EFTA00802723.pdf

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF TWO DOCKS AND A BARGE LANDING ON GREAT ST. JAMES ISLAND U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS PREPARED FOR GREAT ST. JIM, LLC. PREPARED BY BIOIMPACT, INC. BOX 132 KINGSHILL, ST. CROIX U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS 00851 [email protected] REVISED JANUARY 2018 EFTA00802723  TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION PAGE 1.00 NAME AND ADDRESS OF APPLICANT 1 2.00 LOCATION OF PROJECT 1 2.00.1 Location and Agency Review Map 1 2.00.2 Vicinity Map 2 3.00 ABSTRACT 2 4.00 STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES SOUGHT BY THE PROPOSED PROJECT 4 5.00 DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT 4 5.01 Summary of Proposed Activity 5 5.OIa Purpose of Project 5 5.01b Presence and Location of Any Critical Areas and Possible Trouble Spots 6 5.OIc Method of Construction 10 5.OId Provisions to Limit Site Disturbance 11 5.OIe Sediment Control Methods to be Implemented 11 5.01 f Schedule for Construction Activities and Implementation of Sediment Control Measures 11 5.OIg Maintenance of Sediment and Siltation Control Measures 11 5.02 Exhibits and Drawings 12 5.03 Project Work Plan/Schedule 18 6.00 ECOLOGICAL SETTING AND PROBABLE PROJECT IMPACT ON THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT 19 6.01 Climate and Weather 19 6.02 Landform, Geology, Soils and Historic Land Use 23 6.03 Drainage, Flooding and Erosion Control 28 6.04 Fresh Water Resource 32 6.05 Oceanography 32 6.06 Marine Resources and Habitat Assessment 40 6.07 Terrestrial Resources 50 6.08 Wetlands 52 6.09 Rare and Endangered Species 59 6.10 Air Quality 60 EFTA00802724  SECTION PAGE 7.00 IMPACT OF THE PROPOSE PROJECT ON THE HUMAN ENVIRONMENT 62 7.01 Land and Water Use Plans 62 7.02 Visual Impacts 62 7.03 Impacts of Public Services and Utilities 62 7.04 Social Impacts 63 7.05 Economic Impacts 63 7.06 Impacts on Historical and Archaeological Resources 64 7.07 Recreational Use 64 7.08 Waste Disposal 64 7.09 Accidental Spills 64 7.10 Potential Adverse Effects, Which Cannot be Avoided 64 8.00 MITIGATION PLANS 64 9.00 ALTERNATIVES TO PROPOSED ACTION 64 10.00 RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SHORT AND LONG TERM USES OF MAN'S ENVIRONMENT 66 11.00 REFERENCES 66 Appendix A Qualification Statements of Preparers Bioimpact, Inc. BCSC Dispova Appendix B Coral Relocation and Mitigation Plan Appendix C Water Quality Monitoring Appendix D Tree Boa Protection Plan Appendix E Pearson Artificial Reef Information ii EFTA00802725  1.0 NAME AND ADDRESS OF APPLICANT Great St. Jim, LLC 9053 Estate St. Thomas, Suite 101 St. Thomas, VI 00802 2.0 LOCATION OF PROJECT Great St. James Island is located to the southeast of the island of St. Thomas. The geographic coordinates of the island are 18° 18.583' N and 64° 49.752' W. The Temporary Barge Landing is located at 18° 18.902' N and 64° 49.802'W, the western Christmas Cove Dock is located at 18° 18.804' N and 64° 49.876' W, and the southern barge landing/dock is located at 18° 18.355' North L and 64° 49.659' W. The Location and Agency Review Mao and Vicinity Map follow. Cabin@ Point 0 -4% es 1east St SAM island Fit Cs te j \ w.t RCCE Noe TM Sumps I . kiln! 06 I 10 Figure 2.01 Agency Review Map, the entire island of Great St. James is within CZM first tier jurisdiction. The dock locations on the island are indicated. EFTA00802726  • Rot. Hoe* Steven C-.7 way NS. .fto Redhook RaY an M . ."1•7"'.... • Oa , C•bra • •, „C.* . • it . '.4.rdes , co* OP nryi Grtat N hay O O 1 .7° 15 C wan " e ,,, C. O t tune.% 0- 1 1/ - (6 • •• v-r-- ' 0.91 1SC se, s ircW•Ok ; - •.„6 s ic 44) Little St arnes . '• re; Dog .. iyand ;ni OP Figure 2.02 Vicinity Map showing Great St. James Island in relationship to the surrounding area. 3.00 ABSTRACT Great St. Jim, LLC is seeking to construct two docks, one of which is a combination dock/ barge landing, and a temporary barge landing to provide access to Great St. James Island. There is currently a small pile-supported dock located within Shallow Bay on the north side of the island. The bay is very shallow and vessels accessing the dock have damaged the shallow seagrass beds within the bay. At one time, there had been a concrete bulkhead at the shoreline with a small floating dock. The previous owner submitted an application for the existing dock which was approved