ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

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. P.O. BOX 132 KINGSHILL, ST. CROIX U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS 00851 [email protected] REVISED JANUARY 2018 EFTA00803005 TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION 1.00 NAME AND ADDRESS OF APPLICANT PAGE 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 3 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 5 5.OIc Method of Construction 8 5.OId Provisions to Limit Site Disturbance 9 5.OIe Sediment Control Methods to be Implemented 9 5.01 f Schedule for Construction Activities and Implementation of Sediment Control Measures 9 5.OIg Maintenance of Sediment and Siltation Control Measures 9 5.02 Exhibits and Drawings 10 5.03 Project Work Plan/Schedule 14 6.00 ECOLOGICAL SETTING AND PROBABLE PROJECT IMPACT ON THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT 15 6.01 Climate and Weather 15 6.02 Landform, Geology, Soils and Historic Land Use 19 6.03 Drainage, Flooding and Erosion Control 24 6.04 Fresh Water Resource 29 6.05 Oceanography 29 6.06 Marine Resources and Habitat Assessment 37 6.07 Terrestrial Resources 47 6.08 Wetlands 49 6.09 Rare and Endangered Species 54 6.10 Air Quality 55 EFTA00803006 SECTION PAGE 7.00 IMPACT OF THE PROPOSE PROJECT ON THE HUMAN ENVIRONMENT 56 7.01 Land and Water Use Plans 56 7.02 Visual Impacts 56 7.03 Impacts of Public Services and Utilities 56 7.04 Social Impacts 57 7.05 Economic Impacts 57 7.06 Impacts on Historical and Archaeological Resources 57 7.07 Recreational Use 57 7.08 Waste Disposal 57 7.09 Accidental Spills 58 7.10 Potential Adverse Effects, Which Cannot be Avoided 58 8.00 MITIGATION PLANS 58 9.00 ALTERNATIVES TO PROPOSED ACTION 58 10.00 RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SHORT AND LONG TERM USES OF MAN'S ENVIRONMENT 59 11.00 REFERENCES 60 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 ii EFTA00803007 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° 49.802W, 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 Ma. and Vicinity Map follow. Calf Rock TM Swore, Cobrita Point 9 Reds- , sip ( -04 Fri lest St SAN sand 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. 1 EFTA00803008 Rod Hook , Hitt kedt.rok .. • .•: Redlwok Hair .,..Y .. .e• . Cap,40 •..C. ..r 1 10' . . . ., rat' 44,4, , - .0.-.4.,..L. c ...9)-04'"•--.4... .• 1 • • " (Incal. Rawst.v.n cay 88ayHr.' • al: 0 C. 0 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 EFTA00803009 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 I87ft from mean low water (MLW) and I93ft from mean high water (MHW). The dock extends beyond the nearshore hardbottom to a depth of l5ft 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 911 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". 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 3 EFTA00803010 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. 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. 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 I93ft 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 "L" shaped and is 20ft wide (to allow for barge landing) and 150ft in length extending 14Ift from MLW and 148ft 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 7ft to 8ft on the inside of the 4 EFTA00803011 "II". 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. 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 will be removed as soon as one of the docks is functional. 5.0Ib 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. EFTA00803012 Areas of Particular Concern in the STEER on St. Thomas • Atlantic Ocean a C•ribb••n S•a Maas al Paroculat Concern 11,• Legend 0 mosConcern us•Stent &MOON I SNP, ••• nc Sa STEER BeurKlary 6 26 OW.. 3 et us won 10 islandnun IE Figure 5.01.1 Areas of Particular Conem (STEER (2011) St. Thomas East End Reserve Management Plan. St. Thomas, USVI. 5 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). EFTA00803013 On bedrock pavement BeOrock. fleshy & caacarean Ape Rota& Dena gceacemens on bend( Dense missivea enceumeg Nees sepals Person tuverrent Sparse malt IV, algal cover Spine DVS & low acid CORM iloatpetraea reef giohle4 Sand itir -N-, Roads ist Se•-•*4°P.4.1 Otc.ouhl SG 1 Pucka lout Beach Sand a. goo. Marine Ronne R k payment <, UM., calcnousdelak/001 loreal %Panty an Allot Marva" Lagocet weer, *Gee Coastal gradJand Frealwater peed l Sand.. sOal+e tmegcsans C 0 CAN Car / Mangrove lagoon CortM hnflo owed swamp SAW s.agrMs CC: a Jarmo Mixed dry shrutia-cl Sall It SRI ROM, tud Soso ind mason CID. Cempen PON se pond °5 sac Oki*, ...