DTFH71-17-R-00014_-_Amendment_0005.pdf

(x)

DTFH7117R00014

x x

8 copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted ; or (c) By separate letter or telegram which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT

THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted , such change may be made by telegram or letter, provided each telegram or letter makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

x

Sterling VA 20166-6511

EFLHD-CO

21400 Ridgetop Circle Construction Office Eastern Federal Lands Highway Div.

Federal Highway Administration

Sterling VA 20166-6511

EFLHD-AC

21400 Ridgetop Circle Acquisitions Office Eastern Federal Lands Highway Div.

Federal Highway Administration

VI DPC 34(1)08/01/20170005

13. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO MODIFICATION OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS. IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required) is not extended.is extended, Items 8 and 15, and returning

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended , by one of the following methods: (a) By completing

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

FACILITY CODE CODE

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.

CODE

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (No., street, county, State and ZIP Code)

7. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 6)CODE 6. ISSUED BY

PAGE OF PAGES

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO.3. EFFECTIVE DATE2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NO. 5. PROJECT NO. (If applicable)

1. CONTRACT ID CODE

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

06/20/2017

CHECK ONE A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority) appropriation date, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor is not, is required to sign this document and return __________________ copies to the issuing office.

ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

Project: VI DPC 34(1), Veterans Drive (Route 30)

See attached.

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

15C. DATE SIGNED 16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR 16C. DATE SIGNED

(Signature of person authorized to sign) (Signature of Contracting Officer)

STANDARD FORM 30 (REV. 10-83)

Prescribed by GSA

FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

NSN 7540-01-152-8070

Previous edition unusable

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9 A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect .

Amendment No. 0005

Info Page 1 of 1

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION

EASTERN FEDERAL LANDS HIGHWAY DIVISION

Project VI DPC 34(1)

Veterans Drive (Route 30) Solicitation: DTFH71-17-R-00014

The purpose of this Amendment is to:

1) Provide a summary of responses to questions/clarifications submitted by potential bidders.

2) Provide the Department of Public Works Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Project’s request for proposal for informational purposes.

The RFP Proposal Package (both Technical and Price proposals) due date of August 4, 2017, at 2:00 p.m. will remain the same.

Questions/Clarifications

Questions/Clarifications

Bidders can send written questions or inquiries for clarification to: eflhd.contracts@dot.gov.

Questions can be submitted at any time, but questions submitted within 7 days of the bid opening may not be answered in time for the bidder to properly incorporate the responses into their bids.

The following questions and issues were submitted via email. The Government response or clarification is provided. Due to the repetitive nature of several questions and issues, the wording of the questions may have been revised and some questions have not been included.

The Government’s direct response to the sender may also have been updated below for better clarity.

1. Several Permit Conditions issued in the USACE Permit dated 7/27/17 substantially change the means and method allowed for the construction of the new block sea wall. These changes significantly affect both the price and technical proposal. To properly evaluate the financial impact of these special conditions, will the Department please consider a two-week bid extension so that all bidders can responsibly evaluate the project requirements.

Response: An extension is not warranted. The conditions in the USACE permit and reports referenced in it were part of the Environmental Assessment (EA) provided to all bidders when this project’s RFP was posted.

The Department of Public Works (DPW), under a separate contract, will be performing the water quality monitoring for the project required by the USACE permit [please see Subsection 157.05B of the Special Contract Requirements (SCR)].

Also, the DPW, under the same contract, will be transplanting the triangle reef, coral, and seagrass within the work area (please see Subsection 108.01 of the SCR).

The work that will be performed under the DPW’s Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring project is shown in Attachment F of the EA. As a reference and for informational purposes, the RFP package that the DPW used for their Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring project is included in this amendment.

mailto:eflhd.contracts@dot.gov

AMENDMENT 5

Attachment F Mitigation and Monitoring Plans

Appendix A Benthic Environmental Mitigation Plan

Veterans Drive (Route 30) Improvements – Mitigation and Monitoring Plans

Appendix A – Benthic Environmental Mitigation Plan

MINIMIZATION AND COMPENSATORY

MITIGATION PLAN FOR IMPACTS TO ESA

LISTED SPECIES, ESSENTIAL FISH HABITAT

AND CRITICAL HABITAT

FOR

ROADWAY IMPROVMENTS TO VETERANS

DRIVE

ST. THOMAS, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS

PREPARED BY

BIOIMPACT, INC.

P.O. BOX 132 KINGSHILL

ST. CROIX, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS 00851

AND

PARSONS BRINCKERHOFF

7360 CORPORATE CENTER DRIVE, SUITE 300

MIAMI, FLORIDA 33126

Revised – May 2017

Compensatory Mitigation Plan Revised May 2016 P a g e | i

Roadway Improvements to Veterans Drive St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands Compensatory Mitigation Plan

Table of Contents

I. INTRODUCTION

II. OBJECTIVES

III. SITE SELECTION

IV. SITE PROTECTION INSTRUMENT

V. BASELINE INFORMATION

V.1 Seagrass Recipient Site East Gregerie Channel V.2 Coral Recipient Site Frederick Point, Hassel Island

VI. COMPENSATION FOR UNAVOIDABLE IMPACTS

VI.1 Reason for Mitigation VI.2 General Description of Area to be Impacted VI.3 Methods VI.4 Findings VI.5 Impact of Roadway Improvements

