FO_Flagler_County_Beach_and_Dune_Restoration_Project_-_0379716-003-JM.pdf

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF

Environmental Protection

Bob Martinez Center

2600 Blair Stone Road Tallahassee, FL 32399-2400

Ron DeSantis Governor

Alexis A. Lambert Secretary

CONSOLIDATED JOINT COASTAL PERMIT AND

SOVEREIGN SUBMERGED LANDS AUTHORIZATION

PERMITTEE:

Flagler County, FL, Board of County Commissioners Attn: Hamid Tabassian, PE 1769 E. Moody Blvd, Bldg 2 Bunnell, FL 32110 HTabassian@flaglercounty.gov

AGENT:

Christopher G. Creed 2618 Herschel St.

Jacksonville, FL 32204 CCreed@olsen-associates.com

PERMIT INFORMATION:

Permit Number: 0379716-003-JM

Project Name: Flagler County Beach and Dune Restoration Project

County: Flagler

Issuance Date: March 10, 2025

Expiration Date: March 10, 2040

REGULATORY AUTHORIZATION:

This major modification to Permit No. 0379716-001-JC is issued under the authority of Chapter 161 which includes consideration of the provisions contained in Part IV of Chapter 373, Florida Statutes (F.S.), and Title 62, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.). Pursuant to Operating Agreements executed between the Department of Environmental Protection (Department) and the water management districts, as referenced in Chapter 62-113, F.A.C., the Department is responsible for reviewing and taking final agency action on this activity. This modification, hereafter referred to as Permit No. 0379716-003-JM, supersedes Permit No.

0379716-001-JC. Changes to Permit No. 0379716-001-JC are shown as strikethroughs (deletions) or underlines (additions).

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

The project will restore and maintain two reaches (North and South Reach) of eroded beach and dune along approximately 7.3 miles (11.9 km) of shoreline using beach compatible material obtained from the Flagler County Borrow Area (FCBA), a sub area of Federal Borrow Area 3A, and approved upland sand sources.

mailto:HTabassian@flaglercounty.gov mailto:CCreed@olsen-associates.com

Joint Coastal Permit Flagler County Beach and Dune Restoration Project Permit No. 0379716-003-JM www.floridadep.gov

The authorized beach placement template includes both dune and beach berm features.

The dune will be constructed along the landward limits of beach berm and seaward of existing bulkheads, revetments, and/or established dune vegetation. Tapers will be included at the north and south end of the dune and beach berm template, providing a gradual transition from the proposed beach restoration project template to the existing shoreline. Dune vegetation and sand fencing will be installed along the restored dune as necessary. Seven staging and access areas have been authorized along the placement area.

For the reach of shoreline from Department Refence Monuments (R-Monuments) R-64.5 to R-80 and R-94 to R-101, the dune will have a maximum crest elevation of +12.0 feet NAVD with a 1V:3 H slope on the seaward face. The beach berm will have a crest elevation of +10.0 feet NAVD and a seaward slope of 1V:50H before transitioning to the seaward berm slope of 1 V:15H at the +8.0 feet NAVD elevation.

For the reach of shoreline from R-46 to R-64.5, the dune will have a variable crest elevation between +15.0 and +22.0 feet NAVD with a 1V:4H slope on the seaward face. The beach berm will have a crest elevation of +9.0 feet NAVD and a1V:20H seaward slope before transitioning to the seaward berm slope of 1V:12H at the +5.0 feet NAVD elevation.

The project will restore and maintain two reaches (North and South Reach) of eroded beach and dune along approximately 4.1 miles (6.6 km) of shoreline using beach compatible material obtained from the Flagler County Borrow Area (FCBA), a sub area of Federal Borrow Area 3A, Federal Borrow Area 3A, and approved upland sand sources.

The authorized beach placement template includes both dune and beach berm features.

The dune will be constructed along the landward limits of beach berm and seaward of existing bulkheads, revetments, and/or established dune vegetation. The dune will have a maximum crest elevation of +12.0 feet NAVD. The beach berm will have a maximum crest elevation of +10.0 feet NAVD and a 1:50 v:h seaward slope before transitioning to the seaward berm slope of 1:15 (v:h). Dune vegetation and sand fencing will be installed along the restored dune as necessary.

Six staging and access areas have been authorized along the placement area.

PROJECT LOCATION:

The nourishment sites extend from Department Range Monument (R)-64.5 46 to R-80 (North Reach) and R-94 to R-101 (South Reach), Flagler County, with staging and access areas located at Varn Park (between R-48 and R-49), R-65, R-78, R-78.4, R-79.8, R-95 and R-98. The nourishment segments are located in Sections 10, 12, 15, 23 and 26, Townships 11 and 12 South, Range 31 East. The borrow area (FCBA) is located approximately 10 nautical miles offshore in federal waters. The project is located in Flagler County, Atlantic Ocean, which is classified as Class III Waters. Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area at Flagler Beach is considered Outstanding Florida Waters.

