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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-037WORK ORDER NUMBER 4 SECTOR 3 BEACH AND DUNE RESTORATION PROJECT 2014 POST CONSTRUCTION AND BASELINE BIOLOGICAL MONITORING SERVICES J4/1 faot,-1 1.1.• �o /y- 03 This Work Order Number 4 is entered into as of this 1 day of Ap r i 1 , 2014 pursuant to that certain Continuing Contract Agreement for Professional Services entered into as of March 19, 2013 ("Agreement"), by and between Indian River County, a political subdivision of the State of Florida ("COUNTY") and Ecological Associates, Inc. ("CONSULTANT"). The COUNTY has selected the Consultant to perform the professional services set forth on Exhibit 1, attached to this Work Order and made part hereof by this reference. The professional services will be performed by the Consultant for the fee schedule set forth in Exhibit 2, attached to this Work Order and made a part hereof by this reference. The Consultant will perform the professional services within the timeframe more particularly set forth in Exhibit 2, attached to this Work Order and made a part hereof by this reference all in accordance with the terms and provisions set forth in the Agreement. Pursuant to paragraph 1.4 of the Agreement, nothing contained in any Work Order shall conflict with the terms of the Agreement and the teims of the Agreement shall be deemed to be incorporated in each individual Work Order as if fully set forth herein IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Work Order as of the date first written above. CONSULTANT Ecological Associates, Inc. By: Robert G. Earnest Title: President Date: 031210 (Z[) 1 q .'p I* B ;r % /key• • ... • • ��Qf•, Appr BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY Peter D. O'Bryan, Chairman Attest: Jeffrey R. Smith, Clerk of Court and Comptroller By: ( att.— (Seal) Deputy Clerk Approved: eph A aird, County Administrator d as to form and legal sufficien By: Dylan Reingold, County Attorney Mr James D. Gray, Jr. Coastal Engineer Indian River County Public Works 1801 27th Street Vero Beach, Florida 32960 I ECOLOGICAL ASSOCIATES, INC. March 14, 2014 RE: Work Order No. 4 - Post -construction Biological Monitoring Services for the Sector 3 Beach and Dune Restoration Project and Baseline Monitoring for the Sector 3 Dune Repair Project — 2014 Dear Mr Gray: Ecological Associates, Inc. (EAI) is pleased to submit its Scope of Work (SOW) and Lump Sum Cost Proposal for providing Professional Environmental Support Services in support of Indian River County's Sector 3 Beach and Dune Restoration Project. Services described herein conform to biological monitoring requirements stipulated in Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) JCP Permit #285993 -001 -JC, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Biological Opinion (BO) for the Sector 3 Project, dated December 2, 2009, and the Biological Monitoring Plan, approved by FDEP on May 29, 2009. This work will satisfy requirements for ➢ Baseline monitoring for the Sector 3 Dune Repair Project (R -36-R-55); ➢ Year 3 annual monitoring for the previously completed Sector 3 Phase 2 fill area (R -26+500-R-36); and ➢ Year 2 annual monitoring for the previously completed Sector 3 Phase 2b fill area (R -20-R-26+500). EAI will perform the following tasks under this SOW with support from its sub- contractor, CSA Ocean Sciences Inc. (CSA), as detailed in Exhibit A ➢ Weekly post -construction escarpment monitoring; ➢ Post -construction sea turtle monitoring; ➢ Marking and monitoring of a representative sample of nests to determine nest fate and reproductive success; ➢ Quarterly in -water sea turtle monitoring; ➢ Nearshore hardbottom monitoring* ➢ Post -construction UMAM analysis of hardbottom impacts; and ➢ Data management and reporting, as conditioned in regulatory permits for the project. Ecological Associates Inc. • Post Office Box 405 • Jensen Beach, Florida 34958 Phone: (772) 334-3729 • Fax: (772) 334-4925 • Email: info@ecological-associates.com Indian River County Sector 3 Beach and Dune Restoration Project Page 2 2014 Scope of Work Records of monitoring activities during 2014 will be provided to the County in a form and at frequencies mutually agreed upon. Monthly data reports and a year-end summary report will be provided to the County in accordance with Exhibit C (Project Schedule). EAI will submit its monthly billings for services to the County in accordance with the fees set forth in Exhibit B (Costs). No deposit or retainers are required. Implementation of EAI s services is contingent upon receipt of a Notice to Proceed. Ecological Associates, Inc. appreciates the opportunity to be of continued service to Indian River County. Please feel free to give me a call should you have any questions regarding EAI's proposed services or associated costs. Sincerely, Robert G. Ernest President enclosures c: R Erik Martin/Scientific Director Ecological Associates, Inc. • Post Office Box 405 • Jensen Beach, Florida 34958 Phone: (772) 334-3729 • Fax: (772) 