I. “Walk the WBID” Water Body Identification (WBID) for the Miami River – “Maps on the Table” Exercise - FDEP’s has established water quality goals (TMDL) for the Miami River. Similar to the process recently conducted in Wagner Creek to create a plan to implement in order to obtain the improved water quality goals, the agencies have decided to create a “Walk the WBID” to implement in an effort to achieve improved water quality in the Miami River.

During the July 6 public MRC stormwater subcommittee meeting, all agencies commenced creating the “Walk the WBID” Water Body Identification (WBID) for the Miami River” (designed to achieve the improved water quality goals known as TMDL) with the “Maps on the Table” Exercise. Ms Elyrosa Esteve, City of Miami Public Works Department, provided Maps of the City’s Stormwater System connecting to the entire Miami River Basin. Additional agencies such as Miami-Dade County Water and Sewer Department, stated they would provide similar maps depicting the Miami River’s sanitary sewer system, etc. All agencies will email their respective maps etc. to Anita Nash, FDEP, whom will post them all on the internet.

Mr. Bibeau thanked the Miami-Dade County Water and Sewer Department for repairing and burying an exposed and leaking pipe above the remains of the Miami River Rapids (drains into the Miami River) in the City owned Miami River Rapids Park.

Mr. Hand stated he has witnessed the MRC’s paid professional clean up company, Fast Cleaning Solutions LLC, doing a good job removing garbage along the public Miami River Greenway. MRC Director Bibeau stated FDOT currently provides removal of garbage and landscaping beneath & adjacent to State owned 27 Ave Bridge, Flagler Bridge, 1 ST Bridge and Brickell Bridge, only 1 time per month with an inmate crew, which is woefully insufficient for the most densely populated area (core of City of Miami) in the entire State of Florida. With this insufficient level of service, sources of e-coli are located beneath these FDOT owned Bridges such as feces, rotting garbage, etc.

II. “Miami River Basin Water Quality Improvement Plan” Agency Quarterly Implementation Progress Reports – Mr Omar Abdelrahman presented DERM’s quarterly (January – March) Miami River Basin Water Quality Improvement Plan’s progress report. Although the Miami River had no water quality violations, exceedances of the water quality goals (violations) were detected at water quality stations in the South Fork Tributary, Wagner Creek, & Seybold Canal. MRC Director Bibeau stated several of the water quality testing locations on the tributaries where water quality violations were detected are not navigable, therefore unable to receive the beneficial services of the Scavenger Water Decontamination Vessel, which has been providing services in the navigable portions of the Miami River, where testing indicated clean water which did not violate / exceed the water quality goals. Mr. Abdelrahman stated he would ask his new boss to conduct a couple DNA tests to determine if the source of the detected e-coli is human or animal.

The City of Miami deferred their Miami River Basin Water Quality Improvement Plan’s quarterly progress report.

MRC Director Bibeau thanked the City of Miami for renewing their contract with vacuum trucks, which removes debris from the City’s stormwater system. Attendees discussed how currently the budget (estimated $300,000) provides for cleaning inside every manhole in the City 1 time every 5 years, and the need to increase this frequency along the Miami River Water Basin. FDOT stated the State cleans inside their manholes 1 time every 3 years. The City of Miami applied for a State grant from the NPDES section. The City indicated more grates and cleanups are coming soon.

Mr. Bibeau stated adjacent to Miami River Rapids Park, in August 2013 various environmental regulatory agencies and the City of Miami issued numerous code violations at “Paradise Trailer Park”, 2750 NW South River Drive, including DERM which served the owner with “Emergency Orders to Correct Sanitary Nuisance” and the City required the demolition of several unsafe structures. Mr. Bibeau reported thanked the City of Miami which recently continued to demolish the unsafe structures which did not have sanitary sewer hookups.

Mr Hand asked who is responsible to keep the public right of way (swale) area between the sidewalk and the street, clear of litter and leaves, and the City replied the code requires the adjacent private property owner to provide this maintenance.

III. Agency Quarterly Progress Reports on Implementing Action Items Identified in the “Walk the Waterbody Identification (WBID)” for Wagner Creek and Seybold Canal
Mr. Charlie Hand, Seybold Canal resident, reported plastic bags filled with feces are floating down the Seybold Canal, possibly thrown overboard from people living on boats docked along the Seybold Canal. The City of Miami indicated they would inspect.