PROPRIETARY AUTHORIZATION:

This activity also requires a proprietary authorization, as the activity is located on sovereign submerged lands held in trust by the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund (Board of Trustees), pursuant to Article X, Section 11 of the Florida Constitution, and Sections 253.002 and 253.77, F.S. The activity is not exempt from the need to obtain a proprietary authorization. The Board of Trustees delegated, to the Department, the responsibility to review and take final action on this request for proprietary authorization in accordance with Section 18-21.0051, F.A.C., and the Operating Agreements executed between the Department and the water management districts, as referenced in Chapter 62-113, F.A.C. This proprietary authorization has been reviewed in accordance with Chapter 253, Chapter 18-21 and Section 62-330.075, F.A.C., and the policies of the Board of Trustees.

The Department has also determined that the beach nourishment activity qualifies for a Letter of Consent to use sovereign, submerged lands, as long as the work performed is located within the boundaries as described herein and is consistent with the terms and conditions herein.

Therefore, consent is hereby granted, pursuant to Chapter 253.77, F.S., to perform the activity on the specified sovereign submerged lands.

COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT:

This permit constitutes a finding of consistency with Florida’s Coastal Zone Management Program, as required by Section 307 of the Coastal Zone Management Act.

WATER QUALITY CERTIFICATION:

This permit constitutes certification of compliance with state water quality standards pursuant to Section 401 of the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. 1341.

OTHER PERMITS:

Authorization from the Department does not relieve you from the responsibility of obtaining other permits (Federal, State, or local) that may be required for the project. When the Department received your permit application, a copy was sent to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) for review. The Corps will issue their authorization directly to you or contact you if additional information is needed. If you have not heard from the Corps within 30 days from the date that your application was received by the Department, contact the nearest Corps regulatory office for status and further information. Failure to obtain Corps authorization prior to construction could subject you to federal enforcement action by that agency.

AGENCY ACTION:

The above named Permittee is hereby authorized to construct the work that is outlined in the Project Description and Project Location of this permit and as shown on the approved permit drawings, plans and other documents attached hereto. This agency action is based on the information submitted to the Department as part of the permit application, and adherence with the final details of that proposal shall be a requirement of the permit. This permit and authorization to use sovereign submerged lands are subject to the General Conditions, General Consent Conditions, Specific Conditions, and attached Plans which are a binding part of this permit and authorization. Both the Permittee and their Contractor are responsible for reading and understanding this permit (including the permit conditions and the approved permit drawings) prior to commencing the authorized activities, and for ensuring that the work is conducted in conformance with all the terms, conditions and drawings.

GENERAL CONDITIONS:

1. All activities authorized by this permit shall be implemented as set forth in the project description, permit drawings, plans and specifications approved as a part of this permit, and all conditions and requirements of this permit. The Permittee shall notify the Department in writing of any anticipated deviation from the permit prior to implementation so that the Department can determine whether a modification of the permit is required pursuant to Rule 62B-49.008, F.A.C.

2. If, for any reason, the Permittee does not comply with any condition or limitation specified in this permit, the Permittee shall immediately provide the Department and the appropriate District office of the Department with a written report containing the following information: a description of and cause of noncompliance; and the period of noncompliance, including dates and times;

and, if not corrected, the anticipated time the noncompliance is expected to continue, and steps being taken to reduce, eliminate, and prevent recurrence of the noncompliance.

3. This permit does not eliminate the necessity to obtain any other applicable licenses or permits that may be required by federal, state, local or special district laws and regulations. This permit is not a waiver or approval of any other Department permit or authorization that may be required for other aspects of the total project that are not addressed in this permit.

4. Pursuant to Sections 253.77 and 373.422, F.S., prior to conducting any works or other activities on state-owned submerged lands, or other lands of the state, title to which is vested in the Board of Trustees, the Permittee must receive all necessary approvals and authorizations under Chapters 253 and 258, F.S.

Written authorization that requires formal execution by the Board of Trustees shall not be considered received until it has been fully executed.

5. Any delineation of the extent of a wetland or other surface water submitted as part of the permit application, including plans or other supporting documentation, shall not be considered specifically approved unless a specific condition of this permit or a formal determination under Section 373.421(2), F.S., provides otherwise.

6. This permit does not convey to the Permittee or create in the Permittee any property right, or any interest in real property, nor does it authorize any entrance upon or activities on property which is not owned or controlled by the Permittee.

The issuance of this permit does not convey any vested rights or any exclusive privileges.

7. This permit or a copy thereof, complete with all conditions, attachments, plans and specifications, modifications, and time extensions shall be kept at the work site of the permitted activity. The Permittee shall require the contractor to review the complete permit prior to commencement of the activity authorized by this permit.

8. The Permittee, by accepting this permit, specifically agrees to allow authorized Department personnel with proper identification and at reasonable times, access to the premises where the permitted activity is located or conducted for the purpose of ascertaining compliance with the terms of the permit and with the rules of the Department and to have access to and copy any records that must be kept under conditions of the permit; to inspect the facility, equipment, practices, or operations regulated or required under this permit; and to sample or monitor any substances or parameters at any location reasonably necessary to assure compliance with this permit or Department rules.

