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CG CEU Miami Appendix A: Interferences & Site Photos Project 5061233

STA 00+00 Looking East

STA 00+00 Curb

STA 00+05 Small Cleat and Metal Plate

STA 00+00 Close Up

STA 00+00 Looking Down

STA 00+19 Timber Pile Looking South

STA 00+56 Timber Pile

STA 01+41 Steps

STA 02+00 Looking South

STA 00+77 Timber Pile

STA 01+56 Pole, Steps and Slope

STA 02+32 Light Pole and Slope

STA 02+36 Electrical Boxes and Ramp (Looking West)

STA 02+36 Sloping Road Looking West

STA 02+40 Light Pile and Electrical

STA 02+36 Electrical Lines to Travel Lift Piers

STA 02+40 Curb

STA 02+57 Conduit to Tvl Lift Piers

STA 2+57 (Looking South)

STA 02+57 Slope (Looking West)

STA 02+65 Travel Lift Piers

STA 02+57 (Looking West Fm Tvl Lift Pier)

STA 02+57 Travel Lift Dock

STA 02+75 Exterior Conduit

STA 02+86 Travel Lift

STA 02+87 Travel Lift Metal Wheel Guard

STA 02+95 Fenders (Looking South)

STA 02+87 Travel Lift

STA 02+94 Travel Lift Looking Northwest

STA 02+95 Travel Lift Pier Dock

STA 02+95 Travel Lift Pier Dock

STA 03+09 Drain, Timber Pile, and Cleat

STA 03+18 Raised Utility Box (Looking No.)

STA 03+09 Timber Pile and Cleat

STA 03+18 Raised Utility Box

STA 03+33 Timber Pile

STA 03+37 Timber Pile

STA 03+43 Cleat

STA 03+48 Looking South

STA 03+43 Cleat (Looking North)

STA 03+48 Bollard

STA 03+62 Fender Connections

STA 03+62 Utility Box

STA 03+92 Bollard and Fender Attachment

STA 04+11 Bollard

STA 03+74 Cleat and Fender

STA 04+06 Cleat

STA 04+11 Fenders (Looking South)

STA 04+24 Electrical Shoretie

STA 04+36 Electrical Shoretie Connection

STA 04+36 Shoretie Connections

STA 04+24 Water Shoretie Box

STA 04+36 Sewage Shoretie

STA 04+49 Cleat

STA 04+76 Cleat and Drain Hole in Slope

STA 04+92 Edge of Court and Slope

STA 05+07 Fender Connections

STA 04+76 Looking North

STA 04+93 Light Post

STA 05+09 Cleat and Bollard

STA 05+33 Cleat STA 05+37 End of Construction (Looking West)

OPTION ITEM #1: Location of new pile rack

Looking south.

OPTION ITEM #1: Location of new pile rack

Looking West.

OPTION ITEM #1: Existing pile rack (for ref‐ erence)

OPTION ITEM #1: Existing pile rack (for ref‐ erence)

CUT -

CUT - 2

CUT - 3

CUT - 4

SOUTH SHIP CHANNEL

LUMMUS ISLAND TURNING BASIN

DODGE ISLAND CUT

TURNING BASIN

TURNING BASIN

ATLANTIC OCEAN

Biscayne Bay

MIAMI BEACHMIAMI

Island Star

Palm

Hibiscus Island

Claughton

Biscayne Island Island San Marco

San Marino

Di Lido

Alto Rivo

Belle Isle

Virginia Key

Fisher Island

N orris C ut

Dodge Island

Lummus Island

"PT 03"

"PT 04"

"MH 16 RM"

Miami U.S.C.G Station

LOCATION

OF WORK

W R

M

G

-1

-V

H -S

.D

IA

I

A

B

O

-C

P

C

F

-I

D

X

-X

01 02

SURVEY NOTES

GRAPHIC SCALE

1000' 1000' 2000'

EXAMINATION SURVEY FY12

DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA

U.S.C.G. STATION MIAMI

U .S .C .G S

T

IO

IN

E

L

V

IC

IT

Y

SURVEYING, 1 JAN 02.

SURVEY IN ACCORDANCE WITH USACE EM 1110-2-1003, HYDROGRAPHIC

QUALITY ASSURANCE REQUIREMENTS WERE FOLLOWED DURING THIS

9. SURVEY ACCURACY PERFORMANCE STANDARDS, QUALITY CONTROL, AND

THE TIME OF THE SURVEY AND IS NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION.

THIS CHART IS SOLELY FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF AVAILABLE DEPTHS AT

BE CONSIDERED AS INDICATING THE GENERAL CONDITIONS AT THAT TIME.

OF OF SURVEYS MADE ON THE DATES INDICATED ABOVE AND CAN ONLY

8. THE INFORMATION DEPICTED ON THIS MAP REPRESENTS THE RESULTS

7. AIDS TO NAVIGATION WERE NOT LOCATED DURING THIS SURVEY.

WB-32 28 AUG 2012 USCG STATION

WB-32 22 AUG 2012 USCG STATION

S/B JACKSONVILLE 14-15 JUL 2012 USCG STATION

VESSEL DATE OF SURVEY CUT

HIGH FREQUENCY.

BATHYMETRY OPERATING AT 230 KHZ. ALL SOUNDINGS SHOWN ARE IN

SENSOR OPERATING AT 240 KHZ AND/OR AN EDGE TECH 4600 SWATH

TRANSDUCER OPERATING AT 200 KHZ, A R2SONIC 2024 MULTI-BEAM

VERTICAL MEASUREMENTS WERE MADE USING A ROSS SMART SOUNDER

TIDE STAFF SET FROM "MH16 RM1" (NGS PID: AC2178)

REFERENCE BASE LOCATED AT "PT 04" (OPUS PID: BBCB90)

REFERENCE BASE LOCATED AT "PT 03" (OPUS PID: BBCV03)

POSITIONING WITH THE FOLLOWING REFERENCE BASE LOCATIONS:

6. THIS SURVEY WAS PERFORMED USING REAL-TIME KINEMATIC (RTK) GPS

NORTH AMERICAN DATUM OF 1983 (NAD83).

PROJECTION FOR THE EAST ZONE OF FLORIDA AND REFERENCED TO

5. PLANE COORDINATES ARE BASED ON THE TRANSVERSE MERCATOR

A (+) SIGN.

4. ALL ELEVATIONS ARE BELOW THE CHART DATUM UNLESS PRECEDED BY

TIDE DATUM (KTD) MODEL NAMED: "MIAMI-HBR&RIV-03AUG2010.KTD".

