17-Appendix-B-Cell-Wide Monitoring-Mitigation-Plans-Revised-2021.pdf

Appendix B

Cell-Wide Monitoring & Mitigation Plans

Table of Contents

APPENDIX B-1 Hardbottom Monitoring Plan

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Cell-Wide Hardbottom Classifications System and Definitions

1.1.1 Hardbottom Classification System

1.1.2 Definitions for Classification Parameters and Types of Impacts

1.1.2.1 Distance from Shore/Water Depth

1.1.2.2 Persistence of Hardbottom Exposure

1.1.2.3 Direct impacts

1.1.2.4 Secondary impacts

1.1.2.5 Anticipated impacts

1.1.2.6 Unanticipated Impacts

1.2 Hardbottom Monitoring Plan

1.2.1 Overview

1.2.2 Monitoring Staff and Positioning System Requirements

1.2.2.1 Monitoring Staff Requirements

1.2.2.2 Vessel Positioning System Requirements

1.2.2.3 Diver Positioning System

1.2.3 Historical Aerial Review and Initial Habitat Mapping

1.2.3.1 Historical Aerial Review

1.2.3.2 Habitat Mapping

1.2.4 Monitoring Grid Establishment

1.2.4.1 Transect Establishment (General)

1.2.4.2 Establishment of BMA Cell-Wide Transects and Stations (Nonregulatory)

1.2.4.3 Establishment of Mid-Town and Palm Beach Harbor Transects (Regulatory) . 11

1.2.4.4 Quadrat Establishment

1.2.5 Annual Monitoring Survey Methods

1.2.5.1 Aerial Photograph Survey

1.2.5.2 Hardbottom Edge Survey

1.2.5.3 Transect Surveys

1.2.5.4 Offshore Station Survey

1.3 Determination of Cell-Wide Trends

1.3.1 Step 1 – Creation of Habitat Classification Tracking Table

1.3.2. Step 2 – Annual comparison

1.3.3 Step 3 – Analysis of habitat changes/cell-wide trends

1.4 Impact Determination for Unanticipated Impacts

1.4.1 Step 1 - Baseline establishment

1.4.2 Step 2 - Analysis of impact from a project

1.5 Database and Data Analysis

1.5.1 Monitoring Database

1.5.2 Comparisons

1.5.3 Statistical Tests

1.5.3.1 Descriptive Statistics

1.5.3.2 Univariate tests

1.5.3.3 Multivariate Tests

1.6 Reporting

1.6.1 Notification of Commencement, Progress, and Completion of Work

1.6.2 Hardbottom Monitoring Data Submissions

1.6.2.1 Aerial Photographs

1.6.2.2 Nearshore Hardbottom Edge Survey Data

1.6.2.3 Transect, Quadrat, and Belt Transect Survey Data

1.6.2.4 Underwater Video and Photographs

1.6.2.5 Field Datasheets and Survey Logs

1.6.3 Hardbottom Monitoring Report Submissions

1.7 Hardbottom Monitoring Background/Revision Information

1.7.1 Hardbottom Classification System Revisions

APPENDIX B-2 Hardbottom Mitigation Plan

2.0 Introduction

2.1 Impact Avoidance and Minimization

2.2 Mitigation Strategies for Anticipated Impacts

2.3 Unanticipated Project Impacts

APPENDIX B-3 Marine Turtle Habitat Monitoring Plan (FWC)

3.0 Introduction

3.1 Nesting Information (Historical), Zones, and Assessment Methods

3.2 Cell-Wide Monitoring Methods

3.3 Project Specific Marine Turtle Monitoring

3.4 Reporting Protocols

APPENDIX B-4 Physical Monitoring and Reporting Plan

4.0 Monitoring Protocols

4.1 Reporting Protocols

APPENDIX B-5 Historical Hardbottom Data and Analysis

APPENDIX B-6 Monitoring Summary

APPENDIX B-1

Hardbottom Monitoring Plan

1.0 Introduction

Implementation of the BMA (Agreement No. 0328802-001-BMA) will include a comprehensive, cell-wide approach to monitor the effects of beach projects on the environment, which includes and exceeds the standard regulatory requirements for hardbottom monitoring of beach projects.

The BMA will offer a unique opportunity to acquire long-term data sets within the coastal cell, expanding the limits of project-by-project monitoring requirements. This opportunity will enable the Department to progress its science-based knowledge of hardbottom communities that exist within the dynamic coastal system. Understanding how these communities naturally respond to the surrounding coastal processes without project influence (i.e., in areas without projects, or areas prior to a project occurring) will further the Department’s ability to estimate project induced impacts and to offset them through mitigation.

1.1 Cell-Wide Hardbottom Classifications System and Definitions

1.1.1 Hardbottom Classification System

Between 171 to 266 acres of hardbottom, comprised of exposed limestone bedrock, exists within the boundaries of this BMA1. This hardbottom provides substrate for attached and motile benthic species, such as algae, sponges, corals, and sea urchins, and benthic communities formed by these species provide shelter and food sources for fish, marine turtles, and countless other marine organisms. The composition of each hardbottom community varies based on several key factors, such as hardbottom relief, water depth, distance from shore, and persistence of hardbottom exposure.

A consistent, repeatable method for collecting, interpreting, and evaluating hardbottom data will be established for the cell-wide monitoring program. As part of this effort, a hardbottom classification system based on factors that drive community composition has been developed to identify specific hardbottom habitats so they can be tracked over time and changes in them can be objectively documented. The following two parameters, which can be grouped into six combinations, will be used to identify hardbottom habitat types: 1) proximity to shore - expressed by distance from the shoreline and water depth; and, 2) duration of hardbottom exposure – largely

1 Based on analysis of aerial photographs from 2000 through 2012. See Section 1.2.3.1 and Appendix B-5 for details.

B - 1 influenced by relief. The six combinations are as follows: Nearshore-High Exposure (less than 3 m depth and greater than 60% exposure), Nearshore-Medium Exposure (less than 3 m depth and between 40% and 60% exposure), Nearshore-Low Exposure (less than 3 m depth and less than 40% exposure), Offshore-High Exposure (greater than 3 m depth (3-8 m) and greater than 60% exposure), Offshore-Medium Exposure (greater than 3 m depth and between 40% and 60% exposure), and Offshore-Low Exposure (greater than 3 m depth and less than 40% exposure).