9. At least 48 hours prior to commencement of activity authorized by this permit, the Permittee shall electronically submit to the Department, by email at JCPCompliance@dep.state.fl.us, and the appropriate District office of the Department a written notice of commencement of construction indicating the actual start date and the expected completion date and an affirmative statement that the Permittee and the contractor, if one is to be used, have read the general and specific conditions of the permit and understand them.

10. If any prehistoric or historic artifacts, such as pottery or ceramics, stone tools or metal implements, shipwreck remains or anchors, dugout canoes or other physical remains that could be associated with Native American cultures, or early Colonial 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 immediate vicinity of such discoveries. The Permittee, or other designee, shall contact the Florida Department of State, Division of Historical Resources, Compliance and Review Section at (850)245- 6333 or (800)847- 7278, as well as the appropriate permitting agency office. Project activities shall not resume without verbal and/or written authorization from the Division of Historical Resources. 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, F.S.

11. Within 30 days after completion of construction or completion of a subsequent mailto:JCPCompliance@dep.state.fl.us maintenance event authorized by this permit, the Permittee shall electronically submit to the Department, by email at JCPCompliance@dep.state.fl.us, and the appropriate District office of the Department a written statement of completion and certification by a registered professional engineer. This certification shall state that all locations and elevations specified by the permit have been verified;

the activities authorized by the permit have been performed in compliance with the plans and specifications approved as a part of the permit, and all conditions of the permit; or shall describe any deviations from the plans and specifications, and all conditions of the permit. When the completed activity differs substantially from the permitted plans, any substantial deviations shall be noted and explained on as-built drawings electronically submitted to the Department, by email at JCPCompliance@dep.state.fl.us.

GENERAL CONSENT CONDITIONS:

1. Authorizations are valid only for the specified activity or use. Any unauthorized deviation from the specified activity or use and the conditions for undertaking that activity or use shall constitute a violation. Violation of the authorization shall result in suspension or revocation of the grantee’s use of the sovereignty submerged land unless cured to the satisfaction of the Board.

2. Authorizations convey no title to sovereignty submerged land or water column, nor do they constitute recognition or acknowledgment of any other person’s title to such land or water.

3. Authorizations may be modified, suspended or revoked in accordance with their terms or the remedies provided in Sections 253.04 and 258.46, F.S., or Chapter 18-14, F.A.C.

4. Structures or activities shall be constructed and used to avoid or minimize adverse impacts to sovereignty submerged lands and resources.

5. Construction, use or operation of the structure or activity shall not adversely affect any species that is endangered, threatened or of special concern, as listed in Rules 68A- 27.003, 68A-27.004 and 68A-27.005, F.A.C.

6. Structures or activities shall not unreasonably interfere with riparian rights. When a court of competent jurisdiction determines that riparian rights have been unlawfully affected, the structure or activity shall be modified in accordance with the court’s decision.

7. Structures or activities shall not create a navigational hazard.

8. Activities shall not interfere with the public easement for traditional uses of the sandy beaches provided in section 161.141, F.S.

9. Structures shall be maintained in a functional condition and shall be repaired or removed if they become dilapidated to such an extent that they are no longer functional. This shall not be construed to prohibit the repair or replacement subject to the provisions of Rule 18-21.005, F.A.C., within one year, of a structure damaged in a discrete event such as a storm, flood, accident or fire.

10. Structures or activities shall be constructed, operated and maintained solely for water dependent purposes, or for non-water dependent activities authorized under paragraph 18-21.004(1)(g), F.A.C., or any other applicable law.

SPECIFIC CONDITIONS:

1. Pursuant to Chapter 161.141, F.S., prior to construction of the beach restoration, the

Board of Trustees must establish the line of mean high water for any area affected by this project that does not already have an Erosion Control Line (ECL). This is required to establish the boundary line between sovereignty lands of the state bordering on the Atlantic Ocean and the upland properties. No work shall commence until the Erosion Control Line has been established to the satisfaction of the Department and recorded in the public records of the county in which the project is located.

2. Unless otherwise specified in the specific conditions of this permit all submittals required herein (e.g., progress reports, water-quality reports etc.) shall be electronically submitted (via e-mail, file transfer site or hard drive). Email submittals shall be sent to the Department’s JCP Compliance Officer (e-mail address: JCPCompliance@dep.state.fl.us).

If a file transfer site is used, a link shall be e-mailed to the JCP Compliance Officer. If data are too large to be submitted via e-mail or file transfer site, the Permittee may submit the data via an external hard drive, provided by the Permittee. The external hard drive shall be mailed to:

Department of Environmental Protection Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection Attn: JCP Compliance Officer 2600 Blair Stone Road, Mail Station 3544 Tallahassee, FL 32399-2400

3. The Permittee shall not store or stockpile tools, equipment, materials, etc., within littoral zones or elsewhere within surface waters of the state without prior written approval from the Department. Storing, stockpiling or accessing equipment on, in, over or through areas with benthic biological resources (including beds of submerged aquatic vegetation, wetlands or hardbottom) is prohibited unless it occurs within a work area or ingress/egress corridor that is specifically approved by this permit and is shown on the approved permit drawings. Anchoring or spudding of vessels and barges within beds of aquatic vegetation or hardbottom is also prohibited.

mailto:JCPCompliance@dep.state.fl.us).

