MIAMI RIVER COMMISSION 
c/o Rosenstiel School
4600 Rickenbacker Cswy
Miami, Fl. 33149
305-361-4850
Fax: 305-361-4755
miamiriver@bellsouth.net

  ABOUT THE COMMISSION
  Our Working Groups:

Accomplishments
Member list
Mission
Our Working Groups

INTRODUCTION

Dredging the river is a major project, and needed for both environmental and economic reasons. The Miami River contains some of the most contaminated sediments in Florida - the result of decades of inadequate storm water systems, untreated sewage flowing into the river, and a lack of environmental stewardship.
     While the environmental benefits are clear, the economic benefits are equally important. Dredging the channel to its original depth results in timely ship movements less dependent on tides, thereby adding cargo capabilities. Planned free trade agreements with Caribbean Basin nations will require a better infrastructure to accommodate the foreseen 30-60 percent growth in trade and the associated increase in jobs.

Dredging the river will take up to five years. Dredged sediment will travel by barge to an above-ground drying area near the river that Miami-Dade County is working to secure. Trucks will then take dried sediments to an environmentally approved landfill.
     Failure to dredge is the greatest stumbling block to stronger international maritime trade with our neighbors in the Caribbean and Latin America. Trade has doubled in the last decade, but shoaling of sediments hobbles the river and limits shipping. The Army Corps estimates the channel is narrowing by two feet per year, sometimes grounding ships. Because of the reduction in channel depth from shoaling and sedimentation, loaded ships can only move at high tide.

Dredging is the solution. The Army Corps created a "worst case" estimate of Miami River dredging costs at approximately $80 million - a deliberately high estimate that includes a $16 million contingency fund. Another $32 million is allotted for Miami-Dade County's landfill tipping fee (the per-ton fee to pass the gate to the Miami-Dade Landfill). This, too, is a worst-case estimate with less costly options probable. Eighty percent of the costs are to be paid for with federal funds over five years.
    For that to happen, local sponsors would pay up to $7 million to acquire land for the fills. Of the other $13.8 million, with the state contributing 50 percent ($1.3 million a year for five years), the city 25 percent ($650,000 a year) and the county 25 percent ($650,000 a year).
     When local sponsorships are completed, we can return to the federal government to provide its share to start dredging. From all we have learned so far this year, we believe we are in an excellent position to put all the parts in place and make dredging happen.
     Dredging the river is a major project, and needed for both environmental and economic reasons. The Miami River contains some of the most contaminated sediments in Florida - the result of decades of inadequate storm water systems, untreated sewage flowing into the river, and a lack of environmental stewardship.
     While the environmental benefits are clear, the economic benefits are equally important. Dredging the channel to its original depth results in timely ship movements less dependent on tides, thereby adding cargo capabilities. Planned free trade agreements with Caribbean Basin nations will require a better infrastructure to accommodate the foreseen 30-60 percent growth in trade and the associated increase in jobs.

The Quality of Life Group is dedicated to the river's environmental improvement and increased public access while maintaining its unique, enduring character as a working river. The group's Greenways Subcommittee seeks to enhance pedestrian's access to the river by promoting riverwalks and encouraging development of riverside parks and restaurants that are also accessible to boaters. The Stormwater Subcommittee is charged with improving stormwater systems to reduce inflow of pollutants into The Miami River and its tributaries.
     We are mindful of the river's heritage. The Miami River Commission is a proud cosponsor of Miami River Day on April 7, 2001. This festival - now in its fifth year  at historic Lummus Park - is dedicated to celebrating the river and educating the public on its importance and rich history.
     The Trust for Public Land is an active partner in nearly all our quality of life issues. The TPL is working in cooperation with the commission, river business community and developers to create a greenway/riverwalk friendly to pedestrians and bicyclists. Together with the Trust, the Miami River Commission supported the purchase and dedication of The Point Park in the Spring Gardens residential neighborhood. They worked to create a greenways plan for Miami's historic Riverside area. The TPL has also worked to guarantee park areas near the river's mouth by the recently excavated Miami Circle project.
    Our group is developing an "Urban Infill Plan" with the city and county to attract more residents and visitors back to he central urban area. We will start by identifying vacant and blighted properties and work with the city and county to develop a plan for the best uses. That plan will update zoning to promote water-dependent and water-related activities, safer, more vital neighborhoods. While envisioning a river accessible and friendly to residents and visitors, our group encourages such developments to capitalize on the "working" river's gritty, unconventional charm.
    In tandem with this effort, we are creating a Miami River Urban Design Center, similar in concept to Chattanooga's. The center will champion good urban, architectural and landscape design to urge development in keeping with a consistent vision for the area. Making the area a better place to live and do business will raise the tax base and benefit the local economy.
     The Stormwater Subcommittee has spurred action on several important fronts. Task force teams of regulators from the Department of Health and the City of Miami's Solid Waste Department and Allapattah Neighborhood Enforcement Team conducted a systematic education and enforcement program at the Allapattah Marketplace. The effort dramatically reduced contaminated runoffs from that giant produce distribution center into Wagner Creek, the river's largest urban inflow.
     The City of Miami, as a member of the Stormwater Subcommittee, has completed a master plan update for stormwater system improvements in the Wagner Creek area.
     The greatest challenge is funding. The Miami River Commission is encouraging municipalities throughout the river basin to work in common cause to raise funds and seek needed grants to comprehensively update the Miami River drainage basin's stormwater system.

