HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999 Request for more informationProject Correspondence
1724
O.
Mark Gronceski
01/05/2000 03:48 PM
To: Jennifer Cope/SJRWMD@SJRWMD
cc:
Subject: Re: Stonecrop Waterway Mitigation 4-061-60087-1
8008 7i
I am going to do the monitoring, sort of a goodwill gesture to the SWIM people and the City because of
their limited budget. Didn't see a need to impose a timeframe on myself.
Jennifer Cope
01/05/2000 03:13 PM
To: Mark Gronceski/SJRWMD@SJRWMD
cc:
Subject: Stonecrop Waterway Mitigation 4-061-60087-1
I didn't see condition # 15 (monitoring reports due in August each year) on this TSR, and the approved
monitoring plan did not specify when the submittals would occur, so, I'm going to assume they can be the
standard submittal (i.e., once a year in August). That is what I will enter in the database, unless I hear
otherwise from you.
.
M MA'STELLER & MOLER, INC.
M - CIVIL ENGINEERS-
November 16, 1999
Mr. Ralph Brown, P.E.
St. Johns River Water Management District
305 East Drive
Melbourne, Florida 32904
ME1BOURP SERVICE
RE: Stonecrop Waterway Replacement Structure
Environmental Resource Permit (ERP)
Application #4-061-60087-1
Request for Additional Information dated 10/6/99
City of Sebastian
Indian River County, Florida
Dear Ralph:
This letter and attachment are in,sponse to the District's letter to our office dated October 6,
i999 which contained three (3) items of concern expressed by the Distrwt as follows:
1. Please delineate wetlands within the project area and depict on drawings.
Response: We have prepared and included in the attached set of plans, a plan sheet showingthe
project area. Stonecrop is an 8.5 acre manmade basin that receives residential runoff from two
(2) ditches at its northern end Roads serving a single-family residential development bound the
project area along three sides, with only the southwestern end bordering the south prong Ofthe
Sebastian River. There, an earthen dam forms a boundaiy between the basin and the SOuth
Prong. A conveyance channel runs the length of the basin and breaches the dam such that
merged flow from the two (2) inlet ditches passes through the basin unimpeded. The conveyance
channel is deep enough to have a draining effect on the basin. As such, the hydrology of the
system appears to be limited to groundwater saturation of sediments along the basin floor during
the wet season. Sporadic and brief periods of inundation occur only when water levels in the
river rise sufficiently to cause a backwater effect, or the rate of flow into the basin exceeds th
channels conveyance capacity.'
2. Please describe all impacts to wetlands and surface waters which will occur. Portray impacts
on project drawings.
I'
2205 14th Avenue
Vero Beach, Florida 32960
Ph(561)567-5300
Fax(561)794-1 106
U 5211 Okeechobee Road
Ft. Pierce, Florida 34947
Ph(561)466-9200
Fax(56 1)466-9230
Mr. Ralph Brown
11/16/99
Page 2
Response: The attached set of plans include a Wetland Planting Plan drawing that shows the
3.2± acre area to be roller-chopped and subdivided to obligate and facultative areas. A post-
construction modeling run of a 3"/24 hour event was established to estimate the normal high
water levels in the basin. Based on this infOrmation, all the area up to Elevation 9.5 has been
designed as an obligate area and the area from contour 9.5 to 11.0 has been designated as a
facultative area. The included plan shows the location and shape of these areas.
The extent and form of impacts proposed by this project are shown on the attached plans.
Approximately 0.8 acres will be excavated during construction of a settling pond at the northern
end of the basin. The pond will serve to receive inflow to the basin and provide settling of
suspended solids, thereby reducing TSS and turbidity that would otherwise enter the South Prong
unabated.