4. The Permittee shall not conduct project operations or store project-related equipment in, on or over dunes, or otherwise impact dune vegetation, outside the approved staging, beach access and dune restoration areas designated in the permit drawings.

5. For each construction event under this permit, no work shall commence until the

Permittee has satisfactorily submitted all information noted in this condition. At least 45 days prior to commencement of construction, the Permittee shall submit the following items for review by the Department. Unless notified within 15 days of receipt of all submittals by the Department, the Permittee shall assume the submittals are satisfactory:

a. An electronic copy of detailed final construction plans and specifications for all authorized activities. The plans and specifications must be consistent with the project description, conditions and approved drawings of this permit. These documents shall also be certified by a professional engineer (P.E.), who is registered in the State of Florida. The Permittee shall point out any deviations from the Project Description of this permit (as stated above) or the approved permit drawings (attached to this permit), and any significant changes would require a permit modification. The plans and specifications shall include a description of the dredging and construction methods to be utilized and drawings and surveys that show all biological resources and work spaces (e.g., anchoring areas, pipeline corridors, staging areas, boat access corridors, etc.) to be used for this project.

b. Documentation that the Erosion Control Line has been executed and recorded in the

County Records;

c. Turbidity Monitoring: In order to assure that turbidity levels do not exceed the compliance standards established in this permit, construction at the project site shall be monitored closely by an independent third party with formal training in water quality monitoring and professional experience in turbidity monitoring for coastal construction projects. Also, an individual familiar with beach construction techniques and turbidity monitoring shall be present at all times when fill material is discharged on the beach. This individual shall have authority to alter construction techniques or shut down the dredging or beach construction operations if turbidity levels exceed the compliance standards established in this permit.

i. Qualifications The names, credentials (demonstrating experience and qualifications) and 24-hour contact information of those individuals performing these functions;

ii. A Scope of Work for the turbidity monitoring to ensure that the right equipment is available to conduct the monitoring correctly at any location, and under any conditions;

iii. Draft turbidity sampling map. An example of the geo-referenced map that will be provided with turbidity reports, including aerial photography and the boundaries of biological resources and/or OFW (pursuant to Specific Condition 27i).

iv. Prior to the second event authorized under this permit, and each subsequent event, the results of the intermediate turbidity monitoring shall be evaluated and provided to the Department. If the results indicate that the project can be built using a smaller mixing zone, this adjustment shall be made through an administrative modification to the permit prior to commencement of construction;

and

d. The approved Physical Monitoring Plan. Note: Any updates and/or changes to the approved Physical Monitoring Plan are subject to review and approval via a permit modification by the Department.

e. Documentation from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) that this work will be covered under a Statewide Programmatic Biological Opinion or a Biological Opinion (BO) issued for construction on this project site. If the BO contains conditions that are not already contained herein, a permit modification may be required prior to construction to include those additional conditions.

f. Fish & Wildlife Monitoring Qualifications: To ensure that individuals conducting monitoring of fish and wildlife resources have appropriate qualifications, the Permittee shall provide documentation demonstrating expertise/experience in surveying the types of resources that are present in the project. The Department and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will review this information for confirmation that the monitors are capable of meeting the requirements in Specific Conditions 10 through 24. This documentation shall include the following:

i. Marine Turtle Protection: A list of the names and FWC permit numbers for the

Marine Turtle Permit Holders.

ii. Shorebird Protection: A list of Bird Monitors with their contact information, summary of qualifications including bird identification skills, and avian survey experience, proposed locations of shorebird survey routes, and the locations of travel routes

g. Provide documentation confirming that the approved upland sand source(s) is currently producing both the quantity and quality of the approved sand product(s) to meet the needs of the construction event.

h. Pre-Construction Conference. After all items required by a through f above have been submitted to the Department, the Permittee shall conduct a pre-construction conference to review the specific conditions and monitoring requirements of this permit with Permittee's contractors, the engineer of record, those responsible for turbidity monitoring and the JCP Compliance Officer (or designated alternate) prior to each construction event. In order to ensure that appropriate representatives are available, at least twenty-one (21) days prior to the intended commencement date for the permitted construction, the Permittee is advised to contact the Department, and the other agency representatives listed below:

JCP Compliance Officer e-mail: JCPCompliance@dep.state.fl.us

FWC, Imperiled Species Management Section e-mail: MarineTurtle@myfwc.com

FWC Regional Biologist Contact list: http://myfwc.com/conservation/you-conserve/wildlife/shorebirds

The Permittee is also advised to schedule the pre-construction conference at least a week prior to the intended commencement date. At least seven (7) days in advance of the pre- construction conference, the Permittee shall provide written notification, advising the participants of the agreed-upon date, time and location of the meeting, and also provide a meeting agenda and a teleconference number.