Subcategories for distances (nearshore, offshore) and degrees of exposure (low, medium, high) are based on historical analyses of historical aerial photographs and in-situ data described in Section

1.2.3.1. Hardbottom within the BMA cell will initially be characterized and identified using the above classification system during the cell-wide Habitat Mapping effort (see Section 1.2.3.2) conducted the first summer the BMA agreement goes into effect.

1.1.2 Definitions for Classification Parameters and Types of Impacts

The following sections provide definitions for each of the hardbottom classification factors as well as the types of impacts that can occur in hardbottom habitats as a result of beach management activities. Many impacts to hardbottom can be predicted before a project occurs, though a full understanding typically requires post-construction measurement of project related changes via the hardbottom monitoring program. Any impact can be temporary or permanent in nature.

Regulatory required hardbottom monitoring is included in the BMA cell-wide plan, in order to provide reasonable assurance of predicted impacts.

1.1.2.1 Distance from Shore/Water Depth

Nearshore Hardbottom: Nearshore hardbottom is typically exposed as a 200-400-meter-wide strip from the shoreline offshore to a depth of -4 meters. This area can be divided into 3 zones: 1) Supralittoral (slightly above tidal line); 2) Littoral (intertidal area between high spring tide and low spring tide marks; and, 3) Upper Sublittoral (from the low spring tide mark to the depths of -4 meters). For the purposes of the BMA, nearshore hardbottom shall be defined as hardbottom habitat occurring between the mean high-water line (MHW) and a depth of -3 meters2. This area is influenced by waves, the longshore and cross-shore currents and suspended sediments. Typical communities are adapted to stresses associated with the pounding surf, scour from mobilized sand and naturally elevated turbidity levels. Low relief hardbottom in this area is generally ephemeral and benthic communities exhibit rapid recolonization by new growth.

Offshore Hardbottom: For the purposes of the BMA, offshore hardbottom shall be defined as exposed hardbottom existing between the depth of -3 meters and the depth of closure

2 Definition based on analysis of historical aerial photographs (Section 1.2.3.1) and data collected during the initial in situ habitat mapping effort (Section 1.2.3.2).

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(approximately -8 meters). The hardbottom in this area is typically more persistent, with a more diverse and stable benthic community, depending on the relief. Benthic communities can often be older and contain larger sized sessile species and fish. Note that some hardbottom areas are located in water depths greater than -8 meters (-8 meters to -12 meters). These “far offshore” hardbottom areas fall outside the classification scheme and are monitored using a separate, station-based protocol. beyond the depth of closure (-12 meters).

1.1.2.2 Persistence of Hardbottom Exposure

High Exposure Hardbottom: These habitats are exposed 60% or more of the time3 and are typically formed of high (> 1m) (0.3 to 1.0 m) relief hardbottom. They typically contain stable biological features such as older age classes of benthic species (e.g. corals, algae and sponges) as well as benthic communities in sub-climax/climax status. Burial can occur within persistent habitats, but the time of exposure is sufficient to allow for occupancy by benthic and demersal organisms and associated production functions.

Due to the more stable environmental conditions of persistent hardbottom, most macroalgae in these habitats are perennial species, and in some cases, may live up to 20 years. Larger sponges, scleractinian corals, and octocorals may also be present. Some fish species reside for an entire life cycle. Transient larval and juvenile stages of many species occur year-round with peaks corresponding to species-specific seasons of larval recruitment.

Medium Exposure Hardbottom: These habitats are exposed between 40% and 60% of the time2 and are typically formed of intermediate (0.3 m to 1.0 m) relief hardbottom. Burial occurs with varying degrees of frequency leading to intermediate levels of disturbance. As such, medium exposure habitats can contain stable biological features, but often display more varied size and age groups of benthic species (e.g. corals, algae and sponges) and sub-climax communities.

Low Exposure Hardbottom: These habitats are exposed less than 60% of the time2 and are typically formed of intermediate (0.3 to 1.0 m) to low (< 0.3 m) relief hardbottom. Burial and exposure of these habitats occur with a frequency that promotes new growth, inhibits colonization and growth of the benthic invertebrate community, and, along with scouring effect of sediment transport by wave generated currents, reduces macroalgal cover and herbivore abundance. Benthic community structure is driven by dynamic physical conditions associated with wave activity and sediment scour. Epibiota may persist

3 Based on analysis of aerial photographs from 2000 through 2012. See Section 1.2.3.1 and Appendix B-5 for details.

B - 3 temporarily under the sand or through the sand. Algal species that persist in this habitat typically are forms with high reproduction rates due to continuous spore release events and are very resilient to environmental disturbances (FDEP NHB Study; Eriksson and Johansson, 2005;).

Communities typically present in ephemeral hardbottom habitats include fast-growing macroalgae (e.g. Chaetomorpha spp. and Ceramium spp.), filamentous turf, Padina, Gracilaria, opportunistic green and brown sheet form algae (e.g. Ulva, Dictyota), and other early succession species with a short life cycle. The annual algal biomass production in these species is highly variable since they allocate much of their resources for speedy reproduction typical for r-strategic species. The diversity of algal species is an indicator of the duration of exposure; low diversity is characteristic for ephemeral communities.

Benthic forms typical for persistent communities can be present in the ephemeral communities, but normally only as recruits and juvenile forms.

1.1.2.3 Direct impacts

Impacts to hardbottom occurring from burial by sediments from beach nourishment and restoration projects, recorded as a seaward shift of hardbottom edge.

