25-Dept. of the Army Permit SAJ-1999-05545 (SP-GGL) Modification 16 June 2025.pdf

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Attached to
Boulder Reef Construction
Solicitation number
PNC2130604C1
Issued by
Florida

About this file

This document is a Department of the Army permit modification issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Jacksonville District to the Broward County Board of County Commissioners for an artificial reef project located offshore of Broward County in the Atlantic Ocean. The modification, dated June 16, 2025, does not change the original permit's proposed work or expiration date (April 8, 2027) but adds special conditions related to the Endangered Species Act review. The project involves deploying artificial reef materials within two general offshore areas, approximately 1,700 linear feet from specified Florida Department of Environmental Protection monuments.

The permit modification includes detailed requirements for reef material deployment, environmental protection, and monitoring. Key conditions include using only clean fill materials weighing at least 500 pounds, maintaining a minimum six-foot clearance from mean low water, and conducting comprehensive surveys and relocation protocols for queen conch. The project requires extensive pre-deployment and post-deployment reporting, including submission of placement reports, as-built drawings, and monitoring documentation. Additionally, the permittee must follow specific protocols for cultural resources protection, vessel strike avoidance, and compensatory mitigation, which involves constructing a 5.7-acre mitigation reef comprised of concrete/limestone modules within six months of construction commencement.

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Regulatory Division South Branch Palm Beach Gardens Section

SAJ-1999-05545 (MOD-JFB)

Modification-3

Broward County Board of County Commissioners Attn: Stephanie Roche 115 South Andrews Ave.

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

Dear Stephanie Roche:

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) has completed the review and evaluation of your modification request, received on November 22, 2024, in which you asked to revise the plans authorized by Department of the Army permit number SAJ- 1999-05545, issued to Broward County Board of County Commissioners, dated April 8, 2015. The project site is located offshore of Broward County within the Atlantic Ocean, within two general areas approximately 1,700 linear feet offshore of Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) monuments R-47.5 and R-50.5 and between R-

51.5 and R-54.5.

The proposed modification would result in no changes to the proposed work or expiration date which is April 8, 2027. The modification will include additional special conditions regarding the Endangered Species Act review. The modification must be completed in accordance with the previously approved construction drawings and the additional special conditions, which are incorporated in, and made a part of the permit:

1. Reporting Addresses: The Permittee shall reference this permit number, SAJ-1999-05545 ( SP –LCK), on all correspondence. Unless specifically notified to the contrary, the Permittee shall use the following addresses for transmitting correspondence to the referenced agencies:

a. For electronic mail (preferred): SAJ-RD-Enforcement@usace.army.mil (not to exceed 15 MB).

For standard mail: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Regulatory Division, Enforcement Section, P.O. Box 4970, Jacksonville, FL 32232-0019.

b. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Marine Chart Division Office of Coast Survey, N/CS26, Sta. 7317

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS, JACKSONVILLE DISTRICT

4400 PGA BOULEVARD, SUITE 500

PALM BEACH GARDENS, FLORIDA 33410

June 16, 2025 mailto:SAJ-RD-Enforcement@usace.army.mil

1315 East-West Highway Silver Springs, MD 20910-3282 or email (preferred) at ocs.ndb@noaa.gov

c. Commander, U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) lisia.j.kowalczyk2@uscg.mil

d. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Artificial Reef Program 620 S. Meridian Street, Box 4B2 Tallahassee, Florida 32399

Or email at artificialreefdeployments@MyFWC.com

2. Initial Agency Notification: The Permittee shall provide to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and U.S.

Coast Guard (USCG) written notification of the planned deployment start date at least 2 weeks prior to the initial deployment on the authorized artificial reef site.

3. Assurance of Navigation and Maintenance: The Permittee understands and agrees that, if future operations by the United States require the removal, relocation, or other alteration, of the structures or work herein authorized, or if in the opinion of the Secretary of the Army or his authorized representative, said structure or work shall cause unreasonable obstruction to the free navigation of the navigable waters, the Permittee will be required, upon due notice from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, to remove, relocate, or alter the structural work or obstructions caused thereby, without expense to the United States. No claim shall be made against the United States on account of any such removal or alteration.

4. Local Notice to Mariners: The contractor is required to contact the United States Coast Guard office a minimum of 2 weeks prior to commencement and provide locations affected, equipment, hours of operation, and duration of the project so that the information can be published in the Local Notice to Mariners.

