Agenda 09/08/2020 Item #16G2 (Seaplane Base Project #33672)09/08/2020
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Recommendation to close the Seaplane Base Project No. 33672 at Everglades Airpark and
terminate the Public Transportation Grant Agreement Contract No. G1K34 with the Florida
Department of Transportation and authorize all necessary budget amendments.
OBJECTIVE: To close the Seaplane Base design and construction project at Everglades Airpark (X01)
and terminate the grant agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation.
CONSIDERATIONS: On April 28, 2020, Agenda Item 16G2, the Board of County Commissioners
(Board) accepted a grant from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) for the design and
construction of a seaplane base at Everglades Airpark.
In May 2020, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued agency consultation and coordination
letters to Federal and State environmental agencies requesting coordination/comment regarding potential
environmental impacts regarding the Endangered Species Act (ESA), Marine Mammals Protection Act,
Magnuson-Steven Conservation and Management Act, and the National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA).
Based on the opinion rendered by the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service that this project would result in
adverse effects on the West Indian manatee, it would be unable to enter into formal consultation. Thus, it
was determined that this project be terminated as the costs associated with efforts to overcome potential
environmental impacts would outweigh the potential economic benefits of proceeding at this time.
This project/grant was closed by FDOT on July 27, 2020.
FISCAL IMPACT: Budget amendments are necessary to de-obligate FDOT grant funding in the
amount of $80,000 within Airport Grant Fund (498), Project 33672, and to return/replace local matching
funds in the amount of $20,000 from Airport Match Fund (499) to Airport Capital Fund (496) reserves.
GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: There is no growth management impact associated with this
action.
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: This item has been reviewed by the County Attorney, is approved as to
form and legality, and requires majority vote for approval. -JAK
RECOMMENDATION: To approve and authorize closing the Seaplane Base Project at Everglades
Airpark and terminating the associated Public Transportation Grant Agreement Contract No. G1K34 with
the Florida Department of Transportation and authorize all necessary budget amendments.
Prepared by: Justin Lobb, Airports Manager, Collier County Airport Authority
ATTACHMENT(S)
1. Everglades Airpark Seaplane Base - USFWS Letter 5-18-20 (PDF)
2. Fish & Wildlife Response 6.8.2020 (PDF)
3. FDOT Project Status - Closed (PDF)
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09/08/2020
COLLIER COUNTY
Board of County Commissioners
Item Number: 16.G.2
Doc ID: 13060
Item Summary: Recommendation to close the Seaplane Base Project No. 33672 at Everglades
Airpark and terminate the Public Transportation Grant Agreement Contract No. G1K34 with the Florida
Department of Transportation and authorize all necessary budget amendments.
Meeting Date: 09/08/2020
Prepared by:
Title: Operations Coordinator – Airport Authority
Name: Debra Brueggeman
07/29/2020 2:41 PM
Submitted by:
Title: Division Director - Operations Support – Growth Management Department
Name: Gene Shue
07/29/2020 2:41 PM
Approved By:
Review:
Airport Authority Justin Lobb Additional Reviewer Completed 07/29/2020 4:09 PM
Growth Management Department Judy Puig Level 1 Reviewer Completed 07/29/2020 4:55 PM
Capital Project Planning, Impact Fees, and Program Management Rookmin Nauth Additional Reviewer Completed 07/30/2020 11:34 AM
Growth Management Department Gene Shue Additional Reviewer Completed 07/30/2020 12:13 PM
Growth Management Department Lisa Abatemarco Additional Reviewer Completed 08/04/2020 8:49 AM
Growth Management Operations Support Christopher Johnson Additional Reviewer Completed 08/04/2020 3:25 PM
Growth Management Department Debra Brueggeman Deputy Department Head Review Skipped 07/29/2020 2:40 PM
Growth Management Department Thaddeus Cohen Department Head Review Completed 08/06/2020 10:05 AM
Grants Erica Robinson Level 2 Grants Review Completed 08/14/2020 11:43 AM
Office of Management and Budget Debra Windsor Level 3 OMB Gatekeeper Review Completed 08/14/2020 12:16 PM
County Attorney's Office Jeffrey A. Klatzkow Level 3 County Attorney's Office Review Completed 08/17/2020 11:35 AM
Grants Therese Stanley Additional Reviewer Completed 08/25/2020 6:15 PM
Office of Management and Budget Laura Zautcke Additional Reviewer Completed 08/25/2020 10:12 PM
County Manager's Office Nick Casalanguida Level 4 County Manager Review Completed 09/01/2020 11:58 AM
Board of County Commissioners MaryJo Brock Meeting Pending 09/08/2020 9:00 AM
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Orlando Airports District Office
8427 SouthPark Circle, Suite 524
Orlando, FL 32819
Phone: (407) 487-7720
Fax: (407) 487-7135
May 18, 2020
[via email: verobeach@fws.gov.]
