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Special Update: Q & A continued

9) Will dredging impact the completion of Hector dredging will be according to the permit conditions.
or VY Park rebuild? We have been told the goal is Tarpon River is one of the surface water quality testing
to have VY completed by year end 2020. sites for Miami Waterkeeper. Although the thin layer of
No. Dredging will not impact completion of Hector and VY inert solids still exists at the bottom of the River, two
Parks and they should be completed by mid-January common water quality parameters, Dissolved Oxygen
2021. There was a delay in permitting for the Hector Park (DO) and Enterococci Most Probably Number (MPN),
area. In fact, dredging will not begin until FDEP has returned to normal within a month or so after the sewer
accepted the Water Quality Assessment Reports and the discharge. The MPNs typically spike after a rain event due
permits have been received. Depending upon the FDEP’s to pollutants washing into a water body at almost all
approval, permitting and procurement timeline, the earliest locations, including where there is/was no sewer
dredging could begin would be around Spring of 2021. discharge. The residents should be prepared to see some
turbidity. It is hoped that there would be no stirring up of
heavy metals from the river bottom from previous natural
10) Will dredging impact traffic or property
access? If yes, how? deposits. Both FDEP and Broward County engineers have
expressed concerns that it could be a possibility.
Dredging is planned to be performed using a barge in the
River. This would impact boat traffic. Some land will be 12) What are the other acts is the City is taking to
needed to fill up the geotubes but such location has not
continue to improve the waterway conditions?
been determined. The SE 9th Avenue Bridge at Ponce De Plantings, introduction of natural filter feeders,
Leon Drive with a truck-mounted container equipped with
boats for skimming/trash removal, etc.?
odor control would be an ideal arrangement. However, it
depends on what the regulatory agencies approve and if The City is currently finalizing its agreement with Miami
alternatives are available. Regardless, property access is Waterkeeper to test surface water quality at 10 different
not anticipated to be impacted. locations. Where possible, all stormwater projects include
water quality improvement measures like swale
11) What kind of subsequent water testing will be construction, exfiltration system, pollution control boxes,
baffles, plantings. One such project is currently in progress
performed after the dredging/restoration clean- up?
If there will be subsequent water testing how long at Hector Park and Ponce De Leon Drive. One of the best
examples of the water quality enhancement effort is the
will it last, how comprehensive will it be, and what
should we expect after this clean-up is completed? City’s River Oaks Stormwater Project. Spread over nine (9)
acres, it consists of using the wetlands to filter pollutants
Please make sure results are made public.
before discharging the stormwater runoff back into the
Water testing is ongoing and results are posted on the
South Fork New River which flows into Tarpon River. RV
City’s web site. Any follow up water quality testing after

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