notebook - Southwest Florida Water Management District

Consent Agenda
July 31, 2012
Resource Management Committee
Item 10
Implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) in the Brooker Creek Watershed in
Improvement Areas 1, 2, 11 and Toniwoods South Outfall – First Amendment (N333)
Purpose
Request the Board’s authorization to amend the cooperative funding agreement with Pinellas
County (County) to revise the scope of work at no additional cost for implementation of best
management practices (BMPs) in the Brooker Creek watershed in improvement areas 1, 2, 11
and Toniwoods South Outfall.
Background/History
The District and the County funded development of a Watershed Management Plan (Plan) for
Brooker Creek which was completed in July 2010. The Plan included development of a
computer model, and evaluation of conceptual BMPs that would improve the hydrology of
wetlands in the Brooker Creek Preserve (Preserve) and provide additional flood protection in the
Toniwoods subdivision. In a separate and coordinated effort, the County used the model to
develop conceptual BMP designs specifically focused on the Toniwoods storm water
management system.
The District and the County entered into an agreement on April 27, 2011, to implement BMPs in
the Brooker Creek watershed to improve the level of service in Toniwoods. The existing project
consists of:
1. Channel maintenance and removing downed trees, vegetation, and shoals hindering flow in
the creek between Ridgemoor and Tarpon Woods Boulevard.
2. Filling ditches, constructing weirs, and adding culverts at crossings on Lora Lane and the
diagonal power-line in the Preserve.
3. Increasing the capacity of the Toniwoods subdivision intermediate conveyance system by
replacing existing pipes with larger sizes.
The County is requesting the scope of work for the project be amended to refine the conceptual
BMP design in Toniwoods subdivision, Item 3 above, and to defer implementing Items 1 and 2.
Since execution of the original agreement, the County’s consultant developed a design that will
provide increased flood protection more efficiently than the original concept. The refined BMP
design includes construction of approximately 4,900 feet of storm sewer pipe, connections to
the existing pipe, and an outfall. Implementing the refined design will improve the level of
service in Toniwoods above the minimum County criteria. This will be accomplished without
channel maintenance or implementing BMPs in the Preserve (items 1 and 2 above), at a cost
equal to the total agreement funding amount. The County anticipates implementing the other
two elements in the original scope through future agreements, contingent on obtaining
easements and availability of funds. Implementing the other elements in the future would further
improve flood protection in Toniwoods, and achieve water quality and wetland enhancements in
the Preserve.
The County will continue to manage the project. The County has acquired all construction
permits and the construction documents are at the 60 percent level of completion. The County is
scheduled to begin construction bidding in fall 2012.
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