Integrating Watershed Management Into Transportation Projects FDOTs Perspective

Integrating Watershed Management Into Transportation Projects FDOT’s Perspective and Vision Carlton Spirio, P. E. 2018 Florida Water Forum

TODAY’S FOCUS üCurrent Stormwater Practices üWatershed Stakeholder Engagement üS. R. 82 Projects in Lehigh Acres 2018 Florida Water Forum

DOT Mission Statement: “…. and preserves the quality of our environment and communities. ” DOT Challenge: ü Don’t settle for the minimum; seek opportunities that address multiple watershed needs ü Identifying potential partnerships early in the Project’s Development 2018 Florida Water Forum

CURRENT FDOT APPROACH üDesign, Permit and Construct Either Off-site or Linear Stormwater Facilities üBenefits: • Typically easy to Permit and Maintain. • Potential source of embankment for the project. • FDOT owns and controls the pond usage. • Adequate BMP for sediment and trash collection. 2018 Florida Water Forum

TRANSPORTATION CHALLENGES üROW acquisition can be expensive and time consuming. üAcquisition involves multiple property owners and each of their attorneys. üMay involve Business damages and Cost-to-Cure fees. üOff-site ponds may result in additional wetland species impacts, which require additional mitigation costs to obtain the environmental permits. 2018 Florida Water Forum

üTypically, stand-alone ponds are inefficient. üCost of pond versus nutrient load reduction benefit is poor. 2018 Florida Water Forum üAesthetic and Land Use impacts to neighboring communities.

Traditional Pond Design Approach 2018 Florida Water Forum

TRADITIONAL DESIGN – DUAL DITCHES 2018 Florida Water Forum

IDEAL WATERSHED STRATEGY RESERVOIR UTILITY DRAINAGE CONVEYANCE 2018 Florida Water Forum

INTEGRATED WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLANNING (IWMP) Basic Concepts • Preserve the Natural Functions of the Watershed • Support Land Use Planning • Maintain/Restore Aquatic Ecosystems • Preserve and Plan for Water Supply Needs • Flood Control • Cost Effective Stormwater Management!!!!!! 2018 Florida Water Forum

INTEGRATED WATERSHED MANAGEMENT Benefits • Identify and Prioritize Critical Needs • Promote Sustainable Practices and Technologies Ø Water Resources Ø Stormwater Management Ø Agricultural Activities • Develop Solutions that Address More than One Need • Streamline Permitting Efforts 2018 Florida Water Forum

INTEGRATED WATERSHED MANAGEMENT Difficulties • Continuous Coordination amongst Stakeholders • Cooperative Funding • Impacts to Existing Infrastructure and Utilities • Aligning Project Schedules amongst Stakeholders • Permitting • Leadership/Political Turn-over 2018 Florida Water Forum

SR 82 PROJECTS Lehigh Acres West Marsh Preserve Hendry Canal 2018 Florida Water Forum

SR 82 REGIONAL APPROACH üEliminate Off-site Ponds and provide stormwater management within LAMSID’s existing canal system. üRequired Joint Use Pond Agreements (JUPA) with LAMSID. üFDOT had to acquire 100’ easements within nine of LAMSID’s canals. üLAMSID will construct the SW Weirs project which will provide significant water quality and flood control improvements to the overall community. 2018 Florida Water Forum

REGIONAL APPROACH BENEFITS üPSR off-site pond cost estimate = $13. 7 million üLAMSID option (including $3. 1 million payment to LAMSID) = $12. 2 million üSavings = $1. 5 million PLUS…… üReduced drainage pipe sizes = $2. 05 million üEliminated long term maintenance = $1. 08 million üTotal Estimated Savings = $4. 6 million 2018 Florida Water Forum

ROADWAY EMBANKMENT NEEDS üBy eliminating the offsite “Stand-alone” ponds, FDOT lost a direct source of available project “Fill” material. üConsequently, FDOT negotiated a deal to partially construct the West Marsh Preserve project as a “goes with” project, to mine replacement embankment material. üLAMSID will provide design and permits for the West Marsh Preserve project. üPlans will be submitted concurrently with SR 82 ERC reviews. üPlans shall include phasing to accommodate each segment of SR 82 independently. 2018 Florida Water Forum

Outflows to Orange River WEST MARSH PRESERVE CONCEPT PLAN Existing Harns Marsh Grade to El. 14. 0 2018 Florida Water Forum Inflow

WEST MARSH PRESERVE Assisting with construction of West Marsh Preserve: • • • Provides needed fill for Segments 1 and 2 of SR 82. • • • Deal with fewer property owners for ROW acquisition. Offset FDOT’s stormwater needs for segment 3 of SR 82. Eliminates FDOT’s long term maintenance responsibilities for the “Stand-alone” ponds within Segment 3. Provides greater nutrient removal within the watershed. Separate MOA executed with Lee County who owns the property. 2018 Florida Water Forum

HENDRY CANAL WIDENING Assisting with construction of Hendry Canal Widening: • • Provides fill source for Segments 3 and 4 of SR 82. • • Deal with fewer property owners for ROW acquisition. Offset FDOT’s attenuation needs for segments 3 & 4 of SR 82. Helps LAMSID achieve a regional flood control improvement. 2018 Florida Water Forum

CONCLUDING THOUGHTS üRequires Dynamic Thinking, Planning and Coordination üAbility to Target “REAL” Watershed Needs üMore Efficient and Effective Use of Financial Resources üPractical, Permittable, and Ecological Driven Solutions 2018 Florida Water Forum

WISH YOU WERE HERE!!!! Carlton Spirio, P. E. State Drainage Engineer Florida Department of Transportation 605 Suwannee Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399 (850) 414 -4351 Carlton. Spirio@dot. state. fl. us 2018 Florida Water Forum