Okaloosa County BOCC — October 23, 2014 — VI.d. FWC Supplemental Reef Grant

TOURIST DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM DATE: October 23, 2014 TO: Tourist Development Council FROM: Ed Schroeder, Tourist Development Department Director Anthony Austermann, Marine Economic & Tourist Development Resource Coord SUBJECT: Supplemental Artificial Reef Construction Grant Background The County has determined that constructing artificial reefs will promote tourism by offering diving, snorkeling, and fishing activities. Okaloosa County is currently in contract negotiations with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) regarding the conceptually awarded $80,000 from the 2013-14 Supplemental Grant and $60,000 from the 2014-15 Artificial Reef Construction Grant. The Okaloosa County Tourist Development Department (TDD) will provide a combined match of $100,000 to these conceptually approved grants. Discussion The Florida Legislature has allocated an additional $500,000 in supplemental funding in 2014-15 for the construction and monitoring of artificial reefs, with each grant award capped at $60,000. The intent of this 2014-15 supplemental grant application, in the amount of $60,000 with no matching funds, is to procure funding towards the construction of an additional rubble-mound reef, comprised of suitable artificial reef materials donated by the Eglin Air Force Base. The proposed deployment, Concrete Target Reef #3 (CTR-3), will lie in the southern center patch reef of Fish Haven 13. Applications are due October 29. This item was presented to the BCC for approval at its October 21 meeting. TDC Recommendation to BCC For informational purposes only.  SUPPLEMENTAL CALL FOR ARTIFICIAL REEF CONSTRUCTION & MONITORING GRANT APPLICATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2014-2015 Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission Division of Marine Fisheries, Artificial Reef Program 620 South Meridian Street, Box 4B2 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600 (850) 487-0554 http://myfwc.com  SUPPLEMENTAL CALL FOR ARTIFICIAL REEF CONSTRUCTION GRANT APPLICATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2014-2015 FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION (FWC) DIVISION OF MARINE FISHERIES MANAGEMENT The Florida Artificial Reef Program within the FWC Division of Marine Fisheries Management announces the availability of an additional $500,000 in general revenues for artificial reef related activities during the 2014/15 fiscal year. These additional funds were made available through a special appropriation during the 2014 Florida legislative session to increase funding for artificial reef construction. Any unexpended funds will be added to funding anticipated to be conceptually available for the regular January 2015 call for artificial reef construction and monitoring applications. The attached supplemental application form is consistent with “The Florida Artificial Reef Program” rule, Chapter 68E-9 FAC. As in prior artificial reef grant announcements, the funding cap is $60,000, and any project request greater than $60,000 will require justification with additional information pursuant to Chapter 68E-9.006. Applications must demonstrate firm availability of acceptable artificial reef materials proposed for use. One application is enclosed with this announcement for general artificial reef construction. Only one application will be accepted from a given applicant. Eligible applicants include local coastal governments, State of Florida public universities and certain nonprofit organizations (one of whose principle charges as stated in By-laws or Articles of Incorporation is the construction and/or monitoring of artificial reefs), pursuant to Chapter 379.249, F.S. and according to the provisions of Chapter 68E-9 FAC. Other interested entities would need to work in partnership or be subcontracted by an eligible applicant entity. If multiple entities are submitting the same application from within the same county geographic boundaries, the highest ranked single project from within the county will be selected for that category. Applications must be received no later than Wednesday, October 29, 2014, by 5 p.m. Artificial reef construction applications will not be considered unless accompanied by documentation of permits where materials are proposed for deployment that are valid through December 31, 2015. Any previously unsubmitted Materials Placement Reports (i.e. both grant and non-grant funded) must accompany all applications for all reef construction projects completed by the applicant during the previous fiscal year (as required by Federal artificial reef permit conditions). Grants are awarded on a competitive basis. Competition for grant funding is expected to be high for the anticipated $500,000 supplemental funding. This supplemental RFP for FY 2014/15 is in addition to the upcoming annual RFP announcement (FY 2015/16) scheduled to be announced in January of 2015. The evaluation and ranking of applications is accomplished through a numerical rating process involving multiple independent reviewers and based directly on the provisions of Chapter 68E-9.005 FAC. Applicants should be aware that the FWC requires grant recipients to provide a substantial amount of contract management and project oversight, including direct supervision of all subcontractors. For any additional information regarding the artificial reef grants program, please contact Jon Dodrill, Bill Horn, or Keith Mille at the letterhead address listed below or by telephone at (850) 487-0554. Applicants are encouraged to contact staff for pre-application consultation prior to submittal. Notification of conceptual grant awards will take place by December 5, 2014 Applications should be sent to the Artificial Reef Program at one of the following addresses: 620 South Meridian Street, Box # 4B2, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600 (mail) 2590 Executive Center Circle East, Berkeley Building, Suite 203, Tallahassee, Florida 32301 (courier)  FWC DIVISION OF MARINE FISHERIES MANAGEMENT ARTIFICIAL REEF CONSTRUCTION GRANT APPLICATION Applicant Project Manager Name of local coastal government, university, or eligible not-for-profit corporation Printed Name, Title Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Anthony Austermann, Artificial Reef Coordinator Mailing Address Mailing Address 1804 Lewis Turner Blvd - Suite 100 1540 Miracle Strip Parkway SE Physical Address, for courier service, with zip code (if different than mailing address) Physical Address, for courier service, with zip code (if different than mailing address) City State Zip Code City State Zip Code Ft. Walton Beach, FL 32547 Fort Walton Beach Fl 32548 Telephone Fax Telephone Fax (850 ) 651-7105 ( 850 ) 651-7142 ( 850 ) 609-5394 (850 ) 651-7149 FEID Number Email address 59-6000765 aaustermann@co.okaloosa.fl.us I hereby certify that all information submitted with this application is true and complete to the best of my knowledge. Signature of Applicant Date Printed Name and Title Project Description Name of Proposed Reef Project: Eglin Target Material Deployment (CTR-3) Types of Material Proposed for Deployment: Reinforced Concrete w/High Limestone Content Amount of Material (tons), and/or Number of Module Units 400-500 tons (See Grant Application Supplemental Information) Proposed for Deployment: Proposed Coordinates 30° 21.298'N, 86° 32.876'W Depth (ft.): 73 LAT/LON decimal minutes: Grant Funds Requested: Matching Funds (Cash Only): Total Project Cost: $ 60,000 $ 0 $ 60,000 (attach letter stating cash match amount) Artificial Reef Site Permit Information (to be provided for each permitted site to be used, permits must be valid through August 31, 2013) Name of Permit Holder: Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners (if different than applicant, attach a letter of authorization from the permit holder to use the site) Name of Permitted Site: Fish Haven 13 ✔ Check here if the permitted site is located in State waters Issued: March/ 10 / 2014 USACOE Permit Number: SAJ-2011-03485(SP-SWA) Expires: March / 10 / 2024 FDEP Permit Number: Issued: March / 8 / 2012 (for sites located State waters) 46-0309090-002-EG Expires: March / 8 / 2017 Check here if information for additional permitted sites is attached. FWC Form AR01 (rev01/06) Page 1 of 4 Construction Grant Application ALL APPLICANTS MUST SUBMIT RESPONSES TO THE FOLLOWING AS ATTACHMENTS CORRESPONDING TO THE INDICATED NUMBERS: FWC use only Attached Project Site Selection and Environmental Assessment 1. A general location map using the most recent NOAA nautical chart showing: a. The chart name, chart number, and date of chart; b. The coastline adjacent to the proposed deployment location; c. The bearing and distance (in nautical miles) from a described navigational marker or distinctive topographical feature (e.g. mouth of inlet) to the proposed deployment location………………………..……………………………..……(a-c,required documentation) ✔ 2. An accurate and legible site-specific map (recommended on 8 1/2 x 11 paper) of the proposed deployment area showing: a. Compass rose with a north arrow, scale, and legend; b. Name of permitted site; c. Dimensions (in feet) of the permitted site (length/width for polygons, radius for circular sites); d. Area of the permitted site in acres and/or square nautical miles; e. Center and corner coordinates in latitude/longitude format as described in the Army Corps of Engineers permit; f. Directional orientation of permitted site in relation to the compass rose; g. Overlay of the permit corner coordinates with the most recent NOAA nautical chart and compare the permit corner coordinates with the charted permit area. Discuss any discrepancies between the NOAA charted site and the permit; h. Minimum and maximum water depths (feet, MLW) for the permitted site; i. All previous public reef deployments in the permitted site and the proposed deployment with a reference number for each; j. A table (on a separate page) which lists by reference number the deployment date, type, amount of materials, and coordinates in latitude/longitude for each prior deployment and the proposed deployment in the permitted site. k. The location of the closest natural habitats (e.g., hardbottom) to the deployment site………………………………………………..………….……(a-k, required documentation) ✔ 3. The results and a discussion of a bottom survey for the proposed deployment site which includes the date the survey was accomplished, the type of survey used (visual or fathometer), an estimate of the total area surveyed (in square feet) and a description of the sediments or occurrence of natural hardbottom and/or existing artificial reefs observed. Provide confirmation that there is no natural hardbottom or seagrass habitat within 150 ft. of the deployment site. Note: visual surveys by SCUBA are required at depths of 100 fsw or less………………………………………………………………………………...(up to four points) ✔ 4. An environmental assessment that justifies the project site based upon minimum environmental impact. The environmental assessment should include a description of potential onsite, offsite, and cumulative impacts of the proposed artificial reef construction project on vegetation, threatened or endangered species, fisheries, wildlife, water quality, and cultural resources………………………………………..…………………..…(up to five points) ✔ 5. A discussion of the availability of other relevant prior biological, or environmental data associated with the proposed reef site or general reef vicinity…………….…...(up to four points) ✔ 6. A discussion of the range of wave height, current velocity, temperature, salinity, visibility, tidal range, and other physical oceanography conditions and how those factors may affect the project……………………………………………………………………….……(up to five points) ✔ 7. Material Placement Report Forms for any previously unsubmitted non-FWCC funded public reef projects completed during the last calendar year (as required by Federal Permit conditions), listed by material type and deployment date………………..….(Statute requirement) ✔ 8. The number of existing artificial reef deployments (materials) within a 0.25 nm radius of the proposed project. Depict each deployment on the site-specific drawing required in number 2(i) above (more points awarded for fewer deployments).............................…(up to four points) ✔ FWC Form AR01 (1/14) Page 2 of 4 Construction Grant Application  Attached FWC use only Project Objectives 9. Specific, well defined and measurable objectives to gauge the success of the project……………………………………………………………………..……….…(up to four points) ✔ 10. A plan to measure the success of project objective achievement …………….(up to five points) ✔ Project Design 11. A detailed description and discussion of the reef design and configuration, habitat complexity, interstitial spaces, surface area, material placement and positioning……………………………………………………………………….…....(up to ten points) ✔ 12. A demonstration of the durability and stability of the reef material at the depth proposed for placement based on prior field evaluations or stability analyses……..……….....…(four points) ✔ Project Planning and Management 13. A project timeline and construction schedule……………………………..(required documentation) ✔ 14. Number of staff and percentage of time available to undertake administrative and field aspects of project, including subsequent monitoring and assessment….…….(up to five points) ✔ 15. A written artificial reef monitoring and assessment plan, if available……..……(up to five points) ✔ 16. A five year local artificial reef management plan which shows linkage with the proposed project, if available……...…………………………………….………………..……(up to five points) ✔ 17. A demonstration of involvement with a marine advisory board with input on artificial reef issues, if available. Include a listing of marine advisory board members, and a copy of the most recent meeting minutes regarding the proposed project……………………....(two points) ✔ 18. One complete copy of each active ACOE and DEP permit with accompanying permit conditions applicable to the project….………………………………………….(permit requirement) ✔ Local Demand and Public Access 19. A demonstration of public support for the proposed artificial reef project, based upon written letters or resolutions of support less than six months old………………(up to five points) ✔ 20. The presence of at least one navigable inlet access point within 20 nautical miles of the project site (list the number of)………………………………………………...….…..(three points) ✔ Material Transport and Ownership 21. A plan to address logistics, coordination, staging area availability, material location, and material transport and handling…….………………………………………………(up to five points) ✔ 22. Assurance of the availability of reef material for the proposed project, with an itemized list describing the materials proposed to be deployed........................................……..(three points) ✔ 23. Proof of ownership. For all proposed reef materials, indicate whether the reef material has already been purchased or donated (including letter(s) of verification)…....(permit requirement) ✔ Project Practicality 24. An approximate estimate of handling and transportation cost per ton for secondary use materials, and/or purchase, handling, and transportation cost per unit for pre-fabricated materials. Discuss the extent to which the project is physically and economically feasible based upon the project description and the requested project funding….…….(up to five points) ✔ 25. The percentage financial match of the project. Although providing cash match funds is not required, the commitment to provide funds to help construct the proposed artificial reef will be ranked in proportion to the percentage match of the project………….……(up to four points) ✔ FWC Form AR01 (1/14) Page 3 of 4 Construction Grant Application  FWC use only Attached 26. The applicant’s total artificial reef construction/monitoring budget (excluding funds requested from this grant) for the current calendar year including a description and amounts of additional funding by funding source………………………(information only, no points) ✔ Non-profit Eligibility Verification 27. Documentation of 501(c)(3) tax status from the Internal Revenue Service.(Statute requirement) ✔ 28. Documentation of the corporation's By-laws and/or Articles of Incorporation which include artificial reef monitoring and/or development as an objective……………….(Statute requirement) ✔ Procurement of Commodities or Contractual Services Verification 29. Documentation of the intended means which commodities or contractual services will be procured, pursuant to the requirements of Section 287.057, Florida Statutes. For Agreements in the amount of $35,000 or less, grantees will be required to obtain a minimum of two written quotes for any subcontracts. For Agreements in excess of $35,000, grantees will be required to publicly advertise and send bid specifications to a minimum of five potential subcontractors. For any Agreement requesting the use a sole source vendor, provide clear justification (in the response to this item) for Commission review and approval …………………………………………………………….(Statute requirement) ✔ Project Funding Limits 30. For projects requesting more than the $60,000 funding limit, provide written justification in compliance with Chapter 68E-9.006, Florida Administrative Code, for Commission review and approval…………..………………………………………………………….(Statute requirement) ✔ THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL ITEMS WILL BE DETERMINED BY FWCC: Overall quality of application preparation and accuracy………………………………........(up to four points) 31. The project is an innovative project or designed to provide future monitoring potential…………………………………………………………………………………… (up to five points) 32. Estimated percent coverage of natural hardbottom in the multi-county area. More points allotted to lesser coverage…………………………………………………………………………(up to eight points) 33. Number of recreational boats 16 feet long or longer registered in the affected County………………………………………………………………………………………..(up to five points) 34. Number of one-year resident and nonresident recreational fishing license holders in the affected county……………………………………………………………………………………….. (up to five points) 35. Number of charter/head boats in the affected county…………………………………..(up to five points) 36. The applicant is located in an economically depressed rural coastal county………….…..(five points) 37. First time participation in the program by the applicant………………………………………(five points) 38. The applicant’s historic ability to ensure timely project completion, and compliance with grant agreement terms and conditions based upon the most recent grant agreement performance………………………………………………………………………………....(up to five points) FWC Form AR01 (1/14) Page 4 of 4 Construction Grant Application  OKALOOSA COUNTY FWC ARTIFICIAL REEF CONSTRUCTION SUPPLEMENTAL GRANT APPLICATION FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION DIVISION OF MARINE FISHERIES MANAGEMENT 620 SOUTH MERIDIAN STREET, BOX # 4B2 TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA 32399 Prepared by: In support of the Supplemental TAYLOR ENGINEERING, INC. Call for Artificial Reef Construction 1221 AIRPORT RD, SUITE 210 DESTIN, FL 32541 Grant Applications (850) 460-7040 Fiscal Year 2014-2015 OKALOOSA COUNTY ARTIFICIAL REEF PROGRAM 1540 MIRACLE STRIP PARKWAY SE FORT WALTON BEACH, FL 32548  Contents Overview of Application Package Attachment 1 – General Location Maps Attachment 2 – Site-Specific Maps Attachment 3 – Bottom Surveys Attachment 4 – Biological Assessment Attachment 5 – Availability of Other Relevant Data Attachment 6 – Physical and Oceanographic Conditions Attachment 7 – Material Placement Forms Attachment 8 – Existing Artificial Reef Proximity Attachment 9 – Measurable Objectives Attachment 10 – Measurement of Objective Success Attachment 11 – Reef Design and Construction Attachment 12 – Stability and Durability Attachment 13 – Project Timeline and Construction Schedule Attachment 14 – Field and Administrative Management Attachment 15 – Monitoring and Assessment Plan Attachment 16 – Okaloosa County Artificial Reef Plan Attachment 17 – Marine Advisory Board Attachment 18 – Permits Attachment 19 – Public Support Attachment 20 – Presence of a Navigable Inlet Attachment 21 – Material Logistics Attachment 22 – Material Availability Attachment 23 – Material Ownership Attachment 24 – Cost Estimate for Transportation and Handling Attachment 25 – Financial Match Attachment 26 – Okaloosa County Artificial Reef Budget Attachment 27 – Okaloosa County Tax Status Attachment 28 – Okaloosa County Resolution Attachment 29 – Procurement of Commodities or Contractual Services Verification Attachment 30 – Project Funding Limits  1 of 11 Introduction Currently, Okaloosa County is in contract negotiations with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) regarding the conceptually awarded $80,000 from the 2013-14 Supplemental Grant and $60,000 from the 2014-15 FY Artificial Reef Construction Grant. The Okaloosa County Tourist Development Department (TDD) will provide a combined match of $100,000 to these conceptually- approved grants. The intent of this 2014-15 supplemental grant application is to procure funding towards the construction of an additional rubble-mound reef, comprised of suitable artificial reef materials donated by the Eglin Air Force Base. The proposed deployment, Concrete Target Reef #3 (CTR- 3), will lie in the southern center patch reef of Fish Haven 13. In October 2014, the Okaloosa County (County) Artificial Reef Program established a contractual relationship with Eglin Air Force Base (AFB) to repurpose large surplus high-strength concrete as complex rubble-mound reef structures. The scope of the proposed project is to further the relationship with Okaloosa County, FWC and Eglin AFB and the objectives of the County reef program by constructing an additional rubble-mound reef. Following the successful deployment of materials in the centroid of Fish Haven 13 (CTR-1) utilizing the FWC 2013-14 supplemental and 2014-15 grant funds, the proposed deployment (CTR-3) will be the second patch reef constructed in Fish Haven 13 and will lie approximately 400 – 450 ft south of CTR-1. The 2014-15 supplemental grant funds are essential to the County’s ability to sustain the momentum of the rubble-mound reef creation initiative and construct this additional deployment during 2015. The table below features some defining characteristics of the proposed reef site. Permitted Reef Reef Site Depth Distance* Bearing* Location Latitude Longitude Area Name (ft) (nM) (Mag) Southern Fish Haven 13 CTR-3 30° 21.298'N 86° 32.876'W ~ 70 2.5 235° Center * From East Pass to Proposed Reef The proposed rubble-mound reef structure (CTR-3) will offer exceptional environmental complexity, most similar to natural hardbottom features. The County has been constructing similar publicly accessible artificial reefs with repurposed concrete material since the mid 1970’s. Historically, the concrete rubble-mound reefs have provided stable and thriving ecosystems with ecological diversity similar to regional natural hardbottom communities. These observations are consistent with those presented in the Guidelines for Artificial Reef Materials, 2nd Edition, January 2004. Monitoring of the existing reefs have shown that benthic communities and game fish species, such as red snapper, quickly inhabit newly constructed reefs and provide expedient ecological and economic benefit. The stacking and locking of the large concrete materials create a variety of surface areas and void spaces to provide shelter for numerous benthic organisms and fish species throughout various life stages. Local recreational divers and anglers also prefer the intricate habitats provided by similar artificial reefs such as the Destin Bridge Rubble. The Destin Bridge Rubble has provided economic benefit to the County for over 30 years and continues to flourish ecologically. Given the benefits proven by experience and Okaloosa County 2014-15 FWC Supplemental Construction Grant Supplemental Information  2 of 11 research, the preference of local stakeholders, and the opportunity to collaborate with the USAF Research Lab, the Okaloosa County Artificial Reef Program (OCARP) has strong proclivity to construct the proposed artificial reefs. The material proposed in this application will contrast the anticipated large numbers of pre-fabricated reef modules expected to be placed in the vicinity of the proposed sites and funded through the Natural Resource Damage Assessment process Phase III Early Restoration effort. The contrast is primarily in the amount of available surface area, the non-uniform nature of the material, increased reef footprint, and the appeal to a larger user group. The Fish Haven designation has been used as a consistent naming convention for permitting purposes for many years in Okaloosa County. As a side note, OCARP is considering abandoning the naming convention in order to become a little less stoic and unimaginative. OCARP is considering allowing the public to name reef areas and reef sites in return for a contribution to the reef program or as a reward for an outreach activity as demonstrated with the Aquatic Life Ecosystem (ALE) Reef project funded through the 2011-2012 FWC Grant. Permit Numbers The table below indicates the status of permits for the proposed deployment location. Fish Haven 13 is within State waters and has been permitted by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Reef Area FDEP Permit Number FDEP Expires USACE Permit Number USACE Expires Fish Haven 13 46-0309090-002-EG 3/8/2017 SAJ-2011-03485 (SP-SWA) 3/10/2024 Project Site Selection and Environmental Assessment (Attachments 1 – 8) General Location Map Attachment 1 includes a General Location Map for proposed reef site CTR-3. The map displays the proposed reef with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) chart overlay, the adjacent coastline, and the distance to East Pass in nautical miles. Table 2 of Attachment A shows the bearing to the site from East Pass. The proposed site lies approximately 2.5 nm west-southwest of the inlet. Notably, the zoomed extents of the General Location Map figure shows no indications of known hardbottom, as obtained from the FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute GIS inventory. Additional investigations included review of navigation charts (documenting natural and artificial reef areas and average bottom depths) and recent ecological maps/surveys. Based on these investigations, researchers determined that site conditions (e.g., depth, etc.) would not support seagrasses or shellfish communities, and no other natural resources had been documented within the proposed areas. Site-Specific Maps Attachment 2 presents a Site-Specific Map for the proposed reef (CTR-3). Fish Haven 13 has no existing public reefs within the permitted area, however the County is currently in contract negotiations with Okaloosa County 2014-15 FWC Supplemental Construction Grant Supplemental Information  3 of 11 FWC which should result in the construction of a larger rubble-mound reef in the centroid of Fish Haven 13, which will be referred to as CTR-1. Bottom Surveys Attachment 3 contains the required bottom survey for Fish Havens 13, performed by SKC, LLC. The bottom survey included SCUBA inspections and fathometer surveys conducted on February 28, 2012. The permitted area survey suggest that the site is devoid of limestone outcroppings (hardbottom) and has sand substrate characteristic of seafloor offshore of northwest Florida. Environmental Assessment Attachment 4 contains a Biological Assessment (BA) that pertains to the proposed site within Fish Haven 13. The following briefly summarizes the BA and other environmental factors. The proposed site primarily comprises a thick (> 3 ft) layer of medium-grained textured sand, which indicates a firm substrate to support the proposed artificial reef structures. Vegetation: Anecdotal evidence indicates no submerged aquatic vegetation has been observed in the area of deployment. The proposed deployment site lies at water depths that preclude the growth of submerged grasses and no known coral outcrops/formations are present in the sites. Bottom surveys ensure that no live bottom is present. Threatened or endangered species: No threatened or endangered species regularly occur at this site. Wildlife: Most typically observed species on the offshore sand bottom areas include the beaded sea star, sand dollars, and the pearly razorfish. Water Quality: The proposed project should not adversely impact water quality. Reef material deployment will likely suspend some in-situ sediments and cause a temporary localized increase in turbidity. This temporary impact to water quality will rapidly disappear as the re-suspended sediments settle on the sea floor. Cultural Resources: No submerged cultural resources have been observed or are suspected to lie within ½-mile radius of the fish haven centroid, based on results of a Florida Master File search (results included as Appendix C of Attachment 4). The ½ mile search radius covered the extents of the proposed deployment. Science and observation suggests that a wide variety of marine organisms will assemble on the artificial reefs. This would include a variety of sponges (porifera), segmented worms (annelida), shrimp, crabs, lobsters, hermit crabs, barnacles (arthropoda), bryozoans (ectoprocta), and tunicates (chordate). The primary fish species expected to utilize the newly created habitats and take up permanent residence or pass through would include, but not limited to, red snapper, gray snapper, vermillion snapper, groupers, pinfish, red porgy, sheepshead, shark, Spanish mackerel, cobia, great barracuda, tomtate, scamp, gag, black sea bass, sand perch, hogfish, peacock flounder, leopard toadfish, spotted goatfish, yellow goatfish, cubbyu, nurse shark, Gulf flounder, gray triggerfish, and amberjack. All of these species Okaloosa County 2014-15 FWC Supplemental Construction Grant Supplemental Information  4 of 11 are commonly found in the general vicinity of the permitted site and these species represent a mix of demersal and pelagic species. The minor subsidence that will occur will provide a stable foundation for the material. The County expects the proposed artificial reefs to have insignificant impact to any non-living marine resources in either the immediate vicinity or the surrounding area. Because the site lies a significant distances from other known public reefs, nominal migration of benthic fish or mobile invertebrates will occur. However, observations of other artificial reefs in the region have shown substantial populations of benthic and reef fish within six months to two years of deployment. Migratory pelagic species will pass through, either staying on a temporary basis or staying longer depending on the availability of food. Current fiscal restrictions do not allow for a sustained marine population investigation. With the proposed reef, the County seeks to enhance the fisheries habitat for such species as the grouper, snapper, and amberjack, which have been widely observed in other County artificial reef systems. Given the high limestone content of the construction material and the relatively steep relief, the County expects that substantial marine growth across the food chain spectrum will colonize the new reef in short order. Availability of other Relevant Data A variety of studies regarding artificial reefs and ecology of the Northeastern Gulf of Mexico have been published. These data are useful to put the proposed reef project into prospective with the current knowledge base and its intended objectives. Today's artificial reef projects include specific design goals, as opposed to previous years when materials were indiscriminately discarded. Emphasis on increased awareness and stewardship of the marine environment has directed the artificial reef community’s focus toward sustainable and stabilized reef structures. Scientific studies also show data demonstrating targeted fisheries species enhancement may be possible through proper reef design and management. Attachment 5 contains a discussion and additional detail about the relevant biological and environmental data that Okaloosa County incorporates into the design and management of its artificial reefs. Physical Oceanography Conditions Attachment 6 describes the Physical Oceanography Conditions in the waters offshore of Okaloosa County. The document details research from various sources including The Gulf of Mexico Data Atlas and the USACE Wave Information Studies, to provide comprehensive analysis of the physical and oceanographic characteristics of the permitted reef sites. The physical and oceanographic conditions include geological characteristics, range of wind and wave characteristics, current velocities, temperature, salinity, visibility, tidal range, dissolved oxygen and nutrient composition, and geographic description. The physical and oceanographic conditions at the proposed reef site is ideal for successful ecological habitation, longevity, as well as recreational and economic benefit. Okaloosa County 2014-15 FWC Supplemental Construction Grant Supplemental Information  5 of 11 Material Placement Report Forms There have been no previously unsubmitted, non-FWCC funded public reef projects completed during the last calendar year (Attachment 7). Existing Artificial Reef Deployments Attachment 8 – No known existing artificial reef deployments have occurred within 0.25 nm of the proposed reef site (CTR-3). However, Okaloosa County is currently in contract negotiations with FWC, which should result in the construction of a larger rubble-mound reef in the centroid of Fish Haven 13, which will be referred to as CTR-1. Project Objectives (Attachments 9 – 10) Specific Project Objectives The primary objective of this project is to construct artificial reef habitat compliant with applicable regulations in a manner that will provide a productive long-term marine resource to the citizens of Okaloosa County and area visitors. See Attachment 9 for an additional discussion of Specific Project Objectives and County reef program goals. Objective Achievement Plan Attachment 10 defines how the County plans to achieve the primary objective of constructing artificial reef habitat compliant with applicable regulations in a manner that will provide a productive long-term marine resource to the citizens of Okaloosa County and area visitors. It also provides a detailed plan to achieve and measure the success of additional specific measurable objectives defined in the preceding section. Project Design (Attachments 11 – 12) Reef Design and Construction The proposed artificial reef project design will consist of constructing a circular-based or rectangular based rubble-mound structure at the southern center of the permitted reef area Fish Haven 13. The size of the reef, in plan view and vertical relief, will be based on the winning bidder’s proposal (lowest qualified bid) and compliance with permit restrictions. OCARP anticipates that fiscal constraints will dictate the quantity placed, due to the abundance of the material source. Future deployment plans include the construction of several patch reefs within each permitted site, for a total of nine reef systems within the Fish Haven reef areas, (Attachment 2). The currently proposed construction location will preserve an approximate 50-ft buffer between the proposed construction limits and the permitted boundary. When the future patch reefs are constructed within the fish havens, the interstitial spacing between reef patches will be range between 350 and 500 ft. The outer perimeter of the rubble-mound base will primarily consist of massive concrete material that will contain large concrete rubble pieces built into a conical or rectangular mound to an approximate height of 10 – 15 ft, not to exceed the maximum height allowed by the permit. This simple design configuration will provide opportunity for recreational fishing and diving as well as provide shelter for Okaloosa County 2014-15 FWC Supplemental Construction Grant Supplemental Information  6 of 11 targeted marine life. The materials in the proposed concrete rubble reef offer outstanding environmental complexity. The stacking and locking of the large concrete materials creates varying sizes of interstitial spaces, or void space, and provides a variety of species shelter from currents and predators. The variety of surface areas created by the random placement of varying shape concrete material will achieve a desirable simulation of natural habitat characteristics. Attachment 11 includes additional details of the reef design and material placement. The attachment highlights the habitat complexity and aims to achieve the ecological diversity of regional natural hardbottom through incorporation of experience and research. Stability and Durability Attachment 12 demonstrates the stability and durability of the proposed clean concrete construction materials. Historical evidence and research presented in the attachment provides confirmation that the proposed materials are sufficiently massive to remain in place and are structurally capable of performing as an artificial reef well beyond the required 20-year life. As proven with the 30+ year-old Destin Bridge Rubble site, the proposed construction will provide long-term ecological and economic benefit to the region. Project Planning and Management (Attachments 13 –18) Project Timeline and Construction Schedule Attachment 13 outlines the projected project timeline and construction schedule of the proposed construction activities. The County expects project completion and submittal of close out documentation within approximately 24 weeks of receiving the executed grant contract from FWC. Administrative and Field Management Okaloosa County personnel from the Tourist Development Department (TDD), Public Works Department, Purchasing Department, Finance Department, and the University of Florida’s IFAS Extension Office will be working together to ensure that the proposed artificial reef building project meets all FWC grant requirements. Additional assistance and technical expertise will be provided through the County’s continuing services contract with Taylor Engineering Inc. Currently, Okaloosa County’s Artificial Reef Program is a part of the Okaloosa County Tourist Development Department. The program currently consists of a Coastal Management Coordinator (Jim Trifilio) and an Artificial Reef Program Manager (Anthony Austermann). The Reef Manager spends approximately 95% of their time administering and planning reef building projects and the Coastal Management Coordinator spends approximately 50% of their time providing administrative support to the Reef Manager. Attachment 14 contains a more detailed discussion of Administrative and Field Management resources. Artificial Reef Monitoring and Assessment Plan In 1999, the Okaloosa County Artificial Reef Committee prepared an Artificial Reef Plan (Attachment 15), which serves as a living document that is continually updated. Appendix II of the Artificial Reef Plan Okaloosa County 2014-15 FWC Supplemental Construction Grant Supplemental Information  7 of 11 shows the previous iteration of the Artificial Reef Monitoring Plan, and it differs slightly from the monitoring plan shown in Attachment 15. The Plan established a prioritized set of monitoring actions based on the ability of the Committee to generate resources to adequately monitor and assess all of the publicly funded reefs. Our records indicate public reefs were first deployed in June 1988 and there are currently hundreds of sites that are qualified for the monitoring program. The Okaloosa County Artificial Reef Monitoring Plan ranks several "Levels" of artificial reef monitoring in terms of importance and feasibility. While the long-term goal of the Artificial Reef Program and Monitoring Plan may be to perform all levels of monitoring, fiscal and operational constraints may restrict monitoring activities to those deemed necessary or important. The County intends to maximize the use of volunteers to monitor its artificial reefs. The County will also proactively involve motivated local businesses and organizations in data collection regarding the physical condition, human use, and biological monitoring. Five Year Local Artificial Reef Management Plan Attachment 16 contains the Okaloosa County Artificial Reef Plan, which the OCARP updated in 2011. The County is currently updating the plan to address the comprehensive activities of the program through 2019. Within the past two years, Okaloosa County has significantly increased the budget allocated to artificial reef planning and construction. The County has continually identified the importance of artificial reef management and has recently hired an additional staff member, Mr. Anthony Austermann, to spearhead new artificial reef efforts. It is expected that Mr. Austermann refine the future goals of the Okaloosa County Artificial Reef Program and develop an efficient method to document and assess the performance of past reef deployments and develop standards for monitoring future reef deployments. In addition to planning the Fish Haven 13 deployments, OCARP has been proactive in the expansion of artificial reef deployment areas. In January 2014, the County received FDEP permits for Fish Havens 17, 18, and 19. The future Fish Havens 17 – 19 are ¼ nautical mile square deployment areas available for multi-reef construction efforts that will increase the presently low reef site density in the western portion of the County. Marine Advisory Board The Okaloosa County Marine Advisory Board (MAB) is in a state of transition. The current MAB is being reconfigured to include other organizations involved with marine-related functions other than artificial reefs. This transition, facilitated by the Okaloosa County Extension Office Sea Grant representative, will be called the Okaloosa/Walton Marine Science Extension Advisory Committee. Attachment 17 presents a current roster of membership. Permits As previously noted, the table below indicates the status of permits for the proposed deployment, CTR- 3, located within Fish Haven 13. The reef deployment area is within State waters and has been Okaloosa County 2014-15 FWC Supplemental Construction Grant Supplemental Information  8 of 11 permitted by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Reef Area FDEP Permit Number FDEP Expires USACE Permit Number USACE Expires Fish Haven 13 46-0309090-002-EG 3/8/2017 SAJ-2011-03485 (SP-SWA) 3/10/2024 Attachment 18 contains the applicable permits for Fish Haven 13, FDEP Permit 46-0309090-002-EG and USACE Permit SAJ-2011-03485 (SP-SWA). Local Demand and Public Access (Attachments 19 – 20) Public Support Attachment 19 includes emails and letters of public support from municipalities, businesses, and individuals for the continued construction and monitoring of the artificial reef program in Okaloosa County. All of these documents of support have been collected in the recent past. Public support of the program is not limited to the past six months but is a perpetual support of OCARP goals and activities such as reef construction/maintenance in general. Presence of a Navigable Inlet Attachment 20 contains figures depicting the relative location of the proposed reef sites to the nearest navigable inlet access point — East Pass, Destin, FL. The proposed deployment (CTR-3) is approximately 2.5 nm from the entrance of East Pass. The County assumes that the successful contractor candidate will use this inlet for transport of all materials proposed for deployment for this effort. East