1.1.2.4 Secondary impacts

Secondary impacts (often used interchangeably with “indirect”) to hardbottom occur outside of the direct impacts (ETOF measured in situ), from an increased sediment load in the system, which causes increased turbidity and sediment movement over hardbottom, as well as accumulation of sediments as interrupted thin layers and patches of deeper sand accumulation over hardbottom. It is expressed through degradation of the previously existing hardbottom community, or noticeable changes in community structure—such as a macroalgae community replaced with a turf algae community.

1.1.2.5 Anticipated impacts

Anticipated impacts are those impacts which are expected to occur during or after construction of a project. Anticipated impacts can include direct impacts (i.e. direct cover of HB through fill, usually within predicted ETOF) and indirect impacts (i.e. expected secondary impacts to communities through increased sediment loading in the area).

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1.1.2.6 Unanticipated Impacts

Unanticipated impacts are those resource impacts occurring from a project that are not expected or predicted or accounted for in the approved project. The extent and nature (direct impact versus secondary impacts) as well as duration of these impacts are recorded through the biological monitoring program. Any unanticipated impacts are handled through compliance and enforcement.

1.2 Hardbottom Monitoring Plan

Project-specific hardbottom monitoring protocols typically issued for Joint Coastal Permit (JCP) authorized beach nourishment projects face several challenges, in that the systems in which they occur are open and not contained, and metrics measured may lack the sensitivity and the monitoring effort may lack the longevity necessary to discriminate beach fill sand movement over the hardbottom from the transport of pre-project sediments in the system. Therefore, the BMA cell-wide monitoring plan, as currently designed, will address two goals:

1) provide reasonable assurance under State regulatory requirements (Chapter 161 and part IV of 373, F.S.) that approved projects will have no unanticipated/unpermitted impacts to nearshore hardbottom and their associated benthic communities; and

2) evaluate the variability of sand cover over ephemeral and persistent hardbottom and the resulting functional shifts in habitat within this coastal cell.

None of the currently approved projects in the BMA are anticipated to directly or indirectly (secondarily) impact resources such that compensatory mitigation would be required. If permitted through the traditional JCP permitting process, only the Mid-Town Nourishment Project (Approval No. 0328802-002-BMA) and the Palm Beach Harbor Maintenance Dredging and Bypassing Project4 (Permit No. 0216012-025-JC) would require project monitoring as regulatory assurance for impact prediction (of no impact) to adjacent hardbottom. Therefore, the typical monitoring transects for these projects (including updrift and downdrift transects) will remain in the cell and, in addition to the two transects in Reach 2 (Maintenance Dredging and Bypassing Project beach placement area), are the only transects that will be used for impact analysis (Goal #1). In order to satisfy the second goal, cell-wide sediment dynamics and changes in habitat function will be monitored on all cell transects. These results will be used to better understand nearshore sediment dynamics and their influence on the persistence of hardbottom habitats which will result in a better understanding and management of these important resources.

4 Note that the Palm Beach Harbor Maintenance Dredging and Bypassing Project was permitted through the traditional JCP permitting process (see Permit No. 0216012-025-JC).

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1.2.1 Overview

The cell-wide hardbottom monitoring plan has been designed using the methodology of the project-specific hardbottom protocol typically required in Joint Coastal Permits, but in an expanded format covering the entire BMA cell. Transects required for regulatory purposes (Mid- Town and Palm Beach Harbor Maintenance Dredging and Bypassing Project) are included in the cell-wide plan but are differentiated from other transects for the purpose of project related impact assessment. The cell-wide hardbottom monitoring plan requires the BMA Participant to conduct Habitat Mapping to initially characterize hardbottom habitat within the BMA (Section 1.2.3), followed by transect establishment and annual monitoring of hardbottom for the life of the BMA (Sections 1.2.4 and 1.2.5). To achieve Goal #1, the Department will conduct project specific impact analyses for the regulated Mid-Town (within 5 years following each nourishment) and Palm Beach Harbor (within 3 years following each placement) projects. Additionally, to fulfill Goal #2, every 5 years for the life of the BMA, the Department will assess cell-wide dynamics, using the data from all transects and monitoring efforts within the cell. Thus, while cell-wide monitoring data will predominantly be used to document sediment dynamics to be better understand naturally occurring patterns and phenomena, cell-wide monitoring data may also be used to aid assessment of potential impacts following and attributable to the Mid-Town and Palm Beach Harbor projects.

1.2.2 Monitoring Staff and Positioning System Requirements

In order to adequately collect the required data in a consistent and reliable format, the following three requirements, pertaining to the monitoring staff and positioning systems, shall be met.

1.2.2.1 Monitoring Staff Requirements

The names and qualifications of biologists selected by the BMA Participants to perform the monitoring shall be submitted to the FDEP for review and approval. The biological monitoring survey shall be conducted by scientists having previous experience with monitoring of nearshore hardbottom communities and scientific knowledge of marine benthic ecosystems, local flora and fauna, including algae, octocorals, scleractinian corals, sponges, echinoderms, etc. The BMA Participants or their Agent shall provide resumes for those individuals who comprise the monitoring crew, to the JCP Compliance Officer. Written agency approval of personnel shall be required prior to proceeding with the annual monitoring. Any new crew member or subcontractor’s resumes shall be provided for agency approval in advance before the field season commences.

All in-water crew members shall participate in cross training with one another to verify correct species identification practices, and survey consistency using standard Quality `Assurance /

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Quality Control (QA/QC) procedures at the beginning and completion of the annual survey. This ensures surveys conducted by separate individuals are consistent. Results of the QA/QC procedure shall reflect consistency of at least 90% and shall be reported to DEP (i.e., data on the QA/QC procedure shall be submitted along with the raw monitoring data following the completion of each monitoring event). Annual cell-wide hardbottom monitoring shall be conducted by the BMA Participant’s Agent within a 60-day timeframe (if weather conditions allow for workable conditions), as near to the date of the initial aerial photo as possible (see Section 1.2.5.1). All monitoring surveys shall be conducted using SCUBA gear and according to the dive safety program of the contracted firm. Vessel and diver positioning, acquisition of survey coordinates, and all mapping shall employ adequately accurate tools and software (see below).