5. Permit Availability: The Permittee shall provide all contractors associated with construction of the authorized activities a copy of the permit, drawings, and attachments. A copy of the permit shall be available on the work vessels and at the construction site at all times.

6. Agency Changes/Approvals: Should any other agency require and/or approve changes to the work authorized or obligated by this permit, the Permittee is advised a modification to this permit instrument is required prior to initiation of those changes. It is the Permittee’s responsibility to request a modification of this permit from the Palm Beach Gardens Permits Section. The Corps reserves the right to fully evaluate, amend, and approve or deny the request for modification of this permit.

mailto:lisia.j.kowalczyk2@uscg.mil mailto:artificialreefdeployments@MyFWC.com

7. Authorized Reef Materials: No reef materials or module will weigh less than 500 pounds. Reef materials shall be clean and free from asphalt, petroleum, other hydrocarbons and toxic residues, loose free-floating material or other deleterious substances. All artificial reef materials and/or structures will be selected, designed, constructed, and deployed to create stable and durable marine habitat. The Permittee shall deploy only the following authorized reef materials:

a. Prefabricated artificial reef modules composed of ferrous and/or aluminum-alloy metals, ¼ inch or more in thickness, concrete, rock, or a combination of these materials.

b. Natural rock boulders and other pre-cast concrete material such as culverts, stormwater junction boxes, power poles, railroad ties, jersey barriers, or other similar concrete material.

c. Clean steel and concrete bridge or large building demolition materials such as slabs or pilings with all steel reinforcement rods severed as close to the concrete surface as possible but not to extend more than 6 inches to ensure the rod will not create a fishing tackle or diver ensnaring hazard.

d. Heavy gauge ferrous & aluminum alloy metal material components or structures, ¼ inch or more in thickness, such as utility poles and antenna towers.

e. Heavy gauge ferrous and aluminum alloy metal hulled vessels which equal or exceed 60 feet hull length prepared and deployed in accordance with all applicable U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, or other applicable state or federal agency regulations or policies. The vessel shall not be deployed until all necessary inspections and clearances have been obtained or waived and a stability analysis has been completed demonstrating the vessel will be stable during a 50-year storm event based on vessel and deployment site characteristics. The Permittee shall follow the national guidance regarding preparation of vessels for deployment as artificial reefs which are available at http://www.epa.gov/owow/oceans/habitat/artificialreefs/index.html. The Permittee shall provide a record of all inspections, clearances or waivers to the Corps along with the pre-deployment notification.

8. Reef Parameters: The Permittee shall deploy all reef materials within the site boundaries as defined in the attached drawings. A minimum clearance of six feet from the top of the deployed material relative to mean low water (MLW) shall be maintained.

9. Emergency Reef Parameters Notification: In the event reef material is deployed in a location or manner contrary to the Reef Parameters Special Condition, the Permittee shall immediately notify the USCG Station and provide information as requested by the station. The Permittee shall notify NOAA, USCG and Corps in writing within 24 hours of the occurrence. The written notification shall include but is not limited to a timeline of events leading to the unanticipated deployment, a description of the material, a description of the vessel traffic in the area, the deployment location in nautical miles at compass bearing from obvious landmarks, the location of the unauthorized material in latitude and longitude coordinates (degree, minute, decimal minute format to the third decimal place), and the water depth above the material from MLW. The document will list the information provided by telephone to the USCG as noted above and include the time of the call and the name of the USCG personnel receiving the information.

10. Protection of Existing Resources: The Permittee shall not deploy artificial reef materials until an assessment of the bottom conditions have been accomplished by diver, submersible video camera, fathometer, depth/bottom sounder (e.g. “fish finder”), or side-scan sonar. The inspection of the deployment area may occur at the time of deployment, but no more than 1 year prior to deployment. The Permittee shall maintain a deployment buffer of at least 50 feet from any submerged beds of seagrasses, coral reefs, live bottom, areas supporting growth of sponges, sea fans, soft corals, and other sessile macroinvertebrates generally associated with rock outcrops, oyster reefs, scallop beds, clam beds, or areas where there are unique or unusual concentrations of bottom-dwelling marine organisms. Should the assessment find any evidence of cultural/archaeological resources such as sunken vessels, ballast, historic refuse piles, or careenage areas, the Permittee shall also maintain a deployment buffer of at least 50 feet from any of these resources.

The Permittee shall provide of the information obtained from the assessment to the Corps no less than 14 days prior to deployment of material on an artificial reef in conjunction with the pre-deployment notification.