Pass provides ample access to the proposed reef sites. Material Transport and Ownership (Attachments 21 – 23) Material Logistics Attachment 21 includes the logistics plan for the materials proposed for deployment in this effort. Two primary transport operations will occur — terrestrial transport from the material location to the staging area and marine transport from the staging area to the proposed reef sites. Whether the materials are staged or loaded directly onto the marine transport will be at the discretion of the successful contractor candidate. Availability of Materials The U.S. Air Force (USAF) has donated the primary material designated for this effort. The USAF and Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) committed to donating repurposed concrete materials to Okaloosa County for artificial reef creation over two years ago, however, funding limitations have hindered project construction. Given the supplemental funding limits of $60,000, the County selected ranges C-72 and C-74 to provide materials for the proposed CTR-3 deployment. A USAF/AFRL material inventory conducted in September/October 2014 determined the following information. Range C-72 contains numerous concrete barriers and various sizes of rectangular concrete slabs that vary in dimension and weigh between approximately 1.9 and 8 tons each. Range C-74 contains variously sized concrete units and slabs that range in weight between 2.6 and 10.8 tons each. The total tonnage of reef quality concrete available at C-72 is approximately 288.76 tons and range C-74 contains approximately 260.8 Okaloosa County 2014-15 FWC Supplemental Construction Grant Supplemental Information  9 of 11 tons. The combined weight of materials, solely for the CTR-3 deployment, is approximately 549.6 tons. Based on existing inventories and observations, a sufficient volume of material exists for this deployment in Ranges C-72 and C-74; however, from our observations and discussions with USAF, significantly larger quantities of materials exist on additional Air Force ranges. Attachment 22 includes more details concerning the availability of materials, a recent inventory of the proposed USAF materials, and photographs of materials to be deployed at CTR-3. Proof of Ownership The USAF has committed the material to this effort through Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) senior staff responsible for the construction and use of the targets as well as the ultimate disposition after its intended use. Additionally, the City of Fort Walton Beach has relinquished similar clean concrete units suitable for artificial reef construction to the County. Enclosed is a signed agreement between Okaloosa County and Eglin Air Force Base that clearly indicates the shared intent to repurpose clean concrete materials into artificial reefs, signed in October 2014 (Attachment 23). Also included are recent letters of intent to donate the material to the County. The correspondence endorses the use of the materials for artificial reef construction and the long-term collaboration between the USAF and the County. Project Practicality (Attachments 24 – 26) Estimate of Handling and Transportation Cost Attachment 24 — During recent months, Okaloosa County has received unit price estimates ($/ton) from qualified contractors to transport and deploy the Eglin concrete materials. Current contractor estimates for deployment are approximately $130 - $140 per ton; however, the County has yet to receive competitive bid prices that will likely result in lesser costs than these non-competitive estimates. The constructed footprint and maximum vertical relief of the patch reef currently proposed will depend on the unit bid prices received through the competitive bidding process. OCARP or its consultant will prepare an RFP for transportation and deployment of the proposed material. The County will publicly advertise the RFPs and send the RFP to a minimum of five vendors known to have the capability to complete this proposed project in a safe, economical, and timely manner. One particular interested vendor has been deploying artificial reefs since 1986 and has experience deploying prefabricated concrete modules, vessels, and other secondary materials. Experience has proven these vendors not only capable, but also proficient in executing the artificial grant projects. The RFP will solicit cost of mobilization/demobilization (if required) and cost per ton of deployed material. The County will process the responses to the RFPs and will put the delegated project funds towards placing the maximum amount of material and constructing the largest reef possible. Ultimately, the competitive bid process will determine the final cost and scale of the deployment. Okaloosa County 2014-15 FWC Supplemental Construction Grant Supplemental Information  10 of 11 Financial Match Attachment 25 — Due to the provisional nature of the Tourist Development Department’s 2015 and integrated artificial reef budget, the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners cannot guarantee a financial match to the $60,000 supplemental grant request. However, the County does anticipate providing some financial match during the FWC 2015-16 FY Call for Grant Applications. Okaloosa County is excited about the outcome of this FWC 2014-15 Supplemental Grant Application and its potential to sustain the County’s relationship with FWC and Eglin Air Force Base. The supplemental grant funds are essential to the momentum of the large-scale rubble-mound reef creation initiative in the County. Recent negotiations with FWC regarding the utilization of 2013-14 FY supplemental and 2014-15 FY funds, has prepared the County for swift implementation of the 2014-15 supplemental grant monies in this turnkey project. If awarded, the $60,000 CTR-3 deployment will complement the previously funded project by sustaining the rubble-mound reef construction effort and producing an additional large, stable, and complex structure. Based on experience with similar projects in the County, the project will bring significant economic, recreational, and ecological benefit to the state. Notably, the County recently has begun pursuing private funding towards a tiered reef naming program. The objective of the effort is to procure funds in exchange for naming rights to single deployments and/or reef areas. Lower tiers of the donations will allow placement of pre-fabricated reefs adorned with commemorative plaques, if desired. The County hopes that the donation program sparks additional interest, funding, and community involvement in the artificial reef program. Artificial Reef Construction/Monitoring Budget Attachment 26 — The previous (FY2014) budget for artificial reef construction and monitoring managed by Okaloosa County through OCARP was $120,000. The funding is allocated through the Okaloosa County Tourist Development Department and managed by OCARP. As proposed in the 2013-14 supplemental grant and the 2014-15 grant, the County matched a combined $100,000 with FWC. Additionally, OCARP allotted approximately $20,000 for construction-phase services and engineering for the artificial reef projects (not included within the County’s match) which included construction drawings, technical specifications, construction administration, and certification. Currently, the Tourist Development Department (TDD) is voting on the local FY2015 budget for artificial reef construction. Following TDD approval, the proposed budget must also be approved by the Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners. The County anticipates that the 2015 FY budget will be approximately $225,000, an 87.5% increase from the previous year. The TDD and the County increased the budget for future offshore (rubble-mound structures, vessel deployments, etc.) and nearshore (snorkel reef creation) artificial reef initiatives. However, due to the provisional state of the FY 2015 budget, a financial match to the FY2014-15 Supplemental Grant is not currently proposed. OCARP expects to obligate funds in FY15 for the continuation of USAF/AFRL and surplus public works material deployment. It is possible that, if awarded and approved by FWC, the County may roll the 2014-15 Supplement Grant funds into potential funding associated with the FWC 2015-16 grant, of which the County anticipates to match funding. This notion is similar to the current negotiations, of which the County has combined awarded monies from the 2013-14 Supplemental and the 2014-15 FY grant. The combination of Okaloosa County 2014-15 FWC Supplemental Construction Grant Supplemental Information  11 of 11 potential grant funds would provide time and cost reductions allowing for increased efficiency and scale of the project. As previously mentioned, the County recently has begun pursuing private funding towards a tiered reef naming program. The County hopes that the donation program sparks additional interest, funding, and community involvement in the artificial reef program. Baseline monitoring primarily for construction objective verification is included in this project. While out-year budgeting for monitoring is desired by OCARP, construction funding will be the primary budget focus. A cultural change and other reef program objectives will need to be accomplished before funding earmarked for monitoring will be realized. However, OCARP believes that demonstrating positive and sustainable economic impact and public perception will be the keys to making monitoring a required budget element. Non-profit Eligibility Verification (Attachments 27 – 28) 501(C)(3) Tax Status Attachment 27 presents the Okaloosa County Tax Status certificate. Corporation's By-Laws and/or Articles of Incorporation The ordinance/resolutions provided in Attachment 28 demonstrate the commitment of the County to Artificial Reef programs. Procurement of Commodities or Contractual Services (Attachment 29) Procurement of Commodities or Contractual Services Verification Attachment 29 — Okaloosa County will prepare a contract package that will include a Scope of Services identifying all required work elements. The contract package will also include all of the County and FWC contract specifications. Pursuant to Florida Statutes Section 287.057, the County will publically advertise the RFP and will send the RFP to a minimum of five qualified potential subcontractors. This will not be a sole source contract. Award of the contract will be based on best value to the County and FWC. The County will provide FWC with copies of all solicitation and contracting records. Project Funding Limits (Attachment 30) Project Funding Limits Attachment 30 — The County is not electing to request more than the $60,000 funding limit. However, if additional FWC funds become available, the proposed project will likely provide an opportunity for FWC to construct additional artificial reefs (increased benefit) without additional costs. Considering the proposed project already includes administrative and engineering costs, additional funds contributed to this project would likely provide a maximum cost to benefit ratio to FWC and OCARP. OCARP has ample re-use material and permitted construction areas, providing a turnkey scenario for the utilization of additional funds. Okaloosa County 2014-15 FWC Supplemental Construction Grant Supplemental Information  Attachment 1 General Location Map DDddsa  1 of 1 General Location Map The enclosed figure illustrates the location of the proposed reef (CTR-3) that Okaloosa County will construct using 2014-15 FWC Supplemental Grant funds. Okaloosa County proposes to construct a single patch reef (CTR-3) at the southern center of permitted Fish Haven 13, Table 1 lists the applicable FDEP and USACE permit numbers. Notably, the zoomed extents of the General Location Map figure shows no indications of known hardbottom, as obtained from the FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute GIS inventory. Additional investigations included review of navigation charts (documenting natural and artificial reef areas and average bottom depths) and recent ecological maps/surveys. Based on these investigations, researchers determined that site conditions (e.g., depth, etc.) would not support seagrasses or shellfish communities, and no other natural resources had been documented within the proposed areas. Table 1 Reef Area, Site, and Permit Numbers Permitted Area Reef Site Name FDEP Permit USACE Permit Expires Fish Haven 13 CTR-3 46-0309090-002-EG SAJ-2011-03485(SP-SWA) 3/10/2024 The distance from East Pass to the proposed reef site is illustrated in nautical miles on the enclosed figure. Table 2 details the distance and bearing to CTR-3 from the mouth of East Pass inlet. Table 2 Distance and Bearing from the Mouth of East Pass Inlet FDEP Permitted Proposed Distance from Bearing* Reef Area Reef Site Inlet (nM) (Mag) Fish Haven 13 CTR-3 2.5 235° * From East Pass to Proposed Reef Notably, the General Location Maps illustrate a number of reef sites that may not be in the reviewers’ database. OCARP attempted to identify all published reef locations in an exhaustive research effort. Many of the reef sites indicated on the maps have not been verified and should be considered “potential” reef sites. Okaloosa County 2014-15 FWC Supplemental Construction Grant Attachment 1 General Location Map  86°48'0"W 86°46'0"W 86°44'0"W 86°42'0"W 86°40'0"W 86°38'0"W 86°36'0"W 86°34'0"W 86°32'0"W 86°30'0"W 86°28'0"W 86°26'0"W O O KK AA LL O OO O SS AA CC OO UU NN TT YY Choctawatchee Bay "" )) 30°24'0"N d Santa Rosa Soun 30°24'0"N East Pass U.S Hwy 98 ) " 30°22'0"N ) " ) " ) " ) " nm " ) 30°22'0"N )" ") ")" " ) ) " ) ") " ) ") " ) " ) " ) " )) " ) " " ) ) " " ) " ) 5 )" ") " ) ") ") " 2. " ) "" ) ) ) " )) " " " ) "" ) ) " ) " ) " )" ) ) " )" ) " ) " ) FH 13 )" ")" )" ) )" ")" )" )" )")" " )" ))" )" ) )" ")" )" )" )" ) )" ")" )" )" ) )" ")" ) ) " )" " )) " )" ") " )") )" " )" ) )" " ) " " ) ) )" ") ) " "" )) " ) ) " East Pass )" " ) ) " " )" " ) ) " ) " )" ") ) " ) " " ) )" " ) " ) )" " ) ) " ) " ) ") " ) ) " ) " )" " )")" ) "" )) Prop os e d Re ef Si te ) " ) " )" " " ) ) (CTR -3 ) ) " ) " " ) " ) )" " ) " )" ) ) " 30°20'0"N ) " ) " ) " 30°20'0"N ) " ) " 3.1 nm ) " ) " ) " )" " " )) ) " ) " ) " ) " ) " 30°18'0"N "" )) ) " ) " 30°18'0"N ) " ) " SAFETY FAIRWAY ) " ) " ) " 30°16'0"N ) " 30°16'0"N ) " Gulf of STATE Legend OKALOOSA COUNTY, ) " Mexico JURISDICTION LINE FLORIDA Fish Haven 13 30°14'0"N ) " Existing Reef Locations 30°14'0"N Nautical Miles Notes: ) " ) " Permitted Reef Sites 0 0.5 1 2 3 4 5 NOAA Chart Choctawhatchee Bay 11388, June 2012 ) " NOAA Chart Pensacola Bay and Approaches ) " 11382, October 2012 Safety Fairway 1 inch = 12,000 feet ) " Soundings in Feet at Mean Lower Low Water Permitted Borrow Area ) " ) " ) " PROJECT SEAL C2014-004 Taylor Engineering Inc. LOCATION MAP PROPOSED REEF SITE (CTR-3) WITHIN FISH HAVEN 13 DRAWN BY PL DG ) " 1221 Airport Road, Suite 210 SHEET FWC ARTIFICIAL REEF CONSTRUCTION GRANT APPLICATION Destin, FL 32541 CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORIZATION # 4815 OKALOOSA COUNTY, FLORIDA DATE OCT 2014 MATTHEW E. TRAMMELL P.E. # 69244 DATE Attachment 2 Site-Specific Maps DDddsa  1 of 1 Site-Specific Maps Enclosed is the site-specific map for the state and federally permitted construction area Fish Haven 13. The proposed patch reef to be constructed utilizing 2014-15 FWC supplemental grant funding, CTR-3, is located in the southern-center of Fish Haven 13 (Table 1). The Site-specific map for Fish Haven 13 does not overlay the nautical chart as requested in the application; this is due to the spacing of soundings in comparison to the size of the reefs. Attachment 1 provides a nautical chart overlay. Notably, the County has numerous permitted reef areas (Fish Havens) that provide alternate suitable deployment locations if desired. The bottom survey observations of Fish Haven 13 (Attachment 3) show no significant discrepancies with the NOAA chart soundings. The hardbottom polygon file from FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, as described in Attachment 1, does not show any hardbottom within the site-specific maps. Table 2 shows the permitted area dimensions in feet, approximate area in acres, and the depth range inferred from the NOAA charts shown in the general location map. Table 1 Reef Areas, Sites, and Permit Numbers Permitted Area Reef Site Name FDEP Permit USACE Permit Expires Fish Haven 13 CTR-3 46-0309090-002-EG SAJ-2011-03485(SP-SWA) 3/10/2024 Table 2 Permitted Area, Dimensions, and Depth Range Permitted Area Permitted Approximate Permitted Area Depth Range (ft-MLLW) Fish Haven 13 1320’ x 1320’ Dimensions 40 acres 60 – 80 Fish Haven 13 has no existing public reefs within the permitted area, however the County is currently in contract negotiations with FWC which should result in the construction of a larger rubble-mound reef in the centroid of Fish Haven 13. The reef to be constructed at the centroid of Fish Haven 13 will be referred to as CTR-1. Okaloosa County 2014-15 FWC Suuplemental Construction Grant Attachment 2 Site Specific Maps  1320' 660' ! ! " " " Reef 1 Reef 2 Reef 3 93 3' Legend ! Corner Points " Reef Locations Reef 4 Reef 9 Reef 5 1320' 50' Offset " "! " Fish Haven Boundary Fish Haven 13 Point ID Latitude Longitude Centroid 30° 21.391' N 86° 32.876' W Northwest Corner 30° 21.500' N 86° 33.001' W 660' Northeast Corner 30° 21.500' N 86° 32.750' W CTR-3 Southeast Corner 30° 21.282' N 86° 32.750' W Southwest Corner 30° 21.282' N 86° 33.001' W Reef 6 Reef 7 Reef 8 Reef 1 30° 21.492' N 86° 32.992' W " " " Reef 2 30° 21.492' N 86° 32.876' W ! ! Reef 3 30° 21.492' N 86° 32.759' W Reef 4 30° 21.391' N 86° 32.992' W Reef 5 30° 21.391' N 86° 32.759' W Reef 6 30° 21.291' N 86° 32.992' W Reef 7 30° 21.291' N 86° 32.876' W Reef 8 30° 21.291' N 86° 32.759' W Feet 0 150 300 600 900 1,200 Reef 9 30° 21.391' N 86° 32.876' W 1 inch = 300 feet PROJECT SEAL TAYLOR ENGINEERING INC. FIGURE 2 DRAWN BY C2012-005 10151 DEERWOOD PARK BLVD. FISH HAVEN 13 RC BLDG. 300, SUITE 300 OKALOOSA COUNTY ARTIFICIAL REEFS SHEET 2 of 3 JACKSONVILLE, FL 32256 OKALOOSA COUNTY, FLORIDA DATE CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORIZATION # 4815 JAN 2012 Matthew A. Trammell DATE Attachment 3 Bottom Surveys DDddsa  1 of 1 Bottom Surveys The enclosed attachment includes the required bottom survey for Fish Havens (FH) 13, performed by SKC, LLC. The bottom survey included SCUBA inspections and fathometer surveys conducted on February 28, 2012. The permitted area survey suggest that the site is devoid of limestone outcroppings (hardbottom) and has sand substrate characteristic of seafloor offshore of northwest Florida. The divers surveyed a circular grid pattern approximately 100 ft from the centroid of Fish Havens 13. Visibility was approximately 60 ft during the survey, providing reasonable assurance that the reef sites have no natural hardbottom or seagrass in the proposed deployment sites. The 1999 USGS report Ecology of Live Bottom Habitats of the Northeastern Gulf of Mexico: a Community Profile, states the incidence of hardbottom is approximately 0.5% of surveyed areas in the region that encompasses the permitted sites (Thompson, 1999). The percentage of hardbottom incidence in this region supports the findings of the bottom surveys and bolsters the evaluation that the sites are primarily barren sand. The findings of the USGS study superseded the findings of Continental Shelf Associates, Inc. (CSA) that estimated 3% of the local seafloor contains natural reef formations (CSA, 1992). Citations Continental Shelf Associates, Inc. 1992. Compilation Of Existing Data On The Location And Areal Extent Of Reef Fish Habitat On The Mississippi/Alabama/Florida Continental Shelf - Eastern Gulf Of Mexico. Report prepared for the U.S. Dept. of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, St. Petersburg, FL. Thompson', M.J., W.W. Schroeder2, N.W. Phillips', and B.D. Graham'. 1999. Ecology of Live Bottom Habitats of the Northeastern Gulf of Mexico: A Community Profile. U.S. Dept. of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, Biological Resources Division, USGS/BRD/CR--l999-000l and Minerals Management Service, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, New Orleans, LA, OCS Study MMS 99-0004. Okaloosa County 2014-15 FWC Suuplemental Construction Grant Attachment 3 Bottom Surveys SKC, LLC 96 YACHT CLUB DR. #4 FORT WALTON BEACH, FL. 32548 850.225.1478 February. 29th, 2012 Scott R. Henson Artificial Reef Program Manager Okaloosa County 1759 South Ferdon Blvd. Crestview Florida 32536 Fish Haven 13 and Fish Haven 14 Site Surveys On Feb. 28th, 2012, underwater surveys for the two proposed artificial reef sites, Fish Haven 13 and Fish Haven 14, were conducted. The survey was requested by Mr. Scott Henson, Okaloosa County Artificial Reef Program Manager, to support the County permit applications for the subject sites. The vessel utilized by the dive crew was the Intrepid One. Visibility was estimated to be 60 feet on both sites. No current on the bottom was noted and water temperature. was 62 degrees. The survey methodology employed at both sites was identical and consisted of the following activities: • Buoys were deployed at the center coordinates provided by the County for each of the two sites as follows: ƒ 30° 21.391’ N / 86° 32.876’ W– Fish Haven #13 Centroid ƒ 30° 21.141’ N/ 86° 36.874’ W – Fish Haven #14 Centroid • Two divers using Self contained Breathing Apparatus (SCUBA) descended to the bottom ‐ one of the divers using an underwater scooter while the other diver carried the underwater video. • The diver with the camera swam a circular grid pattern beginning at the buoy anchor out to approximately 100’. The diver with the scooter proceeded swam a random pattern to a distance of approximately 300’. • The diver on the scooter stopped randomly to compare the sediment for inconsistencies with sediment characteristics observed at the centerpoint. • Survey grid transects were completed in each of the four cardinal directions, elevated off the bottom approximately 10’. Page 1 of 2 Fish Haven #13 Observations of the substrate were unremarkable when compared to the sand formation characteristic of the seafloor in waters offshore from Northwest Florida counties. No samples were collected for verification but the sandy formation appears ideal habitat for micro‐algae and bacteria documented to thrive in this environment. No attached sessile organisms or limestone formations (hardbottom) were observed at this site during the survey. The water depth varied from 69‐72 feet. The following motile organisms were observed: Sand dollars (Clypeater subdepressus) Gray sandstar (Luidia clathrata) Fish Haven #14 Observations of the substrate were unremarkable when compared to the sand formation characteristic of the seafloor in waters offshore from Northwest Florida counties. No samples were collected for verification but the sandy formation appears ideal habitat for micro‐algae and bacteria documented to thrive in this environment. No attached sessile organisms or limestone formations were observed. The water depth varied from 74‐76 feet. The following organisms were observed: Sand dollars (Clypeater subdepressus) Gray sandstar (Luidia clathrata) Pearly razorfish (Xyrichtys novacula) Fathometer Survey An additional fathometer survey was conducted across both sites. No anomalies where indicated within the perimeter of either site. There were no anomalies indicating the potential for hard bottom. The sites, Fish Haven 13 and Fish Haven 14, proposed for the two artificial reef permits are located within State waters off the northwestern coast of Florida. It is well documented that this region has the lowest concentration of naturally occurring hard bottom habitat in the state. There were no features observed during either the bottom surveys or the fathometer surveys that indicated the presence of natural or man‐made structures. Marine organisms observed are common inhabitants of the benthic profile for the region. Historical placement of material on this substrate within the vicinity of Fish Haven 13 and Fish Haven 14, has shown that a wide variety of marine species will propagate rapidly with the introduction of habitat including species of commercial and recreational importance. Mark Christy Mchristy47@gmail.com 850.225.1478 Page 2 of 2  Attachment 4 Biological Assessment DDddsa  1 of 1 Biological Assessment Enclosed is the Okaloosa County Biological Assessment that provides justification of the project location based upon minimum environmental impact. The document addresses specific FWC concerns of potential on-site, off-site, and cumulative impacts of the proposed artificial reef construction. Additional documentation is included in the Biological Assessment Appendices including Vessel Strike Avoidance Measures, Sea Turtle and Sawfish Construction Conditions, and the results of the Florida Master File search indicating that no previously identified cultural resources exist within the project areas. Notably, the cultural resource search request was conducted around the centroid of Fish Haven 13, previously named “Alpha.” The search radius from the centroid of the site is 0.5 miles, which covers the entirety of the permitted reef area. Okaloosa County 2014-15 FWC Supplemental Construction Grant Attachment 4 Biological Assessment BIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT Fish Haven 13 Okaloosa County, Florida Original Text created For Santa Rosa County, Florida Navarre Beach Park Gulf Snorkel Reef Site By Wetland Sciences, Inc. 1829 Bainbridge Ave. Pensacola, Florida 32501 August 7, 2009 Revised for Okaloosa County Fish Haven 13 by: Scott R. Henson Okaloosa County Artificial Reef Program Manager 84 Ready Avenue Fort Walton Beach, Florida 32548 December 6, 2011 1 Table of Contents 1.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 4 2.0 Project Description.................................................................................................................................. 4 3.0 Project Area ............................................................................................................................................ 5 4.0 Alternatives Considered .......................................................................................................................... 5 4.1 No‐Action Alternative ......................................................................................................................... 6 4.2 Preferred Alternative – Establishment of a Gulf Snorkel Reef Site..................................................... 6 4.2.1 Pre‐Deployment Procedures ........................................................................................................ 6 4.2.2 Deployment Procedures .............................................................................................................. 7 4.2.3 Deployment Monitoring .............................................................................................................. 7 4.2.4 Post Deployment Monitoring ...................................................................................................... 7 5.0 Status of Listed Species and Habitat ....................................................................................................... 8 5.1 Loggerhead Sea Turtle ........................................................................................................................ 8 5.1.1 Status and Threats ....................................................................................................................... 8 5.1.2 Distribution and Range ................................................................................................................ 9 5.1.3 Habitat ......................................................................................................................................... 9 5.1.4 Presence in the Project Area ...................................................................................................... 10 5.2 Green Sea Turtle ............................................................................................................................... 10 5.2.1 Status and Threats ..................................................................................................................... 10 5.2.2 Distribution and Range .............................................................................................................. 11 5.2.3 Habitat ....................................................................................................................................... 11 5.2.4 Presence in the Project Area ...................................................................................................... 12 5.3 Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle ................................................................................................................... 12 5.3.1 Status and Threats ..................................................................................................................... 12 5.3.2 Distribution and Range .............................................................................................................. 13 5.3.3 Habitat ....................................................................................................................................... 13 5.3.4 Presence in the Project Area ...................................................................................................... 13 5.4 Leatherback Sea Turtle ..................................................................................................................... 13 5.4.2 Distribution and Range .............................................................................................................. 14 5.4.3 Habitat ....................................................................................................................................... 14 5.4.4 Presence in the Project Area ...................................................................................................... 14 5.5 Hawksbill Sea Turtle .......................................................................................................................... 15 2 1.0 Introduction This Biological Assessment (BA) has been prepared to fulfill the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer’s (USACE) requirements as outlined under Section 7(c) of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973, as amended. This BA evaluates the potential impacts that the proposed Okaloosa County Artificial Reef Deployment area Fish Haven 13 may have on federally listed endangered and threatened species, and describes the avoidance, minimization and conservation measures proposed by the applicant, Okaloosa County. This BA is prepared pursuant to Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) as well as the relevant implementing regulations and agency guidance. 16 U.S.C. § 1536; 50 C.F.R. § 402.12; and Final ESA Section 7 Consultation Handbook (March 1998) [Section 7 Handbook]. The primary purpose of the BA is to address potential impacts to threatened and endangered species and their designated critical habitats that may result from the Project. The primary objectives of this BA are to: • Provide a conceptual framework of the history of the Project; • Document the evolution of the project alternatives and past consultations with the United States Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS), Corps, National Marine Fisheries Service (MNFS) and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC); • Describe the Project, including the planned use and all proposed mitigation and conservation measures; • Provide information on the natural history of federally‐listed endangered or threatened species, species proposed for listing and other sensitive species potentially occurring in the vicinity of the Project; • Evaluate the potential effects of the Project on federally‐listed or proposed‐listed endangered or threatened species; and • Provide a determination of effect (i.e., “no effect”, “may affect, not likely to adversely affect, or modify critical habitat”, or “may affect, is likely to adversely affect, or modify critical habitat”) for the listed and proposed‐listed species. 2.0 Project Description The proposed Fish Haven is a quarter‐mile square area as defined by the following coordinates: Fish Haven 13 Latitude Longitude Center Point 30° 21.4989999’ N 86° 32.9990001’ W Northwest Corner 30° 21.6059072’ N 86° 33.1267953’ W Northeast Corner 30° 21.6098224’ N 86° 32.8757196’ W Southeast Corner 30° 21.3920906’ N 86° 32.8712095’ W Southwest Corner 30° 21.3881755’ N 86° 33.1222760’ W 4 This location is approximately 2.46 nautical miles from East Pass, Destin, Florida at a bearing of 59° and 1.84 miles from the closest shoreline at a bearing of 183°. The depth range across Fish Haven 13 is approximately 68 to 73 feet below sea level. It is the County’s intent to construct 9 separate reefs in Fish Haven 13. The materials to be used to construct the reefs are clean concrete prefabricated concrete structures donated by the United States Air Force and the City of Fort Walton Beach. These materials are repurposed materials that have been utilized for their intended purpose or are excess inventory from historical projects. The overwhelming majority of the material is solid, multi‐ton and not likely to mobilize once placed on the sea floor. Fish Haven 13 is part of a network of construction areas for artificial reefs off of the shores of Okaloosa County. Fish Haven 13 is an essential component providing a significant share of the environmental and recreational benefits for the reef network. Increased presence of marine organisms from their expected growth on the reef structures will encourage increased biodiversity within the Gulf. The reef structures themselves, coupled with the additional growth on the structures, will provide shelter that promotes improved mortality rates for juvenile fish species. Fish Haven 13 will provide an easily accessible amenity for local and transient fishing and diving community. The reefs constructed within Fish Haven 13 will relieve the ever increasing pressure on the existing public and private reef network and will be readily available to vessels not capable of prolonged forays to offshore waters. 3.0 Project Area Monitoring of reefs in and around the proposed reef construction area indicate the proposed area is predominately unvegetated sand bottom with a surficial layer of microalgae/cyanobacteria. Categories of affected Essential Fish Habitat within the project area include marine water column and unvegetated sand bottom. There are no seagrasses located within the vicinity of the deployment site. There are no natural rock outcrops or hard bottom formations within the deployment sties. There are several other public artificial reefs within the vicinity of Fish Haven 13 but there is sufficient distance to limit an increase in foraging pressure but will allow refuge for transient species.. 4.0 Alternatives Considered Recent consultation with potential user groups has indicated that more near‐shore reef areas are desirable. Also, a survey of the current public reef database was performed to determine a suitable location for Fish Haven 13. The Okaloosa County artificial Reef 5‐year plan was also reviewed. Based on this input, the proposed location was selected. There are numerous other locations within the same radius from East Pass, Destin, Florida that are compatible with selection criteria. However, these sites are typically located in deeper waters or are along regularly utilized traffic patterns. The proposed area was chosen to facilitate safe access and utilization. Factors considered included; shore proximity, vessel traffic patterns, ideal diving depths, avoidance of permitted borrow and/or disposal sites, avoidance of safety fairways, anchorages, designated shipping lanes, and avoidance of sensitive environmental resources (i.e. hard bottom formations, seagrasses, etc.). 5 A variety of reef materials have been successfully used to construct artificial reefs. The materials proposed within the deployment area are consistent with the material specifications outlined in the DEP notice general permit 62‐341.600, Florida Administrative Code. The materials specified are consistent with the National Artificial Reef Plan (As Amended): Guidelines for Siting, Construction, Development, and Assessment of Artificial Reefs (U.S. Department of Commerce 2007). 4.1 No­Action Alternative The objective of the proposed activity is to increase near shore fishing, snorkeling, and diving opportunities for residents of Santa Rosa County. Currently there are only a few areas which offer such opportunities. To accept the No‐Action Alternative would abandon the following Artificial Reef Program Goals: • Enhance the seafloor of the marine and estuarine waters of, and adjacent to, Okaloosa County by the placement of stable and durable artificial reef materials for the purpose of establishing access and creating habitat for reef‐associated species of fishes and invertebrates. • Increase regional abundance of marine life. • Reduce negative impacts to natural reefs. • Provide fishing and diving opportunities for the residents and tourists of Okaloosa County • Increase fishing and diving success, and artificial reef‐user satisfaction • Reduce conflicts between artificial reef users and user groups • Enhance the local and state economies • Increase safety of boaters using artificial reefs via establishment of artificial reef close to shore • Increase fuel economy (decrease fuel consumption) via establishment of artificial reef permits close to shore The No‐Action Alternative does not meet the stated objective for the proposed nearshore reef deployment sites. 4.2 Preferred Alternative – Establishment of a Gulf Snorkel Reef Site The preferred alternative is described in the project description section of this document. The reef deployment location was selected based upon many factors, including: proximity to safe harbor to minimize safety risks for boaters (particularly small vessels) water depth range; and user groups. 4.2.1 Pre­Deployment Procedures No less than 5 days prior to deployment of material within the Fish Haven 13 area, the Permittee shall transmit by electronic mail (“e‐mail”) a complete and signed “Florida Artificial Reef Materials Cargo Manifest and Pre‐Deployment Notification form to the Corps and FWC to allow inspection of the proposed reef materials. Inspections will be held at the staging area. By signing the Pre‐Deployment Notification, the Permittee certifies that all materials are free from asphalt, petroleum, other hydrocarbons and toxic residues. The Permitte will take digital photos of representative components/piers of reef material and transmit with the above form as PDF attachments to the appropriate agencies. Permittee will ensure receipt of transmittals to appropriate agencies. The Permittee will not deploy material if notified by the Corps or FWC that the material is questionable or 6 unacceptable until the material has been evaluated and released for deployment. Any material that is deemed unacceptable for reef material will be disposed in an approved upland disposal site. Deployment of the material shall not occur until the end of the inspection period. The Permittee will ensure both a copy of the Corps and DEP permit and the signed “Florida Artificial Reef Materials Cargo Manifest and Pre‐Deployment Notification form” are maintained aboard the deployment vessel at all times during loading, transit, and deployment. 4.2.2 Deployment Procedures Each deployment of material to the Fish Haven 13 will be loaded onto a barge outfitted with the equipment necessary to place the material at the designated location. The permitte or permittee’s representative will be present to document the transport and deployment of the material. A deployment plan will be generated to outline the procedures and objectives of each deployment effort. The permittee or their agent will execute the deployment according to the criteria in the deployment plan. Variations to the plan will be documented for posterity. Reef locations within Fish Haven 13 will be marked with buoys prior to deployment. 4.2.3 Deployment Monitoring The Permittee or the permittee’s representative shall be on site during every deployment to verify compliance with the permit and its conditions. The authorized representative shall not be the person who physically or contractually is responsible for deployment of the transported reef materials. The permittee or representative will verify geographic coordinates using a Differentially Corrected Global Positioning System (DGPS) accurate to within 5 meters horizontal distance. Depth shall be verified utilizing fathometer, depth sounder, or similar device accurate to within 1 meter. 4.2.4 Post Deployment Monitoring Within 12 months from the effective date of this permit and annually thereafter until expiration of the deployment authorization, the Permittee shall submit to the Corps and FWC a spreadsheet listing the deployments that occurred within the previous 12 months and a written report which summarizes, analyses, and draws conclusions regarding the activities or issues associated with the reef in the past twelve months. For each deployment, the spreadsheet will include the local tracking number, date deployed, geographic coordinates, description and quantity of the material deployed, depth of water above material, approximate area of seafloor covered. The spreadsheet will document any known changes in material condition (stability, durability, and location) as compared to those same characteristics at time of deployment. The report may include but is not limited to use trends, site management constraints and resolutions, management techniques, modifications of operations plans, lessons learned, etc. Results of any performance monitoring (description of fish and other biota observed) will be included in the report. The report shall include written text and drawing(s) or similar visual depiction of the location of each deployment in relation to the boundary of the reef site. Immediately upon expiration of the deployment authorization or request for permit extension, a summary of reports submitted since the last permit issuance/renewal will be submitted to the Corps, NOAA, and FWC. This compilation will document any known changes in material stability, durability, or 7 location as compared to that most recently reported for a site as well as a summary/analysis of the qualitative data (trends, lessons learned, etc.) in the yearly reports. 