Vision/Guidance
Safety
Environmental Protection
Sustainability
Education
Detailed Recommendations
Trail Width and Alignment
Stormwater
Wetlands
Mangroves
Sensitive Species
Historical/Archeological Information
Bridges and Fishing Platforms
Sediment and Erosion Control
Landscaping
Miscellaneous
Vision/Guidance for the All Aspects of Trail Development
Broad guidance from the FDEP/OGT falls into four main categories: safety, environmental protection, sustainability and education.
Safety
This
is the number one priority. Safety
must
be insured when making Trail accommodations for environmental,
logistical and
other constraints. This
priority must
take precedence over all other goals and objectives of Trail planning
and
design. Safety
considerations
include:
- Establish a safe, two-way, non-motorized trail with secure trailheads, bathrooms, vegetation buffers, rest stops with shelter and shade, drinking water, periodic call boxes or telephones and safe travel clearances for all trail users.
- Limit vehicular traffic interaction with trail traffic, but when interaction must occur, provide warning to both drivers and trail users at all intersections.
- Maximize separation from U.S. 1, local streets and congested parking areas by the use of traffic barriers, underpasses, overpasses, the Historic Bridges and separate trail crossings at highway bridges.
- Avoid crossing US1, but where crossings must occur provide high visibility crosswalks with pedestrian push button signals.
- Add pedestrian crossing signals at existing stoplights throughout the Keys.
To provide a safe, convenient, efficient and environmentally compatible motorized and non-motorized transportation system for the movement of people and goods in Monroe County.
There are areas along the FKOHT in which these commitments and goals will be in conflict and may be difficult to attain. It is important to keep in mind the importance of this trail – there is no other Trail like this in the world – it is a world class facility. This Trail has the potential to attract visitors from all over the world. Foremost is their safety and that of the local communities that may be drawn to use the facility, followed closely by their ability to experience the unique historical and ecological wonders of the FKOHT. Overwhelming support for this Trail has been given from the Governor’s office and state agencies to Keys residents, businesses and visitors. Consult Section 4.0 for recommended safety precautions.
Environmental Protection
Encourage the preservation and interpretation of the Florida
Keys’ natural resources and fragile ecosystem by promoting Trail
access to public parks and natural lands along the U.S. 1 corridor.
Provide coordination with trail related environmental enhancements such
as habitat restoration utilizing native species, stormwater treatment
facilities and tidal flow restoration. Maintain and develop an
interconnected safe trail for the public while enhancing habitat for
permanent and migratory wildlife in the Keys. Reduce traffic congestion
by providing a means of alternative transportation.
Sustainability
Preserve resources for future generations, and minimize the impact of
the Trail throughout the Trail development and maintenance stages.
Reduce the use of new materials, use “green” technologies
where feasible and reuse existing construction materials whenever
possible. Use existing public parks and facilities, and private
business if offered, to provide Trail support facilities. Promote
non-polluting transportation in the Keys by not providing excessive
vehicular parking at trailheads and by promoting the access of the Trail from nearby hotels, businesses and residences.
Education
Promote the Trail as an outdoor classroom for the Keys’ citizens,
school children, and visitors, advocating respect for the natural,
historical and cultural resources found along the U.S.-based trail
corridor. Encourage partnerships with communities, agencies and other
entities that utilize educational signage and other programs in an
effort to maximize the educational experience for all Trail users.
Provide visible and safe trail connections and trail-oriented
educational programs, especially around schools and community activity
areas, where educational activities typically occur.
Plan Vision
FDEP has made the commitment to avoid, and if that is not possible, to minimize impacts to the environment. Every effort should be made during initial site design to identify potential ecological restoration opportunities. These opportunities may include removal of invasive/exotic species, planting of unused open areas and retrofitting structures such as culverts with more environmentally friendly updates. These environmental restoration opportunities may be used to satisfy mitigation requirements for various Trail segments or trailheads. In addition, the local FDEP/OGT office in Key Largo is coordinating restoration opportunities as they present themselves along the US 1 corridor. For more information on restoration opportunities for mitigation, see Section 7.0 Mitigation Plan.