Extending southward from the proposed pond to the new weir structure, another 3.2± acres of
area will be roller-chopped to remove the exiting stand of woody vegetation. The debris from
this operation will be removed from the basin and taken to a suitable upland disposal site. The
removal of vegetation will serve two functions: it will increase the storage capacity of the
treatment basin and eliminate the potential release of unwanted nutrients into the water column
that would result from decomposition of dead vegetation.. (It is expected that most of the
existing vegetation will die as a result of an increased hydro period resulting from the
construction of a sheet pile weir m the current location of the breached earthen dam)
3 What mitigation is proposed for wetland impacts?
Response The retrofit of Stonecrop Basin is part of a larger plan to improve water quality in the
San Sebastian River. The purpose of this project is to provide treatment of the runoff currently
entering the South Prong of the Sebastian River. Before the breach of the eárthern dam, it
appears that Stonecrop basin serves as a defacto treatment pond: The efforts of this project are to
restore that function while protecting upstream residences from flooding. However, the
applicant recognizes that the proposed alterations will have sOme unavoidable impacts on
wildlife utilization of this basin. To: ensure these impacts are tèmporaiy, the applicant will
replant the disturbed areas as discussed below:
The 3.2 acre roller-chopped area will be replanted with vegetation better suited to the expected
postconstruction hydrological conditions. Three gallon trees (4-6 feet high) will be planted at a
mean density of 50 stems per acre. A depiction of the proposed planting scheme is provided on
the plan included with this response.
In addition to this letter of response, I am enclosing three (3) complete sets of signed and sealed
plans for the project for your information and review.
0 .
Mr; Ralph Brown
11/16/99
Page 2
I trust you will find this response to your request for additional information to be complete and in
order. Please process this information and provide us with a permit to construct this project as
soon as possible. 'We thank you for your assistance and cooperation and request that you do not
hesitate to contact us if you need any additional information or have questions.
Sincerely yours,
MASTELLER & MOLER, INC.
Earl H. Masteller, P.E., DEE
President
ehm/vk
osures
cc: MaiTha Campbell, City En8ineer w/ns
File 19864LB
(sj111699.doc) ',
I' ':'':'':
0
Henry Dean, Exscutve Director
JoIrn R. We4le, Aa&stant Execute Director
POST OFFICE BOX 1429 PALATKA, FLORIDA 321 78-1 429
TELEPHONE 904.329-4500 SUt4COM 904-860-4500
TOO 904-329-4450 11)0 S*JNCOM 860-4450
FAX (Executive) 329-4125 (Legal) 329-4485 (Pe,mithng) 329-4315 (AdminhstrationlFlnance) 329-4508
SERVICE CENTERS
618 B. Sal, S9e1 7715 Bec Way PERMITTING: OPERATiONS: Orlw, Florida 32801 &Ate 102 308 East D,te 2133 N. V6dthan Road
407-897-4300 JadomtIe, Florida 32256 Mt,cune, Florida 32904 MaI,osne, Florida 32938-8109
TOO 407-897-5960 904-730-6270 407-984-4940 407-752-3100
TOO 904-448-7900 TOO 407-722-5368 100407-752-3102
October 26, 1999
Mr. Earl H. Masteller, P.E.
V Masteller and Moler, Inc.
2205 14th Avenue
Vero Beach, Florida 32960
RE: City of Sebastian Contract 96W257; Stonecrop Rétrof it
Dear Mr. Masteller:
Enclosed is a proposal that we discussed for mitigating wetland impacts associated with
application no. 4-061-60087-1, Stonecrop Waterway Replacement. This proposal is provided as
part of the cooperative agreement between this office and the City of Sebastian. I believe it
should satisfy the questions asked by the District's Melbourne office in their October 6 letter.
However, there is one matter that I could not address specifically the exact elevation to which
obligate wetland species would be planted and the related normal high water level in the basin.
The limits of obligate wetland species planting was somewhat arbitrarily set at elevation 9.0 ft.,
one foot above the proposed bleed-down invert elevation. I had asked Martha Campbell for a
post construction AdICPR run of a three inch! 24,-hour storm event to estimate the normal high
water levels in the basin. Without this information, I can only use my best scientific judgement at
what point to divide obligate wetland species from those that are facultative. If the basin is wetter
than assumed, those facultative wetland species planted in areas that are too low will likely die
from the stress of prolonged anaerobic conditions.
If you should have any question concerning costs or availability, please ask Martha Campbell for
a copy of my July 8 letter to her. If there should be any other question, please call me at (904)
329-4202 or send e-mail to whitney_green @district.sjrwmd.state.fI.us.
