2-13-17 Kevin Bodge EmailJacobovitz, Donald
From: Kevin Bodge <kbodge@olsen-associates.com>
Sent: Monday, February 13, 2017 11:01 AM
To: Jacobovitz, Donald; Hogencamp,Kevin
Cc: admin@bstp.net; Fallin, Thomas; Jones, Tony D SAJ; Klug, Geoffrey SAJ; Harrah, Jason S
SAJ; Williams, Scott; Stinson, John; 'Edwards, Tom'
Subject: Beach Renourishment and Marine Turtle Nesting Monitoring
Don,
My understanding is that CoAB will be considering tonight a proposal for a "sea turtle watch group" that proposes to
post maps and anticipated hatching dates etcetera for marine turtle nests, among other actions that are otherwise
potentially contrary to the responsibilities of the FWC marine turtle permit holder.
It is also my understanding from its Director that the Beaches Sea Turtle Patrol (the marine turtle permit holder for AB,
NB, JB) will drop Atlantic Beach from its FWC marine turtle permit if this proposal is adopted, given its adverse impact to
BSTP responsibilities.
Marine turtle nest relocation for construction -- and annual monitoring & reporting thereafter -- is required for the
Duval County beach & dune renourishment project, by FDEP permit and the US Fish & Wildlife Service. Finding a group
(particularly a non-profit) that is qualified to hold the FWC marine turtle permit is difficult, and the cost to hire an
environmental consultant for this work is very expensive. (I know, because I have to hire private firms to do this
identical work for our beach projects throughout the State.)
As the permit agent and City consultant for the Duval beach renourishment project, I need to point out the following.
The City of Atlantic Beach should be aware that it would be likely responsible for increased costs to the beach & dune
renourishment project associated with marine turtle nest relocation and monitoring, along Atlantic Beach, if BSTP were
to pull out of Atlantic Beach. The typical cost for the 2016-17 renourishment is on the order of $250 to $500 per day for
the Beaches, and daily charges are mostly fixed (not 'linear' by mile). Nest relocation requirements will span 100+ days
for the 2017 construction. Routine annual monitoring is less costly but it spans 180 days per year, every year. And,
we're fortunate in that BSTP (unlike private firms) does not charge any entity for annual monitoring after construction.
The Corps of Engineers already requires that the dredging contractor retain Beaches Sea Turtle Patrol for requisite
monitoring and nest relocation for the 2016-17 beach & dune renourishment. This is part of the overall construction
cost -- shared between the Corps, COJ, and State of Florida.
If the Corps & dredging contractor has to identify an additional, alternate permit holder to separately monitor Atlantic
Beach, then the costs for the monitoring & relocation will increase (double). The Corps, City, and State would not be
obligated to pay for this increased, non -budgeted cost — particularly since it was promulgated by a local municipal
action. Thus the responsibility and the costs to provide and pay for a qualified marine turtle monitoring firm — with
proper FWC permit stipulating Atlantic Beach — would fall to CoAB. And the project cannot be constructed along Atlantic
Beach without monitoring & relocation. And, monitoring & relocation must begin by early April in anticipation of the
dredge's return by mid-May 2017.
As the project's permit agent and coastal engineering consultant, I recommend against this "sea turtle watch group"
proposal; or at least, I recommend that the CoAB be prepared to absorb the fiscal consequences should it consider it for
current or future adoption.
Please call me if you have any questions related to this matter.
Kevin
Kevin R. Bodge, Ph.D., P.E.
Olsen Associates, Inc.
2618 Herschel Street
Jacksonville, FL 32204 USA
Office (904) 387-6114 / Fax (904) 384-7368 / Cell (904) 307-9522
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