Greenways and trails are well documented for creating and enhancing economic benefits on rail/trail corridors and other locations. The FKOHT will provide over 100 miles of connections within local communities, municipalities, residential areas, parks, shopping areas, lodgings and tourist destinations. Because of its unique characteristics, year-round sunny, warm climate and tropical scenic beauty, it is expected that the FKOHT will serve to attract trail enthusiasts from near and far, and will encourage significant use by both residents and visitors. Local hotels, restaurants and other businesses will benefit from this sustainable form of tourist activity. Property owners will also benefit, as trails tend to increase the value of properties adjacent to their corridor. The FDEP/OGT now manages many state trails as part of the State Greenways and Trails System. The FDEP/OGT estimates that in the last year the combined 400 miles of state trails in the park system contributed approximately $13.3 million to the local economies in which they are located.
The Trail will also provide outstanding educational opportunities for both residents and visitors to learn about the unique history of the Florida Keys and the importance of sustainable development by offering cultural, historical and ecological interpretation, as users traverse the historical railroad bridges and the many conservation areas between Key Largo and Key West.
FDEP/OGT has already coordinated with a number of agencies, municipalities, stakeholders and community groups in the planning, design and construction of the FKOHT. However, a trail of this length in an area experiencing growth, and catering to the needs of a wide range of visitors and residents will undoubtedly encounter conflicts or issues which have the potential for compromising safety or the other stated objectives of Goal 301. Identification of possible conflicts should be brought to the attention of the FDEP/OGT as soon as possible so that stakeholders (ex: regulatory and other state or federal agencies, municipalities) can meet to explore options. Solutions to conflicts and competing interests should not compromise the safety, appeal and usability of the Trail.
Detailed Recommendations
Based on the desired Trail alignment and past permit applications, a variety of specific design and permitting strategy items have been identified to aid in the design and application process. For each item/issue, general recommendations are stated, followed by permit issues and approved exceptions, commonly omitted/incorrectly depicted items in applications and related notes to include in design plans.
Trail Width and Alignment
According to FDOT’s Plans
Preparation manual, the minimum paved width for a two directional
shared use path is 12 feet to accommodate multiple users such as
recreational bicyclists who like to ride two abreast, joggers, in-line
skaters and the occasional maintenance vehicles, and may not have
sections with steep grades. The FKOHT is developing the Trail between 8
feet and 12 feet depending on ROW conditions and ecological
constraints. The Trail is being developed at 10 feet in width where
the width can be accommodated without posing a direct impact to
wetlands. In areas where there are constraints, such as where the ROW
is so narrow that it would create a direct impact to wetlands, the
Trail is being built at a width of 8 feet. In most cases this width
is only required along the length of the constraint. Consult Appendix E
for typical trail cross sections including those for using a
cantilevered path or other mechanisms for constructing the Trail in
constrained areas.
Before typical cross sections are chosen for a given Trail segment, detailed information including ROW width, location of field delineated wetlands and other site features should be determined. The Trail alignment should be adjusted to the extent practicable to avoid impacts to environmental resources, while remaining in the FDOT ROW and giving priority to safety concerns. Adjusting the alignment by crossing the Trail to the opposite side of US-1 in a location not previously identified for a crossing requires coordination with FDEP prior to application submittal. In general, crossings have been minimized to the extent practicable for safety reasons, and additional crossings are not likely to be approved by FDEP.
Permit Issues and Approved Exceptions
Alignments may be adjusted according to field conditions or other new
information supplied by the design engineer. Past alignments have been
proposed for adjustment according to survey data defining additional
property available for use and for utilizing existing disturbed
corridors.
Commonly Omitted/Incorrectly Depicted Items in Applications
Alignments showing direct impacts to wetlands, variations to US 1
crossings or other significant deviations from the Master Plan, must be
coordinated with FDEP/OGT prior to submittal of an application. Once
design approval from FDEP is granted, segments with proposed direct impacts
to wetlands require a pre-application meeting with the SFWMD,
USFWS and other resource agencies prior to submittal of an ERP
application.
Related Notes to Include in Design Plans
None identified
Stormwater
Efforts should be made to incorporate native vegetation and aesthetic
designs into stormwater management, keeping in mind that all stormwater
features will be highly visible. For vegetated treatment areas, native
vegetation should be used, with preference for plants endemic to the
specific key where the stormwater facility is located. Swale
alignment is preferred between the road and the trail, allowing maximum
distance to the Trail from US1.
Additionally, efforts should be made to identify other potential Trail upgrades and enhancements that could improve stormwater storage and treatment, such as:
- stormwater retrofit projects;
- additional treatment areas beyond those required for the trail segment being designed (to be used for wetland mitigation credit); and
- use of porous pavement.
Permit Issues and Approved Exceptions
SFWMD has indicated in already-issued permits that water quality treatment volume that cannot be accommodated on the same side of the FDOT ROW as the path, can be retained and treated on the other side of the ROW.