Sincerely,
Whit Green, Environmental Scientist
Division of Environmental Sciences
WG:rcs
Attachments: 3 sets
c: Joel Steward
Martha Campbell City of Sebastian
IRL-Contract 96W257
Dan Roach, CHAiRMAN Duane Ottenstroer, TREASURER Otis Mason, SECRETARY William Kerr
FERNANDINA BEACH SWTrZERL*ND ST. AUGuSTiNE MElBOURNE BEACH Jeff K. Jennings William M. Segal Ometnas D. Long clay Albright Reid Hughes MAJTLtND MAITLAND APOPKA EAST LAKE WEIR DAYTONA BEACH
Stonecrop Water Quality Improvement Project
Site Description
Stonecrop is an 8.5 acre manmade basin that receives residential runoff from two ditches at its
northern end. Roads serving a single family residential development bound the project area
along three sides, with only the southwestern end bordering the South Prong of the Sebastian
River. There, an earthen dam forms a boundary between the basin and the South Prong. A
conveyance channel runs the length of the basin and breaches the dam such that merged flow
from the two inlet ditches passes through the basin unimpeded. The conveyance channel is
deep enough to have a draining affect on the basin. As such, the hydrology of the system
appears to be limited to groundwater saturation of sediments along the basin floor during the
wet season. Sporadic and brief periods of inundation occur only when water levels in the river
rise sufficiently to cause a backwater effect, or the rate of flow into the basin exceeds the
channel's conveyance capacity.
Species composition in the basin reflects this assumed hydrological condition. Jurisdictional
wetlands are limited to the basin floor where there is a stunted canopy dominated by wax myrtle
(Myrica cerifera). A visual estimate of this species' coverage is seventy percent or more of the
canopy. Subordinate canopy species are Brazilian-pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), young red
maple (Acer rubrum) andtoward the higher (northern) end of the basinyoung slash pine
(Pinus elliottii). Ground cover composition is highly variable (spatially) and weedy; red root
(Lachnanthes caroliniana) appears to be the most prevalent species.
Impacts
The extent and form of impacts proposed by this project are shown on the attached sheets.
Approximately 0.8 acres will be excavated during the construction of a settling pond at the
northern end of the basin. The pond will serve to receive inflow to the basin and provide settling
of suspended solids, thereby reducing TSS and turbidity that would otherwise enter the South
Prong unabated.
Extending southward from the proposed pond to the new weir structure, another 3.3 ± acres of
jurisdictional wetland will be roller-chopped to remove the existing stand of woody vegetation.
The debris from this operation will be removed from the basin and taken to a suitable upland
disposal site. The removal of vegetation will serve two functions: it will increase the storage
capacity of the treatment basin and eliminate the potential release of unwanted nutrients into the
water column that would result from decomposition of dead vegetation. (It is expected that most
of the existing vegetation will die as a result of an increased hydroperiod resulting from
construction of a sheet-pile were in the current location of the breached earthen dam.)
Mitigation
The retrofit of Stonecrop basin is part of a larger plan to improve water quality in the San
Sebastian River. The purpose of this project is to provide treatment of the runoff currently
entering the South Prong of the river.
Before the breach of the earthen dam, it appears that Stonecrop basin served as a defacto
treatment pond. The efforts of this project are to restore that function while protecting upstream
residences from flooding. However, the applicant recognizes that the proposed alterations will
0 0
have some unavoidable impacts on wildlife utilization of this basin. To ensure these impacts are
temporary, the applicant will replant the disturbed areas as discussed below.
The 3.3-acre roller-chopped area will be replanted with vegetation better suited to the expected,
post-construction, hydrological conditions. Three-gallon size trees (4-6 feet high) will be planted
at a mean density of 50 stems per acre. A depiction of the proposed planting scheme is
provided on the attached sheets. There will be two planting zones: obligate and fac wet.