If the actual construction start date is different from the expected start date proposed during the preconstruction conference, at least 48 hours prior to the commencement of each dredging event, the Permittee shall ensure that notification is sent to the FWC, at marineturtle@myfwc.com, indicating the actual start date and the expected completion date. The Permittee shall also ensure that all contracted workers and observers are provided a copy of all permit conditions.

6. The Permittee and the Department, within their respective authorities and funding, shall ensure that beach compatible dredged material is placed on Florida’s beaches, consistent with Florida’s beach management plan adopted pursuant to Chapter 161, F.S. and other beneficial uses criteria as may be specified by the Department and applicable federal standards.

7. When discharging slurried sand onto the beach from a pipeline, the Permittee shall employ best management practices (BMPs) to reduce turbidity. At a minimum, these BMPs shall include the following:

a. Use of shore-parallel sand dike to promote settlement of suspended sediment on the beach before return water from the dredged discharge reenters the Atlantic Ocean;

and mailto:MarineTurtle@myfwc.com http://myfwc.com/conservation/you-conserve/wildlife/shorebirds mailto:marineturtle@myfwc.com,

b. The pipeline discharge location shall be a minimum of 50 feet landward from open water. If 50 feet is not attainable due to a narrow beach berm, the pipeline discharge location shall be placed as far landward on the beach berm as possible without disturbing the dune.

8. Flagler County Borrow Area (FCBA) -A will be used for the initial construction event.

FCBA-A shall be depleted prior to dredging FCBA-B, and FCBA-B depleted prior to dredging FCBA-C Should an entire subarea not be used for a single dredge event, the Permittee will be responsible for ensuring the contractor dredge each cut in a manner that ensures any remaining material be available for subsequent events.

9. Sediment quality shall be assessed as outlined in the updated Sediment QA/QC Plan, dated January 29, 2020. Placement of material that is not in compliance with the Plan shall be handled according to the protocols set forth in the Sediment QA/QC Plan. The sediment testing result shall be submitted to the Department within 90 days following the completion of beach construction. The following requirements are included in the Sediment QA/QC Plan:

a. If, during construction, the Permittee determines that the beach fill material does not comply with the sediment compliance specifications, the Permittee shall take measures to avoid further placement of noncompliant fill, and the sediment inspection results shall be reported to the Department.

b. The Permittee shall submit post-construction sediment testing results and an analysis report as outlined in the Sediment QA/QC Plan to the Department within 90 days following beach construction. The sediment testing results shall be certified by a P.E.

or P.G. from the testing laboratory. A summary table of the sediment samples and test results for the sediment compliance parameters, as outlined in Table 1 of the Sediment QA/QC Plan, shall accompany the complete set of laboratory testing results. A statement of how the placed fill material compares to the sediment analysis and volume calculations from the geotechnical investigation shall be included in the sediment testing results report.

c. A post-remediation report containing the site map, sediment analysis, and volume of noncompliant fill material removed and replaced shall be submitted to the Department within 7 days following completion of remediation activities.

SPECIFIC CONDITIONS – Fish and Wildlife

10. In-water Activity. The Permittee shall adhere to the following requirements for all in-water activity:

a. The Permittee shall instruct all personnel associated with the project about the presence of marine turtles and manatees, and the need to avoid collisions with (and injury to) these protected marine species. The Permittee shall be responsible for harm to these resources and shall require their contractors to advise all construction personnel that there are civil and criminal penalties for harming, harassing, or killing manatees or marine turtles, which are protected under the Endangered Species Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the Marine Turtle Protection Act and the Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act.

b. All vessels associated with the construction project shall operate at "Idle Speed/No

Wake” at all times while in the immediate project area and while in water where the draft of the vessel provides less than a four-foot clearance from the bottom. All vessels shall follow routes of deep water whenever possible.

c. Siltation or turbidity barriers (if used) shall be made of material in which manatees and marine turtles cannot become entangled, shall be properly secured, and shall be regularly monitored to avoid manatee entanglement or entrapment. Barriers shall not impede manatee or marine turtle movement or travel.

d. The Permittee is responsible for all on-site project personnel and shall require them to observe water-related activities for the presence of marine turtles and manatee(s). All in-water operations shall be immediately shall be shut down if a marine turtle or manatee comes within 50 feet of the operation. For unanchored vessels, operators shall disengage the propeller and drift out of the potential impact zone. If drifting would jeopardize the safety of the vessel then idle speed may be used to leave the potential impact zone. Activities shall not resume until the animal(s) has moved beyond the 50-foot radius of the project operation, or until 30 minutes elapses if the animal(s) has not reappeared within 50 feet of the operation. Animals shall not be herded away or harassed into leaving.

e. Any collision with (or injury to) a marine turtle or manatee shall be reported immediately to the FWC Hotline at 1-888-404-3922, and to FWC at ImperiledSpecies@myFWC.com . Any collision with (and/or injury to) a marine turtle shall also be reported immediately to the Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network (STSSN) at Sea TurtleStranding@myfwc.com.