Ms Estevez stated in order to address the flooding at Mr Hands home on Seybold Canal, the City of Miami Public Works department did survey’s of the area and are working with City CIP department to construct improvements designed to eliminate the flooding.

Mr. Hand stated the City of Miami’s street sweepers have been working the Spring Garden neighborhood streets (along Seybold Canal) every Thursday, which is the same day as the City’s scheduled bulk garbage pickup day. Therefore large piles of debris awaiting pickup make it impossible for the street sweepers to effectively service the area. Therefore Mr Hand recommended the street sweepers be rescheduled to a different day when the streets will not be obstructed, such as Wednesday morning. In addition Mr Hand reported after maintaining Point Park, the City of Miami Parks Department leaves alarge pile of cuttings in front of Point Park on North River Drive often for several days before its picked up on City Solid Waste on the regular Thursday’s bulk garbage pickup day.

Attendees noted discarded rotting produce in the swales of the Allapattah Produce Market remains a source of e-coli draining through the stormwater system into the Miami River and it’s tributaries, and still needs more frequent and regular maintenance.

Director Bibeau encouraged the agencies to successfully complete the plans remaining Action Items, such as faster water quality testing results and increase cleaning of the system.

IV. Status of Constructing the Permitted Wagner Creek and Seybold Canal Maintenance Dredging and Environmental Cleanup Project
MRC Managing Director Bibeau stated all permits for this City project are currently in hand and fully executed, and the City received permit extensions before MDC’s expiration. The Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND) previously awarded the City of Miami $2.7 million for the project, matched by the appropriated $2.7 million in City funds. The City recently secured the remaining $14.6 million balance needed for the shovel ready and fully funded project (total project estimate $20 million) from an awarded FDEP Clean Water Revolving Loan Program and then the City in the 2016 Legislative Session may ask the FL Legislature to forgive a portion of the loan. The City further indicated they would use a small portion of their annual re-occurring Storm Water Utility fee to repay the 0% interest ST Clean Water Revolving Loan, stretched out over time. The FL Legislature thankfully appropriated $200,000 for the project in the adopted FY ’15 budget (July 1, 2014 – June 30, 2015). On July 24, 2014, the City Commission approved an amended agreement with CH2MHill for continued services on the project. The City of Miami estimates they will commence dredging in 2015.

IV. New Business
The MRC SSC’s next quarterly public meeting will be September 2, 10 AM, 1407 NW 7 ST.)
The meeting adjourned.

I. “Walk the WBID” Water Body Identification (WBID) for the Miami River – “Maps on the Table” Exercise

FDEP established water quality goals (TMDL) for the Miami River. Similar to the process recently conducted in Wagner Creek to create a plan to implement in order to make efforts towards obtaining the improved water quality goals, the agencies have decided to create a “Walk the WBID” to implement in an effort to improve water quality in the Miami River.

During the June 3 public MRC stormwater subcommittee meeting, all agencies commenced creating the “Walk the WBID” Water Body Identification (WBID) for the Miami River” (designed to achieve the improved water quality goals known as TMDL) with the “Maps on the Table” Exercise. Ms Elyrosa Esteve, City of Miami Public Works Department, provided Maps of the City’s Stormwater System connecting to the entire Miami River Basin. Additional agencies such as Miami-Dade County Water and Sewer Department, stated they would provide similar maps depicting the Miami River’s sanitary sewer system, etc. All agencies are emailing their respective maps etc. to Anita Nash, FDEP, whom will post them all on the internet.

Under the leadership of FDEP, in partnership with the City of Miami PW, County’s DERM and WASD, FDOT, SFWMD, MRC, etc., consistent with NPDES Permits, MS4 Permits, adopted TMDL’s, Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserve Act, FL Outstanding Water, etc., the “Miami River Walk the WBID” is scheduled 11/3-11/5. The group of estimated 24 people needs ground transportation on 11/4 and 11/5, from 8:15 – 4 PM on both days. In addition they are seeking water transportation on 11/3, from 8 AM – 1 PM. MRC Director Bibeau stated he would email the City and County seeking this needed transportation. Anita Nash, FDEP, will be in Miami for this event, and MRC Director Bibeau thanked her for her leadership.