5.0 Status of Listed Species and Habitat While numerous state and federally listed species potentially occur in Santa Rosa County, Florida, the table below provides a listed species that may be potentially affected by the proposed project. Listed Species Scientific Name Status Marine Mammals West Indian manatee Trichechus manatus Endangered Sea Turtles Green sea turtle Chelonia mydas Endangered Kemp's ridley sea turtle Lepidochelys kempii Endangered Leatherback sea turtle Dermochelys coriacea Endangered Hawksbill sea turtle Eretmochelys imbricata Endangered Loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta Threatened Fish Gulf sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi Threatened Five, federally‐protected, endangered whales species are of potential occurrence in the Gulf of Mexico: blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus), finback whale (Balaenoptera physalus), humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae), sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis), and sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus). These five whale species are not considered in this BA as these whales are generally restricted to offshore waters, and therefore unlikely to be found in or near the project area. One federally‐protected, endangered ray is of potential occurrence in the Gulf of Mexico: smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata). Smalltooth sawfish were once prevalent throughout Florida and were commonly encountered from Texas to North Carolina. Currently, smalltooth sawfish can be only found with any regularity in south Florida between the Caloosahatcheee River and the Florida Keys (NMFS 2006), and therefore is unlikely to be found in or near the project area and is not considered in this BA. 5.1 Loggerhead Sea Turtle 5.1.1 Status and Threats The loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) was listed as threatened throughout its range on July 28, 1978 (43 FR 32808). The loggerhead is the most abundant sea turtle species in U.S. coastal waters (NMFS and USFWS 1991a). Genetic research has identified four different loggerhead nesting subpopulations in the southeastern United States: (1) the Northern Subpopulation ranging from North Carolina to Northeast Florida; (2) 8 South Florida Subpopulation ranging from just north of Cape Canaveral, Florida and extending to Sarasota, Florida; (3) Dry Tortugas, Florida Subpopulation; and (4) Northwest Florida Subpopulation on the beaches of Florida’s Panhandle (Bowen et al. 1993, Bowen et al. 1994, Bowen 1995, Encalada et al. 1998, Pearce 2001). Each nesting subpopulation is considered a distinct reproductive population. Due to the high site fidelity of nesting females to their natal region and low gene flow among nesting assemblages, most western North Atlantic loggerhead nesting assemblages are vulnerable to extirpation. Based upon nesting data collected on index nesting beaches in the U.S. from 1989‐1998, the total number of loggerhead nests laid along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts ranged from 53,016 nests to 89,034 nests annually. On average 0.8% of the nests were from the Florida Panhandle subpopulation. The most significant threats to the loggerhead sea turtle population are coastal development, commercial fisheries and marine pollution (NMFS 2007a). Juvenile loggerhead turtles are particularly susceptible to impacts associated with shrimp fisheries offshore of the Atlantic coast and along the southeastern Atlantic coast. Shrimp harvesting is managed in the Gulf of Mexico: waters out to 200 nautical miles are closed annually for 3 months to shrimp fishing offshore of Texas (mid May through mid July) to allow shrimp to migrate out of estuarine waters. The management of shrimp harvesting in the Gulf appears to contribute to the reduction of sea turtle stranding during this period (NMFS unpublished data). Loggerhead nesting habitat is threatened with beach erosion, armoring and nourishment; artificial lighting; increased human activity associated with coastal development, including poaching activities; natural predation by fire ants, raccoons, armadillos, and opossums; and storm activity. Negative impacts to sea turtle nesting and hatching success in Okaloosa County include predation, hatchling disorientation due to artificial upland lighting, human activity/disturbance, and lost or damaged nests due to storm activity. 5.1.2 Distribution and Range Loggerhead sea turtles occur throughout the temperate and tropical regions of the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, Pacific and Indian Oceans. The loggerhead occurs in open water as far as 500 miles from shore, but is mainly found over the continental shelf and in bays, estuaries, lagoons, creeks, and mouths of rivers. The loggerhead favors warm temperate and subtropical regions in relatively close proximity to shorelines. Similar to other sea turtles species, water temperature influences the movements of loggerhead, and they do not usually appear at summer foraging grounds until June, although some individuals can be found in Virginia as early as April. Immature stages of loggerheads (juveniles/sub‐ adults) which forage in the northeastern U.S. are known to migrate southward in the fall as water temperatures drop, and migrate northward in spring. 5.1.3 Habitat Loggerheads are primarily carnivorous, feeding on sponges, squid, sea urchins, crabs, horseshoe crabs, shrimp, basket starfish and a variety of mollusks. Loggerhead turtles are primarily bottom feeders; however they also feed on jellyfish while swimming in the water column or resting/basking near the 9 surface of the water. Under certain conditions, they may prey upon slow moving, demersal fish species. Hatchlings and juveniles feed on prey concentrated at the surface such as gastropods and Sargassum. Along the Gulf Coast, loggerhead sea turtles are frequently observed near offshore oil platforms, natural hardbottom/reefs and rock jetties. Adult loggerheads occupy various habitats from turbid bays to clear waters of reef. After emergence from the nest, hatchlings move out to sea, and spend approximately 3 to 5 years in the pelagic immature stage, generally associated with floating Sargassum mats (NMFS and USFWS 1991a). The pelagic stage may span as long as 7 to 12 years. Juveniles/sub‐adults occur mainly in nearshore and estuarine waters and use these habitats for feeding. As loggerheads mature, they travel and forage through nearshore waters until their breeding season, when they return to the nesting beach. The estimated age at maturity is approximately 21 to 35 years (Frazer and Ehrhart 1985; Frazer et al. 1994). The majority of mature loggerheads appear to nest on a two or three year cycle. Major nesting beaches for loggerheads include the Sultanate of Oman, southeastern United States and eastern Australia. In the continental U.S., loggerhead sea turtles nest along the Atlantic coast from Florida to New Jersey (Musick 1979). In the western Atlantic, most loggerhead nesting occurs from North Carolina to Florida and the Gulf Coast. The southeastern nesting population is critical to the survival of the species and is second in size only to the nesting aggregation on Masirah Island, Oman. Steeply sloped beaches with gradually slopes offshore approaches are generally favored by nesting females. Approximately 80% of all loggerhead nesting in the southeastern U.S. occurs in six Florida counties (Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin, Palm Beach, and Broward Counties) 5.1.4 Presence in the Project Area Sea turtle nesting data for Okaloosa County is available from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FFWCC). Sea turtle nesting season in Okaloosa County extends from May 1st through October 31st. The loggerhead is responsible for the majority of nesting in Okaloosa County. 5.2 Green Sea Turtle 5.2.1 Status and Threats The green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) was listing on July 28, 1978 as threatened, except for Florida and the Pacific Coast of Mexico(including the Gulf of California), where it was listed as endangered (43FR 32808). The greatest cause of the worldwide decline in green turtle populations is the commercial harvest for eggs and meat. In Florida, the nesting population was nearly extirpated within 100 years of the initiation of commercial exploitation. Green sea turtle population in Florida, Hawaii and other parts of the world have experienced significant mortality from the disease, fibropapillomatosis, which is a disease characterized by the development of multiple tumors on the skin and internal organs. The tumors can interfere with swimming, eating, breathing, vision and reproduction. Other threats to green sea turtles include loss or degradation of nesting habitat from coastal development and beach armoring; disorientation of hatchlings by beachfront lighting; excessive nest predation by fire ants, raccoons and opossums; degradation of 10 foraging habitat; marine pollution and debris; watercraft strike; and incidental take from commercial fishing operations such as shrimp trawling. Due to their main dietary component of seagrass, Caribbean green sea turtles are considered to be nutrient limited, resulting in low growth rates, delayed sexual maturity, and low annual reproductive effort. This low reproductive effort makes recovery of the species slow once the adult population number have been severely reduced (Bjorndal 1981). Estimates of age at sexually maturity range from 20 to 50 years (Balazs 1982; Frazer and Ehrhart 1985) and the lifespan may be over 100 years. 5.2.2 Distribution and Range The green sea turtle is a circumglobal species in tropical and subtropical waters. In the U.S. Atlantic waters, it occurs around the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and the continental U.S. from Massachusetts to Texas. Relatively small numbers nest in Florida with even smaller numbers in Georgia, North Carolina and Texas (NMFS and USFWS 1991b; Hirth 1997). Green turtles are distributed more widely in the summer when warmer temperatures allow them to migrate north along the Atlantic Coast. Juvenile and sub‐adult green sea turtles can be found in estuarine and coastal waters from Long Island Sound, Chesapeake Bay and North Carolina sounds south throughout the tropics (Musick and Limpus 1997). As the water temperatures decline during the winter months, green sea turtles that are found north of Florida migrate south into subtropical and tropical water. Major nesting areas for green sea turtles in the Atlantic include Surinam, Guyana, French Guyana, Costa Rica, the Leeward Islands and Ascension Island in the mid Atlantic. Historically in the U.S., green turtles have been known to nest in the Florida Keys and Dry Tortugas. Green sea turtles primarily nest on selected beaches along the coast of eastern Florida, predominantly Brevard through Broward Counties. In the southeastern U.S., the majority of nesting occurs during the months of June, July and August. 5.2.3 Habitat The green turtle primarily utilizes shallow habitats such as lagoons, bays, inlets, shoals, estuaries and other areas with abundance for marine algae and seagrasses. Individuals observed in the open ocean are believed to be migrating to feeding grounds or nesting beaches (Meylan 1982). Hatchlings often float in masses of algae (Sargassum sp) in convergence zones. Coral reefs and rock outcrops are often used as resting areas. Green sea turtle hatchlings are believed to feed mainly on jellyfish and other invertebrates. Adult green sea turtles prefer an herbivorous diet frequenting shallow water flats for feeding (Fritts et al. 1983). Adult turtles feed primarily in seagrasses such as Thalassia testudinum. This vegetation provides the turtles with a high fiber content and low forage quality (Bjorndal 1981). Green turtles migrate long distances between feeding and nesting areas (Carr and Hirth 1962). Nocturnal resting sites may be a considerable distance from feeding areas and distribution of the species is generally correlated with grassbed distribution, location of resting beaches and possibly ocean currents (Hirth 1971). In the Gulf of Mexico, principal foraging areas are located in the upper west coast of Florida. Green sea turtle hatchlings are believed to feed mainly in jellyfish and other invertebrates. 11 Nesting occurs nocturnally at 2, 3 or 4 year intervals and females only occasionally produce clutches in successive year. Little is known about the pelagic distribution of hatchlings to juvenile size. When juveniles reach a carapace length of approximately 20 to 25 cm, they leave their pelagic habitats and enter benthic foraging areas, shifting to an herbivorous diet. 5.2.4 Presence in the Project Area Sea turtle nesting data for Okaloosa County is available from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FFWCC). Sea turtle nesting season in Okaloosa County extends from May 1st through October 31st. Within the vicinity of the project area, no green sea turtles or nests have been observed. Since the green sea turtle may occur in the project area, the applicant will comply with the “Vessel Strike Avoidance Measures and Injured or Dead Protected Species Reporting” guidance for marine turtles and marine mammals and National Marine Fisheries Service’s “Sea Turtle and Smalltooth Sawfish Construction Conditions”, provided in Attachment G and H. The project is not anticipated to affect green sea turtle foraging areas or critical habitat, therefore, with use of the demolition conditions the project will not likely have an adverse affect on the green sea turtle. 5.3 Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle 5.3.1 Status and Threats Kemp’s ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) was listed as endangered throughout its range on December 2, 1970 (35 FR 18320). Of the seven extant species of sea turtles, the Kemp’s ridley has declined to the lowest population level. Recent studies suggest increased nesting activities and an overall increase in population size due to increased hatchling production and survival rates of immature turtles (USFWS 2000). Kemp’s ridleys have been subject to high levels of incidental take by shrimp trawlers (USFWS and NMFS 1992). In 1990, the National Research Council’s Committee on Sea Turtle Conservation estimated that 86% of human caused death of juvenile and adult loggerhead and Kemp’s ridley resulted from shrimp trawling (Campbell 1995). The recent increased survival of juvenile and sub‐ adult individuals is partly attributed to the use of turtle exclusion devices (TEDs) in commercial shrimping fleets. The primary decline of Kemp’s ridley is due to human activities including collection of eggs, fishing for juveniles and adults and direct take for indigenous use. Dredging operations affect Kemp’s ridley turtles through incidental take and degradation of habitat. Incidental take of Kemp’s ridley has been documented with hopper dredging. Similar to other sea turtles species, future threats to the Kemps’ ridley include interaction with fishery gear; marine pollution which results in the ingestion of manmade debris and garbage; destruction of foraging habitat; illegal poaching; and impacts to nesting beaches associated with rising sea level, development, artificial lighting and tourism pressure. 12 5.3.2 Distribution and Range Adults are primarily restricted to the Gulf of Mexico, although juveniles may range throughout the Atlantic Ocean since they have been observed as far north as Nova Scotia (Musick 1979). Important foraging areas include Campeche Bay, Mexico and Louisiana coastal waters. Nearly the entire population of Kemp’s ridleys nest on an 11 mile stretch of coastline near Ranch Nuevo, Tamaulipas, Mexico, approximately 190 miles south of the Rio Grande. A second nesting aggregation occurs at Tuxpan, Veracruz. Juveniles and sub‐adults have been found along the eastern seaboard of the U.S. and in the Gulf of Mexico. Studies suggest that the benthic stage, juvenile turtles stay in shallow, warm nearshore waters in the northern Gulf until cooling waters force them offshore or south along the Florida coast (Renaud 1995). Little is known about the movements of the post hatchling, pelagic stage within the Gulf. Studies have indicated that this stage varies from 1 to 4 or more years and the immature stage lasts about 7 to 9 years. The maturity age of this species is estimated to 7 to 15 years. Females return to their nesting beach approximately every other year with nesting from April into July and usually limited to the western Gulf of Mexico. The mean clutch size for this species is about 100 eggs per nest and an average of 2.5 nests per female per season. 5.3.3 Habitat Kemp’s ridleys inhabit shallow coastal and estuarine waters, usually over sand of mud bottoms. Adults are primarily shallow water benthic feeders that specialize on crabs, especially portunid crabs, while juveniles feed on Sargassum sp. and associated infauna and other epipelagic species of the Gulf (USFWS and MNFS 1992). Other food items include shrimp, snails, bivalves, sea urchin, jellyfish, sea stars, fish and occasionally marine plants (Pritchard and Marquez 1973; Shaver 1991; Campbell 1995). 5.3.4 Presence in the Project Area Sea turtle nesting data for Okaloosa County is available from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FFWCC). Sea turtle nesting season in Okaloosa County extends from May 1st through October 31st. Within the vicinity of the project area, no Kemp’s ridley sea turtles or nests have been observed. Since the Kemp’s ridley sea turtle may occur in the project area, the applicant will comply with the “Vessel Strike Avoidance Measures and Injured or Dead Protected Species Reporting” guidance for marine turtles and marine mammals and National Marine Fisheries Service’s “Sea Turtle and Smalltooth Sawfish Construction Conditions”, provided in Attachment G and H. The project is not anticipated to affect Kemp’s ridley sea turtle foraging areas or critical habitat therefore with use of the demolition conditions the project will not likely have an adverse affect on the Kemp’s ridley sea turtle. 5.4 Leatherback Sea Turtle The leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) was listed as endangered throughout its range on June 2, 1970 (35 FR 8495), with critical habitat designated in the U.S. Virgin Islands on September 26, 1978 and March 23, 1979 (43 FR 43688‐43689 and 44 FR 17710‐17712, respectively). 13 The general decline of the leatherback sea turtle is attributed to exploitation of eggs (Ross 1981). The population has been threatened by egg harvesting in countries such as Malaysia, Surinam, the Guiana’s, the west coast of Mexico, Costa Rica and in several Caribbean Islands. In the past, leatherbacks were killed for their abundant oil, which was used for oil lamps and for caulking wooden boats. Similar to other sea turtle species, ingestion of manmade debris, such as plastic bags and other plastic waste, is a significant cause of mortality in leatherback turtles. Leatherbacks prefer open access beaches possibly to avoid damage to their soft plastron and flippers. Unfortunately, open beaches with little shoreline protection are vulnerable to beach erosion triggered by seasonal changes in wind and wave direction. Nests are more susceptible to inundation on open beaches during severe erosion events. 5.4.2 Distribution and Range The leatherback, the largest of all sea turtles, is mainly pelagic, inhabiting the open ocean and diving nearly continuously to great depths. Leatherbacks seldom approach land except for nesting (Eckert 1992). The leatherback is probably the most wide ranging of all sea turtle species, occurring in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans; as far north as British Columbia, Newfoundland, Great Britain and Norway; as far south as Australia, Cape of Good Hope, and Argentina; and in other water bodies such as the Mediterranean Sea (NFWL 1980). Distribution of this species has been linked to thermal preference and seasonal fluctuations in the Gulf Stream and other warm water features (Fritts et al. 1983). 5.4.3 Habitat Leatherback sea turtles are omnivorous. Leatherbacks feed mainly on pelagic soft bodied invertebrates such as jellyfish and tunicates. Their diet may include squid, fish, crustaceans, algae and floating seaweed. Highest concentrations of these prey animals are often found in upwelling areas or where ocean currents converge. They will also ingest plastic bags and other plastic debris, which are commonly generated by oil drilling rigs and production platforms in coastal Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana (Fritts et al. 1983). Leatherbacks nest primarily in tropical regions. Major nesting beaches include Malaysia, Mexico, French Guiana, Surinam, Costa Rica and Trinidad (Ross 1981). Leatherbacks nest only sporadically in some of the Atlantic and Gulf states of the continental U.S., with one nesting reported as far north as North Carolina (Schwartz 1976). In the Atlantic and Caribbean, the largest nesting assemblages occur in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Florida (NMFS 2007a). During the summer, leatherbacks tend to occur along the east coast of the U.S. from the Gulf of Maine to the middle of Florida. 5.4.4 Presence in the Project Area Sea turtle nesting data for Santa Rosa County is available from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FFWCC). Sea turtle nesting season in Santa Rosa County extends from May 1st through October 31st. Within the vicinity of the project area, no leatherback sea turtles or nests have been observed. Since the leatherback sea turtle may occur in the project area, the applicant will comply with the “Vessel Strike Avoidance Measures and Injured or Dead Protected Species Reporting” guidance for marine turtles and 14 marine mammals and National Marine Fisheries Service’s “Sea Turtle and Smalltooth Sawfish Construction Conditions”, provided in Attachment G and H. The project is not anticipated to affect leatherback sea turtle foraging areas or critical habitat therefore with use of the demolition conditions the project will not likely have an adverse affect on the leatherback sea turtle. 5.5 Hawksbill Sea Turtle 5.5.1 Status and Threats The hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) was federally listed as endangered on June 2, 1970 (35 FR 8495) with critical habitat designated in Puerto Rico on May 24, 1978 (43 FR 22224). In 1998, NMFS designated critical habitat near Isla Monito, Puerto Rico, seaward to 5.6 km (63 FR 46693‐46701). The greatest threat to this species is from the harvest of the hawksbill shell for jewelry. Between 1970 and 1989, Japanese imports of hawksbill shell totaled 713, 850 kg, representing more than 670,000 turtles. The hawksbill is also used in the manufacture of leather, oil, perfume and cosmetics (NMFS 2007a). Other threats to the hawksbill sea turtles include destruction of nesting locations by beach development, incidental take in fishery operations, pollution by petroleum products, entanglement in marine debris (Meylan 1992), and predation on eggs and hatchlings. In America Samoa, villagers harvest sea turtle eggs when encountered (Tuato‐o‐Bartley et al. 1993). 5.5.2 Distribution and Range The hawksbill is circum tropical, occurring in tropical and subtropical seas of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans (Witzell 1983). This species is probably the most tropical of all marine turtles, although it does occur in many temperate regions. The hawksbill sea turtle is widely distributed in the Caribbean Sea and western Atlantic Ocean, with representatives of at least some life history stages regularly occurring in southern Florida and the northern Gulf (especially Texas), south to brazil (NMFS 2007a). In the continental U.S., the hawksbill largely nests in Florida where it is sporadic at best (NFWL 1980). However, a major nesting beach exists on Mona Island, Puerto Rico. Elsewhere in the western Atlantic, hawksbills nest in small numbers along the Gulf Coast of Mexico, the West Indies and the Caribbean coasts of Central and South America (Musick 1979). 5.5.3 Habitat Hawksbills generally inhabit coastal reefs, bays, rocky area, passes, estuaries and lagoons, in water depths of less than 70 feet. Similar to green sea turtles, hatchlings are sometimes found floating in masses of pelagic marine algae (Spargassum sp.) (NFWL 1980). When they reach a carapace length of approximately 20 to 25 centimeters, hawksbill juveniles reenter coastal waters. Coral reefs are widely recognized as the resident foraging habitat of juveniles, sub‐adults and adults. This habitat associates is likely related to their diet of sponges, which need solid substrate for attachment. Hawksbills are omnivorous and prefer invertebrates, especially encrusting organisms, and will feed on plant material such as algae, seagrasses and mangroves (Carr 1952; Rebel 1974; Pritchard 1977; Musick 1979; 15 Mortimer 1982). Hawksbills also occur around rocky outcrops and high energy shoals, which are also optimum sites for sponge growth. 5.5.4 Presence in the Project Area Sea turtle nesting data for Okaloosa County is available from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FFWCC). Sea turtle nesting season in Okaloosa County extends from May 1st through October 31st. No documented records of hawksbills exist from Okaloosa County, Florida; however. This species is of potential occurrence within the offshore areas of the northwest Gulf of Mexico. Within the vicinity of the project area, no hawksbill sea turtles or nests have been observed. Since the hawksbill sea turtle may occur in the project area the applicant will comply with the “Vessel Strike Avoidance Measures and Injured or Dead Protected Species Reporting” guidance for marine turtles and marine mammals and “Sea Turtle and Smalltooth Sawfish Construction Conditions”, provided in Attachment G and H. The project is not anticipated to affect hawksbill sea turtle foraging areas or critical habitat therefore the deployment of artificial reefs within the project area will not likely have an adverse affect on the hawksbill sea turtle. 5.6 Gulf Sturgeon 5.6.1 Status and Threats The USFWS and NMFS listed the Gulf Sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrhinchus desotoi) a subspecies of the Atlantic sturgeon (A. oxyrhinchus), as endangered on September 30, 1991 (56 FR 49653 49658). As with other sturgeon species, the damming of rivers has been the most significant threat to the Gulf sturgeon (NMFS 2007b). Other threats to the species include over exploitation, incidental catch, dredging activities, the removal of snags and dredged material placement associated with channel improvements and maintenance (USFWS and Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission [GSMFC] 1995; NMFS 2007b). 5.6.2 Distribution and Range The gulf surgeon is anadromous, which means the species breeds in freshwater environments, but spends the remainder of the year in marine and estuarine environments. Spawning occurs in the deeper portions of rivers on clean rock or rubble bottoms. Mud and sand bottoms and seagrass communities are likely important marine habitats (USFWS and GSMFC 1995). The Gulf sturgeon lives in riverine systems during the warmer months of the year and during the remaining months (November through March), the Gulf sturgeon migrates to estuarine or Gulf of Mexico waters to feed. In early to late spring, the fish migrate to the riverine systems to spawn. The Gulf Sturgeon historically ranged along the northeastern Gulf, in major rivers from the Mississippi delta in Louisiana, east to Charlotte Harbor, Florida, and in marine waters of the central and eastern Gulf (USFWS and GSMFC 1995; NMFS 2007b). Its current range extends from Lake Pontchatrain and the Pearl River in Louisiana and Mississippi east to the Suwannee River in Florida. There are sporadic reports from as far west as the Rio Grande River between Texas and Mexico, and as far east and south 16 as Florida Bay. Viable populations exist in the Mississippi, Pearl, Escambia, Yellow, Choctawhatchee, Apalachicola, and Suwannee rivers (NMFS 2007b). 5.6.3 Habitat The movement and behavior of the Gulf sturgeon is discussed in the Gulf Sturgeon Recovery/Management Plan produced by the USWS, GSMFC and NMFS (1995). Unpublished information from NMFS and USFWS personnel and other suggest that, while in the Gulf of Mexico during the winter months, the Gulf sturgeon may spend a portion of time feeding in relatively shallow water in the nearshore (<30ft.). However, there are some anecdotal reports of Gulf sturgeon as much as twelve mile offshore (Olsen Associates, Inc 2002). The primary migratory pathway of Gulf sturgeon is parallel to the shoreline in the nearshore area. A priority action item identified in the Gulf Sturgeon Recovery/Management Plan was the identification of Gulf sturgeon estuarine and marine habitat use. During the Gulf Sturgeon Marine Movement and Habitat Use Study, researchers collected and analyzed data through the capture, tagging, release and subsequent recapture of these species. Data collected from several years of research suggest that the fish near Panama City Beach are usually found to the east of the St. Andrews Bay inlet along Tyndall and Mexico Beaches, which are known over wintering areas (Frank Parauka 2006, personal communication for the Panama City Shore Protection Project Biological Assessment, April 13, 2006). Gulf sturgeons from the Brothers, Yellow, Apalachicola and Choctawhatchee Rivers have been located off Tyndall and/or Mexico Beaches in water depths typically of 12‐20 feet (Frank Parauka 2006, personal communication for the Panama City Shore Protection Project Biological Assessment, April 13, 2006). Studies supporting the critical habitat rule indicated that the Gulf sturgeon’s diet includes amphipods, lancelets, polychaetes, gastropods, shrimp, isopods, mollusks and crustaceans. 5.6.4 Presence in Project Area The reef site is located within Unit 11 critical habitat area for the Gulf Sturgeon (see Figure below.). Unit 11 includes a portion of the Gulf of Mexico as defined by the following boundaries. The western boundary is the line of longitude 87/20.0'W (approximately 1 nm (1.9 km) west of Pensacola Pass) from its intersection with the shore to its intersection with the southern boundary. The northern boundary is the MHW of the mainland shoreline and the 72 COLREGS lines at passes as defined at 30 CFR 80.810 (a‐ g). The southern boundary is 1 nm (1.9 km) offshore of the northern boundary. The eastern boundary is the line of longitude 85/17.0'W from its intersection with the shore (near Money Bayou between Cape San Blas and Indian Peninsula) to its intersection with the southern boundary. 17 Since Gulf sturgeon may occur in the project area, a discussion of the project relative to the seven elements considered essential for the conservation of the species follow: (1) Abundant food items, such as detritus, aquatic insects, worms, and/or mollusks, within riverine habitats for larval and juvenile life stages; and abundant prey items, such as amphipods, lancelets, polychaetes, gastropods, ghost shrimp, isopods, mollusks and/or crustaceans, within estuarine and marine habitats and substrates for subadult and adult life stages. The project site is not located within a riverine area and will not alter or negatively affect foraging opportunities. (2) Riverine spawning sites with substrates suitable for egg deposition and development, such as limestone outcrops and cut limestone banks, bedrock, large gravel or cobble beds, marl, soapstone, or hard clay; The project site is not located within spawning areas, and thus will not affect spawning behavior or suitable substrates (3) Riverine aggregation areas, also referred to as resting, holding, and staging areas, used by adult, subadult, and/or juveniles, generally, but not always, located in holes below normal riverbed depths, believed necessary for minimizing energy expenditures during fresh water residency and possibly for osmoregulatory functions; The project site is not located within a riverine area, and thus will not affect aggregation behavior or fish movement. 18 (4) A flow regime (i.e., the magnitude, frequency, duration, seasonality, and rate‐ofchange of fresh water discharge over time) necessary for normal behavior, growth, and survival of all life stages in the riverine environment, including migration, breeding selection, courtship, egg fertilization, resting, and staging, and for maintaining spawning sites in suitable condition for egg attachment, egg sheltering, resting, and larval staging; The proposed project will not alter flow patterns and this is not expected to negatively affect behavior, growth or reproductive activity. (5) Water quality, including temperature, salinity, pH, hardness, turbidity, oxygen content, and other chemical characteristics, necessary for normal behavior, growth, and viability of all life stages; The project is not expected to adversely impact water quality. For a short duration after initial reef deployment there will be some re‐suspension of the in‐situ sediments, and are expected to settle out naturally. Turbidity reduction devices would not be effective and cannot be utilized under this circumstance. The proposed activity will not affect water quality and thus not affect sturgeon activities that depend on the maintenance of a certain quality of water. (6) Sediment quality, including texture and other chemical characteristics, necessary for normal behavior, growth, and viability of all life stages; and The proposed activity will not alter sediment composition and thus it is expected that the project will not alter normal behavior, growth, and viability of all life stages of sturgeon. (7) Safe and unobstructed migratory pathways necessary for passage within and between riverine, estuarine, and marine habitats (e.g., an unobstructed river or a dammed river that still allows for passage). The proposed activity will not hinder sturgeon migration patterns. The proposed activity will not affect migration behavior of the gulf sturgeon. Since Gulf sturgeon may occur in the project area, the applicant will comply with the “Sea Turtle and Smalltooth Sawfish Construction Conditions” which also applies to sturgeon, provided in Attachment G. The project is not anticipated to affect Gulf sturgeon foraging areas or critical habitat therefore the deployment of artificial reefs within the project area will not likely have an adverse affect on the Gulf sturgeon. 5.7 West Indian Manatee 5.7.1 Status and Threats The West Indian manatee, also known as the Florida manatee, is a federally listed endangered aquatic mammal protected under the Endangered Species Act. The Florida manatee population is divided into four subpopulations; the Upper St. Johns River (4% of the population); Atlantic Coast (46%); Southwest Florida (38%); and Northwest Florida (12%) (USFWS 2007). Based on published data for the survival 19 rates, reproduction and population growth, the Upper St. Johns River and Northwest Florida subpopulations are expanding and doing well. The Atlantic Coast subpopulation is likely stable and little information exists on the status of the Southwest Florida subpopulation (USFWS 2007). Based on the 2001 statewide aerial synoptic survey, it is believed that the minimum population is 3,276 individuals. The manatee population appears to have increased over the past few decades. In the last decade, annual mortality in Florida has averaged nearly 150 animals a year. In 2006, there were 417 manatee deaths in Florida state waters. In 2005, there were 396 manatee deaths (FWCC 2007). These statistics may reflect an increase in population growth, increased mortality or better detection of carcasses. However, the best available sciences indicates that Florida’s manatee population is stable or growing in all regions of the state except the Southwest, which may contain more than a third of the statewide population. Red tide continues to threaten manatees on Southwest Florida, with 37‐96 deaths annually in four of the past five years. Preliminary findings suggest red tide may have been responsible for the deaths of 61 manatees in 2006. A large percent of mortality is due to collisions with watercrafts, particularly mortality of calves. The increasing human population growth and visitation in Florida has contributed to a steady increase in the number of watercraft using Florida’s waters. In 2001, 943,611 vessels were registered in the State of Florida, a 42% increase since 1993. The Florida Department of Community Affairs estimated that between 300,000 and 400,000 boats registered in other states us Florida waters each year. With the projected increase in Florida’s population, coupled with an increase in watercraft usage on Florida’s waters, interactions between boats and manatees are expected to significantly increase into the foreseeable future. Another factor in their decline has been the loss of suitable habitat through incompatible coastal, particularly destruction of seagrass beds. Manatees have few natural predators, and the greatest natural threats are exposure to cold temperatures, hurricanes and poisoning from ref tide (USFWS 2007). 5.7.2 Distribution and Range During the cooler months between October and April, Florida manatees concentrate in areas of warmer water. Manatees are thermally stressed at water temperatures below 18ºC (64.4ºF), therefore, during winter months, when ambient water temperatures approach 20ºC (68ºF), the manatee population confines itself to the coastal waters of the southern half of peninsular Florida and to springs and warm water industrial outfalls as far north as southeast Georgia. Manatees also winter in the St. Johns River near Blue Spring State Park. Severe cold fronts have been known to kill manatees when the animals did not have access to warm water refuges. During summer months, they may migrate as far north as coastal Virginia on the east coast and the Louisiana coast on the Gulf of Mexico and appear to choose areas based on an adequate food supply, water depth and proximity to freshwater. Annual migratory circuits of some individuals through the intracoastal waterway of the Atlantic Coast are 1,700 km round trips at seasonal travel rates as high as 50km/day. 20 5.7.3 Habitat Manatees inhabit both salt and fresh water and can be found in shallow (5ft. to usually <20ft.), slow moving rivers, estuaries, saltwater bays, canals and coastal areas throughout their range. Manatees have been occasionally observed as far as 3.7 miles off the Florida Gulf coast. The West Indian manatee is herbivorous and feeds upon aquatic plants such as hydrilla, eelgrass and water lettuce. 5.7.4 Presence in the Project Area Since the Florida manatee may occur in the project area, the applicant will comply with the “Vessel Strike Avoidance Measures and Injured or Dead Protected Species Reporting” guidance for marine turtles and marine mammals and provided in Attachment G. The project is not anticipated to affect Florida manatee foraging areas or critical habitat therefore the deployment of artificial reefs within the deployment sites will not likely have an adverse affect on the Florida manatee. 6.0 Status of Not Listed Species and Habitat 6.1 Bottlenose Dolphin The northern Gulf of Mexico coastal bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) stock has been defined for management purpose as the bottlenose dolphins occupying the area which extends from approximately 84ºW longitude to the Mississippi River Delta. Coastal waters are defined as those from shore, barrier islands, or presumed bay boundaries to 20 m isobath. As a working hypothesis, it is assumed that dolphins occupying habitats with dissimilar climactic, coastal and oceanographic characteristics might be restricted in their movements between habitats. Bottlenose dolphin abundance for the northern Gulf of Mexico was estimated to be 4,191 dolphins in an assessment preformed in 1993. The level of direct human caused mortality is unknown. There are a number of difficulties associated with the interpretation of stranding data. Stranding data probably underestimate the extent of fishery related mortality and serious injury because not all of the dolphins which die or are seriously injured wash ashore, nor will all of those that do wash ashore necessarily show signs of entanglement or other fishery interaction. The status of this stock relative to optimum sustainable population is not known and population trends cannot be determined as a result of insufficient data. This species is not listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act, but is protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Since the Bottlenose dolphin may occur in the project area, the applicant will comply with the “Vessel Strike Avoidance Measures and Injured or Dead Protected Species Reporting” guidance for marine turtles and marine mammals provided in Attachment G. 21 The project is not anticipated to affect Bottlenose dolphin foraging areas or habitat therefore the deployment of artificial reefs within the project area will not likely have an adverse affect on the Bottlenose dolphin. 6.2 Alligator Gar The range of the alligator gar (Atractosteus spatula) extends from the Florida Panhandle, through the Gulf Coastal Plain and the Mississippi River Basin extending north to the lower portions of the Ohio and the Missouri River, and ranges southwest through Texas down to Veracruz, Mexico. There is a population in the Mississippi Sound and the brackish waster of the Gulf Coast and Mobile‐Tensaw Delta. The alligator gar is disappearing from many parts of the range and declining population everywhere due to over fishing and the construction of dikes, dams, and other flood control devices, resulting in the loss of key breeding. The gar inhabits large, slow moving rivers, reservoirs, oxbow lakes, bayous and bays, in fresh and brackish water. The alligator gar is the most tolerant gar species of high salinity and occasionally strays into salt water. Young gars may be seen at the surface in debris such as leaves and twigs. They prefer large rivers that have a large overflow floodplain, but these rivers have all but disappeared in North America sue to the use of dredging, dams, dikes, and levees. Since the Alligator gar may occur in the project area, the applicant will comply with the “Vessel Strike Avoidance Measures and Injured or Dead Protected Species Reporting” guidance for marine turtles and marine mammals and “Sea Turtle and Smalltooth Sawfish Construction Conditions”, provided in Attachment G and H. The project is not anticipated to affect Alligator gar foraging areas or habitat therefore the deployment of artificial reefs within the project area will not likely have an adverse affect on the Alligator gar. 7.0 Conclusions Based on the previously mentioned findings, it has been determined that the proposed project may affect, but is not likely to adversely affect the following species • Loggerhead sea turtle • Green sea turtle • Kemp’s ridley sea turtle • Leatherback sea turtle • Hawksbill sea turtle • Gulf sturgeon • West Indian manatee • Bottlenose dolphin • Alligator gar There is no designated critical habitat for the Florida manatee; therefore there will be no adverse modifications to critical habitat for this species as a result of the proposed action. 22 The reef site is located within Unit 11 critical habitat area for the Gulf Sturgeon. This assessment contains a discussion of the project relative to the seven elements considered essential for the conservation of the species. The project is not anticipated to affect Gulf sturgeon foraging areas or critical habitat therefore the deployment of artificial reefs within the project area will not likely have an adverse affect on the Gulf sturgeon. The project is not expected to adversely impact water quality. For a short duration after initial reef deployment there will be some re‐suspension of the in‐situ sediments, and are expected to settle out naturally. Turbidity reduction devices would not be effective and cannot be utilized under this circumstance. 8.0 References Balazs, G.H. 19825. Growth rates of immature green turtles in the Hawaiian Archipelago. InK.A. Bjorndal (ed). Biology and Conservation of Sea Turtles. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D.C. 117‐1125. Bjorndal, K.A. (ed). 1981. Biology and Conservation of Sea Turtles. Proceedings of the World Conference on Sea Turtle Conservation, Washington, D.C., 26‐30 November 1976. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D.C. Bowen, B. W. 1995. Tracking marine turtles with genetic markers. BioScience 45: 528‐34. Bowen, B., J. Avise, J.I. Richardson, A. Meylan, D. Margaritoulis, and S. Hopkins‐Murphy. 