Resolution 301-1981RESOLUTION NO. 301 -1981
WHEREAS, the BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY,
FLORIDA, has received an application from Robert S. Devitt Sr
and
WHEREAS, in compliance with State Statute, it is necessary
as part of the permitting procedure to read the following Biological
Assessment into the Record, as follows:
The applicant requests and "after-the-fact"permitting authorization
for restoration work accomplished to resolve an enforcement action
(see D.E.R. Case No. DR-162-79) prompted by unauthorized dredging
activities. A.T.F. permits are sought for both backfill (waterward
of MHW) and riprap-at-toe-or--seawall depostions. Sixty'(.60) cu.
yds. of unspecified backfill materials are required to restore a
35 ft. long by 15 ft. wide by 3.0 ft. deep submergent area to
natural or pre -project slopes. The placement of sixty(EO) cu. yds.
of boulder rioran materials at the toe of an unauthorized seawall
construction is required as mitigation for the damage caused by
said illegal activities. -The methods of materials placement are
unspecified.
The applicant's property is situated. within the Coco Plum Beach
Subdivision (.C.P.B.) of Fat Deer Key, Vonroe County. Fat Deer Key
is located ,just north of Marathon, Florida on the oceanside of U.S.
Highway No. 1 roadway. C.P.B. consists of a large (100+ A.),
waterfront, residential subdivision -which is presently only 10
percent developed. Waterfrontwithin this area is provided by a
series of thirteen (13) manmade finger canals connecting with
Bonefish Bay waterbody (to the north ) and a natural, sandy beach
area fronting the Atlantic Ocean (to the south). Both single and
multi -family residences presently exist within the subdivision,
wi.th more observed to be under construction at the time of inspec-
tion. Most of the existing residences within this subdivision are
equipped with some type of bulkheading and/or boat docking facilities.
The applicant's property is situated within the northcentral portion
of the subdivision at the western tip of a finger fill of land
situated between two of the aforementioned canals (ie, Canals#10
R .11, Avenue "G"). It consists of large (o.5 A), residential
lot bordered to the east by Avenue "G" roadway and similar residen-
tial lots, to the north by Bonefish Bay waters, to the West by
Canal No. 10 and to the south by additional residential lots. Since
the majority of th.e residential area of this subdivision was created
by finger filling wetland areas via the canal excavation activities
(.a process which. is still progressing at present), existing "upland"
vegetation in this area consists of a secondary growth of various,
native pioneer flora (.ie, buttonwood, peppertree, Australian pine).
Westerly adjacent Canal No. 10 measures 100+ ft. side by 1,500+
ft. long by 10+ ft. deep. Northerly adjacent Bonefish Bay waters
are natural, Class III (Sect: 17-3.09: F.A.C.), shallow, productive
(_many vegetated "flats") and capable of providing Atlantic Ocean
access via an artificially deepened (-5 to -8 ft. deep; MLW)
navigation channel used by a variety of both recreational and
commercial vessels.
The applicant's property is presently cleared and filled (sandy
marl) and developed with a large, two-story S.F.R. with garage
which is still under construction. Existing upland vegetation
consists of isolated, landscaped palms and tropical exotics. The
property canal shoreline is presently bulkheaded (concrete seawall
Page -1-
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSION=
- ._..,; Ci r-^��.--.. OFFIC�
Wilhelrt~na'Harvey, District 1 Henry F. Weinkam, Director
CuPt E31aif, District 2 Building, Planning & Zoninc
ati _
Mayor Protem Jerry Hernandez, Jr., District 3 &
MAYOR George E. Dolezal, District 410 P.O. BOX .. Room 205 Wing I.
Ken Sorensen, District 5
Public Service Buildinc
Stock Island Florida
OUNTY o MONROE �= 33040
' KEY WEST, FLORIDA 33040
(305) 294-4641
Monroe County Legal Department
Key West, Florida 33040
I, the undersigned, do hereby attest that all date
and information is complete in the package of the applicant
as follows:
Certificate of Complete Enclosures
1. Resolution
2.
Permit
3.
Application for Permit
4.
Site Plan
_LIZ
5.
Location Map
6.
County Bioloqist Report
V
7. DER Assessment
BY z22.
4151
DATE 1 _ o2-3 ,or
COUAITY AiTTY
l
I i
i
PLANNING,
BUILDING & ZONING DEPARTMENT PERMIT
MONRDE 43�_
ron:
PEPuL1IT FOR
COUNTY FILL, OR
�
E ;CA�iATIO�;, THE DEPOSIT OF N0.