1.2.2.2 Vessel Positioning System Requirements

The Global Positioning System (GPS) onboard the vessel shall have the capability of sub-meter positional accuracy using Differential GPS (DGPS) / Real-Time Kinematic (RTK). GPS receivers will have 12 or more channels and the GPS system will communicate with the navigation software in real-time.

Navigational control shall be maintained on an IBM compatible PC (or equivalent) running a Hydrographic Data Collection and Processing (HYPACK) program or equivalent software that provides the same state-of-the-art navigation and hydrographic surveying and post processing capabilities. Information provided from the GPS system must allow the navigation/hydrographic software to display vessel location in reference to pre-planned lines, targets or GIS loaded information in real time. All survey data recorded on the computer’s hard drive shall be transferred daily to an approved external memory device, providing a raw survey data back-up.

1.2.2.3 Diver Positioning System

When the exact position of a swimming diver needs to be recorded, such as during hardbottom edge mapping (see Section 1.2.5.2), the following positioning systems requirements shall be met5.

The buoy towed by the diver shall have a DGPS antenna mounted on it which is attached by a cable to a positioning system or transmits signals wirelessly to a receiver radio on the survey vessel. The buoy shall be maintained on the shortest possible tether so that it sits directly over the diver. The positioning system used shall be interface to a Data Collection and Processing Program with correction from a U.S. Coast Guard Navigational Beacon. The locator shall automatically acquire and simultaneously track GPS satellites and precisely measure code phase and Doppler phase shifts and then compute time, latitude, longitude, height, and velocity each second. The

5 Any technological advancement in this area would be accepted as long as it can provide more accurate positioning.

B - 7 positioning data shall be tracked using the Data Collection and Processing program. All data obtained shall be recorded on the computer and copied to external storage at the end of each day.

1.2.3 Historical Aerial Review and Initial Habitat Mapping

In order to assess both goals of the cell-wide monitoring plan, a hardbottom habitat map of the entire BMA cell must be developed to track both project impacts and cell-wide changes. The map of potential hardbottom distribution developed during the review of historical aerial photographs (Section 1.2.3.1) will, along with existing in situ data within the cell, be used to plan for the initial (pre-construction) Habitat Mapping effort (Section 1.2.3.2).

1.2.3.1 Historical Aerial Review

Prior to the development of this cell-wide hardbottom monitoring plan, the existing and historical distribution of hardbottom was analyzed using available data provided by the BMA Participants, including aerial photography and post-construction physical and biological monitoring data.

Twelve years (2000-2012) of historical aerials were studied by the Town of Palm Beach’s Agent, using desktop analysis, in order to determine trends in hardbottom habitat exposure over time. A map of potential hardbottom habitat distribution was developed using Geographic Information System (GIS) for the BMA according to the spatial locations (nearshore, offshore6) of the historical hardbottom aerial exposure in the cell. Estimates for the historical ranges of these types of hardbottom are provided by year and reach in graphical form, in Appendix B-5 (historical hardbottom data and analysis). The map of potential hardbottom distribution, as well as the existing in situ data within the cell shall be used to plan for the Habitat Mapping effort, which shall be conducted in situ by the Town of Palm Beach’s agent the summer after the execution of the

BMA.

1.2.3.2 Habitat Mapping

To determine the type and distribution of hardbottom within the cell prior to any BMA authorized projects occurring, BMA Participants shall prepare an initial habitat map of hardbottom the summer immediately following the execution of the BMA. The desktop-created map of historical hardbottom distribution described above (Section 1.2.3.1) will be used to plan for the Habitat Mapping effort, which shall include in situ verification of hardbottom areas and borders within the

6 Spatial locations were separated in GIS according to water depth, using survey profile data of the cell. Acreages were determined by clipping of Palm Beach County Aerials, according to the BMA reach and zone information provided by DEP. Accurate estimates of offshore data were not possible due to clipping of aerial photography data.

See Section 1.7 for background information and revisions to aspects of the biological monitoring plan which include changes to zone information and acreages.

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BMA cell in order to qualitatively and quantitatively characterize, classify, and map hardbottom communities according to the defined BMA classification scheme (see Section 1.1.1).

Following in-situ mapping/verification/characterization, a Habitat Map of Hardbottom shall be generated in ArcGIS to show the current distribution and location of the various types of hardbottom habitat throughout the BMA cell. The map shall be used to develop the monitoring grid, consisting of final transects and sampling stations (as described in Section 1.2.4), prior to the collection of the first year of hardbottom monitoring data.

1.2.4 Monitoring Grid Establishment

In order to assess both goals of the cell-wide monitoring plan, a hardbottom monitoring grid must be established. As described in the following subsections (see 1.2.4.1 – 1.2.4.4), strategically plotted permanent transects and quadrats (to provide high repeatability in surveys) shall form the monitoring grid. Stations formed of belt transects in areas far offshore are also included in the grid.

Monitoring conducted within the grid (see Section 1.2.5) will document physical and biological conditions during each monitoring event and enable changes in the hardbottom communities and habitats to be tracked over time.

1.2.4.1 Transect Establishment (General)

Different types of permanent transects will be employed in the monitoring grid, with type determined by where transects are located (within vs. outside project areas) and what data are collected along their length (sediment only vs. sediment and biological data). Transects located in areas where hardbottom seaward of the equilibrium toe of fill (ETOF) is potentially under the influence of the project shall be monitored using regulatory transects (Section 1.2.4.3);

nonregulatory transects shall be employed in all other hardbottom areas within the BMA cell (Section 1.2.4.2). Transects along which information on the physical environment is the only data to be collected (e.g., the position and depth of sediment) are sediment only transects; in addition to information on the physical environment, data on benthic organisms and assemblages are collected along biological transects. Note that regulatory transects may either be sediment only or biological, but that all nonregulatory transects are biological transects (as are belts at the two far offshore monitoring stations [Section 1.2.4.2]).

