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MIAMI RIVER
COMMISSION
c/o Rosenstiel School
4600 Rickenbacker Cswy,
Miami, Fl. 33149
305-361-4850
Fax: 305-361-47
e-mail: mrc@rsmas.miami.edu
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DREDGING COMMITTEE MINUTES:
Minutes of meeting
10:00 AM
(THIS IS A PUBLIC DOCUMENT)
Scott Mitchell opened the meeting and asked Pat Hanson of the USACE to provide her comments concerning the PCA. Pat stated the PCA has undergone some minor changes and is now complete and awaiting approval of Miami-Dade County. Scott Mitchell advised the group it would be on the agenda of the MDC Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, May 21. Discussion ensued concerning what the committee should do to facilitate the County’s approval of the PCA. It was suggested that appropriate comments be requested from Senator Graham and Rep. Ros-Lehtinen’s office and sent directly to each Commissioner. Brett Bibeau stated that the MRC has provided comments to all Commissioners and he would seek comments from the Congressional members. Additionally, it was determined that personal visits should be made to selected Commissioners.
The next item discussed was the Draft EIS. Pat Hansen said the comment period ended May 13, 2002 and the Corps is responding to the comments. She explained there was a request from the State Clearinghouse for a 60-day extension of the comment period until June 15. If the State’s comments are not received before June 1, it will delay the advertisement. The USACE asked whether the City, County and MRC could assist in requesting the State to expedite their comments. Dick Bunnell stated the MRC would assist as best we could.
The next item discussed was the bank-to-bank dredging program. Ed Swakon reported that all the county’s applications are submitted. Ed discussed some of the comments received concerning the federal maintenance dredging project and discussion ensued. Ed advised the group that in order for the county to be an applicant for dredging the bank-to-bank project, the County Code Section 24 must be amended. This amendment process has been started and is expected to go before the County Commission before the August recess. Once Section 24 is amended, then letters can be sent to individual property owners for their consent. Discussion ensued concerning the various required permits. The USACE representatives clearly stated that the permitting of the bank-to-bank project is separate from the federal project and the bank-to-bank project is an option on the USACE federal project. If problems exist with the bank-to-bank permitting, it should not affect the channel dredging. Ed Swakon advised that many of the comments are due to the fact that the disposal process and dredging method will not be finalized until a contractor is selected. Discussion ensued concerning the potential of some entity filing a complaint that would slow or stop the dredging process. It was clear that additional outreach by the MRC should occur to help educate organizations about the dredging plans. Dick Bunnell wants Nancy Case O’Bourke to review DEIS comment letters and provide her professional recommendations to the MRC.
The next item discussed was the status of permitting of utility crossing of the River that need to be relocated or placed deeper under the River bottom. Manny Aguila, Florida Dept. of Transportation, stated that FDOT has submitted all required applications. Pat Hanson, USACE, provided an overview of all utilities that need to relocate and the status of their applications. Several companies have yet to submit their applications and were encourage do so as soon as possible. Pat Hanson has a status chart of all utility relocations. The group concurred that Miami-Dade County needs to stay on top of this issue and push utility companies to comply. Discussion ensued.
Dick Bunnell advised the group that the State of Florida has appropriated $1.1 million this year for the River dredging project.
The next meeting was scheduled for Thursday June 20th at 10 am at the Rosenstiel School library.