STRUCTURAL ACTIVITIES IN THE
\ F
WATERS OR
WETLANDS OF MONROE COUNTY
1)
Property owners name & mailing address
2) Date
FOR DEPARTMENT USE O LY
Robert S. Devitt Sr.
Sept 1, 1981
260 Ave G. Coco Plum
Resolution No.
Marathon, Florida 33050
3) Phone number
743-5438
Date:
4)
Contractor or agent's name, mailing address & phone number
`
I
Same as Above
5)
Legal description of property:
Section 4 Key
Subdivision
Township 6 6 Lot 23
Block 10
Range 33 Street, road
or mile marker G
Volume of material: dredged/excavated
filled deposited
0 c.y. 0 c.y.
60-'_ c.y. c.y.
waterward landward
waterward landward
of M.H.W. of ZI.H.W.
of M.H.W. of M.H.W.
ZONING: R U -1
PURPOSE:
Cost of Permit
Estimated cost of Construction
Approved by
Chairman
BOARD -OF COUNTY CO�NISSIOI=S
OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORID.
i
Biologist Comments - Restrictions or Special Conditions if any: APPROVAL
i
Cony in File Date;
Bzi r` Of =C ial
owners name & ;�a' .�' acic:: e'o
roper•ty �� t,
Contractor 04 a, cnt's names
Legal descri2tion of property:
Section,
Township,-�
Range, ,�? .
(if acreage)
;)ate
i
s l'aotte nurtr.ie
74 '5 38
/u
nhor,c �` cu:t�.f�.cot�.on ctumbora
tey,. _ subdivision,
Lot•• �•� Block, ®l'
Street, road or mi.-.a .maricer, Cv'
7,oning•
Describe the pro Posed activit}•, methods of constrLc_ionamount of material
' &
nded
(in cubic yar.ds), to excavated or d�sc 1�� •,`�bP,� fie
use o f p r o j e c t. wit T s�u�cz (< v c�: #4 4:L W
�� LFnti�/ G,l�%iyG� •a �wrr c a
• �cTtl� TIC �iCT ��/'•• /t'i4•P `'-(�u�r-r.�,r � a� -,4-e,
,. � f a ,, •���' f•��led/de�ositecl
Fume of material ' 0 J s!�% c.y.• C� c.v.
/i c y• C.
�.,-,rd ti,••:.. ;ar7cl ,
O �± : t_�
;game, address & zip code of a:aProF city i:•; .owners wzose property
djoiaffronts,
3 2f�+� 2 3 3 Z0 .
water way. ,
_ ✓/� L7 A/11/ _1)!_/1,'�f//)•nT ��' CI��Z •s/ �� �Jr_�,tiy•�� `//�
a) List other permits issued and/or app.,..ec: ior, .inc?uiie applicant s name, zor
Ihis site
'
('
-)F� �!
b) If application has beer, submitted for ti;is pr04 ect (or one similar) in the
past, explain reason for anplic"on and give applicant's name if
different from current applicant. ✓yr�l ��,
�•2f'0�' � ���,�' � ��� i f��Y=..- � � � %� �" �Jr- � L � %//G', .Tf� i ���L/C�y�i���tl /�>irf7,:
List all Federal and State age ties that i,avc received applications for ti�is
project. LAC; 45
This completed application form will be nccom?.:tied by the following, or it will M
NOT nrocesscd. ' i
Two (2) sets 0� drawings, On x 11 p^per, S�lOtJing loca on, plot plan, top view I
and cros9 section of proposal, drawn to sc:11e.
b) Application processing fee as follows:,
$25.Q0 for dredge, fill, does QI: Iny structures nffrontin� natural water bodies. '
$10.'C'0 for vcrticnl ~e^wails• on min -made bodies of water. y
$25.00 for nny combinntion of th. -bovc n.ctivA.tic^ per Site.
'cntion is hereby mnde for n permit to"Puthori:e tha activities describes: herein.
Appll
I cet•tiCy that I nm fnmilinr•wtt talc inroy�� o mnuCctnt. intruen c,ornple el&cnccur.nte.t.
ktivwledre el too lief nu h . n el nc Civi. face .
t..o tltr 1,r!t t or lily • ,.�;� r.ror.o r.