With respect to installation, all transects shall extend seaward (east) from their point of origin, which shall either be the ETOF or the most nearshore (western most) hardbottom edge located outside (seaward) of the ETOF. Areas of particular BMA projects, or areas of higher potential of sediment transport shall include transects spaced at a higher density7. The positions of transects

7 The number of monitoring transects for existing projects will not be reduced.

B - 9 are permanent once established and permanent markers (pins, steel rods, etc.) shall be installed at set points along the length of all transects to ensure repeatability in transect placement during monitoring events. Note: projects included in the initial BMA have already included mitigation for impacts landward of the ETOF and are not anticipated to further impact hardbottom. Differences between cell-wide transects and stations (nonregulatory) and specific project area transects (regulatory) are described in the following subsections. The establishment of permanent sampling quadrats along all biological transects is also described below (Section 1.2.4.4).

1.2.4.2 Establishment of BMA Cell-Wide Transects and Stations (Nonregulatory)

For nonregulatory BMA monitoring transects positioned throughout the cell, preliminary locations were plotted based on aerial photograph analysis. These transects shall be used to primarily track sediment dynamics and their final locations shall be determined following Habitat Mapping and creation of the Habitat Map of Hardbottom. Given the variability of the hardbottom landscape, transects shall be positioned to ensure hardbottom habitat variability (as determined by the classification scheme) is adequately captured and that areas between transects can be evaluated by the interpolation of data between adjacent transects. Table 1.2.1 lists all transects and Figures 1.1

– 1.5 depict the locations of all monitoring transects. The length of these transects shall typically vary from approximately 150 m to 400 m, depending on the width of exposed hardbottom during installation. Note that portions of regulatory transects (Section 1.2.4.3) beyond 150 m shall be treated as nonregulatory transects. To ensure repeatability in transect placement during successive monitoring events, permanent markers (e.g., nails, eye‐ bolts, pins) will be installed during the baseline monitoring event to indicate the locations of multiple predetermined points along each transect. The permanent location of each transect (and marker points) shall be recorded (DGPS) and reported for the baseline monitoring event.

Offshore sampling stations may also be used for nonregulatory monitoring in areas farther offshore of the MidTown project area where hardbottom occurs in water depths of -8 to -12 meters. The monitoring grid for “offshore stations” shall consist of three, shore-parallel permanent transects..

A total of three permanent photo-image transects (22 m in length each) will be established at each offshore station; one of these transects shall also function as a belt transect (1 meter wide). The same transect (and transect side) shall be used as a belt in each survey. Transect ends shall be marked as described above, and the location of each and the belt shall be recorded and reported for the baseline monitoring event. Monitoring of the offshore stations is intended to follow the protocol employed by the Southeast Coral Reef Evaluation and Monitoring Project (SECREMP) (see Section 1.2.5.4) so data can be compared to monitoring data collected outside the BMA cell.

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1.2.4.3 Establishment of Mid-Town and Palm Beach Harbor Transects (Regulatory)

Although not anticipated to have direct or secondary impacts, biological monitoring shall be conducted in association with specific projects in the BMA cell to provide the Department with reasonable assurance that such impacts would be documented and offset, should they occur. As such, regulatory transects shall be established in hardbottom areas updrift, adjacent to, and downdrift of the Mid-Town Nourishment Project (Approval No. 0328802-002-BMA) fill placement area. Regulatory transects shall also be established in hardbottom downdrift of the Reach 2 fill placement area for the Palm Beach Harbor Maintenance Dredging and Bypassing Project (Permit No. 0216012-025-JC). These regulatory transects, along with the associated edges of nearshore hardbottom in these areas, shall be monitored annually for the life of the BMA. Table

1.2.1 lists all transects and Figures 1.1 – 1.5 depict the locations of all monitoring transects. Unlike cell-wide transects, transects established for regulatory impact analysis shall extend no more than 150 meters offshore. Portions of these transects extending beyond 150 m will be treated as nonregulatory transects and monitored as part of the cell-wide effort (see Section 1.2.4.2). Due to previous project data, the locations of Mid-Town regulatory transects were known prior to the Habitat Mapping effort and the positions of transects will not change.

Table 1.2.1. Transect information including name, type, project area (nearest R-monument), length, and date installed.

Name Type Location Length Installed (Reg / Nonreg) (Sed Only/ Bio) (R#) (m) (mm/yy)

R-80.5 Reg Bio R-80+500' 150 6/22/2015 R-82 Reg Bio R-82 NA NA R-83 Nonreg Bio R-83 156.8 6/22/2015 R-88 Reg Bio R-88 150 10/30/2014

R-88 ext Nonreg Bio R-88 22 10/30/2014 R-90 Reg Bio R-90 150 10/20/2014

R-90 ext Nonreg Bio R-90 132 10/20/2014 T-14 Reg Sed Only R-90+400' 150 10/3/2014

T-14 ext Nonreg Sed Only R-90+400' 50 10/3/2014 T-13 Reg Sed Only R-91+340' 150 10/2/2014

T-13 ext Nonreg Sed Only R-91+340' 50 10/2/2014 R-91 Reg Bio R-91+850' 150 10/3/2014

R-91 ext Nonreg Bio R-91+850' 158 10/3/2014 R-92 Reg Bio R-92+280' 150 10/17/2014

R-92 ext Nonreg Bio R-92+280' 175.6 10/17/2014 R-92 Offshore Station Nonreg Bio R-92 22 6/22/2015