f. Temporary signs concerning manatees shall be prominently posted prior to and during all in-water project activities, at sufficient locations to be regularly and easily viewed by all personnel engaged in water-related activities. Two temporary signs, which have already been approved for this use by the FWC, shall be posted at each location. One sign shall read “Caution Boaters – Watch for Manatees”. A second sign measuring at least 8 ½" by 11", shall explain the requirements for “Idle Speed/No Wake” and the shutdown of in-water operations. All signs shall be removed by the Permittee upon completion of the project. These signs can be viewed at MyFWC.com/manatee. Questions concerning these signs can be sent to ImperiledSpecies@myFWC.com.

mailto:ImperiledSpecies@myFWC.com%20.

mailto:TurtleStranding@myfwc.com mailto:ImperiledSpecies@myFWC.com.

11. Hopper Dredging. If a hopper dredge is used for this project, the following requirements shall be met:

a. Handling of captured marine turtles during hopper dredging activities shall be conducted only by persons with prior experience and training in these activities, and who are duly authorized to conduct such activities through a valid Marine Turtle Permit issued by the FWC, pursuant to Chapter 68E-1, F.A.C. The Permittee shall forward documentation of these qualifications to FWC for review, as required in Specific Condition 5.

b. In order to minimize impingement or entrainment of marine turtles within the water column, dredging pumps shall be disengaged by the operator, or the draghead bypass valve shall be open and in use when the dragheads are not firmly on the bottom. This precaution is especially important during the cleanup phase of dredging operations.

c. A state-of-the-art rigid deflector draghead shall always be used on all hopper dredges.

d. The Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network (STSSN) Coordinator shall be notified of the start-up and completion of hopper dredging operations at 1-904-573- 3930 or via e-mail at Allen.Foley@myfwc.com. If a marine turtle is captured or marine turtle parts are recovered, the STSSN shall be contacted at seaturtlestranding@myfwc.com.

12. Trawling. If relocation trawling or non-capture trawling for marine turtles is required as per applicable NMFS Biological Opinions and Incidental Take authorizations, the following is required:

a. Any activity involving the use of nets to harass and/or to capture and handle marine turtles in Florida waters requires a Marine Turtle Permit from FWC prior to trawling.

b. The Permittee or their contractor shall e-mail (MTP@MyFWC.com) reports to the FWC’s Imperiled Species Management Section on Friday of each week that trawling is conducted in Florida waters. These weekly reports shall include the species and number of turtles captured, their general health, and release information. A summary of all trawling activity (including non-capture trawling) shall be submitted to MTP@myfwc.com by January 15 of the following year, or at the end of the project.

The summary shall be recorded/documented on the FWC-provided Excel spreadsheet (available at http://myfwc.com/media/33168/Trawl-Report-Template.pdf), and shall list all turtles captured in Florida waters, the measurements of all captured turtles, the location of captures (latitude and longitude in decimal degrees), the location of tow start-stop points (latitude and longitude in decimal degrees), and times for the start-stop points of the tows (including tows when no turtles are captured).

mailto:Allen.Foley@myfwc.com.

mailto:seaturtlestranding@myfwc.com.

mailto:(MTP@MyFWC.com) mailto:MTP@myfwc.com http://myfwc.com/media/33168/Trawl-Report-Template.pdf

13. Construction Area Project Lighting.

During the marine turtle nesting season (May 1 through October 31), direct lighting of the beach and nearshore waters shall be limited to the immediate area of active construction.

Lighting on offshore and onshore equipment shall be minimized by reducing the number of fixtures, shielding, lowering the height and appropriately placing fixtures to avoid excessive illumination of the water’s surface and nesting beach. The intensity of lighting shall be reduced to the minimum standard required for general construction area safety.

Shields shall be affixed to the light housing on dredge and on land-based lights and shall be large enough to block lamp light from being transmitted outside the construction area or to the adjacent marine turtle nesting beach. (Figure 1 below).

Figure 1

14. Wildlife Conditions for All Beach Related Activities. The Permittee shall adhere to the following requirements for all beach-related activities during marine turtle and shorebird nesting/breeding seasons March 1 through October 31.

a. Beach Maintenance:

i. The Permittee shall require their contractor and protected species monitors to inspect all work areas that have excavations and temporary alterations of beach topography each day, to determine which areas have deviations (such as depressions, ruts, holes and vehicle tracks) capable of trapping flightless shorebird chicks or marine turtle hatchlings. If so, the deviations shall be filled or leveled from the natural beach profile prior to 9:00 p.m. each day. The beach surface shall also be inspected subsequent to completion of the project, and all tracks, mounds, ridges or impressions, etc. left by construction equipment on the beach shall be smoothed and leveled.