(RTK) GPS AND REFERENCED TO MLLW UTILIZING A HYPACK KINEMATIC

3. TIDAL REDUCTIONS WERE OBTAINED UTILIZING A REAL-TIME KINEMATIC

MEAN LOWER LOW WATER (MLLW) OF THE 1983-2001 TIDAL EPOCH.

2. SOUNDINGS ARE IN FEET AND TENTHS AND REFER TO NOAA'S REPORTED

1. REFER TO SURVEY NO. 12-142.

e s c ri p ti o n

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

10 9 8 7 6 5 3 2 1

US Army Corps of Engineers

Jacksonville District

DEPENDS ON YOU

SAFETY ON THIS JOB

Drawing no.

AS SHOWNScale:

SHEET OF

il a m te d

In v b y s ig k

J

K

IL

ID

IS

e fe re c e f il e l

Z

-G

-B

I, CI

PENSACOLA

CI

FL

UG

A L A B A M A

G E O R G I A

TALLAHASSEE

JACKSONVILLE

ORLANDO

TAMPA

COCOA

OKEECHOBEE

LAKE

BEACH

PALM

WEST

FT MYERS

MIAMI

KEY WEST

LOCATION MAP

Appendix B Hydrographic Survey

48.0

47.7

47.4

47.3

47.2

47.1

47.0

46.9

46.8

46.8

46.6

46.5

46.5 46.5

46.5

46.4

46.3

46.3

46.2

46.2

46.1

46.0

46.0

45.9

45.9

45.8

45.7

45.6

45.6

45.4

45.3

45.2

45.1

45.1

45.0

-4

-45

-45

44.9

44.8

44.8 44.8

44.7

44.6

44.5

44.4

44.3

44.2

44.1

44.0

43.9

43.9 43.9

43.8

43.8 43.8

43.7

43.6

43.5

43.4

43.3

43.2

43.1

43.0

42.9

42.9 42.9

42.8

42.8 42.8

42.7

42.6

42.5

42.4

42.3

42.2

42.2

42.1

42.0

41.9

41.8

41.8

41.7

41.6

41.4

41.4

41.3

41.2

41.1

41.0

41.0

40.9

40.8

40.7

40.6

40.5

40.3

40.3

40.2

40.0

-40

-40

39.9

39.9

39.8

39.7

39.6

39.6

39.5

39.3

39.0

38.9

38.8

38.6

38.6

38.5

38.5

38.3

38.2

38.0

38.0

37.8

37.5

37.3

37.0

36.9

36.9

36.4

36.4

36.3

36.1

36.0

35.9

35.8

35.7

35.2

35.1

35.0

-35

-35

34.9

34.8

34.8

34.7

34.6

34.6 34.5

34.4

34.3

34.2

34.0

34.0

33.8

33.8

33.5

33.5

33.2

33.1

33.1

33.0

33.0 32.9

32.8

32.6

32.5

32.5

32.4

32.3

32.3 32.3

32.2

32.1

32.0

31.9

31.8

31.7

31.6

31.5

31.4

31.3

31.2

31.1

31.0

31.0

30.9

30.8

30.7 30.6

30.5

30.5

30.4

30.4 30.4

30.3

30.2

30.1

30.1

30.0

-30

-3

29.9

29.8

29.7

29.6

29.5

29.4

29.3

29.2

29.1

29.1

29.0

28.9

28.9

28.8

28.7

28.6

28.5

28.3

28.2

28.2

27.9

27.7

27.7

27.6

27.5

27.5

27.4

27.2

27.1

27.1

27.0

26.9

26.7

26.7

26.6

26.5

26.4

26.3

26.3

26.2

26.1

26.1

26.0

25.8

25.7

25.6

25.5 25.5

25.5

25.5

25.4

25.3

25.2

25.1

25.0 -25

24.9

24.8

24.6

24.5

24.5

24.4

24.4

24.3

24.3

24.0

23.9

23.8

23.7

23.6

23.4

23.3

23.2

23.1

23.1

23.0 22.9

22.9

22.8

22.8

22.7

22.6

22.6

22.5

22.4

22.3

22.2

22.1

22.1

22.0

21.9

21.8

21.6

21.5

21.5

21.4

21.3

21.2

21.1

21.0

20.9

20.8

20.7

20.7

20.6

20.5

20.4

20.3

20.2

20.1

20.0

-20

-2

-20

19.9

19.8

19.7

19.6

19.5

19.4

19.3

19.2

19.1

19.0

18.9

18.8

18.8

18.7

18.6

18.5

18.4

18.4

18.3

18.1

18.0

18.0

17.9

17.9

17.8

17.6

17.5

17.4

17.3

17.2

17.1

17.0

17.0

16.9

16.9

16.8

16.7 16.6

16.5

16.4

16.3

16.2

16.2

16.1

16.0

15.9

15.9

15.8

15.8

15.7

15.6

15.5

15.4

15.3

15.2

15.1

15.0

-15

14.9

14.8

14.7

14.6

14.5

14.4

14.3

14.2

14.1

14.0

13.9

13.8

13.7

13.6

13.5

13.4

13.4 13.4

13.3

13.2

13.1

13.1 13.1

13.0

12.9

12.8

12.8 12.8

12.7

12.6

12.5

12.4

12.3

12.2 12.2

12.2

12.1

12.0

12.0 12.0

11.9

11.8 11.8

11.8

11.7

11.6

11.5 11.5

11.5

11.4

11.3

11.2

11.1

11.0

10.9

10.8

10.7

10.6

10.5

10.4

10.3

10.2

10.1

10.0

-10

0 -10

9.9

9.9 9.9

9.8

9.8 9.8

9.7

9.6

9.5

9.4

9.3

9.3 9.3

9.2

9.1

9.0

9.0 9.0

8.9

8.8

8.8 8.8

8.7

8.6

8.5

8.4

8.3

8.2

8.1

8.0

7.9

7.8

7.7

7.6

7.5

7.4

7.3

7.2

7.1

7.0

6.9

6.7 6.6

6.5

6.4

6.4

6.3

6.3

6.2

6.1

6.0

5.9

5.8

5.7

5.6

5.5

5.3

4.9

4.7

4.6

4.5

4.4

4.2

POINT

BOUNDARY PLANE COORDINATES

936,721 523,685

937,994 522,395

938,932 522,993

Y= 524500

Y= 524000

Y= 523500

Y= 523000

Y= 522500

Y= 522000

2. SEE SHEET NO. 1 FOR SURVEY NOTES.

1. REFER TO SURVEY NO. 12-142.

NOTES:

0 200'100'

GRAPHIC SCALE

100'

.S .C .G

02 02

937,366 522,657

938,032 522,487

938,077 524,353

MIAMI

U.S.C.G STATION

CUT-4

CUT-3

"PT 03"

"PT 04"

s c ri p ti

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

10 9 8 7 6 5 3 2 1

US Army Corps of Engineers

Jacksonville District

DEPENDS ON YOU

SAFETY ON THIS JOB

Drawing no.