VII. MITIGATION WORK PLAN

VII.1 Corals VII.2 Seagrass VII.3 Additional Mitigation

VIII. MAINTENANCE PLAN

IX. ECOLOGICAL PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

X. MONITORING REQUIREMENTS

XI. LONG TERM MANAGEMENT PLAN

XII. ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT PLAN

XIII. FINANCIAL ASSURANCES

Compensatory Mitigation Plan Revised May 2016 P a g e | ii

Roadway Improvements to Veterans Drive St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands Compensatory Mitigation Plan

List of Tables Table 1 – Seagrass Recipient Site East Gregerie Channel

Table 2 - Coral Recipient Site Frederick Point, Hassel Island

Table 3 -Results of Quadrat Analysis along Transect Lines

List of Figures

Figure 1 – Location of Recipient Sites

Figure 2 – Benthic habitat Map Tile #10

Figure 3 - Location of Transects for Seagrass Transplant Recipient Site

Figure 4 - Location of transects for Coral Transplant

Figure 5 - Benthic Habitat Map Tile 10 showing the proposed project area

Figure 6 - Benthic Habitats found offshore of the project area

Figure 7 - Benthic Habitats west of the V.I. Legislature

Figure 8 - Location of benthic transects conducted in 2012 to west of legislature

Figure 9 - Benthic Transections west of VI Legislature Building

Figure 10 - Direct impact to Benthic Habitat

Figure 11 - Indirect impact to Benthic Habitat

Figure 12 - Uncolonized Coral Boulders

Figure 13 – Triangle Reef Condition

Figure 14 - Proposed Informational Buoys on Triangle Reef

This plan follows the compensatory mitigation guidelines as set forth in 40 CFR Part 230, Compensatory Mitigation for Loses of Aquatic Resources: Final Rule. The fundamental objective of compensatory mitigation is to offset environmental losses resulting from unavoidable impacts to the waters of the United States authorized by DA permits.

Compensatory Mitigation Plan Revised May 2016 P a g e | iii

Roadway Improvements to Veterans Drive St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands Compensatory Mitigation Plan

Compensatory Mitigation Plan Revised May 2017 P a g e | 1 Roadway Improvements to Veterans Drive St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

I. INTRODUCTION

The Virgin Islands Department of Public Works (DPW) is proposing to make improvements to Veterans Drive (Route 30) from Tortola Wharf to Long Bay Road (Kronprindsens Tvaer Gade (Windward Passage Hotel) to Long Bay Road/W.G. Lewis Lane (formerly Lovers Lane). The improvements to Veterans Drive are needed to help alleviate traffic congesting along the waterfront. Improvements have been completed further to the east on Long Bay Road and are ongoing near Mandala Circle and to the east which have made significant steps towards lessening the congestion which occurs due to busy cruise ship port and main means of egress into the town of Charlotte Amalie. Further expanding the four-lane roadway will greatly enhance the visitors’ experience on St. Thomas and will improve traffic flow to and from the town of Charlotte Amalie. The improvements include the development of a landscape promenade along the waterfront for the enjoyment of visitors and residents alike.

The project will require filling 8.57 acres of Charlotte Amalie Harbor. This will result in filling 1.15 acres of seagrass beds and 2.97 acres of hardbottom with sparse coral colonization. This represents a reduction of impact from the previous design which required 9.75 acres of fill and an impact to 1.84 acres of seagrass and 3.66 acres of coral colonized hardbottom. It is anticipated that there will also be impacts due to the construction operation as much as an additional 450 sq. ft. of seagrass may be lost due to the use of barge spuds.

Not all the hardbottom is critical habitat. Water quality within the entire area is poor and settling sediments are a problem due to terrestrial runoff and marine activities within the harbor, however Acropora does occur within the harbor therefore colonization by these species is possible. Approximately 1 acre of the hardbottom is extremely shallow and occasionally exposed during the lowest tides or subject to heavy sediment at the interface between the seafloor and the hardbottom. The actual critical habitat impact is closer to

1.97 acres.

A preconstruction benthic survey will be conducted to determine the exact number and location of ESA-listed corals within the in-water work footprint that will be relocated and within the general area adjacent to all temporary and permanent in-water work, including barge transit routes, barge anchoring locations, and the in-water footprint of the expanded roadway. In addition to being used to determine the number and location of ESA-listed corals to be relocated, the survey results will be used to determine whether there are other ESA-listed coral colonies adjacent to the in-water work footprint. If ESA-listed coral colonies are present adjacent to the in-water work footprint, these colonies will be surveyed as part of the implementation of the Water Quality Monitoring Plan. This further elaborated on in the Environmental and Water Quality Monitoring Plan.

In order to minimize and mitigate these impacts to ESA species, including corals and fish and EFH, corals and seagrasses within the area of impact (which extends beyond the direct impact footprint) will be transplanted prior to construction. Barge spud impacts will also be monitored and where possible impacts to seagrass beds will be mitigated. Coral rock boulders will also be relocated to the mitigation area to reduce the impact on critical habitat. As compensatory mitigation for impacts that are unavoidable improvements to drainage structures along the waterfront will be made to help improve water quality of runoff into the bay and a habitat restoration project will be undertaken which will repair existing vessel strike damage on Triangle Reef. Protective buoys will also be placed on the recipient and restoration areas to protect resources.

