Traditionally, Miami-Dade's Department of Environmental Resources Management (DERM) has taken a strongly proactive role on issues affecting the water quality, habitat, and general environment of the Miami River. For many years, Miami-Dade County also served as the informal sponsor of the Miami River dredging effort. While the leadership of the dredging effort has recently been undertaken by the Miami River Commission, DERM is still an active participant of the MRC Dredging Committee, the Miami River QAT and the Miami River Enforcement Group. While the environmental health of the Miami River depends upon the cooperation and dedication of all Miami River entities ­ neighborhoods, businesses, and a host of agencies (Coast Guard, Florida's DEP and the EPA, among others) ­ DERM continues to exercise high visibility and strong enforcement on the Miami River.

Early in 1998, DERM determined that its program effectiveness, efficiency and productivity could be improved by eliminating program overlap and duplication of staff effort. For example, a boatyard might be visited by several inspectors to check permit compliance for marine facility management, industrial waste management, air quality or underground tanks, yet different inspections are required if the boatyard needs to repair docks or bulkheads. Still another group of staff checks for environmental compliance and follows up on enforcement issues. As a result, several programs were consolidated to form a new Miami River management group within DERM.

The newly organized team is part of the Coastal Resources Section in the Natural Resources Division. The team focuses on permitting and enforcement in the Miami River watershed, and continues to implement the marine facilities operating permit program (the MOPs). The Miami River team also oversees grants for derelict vessel removal and Wagner Creek enforcement. This approach is expected to reduce duplicative or even contradictory requirements, and enhance the working relationship of the department and the regulated community. DERM's Miami River management team regularly reports on environmental protection to the QAT.

PROBLEM: Abandoned or derelict vessels continue to appear on the Miami River, posing navigational and/or environmental hazards, despite ongoing and successful removal efforts.

Derelict vessels continue to cause environmental and navigational problems on the Miami River and its tributaries. Often derelict vessels may contain substances on board that, once discharged to the waters of the Miami River, become pollutants and add to contaminated sediments. News reports in the early summer of 1999 attributed a seven-mile oil spill to the derelict Sea Witch, which sank before it could be removed.

SOLUTION: Continue the current Derelict Vessel Removal program operated by the Florida Marine Patrol (FMP) and DERM. Continue the QAT search to improve options for prompt removal, including establishment of a dedicated funding source, strengthening local mooring codes, and enhancing local authority to remove abandoned vessels. Educate the public that derelict vessels should be reported immediately to the Florida Marine Patrol at (305) 795-2145.

The Florida Marine Patrol tracks derelict vessels as part of the state's Derelict Vessel Program. When a vessel is reported, the FMP then inspects it to determine if the vessel is indeed derelict. The FMP then attempts to identify the owner to order removal. Identified vessel owners who ignore FMP orders are subject to penalties, arrest and prosecution.

Because of the agency's rigorous search for vessel owners and its ability to seek penalties, the FMP has successfully forced owners of abandoned vessels to remove them, saving taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars. If ownership is impossible to determine, the vessel is placed on a list maintained by the FMP for vessel removal. The FMP has dedicated a law enforcement officer exclusively to enforce derelict vessel regulations and accelerate the administrative steps related to documenting derelict vessels.

Funding for removal of derelict vessels comes from the Florida Derelict Vessel Removal Program and the Florida Inland Navigation District. In the latter part of 1998, Miami-Dade County was awarded $78,500 to remove more than 40 derelict vessels from County waters, including 15 from the Miami River. In a revised contractual process encouraged by the QAT, listed vessels are now grouped in geographic areas for greater cost effectiveness and efficiency of removal, in the hopes of speedier removal. The QAT will continue to assess options to eliminate the problem of derelict vessels.

PROBLEM: How to involve the marine community and marine facilities in creating and implementing Best Management Practices.

SOLUTION: Continue support for the Marine Facilities Annual Operating Permit Program and the Marine Facilities Advisory Committee from the QAT and marine community.

Implemented in 1990 by Ordinance 89-104, DERM's Marine Facilities Program regularly inspects more than 85 permitted facilities on the Miami River and its tidal tributaries. These facilities include shipping terminals, boatyards, boat repair facilities, recreational docking facilities, commercial salvage and fishing operations and boat manufacturers. The Marine Facilities Best Management Practices (BMPs) were developed by the program in concert with the Marine Facilities Advisory Committee and serve as guidelines for day to day operations to promote "good housekeeping" practices.

Examples of BMPs include the segregation and proper disposal of wastes such as oil, fuel, solvents and waste paint; the maintenance of sewage pumpout systems for vessels; and control techniques for pressure cleaning, bottom paint removal, sand blasting or spray painting. Compliance with BMPs reduces pollution and allows facilities to minimize wastes generated from various processes performed on site.

Miami-Dade County's annual celebration of Biscayne Bay, Baynanza, also encourages public stewardship for the Miami River. As part of Baynanza '99, volunteers assist in the clean up of three sites along the shores of the Miami River: Jose Marti Park, Sewell Park and Curtiss Park. More than 100 volunteers participated in this year's event. Everything from automobile tires, lumber, plastics and shopping carts were removed from the shoreline's public parks under this volunteer program. Organizers will continue to seek ways to expand Baynanza to other sites along the Miami River.

Phone: (305) 637-7977
Fax: (305) 637-7949
Email: [email protected]