Blind Pass Maintenance Dredging Project Update

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Blind Pass Maintenance DredgingProject Update

• June 2008
• City of Sanibel

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Mitigation Sites
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Resource Impact Areas

• Seagrass impacts total 0.72 acres
• Mangrove impacts total 0.15 acres.
• Beach elder impacts total 0.24 acres
• Turtle nesting habitat total 1.3 acres.

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Sea Turtle Mitigation
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Sea Turtle Mitigation
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Mangrove Planting
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Additional Mangrove Planting
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Project Footprint

• Seven sub areas identified due to sediment
  concerns.
• 127,000 total cubic yards to be removed.
• 10,275 to be disposed upland.
• 32,359 to be placed in the nearshore zone.
• 80,039 to be placed directly on the beach.

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Beach Fill Area

• Beach and Nearshore Placement will occur between
  R112 and R114.
• Average Shoreline Extension 100 ft.
• Approx. 500ft of beach will be closed to public
  at any one time.

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Special Sediment Handling
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Project Goals

• Provide a stable pass opening with a 5 Year
  maintenance schedule
• Increase water circulation in Clam Dinkins
  Bayou (4 Day Flushing Cycle in Clam Bayou)
• Improve habitat for Mangroves, Seagrasses,
  Shorebirds, Benthic Invertebrates, and
  Fisheries.
• Enhance recreational opportunities in the Pass
  and along the adjacent beach on Sanibel Island.
• Supplement storm protection along Sanibel Island
  and Bowmans Beach.
• Continue a long term management program to
  maintain Blind Pass and the surrounding ecosystem.

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Remaining Tasks

• Permitting
• Establishment of the Wulfert Flats No Motor Zone
• Contractor Selection

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Current Status (Permitting)

• FWS Biological Opinion (BO) Issued on March 21,
  2008.
• DEP Permit issued on June 6, 2008.
• Lee County requested a modification to the
  construction techniques on May 8th. State (DEP)
  approval provided on May 22nd . Federal approval
  and permit anticipated in July.

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Current Status (No Motor Zone)

• Lee County, Ding Darling NWR, and DEP continue
  work to establish the NMZ in Wulfert Flats.
  Resolution expected in August. Current Activities
  are as follows
• Legal Notices of DEPs intent to grant a lease
  to Lee County for the NMZ sent on May 23rd.
  (Property Owners w/n 500 ft)
• Completion of NWR Management Plan expected in
  June.
• DEP issuance of lease expected in July.
• Management Agreement between Lee County and NWR
  expected in August.

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No Motor Zone

• 474 Acre Zone
• Trolling motors will be allowed
• Zone established for Seagrass Restoration

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Current Status (Contractor Selection)

• Construction is anticipated to begin in September
  08. Scheduled activities are as follows
• Construction documents scheduled for completion
  by June 30th.
• Request for bids anticipated on June 26th.
• Bid Opening anticipated on July 30th.
• Construction anticipated to begin in September 08.

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What to Expect During Construction

• A 6 month construction window
• Closure of both parking lots at Blind Pass
  (Sanibel and Captiva)
• Closure of the beach in the work area at Blind
  Pass and the fill area.
• 2 5 weeks of trucks moving material from Blind
  Pass to Ding Darling (December/January)
• Heavy equipment noise on the beach during
  night-time hours.
• Hydrogen Sulfide odors (rotten eggs)

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Questions?
Please contact Robert Neal _at_ 239.533.8566 or
email rneal_at_leegov.com