by DPNR's Division of Coastal 2 EFTA00802727 Zone Management but was not approved by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers due to objections by National Marine Fisheries because of the shallowness of the bay. The dock was constructed by the previous owner despite not receiving the federal permit and notices were issued by the USACE requesting the removal of the unpermitted structure. The dock however was never removed. The applicant understands the issues with the existing dock and is proposing to remove the dock as soon as another dock is constructed and usable. A detailed study was done around the entire island to determine suitable locations for dock location. All ESA listed corals were located and docks and barge landings were designed to avoid these corals. A temporary barge landing is being proposed on the northwestern facing beach. This site is to the west of the salt pond and the associated wetlands. This a shoreline ramp which is 25 feet (ft) wide and 40ft in length extends to the Mean Water Line. The landing is free of both coral and seagrass colonization. The landing is excellent for short term transfer of material or equipment. The site is well protected from normal wave action but is periodically impacted by wave action from ferries which travel through current cut between Great St. James and St. Thomas. The wakes from these vessels make it an unattractive site for mooring a barge for any length of time at the site. This landing can be quickly constructed and utilized while the combination dock and barge landing on the southeastern side of the island is constructed. The western dock is proposed on the northern end of Christmas Cove. Historically there was a dock in this location and there are still old concrete piles lying in the shallows of this site. The proposed dock will be 10ft in width and 195ft in length extending 187ft from mean low water (MLW) and 193ft from mean high water (MHW). The dock extends beyond the nearshore hardbottom to a depth of 15ft out in the uncolonized sand to allow for safe dockage for deeper vessels. The southern dock is located off the point closest to Little St. James. The dock is "L" shaped and is 20ft wide (to allow for barge landing) and 150ft in length extending 141ft from MLW and I48ft from MHW, the "L" then turns east and extends 100ft by 20ft. A wave attenuating/reef creating system is proposed beneath the dock which will allow for more protected docking inside the dock when seas from the south are rough. The dock has 9ft of water depth of the southern end and 711 to 8ft on the inside of the "L". The dock has been designed so that barges can approach and land on the end of the dock while vessels can dock along the "L". After the hurricane Irma in 2017 the owner of the Great St. James assisted many of his employees and their families who had lost their homes and housed people on the island. In order to bring in emergency supplies, two small barge ramps were created near the locations of both proposed docks; one in Christmas Cove and one off the closest point to Little St. James. Both consisted of coral rubble and boulders pushed out into the water approximately 10ft. and both were 15ft. wide. These were noticed by the USACE during 3 EFTA00802728 aerial surveillance and the USACE requested the removal of the structures as well as the removal of some fill material which was deposited into the fringing wetland area while creating access to the southern emergency ramp. The southern ramp has been removed and the fill has been removed from the wetland area and white mangrove seeds have been being spread in the wetland and seedlings are beginning to sprout. The applicant is requesting that he be allowed to keep the emergency ramp in Christmas Cove until such time a permit is granted for the proposed barge ramp. This will facilitate the bringing of materials and supplies to the island until such time a permanent ramp can be built. 4.00 STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES SOUGHT BY THE PROPOSED PROJECT Great St. Jim, LLC is proposing to construct a temporary barge landing and an access dock on the western side of the island to be used for worker and guest access to the island and a combination barge landing/dock on the southeast side of the island on the point closest to Little St. James. The existing dock in Shallow Bay will be removed as soon as one of the docks is functional. The applicant is requesting to keep the emergency rubble ramp in Christmas Cove until such time that the proposed barge landing can be permitted and constructed. 