334-4925 • Email: info©ecological-associates.com • EXHIBIT 1 EXHIBIT A ECOLOGICAL ASSOCIATES, INC. P.O. BOX 405 JENSEN BEACH, FLORIDA 34958 WORK ORDER NO. 4 - SCOPE OF WORK Project Boundaries. The area to be monitored (Project Area) extends from R-20 south to R-68 in Indian River County (Sector 3). This includes: a) Phase 2 (R-26.4 to R-36) of the Sector 3 Project, constructed in 2011. b) Phase 2B (R-20 to R-26 4) of the Sector 3 Project, completed prior to the 2012 nesting season. c) The Sector 3 Dune Repair Project (R-36 to R-55). This area, which was originally restored in 2010, sustained considerable damage in 2012 during the passage of Hurricane Sandy. Consequently, the County intends to repair damage to the dune during the 2014/2015 construction season. d) A control beach south of the Sector 3 Project Area (R-60 to R-68). Monitoring Period. Post -construction monitoring activities will commence April 1, 2014 and will continue through approximately February 2015, as stipulated below. Task 1 - Weekly Post -construction Scarp Monitoring (FDEP Specific Condition No. 24). Escarpment (scarp) surveys will be conducted on a weekly basis from April 1 through September 30 in all three phases of the Sector 3 Project Area. In accordance with FWC protocol, scarps will be functionally defined as an abrupt change in beach slope (greater than 45°) that is at least 18 inches in height and persists for a distance of 100 feet or more. The location of both the northern and southern terminus of each scarp will be recorded by GPS and average scarp height assigned to one of three categories (0 to 2 feet, 2 to 4 feet, and 4 feet or higher). Additionally, the maximum height of each scarp will be measured. The location (relative to R monuments), approximate length, height category, maximum height, and percentage of beach scarped will be presented in tabular and/or graphic format for reporting purposes. Deliverables: The location of any scarp that persists for two consecutive weekly surveys will be reported to the County by phone or electronically. Results of surveys conducted each month including locations, heights, and lengths will tabulated for inclusion in the Nesting Beach Sea Turtle Monitoring reports. The County shall be responsible for notifying FDEP of the presence of persistent scarps and for coordinating any remediation measures, if required. Indian River County Sector 3 Beach and Dune Restoration Project Page 2 Exhibit A — 2014 Scope of Work Task 2 — Post -construction Nesting Beach Sea Turtle Monitoring (FDEP Specific Condition No. 29). • Daily early morning nesting surveys will commence on April 1, 2014 for all three phases of the Sector 3 Project. Post -construction monitoring of the entire Project Area will continue uninterrupted through September 30, 2013. Thereafter, the surveys will be conducted three days each week until the last marked nest has been evaluated. During the daily surveys, all emergences (turtle crawls) apparent from the previous night will be interpreted to determine which species of turtle came ashore and whether or not it nested. Crawls will be denoted as being either above or below the previous high tide line. Nests and false crawls will be enumerated by pre -established survey zones and their approximate geographic locations determined by GPS (general accuracy of 3-5 meters). This data will be incorporated into EAI's GIS database and nest distribution maps produced for inclusion in a year-end summary report. Each false crawl will be categorized as to the stage at which the nesting attempt was abandoned in conformance with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) requirements for beach restoration projects. Additionally, all obstacles (e.g , scarps, seawalls, etc.) encountered by turtles during their emergences onto the beach will be documented. EAI will directly confer with existing Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's (FWC's) Marine Turtle Permit Holders in collaboration with the County to appropriately coordinate its monitoring efforts with the existing yearly monitonng efforts by others within the Project Area. EAI will also coordinate its monitoring activities in a manner that best supports the County's Habitat Conservation Plan and will furnish data collected under this Scope of Work to the County's HCP Coordinator in a format compatible with the HCP database. Deliverables: EAI will submit (electronically) monthly reports of all nesting beach monitoring activities to the County, including dates and times of monitoring, names of monitoring personnel, and numbers of sea turtle nests and false crawls, by species. Task 3 — Nest Marking and Monitoring (FDEP Specific Condition No. 29). A representative sample of nests within each phase of the Project Area, as well as the control, will be marked and monitored for the purpose of determining nest fate and reproductive success. The clutch of each marked nest will be located and Indian River County Sector 3 Beach and Dune Restoration Project Page 3 Exhibit A — 2014 Scope of Work