Similarly, if the required water quality treatment volume cannot be accommodated in the project area of one FKOHT segment, it may be incorporated into the design of another segment that has a water-management-surplus capacity. This method should be a last resort and will require coordination with FDEP and the design engineers for the other segment. SFWMD staff agreed to this as part of a request for additional information (RAI) response dated 7/30/03 for Application No. 030415-2. The RAI response stated that the order of preference would be:
- Treat Trail/roadway water runoff in a swale adjacent to the widened Trail.
- Treat Trail/roadway water runoff in a swale on the same Key, but not particularly adjacent to the widened Trail.
- Treat Trail/roadway water runoff in a swale on another Key, such that the flows can discharge to the same water body (Atlantic or Gulf) to which the Trail runoff discharges.
- Treat Trail/roadway water runoff in a swale on another Key (i.e., over-treat in one Key to make up for deficit on another Key).
Commonly Omitted/Incorrectly Depicted Items in Applications
- Provide the area of each water management feature and the volume of water that it will retain.
- Denote swale locations on the plan and section views.
- Ensure that the invert of all proposed water management features is at least one foot above the average wet season water table elevation.
- Include additional volumetric requirements for projects which discharge into Outstanding Florida Waters (i.e. Florida Bay, Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean, basically all the waters that surround the Keys).
None identified
Wetlands
Environmental sensitivity is one of the primary guiding principles of
the FKOHT Master Plan. In areas where the ROW is constrained by
environmental resources, greater attention must be paid to certain
aspects of the Trail design to avoid and minimize environmental impacts
where possible. Design modifications for wetlands avoidance and
minimization must first take Trail user safety into consideration, and
not increase risks for bicycle and pedestrian use. In addition, design
modifications for wetlands conservation should also be coordinated with
the other stated objectives of the Trail, including providing
educational, cultural and economic enhancement.
Modifications to the Trail in constrained areas include (in order of preference by the SFWMD):
- decreasing Trail width
- decreasing distance from the Trail to the road
- cantilevering the Trail to reduce fill, and
- constructing a raised boardwalk
Every effort should be made to maintain the Trail as far from wetland areas as possible, where ROW width allows. The SFWMD (and USACE) will require extensive documentation to show that impacts to wetlands cannot be avoided, and they will require mitigation to compensate for these impacts. In order to satisfy regulatory requirements, Trail design must first attempt to avoid and then to minimize impacts to wetlands. Where the Trail must cross over a significant stretch of wetlands, use of a boardwalk is preferred by the SFWMD to placement of fill. Further information on boardwalk design for the FKOHT is included in the Master Plan, (Michael Design Associates, 2000). A cantilever style boardwalk should be used in upland areas with steep slopes to avoid placement of fill that would otherwise be required for Trail construction and would result in direct wetland impacts. Further information on cantilever trail designs is located in Appendix E and the FKOHT Master Plan.
Secondary Impacts
Permit Issues and Approved Exceptions
None Identified
Direct Impacts
FDEP/OGT has developed Trail segments on Grassy Key and Lower Sugarloaf
that, despite having a constrained ROW, have had no direct impacts to
adjacent wetlands and only minimal secondary impacts. Future segments
may similarly be designed with no primary or secondary impacts, taking
into consideration constraints such as available ROW and safety
concerns. If impacts are unavoidable, they should then be minimized to
the maximum extent possible. Appendix E contains standard cross
sections for Trail development in environmentally constrained areas,
along with examples of previously permitted Trail cross sections in
these areas. Mitigation options are discussed further in Section 7.0 of
this Plan. Any designs requiring mitigation will require a
pre-application meeting with the SFWMD.
Secondary Impacts
In constrained areas where the Trail will be within the wetland buffer
(15 feet from edge of wetland), the SFWMD may request a means for
preventing secondary impacts to wetlands that may result from use of
the Trail. The SFWMD agreed that fencing between the Trail and wetland
could offset secondary impacts when such impacts are likely due to, for
example, ease of access to water, beach areas or mangroves. In a field
meeting, the SFWMD also agreed that fencing would not be required when
pedestrian encroachment is unlikely (Peekstok, personal communication).
Both the FDEP/OGT and the local community have indicated that fencing
and railing are not desirable aesthetically. Accordingly, any proposed
use of fencing/railing should be coordinated with the FDEP/OGT and
should only be used as a last resort or where required for the safety
of the bicyclist or pedestrian. Other alternatives include posting
permanent conservation signage and native vegetation screen plantings.
