USACE_A2._1-9.pdf

Project Design Criteria (PDCs) Specific to Activity 2 for Pile-Supported Structures and Anchored Buoys

A2.1. Activities covered by this Opinion include the installation, repair, replacement, and removal of structures as described below:

A2.1.1. The pile-supported and anchored structures included in this Opinion are:

docks and piers, boatlifts, mooring piles and dolphin piles associated with docks/piers; ATONs and PATONs; floating docks; pile-supported chickees (i.e., small, back-country, over-water, pile-supported, primitive camping shelters); boardwalks (as long as they are designed and clearly marked to prohibit fishing and vessel mooring); mooring fields and buoys; and other minor pile-supported structures. This does not include structures that support large commercial vessels including ferries, tankers, and cargo ships such as ferry terminals and large ports.

A2.1.2. Pile-supported docks/piers for a single-family residential lot are limited to 4 slips for motorized vessels. Slips for non-motorized vessels (e.g., kayak, canoe, and paddleboard) and associated launching areas do not count toward the total slip number.

A2.1.3. Pile-supported structures for marinas, multi-family facilities (e.g., condo complexes, trailer parks, subdivisions when the homeowners association owns and controls the in-water structures). Docks and piers for multi-family residential properties (e.g., condos, trailer parks, apartment complexes), and marinas are limited to a maximum of 50 total slips (i.e., combination of wet and dry slips for existing plus proposed slips).

A2.1.4. Anchored buoys and temporary pile-supported structures associated with marine events. Upon completion of the event, these structures must be removed and, to the maximum extent practical, the site must be restored to pre-construction elevations. Water depths in the area of marine events must be deep enough to support at least 5 ft of water depth under the keel of a vessel and between the keel of a vessel and ESA-listed coral colonies when transiting to the mooring areas. There is no limit on the number of vessel slips allowed for temporary structures associated marine events such as boat shows.

A2.1.5. Mooring fields are limited to a maximum of 50 motorized vessels (there is no limit on the number of non-motorized vessels).

A2.1.6. All pile-supported structures constructed must comply with PDC 2.17 for Docks or Other Minor Structures Constructed in Florida Under this Opinion (see below).

The following PDCs apply to all the activities described in PDC A2.1 above:

A2.2. For commercial, multi-family, or public facilities, and marine events, signs must be posted in a visible location(s), alerting users of listed species in the area susceptible to vessel strikes and hook-and-line captures. The most current version of the signs that must be downloaded and sign installation guidance are available at:

(http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/protected_resources/section_7/protected_species_educat ional_signs/index.html). The signs required to be posted by area are stated below:

A2.2.1. All projects in Florida shall use the Save Sea Turtle, Sawfish, and Dolphin sign.

These signs shall include contact information to the sea turtle and marine http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/protected_resources/section_7/protected_species_educational_signs/index.html http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/protected_resources/section_7/protected_species_educational_signs/index.html http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/protected_resources/section_7/protected_species_educational_signs/index.html k3rdnald Highlight mammal stranding networks and smalltooth sawfish encounter database.

A2.2.2. Projects within the North Atlantic right whale educational sign zone (as defined in Section 2.1.1.4) shall post the Help Protect North Atlantic Right Whales sign.

A2.2.3. On the east coast of Florida, projects located within the St. John’s River and those occurring north of the St. Johns River to the Florida-Georgia line shall post the Report Sturgeon sign. On the west coast of Florida, projects occurring from the Cedar Key, Florida north to the Florida- Alabama line.

A2.2.4. We are still developing the signs to be used in the U.S. Caribbean. Once developed, those signs will be included at the website above.

A2.3. For commercial, multi-family, or public facilities, monofilament recycling bins must be provided at the docking facility to reduce the risk of turtle or sawfish entanglement in, or ingestion of, marine debris. Monofilament recycling bins must:

A2.3.1. Be constructed and labeled according to the instructions provided at http://mrrp.myfwc.com.

A2.3.2. Be maintained in working order and emptied frequently (according to http://mrrp.myfwc.com standards) so that they do not overflow.

A2.4. For any dock project (new construction, repair, or replacement) at a private residence located within 11 nautical miles of North Atlantic right whale critical habitat (as measured in a radius from the center of the nearest inlet to open ocean and described in Section 2.1.1.4), the property owner will be provided a handout with their USACE permit describing the presence of North Atlantic right whales in the area and the Federal regulations governing the approach to North Atlantic right whales (Appendix C).

A2.5. ATONs and PATONs must be approved by and installed in accordance with the requirements of the USCG (see 33 CFR, chapter I, subchapter C, part 66 and RHA Section 10 and any other pertinent requirements).

A2.6. Chickees must be less than 500 ft² and support no more than 2 slips.

A2.7. No activities associated with municipal or commercial fishing piers are covered under this Opinion.

A2.8. Docks installed within visible distance of ocean beaches are required to comply with turtle-friendly lighting, if lighting is necessary to the project. Turtle-friendly lighting is explained and examples are provided on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website:

http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/managed/sea-turtles/lighting/

A2.9. Project construction will take place from uplands or from floating equipment (e.g., barge); prop or wheel-washing is prohibited.

http://mrrp.myfwc.com/ http://mrrp.myfwc.com/ http://mrrp.myfwc.com/