Item J8 J8
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
COUNTY of MONROE �� i Mayor Holly Merrill Raschein,District 5
The Florida Keys Mayor Pro Tern James K.Scholl,District 3
Craig Cates,District 1
Michelle Lincoln,District 2
David Rice,District 4
Board of County Commissioners Meeting
October 16, 2024
Agenda Item Number: J8
2023-3101
BULK ITEM: Yes DEPARTMENT: Planning & Environmental Resources
TIME APPROXIMATE: STAFF CONTACT: Barbara Powell
AGENDA ITEM WORDING:
Approval of the 2024 Monroe County Area of Critical State Concern (ACSC) Annual Work Program
Report, Pursuant To Florida Administrative Code Rule 28-20.140, Which Will Be Sent to the State
Land Planning Agency.
ITEM BACKGROUND:
Attached is the Monroe County 2024 ACSC Annual Work Program Progress Report ("Report"),
pursuant to Florida Administrative Code ("F.A.C.") Rule 28-20.140. The Report (see attached matrix)
includes Monroe County comments (4th and 5th columns) related to progress that has been made over
the past year toward the tasks in the Work Program.
The State Land Planning Agency — currently the Florida Department of Commerce ("Florida
Commerce"), formerly the Department of Economic Opportunity or "DEO", and prior to that the
Department of Community Affairs or "DCA" —will use the information provided by Monroe County to
develop its Area of Critical State Concern Annual Report to the Administration Commission (i.e., the
Governor and Cabinet), pursuant to Florida Statutes ("F.S.") Section 380.0552(4), and F.A.C. Rule
28-20.140(3)(a.).
The Annual Report is reviewed by the Administration Commission to evaluate the progress each
governmental entity has made toward achieving the Work Program's task objectives, and to determine
whether to recommend a decrease in annual allocations for housing units.
In 2019, the Florida Administration Commission authorized the Department of Economic Opportunity
to initiate rulemaking to revise the Work Program for Monroe County. The revised Work Program is
included in Administration Commission F.A.C. Rule 28-20.140, which became legally effective on
November 26, 2020. This revised Work Program eliminated certain completed tasks and created a new
Work Program section for Canal Restoration Implementation beginning in November 2020 through the
year 2030 which includes:
4734
1. Updating the 2013 Canal Management Master Plan;
2. Development and adoption of guidelines to select canals for restoration;
3. Identification and evaluation of potential funding sources for canal restoration;
4. Annual identification of selected canal restoration projects;
5. Annual requirement to apply for funding;
6. Annual allocation of funding for canal restoration;
7. Annual report of which canal restoration projects have been initiated and which projects were
completed;
8. Preparation of a plan to assess the effectiveness of restoration projects completed; and
9. Annual assessment of restoration projects (i.e., water quality monitoring reports).
In summary, F.A.C. Rule 28-20.140 includes a revised Work Program for Monroe County with thirty
(30) tasks to complete (between 2020 until 2030) under four major topics: 1. Carrying Capacity Study
Implementation; 2. Wastewater Implementation; 3. Wastewater Project Implementation; and 4. Canal
Restoration Implementation.
The current reporting year has eight (8) tasks for Monroe County to complete, and the County has
achieved all eight of the Work Program tasks. The attached Report (matrix provided by the State to the
County) includes two (2) incomplete but in progress tasks from prior reporting years, as follows:
Two (2) Incomplete Wastewater Tasks: Complete all remaining connections to the South Lower
Keys WWTP and Cudjoe Regional WWTP.
• South Lower Keys WWTP (Big Coppitt)—94% connected
• Cudjoe Regional WWTP—95% connected
Contributors to the Annual Report include: The Monroe County Planning and Environmental Resources
Department, the Monroe County Land Authority, the Monroe County Office of Sustainability/Canal
Restoration, the Monroe County Code Compliance Department, and the Florida Keys Aqueduct
Authority.
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION:
• On July 17, 2013, the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners (`BOCC") directed staff
to write a letter to the Administration Commission to request that Rule 28-20.140, F.A.C., be
amended to remove the requirement to adopt the Tier Overlay Zoning Maps into the
Comprehensive Plan.
• On February 19, 2014, the BOCC directed staff to write a letter to DEO to request that Rule 28-
20.140, F.A.C., be amended to require the adoption the Tier Overlay Zoning Maps into the
Comprehensive Plan upon requesting the removal of the designation.