1993. Population structure of loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) in the northwestern Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. Conservation Biology 7: 834‐44. Campbell, L. 1995. Endangered and threatened animals of Texas, their life history and management. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Resource Protection Division, Endangered Resources Branch, Austin. Carr, A.F. 1952. Handbook of turtles: the turtles of the United States, Canada and Baja California. Comstock Publ. Assoc., Cornell University Press, Ithaca, NY. Carr, A. and H. Hirth. 1962. The ecology and migrations of sea turtles, 5. Comparative features of isolated green turtle colonies. No. 2091. 42pp. Eckert, S.A. 1992. Bound for deepwater. Natural History, March 1992, pp. 28‐35. Encalada, S.E., K.A. Bjorndal, A.B. Bolten, J.C. Zurita, B. Schroeser, E. Possardt, C.J. Sears, and Florida Fish B.W. Bowen. 1998. Population structure of loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) nesting colonies in the Atlantic and Mediterranean as inferred from mitochondrial DNA control region sequences. Marine Biology 130: 567‐75. And, Wildlife Conservation Commission. 2007. Manatee Mortality Report and Statistics. http://research.myfwc.com/manatees/. Frazer, N.B. and L.M. Ehrhart. 1985. Preliminary growth models for green, Chelonia mydas, and loggerhead, Caretta caretta, turtles in the wild. Copeia 1985: 73‐79. 23 Frazer, N.B., C.J. Limpus and J.L. Greene. 1994. Growth and age at maturity of Queensland loggerheads. U.S. Dep. Of Commerce. NOAA Tech. Memo NMFS‐SEFSC‐351: 42‐45. Fritts, T.H., R.P. Reynolds and M.A. McGehee. 1983. The distribution and abundance of marine turtles in the Gulf of Mexico and nearby Atlantic waters. Journal of Herpetology 17: 32744. Hirth H.F. 1971. Synopsis of biological data on the green turtle, Chelonia mydas. FAO Fisheries Synopsis No. 85: 1‐77. Hirth H.F. 1997. Synopsis of biological data on the green turtle, Chelonia mydas (Linnaeus 1758). Biological Report 97 (1). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, D.C. Keevin, Thomas M. and Gregory L. Hempton. 1997. The Environmental Effects of Underwater Explosions with Methods to Mitigate Impacts, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis District, St. Louis, Missouri. Meylan, A. 1982. sea turtle migration‐evidence from tag returns. In: K.A. Bjorndal (ed). Biology and conservation of sea turtles. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D.C. 91‐100. Milton, S.L., S. Leone‐Kabler, A.A. Schulman and P.L. Lutz. 1994. Effects of Hurricane Andrew on the sea turtle nesting beaches of South Florida. Bulletin of Marine Science 54: 974981. Mortimer, J.A. 1982. Feeding ecology of sea turtles. In: K.A. Bjorndal (ed). Biology and conservation of sea turtles. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D.C. 103‐09. Mrosovsky, N. 1995. Temperature and sex ratio. In: K.A. Bjorndal (ed). Biology and conservation of sea turtles, revised edition. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D.C. 597‐98. Musick, J. 1979. The marine turtles of Virginia with notes on identification and natural history. Educational Series No. 24. Sea Grant Program, Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences, Gloucester Point. Musick, J.A. and C.J. Limpus. 1997. Habitat utilization and migration in juvenile sea turtles. In: Lutz P.L. and J.A. Musick (eds). The Biology of Sea Turtles. CRC Press, New York. 137‐164. National Fish and Wildlife Laboratory (NFWL). 1980. Selected vertebrate endangered species of the seacoast of the United States. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Biological Services Program, Washington, D.C. FWS/OBS‐80/01. National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. • 2007a Information on sea turtles. http://www/nmfs.noaa/gov/pr/species/turtles/html. • 2007b. Information on the Gulf sturgeon. http://www/nmfs.noaa/gov/pr/species/fish/Gulf_sturgeon.html • 1991a. Recovery plan for U.S. population of loggerhead turtle. National Marine Fisheries Service, Washington, D.C. • 1991b. Recovery plan for U.S. population of Atlantic green turtle. National Marine Fisheries Service, Washington, D.C. 24  • 2005. Bottlenose dolphin Northern Gulf of Mexico Coastal Stocks. http://www/nmfs.noaa/gov/pr/pdf/sars/ao2005dobn‐gmexco.pdf. Olsen Associates Inc. 2002. Pensacola Beach, FL, Beach Restoration Project Biological Assessment. Submitted to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District. March 20, 2002. Pearce, A.F. 2001. Contrasting population structure of the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) using mitochondrial and nuclear DNA markers. M.S. thesis. University of Florida, Gainesville, FL . Pritchard, P.C.H., and R. Marquez. 1973. Kemp’s ridley turtle or Atlantic ridley, Lepidochelys kempi. IUCN Monograph 2, Morges, Switzerland. Pritchard, P.C.H. 1977. Marine turtles of Micronesia. Chelonia Press, San Francisco, CA. Rebel, T.P. 1974. Sea turtles and the turtles industry of the West Indies, Florida, and the Gulf of Mexico revised edition. University of Miami Press, Coral Gables, FL. Ross, J.P. 1981. Historical decline of Loggerhead, Ridley and Leatherback sea turtles. In: K.A. Bjorndal (ed). Biology and conservation of sea turtles. 1981. 189‐95. Schwartz, F. 1976. Status of sea turtles, Cheloniidae and Dermochelidae in North Carolina. Abstract in Proceedings and abstracts from the 73rd meeting of the North Carolina Academy of Science, Inc., April 2‐ 3, 1976, at the University of North Carolina, Wilmington, N.C. J. Elisha Mitchell Sci. Soc. 92: 76‐77. Shaver, D. 1991. Feeding ecology of wild and head started Kemp’s ridley sea turtles in south Texas waters. Journal of Herpetology 25: 327‐34. Tuato o‐Bartley, N., T.E. Morrell and P. Craig. 1993. Status of sea turtles in American Samoa in 1991. Pacific Science 47: 215‐21. U.S. Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 2007. National Artificial Reef Plan (As Amended): Guidelines for siting, construction, development, and assessment of artificial reefs. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2007. Manatee Recovery Facts. USFWS North Florida field office. http://www/fws.gov/northflorida/Manatee/manatee‐gen‐facts.htm. 2000. Report on the Mexico/United States of America Population Restoration Plan for the Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle, Lepidochelys kempii, on the Coasts of Tamaulipas and Veracruz, Mexico. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission [GSMFC]. 1995. Gulf sturgeon recovery plan. Atlanta, GA. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service. 1992. Recovery plan for the Kemp’s ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii). National Marine Fisheries Service, St. Petersburg, FL. 25 Witzell, W.N. 1983. Synopsis of biological data on the hawksbill turtle Eretmochelys imbricate (Linnaeus, 1766). FAO Fisheries Synopsis no. 137. FIR/S137, SAST‐Hawksbill Turtle5.31 (07) 017.01. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, Rome, Italy. 26  Appendix A Vessel Strike Avoidance Measures  5.5.1 Status and Threats ..................................................................................................................... 15 5.5.2 Distribution and Range .............................................................................................................. 15 5.5.3 Habitat ....................................................................................................................................... 15 5.5.4 Presence in the Project Area ...................................................................................................... 16 5.6 Gulf Sturgeon .................................................................................................................................... 16 5.6.1 Status and Threats ..................................................................................................................... 16 5.6.2 Distribution and Range .............................................................................................................. 16 5.6.3 Habitat ....................................................................................................................................... 17 5.6.4 Presence in Project Area ............................................................................................................ 17 5.7 West Indian Manatee........................................................................................................................ 19 5.7.1 Status and Threats ..................................................................................................................... 19 5.7.2 Distribution and Range .............................................................................................................. 20 5.7.3 Habitat ....................................................................................................................................... 21 5.7.4 Presence in the Project Area ...................................................................................................... 21 6.0 Status of Not Listed Species and Habitat .............................................................................................. 21 6.1 Bottlenose Dolphin ........................................................................................................................... 21 6.2 Alligator Gar ...................................................................................................................................... 22 7.0 Conclusions ....................................................................................................................................... 22 8.0 References ........................................................................................................................................ 23 3  Vessel Strike Avoidance Measures and Reporting for Mariners NOAA Fisheries Service, Southeast Region Background The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has determined that collisions with vessels can injure or kill protected species (e.g., endangered and threatened species, and marine mammals). The following standard measures should be implemented to reduce the risk associated with vessel strikes or disturbance of these protected species to discountable levels. NMFS should be contacted to identify any additional conservation and recovery issues of concern, and to assist in the development of measures that may be necessary. Protected Species Identification Training Vessel crews should use an Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico reference guide that helps identify protected species that might be encountered in U.S. waters of the Atlantic Ocean, including the Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico. Additional training should be provided regarding information and resources available regarding federal laws and regulations for protected species, ship strike information, critical habitat, migratory routes and seasonal abundance, and recent sightings of protected species. Vessel Strike Avoidance In order to avoid causing injury or death to marine mammals and sea turtles the following measures should be taken when consistent with safe navigation: 1. Vessel operators and crews should maintain a vigilant watch for marine mammals and sea turtles to avoid striking sighted protected species. 2. When whales are sighted, maintain a distance of 100 yards or greater between the whale and the vessel. 3. When sea turtles or small cetaceans are sighted, attempt to maintain a distance of 50 yards or greater between the animal and the vessel whenever possible. 4. When small cetaceans are sighted while a vessel is underway (e.g., bow-riding), attempt to remain parallel to the animal’s course. Avoid excessive speed or abrupt changes in direction until the cetacean has left the area. 5. Reduce vessel speed to 10 knots or less when mother/calf pairs, groups, or large assemblages of cetaceans are observed near an underway vessel, when safety permits. A single cetacean at the surface may indicate the presence of submerged animals in the vicinity; therefore, prudent precautionary measures should always be exercised. The vessel should attempt to route around the animals, maintaining a minimum distance of 100 yards whenever possible. NMFS Southeast Region Vessel Strike Avoidance Measures and Reporting for Mariners; revised February 2008.  6. Whales may surface in unpredictable locations or approach slowly moving vessels. When an animal is sighted in the vessel’s path or in close proximity to a moving vessel and when safety permits, reduce speed and shift the engine to neutral. Do not engage the engines until the animals are clear of the area. Additional Requirements for the North Atlantic Right Whale 1. If a sighted whale is believed to be a North Atlantic right whale, federal regulation requires a minimum distance of 500 yards be maintained from the animal (50 CFR 224.103 (c)). 2. Vessels entering North Atlantic right whale critical habitat are required to report into the Mandatory Ship Reporting System. 3. Mariners should check with various communication media for general information regarding avoiding ship strikes and specific information regarding North Atlantic right whale sighting locations. These include NOAA weather radio, U.S. Coast Guard NAVTEX broadcasts, and Notices to Mariners. Commercial mariners calling on United States ports should view the most recent version of the NOAA/USCG produced training CD entitled “A Prudent Mariner’s Guide to Right Whale Protection” (contact the NMFS Southeast Region, Protected Resources Division for more information regarding the CD). 4. Injured, dead, or entangled right whales should be immediately reported to the U.S. Coast Guard via VHF Channel 16. Injured or Dead Protected Species Reporting Vessel crews should report sightings of any injured or dead protected species immediately, regardless of whether the injury or death is caused by your vessel. Report marine mammals to the Southeast U.S. Stranding Hotline: 877-433-8299 Report sea turtles to the NMFS Southeast Regional Office: 727-824-5312 If the injury or death of a marine mammal was caused by a collision with your vessel, responsible parties should remain available to assist the respective salvage and stranding network as needed. NMFS’ Southeast Regional Office should be immediately notified of the strike by email (takereport.nmfsser@noaa.gov) using the attached vessel strike reporting form. For additional information, please contact the Protected Resources Division at: NOAA Fisheries Service Southeast Regional Office th 263 13 Avenue South St. Petersburg, FL 33701 Tel: (727) 824-5312 Visit us on the web at http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov NMFS Southeast Region Vessel Strike Avoidance Measures and Reporting for Mariners; revised February 2008.  Appendix B Sea Turtle and Sawfish Construction Conditions  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. g. Any special construction conditions, required of your specific project, outside these general conditions, if applicable, will be addressed in the primary consultation. Revised: March 23, 2006 O:\forms\Sea Turtle and Smalltooth Sawfish Construction Conditions.doc  Appendix C Florida Master File Cultural Resources Search Results  This record search is for informational purposes only and does NOT constitute a project review. This search only identifies resources recorded at the Florida Master Site File and does NOT provide project approval from the Division of Historical Resources. Contact the Compliance and Review Section of the Division of Historical Resources at 850-245-6333 for project review information. February 19, 2014 Duncan Greer Taylor Engineering, Inc. 1221 Airport Road, Suite 210 Destin, FL 32541 Phone: 305-882-8200 Fax: 305-882-1200 In response to your inquiry of February 19, 2014, the Florida Master Site File lists no previously recorded cultural resources found in the following location: The ‘Alpha’ site with a centroid at Longitude 86˚ 32.876'W and Latitude 30˚ 21.391'N (including a half mile to mile radius buffer from project area as indicated on the search request). When interpreting the results of our search, please consider the following information: • This search area may contain unrecorded archaeological sites, historical structures or other resources even if previously surveyed for cultural resources. • Because vandalism and looting are common at Florida sites, we ask that you limit the distribution of location information on archaeological sites. • While many of our records document historically significant resources, the documentation of a resource at the Florida Master Site File does not necessarily mean the resource is historically significant. • Federal, state and local laws require formal environmental review for most projects. This search DOES NOT constitute such a review. If your project falls under these laws, you should contact the Compliance and Review Section of the Division of Historical Resources at 850-245-6333. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions regarding the results of this search. Sincerely, Mary Berman Archaeological Data Analyst Florida Master Site File mary.berman@dos.state.fl.us 500 South Bronough Street • Tallahassee, FL 32399-0250 • www.flheritage.com/preservation/sitefile 850.245.6440 ph | 850.245.6439 fax | SiteFile@dos.state.fl.us  Attachment 5 Availability of Other Relevant Data DDddsa  1 of 4 Availability of Other Relevant Data Over the past few decades, numerous scientific artificial reef investigations and experiments have encouraged local and state governments to incorporate intricate design and management of their artificial reef programs. Quite generally, the goals of artificial reef development in the Florida panhandle are to sustainably enhance the marine biological environment, provide economic benefit, and to use best management practices based on scientific data. This document provides discussion of the relevant biological research that Okaloosa County integrates into the design and management of its artificial reefs. Based on studies conducted by Dr. Bill Lindberg from the University of Florida, the proposed concrete- based materials help provide opportunities for enhancement of reef fishes. Applying the study results, coordinated use of complex structures will potentially result in habitat that reduces fishing pressure and mortality, allowing for a more sustainable fishery (Frazier and Lindberg, 1994; Lindberg, 1996; Lindberg and Loftin, 1998; Lindberg and Loftin, 1999). Clean concrete reef materials are essential to the County’s reef program as it moves to meet the stewardship goals of habitat enhancement and fishery conservation. Based on the historical success of concrete rubble-mound reef habitats (e.g. the Destin Bridge Rubble), the County anticipates that the proposed reefs will provide ample surface area and void spaces that mimic natural limestone outcroppings and coral reef structures. Other studies, by Dr. Stephen Bortone and his associates, have sought to document the ecology of developing artificial reefs. Bortone’s research is especially applicable due to the proximity of the study areas to Okaloosa County and the nearby Florida panhandle region (Bortone 1985, 1997, 1998). Bortone's studies suggest reef managers should carefully plan reef deployments to optimize sustainable fish production and design reefs to attract specific species (Bortone, 1997). The repurposing of limestone concrete rubble provides a complex habitat substrate that is suitable with regard to the surficial complexity required for the survival of reef biota. Local experience suggests that an ecologically suitable reef requires stable and abundant surface area, necessary for flora and fauna, and various sheltering characteristics for encompassing numerous trophic levels and life stages of targeted species. Pre-fabricated artificial reef structures provide surface area that is less plentiful and void spaces that are less complex than the proposed rubble mound structures. Red Snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) is a fish species targeted by the local recreational fishing community. In the Northern Gulf of Mexico, red snapper research includes the migration, life history, and interaction with artificial reefs. Research concludes that red snapper have slow migrations that occur from west to east. Tropical storm events may accelerate these migrations and the proximity of reefs may allow for migration further east. Generally, red snapper life history begins with pelagic plankton stages that move inshore with ocean currents and begin to seek shelter in oyster shells and small structures, they become increasingly attracted to reef structures as they grow. Once they become large adult snapper, they begin to become less dependent on specific structures and migrate more often, presumably, as they are less vulnerable to predators (Workman, 2002, Sledlmayer, 1997, Cowan, 2011, Kulaw, 2012). As red snapper “grow they prefer larger and more complex structures” (Workman, Okaloosa County 2014-15 FWC Supplemental Construction Grant Attachment 5 Availability of Other Relevant Data  2 of 4 2002), a notion also supported by others (e.g., Bailey, 1995). Applications of this project include careful design and planning to create artificial reefs that provide refuge for various life stages of the species. The artificial reefs allow red snapper and other fish species the opportunity to migrate to areas with reduced fishing pressure and limited natural predation in open waters (Watterson et al. 1998; Szedlmayer 1997; Patterson 1999). Other relevant research summarizes artificial reefs from both local and international perspectives and summarizes the issue of attraction versus production (Pickering and Whitmarsh 1997; Dodrill 2000; Baine 2001). Pickering and Whitmarsh’s research synthesis of the production and attraction debate supports the planning and construction of artificial reefs with the intention of attracting specific targeted species. Bortone concludes that the hypotheses of the attraction and production debate are difficult to test and that regardless of the implications, “a structure, once deployed, inevitably becomes inhabited by fish” (Bortone, 2007). Relevant to the seafloor environment, the 1999 USGS report Ecology of Live Bottom Habitats of the Northeastern Gulf of Mexico: a Community Profile, states that the incidence of hardbottom is approximately 0.5% of surveyed areas in the region that encompasses the permitted sites (Thompson, 1999). The percentage of hardbottom incidence in this region supports the findings of the bottom surveys and bolsters the evaluation that the sites are primarily barren sand. The findings of the USGS study superseded the findings of Continental Shelf Associates, Inc. (CSA) that estimated 3% of the local seafloor contains natural reef formations (CSA, 1992). Stability and durability is necessary for the production and survival of coral and other organisms. Stability and durability requirements for artificial reefs are defined in two documents: Guidelines for Marine Artificial Reef Material (GMARM) and the Coastal Artificial Reef Planning Guide (CARPG). These publications indicate the proposed material (concrete) for this project as stable and durable. Concrete has long been the preferred material for artificial reef construction for regulatory agencies, thus the state typically requires reefs to be constructed from clean concrete or heavy gauge steel. The FWC review and approval of the material and its stability helped obtain the FDEP approval of the project. The GMARM contests that “concrete provides excellent surfaces and habitat for the settlement and growth of encrusting or fouling organisms, which in turn provide forage and refuge for other invertebrates and fish.” Therefore, clean concrete materials, such as those proposed, are a condition of the state general permit requirements. Other studies suggest opportunities to use technology in the design as a planning tool at the County and local level. GIS applications can assist in site location based upon a variety of data including physical oceanographic parameters (Wright 1998; Chen-Te Tseng et al 2001). Citations Baine, Mark. 2001. Artificial reefs: a review of their design, application, management and performance. Ocean & Coastal Management 44:3-4:241-259. (http://www.sciencedirect.com/ science/ article/B6VG5433P7DY5/1/cOOOee8fc401b79da07fbfa 89247ddc2) Okaloosa County 2014-15 FWC Supplemental Construction Grant Attachment 5 Availability of Other Relevant Data  3 of 4 Bailey, H. K. IV. 1995. Potential interactive effects of habitat complexity and sub-adults on young-of-the- year red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) behavior. MS thesis, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama. 73 pp. Bortone, S A and D Van Orman. 1985. Biological survey and analysis of Florida's artificial reefs. Florida Sea Grant Program, Gainesville, Florida, USA. Bortone, SA, R K Turpin, R P Cody, C M Bundrick and R L Hill. 1997. Factors associated with artificial-reef fish assemblages. Gulf of Mexico Science 15: 1: 17-34. Bortone, S A, R P Cody, R K Turpin, and C M Bundrick. 1998. The impact of artificial-reef fish assemblages on their potential forage area. Italian Journal of Zoology 65: 265-267. Bortone, S A. 2007. Coupling Fisheries with Ecology through Marine Artificial Reef Deployments. American Fisheries Society Symposium 49: 587 – 594. Chen-Te Tseng, Shih-Chin Chen, Chi-Shing Huang and Chun-Chen Liu. 2001. GIS-assisted site selection for artificial reefs. Fisheries Science 67: 1015-1022. Continental Shelf Associates, Inc. 1992. Compilation Of Existing Data On The Location And Areal Extent Of Reef Fish Habitat On The Mississippi/Alabama/Florida Continental Shelf - Eastern Gulf Of Mexico. Report prepared for the U.S. Dept. of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, St. Petersburg, FL. Cowan, J. H., Grimes, C. B., Patterson, W. F., et al. (2011) Red snapper management in the Gulf of Mexico: science-or faith-based? Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries. 21(2):187-204. Dodrill, Jon. 2000. Artificial reef program summary overview. Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission - Division of Marine Resources. Tallahassee, Florida, USA. Frazier, T K and W J Lindberg. 1994. Refuge spacing similarly affects reef-associated species from three phyla. Fifth International Conference on Aquatic Habitat Enhancement. pp 388-400. Bulletin of Marine Science 55: 2-3. The Joint Artificial Reef Technical Committee of the Atlantic and Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commissions. 1998. Coastal Artificial Reef Planning Guide. -1998. Guidelines For Marine Artificial Reef Materials. Kulaw, D. 2012. Habitat- and Region-Specific Reproductive Biology of Female Red Snapper (Lutjanus Campechanus) in the Gulf of Mexico, A Thesis. Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, The Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences. Lindberg, W J and James L. Loftin. 1998. Effects of artificial reef characteristics and fishing mortality on gag (Mycteroperca microfepis) productivity and reef fish community structure. Florida Department of Environmental Protection - Division of Marine Resources. Tallahassee, Florida, Okaloosa County 2014-15 FWC Supplemental Construction Grant Attachment 5 Availability of Other Relevant Data  4 of 4 USA. Lindberg, W J and James L. Loftin. 1999. Suwannee regional reef monitoring for the second summer of public fishing. Florida Department of Environmental Protection - Division of Marine Resources. Tallahassee, Florida, USA. Lindberg, WJ. 1996. Fundamental design parameters for artificial reefs: Interaction of patch reef spacing and size. Florida Department of Environmental Protection - Division of Marine Resources. Tallahassee, Florida, USA. Martin, T Rand S A Bortone. 1997. Development of an epifaunal assemblage on an estuarine artificial reef. Gulf of Mexico Science 15: 2: 55-70. Patterson, W. 1999. Aspects of the population ecology of red snapper Lutjanus campechanus in an artificial reef area off Alabama. Dissertation Abstracts International Part B: 60: 3: 888. Pickering, Helen and David Whitmarsh. 1997. Artificial reefs and fisheries exploitation: a review of the 'attraction versus production' debate, the influence of design and its significance for policy. Fisheries Research 31:1-2:39-59. (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6T6N- 3RH6X68D/1/90d4541124c3333d76a08916ddad39f3) Seaman, W, T K Frazier and W J Lindberg. 1994. Variation of reef dispersion and fishery assemblages. Fifth International Conference on Aquatic Habitat Enhancement. pp 1351-1352. Bulletin of Marine Science 55: 2-3. Szedlmayer, ST. 1997. Ultrasonic telemetry of red snapper, Lutjanus campechanus, at artificial reef sites in the northeast Gulf of Mexico. Copeia 4: 846-850. Thompson', M.J., W.W. Schroeder2, N.W. Phillips', and B.D. Graham'. 1999. Ecology of Live Bottom Habitats of the Northeastern Gulf of Mexico: A Community Profile. U.S. Dept. of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, Biological Resources Division, USGS/BRD/CR--l999-000l and Minerals Management Service, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, New Orleans, LA, OCS Study MMS 99-0004. Watterson, JC, WF Patterson Iii, R L Shipp and J H Cowan Jr. Movement of red snapper, Lutjanus campechanus, in the North central Gulf of Mexico: potential effects of hurricanes. 16: 1: 92-104. Workman, I., Shah, A., Foster, D., and Hataway, B. 2002. Habitat preferences and site fidelity of juvenile red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus). – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 59: S43–S50. Wright, Robert, Stephen Ray, David R. Green and Michael Wood. 1998. Development of a GIS of the Moray Firth (Scotland, UK) and its application in environmental management (site selection for an 'artificial reef'). The Science of the Total Environment 223:1: 65-76. Okaloosa County 2014-15 FWC Supplemental Construction Grant Attachment 5 Availability of Other Relevant Data  Attachment 6 Physical and Oceanographic Conditions DDddsa  1 of 6 Physical and Oceanographic Conditions The proposed reef site, CTR-3, lies in the Gulf of Mexico Approximately 2.1 nautical miles (nm) south of the Okaloosa County shoreline. The site has characteristic sandy bottom with approximate depths ranging between 68 and 71 ft at the proposed reef site. The following discussion describes the following physical and oceanographic conditions:  geological and physical characteristics,  range of wind and wave characteristics,  current velocities,  temperature,  salinity,  visibility,  tidal range,  dissolved oxygen and nutrient composition, and  geographic description. Geology and Physical Characteristics The continental shelf is the relatively flat, shallow expanse that extends from the coast to a water depth of approximately 120 m. The shelf generally corresponds with the part of the Gulf that was exposed during the last glacial maximum approximately 20,000 years ago (Donoghue, 2011). In the northern Gulf of Mexico, the shelf extends from 100 km to 200 km offshore. Its surface is topographically smooth, and such features as relict stream channels are evident. A strong division in the continental shelf areas of the Gulf of Mexico exists between sandy environments in the east (Mississippi, Alabama, Florida) and muddy environments in the west (Louisiana, Texas). This division reflects the input and overall westward movement on the shelf of muds from the Mississippi River delta. However, even in the muddy regions, sand shoals (including barrier islands) form where wave/current interactions sort and build up mobile sands. Shell accumulations of gravel texture are often associated with the shoals. In turbid and brackish inshore waters, oyster beds and reef buildups are widespread. On the eastern, very sandy Gulf shelf, sorted sands and gravels with important biogenic fractions dominate over wide areas and show irregular geographic patchiness. The variability is partly due to sand waves (seabed dunes). In the waters off Okaloosa County out 60 miles, the dominant bottom feature is sand with very few instances of gravel, rock outcroppings, or mud. At the edge of the continental shelf, the bathymetry steepens to form the continental slope, which extends down to roughly 2,000 m. In the northwestern Gulf of Mexico, salt structures deform the seabed of the Central Slope and are the site of significant oil exploration and extraction. In many areas, the foot of the continental slope is marked by steep escarpments, such as West Florida and Sigsbee. Thick, gently sloping sediment piles, referred to as continental rises, lie at their base. These rises deepen slowly toward the flat Sigsbee Abyssal Plain at about 3,500 m. Okaloosa County 2014-15 FWC Supplemental Construction Grant Attachment 6 Physical and Oceanographic Conditions  2 of 6 Wind and Wave Characteristics Wind and wave characteristics within the project area were determined from data produced by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Wave Information Studies (WIS) project. WIS produced wave hindcast models from recorded wind measurements at virtual stations during the 33 years between 1980 and 2012. WIS Station 73175 represents the project area conditions due to its proximity, which is less than 8 nm seaward of the project sites. Figure 1 shows the wind rose for the duration of the 33-year dataset; notably, winds under 10 m/s are predominantly easterly and winds greater than 10 m/s are predominantly from the north. Figures 2 and 3 show the wave rose and storm event return period plot for WIS Station 73175. Review of the data shows that waves generally originate from south-southeast, monthly average wave heights generally range from 2 to 4 ft (peak period 3 – 6 s), and can approach 25 - 30 ft (peak period approximately 14.5 s) during the 20-year return period storm event. USACE and FWC require a reef life of at least 20 years, and stable materials and structural configuration in the 20-year return interval storm event at depth of placement. Figure 1 Wind Rose Figure 2 Wave Rose Okaloosa County 2014-15 FWC Supplemental Construction Grant Attachment 6 Physical and Oceanographic Conditions  3 of 6 Figure 3 Return Interval Storm Events Because the northern Gulf of Mexico is susceptible to tropical storms and hurricanes, artificial reef structures must be very stable and durable. When available, OCARP prefers larger, more heavily-built units that can be configured as complex reef habitats. OCARP's intent is to build long-term, highly productive reef systems that will remain in place and provide a proven record for stability. The materials proposed in this grant application are massive enough in size that their intrinsic weight will anchor them in place and they will not become displaced due to wave activity. Their large surface area and planned placement will also prolong subsidence. Current Velocities Dominant currents are longshore with velocities that generally range between 0.1 and 0.6 m/s (Wiseman, 1997; Johnson, 2008). In bodies of water such as the Gulf of Mexico, wind- and wave-driven current velocities are strongest at the water surface. During storm events, the surface current may reach significantly elevated magnitudes. The distribution of the elevated surface current throughout the water column is a factor in the determination of reef stability. At the depth of the reef structure, current velocities are much lower than at the surface. Temperature NOAA data indicates that seasonal mean temperatures at the 10-m depth generally range from 64° F in the winter months to 84°F in the summer months. Generally, temperatures range from the mid-50s °F to the mid-80s °F. Temperatures are suitable for all targeted species during respective harvest seasons and the temperatures provide ideal conditions for seasonal recreational scuba divers. Okaloosa County 2014-15 FWC Supplemental Construction Grant Attachment 6 Physical and Oceanographic Conditions  4 of 6 Salinity Near the project area, NOAA seasonal averages indicate that salinity at the 10-m depth ranges between 31 and 35 PSU (Practical Salinity Unit) in spring and winter respectively. Though salinity fluctuates seasonally (due to rainfall, evaporation, river discharge, etc.), monitoring has documented that the range of salinity in the waters offshore of Okaloosa County have been optimal for thriving fish populations and reef habitat. Visibility Visibility in this area is generally 30 feet or better. Visibility implies the amount of suspended solids or algae within the water column, which affects the distance that light can penetrate the water surface. Historically, the range of water clarity (visibility) offshore or Okaloosa County is optimal for habitat development, recreational scuba diving, spearfishing, as well as monitoring. Tide Range The mean tide range reported at NOAA Station 8729678 is 1.3 ft. NOAA Station 8729678 lies just offshore of Navarre Beach, FL approximately 16 nm west of FH13. The tide range is minimal with respect to the water depths at the proposed artificial reef sites. Given the existing flora and fauna that inhabit Okaloosa County reefs, the tidal range is evidently sufficient for species development, without posing any significant hazard (e.g., strong currents) for recreational divers. Dissolved Oxygen and Nutrients Dissolved oxygen plays a critical role in most oceanic biogeochemical processes and is essential for most living resources. In the past few decades, dissolved O2 concentration measured by chemical methods is often analyzed following various modifications of the Winkler titration followed by end-detections by visual, amperometric, or photometric methods (e.g., Carpenter, 1965; Culberson and Huang, 1987; Knapp et al., 1990; Culberson et al., 1991; Dickson, 1994). Scientifically quality-controlled historical in-situ dissolved oxygen data in the World Ocean Database 2009 obtained by chemical methods were used to construct annual, seasonal, and monthly climatological distribution fields of dissolved oxygen, apparent oxygen utilization (AOU), and dissolved oxygen saturation at selected standard depth levels of the world ocean on a one-degree latitude-longitude grid (Boyer et al., 2009; Garcia et al., 2010). In waters off Okaloosa County, dissolved oxygen averages seasonally between 5 to 5.5 mg/L, which has historically provided thriving fisheries for Okaloosa County. Dissolved inorganic nutrients are an essential limiting nutrient in seawater that sustains marine biological production. Inorganic nitrogen can occur in several dissolved forms in seawater. Depending on ambient O2 concentration levels, nitrate and nitrite are the most naturally abundant forms. Analytically, nitrate and nitrite are often measured together and their concentration is reported as "N+N" to refer to nitrate plus nitrite. The spatial and vertical distribution of N+N data is dominated by biochemical and physical circulation processes. The northern Gulf of Mexico includes intense "dead zones" or hypoxic waters that usually develop in the summer near the mouth of the Mississippi River. Hypoxic waters develop because of eutrophication caused by seasonal nutrient enrichment from the Mississippi-Atchafalaya River Basin, followed by decomposition of organic matter and associated oxygen consumption. In waters off Okaloosa Okaloosa County 2014-15 FWC Supplemental Construction Grant Attachment 6 Physical and Oceanographic Conditions  5 of 6 County out 60 miles, nitrates range from 17 to 23 μmol/L, which have historically contributed to sustained biological health in Okaloosa County waters. Similar to nitrates, dissolved inorganic nutrients in seawater, such as phosphate, are essential for sustaining marine biological production. Their concentrations are often measured by means of photometric analysis of discrete and underwater samples (e.g., Gordon et al., 1993). The spatial and vertical distribution of phosphate is dominated by biochemical and physical circulation processes. In waters offshore of Okaloosa County out 60 miles, phosphates range from 0.4 to 0.6 μmol/L. The spatial and temporal coverage of N+N and phosphate data in the Gulf of Mexico is not uniform, and most of the historical data were collected over the continental shelf near shallow intertidal areas (<200 m depth). From these measurements, climatological mean fields of N+N on a one degree-grid were calculated from quality-controlled data in the World Ocean Database 2009 (Garcia et al., 2009). N+N at 10-m depths for winter, spring, summer, and fall show relatively large horizontal gradients due to the effects of surface biological uptake, physical forcing (e.g., vertical stratification, upwelling of nutrient-rich water, and circulation), river nutrient inputs, and decomposition of labile organic matter. Geographic Description  The total area of the Gulf is about 600,000 square miles.  The greatest distance across the Gulf is approximately 1,000 miles traversing east to west.  The shortest distance across the Gulf is about 500 miles between the Mississippi Delta and the tip of the Yucatan Peninsula.  The United States and Mexico form the Gulf’s mainland shore, which extends more than 4,000 miles from the Florida Keys to Cabo Catoche, at the northwestern tip of the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico.  Like the Mediterranean Sea, the Gulf is a semi-enclosed, partially land-locked, intercontinental, marginal sea.  At a depth of more than 12,000 feet, Sigsbee Deep is the deepest part of the gulf. It is more than 300 miles long and its closest point to the Texas coast is 200 miles southeast of Brownsville.  The Gulf’s geologic origin remains uncertain. Proposed theories speculate that it is: a foundered and ocean-flooded continental crust; an ocean basin that has been subjected to rifting; or an ancient sea that has existed since the various continents formed a single land mass.  The Gulf of Mexico links the ports of five southern U.S states (Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas) and six Mexican states (Tamaulipas, Vera Cruz, Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatán, and Quintana Roo) with the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea.  The Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary contains the northernmost tropical coral reefs in the U.S.  60% of the continental United States drains into the Gulf of Mexico, including outlets from 33 major river systems and 207 estuaries. Additional freshwater inputs originate in Mexico, the Yucatan Peninsula, and Cuba.  