—........ Figure 5.01.2 STEER boundaries. (STEER (2011) St. Thomas East End Reserve Management Plan. St. Thomas, USVI. 6 EFTA00803014 The regulations for the St. James are as follows: St. lames Marine Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary Subchapter 96, Section 96-3 Prohibited Activities within the St. James MRWS: • It is unlawful to remove any marine or other wildlife without a permit or specific authorization from the Commissioner Subchapter Permitted Activities within the St. James MRWS: 96, Section 964 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 baldish (fry) within 50 feet of the shoreline, except for Cow and Calf rocks • Fishing with hook and line 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 amzularis, 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. amiularis 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. palmata 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. pabnata 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. 7 EFTA00803015 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. 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. 5.0Ic 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. 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 socketing is 8 EFTA00803016 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. 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.OOe Sedimentation Control Methods to be Implemented. Silt fencing will be placed seaward of all upland excavation and construction. Turbidity barriers 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 barriers 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.OOf 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 barriers will be required if pile socketing is required. 9 EFTA00803017 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 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 I0 EFTA00803018 ...lot seas a- SAL 1 POND LIM! s 09.21 2016 A/MU VA Lfil1 WIC 411. SA 001140 IMO eAC ViC41A/541 ar - - NWT X MOORING ,117 L•41 e • tor nig galOal 0011PALNOTM rer.r.a=r"" uw SITE OVERVIEW (I' • 80 ft) 0I ; 5 yyy'7 Da1 ; GS.I EFTA00803019 ZI EFTA00803020 V S ate • PITS SITES .Ave AZISSellt MS SWISS 17 MP PINS111.01 4SIPCIOUTFIC COCS 0001•001 7 O SITE PLAN VIEW 00.•••••••• _NISMS OCISII•a ......... PILING CONFIGURATION ••••••••Vre.ttete.CIPM1.4 ..r.01,1••••••• Farina. •-••••••••••• *--...,••••••••Sulaa WAVE ATTENUATION SETUP GSJ 3 C. • EFTA00803021 T SLOPE 1 PRIVATE DOCK CONCRETE SECTION CKING FULL LENGTH TO CONCRETE rxr VERTICAL SKIRT BOARDS - 1 3.1 SPACING BEVELLED @ TOP (SEE ELEVATIONS) VX47911' SIGN POSTS 210' STEPS TO WATER NO TRESSPASING P.OPCRI• vide* VIOCO SUalvt tweet I VIXOCIRS VILL It PQCSICa -C 0 SITE MAP GRAPHIC SCALE V\ vain hi hailers" be NW( Ian On hens Matt dans Dl MAN GREAT ST JAMES DOCK Date Sirivalita 2. 2 0m SS. %firth. SITE MAP P-1.0 EFTA00803022 TEL EPHON POLE I=WI DI r11-1171911 1j9=0=iii--rin=ti 3-X8" JOIST FOR SKIRT —11=11= 2-X12-X 16- FASCIA IN FRONT OF JOISI7 1—lIl jg IT4 IRell1=111 ElliR_MB! is ii=iji— Har—wEdi—_ =!; -I CONCRETE =i•r=11 =ffialE iI II 1.!.:L.