I !'lii i I�} ► ,:} I a f'; I ilri I t I.ta.j..;t+l.; rt�.l,,,,t• f 1' l:t. ttfl., i 1 i
• n i; '. 111.t1 ti, �. li L.'t ;t4 111' 4;,I1 is �•J .} I. 1U3 1'IIll tt} 1.It11 �:�}il1', t
r111 provisions c, Iaw; and
�tl0 0: doer not 11rOTLlRIe to vivo
a'11Qtl1cr J;PCciricd 11creitl Or ,Ot• T.t,e r,{ t r rC1,+IcQLt!1':•• ^uniQ Or �edCX7li. 1a1W
nl��;��1•C� ra `'ia�1�� �� G,1t1�`� t�G fir, �`'..,• ,.gin. �.. , r ,lity
Ycg�iln>rit1� dAl1aCYUcC�t>N i11' p+!t't��'t!1�t1tt1 Oil:
%.T.
App1:0vua b}' 1•0ct•01:
tii IL e
I
i•, •, f , 1.etI . is # i. '`j \ ' ',4 \ I .!
..' T 'i. J J J .b I F .v� t I l r ! t r r�
.r '. % ;i, 1 .I. 'r, L.I..rc .r I I.,
Cy (' k'. I{
4 S }I L , I� l '� ', t I 1 1 )' 1
,,�, p ! f 1 1;. !.. � w,'' 'E r. 1' IJ 1 S l' 1 , 11 7 t,J , t i 5 1
• I4,;:I1
i, _ r., r . , ' t 1Sf .,I .t V i ."., t '.• :1
1
( i Y
t
i''
�: '
t. ,r. ,}' tI 4 •`._ tI,'I' -fit .}.4 ',I1 ir,• '1: .VI I'. .'iI
P� . 1 ''r 1 1 V / !.i 1'., e. r z 1 1
rl �. ` o.l ri,.Up a, [[, ;y, i
I •.r ., , Jr I- r, OnJ ��y
f1 .11\f: 91 t', !+'I1 ° 5'..1" •r_
s L` '(a' i1L y J , rrt i ;' 4( r, I.,: `r: 1 Y 14. '•S ii
' _ sG. :. , " 0;-. i'r 1' tii M + �Vl. Ir. Sr 1 rF „ I - i
k. U d °'`• �L' i rT 1 f 4 .t „ r 1 C +I r..+ r `yi �' t c. 15 i yl 7I.
il�-
r f {�C.,:.ril e i r ^p r^fL i y I !; r
f - 1 r I ", P- •a' Iy,w J r�U - 4 - I r ; � .a 4 L 1 I.r +r:I .i
•;• 1 ' I ' rk.. tit '-/"�.1 �,'�' if ((^ `S.I•S.• ' ✓yf `' / ' -, I' ri i 1. it
It, _ 1' I1: r r t�i `' J •,J r �, < rl' lr i 1 r•. .. z;
J. -} r .J}. ..� a �. •i}`7CJ-,-, a r f 11,. .� i .,i,- ,,. 5,,, i��.#, .1., ..'1;,':,: t 'r F
f I �, .n r {,y , . t i 7 e- :. •','':, t I I ( t f.. y , ! • I _ f n, u. f,,.:.. ;: r ;
r ,1. r ri 7
Y ?', ;' ',1 �i �fri�'� 1'"t :l.u,,.* 'j, 4 R- 5 r1 'I, 1; f ' - .1r.. �w y 4'.i r L ;
I r,
i•'� §jd r 5j. I t \ _. I �t, J'�f f .t,"' 1t ,,.",.I..