The Gulf’s coastal wetlands encompass over five million acres (about half of the U.S. total), serving as an essential habitat for 75 percent of migratory waterfowl traversing the United States, numerous fish and other wildlife species. Okaloosa County 2014-15 FWC Supplemental Construction Grant Attachment 6 Physical and Oceanographic Conditions  6 of 6 Citations Baranova O, Biddle M, Boyer T, Garcia H, Hamilton M, Paver C, Seidov D. Seawater Salinity - Climatological Mean In Gulf of Mexico Data Atlas [Internet]. Stennis Space Center (MS): National Coastal Data Development Center; 2011. [9 screens]. Available from: http://gulfatlas.noaa.gov/. Crouch J, Shein K. Prevailing Winds - Seasonal Averages In Gulf of Mexico Data Atlas [Internet]. Stennis Space Center (MS): National Coastal Data Development Center; 2011. [4 screens]. Available from: http://gulfatlas.noaa.gov/. Eakins B, Henderson J, Varner J. Coastal Relief - Northern Gulf In Gulf of Mexico Data Atlas [Internet]. Stennis Space Center (MS): National Coastal Data Development Center; 2012. [11 screens]. Available from: http://gulfatlas.noaa.gov/. Garcia H. Dissolved Oxygen - Climatological Mean In Gulf of Mexico Data Atlas [Internet]. Stennis Space Center (MS): National Coastal Data Development Center; 2011. [9 screens]. Available from: http://gulfatlas.noaa.gov/. Jenkins C. Dominant Bottom Types and Habitats In Gulf of Mexico Data Atlas [Internet]. Stennis Space Center (MS): National Coastal Data Development Center; 2011. [5 screens]. Available from: http://gulfatlas.noaa.gov/. Jenkins C. Seabed Sediment Folk Codes In Gulf of Mexico Data Atlas [Internet]. Stennis Space Center (MS): National Coastal Data Development Center; 2011. [5 screens]. Available from: http://gulfatlas.noaa.gov/. Johnson, D. R. 2008. Ocean Surface Current Climatology in the Northern Gulf of Mexico. Center for Fisheries Research and Development Gulf Coast Research Laboratory University of Southern Mississippi. http://www.usm.edu/gcrl/user_files/Donald.Johnson.NGOM.currents.pdf (Accessed 2/12/2014) National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Tides and Currents Mapper. http://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/gmap3/ (Accessed 2/20/2014) Wave Information Studies (WIS). US Army Corps of Engineers. Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory Engineer Research and Development Center. http://wis.usace.army.mil/ (Accessed 2/20/2014) Wiseman, W. Jr., Dinnel, S., Rouse, L. Jr. 1997. Coastal Currents in the Northern Gulf of Mexico, Dixie County, FL to the U.S.-Mexico Border. Louisiana State University, Coastal Studies Institute. http://www.data.boem.gov/PI/PDFImages/ESPIS/3/3257.pdf (Accessed 2/12/2014) Okaloosa County 2014-15 FWC Supplemental Construction Grant Attachment 6 Physical and Oceanographic Conditions  Attachment 7 Material Placement Forms DDddsa  1 of 1 Material Placement Forms There have been no previously unsubmitted, non-FWCC funded public reef projects completed during the last calendar year. Okaloosa County 2014-15 FWC Supplemental Construction Grant Attachment 7 Material Placement Forms  Attachment 8 Artificial Reef Proximity DDddsa  1 of 1 Artificial Reef Proximity No known existing artificial reef deployments have occurred within 0.25 nm of the proposed reef site (CTR-3). However, Okaloosa County is currently in contract negotiations with FWC, which should result in the construction of a larger rubble-mound reef in the centroid of Fish Haven 13, which will be referred to as CTR-1. Okaloosa County 2014-15 FWC Supplemental Construction Grant Attachment 8 Artificial Reef Proximity  Attachment 9 Measurable Objectives DDddsa  1 of 3 Measurable Objectives The Okaloosa County Artificial Reef Program (OCARP) seeks to construct artificial reef habitat compliant with applicable regulations in a manner that will provide a productive long-term marine resource to the citizens of Okaloosa County, area visitors, and the northeast Gulf of Mexico ecosystem. OCARP embraces the following seven guiding principles and goals of the Florida Artificial Reef Strategic Plan (http://myfwc.com/media/131588/FLARStrategicPlan2.pdf). Guiding Principles • To optimize the biological and economic benefits of artificial reefs in Florida to ensure that the marine environment, human health and marine organisms are protected, restored, enhanced or sustained; • To provide policy guidance based upon the best available scientific and experiential information, and best management practices for artificial reef development; • To support data collection, the use of innovative technology, and evaluation to adjust management approaches for accomplishing the objectives of the artificial reef strategic plan; • To support the pursuit of adequate funding to accomplish the objectives of Florida’s artificial reef program; • To provide future direction for the development of FWC artificial reef rules and other related rules and policies; • To provide a framework for public education and outreach about artificial reefs in Okaloosa County; • To provide guidance for operational planning and technical assistance at local levels consistent with the State strategic artificial reef plan. Goals Goal A: Assure that long-term social, economic, and quality of life values of artificial reefs benefit the local and regional economies of Florida. Goal B: Utilize artificial reefs in scientific research to obtain a mechanistic and predictive understanding of how artificial reefs function ecologically and physically across spatial and temporal scales. Goal C: Use Artificial Reefs as a component of fisheries management. Goal D: Identify, procure, and maximize new and existing sources of funding for artificial reefs. Goal E: Improve intergovernmental coordination and public/private cooperation in artificial reef development. Goal F: Foster public and private sector marine ecosystem stewardship and accurate understanding of artificial reef issues. Okaloosa County 2014-15 FWC Supplemental Construction Grant Attachment 9 Measurable Objectives  2 of 3 All County-supported and/or sponsored reef construction projects will focus on supporting the following FWC Division of Marine Fisheries Management objectives for the state artificial reef program. 1. Enhance private, recreational, and charter fishing and diving opportunities; 2. Provide a socio-economic benefit to local coastal communities; 3. Increase reef fish habitat; 4. Reduce user conflicts; 5. Facilitate reef-related research; and 6. Do no harm to fishery resources, Essential Fish Habitat (EFH), or human health. In addition to the above objectives, this project will provide the following specific measurable objectives: 1. Construct the reef as designed and permitted, focusing on placement location, footprint, vertical relief, and approximated volume. 2. Quantify the community structure of the artificial reefs and compare that structure to technical literature descriptions of northeast Gulf of Mexico natural hardbottom communities. 3. Quantify the presence of gamefish species compared to those described for northeast Gulf of Mexico natural hardbottom communities. 4. Validate a replicable cost of deploying the abundant United States Air Force (USAF) target materials and maintaining a monitoring program. The primary measurable objective of this project is to construct a rubble-mound reef structure as designed. The design of the reef includes, but is not limited to, the location of the centroid of the deployment as placed, the footprint including the approximate dimensions and shape, the achieved vertical relief, and the calculated volume of reef structure. The reef design appropriates an approximate 50 ft buffer between the limits of the deployment area and the boundary of the permitted Fish Haven reef area, providing reasonable assurance that no material will breach the permitted boundary. Following construction, Okaloosa County will survey the reef deployment area and evaluate the location, dimensions and shape of the reef (including vertical relief) to determine the success of the placement methods in constructing the designed reef. The County seeks to create reefs that simulate the ecological diversity found in natural hardbottom communities. The materials used are expected to create sufficient void space complexity to attract a wide range of benthic community representatives and fish. The primary specific measurable objective adheres to OCARP’s broad mission of habitat creation, which reflects FWC Goal A. Specifically, OCARP’s objective is to create conditions that will provide for the development of an artificial reef with representatives of most expected benthic communities: algae, sessile epibenthos (including sponges, soft corals, tunicates, hydroids, bryozoans, attached bivalves, and echinoderms), and 60% of fish species identified on natural hardbottom found on the sandy continental shelf of the northeastern Gulf of Mexico. The added reef dwelling species and the relief of the structure will attract pelagic species who prefer the more vibrant food source. OCARP, with the support of the FWC, will develop specific target community descriptions and a list of reef species. OCARP currently has long-standing relationships with the Emerald Coast Reef Association, local scuba diving and fishing businesses, and reef enthusiasts in the Okaloosa County 2014-15 FWC Supplemental Construction Grant Attachment 9 Measurable Objectives  3 of 3 County and will continue to rely on these volunteer specialists and/or experts for data collection necessary for reef performance assessments. The second specific measurable objective adheres to OCARP’s broad mission of socio-economic benefit, which reflects FWC Goal C. Assuming the successful attraction of target species to the artificial reef sites, the repurposed materials will provide long-term value to the residents and regional economy. By incorporating reef design criteria that attract gamefish species, OCARP intends to enhance and protect existing ecological resources by reducing user pressure at current artificial and natural reef locations. Reef creation could also possibly increase the stock of target species by fostering habitat for juvenile gamefish. Local divers who will perform site surveys are already familiar with many of these game species, although some additional training in fish identification may be necessary to fully support OCARP. OCARP will solicit knowledgeable local experts and FWC experts to support the County’s efforts for artificial reef community and gamefish monitoring efforts. The OCARP plan should also help achieve FWC Goal E and objective E5 by timely surveying and reporting of the constructed reefs. The last of the County’s specific objectives seeks to validate typical costs for reef construction that will help develop regular funding sources from within and outside the County. Validation of the construction costs will be accomplished by verifying the cost established during the ongoing project utilizing 2013-14 Supplemental and 2014-15 FWC funds to construct two larger scale rubble-mound reefs. This will help accomplish FWC Goal D objectives D4 (Tactic 1), D6, and Goal E. Identifying and procuring reef construction materials from a federal donation source accomplishes Goal D objective D4 (Tactic 1). By determining the final cost of placing the donated USAF target material, a future economy of scale project could enable multiple counties to participate in large regional deployment and construction efforts, thus accomplishing Goal D and Objective D6. The replicable cost will be determined by awarding a contract bid for material placement. Okaloosa and surrounding counties can potentially construct numerous large-scale artificial reef nourishments with the abundance of available material. With the continued support of FWC, OCARP intends to create a larger, economy of scale project with the abundant USAF material. As Okaloosa County moves ahead with the Okaloosa County Artificial Reef Management Plan, the County will update the plan to incorporate the improvement of intergovernmental coordination between neighboring counties (Santa Rosa and Walton), municipalities and interested non-profit organizations. Okaloosa County 2014-15 FWC Supplemental Construction Grant Attachment 9 Measurable Objectives  Attachment 10 Measurement of Objective Success DDddsa  1 of 4 Measurement of Objective Success As noted in the previous attachment, this project primarily seeks to construct artificial reef habitat compliant with applicable regulations in a manner that will provide a productive long-term marine resource to the citizens of Okaloosa County, area visitors and the northwest Florida ecosystem. The following paragraphs summarize how the Okaloosa County Artificial Reef Program (OCARP) will successfully implement its plans. Material Quality The materials selected for this reef construction project will pass inspection by trained Okaloosa County Artificial Reef Program (OCARP) staff and/or our consultants. Specifically speaking, the material will meet applicable stipulations from Florida Statute 62-341.600 - General Permit for the Construction of Artificial Reefs: a) The material to be used shall be clean concrete or rock, clean steel boat hulls, other clean, heavy gauge steel products with a thickness of 1/4 inch or greater, and prefabricated structures that are a mixture of clean concrete and heavy gauge steel; b) The material shall be free of soils, oils and greases, debris, litter, putrescible substances or other pollutants; Okaloosa’s experience indicates that the concrete material proposed for use is sufficiently stable and durable for use in its reef program. Anecdotal evidence and informal monitoring data suggest that the proposed reef construction will provide long-term ecological and socioeconomic benefit. Based on the long-term success of other historical reefs in the Gulf offshore of Okaloosa County that used similar material (e.g. Destin Bridge Rubble), OCARP has confidence that placement of these materials at the designated locations will provide a prolific marine environment. Monitoring data from the following reef sites demonstrates that the concrete rubble and culvert reefs continue to yield viable and vibrant ecosystems. Name Deployed Depth Description County Site No. 3 12/31/1977 65 Concrete Rubble County Site No. 2 12/31/1977 73 Concrete Rubble From Old Destin Bridge County Site No. 1 - Total Of 3 Reefs 12/31/1976 75 Pier Concrete Rubble Called Pole Spot Lindberg Circle Reefs - Total Of 5 Reefs 05/20/1998 107 Concrete Culverts Destin Deepwater Concrete No.2 04/20/2001 108 116 Pieces, Concrete Culverts Valparaiso Reefs - Total Of 8 Reefs 08/05/1996 109 Concrete Culverts, 9000 Sq. Feet Sand Dollar Reef - Total Of 2 Area Reefs 06/17/2003 120 110 Concrete Culverts Valparaiso 6 - A, B, C Reefs 06/12/2000 130 Concrete Culverts, All 4'd X 7'l Dep Flap - Total Of 6 Reefs 05/21/1996 140 Concrete Culverts Okaloosa County 2014-15 FWC Supplemental Construction Grant Attachment 10 Measurement of Objective Success  2 of 4 Measuring the Success of the Specific Objective Achievement The additional specific objectives of this project (see Attachment 9) are to 1) Construct the reef as designed and permitted, focusing on placement location, footprint, vertical relief, and approximated volume 2) Quantify the species diversity in the constructed reefs compared to natural rock outcroppings, 3) Confirm the recruitment of targeted species, and 4) Validate the replicable cost of using USAF material as a sustainable source for artificial reef construction and/or nourishment. Objective 1: Construct the reef as designed and permitted, focusing on placement location, footprint, vertical relief, and approximated volume The level of success in the achievement of this objective will be based on the post-construction survey of the reef, as conducted via fathometer and visual inspection (SCUBA). The location of the reef centroid will be recorded using a differentially corrected GPS and compared with the intended deployment location to verify the accuracy of the deployment method. The final design of the reef, which will depend on the awarded bidders unit placement cost ($/ton), will be evaluated as constructed and compared using multiple criteria. The foot print area, shape, vertical relief, number of vertical peaks, and approximate total volume of the placed reef, will provide insight on the success of construction. Comparison between the design and the listed criteria will aid future deployment efforts including the ability to estimate the placed reef volume (and calculated void spaces), the lateral distance (reef shape) displaced from a single point or rectangular placement position, and the constructed footprint area. The County will achieve another indication of success by demonstrating the ability to maintain lateral offsets and construct the reef within the permitted fish haven boundary. The County will also qualitatively evaluate the success of the reef construction and design. The assessment will include, but not be limited to, indications that the reef provides ample ecological habitat (void and interstitial spaces), that construction achieved the desired aesthetic, and that the massive concrete pieces achieve the desired stability. Objective 2: Quantify the species diversity in the constructed reefs compared to natural rock outcroppings The level of success in the achievement of this objective will be based on annual observation reports. Five years after the end of construction of a reef, Okaloosa County expects to have accumulated a list of species identified at the reef site for comparison to a list of community components and fish species around natural hardbottom habitats at similar depths in the northeast Gulf. The compiled monitoring reports will detail the biological conditions at the constructed reef, indicating the presence of expected benthic communities: algae, sessile epibenthos (including sponges, soft corals, tunicates, hydroids, bryozoans, attached bivalves, and echinoderms), and 60% of fish species identified on natural hardbottom found on the sandy continental shelf of the northeastern Gulf of Mexico (as reported in recent literature). Okaloosa County, with the support of the FWC, will develop a list of gamefish species. The percentage of fishes documented over five years will determine the level of project success. As outlined in the monitoring plan (Attachment 15), divers will conduct annual species identification and Okaloosa County 2014-15 FWC Supplemental Construction Grant Attachment 10 Measurement of Objective Success  3 of 4 documentation for 5 years post-construction. Okaloosa County relies heavily on the effort of volunteers and organizations of experienced divers such as the Emerald Coast Reef Association, South Walton Artificial Reef Association (SWARA), and other local diving businesses and enthusiasts. Objective 3: Confirm the presence of game fish species Gamefish species identification during monitoring efforts and reported fish catches at each site will determine this objective’s level of success. Gamefish species will likely primarily include members of the snapper-grouper complex, trigger fish, and flounder. The County will request creel census information on the number and size of catches from charter boat captains and scuba diving shops/clubs. The County also plans to increase education and outreach to these user groups to encourage self-report to the County’s artificial reef website as well as other available websites (e.g., www.reef.org).The County will compare available catch reports from natural reefs, rubble-mound artificial reefs, and pre-fabricated artificial reefs to determine the relative ability of the reef to recruit targeted species. Objective 4: Validate the replicable cost of using USAF material as a sustainable reef materials source OCARP is currently establishing the unit cost ($/ton) of placing USAF target materials (through the FWC 2013-14 Supplemental and 2014-15 Grant project) and will then estimate long-term costs based on appropriate economic models for inflation. The County will validate the previously established construction cost during the currently proposed project. OCARP will also calculate and base economic benefits on available literature on Gulf of Mexico artificial and natural reef economic values and the ecological benefit determined by the result of Objectives 1 and 2. The County will also use this information to estimate budget requirements to support future artificial reef construction. The County, or its consultant, will  Competitively bid the project, estimating the total material weight and volume to be placed  Use the set of bids as the final range of cost for transportation, handling, and placement of materials for each constructed reef site  Calculate total tonnage contributed to each reef site  Use post-construction surveys at each reef site to determine o Approximate dimensions and stationary volume of reef o Area of coverage per ton  Determine the cost per ton and the cost per volume of the constructed reef site OCARP will base the level of economic success upon a cost-benefit analysis that includes both the replicable costs and the results of the biological monitoring. Cost comparison between the constructed reefs and various pre-fabricated artificial reefs and vessel deployments will determine the economic feasibility. Costs considered in comparisons will include the costs of deployment per ton, volume constructed, and bottom coverage (footprint). The future goal, pending the economic feasibility results, is an economy of scale artificial reef construction project that could involve Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, and Walton Counties in a cooperative effort. Validation of the established costs will likely bolster the evaluation of economic feasibility and the Okaloosa County 2014-15 FWC Supplemental Construction Grant Attachment 10 Measurement of Objective Success  4 of 4 potential to sustain the large-scale effort. Okaloosa County 2014-15 FWC Supplemental Construction Grant Attachment 10 Measurement of Objective Success  Attachment 11 Reef Design and Construction DDddsa  1 of 4 Reef Design and Construction Design Characteristics The proposed artificial reef project design (deployment CTR-3) will consist of constructing a circular- or rectangular-based rubble-mound structure at the southern center (patch reef #XXX) of permitted Fish Haven 13. The proposed deployment, CTR-3, will lie approximately 450 ft south of deployment CTR-1, which will undergo construction in early 2015 utilizing County and previously awarded FWC grant funds. The size of the reef, in plan view and vertical relief, will be based on the winning bidder’s proposal and compliance with permit restrictions. Based on recent cost estimates, OCARP anticipates that the grant monies will allow for placement of approximately 400 to 500 tons of the Eglin AFB clean concrete in the CTR-3 deployment. Based on preliminary calculations, including conservative estimates of void spaces and side slopes (1V:2H) of the constructed reef, the constructed footprint area will be approximately 2,500 – 3,000 ft2 with vertical relief of 10 ft. Future deployment plans include construction of nine patch reefs within each permitted (Fish Haven) reef area, see Attachment 2 – Site Specific Map. The currently proposed reef deployment location will preserve an approximate 50-ft buffer between the construction limits and the permitted boundary. When the future patch reefs are constructed within the fish havens, the interstitial spacing between reef patches will likely range between 350 and 500 ft. The outer perimeter of the rubble-mound base will primarily consist of massive concrete material that will contain large concrete rubble pieces built into a conical or rectangular mound to an approximate height of 10 – 15 ft, not to exceed the maximum height allowed by the permit. This simple design configuration will provide habitat for targeted marine life as well as opportunity for recreational fishing and diving. If material begins sloughing, construction of multiple conical pinnacles or deployment of materials will occur based on the size of the base perimeter achieved and confirmed by fathometer data or visual observations during construction. The Air Force Research Laboratory, along with other agencies located on Eglin Air Force Base, the City of Fort Walton Beach, and the Mid-Bay Bridge Authority, have previous donated artificial reef construction material to OCARP. The County anticipates that this effort (CTR-3) will only include USAF material; however, should surplus public works concrete materials (e.g. culverts, etc.) become available, these may also be included within the proposed reef materials. Trained OCARP staff or consultants and if required, FWC staff, will re-inspect all material prior to deployment. The Material Placement section of this attachment includes details of the construction methods. Habitat Characteristics The materials in the proposed concrete rubble reef offer reasonable to outstanding environmental complexity. The stacking and locking of the large concrete materials creates varying sizes of interstitial spaces, or void space, and provides a variety of species shelter from currents and predators. The variety of surface areas created by the random placement of varying shape concrete material will achieve a desirable simulation of reef habitat. Okaloosa County 2014-15 FWC Supplemental Construction Grant Attachment 11 Reef Design and Construction  2 of 4 The majority of the concrete provided by the USAF for use in Okaloosa County artificial reef construction has very high compressive strength (up to 5,000 psi) and a very high percentage limestone aggregate compared to typical concrete building specifications. Many of the concrete units have been penetrated with projectiles leaving the limestone aggregate exposed. The limestone aggregate is especially desirable to marine life because of its high mineral content. Research suggests concrete as particularly favorable to reef construction (Sunthong, 1988). Fitzhardinge and Bailey-Brock, (1989) reported that concrete rubble was durable in seawater and attracts a similar community to natural coral reefs. The influence of reef size (both artificial and natural) on species abundance is an ongoing debate. Several studies have identified that reef size significantly influences the biomass and the total number of species (Campos and Gamboa, 1989, Bohnsack et al. 1994, Bombace et al. 1994). The placement of concrete to achieve the permitted height intends to provide vertical habitat and attract roving predatory fish (pelagics), thereby increasing value of the reef to anglers. Because no identified natural reefs occur in areas permitted for artificial reef construction, marine organisms populating the artificial reef increase biomass production within the artificial reef area. OCARP believes that the presence of organisms requiring hardbottom does not necessarily increase fish production but provides an indicator that an increase in production will likely occur. However, OCARP has confidence that the placement of these materials at the designated locations will produce a vibrant marine ecosystem including gamefish species. This confidence is based on the long-term success of other historical reefs in Okaloosa County created with similar material to those proposed for new reefs. The reefs listed below have been monitored frequently over the years and continue to be viable and vibrant. Name Deployed Depth Description County Site No. 3 12/31/1977 65 Concrete Rubble County Site No. 2 12/31/1977 73 Concrete Rubble From Old Destin Bridge County Site No. 1 - Total Of 3 Reefs 12/31/1976 75 Pier Concrete Rubble Called Pole Spot Lindberg Circle Reefs - Total Of 5 Reefs 05/20/1998 107 Concrete Culverts Destin Deepwater Concrete No.2 04/20/2001 108 116 Pieces, Concrete Culverts Valparaiso Reefs - Total Of 8 Reefs 08/05/1996 109 Concrete Culverts, 9000 Sq. Feet Sand Dollar Reef - Total Of 2 Area Reefs 06/17/2003 120 110 Concrete Culverts Valparaiso 6 - A, B, C Reefs 06/12/2000 130 Concrete Culverts, All 4'd X 7'l Dep Flap - Total Of 6 Reefs 05/21/1996 140 Concrete Culverts Future Design Plans The construction of the CTR-3 deployment will lie in the southern center patch reef location (patch reef #XXX) of the ¼ mile square Fish Haven deployment areas, see Attachment 2 – Site Specific Map. In upcoming years, OCARP plans to add more reef sites within the quarter-mile square deployment area as demonstrated in the permit. The County is pursuing Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) Round III Early Restoration related funds for these deployments. If OCARP receives funding from NRDA, construction of other reefs within this Fish Haven as well as additional quarter-mile Fish Havens will Okaloosa County 2014-15 FWC Supplemental Construction Grant Attachment 11 Reef Design and Construction  3 of 4 begin in early 2015. Currently, the planned design materials for the additional reefs sites will consist of rubble-mound structures and pre-fabricated reef modules. Material Placement Material placement will occur in the following fashion -- slight deviation is expected based on the capabilities of the successful contractor candidate responding to the project RFP: A support vessel will place a buoy or buoys at the reef location corners and center point before the tug and barge arrive on scene. Buoys placement will apply a differentially corrected global positioning system (DGPS) navigation reading and will be verified by OCARP. The support vessel and tug will remain in close communication on scene to achieve required placement accuracy. Barges will transport material from a shore-side staging area to the reef deployment site. OCARP acknowledges that the barge load capacity is highly variable and will be a required specification for contractor candidates in their project proposal. For this deployment scenario, it is assumed that a typical barge could carry and deploy about 200 – 400 tons of reef material per trip. The barge will contain the equipment necessary to place the material at the designated location (e.g., marine electronics, crane, front-end loader, etc.). OCARP will require contract candidates through the project proposal process to develop a Deployment Plan outlining the specific locations, procedures, and objectives of each deployment effort. The contractor will execute the deployment in accordance with the Deployment Plan. The County or its agent will document any variations to the plan. The barge will anchor at the material deployment location and coordinate with the support vessel(s) to verify the location. The barge will utilize 2 – 3 anchors to minimize vessel movement during material deployment. Large concrete targets from Elgin AFB will be placed along the perimeter of the deployment area. These pieces will help stabilize the material mound constructed within the perimeter of large pieces. Once the perimeter of the deployment area is defined, the remaining material will be placed in the center of the deployment area. Material will be built up in layers until the proposed relief is achieved. The final configuration of the mound(s) will not be perfect; it may include multiple pinnacles and a variety of slopes. The initial design is based on an estimated side slope of 2H:1V; however, based on discussions with engineers who frequently work with similar material in a variety of sizes, the final mound will possess more complex orientations and angles. During deployment, Okaloosa County personnel or agent shall observe the construction project to verify compliance with the permit. Construction observation will include verification of reef location and reef elevation using differentially-corrected GPS and echo sounder equipment. After completion of each deployment, a diver will measure the lateral extent and vertical relief of the structure(s). Based on the diver’s observations and measurements, subsequent deployments will place additional base or secondary layer material as needed. GPS location data and buoys will identify any additional deployment location or locations. Okaloosa County will verify through diver observations and echo sounder equipment that each constructed reef remains at or below the maximum allowable Okaloosa County 2014-15 FWC Supplemental Construction Grant Attachment 11 Reef Design and Construction  4 of 4 height. Within 30 days of project completion (after OCARP has reviewed and accepted the final contractor submittals and invoice), Okaloosa County shall transmit by email to the USACE and FWC a complete and signed Florida Artificial Reef Materials Placement Report and Post-Deployment Notification. A short report will accompany the completed notification. The report will include the following:  A construction narrative describing the construction period (start and end dates)  The latitude and longitude of the project center and outside edge (with respect to the permitted reef area)  Any differences between the permit application plans and the completed construction  An as-built drawing showing the approximate deployment configurations (with an area cover estimate) and the height of the material (off the bottom and scaled to MLLW). Okaloosa County will use an echo sounder accurate to within 1 meter to verify depth at the placement locations.  If water clarity conditions allow, Okaloosa County will also provide representative photography/videography to complete the report. As required by Florida and federal rules, Okaloosa County will submit a request to NOAA to designate the proposed reef areas as obstructions to mariners for inclusion on all navigation products and aides to mariners. The County will also send reef latitude and longitude points to artificialreefdeployments@myfwc.com for location notification to NOAA and FWC. Okaloosa County 2014-15 FWC Supplemental Construction Grant Attachment 11 Reef Design and Construction  Attachment 12 Durability and Stability DDddsa  1 of 3 Durability and Stability As noted in the previous section, the materials used in the construction of the CTR-3 reef will comprise large, high-strength concrete (> 5,000 psi) of various shapes and sizes. Scuba divers will observe the randomly placed material to ensure the stability of the material mound and make necessary adjustments to reduce the risk of collapse from precarious positioning. Stability The material will be sufficiently massive that anchoring is unnecessary. The sheer weight of the material and lack of void spaces that could potentially trap air and provide buoyancy significantly reduce the material’s capability to move. This characteristic causes each piece to be considered a reef anchor. As with any anchoring system, failure of its intended purpose is a low-risk possibility. Any anchor material that may separate from the mound, causing it to come into contact with the seafloor, will develop additional conditions that affect its ability to mobilize. External forces like currents and waves will cause seawater to eddy around the anchor material. This action will cause sand at the bottom of the material to scour. Over time, enough scouring may cause the material to either settle slightly into the sand or, if the material is round, to roll into a void created by the scouring. This settlement will result in a “suction” force that external forces must overcome for the materials to move laterally. Because of these large forces stabilizing the material and resisting external forces, redundant anchoring systems will not be necessary. Okaloosa County has installed many reefs with similar materials. Observations over time at sites such as the Destin Bridge Rubble have shown that no significant movement of those reef materials has occurred. The Destin Bridge Rubble site is located a similar distance offshore, ensuring the applicable comparison of conditions such as wave interaction, settling, and scour. In addition, as the material is built up during construction, void spaces will be reduced and the material will lock into position. The structure itself will become more rigid as additional material is added — increasing the resistance of movement from external forces such as waves and currents. Durability As previously mentioned, the concrete to be used for reef construction comprises high strength (> 5,000 psi) concrete, which is 2 – 3 times stronger than general purpose concrete. The strength of the concrete implies that the concrete has high density and can withstand compression pressures greater than 5,000 psi (lbs/in2). Based on research included in Guidelines for Marine Artificial Reef Material (GMARM) and the Coastal Artificial Reef Planning Guide, limestone aggregate concrete is a durable reef building material that closely mimics the coral-producing characteristics of natural limestone formations and is the preferred material with FWC and FDEP. Natural breakdown of concrete generally occurs due to cracking and long- term fatigue due to repeated loading. Over time, freezing water expands within the miniscule fractures in concrete (that generally form while curing) causing the cracks to slowly grow and the concrete to break apart. Cracking caused by fatigue is due to finite deflections repeated each time a member resists a large external force. Steel-reinforced concrete can also degrade due to the expanding steel reinforcement as it corrodes, creating internal forces that cause the concrete to form tensile fractures. Okaloosa County 2014-15 FWC Supplemental Construction Grant Attachment 12 Durability and Stability  2 of 3 In the saltwater environment, the thickness of concrete between the surface of concrete and the reinforcement combats the deterioration of the material. Due to the underwater location of the reef, the incurrence of freezing and fatigue loading is non-existent and the corrosion of the steel reinforcement is significantly slower than with exposure to the atmosphere. The GMARM states, in synthesis of other research, that all tests of concrete submerged in seawater over a 30 – 50-year period show gain of compressive strength due to the continual hydration of the cement on a molecular level. The lifetime of the material as a stable and productive reef environment should exceed 50 years post- placement. The Destin Bridge Rubble is presently thriving and was constructed approximately 35 years ago. These estimates and evidence far surpass the 20-year duration requirement described by Florida Statute 68e-9.004(4). Material Abundance Material abundance adds to the ability to create dynamic reefs that are only limited by the availability of funding. Based on correspondence with the U.S. Air Force Research Lab in March 2014, an ample amount of material for artificial reef construction is currently available and existing stockpiles are increasing. In contrast, the materials donated by the Mid-Bay Bridge Authority and the City of Fort Walton Beach are finite. Further, the increasing efficiency of concrete recycling operations has noticeably reduced the amount of re-purposed concrete available for artificial reef construction. An objective of our USAF partners is to demonstrate that the construction of artificial reefs with target materials is a viable alternative to repurposing the target material. The materials selected for this reef construction project shall pass visual inspection by OCARP personnel for compliance with regulatory requirements. While a volume reduction of this material is not an objective of OCARP, OCARP desires to nurture and improve the partnership with the USAF because this material and other USAF repurposing inventory is voluminous, high quality, and can be used in other ways such as historical reef nourishment and new reef construction. This project will demonstrate that OCARP is committed to sustaining the relationship with the USAF and that repurposing USAF material is a viable option for planning purposes. History of Stability and Durability in Okaloosa County Reefs OCARP has no doubt that the placement of these materials at the designated locations will produce a stable and durable marine ecosystem. This confidence is based on the long-term success of other historical reefs in Okaloosa County. The reefs listed below utilized similar concrete materials and have been monitored frequently over the years. The monitoring has demonstrated that the reefs continue to be rigid and vibrant. Name Deployed Depth Description County Site No. 3 12/31/1977 65 Concrete Rubble County Site No. 2 12/31/1977 73 Concrete Rubble From Old Destin Bridge County Site No. 1 - Total Of 3 Reefs 12/31/1976 75 Pier Concrete Rubble Called Pole Spot Lindberg Circle Reefs - Total Of 5 Reefs 05/20/1998 107 Concrete Culverts Destin Deepwater Concrete No.2 04/20/2001 108 116 Pieces, Concrete Culverts Valparaiso Reefs - Total Of 8 Reefs 08/05/1996 109 Concrete Culverts, 9000 Sq. Feet Okaloosa County 2014-15 FWC Supplemental Construction Grant Attachment 12 Durability and Stability  3 of 3 Name Deployed Depth Description Sand Dollar Reef - Total Of 2 Area Reefs 06/17/2003 120 110 Concrete Culverts Valparaiso 6 - A, B, C Reefs 06/12/2000 130 Concrete Culverts, All 4'd X 7'l Dep Flap - Total Of 6 Reefs 05/21/1996 140 Concrete Culverts Okaloosa County 2014-15 FWC Supplemental Construction Grant Attachment 12 Durability and Stability  Attachment 13 Project Timeline and Construction Schedule DDddsa  1 of 1 Project Timeline and Construction Schedule The following table presents the abbreviated project timeline and construction schedule. Item Week ACTIVITY 1 -- Completed grant application received by FWC 2 -- Tentative approval by FWC 3 -- Grant contract received by County for signature 4 -- Executed grant returned to County by FWC 5 -- Progress report due to FWC 6 1 Project advertised and RFP packages mailed and online 7 2–3 Board of County Commissioners award contract 8 4 Mandatory meeting with all vendors (if necessary) 9 5–9 RFP's due 10 10 RFP review committee meets for vendor selection 11 11 – 12 Meeting with vendor to discuss project 12 13 Progress report due to FWC 13 14 Permit issued — 5-day waiting period begins 14 16 – 17 Material Deployments 15 17 – 20 Deployment coordinates submitted to all agencies 16 21 Progress report due to FWC 17 22 – 24 Close out documentation submitted to FWC Items 1 – 5 are award and contractual milestones that are quasi-bound to events beyond the County’s control and are within the administrative control of the FWC. The exception will be the Progress Report, which is typically required at 90-day intervals throughout the project. Items 6 – 12 are project administration requirements that must occur prior to actual field work. These milestones are defined by the FWC-County contract and are the initial stages of the construction phase. Item 11 will be the first opportunity to have face-to-face construction planning with the successful bidder. This meeting will include detailed discussion of the Scope of Work, project parameters, and objectives discussed. The construction schedule is contingent on each work element. Items 13 – 17 include the actual construction activities. The construction activities will include the following major activities: 1. Load material at Main Base location (30° 28.431'N, 86° 30.039'W) onto transport vehicles 2. Transport materials from Main Base to Staging area (TBD by winning contractor) 3. Load material at various locations on reservation range (30° 39.607'N, 86° 24.486'W, Hwy 285, 12 miles north of College Blvd., Niceville) 4. Transport materials from Reservation Range to Staging area (TBD by winning contractor) 5. Load Material onto Deck Barge 6. Transport material to Reef Site CTR-3 7. Deploy Reef Materials Okaloosa County 2014-15 FWC Supplemental Construction Grant Attachment 13 Project Timeline and Construction Schedule  Attachment 14 Administrative and Field Management DDddsa  1 of 2 Administrative and Field Management Okaloosa County personnel from the Tourist Development Department (TDD), Public Works Department, Purchasing Department, Finance Department, and the University of Florida’s IFAS Extension Office will be working together to ensure that the proposed artificial reef building project meets all FWC grant requirements. Additional assistance, and technical expertise, will be provided through the County’s continuing services contract with Taylor Engineering Inc. Currently, Okaloosa County’s Artificial Reef Program is a part of the Okaloosa County Tourist Development Department. The program currently consists of a Coastal Management Coordinator (Jim Trifilio) and an Artificial