PTB Oyster and Seagrass Mitigation & Monitoring

Birkitt Environmental Services, Inc. (Birkitt) provided environmental services to Port Tampa Bay for the Oyster & Seagrass Mitigation & Monitoring.  Birkitt provided support to Port Tampa Bay for replacement of seagrass and oyster mitigation projects originally proposed for mitigation for the dredging of Berth 150.  The original mitigation projects implemented previously by others were determined to be unsuccessful. Birkitt identified potential areas in Tampa Bay for seagrass and oyster mitigation. Three potential seagrass mitigation/recipient areas were surveyed to select the most appropriate areas for seagrass mitigation. Potential areas for oyster mitigation were also identified. Birkitt submitted an Environmental Resource Permit (ERP) modification application to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) which included a UMAM analysis, proposed seagrass transplantation methods, monitoring methods, and success criteria. Coordination with the Hillsborough County Environmental Protection Commission and the USACE was also required. Permits have been received from all three regulatory agencies. Birkitt is providing monitoring services for the mitigation areas.