1 r '' � . i 1V '-, s r i Y , t `, t I ". ! ,
.3 ' S - ' �1 J } Ie N•f.. ,.i• {.; S t1. rI ,r t } J f ,f•
46,in :,'li. 0/ a , 11, t,w-,c 1 S { g (, \ ,./I � - i,. S' I' S t°
} ,I '' t )'r. ,lf,i'1 f { t .1 t ,t .r t } r r t I t} S,i ti :
al;.l ''.y,- 1J. yS' tt 1.1 I 1' .I ( ..,I. ,'., L, I t„J ''il_ r1 tr4 �,r i _,�. --i :1 1
tl # 7 f y I f ;. (r( f V{ +{ 1 i J� -�t ', i
Y 5 P J t ! , t ,t , "1 .r.. I 4 ii f I _ t ' r y ` f-
o- t
i L; 1 { 1 . t
1 ft ' + 4 t,1
' 1 ` 7. i . i fir: I t .L U 1 i. .11[( S1 t r� i 11 d i. :'
I h • �r + d ! I '1+ 1 I I
1 ,4 I L t'y. fir. . J 11 -
1-
i ;
:d ; i i ,1,. ,l', l .! ..l! II 7,} L` ,i
t L ti. I 'i'•'.i': �. ,'>� r1 S. !' �'I`, r r I S !r 1 i ,i. t
i V ti , I 1 !. T Y 7 L.,� ! 4 I a n 4 I-!.,
J +. 7 r 4 t r _ J } 1 i t
1 t.. t t .. Jr .4.•i a- I # ,t (' 11 , 5 -1 , , (,!-.1 y.. - L - •J 1
t.: I r1 �. \ i- 1 + L t''' It'll, , { ♦ , r\ ,T t a ( I _ yt ,Jl S.Y � T }. t' r:. •'i.
` { 1 r. i'9 \ T i , \ ' S J. 1 t- r li �>, , r: - V .r f J ,; ;.
r; •i �' y, 1 rl f ' 1 r. ll tj' 11J `I r1 L
,1S i 64 {• b' . '!{ ,! i I ' II - (,. , 5 t r j) .r.I V ( I., Ii.t f i I 1 .•.. a k
.; ,Vr ,�, ){ i, i , { 11) i.,,), il-,V Y?V�{ S wt.�i�,,,TI;"f T i.1 ,J I jL
1 a 1 ' i .r ` .y 1 t ± }'• ! ' !! 1 { f:.R�' f'1�:' I . ,•.gin ,y� i r
.I"S � r<1 I r;{ i r r , a r .+ , e r-ti ti - I 1
} ; 1 J , ! e 111t I e .� F11::7-'F tG,Prff I "� I L' I r '" . . 95 ,.
r ,` 4 i 9 L '. �, .. 1.. ' F IJ: (� . 1'�i 1 1 L' ji-'� r \\\\\\ tl:� :i� -
.I• I ' Jt + 'i I ' V, \!` �J.'C: Iiti/�`"I, i,I ;.i ��(..7,.+,t 1et'i/fir •'��;-
'i ;,, .L T , .j: `�\.'I �>: �j' + ,.i' . r< (,k�Vr( I' /�f I J.L'k I1. :% I.,. Ai if
j 'II•• .,I f 1„ ;'I1✓ iI.1` t.:'. A' L '',1 J•y �.�•\1 •I t ,. '1, r.� 11 ,•Sa% .• 1,1" -7 'l,a`,�• ¢ j +�+ 1' I '
' la' r N 11' , , t'.I.. '.I',`r. 7 rt "1 i, I j - (1'
. •J ° +•A*, 6)i: •I,.i 1 i .;.V ( .. t..e.+.>Vdw_...'��-r., @% mr' j•ll ]]}} �\- . -.- . ..
r I.•4rr: .',: + :a t I + \ e r• ,'.I L. It `,? �,. •y: t1r '11'`` i ;, f�.r .,k�, :.;,,,. `.
' .1• %- A i L \ / 1 ,:n i% '�..... '!!! t.•,.'•.4 1 �'rn ;.-
N I I:r1 ^I' .i
'C' e.• i I 7
J. L •.
,I 1.4 'fir, k ,.. r1 c.• .4 "4
il''1^ 11. :5 r S ✓.'_t.i i�:'" :n �. !1;:.•Lr ;.�
.1 I.II� Vd. 4 A.
! a• `' 6 ,r� •y l'.,i.', '�1' 41,-.:SJi11r! It..a'Si ri.�(. 5:1 •"', :1 .
i. ..7.1.''G.., .._��. ,'li C... :4. " I..', I+ -Ili L 1, ..C: `Ih i.?i�: �-'i: ...1'i ' i, Iti '
..
f `1�1 �. ,, -. ,`iv,- r.: 1'J .. .. .'.�,:.(1 :.�f.;. ''.i tl ... C . :l:T (`.u.'' ;'';> L:its li? i•,,1,`r �.;' -
''` .. \..11-. :1 fL ,i% V.1!,'. 'ir ♦' 1 4'. LJ.J, �i i o ...