Reef Program Manager (Anthony Austermann). The Reef Manager spends approximately 95% of their time administering and planning reef building projects and the Coastal Management Coordinator spends approximately 50% of their time providing administrative support to the Reef Manager. The Artificial Reef Manager will be administering the grant and coordinating reef material selection, acquisition, preparation and deployment, and will also serve as the designated County observer during deployment activities. If unavailable, the Coastal Resource Coordinator, a designated Public Works Reef Inspector, or the county’s consultant will perform this duty. In addition, the Reef Manager will prepare the close out documentation and forward those documents to the Grants Coordinator for processing. The Reef Manager will be available 100% of the time to support reef building and monitoring activities. The Artificial Reef Program Manager will also be the designated County Reef Inspector and Observer. They will be physically present on the deployment vessel to ensure that communications with all parties are relayed prior to and during the deployment, and they will photograph the reef building activities leading up to and during the deployment. In the event that the Reef Manager is unavailable, a Public Works Reef Inspector or Taylor Engineering will serve as the designated County Reef Inspector and Observer. For the duration of this grant project, the TDD’s Artificial Reef Manager and Taylor Engineering Inc. will be assigned to oversee the reef building work that will be contracted to others. The Reef Manager and Taylor Engineering will have the authority to intercede on behalf of the County if violations of contract agreements or safety are observed or perceived. The Coastal Management Coordinator, through consultations with the County’s administration, will ultimately be responsible for the decisions that have appreciable impact on the project controls such as planning, budget, and schedule. Other Okaloosa County staff members that will be supporting the reef building include the following: Public Works Two FWC Trained Reef Inspectors and Observers (Eric Evers and Terry Kelley) will be available from the Public Works Department to support reef building activities through reef material inspections and serve as designated County observers during artificial reef deployments if the Program Manager is unavailable. The County’s trained Reef Inspector/Observer shall be physically present on the Okaloosa County 2014-15 FWC Supplemental Construction Grant Attachment 14 Administrative and Field Management  2 of 2 deployment vessel to insure communications with all parties are relayed prior to and during deployment. The inspector shall photograph activities leading up to and during deployment. Finance Department The Finance Director will oversee the bidding process and bid opening for the project; if unavailable then the Assistant Finance Director will perform these roles. The Grants Coordinator will monitor the grant requirements during project and will verify all grant close-out documentation prior to submitting it to the FWC for reimbursement. If the Grants Coordinator is not available, then the Assistant Finance Director will perform this project requirement. Purchasing Department The Purchasing Director will prepare the draft contract, specific contract specifications related o the grant, and also oversee the opening bids and contractor selection. If unavailable, the Assistant Purchasing Agent will fulfill these requirements. The Office Associate will generate and mail the bid packages to all known vendors capable of fulfilling bid requirements. County Extension Office An Okaloosa County Sea Grant Agent, in coordination with the Artificial Reef Program Manager, will plan and schedule subsequent monitoring and assessments of the artificial reef site and provide additional technical support to the project if required. The agent will dive the reef site to evaluate the success of reef construction and assist with future selection of reef building materials and reef deployment locations. The Marine Advisory Board (once finalized) will assist with the planning, monitoring, and assessment of the reef site in the event that an IFAS Sea Grant Agent is unavailable. Private Consultant In addition to in-house staff, Okaloosa County is in the process of contracting a private consultant (Taylor Engineering, Inc.) to assist OCARP. The consultant’s specific tasks will likely include include preparing construction drawings and specifications to support artificial reef construction, bid administration, construction administration, and project certification. Okaloosa County 2014-15 FWC Supplemental Construction Grant Attachment 14 Administrative and Field Management  Attachment 15 Monitoring and Assessment Plan DDddsa  1 of 4 Monitoring and Assessment Plan Introduction Artificial reefs have existed in the coastal waters of Okaloosa County for at least 30 years. Reefs were first deployed by commercial and charter fishing/diving operators, recreational fishermen, and recreational divers for the purpose of increasing fisheries resource access and harvest. For most of Florida’s history, artificial reef construction was not regulated. Most artificial reef materials consisted of "materials of opportunity" (e.g., scrap steel, automobile bodies, and boat hulls). Artificial reef materials were deployed at locations selected by individual anglers and kept secret to maintain control over the harvest of fishes from those reefs. The state and federal agencies became involved in the control and management of artificial reef deployment in the last half of the 20th century. State-led artificial reef development in Florida began in the late 1970's with an increase of state-funded and sponsored projects and establishment of more dependable funding sources (http://myfwc.com/conservation/saltwater/artificial-reefs/ar-program/). The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), Florida Marine Patrol, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), and U.S. Coast Guard now enforce state and federal laws regarding the placement of artificial reefs. Construction of artificial reefs in Florida state waters (within 9 nautical miles from shore) now requires permits from the FDEP and the USACE. Construction of artificial reefs in federal waters (9 – 200 nautical miles from shore) requires a permit from the USACE. Materials for the reefs must conform to applicable federal and state regulations. The FDEP Office of Fisheries Management and Assistance Services (now Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Bureau of Marine Fisheries Management) began administering the Florida Artificial Reef Program in the 1980's. For artificial reefs funded by state and federal grants, materials criteria became more restrictive. Artificial reefs funded with public monies should remain intact and in place for as long as possible, thus providing maximum value. Occasionally, hurricanes have impacted artificial reefs, either destroying them or moving them off-site. Materials moved outside a permitted area have the potential to cause hazards to vessel navigation, damage or destroy natural marine communities/ecosystems (e.g., coral or other "hard bottom" communities), and/or prevent other uses of the seafloor (e.g., trawling). Thus, many of the regulations involving materials criteria intend to maximize durability (ability to remain intact) and stability (ability to remain in place on the seafloor). Monitoring Activities Within the past two years, Okaloosa County has significantly increased the budget allocated to artificial reef planning, construction, and monitoring. The County has continually identified the importance of artificial reef management and has recently hired an additional staff member, Mr. Anthony Austermann, to spearhead new artificial reef efforts and refine the County’s plan for assessment and monitoring of artificial reefs. Mr. Austermann is actively developing a monitoring program for the proposed deployments of Eglin concrete, collaborating with local dive shops and groups such as Emerald Coast Scuba and the Emerald Coast Artificial Reef Associations. Monitoring efforts of the proposed deployments will focus on the stability, productivity, and human use of the reefs. Okaloosa County 2014-15 FWC Supplemental Construction Grant Attachment 15 Monitoring and Assessment Plan  2 of 4 The Okaloosa County Artificial Reef Monitoring Plan ranks several "Levels" of artificial reef monitoring in terms of importance and feasibility. While the long-term goal of the Artificial Reef Program and Monitoring Plan may be to perform all levels of monitoring, fiscal and operational constraints may restrict monitoring activities to those deemed necessary or important. The County intends to maximize the use of volunteers to monitor its artificial reefs. The County will also proactively involve motivated local businesses and organizations in data collection regarding the physical condition, human use, and biological monitoring. Level I: Reef Deployment Monitoring A) An Okaloosa County employee or designee (not a member of the contractor’s crew) shall observe the construction project during deployment to verify compliance with the permit. Construction observation shall include verification of reef location and reef elevation via differentially corrected global positioning system (DGPS) and echo sounder equipment. Per USACE request, the County will record degrees decimal minutes, record coordinates on individual LORAN and DGPS instruments, and avoid DGPS to LORAN mathematical conversions. B) When the contractor for artificial reef deployment submits to Okaloosa County a request to certify the project complete, the County (or its consultant) will visit the project area to confirm general conformance with the plans, specifications, and authorizations. The reef locations and elevations will be verified using differentially-corrected GPS and echo-sounder equipment. The County or its consultant will also obtain video of the constructed reef sites with an underwater camera. These investigations will aid in the development of the as-built drawing. C) Within 30 days of project completion (after the County has reviewed and accepted the final contractor invoice), Okaloosa County will transmit by email to the USACE and FWC a complete and signed Florida Artificial Reef Materials Placement Report and Post-Deployment Notification. A short report will accompany the completed notification. The report will include several items:  A construction narrative describing the construction period (start and end dates)  The latitude and longitude of the project center and outside edge (with respect to the permitted reef area)  Any differences between the permit application plans and the completed construction  An as-built drawing showing the approximate deployment configurations (with an area cover estimate) and the height of the material (off the bottom and scaled to MLLW). The County or its consultant will use an echo sounder to verify depth at the placement locations. If water clarity conditions allow, Okaloosa County will also provide representative photographs to complete the report. The County will also send reef latitude and longitude points to artificialreefdeployments@myfwc.com for location notification to NOAA and FWC. Level II: Reef Physical Attribute Monitoring Okaloosa County 2014-15 FWC Supplemental Construction Grant Attachment 15 Monitoring and Assessment Plan  3 of 4 A) Okaloosa County or its consultant will record (using underwater Side Scan Sonar, echo sounding, photography/videography, and/or written description) the physical characteristics and condition of each artificial reef. If possible, the record will include identifying characteristics that would allow future 'identification' of those reef materials. Pre-deployment photographs, taken during the pre-deployment inspection, shall document the initial condition of the material, durability of the materials after deployment, and over time. B) Monitoring data should include the length, width, and vertical relief of each artificial reef as it exists on the seafloor. An observation diver and/or volunteer diver may collect the data with a measuring tape, or researchers can survey from the surface via GPS and an echo-sounding device (fathometer or side-scan). C) Okaloosa County will use the existing data-collection portal to collect voluntary physical data about individual reef sites (http://www.co.okaloosa.fl.us/dept_pw_resources_reefs_data.html). The County- hosted form prompts the volunteer to describe the physical condition of the reef. Level III: Reef Use Monitoring Reef use monitoring is a significant indicator of the economic impact of the artificial reef. County employees or consultants will conduct reef use monitoring. A) The County currently allows voluntary human-use data submission via the existing data-collection portal, which prompts the date and reef name that was visited. B) The most comprehensive human-use monitoring data comes from routine surveys to local business owners and organizations. The County plans to procure a statistical sample from businesses such as fishing boat captains, dive shops, and marinas that likely provide reputable human-use data to the County. County employees will also attempt to regularly contact local organizations, such as the South Walton Artificial Reef Association and the Emerald Coast Reef Association, for human-use data. The County seeks to determine the artificial reefs people have visited, the frequency of site visit, and the general observed use of the reefs (how many boats were at the reef). C) The County will extrapolate the results of the survey to approximate the annual economic benefit of the artificial reefs. Level IV: Biological Monitoring Financial constraints require that Okaloosa County rely heavily on volunteer data collection efforts and the County encourages and facilitates scientific monitoring and research whenever possible. A) Currently, Okaloosa County hosts a website to allow volunteer data submission of general information including contact info, date, reef visited, species of fish sighted or caught, and the size of fish sighted or caught, and unusual sightings. B) As another means of obtaining valuable biological information on the reef sites, the County plans to Okaloosa County 2014-15 FWC Supplemental Construction Grant Attachment 15 Monitoring and Assessment Plan  4 of 4 begin collecting volunteer submissions of the FWCC Artificial Reef Assessment Dive Team Underwater Observation Data Form and the FWCC-BMFM Fish County Census Form (included after this attachment). The form will be posted on the County’s artificial reef website for download and will be submitted voluntarily via email. C) The County plans to implement and promote the collection of fish-count data via a simple technique promoted by the Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) Volunteer Fish Survey Project. REEF has collaborated with FWC for various research projects, and the foundation provides training videos as well as online data submission forms and synthesis. Because the REEF Volunteer Fish Survey Project collects data throughout the state with a singular technique, this would provide FWC with usable and consistent state data. Annual Reporting Every 12 months post-deployment for the duration of the permit, Okaloosa County shall submit annual post-deployment reports to the USACE, FDEP, and FWC. Each report will summarize deployments and issues associated with the reef in the preceding 12 months. The report will document any known changes in material condition (stability, durability, and location) as compared to those same characteristics at the time of deployment. The report may include, but is not limited to, use trends, site management constraints and resolutions, management techniques, modifications of operations plans, and lessons learned. The report will also include results of any biological or performance monitoring (description of fish and other biota observed). A spreadsheet accompanying the report will include  FDEP and USACE permit identification numbers  Artificial reef deployment dates for all reefs at each site  Geographic coordinates of each reef  Description and quantity of the material deployed  Depth of water above the top of reef  Approximate area of sea floor covered Okaloosa County will update the spreadsheet each year to reflect any new reefs and any changes in the existing reefs. Discussion Most artificial reef managers — local, national, and international — agree on the importance of artificial reef monitoring and opinions vary regarding the description of a “monitoring program.” However, in the absence of a regulatory definition, the Okaloosa County Artificial Reef Committee sets criteria for the Okaloosa County Artificial Reef Monitoring Plan with approval from the Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners. The Okaloosa Artificial Reel Management Plan is currently under revision to address the County’s long-term development and monitoring goals. Okaloosa County 2014-15 FWC Supplemental Construction Grant Attachment 15 Monitoring and Assessment Plan  Attachment 16 Okaloosa County Artificial Reef Plan DDddsa  1 of 1 Okaloosa County Artificial Reef Plan Within this attachment is the Okaloosa County Artificial Reef Plan, which the Okaloosa County Artificial Reef Program updated in 2011. The County is currently updating the plan to address the comprehensive activities of the program through 2019. Within the past two years, Okaloosa County has significantly increased the budget allocated to artificial reef planning and construction. The County has continually identified the importance of artificial reef management and has recently hired an additional staff member, Mr. Anthony Austermann, to spearhead new artificial reef efforts. It is expected that Mr. Austermann refine the future goals of the Okaloosa County Artificial Reef Program and develop an efficient method to document and assess the performance of past reef deployments and develop standards for monitoring future reef deployments. Appendix II of the Artificial Reef Plan shows the previous iteration of the Artificial Reef Monitoring Plan, and it differs slightly from the more recent monitoring plan shown in Attachment 15. In addition to planning the currently proposed deployment, the County has been proactive in the expansion of artificial reefs. In January 2014, the County received FDEP permits for Fish Havens 17, 18, and 19 and anticipates the arrival of USACE permits in upcoming months. The future Fish Havens 17 – 19 are ¼ nautical mile square sites that will increase the presently low reef site density in the offshore, western portion of the County. Okaloosa County 2014-15 FWC Supplemental Construction Grant Attachment 16 Okaloosa County Artificial Reef Plan  Okaloosa County Artificial Reef Plan Submitted 1999 Revised 2003; 2005, 2011 Robert K. Turpin* and L Scott Jackson UF Sea Grant Extension Okaloosa County *Current Affiliation is Escambia County Marine Resource Submitted 1999 Revised 2003; 2005, 2011 TABLE OF CONTENTS I. INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................................... 1 II. OKALOOSA COUNTY ARTIFICIAL REEF ADVISORY COMMITTEE ..................................................................22 III. OKALOOSA COUNTY ARTIFICIAL REEF PLAN ..............................................................................................23 APPENDIX 1 – ARTIFICIAL REEF SITE DEVELOPMENT PLAN .................................................................................21 INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................................................21 OKALOOSA COUNTY EXISTING ARTIFICIAL REEF SITES – FIGURE 1 .......................................................................................... 22 LOCATION OF EXISTING ARTIFICIAL REEF SITES ................................................................................................................... 23 PLANNED ARTIFICIAL REEF SITES/AREAS ........................................................................................................................... 26 APPENDIX 2 – ARTIFICIAL REEF MONITORING PLAN ...........................................................................................27 INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................................................27 MONITORING:.............................................................................................................................................................27 DISCUSSION ................................................................................................................................................................ 28 APPENDIX 3 – ARTIFICIAL REEF ORDINANCE 97‐40 .............................................................................................29 APPENDIX 4 – ARTIFICIAL REEF APPLICATION ....................................................................................................30  I. Introduction The purpose of this document is to provide an overview of the existing Okaloosa County reef program and outline the framework of regulatory requirements under which the program operates. This is a living document that requires constant revision to remain contemporary. Major revisions will be noted in the document submission date on the cover page. Artificial reefs are an important component of the recreational fishing and diving opportunities available to Okaloosa County residents and visitors. Most natural “live bottom” reef formations and communities exist farther offshore from Destin Pass than in other parts of the state. The scarcity of live bottom formations in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico is documented in a 1992 Continental Shelf Associates, Inc. report to NOAA; an estimated 3% of the local seafloor contains natural reef formations. The estimated 2003 population of Okaloosa County is 178,104; a 4.5% increase since the US Census conducted in 2000. Vessel registration records for 1997/98 indicate that there are at least 9,000 boats in Okaloosa County capable of utilizing artificial reefs in local waters. The charter fishing and SCUBA diving fleet is composed of over one hundred vessels. A 1999 survey of Destin charter boat operators indicates that these vessels utilize artificial reefs more than 50% of the time. Of the $713 million economic impact of tourists in 1997/98, over $61 million can be attributed to the boating and charter fishing industry. In a 1999 report to Florida DEP Office of Fisheries Management and Assistance Services (“Economic Impact and Importance of Artificial Reefs in Northwest Florida”), Dr Frederick Bell estimates total revenues attributable to artificial reefs for 1997/98 to be $125.94 million. Thus Okaloosa County has an economic interest in maintaining and enhancing local waters through the artificial reef program. Okaloosa County and individual municipalities have constructed over 215 artificial reefs in local waters (2004 data). Most artificial reefs have been constructed in 7 sites permitted to Okaloosa County by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) (see Appendix 1). These artificial reefs were constructed with funding from a program created within the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (Ch. 370.25 Florida Statutes). These “public” artificial reefs, funded with revenues generated from Florida Saltwater Fishing license sales and taxes on fishing and spear fishing gear; boat registration fees; and motorboat fuel; which are returned to states by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the form of Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration grants. These funds are intended to “enhance fishery resources… [And] facilitate access by recreational and commercial fisherman…” (National Artificial Reef Plan). Additional “local funds” from Okaloosa County Tourist Development Council and Okaloosa County Solid Waste Department have been secured as support for the Artificial Reef Program to grow. In February 1997, Okaloosa County sought and obtained transfer of a former DEP “Large Area Permit” (Permit No. 199402365 (IP-SS)) from the USACE and the DEP. Designated “Site A”, this permit area was intended for artificial reef deployment by the County as well as local fisherman and divers. Because the USACE and the US Coast Guard (USCG) regulations require a minimum clearance of 50 feet between the top of artificial reef materials and the sea surface, some large artificial reef materials (e.g., ships) are required to be placed in deeper waters. “Site A” is also suitable for commercial and charter fishermen to place their own “private” reef materials. For at least thirty years, the commercial and charter fishing fleet have constructed “private” artificial reefs. Typically, scrap steel items are hauled offshore during the winter “off- season”. Once placed on the seafloor, the reef’s coordinates are recorded and the reef is left until the following charter season. Captains attempt to keep the locations of these “private” reefs secret since it was their investment to create it, and carefully manage the harvest of fishes, allowing some catch certainty for their customers. In addition to enhancing the charter fishing industry, building private reefs serves to reduce user conflicts on existing “public” artificial reefs and natural “hard bottom” reef communities. In general, it is understood by all parties involved that a “private” reef does not belong to any individual, but to the citizens of Florida and/or the United States. For the purpose of providing a larger area of seafloor for both “public” and “private” artificial reef construction, Okaloosa applied for and received two additional “Large Area Permits” (Site B and Site C, Permit No. 199603565 (IP-DH)) in June 1997. Thus, nearly 200 square nautical miles (nmi2) of seafloor off the Coast of Okaloosa County are permitted for the placement of artificial reef materials. II. Okaloosa County Artificial Reef Advisory Committee In the early 1990’s an ad hoc Artificial Reef Advisory Committee was organized to provide Okaloosa County with a volunteer effort for the construction of “public” artificial reefs and management of the Large Area Permits. This committee, consisting of volunteers representing various artificial reef user groups and municipalities, serve in this capacity. The Okaloosa County Artificial Reef Advisory Committee is henceforth referred to as "Committee". The purpose of the Committee is to advise the Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners regarding issues related to the planning and implementation of artificial reefs and other marine projects undertaken by the County. Projects may include, but are not limited to: • Okaloosa County Artificial Reef Plan development; • Artificial Reef Program implementation; • Boat Ramp improvements; • other Public access projects or activities related to marine resources. As many of these projects involve Federal or State grant monies, the Committee may be involved in the application process to secure this funding source for Okaloosa County projects. Committee membership consists of Okaloosa County personnel, representatives from municipalities with an interest in the Artificial Reef Program (e.g., Destin, Niceville, Valparaiso), representatives from artificial reef user groups, and the public. Committee members may be subject to approval by Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners. One Okaloosa County Commissioner shall be appointed to serve as liaison between the Committee and the remaining County Commissioners. The Committee will hold periodic meetings; these meetings will be open to the public. The purpose of these meetings is to allow public input and recommendations regarding Committee efforts and activities. The Committee will choose a Chairman and Secretary, who will lead meetings and record the minutes. III. Okaloosa County Artificial Reef Plan The National Fishing Enhancement Act of 1984 codified standards for permitting, constructing, monitoring, and managing artificial reefs in U. S. waters. Evaluation standards set forth in this document were incorporated into USACE regulations 322.5b, 323, and 330. A National Artificial Reef Plan was developed to guide these efforts. The National Plan provides general guidelines and criteria, but suggests that States "develop or participate in developing site-specific plans and maintain regulatory and quality control". The State of Florida, through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), implemented the State of Florida Artificial Reef Strategic Plan in November, 2003. The plan provides direction for the next 5 years, updating the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (FDEPs) 1992 Florida Artificial Reef Development Plan. This plan provides guidelines, standards, recommendations, and reference information that can be used by individual counties in the development of a comprehensive, site-specific Okaloosa County Artificial Reef Plan based on local needs. The Okaloosa County Artificial Reef Plan is designed to guide the efforts of Okaloosa County in the implementation of a successful Artificial Reef Program. This plan embraces the following goals and objectives established by the National and State Artificial Reef Plans: • Ensure all reef construction has biological justification to meet present and future fishery management and resource protection needs; • Minimize negative effects on existing fisheries and conflicts with other uses; • Use materials with long-term compatibility in the marine environment; and • Monitor reefs to determine the effectiveness of materials, the success of the reef, and compliance with permitting terms and conditions. • Incorporate monitoring and scientific research findings into future reef construction projects to produce targeted results. Major Components of the Artificial Reef Plan: 1. Underwater Coastal Survey - All applicable and appropriate resources shall be utilized in the implementation of this Plan, including: • U. S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Ocean Service Coast and Geodetic Survey Charts, Bathymetric Maps, and Publications • U. S. Department of the Interior, Minerals Management Service Gulf of Mexico Reef Planning Areas Chart. • U. S. Coast Guard Data, Charts and Publications. • U. S. Army Corps of Engineers Data and Publications. • Florida Department of Environmental Protection Data and Publications. • University of West Florida Artificial Reef Studies Data and Reports. • Paid County Consultants and Contractors. • Information contributed by individuals. 2. Biological, Physical and Economic Impact of Artificial Reefs Data, information, and recommendations from previous and future studies shall be used in the implementation of this Plan. Strict adherence to permitting requirements shall be required. Relevant documents such as State of Florida Artificial Reef Strategic Plan, Florida Artificial Reef Development Plan, Environmental and Fishery Performance of Florida Artificial Reef Habitats, National Artificial Reef Plan, Guidelines for Marine Artificial Reef Materials, Artificial Reef Evaluation (Seaman 2000) and The Economic Impact and Importance of Artificial Reefs in Northwest Florida will be used as references. The FWC Division of Marine Fisheries Bureau of Marine Fisheries Management is another valuable source of information for the Committee. The state of Florida’s artificial reef program was transferred from the DEP to the FWC in 1999. Monitoring efforts are performed according to the Okaloosa County Artificial Reef Monitoring Plan (see Appendix 2) in order to determine the effectiveness of the Artificial Reef Program. A volunteer program has a strong potential to assist in a coordinated effort of data collection. Several well-trained groups of volunteer divers exist in Florida, providing reliable monitoring data on artificial reefs. Local groups such as the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Underwater Investigations Unit, Emerald Coast Reef Association, Eglin Dive Club, and Hurlburt Dive Club are potential collaborators. Additionally, cooperative efforts with local educational institutions should not be overlooked (e.g., University of West Florida, Northwest Florida State College) may be funded with special grant monies designated for this purpose. Historically, the locations of many existing “public” artificial reefs were recorded using LORAN C. The availability and accuracy of Differential GPS (Global Positioning System) makes DGPS the preferable method for plotting the locations  of artificial reefs. As part of an initial artificial reef monitoring effort, approximately 85% of existing artificial reefs have been inspected and DGPS coordinates recorded (2004). This initial phase is schedule for completion by 2006. Economic data will assist in justifying expenditures on artificial reef development. For example, over eight percent of the population of Okaloosa County own registered boats. Apart from registration fees, economic benefit is derived from bait and tackles, supplies and fuel, expenditures. 3. Artificial Reef Site Development Plan The Committee will establish and maintain the Okaloosa County Artificial Reef Site Development Plan (see Appendix 1) and submit the necessary Permit applications. The location of artificial reef sites shall be chosen according to geographic and hydrographic constraints, user safety and needs, and types of artificial reef materials to be deployed. Consideration will be given to anticipation of future needs due to continued population growth and increasing use of marine resources. At present, Okaloosa County is permitted to construct and deploy artificial reefs within three permitted sites: “Large Area Permit” Sites A, B, and C. 4. Funding. Federal and State funds for artificial reef construction, transportation, and monitoring are provided through grant programs such as the FWC Division of Marine Fisheries Management, federal aid in Sport Fish Restoration Grants, and Florida Comprehensive Artificial Reef Plan Funds (i.e., Saltwater Fishing License Funds). These and other funds are actively sought by the Committee to provide the economic foundation of a successful artificial reef program. Private individuals, corporations and institutions are not overlooked as sources of funding, materials, and logistical support. 5. Local Government. Municipalities within Okaloosa County (e.g., Cities of Destin, Valparaiso, and Niceville) have obtained funding and deployed artificial reefs. Non-profit organizations (501(c) 3) may be eligible to construct or monitor artificial reefs and apply for grant funding for various artificial reef projects. These efforts should be coordinated by the Committee and conform to the goals and objectives of the Okaloosa County Artificial Reef Plan. 6. Education. The citizens of Okaloosa County should be educated and informed regarding the activities of the county artificial reef program. Media public service  announcements, newspaper articles, brochures, WebPages, etc. may be used for this purpose. Likewise, public comment is welcomed and encouraged. 7. Contingency Plan for Emergencies. The Okaloosa County Artificial Reef Advisory Committee will develop an emergency plan of action to address post severe storm conditions that may cause unsafe conditions or violate their placement permit. The Committee will seek advice and recommendations from the Okaloosa County Attorney and/or risk management personnel. 8. Federal, State and County Regulations Laws and regulations must be obeyed. Specific to Artificial Reefs are 1) Florida State Statute 370.25, FAC 68E-9. 2) Okaloosa County Ordinance 02-04. Resolution 02-56. See Appendix 3 9. “Private” Artificial Reefs The construction of artificial reefs by private individuals is regulated by Okaloosa County. Okaloosa County maintains 3 “Large Area Permits” issued by the US Army Corps of Engineers. A s required by the “Large Area Permits”, Okaloosa County ensures compliance of applicable laws and regulations via an “Application for Approval to Use the Okaloosa County Artificial Reef Site”. Prospective artificial reef builders must complete the “Application” and allow Okaloosa County staff to inspect the artificial reef materials for compliance. The “Application” also requires that the proposed artificial reef coordinates (latitude and longitude) be identified to ensure that the reef materials are deployed within the Permit area. A copy of the “Application” is located in Appendix 4. Appendix 1 – Artificial Reef Site Development Plan Introduction The purpose of the Okaloosa County Artificial Reef Site Development Plan is to provide a unified and coordinated approach to the management and development of artificial reefs off the Okaloosa County coast. The Artificial Reef Site Development Plan, an appendix of the Okaloosa County Artificial Reef Plan, provides for: • management of existing artificial reef sites; • planning and development of future artificial reef sites. Input from artificial reef user groups, municipalities, regulatory agencies, and artificial reef researchers will be invited and used in the development and implementation of the Artificial Reef Site Development Plan. The Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners (via the Okaloosa County Artificial Reef Plan) administers individual Artificial Reef Sites permitted by the USACE and FDEP. For the purposes of this document, "Artificial Reef Site" shall refer to an area of seafloor (e.g., 1 square nautical mile) upon which artificial reef materials are permitted to be placed. A "Future Artificial Reef Site" shall refer to an area of seafloor for which a permit application has been submitted or is planned to be submitted. An "Artificial Reef Location" shall refer to a specific location within an Artificial Reef Site (specified by Latitude / Longitude) at which an Artificial Reef exists or is planned to be deployed. The management of our existing reefs will be an ongoing process which will consist of updating files, monitor existing reefs, update and verify DGPS coordinates, establish criteria for new site selection. The following information is the beginning of an attempt to establish an information database for our existing reefs and establish data to assist in new site selections. Okaloosa County Existing Artificial Reef Sites – Figure 1 Location of Existing Artificial Reef Sites 1. Fish Haven #1 Location: • Location of Center: 13663.3/47137.5, 30 °22’N 86° 35’W • Distance and Compass Bearing from Destin Pass: 3.75NM @254° from the Destin East Pass Size: 1 sq. mile Water Depth Range: 65’ to 80’ Seafloor Characteristics: sandy bottom, no live bottom Appropriate Materials: Not permitted for reuse 2. Fish Haven #2 Location: • Location of Center: 13717/47136.5 • Distance and Compass Bearing from Destin Pass: Size: 1 square mile Water Depth Range: Seafloor Characteristics: sandy bottom, no live bottom Appropriate Materials: clean concrete 3. Fish Haven #3 Location: • Location of Center: 13766/47135 • Distance and compass Bearing from Destin Pass: 5.84NM at 92° from the Destin Pass Size: 1 square mile Water Depth Range: 56’ to 70’ Seafloor Characteristics: sandy bottom, no live bottom Appropriate Materials: clean concrete, steel vessels, steel boxes, and military equipment 4. Fish Haven #4 Location: • Location of center: 30°19.600’/86°36.100 • Distance and Compass Bearing from Destin Pass: 5.3NM Size: 1,000’x1,000’ Water Depth Range: 74’ to 80’ Seafloor Characteristics: no live bottom, sandy bottom with sand base of 16”-18” Appropriate materials: concrete rubble, surplus military vehicles and tank turrets 5. Fish Haven #5 Location: 2.72 NM from Destin pass Bearing 123° • Location of Center: • Distance and Compass Bearing from Destin Pass: 2.72 NM 123° Size: 1,000 x 1,000 Water Depth Range: 55’ to 64’ Seafloor Characteristics: sandy bottom, no live bottom, and depth of sand base 16” -18” Appropriate materials: Clean concrete rubble, clean concrete culverts and concrete manhole boxes, clean heavy gauge steel, and clean steel hull vessels, clean surplus military tanks, and concrete prefabricated reef modules. 6. Fish Haven #6 Location: • Location of Center: 30°15’89 x 86°23’. 12 • Distance and Compass Bearing from Destin Pass: 9.38NM 136.9° Size: 1,000’ x 1,000’ Water Depth Range: 87’ to 94’ Seafloor Characteristics: no live bottom, depth of sand base 18”-22” Appropriate Materials: Clean concrete rubble, clean concrete culverts and concrete manhole boxes, cleaned and stripped steel hull vessels, clean non productive oil platforms, cleaned heavy gauge steel, cleaned heavy gauge surplus military tanks. 7. Okaloosa Site A Location: • Location of Center: 30°06.00’/86°21.00’ • Distance and Compass Bearing from Destin Pass: 16 NM 150° Size: 56.7 sq. NM Water Depth Range: 90’ to 162’ Seafloor Characteristics: sandy bottom, some areas of live bottom Appropriate Materials: Heavy gauge steel material including surplus military equipment properly cleaned, prefabricated designed reef structures, natural limestone, clean concrete, prefabricated material or clean concrete rubble, vessels properly ballasted and cleaned. 8. Okaloosa Site B Location: • Location of Center: 29°53.76’/86°27.19’ • Distance and Compass Bearing from Destin Pass: 24.12NM, 181° Size: 93.8 sq. NM Water Depth Range: 180’ to 300’ Seafloor Characteristics: grayish colored sand with a fine layer of sediment or silt, live bottom located throughout site. sandy bottom with 8” depth. Appropriate Materials:Non-productive oil platforms, clean and structurally stabilized steel boxes(1/4” or greater), cleaned heavy gauge structural aluminum, cleaned heavy gauge surplus military equipment, clean heavy gauge steel(1/4” or greater),and cleaned steel-hulled vessels. 9. Okaloosa Site C Location: • Location of Center: 30°08.176’/86°40.638’  • Distance and Compass Bearing from Destin Pass: 14.25NM, 190° Size: 47.3sq. NM Water Depth Range: 90’ to 162’ Seafloor Characteristics: sandy bottom Appropriate Materials: Non-productive oil platforms, clean and structurally stabilized steel boxes (1/4” or greater), cleaned heavy gauge structural aluminum, cleaned heavy gauge surplus military equipment, clean heavy gauge steel(1/4” or greater), and cleaned steel-hulled vessels. 10. Fish Haven 11 Location: • Location of Center: 30°21.810’/86°27.855’ • Distance and Compass Bearing from Destin Pass: 2.3 nautical miles at a bearing of 105° degrees (Fish Haven #11) and 3,5 nautical miles at a bearing of 1000° degrees (Fish Haven #12) from the Destin Pass Sea Buoy Size: 1 square nautical mile Water Depth Range: 59-67 ft Seafloor Characteristics: Barren sandy bottom Appropriate Materials: Reef construction material authorized by the permit shall be limited to prefabricated modules and fish havens (made of concrete and/or steel or clean heavy gauge steel (1/8" or thicker), cleaned heavy metal surplus military equipment (1/8" or thicker), clean heavy gauge steel (1/8" or thicker), cement mixer drums with sufficient residual concrete to ballast the drum and multiple holes cut on multiple sides of the drum (including top and one end), and cleaned steel hulled vessels. 