MRC Director Bibeau stated beneath both sides of all Miami River Bridges there is frequent human and dog feces which violates the TMDL and creates a Sanitary Nuisance in violation of State Law Chapter 386. MRC Director Bibeau stated the MRC’s paid professional cleanup crew has been paid to remove feces on numerous occasions, but the available funding clearly does not provide a reasonable level of service. MRC Director Bibeau stated he has been asking the respective Bridge owners (County and FDOT) to provide their schedule of regular garbage and feces removal beneath the Bridges, to be supplemented by MRC paid cleanup crew service beneath the Bridges, in order to coordinate more needed days of service.

II. “Miami River Basin Water Quality Improvement Plan” Agency Quarterly Implementation Progress Reports

Mr. Omar Abdelrahman emailed DERM’s quarterly (April-June) Miami River Basin Water Quality Improvement Plan’s progress report. The April Wagner Creek testing Station 3 had an alarming result of 113,000 cfu / 100ml, when the water quality goal is 800 cfu / 100 ml. Despite years of recommendations from the MRC SSC subcommittee and its various agencies for significant water quality violations to be reported in a timely fashion in order for environmental agencies to have a chance to quickly inspect the area, locate and then remediate the source of pollution, these concerning April water quality test results were provided for the 1st time in September, half a year after the fact.

Director Bibeau noted the water quality violation detected at the Salinity Dam (MR07). Director Bibeau stated in a recent Miami River Boat Tour in the area of the salinity dam he noted material entering the Miami River after forwarding pumping in preparation for a threatening tropical storm.

MRC Director Bibeau noted the water quality violation on the South Fork Tributary (CM02) detected near Fern Isle Park, and stated he had reported the homeless camp with illegal live aboard vessel has returned to Fern Isle Park.

The City of Miami deferred their Miami River Basin Water Quality Improvement Plan’s quarterly progress report.

III. Status of Constructing the Permitted Wagner Creek and Seybold Canal Maintenance Dredging and Environmental Cleanup Project

Managing Director Bibeau stated all permits for this City project are currently in hand and fully executed, and the City received permit extensions before MDC’s expiration. The Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND) previously awarded the City of Miami $2.7 million for the project, matched by the appropriated $2.7 million in City funds. The City recently secured the remaining $14.6 million balance needed for the shovel ready and fully funded project (total project estimate $20 million) from an awarded FDEP Clean Water Revolving Loan Program and then the City in the 2016 Legislative Session may ask the FL Legislature to forgive a portion of the loan, for which they have already provided a $200,000 appropriation. The City further indicated they would use a small portion of their annual re-occurring Storm Water Utility fee to repay the 0% interest ST Clean Water Revolving Loan, stretched out over time. The FL Legislature thankfully appropriated $200,000 for the project in the adopted FY ’15 budget (July 1, 2014 – June 30, 2015). On July 24, 2014, the City Commission approved an amended agreement with CH2MHill for continued services on the project. The City of Miami estimates they will advertise a Request for Proposals on October 16, 2015 and commence dredging in March – April 2016.

IV. New Business

The MRC SSC’s next quarterly public meeting will be December 2, 10 AM, 1407 NW 7 ST.
The meeting adjourned.

I. “Walk the WBID” Water Body Identification (WBID) for the Miami River

Anita Nash, FDEP, thanked the numerous agencies for participating in the Miami River “Walk the WBID”, including FDEP, FDOT, City of Miami, Miami-Dade County, Dept. of Health, University of Miami, City of Doral, City of Sweetwater, City of Hialeah, etc. Similar to the process conducted in Wagner Creek, the three day inspection tour occurred in November, 1 day via vessel and 2 days via land, searching for and discovering sources of contamination which are being remediated. A list of the identified action items is being generated to implement in order to improve water quality in the Miami River.