surrounded by a series of small stakes connected by brightly colored surveyor's tape. Marked nests will be monitored throughout their incubation period to determine nest fate (e.g., hatched, washed out, depredated vandalized, etc.). After an appropriate incubation period, and in accordance with FWC guidelines, nests will be excavated to determine reproductive success. Nest contents will be assigned to standard categories (e.g., unhatched eggs, dead hatchlings, etc.) developed by FWC. Two measures of reproductive success will then be calculated: hatching success (the percentage of eggs in the nest that hatch) and emerging success (the percentage of eggs in the nest that produce hatchlings which successfully escape from the nest). For the purpose of evaluating the effects of the Sector 3 Beach and Dune Restoration Project on sea turtle reproductive success, at least 75 loggerhead nests will be marked in each of the three phases and in the control. This will yield a minimum of 300 marked loggerhead nests. All green turtle nests, up to a maximum of 200, will be marked for evaluations. Too few leatherback nests occur within the Project Area to provide a statistically meaningful number to assess project impacts, if any, on reproductive success. Therefore no leatherback nests will be marked. Nest fate and reproductive success data for loggerhead and green turtles will be compared between each of the three project phases and the control. As appropriate, statistical analyses will be performed on the data. All activities described in Tasks 2-3 will be performed under FWC Marine Turtle Permit TP -010 in accordance with current or future superseding conditions and guidelines issued by the permitting agency. Deliverables: EAI will submit (electronically) monthly reports of all nesting beach monitoring activities to the County, including numbers of nests marked and fated within each phase of the Project Area. Task 4 - In -water Sea Turtle Monitoring (FDEP Specific Condition No. 32). EAI will assess sea turtle population levels in the nearshore area within and adjacent to the Sector 3 Project Area. This assessment will be conducted quarterly during the following time frames. June -August 2014, September -November 2014, and December 2014 -February 2015. The surveys will employ the same methodology and transect locations used since 2007. The methodology will include concurrent sampling of the Project Area and an appropriate control area to permit isolation of potential project effects from natural background variability. In -water surveys will be conducted from a boat equipped with an elevated observation platform and a GPS navigational system to allow constant monitoring of speed and location. The boat will traverse a series of 3 -kilometer long Indian River County Sector 3 Beach and Dune Restoration Project Page 4 Exhibit A — 2014 Scope of Work transects (three each within the Treatment and Control sites) at slow and constant speed (5-6 knots). Two experienced biologists will be positioned on the platform and will make observations at an eye level of approximately 12 ft above the water; one will monitor the port side and the other the starboard .side. When a turtle is sighted, the position of the vessel at the time of the sighting will be recorded by GPS: The position of the turtle will be mapped based on the position of the boat and the observer s estimate of the distance and bearing to the turtle. In addition to recording the position of the turtle, the observer will also record the time the turtle was first observed, the species, its relative size, and whether it was at the surface or submerged. Surveys will only be conducted when weather conditions are acceptable for survey accuracy and safety. To eliminate the effect of day-to-day variability in turtle sighting conditions on the data set, surveys of the Treatment and Control sites will be conducted on the same day. If deteriorating weather conditions do not allow for a complete survey of both sites to be conducted in the same day, the entire survey effort will be repeated on the next acceptable date at no additional costs to the County. Deliverables: Data collected during in -water monitoring will be tabulated and transmitted to the County at the conclusion of each quarterly survey effort. At the conclusion of 2014/2015 monitoring, data will be analyzed and marine turtle abundance will be compared between the pre -construction baseline and the current year's data for each individual transect and for the sites as a whole (all transects combined) for both the Treatment and Control sites. Data for green and loggerhead turtles will be analyzed and presented separately. This annual report will present methods, results and conclusions of the monitoring effort. Task 5 — Nearshore Hardbottom Monitoring (FDEP Specific Conditions No. 48 through 52 and 55). CSA shall perform nearshore hardbottom monitoring within and surrounding the Phase 2 and 2b Project Area, extending from R-20 through R-36, and a reference area to the south (R-63 to R-65), to