11. Pre-Deployment Notification: No less than 14 days prior to deployment of material on an artificial reef, the Permittee shall transmit by electronic mail (“email”) a complete and signed “Florida Artificial Reef Materials Cargo Manifest and Pre-Deployment Notification” form (Attachment), to the Corps and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to allow inspection of the proposed reef materials as deemed necessary by the agencies. Inspection is allowable at the staging area. By signing the Pre-Deployment Notification, the Permittee certifies all materials are free from asphalt, petroleum, other hydrocarbons and toxic residues. The Permittee shall not deploy material if notified by the Corps or FWC that the material is questionable. The material needs to be evaluated before it is released for deployment. Any material deemed unacceptable for reef material will be disposed in an approved upland disposal site.

Deployment of the material shall not occur until after the end of the 14-day inspection period. The Permittee shall ensure both a copy of this permit and the signed “Florida Artificial Reef Materials Cargo Manifest and Pre-Deployment Notification” form are maintained aboard the deployment vessel at all times during loading, transit, and deployment.

12. Post-Deployment Placement Report/As-Built Drawing: Within 30 days after deployment of materials, the Permittee shall transmit by email to the Corps, FWC, and NOAA a complete and signed “Florida Artificial Reef Materials Placement Report and Post-Deployment Notification” form (Attachment). Please note, the Corps requires the latitude and longitude to be accurate within 5 meters horizontal distance on the post-deployment report. The report shall include an as-built drawing containing the approximate deployment configurations and the height of the material after placement.

Depth shall be verified utilizing fathometer, depth sounder, or similar device accurate to within 1 meter. Also, include information on the condition of the material at the time of deployment. The report and drawing shall be limited to a few pages per deployment.

Representative photographs and/or video, if available, should be submitted.

13. Ownership/Maintenance/Liability: By signing this permit, the Permittee certifies and acknowledges ownership of all artificial reef materials deployed on the reef, accepts responsibility for maintenance of the artificial reef, and possesses the financial ability to assume liability for all damages that may arise with respect to the artificial reef.

14. Manatee Conditions: The Permittee shall comply with the “Standard Manatee Conditions for In-Water Work – 2011” (Attachment). The most recent version of the Manatee Conditions must be utilized.

15. Manatee Protection: The Permittee shall ensure wharf fenders are installed to reduce the risk of a vessel injuring a manatee. The wharf fenders shall be installed with appropriate materials to provide sufficient standoff space of at least 3 feet under compression. Fenders or buoys providing a minimum standoff space of at least 3 feet under compression shall be utilized between two vessels moored together.

16. Protected Species Construction Conditions: The Permittee shall comply with National Marine Fisheries Service’s “Protected Species Construction Conditions, NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office” dated May 2021 (Attachment).

17. All work shall occur during daylight hours.

18. Work Vessel Anchoring: The attached drawings identifies the location of hardbottom documented at the project site. This permit does not authorize construction work vessels anchoring or spudding down in areas where hardbottom is present.

19. As-Built Certification: Within 60 days of completion of the work authorized by this permit, the Permittee shall submit as-built drawings of the authorized work and a completed “As-Built Certification by Professional Engineer or Surveyor” form (Attachment) to the Corps. The as-built drawings shall be signed and sealed by a registered professional engineer or surveyor and include the following:

a. A plan view drawing of the location of the authorized work footprint, as shown on the permit drawings, with an overlay of the work as constructed. The plan view drawing should show all existing water management structures and the completed structures, dredge/fill activities, and wetland impacts.

b. A list of any deviations between the work authorized by this permit and the work as constructed. In the event that the completed work deviates, in any manner, from the authorized work, describe on the attached “As-Built Certification by Professional Engineer” form the deviations between the work authorized by this permit and the work as constructed. Clearly indicate on the as-built drawings any deviations that have been listed. Please note that the depiction and/or description of any deviations on the drawings and/or “As-Built Certification by Professional Engineer” form does not constitute approval of any deviations by the Corps.

c. The Department of the Army permit number on all sheets submitted.

20. Compensatory Mitigation: The construction and implementation of the mitigation activities shall be in accordance with the final compensatory mitigation plan/Biological monitoring plan updated August 2022 (Attachment). Within 90-days from the date of initiating the work authorized by this permit, the Permittee shall construct a 5.7-acre mitigation reef comprised of concrete/limestone modules. The modules shall be placed in single non-stacked layer at least 2-feet high relative to MLLW to ensure no adverse effects on navigation. The construction of the mitigation reef shall be completed within six months of construction commencement.