During the inspection tour on Epic’s public Riverwalk, 401 Biscayne Blvd Way, sanitary sewer was flowing out of the top of a manhole marked “stormwater sewer” and spilling over the Riverwalk into the Miami River, where recent monthly water quality testing has shown e-coli water quality violations. The discovery was immediately reported to numerous responsible agencies which immediately reported to the location, where the source of contamination was stopped. The agencies are verifying and re-confirming that the line was cleaned out and completed repairs have stopped the problem.

As recommended in the Wagner Creek Walk the WBID, DERM kindly agreed to provide preliminary water quality testing violations (prior to completing quality controls) along the Miami River and its tributaries within a week of taking the sample. Attendees thanked DERM and noted this will be very helpful in trying to determine potential contamination sources when water samples detect water quality violations.
Omar Abdelrahman stated the violation discovered at the Cemex plant of the worker hosing sediment into the storm drain on the south shore in the upper river has been brought into compliance.

MRC Director Bibeau stated beneath both sides of all Miami River Bridges there is frequent human and dog feces which violates the TMDL and creates a Sanitary Nuisance in violation of State Law Chapter 386. MRC Director Bibeau stated the MRC’s paid professional cleanup crew has been paid to remove feces on numerous occasions, but the available funding clearly does not provide a reasonable level of service. MRC Director Bibeau stated the respective Bridge owners (County and FDOT) are being more responsive to the need to provide increased garbage and feces removal beneath the Bridges, to be supplemented by MRC paid cleanup crew service beneath the Bridges, in order to coordinate more needed days of service.

Attendees agreed to make an updated list of hotlines / agencies.

Charlie Hand again reported Heartbeat Car Towing on the Seybold Canal and 7 Ave continues to use fueling trucks parked in the vehicular lane on 7 Ave and runs fuel hose across the public sidewalk to refuel trucks in the lot, since DERM issued a violation on the illegal fuel tank on the site which was stopped, but was not brought up to legal standard. The City and DERM stated they would inspect the site.
Agencies discussed advances in DNA technologies, reduced testing costs, and potential for contamination “source tracking” using DNA and other potential available methods.

II. “Miami River Basin Water Quality Improvement Plan” Agency Quarterly Implementation Progress Reports Mr. Omar Abdelrahman presented DERM’s quarterly (July-September) Miami River Basin Water Quality Improvement Plan’s progress report. FDEP applauded DERM for now starting to use the “State Standard 400 cfu/100ml” as all previously provided DERM water quality sample results had a much higher violation standard of 800 cfu/100ml. The July Wagner Creek testing Station 3 had an alarming result of 6,000 cfu / 100ml, when the water quality goal is 400 cfu / 100 ml. Attendees thanked DERM for their report.

MRC Director Bibeau noted the reported water quality violations in July 2015 on MR01, MR07 and CM02, and September at MR01, MR05 and CM02 do not indicate the detected quantity of cfu / 100ml, therefore asked for that additional detail. Mr Abdelrahman agreed to provide the actual amount of those and all future water quality violations in his reporting. Attendees thanked Mr Abdelrahman.

III. Status of Constructing the Permitted Wagner Creek and Seybold Canal Maintenance Dredging and Environmental Cleanup Project MRC Managing Director Bibeau stated all permits for this City project are fully executed, and the City received permit extensions before MDC’s expiration. The Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND) previously awarded the City of Miami $2.7 million for the project, matched by the appropriated $2.7 million in City funds. The City recently secured the remaining $14.6 million balance needed for the shovel ready and fully funded project (total project estimate $20 million) from an awarded FDEP Clean Water Revolving Loan Program and then the City in the 2016 Legislative Session may ask the FL Legislature to forgive a portion of the loan, for which they have already provided a $200,000 appropriation. The City further indicated they would use a small portion of their annual re-occurring Storm Water Utility fee to repay the 0% interest ST Clean Water Revolving Loan, stretched out over time. The FL Legislature thankfully appropriated $200,000 for the project in the adopted FY ’15 budget (July 1, 2014 – June 30, 2015). On July 24, 2014, the City Commission approved an amended agreement with CH2MHill for continued services on the project. The City of Miami estimates they will advertise a Request for Proposals in December 2016, select a company in June 2016, and commence dredging in September 2016.

IV. New Business - The MRC SSC’s next quarterly public meeting will be March 2, 10 AM, 1407 NW 7 ST.

The meeting adjourned.