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MIAMI RIVER COMMISSION 
c/o Rosenstiel School
4600 Rickenbacker Cswy,
Miami, Fl. 33149
305-421-4850
Fax: 305-421-4755
  e-mail: mrc@rsmas.miami.edu

I.  Status of the Wagner Creek “Corrective Action Plan” and Related Dredging Permit Applications

Jose Lago, City of Miami Capital Improvements Department, stated the community surrounding the Wagner Creek dredging project’s temporary staging site, located at NW 6^th Place , between NW 15 ST and NW 17 ST, has expressed concerns about the potential use of the site.  Mr. Lago stated the community concerns have lead the City administration to recommend the City Commission reconsider the previously selected temporary staging site during their January 2005 meeting.  Lago stated the City of Miami will consider utilizing new dredged sediment treatment technologies, which do not require open air drying.  Mr. Mayorga stated the Miami-Dade County Department of Environmental Resource Management (DERM) has requested additional information from the City of Miami for their draft Wagner Creek Corrective Action Plan (CAP), and no DERM permits will be issued until the CAP is completed.  Mayorga clarified that an existing Class I landfill would be the final dumping location for the dredged materials.

The Stormwater Subcommittee noted several environmental agencies have repeatedly stated on the record that the Wagner Creek contaminated sediments do not pose a potential health risk, unless ingested by eating fish from the creek, or direct physical contact with the contaminated sediments.  Therefore, the agencies posted no fishing and no swimming signs along Wagner Creek over a year ago.  Furthermore, the environmental agencies have stated several times on the record that the Wagner Creek contaminants do not pose an air-borne health risk.  Bibeau suggested the Stromwater Subcommittee’s environmental agencies, including DERM, City of Miami, Environmental Protection Agency, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department, South Florida Water Management District, and the Department of Health, work together to create an updated Wagner Creek dredging 1-page fact sheet for widespread public distribution.  The agencies agreed, and Mr. Mayorga asked for the City of Miami to submit a written request if they want DERM’s assistance in creating the public document.    

II.  Update on the Development of TMDL’s for Wagner Creek

The Stormwater subcommittee noted the need to coordinate a public workshop as a first step towards developing Total Maximum Daily Load’s (TMDL) for Wagner Creek by 2005, as required by the Florida Department of Environment Protection’s consent decree.  Jose Lago stated he would discuss the need to set TMDL’s for Wagner Creek with Elyrosa Estevez, City of Miami Public Works Department ’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) coordinator.

III.      Status of the “Upper Wagner Creek Isolation Survey”

Bibeau cited the Stormwater Subcommittee’s November 3, 2004 minutes, when the deadline for agencies to submit comments on the draft “Upper Wagner Creek Isolation Survey’ was set for November 22, 2004 .  Bibeau stated no comments were received, and asked if the agency representatives were satisfied with the draft report.  The agencies concurred that they were pleased with the helpful report, which has identified several defects to the storm water and sanitary sewer systems, which will be addressed.  Bibeau asked for the multi-section report to be made reader friendly, with a table of contents, tabs, etc.  Mary Benitez, Camp Dresser McKee, agreed to the requested revision and stated she would provide copies of the final report and CD’s.

IV)  New Business

Rod Lovette, Miami-Dade Water And Sewer Department stated after the City of Miami removes debris in the Wagner Creek catch basins, they would like to continue conducting smoke testing using the remaining $13,000 in SWIM funding appropriated to DERM in 1998 by the Florida Legislature.  Steve Blair, DERM, stated they will submit the appropriate paperwork to WASD by the end of the December 2004, in order for WASD to use the available funding for the additional smoke testing in areas identified in the “Upper Wagner Creek Isolation Survey”.

The SSC confirmed their next regularly scheduled first Wednesday of the month meeting for January 5, 2005, 10 am, Miami River Inn, 118 South River Drive.

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