21. Monitoring and Reporting Timeframes: To document achievement of the performance standards identified in the approved mitigation plan (Attachment) and Compensatory Mitigation Special Condition of this permit, the Permittee shall complete the following:

a. Perform a time-zero monitoring event of the mitigation reefs within 60 days of completion of the compensatory mitigation construction and implementation activities identified in the Compensatory Mitigation Special Condition of this permit.

b. Submit the time-zero report to the Corps within 60 days of completion of the monitoring event. The report will include at least one paragraph depicting baseline conditions of the mitigation site(s) prior to initiation of the compensatory mitigation objectives and a detailed plan view drawing of all created, enhanced and/or restored mitigation areas.

c. Subsequent to completion of the compensatory mitigation objectives, perform semi-annual monitoring of the aquatic resource mitigation areas for the first 2 years and annual monitoring thereafter for a total of no less than 5 years of monitoring.

d. Submit annual monitoring reports to the Corps within 60 days of completion of the monitoring event. Semi-annual monitoring will be combined into one annual monitoring report.

e. Monitor the mitigation area(s) and submit annual monitoring reports to the Corps until released in accordance with the Mitigation Release Special Condition of this permit.

22. Reporting Format: The Permittee shall submit all monitoring documentation to the Corps on 8½-inch by 11-inch paper, and include the following:

a. Project Overview:

(1) Department of the Army Permit Number

(2) Name and contact information of Permittee and consultant

(3) Name of party responsible for conducting the monitoring and the date(s) the inspection was conducted

(4) A brief paragraph describing the purpose of the approved project, acreage and type of aquatic resources impacted, and mitigation acreage and type of aquatic resources authorized to compensate for the aquatic impacts.

(5) Written description of the location, any identifiable landmarks of the compensatory mitigation project including information to locate the site perimeter(s), and coordinates of the mitigation site (expressed as latitude, longitude, UTMs, state plane coordinate system, etc.).

(6) Dates compensatory mitigation commenced and/or was complete.

(7) Short statement on whether the performance standards are being met.

(8) Dates of any recent corrective or maintenance activities conducted since the previous report submission

(9) Specific recommendations for any additional corrective or remedial actions.

b. Requirements: List the monitoring requirements and performance standards, as specified in the approved mitigation plan and special conditions of this permit, and evaluate whether the compensatory mitigation project site is successfully achieving the approved performance standards or trending towards success. A table is a recommended option for comparing the performance standards to the conditions and status of the developing mitigation site.

c. Summary Data: Summary data should be provided to substantiate the success and/or potential challenges associated with the compensatory mitigation project. Photo documentation may be provided to support the findings and recommendations referenced in the monitoring report and to assist the PM in assessing whether the compensatory mitigation project is meeting applicable performance standards for that monitoring period. Submitted photos should be formatted to print on a standard 8½-inch x 11-inch piece of paper, dated, and clearly labeled with the direction from which the photo was taken. The photo location points should also be identified on the appropriate maps.

d. Maps and Plans: Maps shall be provided to show the location of the compensatory mitigation site relative to other landscape features, habitat types, locations of photographic reference points, transects, sampling data points, and/or other features pertinent to the mitigation plan. In addition, the submitted maps and plans should clearly delineate the mitigation site perimeter(s). Each map or diagram should be formatted to print on a standard 8½-inch x 11-inch piece of paper and include a legend and the location of any photos submitted for review. As-built plans may be included.

e. Conclusions: A general statement shall be included that describes the conditions of the compensatory mitigation project. If performance standards are not being met, a brief explanation of the difficulties and potential remedial actions proposed by the Permittee or sponsor, including a timetable, shall be provided. The District Commander will ultimately determine if the mitigation site is successful for a given monitoring period.

21. Remediation: If the compensatory mitigation fails to meet the performance standards within (3) three years after completion of the compensatory mitigation objectives, the compensatory mitigation will be deemed unsuccessful. Within 60 days of notification by the Corps that the compensatory mitigation is unsuccessful, the Permittee shall submit to the Corps an alternate compensatory mitigation proposal sufficient to create the functional lift required under this permit. The alternate compensatory mitigation proposal may be required to include additional mitigation to compensate for the temporal loss of aquatic resource functions associated with the unsuccessful compensatory mitigation activities. The Corps reserves the right to fully evaluate, amend, and approve or reject the alternate compensatory mitigation proposal.