• On September 17, 2014, the BOCC approved the 2014 Monroe County Area of Critical State
("ACSC") Annual Work Program Report, pursuant to Rule 28-20.140, F.A.C., which was
submitted to DEO.
• On November 17, 2015, the BOCC approved the 2015 Monroe County ACSC Annual Work
Program Report,pursuant to Rule 28-20.140, F.A.C., which was submitted to DEO.
• On September 21, 2016, the BOCC approved the 2016 Monroe County ACSC Annual Work
Program Report,pursuant to Rule 28-20.140, F.A.C., which was submitted to DEO.
• On October 18, 2017, the BOCC approved the 2017 Monroe County ACSC Annual Work
Program Report,pursuant to Rule 28-20.140, F.A.C., which was submitted to DEO.
• On November 20, 2018, the BOCC approved the 2018 Monroe County ACSC Annual Work
Program Report,pursuant to Rule 28-20.140, F.A.C., which was submitted to DEO.
4735
• On August 21, 2019, the BOCC approved the 2019 Monroe County ACSC Annual Work
Program Report,pursuant to Rule 28-20.140, F.A.C., which was submitted to DEO.
• On October 21, 2020, the BOCC approved the 2020 Monroe County ACSC Annual Work
Program Report,pursuant to Rule 28-20.140, F.A.C., which was submitted to DEO.
• On October 20, 2021, the BOCC approved the 2021 Monroe County ACSC Annual Work
Program Report,pursuant to Rule 28-20.140, F.A.C., which was submitted to DEO.
• On October 19, 2022, the BOCC approved the 2022 Monroe County ACSC Annual Work
Program Report,pursuant to Rule 28-20.140, F.A.C., which was submitted to DEO.
• On October 18, 2023, the BOCC approved the 2023 Monroe County ACSC Annual Work
Program Report,pursuant to Rule 28-20.140, F.A.C., which was submitted to Florida Commerce.
INSURANCE REQUIRED:
No
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES:
n/a
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Approval.
DOCUMENTATION:
Monroe County ACSC 2024 Annual Report Matrix
Additional.Data.Request
CRWS Connection Tracking 05-20-2024 CODE
Canal Work-plan 2024
CIE Update_FY 2 -28 Canals
Monroe County Grant Applications for Canal Projects
MonroeCounty_KEYS_FKRAD_Proj ects_2024
Wastewater Request
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
n/a
4736
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4739
In addition to the attached Matrix, FloridaCommerce made the following data request:
• Number of market rate units allocated.................................................................. 62
• Number of market rate unit permits in queue...................................................... 231
• Number of affordable housing units allocated;....................................................... 0
• Number of affordable units remaining in the pool; .................................................. 2
• Number of affordable housing unit permits in queue; ............................................. 2
• Number of administrative relief or beneficial units allocated; ................................. 0
• Number of administrative relief units remaining in the pool;................................ 145
• Number of affordable units borrowed forward; ....................................................... 0
• Number of market rate units borrowed forward; ..................................................... 0
• Wastewater expenditures; ................................................................................... $0
• Number of potential sewer connections;...........................see attached spreadsheet
• Number of current sewer connections; .............................see attached spreadsheet
• Number of parcels referred to code enforcement for failure to connect to sewer; ... 3
• Number of parcels not connected to sewer that were notified to connect; ............ 56
• Amount of money expended for sewer construction:.$0
4740
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4741
Monroe County Canal Workplan Update
August 21, 2024
Rhonda Haag
The County has completed restoration for 4 canals this past year and is in the process of completing
construction for 1 more. Reporting period is July 13, 2023—July 12, 2024.
1) #90 Tavernier (Hammerpoint) Backfill. $1,371,500. Complete June 2024
2) #259 Big Pine Key Culvert. $760,000.00 Complete November 2023
3) #475 Geiger Key Culvert. $1,600,000 Complete February 2024
4) #278 Big Pine Key(Eden Pines) Injection Well. $324,000. Complete May 2024
5) #58 Key Largo Injection Well. $299,000. In process, on temporary hold
The County is in the process of design and permitting the following 11 canals:
1) #105 Tavernier Backfill and Culvert. Estimate$668,871.
2) #255 Big Pine Key Injection Well. Estimate $300,000
3) #82 Key Largo (Rock Harbor) Organic Muck Removal, Backfilling and Air Curtain. Estimate
$2,547,229.