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II. OBJECTIVES

The objective of this mitigation plan is to minimize the impact of the roadway improvements which are proposed along Veterans Drive (Route 30) and to compensate for unavoidable impacts. In order to minimize these impacts corals and seagrass within the area of impact (which extends beyond the direct impact foot) will be transplanted prior to construction. In order to compensate for unavoidable impacts, improvements to drainage structures along the waterfront will also be made to help improve water quality of runoff into the bay.

Mooring and informational buoys will be installed to protect the transplant areas and to protect seagrass and corals. Information signage will also be placed along the waterfront promenade to educate local residents and tourists alike on the importance of our marine resources. And as part of the compensatory mitigation for critical habitat a restoration project will be undertaken which will repair existing vessel strike damage on Triangle Reef.

A debris cleanup of 0.3 acres will also be undertaken for spud impacts during construction.

III. SITE SELECTION

The transplant sites (Figure 1) have been selected due to their proximity and similarity to the proposed impact sites. Benthic Habitat Map (Tile # 10) of the recipient sites is shown on Figure 2. Both recipient sites have better water quality than the project site. The coral relocation area off Frederik Point, Hassel Island was chosen since it is of similar rock substrate and there are areas into which corals can be transplanted which are the same depths from which the corals are being taken. There is also available space to relocate the uncolonized coral rock boulders.

Figure 1 – Location of Recipient Sites

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All of the coral species being transplanted, Diploria strigosa, Stephanocoenia michilini, Siderastrea siderea, Montastrea annularis, Porites astreoides, S. radians, Porites porites, and Dendrogyra cylindrus are present within the recipient site area. The recipient site is delineated as the same habitat type, Reef/Colonized Bedrock, of project area in the NOS Benthic Habitat Map (Figure 2). The area is also adjacent to Hassel Island which is protected from development and government held and therefore the mitigation area should not be impacted in the future.

The seagrass recipient site on the east side of East Gregerie Channel is slightly deeper than most of the project site, but water quality is much better and the transplanted seagrass will not be impacted by a reduction of light availability. Seagrass currently thrive within the area. The recipient site also has numerous scars from boat groundings into which seagrass can be transplanted. The recipient site is delineated as the same habitat type, Seagrass 70-90 percent as about 50 percent of the project area. The area is also the closest area of this habitat type which has better water quality than the harbor. The area is also adjacent to Hassel Island which is protected from development and government held and therefore the mitigation area should not be impacted in the future.

The cleanup will be undertaken adjacent to the area of the spud impact in the dense seagrass an area of 0.3 acres will be cleaned.

Figure 2 – Benthic habitat Map Tile #10.

Note: the recipient sites have been identified on the map.

IV. SITE PROTECTION INSTRUMENT

Both proposed recipient sites are offshore of Hassel Island adjacent to lands which are held by either the Virgin Islands Government or National Park Service. Any alteration of these areas would require a U.S. Corps of Engineers Permit and a Department of Planning and Natural Resources Water Permit therefore a Site Protection Instrument should not be necessary as that approval for this mitigation plan is being sought through those two agencies. Virgin Islands Department of Public Works will be placing buoys offshore of each mitigation site indicating the presence of protected species and the necessity of caution while boating or anchoring.

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V. BASELINE INFORMATION

V.1 Seagrass Recipient Site East Gregerie Channel The proposed seagrass recipient site is located in an embayment just south of Haulover Cut on the western shoreline of Hassel Island (Figure 3). The area has a sandy bottom and varying degrees of seagrass colonization.

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Figure 3 - Location of Transects for Seagrass Transplant Recipient Site.

Thalassia testudinum, Syringodium filiforme and Halodule beaudettei area present as well as Halimeda, Caulerpa, Udotea, Arvainvillea, Laurencia, Hypnea and Penicillus. Several photo graphics of the recipient site are illustrated on Table 1. There are blowouts and boat scars in the area which are ideal for transplanting.

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Table 1 – Seagrass Recipient Site East Gregerie Channel

Recipient Site Condition Notes/Observations

Some of the deeper areas have the densest seagrass and it is heavily mixed with algae.

Both Thalassia testudinum and Syringodium filiforme are present

There are less dense areas in the shallows and these areas are primarily composed of Thalassia

Thalassia, Caulerpa and Halimeda are the most abundant species

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V.2 Coral Recipient Site Frederick Point, Hassel Island The proposed recipient site is on the southeastern corner of Hassel Island (Figure 4). It is composed of bedrock and boulders and is of similar rock composition as the project areas which will be impacted. The site has adequate open rock area in the appropriate depths to receive the corals.

Figure 4 - Location of transects for Coral Transplant.

Within the area are Acropora palmata, Diploria labyrinthiformis, Diploria strigosa, Stephanocoenia michilini, Siderastrea siderea, Orbicella annularis, Porites astreoides, S.

radians, Porites porites, Millepora alcicornis, M. complanata, Dendrogyra cylindrus, O.

cavernosa, Dichocoenia stokesii, Agarica agaricites and Meandrina meandrites. Several photo graphics of the recipient site are illustrated in Table 2.

Transect data is provided in Table 3 (page 8).

