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There are two objectives related to seagrass coverage in the IRL that the County intends to incorporate into the design and engineering of the LTICA plan: (1) planning to ensure that project implementation is beneficial to the existing adjacent seagrass areas; and (2) planning to identify potential areas where seagrass coverage adjacent to the islands may be enhanced. B. Procurement of Contractor: The administrative process of procuring a design engineer for the project will be another element scheduled prior to the October 1, 2019 initiation of the grant period. It is the County's plan to generate a Request for Proposal, advertise, select, and award the project agreement with a Notice to Proceed of October 1, 2019. Upon notification a grant award for the project, staff will work closely with the IRLNEP to ensure that all necessary procurement guidelines are followed. C. Additional Baseline Data Collection: Additional baseline data would be collected upon initiation of the grant period. It is anticipated that the data collection will include, at minimum: • Topographic and bathymetric survey: The County has collected limited topographic information as part of previous mitigation projects completed. Using County LIDAR, as well as additional field survey, additional topographic data will be collected for use in project design. As part of the due diligence for the project, the County contacted the SJRWMD and received bathymetric data that will be very useful in project design. This information may be supplemented with data from the US Corps of Engineers (COE) and the Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND). Upon evaluation of data received, the County will arrange for additional bathymetric survey for selected areas along the LTICA shoreline to provide sufficient information for project design. The completion of the baseline seagrass survey also will provide input into this process. • Vegetative cover mapping: As mentioned previously, the majority of the three larger islands is vegetated with exotic species. The County will conduct field survey to identify any small areas with larger native trees or significant areas with native cover to include this information in project design. In addition, the County will use a combination of field survey and aerial interpretation (using 2019 County Pictometry) to locate jurisdictional wetlands on the islands. It is presumed that the extent of wetlands will be confined to the perimeter of each island, however, the survey will locate the limits of all wetland areas as well as composition. The objective would be to incorporate existing wetlands and native vegetation into the plan to the greatest extent feasible. • Existing habitat assessment: The upland portions of the site are dominated by exotic species that provide limited refuge for wildlife. Mangrove wetlands along the perimeter of the islands provide significant shoreline stabilization and wildlife benefits. The County will complete a baseline survey to document existing wildlife use; as the enhancement plan is implemented this survey data will be used as part of the adaptive management of the site to maximize potential wildlife habitat. • Protected species data: As part of the regulatory engagement for the project, the County will consult with the USFWS and the FFWCC regarding listed species. The objective will be to evaluate the following: (1) existing habitat utilization in proximity to the LTICA; (2) wildlife data and documented successful habitat restoration efforts for similar projects; (3) methods for incorporating elements of protected species recovery plans into the LTICA habitat enhancement plan, and (4) permitting strategies for the LTICA project. • Hydrologic data: The County will collect available data on tidal fluctuations, extreme storm events, and channel/navigational information for use in project design. • Geotechnical data: The development of the plan may require collection of soil profiles in areas where connections to the IRL are proposed (for both ecological and structural aspects of the project). 37