Agenda

Minutes Packet Return

DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT Escambia County Central Office Complex 3363 West Park Place Pensacola, FL 32505 MARINE ADVISORY COMMITTEE Minutes February 08, 2016 - 5:30 p.m.


1.				Call to Order - Meeting called to order at 5:52 p.m.

2.				Attendance - A quorum was present

3.				Minutes Approval - Eilene Beard made the motion to approve the December minutes. Kerry Freeland seconded the motion. All voted in favor.

4.				Wilson B. Robertson Boat Ramp (Perdido River Public Boat Ramp) - MRD Update: Ramp is open. Ribbon-cutting scheduled for 11 Feb 2016 at 2:30 PM.

5.				10836 Lillian Highway Public Boat Ramp - MRD Update: Grant Agreement with FWC executed. Next step is solicitation for design/engineering/permitting consultant.

6.				Natural Resources Damage Assessment - Oil Spill Restoration & Recovery - MRD Update: NRDA reef agreement executed. Next step is solicitation for contractor for first phase of reef deployment. Robert Turpin has suggested that the EMAC have representation on the “Contract Review and Selection Committee”. Eilene Beard has agreed to represent the EMAC on the committee.

7.				New Inshore Reefs at Pensacola Beach Fishing Pier - MRD Update: See attached PowerPoint presented to SRIA. SRIA approved $25,000 for permitting new reefs for snorkeling, kayak-fishing, youth marine education, enhancing habitat around Pensacola Beach Gulf Fishing Pier, and surfing. Received a number of comments regarding the proposed surfing reef. Yancy Spencer IV would like to use the dredge boats to restore some of the submerged features (second sand bar) lost to the hurricanes. Jeffery Barker would prefer any potential projects avoid the “Cross”, as it currently produces a good swell for surfing on occasion. He prefers Gulf Park West (5^th lot) for any projects. He likes the idea of using a concreted structure secured on pilings to catch sand and create a swell. Lou Folse would like to see a major project. He likes the idea of building jetties to catch sand on the beach and eliminate the dredging, which could potentially uncover the unaccounted for BP oil which may be trapped under the sand. Jason Lohmiller agrees with Mr. Folse, that small jetties would create snorkeling areas as well as catch sand. He would like to see any stacked piling reefs installed parallel to the beach vs. perpendicular. Mike Hayes also prefers avoid any projects being installed at the “Cross”. He states that there is a peat bog at the “Cross”, which occasionally becomes exposed and can be snorkeled. He doesn’t believe the Army Corps of Engineers will permit any jetties as they catch sand on one side and erode sand on the other. Mr. Hayes would like to see the shoal at the pass dredged and the sand used to renourish the beach. He believes the dredged area would then produce swells. He would also like to see the second sand bar rebuilt. Neal Tucker stated that he also prefers to see “Gulf Park West” be the site of any projects for surf reefing. Paolo Ghio stated that any projects mush avoid the National Seashore. Robert Turpin suggested an offshore reef in a “V” pattern, which would catch sand in between the legs of the “V” and create a surf break from either direction. John Green stated that the second sandbar would produce surf swells and also prevented erosion of the beach. He also stated that the immediate after effects of dredging creates hazardous wave action. Joey Whibbs stated that the peat runs from the cross to Park West and has seen it at Park East, though not often. Charlie Gonzalez has agreed to the historic aerial photos of the beach to evaluate the changes in the underwater topography. Mike Penzone believes that the proposed rubble at the fishing pier would also improve the surf swell. He stated that his group is now leaning away from the proposed horseshoe pattern of reefs at the end of the pier and are now looking at a diagonal array of pilings southeast of the pier “T”. Gabe Jackson asked if the scope of work for the dredge was set or can it be revised. Paolo Ghio stated that it would require a permit change and significant time to review. He would like to see restoration of the second sandbar incorporated into the template for future dredge work, as he believes it should help in protecting the island with the side benefit of improving the surf swell.

8.				Comprehensive Waterways Management - MRD Update: Continuing to receive public and MAC comments.

9.				Lionfish Issues/Developments - MRD Update: Upcoming LRAD (Lionfish Awareness and Removal Day) event 14-15 May 2016 at Plaza De Luna in Pensacola.

10.				Ocean Wind Tug Reefing - MRD Update: Ocean Wind is reefed at proposed location.

11.				Old Business - None

12.				New Business CCA Reef Partnership: Coastal Conservation Association is interested in providing funding for artificial reef(s) to be deployed in Escambia County. MAC concurred with MRD plan to submit Oriskany monitoring grant in response to 2016 FWC Request for Proposals. (Resolution below) Eilene Beard commented on this being the 10^th anniversary of the reefing of the Oriskany and inquired if there would be any program to commemorate the occasion. EMAC Resolution: “The Escambia County Marine Advisory Committee Resolves to support the Escambia County Oriskany Fish Monitoring Project grant application to the Florida Wildlife Commission.”

13.				Adjournment: Eilene Beard made the motion to adjourn. Sidney Clopton seconded the motion. All voted in favor.