fulfill requirements for "Nearshore Hardbottom Monitoring" identified in the FDEP approved Biological Monitoring Plan (dated April 2009) and FDEP JCP Specific Conditions 48 through 54. Monitoring events shall consist of: 1) "Year 3' annual momtonng for the previously completed Phase 2 fill area (R-26+500 - R-36), and 2) 'Year 2" annual monitoring of the previously completed Phase 2b fill area (R-20 - R-26+500). This task shall consist of two elements: field surveys along previously established transects and mapping of the nearshore hardbottom edge. Monitonng shall include the survey of a total of 12 permanent cross -shore transects (R-21, R-22, Indian River County Sector 3 Beach and Dune Restoration Project Page 5 Exhibit A — 2014 Scope of Work R-24, R-25, R-26, R-28.5, R-30.5, R-32, R-34, R-36, Ref. R-63, and Ref. R-65). Along each transect video, still photographs, and repetitive in situ quadrat data will be collected. The monitoring also will include the mapping of the landward edge of hardbottom along the length of the Phase 2 and 2b Project Areas (approximately 16,000 ft). Deliverables: Data deliverables for this task include copies of digital video data and still photographs from the survey. Task 6 — Aerial Imagery Ground-truthing and Interpretation/mapping (FDEP Specific Condition No. 53). CSA shall coordinate with the County's selected contractorto schedule aerial imagery collection during a period of optimal site conditions to maximize data quality and allow concurrent in situ diver ground-truthing for habitat verification. The aerial images obtained from the contractor will be digitized by CSA (as needed) to produce GIS -based habitat maps (ESRI shape files) and facilitate further analysis. Using the habitat maps derived from the aerial photography, CSA will assess post -construction hardbottom impacts (physical burial) likely attributable to Phase 2 or 2b of the Project. Deliverables: CSA will perform ground -truth verification of the aerial photography to include bounce dives and/or cross -shore video transects and will include the geo- referenced field positions in copies of the ground-truthing photography and/or transect video record provided to the County and FDEP. CSA will use the ground-truthing to verify interpretation of the aerials used to produce the GIS - based habitat maps. Task 7 (Optional) — Satellite Imagery Ground-truthing and Interpretation/mapping. In the event that good -faith coordination between CSA and the aerial imagery contractor is unable to schedule aerials during a period that will allow concurrent in situ diver ground-truthing, an optional task can be substituted. An appropriate satellite will be tasked to collect daytime 4 -spectral band digital images of the hardbottom within the Project Area. Using the satellite images, data will be digitized by CSA to produce the habitat maps (ESRI shape files) described above using the conventional method. CSA will also perform ground -truth verification of the satellite imagery, as described above, following a separate Notice to Proceed from the County. Indian River County Sector 3 Beach and Dune Restoration Project Page 6 Exhibit A — 2014 Scope of Work This approach is still considered experimental at the FDEP level, but may prove to be an acceptable alternative in the event that aerial photographs are not acquired, as was the case in 2013. FDEP permission will be sought in the event this task becomes necessary. Task 8 — Preparation of an Annual Biological Monitoring Report (FDEP Specific Condition No. 54). Following the completion of Tasks 5 and 6, CSA will analyze transect and quadrat data in accordance with the FDEP Biological Monitoring Plan and prepare a summary report. The report will include appropriate graphics, tables, statistical analyses of the collected data, comparisons to previous years' survey data, and an assessment of project -related impacts to hardbottom communities. The report will be delivered in both hard copy and digital format. Data deliverables on portable hard drive will include frame -grabbed images from all transects, PointCount files and associated data, Excel spreadsheets of PointCount data, and Excel spreadsheets of in situ quadrat data. Deliverables: The draft Biological Monitoring Report, as well as the UMAM analysis (Task 9) will be provided to the County for distribution to a 3rd party for impartial review and comment. CSA and/or EAI will then coordinate with the County and the 3rd party reviewer to identify and discuss any needed changes to the draft documents. After such changes are made by CSA, EAI will forward the summary report to FDEP in partial fulfillment of permit conditions. Task 9 — Post -Construction UMAM Analysis of Hardbottom Impacts. Based upon the assessment of hardbottom impacts prepared under Task 5 and aerial imagery interpretation in Task 6, CSA will conduct a Uniform Mitigation Assessment Methodology (UMAM) analysis, pursuant to Chapter 62-345, F.A.C. The UMAM analysis will include qualitative descriptions of impacted communities and