R-93 Reg Bio R-93 150 10/17/2014 R-93 ext Nonreg Bio R-93 53 10/17/2014

R-94 Reg Bio R-94 150 10/29/2014 R-94 ext Nonreg Bio R-94 131 10/29/2014

R-94 Offshore Station Nonreg Bio R-94 22 6/22/2015

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R-95 Breakers Rockpile Reg Bio R-94+685' 185 10/22/2014 R-95 Breakers Natural Reg Bio R-94+685' 60 10/22/2014

T-9 Reg Sed Only R-94+1,140' 150 10/2/2014 T-9 ext Nonreg Sed Only R-94+1,140' 44 10/2/2014

T-8 Reg Sed Only R-95 56 10/1/2014 T-7 Reg Sed Only R-96+740' 62 10/1/2014

R-97 Reg Bio R-97 62 10/22/2014 T-6 Reg Sed Only R-98 75.2 10/1/2014

R-98 Reg Bio R-98+600' 94 10/20/2014 T-5 Reg Sed Only R-98+700' 78 9/30/2014

R-99 Reg Bio R-99 95 10/20/2014 T-4 Reg Sed Only R-99+300' 90 9/30/2014

R-100 Reg Bio R-100+230' 117 10/22/2014 R-101 Reg Bio R-101 107.3 10/22/2014 R-103 Reg Bio R-103 150 10/29/2014

R-103 ext Nonreg Bio R-103 1 10/29/2014 R-113 Nonreg Bio R-113+380' 2.2 10/30/2014 R-115 Nonreg Bio R-115+340' 15.5 10/30/2014 R-116 Nonreg Bio R-116+560' 29.5 10/30/2014 R-132 Nonreg Bio R-132+260' 117 10/30/2014 R-133 Nonreg Bio R-133+180' 143 10/30/2014 R-136 Nonreg Bio R-136 137 6/19/2015 R-139 Nonreg Bio R-139+110' 67 6/19/2015 R-142 Nonreg Bio R-142 125.5 6/19/2015 R-145 Nonreg Bio R-145 157.4 6/19/2015

Note: Transects R-88, R-94, R-95 (Breakers Natural), and R-103 were originally classified as non-regulatory BMA transects.

Due to their location within and immediately adjacent to the Mid-Town Beach Nourishment Project area, these four transects have been reclassified as regulatory transects for the 2020 Mid-Town Beach Nourishment Project. Additionally, the BMA non-regulatory Transect R-80.5 has been reclassified as a regulatory transect in Reach 2. Transect R-82 is a new regulatory transect that will be installed for the Reach 2 Project.

B - 12

R-80.5

R-83

R-88

R-90

Beach Management Agreement (BMA) and Mid-Town Regulatory Transect Locations with Historic Hardbottom Aerial Delineations Reach 2

Legend # FDEP Reference Monuments

USACE Reach 2 Project ETOF

Mid-Town Project CTOF

Mid-Town Project ETOF

-17 ft. MLLW Line for the Palm Beach Harbor Beach Disposal Area (USACE, June 2018)

Reach 2 Regulatory Transects (will be installed in 2022)

BMA Transects and Transect Extensions

R-076 #0

R-077 #0

R-078 #0

R-079 #0

R-080 #0 Mid-Town Regulatory Transects

(regulatory starting 2022) Mid-Town Sediment Transects

Aerial Hardbottom Delineations R-081 #0

August 2000

July 8, 2001 R-82 (to be established in 2022)

July 29, 2003 R-082 #0

July 16, 2004

July 25, 2005 R-083 July 26, 2006

July 15, 2007

July 31, 2008

#0

R-084 #0 October 2, 2009

October 10, 2010 R-085 #0

October 10, 2011

March 30, 2012 R-086 #0

Note: Transect R-80.5 and R-82 will be considered downdrift regulatory transects if sand is placed within 2,000 ft. of these locations. If the USACE does not place sand within 2,000 ft of these R-087 #0 transects, they will be treated as BMA transects.

The identified -17 MLLW contour is not static. R-088 #0 (updrift)

The contour is to be identified prior to construction and all material will be placed landward thereof R-089 #0

0 650 1,300 2,600 Feet

R-090 #0 0 210 420 840 Meters ¯ T-14

Ae ria l D at e/ S ou rc e:

D ec em be r 1

, 2

0/ To w n of P al m

B ea ch

T13

R-91

R-92

R-93

R-94

R-95 T9

T8

T7

R-97

T6

R-98

R-99

R-101

R-103

Beach Management Agreement (BMA) and Mid-Town Regulatory Transect Locations with Historic Hardbottom Aerial Delineations Reaches 3, 4, & 5

R-091 #0Legend # FDEP Reference Monuments 0 R-92

R-092 #0Mid-Town Project CTOF

Mid-Town Project ETOF

BMA Transects and Transect Extensions R-093 #0

Mid-Town Regulatory Transects

G

Mid-Town Sediment Transects R-94 G

G BMA Offshore Monitoring Stations R-094 #0

Aerial Hardbottom Delineations August 2000

July 8, 2001

July 29, 2003 R-095 #0

July 16, 2004 R-096 #0July 25, 2005

July 26, 2006

July 15, 2007 R-097 #0July 31, 2008

October 2, 2009

October 10, 2010 R-098 #0October 10, 2011

March 30, 2012

R-099 #0 0 625 1,250 2,500 Feet

0 190 380 760 Meters R-100 0#¯ R-100

R-101 #0

R-102 #0

R-103 #0 (downdrift)

Ae ria l D at e/ S ou rc e:

D ec em be r 1

, 2

0/ To w n of P al m

B

Beach Management Agreement (BMA) and Mid-Town Regulatory Transect Locations with Historic Hardbottom Aerial Delineations Reaches 6 & 7

