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 2015, 1 day via vessel and 2 days via land, searching for and discovering sources of contamination which are being remediated. The subcommittee updated the list of nearly 100 identified action items to implement in order to improve water quality in the Miami River.

MRC Director Bibeau stated beneath both sides of all Miami River Bridges, in FT Dallas Park and Fern Isle Park 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.

Elyrosa Estevez, City of Miami Public Works, stated they are investigating a plume which has appeared several times coming from a stormwater outfall at Fort Dallas Park.

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

Mr. Omar Abdelrahman presented DERM’s quarterly (October - December) Miami River Basin Water Quality Improvement Plan’s progress report. Attendees thanked DERM for starting to include the quantity of the water quality violations, which helps measure the extent of the violations. The quarter’s worst water quality violation was detected at Wagner Creek station 4 (NW 20 ST) where 2,400 cfu / 100 ml was detected, and the water quality standard / goal is 400 cfu / 100 ml. Additional violations were detected in October and December at the mouth of the Miami River (MR 01, December 1,200 cfu / 100ml) and November and December at the salinity dam (MR 07). Attendees noted the frequent recent trend of violations at testing stations located at the mouth of the Miami River (MR 01) and the salinity dam (MR 07).

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 in the 2016 Legislative Session the City is asking 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. On July 24, 2014, the City Commission approved an amended agreement with CH2M for continued services on the project. The City of Miami advertised a Request for Proposals, and estimates selecting a company in July 2016, and commences dredging later in 2016.

IV. New Business - The MRC SSC’s next quarterly public meeting will be June 1, 10 AM, 1407 NW 7 ST

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

Brett Bibeau, MRC 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 2015, 1 day via vessel and 2 days via land, searching for and discovering sources of contamination which are being remediated. The subcommittee updated the list of nearly 100 identified action items to implement in order to improve water quality in the Miami River.

MRC Director Bibeau stated beneath both sides of all Miami River Bridges, in FT Dallas Park and Fern Isle Park 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.

The City of Miami continues to investigating the reoccurring white plume which has appeared several times coming from a stormwater outfall at Fort Dallas Park.

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

Mr. Omar Abdelrahman presented DERM’s quarterly (January – March 2016) Miami River Basin Water Quality Improvement Plan’s progress report. Attendees thanked DERM for starting to include the quantity of the water quality violations, which helps measure the extent of the violations. The quarter’s worst water quality violation was detected at CM 02 near where agencies continue cleanup efforts Fern Isle Park, where 2,200 cfu / 100 ml was detected, and the water quality standard / goal is 400 cfu / 100 ml. Additional violations were detected in all three months at locations along Wagner Creek, where 1,930 / 100 ml was detected (water quality standard / goal is 400 cfu / 100 ml.)

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 in the 2016 Legislative Session the City is asking 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. On July 24, 2014, the City Commission approved an amended agreement with CH2M for continued services on the project. The City of Miami advertised a Request for Proposals, and estimates selecting a company in July 2016, and commences dredging later in 2016.

IV. New Business - The MRC SSC’s next quarterly public meeting will be June 1, 10 AM, 1407 NW 7 ST.

The meeting adjourned.

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

Brett Bibeau, MRC 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 2015, 1 day via vessel and 2 days via land, searching for and discovering sources of contamination which are being remediated. The subcommittee updated the list of over 100 identified action items to implement in order to improve water quality in the Miami River. MRC Director Bibeau thanked Miami-Dade County for addressing part of Action Item 118 by replacing the missing plug in the dumpster at 1407 NW 7 ST. MRC Director Bibeau stated several of the Walk the WBID’s identified needed Action Item sites, including along the public Riverwalk at the City of Miami’s “Miami Riverside Center (444 SW 2 Ave) beneath both sides of all Miami River Bridges, in FT Dallas Park, Jose Marti Park and Fern Isle Park 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. Anita Nash, FDEP, stated the local City of Miami and FDOT are required under their MS4 permit to address these sources of fecal contamination.

The City of Miami continues to investigating the reoccurring white plume which has appeared several times coming from a stormwater outfall at Fort Dallas Park.

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

Mr. Omar Abdelrahman presented DERM’s quarterly (April – June 2016) Miami River Basin Water Quality Improvement Plan’s progress report. The quarter’s worst water quality violation was detected at Wagner Creek station 4 (WC 04) where 20,000 cfu / 100 ml was detected, and the water quality standard / goal is 400 cfu / 100 ml. Additional violations were detected at the mouth of the Miami River (MR 01) again, but there were no violations up River at MR 03 (confluence of Miami River and Wagner Creek / Seybold Canal). Ms. Nash, FDEP, asked the City and County to re-inspect the manhole at the Epic Riverwalk at mouth of River, which was previously repaired after a sewage leak was discovered during the Miami River Walk the WBID. In addition, violations were again detected on the South Fork Tributary (CM 04) which still has trespassing homeless camps. Anita Nash, FDEP, stated per the Miami River and Wagner Creek Walk the WBID’s, FDEP continues to recommend the County provide water quality test violations faster and then quickly inspect the violation locations to try and determine the source of the pollution and then eliminate the pollution source.