The extent of the obligate species zone is based on a topographic survey of the basin and the
proposed invert elevation of the weir's bleed-down structure. It will comprise about half of the
replanted area. Hydrological conditions in this zone are expected be that of regular periods of
inundation lasting a few days (not accounting for storms of long return period). Soil saturation to
the surface will persist except during the driest months. Bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) will
be the dominant species planted in this zone, comprising between 60 to 70 percent of the total
planted. Subject to availability, the remainder will be comprised of either pop ash (Fraxinus
caroliniana), water tupelo (Nyssa aguatica), swamp tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica biflora), or pond-
apple (Annona glabra).
The fac-wet zone will be planted with a mixture of trees comprised of the following: red maple
(Ac rubrum), sweet gum Liguidambar styraciflua) and hackberry (Celtis laevicata). Any
substitution necessitate by lack of availability will be submitted for District approval prior to
planting. Hydrological conditions in this zone are expected to be that of infrequent, short-term
periods of inundation. Soil saturation at or near the surface should occur during normal wet-
season months when the surrounding water table is high.
The planting of ground cover species is not proposed. Roller chopping should not have a
significant effect on the existing seed source or on subsurface rhizomatious material. As such,
ground cover vegetation is expected to regenerate naturally. Further, species composition in
the obligate zone is expected to shift to that more indicative of a marsh environment. This, in
turn, should promote a greater diversity of wildlife utilizing the site.
Monitoring and Reporting
Staff at the Melbourne Service Center has graciously agreed to perform the monitoring for
successful establishment of planted trees, ground cover recruitment and wildlife utilization. The
City will be responsible for meeting the success criteria outlined in the conditions of the pending
permit. To do this, the City will require that reports of any deficienciesand required corrective
actionbe submitted to them shortly after each inspection performed by Melbourne staff.
The control of nuisance and exotic species is critical during the first growing season of any
newly planted wetland. The City will establish a schedule for making routing checks of the basin
for the growth of such species as cattails, primrose willow, and Brazilian-pepper. Inspections
will be monthly during the first growing season and quarterly thereafter until having met the
conditions of the pending permit. Unwanted species will be treated with an herbicide that is
EPNUSDA approved for aquatic use.
-4
e
CERTIFIED NO.: Z 397 090 354
Earl H. Masteller, P.E.
Masteller & Mo/er, Inc.
220514"' Avenue
Vero Beach, Florida 32960
Henry Dean. Ex.cute Drectot
Joi,n R. Wehi., Aa*4stant Eøecutive Okactor
POST OFFICE BOX 1429 PALATKA, FLORIDA 32178-1429
TELEPHONE 904329-450O SUNCOM 904-860-4500
TDD 904-329-4450 TOO SUNCOM 860-4450
FAX (Exocute) 329-4125 (Legal) 329-4485 (Permithnoj 329-4315 (AdminonIF1nance) 329-4508
SERVICE CENTERS
6188. 8oiA Steal 7775 Benesdoea W.y P8RMITflNG OPERA11O4S:
O1w,do Fblds 32801 &ie 102 306 Eaal OitS 2133 N. '.Mddn Read
407-891-4300 JadOrw*e, f9ofld4 32256 Mal,o,zne, Floflda 32904 Meo(gfl, FlorkM 32936-8109
TOO 407-897-5960 904-730-6270 407.984-4940 407-752-3100
700904-446-7900 TOO 407-722-6368 TOO 407-752-3102
Re: Stonecrop Waterway Replacement
Application No. 4 -061-60087-1
(Please reference the above number on any submittal.)
Dear Mr. Moler:
The St. Johns River Water Management District has received your
Environmental Resource General Permit application. Upon preliminary review of
the proposed project, the following technical information is required to sufficiently
review the possible impacts the project may have on the surrounding area. This
information is being requested pursuant to the authority vested in the St. Johns
River Water Management District under subsection 373.413(2), Florida Statutes
(F.S.), and sections 40C-4.101 and 400-4.301, Florida Administrative Code
(F.A. C.).
ln-orderto-expedite-the-review-of-your-application,-please-use-the
application number referenced above on all correspondence and submit three (3)
copies of all requested information unless otherwise indicated by a specific
information request.