Within 120 days of Corps approval, the Permittee will complete the alternate compensatory mitigation proposal.

23. Mitigation Release: The Permittee’s responsibility to complete the required compensatory mitigation, as set forth in the Compensatory Mitigation Special Condition of this permit will not be considered fulfilled until mitigation success has been demonstrated and written verification has been provided by the Corps. A mitigation area which has been released will require no further monitoring or reporting by the Permittee; however the Permittee, Successors and subsequent Transferees remain perpetually responsible to ensure that the mitigation area(s) remain in a condition appropriate to offset the authorized impacts in accordance with General Condition 2 of this permit.

24. Cultural Resources/Historic Properties:

a. No structure or work shall adversely affect, impact, or disturb properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), or those eligible for inclusion in the NRHP.

b. If, during permitted activities, items that may have historic or archaeological origin are observed the Permittee shall immediately cease all activities adjacent to the discovery that may result in the destruction of these resources and shall prevent his/her employees from further removing, or otherwise damaging, such resources. The applicant shall notify both the Florida Department of State, Division of Historical Resources, Compliance Review Section at (850)-245-6333 and the Corps, of the observations within the same business day (8 hours).

Examples of submerged historical, archaeological or cultural resources include shipwrecks, shipwreck debris fields (such as steam engine parts, or wood planks and beams), anchors, ballast rock, concreted iron objects, concentrations of coal, prehistoric watercraft (such as log "dugouts"), and other evidence of human activity. The materials may be deeply buried in sediment, resting in shallow sediments or above them, or protruding into water. The Corps shall coordinate with the Florida State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) to assess the significance of the discovery and devise appropriate actions. Project activities shall not resume without verbal and/or written authorization from the Corps.

b. Additional cultural resources assessments may be required of the permit area in the case of unanticipated discoveries as referenced in accordance with the above Special Condition and, if deemed necessary by the SHPO or Corps, in accordance with 36 CFR 800 or 33 CFR 325, Appendix C (5). Based on the circumstances of the discovery, equity to all parties, and considerations of the public interest, the Corps may modify, suspend, or revoke the permit in accordance with 33 CFR Part 325.7. Such activity shall not resume on non-federal lands without written authorization from the SHPO for finds under his or her jurisdiction, and from the Corps.

c. In the unlikely event that unmarked human remains are identified on non-federal lands; they will be treated in accordance with Section 872.05 Florida Statutes. All work and ground disturbing activities within a 100-meter diameter of the unmarked human remains shall immediately cease and the Permittee shall immediately notify the medical examiner, Corps, and State Archaeologist within the same business day (8-hours). The Corps shall then notify the appropriate SHPO. Based on the circumstances of the discovery, equity to all parties, and considerations of the public interest, the Corps may modify, suspend, or revoke the permit in accordance with 33 CFR Part 325.7. Such activity shall not resume without written authorization from the SHPO and from the Corps.

d. A professional archaeologist who meets the "Archaeology and Historic Preservation: Secretary of Interior’s Standards and Guidelines” shall be onsite during the initial ground-disturbing activities. The professional archaeologist shall be responsible for monitoring the spoil and ground disturbance for significant archaeological deposits. Should potential significant archaeological deposits (which shall include, but not be limited to: pottery, modified shell, flora, fauna, human remains, ceramics, stone tools or metal implements, dugout canoes, evidence of structures or any other physical remains that could be associated with Native American cultures or early colonial or American settlement) recovery be encountered, all work and ground disturbing activities must cease within a 100-meter diameter of the discovery to allow for proper assessment, recording, and recovery of the cultural deposits in a professional manner. The archaeologist on site shall notify the Permittee, SHPO, and the Corps the same business day (8-hours) to assess the significance of the discovery and devise appropriate actions, including salvage operations. Upon completion of the monitoring activities, an archaeological letter must be submitted to Florida’s Division of Historical Resources, along with an updated Florida Master Site File form. The archaeologist shall submit notification of such action, in the form of the Cultural Resource Certification, to the Corps and RD- Archaeologist for inclusion in the administrative record.

e. If prehistoric or historic artifacts such as pottery or ceramics, projectile points, dugout canoes, metal implements, historic building materials, or any other physical remains that could be associated with Native American, early European, or American settlement are encountered at any time within the project site area, the permitted project shall cease all activities involving subsurface disturbance in the vicinity of the discovery. The applicant shall contact the Florida Department of State, Division of Historical Resources, Compliance Review Section at (850)-245-6333.

