drive , Miami , FL. The sign in sheet is enclosed. Per the request of SSC Chair Ms. Sallye Jude , the SSC continues inviting representatives from the City, County, South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to rotate in leading attendees through the meeting agenda. Ms. Ashley Chase, MRC Assistant Managing Director, noted it was Ms. Lucy Perez's, South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), turn to lead this month's SSC meeting, and Ms. Perez kindly accepted.

I. Status of the Wagner Creek and Seybold Canal Dredging Permits and Corrective Action Plan - Mr. Brett Bibeau, MRC Managing Director, stated that on September 11, 2007 the City Commission contracted CH2MHill for the design, permitting and public outreach of Wagner Creek & Seybold Canal Dredging project, which includes the river to NW 20th Street . Mr. Jose Lago , City of Miami Department of Capital Improvements, confirmed this information, adding that once the City finalizes negotiations with the selected firm, a Notice to Proceed (NTP) for the design and permitting of both canals is expected to be issued by November 2007, or at the latest, early December. Mr. Charlie Hand, a homeowner along Seybold Canal , asked when the design and permitting of both canals is estimated to be completed, and Mr. Lago replied that the timeline will be included in the City / CH2MHill contract which remains under final negotiation prior to execution as authorized by the City Commission. Mr. Hand asked how much money is available for the design and permitting of the project, and Mr. Lago replied he was unsure, but agreed to find out. Mr. Bibeau stated he believes the approved City Commission item authorized up to $1 million for the contract. Mr. Hand asked if the funding for the design and permitting would be provided from the $4.8 million Mr. Lago previously reported was available for the Wagner Creek and Seybold Canal Dredging Project, and Mr. Lago replied the design and permitting is a component of and would be funded with a portion of the dredging project's available funding.

II. Update on the Development of a Basin Management Action Plan (BMAP) for Wagner Creek – Mr. Omar Abdelrahman, Miami-Dade Department of Environmental Resources Management (DERM), noted he and Ms. Diane Waters, City of Miami Public Works Department, had recently participated in a conference call with representatives of The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to commence the process of creating the Wagner Creek BMAP. Mr. Bibeau asked if the Wagner Creek BMAP seeks to identify and create a plan to eliminate pollutant source(s), and Ms. Waters replied that the intent of the BMAP is to identify the source of pollutants. Mr. Bibeau asked if the BMAP would outline a plan to eliminate any determined source(s) of pollutants into Wagner Creek, and Mr. Abdelrahman replied that the BMAP may incorporate such recommendations. Mr. Bibeau asked for the timeline to complete the BMAP, and Ms. Waters replied that FDEP had yet to set a timeline, and agreed to follow up with that information. Mr. Abdelrahman stated DERM had recently taken water quality samples for fecal coliform, total coliform and e-coli, from the Wagner Creek headwaters in Comstock Park , and his preliminary review of the small data set does not indicate a pollutant source, and noted most of the samples were actually beneath the County standards. Mr. Abdelrahman stated he would like to take additional samples from other areas of the Wagner Creek headwaters, north of NW 20 ST.

IV. Discussion of Alternative Methods for Pollutant Source Tracking – According to Mr. Abdelrahman, Mr. Fred Calder, FDEP, revealed that field experts do not consider DNA/bacteriological source tracking an effective or useful methodology for water quality determinations. Ms. Waters added that genetic testing may or may not be able to determine the source of pollutants and Mr. Abdelrahman replied that Smoke Testing doesn't guarantee discovering pollutant sources either. Mr. Hand stated the environmental agencies should continue efforts to determine and eliminate the long standing Wagner Creek pollutant sources. Mr. Hand noted especially considering the City of Miami is investing millions in tax payer funds to dredge the Wagner Creek and Seybold Canal , it is critical to identify and eliminate the water bodies pollutant sources.