ii. All debris, including derelict construction or coastal armoring material, concrete and metal, found on the beach placement site, shall be removed from the beach to the maximum extent practicable prior to any placement of fill material. If debris removal activities will take place during protected species nesting seasons, the work shall be conducted during daylight hours only, and shall not commence until completion of daily monitoring surveys.

b. Equipment Storage and Placement.

i. Staging areas and temporary storage for construction equipment and pipes shall be located off the beach to the maximum extent practicable. Nighttime storage of construction equipment that is not in use shall be located off the beach. If staging and storage areas off the beach are not possible, then additional marine turtle and shorebird protective measures shall be implemented. Such protective measures shall be determined in coordination with the Department and FWC prior to beginning of construction. All construction pipes that are in use on the beach shall be located as far landward as possible without compromising the integrity of the existing or reconstructed dune system. Pipes placed parallel to the dune shall be 5 to 10 feet away from the toe of the dune.

ii. If it is necessary to extend construction pipes past a known shorebird nesting site, then those pipes shall be placed landward of the site before birds are active in that area. No pipe or sand shall be placed seaward of a shorebird nesting site during the shorebird nesting season. If such placement is not feasible for the project, FWC’s Regional Biologist shall be contacted for alternative measures. See contacts available at http://myfwc.com/conservation/you-conserve/wildlife/shorebirds/contacts.

c. Beach Driving. All vehicles operated on the beach shall operate in accordance with the FWC’s Best Management Practices for Operating Vehicles on the Beach (http://myfwc.com/conservation/you-conserve/wildlife/beach-driving/) .

Specifically, the vehicle shall be operated at speeds less than 6 mph and run at or below the high-tide line. All personnel associated with the project shall be instructed about the potential presence of protected species, and the need to avoid injury and disturbance to these species. Note: when flightless chicks are present within or adjacent to travel corridors, construction-related vehicles shall not be driven through the corridor unless a Bird Monitor is present pursuant to Specific Condition 24.

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15. Marine Turtle Protection Conditions.

Construction-related activities are authorized to occur on the nesting beach (sandy beach seaward of existing coastal armoring structures or dune crest and all areas used for beach access) during marine turtle nesting season (May 1 through October 31) under the following conditions:

a. Daily early morning marine turtle nest surveys shall start two weeks prior to marine turtle nesting season (April 15) or 65 days prior to beach placement whichever is later. Daily nesting surveys shall continue through November 30, or until two weeks after the last crawl in the project area, whichever is earlier.

b. Daily nesting surveys shall be conducted beginning ½ hour prior to sunrise, and no construction activity may commence until completion of the marine turtle survey each day.

c. The Permittee shall ensure that marine turtle nesting surveys are conducted as required in this authorization, and only conducted by personnel with a valid FWC Marine Turtle Permit, that covers all project activities as required by Chapter 68E-1, F.A.C. For information on the authorized Marine Turtle Permit Holders in the project area, contact FWC at MTP@myfwc.com.

d. Only those nests laid in the area where sand placement will occur shall be relocated, and nest relocation shall cease after the sand placement is completed. Nests requiring relocation shall be moved no later than 9 a.m., the morning following deposition (no longer than 12 hours from the time the eggs are laid), to a nearby self-release beach site in a secure setting, where artificial lighting will not interfere with hatchling orientation. The relocation site shall be determined in conjunction with and approved by FWC prior to nest relocations. Relocated nests shall not be placed in organized groupings. Relocated nests shall be randomly staggered along the length and width of beach settings that are not expected to experience any of the following: inundation by high tides; severe erosion; previous egg loss; or illumination by artificial lighting.

e. Nests deposited within areas where construction activities will not occur for 65 days, or nests laid in the nourished berm prior to tilling, shall be marked and left in place.

The Marine Turtle Permit Holder shall install on-beach markers at the nest site to establish a minimum 5-foot radius around the approximate clutch location and shall also install a secondary marker at a point as far landward as possible to assure that the nest can be located should the on-beach marker be lost. No activity shall occur within the marked area, nor shall any activities occur that could result in impacts to the nest.

Nest sites shall be inspected daily to ensure nest markers remain in place and the nest has not been disturbed by the project activity.

mailto:MTP@myfwc.com.

16. Fill Restrictions. During the marine turtle nesting season, the contractor shall not advance the beach fill more than 500 feet along the shoreline between dusk and the following day, until the daily nesting survey is completed, and the beach has been cleared for fill advancement. If the 500-foot advancement limitation is not feasible for the project, an alternative distance shall be established during the preconstruction meeting, if a distance can be agreed upon in consultation with FWC. If the work area is extended, nighttime nesting surveys are required, and a Marine Turtle Permit Holder is required to be present on-site to ensure that no nesting and hatching marine turtles are present. If any nesting turtles are sighted on the beach within the immediate construction area, activities shall cease immediately until the turtle has returned to the water and the Marine Turtle Permit Holder responsible for nest monitoring has relocated the nest.