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Table 2 - Coral Recipient Site Frederick Point, Hassel Island

Recipient Site Condition Notes/Observations

The reef below the Fort on

Hassel Island

The shallowest areas have encrusting coral and gorgonian colonization

Acropora palmata colonies were found within the shallows below the fort

This Acropora is located immediately below the fort on Hassel Island

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Table 3 - Results of Quadrat Analysis along Transect Lines.

Transect Quadrat Species Common Name

Percent Cover/m2 Blades/m2 Substrate

Seagrass Transplant 18°19.946'N 64°56.316'W

Halimeda 12 sand

Udotea 2 sand

Caulerpa 5% sand

Udotea 7 sand

Caulerpa 5% sand

Udotea 22 sand

Thalassia testudinium Turtle Grass 78 sand

Caulerpa 5% sand

Halimeda 17 sand

Thalassia testudinium Turtle Grass 84 sand

Udotea 12 sand

Penicillus capitatus Shaving brush 1 sand

6 Thalassia testudinium Turtle Grass 120 sand

7 Thalassia testudinium Turtle Grass 100 sand

Syringodium filiforme Manatee grass 64 sand

Dictyota 5% sand

Halimeda 17 sand

Syringodium filiforme Manatee grass 32 sand

Dictyota 5% sand

Syringodium filiforme Manatee grass 64 sand

Halimeda 13 sand

Penicillus capatatus Shaving brush 4 sand

Syringodium filiforme Manatee grass 112 sand

Avrainvillea longicaulis 3 sand

Dictyota 5% sand

12 Udotea 2 sand

Seagrass Transplant 18°19.911'N 64°56.251’W

Thalassia testudinium Turtle Grass 104 sand

Penicillus captatus Shaving Brush 1 sand

Udotea 2 sand

Thalassia testudinium Turtle Grass 88 sand

Syringodium filiforme Manatee Grass 44 sand

Penicillus captatus Shaving Brush 12 sand

Udotea 3 sand

Thalassia testudinium Turtle Grass 108 sand

Syringodium filiforme Manatee Grass 62 sand

Udotea 6 sand

Halimeda 37 sand

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Table 3: Results of Quadrat Analysis along Transect Lines (Continued)

Transect Quadrat Species Common Name

Percent Cover/m2 Blades/m2 Substrate

4 Syringodium filiforme Manatee Grass 52 sand

Transplant Penicillus captatus Shaving Brush 3 sand

18°19.911'N Udotea 12 sand

64°56.251’W Halimeda 6 sand

5 Syringodium filiforme Manatee Grass 44 sand

Halimeda 43 sand

6 Thalassia testudinium Turtle Grass 124 sand

Halimeda 112 sand

Penicillus captatus 7 sand

7 Thalassia testudinium Turtle Grass 128 sand

Syringodium filiforme Manatee Grass 14 sand

Caulerpa 5% sand

Halimeda 44 sand

Penicillus captatus Shaving Brush 20 sand

Udotea 4 sand

8 Thalassia testudinium Turtle Grass 112 sand

Syringodium filiforme Manatee Grass 14 sand

Halimeda 41 sand

Caulerpa 5% sand

Penicillus captatus Shaving Brush 7 sand

9 Thalassia testudinium Turtle Grass 88 sand

Syringodium filiforme Manatee Grass 11 sand

Caulerpa 2% sand

Penicillus captatus Shaving Brush 2 sand

10 Thalassia testudinium Turtle Grass 164 Sand

Syringodium filiforme Manatee Grass 64 Sand

Penicillus captatus Shaving Brush 7 Sand

Caulerpa 2%

Thalassia testudinium Turtle Grass 188 sand

11 Thalassia testudinium Turtle Grass 244 Sand

Syringodium filiforme Manatee Grass 112 Sand

12 Thalassia testudinium 332 Sand

Sidereastrea radians Smooth starlet coral 2% cobble

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Table 3: Results of Quadrat Analysis along Transect Lines (Continued)