AS SHOWNScale:

SHEET OF

il te

In v ig k

IS

e fe c e f il e l

Z

-G

-B

I, Appendix B Hydrographic Survey

12-142-VH-SH01

12-142-VH-SH02.pdf

APPENDIX C REFERENCE DRAWING

REFERENCE DRAWINGAPPENDIX C REFERENCE DRAWING

DWG_07-01-84_Excerpts_Ref.

miami070184sh100 miami070184sh105 miami070184sh155 miami070184sh156 miami070184sh99

DWG_1092_Ref.

miami1092sh1 miami1092sh2 miami1092sh3

DWG_1678_Ref.

M1678G01_SCAN_AS-BUILT

M1678S01_SCAN_AS-BUILT

M1678S02_SCAN_AS-BUILT

M1678S03_SCAN_AS-BUILT

M1678D01_SCAN_AS-BUILT

Survey_Ref.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE

Southeast Regional Office 263 13th Avenue South St. Petersburg, FL 33701

SEA TURTLE AND SMALLTOOTH SAWFISH CONSTRUCTION CONDITIONS

The permittee shall comply with the following protected species construction conditions:

a. The permittee shall instruct all personnel associated with the project of the potential presence of these species and the need to avoid collisions with sea turtles and smalltooth sawfish. All construction personnel are responsible for observing water-related activities for the presence of these species.

b. The permittee shall advise all construction personnel that there are civil and criminal penalties for harming, harassing, or killing sea turtles or smalltooth sawfish, which are protected under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.

c. Siltation barriers shall be made of material in which a sea turtle or smalltooth sawfish cannot become entangled, be properly secured, and be regularly monitored to avoid protected species entrapment. Barriers may not block sea turtle or smalltooth sawfish entry to or exit from designated critical habitat without prior agreement from the National Marine Fisheries Service’s Protected Resources Division, St. Petersburg, Florida.

d. All vessels associated with the construction project shall operate at “no wake/idle” speeds at all times while in the construction area and while in water depths where the draft of the vessel provides less than a four-foot clearance from the bottom. All vessels will preferentially follow deep-water routes (e.g., marked channels) whenever possible.

e. If a sea turtle or smalltooth sawfish is seen within 100 yards of the active daily construction/dredging operation or vessel movement, all appropriate precautions shall be implemented to ensure its protection. These precautions shall include cessation of operation of any moving equipment closer than 50 feet of a sea turtle or smalltooth sawfish. Operation of any mechanical construction equipment shall cease immediately if a sea turtle or smalltooth sawfish is seen within a 50-ft radius of the equipment.

Activities may not resume until the protected species has departed the project area of its own volition.

f. Any collision with and/or injury to a sea turtle or smalltooth sawfish shall be reported immediately to the National Marine Fisheries Service’s Protected Resources Division (727-824-5312) and the local authorized sea turtle stranding/rescue organization.

Revised: February 21, 2006 O:\forms\Sea Turtle and Smalltooth Sawfish Construction Conditions.doc

Appendix D: Supplemental Environmental Requirements

STANDARD MANATEE CONDITIONS FOR IN-WATER WORK

The permittee shall comply with the following conditions intended to protect manatees from direct project effects:

a. All personnel associated with the project shall be instructed about the presence of manatees and manatee speed zones, and the need to avoid collisions with and injury to manatees. The permittee shall advise all construction personnel that there are civil and criminal penalties for harming, harassing, or killing manatees which are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the Endangered Species 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 area and while in water where the draft of the vessel provides less than a four-foot clearance from the bottom. All vessels will follow routes of deep water whenever possible.

c. Siltation or turbidity barriers shall be made of material in which manatees cannot become entangled, shall be properly secured, and shall be regularly monitored to avoid manatee entanglement or entrapment. Barriers must not impede manatee movement.

d. All on-site project personnel are responsible for observing water-related activities for the presence of manatee(s). All in-water operations, including vessels, must be shutdown if a manatee(s) comes within 50 feet of the operation. Activities will not resume until the manatee(s) has moved beyond the 50-foot radius of the project operation, or until 30 minutes elapses if the manatee(s) has not reappeared within 50 feet of the operation. Animals must not be herded away or harassed into leaving.

e. Any collision with or injury to a manatee shall be reported immediately to the Florida Fish and

Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Hotline at 1-888-404-3922. Collision and/or injury should also be reported to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Jacksonville (1-904-731-3336) for north Florida or Vero Beach (1-772-562-3909) for south Florida, and to FWC at ImperiledSpecies@myFWC.com

f. Temporary signs concerning manatees shall be posted prior to and during all in-water project activities. All signs are to be removed by the permittee upon completion of the project. Temporary signs that have already been approved for this use by the FWC must be used. One sign which reads Caution: Boaters must be posted. A second sign measuring at least 8 ½” by 11" explaining the requirements for “Idle Speed/No Wake” and the shut down of in-water operations must be posted in a location prominently visible to all personnel engaged in water-related activities. These signs can be viewed at MyFWC.com/manatee. Questions concerning these signs can be sent to the email address listed above.

mailto:ImperiledSpecies@myFWC.com�

Appendix A Sea Turtle and Smalltooth Sawfish Construction Conditions 2-21-06 national marine fisheries service

Appendix B 2011_StandardConditionsForIn-waterWork

Appendix E - Soil Boring Information

CG CEU Miami Appendix F: Option No. 2 Light Poles BMBBHD

8. 7. 6. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1.

Existing light pole reference plan photo. New light poles shall be placed in the same location and to the same height as the existing light poles they are replacing. All light characteristics shall remain the same.

Existing light poles 8 and 7 along back slope behind bulkhead Existing light poles 8 and 7 adjacent to tennis court.

Existing light pole 6 facing travel lift , note shorter required height.

Existing light pole 5 facing travel lift , note shorter required height.

Existing light pole 4. Existing light pole 3.

Existing light pole 2. Existing light pole 1.

Miami Beach Coast Guard Station

Seagrass and Coral Survey

FINAL

August 2013

Prepared for:

USACE Jacksonville District

Terri Jordan-Sellers 701 San Marco Blvd.