1. Please delineate wetlands within the project area and depict on drawings.
[40C-4.301 F.A.C.]
2. Please describe all impacts to wetlands and surface waters which will occur.
Portray impacts on project drawings. [400-4.301(1)(d) F.A.C.]
3. What mitigation is proposed for wetland impacts? [12.1.1 A.H.]
If the applicant wishes to dispute the necessity for any
information requested on an application form or in a letter
requesting additional information, he or she may, pursuant to
section 373.4141, F.S., request that District staff process the
Dan Roach, CHAIRMM1 Duane Ottenstroer, TREASURER Otis Mason, SECRETARY William Kerr
FERNMDINA BEACH SVQIT2ERLANO ST. AUOUSTBe MELBOURNE BEACH
Jeff K. Jennings William M. Segal Ometrias U. Long Clay Albright Reid Hughes
MAJT1JHD MMT1AND APOPI(A EAST LAKE WEIR DAYTONA BEACH
p.,
application without the requested information. If the
applicant is then unsatisfied with the District's decision
regarding issuance or denial of the application, the applicant
may request a section 120.569, ES. ,hearing pursuant to
chapter 28-106 and section 40C-1 .1007, F.A.C.
Please be advised, pursuant to subsection 40C-1 .1008,
F.A.C., the applicant shall have 90 days from receipt of a
request for additional information regarding a permit or license
application undergoing review by the District to submit that
information to the District. If an applicant requires more than 90
days in which to complete an application, the applicant may
notify the District in writing of the circumstances and for good
cause shown, the application shall be held in active status for
additional periods commensurate with the good cause shown.
Any application which has not been completed by the applicant
within the given time period following a request for additional
information by the District shall be recommended for denial at
the next regularly scheduled Board meeting. Denial of an
application due to failure to submit requested additional
information shall be a denial without prejudice to the applicant's
right to file a new application.
In addition, no construction shall begin on the proposed project until a
permit is issued by the St. Johns River Water Management District. This is
pursuant-to-subseotion-4OGO41-(-1-E-A-G-which-states-in-relevant-part,
unless expressly exempt an individual or general environmental resource permit
must be obtained from the District under chapters 40C-4, 40C-40, 40C-42, 40C-44
or 40C-400, F.A.C. prior to the construction, alteration, operation, maintenance,
removal or abandonment of any dam, impoundment, reservoir, appurtenant work
or works.
If you have any questions, please call m'át' (407) 676-6626.
Mark Gronceski, Senior Regulatory Scientist
Department of Resource Management
cc: PDS/RAIL John Juiliann1 Ralph Brown Michelle Reibe?V/hit Green
Martha Campbell, City of Sebastion, 1225 Main Street, Sebastion 32958
r
iTT..T -[i1:it4
July 8, 1999
Ms. Martha Campbell, P.E.
City Engineer
1225 Main Street
Sebastian,. FL 32958
RE: Contract 96W257
Stonecrop Basin Design
Dear Ms. Campbell:
. Henry Dean, Ex.cutjve Director
Jotn P. Wo4Ie, Auistant E,cecutKe Director
POST OFFICE BOX 1429 PALATKA, FLORIDA 32178-1429
TELEPHONE 904-329-4500 SUNCOM 904-880-4500
TOO 904-329-4450 TOO SUNCOM 880-4450
FAX (Execute) 329-4125 egaI) 329-4485 (Permiteng) 329-4315 (AdminlstraltoniFinance) 329-4508
SERViCE CENTERS
618 E. Soa S5e( 1775 Be)!neei)ws Way PERMITTING: OPERATiONS: 0rteo. flosIde 32801 SIte 102 305 Esat DrIve 2133 N. Wddwn Road
407-891-4300 Jadeamlle. FlorIda 32256 Met,o&sne, FlorIda 32904 Met'oune. FlorIda 32935-8109
TOO 407-897-5960 904-730-6270 407.984-4940 407-752-3100
TOO 904-448-7900 TOO 407-722-5368 TOO 407-752-3102
057
Contrary to earlier informationconveyed to you in my June 29 letterI have now been
informed that the District's tree nursery only has red maple trees available for our use in the
Stonecrop Basin. As such, approximately 135 trees will have to be purchased from a
commercial nursery. I have also been told that the City will have to make their own
arrangements to pick up the red maple trees.
