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PBSD MSTBU Minutes 01/26/2023PELICAN BAY SERVICES DIVISION CLAM BAY COMMITTEE MEETING JANUARY 26, 2023 The Clam Bay Committee of the Pelican Bay Services Division met on Thursday, January 26 at 1:30 p.m. at the Community Center at Pelican Bay, 8960 Hammock Oak Drive, Naples, Florida 34108. In attendance were: Clam Bay Committee Denise McLaughlin, Chair Michael Rodburg (absent) Pelican Bay Services Division Staff Neil Dorrill, Administrator Chad Coleman, Operations Manager Darren Duprey, Interim Field Supr. I (absent) Also Present Mohamed Dabees, Humiston & Moore Jack Cullen, PBSD Board Rick Swider Michael Weir Dave Greenfield, Interim Field Supr. II Karin Herrmann, Ops. Support Spec. II Lisa Jacob, Project Manager II Barbara Shea, Admin. Support Spec. 11 Jeremy Sterk, Earth Tech APPROVED AGENDA (AS AMENDED) 1. Roll call 2. Agenda approval 3. Approval of 12/06/2022 meeting minutes 4. Audience comments 5. Clam Pass bathymetric survey assessment (Dr. Mohamed Dabees) 6, ETE Clam Bay Annual Report review (Jeremy Sterk) a. Water Quality Report (add -on) 7. Adjournment POLL CALL Mr. Rodburg was absent and a quorum was established. Mr. Weir motioned, Mr. Swider seconded to approve the agenda as amended with the addition of item #6a. The motion carried unanimously. IMr. Weir motioned, Mr. Swider seconded to approve the 12/06/2022 meeting I minutes as Presented. The motion carried unanimously. THE MEETING CONVENED AT 1:39 P.M. I Pelican. Bay Services Division Clam Bay Committee Meeting January 26, 2023 AUDIENCE COMMENTS Mr. George Scifried questioned whether any hydraulic capacity studies have been done on the ponds. Mr. Coleman commented that our water management system, through the flow of water in our lake system, performed very well during Hurricane Ian, considering the amount of storm surge. He noted that we have an ongoing pipe maintenance program in place. The system does not have backflow preventers. Mr. Coleman commented that we can look into hydraulic capacity studies. Mr. Mark Feit commented that the water level in Oakmont Lake was fairly stable throughout the hurricane. Mr. Dorrill recommended that Mr. Seifried watch our instructional video, "A Water Runs Through It" which discusses Pelican Bay's water management system. Mr. Coleman commented that staff will make this video available to any resident upon request. Dr. Jan Forszpaniak expressed concerns on the quality of the past Clain Pass dredging projects. INTRODUCTIONS PBSD Staff and consultants introduced themselves. CLAM PASS BATHYMETRIC SURVEY ASSESSMENT Dr. Mohamed Dabees, Coastal Engineer with Humiston & Moore, provided a discussion of the physics of the factors affecting Clam Pass. He noted that our four tidal gauges measure the efficiency of water flow in Clam Pass which are continuously monitored. However, all four gauges were lost during Hurricane Ian. Once the gauges are replaced and operating, we will continue monitoring the data and reassess in six months, to determine whether any corrective action is needed. Dr. Dabees commented that there is sand at the mouth of the inlet right now, sourced from recent beach renourishment projects. Dr. Jan Forszpaniak commented on sun tides and the depth of Clam Pass. Mr. Gary Canino commented on the migration of Clam Pass north and south, and questioned whether there is ever any danger to the South Beach Facility. Dr. Dabees commented that the Pass migrates before closure and that we dredge to realign the system. The management plan's goal is to maintain tidal flow. Ms. McLaughlin commented that the plan's goal is not to protect a building. Dr. Dabees suggested that we file (with the state) for a minor adjustment to the permit (ask permission) to expand upland dune and berm space on the north side to accommodate the excess sand at the inlet entrance. A minor permit modification generally takes 1-2 months. If this request is considered a .major permit modification, the process would take much longer. ETE CLAM BAY ANNUAL REPORT REVIEW Ms. McLaughlin commented that the 2022 Clam Bay Annual Report has been posted on our County PBSD webpage and that the report contains a summary on p. 160. Mr. Jeremy Sterk, Environmental Consultant with Earth Tech, provided a discussion of highlights of this report including the following. • The annual report is a summary of the field work completed over a year, which includes monitoring our mangroves, seagrass, coastal scrub, other species, and archeological sites. • The health of the mangroves in 24 plots (each 10 meters X 10 meters) is monitored, tracked, and scored in March and September. The mangroves faired pretty well from Hurricane Ian, although some delayed effects are expected; scores are expected to decline in March 2023, followed by a recovery. The report includes a graph summary of all the health scores. In general, health scores improved during the past five years since Hurricane Irma (until Hurricane Ian). Panoramic photos identify stressed mangroves. 2 Pelican Bay Services Division Clam Bay Committee Meeting January 26, 2023 • Stressed mangrove areas are generally a result of drainage issues including clogged channels and standing water. Channel maintenance improves the health of mangroves. ETE performs maintenance work on 2-3 miles of hand -dug channels each year. • Hand -dug channels are now in rougher shape than expected. • An annual photograph of Clam Bay is taken each year and compared to prior years. • As a result of Hurricane Ian., the entire dune and its native and exotic vegetation were destroyed. The County is looking to do an emergency dune restoration project. Mr. Dorrill noted that the sand for this project will be sourced from inland. The project's focus will be on areas where there are structures. Four locations of scrub are monitored each year; revegetation will be tracked. • Seagrass, as monitored in transacts with permanent stations, was stable up until this year; transects are reviewed in July/August. • As a result of Hurricane Ian, the gopher tortoise population has decreased from approximately 90 to just 10. FGCU and FWC have been contacted for Pelican Bay to be a recipient of any tortoises which need to be relocated. • The rookery on the east side of Clam Bay continues to be monitored. • A map of the exotic removal work completed by the PBSD was included in the report. • Three water level loggers track the water levels in the mangroves. • Three channel markers will be replaced next week. • Four replacement tide gauges will be installed as soon as they are received. • Some new mangroves were planted at the water's edge of Clara Pass, as restoration from Hurricane Ian damage. WATER QUALITY REPORT (ADD -ON) Ms. Jacob commented that we are waiting for the County's Pollution Control Dept. to upload all of the 2022 water duality data for our nine Clam Bay test sites. Once this is completed, a consultant will be hired to prepare a report. OTHER COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS Mr. Swider commented that he has reviewed past Clam Bay reports and suggested that our funds would be better spent on proactive work such as additional channel maintenance, than on annual reports. Mr. Coleman commented that the annual report is used to identify areas of work to focus on. Mr. Dorrill commented that we can evaluate additional tangible tasks and look at how our resources are allocated overall. He noted that the Conservancy reviews our reports. Mr. Sterk commented that the cost of the annual report is $7,000 out of the approximate total annual $80,000 billed to the PBSD. Mr. Canino commented on the annual report's results and funds available for its recommendations. The meeting was adjourned at 3:I 1 Denise McLaughlinV1 r Minutes approved as presented OR [__j as amended ON � c� r�J7 �] date