Mr. John M. Wrublik
South Florida Ecological Services Office
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
1339 20th Street
Vero Beach, Florida 32960-3559
RE: Request for Informal Consultation
Proposed Seaplane Base at Everglades Airpark
Everglades City, Florida
Dear Mr. Wrublik,
The Collier County Airport Authority has requested approval from the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) to establish a seaplane base at the Everglades Airpark. The FAA’s
actions associated with establishing the seaplane base include, but may not necessarily be
limited to, processing a request to establish a new landing area and approving revisions to the
Everglades Airpark’s Airport Layout Plan. These federal actions are subject to provisions
found in the Endangered Species Act (ESA), Marine Mammals Protection Act, and Magnuson-
Stevens Conservation and Management Act.1 The actions are also subject to the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and an Environmental Assessment is currently being
prepared to meet FAA’s obligations under NEPA.
Consultation Initiation
The purpose of this letter is to initiate informal consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service pursuant to Section 7 of the ESA and its implementing regulations at 50 CFR Part 402
to ensure to ensure that FAA actions is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of any
federally-listed threatened or endangered species or result in the destruction or adverse
modification of critical habitat. Because the Proposed Action may affect the endangered
smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata), consultation is also being initiated with the National
Marine Fisheries Service.
The potential effects of the Proposed Action on special status fish, wildlife, and plant species
were evaluated. Species listed as Threatened or Endangered under the ESA are under the
jurisdiction of the USFWS that may occur in the vicinity of the project site. Species evaluated
1 The Collier County Airport Authority is the Airport Sponsor and project proponent. The FAA considers the Airport Authority
as the "applicant" as defined by 50 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 402.02.
16.G.2.a
Packet Pg. 2878 Attachment: Everglades Airpark Seaplane Base - USFWS Letter 5-18-20 (13060 : Close Seaplane Base Project at X01)
2
are included in attached Everglades Airpark Seaplane base Biological Assessment, revised
August 2019.
Project Information
The proposed project’s major elements are described below. The project elements are also
depicted on the enclosed figures.
Water Operating Area2 – The proposed water operating area includes the portion of
Chokoloskee Bay adjacent to the Everglades Airpark (a public-use airport) and the
area that used by seaplanes to water taxi between the proposed sea lane and shore/land
access facilities. As shown on the enclosed figures, a marked navigation channel is
located between the proposed sea lane and the Everglades Airpark. The proposed
seaplane base dock and ramp would be located near the marked navigation channel at
the mouth of the Barron River.
Sea Lane3 – The proposed sea lane would be established in Chokoloskee Bay, in an
area with a minimum water depth of at least three feet. The sea lane would be aligned
parallel to the airport’s runway and would be offset 725 feet from the runway’s
centerline. The sea lane’s dimensions would be 2,500 feet long by 200 feet wide
(approximately 11.5 acres). The Airport Authority’s proposal indicates the sea lane
would not be physically identified by buoys or markers.
Shore/Land Access –The Airport Authority proposes to install shore and land access
facilities at the northwest part of the airport, on Barron River. The proposal includes
construction of a floating dock with aircraft moorings. A ramp would also be installed
to allow planes to be removed from the water for storage and maintenance. A seawall
would be installed along the section of shoreline at the dock and ramp.
Other Improvements – The proposed project would extend the airport’s parallel
taxiway to the new seaplane ramp. This would allow seaplanes to access the airport’s
aircraft storage and maintenance facilities. Extending the taxiway requires a section
of an existing stormwater swale to be realigned.
The seaplane base will be operated by Airport Authority as part of Everglades Airpark. The
proposed seaplane base will support small seaplanes (planes fitted with floats) and airboats
(the plane’s fuselage provides buoyancy). The seaplanes will function similar to boats and
other watercraft while in the water, but are not likely to cause damage/turbidity because their
propellers do not operate below the water surface. On average, the seaplane base is anticipated
to be used by few planes per day.