associated ecological functions, and quantitative estimates of the extent of impacts. CSA will confer with FDEP staff during and upon completion of the UMAM analysis to access any actual hardbottom impacts or the absence of impacts potentially attributable to the Project. Deliverables: The UMAM spreadsheets, in addition to supporting documentation, will be provided in hard copy and digital format to the County for review prior to final submittal to FDEP Indian River County Sector 3 Beach and Dune Restoration Project Page 7 Exhibit A — 2014 Scope of Work Task 10 — Summary Spreadsheet of Sea Turtle Nesting Activity (FDEP Specific Condition No. 29). At the end of the 2014 nesting season, an Excel spreadsheet of all nesting activity and reproductive success will be prepared and submitted electronically to FDEP and FWC. Data will be reported separately for each phase of the Sector 3 Project and the control beach. Task 11 Final Interpretive Report Upon conclusion of data analyses for the 2014 nesting season, a.draft interpretive report, including an assessment of project impacts if any, will be submitted to the County. This assessment will be based on statistical and other comparisons of nesting and reproductive success data between treatment and control areas EAI will meet with the County to review and identify any changes warranted in the interpretive report. After such changes are made by EAI, a final report will be prepared and submitted to the County. Task 12 — Project Management This task includes all of the coordination and scheduling required to complete Tasks 1-11 above. EAI will closely coordinate its operations with the County and its subcontractors to ensure that all field activities are conducted in accordance with regulatory permit conditions, FDEP-approved monitoring plans, FWC guidelines, and accepted scientific practices and that all requisite reports are delivered on schedule (Exhibit C). EXHIBIT 2 EXHIBIT B ECOLOGICAL ASSOCIATES, INC. P.O. BOX 405 JENSEN BEACH, FLORIDA 34958 FEIN: 65-0468575 WORK ORDER NO. 4 - COST PROPOSAL — March 14, 2014 PROJECT NAME: Indian River County Sector 3 Sea Turtle Monitoring - 2014 (PROJECT 14-339) CLIENT: Mr James D. Gray, Jr. Coastal Engineer Indian River County Public Works 1801 27`h Street Vero Beach, Florida 32960 Phone: (772) 226-1344 * Email: jgrayAircgov.com PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Daily sea turtle monitoring and related permit -compliance monitoring along approximately 9.1 miles of beach from R-19 south to R-68 in Indian River County Florida, as described in EAI's Scope of Work dated March 14, 2014. PROJECT DURATION: April 2014 — February 2015. COSTS: All work will be performed in accordance with the provisions of the Professional Coastal Environmental Services Agreement, dated March 19, 2013, between Indian River County and Ecological Associates, Inc. All services under this Work Order will be provided at fixed cost (lump sum), as itemized below. TASK DESCRIPTION CHARGE 1 monitoring (April September 2014) $4,098.00 Escarpment — 2 Post documentation, September -construction sea turtle monitoring including data management 2014) and crawl QA $85,799.00 and (April — 3 Nest marking, monitoring, and reproductive success evaluation $19,215.00 4 In -water monitoring, including final summary report $8,715.00 5 Nearshore hardbottom surveys $90,667.00 6 Aerial mapping imagery interpretation, ground truthing, and habitat $16,471.00 Indian River County Sector 3 Beach and Dune Restoration Project Exhibit B — 2014 Cost Proposal Page 2 TASK DESCRIPTION CHARGE 7 Satellite imagery tasking and collection (Optional) $3,726.00 8 Nearshore hardbottom summary report $73,852.00 9 UMAM analysis including report $9,577.00 10 FDEP permit -required sea turtle monitoring data spreadsheet $3,290.00 11 Final interpretive nesting and reproductive report to client assessing project success effects on $4672.00 ' 12 Project management $4,838.00 TOTAL COST $324,920.00 EXHIBIT C U z c W Ei d U 0 ct iec a U u 0 0 U W P.O. BOX 405 JENSEN BEACH, FLORIDA 34958 W W A W x U Ct E1 U W 1 0 a Poo 1mzr O za w ga go a O 3 The following work products will be provided to Indian River County in accordance with the schedules specified Deliverables. 0 tit et A A ber 31, 2014 bruary 28, 21 Liver, lays of lays o quart Content lata summaries and maps depicting sighting locations nesting and reproductive success broductiv J 73 es 1 g Q et L alA ly In -water Sea Beach Year-end Report Monitoring Annual coring Month] - N a) bA a 0 a) O s. - a 0 0 0 a) a) c Q -0 ct O cu a) 0 M ,. z.., 0 O C/] U V a) a] c O '`d fl o .i UI. o a) 1 •>_ U r9.— :No""-5 X I • W Within 90 days of completion of field survey activities Within 60 days of cc of field survey aci Delivery D lays of Content et, quadrat, and nearshore hardbottc to graphics/tables, interpretation of les, and assessments of project-relai Statistical analyses of pre- and post -construction hard including net loss/gain of hardbottom, sand volume changes L tr. feel an a.) et L a) A UMAM Analysis Hardbott Monis