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<br /> <br /> STANDARD FORM 330 (REV. 312013) PAGE 4 <br />State Park <br />Broward County, Florida <br />PROFESSIONAL SERVICES <br />Benthic Assessment and <br />Seagrass GIS Mapping <br />CONSTRUCTION (If <br />Applicable) <br />N/A <br />(3) BRIEF DESCRIPTION (Brief Scope, size, cost, etc.) AND SPECIFIC ROLE Check if project performed with current <br />firm <br />Benthic Assessment and Seagrass Mapping Study. Mr. Fitzgerald provided environmental science services <br />associated with a shoreline stabilization and wave break project at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park (Park) in Broward <br />County, Florida. The Park is positioned on a barrier island (created after construction of the Intracoastal Waterway <br />(ICWW)) that borders the Atlantic Ocean. Mr. Fitzgerald performed a comprehensive benthic assessment study to <br />delineate and quantify seagrass resources occurring in vicinity of the proposed project area. Pinnacle’s team of <br />scientific divers surveyed a total of 33,612 meters2 (8.3 acres) of seafloor immediately adjacent to the concrete <br />bulkhead that borders the Park’s west boundary along the ICWW. The objective of the assessment survey was to <br />identify, delineate and map marine benthic resources in vicinity of the proposed project area which could be impacted <br />by construction related activities. The initial seagrass assessment and mapping survey was conducted from 15 to 26 <br />June 2015. Seagrass habitat was mapped using qualitative data from belt transects. A total of 238 transects varying <br />from 30 to 100 feet were surveyed by Pinnacle’s scientific dive team. Macroalgae and paddle grass (Halophila <br />decipiens) represented the dominant biota observed during the seagrass assessment survey. Paddle grass (H. <br />decipiens) was the only seagrass species observed in the survey area. The total seagrass habitat delineated and <br />mapped during the seagrass assessment study was 21,473 meters2 (5.3 acres). The average seagrass density in the <br />area ranged between 25 and 50% cover. The seagrass assessment survey report was submitted 22 July 2015. <br />Additional field efforts occurred on 17, 18, and 20 February 2016 to map concrete pile debris in the area to determine <br />an approximate area of coverage and identify select areas for targeting debris removal to facilitate mitigation. The <br />results of the seagrass assessment survey were used to complete a Florida Unified Mitigation Assessment <br />Methodology (UMAM) Forms Part 1 (Qualitative Description) and Part 2 (Quantitative Description), and develop a <br />Seagrass Mitigation Plan. The Mitigation Plan provides a summary of the proposed mitigation activities, monitoring <br />plan, success criteria and deliverables necessary to mitigate potential impacts associated with project related <br />activities. Following extensive engagement with State and Federal Government Agencies, the Mitigation Plan was <br />prepared in accordance with the recommendations presented by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) on <br />14 October 2015 and was submitted 10 August 2016. Mr. Fitzgerald also completed NMFS Endangered Species Act <br />Section 7 Checklist, on 26 May 2016, and supported NMFS staff during the Biological Opinion consultation as a part <br />of the permitting process for the proposed construction activities. Additionally, Pinnacle developed a Seagrass <br />Monitoring Plan. The monitoring plan describes monitoring activities intended to measure the physical and biological <br />environmental conditions occurring within seagrass habitat and mitigation areas situated between the ICWW and the <br />bulkhead bordering the Park’s western boundary. The monitoring plan includes pre- and post-construction surveys in <br />mitigation areas and non-mitigation areas and an additional 3 years of annual monitoring to determine whether the <br />planned seagrass mitigation is meeting the designed success criteria. <br />Size: 8.3 acres of seagrass habitat <br />Cost: $47,000 <br />e. <br />(1) TITLE AND LOCATION (City and State) <br />Marine Turtle In-Water Surveys <br />City of Delray Beach, Florida <br /> <br />(2) YEAR COMPLETED <br />2016 - Present <br />PROFESSIONAL SERVICES <br />Marine Turtle Scientist <br /> <br />CONSTRUCTION (If <br />Applicable) <br />N/A <br />(3) BRIEF DESCRIPTION (Brief Scope, size, cost, etc.) AND SPECIFIC ROLE Check if project performed with current <br />firm <br />Marine Turtle Surveys - Mr. Fitzgerald conducted Biological Monitoring associated with a Beach Nourishment Project at Hillsboro <br />Beach and Deerfield Beach, Florida. During all in-water activities, in situ data was collected including visual surveys of sightings <br />and passive encounters with species of special concern including marine mammals and sea turtles. Data included species <br />identification, location of sighting or encounter, size of animal and estimate of whether juvenile or adult, observed activity at the <br />time of sighting, and direction of travel if determined. Two species of sea turtle were routinely observed during the hardbottom <br />monitoring survey: green turtles (Chelonia mydas) and loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta).. <br />Size: 2.8 miles of nearshore habitat <br />Cost: $17,000 (anticipated) <br /> <br />101