I �` v '1 ... COU'.J11 C,:.I%\U-)..�.' SIATC (= ;�
.;la 'a.: •� I ! �1' - 1 At t.I. i,-.,,I -,i - ', •�eI - v •'r' l)l i7 ..:-. I
Q LI t'• �. .t. i"' .,. i,';�AI,;,'i .L, :1.1 }I•t'l I' AP�LICATIo.i UY L':L :.fa':i F•t
L_ - . . S ' , :,1, ' .9
I ill ' .I-t� I�G�'-:�7 5�,.: 4.1; .i n ":' I .-i ;! ,ii '�J ..• r ' C.,ryW.�L,'.� fli• 'OATIi
aa.J'. . .,�' '
.. ' •i.:;.J 5... '.j ,�•' .'i i/ U, •� ',r'I,.,:..... N_. •r.7 I,'i , ` .
• 1, '• '1.' '�`. V,+ 1 f.} rtv! I•{i,+ I,'I„rT ''i „4'`-i'w j'.'.. Jk' ,•' J' .
'' ' 'i -'1j. r i. tt. ,.i '(.''I "'1.r i i.ii4, rl(; J I'I •o J1:i.. F1
.r, � ,I. 1
. I' .
.; CL -
fv
V E N,U Lam..._.. .�
'r (X`
\. // O ��• V IY IVCL
/y N
158 28 \
\ \ \• 0 22,259 110' - 8305
fvvE F
` — 0
La
i N I lo,
_ �Ic` yam. o . �• ;:'
o A V r✓ U k- f \
\ 53'I It7.Q9
i
IV A
r
\ - - - - -- -
I ._ % I29.37 ....4 •
_ J \t\• rJ
C�> �� • o. A V E /'J OF N
30
F
Robert s. Devitt Sr.
Rio -rap and Fill
Page -?-
and equipped with boat docking facilities. The property Bonefish
Bay or natural shoreline area is also bulkheaded (incomplete
concrete seawall) and is the subject of the present A.T.F. applica-
tion for permit.
Comparison with adjacent, undeveloped shorelines in this area indi-
cates that his northern (natural) property shoreline area originally
contained an open -water sh.oreline consisting of a 4-5 ft. high fill
embankment which rapidly sloped to an eroded, wave -washed, marl and
rubble tidal zone. "Original" vegetation probably included
secondary growths of mixed red (Rhizo hor.a mangle), black (Avicennia)
areas and shoalgrass (Halodule wrightee) and manatee grass
(Syringodium filiforme in subtidal areas with algae growths upon
available substrate.
As a result of the aforementioned, unauthorized seawall construction
(see D.E.R. A.T.F. Permit No 44-26607-5E) along this 175 ft
shoreline area, almost all of the previously existing vegetation
has been destroyed. The only vegetation observed in this area
consisted of sparse growths of Batophora spp. algae upon available
submergent substrate. Submergent slopes throughout the seawall area
appear continuous and uniform indicating a satisfactory backfilling
operation. Various types of riprap materials (limerock boulders
and concrete rubble) were observed along the toe of the seawall
structure in agreement with the present A.T.-F. application.
The proposed backfi-11 operation has eliminated a bottom discontinuity
which in an area of fine, unstable, existing, marl sediments could
readily have resulted in undesirable water Quality conditions. The
placement of riprap materials at the toe of said seawall structure
has provided both structural,protection from the scour of soft
sediments 'and additional microhabitat surface area in partial mitiga-
tion for unauthorized destruction of the wetlands and submergent
vegetation listed above. Both operations appear to have been
completed satisfactorily.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE
COUNTY, FLORIDA, that the above Biological Assessment has been read
into the record and duly considered pursuant to Florida Statute
253.124 by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County,
Florida, this - day of
scheduled meeting.
(_Seal )
Attes
,51
Cler
1981 at a regularly
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
MONRO NTY, FLORIDA
By
Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM
AND AL Stiff/Cl �CY.
BY
AffOfl►Ws 011lae
TOPS FORM , 3397 LITHO IN U.
DEPARTMENTAL 1 MEN'l AL CORRESPONDENCE,
SUBJECT -Devitt, R. S
DATE September 15, 1981
-they-fact rin-ran and fill
To Weinkam,Director DEPOT Planning, Building* & Zoning
T-T
FROM Robert Dennis Environ. Biol. DEPOT__ Planning, Building & Zoning
LEGAL
TWSP 66S, RGE 33E, SECT_ 4, Lot 23,
Block 10, Coco Plum Beach, Fat
Deer hev. (Riarathon). Zoning is RU-1.
