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.
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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 ...
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