Jacksonville, FL 32207

Prepared by:

Dial Cordy and Associates Inc.

490 Osceola Ave.

Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250

Appendix G - Coral Survey

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Miami Beach U.S. Coast Guard Station (Station) is located on a man-made island, north of the Port of Miami on the Intracoastal Waterway. The U.S. Corps of Engineers contracted Dial Cordy and Associates (DC&A) to conduct seagrass and coral surveys around the island under contract W912EP-13-F-0016. The seagrass resource study area included the entire perimeter of the Station within 4.6 meters (m) (15 feet) of the station and a sufficient buffer to account for side slope, with transects spaced 15.2m (50 feet) apart, perpendicular to the bulkhead. The berth of the USCG Cutter Hudson, located on the eastern side of the station was surveyed for seagrasses out to 30m (98 feet). A survey for scleractinian corals was conducted along the entire bulkhead, from the base of the bulkhead wall to the mean low water mark. Scleractinian coral data collected included coral species, size, orientation, latitude, longitude and height on the bulkhead wall. Surveys were conducted from May 28- 30 and June 12, 2013 in support of the FDEP permit application for dredging around the station and bulkhead improvements.

Approximately 0.42 acres of seagrasses were documented within the project area between 16m (52.5 feet) 30m (98 feet) from the east bulkhead wall adjacent to the Cutter Hudson berth. The predominant seagrasses were Halophlia decipiens and Halodule wrightii, although Syringodium filiforme and Thalassia testudinum were also present. No H. johnsonii was documented in the survey. Despite surveying seagrass transects around the entire island, no seagrasses were found anywhere else in the project area.

Coral surveys resulted in the documentation of 580 scleractinian coral colonies on all four bulkhead walls. Of these, 33% exceeded 10cm in their greatest (longest) measured dimension. The total area of wall surface covered by all 580 corals is 50.2 m2. This is approximately 0.2% of the surface area available for colonization that is below mean low water. In total 18 species of scleractinian coral were identified. These species are commonly identified on the reefs and hardbottom communities of southeast Florida (Jaap 1984; Porter 1987). Of these, Oculina diffusa was the most common coral comprising 66% of all coral species present. O. diffusa also comprised more than half of all large (>10cm) corals, however, the three largest individual colonies identified were Porites astreoides. The density of corals was greatest on the south wall and the south parts of the east and west walls. Coral density decreased on the northern reaches of the east and west walls. The density on the west wall was lower than on the south and east walls.

Additional scleractinian corals were noted at the base of the north, east and south walls, where they have colonized rubble and debris. Although these coral were not quantified under this contract, pre-construction surveys should include this area, as many of these corals were larger than 10cm and would be considered relocatable.

While seagrass and coral surveys at the Station documented a small area of seagrass (0.42 acres) on the east side of the island and 580 scleractinian corals on the walls surrounding the island, pre-project mitigation measures can prevent time lag habitat losses. Mitigation options may include seagrasses transplantation and coral relocation as effective ways of saving, preserving and enhancing these resources within a regional context.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ....................................................................................................... II

LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................................... IV

LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................................................. IV

1.0 INTRODUCTION

2.0 METHODS

2.1 Seagrass Survey Methods

2.2 Coral Survey Methods

3.0 RESULTS

3.1 Seagrass Results

3.2 Seagrass Discussion

3.3 Coral Survey Results

3.4 Coral Survey Recommendations

5.0 REFERENCES

APPENDIX A SEAGRASS DATA (DVD)

APPENDIX B SEAGRASS TRANSECT VIDEO (DVD)

APPENDIX C SEAGRASS TRANSECT VIDEO CROSS OVER DOCUMENT

APPENDIX D CORAL DATA (DVD)

APPENDIX E CORAL STILL PHOTOGRAPHS (DVD)

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1 Location Map

Figure 2 Transect Locations

Figure 3 Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Delineation

Figure 4 Coral Colony Locations

Figure 5 Coral colony abundance (richness) by species

Figure 6 Coral colony species ≥ 10cm (length or width) in order of abundance

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1 Braun-Blanquet Abundance Score Values

Table 2 Frequency of occurrence, abundance, and density for seagrass species within the project area

Table 3 Species list of corals documented on bulkhead surrounding the Station, May and June 2013

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The Miami Beach U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Station (Station) is located on a man-made island, north of the Port of Miami on the Intracoastal Waterway (Figure 1). The U.S. Corps of Engineers contracted Dial Cordy and Associates (DC&A) to conduct coral and seagrass surveys around the island under contract W912EP-13-F-0016. The seagrass resource study area included the entire perimeter of the Station within 4.6 meters (m) (15 feet) of the station and a sufficient buffer to account for side slope, with transects spaced 15.2m (50 feet) apart, perpendicular to the bulkhead. The berth of the USCG Cutter Hudson, located on the eastern side of the station was surveyed for seagrasses out to 30m (98 feet). A survey for scleractinian corals was conducted along the entire bulkhead, from the base to the mean low water mark. Scleractinian coral data collected included coral species, size, orientation, latitude, longitude, and height on the bulkhead wall. Surveys were conducted from May 28- 30 and June 12, 2013 in support of the FDEP permit application for dredging around the station.

2.0 METHODS

This section describes the methods used to collect and analyze data associated with the seagrass survey and coral survey at the Station. Seagrass and coral surveys were conducted from May 28-30 and on June 12, 2013. The weather was overcast with gusting winds and occasional rain between May 28-30, on June 12 skies were clear with winds 5-10 knots out of the southeast. Currents were strong (1-3 knots) around most of the island, regardless of tide stage, except in the middle of the north wall.

2.1 Seagrass Survey Methods

Fifty-seven transects were sampled to describe the seagrass distribution around the Station. Seagrass transects spaced 15m (50 feet) apart were surveyed around the island as shown in Figure 2. All transects along the west and north bulkheads were 15m in length. Transects on the east bulkhead were 15m (50 feet), except within the Cutter Hudson berth area, where transects were 30m (98 feet). Transects along the south bulkhead were 10m (33 feet) in length due to diver safety considerations.

Seagrass survey transects began at the bulkhead in all cases, where the transect was secured to a weighted buoy marking the transect origin. Transects origins and ends were recorded using a Differential Global Positioning (DGPS). Diver 1 swam a heading using a wrist compass while unreeling a 30m (98 feet) survey transect tape for the appropriate distance, depending upon the transect location, see paragraph above. Diver 2 recorded video of the substratum along the transect tape and collected quantitative and qualitative benthic data.