INTRODUCTION:
This project is to he reviewed by the Board of Countv
Commissioners in accordance with Chapter 19-111(a)(5) of the
Monroe County Code.
DISCUSSION:
Applicant is applvin? for an after -the -fact permit for the
placement of rip-ra� boulders at the toe of his seawall and for
the placement of 60- c.y. of fill in an unauthorized excavation
below IIIIW (15' x 35' x -3' ) . -
The attached Dent. Environ. Reg. report discusses this
project in ,greater detail and should be consulted for additional
information.
EVALUATION:
.No long-term adverse environmental impacts are expected
as a result of this project. In fact, the rip -rap will provide
habitat for marine organisms and protection to the vertical
seawall.
RE COLIMENDAT I ON :
Approval.
NOTES:
DER and Armv Corps permits required.
RD/jf
DEVITT, ROBERT S., SR.
#44-43427-5E
Monroe County - Coco Plum
Page Two
A. The applicant requests an "after -the -fact" permitting authorization
for restoration work accomplished to resolve an enforcement action
(see D.E.R. Case No. DF-162-79) prompted by unauthorized dredging
activities. A.T.F. permits are sought for both backfill (waterward
of MHW) and riprap-at-toe-of-seawa-ll depositions. Sixty (60) cu.
yds. of unspecified 'backfill materials are required to restore a
35 ft. long by 15 ft. wide by 3.0 ft. deep submergent- area to
natural or pre -project slopes. The placement of sixty (60) cu. yds.
of boulder riprap materials at the toe of an.unauthorized seawall
construction is required as mitigation for the damage caused by
said illegal activities. The methods of materials placement are
unspecified.
B. The applicant's property is situated within the Coco Plum Beach
Subdivision (C.P.B.) of Fat Deer Key, Monroe County. Fat Deer -Key ---
is located just north of Marathon, Florida on the oceanside of U.S.
Highway No. 1 roadway. C.P.B. consists of a large (100d- A.) ,
waterfront, residential subdivision which is presently only 10
percent developed. Waterfront within this area is provided by a
series of thirteen (13) manmade finger canals connecting with
Bonefish Bay waterbody -(to- the north) and a natural, .sandy b-each_ _ ---. -_
area fronting the Atlantic Ocean (to the south). Both single and
multi -family residences presently exist within the subdivision,
with more observed to be under construction at the time of inspec-
tion. Most of the existing residences within this subdivision are
equipped with some type of bulkheading and/or boat docking facili-
ties.
The applicant's property is situated within the northcentral portion
of the subdivision at the western tip of a finger fill of land
situated between two of the aforementioned canals (ie, Canals #10
& 11; Avenue "G"). It consists of a large (0.5 A), residential
lot bordered to the east by Avenue "G" roadway and similar residen-
tial lots, to the north by Bonefish Bay waters, to the west by
Canal No. 10 and to the south by additional residential lots. Since
the majority of the residential area of this subdivision was created
by finger filling wetland areas via the canal excavation activities
(a process which is still progressing at present), existing "upland"
vegetation in this area consists of a secondary growth of various
native pioneer flora (ie; buttonwood, peppertree, Australian pine).
Westerly adjacent Canal No. 10 measures 200+ ft. wide by 1,500+
ft. long by 10+ ft. deep' Northerly adjacent Bonefish Bay waters
are natural, Class III (Sect. 17-3.09; F.A.C.), shallow, productive
(many vegetated "flats") and capable of providing Atlantic Ocean
P
• r U,
DEVITT, ROBERT S., SR. j
#44-43427-5E
Monroe County - Coco Plum
Page Three
access via an artificially deepened (-5 to -8 ft. deep; MLW)
navigation channel used by a variety of both recreational and
commercial vessels.
The applicant's property is presently cleared and filled (sandy
marl) and developed with a large, two-story S.F.R. with garage
which is still under construction. Existing upland vegetation
consists of isolated, landscaped palms and tropical exotics. The
property canal shoreline is presently bulkheaded (concrete seawall)
and equipped with boat docking facilities. The property Bonefish
Bay or natural shoreline area is also bulkheaded (incomplete
concrete seawall) and is the subject of the present A..T.F. applica-
tion for permit.
