Home

Jacksonville District

Run scraper

Bay County Public Works - Stormwater Treatment Facility

Basic information

Fill out these two fields at minimum.

— or —

How Big?

Where?

Links to source documents

Raw text

You can copy from here when filling out the rest of the page.

Bay County. Bay County Public Works. Panama City, Florida. PROJECT PURPOSE: Basic: Roadway widening, stormwater management and habitat restoration. Overall: To provide for improved traffic flow, safety, and stormwater along Jenks Avenue and to improve habitat for Panama City crayfish in Panama City, Bay County.

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: The Jacksonville District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) has received an application for a Department of the Army permit pursuant to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. §1344) as described below:

APPLICANT: Bay County Public Works

WATERWAY AND LOCATION: The project would affect waters of the United States including wetlands associated with widening Jenks Avenue between Baldwin Road and State Road 390 in Panama City, Bay County, Florida (Bay County parcel number 11740-200-000). Construction of the project will result in impacts to 3.87 acres of jurisdictional waters and wetlands for construction of the roadway, stormwater treatment facilities and conveyances.

Directions to the site are as follows: In Panama City, take Highway 98 (also known as 15th street) or 23rd Street east to Jenks Avenue. Take a left on Jenks Avenue and proceed north to Baldwin Road. The road widening project is located in the Jenks Avenue ROW, between Baldwin Road and State Road 390. The 27 acre parcel is located on the east side of Jenks Avenue immediately north of the Waterstone at Jenks apartments.

APPROXIMATE CENTRAL COORDINATES: Latitude 30.21469 ° N

Longitude - 85.66 ° W

PROJECT PURPOSE:

Basic: Roadway widening, stormwater management and habitat restoration.

Overall: To provide for improved traffic flow, safety, and stormwater along Jenks Avenue and to improve habitat for Panama City crayfish in Panama City, Bay County.

EXISTING CONDITIONS: The wetlands consist of ditches in the road right-of-way and freshwater systems (wet prairie and shrub swamp) on the 27 acre parcel. The Jenks Avenue right-of-way includes the existing roadway, utilities, roads and/or driveways to businesses, churches, medical facilities, and residential areas, maintained road shoulders, and ditches and swales. The roadside shoulder consists primarily of ruderal and ornamental plantings. The uplands on the 27 acre parcel consist of mesic flatwoods.

The wet prairie on the 27 acre parcel is a fire suppressed and hydrologically altered landscape that is currently dominated by several strata of woody shrubs. The groundcover has been eliminated or is suppressed. The vegetation observed includes: Slash pine (Pinus elliottii), black titi (Cliftonia monophylla), white titi (Cyrilla racemiflora), hairy huckleberry (Gaylussacia mosieri), bear nyssa (Nyssa ursina), variable leaf wax myrtle (Myrica caroliniensis), wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera), greenbrier (Smilax laurifolia), poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans), blueberry (Vaccinium spp.), bitter gallberry (Ilex coriacea), gallberry (Ilex glabra), fetterbush (Lyonia lucida), climbing fetterbush (Pieris phillyreifolia), swamp fetterbush (Eubotrys racemosa), sweet pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia) and swampbay (Persea palustris). Compared to a well-managed wet prairie the site has very low plant diversity. Few small remnants of higher quality wet prairie are present on the eastern boundary of the site between the mesic pine flatwoods and the shrub bog.

The shrub swamp on the 27 acre parcel is a fire suppressed and hydrologically altered landscape that is currently dominated by several strata of woody shrubs. The groundcover has been eliminated or is suppressed, mostly bare ground. The vegetation observed includes: A canopy of slash pine (Pinus elliottii), pond cypress (Taxodium ascendens) and black titi (Cliftonia monophylla). The strata below the canopy includes: black titi (Cliftonia monophylla), white titi (Cyrilla racemiflora), hairy huckleberry (Gaylussacia mosieri), bear nyssa (Nyssa ursina), variable leaf wax myrtle (Myrica caroliniensis), wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera), greenbrier (Smilax laurifolia), poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans), blueberry (Vaccinium spp.), bitter gallberry (Ilex coriacea), gallberry (Ilex glabra), fetterbush (Lyonia lucida), climbing fetterbush (Pieris phillyreifolia), swamp fetterbush (Eubotrys racemosa), sweet pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia) and swampbay (Persea palustris). Compared to a well-managed shrub swamp the site has very low plant diversity.