Transect Quadrat Species Common Name

Percent Cover/m2 Blades/m2 Substrate

Coral Transplant 1 Siderastrea siderea Smooth starlet coral 20% hardbottom

Transect 1 Dendrogyra cylindrus Pillar coral 30% hardbottom

18° 19.562'N Halimeda 5% hardbottom

64° 5.768'W Dictyota 5% hardbottom

2 Montastrea annularis Boulder Coral 15% hardbottom

Siderastrea siderea Smooth starlet coral 15% hardbottom

Halimeda Boulder Coral 3% hardbottom

3 Agarica agracities Lettuce coral 5% hardbottom

Siderastrea siderea Smooth starlet coral 5% hardbottom

Montastrea annularis Boulder Coral 5% hardbottom

Halimeda 5% hardbottom

Dictyota 5% hardbottom

4 Siderastrea siderea Smooth starlet coral 15% hardbottom

Halimeda 5% hardbottom

Dictyota 5% hardbottom

5 Siderastrea siderea Smooth starlet coral 25% hardbottom

Montastrea cavernosa Boulder Coral 15% hardbottom

Dictyota 2% hardbottom

6 Siderastrea siderea Smooth starlet coral 10% hardbottom

Montastrea cavernosa Boulder Coral 10% hardbottom

Porites porites Finger coral 5% hardbottom

7 Siderastrea siderea Smooth starlet coral 2% hardbottom

8 Uncolonized hardbottom

9 Diploria strigosa brain coral 10% hardbottom

10 Porites astreoides Mustard Hill Coral 15% hardbottom

Halimeda 2% hardbottom Coral

Transplant 1 Pseudoceratina crassa tube sponge 15% hardbottom

Transect 2 Pseudoopterogorgia bipinnata sea plume 5% hardbottom

18° 19.562'N 2 Monastrea cavernosa Boulder Coral 10% hardbottom

64° 5.793'W Porites porites Finger coral 5% hardbottom

Porites astreoides Mustard Hill Coral 10% hardbottom

3 Porites astreoides Mustard Hill Coral 15% hardbottom

Dendrogyra cylindrus Pillar coral 30% hardbottom

Dictyota 5% hardbottom

Padina santa-crucis 5% hardbottom

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Table 3: Results of Quadrat Analysis along Transect Lines (Continued)

Transect Quadrat Species Common Name

Percent Cover/m2 Blades/m2 Substrate

Coral Transplant

Siderastrea siderea Smooth starlet coral 20% hardbottom

Transect 2 Montastrea annularis Boulder Coral 15% hardbottom

18° 19.562'N Dictyota 5% hardbottom

64° 5.793'W

Montastrea annularis Boulder Coral 15% hardbottom

Sidereastrea siderea Smooth starlet coral 15% hardbottom

6 Sidereastrea siderea Smooth starlet coral 45% hardbottom

Sidereastrea siderea Smooth starlet coral 10% hardbottom

Diploria strigosa brain coral 5% hardbottom

Padina santa-crucis 5% hardbottom

8 Siderastrea siderea Smooth tarlet 35% Hardbottom

Pseudoceratina crassa tube sponge 25% hardbottom

Valonia 5% hardbottom

Montastrea cavernosa Boulder Coral 5% hardbottom

Montastrea annularis Boulder Coral 10% hardbottom

Diploria strigosa brain coral 5% hardbottom

Montastrea annularis Boulder Coral 15% hardbottom

Siderastrea siderea Smooth starlet coral 5% hardbottom

Padina santa-crucis 5% hardbottom

Siderastrea siderea Smooth starlet coral 20% hardbottom

Porites astreoides Mustard Hill Coral 15% hardbottom

Porites porites Finger coral 8% hardbottom

Dictyota 5% hardbottom

Siderastrea siderea Smooth starlet coral 15% hardbottom

Agarica agracities Lettuce coral 5% hardbottom

Caulerpa 5% hardbottom

Siderastrea siderea Smooth starlet coral 15% hardbottom

Padina santa-crucis 5% hardbottom

15 Erythropodium caribaeorum

Encrusting gorgonian 15% hardbottom

16 Acropora palmata Elkhorn coral 20% hardbottom

Acropora palmata Elkhorn coral 20% hardbottom

Muicea elongata Spiny sea rod 5% hardbottom Erythropodium caribaeorum

Encrusting gorgonian 5% hardbottom

Meandrina meandrites maze coral 10% hardbottom

Porites porites Finger coral 5% hardbottom

Please note that Orbicella spp. are still listed as Montastrea in the table above.

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VI. COMPENSATION FOR UNAVOIDABLE IMPACTS

VI.1 Reason for Mitigation The Virgin Islands Department of Public Works (DPW) has conducted a study of this segment of Veterans Drive (Route 30) in Charlotte Amalie; St Thomas, US Virgin Islands.

Improvements to Veterans Drive are needed to eliminate the traffic congestion that currently exists. In response to this need, the US Virgin Islands Department of Public Works (DPW) established the objective of improving the traffic management capabilities of the corridor. The goal is to improve the overall flow of traffic in the corridor. The intent is to upgrade Veterans Drive to current design standards in order to provide additional capacity.

The existing roadway is the major east-west arterial in St. Thomas, and plays an important role as an emergency evacuation route, and for emergency response vehicles. The roadway is the main access into Charlotte Amalie from the southern coastline of St.

Thomas and is the primary route between the cruise ship port and the main shopping district. A portion of Veterans Drive is an urban, 10-foot, lane two-lane, undivided facility.

There are sidewalks, although not continuous, on both sides of Veterans Drive and a seawall is located on the south side of the roadway bordering St. Thomas Harbor. The sidewalks are used by cruise ship passengers walking to and from Charlotte Amalie, and is used by both for walking and jogging.

The roadway currently has several deficiencies including: inadequate current and future capacity; unsafe vehicular conditions; and a lack of a continuous pedestrian connection.

It is also one of the most highly traveled roadways in the territory.

The improvements to the facility are needed to: eliminate existing traffic congestion, provide additional capacity, improve safety for motorists and pedestrians, and enhance the aesthetics of the waterfront. Motorist and pedestrian safety will be improved by increasing lane widths, providing for a median to separate the flows of traffic, and by providing a continuous sidewalk on both sides of the roadway for the length of the project.

The promenade and lookouts will provide for active and passive recreation opportunities.

Another goal is to improve public safety and emergency services response time. These issues would be adversely affected if the proposed project is not implemented. As traffic volumes continue to increase, travel speeds will decrease. As a result, response times for police, fire and other emergency services will increase, while making it increasingly difficult for pedestrians to safely cross the roadway with numerous cars and congestion.