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

The City of Miami rejected the 2 bids submitted to their advertised Request for Proposals for the fully funded and permitted Wagner Creek and Seybold Canal Maintenance Dredging and Environmental Cleanup Project. The City of Miami re-issued the RFP in early September and bids are due by the end of the month. On September 22 the City Commission will consider an item to extend “project management, technical procurement assistance and construction support services” for the project. The City Commission is estimated to consider the recommended bid in December 2016, and the project is estimated to commence dredging in March – April 2017. Ms. Hopps, DERM, stated the City of Miami is extending the projects previously executed permits to January 2019.

IV. New Business
Director Bibeau stated despite previous efforts, the City of Miami, Miami-Dade County, South Florida Water Management District, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Department of Transportation and the Miami-Dade Expressway Authority are yet to reach consensus on who owns and is legally responsible to maintain the South Fork and North Fork tributaries submerged waters and shorelines. Therefore Director Bibeau respectfully asked all agencies to reach consensus on this pending question now being asked to the District City Commissioner by adjacent apartment owners concerned with mosquitos carrying Zika virus and garbage.

Director Bibeau stated he forwarded FDOT and the City of Miami the most recent email from the Spring Garden Civic Association continuing to report flooding and drainage needed where NW North River Drive dead ends into the 12 Ave Bridge. The residents email states concern for mosquitos with Zika virus breeding in the standing water.

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

I. Presentation from E-Concrete Tech Regarding “Reducing the ecological footprint of coastal infrastructure”
Mr. Albert Gomez presented information regarding E-Concrete Tech which includes additives to concrete seawalls with complex forms which advances marine ecology. For more information visit econcrtetech.com and econcreteus.com

II. “Walk the WBID” Water Body Identification (WBID) for the Miami River
Brett Bibeau, MRC 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 2015, 1 day via vessel and 2 days via land, searching for and discovering sources of contamination which are being remediated. The subcommittee reviewed the list of over 100 identified action items to implement in order to improve water quality in the Miami River. MRC Director Bibeau suggested over the next quarter attendees work to implement the following identified sources of pollution which are the top 2 line items on the list “1. No bags in trash cans” and “2. Human feces”. Director Bibeau stated he had emailed the City of Miami’s Solid Waste Department whom kindly agreed to use garbage bags when they service the on-road Miami River Greenway’s decorative Garbage Cans. Director Bibeau stated the City’s Public Works Department had asked the City Parks Department to use garbage bags in cans located within Parks as well. 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 enough frequency to keep up with the amount of quickly reoccurring feces in order to provide a reasonable level of service. Anita Nash, FDEP, stated the local City of Miami and FDOT are required under their MS4 permit to address these sources of fecal contamination.

The City of Miami continues to investigate the reoccurring white plume, which has appeared several times coming from a stormwater outfall at Fort Dallas Park. Most recently the MRC received a call from a riverfront condo Manager, and then called a DERM inspector whom stopped a window washing company which was putting their dirty water into the storm drain which then polluted the Miami River through this outfall.

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

Mr. Omar Abdelrahman presented DERM’s quarterly (July – September 2016) Miami River Basin Water Quality Improvement Plan’s progress report. The quarter’s worst
water quality violation was detected at Wagner Creek station 4 (WC 04) where 20,000 cfu / 100 ml was detected in July, August and September, and the water quality standard / goal is 400 cfu / 100 ml. Additional violations were detected at nearly all the Miami River Basin testing locations in the months of August and September. MRC Director Bibeau noted the MRC’s previous fiscal year, which ended June 30, 2016, included State funding which paid for services of the Scavenger Water Decontamination vessel and 4 shifts per week of a landside cleanup crew which picked up feces. During those months the Miami River Water quality testing did not have any violations. In the current fiscal year that State funding was approved by the Legislature in the budget, but vetoed by the Governor. Therefore those Scavenger Water Decontamination Vessel services and 4 shifts per week by the landside cleanup crew stopped in July and now in August and September there are water quality violations at all the Miami River Water Quality testing locations. Anita Nash, FDEP, stated per the Miami River and Wagner Creek Walk the WBID’s, FDEP continues to recommend the County provide water quality test violation results faster, and then quickly inspect the violation locations to try and determine the source of the pollution and then eliminate the pollution source.

Anita Nash stated FDEP is offering to fund testing to determine if the high e-coli levels include Human sources, and asked DERM to take a few samples. Mr Abdelrahman, DERM, replied DERM would probably accept FDEP’s offer, and he will discuss it with his supervisor.

Director Bibeau continued to respectfully encourage all agencies to reach consensus on who is legally responsible to remove debris as large as partially sunken derelict vessels and as small as plastics, Styrofoam, etc from the portion of the South Fork Tributary at Fern Isle Park, 1100 NW 22 Ave.

IV) Status of Constructing the Permitted Wagner Creek and Seybold Canal Maintenance Dredging and Environmental Cleanup Project

The City of Miami rejected the 2 bids submitted to their advertised Request for Proposals for the fully funded and permitted Wagner Creek and Seybold Canal Maintenance Dredging and Environmental Cleanup Project. The City of Miami re-issued the RFP in early September, 2 new bids were submitted and are currently being reviewed by the City of Miami. On September 22 the City Commission approved an item to extend “project management, technical procurement assistance and construction support services” for the project. The City Commission is estimated to consider the recommended bid in the 1st quarter of 2017, and the project is estimated to commence dredging in the 2nd quarter of 2017.

V) New Business - The MRC SSC’s next quarterly public meeting will be March 1, 10 AM, 1407 NW 7 ST.

The meeting adjourned.