Quantitative data within quadrats (1m2) was collected every 5m only in areas where seagrass occurred. Quantitative data included seagrass species frequency of occurrence, or the number of occupied sub-units within a quadrat; Braun-Blanquet abundance score (Braun-Blanquet 1965; Table 1); and density of seagrasses. Qualitative data included the transition of habitats (i.e. sand, seagrass) within 2m of the transect line.

9 11

51 33

0 50 100 15025 Meters

ILegend Survey Transect

Survey Area

Figure 2

Survey Transects

Scale: 1 inch = 50 meters Date: July 2013

Drawn By: MDR Approved By: MLR

J13-1265

Table 1 Braun-Blanquet Abundance Score Values

0 Species absent from quadrat

0.1 Species represented by a solitary short shoot, <5% cover

0.5 Species represented by a few (< 5%) short shoots, <5% cover

1.0 Species represented by many (> 5%) short shoots, <5% cover

2.0 Species represented by many (> 5%) short shoots 5% - 25% cover

3.0 Species represented by many (> 5%) short shoots 25%- 50% cover

4.0 Species represented by many (> 5%) short shoots 50%- 75% cover

5.0 Species represented by many (> 5%) short shoots 75%-100% cover

2.2 Coral Survey Methods

The goals of the coral survey were to locate, identify, measure the sizes of, and document the condition of all scleractinian coral colonies along the bulkhead of the Station in preparation for bulkhead improvements.

A pair of divers performed the survey with supporting personnel both on shore, walking along the edge of the bulkhead, and in a vessel. Before entering the water, the team used a tape measure to mark off sections along the wall. Most sections were 20m in linear distance along the wall, but a few were slightly shorter or longer as needed to accommodate obstacles such as fenders or moored vessels. All of the measurements began at either the southeast or southwest corners of the island so that the cumulative linear distance along the wall of the start and end of each section was known. At these known locations marking the boundaries between sections, a numbered and weighted line was dropped so that the divers could tell what section of the wall they were in while underwater.

Each dive began and ended at one of the weighted lines marking a section boundary. While underwater, the divers visually inspected the bulkhead. After locating a colony, the divers noted the time of day, the depth of the colony, its species and condition, height perpendicular to the wall, then took a digital photograph and/or short video clip of the colony with a scale bar in the field of view. Identification was performed to species level following Cairns et al. 2002; Budd et al. 2012. Condition included estimates of the percent of the colony with living tissue, and assessment of the presence or absence of coral disease and/or bleaching (see Bruckner and Bruckner 1998). The surface support crew walked along the wall keeping pace with the divers and with hand-held GPS units recording position every 5 seconds. The east and north walls were shallow enough that a single pass was sufficient to visually inspect the entire wall. The west and south walls, however, were deeper and required two passes for most sections to inspect the entire vertical span of the bulkhead.

Time was the essential variable linking measurements of position, taken from the GPS and by the divers noting the time they passed section boundaries, with the photographs and in situ assessment made for each colony. At the beginning of each day, the divers synchronized their watches and cameras with GPS time, so temporal offsets between these data sources were known.

Processing the position data consisted of three steps. First, the coordinates of the corners of the wall were taken from high-resolution aerial photography available in Google Earth.

Second, the coordinates of the boundaries between all of the sections were determined by interpolating between the known corners of the island by the known distances between the section boundaries. Third, knowing the start time and end time of each of the sections, the distance along each section was interpolated at one-minute intervals using the GPS tracks acquired by shore personnel following the divers.

Processing the diver data consisted of four steps. First, the diver data sheets were transcribed to an electronic spreadsheet format. In the spreadsheet, each row represents one coral colony. Second, the image corresponding to each coral colony in the spreadsheet was identified using the image time stamps and the time of observation recorded by the diver. Third, the images were then placed into ImageJ software (available as a free-ware program from the National Institute of Health, NIH 2013) and calculations of length and width were made (see Abràmoff et al. 2004). Each coral was inspected to verify information recorded in the field and to make detailed, length and width measurements. Fourth, the depth for each coral was corrected to mean high water using the NOAA tide predictions available from www.co-ops.nos.noaa.gov. Following these steps all work sheets and coral identification from digital images were QA/QC’d by a coral expert.

Fusing the position and condition data was done by merging the fields based on time. Note that the diver recorded the time of observation to the nearest minute, which is why position was interpolated from the GPS tracks to the nearest minute. This means that there are some corals with identical UTM zone 17R easting and northing coordinates, though generally not identical depth coordinates.

3.0 RESULTS

Results for the seagrass survey and coral survey are presented below, including tables, graphs, and discussion of results.

3.1 Seagrass Results

The Station seagrass survey was conducted from May 28-30 and June 12, 2013. The weather was overcast with gusting winds and occasional rain between May 28-30, on June 12 skies were clear with winds 5-10 knots out of the southeast. Depth ranged from 2 feet to 30 feet across transects. Fifty-seven transects were surveyed for seagrasses. Seagrasses were documented along five transects on the east side of the island, north of the Cutter Hudson berth (Figure 3). Seagrasses were found between 16m and 30m north of the bulkhead in 8-12 feet of water. No Halophila johnsonii was documented during surveys.

Seagrasses documented along survey transects included Halophila decipiens, Halodule wrightii, Syringodium filiforme, and Thalassia testudinum. The predominant seagrasses were mixed beds of H.decipiens and H. wrightii. See Appendix A (DVD) for seagrass data and Appendix B (DVD) for seagrass transect video. Appendix C (attached), at the end of this report includes a cross over document that ties each video clip to a seagrass transect.

Approximately 0.42 acres of seagrasses occur within the project area out to ~100 feet from the east bulkhead wall adjacent to the Cutter Hudson berth (Figure 3). Seagrass species frequency of occurrence, abundance and density data are summarized in Table 2.

Frequency of occurrence values were relatively low for all species. S. filiforme had the highest value (0.5 out of a possible 1.0), which was highly abundant and dense in a localized area. T. testudinum had the lowest frequency score (0.1 out of a possible 1) as it was sparsely distributed and low in abundance (BB score = 1 or <5% cover) and density.

http://www.co-ops.nos.noaa.gov/

ILegend

Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Delineation Halophila decipiens (0.013 ac.)

Halodule wrightii (0.006 ac.)

H. decipiens / H. wrightii (0.351 ac.)

H. wrightii / Syringodium filiforme (0.038 ac.)

H. decipiens / H. wrightii / Thalassia testudinum (0.010 ac.)

Sand - Unvegetated Bottom (3.894 ac.)