Legend # FDEP Reference Monuments 0

BMA Transects and Transect Extensions

Aerial Hardbottom Delineations August 2000

July 8, 2001

July 29, 2003

July 16, 2004

July 25, 2005

July 26, 2006

July 15, 2007

July 31, 2008

October 2, 2009

October 10, 2010

October 10, 2011

March 30, 2012

0 410 820 1,640 Feet

0 125 250 500 Meters ¯

R-111 #0

R-112 #0

R-113 #0

R-114 #0

R-115 #0

R-116 #0

R-117 #0

R-118 #0

R-119 #0

R-113

R-115

R-116 Ae ria l D at e/

S ou rc e:

D ec em be r 1 , 2

0/

To w n of

P al m B

R-132

R-133

Beach Management Agreement (BMA) and Mid-Town Regulatory Transect Locations with Historic Hardbottom Aerial Delineations Reaches 8 & 9

R-129 #0Legend # FDEP Reference Monuments 0

BMA Transects and Transect Extensions

Aerial Hardbottom Delineations August 2000 R-130 #0

July 8, 2001

July 29, 2003

July 16, 2004

July 25, 2005 R-131 #0

July 26, 2006

July 15, 2007

July 31, 2008

October 2, 2009 R-132 #0

October 10, 2010

October 10, 2011

March 30, 2012

R-133 #0

R-134 #0

0 437.5 875 1,750 Feet

0 130 260 520 Meters ¯ R-135 #0

R-136 R-136 #0

R-137 #0

Ae ria l D at e/ S ou rc e:

D ec em be r 1

, 2

0/ To w n of P al m

B

R-142

R-145

Beach Management Agreement (BMA) and Mid-Town Regulatory Transect Locations with Historic Hardbottom Aerial Delineations Reaches 10 & 11

Legend # FDEP Reference Monuments 0

BMA Transects and Transect Extensions

Aerial Hardbottom Delineations August 2000

July 8, 2001

July 29, 2003

July 16, 2004

July 25, 2005

July 26, 2006

July 15, 2007

July 31, 2008

October 2, 2009

October 10, 2010

October 10, 2011

March 30, 2012

R-138 #0

R-139 #0

R-140 #0

R-141 #0

#0

R-143 #0

R-144 #0

R-139

R-145

R-146 #0

550 1,100

175 350

2,200 Feet

700 Meters ¯ R-147 #0

R-148 #0

R-149 #0

R-150 #0

R-151 #0

#0

Ae ria l D at e/ S ou rc e:

D ec em be r 1

, 2

0/ P al m

B ea ch C ou nt y

1.2.4.4 Quadrat Establishment

Quadrats shall be plotted avoiding areas of sand cover. Permanent quadrats shall be established and monitored along all nonregulatory transects and along each biological regulatory transect in the BMA cell. All quadrats shall measure 0.5 m2 (0.7 m x 0.7 m) in area and shall be employed at a ratio of 0.13 quadrats per meter of transect such that a total of 10 m2 of area (N=20 quadrats) is sampled along each 150 m long transect. The final number of quadrats along each transect shall be based on the length of each transect as established at baseline. The first permanent quadrat along each transect shall be installed at meter zero (0) (nearshore hardbottom edge or ETOF). The remaining quadrats shall be distributed along the length of each transect such that at least 2.5 to

3.5 m2 of area is sampled within the following zones: 0-30m; 30m-60m; 60m- 100m; 100m to 150m. During establishment, quadrats shall be positioned such that areas covered by sand are avoided (i.e., quadrat placement during establishment will be biased to include hardbottom). The distribution of hardbottom along each transect during the baseline monitoring event will therefore influence the total number of quadrats installed and the positions at which they are established. All quadrats are permanent once established and post‐construction monitoring events shall use the same quadrat locations as the pre-construction event, regardless of the exposure or burial condition of each location after initial quadrat establishment. The northeast corner of each quadrat shall align with a particular meter mark along the transect and a permanent marker (e.g., nail, eye‐ bolt, pin, etc.) shall be installed to indicate the location of the meter mark to ensure repeatability in quadrat placement during successive monitoring events. The permanent location of each quadrat shall be recorded and reported for each survey.

1.2.5 Annual Monitoring Survey Methods

To track changes to hardbottom throughout the cell and to verify that unanticipated impacts to nearshore hardbottom have not occurred as a result of the Mid-Town and/or the Palm Beach Harbor Maintenance Dredging and Bypassing projects, annual monitoring shall be conducted by the BMA Participants’ Agent during summer/fall months every year throughout the life of the BMA. This annual cell-wide monitoring replaces the need for the individual project pre and post construction monitoring typically required for JCP authorized projects.

Annual monitoring shall be conducted once per year within a 60-day time frame during the summer/fall as close as possible to the time frame during which baseline data were collected (month of year/season of year). Each monitoring event will include the following four (4) types of surveys: aerial photography, nearshore hardbottom edge mapping, transect surveys, and offshore station surveys. Annual aerial photographs (Section 1.2.5.1) will document the amount of exposed hardbottom within the cell at a large scale. Annual in situ delineation of the nearshore hardbottom edge (Section 1.2.5.2) will provide detailed information on hardbottom exposure within the project area and allow for determination of direct impacts, when occurring, due to hardbottom burial by

B - 18 project fill. Additionally, annual surveys along permanent monitoring transects (Section 1.2.5.3) and within offshore monitoring stations (Section 1.2.5.4) will document sediment depth, cover, and distribution as well as the abundance, distribution, condition, and function of hardbottom resources (biotic assemblages). Collectively and over time, these data will make it possible to assess impacts for projects with regulatory requirements.

Following each annual monitoring event, a statistical analysis of the monitoring data is required to be completed by the Participant (Section 1.5), and a monitoring report is required to be submitted to the Department (Section 1.6.3). Monitoring results will be analyzed annually, and an analysis of cell-wide trends will be conducted every 5 years by the Department (Section 1.3). Additionally, an impact analysis of the Mid-Town project will be conducted by the Department within 5 years following each nourishment (Section 1.4). Impact assessments for the Mid-Town project shall be based solely on the project required regulatory transects and adjacent hardbottom edge mapping effort. The same shall be true for all impact assessments for the Palm Beach Harbor project, which shall be based solely on the two regulatory transects and hardbottom edge mapping effort in the area.

