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Observers — During dredging and other in -water operations within manatee accessible waters, the standard manatee construction conditions require all on-site project personnel to watch for manatees to ensure that those standard manatee construction conditions are met. Within important manatee areas (IMA) and under special circumstances, heightened observation is needed. Dedicated Observers are those having some prior experience in manatee observation, are dedicated only for this task, and must be someone other than the dredge and equipment operators/mechanics. Approved Observers are dedicated observers who also must be approved by the Service (if Federal permits are involved) and the FWC (if state permits are involved), prior to work commencement. Approved observers typically have significant and often project - specific observational experience. Documentation on prior experience must be submitted to these agencies for approval and must be submitted a minimum of 30 days prior to work commencement. When dedicated or approved observers are required, observers must be on site during all in -water activities, and be equipped with polarized sunglasses to aid in manatee observation. For prolonged in -water operations, multiple observers may be needed to perform observation in shifts to reduce fatigue (recommended shift length is no longer than six hours). Additional information concerning observer approval can be found at FWC's web page. Residential boat lift — A boat lift installed on a residential dock facility. Residential dock density ratio threshold — The residential dock density ratio threshold is used in the evaluation of multi -slip projects in some counties without a State -approved Manatee Protection Plan and is consistent with 1 boat slip per 100 linear feet of shoreline (1:100) owned by the applicant. Residential dock facility — A residential dock facility means a private residential dock which is used for private, recreational or leisure purposes for single-family or multi -family residences designed to moor no more than four vessels (except in Brevard, Clay, Citrus, and Volusia counties which allow only two vessels). This also includes normal appurtenances such as residential boat lifts, boat shelters with open sides, stairways, walkways, mooring pilings, dolphins, etc. In some instances, the Corps and the Service may elect to review multiple residential dock facilities as a multi -slip facility. Submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) — Rooted, submerged, aquatic plants such as, but not limited to, shoal grass (Halodule wrightii), paddle grass (Halophila decipiens), star grass (Halophila engelmanni), Johnson's seagrass (Halophila johnsonii), sago pondweed (Potamogeton pectinatus), clasping -leaved pondweed (Potamogeton perfoliatus), widgeon grass (Ruppia maritima), manatee grass (Syringodium filiforme), turtle grass (Thalassia tesiudinum), tapegrass (Vallisneria americana), and horned pondweed (Zannichellia palustris). Warm Water Aggregation Areas (WWAAs) and No Entry Areas — Areas within certain counties where increased densities of manatees occur due to the proximity of artificial or natural warm water discharges or springs and are considered necessary for survival. Some of these areas may be federally -designated manatee sanctuaries or state -designated seasonal "no entry" manatee protection zones. Projects proposed within these areas may require consultation in order to offset expected adverse impacts. In addition, special permits may be required from the FWC in order to access these areas. 181