Figure 3

Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Delineation

Table 2 Frequency of occurrence, abundance, and density for seagrass species within the project area.

Frequency of

Occurrence Abundance Density Halophila decipiens 0.3 0.8 0.4 Halodule wrightii 0.2 1.0 0.4 Syringodium filiforme 0.5 3.0 1.5 Thalassia testudinum 0.1 1.0 0.2

Frequency of occurrence = Number of occupied sub-units/total number of sub-units Abundance = Sum of abundance scale values/number of occupied quadrats

Density = Sum of abundance scale values/total number of quadrats

3.2 Seagrass Discussion

Mixed seagrasses and monospecific beds of several seagrass species including Halophila decipiens, Halodule wrightii, Syringodium filiforme, and Thalassia testudinum were only documented north of the Cutter Hudson berth (Figure 3). These seagrass beds represent

0.42 acres of seagrass within the project area. Mixed beds of H. decipiens and H. wrightii covered the most area, while S. filiforme was the most abundant and dense in a localized area with blades extending as much as 30cm. T. testudinum was present but in low abundance and density. Notably, no H. johnsonii was documented in the survey area.

Seagrasses were found along transects within the Cutter Hudson survey area at ~16m from the bulkhead, so it is possible that the length of transects outside of the Cutter Hudson area on the east side were not of sufficient length to detect existing seagrass beds that may exist beyond 15m north and south of the Cutter Hudson berth. Although disturbance and shading from the Cutter Hudson may explain the lack of seagrasses found within the berth area and immediately adjacent to it, presumably this effect would not extend as far beyond the vessel as the entire side of the island. Currents moving through the area can be strong (up to 4 knots), because of the channelization of water between the Station and the southern portion of Miami Beach. These currents may impede the establishment of seagrasses along the edge of the bulkhead.

Although some seagrass transects were not surveyed due to diver safety issues related to currents and/or boat traffic (transects 1, 34, 41-45 and 66-67), the adjacent surveyed transects did not include seagrasses.

Before dredging activities begin, seagrasses may be harvested from the potential impact area and transplanted into prop scars within northern Biscayne Bay or into other seagrass mitigation site locations, such as the Julia Tuttle Seagrass Mitigation site associated with the Port Miami deepening and widening project.

3.3 Coral Survey Results

In total, 580 corals were identified, photographed, and measured on all four bulkhead walls (Figure 4). Of these, 197 colonies (33%) were equal to or exceeded 10cm in their greatest (longest) measured dimension. The total area of wall surface covered by all 580 corals is

50.2 m2. This is approximately 0.2% of the surface area available for colonization, which is below mean low water. In total, 18 species of scleractinian coral were identified (Table 3).

These are all species commonly identified on the reefs and hardbottom communities of southeast Florida (Jaap 1984; Porter 1987). Of these, Oculina diffusa was the most common coral comprising 66% of all coral species present. O. diffusa also comprised 53% of all large (>10cm) corals. The three largest individuals identified were all Porites astreoides.

The rank abundance of corals is shown in Figure 5. The abundance of large colonies sorted by species is shown in Figure 6. The density of corals was greatest on the south wall and the south parts of the east and west walls. Coral density decreased on the northern reaches of the east and west walls. That being said the density on the west wall was much lower than on the south and east walls. As for position on the wall there was more Oculina diffusa toward the base (closer to the sediment/water interface) but it was also the most common species throughout the survey area. Accordingly, Oculina diffusa was the most dominant with a range of sizes (although most were encrusting and not branching due to their growth on the vertical wall surface). As for other corals, their size frequency distribution seemed to be bimodal with both small and large colonies present. See Appendix D (DVD) for coral data and Appendix E (DVD) for all coral photos.

Table 3 Species list of corals documented on bulkhead surrounding the Station, May and June 2013.

Species Name Oculina diffusa Montastraea cavernosa Orbicella faveolata Orbicella franksi Diploria strigosa Diploria labyrinthiformis Diploria clivosa Dichocoenia stokesi Siderastrea siderea Siderastrea radians Favia fragum Porites astreoides Manicina areolata Colpophyllia natans Phylangia americana Mycetophyllia ferox Stephanocoenia intercepta Isophyllia sinuosa

Legend

! Coral Colony Location (x,y)

Potential Location For Hard Corals

Figure 4

Coral Colony Locations

Figure 5 Coral colony abundance (richness) by species.

0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450

Phylangia americana Mycetophyllia ferox

Orbicella franksi Manicina areolata

Colpophyllia natans Diploria labyrinthiformis

Diploria clivosa Montastraea cavernosa

Orbicella faveolata Dichocoenia stoksei Siderastrea radians

Diploria strigosa Favia fragum

Porites astreoides Siderastrea siderea

Number of Coral Colonies ( n=580)

Co ra l S pe ci es se nt

Coral Abundance Ranked by Species

Figure 6 Coral colony species ≥ 10cm (length or width) in order of abundance.

0 20 40 60 80 100 120

Phylangia americana Mycetophyllia ferox

Orbicella franksi Manicina areolata

Colpophyllia natans Diploria labyrinthiformis

Montastraea cavernosa

Orbicella faveolata

Siderastrea radians

Siderastrea siderea

Corals ≥ 10 cm (n=197)

Co ra l S pe ci es

Coral Abundance ≥ 10 cm by Species

There were only two instances of partial bleaching and both were for Siderastrea spp. The only caveat being that there was variable color mottling on many Oculina diffusa colonies, however, this pattern is common with healthy O. diffusa colonies. No discernible diseases were noted on any species. Most partial mortality appeared to be a result of competition for space between corals and other benthic species including sponges, tunicates, hydrozoans, octocorals, and algae.

Additional scleractinian corals were noted on the benthos, at the base of the north, east and south walls, where they have colonized rubble and debris (Figure 4). Although these coral were not quantified under this contract, pre-construction surveys should include this area, as many of these corals were larger than 10cm and should be considered for transplantation.

3.4 Coral Survey Recommendations

1. All corals larger than 10cm (n=197) should be removed prior to any construction or dredging. These corals should be placed on artificial structures adjacent to the Port Miami project area. Approximately 20% of these relocated corals should be tagged and monitored through time (up to five years) to assess the efficacy of relocation.

2. All charismatic rare corals (Montastraea cavernosa, Orbicella faveolata, Orbicella franksi, Diploria strigosa, Diploria labyrinthiformis, Diploria clivosa, Dichocoenia stokesi, Manicina areolata, Colpophyllia natans, Phylangia Americana, Mycetophyllia ferox, Stephanocoenia intercepta, Isophyllia sinuosa) of all sizes should also be moved where practicable.