5.0 SUMMARY OF PROPOSED ACTIVITY Great St. Jim, LLC is seeking to construct two docks, one of which is a combination dock/barge landing, and a temporary barge landing to provide access to Great St. James Island. A detailed study was done around the entire island to determine suitable locations for the dock locations and the sites with the least environmental impact were chosen. A temporary barge landing is being proposed on the northwestern facing beach. This site is to the west of the salt pond and the associated wetlands. This a shoreline ramp which is 25 feet (ft) wide and 40ft in length extends to the Mean Water Line. Two bollards will be placed to either side of the ramp and two moorings will be installed 75ft offshore on either side of the ramp in just over 7ft of water depth. The mooring will be installed using helix anchors and will use floating lines will be used to avoid seafloor disturbance when the moorings are not in use. The landing is free of both coral and seagrass colonization. The landing is excellent for short term pick up and drop off of material or equipment. The site is well protected from normal wave action but is periodically impacted by wave action from ferries which travel through current cut between Great St. James and St. Thomas. The wakes from these vessels make it an unattractive site for mooring a barge for any length of time at the site. This landing can be quickly constructed and utilized while the combination dock and barge landing on the southeastern side of the island is constructed. 4 EFTA00802729 The western dock is proposed on the northern end of Christmas Cove. Historically there was a dock in this location and there are still old concrete piles lying in the shallows of this site. The proposed dock will be 10ft in width and 195ft in length extending 187ft from mean low water (MLW) and 193ft from mean high water (MHW). The dock will connect to an access slab 12ft long and 2' thick. All the ESA listed coral species within the area were located and the dock footprint avoids all ESA listed species. The dock extends beyond the nearshore hardbottom to a depth of 15ft out in the uncolonized sand to allow for safe dockage for deeper vessels. The southern dock is located off the point closest to Little St. James. Again, all of the ESA corals were located, and the dock was designed to avoid these corals. The dock is shaped and is 20ft wide (to allow for barge landing) and 150ft in length extending 141ft from MLW and 148ft from MHW, the "L" then turns east and extends 10011 by 20ft. A wave attenuating/reef creating system is proposed beneath the dock which will allow for more protected docking inside the dock when seas from the south are rough. The dock has 9ft of water depth of the southern end and 7ft to 8ft on the inside of the "L". The dock has been designed so that barges can approach and land on the end of the dock while vessels can dock along the "L". The existing dock in the shallow northern bay will be removed as soon as one of the other two docks is functional. The dock will have the decking removed, and then the stringers and pile caps will be disassembled. This will all be done by workers from the shore. Once only the piles remain, a shallow draft barge will come into the bay and pull the piles out. If for some reason the piles cannot be pulled they will be cut off by commercial divers at the mudline. As soon as the proposed barge landing can be constructed the applicant will remove the emergency ramp from Christmas Cove. This will be done from the shoreline using a backhoe which will pull the cobble back on to the beach and spread it out along the back beach. The larger riprap boulders will be taken inland to use in landscaping. 5.0Ia Purpose of Project The purpose of this application is to provide access to the island of Great St. James. Great St. Jim, LLC is proposing to construct a temporary barge landing to be used during the construction of the other docks, an access dock on the western side of the island to be used for worker and guest access to the island, and a combination barge landing/dock on the southeast side of the island on the point closest to Little St. James. The existing dock in Shallow Bay and emergency ramp in Christmas Cove will be removed as soon as one of the docks and proposed barge ramp is functional. 