Species Evaluation
The proposed project has been reviewed for its effects on threatened and endangered species,
and designated critical habitat. Based on the analysis contained in the attached Biological
Assessment (BA), FAA has determined that the threatened American crocodile (Crocodylus
2 A Water Operating Area is a designated area on a body of water deemed suitable to facilitate seaplane operations for landing,
takeoffs, and water taxiing.
3 A sea lane is a defined path within a water operating area dedicated for the landing and takeoff of seaplanes along its length
16.G.2.a
Packet Pg. 2879 Attachment: Everglades Airpark Seaplane Base - USFWS Letter 5-18-20 (13060 : Close Seaplane Base Project at X01)
3
acutus), endangered Florida bonneted bat (Eumops floridanus), and threatened West Indian
manatee (Trichechus manatus) occurs or has the potential to occur in the vicinity of Everglades
Airpark. The Proposed Action is located on the fringe of the USFWS’ consultation area and
one of the focal areas identified for the Florida bonneted bat and within designated Critical
Habitat for the West Indian manatee4. In addition, the Proposed Action is located within a State
Manatee Protection Zone.
As noted above, the sea lane would be 2,500 feet long by 200 feet wide. Based on information
contained in the BA, the proposed dock and ramp would affect 60 to 70 feet of shoreline at the
airport. The proposed dock and ramp would involve approximately 0.72-acre of open water,
0.16-acre of mangrove wetland, 0.03-acre of drainage ditch, and 0.41-acre of upland. The dock
and ramp would not be available to the public for launching boats.
As described in the BA, species-specific avoidance, minimization, and compensation measures
for habitat losses have been incorporated into the Proposed Action to address effects on listed
species and Critical Habitat. The proposed wetland and Waters impacts are anticipated to be
mitigated through mangrove habitat currently owned by the Airport Authority and/or the
purchase of forested saltwater credits from Little Pine Island Mitigation Bank. Final mitigation
requirements and measures would be determined through the environmental permit process.
To minimize direct impacts to the manatee, the Standard Manatee Conditions for In-Water
Work will be implemented during construction.
After reviewing the current status of the affected species, the effects of the Proposed Action,
and the proposed conservation measures to avoid, minimize, and compensate for effects to
listed species and designated critical habitat, the FAA has determined that the project: may
affect, but is not likely to adversely affect, the American crocodile, Florida bonneted bat, West
Indian manatee.
Request for Concurrence
FAA seeks USFWS’s concurrence with our determinations, made pursuant to 50 CFR Part
402, for the proposed seaplane base project at Everglades Airpark.
If you have any questions and would like to discuss the project, you can reach me at
peter.m.green@faa.gov or (407) 487-7296.
Sincerely,
Peter M. Green, AICP
Environmental Protection Specialist
Enclosures (2)
cc. Justin Lobb, Collier County Airport Authority
4 The Proposed Action is also located within Critical Habitat for the smalltooth sawfish.
16.G.2.a
Packet Pg. 2880 Attachment: Everglades Airpark Seaplane Base - USFWS Letter 5-18-20 (13060 : Close Seaplane Base Project at X01)
Figure 1
PROPOSED ACTION: SEA LANE AND SEAPLANE BASE ADJACENT TO EVERGLADES AIR PARK WITH SEAPLANE RAMP, DOCK, & TAXIWAY
Prepared by AVCON Inc., 2020
16.G.2.a
Packet Pg. 2881 Attachment: Everglades Airpark Seaplane Base - USFWS Letter 5-18-20 (13060 : Close Seaplane Base Project at X01)
Figure 2
PROPOSED ACTION: DETAIL OF RAMP, DOCK, AND TAXIWAY
Prepared by AVCON Inc., 2020
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Packet Pg. 2882 Attachment: Everglades Airpark Seaplane Base - USFWS Letter 5-18-20 (13060 : Close Seaplane Base Project at X01)
From:Green, Peter M (FAA)
To:LobbJustin
Cc:Harper, Rebecca H (FAA); Ritchey, Krystal (FAA); Blanco, Pedro (FAA); Mary Soderstrum; BrueggemanDebra
Subject:FW: Everglades Airpark Seaplane Base in Everglades City, Florida
Date:Monday, June 08, 2020 9:38:25 AM
EXTERNAL EMAIL: This email is from an external source. Confirm this is a trusted sender
and use extreme caution when opening attachments or clicking links.