4) #474 Geiger Key Backfill and Air Curtain Restoration Projects. Estimate$222,651.
5) #266 Big Pine Key Baileys and Witters Lane -Phase 2 Backfill. Estimate$1.5 Million
6) #293 (RESTORE) Big Pine Key-Avenues H & I Organic Removal, Backfilling and Air Curtain, $2.1
M Design and permitting complete July 2023.
7) #295 (RESTORE) Big Pine Key Avenues G & H Organic Muck Removal, Backfilling and Air Curtain.
Estimate$1,040,727.
8) #297 (RESTORE) Big Pine Key Avenues G & F Organic Muck Removal, Backfilling and Air Curtain.
Estimate$ 1,352,390.
9) #299 (RESTORE) Big Pine Key Avenues E & F Organic Muck Removal, Backfilling and Air Curtain.
Estimate$2,151,972
10) #300(RESTORE) Big Pine Key Avenues E & D Organic Muck Removal, Backfiling and Air Curtain,
Estimate$1,490,926
11) #315 (RESTORE) Big Pine Key Warner and Beach Streets, Organic Muck Removal, Backfilling and
Air Curtain. Estimate$2,373,982. Design and permitting in process.
The County submitted the following grant applications for canal projects for the reporting period July 13,
2023—July 12, 2024:
1) On September 15, 2023,the County submitted an application to the Florida Department of
Environmental Protection for modifications to existing Grant Agreements to approve the
expenditure of Keys Stewardship funds allocated for Monroe County's canal restoration program for
FY23/24.The funds are to be used towards restoration work on the 3 canals below.
• #266—Big Pine Key Renewed Organic removal and backfill. Estimate $800,000
• #299 - Big Pine Key Organic removal, backfill and weedgate. Estimate$2,151,972
• #90—Tavernier Organic removal and weedgate. Estimate $1,100,000.
4742
2) In October 2023 the County submitted an application to the Gulf Consortium (RESTORE)for 6 canal
restoration projects on Big Pine Key in the "Avenues" area for a total of$12.4 Million.The funds are
to be used towards the restoration of the following 6 canals:
1. #293 (RESTORE)— Big Pine Key Avenues H & I Organic Removal, Backfilling and Air Curtain, $2.1
M Design and permitting complete July 2023.
2. #295 (RESTORE) Big Pine Key Organic Muck Removal, Backfilling and Air Curtain. Estimate
$1,040,727.
3. #297 (RESTORE) Big Pine Key Organic Muck Removal, Backfilling and Air Curtain. Estimate$
1,352,390.
4. #299 (RESTORE) Big Pine Key Organic Muck Removal, Backfilling and Air Curtain. Estimate
$2,151,972
5. #300(RESTORE) -Organic Muck Removal, Backfilling and Air Curtain, Estimate$1,490,926
6. #315 (RESTORE) Big Pine Key Organic Muck Removal, Backfilling and Air Curtain. Estimate
$2,373,982. Design and permitting in process.
3) In July 2023 the County submitted an application to EPA for 5 tasks for canal masterplanning for
$410,498 and was awarded in May 2024, as follows:
A. Canal Water Quality Sampling and Monitoring. An update to the Canal Management Master
Plan (CMMP) database will be provided to update information on the levels of dissolved oxygen
(DO) in canals not meeting state water quality standards, performing on-site water quality
sampling in more than 300 canals in Monroe County.This will provide information required to
develop a revised Canal Restoration List, implement the Canal Work Plan, and make informed
decisions on restoring the degraded canals.
B. Canal Technology Cost Reduction and Effectiveness Evaluation. In 2014, the County completed
a series of demonstration projects to evaluate the effectiveness of canal restoration
technologies including use of culverts, backfill, organic removal, and air curtain to improve the
DO levels.The County has since identified injection wells as a potential new technology, which
is much lower in cost than other technologies, to improve water quality in lieu of a full
restoration.The County will evaluate the CMMP database and ranking sheets to identify canals
that may be improved through the implementation of this new technology. A revised list of
projects will be prepared that provides a more cost-effective list of restoration projects so that
more projects can be accomplished per year and overall.