5 EFTA00802730 5.01b Presence and Location of any Critical Areas and Possible Trouble Spots The island of Great St. James is within the Vessup Bay/ East End Red Hook Area of Particular Concern (APC) (Figure 5.01.1). The Vessup Bay/Red Hook APC is located on the eastern end of St. Thomas and includes Nazareth, Muller, Vessup, Red Hook, Great Bay, Cowpet Bay, Cabrita, Beck and Water Point, Great St. James, Little St, J, and Dog Island. Areas of Particular Concern in the STEER on St. Thomas • AfO•ntrc Ocr.n C•rtsto••n walSOA Se V s Vs VI I .011‘ Loynd ke ra c s lorlegn 1. STEER Boundary eg us veva ands 3 IS 0 Mks Figure 5.01.1 Areas of Particular Conem (STEER (2011) St. Thomas East End Reserve Management Plan. St. Thomas, USVI. The island also lies within the St. Thomas East End Reverse (STEER). STEER was developed to help protect coastal resources including seagrass beds and coral reef communities. The island of Great St. James is in area C of the reserve and is referred to as St. James (Figure 5.01.2). 6 EFTA00802731  Natural Resource Inventory St Thomas East End Reserve Committee December 4. 2008 The living Oceans Benthic Harlan (2001) . Medea denary seeress Rive( /ON Bare bads* paerenree ubble a AMOS. Via Ornery Bedrock. shay a calcanieull SP* R Rubble 4r- klanacnnic stream an Roads Vegetation Cover Dewloped St Meal scrub Beach Oars eorpaniansca bedrock Send Drees nee .e a encrudeg Marine Rages* OA Roth Cecerrer• MaaluOurr heal Deese nevus b Satel 5aMi Sig aka calameout A baret Vargrovatagxn Marraree COastar grasearg Fentrarifer pced Drees on cerawrent =eV an* gesanlia C Li Ca Cary / Margrove Lagoon Coastal /edge Mad am, "1, Rowse omit & Spa cover CDC. St Janes Wed dry shrubraM Sall RIO 444 p:Od . Sperm seeps S S te oxen 0 las aloe ems 17, Turf *RI acrinaletere do. cc.v... Port Boa Prd Oi i';t 1 ; "an eaRISIMMIla Figure 5.01.2 STEER boundaries. (STEER (2011) St. Thomas East End Reserve Management Plan. St. Thomas, USVI. The regulations for the St. James are as follows: St. James Subchapter Prohibited Activities within the St. James MRWS: Marine 96, Section Reserve and 96-3 • It is unlawful to remove any marine or other wildlife without Wildlife a permit or specific authorization from the Commissioner Sanctuary Subchapter Permitted Activities within the St. James MRWS: 96, Section 96-4 Acts permitted, provided a permit is first obtained from the Commissioner: • Scientific collecting in support of and for use in a research project with an approved protocol • The use of castnet with a minimum square mesh size of X inch to capture baitfish (fry) within 50 feet of the shoreline, except for Cow and Calf rocks • Fishing with hook and line 7 EFTA00802732 The marine habitats around Great St. James have abundant coral and seagrass resources. There are numerous ESA listed corals species near the proposed dock locations. Acropora palmata, Acropora. cervicornis, Orbicella annularis, Orbicella franksi and Orbicella faveolata as well as Dendrogyra cylindrus are found off all the beach from which the proposed docks and barge landings are planned. At the northern temporary barge landing site, these corals are located primarily to the west in an area of coral boulders and coral rubble. However, there are several small A. palmata and several 0. annularis located on the shoreline cobble which extends out to a depth of 6.5ft. The presence of these species as well as several non-ESA listed Porites astreoides has dictated the location of the ramp. The proposed temporary barge landing position avoids all coral and seagrass resources. Location of the western dock has a cobble beach between two areas of emergent bedrock and boulders. A. paknata occur on the emergent bedrock to the north. Offshore the seafloor quickly gives way to exposed pavement. There is a long linear depression right offshore and an old piling lies within this area. The fractured pavement then extends to approximately 11.5ft of depth over the next 100ft heading offshore. The area has some widely-scattered boulders and patchy coral colonization. There are scattered ESA corals including Orbicella and Dendrogyra. During the first survey, there was a very large A. palinata colony immediately seaward of where the old piling lay near shore. However, upon the next visit by the