=.11;EdIE:Ei W 1-7Thraim, —.E-ELLEan=: m= SIDE SECTION GRAPHIC SCALE 0' 5' 10' Ii kora /data Der "rota are Dors 04017714HG GREAT ST. MMES DOCK sues Sent••••0112.1018 kale anrave SIDE SECTION P-2.0 EFTA00803023 5.03 Project Work Plan/Schedule • Temporary Barge Landing I. Placement of silt fencing 2. Excavation of footings 3. Framing of slab 4. Placement of bollards 5. Pouring of concrete 6. Removal of silt fencing once all areas are stabilized 7. Placement of moorings • Southern Dock I. Placement of turbidity bathers 2. Placement of piles - vibra-hammer or socketing 3. Placement of re-enforcing steel and pouring of concrete 4. Placement of pile cabs and deck slabs 5. Turbidity barriers moved/removed as necessary once interior water quality is acceptable 6. Placement of silt fencing 7. Excavation of footing 8. Framing of slab 9. Pouring of concrete 10. Removal silt fencing once all areas are stabilized • Western Dock II. Placement of turbidity bathers 12. Placement of piles/vibra-hammer or socketing 13. Placement of re-enforcing steel and pouring of concrete 14. Placement of pile cabs and deck slabs 15. Turbidity barriers moved/removed as necessary once interior water quality is acceptable 16. Placement of silt fencing 17. Excavation of footing 18. Framing of slab 19. Pouring of concrete 20. Remove silt fencing once all areas are stabilized teCII• ItTinthlt ZZ } 1••••••V I* • ...Ion if ins • lanai Ilia ties,le<WIti ren• IDLY. 41•I••••()C• • raarismil II lold.lirmr• Z rmeneitIp. A••••••••••••••• • Plmenele.elleft,lyneln/le.rlyteerevld 4 PlaWarci pit eb ••• NO *It — ♦ 44,••••IthaIre. OWII II W/. 04ID ▪ fter,I0C4I.se• IlifIJORDfile.sildallat.4041•4 ▪ ka4I+mlaltaVtlilluttin LI ka4I+Ilalph,Niatawetsk....• 1•••••I tIottex 4 Pe..., VC. tobb react• Yam • etrtatIl.nnmIFII.•*•,.•••reeennv 1•4W.Se•Dapi Nte0/804 • Ner•••••001len. iwn•rit•tItteve to hnikg • Maaca,.....n.• •4414ecyz•z• • N•.4.1•I•044.1 16 EFTA00803024 6.00 ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING AND PROBABLE PROJECT IMPACTS 6.01 Climate and Weather Prevailing Winds The Virgin Islands lie in the "Easterlies" or "Trade Winds" which traverse the southern part of the "Bermuda High" pressure area, thus the predominant winds are usually from the east-northeast and east (IRF, 1977). These trade winds vary seasonally (Figure 6.01.1) and are broadly divided into 4 seasonal modes: I) December to February; 2) March to May; 3) June to August; and 4) September to November. Below are the characteristics of these modes as taken from Marine Environments of the Virgin Islands Technical Supplement No. I (IRF, 1977). December - February During the winter the trade winds reach a maximum and blow with great regularity from the east-northeast. Wind speeds range from eleven to twenty-one knots about sixty percent of the time in January. This is a period when the Bermuda High is intensified with only nominal compensation pressure changes in the Equatorial Trough. The trade winds during this period are interrupted by "Northerners" or "Christmas Winds" which blow more than twenty knots from a northerly direction in gusts from one to three days. Such outbreaks average about thirty each year. They are created by strengthening of high-pressure cells over the North American continent, which, in turn, allow weak cold fronts to move southeastward over the entire Caribbean region. Intermittent rains, clouds and low visibility accompany these storms. March - May During the spring, the trade winds are reduced in speed and blow mainly from the east. Winds exceed twenty knots only thirteen percent of the time in April. The change in speed and direction is the result of a decrease of the Equatorial Trough. June - August Trade winds reach a secondary maximum during this period and blow predominantly from the east to east-southeast. Speeds exceed twenty knots twenty-three percent of the time during July. The trend for increasing winds results from the strengthening of the Bermuda High and a concurrent lowering of the pressure in the Equatorial Trough. Trade winds during this period are interrupted by occasional hurricanes. September - November During the fall, winds blow mainly from the east or southeast and speeds reach an annual minimum. Only seven percent of the winds exceed twenty knots in October. The low wind speeds result from a decrease in the Equatorial Trough. During this period, 17 EFTA00803025 especially during late August through mid-October, the normal