For further discussion on mitigation, consult Section 7.0.
Commonly Omitted/Incorrectly Depicted Items in Applications
Show delineated wetlands (using Florida Unified Wetland Delineation
Methodology) with proposed buffer zone on aerial photographs. See
discussion above regarding Secondary Impacts and notes on the example
ERP application in Appendix D regarding required buffer zones (Section
E.III.H of the example permit).
Related Notes to Include in Design Plans
- No staging or other activities for this project will be allowed within Environmentally Sensitive Areas. The Contractor shall coordinate selection and review of any proposed staging areas with the FDOT District Environmental Permits Coordinator during the pre-construction meeting. The Contractor will be responsible for contacting the District Environmental Permits Coordinator at (305) 470-5220 seventy-two (72) hours prior to the start of any pre-approved staging activities. For unforeseen staging needs identified after the pre-construction meeting, review of the Contractor’s proposed staging area shall be coordinated with the FDOT District Environmental Permits Coordinator ten (10) days prior to any staging operation.
- The Contractor is advised that wetlands are adjacent to the project corridor. State and Federal permits are required for wetland impacts. The contractor shall not impact wetlands without a permit for any reason. Wetlands cannot be used as staging areas. Any material inadvertently placed in wetlands shall be removed by hand-held equipment within 48-hours. Two weeks prior to mobilization, the Contractor shall meet with the project engineer and the District Environmental Permits Coordinator to field-verify the extent and boundary of wetland vegetation on site.
- This project is adjacent to waters designated as Outstanding Florida Waters (Chapter 62-302, Florida Administrative Code [FAC]). Therefore, no degradation of water quality and/or increased turbidity of the water shall be permitted. The Contractor shall be responsible for preventing the discharge of any foreign material into the water. The Contractor shall erect the best available means of erosion and turbidity control measures to isolate the work area at all times. These measures shall be maintained functional for the duration of the project.
As a State entity, the FDEP (applicant) is exempt from the permitting requirements of the Mangrove Trimming and Preservation Act, per Section 403.9326(1)(f), Florida Statutes (FS), as follows:
The trimming of mangrove trees by a duly constituted communications, water, sewerage, electrical, or other utility company, or by a federal, state, county, or municipal agency, or by an engineer or a surveyor and mapper working under a contract with such utility company or agency, when the trimming is done as a governmental function of the agency.
The above exemption applies provided no herbicide or other chemical is used to remove mangrove foliage (FS Section 403.9326(1)) and no other rule by the FDEP or local government may directly or indirectly limit this exemption (FS Section 403.9326(2)).
While buttonwood trees (Conocarpus erectus) may be referred to as “green mangroves,” they are not classified in FS Section 403.9325 as mangroves and not covered under the mangrove trimming laws.
Permit Issues and Approved Exceptions
If mitigation for mangrove trimming is requested as part of the ERP
application process, FDEP should be contacted to review the request
prior to submitting a response to the SFWMD. Mitigation for complete
removal of mangrove trees may still be required.
Commonly Omitted/Incorrectly Depicted Items in Applications
None identified
Related Notes to Include in Design Plans
The following note will be suitable for most instances, where direct impacts to mangroves are not anticipated:
Trimming of mangrove trees is not anticipated as part of this project. If trimming of mangroves is required, all trimming shall be done by a qualified professional. No herbicide shall be used on mangroves. If removal of mangroves is required, the contractor shall contact the Florida Department of Environmental Protection at 305-289-2310, to coordinate this activity.
Sensitive Species
Typically, the proposed Trail alignment will not interfere with
sensitive species habitat because of the Trail’s proximity to US
1 and location on previously disturbed ground. At the initial design
phase of an individual Trail segment, a qualified professional should
conduct a field inspection of the proposed Trail alignment to determine
if potential sensitive species habitat exists. If no habitat is
identified, Trail design can proceed as planned. Appendix H lists
species known to occur on certain Keys, but use of the ROW by any of
these species is unlikely. Before performing field observations for
sensitive species, the qualified professional should first consult this
species list and be sure he/she is familiar with the characteristics
and habitat of these species.