11. Fish Haven 12 Location: • Location of Center: 30°21.810’/86°26.300’ • Distance and Compass Bearing from Destin Pass: 3,5 nautical miles at a bearing of 100° degrees (Fish Haven #12) from the Destin Pass Sea Buoy Size: 1 square nautical mile Water Depth Range: 60-69 ft Seafloor Characteristics: Barren sandy bottom Appropriate Materials: Reef construction material authorized by the permit shall be limited to prefabricated modules and fish havens (made of concrete and/or steel or clean heavy gauge steel (1/8" or thicker), cleaned heavy metal surplus military equipment (1/8" or thicker), clean heavy gauge steel (1/8" or thicker), cement mixer drums with sufficient residual concrete to ballast the drum and multiple holes cut on multiple sides of the drum (including top and one end), and cleaned steel hulled vessels. A historic summary of the placement of materials in Okaloosa County artificial reef sites is located at http://www.co.okaloosa.fl.us/reefsloran.html Planned Artificial Reef Sites/Areas Conch Reef – Conch reef is a patch reef planned for deployment in 2011. This reef will be located in Site A. The tugboat Monica Lee will be deployed as the centerpoint of the patch reef complex. The Monica Lee tugboat has been donated to the reef program and is a joint deployment effort between the County, the donating entity and non-profit organizations. Funding for the patch reef components of the Conch reef have been secured from through the FWC grant process. NO NAME Reef – NO NAME reef is a patch reef system planned for deployment in 2012 in LAARS Site A and funded by an FWC grant. The application for the grant has been submitted to the FWC and is currently being evaluated. The Committee will select a name for the reef based on a competition for middle-school student in the county. Fish Haven 13 an 14 – Permits for these two nearshore reef area are being solicited from the FDEP. Bothe reef areas are located west of Destin Pass approximately 2.5 miles from the shore. The County currently has no permitted nearshore reef locations. These reef areas will be open for public deployments only. Beasley Snorkel Reef – This reef system will be unique for this area. The reef complex will be constructed within 300 feet of the shoreline and will be easily accessible by snorkelers and kayakers. The Tourist Development Council is the primary sponsor of this reef construction effort scheduled for 2012. Appendix 2 – Artificial Reef Monitoring Plan Introduction Artificial reefs have been constructed in the coastal waters of Okaloosa County for over thirty years. Initially commercial and charter fishing/diving operators, serious recreational fishermen and divers, ,constructed these artificial reefs for the purpose of increasing fisheries resource access and harvest. Initially artificial reef construction was not a regulated practice. Most artificial reef materials consisted of “materials of opportunity” (e.g., scrap steel, automobile bodies, tires and boat hulls). Artificial reef materials were deployed at locations decided upon by the individual; these locations were kept secret to maintain control over the harvest of fishes from each artificial reef. Eventually, regulatory agencies such as the(FDEP, Florida Marine Patrol, USACE, and US Coast Guard began enforcing new state and federal laws (e.g., Section 10, Rivers and Harbors Act). In Florida state waters (within 9 nautical miles from shore) permits from the FDEP and the USACE are required for the construction of artificial reefs; materials must conform to federal and state guidelines listed within each permit. In federal waters (9-200 nautical miles from shore) a permit from the USACE is required for the construction of artificial reefs and material compatibility guidelines must be obeyed. The FDEP Office of Fisheries Management and Assistance Services (now FWC Bureau of Marine Fisheries Management) began administering the Florida Artificial Reef Program in the1980’s. For artificial reefs funded by state and federal grants, materials criteria became more restrictive. It was reasoned that artificial reefs funded with public monies should remain intact and in place for as long as possible to maximize use and minimize detrimental impact to the environment. Occasionally, hurricanes have impacted artificial reefs, either destroying them or moving them off-site. Materials moved outside a permit area have the potential to cause hazards to vessel navigation, damage or destroy natural marine communities/ecosystems (e.g., coral or other “hard bottom” communities), and/or prevent other uses of the seafloor (e.g., trawling, mining). Thus, many of the regulations involving materials criteria were intended to maximize durability (ability to remain intact) and stability (ability to remain in place on the seafloor). Monitoring: Artificial reef monitoring was considered an important component of artificial reef management in the first National Artificial Reef Plan (NARP, Stone, 1985). However, monitoring has been interpreted in different ways by different agencies and individuals. The Okaloosa County Artificial Reef Monitoring Plan ranks several “Levels” of artificial reef monitoring in terms of importance and feasibility. While the long term goal of the Artificial Reef Program and Monitoring Plan may be to perform all monitoring, fiscal and operational constraints may restrict monitoring activities to those deemed necessary or important. Level goals for reef monitoring are as follows. Level I: Geographic Monitoring The goal of Level I monitoring is to record exact coordinates (latitude and longitude) of each artificial reef permit area boundary using Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS). Coordinates are recorded in degrees and decimal minutes (i.e., Latitude 30° 45.885’ N, Longitude 086° 31.741’ W). Rectangular artificial reef permit areas, using parallel lines of latitude and (nearly parallel) lines of longitude are recommended because each boundary line can be easily plotted to determine if a particular reef or proposed deployment is with the permit area. Circular or curved shapes should be avoided. Level II: Reef Physical Attribute Monitoring The goal of Level II monitoring is to record (using underwater Side Scan Sonar, photography/videography and/or written description) the physical characteristic and condition of each artificial reef site. If possible, include identifying characters that would allow future ‘identification’ of those reef materials present. Pre-deployment photographs should be procured if possible. If a site dive is possible, measure the length, with, and height of each artificial reef as it exists on the seafloor. Level III: Reef Use Monitoring: The goal of Level III monitoring is to perform on-site surveys to attempt to determine the amount of use each artificial reef receives. A survey tool should be constructed to compile artificial reef users’ responses into a product useful to Artificial Reef Program managers. In lieu of, or in addition to on-site surveys, the survey tool could be modified for use at marinas, boat ramps, or other locations where an adequate sample of the artificial reef user group could be procured. Level IV: Biological Monitoring The goal of Level IV monitoring is to perform an on-site reef using the survey techniques described in III-A and/or III-B of the NARP which can be modified to measure the fish removed from each artificial reef. Underwater surveys of the fish and other fauna associated with each artificial reef would be performed. There are many different underwater faunal survey techniques (e.g., underwater photography/videography, transects, point-counts); each technique has benefits and drawbacks. For the purposes of comparison, established techniques should be used. Discussion Most artificial reef managers- local, national and international- agree on the importance of artificial reef monitoring. As previously stated, opinions vary regarding the description of a “monitoring program”. However, in the absence of a regulatory definition, it is left to the Committee, with approval from the Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners to set criteria for the Okaloosa County Artificial Reef Monitoring Plan. Appendix 3 – Artificial Reef Ordinance 97­40 Appendix 4 – Artificial Reef Application  APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL TO USE THE OKALOOSA COUNTY ARTIFICIAL REEF SITES A, B, & C APPLICATION NO: DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY PERMIT #199603565 NAME: PHONE: ADDRESS: STATE: ZIP: BOAT NAME: ID or DOC Number: LOCATION OF MATERIALS FOR INSPECTION: DESCRIPTION OF REEF MATERIALS: HOW WERE MATERIALS CLEANED: DATE AND TIME OF DEPARTURE TO REEF SITE: POINT OF DEPARTURE(facility name, street address, and city): POINT OF CONTACT AT DEPARTURE SITE(name/phone): ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL AT REEF SITE: All materials must be permitted before leaving dock. An original, signed County inspection form and a copy of the Corps of Engineers permit must be onboard the vessel. The applicant must have materials located so as to facilitate the inspector’s placing of the inspection numbers on the materials so they can be seen seaward. Private reefs may be constructed or refurbished within the boundaries of the three sites permitted to Okaloosa County as defined by the following coordinates per Department of the Army Permit #199603565. Okaloosa County in its efforts to construct long lasting artificial reefs as a long term habitat strongly recommends the continued refurbishment of existing reef sites. SITE A SITE B NW 30 10.00’-86 25.00’ (13737.2 x 47060.6) NW 29 59.00-86 31.66 (13643.0 x 46990.0) NE 30 10.00’-86 17.00’ (13812.6 x 47055.9) NE 29 58.97-86 22.65 (13726.0 X 46982.0) SE 30 02.00’-86 17.00 (13787.6 x 46999.1) SE 29 48.51-86 22.72 (13693.0 X 46907.0) SW 30 02.00’-86 25.00’ (13714.4 x 47006.3) SW 29 48.55-86 31.70 (13613.0 X 46918.0) SITE C NW 30 9.51-86 49.66 (13495.0 X 47065.0) NE 30 9.46-86 31.61 (13671.0 X 47059.0) SE 30 6.85-86 31.62 (13664.0 X 47042.0) SW 30 6.89-86 49.66 (13489.0 X 47049.0) Location of Proposed Reef Deployment LAT: LON: Page 1 of 4 APPLICATION NO. PERMIT # 199603565 STATEMENT OF PUBLIC ACCESS In applying for this authorization, I understand that the reef area is public and this authorization does not give me any rights for private use over those of the general public and the existence of this reef does not exclude any other use of the area. I have also received and read a copy of the Corps permit #199603565 and fully understand and agree to comply with all terms and conditions of the permit. I understand that as a condition of this permit reef material may not be placed on “live or hard bottom” and that by doing so I will be responsible for the removal of said material and responsible for any cost or damages incurred. Applicant’s Name(printed): Applicant’s Signature DATE: CERTIFICATION OF OWNERSHIP I certify that Okaloosa County owns the material described in this Application for Approval to use Okaloosa County Artificial Reef Sites A, B and C. Okaloosa County Artificial Reef Inspector Date FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Approved Denied Comments: Inspector Name: Date Approved Inspector Signature THIS PERMIT IS ONLY VALID WHEN ACCOMPANIES WITH A COPY OF USCOE PERMIT #199603565 AND OKALOOSA COUNTY REEF PERMIT PLACARD. Page 2 of 4  APPLICATION NO. PERMIT # 199603565 APPROVED REEF MATERIALS The materials to be used on the artificial fishing reefs shall be cleaned and free of pollutants and toxins. The materials to be used shall be limited to cleaned non-productive oil platforms, cleaned concrete products and rocks, clean and structurally stabilized steel boxes (1/8 “ or thicker), cleaned heavy gauge aluminum (1/8” or thicker), cleaned heavy gauge metal surplus military equipment (1/8” or thicker), clean heavy gauge steel (1/8” or thicker), cleaned chain link fencing ( 9 gauge or thicker) or concrete wire mesh (3/16” or thicker) utilized as a material wrapped around and securely welded to a metal framework (1/8” or thicker), cement mixer drums with sufficient residual concrete to ballast the drum and multiple holes cut on multiple sides of the drum (including top and one end), and cleaned steel hulled vessels. Two or more metal chicken transportation containers, which have had doors and all non-metal material removed, and which are securely fastened together by ¼” or thicker cable or chains, may be deployed, but only in water depths of greater than 80 feet and no closer than one-half mile of artificial fishing reef boundaries. No reef material shall be allowed to trap marine life, and must be configured, cut or shaped, so as to not function as a fish trap. All materials/structures must be configured and constructed to be stable and durable. No material whatsoever may be deployed within one-quarter mile of artificial fishing reef site boundaries, and no material may be deployed by private individuals or private groups within one-half mile of artificial fishing reef site boundaries. NO OTHER MATERIALS ARE AUTHORIZED BY THIS PERMIT. MATERIALS EXPRESSLY PROHIBITED INCLUDE CARS AND TRUCKS AND ANY PARTS THEREOF, WHITE GOODS (i.e. APPLIANCES), SHOPPING CARTS, BREAD TRAYS, 55 GAL DRUMS, STORAGE OR FUEL TANKS, LOOSE METAL MATERIALS, PLASTICS, AND FIBERGLASS. INSTRUCTIONS After the materials have been inspected by an approved county inspector, notification will be sent to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Panama City, Coast Guard Panama City and Destin, and the Florida Marine Patrol, no later than five (5) working days prior to departure of vessel by faxing page 1 & 2 of this application to: ARMY CORPS (850) 433-8160 COAST GUARD STATION, MOBILE (334) 441-6169 COAST GUARD STATION, DESTIN (850) 244-0854 COAST GUARD STATION, PANAMA CITY (850) 230-1937 FLORIDA MARINE PATROL, PENSACOLA (850) 595-8981 Applicant then has thirty (30) calendar days after the five (5) working day wait has expired in order to complete the reef construction project. Projects uncompleted in thirty (30) calendar days must be re-permitted before deployment. AFTER REEF DEPLOYMENT Complete the remainder of this form and return to Okaloosa County Public Works, 84 Ready Avenue, Ft. Walton Beach, Florida 32547, within 10 days of deployment. If form is not returned to this office no other permits will be issued to the individual. The U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, Coast Guard Station Destin and Panama City and the Florida Marine Patrol will be notified of possible violations by permittee. Date Reef Material was Deployed____________________________ Final Coordinates of Reef Material LAT________________________ LONG______________________ Approximate Length, Width and Height of Material after placement____________________________ I hereby attest that no hard or live bottoms are located at the reef sites as determined by: ____________________________________________Example: sonar survey or actual dive site Applicant’s Name (print) Applicant’s Address Applicant’s Signature Date Applicant must return this completed form to Okaloosa County Public Works. Copies will be forwarded to: U. S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS – PENSACOLA, FL MINE AND MINERALS MANAGEMENT SERVICE, NEW ORLEANS, LA FLORIDA FISH & WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION – TALLAHASSEE Page 3 of 4 24 Hour Pre-Deployment Notification  APPLICATION NO. PERMIT # 199603565 Applicant listed on page 1 of the Application for Approval to use the Okaloosa County Artificial Reef Sites A, B, & C to accomplish the following no less than 24 hours prior to departing on the deployment voyage: 1. Provide sheet 4 (this sheet) of the Okaloosa-LAARS FORM by facsimile to Okaloosa County Public Works 850-651-7397. 2. Provide sheet 4 (this sheet) of the Okaloosa-LAARS FORM by facsimile to the Corps of Engineers Pensacola Regulatory Office at 850-433-8160. Name and Telephone Number for Point of Contact at the Staging Site Name Phone Address of the Staging Site Name of Captain and Name and Registration # of Transport Vessel Propose Date and time of departure from staging site Deployment Voyage Route Estimated Time of Arrival at Deployment Site 1 Estimated Time of Arrival at Deployment Site 2 Estimated Time of Arrival at Deployment Site 3 Estimated Time of Arrival at Deployment Site 4 Estimated Time of Arrival at Deployment Site 5 Page 4 of 4 APPLICATION NO.  PERMIT ADDENDUM FOR MULTIPLE MANIFESTS LOCATION OF MATERIALS FOR INSPECTION: DESCRIPTION OF REEF MATERIALS: MANIFEST #1 INSPECTORS INITIALS MANIFEST #2 INSPECTORS INITIALS MANIFEST #3 INSPECTORS INITIALS HOW WERE MATERIALS CLEANED(if necessary) ESTIMATED DATE AND TIME OF DEPARTURE TO REEF SITE MANIFEST #1 (MON-FRI ONLY) MANIFEST #2 (MON-FRI ONLY) MANIFEST #3 (MON-FRI ONLY) ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL AT REEF SITE MANIFEST #1 (MON-FRI ONLY) MANIFEST #2 (MON-FRI ONLY) MANIFEST #3 (MON-FRI ONLY) SITE A SITE B NW 30 10.00’-86 25.00’ (13737.2 x 47060.6) NW 29 59.00-86 31.66 (13643.0 x 46990.0) NE 30 10.00’-86 17.00’ (13812.6 x 47055.9) NE 29 58.97-86 22.65 (13726.0 X 46982.0) SE 30 02.00’-86 17.00 (13787.6 x 46999.1) SE 29 48.51-86 22.72 (13693.0 X 46907.0) SW 30 02.00’-86 25.00’ (13714.4 x 47006.3)) SW 29 48.55-86 31.70 (13613.0 X 46918.0) SITE C NW 30 9.51-86 49.66 (13495.0 X 47065.0) NE 30 9.46-86 31.61 (13671.0 X 47059.0) SE 30 6.85-86 31.62 (13664.0 X 47042.0) SW 30 6.89-86 49.66 (13489.0 X 47049.0) Location of Proposed Reef Deployment: _______ MANIFEST # 1 MATERIAL TAG Descriptions of material ID NUMBER(S), if applicable (number of pieces, type, dimension, weight) GPS Coordinates MANIFEST # 2 LAT________________________ LAT____ ___________________ LAT____ ______ _________ LONG_______________________ LONG____ __________________ LONG____ _____________ MANIFEST # 3 LAT_____ ____________________ LAT______ _____ ____________ LAT_______ ____________ LONG____ ____________________ LONG_____ _____ ___________ LONG_______ ___________ ATTACH ADDITIONAL PAGE FOR ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS MULTIPLE MANIFEST ADDENDUM PAGE 4A APPLICATION NO.  ADDENDUM TO FINAL DEPLOYMENT FOR MULTIPLE MANIFESTS Date Reef Material was deployed: MANIFEST #1: MANIFEST #2: MANIFEST #3: Final Coordinates of Reef Material MANIFEST #1 SITE LAT LAT LAT LAT LONG LONG LONG LONG MANIFEST #2 SITE LAT LAT LAT LAT LONG LONG LONG LONG MANIFEST #3 SITE LAT LAT LAT LAT LONG LONG LONG LONG (PLEASE ATTACH AN ADDITIONAL PAGE IF ADDITIONAL COORDINATES WERE USED) Approximate Length, Width and Height of Material after Placement MANIFEST #1: SITE #1 SITE #2 SITE #3 SITE #4 MANIFEST #2 SITE #1 SITE #2 SITE #3 SITE #4 MANIFEST #3 SITE #1 SITE #2 SITE #3 SITE #4 I hereby attest that no hard or live bottoms are located at the reef sites as determined by: (Example: sonar survey or actual dive site) Applicant’s Name (print) Applicant’s Address Applicant’s Signature Date: MULTIPLE MANIFEST ADDENDUM PAGE 4B AFTER REEF DEPLOYMENT Complete the remainder of this form and return to Okaloosa County Public Works, 84 Ready Avenue, Ft. Walton Beach, Florida 32547, within 10 days of deployment. If form is not returned to this office, no other permits will be issued to the individual. The U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, Coast Guard Station Destin and Panama City and the Florida Marine Patrol will be notified of possible violations by permittee. Page _1_ of _1_  DIVISION OF MARINE FISHERIES ARTIFICIAL REEF PROGRAM ARTIFICIAL REEF MATERIALS CARGO MANIFEST (Issued pursuant to Ch. 370.25(6) (b), Florida Statutes) I, Name of individual managing reef deployment Signature/Date whose address is: Street City State Zip declare that I am staging and transporting the following artificial reef construction materials allowable pursuant to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Artificial Reef Permit referenced below. The location of the land based reef materials staging area is: Transporting Vessel Registration Vessel Owner Vessel Operator The following items are to be deployed as reef material (use additional sheets if necessary): MATERIAL TAG Descriptions of material ID NUMBER(S), if applicable (number of pieces, type, dimension, weight) GPS Coordinates A copy of the below referenced permit and all associated conditions is attached to this manifest and shall be carried on board the vessel during loading, storing, or transporting artificial reef material. -- OFFICIAL USE ONLY -- (TO BE COMPLETED BY PERMIT HOLDER, OR AUTHORIZED ARTIFICIAL REEF INSPECTOR) Permit Holder: Name of U.S. Department of the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) Permit Holder ACOE permit number: permitted site name issued on and has an expiration date of Local Inspection Permit Number(if applicable): (Name of FWC authorized Artificial Reef inspector, printed) Signature Date  Attachment 17 Marine Advisory Board DDddsa  1 of 1 Marine Advisory Board The Okaloosa County Marine Advisory Board (MAB) is in a state of transition. The current MAB is being reconfigured to include other organizations involved with marine-related functions other than artificial reefs. This transition, facilitated by the Okaloosa County Extension Office Sea Grant representative, will be called the Okaloosa/Walton Marine Science Extension Advisory Committee. The current roster of membership is as follows. Okaloosa/Walton Marine Science Extension Advisory Committee Brooke Saari Okaloosa County Extension Agent Brad Boykin SAIC Erica Lane Eglin Air Force Base Lori Ceier Walton Outdoors Sarah J. Schindele Northwest Florida State College Alison McDowell Northwest Florida State College Billy McKee Walton County Artificial Reef Program Manager Scott Henson Previous Okaloosa County Artificial Reef Program Manager Anthony Austermann Okaloosa County Marine Resource Coordinator Amanda Wilkerson Development Resource Emerald Coast Coordinator Wildlife Refuge Jason Cutshaw Florida Department of Environmental Protection Ewa Bearden Florida Department of Health Matthew Trammell Taylor Engineering Robin Stiles Private Citizen, Master Naturalist Tom Stiles Private Citizen, Master Naturalist Dawn Pack Okaloosa County 2014-15 FWC Supplemental Construction Grant Attachment 17 Marine Advisory Board Attachment 18 Permits DDddsa  1 of 1 Permits As previously noted, the table below indicates the status of permits for the proposed deployment, CTR- 3, located within Fish Haven 13. The reef deployment area is within State waters and has been permitted by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Reef Area FDEP Permit Number FDEP Expires USACE Permit Number USACE Expires Fish Haven 13 46-0309090-002-EG 3/8/2017 SAJ-2011-03485 (SP-SWA) 3/10/2024 Enclosed are the applicable permits for Fish Haven 13, FDEP Permit 46-0309090-002-EG and USACE Permit SAJ-2011-03485 (SP-SWA). Okaloosa County 2014-15 FWC Supplemental Construction Grant Attachment 18 Permits  POORORIGINAL Rick Scott Florida Department of Govemor Environinentai Protection Jennifer Carroll Lt. Govemor Northwest District 160 W. Govemment Street, Suite 308 Pensacola, Florida 32502-5740 Herschel T. Vinyaird Jr. Secretary 1March8,20i2: pkaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Cy/o Scott Henson 1904 LevvisTtirriet Blvd, Suite 100 Fort \Vadton Beach5 PL 32547 ? iE?£; Ckaloosa Coimty Fish Haye^ - I .' " ' Dear Applicants: •■:>-.■;;■' y;-^-.,'.■'.■' "y.'':,.-'..■-. TWS is to'^ckiiowledge receipt of your notice (File No. 46-0309090-002-EG) received on February 7,2012/ of intent to use a general permit for the construction of an artificial reef area approximately Vi square mile (40 acres) in size, pursuant to Rule 62-341.600, -. Flbrida Administrative Code. The project is located approxiraately 1.93 nautical nules south of Okaloosa Island in the Gulf of Mexico with the central point at Latitude 30° 21' 23" North (30° 21.391' N or 30.3565° N), Longitude 86° 32' 52" West (86° 32.876' W or 86.5479° W). Based on the forms, drawings, and documents submitted with your applicatibn and attached to this letter, it appears that the project meets the requirements for the general permit listed above. Any activities performed under a general permit are subject to general conditions required in Rule 62-341.215, F.A.C. (attached), and the specific conditions of Rule 62- , 341.600 (attached)r Any deviations from these conditions may subject the permittee to enforcement action and possible penalties. Authbrization to use sovereignty submerged lands ~ Granted The Departraent acts as staff to the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund (Board of Trustees) and issues i:ertain authorizations for tJKe use of sovereign submerged lands. The Department has fhe authority to review activities on sovereign submerged lands under chapters 253 and 258 of the Florida Statutes, and chapter 18-21 of the Florida Administrative Code. The activity a;ppears to be located on sovereign subnierged lands owmed by the Board of Trustees. The activity is not exempt from the need to obtain the applicable proprietary  authorization. As staff to the Board of Trustees, the Department has reviewed the activity described above, and has determined that the activity qualifies for a Letter of Cpnsent under rule 18-21;005(l)(c)(9) and section 253.77 of the Florida Statutes to construct and use the activity on the specified sovereign submerged lands, as long as the work perfonned is located within the boundaries as described herein and is consisterit with the terms and conditions herein. No further application is required for this. Be advised that your tieighbors and other parties who may be substantially affected by the proposed activity allowed under tWs determinatidn of approval of the g^^ right to request art adrrunistiative hearing on the Department's decision that the proposed . actiyity qualifies for tiiis general permit. If an adrninistrative hearing, is timely requested by a substantially aiffected person, the finding that the proposed activity qualifies for this general permit must be reconsidered, and it is possible that the hearing could result in a - v'^'-'defermiriation that the proposed'aeti^v'ity'dbes hot qualify for the generSlspelmitf' Under Riile " 28-106.111 of the Florida Administrative Code, a request for such an administrative hearing must be filed with the Departraent's Clerk ih the Office Of General Counsel within 14 days of ipublication of hotice in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the activity is totakeplace. ;, The Department will not publish notice of this determination. Publication of this notice by you is optional and not required for ycni to proceed. However, in the event iixed an ■; adnunistrative hearing is held and the Departinent's determination is reversed, r proceedirig with the proposed activity before the time period for requesting an : ;:r.adrainistra:tive hearing has expired would mean that the activity was conducted ^ ^ * ^ without the required perinits. ; v If ybu wish to lirnit the turie vnthin whicii all substantiaUy affected persoiis may reiqiiest an administrative hearing, you may elect to publish the notice of rights of substantially . affected persons, at your own expense one time only in the legal advertisement sectiori of a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the activity is to take'place.? If you wish to limit the time within which any specific person(s) may request an administrative hearing, you may provide such person(s), by certified maU, a copy of " ■; this determination. For the purposes of publication, a newspaper of general circulation nieans a newspaper meeting the requirements of sections 50.011 and 50.031 of the Florida Statutes. In the event you do publish this notice, within seven days of publication, you must provide to :' the follpvsdng address a certificatibn ofaffidavif of publication issued by the newspaper. If yoti proyide direct written notice to any person as noted above, you must provide to , ■ y i the following address a copy of tiie direct written notice: Department of Environmental Protection, at 160 Governmentai Center, Suite 201, Pensacola, Florida 32501-5794. tooB CiJ^mff  NOTICE OF RIGHTS OF SUBSTANTIALLY AFFECTED PERSONS . This permit is hereby granted. This action is final and effective on the date filed v^th the Clerk of the Department unless a sufficient petition for ari administrative hearing is ; ': ' timely filed under sectipns 120.569 and 120.57 of the Florida Statutes as provided below, H a sufficient petition for an administrative hearing is tiinely filed, this action ' ; - 1. automatically becomes only proposed agency actibn on the aipplication, subjectto the . ■ result of the adininistrative review prbcess. Therefore, on the fUing of a tiriiely and ,', . sufficient petition, this actioii will not be final and effective until further order of the. ;:;..< Departrnent. Because an adnunistiative hearing inay result in the rever substantial modification of this action, the applicarit is advised npt fo commence '., \ ■constmction or other activities iintil the deadlines noted below for filirig a petition for : 'y.-:y\:/-.h: Van administrative h e a i ^ •/^y^'. ,;',;^,/;/''Mediatiori'is,npt,available.:;,.'-.,'.; ',<'[ :';. :/?:^..\ -.J'-: ,-,..'-,',.' ; ■*'.-,■■' ,.''-■■..„■■ ''■-..y- •;■■■■,"'■■-' yy''r:y- A person whbise substantial iriterests are affected by^ .-'V petition for an adininistiative proceeding (hearing) under sectiorisl2p.569 and 120.57 of the Flbrida Statutes. The petitibn must cbritain the infbrinatibn set fbrth belbw and . ,miistbefiled(receivedby the clerk) in the Office bf Geiieral Counsel of theDepartment at 3900 Commonwealth Boulevard, Mail Station 35, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3000. Under rule 62-110.106(4) of the Florida Administiative Code, a persori whpse substantial interests are affected by the Department's action may alsP request an extension of tirae to fUe a petition fpr an administiative hearing. The Departinent inay, for good cause shown, grant the request for an extension of time. Requests for extension of time must be filed with the Office of General Counsel of the Department at 3900 Commonwealth Boulevard, Mail Station 35, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3000, jA>F.~)iMf-§.«=-'- rbefPre the applicaible deadiirie:'^A timely request fer efxterisibifbf time shall tell the . running of the time period fbr filing a petition until the requestis acted upon. If a request is filed late, the Department may still grant it upon a motibn by the requesting party shbvraig thait the failure tb file a request for an extension of time before the deadline was the result of excusable neglect. If a timely and sufficierit petitipn for an administiative hearing is filed, other persons whose substaritial interests wiU be affected by the outcoine bf the adininistiative. prbcess have the right tb petitibn tp intervene in the prbceeding. Interventibn wUl be permitted bnly at the discretibn bf the presiding pfficer upbn the filing bf a motion in corripliance v^ith rule 28-106.205 of the Florida Administiative Code.  In accordance with rule 62-110.106(3), Florida Administiative Code, petitions for an administiative hearing by the applicant must be filed v/ithin 14 days of receipt of this written notice. Petitions filed by any persons other than the applicant, and other than those entitied to written notice under section 120.60(3) of the Florida Statutes must be fUed within 14 days of pubiicatibn of the notice or within 14 days of receipt Of the written notice, whichever occurs first. Under section 120.60(3) of the Flbrida Statutes, hbwever, any persbn whb has asked the Departmerit fer nbtice bf agency actibri may file a petitibn within 14 days bf receipt of such notice,, regardless of the date of ■ ■•'.-'pubiicatibn.-■.■■--\,,' ■ " ''- '■ ■ , ■•'"'"'■ . The petitioner shall mail a copy of the petitibri tb the applicant at the address indicated 'abbye at the time bf filing. The failure bf any person to file a petition for an administiative hearing within the appropriate time period shall constitute a waiver of '■'*mairpersori's right to request ari aldiriiiliitfattive determinatipn (heafirijgf ffldlf%ectibns 120.569 and 120:57 of tiie Florida Statutes. A petition that disputes the material facts on which the Department's action is based m u s t contain the foUowiag informatipn: (a) The name and address pf each agency affected and each agency's file or identification number, if known; (b) The name, address, and telephdne number bf tiie petitibner; tiie nairie, address, and telephene number bf the petitioner's representative, if any, which shall be tiie address for seiyice purposes during the course of tiie proceedirig; and an explanation of how the petitioner's substantial interests are or wiU be affected by the ' S''ageiicy^deteriiiinafioii;V:.- '■' /v-.-V;-',.'-' • ■ - •'■■-'■■- ■'"■-'- '■■'■'-;''"■■; ■'' ■ . ■' .• ■ -';'? ■ ---i'^ ' ■ ■. ;-■ :,:y-y:..;:;.,i.:(c) - A statement of when and how the petitioner received notice bf the agency ■ ' •■ ' Mecisibn;'''''-./'l ' ' ■ . ' ■ - . ' , '■--:'"':'-' -y.'■'':[. .-^'- .■.}■:.'':; ■■■■ :' \ .,. (d) i, A statement bf aU disputed issues bf material fact. If there are nbrie, the petitibn must Sb indicate; v : ; I ■ ; v . .^ v ■ i' (e) A Concise stateinent of the ultimate facts aUeged, iricluding the specific facts that the petitipner coritends warrant reyersal br mpdificatibn of the agency's proposed'action; ; .. (f): Astatement of the specific rules or statutes that the; petitibner centends require reversal br rabdificatibn bf the agency's prbpbsed actibn; ^^^ ; ■ (g) . A stateinent bf the relief sbught by the petitibner, stating precisely the aiction that the ^petitiorier wishes the agency to take with respect to the agency's proposed action. A petition that does not dispute the material facts on which the Department's action is based shall state that no such facts are in dispute and otherwise shall contain the same information as set forth above, as required by rule 28-106.301. Under sections 120.569(2)(c) and (d) of the Florida Statutes, a petition for adininistiative hearing must be dismissed by the agency if the petition does not substantiaUy comply with the above requirements or is untimely filed. This permit coristitutes an order bf the Departinent. Subject tb the prbvisions of paragraph 120,68(7)(a) of the Florida Statutes, which may require a remand for an adiiiinistiative hearirig, the applicairit has the right to seek judicial review, of the order under section 120.68 of the Florida Statutes, by the fUing bf a nbtice bf appeal under rule 9.110 bf the Florida Rules of AppeUate Procedure with tiie Clerk of the Department in the Office of General Counsel, 3900 Commonwealth Boulevard, Mail Station 35, TaUahassee, Florida, 32399-3000; and by filing a copy of the notice of appeal accompanied by the applicable fUing fees with the appropriate distiict court of appeal. The notice of appeal must be filed within 30 days froiri the date when the prder is fUed with the Clerk of the Department. The applicant, orany party within tiie meaning of section 373.114(l)(a) or 373.4275 ofthe Florida Statiites> riiay klsp seek app^^ of the order before the Land and Water Adjudicatory Cbiririiissiori urider sectiori • ;; 373.114(1) or 373.4275 of the Florida Statutes. Reqiiests for-reyiew before the Land and : Water Adjudicatory Commission must be fUed v^th tfie Secretary of the Comrnissibn and served on the Departinent within 20 days from the date when the order is fUed with the Clerk of the Department. Please be advised that the general permit expires five years from the date the notice to use the general perrait was received by the Department. If you wish to continue this . general pennit beyorid the expiration date, you must notify the Department at least 30 daysbefore its expiration. A copy of ypur riotice alsb has been sent to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACQE) for reyiew: The USACOE may require a separate perriiit. FaUure to obtain this authorization pribr tb cbnstructibn cbuld subject ybu tb enferceirtent actibn by that agency. The Departmerit'-i^eceived-a letter dated February 28,2012frbin theFlorida Depaf@iiif^^***^ pf State Divisibn pf HistPrical Resburces requesting that ai systematic remote sensing survey be conducted irt the proposed project areas pf Fish Haven #13 and Fish Haven #14 (attached). Please review this letter arid contact the Diyisipn pf Historical Resources if ypu have ariy questibris or conceras. ,  If you have any questions about this permit, please contact Heather Mason at (850) 595- 0608 or Heather.Masbn@dep.state.fl.us. When referring fo this project, please use the fUe number Usted above. Sincerely, Diana Athnos . < Environmental Manager V . , Submerged Lainds & Environmental Resources Program ■' , ' ,; ■-:,' ■-. , . -■ - ''«li*!a3!*5!5!Ji?;#t;'- ■ ' , ■■"- -^.i,, i> y,S'-,i^,r,-l t^a Enclosures: Location map and project drawings (5 pages) General Conditions for AU Noticed General Permits (3 pages) Rule 62-341.600 - General Permit for the Construction of Artificial Reefs (Ipage) Letter from the Division of Historical Resources (2 pages) c: . Steve Andrews, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Keith MiUe, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission • - Division of Marine Fisheries, Artificial Reef Program .t / " Laura Kammerer, Division of Historical Resburces ; ^ . V -■ . " " .'■/■  CERTinCATE OF SERVICE The undersigned duly designated deputy clerk hereby certifies that this perriiit, including aU copies were maUed before the close of business on v > W m ^ : 6 / ^ ^ / ^ to the above listed persons. FILING AND A CKNOWLEDGMENT V^ ^ FILED; on this date, pursuant to 120.52(7), ■ •: Florida Stetutes, with the designated Department Clerk, V receipt bfewhich is hereby acknowledged. - , - , V-," .■■-;,•■;■'■.■:,'--'';Qerk;:_;'—-.":.', ■"'■■ ' :■ V'' Date 11 pages attached J5w'ii&#^4»^'»«- -^■.-, ■■ ' ■ -?^?ef*@wi„-..-"-.^-^ ,-; .'; , ' . M ^ t i S ^ ^ S i ^ i J ^ ^ y y - ■ ' ■. -,• ^ " '-, .tA i^S^M*  o R0SS2SV_Care8 "••• Distance to Safety Fairway -k Artificial Reefe-FL Fish Haven Boundary 1 1 ^ County Site#1 E D ROSS Borrow Areas Pot^jntial 1 inch = 6,000 feet - Permitted Borrow Area C2012-005 TAYLOR ENGINEERING INC FIGURE 1 RC 10151 DEERWOOD PARK BLVD. FISH HAVEN 13 BLDG. 300, SUITE 300 OKALOOSA COUNTY ARTIFICIAL REEFS lof 3 JACKSONVILLE, FL 32256: OKALOOSA COUNTY, FLORIDA CERTIFICATE O F AUTHORIZA-nON « 481S JAN;2012  Lggsnd ; • ; . Comer Points ■ : Reef Locations —j 50'Offset —^ Fish Haven Boundary i FishHavenIS | Point ID J Latitude'. L ongitude Centroid ;30°,21:391'N 86° 32.876'W Northwest Corner 30° 21.500'N 86° 33.001'W Northeast Corher 30° 21.500'N 86° 32.750'W Southeast Comer 30° 21.282* N 86° 32.750'W Southwest Corner 30° 21.282'N 86° 33.001'W Reef i; • 30° 21.492' N 86° 32.^92* W Reef 2 30° 21.492' N 86° 32.876' W Reefs 30° 21.492' N 86° 32.759' W Reef4 , 30° 21.391' N 86° 32.992' W Reef 5 30° 21.391'N 86° 32.759'W Reef 6 30° 21.291'N 86° 32.992'W Reef? 30°.21.291'N 86° 32.876'W Reef 8 ; 30^21.291'N 86° 32.759'W Reef 9 ; .30° 21.391'N 86° 32.876'W 1 inch = 300 feet C2012-005 TAYLOR ENGINEERING INC. FIGURE 2 10151 DEERWOOD PARK BLVD. FISH HAVEN 13 RC BLDG. 300, SUITE 300. OKALOOSA COUNTY ARTIFICIAL REEFS 2 of 3 ' OKA L OOSA COUNTY, FLORIDA JACKSONVILLE, FL 32256 - CERTIFICATE OFAUrH0mZAT10N««1S JAN:2012 I  Si Legend • Corner Points Foraging pressure is greater in the darker shaded ■ Reef Locations areas Foraging charactens'tics on the perimeter — 50'Offeet represent an infinite foraginig prospect The two circles around each reef location represent a 400' ■—■ Fish Haven Boundary and 700' foraging radius, characteristic of target B 400'Radius species such as red snapper and gag grouper □ 700'Radius 1 Inch = 500 feet C2012-O05 TAYLOR ENGINEERING INC. FIGURE 3 RC 10151 DEERWOOD PARK BLVD FISH HAVEN 13 BLDG 300, SUITE 300 OKALOOSA COUNTY ARTIFICIAL REEFS JACKSONVILLE FL 32256 CERTIFICATE OF Ai;THORIZAT10N*4elS OKALOOSA COUNTY, FLORIDA 3 of 3 JAN 2012 jAy^y^z<y lk tMtmimKTamsa Attachment A - Typical Reef Structure Fish Haven 13 - Plan View Okaloosa County, Florida Tee Spine Tee  few Attachment A - Typical Reef Structure Fish Haven 13 - Oblique#iew Okaloosa County , Florida ^:^ Tee Spine S G ^ Si##/^ce Maximum reef height equals 20' Sea M o o t  62-341.215 General Conditions for All Noticed General Permits. (1) The terms, conditions, requirements, limitations, and restiictions set forth in this section are. general permit conditions and are binding upon the peririittee for all noticed general pennits in this chapter. These conditibns are enferceable under Part IV bf Chapter 373,. F,S. (2). The general perinit is valid only for the specific activity indicated. Any deviation from the specified activity and.the conditions for undertaking that activity ■■, ■■ ;. ■ shaU--^v'■■■■■;-,.;-■';.',,;■'■ ■/y.y-':' - '' / '" ': .^yiyS.''''-■■.'■: constitute a violation of the permit. A violation of the pennit is a violation of Part IV of - Chapter 373, F.S., and may resulf in suspension or revocation of the permittee's right to conduct such activity under the general pennit. The Department also may begin legal r . proceedings seeking penalties or other remedies as provided by law for any violation of "\- these conditioris. . .,""::■ -..;'!.- (3) This gerief^^erriiit cides riot eliminate therieces;Sityto obtain any required federal, state, local and special distiict. authorizations prior to the start of any constiruction, alteration, operation, maiatenance, ferribval or abandonment authorized by this perinit. ■ (4) This general permif does not convey to the permittee or create ia the: permittee any property right, or any interest in real property, rior does it authorize any entiance upon'or activities on property which is not owned or contibiled by.the permittee, or convey any rights br privUeges ether than thbse specified in the general permit. . '■'"" "* "" "~ . (5) The general permit does not relieve the permittee from liabUity and penalties when the permitted activity causes harm or injury to: human health or welfare; animal, plant or aquatic life; or property. It does not allow the permittee to. cause poUution in ^ ^ ^ ^ T o n t r a v e n t i o n of Florida Statutes^na?'Deparfment rules ^' -"^ : , (6) The permittee is hereby advised that Section 253.77, F.S., states that a ; person may not commence any excavation, constructiori, or other activify involving the use of sovereign br bther lands of the state, the titie to which is vested ia the Board of Trustees bf the InternM Improveinent Trust Fund without obtaining the required lease, license, easement, or other forrii of cpnsent authbrizing tiie pf bppsed use; Therefore, ^ the permittee is responsible for obtaining any necessary authorizations from the Board of Trustees prior to comiriencing activity on sovereignty lands or other state-owned lands. ■ (7) The authorization to conduct activities pursuant to a general permit may be modified, suspended or revoked in accordance with Chapter 120 and Section 373.429,  ■ F.S. (8) This permit shall riot be tiansferred to a third party except pursuant to Rule 62-343.130, F.A.C, or, for activities within the geographical area of the Northwest Florida Water Management Distiict, Rule 62-346.130, F.A.C. The permittee tiansferring ' the general permit shall remain liable for any corrective actions that may be required as a result bf any permit violations prior to sale, conveyance, or other tiansfer of owneirship or contiol of the pennitted. system or the real property at which the perraitted system is located. . ' . (9) Upon reasonable notice to the permittee. Department staff with proper . identification shall have permission to enter, inspect, sample and test the perinitted ^ \ ' - " ^y^^m^mmH^^^^to insurreSfifSS^^witii tiie plans and specificaticffiS^pfl^ed by tiie pennit. -:,; ';**lsiiSias0iSi (10) The permittee shall maintain any permitted system in accordance with the plans submitted to the Department and authorized in this general permit. (11) A permitee's righrto conduct a" specific noticed activity under this-noticed~- general permit is authorized for a duration of five years. (12) Constiuction, alteratiori, operation, maintenance, removal and abandonment " approved by this general permit shaU be conducted in a manner which does not caiise violations of state water quality standards, includiag any antidegradation proyisions of ._, paragraphs 62-4.242(l)(a) and (b), subsections 62-4.242(2) and (3) and Rule 62- 3.02:360, KA.C, and ariy special staridards for Outstandiag Florida Waters'and . Outstaridirig National Resource Watefs.:The permittee shallimplenlenf best : - -mariagement practices fpr efbsibn, turbidity, and bther-poUiitipn cpriffol to prevent violation of state water quality standards, Temporary;erosion coritipl ineasures such as .. sodding, raulcWng, and seeding shall be impleraentedand-shall be maintained on all erodible ground areas prior to and during constructibn. Permanent erosion contiol . nrieasures such as sodding and planting of wetiand species shall be coriipleted within seyeri days of any coristrrictipn activity. Turbidity barriers shall be iri^^ ,■ '■ ': maintained at alllocatioris where the possibUity of tiarisferring susperided solids into wetiarids and bther surface waters exists due to the permitted actiyity." Turbidity -barriers [■■^■■- .