The project involves direct and indirect impacts to the marine environment. The project will be directly impacting 8.57 acres of submerged aquatic habitat. A total of 1.15 acres of seagrass, 2.97 acres of coral colonized hard bottom and 4.45 acres of mud bottom which is sparsely colonized mud bottom. No acropoid corals were noted in the area and due to water quality it is not probable that this is prime habitat for either Acropora palmata or Acropora cervicornis. Acropora palmata does occur within the harbor, and approximately 1.97 acres of the hardbottom which may be impact is potential critical habitat. (Approximately 1 acre of hardbottom is periodically exposed a lowest ties or subject to heavy sedimentation along the sediment/hardbottom interface). Several Orbicella annularis, and one Dendrogyra cylindrus occur within the project foot print and these corals are listed on the Federal endangered species list in 2014. The area is also

Habitat for the Nassau Grouper (Epinephelus striatus) which was listed in 2016.

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As noted here the hardbottom at the hardbottom sediment interface is heavily sediment coated and not suitable critical habitat.

It is probable that additional impacts will occur due to vessel movements, the use of spuds and turbidity created during the project.

Both the seagrass, which is essential fish habitat and forage habitat to endangered sea turtles, and the corals which are also essential fish habitat will be transplanted outside of the area of impact. Corals and seagrass will not only be transplanted out of the footprint but also out of the anticipated impact footprint.

Due to the in water work filling and block placement for the bulkhead wall it is anticipated that there will some short-term water quality impacts. Stringent sedimentation and erosion control methods will be implemented and a water quality monitoring plan will be implemented during construction.

VI.2 General Description of Area to be Impacted Despite repeated disturbance and alterations over the years Charlotte Amalie Harbor still supports a diverse and abundant benthic community. While there are areas of uncolonized or minimally colonized course sand or silty muddy sand in the inner reaches of the harbor, there are also densely colonized seagrass beds and algal meadows and even hard bottom areas which supports a coral and sponge community. Most of the species present are those more suited to high turbidity environs.

The NOAA NOS Benthic Habitat Map Panel 10 (Figure 5) shows Reef/Colonized Bedrock at the rocky points within the project area, the dense continuous seagrass beds just to the west of the pump house, less dense seagrass beds to the west and the mud bottom further offshore and to the east of the pump stations. This mapping was found to be fairly accurate during the benthic surveys that were conducted in 2008 and 2012.

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Figure 5 - Benthic Habitat Map Tile 10 showing the proposed project area.

To the west of Hospital Gade to Long Bay Road is colonized by seagrass (Thalassia testitudinum) varying in density between 30-100 percent of total bottom coverage. The denser seagrass extends farther to the west than as depicted in the NOS benthic habitat map. The hard bottom areas which extend from around the pump house and around the Virgin Islands Legislature building are colonized hard and soft coral species. Extend beyond the hard bottom there are large scattered coral heads including Siderastrea siderea, Diploria strigosa and Orbicella annularis.

VI.3 Methods Surveys were conducted within the project area in 2008 and in March, April and May of the 2012. The surveys were conducted by snorkeling where water depth are less than

1.5 feet and by diving where water depths are 2 feet and deeper. Transects were conducted both parallel and perpendicular to the shoreline and meter squares were used to assess percent covers along the transect lines (Rogers, 1994). A hand-held Garmin Montana handheld GPS was placed in a water proof case and use to delineate the habitat types. The benthic habitat maps are provided below in Figures 6 and 7, the transect line locations are found in Figures 8 and 9 and the results of the transects analysis are found in Table 3 (page 8).

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Figure 6 - Benthic Habitats found offshore of the project area east of Legislature.

Figure 7 - Benthic Habitats west of the V.I. Legislature.

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Figure 8 - Location of benthic transects conducted in 2012 to east of legislature

Figure 9 - Benthic Transections west of VI Legislature Building

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VI.4 Findings To the west of Hospital Gade to Long Bay Road is colonized by seagrass (Thalassia testitudinum) varying in density between 30-100 percent total bottom coverage. The grassbeds are intermittently intermixed with algae (Halimeda, Udotea, Avrainvillea, Dictyota, Penicillus, Udotea). There are several areas where Halimeda, Udotea or Penicillus are the dominant cover. A portion of the shoreline is bulkheaded from the Legislature Building to where the riprap begins in front of the Federal Building within this area and there is coral rubble and cobble immediately along the shoreline, this is minimally colonized by corals (Siderastrea siderea and S. radians) and algae.

Where the culvert discharges at Hospital Gade there is a large minimally colonized area which is created by turbulence of the culvert discharge, a large accumulation of aluminum cans rolling around on the bottom and deposition of sediment. This area is minimally colonized by algal species. To the east of the sediment delta the seagrass become dense and continuous. To the east approaching the pump house there are coral heads (Diploria strigosa, Stephanocoenia michilini, and Siderastrea siderea) widely scattered within the seagrass. The riprap which begins at the Federal Building has become coral colonized and Diploria strigosa, Orbicella annularis, Porites astreoides and Siderastrea siderea are present. The density of corals increases to the east. And as the shoreline nears the pump house the bottom becomes rocky and there are coral colonized boulders and large coral heads. Diploira strigosa, Stephanocoenia michilini and Siderastrea siderea are found as large free standing heads, and the boulders and rocky substrate is colonized by Diploria strigosa, Stephanocoenia michilini, Siderastrea siderea, S. radians, Porites porites and Porites astreoides.