Vegetation observed in the ditches along Jenks Avenue includes: Beggar-ticks (Bidens mitis), false nettle (Boehmeria cylindrica), carex (Carex glauca), panic grass (Dichanthelium scabriusculum), erigeron (Erigeron vernus), hatpins (Eriocaulon decangulare), swamp violet (Viola lanceolata), mermaid weed (Proserpinaca pectinata), beak sedge (Rhynchospora spp.), rush (Juncus spp.), frogfruit (Phyla nodiflora), water primrose (Ludwigia spp.), blackberry (Rubus argutus), sphagnum moss (Sphagnum spp.), cinnamon fern (Osmunda cinnamomea), netted chainfern (Woodwardia aereolata), Virginia chainfern (Woodwardia virginica), Florida betony (Stachys floridana), coinworty (Centella sp.), pennywort (Hydrocotle sp.), Japanese climbing fern (Lygodium japonicum), Chinese tallow (Sapium sebiferum), bahia grass (Paspalum notatum), and torpedo grass (Panicum repens).

The existing area surrounding the Jenks Avenue right-of-way includes businesses, churches, medical facilities, and residential areas. The existing area surrounding the 27 acre parcel consists of a ditch and Jenks Avenue to the west; the Talkington Preserve and commercial and residential developments to the north; an apartment complex to the south; and a large ditch along the east side of the parcel.

PROPOSED WORK: The applicant seeks authorization to impact approximately 0.87 acre of jurisdictional ditches in the Jenks Avenue right-of-way (ROW) to construct road improvements and approximately 3.0 acres of altered wetlands on a 27 acre parcel (Bay County parcel no. 11740-200-000) located on Jenks Avenue to construct the associated stormwater treatment facility. The road widening project will include bike lanes, sidewalks, and two stormwater ponds. The project also includes restoration of approximately 16.8 acres of fire-suppressed, altered wet prairie and shrub bog on the 27 acre parcel. Restoration is proposed to reduce tree and shrub coverage to provide appropriate habitat for the Panama City Crayfish, which is proposed for federal threatened species listing. Restoration will be conducted by hand, chainsaw, or mowing/brush cutting, grapple or similar methods. Follow-up herbicide application may also be used.

AVOIDANCE AND MINIMIZATION INFORMATION – The applicant has provided the following information in support of efforts to avoid and/or minimize impacts to the aquatic environment: Additional impacts to wetlands were avoided by selection of the 27 acre parcel for the proposed stormwater ponds. Construction of the stormwater ponds on the 27 acre parcel will result in the least environmentally damaging practicable alternative, while allowing for the road widening project to be constructed.

Impacts were minimized to 3.0 (+/-) acres of altered, fire-suppressed wet prairie and shrub swamp on the 27 acre parcel and 0.87 (+/-) acres of ditches and swales in the road ROW. The project areas are surrounded by urban development, including roads, ditches and residential and commercial uses. The wetlands proposed for impact are fire-suppressed and hydrologically altered landscapes that are currently dominated by several strata of woody shrubs. The groundcover consists of primarily bare ground and the wetlands have very low plant diversity, providing little support or appropriate habitat for listed species.

The stormwater pond siting is limited by the need to be located near the ROW and inflow and outfall locations, and by the site topography. For staging of the eastern stormwater pond, there needs to be a difference between the inlet and outlet elevations. The site topography grades from higher elevation in southeast corner to a lower elevation in the northeast corner of the site. The western pond will be located adjacent to the Jenks Ave ROW to facilitate treatment of run-off from Jenks Avenue. The spatial arrangement of uplands and wetlands on the project site makes it impractical to site the ponds without impacts to wetlands.

COMPENSATORY MITIGATION – The applicant has offered the following compensatory mitigation plan to offset unavoidable functional loss to the aquatic environment: Mitigation credits will be purchased from a mitigation bank that is located in the same watershed to off-set impacts associated with the project.

CULTURAL RESOURCES:

The Corps is not aware of any known historic properties within the permit area. By copy of this public notice, the Corps is providing information for review. The final determination relative to historic resource impacts is subject to review by and coordination with the State Historic Preservation Officer and those federally recognized tribes with concerns in Florida and the Permit Area.