1.2.5.1 Aerial Photograph Survey

Annual aerial photography shall be used to map hardbottom within the BMA cell each year and will serve as a comparative dataset for in situ nearshore hardbottom edge mapping. Department approved aerial photographic methods shall be employed during the collection of aerial photographs to ensure photographs are of sufficient quality for analysis (i.e., delineation of hardbottom within the cell). Following collection, photographs shall be analyzed and hardbottom delineated to estimate the acreage of exposed hardbottom in each of the cross-shore zones and eleven (11) shoreline reaches. Though delineation and estimation of hardbottom acreage will primarily be based on the analysis of aerial imagery, hardbottom delineation and acreage estimation may be adjusted based on the results of the annual in water hardbottom edge mapping.

In addition to the abundance and distribution of hardbottom, analysis of annual aerial photographs will provide valuable data on the dynamics of sand in nearshore areas of the cell.

1.2.5.2 Hardbottom Edge Survey

Delineation of the nearshore hardbottom edge will provide information on sediment dynamics and hardbottom exposure within the BMA cell and allow for determination of direct impacts, when occurring, due to the burial of hardbottom by project fill. The entire length of each portion of the nearshore hardbottom edge within the BMA cell shall be mapped in situ during each monitoring event. The nearshore hardbottom edge is defined as the visible border between sand and hardbottom. Bounce dives shall not be used to delineate the hardbottom edge unless authorization

B - 19 is granted by FDEP staff. If necessary, requests will be submitted to resource review staff in the Department’s Beaches, Inlets, and Ports program.

For in situ hardbottom edge mapping, at least two divers shall, together, swim the entire length of the hardbottom edge. One diver shall tow a DGPS antenna transmitting continuous positions to hydrographic survey software on board a survey vessel (see Sections 1.2.2.2 and 1.2.2.3 for requirements). To accurately map the edge, the towing-diver shall swim at a speed conducive to maintaining the buoy on as short a tether as possible. Positions of breaks (sand gaps) in the hardbottom edge greater than 5 meters in length shall be noted during the survey. The non-towing diver shall record relief characteristics of the edge and note dominant benthic communities during the survey to qualitatively document the edge for descriptive analysis. If preferred, qualitative video may be collected instead of notes. If employed and if possible, qualitative video shall be georeferenced

1.2.5.3 Transect Surveys

Cell-wide hardbottom monitoring shall occur along non-regulatory biological transects (and, when occurring, along sections of regulatory transects beyond 150 m [see Section 1.2.4.3]). Monitoring of specific projects within the BMA shall occur along regulatory transects of two types — biological and sediment only. All survey methods described below apply to biological transects while only line-intercept, interval sediment depth, and video collection apply to sediment only transects. To obtain the most accurate information on sediment depth and the location of sediment and hardbottom, line-intercept and interval sediment depth shall be the first surveys conducted along each transect. For biological transects, initial surveys (line-intercept, interval sediment depth, video) shall be followed by benthic quadrat and belt transect sampling.

1.2.5.3.1 Line Intercept Survey

In order to document larger areas of uninterrupted sand (physical transitions along the monitoring transects between sand and hardbottom) and to track changes in sediment cover on the hardbottom, line‐intercept surveys shall be conducted along all permanent transects. During each monitoring event, the landward and seaward position of each sand patch / trough at least 0.5 m in length shall be recorded along each transect by reference to transect tape meter marks. Meter mark references will be to one decimal place (e.g., patch from 2.4 to 3.2 m).

1.2.5.3.2 Interval Sediment Depth Measurements

In order to track changes in sediment depth associated with changes in sediment cover, each monitoring event will include collection of interval sediment depth measurements along each permanent transect. Sediment depth shall be measured and recorded to the nearest centimeter at

B - 20 two (2) meter intervals (e.g., 0m, 2m, 4m, etc) along the length of each transect. For each measurement, a ruler graduated in centimeters (0 to 30 cm) shall be pressed through the sediment until the ruler reaches the surface of hard substrata or is totally immersed in sand. Depth measurements shall be rounded to the nearest cm (i.e., sediment thickness of less than 0.5 cm will be recorded as “0 cm”, while thickness greater than 0.5 cm but equal or less than 1 cm shall be recorded as “1 cm”, etc.). Measurements greater than 30 cm will be recorded as “>30 cm”.

Measurements may be truncated to the first and last few meters of each trough in areas of Mid- Town known to contain large, deep sand troughs.

1.2.5.3.3 Video Survey

Video survey data collected as part of required biological monitoring functions as an archival data set that can be used for general reference purposes or to help resolve potential impacts suggested by quadrat and sediment survey data. As such, video data could be reviewed and compared between surveys and must be of a quality sufficient to allow for post-collection quantitative image analysis using point count procedures.

Video surveys shall be conducted along all permanent monitoring transects using a digital video camera. Video of the seafloor along each transect shall progress no faster than 5 meters per minute over hardbottom and 10 m per minute over large sand patches (troughs). A convergent laser guidance system shall be used to indicate the precise height of the camera at 40 cm from the bottom. The transect line shall be clearly visible in all video so that locations may be accurately referenced. A 360° panoramic view at an angle of roughly 30° to the horizon shall be recorded both at the beginning and end of each transect from an elevation of roughly 1 m above the bottom.

At the beginning and end of each transect, a standard underwater display shall also be recorded and integrated directly onto the digital video track. The standard display shall report: 1) the BMA transect number; 2) the survey date (e.g., 06/25/2021); 3) the water depth in meters for both the beginning (transect meter 0) and end (final meter) of the transect (e.g., start depth = 2 m, end depth = 4.5 m); and 4) any pertinent notes (e.g., poor visibility, large swell, etc.).