If habitats of threatened, endangered or species of special concern (TE/SSC) are located during the ERP process by the design engineers/those preparing the ERP application, the FKOHT construction design should be modified to the extent practicable to avoid impacts to these species and/or their habitats. If impacts to these species and/or their habitats are unavoidable, the application should include measures designed to mitigate for these impacts which may include but are not limited to transplanting and habitat restoration or creation. If mitigation opportunities are not available on the project site, the design engineers will communicate impact information with E Sciences and FDEP prior to application submission, and the mitigation will be incorporated into the consolidated mitigation plan for the Trail. Note that if actual removal of TE/SSC species or their nesting areas is required, additional coordination and/or permits will likely be required from wildlife agencies including the FWC, USFWS and NMFS. See Section 7.0 for more information on mitigation for the FKOHT.
Permit Issues and Approved Exceptions
Describe known sensitive species habitat occurrences and provide
detailed occurrence studies as needed. See Appendix H for a
Key-specific list and fact sheets about each species.
Commonly Omitted/Incorrectly Depicted Items in Applications
Due to the highly disturbed nature of the US 1 ROW and the high
ecological value of nearby parks and other areas in the Florida Keys,
general references such as the Florida Natural Areas Inventory (FNAI)
may list a wide variety of potential species habitat for the general
area. However, the actual limits of the project and its potential
disturbance will not affect most of these species. Avoid indicating
presence (or absence) of potential TE species until a qualified
biologist has performed a field observation and determined the habitat
and potential occurrence of these species.
Related Notes to Include in Design Plans
The following note will be suitable for most instances, where direct
impacts to TE/SSC species and their critical habitat are not
anticipated:
In the general vicinity of the project, a number of listed birds and other species are known to be present including [list relevant species here]. However, no species were observed on the site, and due to the scope of work, no adverse impacts to any endangered or threatened animal species, other wildlife, or their critical habitat are anticipated.
Historical/Archeological Information
Historical/archeological issues are a key concern for permitting
agencies. Special condition #10 of the Conceptual ERP specifically
addresses this issue. FDEP is taking the lead in coordinating
historic/archeological issues with the state. The FDEP has designated
the remaining historical bridges on the National Registry of Historic
Places. All modifications to the bridges have been coordinated by the
FDEP with the DHR. Mr. Randy Smith of FDEP serves as the contact for
this area. Upon receipt of the FDEP review copy of the application, he
will coordinate with the Division of Historical Resources (DHR) and
identify potential concerns, if any. If the DHR provides comments, Mr.
Smith will serve as the liaison between the DHR and the design
engineers to ensure historical issues are resolved. The standard FKOHT
application cover letter (Appendix G) provides information to the SFWMD
on this process.
Permit Issues and Approved Exceptions
None identified
Commonly Omitted/Incorrectly Depicted Items in Applications
None identified
Related Notes to Include in Design Plans
None identified
Bridges and Fishing Platforms
Fishing platforms should not require mitigation. The Tom’s Harbor
Cut Bridge project was proposed to include new fishing platforms. The
SFWMD initially raised the issue that these new platforms may cause
shading of the benthic community, thereby requiring mitigation. As part
of the application process, the design engineers cited previous studies
indicating that no significant negative impacts would occur to the
benthic community as a result of shading from fishing platforms because
the platforms were designed at a sufficient height (ten feet above mean
high water) to allow sufficient sunlight penetration. In addition, the
construction method was changed from using a barge in the water to
working with construction equipment on land. The SFWMD accepted this
determination. To insure continuity with this finding, future proposed
fishing platforms should follow the same or similar construction
specifications and methodology. Appendix E contains standard drawings,
construction details and technical information that will be helpful
when compiling the permit application for the fishing platforms.
Note that the type and method of construction for the fishing platforms was changed to alleviate concerns about impacts to the environment. The approved design was changed from a pre-cast slab installed from a barge in the water, to a cast-in-place slab installed from shore. Catchments and curtain structures must be used to prevent construction debris from entering the water.
Permit Issues and Approved Exceptions
None identified
Commonly Omitted/Incorrectly Depicted Items in Applications
None identified
Related Notes to Include in Design Plans
None identified
Sediment and Erosion Control
A turbidity management plan, which is generally incorporated into the
stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) with narrative description
needs to be included as part of each ERP application. The plan should
address means of minimizing turbidity in receiving waters from
construction activity and stormwater management as applicable.
Construction activities must be in compliance with Chapter 62-302, FAC;
i.e. turbidity cannot exceed 29 nephelometric turbidity units (NTUs)
above background, unless the receiving water is an Outstanding Florida
Water, in which case turbidity cannot exceed 0 NTUs above background.
The SWPPP must include monitoring if there are activities adjacent to
surface waters to insure the construction activities are in compliance
with Chapter 62-302, FAC.
