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HomeMy WebLinkAboutExhibit 10EXHIBIT B SCOPE OF WORK I. Introduction Virginia Key is a 1000-acre barrier island containing a variety of upland, and wetland plant communities including sea -grass beds and inter -tidal sand/mud flats, mangrove and herbaceous wetlands, beach dune communities, and coastal maritime hammock. The island is located in Biscayne Bay, Township 54, Range 42, Sections 16, and 17, south of Fisher Island, North of Key Biscayne, bordering the Atlantic Ocean to the east and Biscayne Bay to the west. Although there has been some limited development, the island is non-residential and largely in its natural state. The island is owned jointly by the City of Miami and Miami - Dade County, and contains more than 300-acres of mangroves, approximately 16—acres of Maritime hammock (one of the rarest plant communities in the County due to coastal development), and 18-acres of beach and dune communities. Virginia Key provides habitat for at least seven endangered species, five endangered sub -species, and three threatened species. This scope of work includes the restoration and enhancement of 50-acres of disturbed wetlands and a network of flushing canals, located on Virginia Key. (See attached locator map) The restoration will involve the selective clearing of all exotic vegetation within the 50- acre site, the excavating and proper disposal of all materials, the creation of flushing channels, the creation of tidal pools, the planting of mangroves using volunteers from the local community, and the installation of an interpretive boardwalk through the restored wetlands. The objective of the project is two -fold I.) to restore and enhance the ecological habitats for a wide variety of fish, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals, 2.) and to provide environmental education to the local community. This restoration project will provide additional habitat for wildlife and marine resources and improve the water quality in and around Virginia Key. The ecological importance of coastal wetlands as habitat and a vital link in the marine food web, which support valuable estuarine and near -shore fisheries (finfish, shellfish, and crustaceans), have been well documented. The Virginia Key wetlands restoration project will provide additional spawning and nursery habitat for many species of fish, The success of the restoration will be documented, by the County, through the evaluation of long-term mangrove survival, and faunal assessments at the site, All required state and federal environmental resource permits have been obtained. The county has been conducting habitat restoration since 1985. As part of the Biscayne Bay Restoration and Enhancement Program, the County has successfully restored approximately 300-acres of wetlands, 60-acres of tropical hardwood hammock, 40-acres of coastal strand community, and 20-acres of dune communities. The County will coordinate and develop the construction specifications and drawings, conduct the contractor selection process, provide project management, supervise the construction and volunteer efforts, and conduct the long-term success monitoring and maintenance of the completed project. 11. Restoration Work Plan Phase 1: Project Development Task 1.1 Develop the Specifications and Drawings for the Restoration Contract The County, with the assistance of outside consultants will develop the restoration contract specifications and drawings for the proposed restoration site. Task 1.2 Contractor Selection Process In cooperation with the Miami -Dade County Contractor Selection Process, the County will select potential contractor(s) and administer the restoration construction contract. Phase 2: Wetlands Restoration Task 2.1 Physical Modifications The County will restore the 50-acres of disturbed wetlands on Virginia Key. This will be accomplished through the selective clearing of exotic vegetation, burning of exotic vegetation utilizing a blower system at the City authorized bum site (see Exhibit C), removal of excess fill, creation of flushing channels and tidal pools, maintenance dredging of an existing network of tidal channels, fill trucking and grading at specified sites (see Exhibit C), planting of wetlands vegetation (red mangroves and marsh grass), long-term success monitoring and maintenance of the restored wetlands and the installation of an interpretive boardwalk through the newly restored wetlands. The proposed wetlands restoration will be completed over a three (3) year period. Task 2.2 Success Monitoring and Maintenance Success Monitoring and Maintenance will be conducted by the County on a semi-annual basis, for a period of five (5) years. The vegetative monitoring will consist of semi- annual observations along fixed grids and photo -stations within the newly restored site. The following detailed observations will be recorded at each monitoring grid: species, plant height, diameter at breast height (if applicable), and presence of prop roots. In addition, long-term exotic vegetation control will be conducted to enhance natural recruitment of native vegetation.