Justin,
I am forwarding the response we received from the US Fish and Wildlife Service. The Service states
that the project would result in adverse effects on the West Indian manatee and it is not able to
enter into formal consultation on this species. Further, the Service states the restriction on takes to
this species under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
We would like to discuss the agency responses received to-date with you. Let me know what
days/times you are available this week and I will coordinate setting up a call.
Regards,
Peter
From: Wrublik, John <john_wrublik@fws.gov>
Sent: Friday, June 05, 2020 8:12 AM
To: Green, Peter M (FAA) <peter.m.green@faa.gov>
Cc: Cassler, Constance <constance_cassler@fws.gov>
Subject: Everglades Airpark Seaplane Base in Everglades City, Florida
Peter,
Thank you for taking the time yesterday to teleconference with me regarding the request from
the Collier County Airport Authority to establish a Sea Plane Base at the Everglades City
Airport with a take off/landing area in the adjacent waters of Chokoloskee Bay. This email
serves as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (Service) response to the Federal Aviation
Administration's (FAA) email and letter requesting consultation dated May 18, 2020. In your
letter, the FAA determined that the proposed project may affect, but is not likely to adversely
affect the threatened West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus; manatee), and requested
concurrence for this determination. As we discussed yesterday, the proposed take off/landing
area for the project within the waters of Chokoloskee Bay is located within a speed zone
("Year Round Slow Speed ") for motorized watercraft established by Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission. This speed zone was established to minimize the potential for
injuries and deaths of manatees resulting from strikes from motorized water craft. Because
take offs and landings require that the seaplanes move through the waters of the speed zone,
the Service considers seaplanes operating during these actions as motorized watercraft. The
Service notes that the portions of the seaplanes within the water during take off and landing
(e.g., seaplane floats, body of the aircraft) have the potential of striking
16.G.2.b
Packet Pg. 2883 Attachment: Fish & Wildlife Response 6.8.2020 (13060 : Close Seaplane Base Project at X01)
manatees. Furthermore, because take off and landing requires that sea planes move at high
speed, seaplanes would be violating the established manatee speed zone during these actions.
As such, the Service finds that seaplanes during take off and landing are likely to strike
manatees and result in take of the species (i.e., injuries or deaths resulting from seaplane
strikes). Consequently, the Service finds that the project will result in adverse affects to the
manatee, and we cannot provide concurrence for your may affect, not likely to adversely affect
determination. Also, please be advised that the Service is not able to consult formally on the
project's adverse effects to the manatee. Formal consultation normally includes the
preparation of our biological opinion that provides our opinion as to whether the project would
jeopardize the continued existence of the Federally listed species in question (in this case the
West Indian manatee). In the event that the Service determines that a project does not
jeopardize the existence of a Federally listed species, the Service's biological opinion usually
includes a section of the document that provides coverage for the incidental take of the
species. However, the manatee is also protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act
(MMPA). The MMPA does not currently allow for the take of manatees. Therefore, the
Service's policy is to not prepare a biological opinion that provides coverage for the incidental
take of the manatee pursuant to the Endangered Species Act. As such, the Service cannot
continue consultation and consult formally on his project with respect to the West Indian
manatee. If you have any questions, please let me know.
Sincerely,
John M. Wrublik
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
1339 20th Street
Vero Beach, Florida 32960
Office: (772) 469-4282
Fax: (772) 562-4288
email: John_Wrublik@fws.gov
NOTE: This email correspondence and any attachments to and from this sender is subject to the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) and may be disclosed to third parties.
16.G.2.b
Packet Pg. 2884 Attachment: Fish & Wildlife Response 6.8.2020 (13060 : Close Seaplane Base Project at X01)
From:system@florida-aviation-database.com
To:system@florida-aviation-database.com
Subject:Project Status - Closed
Date:Thursday, July 23, 2020 4:07:13 PM
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and use extreme caution when opening attachments or clicking links.
The below project was closed on 7/23/2020 4:06 PM by Wendy Sands.
Airport: Everglades Airpark
Project Description: EVERGLADES AIRPARK SEAPLANE BASE DESIGN AND
CONSTRUCT
Item-Segment: 444394-1
Contract #: G1K34
UPIN: PFL0012389
Please click the link below to review the project.
http://www.florida-aviation-database.com/Facility/JACIP/default.aspx?
section=projects&upin=PFL0012389&UAID=FL000018
Thank you,
JACIP Support Team
JPS-1-v1
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Packet Pg. 2885 Attachment: FDOT Project Status - Closed (13060 : Close Seaplane Base Project at X01)