3. Small (< 10cm) encrusting colonies of Oculina diffusa, Porites astreoides, Siderastrea radians, and Favia fragum will be difficult to remove because of their growth habit without incurring significant mortality. As such, it will not be cost effective to remove these en masse from the walls.

4. Non-scleractinian taxa including sponges, octocorals and other benthic organisms found on the walls are not viable candidates for relocation.

5. Pre-construction surveys should include the area at the base of the bulkhead walls out to 3 meters, where additional corals for relocation and transplantation were noted, but not quantified in this study. Many of these corals were of sizes ≥ 10cm in maximum diameter.

Diploria labrynthiformis

Montastraea cavernosa

Orbicella faveolata = faveolata

Orbicella franksi = franksi

Manicina areolata

Isophyllia sinuosa

Colpophyllia natans

Siderastrea siderea

Siderastrea radians

Stephanocoenia intercepta

Mycetophyllia ferox

Phyllangia americana

5.0 REFERENCES

Abràmoff, M. D., Magalhães, P. J., & Ram, S. J. (2004). Image processing with ImageJ.

Biophotonics International, 11(7):36-42.

Braun-Blanquet, J. 1965. Plant sociology: the study of plant communities. Hafner Publications, London. 439p.

Bruckner AW, Bruckner RJ (1998) Disease and predation on scleractinian corals. Disease identification cards, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), US Dept of Commerce, Washington DC

Budd AF, Fukami H, Smith ND, Knowlton N (2012) Taxonomic classification of the reef coral family Mussidae (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Scleractinia). Zool J Linn Soc 166:465–529

Cairns SD, Calder DR, Brinckmann-Voss A, Castro CB, Fautin DG, Pugh PR, Mills CE, Jaap WC, Arai MN, Haddock SHD, Opresko DM (2002) Common and scientific names of aquatic invertebrates from the United States and Canada: Cnidaria and Ctenophora, 2nd edition. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, MD, 115 p

Jaap WC (1984) The ecology of the south Florida coral reefs: A community profile. US Fish Wildl Serv, Washington DC

Kenworthy, W.J. 1997. An updated status review and summary of the proceedings of a workshop to review the biological status of the seagrass Halophila johnsonii Eisemon. Report to Office of Protected Species, NMFS, NOAA. 23pp.

Miller and Legg. 2009. Seagrass survey for Lake Mary (West Lake) Park. Report to Broward County Parks Department.

National Institute of Health (NIH 2013). ImageJ Version 1.46r.

http://rsbweb.nih.gov/ij/docs/guide/user-guide.pdf

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). 2010. National Marine Fisheries Service Southeast Region Habitat Conservation Division’s Best Management Practices for Surveying Seagrass for Coastal Construction Planning. 3 pages.

National Marine Fisheries Service. (NMFS). 2002. Recovery Plan for Johnson's Seagrass (Halophila johnsonii). Prepared by the Johnson's Seagrass Recovery Team for the National Marine Fisheries Service, Silver Spring, Maryland. 134 pages.

Porter JW (1987) Species profiles: life histories and environmental requirements of coastal fishes and invertebrates (south Florida) - reef-building corals. US Fish Wildlife Serv Biol Rep, 82(11.73), 23 p

APPENDIX A

Seagrass Data (DVD)

APPENDIX B

Seagrass Transect Video (DVD)

APPENDIX C

Seagrass Transect Video Cross Over Document

(see next page)

APPENDIX D

Coral Data (DVD)

APPENDIX E

Coral Still Photographs (DVD)

APPENDIX C

clip ID Transect Note

7 32 board

8 32 video

9 31 board and video

10 30 board and video

11 29 board and video

12 28 board and video

13 27 board and video

14 26 board and video

15 13 board and video

16 14 board and video

17 15 board and video

18 16 board and video

19 17 board and video

20 3 board and video

21 4 board and video

22 5 board and video

23 6 board and video

24 7 board and video

25 8 board and video

26 9 board

27 9 board and video

28 23 board

29 23 board and video

30 22 board and video

31 21 board

32 21 board and video

33 20 board

34 20 video

35 19 board and video

36 18 board

37 18 video

38 46 board

39 46 video

40 47 board and video

41 48 board and video

42 49 board and video

43 50 board and video

44 51 board and video

45 52 board and video

46 38 board

47 38 video

48 37 board

49 37 video

50 36 board

51 36 video

52 35 board and video

53 12 board

54 12 video

55 11 board

56 11 video

57 2 board

58 2 video

59 33 board

60 33 video

61 lobster

62 53 board and video

63 54 board and video

64 55 board

65 55 video

66 55 video

67 55 video

68 56 board and video

69 39 board

70 39 video

71 40 board

72 40 video

73 41 board

74 41 video

75 57 board

76 57 video

77 58 board

78 58 video

79 58 video

80 59 board and vodeo

81 ---- nothing in clip

82 ----- room pic

83 60 board

84 60 video

85 61 board

86 61 video

87 62 board

88 62 video

89 62 video

90 63 board

91 63 video

92 64 board

93 64 video

94 64 video

95 64 video

Append C - Miami Beach CG Station Seagrass and Coral Survey report final 8-9-13 wFigs.pdf

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

List of Figures

List of TABLES

1.0 Introduction

2.0 methods

2.1 Seagrass Survey Methods

2.2 Coral Survey Methods

3.0 Results

3.1 Seagrass Results

3.2 Seagrass Discussion

3.3 Coral Survey Results

3.4 Coral Survey Recommendations

5.0 References

USCG Corals 2.pdf

Slide Number 1

Slide Number 2

Slide Number 3

Slide Number 4

Slide Number 5

Slide Number 6

Video cross-ref.pdf

Sheet1 p4 ocr OF Co, yF, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

1y NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE cz

FO

Southeast Regional Office

S)- 44 o<'

0 263 13th Avenue South

St. Petersburg, Florida 33701- 5505 http:// sero. nmfs. noaa. gov

FEB 10 2015 F/SER31: KBD

SER-2014- 13911

Colonel Alan Dodd, Commander Jacksonville District, Corps of Engineers

Department of the Army P. O. Box 4970

Jacksonville, Florida 32232

Andy Bobick Chief, Environmental Branch

U.S. Coast Guard Civil Engineering Unit Miami 15608 SW 117th Avenue Miami, Florida 33177- 1630

Ref.: U.S. Coast Guard( USCG) Base Miami Beach, Maintenance Dredging and Bulkhead Replacement, Miami Beach, Miami-Dade County, Florida

Dear Colonel Dodd and Mr. Bobick:

Enclosed is the National Marine Fisheries Service' s ( NMFS' s) Biological Opinion(" Opinion") to the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers( USACE) on the proposed authorization to maintenance dredge the slip for the USCG Cutter Hudson and to replace 2 bulkhead sections in Biscayne Bay.