C. Canal Restoration—Geographic Grouping.The University of Miami (UM) completed a study in
2021 to evaluate the canal water quality impact on the nearshore waters and determined that
canal water does affect nearshore water quality.The County is proposing to reevaluate the list
of projects to determine if grouping restoration projects by geographic locations will
accomplish more effective and cost-efficient restorations that would better improve the overall
nearshore water quality. If so, a revised list of projects will be prepared,that includes proposed
geographic groupings of projects.
D. Injection Wells (Canal#58 and #278) - Pre and Post Water Quality Monitoring.The injection
well technology was evaluated as part of the former demonstration program and offers a
4743
potential alternative to improve levels of DO in canals at greatly reduced costs compared to
existing technologies.The technology has not yet been tested and is now at the demonstration
phase with two new wells to be installed in 2023 in the County.This task is proposing to
evaluate the pre and post water quality of these two canal restoration projects to determine
the effectiveness in improving the DO levels within the canal systems so that it can be used in
more canals to increase DO levels at a greatly reduced cost.
E. Restoring Seagrass Damage:This task will identify, map and develop methods for seagrass
restoration from damage caused by derelict vessel removal.This will enhance the ecosystem
resilience and connectivity of the Florida Keys by providing vital habitats for a variety of marine
species, improving water quality, and reducing erosion by reducing the negative impacts of the
removal of abandoned and derelict vessels.
F. Public Outreach and Education:The Monroe County Strategic Plan and the FKNMS Restoration
Blueprint identified water quality as a high priority by the residents in the Florida Keys.
Therefore, outreach is important to inform and engage the residents of the ongoing efforts of
the canal restoration program, and how best management practices can be implemented to
maintain these efforts.
4) On July 26, 2024 Monroe County applied to EPA for$393,888 to conduct canal masterplanning and
canal monitoring as follows:
A. Evaluating and Monitoring Restored Canals.The Canal Work Plan sets forth a definitive timeline
for canal restoration with essential milestones for the completion of the program within the
next 10 years.The County created a Canal Restoration List containing 96 projects estimated to
cost$538 Million to implement and is restoring canals on the list, investing more than $20
Million to date. However, no formal process exists to evaluate the effectiveness of the canals
restored. As part of this work plan, the County proposes to assess the effectiveness of restored
canals based on water quality and ecological response factors.To accomplish this the County
will establish a monitoring program to complete quarterly dissolved oxygen and ecological
monitoring within each canal completed on the work plan list to make informed decisions on
the effectiveness of the restoration technologies.The monitoring will be done in accordance
with Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) standard operating procedures and
through collaboration with the FKNMS WQPP Steering Committee and the public. Outreach will
be integrated into the project to inform the residents of the ongoing efforts of the canal
restoration program, and how best management practices can be implemented to maintain
these efforts.
4744
4745
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Monroe County Grant Applications for Canal Projects
August 21, 2024
Rhonda Haag
The County submitted the following grant applications for canal projects for the reporting period July 13,
2023—July 12, 2024:
1) On September 15, 2023,the County submitted an application to the Florida Department of
Environmental Protection for modifications to existing Grant Agreements to approve the
expenditure of Keys Stewardship funds allocated for Monroe CountV's canal restoration program for
FY23/24.The funds are to be used towards restoration work on the 3 canals below.
• #266—Big Pine Key Renewed Organic removal and backfill. Estimate $800,000
• #299 - Big Pine Key Organic removal, backfill and weedgate. Estimate$2,151,972
• #90—Tavernier Organic removal and weedgate. Estimate $1,100,000.
2) In October 2023 the County submitted an application to the Gulf Consortium (RESTORE)for 6 canal
restoration projects on Big Pine Key in the "Avenues" area for a total of$12.4 Million.The funds are
to be used towards the restoration of the following 6 canals:
1. #293 (RESTORE)— Big Pine Key Avenues H & I Organic Removal, Backfilling and Air Curtain, $2.1
M Design and permitting complete July 2023.
2. #295 (RESTORE) Big Pine Key Organic Muck Removal, Backfilling and Air Curtain. Estimate
$1,040,727.
3. #297 (RESTORE) Big Pine Key Organic Muck Removal, Backfilling and Air Curtain. Estimate$
1,352,390.
4. #299 (RESTORE) Big Pine Key Organic Muck Removal, Backfilling and Air Curtain. Estimate
$2,151,972
5. #300(RESTORE) -Organic Muck Removal, Backfilling and Air Curtain, Estimate$1,490,926
6. #315 (RESTORE) Big Pine Key Organic Muck Removal, Backfilling and Air Curtain. Estimate
$2,373,982. Design and permitting in process.
