Appendix N MAINTENANCE DREDGING STATEMENT OF NEED & PERMIT COMPLIANCE. North Thousand Islands Management Plan Appendices

Transcription

1 Appendix N MAINTENANCE DREDGING STATEMENT OF NEED & PERMIT COMPLIANCE North Thousand Islands Management Plan Appendices

2 Maintenance Dredging Statement of Need & Permit Compliance The waterways, which consist of man-made canals and channels, in the close proximity of the Thousand Islands, represent a distinct characteristic of the City of Cocoa Beach. They are integral to the unique lifestyle enjoyed by the residents of the City. Generally, water depths are adequate for the number of watercraft typically associated with a city the size of Cocoa Beach. However, due to constant use and natural phenomena, these waterways get silted and become impassable. These necessitate periodic dredging of existing waterways to maintain their navigability. Under its maintenance responsibility, the City has over 25 miles of waterways that are heavily used by public-at-large, including large number of out-of-state tourists. Although it is difficult to predict the exact locations and extent of siltation, it is anticipated that approximately 200,000 cubic yards of silt/sand may have to be maintenance dredged over the next years. The City is a fully developed barrier island that has a land area of three (3) square miles or less. Therefore, it does not have enough open space to create containment site, also referred to as the spoil site, to hold dredged material. This limitation has necessitated using uplands portions of certain man-made islands in the Thousand Islands. 1. To ensure that the majority of the islands remain in their natural state, the City has designated only four (4) man-made islands as spoil sites for maintenance dredging. These island spoil sites are shown in the City s 2010 Comprehensive Plan FLUE 7. They are designated as Islands 1, 2, 3 and 4. In addition, there are two non-island designated dredge spoil sites. Since the start of maintenance dredging of waterways in , only the upland portions of Island 3, in the North Thousand Islands, have been used. Islands 1, 2 and 4 have not been disturbed and have been left in their natural state. They would be used as spoil sites only after the containment capacity of Island 3 has been exhausted. 2. The City acknowledges and agrees that no maintenance dredging or use of spoil islands shall take place without obtaining permits or permit exemptions from agencies having jurisdiction over such activities. The City further agrees that all conditions of the permits or permit exemptions shall be complied with, including any mitigation, if required. 3. The City is currently seeking approvals from agencies having jurisdiction for the 200 Channel Maintenance Dredging Project. This Project is planned to be completed in two (2) phases. Phase I consists of clearing the previously used Island 3 and re-developing it as a spoil site. Anticipated start and completion dates for Phase I are October 2013 and April 2014 respectively. Phase II, which consists of dredging the 200 Channel is scheduled to begin in October 2014 and complete in April Work may begin and end sooner if funding could be obtained earlier. Permit exemption has been received from the Florida

3 Department of Environmental Protection. The United States Army Corps of Engineers Permit is currently being reviewed for issuance. 4. No portion of this property is recommended for surplus. Upland portions of designated islands shall be reserved to deposit dredged material from maintenance dredging of waterways. 5. There has been no negative impact that has been documented except the growth of exotic species in Island 3 after the dredging operations in and Those exotic species were removed and buried at the site to create a containment area. Same methodology would be adopted prior to maintenance dredging of 200 Channel in After completion of present dredging operation, exotic species would be managed by the Department of Environmental Protection Agency approved and environmentally compatible chemicals. Islands 1, 2 and 4 would be used for dredging operation only after the capacity of Island 3 is exhausted. Until then Islands 1, 2 and 4 would be left in their natural state. 6. The City was permitted the use of Island 3 for deposit of dredged material in 1994 after a careful evaluation and approval by the Bureau of Submerged Lands and Preserves, and the Florida Game & Fresh Water Commission. Islands 1 and 3 are listed in the City s Canal Dredging ERP as approved spoil sites. Likewise, these regulatory agencies have permitted the use of Island 3 as a spoil site after carefully evaluating City s application for statutory compliance. No negative impact was documented or advised both in and 1994.

4 North Thousand Islands 2010 Aerial Photograph - Island Dredge Spoil Sites

5 North Thousand Islands 1951 Aerial

6 North Thousand Islands 1969 Aerial

7 North Thousand Islands 1994 Aerial

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19