Project activities shall not resume without verbal and/or written authorization. In the event that unmarked human remains are encountered during permitted activities, all work shall stop immediately and the proper authorities notified in accordance with Section 872.05, Florida Statutes.

25. Queen Conch Conditions: The permittee will follow the following survey and relocation plan:

Survey Protocols:

• Pre-construction Surveys: The remaining 5.2-acre reef placement site will be surveyed within one week prior to reef construction. If no queen conch are found throughout the deployment site during the pre-construction survey, during-construction surveys of the active work sub-area will be conducted.

• During-construction Surveys: During-construction surveys will focus on 1,000 square meter cells, every three days following NMFS guidelines to ensure that no queen conch move into the work area during reef construction. Survey requirements for every third day per NMFS guidelines will cover a minimum of 24 meters (78 feet) in each direction around the work area perimeter.

• Daily Surveys: If queen conch are documented during the immediate pre-construction survey of the remaining 5.2-acre site, these locations will be documented with differential global positioning system (DGPS)s and digital photography. These observations will trigger the requirement for daily surveys to be conducted during reef construction in the active work sub-area, focusing on 1,000 square meter cells.

Relocation Protocol:

• Applicants must also ensure that they are complying with applicable state and territorial requirements before relocating queen conch. Relocation of queen conch in Florida may require a Special Activities License (SAL) from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

• If any queen conch are observed during the daily surveys, their locations will be documented with a DGPS and digital photography, and then divers will relocate the queen conch to the natural reef to the east of the reef placement site, which is known habitat for queen conch. No queen conch will be removed from the water during relocation. Divers will place the collected queen conch into crates and swim underwater to the permanent relocation site, which will be more than 36 meters from the buffer around the reef placement site. Relocated queen conch will also be photographed at the receiver site on the natural reef.

• In addition to any reporting requirements associated with federal, state, or territorial permits, please report incidental take using the Endangered Species Take Report Form (Attachment I). Please include project name, consultation number, survey coordinates, survey area, date, surveyor identification, number of queen conch encountered, and number taken. If conch are relocated, please also include number of queen conch relocated, relocation method, and any injury or mortality observed.

• Other Permanent Relocation Protocols

• Gather all queen conch in the survey area by hand.

• In Florida, relocate conch to areas identified by FWC during the SAL process.

• Individuals should be carefully released at relocation sites by hand-placing them on the bottom, or by slowly lowering them to the bottom using crates or sacks, so as to avoid any potential damage to their shells. Care must be taken to ensure that no air is trapped inside the shell. If possible, individuals should be placed in sand or seagrass rather than directly atop coral or other hardbottom.

• Once placed on the bottom, snorkelers or divers should ensure that each individual is placed right side up with shell opening facing downward so as to reduce potential risk from predators.

26. Vessel Strike Avoidance Measures: The Permittee shall comply with the “Vessel Strike Avoidance Measures and Reporting for Mariners,” revised May 2021, for marine turtles and marine mammals.

27. Fill Material: The Permittee shall use only clean fill material for this project. The fill material shall be free from items such as trash, debris, automotive parts, asphalt, construction materials, concrete block with exposed reinforcement bars, and soils contaminated with any toxic substance in toxic amounts, in accordance with Section 307 of the Clean Water Act.

The impact of your proposal on navigation and the environment has been reviewed and found to be insignificant. The permit is hereby modified in accordance with your request. You should attach this letter to the permit. All other conditions of the permit remain in full force and effect.

If you have any questions concerning this permit modification, please contact the project manager Jessica Bedsworth at the letterhead address, by telephone at 561-545- 3713 or by electronic mail at Jessica.F.Bedsworth@usace.army.mil.

Thank you for your cooperation with our permit program. The Corps’ Jacksonville District Regulatory Division is committed to improving service to our customers. We strive to perform our duty in a friendly and timely manner while working to preserve our environment. We invite you to complete our automated Customer Service Survey at https://regulatory.ops.usace.army.mil/customer-service-survey/. Please be aware this Internet address is case sensitive; and, you will need to enter it exactly as it appears above. Your input is appreciated – favorable or otherwise.

BY AUTHORITY OF THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY:

Brandon L. Bowman Colonel, U.S. Army District Commander

Enclosures cc:

Stephanie Roche sroche@broward.org

CESAJ-RD-PE

https://regulatory.ops.usace.army.mil/customer-service-survey/ mailto:sroche@broward.org

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