3) In July 2023 the County submitted an application to EPA for 5 tasks for canal masterplanning for
$410,498 and was awarded in May 2024, as follows:
A. Canal Water Quality Sampling and Monitoring. An update to the Canal Management Master
Plan (CMMP) database will be provided to update information on the levels of dissolved oxygen
(DO) in canals not meeting state water quality standards, performing on-site water quality
sampling in more than 300 canals in Monroe County.This will provide information required to
develop a revised Canal Restoration List, implement the Canal Work Plan, and make informed
decisions on restoring the degraded canals.
B. Canal Technology Cost Reduction and Effectiveness Evaluation. In 2014, the County completed
a series of demonstration projects to evaluate the effectiveness of canal restoration
technologies including use of culverts, backfill, organic removal, and air curtain to improve the
4748
DO levels.The County has since identified injection wells as a potential new technology, which
is much lower in cost than other technologies, to improve water quality in lieu of a full
restoration.The County will evaluate the CMMP database and ranking sheets to identify canals
that may be improved through the implementation of this new technology. A revised list of
projects will be prepared that provides a more cost-effective list of restoration projects so that
more projects can be accomplished per year and overall.
C. Canal Restoration—Geographic Grouping.The University of Miami (UM) completed a study in
2021 to evaluate the canal water quality impact on the nearshore waters and determined that
canal water does affect nearshore water quality.The County is proposing to reevaluate the list
of projects to determine if grouping restoration projects by geographic locations will
accomplish more effective and cost-efficient restorations that would better improve the overall
nearshore water quality. If so, a revised list of projects will be prepared,that includes proposed
geographic groupings of projects.
D. Injection Wells (Canal#58 and #278) - Pre and Post Water Quality Monitoring.The injection
well technology was evaluated as part of the former demonstration program and offers a
potential alternative to improve levels of DO in canals at greatly reduced costs compared to
existing technologies.The technology has not yet been tested and is now at the demonstration
phase with two new wells to be installed in 2023 in the County.This task is proposing to
evaluate the pre and post water quality of these two canal restoration projects to determine
the effectiveness in improving the DO levels within the canal systems so that it can be used in
more canals to increase DO levels at a greatly reduced cost.
E. Restoring Seagrass Damage:This task will identify, map and develop methods for seagrass
restoration from damage caused by derelict vessel removal.This will enhance the ecosystem
resilience and connectivity of the Florida Keys by providing vital habitats for a variety of marine
species, improving water quality, and reducing erosion by reducing the negative impacts of the
removal of abandoned and derelict vessels.
F. Public Outreach and Education:The Monroe County Strategic Plan and the FKNMS Restoration
Blueprint identified water quality as a high priority by the residents in the Florida Keys.
Therefore, outreach is important to inform and engage the residents of the ongoing efforts of
the canal restoration program, and how best management practices can be implemented to
maintain these efforts.
4749
Lower Sugarloaf Key
Upper Sugarloaf Key
Cudjoe Key
Summerland Key
Ramrod Key
Little Torch Key
4750
EUUs Connected, EDUs Total
Lower Sugarloaf Key 592.3 631.3
Upper Sugarloaf Key 431.7 592.2
Cudjoe Key 1,883.2 1,964.7
Summerland Key 969.4 1,004.3
Ramrod Key 701.4 732.4
Little Torch Key 864.6 915.8
Big Pine Key 3,101.9 3,552.5
Middle Torch Key 13.0 14.0
Big Torch Key 49.0 53.0
No Name Key 38.0 42.0
EDUs Connected EDUs Total
Big Coppit 1,650.1 1,757.7
Long Key 45.7 50.7
Cudjoe Regional 8,544.5 9,393.2
Bi /Middle/No Name 100.0 109.0
EDUs Connected EDUs Total
Duck Key 416.0 444.0
Hawk's Cay 575.0 575.0
Villages 335.0 335.0
Conch Key 150.0 1 150.0
4751
Total Percent EDUs
Connected
94%
73%
96%
97%
96%
94%
87%
93%
92%
90%
Total Percent EDUs
Connected
94%
90%
91%
92%
Total Percent EDUs
Connected
94%
100%
100%
100%
4752