Mr. Hand provided an article featured in Surfrider Magazine, entitled “Water Quality Issues,” which illustrates the use of different source tracking methods, such as DNA testing, to successfully identify and institute programs to identify the sources of fecal coliform, e.coli, and other forms of pollution. Mr. Hand noted that a study of the Tualatin River Basin in Oregon revealed that duck waste was responsible for approximately 50% of the pollution. Mr. Hand noted that the population of ducks around his neighborhood has grown dramatically, and suggested that perhaps they may be contributing to the increasing levels of coliform and fecal matter. Considering FDEP's reluctance to conduct DNA testing along Wagner Creek and Seybold Canal , Mr. Hand suggested performing alternative forms of testing to identify main pollutant factors, and eventually narrow them down to a possible source of fecal coliform.

Ms. Dianne Waters, City of Miami Public Works Department provided examples of alternative testing methodologies:

•  Antibiotic Resistance Tests

•  Watershed Surveys-examining/researching the subject area (walking, driving, etc) and gathering data. Mr. Hand asked for a cost estimate to perform such a survey, and Ms. Waters replied she did not have any information pertaining to projected costs nor the appropriate course of action/timeline to conduct the aforementioned watershed study. Mr. Abdelrahman reported that DERM currently does not have enough staffing or funding to perform such surveys.

Ms. Perez asked Ms. Waters if she had a document illustrating different types of testing methods, and their projected costs, and Ms. Waters replied she would try to find out if the city had such a document available. Mr. Abdelrahman noted that smoke testing and sampling have thus far been the only testing methods, which have not identified any major pollutant sources. Mr. Bibeau noted the grant opportunities MRC staff provided the City and County, which if applied for and awarded may provide funding, and thanked the City and County for their continued efforts.

Mr. Abdelrahman offered to discuss with his supervisor the possibility of contacting FDEP - to request a teleconference call with the MRC SSC - to determine why they are opposed to conducting DNA molecular source tracking, as well as identify alternative methodologies.

IV. New Business- The following items were addresses/discussed:

• Per the request of Mr. Rod Lovett, Miami-Dade Water & Sewer Department (WASD)-whom was unable to attend today's meeting, Mr. Bibeau read his following written report into the record: “The negotiations with Garcia's restaurant to allow access to the sea wall behind the adjacent pump station are ongoing. At this point, our attorneys are looking into the legalities of allowing access and if this requires Commission approval. The parking lot issue on the other side of the pump station continues to be under review to determine the feasibility of creating a pay parking lot that will be owned and operated by the MD-WASD.”
• Mr. Abdelrahman noted he recently had a discussion with his supervisor regarding the possibility of enhancing DERM's Miami River Basin Water Quality Improvement Plan Quarterly Progress Report s . Abdelrahman stated his supervisor suggested firstly determining the intent and criteria of the report from the Miami River Commission before making any potential improvements. Mr. Bibeau noted the various environmental regulatory agencies represented on the MRC Stormwater Subcommittee created the “Miami River Basin Water Quality Improvement Report”, which outlines 33 recommended actions items geared towards improving water quality within the Miami River Water Basin . Mr. Bibeau added that, per the recommendation of the report, the regulatory agencies - such as DERM - are asked to provide quarterly progress reports on the action items of which they are identified as the lead agency. Mr. Bibeau commended DERM for providing detailed, chronological graphs and maps tracking water quality over the years, and noted additional information - should DERM deem appropriate, maybe helpful. Mr. Abdelrahman noted he would continue providing the quarterly water quality standard reports utilizing the familiar maps and graphs, while his supervisor further considers including additional information.
• Mr. Bibeau thanked the City Commission for authorizing an Interlocal Agreement on September 11, 2007 in order for the Scavenger Decontamination vessel's existing $200,000 contract with the City of Miami , which provides 5 hours per week of service on the Miami River , to be supplemented with Miami Dade County 's additional $100,000 for additional service hours on the Miami River . Mr. Bibeau added that these items are consistent with the Miami River Basin Water Quality Improvement Plan and the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan.
• Mr. Bibeau thanked the Miami City Commissioners for approving a resolution providing funding for citywide storm sewer repair project, B-30262
• Mr. Hand asked how pollution/debris is controlled along the fixed NW 11 th Street Bridge in Spring Garden , and Ms. Water replied that retrofits/catch basins along Wagner Creek are maintained by Public Works.

The SSC confirmed its next publicly noticed meeting for Wednesday, November 7, 2007 , 10 am, Miami River Inn, 118 South River Drive .

The meeting adjourned.

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