island it was noted that an old boat was tied nearshore apparently attached to the old piling. During a dive, several weeks later it was noted that the boat was gone and the large A. cervicornis had been badly broken. The location of all the ESA species has dictated the location of the dock. Approximately 75 corals will require relocation to minimize impact, but no listed corals will need relocation. The southern dock also extends from a cobble beach which gives way to rock pavement and has emergent bedrock and boulders on either side of the beach. There are Acropora colonies to the east and farther to the south on the bedrock and boulders. There are Orbicella and Dendrogyra within the embayment and their locations have dictated the location of the dock. The dock avoids all ESA listed corals but will require the relocation of approximately 75 corals. This southern dock will include a combination wave attenuator and reef building system. A mitigation plan has been prepared and is found in Appendix B. Because of the rock occurring in the area, some of the pilings may require socketing and if this is required special water quality measures will be taken. If at all possible a vibra- hammer will be used to drive the piles. A water quality monitoring program has been proposed and the plan is found in Appendix C. The area is known habitat to protect sea turtles and marine mammals and as such NOAA's Sea Turtle and Smalltooth Sawfish Construction Conditions will be followed as well as NOAA's Vessel Strike Avoidance Measures and Reporting for Mariners. 8 EFTA00802733 The property contains 6 salt ponds. The wetland around the salt ponds have been delineated and the delineations were approved by the U.S. ACOE during a previous application for development of the island. This delineation is more than 5 years old, but no wetland disturbance will occur as a result of this project. The island is known to be habitat to the St. Thomas Tree Boa that is a listed rare and endangered species. The boa as well as another species of snake have been seen during the field studies. There will be special corridors and preservation areas set aside on the island for these species. The access ways to the western and southern docks already exist, but the branch that will need to be developed to the temporary barge landing will be cleared by hand to limit impacts to the tree boas. A tree boa mitigation plan is found in Appendix D. Both emergency barge ramps consisted of cobble and boulders pushed out from the shoreline to create landings so that the barge would have sufficient water depth to land the supplies. Both ramps were pushed out over the uncolonized coral rubble and neither extend deep enough to encounter coral resources. No turbidity impacts were noted during the survey of the ramps. The southern ramp has since been removed. 5.OIc Method of Construction The temporary barge ramp will be the first feature constructed. The landing slab will be framed and poured from shore and the bollards will be installed near the shoreline. The cobble will be excavated with a small machine and silt fencing will be placed seaward off all excavation prior to any work. Divers utilizing a small boat will install the offshore moorings. As soon as this ramp is in the emergency barge ramp will be removed. The emergency barge ramp will be removed by backhoe from the shoreline. The cobble will be pulled in and spread on the back beach. The riprap will be taken inland to use in landscaping. The western and southern docks will both be constructed from a barge. A vibratory hammer will be used to drive all the piles if the hardness of the rock allows. If the rock proves to be too hard, the piles will be socketed, placed, and grouted in. All corals will be transplanted out of the footprint and area of impact prior to the start of construction and all turbidity control will be installed prior to any in-water work that day. If rocketing is required, seafloor length curtains will be used and monitored and not removed until water quality within the curtains has fallen to acceptable limits. All corals within the curtain limits will be removed to prevent damage by settling sediments. Once the pilings have been placed, re-enforcing steel will be placed, and concrete poured. Turbidity controls will be installed, and water quality monitoring will occur during all concrete pouring. Once the piles are completed the pile caps and decking will be placed. 