Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #2257FY0001 Miami River Dredging Project
Requester:		Miami Dade County Diana Ragbeer/Carlos Espinosa			Organization:		Miami Dade County
Project Title:		Miami River Dredging Project			Date Submitted:		2/15/01 12:13:41 PM
Sponsors:		J. Alex Villalobos
Statewide Interest:		Project will enhance the environmental quality of the River and improve Biscayne Bay
Recipient:		Miami Dade County			Contact:		Diana Ragbeer Carlos Espinosa
		111 NW 1st Street			Contact Phone:		(305) 375-1257
		Miami 33128
Counties:		Dade
Service Area:		Government Entity
Project Description:
The US Army Corps of Engineers has recommended maintenance dredging of the Miami River, a federal channel, for navigation purposes. Because the Miami River sediments are contaminated by past pollution and do not meet federal criteria for ocean disposal, they must be disposed of at an upland site, such as a lined landfill. The conceptual plan developed by the COrps proposes to dredge the River in 8 phases, dry the excavated sediment at a bermed and lined site near the River, and haul the dried material to a landfill for permanent disposal. Environmentally sound dredging and disposal of the contaminated sediments is expected to enhance the environmental quality of the River and downstream protions of Biscayne Bay and improve navigation. Marine industry trade organizations have estimated that shipping operations alone of the River contribute $4 billion annualy to the economy and create hundreds of jobs. Clean up of the Miami River is also expected to encourage investment and redevelopment of the urban areas adjoining the River, and objective consistent with regional sustainable develoment strategies, such as "Eastward Ho", brownfields initiatives, and empowerment zones.
Measurable Outcome Anticipated:
It is anticipated that upon completion of the dredging project, the navigation channel will be restored to authorized depth and width, allowing enhanced use by freighters. Also, contaminated sediments will no longer be conveyed to sensitive habitats of Biscayne Bay, therefore, reducing potential for further accumulation of pollutants in Bay sediments. Water quality, particularly water clarity, is expected to improve, since sediment resuspension will be reduced following completion of the project.
Amount requested from the State for this project this year:						$2,225,000
Total cost of the project:			$81,000,000
Request has been made to fund:				Construction
Type of funding match:		Federal
	Total Cash Amount:		$10,000,000
Was this project previously funded by the State?							Yes
	Fiscal Year:		2000-2001		Amount:		$3,000,000
Is future-year funding likely to be requested?							Yes
	Amount:		$4,750,000
	Purpose for future year funding:					Recurring Operations
	Will this be an annual request?						Yes
Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request?							Unknown
Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget?							Unknown
Is there a documented need for this project?							Yes
	Documentation:		Studies by federal, state, and local agencies
Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)?							Yes
	Hearing Body:		Miami Dade County Legislative Delegation
	Meeting Date:		1/17/01