To the east of the pump out the riprap resumes along the shoreline and again is minimally colonized by Siderastrea siderea and S. radians. Off shore of the riprap as shown on the NOS habitat map is a muddy bottom with minimal algal colonization.

Continuing to the west beyond the hard bottom the bottom becomes muddy and there is minimal algal colonization by Halimeda, Udotea, Avrainvillea, Dictyota, Penicillus, Hypnea and Laurencia.

The bulkhead which runs the remainder of the project area has an occasional Siderastrea radians, or Siderastrea siderea all of which noted we encrusting and the largest was 8” in diameter. Most were 6” and under. One Diploria strigosa was noted.

VI.5 Impact of Roadway Improvements The project involves direct (Figure 10) and indirect impacts (Figure 11) to the marine environment. The project will be directly impacting 8.57 acres of submerged aquatic habitat. A total of 1.15 acres of seagrass (Thalassia testudinum), 2.97 acres of coral colonized hard bottom and 4.45 acres of mud bottom which is sparsely colonized mud bottom. No endangered corals were noted in the area and due to water quality, it is not probable that this is suitable habitat for either Acropora palmata or Acropora cervicornis.

However, Montastrea annularis, one Dichocoenia stokesii and one Dendrogyra cylindrus occur within the project foot print and these corals were listed on the Federal endangered species list in 2014. This also impacts habitat for Nassau Groupers (Epinephelus striatus) which were listed in 2016. This grouper was noted in the project area during surveys of the area.

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Figure 10 - Direct impact to Benthic Habitat.

Figure 11 - Indirect impact to Benthic Habitat.

Both the seagrass and coral, which are essential fish habitat and forage habitat to endangered sea turtles, will be transplanted outside of the area of impact. Corals and seagrass will be transplanted out of the project footprint as well as the anticipated impact footprint which is anticipated to extend 10 ft. beyond the footprint.

Due to the in-water work block placement for the bulkhead wall and fill placement it is anticipated that there will some short-term water quality impacts. Stringent sedimentation and erosion control methods will be implemented and a water quality monitoring plan will be implemented during construction.

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VII. MITIGATION WORK PLAN

VII.1 Corals First divers will collect those corals and sessile invertebrates that colonize riprap, cobbles and rocks within the footprint that are of a small enough size to allow hand carrying. Divers will wear disposable gloves while working with corals and keep any coral that appear unhealthy or diseased away from other corals. If a coral is handled that appears unhealthy or diseased gloves will be changed prior to working with other corals. The corals will be placed in underwater bins and these bins will be placed on a transport tray suspended underneath the vessel which will be used to relocate the corals. Once the tray is full, the vessel will slowly motor to the recipient site. Once on site the corals in their baskets will be carried by divers to the seafloor. The coral encrusted rocks and rubble will be placed in the recipient site in such a fashion that the rock is stable and will not be subject to movement. Care will be taken so that these transplanted materials will not impact existing organisms at the transplant site.

Using lift bags, and ropes divers will lift and transport larger coral colonized rocks, coral heads and uncolonized coral boulders on to a transport tray which has been placed on the seafloor. The tray will be then lifted with lift bags to the harness below the vessel and firmly secured to the vessel. The vessel will then slowly carry the organisms to the recipient site. Once on site lift bags will be attached to the tray and it will be released from the vessel and the tray will be carefully lowered to the seafloor. Once on the seafloor the boulder or coral will be lifted by lift bag and then placed in its new location. When attaching the corals to the lift bags ropes will be placed so that they avoid live coral tissue. If necessary, a plate may be placed underneath the coral so that it lifted without the tissue being impacted by the ropes.

Individual corals that are attached to the pavement or to rocks or boulders that cannot be moved will be removed with chisels. This includes small head and plate corals. These corals will be collected in bins and then placed on the underwater transport tray under the vessel. Once the tray is full, the vessel will slowly motor to the recipient site. The bins will be carried by divers to the seafloor. These corals will then be fixed in placed in their new locations with either two-part underwater epoxy, which sets in a matter of minutes (Slashzone) or hydraulic cement. The base of the coral will be carefully cleaned with a wire brush and the new substrate will be cleaned to remove algae and any other material which might interfere with the adhesion of the epoxy or cement. The new locations will either be existing uncolonized coral boulders or rubble or bedrock. The coral will be carefully placed and held until the epoxy or cement starts to set.

The recipient site is located to the south, the area is a similar habitat type with bedrock and dead coral substrate and has similar water depth to the area from which the corals will be taken (0’-10’). The area is typically less turbid than the site from which the coral are being transplanted from. The area is more open and has more current.

There are a number of large coral rock boulders which are scattered off of the rocky headlands which lie within the impact and potential impact foot print which are not colonized some of which are over a meter in diameter. This is illustrated on Figure 12.

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Figure 12 – Uncolonized Coral Boulders

Recipient Site Condition Notes/Observations

1 Large coral boulder with no colonization.

2 Large boulder with heavy sediment coat

3 Large boulder with heavy sediment coat

These boulders will make excellent habitat once relocated to an area less subject to sedimentation.

To minimized hardbottom, and critical habitat impact, all of these uncolonized boulders will be relocated and stabilized and should make excellent substrates for corals, including ESA listed species and EFH species of concern

There are approximately 25 boulders that can be moved with a surface areas ranging from 100 sq. ft. to 250 sq. ft. each for a reduction of critical habitat impact of 5,000 sq. ft. leaving

1.86 acres of critical habitat impact.