Permit Issues and Approved Exceptions
None identified
Commonly Omitted/Incorrectly Depicted Items in Applications
None identified
Related Notes to Include in Design Plans
None identified
Landscaping
All landscaping, wherever possible, should utilize native vegetation.
This includes buffer areas between the Trail and US 1, landscape
adjacent to mangrove/wetland areas, landscaping in stormwater treatment
areas and any other landscaping designed with the Trail. Appendix F
contains lists of native plants, and the keys where they were found, as
well as a preferred planting list for the US 1 landscape buffer.
Preference should be given to native plants found on the specific key
where landscaping is scheduled to occur. If a native plant list is not
available for a specific key, the closest key should be used.
Landscaping should seek to mimic natural habitats to the extent
practicable and monoculture plantings should be avoided. Landscaping must
also take into account potential interaction with US 1 and Trail use,
as well as maintenance. FDOT requires a species planted within the
clear zone to have a maximum caliper at maturity equal to or less than
two inches. Vines such as railroad vine should not be used in close
proximity to the trail because of their aggressive nature and
difficulty to maintain.
Permit Issues and Approved Exceptions
Native landscaping directly adjacent to mangrove and other wetland
areas may be eligible for mitigation credit from the SFWMD. The
landscape areas with the highest potential for receiving this credit
are as large as possible in size, provide obvious wildlife habitat and
act as a buffer for wetlands which currently have only sod or bare
ground up to their edge.
New cross section designs for the Trail in constrained ROW areas are
still in development. When new preferred cross sections are approved,
the information (along with any other approved variances/exceptions)
will be posted on the website being created for the FKOHT.
Commonly Omitted/Incorrectly Depicted Items in Applications
Landscape plans should indicate quantity of plants and size of planting
area, per location. This allows these areas to be utilized for
mitigation credit. Proper labeling of landscape areas is important even
if no mitigation is required for the Trail segment where the landscape
is located, as landscape mitigation credit can be applied to other
Trail segments.
Related Notes to Include in Design Plans
Because vegetated areas are located near the project, the following
should be added to the environmental and/or general notes:
The Contractor shall take care to protect all trees and landscaping material within the project limits as well as those immediately adjacent to but outside the right of way line. If this vegetation is impacted during construction or staging, the Contractor shall be responsible for all replacements, which shall be satisfactory to the FDOT. The Contractor shall warrant the establishment of the replacement material for a period of one year as per Standard Specification 580-11.
Miscellaneous
Commonly Omitted/Incorrectly Depicted Items in Applications
Elevations – Elevations for environmental (and other) features including mean high and low water and groundwater should be given relative to NGVD 1929, with units in feet.
Floodplains– Show overlay of floodplains, from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) or calculated, on overview and/or plan sheets.
Limits of Disturbance (LODs) – All LODs shown on site plans should be the minimum necessary to perform construction activities. All proposed work must fall within depicted LODs, and cannot impact wetlands unless explicitly approved by the ERP. Note – this includes staging and temporary disturbance areas.
Overview maps – Provide 8.5” x 11” maps of project location and LODs.
Property Ownership – Clearly show limits of FDOT ROW. If proposed LODs extend beyond ROW, owners of these properties must sign the application.
Related Notes to Include in Design Plans
Sequence of Construction
Provide a detailed sequence of
construction including construction methodology for all components of
the project, including those not directly associated with a regulated
impact.
Local Traffic Patterns
No standard text is suggested, but Trail development plans should
include a traffic control plan that clearly demonstrates that no
adverse impacts to local traffic patterns will occur during or persist
after project completion, if applicable. Traffic control plan notes
should address such issues as no lane closures during peak hours,
workdays preceding and following holidays, special Keys’ events
(ex: Lobster Sport Dive) or hurricane evacuation; relocating/restoring
traffic and street signs, maintaining access to local businesses and
residences; and maintenance of traffic in accordance with FDOT design
standards.
Contamination
There are no known contaminated sites located adjacent to the project
corridor. Therefore, due to the location as well as the limited scope
of work, no contamination impacts are anticipated. The following note
should be contained in the environmental and/or general notes:
Section 120 Excavation and Embankment
- Subarticle 120-1.2 Unidentified Areas of Contamination of the
Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction will be
provided in the project’s construction contract documents. This
specification requires that in the event that any hazardous material or
suspected contamination is encountered during construction, or if any
spills caused by construction-related materials should occur, the
contractor shall be instructed to stop work immediately and notify the
District Six Environmental Management Office as well as the appropriate
regulatory agencies for assistance.