The Opinion analyzes the project' s effects on loggerhead sea turtles ( Caretta caretta), Kemp' s ridley (Lepidochelys kempii), leatherback( Dermochelys coriacea), hawksbill (Eretmochelys iinbricata), and green sea turtles( Chelonia mydas); smalltooth sawfish( Pristis pectinata);

Johnson' s seagrass designated critical habitat; and threatened corals including 3 newly listed species: mountainous star coral ( Orbicellafaveolata); boulder star coral ( Orbicellafranksi); and rough cactus coral (Mycetophylliaferox); in accordance with Section 7 of the Endangered

Species Act( ESA) of 1973. The USACE is serving as the USCG' s agent for this action.

This Opinion is based on information provided in your April 16, 2014, letter and supporting information, as well as information from previous NMFS consultations conducted on dredging within seagrass habitat critical habitat and coral transplantation. You are reminded that any changes to the proposed action may negate the findings of the present consultation and may require reinitiation of consultation with NMFS. It is our Opinion that the action, as proposed, is not likely to adversely affect smalltooth sawfish, loggerhead, Kemp' s ridley, leatherback, hawksbill, or green sea turtles, but it is likely to adversely affect Johnson' s seagrass critical habitat and mountainous star, boulder star, and rough cactus coral.

We look forward to further cooperation with you on other projects to ensure the conservation and recovery of our threatened and endangered marine species. If you have any questions regarding non `\ this consultation, please contact Kay Davy, Consultation Biologist, by email at Kay.Davy @noaa.gov or ( 727) 415- 9271.

Sincerely, Roy E. Crabtree, Ph. D.

Regional Administrator

Enclosure

File: 1514- 22.F. 4

Endangered Species Act- Section 7 Consultation

Biological Opinion

Agencies: United States Army Corps of Engineers ( USACE) United States Coast Guard ( USCG)

Activity: USCG Base Miami Beach, Dredging and Bulkhead Replacement, Miami- Dade County, Florida

Consulting Agency: National Marine Fisheries Service( NMFS) Southeast Regional Office

Protected Resources Division

NMFS Consultatio No. SER-2014- 13911

Date Issued: I C 0 1

Approved By:

oy E. rabtree, Ph.D.

Regi al Administrator

1 Consultation History 2 Description of the Proposed Action 3 Action Area 4 Status of Listed Species and Critical Habitat 5 Environmental Baseline 6 Effects of the Action 7 Cumulative Effects 8 Jeopardy Analysis 9 Analysis of Destruction or Adverse Modification of Designated Critical Habitat 40 10 Conclusion 11 Incidental Take Statement 12 Reasonable and Prudent Measures (RPMs) 13 Terms and Conditions 14 Conservation Recommendations 15 Reinitiation of Consultation 16 Literature Cited

17 APPENDIX A

Glossary of Commonly Used Acronyms

CCA Crustose Coralline Algae DPS Distinct Population Segment DWH Deepwater Horizon EPA Environmental Protection Agency ESA Endangered Species Act of 1973 HCD Habitat Conservation Division ITS Incidental Take Statement MMPA Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 NMFS National Marine Fisheries Service NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ODMDS Ocean Dredged Material Disposal Site RBO Regional Biological Opinion RPMs Reasonable and Prudent Measures SARBO South Atlantic Regional Biological Opinion SEFSC Southeast Fisheries Science Center SERO Southeast Regional Office STSSN Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network USACE United States Army Corps of Engineers USCG United States Coast Guard USFWS United States Fish and Wildlife Service

Background

Section 7(a)(2) of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. §1531 et seq.), requires that each federal agency ensure that any action authorized, funded, or carried out by the agency is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of any endangered or threatened species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of critical habitat of those species.

When the action of a federal agency may affect a protected species or its critical habitat, that agency is required to consult with either National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) or the U.S.

Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), depending upon the protected species that may be affected.

Consultations on most listed marine species and their designated critical habitat are conducted between the action agency and NMFS. Consultations are concluded after NMFS determines the action is not likely to adversely affect listed species or critical habitat or issues a Biological Opinion (“Opinion”) that determines whether a proposed action is likely to jeopardize the continued existence of a federally-listed species, or destroy or adversely modify federally-designated critical habitat. The opinion also states the amount or extent of listed species incidental take that may occur and develops nondiscretionary measures that the action agency must take to reduce the effects of said anticipated/authorized take. The opinion may also recommend discretionary conservation measures. No incidental destruction or adverse modification of critical habitat may be authorized. The issuance of an Opinion detailing NMFS’s findings concludes ESA Section 7 consultation.

This document represents our Opinion on impacts associated with proposed dredging and bulkhead replacement at USCG Base Miami Beach. This Opinion analyzes project effects on swimming sea turtles, smalltooth sawfish, threatened corals, and Johnson’s seagrass critical habitat in accordance with Section 7 of the ESA. NMFS based this Opinion on project information provided by the USACE as well as published literature and the best available scientific and commercial information. It is NMFS’s Opinion that the action, as proposed, is not likely to adversely affect sea turtles and smalltooth sawfish. The proposed action is also not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of mountainous star coral, boulder star coral, and rough cactus coral, and is not likely to destroy or adversely modify the designated critical habitat for Johnson’s seagrass.

BIOLOGICAL OPINION

1 Consultation History

On April 16, 2014, the USACE submitted a request for Section 7 consultation and provided a biological assessment for the USCG Base Miami Beach project. The review was assigned to a Protected Resources Division Consultation Biologist on May 7, 2014. Due to a large backlog in project reviews, consultation was not initiated until July 14, 2014. On August 26, 2014, NOAA announced that 5 new species of corals were listed as threatened in the Atlantic/Caribbean (79 FR 53852; officially published September 10, 2014). Three of these threatened coral species occur within the project footprint attached to the existing bulkhead and will be relocated as a reasonable and prudent measure.

2 Description of the Proposed Action

The project is located at the USCG Base Miami Beach in Miami-Dade County, Florida, on a man-made island north of the main entrance to the Port of Miami, Government Cut (Figure 1). It is located in the Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserve.

Figure 1. Location of USCG Base Miami

The USCG is proposing to maintenance dredge the slip used by the Coast Guard Cutter…