There are a few nurseries in your area that could be contracted to supply the additional trees
that will be needed.
Green Images (407) 568-1333 located in Christmas, not far from the District nursery. They
are well stocked with wetland species and will deliver on a per-mile cost basis. Species
currently in stock that could be used at Stonecrop include red maple (Acer rubrum), bald
cypress (Taxodium distichum), sweet gum (Liguidambar styraciflua), hackberry (Celtis
laevicjata) and swamp tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica var. biflora). Trees in three-gallon, pots (4-6
feet tall) cost $5.00 each, not including shipping.
Indian Trails Nursery (561) 641-9488) located in Lake Worth. Their stock includes pop ash
(Fraxinus caroliniana), bald cypress, red maple, hackberry and pond apple (Annona glabra).
Three-gallon trees cost $4.50 each, except for hackberry, which costs $5.00 each. Their
three-gallon trees tend toward the lower end of the range (four feet tall) and they do not
deliver.
Wholesale Tree Farm (407) 725-7009 located in Malabar. They have all of the above
species in three-gallon pot size priced at 7.95 each delivered.
An alternative to using a nursery is to contract with an environmental mitigation company such
as Native'Habitat Landscaping (407) 778-8361, Ecoshores, Inc. (904) 767-623, or Bob Weigt
Environmental (561) 546-6255. The obvious detraction from this alternative is increased cost:
Dan Roach, CHAiRMAN Duane Ottenstroer, TREASURER Otis Mason, SECRETARY William Kerr
FERNANDEIA BEAcH SWrrZERLAND ST. AUGUSTiNE MELBOURNE BEACH Jeff K. Jennings William M. Segal Ometnas D. Long Clay Albright Reid Hughes
MAI1LAND MAITLAND APOPKA EAST LAKE WEIR DAYTONA BEACH
V
Letter to M. Campbell S
July 8, 1999
Page 2 of 2
$15-$25/tree. However, these companies will supply, transport, plant and stake the trees for
you and sometimes offer a guarantee of survival (for an increased price).
This last item is of some significance. The up-front cost of getting a survival guarantee may be
worth considering in order to avoid the back-end risk of encountering high mortality due to
unforeseen ecological factors or inferior stock. Either way, you will probably be better off if the
majority of the trees selected are obligate wetland species: bald cypress, pop ash, pond apple,
water tupelo (Nyssa aguatica) and swamp tupelo. Once Masteller and Moler provide us with a
hydrograph for a three-inch storm in the post-construction basin, we will be better able to define
species density and distribution in the basin.
I sincerely regret any problems that may have been caused by the information relayed in my
June 29 letter. Hopefully, the above information will be of use to you. If you should have any
questions, please call me at (904) 329-4202 or send e-mail to
whitney_green@district.sjrwrnd.state.fl.us.
Sincerely,
Whit Green, Environmental Specialist
Environmental Sciences Division
WG:
c: Joel Steward
Martin Smithson
Bill Bossuot Land Management
John Juilianna Melbourne Service Center
I RL-Contract 96W257
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MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
June 29, 1999
Ms. Martha Campbell, P.E.
City Engineer
1225 Main Street
Sebastian, FL 32958
Henry Dean, Executive tYrector
John R. Wehie, Assistant Executive troctoc
POST OFFICE BOX 1429 PALATKA, FLORIDA 321 78-1 429
TELEPHONE 904-329-4500 SUNCOM 904-860-4500
TOO 904-329-4450 TDD SUNCOM 880-4450
FAX (Executive) 329-4125 (Legal) 329-4485 (Permitting) 329-4315 (AdministfatiooiFlnance) 329-4508
SERViCE CENTERS
618 E. S4 See4 7775 Bayvneedows Way PERMITTING: OPERATIONS:
Orlando, FlorIda 32801 &ite 102 305 EssI DrIve 2133 N. tMclthem Road
407-897-4300 JacicsorM$e, FlorIda 32256 Met,ou'ne, FlorIda 32904 Metor,ne, FlorIda 32935-8109
TOO 407-897-5960 904-730-6270 407-984-4940 407-752-3100
TOO 904-44A-79011 TOO 4n7730WNF,g Tflfl A0775,,,n',
RE: Contract 96W257; Stonecrop Basin Design
Thank you for submitting the proposed settling basin and control structure designs for the
referenced treatment facility. As you are aware, I have met with staff from the Melbourne
Service Center and discussed the permitting aspects of this water quality improvement project.