^ - ■ .-'• . ■; ■""^''■':' r ■ ' ■■■. shall remain in place and shall be maintained in a functional condition at aU locations until constiuction is completed and soUs are stabilized and vegetation has been established. Thereafter the permittee shaU be responsible for the removal of the barriers. The permittee shall correct any erosiori or shoalirig that causes adverse impacts to the water resources. ' (13) The permittee shall hold and save the Department harmless from any and all damages, clairiis, or liabUities which may arisie by reason of the constiuction, alteration, operation, maintenance, removal, abandonment Or use of any system authorized by the general pennit. (14) The permittee shallinmiediatelyriotify&^^ previously subinitted iaforraation that is Iafe Specific Autiiority 373.026(7). 373.043.373.li8(l):-373:406(5): 373.414(9). 373.4145,.^ 1 .,.. 373.418,403.805(1) FS. Law Iriiplemerited 373.044,373.406(5), 373.118(1), 373.129, .373.136, 373.413,373.414(9), 373.4145,373.416,373.422,373.423,373.429 FS. History-New 10-3-95, Amended 10-1-07. ■"■/S^^^^i^iSiiSIS^^c,,;V-,-- ■ '.-- ^ ■ ...,:^!f8=S@t^?  62-341.600 General Permit for the Constiuction of Artificial Reefs. (1) A general permit is hereby provided for the constiuction of an artificial reef by any person, proyided: (a) The material to be used shall be clean concrete or rock, clean steel boat hulls, other clean, heavy gauge steel products with a thickness of 1/4 inch or greater, and prefabricated structures that are a mixture bf clean concrete and heavy gauge steel; _,_____. .__:_ „:;,_,„.;:'„'„.,:...- _._.:,:.L .„,.,_.:._.;„::_'■.: (b) The material shall be free of soUs, oUs and greases, debris, litter, putiescible . substances or other pollutants; ,, (c) The material shall be firmly anchored to the bottom and shall not be indiscriminately duiriped; and (d) The material shall be placed so that the top of the reef does not exceed 1/2 siaafe^J'- the d i s t f f i ^ e e ^ ^ ^ ^ bottom to the surface of t h e ^ ^ ^ s ^ i i i s s a' greater'distancefrbiiiSlsass^^ the surface is required for safe navigation. At no time shall the distance between the top of the reef and the surface of the water be less than 6 feet. (2) This general permit shall be subject to the foUowdng specific conditions: (a) Thepermittee shall ccnduct a survey of the bottom-of the-waterbody bn which the reef is tb be buUt and shaU submit the survey to the Department with the nptice required in Subsection 62-343.090(1), F.A.C, demonstiating that the bottom does not have subrnerged grassbed communities, shellfish or other hardbottom communities, or ,corals;' •,.-;■/',■■■■ ■ ' ^■'- ■'.. (b) There shall be no reefs constiucted in bays, lagoons, or estuaries that are less than 12 feet deep; ~ (c) There shall be no "white goods" (inoperative and discairded refrigerators, freezers, ranges, water heaters, washers, and other similar doraestic and comirierciar ^ : : ,;'. ■ appliances), asphalt material, tires, otiier polluting materials iisectiri coristnictiori of the ,; ;|:n ':■'■: 'reef;- -V / ' :-■. . ■'^ ■ ' .' ■,.-,■■, ■■. '.'■':.,:.■" - ' - ■' \.''':M:'-.':-'■■':'''-'''y] y ' . ' ' ' - y ' ' ^■'-...'■':'^'^■ (d) The site shall be marked with perimeter buoys during constructiori to ensure - that rio material is deposited outside of the site; :/• (e).Thesizeof the boundaries within which the artificial reef is to be deposited shall not exceed l / 4 i n i l e on any side; ■ ::;■. ; :* (f) The artificial reef site shall not be established within any shipping lanes; and (g) The pennittee shall nbtify the Natiorial Ocean Serviee^National Oceariographic and A tmospheric A ssodation, U.S. Departrrierit^bfCbnimerce, RockvUle, Maryltod, and the Florida Fish and WUdlife Conseryatibn Cbmmissibn, Division of Marine Fisheries Managenient, via e-mail at . artificialreefdeployriients@myfwc.com of the precise location of the reef withiri 30 days ^ : of placement of the reef material. Specific A utiiority 373.026(7), 373.043,373.118(1), 373.406(5), 373.414(9), 373.418, 403.805(1) FS. Law Implemented 373.118(1), 373.406(5), 373.413,373.414(9), 373.416,373.418 FS. History - New 10-3-95.  H,EGEIVED MAR 0 5 2012 MORTHWEST FLORIDA DEP FLORIDA DEPA RTMENT OF STA TE DIVISION OF HISTORICAL RESOURCES Mr. Andrew Joslyn February 28, 2012 FDEP Northwest District Submerged Laiids and Environmental Resources 160 Governmental Street, Suite 308. "Pensacola, Florida52502-5794 '■'' : - J Re: DHRNo.: 2012-00595 &2012-00593 ;^ - ; \ : \ ^ - ;'^" : \ \ Received by DHR: February 09, 2012 , . " . ::i^ ;^ ^^^.-^^V Z-^ ^^:^ ' : : : Applicant: Okaloosa County /' . : ^ - 4 ' ' ri:'> ^^^ Application Nos.: 46-0309090-002-EG& 46-0369'090-OQ3-E($:|}5;'V t^ y.;'['}';'"y: ; ■ : r t Project: Fish Haven #13 and Fish Haven #14-Artificial Reef Constmction Dear Mr. Joslyn: - i r "■?■-:' This office received and reviewed the referenced projects in accofdMce'iyith Chapters 267 and 373, ■ : Florida Statutes, Florida's Coastal Management Prograin, and implernehting state regiilatioris,; for , possible impact to historic properties listed, or eligible for listing, miheNaiidnal Register ofHistoric: . Places (NRHP), or otherwise of historical, architectural or archaeological value. The State Historic Preservation Officer is to advise and assist state and federal agencies when idehtif/irig historic properties, assessing effects lipon'them, and considering altematives to avbid or minimize adverse ! ■ : ■effects. ■ - ".■ .' --'"';■'■ ■-';-£■;/■ -';"■'''■■ ' ■■ We have reviewed the information submitted by your office for the above referenced projects. A-review of the Florida Master Sites Files indicates that there iias not been a systematicarcbaeo^o^cal survey of submerged cultural resburces conducted in the area ofpotential effect (A PE) for the proposed projects. Because ofthe rich maritime history ofthis area, it is the opinion of this office that a systeinatic remote sensing suryey be conducted in the proposed project areas ofFish Haven #13 and Fish Haven #14. This survey should utilize modem remote sensing technology to include magnetometer data^ side-scan sonar data, and dgpthrecorded capabilities^.'^ei^iojte sens^^^^^ should be real-time cmr^ted with DGPS positi'^ffl^^§S!r!T!6*survey shoula a ^ f ^ ^ d o y ^ i i accredited nautical archaeolo^sfwrai experience in the operation of remote sensing instmmentation and specific knowledge of maritime history.. All anomalies determiried to indicate a potential significant cultural resource should be ground-tmthed by divers with specific training iii underwater archaeological techniques; Results of this survey should be; submitted to bur office for final reyievv prior to initiating bottom disturbing dredging activities. The survey report shall conform to the specifications set forth in Chapter \A ^46, Florida Administrative Code, and will need to be forwarded to this agency in order to complete the process of reviewing the impact of this proposed project on historic properties. 500 S, Bronough street ♦ Tallahassee, FL 32399-0250 http://vvww.flheritage.coni D Director's Office " .D Archaeological Research 0 Historic Preservation (850) 245-6300'• FAX: 245-6436 ., . (850) 245-6444 .• FA X: 245^6452 " (850) 245-6333 • FA X: 245-6437 Commemorating SOO years of Florida history www.fla500.com .VHFLOIilDASOO. VIVAFlOmDASOO.  Mr. Joslyn February 28, 2012 Page 2 The results ofthe investigations will determine if significant historic properties would be disturbed by this project. In addition, if significaiit remains, are located, the data described in the report and the consultant's ponclusions will assist this office in determining measures that must be talcen to avoid, minimize, or mitigate adverse impacts to historic properties listed, or eligible for listing in the National, --/?«g«fte/"^?^fiS^/e^/aee*ror otherwise of hK^^ - .-...:;:.. __ Please note that, as mentioned above, our review ofthis project will not be complete until we have received and reviewed the requested survey report. It is the responsibility of the.applicant and/or the applicant's ag^nt to ensure that the Division of Historical Resourees Compliance and Review Section receive an original copy ofthe requested repprt and to ensure that FDEP receives a copy of our response ..=tQji&iisi^ report;; ;. Because this letter and its contents are a matter of public record, cultural resource consultants who have knowledge of oui- survey request may contact an applicant or the project agent. This should in no way be interpreted as an endorsement by this agency. The Division of Historical Resources does not maintain a list of professional consiiltants who are qualified to work in the State ofFlorida and/or vvho meet the SecFetary c f the Interior'sStandards and Guidelines [as amended .and.annotated] for Archaeology and Historic Preservation professionals (see 36 CFR Part 61, Appendix A). However, the American Cultural Resources Association (ACRA) maintains a listing of professional consultants (https://iri360.acra- crm.org/frontend/search.aspx?cs= 1501V In addition, the Register bf Professional A rchaeologists (RPA) . maintains a membership directory for locating professional archaeologists and other professional preservation consultants (https://m360.rpanet.org/frontend/search aspx?cs=l 528). Many qualified historic :preservation/culturaI resource management professionals are not members ofthese organizations, and ohiissiph from the directories does not imply that someone does not meet the Secretary's Standards or that the restiltant wbrk would hot be acceptable. For any questions ^concerning oim commeiits, please contact Robin Jackson, Historic Sites Specialist, at 850.245.6333, or by electronic mail at robin.jacks6n@dos.myflorida.com. We appreciate your continued : interest in protecting Florida's historic properties. • Sincerelyi'v .:'-■,■;.';.; .;.-,,, Laura A. Kammei-erV Historic Preservationist Supervisor Compliance Review Sectiori Bureau of Historic Preservation Pc: Scott R. Henson, Okalbosa Couiity PubliQ Works Attachment 19 Public Support DDddsa  1 of 1 Public Support In the following pages, numerous testimonies demonstrate public support of Okaloosa County’s artificial reef construction initiatives. The letters indicate the long-term support of the objectives of the local artificial reef program (OCARP) and appreciation of the economic and environmental benefits of artificial reefs. Longer than six months have passed between the drafting of some the testimonies within this application, however, the current scope is directly aligned with the objectives and goals of the program that they support. The support of the program is not limited to the past six months but is a perpetual support of OCARP activities and reef construction/maintenance in general. Okaloosa County 2014-15 FWC Supplemental Construction Grant Attachment 19 Public Support  Attachment 20 Presence of a Navigable Inlet DDddsa  1 of 1 Presence of a Navigable Inlet The enclosed figure depicts the relative location of the proposed reef site to the nearest navigable inlet access point — East Pass, Destin, FL. The USACE-maintained dredge depth of this inlet is 12 feet, although the permitted dredging limits (including over-dredge and advanced maintenance) ranges between -16 to -22 feet. The County’s contractors will use this inlet for transport of all materials for deployment in this effort. FDEP/USACE Permitted Proposed Number of Inlets Distance to Inlet Reef Area Deployment within 10 nm (nm) Fish Haven 13 CTR-3 1 2.5 Okaloosa County 2014-15 FWC Supplemental Construction Grant Attachment 20 Presence of a Navigable Inlet  86°48'0"W 86°46'0"W 86°44'0"W 86°42'0"W 86°40'0"W 86°38'0"W 86°36'0"W 86°34'0"W 86°32'0"W 86°30'0"W 86°28'0"W 86°26'0"W O O KK AA LL O OO O SS AA CC OO UU NN TT YY Choctawatchee Bay d Santa Rosa Soun "" )) 30°24'0"N East 30°24'0"N Pass U.S Hwy 98 ) " 30°22'0"N ) " ) " ) " ) " nm " ) 30°22'0"N )" ") ")" " ) ) " ) ") " ) ") " ) " ) " ) " )) " ) " " ) ) " " ) " ) 5 2. " ) "" ) ) " ) " FH 13 )" " ) ) " " ) " )" ) ) " ) " East Pass )" ) " ) " )" ")" )" ) )" ")" )" )" )")" " )" ))" )" ) )" ")" )" )" )" ) )" ")" )" )" ) )" ")" ) "" ) )) " " ) ) " ) " ) " ) ) " )" " )) " )" ") " )") )" " )" ) )" " ) " " ) ) )" ") ) " ) " " ) )" ") " ) "" ) )" " ) ) " ) " ) )" ") " ) " ) " ) " )") " ) ) ) " Prop os e d Re ef Si te " )" " ) ") ") " ) ) " ) " )" " )")" ) "" )) ) " )" ") (CTR -3 ) ) " " ) ) " ) " " ) " ) )" " ) " )" ) ) " 30°20'0"N ) " ) " ) " 30°20'0"N ) " ) " 3.1 nm ) " ) " ) " )" " " )) ) " ) " ) " ) " ) " 30°18'0"N "" )) ) " ) " 30°18'0"N ) " ) " SAFETY FAIRWAY ) " ) " ) " 30°16'0"N ) " Gulf 30°16'0"N ) " of STATE OKALOOSA COUNTY, ) " Mexico JURISDICTION LINE Legend FLORIDA Fish Haven 13 30°14'0"N ) " Existing Reef Locations 30°14'0"N Nautical Miles Notes: ) " ) " Permitted Reef Sites 0 0.5 1 2 3 4 5 NOAA Chart Choctawhatchee Bay 11388, June 2012 ) " NOAA Chart Pensacola Bay and Approaches ) " 11382, October 2012 Safety Fairway 1 inch = 12,000 feet ) " Soundings in Feet at Mean Lower Low Water Permitted Borrow Area ) " ) " ) " PROJECT SEAL C2014-004 Taylor Engineering Inc. LOCATION MAP PROPOSED REEF SITE (CTR-3) WITHIN FISH HAVEN 13 DRAWN BY PL DG ) " 1221 Airport Road, Suite 210 SHEET FWC ARTIFICIAL REEF CONSTRUCTION GRANT APPLICATION Destin, FL 32541 CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORIZATION # 4815 OKALOOSA COUNTY, FLORIDA DATE OCT 2014 MATTHEW E. TRAMMELL P.E. # 69244 DATE Attachment 21 Material Logistics DDddsa  1 of 1 Material Logistics With the guidance of the FWC, Okaloosa County and the municipalities of Destin, Niceville, and Valparaiso have executed consecutive successful artificial reef deployments over the past decade utilizing repurposed or prefabricated concrete products. Neither Okaloosa County nor the municipalities have ever experienced any issues acquiring regulatory compliant concrete or reinforced concrete reef material. Given prudent planning, use of professional reef contractors, and a diligent RFP process; material selection, procurement, and transport have not presented any major issues. Okaloosa County will once again prepare an RFP that requires the successful bidder to load, transport, and deploy the proposed reef material. Unlike previous FWC awards for reef construction, the USAF is donating the material to OCARP. The USAF and/or Okaloosa County may also supplement transport of the material to a waterfront staging area in Okaloosa County that will allow access for a deepwater barge. Contracted services, supplemented by available County resources, will load the material onto the barge. Supplemental assistance from County and USAF resources will be determined independently from the RFP requirements and the successful bidders will plan to fulfill the full Scope of Services. Requirements for both terrestrial and marine transport as well as staging logistics will occur as outlined in the contract documents under Scope of Services. The plan for transport and staging is anticipated to differ from one bidder to the next. However, the number of deepwater access points is few and the County expects the project to require very limited staging of materials. Given the phased nature of the project, the County expects that the transition from terrestrial transport to marine transport will be rapid and will not require much time for the material to lay idle before loaded onto the marine transport. Transport services include following minimum requirements: 1. Okaloosa County and FWC will inspect the material prior to bidding, contracting, or material deployment. 2. The contractor must load and transport material from the current USAF/AFRL locations (Main Base and Reservation) to the marine transport facility. 3. The contractor must secure and transport the artificial reef material onto a suitable marine conveyance with the necessary personnel and equipment (including a DGPS navigational unit and an operational VHF radio) and travel to the deployment site with a County observer onboard. 4. The contractor must place sufficient marker buoys at each deployment location. 5. At the designated reef construction site, the contractor will maneuver the transport vessel to the buoys at the proposed reef coordinates to ensure accurate placement of the reef material. 6. The County observer will record all deployment coordinates. 7. The contractor will only deploy material when the sea state is no greater than 3 feet. 8. The County will submit the Material Placement Report and a post-deployment survey to the FWC. Okaloosa County 2014-15 FWC Supplemental Construction Grant Attachment 21 Material Logistics  Attachment 22 Availability of Materials DDddsa  1 of 1 Availability of Materials The U.S. Air Force (USAF) has donated the primary material designated for this effort. The USAF and Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) committed to donating repurposed concrete materials to Okaloosa County for artificial reef creation over two years ago, however, funding limitations have hindered project construction. Given the supplemental funding limits of $60,000, the County selected ranges C-72 and C-74 to provide materials for the proposed CTR-3 deployment. A USAF/AFRL material inventory conducted in September/October 2014 determined the following information. Range C-72 contains numerous concrete barriers and various sizes of rectangular concrete slabs that vary in dimension and weigh between approximately 1.9 and 8 tons each. Range C-74 contains variously sized concrete units and slabs that range in weight between 2.6 and 10.8 tons each. The total tonnage of reef quality concrete available at C-72 is approximately 288.76 tons (not including “Brick in Steel Frame” and “Random Smaller Broken Concrete”) and range C-74 contains approximately 260.8 tons. The combined weight of materials, solely for the CTR-3 deployment, is approximately 549.6 tons. Based on existing inventories and observations, a sufficient volume of material exists for this deployment in Ranges C-72 and C-74; however, from our observations and discussions with USAF, significantly larger quantities of materials exist on additional Air Force ranges. Eglin Air Force Base is currently classifying materials suitable for artificial reef deployment based on criteria recently developed by Okaloosa County in coordination with FWC. The classification document includes criteria for sorting the material into classes based on the weight of each unit, condition (i.e. mostly-intact, exposed rebar, significant damage, etc.), whether pre-deployment preparation is required, loading/transport limitations, etc. Example photographs of varying material types are provided in the document to assist in classification. Further, the document defines guidance for stockpiling the materials in order to easily differentiate classifications, provide equipment access, and conduct inventories. The classification document also provides requirements for material inventories; defining the target number, dimensions, concrete properties, weight, the stockpile where the material resides (e.g., Area 1), and the percent (%) damage or volume loss. The County will utilize these material inventories to more efficiently inspect and mark all materials, to be approved by FWC, prior to transportation by the contractor. Notably, Okaloosa County Public works, in conjunction with Fort Walton Beach and the Mid-Bay Bridge Authority, has continued to stage surplus clean concrete materials at a County facility over the last two years. The materials primarily include large concrete culverts, manholes, and large concrete pilings. If requested, the additional materials may also be utilized for the proposed deployment. The inventories of the USAF/AFRL ranges C-72 and C-74 with representative photographs are enclosed. Okaloosa County 2014-15 FWC Supplemental Construction Grant Attachment 22 Availability of Materials  Currently Available Concrete Reef Material On TA C-72 Total Total Quantity Volume/E Weight/E Description Size (Ft x Ft x Ft) Volume Weight (EA) a (CY) a (TN) (CY) (TN) 16 Barrier 19 x 4.2 x 1.25 1.8 3.99 29.6 63.84 9 Block 5 x 5 x 1.50 1.4 3 12.5 27 1 Block 8 x 5 x 1 1.5 3.2 1.5 3.2 3 Broken Block 6 x 6 x 1 1.3 2.88 4.0 8.64 19 Block on Mound 10 x 10 x 1 3.7 8 70.4 152 3 Broken Block 12 x 2 x 2.5 2.2 4.8 6.7 14.4 1 Block 10 x 10 x 1 3.7 8 3.7 8 4 Broken Block 6 x 4 x 1 0.9 1.92 3.6 7.68 1 Broken Block 10 x 5 x 1 1.9 4 1.9 4 9 Brick in Steel Frame 10 x 10 x 1 3.7 8 33.3 72 * Random Smaller Broken Concrete Items Ranging between 2'x1'x1'-5'x2'x2' 150.0 324.00 Total Volume: 317.0 CY Total Weight: 684.8 TN Currently Available Concrete Reef Material on TA C-74 Total Total Quantity Volume/ Weight/E Size (Ft x Ft x Ft) Volume Weight Location on C-74 (EA) Ea (CY) a (TN) (CY) (TN) 2 10 x 10 x 1 3.7 8 7.4 16 Demo Yard 1 10 x 10 x 0.75 2.8 6 2.8 6 Demo Yard 1 10 x 10 x 0.5 1.9 4 1.9 4 Demo Yard 2 15 x 6 x 0.8 2.5 5.4 5.0 10.8 Demo Yard 1 6 x 6 x 1.5 2.0 4.32 2.0 4.32 Demo Yard 6 6 x 6 x 3 4.0 8.64 24.0 51.84 Demo Yard 1 6 x 6 x 1.3 1.7 3.6 1.7 3.6 Demo Yard 1 6 x 3 x 2 1.3 2.88 1.3 2.88 Demo Yard 7 10 x 10 x 0.3 1.2 2.64 8.6 18.48 Demo Yard 2 8 x 3 x 2 1.8 3.84 3.6 7.68 Demo Yard 9 5 x 5 x 2.5 2.3 5 20.8 45 Down Range Casting Yard 12 5 x 5 x 2.5 2.3 5 27.8 60 Up Range Casting Yard 2 15 x 6 x 1.5 5.0 10.8 10.0 21.6 Up Range Casting Yard 1 6 x 6 x 3 4.0 8.64 4.0 8.64 Up Range Casting Yard TOTAL VOLUME: 120.8 CY TOTAL WEIGHT: 260.8 TN Range C-72 Representative Photographs (8/14/2014) Range C-74 Representative Photographs (8/14/2014) Attachment 23 Material Ownership DDddsa  1 of 1 Material Ownership The USAF has committed the material to this effort through Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) senior staff responsible for the construction and use of the targets as well as the ultimate disposition after its intended use. Additionally, the City of Fort Walton Beach has relinquished similar clean concrete units suitable for artificial reef construction to the County. Enclosed is a signed agreement between Okaloosa County and Eglin Air Force Base that clearly indicates the shared intent to repurpose clean concrete materials into artificial reefs, signed in October 2014. Also included are recent letters of intent to donate the material to the County. The correspondence endorses the use of the materials for artificial reef construction and the long-term collaboration between the USAF and the County. Notably, the enclosed letter provides an estimate of approximately 6 million pounds (~3,000 tons) of concrete from one division of the AFRL. The AFRL reports that the stockpile will continue to be replenished throughout the foreseeable future. Other divisions of the USAF at Eglin have similar stockpiles of clean concrete materials and may be consulted for future efforts if necessary. Okaloosa County 2014-15 FWC Supplemental Construction Grant Attachment 23 Material Ownership Duncan Greer From: YELVERTON, JOHN W DR-02 USAF AFMC DET 6 AFRL/SE <john.yelverton.1@us.af.mil> Sent: Monday, March 03, 2014 2:40 PM To: Scott Henson (shenson@co.okaloosa.fl.us) Cc: Matthew Trammell; Duncan Greer Subject: New funding opportunities to deploy AFRL/RW surplus concrete Mr. Henson, The Air Force Research Laboratory Munitions Directorate (AFRL/RW) welcomes the opportunity to donate our surplus concrete material using other funding sources such as supplemental grants from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and Okaloosa County Tourism Development Council (TDC) and that may be available sooner than the Natural Resource Disaster Assessment (NRDA) funding. AFRL/RW regularly discards surplus concrete that could be used for building artificial reefs and currently has approximately 6 million pounds of clean concrete material available for donation. The material stockpile continues to grow and given the long-term, continuous supply of this material, we look forward to working with Okaloosa County to establish a long-term program for utilizing these materials for artificial reef deployments. Artificial reefs provide vital habitat for the northern Gulf of Mexico that contribute greatly to local fishing and diving opportunities , which help stimulate economic growth and create jobs by attracting tourists worldwide. We appreciate this opportunity to contribute to the construction of artificial reefs that will offer long-term benefits to the local community, tourists, and tourism industry who utilize the recreation opportunities made available by marine habitat in the northern Gulf of Mexico. AFRL anticipates the successful execution of these projects, and we look forward to future projects to further strengthen our relationship with Okaloosa County and the local community. Respectfully, John Yelverton AFRL Det 6/SE Environmental/Occupational Health Team 850.883.1542 (O) 850.882.6490 (F) 1  Attachment 24 Costs Estimate for Handling and Transportation DDddsa  1 of 1 Cost Estimate for Handling and Transportation During recent months, Okaloosa County has received unit price estimates ($/ton) from qualified contractors to transport and deploy the Eglin concrete materials. Current contractor estimates for deployment are approximately $130 - $140 per ton; however, the County has yet to receive competitive bid prices that will likely result in lesser costs than these non-competitive estimates. The constructed footprint and maximum vertical relief of the patch reef currently proposed will depend on the unit bid prices received through the competitive bidding process. OCARP or its consultant will prepare an RFP for transportation and deployment of the proposed material. The County will publicly advertise the RFPs and send the RFP to a minimum of five vendors known to have the capability to complete this proposed project in a safe, economical, and timely manner. One particular interested vendor has been deploying artificial reefs since 1986 and has experience deploying prefabricated concrete modules, vessels, and other secondary materials. Experience has proven these vendors not only capable, but also proficient in executing the artificial grant projects. The RFP will solicit cost of mobilization/demobilization (if required) and cost per ton of deployed material. The County will process the responses to the RFPs and will put the delegated project funds towards placing the maximum amount of material and constructing the largest reef possible. Ultimately, the competitive bid process will determine the final cost and scale of the deployment. Okaloosa County 2014-15 FWC Supplemental Construction Grant Attachment 24 Cost Estimate for Handling and Transportation Attachment 25 Financial Match DDddsa  1 of 1 Financial Match Due to the provisional nature of the Tourist Development Department’s 2015 and integrated artificial reef budget, the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners cannot guarantee a financial match to the $60,000 supplemental grant request. However, the County does anticipate providing some financial match during the FWC 2015-16 FY Call for Grant Applications. Okaloosa County is excited about the outcome of this FWC 2014-15 Supplemental Grant Application and its potential to sustain the County’s relationship with FWC and Eglin Air Force Base. The supplemental grant funds are essential to the momentum of the large scale rubble-mound reef creation initiative in the County. Recent negotiations with FWC regarding the utilization of 2013-14 FY supplemental and 2014-15 FY funds, has prepared the County for swift implementation of the 2014-15 supplemental grant monies in this turnkey project. If awarded, the $60,000 CTR-3 deployment will complement the previously funded project by sustaining the rubble-mound reef construction effort and producing an additional large, stable, and complex structure. Based on experience with similar projects in the County, the project will bring significant economic, recreational, and ecological benefit to the state. Notably, the County recently has begun pursuing private funding towards a tiered reef naming program. The objective of the effort is to procure funds in exchange for naming rights to single deployments and/or reef areas. Lower tiers of the donations will allow placement of pre-fabricated reefs adorned with commemorative plaques, if desired. The County hopes that the donation program sparks additional interest and community involvement in the artificial reef program. Okaloosa County 2014-15 FWC Supplemental Construction Grant Attachment 25 Financial Match  Attachment 26 Okaloosa County Artificial Reef Budget DDddsa  1 of 1 Okaloosa County Artificial Reef Budget The previous (FY2014) budget for artificial reef construction and monitoring managed by Okaloosa County through OCARP was $120,000. The funding is allocated through the Okaloosa County Tourist Development Department and managed by OCARP. As proposed in the 2013-14 supplemental grant and the 2014-15 grant, the County matched a combined $100,000 with FWC. Additionally, OCARP allotted approximately $20,000 for construction-phase services and engineering for the artificial reef projects (not included within the County’s match) which included construction drawings, technical specifications, construction administration, and certification. Currently, the Tourist Development Department (TDD) is voting on the local FY2015 budget for artificial reef construction. Following TDD approval, the proposed budget must also be approved by the Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners. The County anticipates that the 2015 FY budget will be approximately $225,000, an 87.5% increase from the previous year. The TDD and the County increased the budget for future offshore (rubble-mound structures, vessel deployments, etc.) and nearshore (snorkel reef creation) artificial reef initiatives. However, due to the provisional state of the FY 2015 budget, a financial match to the FY2014-15 Supplemental Grant is not currently proposed. OCARP expects to obligate funds in FY15 for the continuation of USAF/AFRL material deployment. It is possible that, if awarded and approved by FWC, the County may roll the 2014-15 Supplement Grant funds into potential funding associated with the FWC 2015-16 grant, of which the County anticipates to match funding. This notion is similar to the current negotiations, of which the County has combined awarded monies from the 2013-14 Supplemental and the 2014-15 FY grant. The combination of potential grant funds would provide time and cost reductions allowing for increased efficiency and scale of the project. Notably, the County recently has begun pursuing private funding towards a tiered reef naming program. The goal of the effort is to procure funds in exchange for naming rights to single deployments and/or reef areas. Lower tiers of the donations will allow placement of pre-fabricated reefs adorned with commemorative plaques, if desired. The County hopes that the donation program sparks additional interest and community involvement in the artificial reef program. Baseline monitoring primarily for construction objective verification is included in this project. While out-year budgeting for monitoring is desired by OCARP, construction funding will be the primary budget focus. A cultural change and other reef program objectives will need to be accomplished before funding earmarked for monitoring will be realized. However, OCARP believes that demonstrating positive and sustainable economic impact and public perception will be the keys to making monitoring a required budget element. Okaloosa County 2014-15 FWC Supplemental Construction Grant Attachment 26 Okaloosa County Artificial Reef Budget  Attachment 27 Okaloosa County Tax Status DDddsa  1 of 1 Okaloosa County Tax Status Okaloosa County 2014-15 FWC Supplemental Construction Grant Attachment 27 Okaloosa County Tax Status  Attachment 28 Okaloosa County Resolution DDddsa  1 of 1 Okaloosa County Resolution Enclosed are the relevant ordinances and resolutions of the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners. Okaloosa County 2014-15 FWC Supplemental Construction Grant Attachment 28 Okaloosa County Resolution  RESOLUTION 'f97-{]2 A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE RENOURISHMENT, ENHANCEMENT, AND ESTABLISHMENT OF ARTIFICIAL REEFS IN ADJACENT COASTAL WATERS FOR THE LONG-TERM BENEFIT OF OUR ECOSYSTEM AND OUR OVERALL ECONOMY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, Okaloosa COWlty'S local fishing, boating. diving, and charter fleet creates jobs, stimulates economic growth, attracts tourists from around the world, and generates tax revenues; and WHEREAS, Okaloosa County's fishing and diving industry has grown to represent one of the nation's largest fleet of boats; and WHEREAS, the economy ofthe coastal areas ofOkaloosa COWlty, especially Destin, is dependent upon a healthy and productive marine environment; and WHEREAS, natural reefs occur infrequently in the northcm Gulf of Mexico and provide few havens for marine life to flourish; and WHEREAS, artificial reefs can supplement naturally occurring reefs and provide much-needed areas for marine habitat; and WHEREAS, the existence ofartificial reefs is vital to tile healtll and stability of tile marine ecosystem in IDe northern Gulf of Mexico as well as Destin's fishing industry; and WHEREAS, Hurricane Opal moved, scattered, or destroyed a majority of the existing artificial reefs; and WHEREAS, dIe public's demand for use ofdlese reefs places pressure on dIe resource and ecosystem, which creates dle need for renourishment and expansion of the reefs; and WHEREAS, renourislunent, expansion, and cstablisluncnt of artificial reefs are vital to the enviromnent, the marine habitats and ecosystem, Okaloosa County's and its coastal conunwlities economies, and dIe general public; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Okaloosa Comlty Board of COlmnissioners supports the renourishment, the enhancement, and dIe establislmlent of artificial reefs in adjacent coastal waters for the long~ teon benefit of the ecosystem and Okaloosa County's overall economy. DULY PASSED AND ADOPTED in regular session this 21st day of January, 1997. ATTEST: ~ CLERK OF CIRCUIT COURT ATTACHMENT 28 - Resolution RESOLUTION _ WHEREAS, the Board has ndopted this dste the Okaloosn County Artificial Rcef Ordinance (the ('Ordinance"); WHEREAS, the Ordinance provides that the Board Illay estAblish by Resolution the terms, conditions and procedures regarding authorized areas for the cOl1stmction andlor nourishment ofreefsite.s, designation ofappropriate reefmaterial(s), cleallmg and preparation ofreefrnateria1(s), receipt of Board approval, fees and other appropriate matters; and WHEREAS, the Buard has determined thai it is necessary to approve such a Resolution as de.'i.cribed in the Ordinance; NOW TllERIWORE. BE IT RESOLVED by thelloard of County Commissioners ofOkaloosa County that: 1. Authorized Area. Permits shall only be issued for the conslmction and/or nourishment Of811ificial reef sites within the area authorized by lhe Army Corp ofRngil1eers "fI~mit 19960J565(IP-DIl). which is currently !IS described herein: ARllA A (56 7 sa Nautical Miles) ( NWCorner: Lat. 30'10.00 Lon. 86'25.00 13737,2 x 47060,6 NECorncr: Lnt. 30'10,00 Lon. 86'17.00 138t2,6.47055,9 SECurncr: Lat. 30'02,00 Lon. 86'17.00 13787,6 .46999. t SWCorncr: Lnt. 30'02,00 Lon. 86'25.00 13714.4 .47006.3 ARRAR 193.8 S() NautiealMi1cs) Min. Water Deptll - 180 ft. Max- Water J)epth - 300 ft, NW Corner: Lat. 29-59.00 Lon. -86'31.66 13643,0 x 46990,0 NE Comer: Lat. 29'58.97 Lon, -86'22,65 13726,0 x 46982.0 SE Comer: Lat. 29'48.51 Lon, -86'22,72 13693,0 x 46907,0 SW Corner: Lat. 29'48,55 Lun, -86'31.70 13613,0.46918,0 AREAC 147,3 scr. Nnutical Miles) Min. Water Deplh ~ 90 fl. Max, Water Depth - 162 ft. NW Corner: Lat. 30*9.51 Lon, -86'49,66 1349.1,0 x 47065,0 NTI Comer: Lat. 30·9.46 Lon, .86'31.6t 13671.0x 47059,0 SE Comer: Lat. 30'6,85 Lou. -86'31.62 13664,0 x 47042,0 SW Corner: Lat. 30'6,89 Lon, -86'49,66 13489,0 x 47079,0 79  2. Reef Materlals. Permits shaU only be issued for the construction and/or nourislunellt ofartificial reef sites complying with conditions of the Army Corp ofEngineers Permit 199603565(IP-DH) currently as described betow: The materials to be used on the arliliciallhhing reefs shall be cleaned and free of pollutants and toxins. a.Clean concrete products & rocks b.Cleaned steel hull vessels c.Cleaned non-productive oil platforms d.Clean and structurally stabilized steel boxes (118" or thicker) e.Cleaned heavy gauge aluminum (1/8" or thicker) f.Cleaned heavy gauge metal surplus military equipment (1/8 U or thicker) g.Clean heavy gnuge sleel (1/8" or thicker) h.Cleaned chain link fencing (9 gauge or thicker) or conC4'ete wire mesh (3/16" or thicker) utilized II~ II matcrill1 wrapped around lind securelly welded to II melal framework (1/1l" or thicker) i. Cement mixer drums with sufficient residual concrete to baUast the drum and multiple holes cut on multiple sides of the drum (including top and one end) j. Two or more metal chicken transportation containers, which have had doors and all non-melal malerial removed, and which are securely fllstened together by 1/4" or th.icker cable or chains, may be deployed, but only ill water depths ofgreater than 80 feet (lIllchoring may be required). All materials must be anchored or otherwise secured against flotation. No other material(s), including fiberglass vessels, may be used. Nu fccfmaterial shall be aUowed to Imp marine life, and must be configured, cul ur shaped, su as to nut function as a fish trap. All malcrill1s1structurell must .be configured and constmcted to be stable and durable. Okaloosa County is required to consult as needed with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Collliuission to assure that all materials and structures deployed pursuant to this permit are stable, durable and do not trap marine life. No material whatsoever may be deployed within one-quarter mile of artificial fishing reef site boundaries, and no material may be deployed by private individuals or private groups within one-half mile of artificial fishing reef site boundaries (see attached drawings: "Okaloosa County, BOCC, 199603565 (IP-DR), Sheets 2, 3, lind 4 of 4, March 20, 2001, Modification #3"). NO OTHER MATERIALS ARE AUfHORIZED BY TillS PERMIT. MATERIALS EXPRESSLY PROHlBITED INCLUDE CARS AND TRUCKS AND ANY PARTS THEREOF, WHTTR GOODS (i.e. APPLIANCES). SHOPPING CARTS, BRHAD THAYS, S5 GALLON DRUMS, STORAGE OR FURL TANKS, I.OOSH MTIl'AL MATHlUAJ.s, PI.ASncs, AND J.7TRRRGT .ASS. C:W<y Ooc::ummlslCarel User f'lllsIRESOLlITN.WPD 80  3. Cleaning ofReefMaterials. AU reef material(s) must be properly cleaned before being loaded for transport to a reef site. An inspection must be completed and certification made that the materials have been properly cleaned. Inspections must be perfonned by qualified personnel including Reef Coordinator or County personnel. Inspection criteria shall include, but may not bu limited to, the following items: (1) All decks, bilges and cargo spaces should be free of oil, other hydrocarbons and toxic re!lidue. (2) All electrical components that contain PCB contaminant~ should be removed. (3) All floatable materials must be removed. (4) Until more is known about its impact 01\ the marine enviroruuenl, floatable asbestos insulation must be removed. 4. Permit Conditions. Persolls receiving approvals pursuant 10 the Ordinance must comply in aU respecls with the general and special conditions of the Permit attached as Attachment A, including the Special Conditions of tile Permit relating to the time of deposition of reefmaterial(s) and provision offollow-up reports to County stafl'fortransmittal to appropriate agencies. Any person issued an approval pursuant to the Ordinance who does not comply with the provisions stated herein shall not be issued any new approval until compliance is demonstrated. 5. Fees. The Board does hereby adopt Qil initiallnspection fcc of$15.00 and re- inspection fee of 1115. GO to cover administrative costs incurred by the Okaloosa County Artificial ReefProgram in providing the services specified therein. This includes processing applications, issuing approvals and fimding of public reef sites. 6. Limits ofLiability. EvelY approval issued pursuant to the Ordinancc shall contain an indcllUlification slatemcnt in which (hc person receiving lhc approval agrees to indcllmify and hold the County harmless from any and "II liability arising from issuance of the approvRl. 7. Aoproval. Applications for approval by County stan' for construction or nourishment of rucf !litc!l shull be made un application forms attachcd as Altacluncnt B. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMTSSJONF.RS OKALOOSA COUNTY, FLORIDA Chairman C:VI:f DoclHnlflls\COfel User FlL!s\RESOLlJTN.WPD 81  Attachment 29 Procurement of Commodities or Contractual Services Verification DDddsa  1 of 1 Procurement of Commodities or Contractual Services Verification Okaloosa County will prepare a contract package that will include a Scope of Services identifying all required work elements. The contract package will also include all of the County and FWC contract specifications. Pursuant to Florida Statutes Section 287.057, the County will publically advertise the RFP and will send the RFP to a minimum of five qualified potential subcontractors. This will not be a sole source contract. Award of the contract will be based on best value to the County and FWC. The County will provide FWC with copies of all relevant procurement documents (e.g., bid solicitation advertisement and RFP package, bid summary, contractor selection recommendation, contracts, etc). Okaloosa County 2014-15 FWC Supplemental Construction Grant Attachment 29 Procurement of Commodities or Contractual Services Verification  Attachment 30 Project Funding Limits DDddsa  1 of 1 Project Funding Limits The County is not electing to request more than the $60,000 funding limit. However, if additional FWC funds become available, the proposed project will likely provide an opportunity for FWC to construct additional artificial reefs (increased benefit) without additional costs. Considering the proposed project already includes administrative and engineering costs, additional funds contributed to this project would likely provide a maximum cost to benefit ratio to FWC and OCARP. OCARP has ample re-use material and permitted construction areas, providing a turnkey scenario for the utilization of additional funds. Okaloosa County 2014-15 FWC Supplemental Construction Grant Attachment 30 Project Funding Limits