REPORT OF EXCESS TURBIDITY

REQUEST FOR IN-WATER INVESTIGATION

PHIPPS BEACH PROJECT 328802-003-BMA
The purpose of this correspondence is to report elevated turbidity levels at the Phipps
beach renourishment project and provide evidence of reef siltation likely associated with
the project. On January 12, 2016, Reef Rescue volunteers collected water samples at the
locations presented on Figure 1. Results of our turbidity analysis found two samples
above the permit compliance requirement of 29 NTU above background. One sample,
approximately 1,345 meters downcurrent of the beach discharge point, had a value of
31.5 NTU (30.3 NTU above background) and a second sample, 1,176 meters
downcurrent, of 33.1 NTU (31.9 NTU above background). A background sample
collected 960 meters upcurrent was 1.20 NTU.

Figure 1
In addition to performing water quality analysis on January 12, we stood by offshore with
Loggerhead Dive Charters while divers from Wet Pleasures Dive Outfitters videoed
conditions on Horseshoe Reef at 56 feet below surface. The location, presented on Figure
2, was approximately 2,500 meters southeast of the beach discharge point. The video
documents conditions on the western, shoreward slope of the reef. The dredge Alaska had
been actively dredging in the project area since January 8, only stopping briefly when
relocating to new borrow areas. The divers video posted on YouTube at:
https://youtu.be/470a-ayIHOs, begins with the divers on the bottom showing the nearly
completely obscured reef surface and their depth gauge reading 56 feet. The video
continues as they ascend toward the surface with reduced sediment in the water column
above 40 feet.

Palm Beach County Reef Rescue, January 14, 2016

Figure 2
This offshore reef as well of others in the area is a primary diving destination in Palm
Beach County critically important to the health of the ecosystem and local economy. The
photo below, taken before the project began, depicts a 4 foot diameter brain coral on
Horseshoe Reef located only about 350 meters NNE of the videos location. It is
imperative that these coral reef resources be protected.

Brain coral Horseshoe Reef, Palm Beach County

Palm Beach County Reef Rescue, January 14, 2016