17. Marine Turtle or Nest Encounters. Upon locating a dead or injured marine turtle adult, hatchling, or egg that may have been harmed or destroyed as a result of the project, the Permittee shall be responsible for notifying FWC Wildlife Alert at 1-888- 404-FWCC (3922). Care shall be taken in handling injured marine turtles or exposed eggs to ensure effective treatment or disposition, and in handling dead specimens to preserve biological materials for later analysis. If a marine turtle nest is excavated during construction activities, but not as part of the authorized nest relocation process outlined in these specific conditions, the permitted person responsible for egg relocation for the project shall be notified immediately so the eggs can be moved to a suitable relocation site.

18. Tilling, Compaction and Escarpment Remediation Requirements. For the years after the first-year sand placement (out-year), compaction monitoring, tilling and escarpment monitoring are not required if placed material no longer remains on the dry beach.

a. Compaction Sampling. Sand compaction shall be monitored in the area of sand placement immediately after completion of the nourishment event, and two weeks prior to the beginning of marine turtle nesting season, for three (3) subsequent years.

The requirement for compaction monitoring may be eliminated if the placed sand is tilled, regardless of post-construction compaction levels. If the average value for any depth exceeds 500 pounds per square inch (psi) for any two or more adjacent stations, then that area shall be tilled prior to the beginning of marine turtle nesting season. If a few values exceeding 500 psi are present randomly within the project area, tilling will not be required. Compaction monitoring shall be in accordance with the following protocol:

i. Compaction sampling stations shall be located at 500-foot intervals along the project area. One station shall be at the seaward edge of the dune/bulkhead line (when material is placed in this area), and one station shall be midway between the dune line and the high-water line (normal wrack line).

ii. At each station, the cone penetrometer shall be pushed to depths of 6, 12 and 18 inches three times (i.e., three replicates at each depth). Material may be removed from the hole if necessary, to ensure accurate readings of successive levels of sediment. The penetrometer may need to be reset between pushes, especially if sediment layering exists. Layers of highly compact material may lie over less compact layers. Replicates shall be located as close to each other as possible, without interacting with the previous hole and/or disturbed sediments. The three replicate compaction values for each depth shall be averaged to produce final values for each depth at each station. Reports shall include all 18 values for each transect line, and the final 6 averaged compaction values.

iii. If values exceeding 500 psi are distributed throughout the project area, but in no case do those values exist at two adjacent stations at the same depth, then the Permittee shall consult with the FWC to determine if tilling is required. A request for a tilling waiver based on these compaction values shall be submitted to the FWC at marineturtle@myfwc.com.

b. Tilling Requirements. If tilling is performed regardless of post-construction compaction levels or tilling is required based on compaction measurements, the area shall be tilled to a depth of 36 inches. Tilling shall be in accordance with the following protocol:

i. All tilling activity shall be completed prior to the marine turtle nesting season. If the project is completed during the marine turtle nesting season, tilling shall not be performed in areas where nests have been left in place or relocated.

ii. A relatively even surface, with no deep ruts or furrows, shall be created during tilling. To do this, chain-linked fencing or other material shall be dragged over those areas as necessary after tilling. Each pass of the tilling equipment shall be overlapped to allow thorough and even tilling.

iii. Tilling shall occur landward of the wrack line and shall avoid all naturally vegetated areas that are at least 3 square feet in size, as well as any planted areas that have been authorized by the Department. A 3-foot-wide No-Tilling buffer shall be maintained around vegetated areas. The slope between the mean high-water line and the mean low water line shall be maintained to approximate natural slopes.

c. Escarpment Surveys. Visual surveys for escarpments along the project area shall be made immediately after completion of sand placement, within 30 days prior to April 15 and weekly throughout the marine turtle season for three (3) subsequent years, each year placed sand remains on the dry beach. Escarpment remediation shall be as follows:

i. Prior to marine turtle nesting season, escarpments that interfere with marine turtle nesting or that exceed 18 inches in height for a distance of at least 100 feet shall mailto:marineturtle@myfwc.com.

be leveled to the natural beach contour or the beach profile shall be reconfigured to minimize scarp formation. Any escarpment removal shall be reported relative to R- monument location to FWC at marineturtle@myfwc.com, with a copy sent to the JCP Compliance Officer.

ii. If weekly surveys during the marine turtle nesting season document escarpments that exceed 18 inches in height for a distance of at least 100 feet and have persisted for more than two weeks, the FWC shall be contacted immediately to determine the appropriate action to be taken. The Permittee shall provide locations and measurements of the escarpments to the closest R monument as well as the coordinates for the location of marine turtle nests located within 20 feet of the escarpments (latitude and longitude in decimal degrees), with photographs when possible. Upon written notification by FWC that the escarpment needs to be leveled, the Permittee shall level the escarpment. If nests are located nearby, to minimize impacts to any existing nest the Permittee shall also coordinate with the marine turtle permit holder prior to leveling the escarpments. An annual summary of escarpment surveys and actions taken shall be submitted electronically to FWC (marineturtle@myfwc.com) by December 31 of each year.

Note for Shorebird Protection: If compaction sampling, tilling or escarpment removal occurs during shorebird breeding season, the Shorebird Conditions (including…