Co-chairs:
Capt. James Watson, USCG,
and
Gary Winston,
State Attorney's office

Thanks to cooperation among businesses, residents, and law enforcement agencies, the Miami River area is safer than it has been in years. While much work lies ahead, law enforcement is far more visible along the river. Two of the Public Safety Group's most important arms are the Quality Action Team, which comprises private river businesses and government agencies, and the Miami River Enforcement Group, a team of law enforcement and regulatory agencies.
      The Quality Action Team has supervised a dramatic reduction in derelict vessels on the river. In the last 18 months, the number of derelict vessels requiring removal has been cut from more than 50 to fewer than 10. The Coast Guard, as a QAT member, has fully implemented its system targeting high-risk, foreign flag vessels. As a result of this policy of tightened enforcement and strengthened education, foreign flag vessels are significantly safer than they were two years ago, and in full compliance with federal pollution prevention regulations, thereby reducing oil spills and sewage discharge.
    The Miami River Enforcement Group has increased nighttime marine police patrols through the City of Miami, created code enforcement inspection teams to educate the public and enforce regulations and laws in a coherent, harmonious way. River businesses appreciate the value of these teams in fostering consistency in enforcement.
     The Enforcement Group has systematically promoted a cooperative spirit among the assorted law enforcement and regulatory agencies. That cooperation has produced numerous seizures of contraband and a notable reduction in criminal activity.

Co-Chairs:
Megan Kelly,
Cleve Jones, Jr 

This site
prepared and designed by
Mark Sell Communications, Inc. Public Relations

The Miami River's position is vital for both the recreational boating and commercial shipping industries. The Economic Development and Commerce group aims to protect and promote these vital industries and other businesses along the river, while adhering to the letter and spirit of laws and regulations to protect the environment.
     We are working with the Quality of Life Group to bring zoning, land and water uses into harmony with the best interests of residents, visitors and the general commercial and maritime businesses that support them.

     Our group urges developers to make projects and Greenways accessible to recreational boaters by adding boat slips and docks with new developments. We are also encouraging river-area expansion of the pleasure boating and growing mega-yacht business.
     This task is urgent, because developers have targeted Miami River as a new hot spot over the last year. Developers have been busy assembling land and announcing an unprecedented, number of ambitious plans along the river.
     Those plans have included: a three-tower, mixed-used residential development on the river's north bank; a riverfront restaurant and nightclub district comparable to those found along Cleveland and San Antonio riverfronts, and even a high-rise "mini-city" of apartments, condos, theaters, restaurants, hotel rooms, parking, and shopping.
    These projects, while preliminary, attest to developer's growing confidence in the river's unique appeal after years of stagnation along the downtown riverfront. The Miami River Commission wants developers to complement both the river's natural and working assets.

     In commercial maritime trade, no other port in Florida can effectively serve the smaller, but vital, maritime markets throughout the Caribbean and the northern cone of South America. These markets, with smaller populations, lack the intermodal rail and road links that big container ships require. This makes the Miami River the state's most logical port for smaller, shallower-draft vessels that are the staple of maritime Caribbean Basin trade. This river trade is critical to the economic, social and political health of our neighboring nations.
     The Miami River is South Florida's only shallow draft port of vital economic influence internationally. The nearby Miami International Airport is a growing international cargo center, and the planned Intermodal Transportation Center will only strengthen the river's role as a transportation link.
     In 1990, the Miami River was documented as Florida's fifth largest port. Cargo values rose from $2.3 billion in 1990 to $4.3 billion in 1998, and by most estimates exceed $5 billion today. Terminals rose from 14 to 38. In 1998 alone, 4,172 cargo vessels called on the Miami River. If and when trade opens with Cuba, shippers say, that traffic could easily double.

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