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VII.2 Seagrass The footprint of the containment area will be delineated on the seafloor utilizing rebar stakes and ropes.

Two methods of seagrass transplant may be utilized depending on the consistency of the substrate. If the substrate proves to be very coarse and sandy, the seagrasses rhizomes will be carefully removed from the sand in as long of runners as possible. Care will be taken to not break hair roots and rhizomes. These runners will be collected in large baskets and carried underwater to the tray beneath the boat for transport. The baskets will be covered to prevent the loss of seagrass during movement. Once at the recipient site trenches will then be excavated for the rhizomes and the grasses will be carefully replanted with care taken to make sure the rhizomes are sufficiently buried. Seagrass staples will also be used to help stabilize the new runners in place.

If the sediment is found to be sufficient consistency to be relocated with the grass, large sodding squares will be cut from the beds and the sodding units will we placed on large metal trays (8’x4’) and carried utilizing lift bags to the boat for transport to the recipient site where they will be placed in depressions excavated to receive them. The seagrasses will be covered during transport to avoid grass and sediment loss. The planting units will be planted abutting one another to aid in the stability of the newly planted bed. Seagrass staples will be utilized to stabilize the planting units.

Both of these methods have been found to be very successful in previous transplanting efforts.

During the transplanting activity, all invertebrates encountered within the area of impact, conch, starfish and if possible lobster and other small invertebrates will be relocated. It is however probable that not all juveniles will be found and relocated. Fish species will be able to leave the area as impacts occur and there are abundant seagrass beds and coral colonized hard bottoms to the south in the harbor to which they can relocate. Many of the smaller fish may inadvertently be transplanted as corals and seagrasses are moved.

During previous transplants, wrasses and damsels frequently followed corals into baskets and move with the coral to the new site.

During construction the spudding impacts of barges will be monitored and seagrass which has been torn loose due to spudding impacts will be collected and transplanted into the mitigation area. Also spud holes will be filled to prevent the entrapment of invertebrates.

While the seagrass which is within the impact zone of wave turbulence would also be transplanted reducing the seagrass within the spudding footprint, there would still be seagrass beds which fall within the barge spudding areas. It would not be practical to move all the seagrass from this area as that the spuds would only be impacting a fraction of that area. The spuds would impact their footprint and depending on the movement of the barge in the waves a few inches surrounding the hole. The bay is well protected but wind chop is a common occurrence within the bay and could result in some slight movement of the barge and there will therefore result in an overall diameter of impact of 20 inches to 24 inches for each spud. The number of spudding cannot be accurately predicted, but as much as 0.01 acres (450 square feet) of additional seagrass bed may be impacted. To mitigate for the spudding impacts and the impacts of the relocated moorings which cannot be avoid a debris cleanup of 0.3 acres is being implemented in the adjacent harbor and is describe below.

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VII.3 Additional Mitigation In order to protect not just the transplanted organisms but also the existing seagrass and corals to the west of Hassel Island, two mooring buoys will be installed to be used by boaters (charter and recreational) who frequent the area. These moorings will protect approximately 6,000 sq. ft. of coral and seagrass habitat. These mooring buoys will be placed at 18° 19.913'N 64° 56.258'W, and 18° 19.903'N 64° 56.247'W

Additional informational buoys will be placed off of Triangle Reef (18° 18.935'N 64° 55.168'W, 18° 18.894'N 64° 55.024'W, 18° 18.787'N 64° 55.045'W, 18° 18.719'N 64° 55.085'W, 18° 18.859'N 64° 54.911'W, 18° 18.809'N 64° 54.943'W, and 18° 18.760'N 64° 54.872'W) at the entrance of the harbor. This Reef, illustrated on Figure 13, is periodically hit by vessels trying to cut inside the reef to the harbor. Ferries have had to be cut off this reef. This reef is critical habitat and has Acropora palmata, Acropora cervicornis as well as all three Orbicella species, and Dendrogyra cylindrus. Nassau Grouper (Epinephelus striatus) also were noted on this reef. The informational buoys will be installed on helix anchors and have floated lines to not impact the seafloor.

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Figure 13 – Triangle Reef Condition

Acropora on Triangle Reef.

An Acropora which has been knock loose by a vessel.

A large branch of Acropora which has been broken off and fallen into a grotto.

A large Diploria lies in the sand, divers turned it over and it still has viable tissue.

This large Siderastrea has been knocked into one of the grottos, it can be reattached onto the rock substrate.

The grottos has numerous corals which have been knocked off the reef.

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Figure 13 – Triangle Reef Condition (Continued)

Corals are loose all over the crest of the reef. This vessel lost not only its prop but its shaft as well.

By placing information buoys on this reef, it will protect more than 2 acres of shallow critical habitat that is subject to vessel strikes. Proposed location of the buoys are illustrated on Figure 14.

A part of the compensatory mitigation for critical habitat a restoration project will be undertaken which will repair existing vessel strike damage on the reef. There are scattered broke corals which are still viable which can be re-attached to the substrate so they are not lost when storms occur and they are flipped over. Loose corals will be reattached within the more than 2 acres of critical habitat.

Figure 14…