ENDANGERED SPECIES:

The Corps has determined the proposed project may affect, but is not likely to adversely affect the Eastern Indigo snake or its designated critical habitat. The Corps will request U.S. Fish and Wildlife/National Marine Fisheries Service concurrence with this determination pursuant to Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act. The project may affect, but is not likely to adversely affect the Panama City crayfish which has been proposed for listing. The Corps will request a conference opinion from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service pursuant to Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act.

NOTE: This public notice is being issued based on information furnished by the applicant. This information has not been verified or evaluated to ensure compliance with laws and regulation governing the regulatory program. The jurisdictional line has been verified by Corps personnel.

AUTHORIZATION FROM OTHER AGENCIES: Water Quality Certification may be required from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and/or one of the state Water Management Districts.

COMMENTS regarding the potential authorization of the work proposed should be submitted in writing to the attention of the District Engineer through the Panama City Permit Section, 1002 West 23rd Street, Suite 350, Panama City, Florida 32405 within 21 days from the date of this notice.

The decision whether to issue or deny this permit application will be based on the information received from this public notice and the evaluation of the probable impact to the associated wetlands. This is based on an analysis of the applicant's avoidance and minimization efforts for the project, as well as the compensatory mitigation proposed.

QUESTIONS concerning this application should be directed to the project manager, Ms. Tracey L. Wheeler, in writing at the Panama City Permits Section, 1002 West 23rd Street, Suite 350, Panama City, Florida 32405; by electronic mail at tracey.l.wheeler@usace.army.mil; by facsimile transmission at (850) 872-0231; or, by telephone at (850)763-0717, extension 24.

IMPACT ON NATURAL RESOURCES: Coordination with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Marine Fisheries Services, and other Federal, State, and local agencies, environmental groups, and concerned citizens generally yields pertinent environmental information that is instrumental in determining the impact the proposed action will have on the natural resources of the area.

EVALUATION: The decision whether to issue a permit will be based on an evaluation of the probable impact including cumulative impacts of the proposed activity on the public interest. That decision will reflect the national concern for both protection and utilization of important resources. The benefits, which reasonably may be expected to accrue from the proposal, must be balanced against its reasonably foreseeable detriments. All factors which may be relevant to the proposal will be considered including cumulative impacts thereof; among these are conservation, economics, esthetics, general environmental concerns, wetlands, historical properties, fish and wildlife values, flood hazards, floodplain values, land use, navigation, shoreline erosion and accretion, recreation, water supply and conservation, water quality, energy needs, safety, food, and fiber production, mineral needs, considerations of property ownership, and in general, the needs and welfare of the people. Evaluation of the impact of the activity on the public interest will also include application of the guidelines promulgated by the Administrator, EPA, under authority of Section 404(b) of the Clean Water Act or the criteria established under authority of Section 102(a) of the Marine Protection Research and Sanctuaries Act of 1972. A permit will be granted unless its issuance is found to be contrary to the public interest.

The US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is soliciting comments from the public; Federal, State, and local agencies and officials; Indian Tribes; and other Interested parties in order to consider and evaluate the impacts of this proposed activity. Any comments received will be considered by the Corps to determine whether to issue, modify, condition, or deny a permit for this proposal. To make this determination, comments are used to assess impacts to endangered species, historic properties, water quality, general environmental effects, and the other public interest factors listed above. Comments are also used to determine the need for a public hearing and to determine the overall public interest of the proposed activity.

COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT CONSISTENCY: In Florida, the State approval constitutes compliance with the approved Coastal Zone Management Plan. In Puerto Rico, a Coastal Zone Management Consistency Concurrence is required from the Puerto Rico Planning Board. In the Virgin Islands, the Department of Planning and Natural Resources permit constitutes compliance with the Coastal Zone Management Plan.

REQUEST FOR PUBLIC HEARING: Any person may request a public hearing. The request must be submitted in writing to the District Engineer within the designated comment period of the notice and must state the specific reasons for requesting the public hearing.

Rough impact

We use the fields in this section to decide whether to conduct an in-depth review.

Permit Manager

Dates

Identity numbers

Permits, certifications, and locations related to this particular notice

History of edits

Data are available as CSV download in the following schemas