Subject:
Title
Authorization from the Board on Improvements at the Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands
End
Fiscal Impact:
Wetland Ecological Improvements:
If wetland ecological improvements are done in a single phase, existing allocated $2M ARPA funds will suffice to complete the project. If wetland improvements are done in a multi-phase approach, then the cost increases due to extending the duration of the project to phase the work and obtaining State permits needed in addition of the construction of temporary access points for the phasing of the work to be possible.
Bird towers (2) and gazebo:
Demolition of the three structures is $75,000.
Dept/Office:
Utility Services Department
Requested Action:
Recommendation
Authorization from the Board to (1) complete the wetland improvements in a single-phase approach, this would require the closing of the wetlands during the 26-week estimated project duration, (2) approval to demolish the three structures (towers and gazebo), and (3) continue department’s policy of allowing only pedestrian and bicycle traffic.
End
Summary Explanation and Background:
There are 3 components of the Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands (further referred to as the “Wetlands”) which this Department is seeking direction from the Board:
Direction on Approach to Comply with Florida Department of Environmental Protection Consent Order and Address Public Access
The Wetlands, constructed in the late 1980s, was part of the South-Central Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) construction (see attachment A of map). The Wetlands function is to provide storage for all flows from the WWTP, being that the flows are reuse. The storage at the wetlands (300,000,000 gallons), per the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) (see attachment B), is the primary disposal for treated effluent of this WWTP. The Wetlands were created to provide a natural biological treatment by the installed vegetation functioning to reduce suspended solids, nitrogen and phosphorus. If the capacity of the wetlands is maximized, excess flow is allowed per the FDEP, to be pumped into the 4 Mile Creek which feeds into the St Johns River. Due to the excess flows from the wetlands ultimately discharging into the St Johns River, the FDEP requires stringent testing and allowable limits of the flows for suspended solids, nitrogen and phosphorus.
On March 25, 2021, the FDEP sent a consent order to the County due to exceeding the nutrient allowance during discharge events to the 4 Mile Creek (see attachment C). As a result, the FDEP, per the consent order, requested the County to consult with a professional engineer to evaluate the circumstances and provide recommendations. The consent order date to have the recommendations complete is April 24, 2023. This Department consulted with Tetra Tech to evaluate the Wetlands in its entirety to comply with the consent order (see attachment D & E). Per the evaluation from Tetra Tech, the recommendations included the following: removal of dead vegetation and demucking of the cells. In addition, the integrity of the weirs which hydraulically connects the wetlands to each other are also being rehabilitated due to their condition. This Department, soon after receiving these recommendations, continued with the efforts by Tetra Tech to prepare bid documents for a contractor to perform the work. Upon completion of the bid documents it is assessed that this project will take over 26 weeks for a contractor to complete, based on the wetlands being closed to public traffic. If the wetlands are completely closed, the awarded contractor could complete the work with no phasing required. If the Wetland improvements are done in a phased approach to accommodate public access this will require a longer construction duration, and the need to apply for an FDEP Environmental Resource Permit (ERP) to construct temporary construction access roads.
The overall project, based on a public access closure, is anticipated to be approximately $2M. During the September 14, 2021 County Commission Meeting, the Board approved several ARPA projects to be implemented by departments. One of those projects approved was for the biological improvements to the Wetlands in the amount of $2M. If phasing of the Wetland improvements is done, the cost is expected to increase thus requiring additional funds provided by this Department. In addition, the cost of the process to obtain an ERP permit is lengthy due to the due diligence required when impacting wetlands. Although a request of an extension may be made to the FDEP to comply with the consent order, there are no guarantees that the FDEP will accommodate them.
Direction on the Wetlands Roadway
Over the years since the Wetlands were constructed, the public gained attention to it as a natural habitat viewing destination. As a result, in the past the County allowed the public to enter the Wetland either by car, bicycle, or walking. Manatee County, Florida is another wastewater treatment system which incorporated an elevated earth-berm storage for its wastewater. On March 2021, the State of Florida issued a State of Emergency for north Manatee County due to a leak in the berm which resulted in the FDEP taking over operations and cleanup. During this time, the FDEP issued warning for all other entities to assess their elevated earth-berm storage for possible failures. It was at this time that this Department ceased all public vehicle access to the Wetlands.
Per this FDEP warning, an assessment of our Wetlands was performed. The assessment looked at the integrity of the roadway / berm and accessibility of vehicles and pedestrians.
This Department consulted with Atkins Engineering to assess the integrity of the berm along with suggestions if any roadway improvements were desired. As mentioned above, the public vehicle access to the wetlands was closed, only pedestrians and bicycles are permitted. In addition, with the concern of berm failure we also considered the issue of accessibility for our field staff and for the public. The issue is that the width on top of the berm is approximately 11 feet (same as a thru lane of traffic) with steep slopes on both sides. This Department’s staff are required to obtain samples from the wetlands once every hour, per FDEP. When public vehicle traffic is permitted this causes the following issues: parked public vehicles stop all traffic behind it, causes severe rutting on top of the berm, and pedestrians are forced to stand on the steep slopes to avoid contact with passing vehicles. Atkins completed a report (attachment F) which provides 3 options of paving the Wetland (ranging from $2.1M to $8.35M, not including engineering and permit fees). The Utilities Department does not have funding in the FY 22-23 budget for this effort.
If one of three additional options of roadway improvements were selected, per the attached engineer’s report, the cost would range from an estimated $2.10M to $8.35M. Funding for any of these optional improvements would need to be identified.
It is the Utilities Department’s recommendation based on cost and available funding considerations to continue our current policy of allowing only pedestrian and bicycle traffic only.
Direction on Wetland Bird Towers and Gazebo
There are currently 2 bird watch towers and a gazebo within the Wetlands that are over 20 years old. Recently, through the support of the County’s Facilities Division, a condition assessment of the 3 structures was performed by, Master Consulting Engineers, Inc., a structural engineering firm (see attachments G, H, I). As stated for all 3 structures, the engineering firm states “The structure must remain closed to the public in any case until further structural repair or replacement takes place. At this time the structure can cause a human injury or death.”
This Department is seeking Board approval to demolish the structures. Attachment J provides estimated costs for demolition and construction.
Clerk to the Board Instructions:
E-mail Clerk Memo to rose.lyons@brevardfl.gov and mail original to Utility Services, Attention: Rose Lyons