C. Comparison with adjacent, undeveloped shorelines in this area indi- .
cates that this northern (natural) property shoreline area originally
contained an open --water shoreline consisting of a 4-5 ft. high fill
embankment which rapidly sloped to an eroded, wave -washed, marl and
rubble tidal zone. "Original" vegetation probably included
secondary growths of mixed red (Rhizophora mangle), black (Avicennia
germinans) and white-(Laguncularia racemosa) mangroves in intertidal ---
areas and shoalgrass (Halodule wrightii) and manatee grass
(Syringodium filiforme in subtidal areas with algal growths upon
available substrate.
As a result of the aforementioned, -unauthorized seawall construction
(see D.E.R. A.T.F. Permit No. 44-26607-5E) along this 175 ft.
shoreline area, almost all of the previously existing vegetation
has been destroyed. The only vegetation observed in this area
consisted of sparse growths of Batophora spp. algae upon available
submergent substrate. Submergent slopes throughout the seawall area
appear continuous and uniform indicating a satisfactory backfilling
operation. Various types of riprap materials (limerock boulders
and concrete rubble) were observed along the toe of the seawall
structure in agreement with the present A.T.F. application.
D. The proposed backfill operation has eliminated a bottom discontinuity
which in an area of fine, unstable, existing, marl sediments could
readily have resulted in undesirable water quality conditions. The
placement of riprap materials at the toe of said seawall structure
has provided both structural protection from the scour of soft
sediments and additional microhabitat surface area -in partial
mitigation for unauthorized destruction of the wetlands and sub-
mergent vegetation listed above. Both operations appear to have
been completed satisfactorily.
3261 GOLF COURSE BOULEVARD
PUNTA GORDA, FLORIDA 33950
�W
BOB GRAHAM
GOVERNOR
Victoria Tschinkel
SECRETARY
STATE OF FLORIDA
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION
SOUTH FLORIDA BRANCH OFFICE
August 20, 1981
Robert S. DeVitt, Sr.
c/o Wm. J. C. DeVitt
260 Ave. G.
Coco Plum
Marathon, Florida 33050
Dear Mr. De#itt:
Re: Monroe County, . File No'.
44-43427-5E, Backfill &
Rip -Rap
As we advised you on June 4, 1981 -, your application is
incomplete without local approval, pursuant to Section'253.124,
Florida Statutes, for filling waterward of the existing mean/
ordinary high water line.
Please submit the enclosed!copy of our.biological comments
together with your permit application to the Board of County
Commissioners/City Council or their authorized permitting
authority. Section 253.124, Florida Statutes, states that the
county commission/city council ". . .shall have in hand the
(biological) report and findings thereof." It further states,
"The report shall be read into the record and duly considered
at the same meeting at which the board of county commissioners
or other authorized body takes final action on the application
for permit."
You will need to obtain a copy of the minutes of the meeting
or an appropriate indication of the local approval. This
letter, resolution or copy;of the minutes should be sent to
this office. Your application will remain incomplete without
valid local approval. If you have any questions concerning
this procedure, please contact us. '
Sincerely,
RWC/wb
Enclosure
Richard W. Cantrell,
Dredge & Fill Supervisor
I
DER Form 17-1.122(50)
P
Gene Gardner
Seawall
Page -2-
Also found along the open water shoreline (below the MLW line)
were sponges, hard corals (Porites sp.) turtlegrass (Thalassic
testudinum with patchy to dense occurrence), and algaes Batoohora
sp. and Acanthophora sp.).
The canal shelf was similar in nature to the open water shoreline,
on a smaller, less productive and less diverse scale. Turtlegrass
here is extremely patchy with scattered green alaaes (Batophora sp.
and Halimeda sp.) dominating.
The only fish observed during the on -site inspection were mojarra.
No adverse impacts are anticipated from this project as it is
proposed. A very small amount of seagrass and algae will be
eliminated along the canal side, however, this will be minimal and
the riprap that is.proposed for its replacement should produce a
credible alternative.. Due to the high productivity of the littoral
shelf ,just offshore from the proposed riprap, placement :of any rip -
rap outside of the MLW line could have and adverse impact.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE
COUNTY, FLORIDA, that the above Biological Assessment has been read
into the record and duly considered prusuant to Florida Statute
253.124 by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County,
Florida, this ia,r day of „�� 19 21 at
a regularly scheduled meeting.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
MONROE
COUNTY,
FLORIDA
By
Avn
Mayor
Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM!
AND&" SUFFICIENCY.
BY
Attorney's Office