The loss of wetland habitat functions was the main issue. The Melbourne staff has requested a
change to address this issue namely, to include tree planting in disturbed areas of the basin
but this should have a minimal impact on the overall cost of the project.
As for the settling basin's location, it seems the basin could be expanded another forty or fifty
feet northward toward the Majestic Avenue outfall. This additional pool area would increase the
amount of settling attained. Otherwise, the position of the basin looks fine.
The contours of the basin's side slopes on the northern quarter will need to reflect matching
elevation with the existing surface. I know there are safety/liability concerns with the basin and
this is why the chain link fence is proposed; however, installing the fence completely across the
downstream end of the basin could create an unwanted impediment to flow as vegetative debris
will become trapped against it. Perhaps .the fence could be modified on this downstream end to
leave an eighteen inch gap between the ground and the bottom of the fence where outflow from
the pond is most likely to occur?
For your consideration, I have put together a conceptual plan for the roller chopping and
planting of Stonecrop's lower zone. Please review the two attachments. From what I have
been told, the roller-chopped area will need to be replanted with trees placed on 30 ft centers
(50 trees per acre). The trees will be supplied by the District's nurse,y and be 4-6 ft in height.
I've divided the roller-chopped area into two planting zones. Cypress trees will be planted up to
elevation 9.0± since this region will likely experience frequent periods of inundation. Sweet gum
and red maple will be planted in the upper elevations and wax myrtle will be planted around the
border. As shown, there will be 85 cypress (Taxodium distichum), 30 red maple (Acer rubrum),
30 sweet gum (Liciuidambar styraciflua) and 20 wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera).
Staff in the Melbourne Service Center has graciously agreed to undertake the monitoring of the
site for successful establishment criteria. This criterion typically includes an eighty-percent
survival rate of the planted trees over a five-year period and indications of normal growth by the
surviving group. Since our planting effort is to establish a forested wetland habitat, there should
not be a requirement for attaining eighty-percent ground cover (though I anticipate that
herbaceous vegetation will quickly establish itself in the disturbed area. The other success
Dan Roach, CHAIRMAN Duane Ottenstroer, TREASURER Otis Mason, SECRETARY William Kerr
FERNANDINA BEACH SWITZERLAND ST. AUGUSTINE MELBOURNE BEACH Jeff K. Jennings
MAITLAND
William M. Segal
MAITLANO
Ometrias 0. Long
A PORK A
Clay Albright Reid Hughes
EAST LAKE WEAl DAYTONA BEACH
Letter to M. Campbell
June 29, 1999
Page 2 of 2
criteria applicable to our project will be the limitation of exotic and nuisance species to no more
than ten-percent cover.
This criterion may require the city to periodically spray the site with an herbicide that is EPA
approved for aquatic habitats. From experience, I can tell you that early intervention is the best
way of ensuring compliance. If nuisance/exotic species such as cattails/primrose willow are
allowed to gain a strong foothold before action is taken, then their removal becomes highly
problematic. With early judicious use of herbicides, the nuisance vegetation will be limited so
that othermore desirablespecies can colonize the area and the young trees will be given a
chance to thrive. Once desirable ground cover is established you will find that herbicide
application can be substantially reduced.
If you should have any questions or comments, please call me at (904) 329-4202 or send e-
mail to whitney_green @ district.sjrwmd.state.fl.us.
Sincerely,
Whit Green, Environmental Specialist
Environmental Sciences Division
WG:rcs
C: Joel Steward
Martin Smithson
Bill Bossuot Land Management
John Juilianna Melbourne Service Center
IRL-Contract 96W257