1O EFTA00802734 Access slabs will be constructed from shore and silt fencing will be placed seaward of all excavations. The existing dock will be removed as soon as one of the access docks is functional. The decking and pile caps will be removed from shore. The pilings will be pulled by a small barge and if the pilings proved to hard to pull they will be cut off at mudline. 5.0Id Provisions to Limit Site Disturbance The dock locations have been located to minimize impact on the marine environment by avoiding all ESA listed corals and seagrass beds. Corals which cannot be avoided will be relocated out of the footprint and potential area of impact and turbidity control and water quality monitoring will be implemented. The branch of the road to the temporary barge landing will be first cleared by hand to minimize impact to the VI Tree Boa. A Tree Boa protection plan is found in Appendix D. 5.00e Sedimentation Control Methods to be Implemented. Silt fencing will be placed seaward of all upland excavation and construction. Turbidity bathers will be installed around all areas of in-work, including pile driving and concrete pouring overwater. If pile socketing is required two rows of turbidity bathers will be installed and these curtains will be seafloor length. These curtains will be maintained until the interior water quality has fallen to acceptable levels. 5.00f Schedule for Construction Activities and Implementation of Sediment Control Measures Silt fencing will be installed prior to any upland excavation and maintained throughout construction. All construction will be occurring in cobble areas without vegetation, so fencing will be maintained until such time no exposed soil is within the area. Silt fencing will be installed during the new access road clearing and maintained until such time the roadway is stabilized. Turbidity barriers will be installed before any in-water work and maintained until interior water quality is within acceptable levels. Double turbidity bathers will be required if pile socketing is required. 5.00g Maintenance of Sediment and Siltation Control Measures All silt fencing and turbidity bathers will be inspected and maintained through the construction period. Silt fencing will be inspected daily even when no construction is in progress (over weekends/holidays). Turbidity bathers will be monitored throughout the II EFTA00802735 day and will be repaired and adjusted as necessary as part of the water quality monitoring plan. Curtains will be maintained throughout the day and removed or secured as necessary when no in-water work is ongoing. 5.02 EXHIBITS AND DRAWINGS Drawing Page Proposed Temporary Barge Landing 11 Western Access 12 Southern Access Dock/Barge Access 13 As-built Drawings for Existing Dock 14 As-built Drawings for Existing Dock 15 12 EFTA00802736  lie • it ! MPli “ UR MOB A • L- r J DOltARD DETAIL (NTS) Cl NERAL M011S • mg:At=------- M141ICA • "t '''' OP 10), u s. toot,. =Lc . r •••••cm•a•A usta If into; n`...."•=r " l•••••0•••• SAL 1 POND LIMITS e ▪ st Swim 0921 2016 SI•••••••• •••••••••• ali.••••••• •••••••••••••• AMC SCA Ira 07.1121a alba ill011/60 'MO 'Da OF VIC/ LW ••••••••••••••• li•••• Swag. WINN dom. SITE OVERVIEW (I' • 80 ft) GSJ EFTA00802737  • g : : : . : • . • •-• '. ". ." . ". ". • • *Pi xirMAO PITS} Vain MN pnI 0 O • .1, • 041M1 000C PROCRI NOM, 01•04.e •••• MN '0 • MO •••••1411111 • MVO. •- 1 • I QEAI Cepa •\ r -antapPAIAINISONF Pa% CROSS SWOON GSJ 2 EFTA00802738  SAVEsousing..ant INNER STAMM°. WO* 400.040CSISK wasp MU CO•Siirtt aPPOOMS. SLY $111O1 SAND • • L 01 SOUTI4 SOE ELEVATCN EAST EUE ELEVATION Dell XDIPA n Cf•INCItO•410) MIPCO•inek art risme buoaS•slais S WISC. OA • UPI SOYA _..a_ WAVE ATTENUATION SETUP • M 5 • JrI V I 1;1 MA Maga • MS we • VI V ' SSW% n - .--- —ti 4 •SIC• 00Lit • • 8 ll•M• W.1.• .. q an. ;ASO LUX • tins:lust* IA 004 SIM • gi§ cc cr. • •• Ryes • • • I II .6.611. 1 sleSs TV MAP • - (N11.1 PILING PLAN (NTS) EFTA00802739  T SLOPE 1 CONCRETE SECTION CKING FULL LENGTH TO CONCRETE rxrVERTICAL SKIRT V\ BOARDS - 13.1 SPACING BEVELLED @ TOP vain hi hailers" be (SEE ELEVATIONS) NW( Ian On hens Matt dan s Dl MAN GREAT ST JAMES DOCK VX47911' SIGN POSTS Date Sirivalita 2. 20m SS. %firth. 210' STEPS TO WATER PRIVATE DOCK SITE SITE MAP MAP NO TRESSPASING GRAPHIC SCALE P.OPCRI• vide* VIOCO SUalvt tweetI VIXOCIRS VILL It PQCSICa -C 0