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I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 16'-0" substructure system that minimizes noise and vibrations would also be very important to this project. With the proximity to existing structures, a drilled shaft type of substructure would be preferable to driven prestressed pilings. 4'-6" 7'-0" 4'-6" j'~ .4572 9 1D ~.10.~.. ~...Q... ..' BENCH . . , - It is unclear at time why the City felt that a single span bridge was necessary. We anticipate that there was a concern for the permitting issues involved with the project. Indeed, there would be some benefits to the permitting efforts if the bridge were to clear span the canal. Those permitting issues will be discussed in a separate section of this report. However, the need to clear span the canal would raise the complexity of the structural issues enormously resulting in significantly higher costs. Ultimately, these two issues will have to be studied in tandem to determine if the complexity of the structural systems outweigh the complexity to the project permitting. - VISTA VIEW 18'-0" PLAN Figure 4 Environmental Aspects Approach to the environmental permitting will depend, in part, on whether intermediate piers are used within the canal. Technically, if no piers are utilized, the project could proceed without requiring approval from several agencies at the federal level. However, it should be noted that the boardwalk and overlook project will require submittal to these agencies even if the bridge is determined to be exempt. Theoretically, the projects could be separated so that the bridge could avoid federal review, however, this approach could possibly backfire, if the reviewing agencies take note of the bridge construction while reviewing the boardwalk project. Following is an analysis of the permitting aspects of this project considered with and without intermediate piers. If the proposed project involves the installation of support columns in the canal/bay, a Dredge & Fill Permit will be required by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), an Environmental Resource Permit (ERP) will be required by the South Florida Water Management District, and a Class I Permit will be required by the Miami-Dade County Department of Environmental Resources Management (DERM). The Federal permitting process involves coordination with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). It is expected that the review by the Corps will be performed by Alisa Zarbo at the Stuart Office, who is the project manager responsible for the review of FDOT and other road projects. Coordination with the USFWS office in Vero Beach involves an evaluation of any potential impacts to federally listed threatened/endangered species. For this bridge project, the only federally listed species under the purview of the USFWS is the manatee. Impacts to manatees should be resolved by agreeing to incorporate the standard Manatee Construction Conditions. The NOAA Fisheries Protected Resources Division located in St. Petersburg also has responsibility for the review of endangered species. The endangered species under the purview of the NOAA Fisheries include sea turtles, smalltooth sawfish and Johnson's Seagrass. Impacts to sea turtles and the smalltooth sawfish can be addressed by agreeing to incorporate the standard Sea Turtle and Smalltooth Sawfish Construction Conditions. For proper evaluation of potential impacts to Johnson's Seagrass, a seagrass survey will have to be conducted during the growing season (May through August) to determine if any Johnson's seagrass is present. Since this project is not within the area Page 4 of 7