trade wind regime is often broken down by easterly waves, tropical storms, and hurricanes. Storm and Hurricanes There are numerous disturbances during the year, especially squalls and thunderstorms. These occur most frequently during the summer, lasting only a few hours, and causing no pronounced change in the trade winds. A tropical cyclone whose winds exceed 74 miles per hour is termed a hurricane in the northern hemisphere, and significantly affects the area. These hurricanes occur most frequently between August and mid-October (Figure 5) with their peak activity occurring in September. The annual probability of a cyclone is one in sixteen years (Bowden, 1974). Climate No rainfall data is available for Great St. James. However, based on the vegetation on the island the island which is dry adapted, it is probable that the island gets between 36-45 inches of rainfall a year. Rainfall usually occurs in brief, intense showers of less than a few tenths of an inch and major rainfall events are associated with weather systems (USGS 1998). The Virgin Islands have no sharply defined wet season. The wettest period generally is from September to November, and the driest period is from January to June (USGS 1998). The Cruz Bay which is the closest monitored station receives between 39 inches of rainfall annually. The average rainfall received between 1972 and 2012 is found in the table below. CRUZ BAY, VIRGIN ISLANDS (671980) Period of Record Monthly Climate Summary Period of Record : 1/ 111972 to 3/31/2012 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Annual Average Max. 83.8 84.0 84.1 84.9 86A 88.0 88.9 89.2 89.0 88.2 86.7 84.6 86.5 Temperature (F) Average Min. 69.6 69.5 69.7 71.7 74.0 75.8 75.9 75.9 75.1 74.2 72.7 70.6 72.9 Temperature (F) Average Total Precipitation (in.) 2.65 1.89 1.89 3.49 4.18 2.50 3.41 4.65 6.02 4.81 6.28 3.25 45.02 Average Total 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 SnowFall (in.) Average Snow Depth (in.) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Percent of possible observations for period of record. Max. Temp.: 71.2% Min. Temp.: 71.8% Precipitation: 88.2% Snowfall: 93.3% Snow Depth: 93.2% Check Station Metadata or Metadata graphics for more detail about data completeness. Table 6.01.1 Climate data from the Southeast Regional Climate Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 18 EFTA00803026 The difference between the mean temperatures of the coolest and warmest month is only 5 to 7 degrees F. The highest temperatures August or September and the lowest are in January or February. The highest average daytime temperature in the warmest months is about 88 degrees F, and in the coolest months is in the low 80's. Nighttime lows are usually in the mid 70's during the warmer months and in the high 60's during the cooler months (USGS 1998). In general, air temperature in the Virgin Islands ranges between 77 degrees and 85 degrees. it it r. 2, at in en. 741 UV /21 Pre 41 1 are /.4, 'NI •.v aid fiat irs Wv ivy ti it -. at ... at r. at in % • ...-. ott...:-... ' `P.. 7-1 ' ismax.6 C ways, ts .% O .% CP: ril C). 0 0 WY * ittelital FEVISRt a% . inlaid On C ve.....7 •••••••-•-•—•-••••---.....-.... ................-.-........... toa:yji.•. L.-L....I = 1- • • 1. ' • • " -. ',at. -•-..-a-tatait .....tait i- \ SURFACE WINDS MY /11 Prs ..? " 01 01 I" O1 O1 4" 4,1 4" lat cr. 54-4 PM MIA rinitioti SIX US riled MOW ,,.,a. AK NC WI Figure 6.01.1. Prevailing Winds in the U.S. Virgin Islands, January through June 19 EFTA00803027 JIM.. , no WY II. r. i pry c. tri. „, In 111 IF. Tn. MY itw lalr trot Wad T. tee 1.3,4 And Geo lin4 try • 514 rig v. .r.............. .'......, ....... ............“......... -..--..-- ------- st ------------........-.,.... ,- ---- C•re .7:' 77...---.4:::::: •••••,.•. L.-,....-...-I .::::"•:°-"••-•-•• -....,- '::7:...... • •-ri.r. ............ •- ..... `..—..:rj' --. .— ...., c C--l?'" '--r ., JULY u um N. 0 • CA INNINItral SOPINIti 0 L> . . muss ISMER sCe CO % Q I I / \ IMF et Usual elOdl • kaalaul OCICS0t C> MRIAleil CCCDEE0 . .4: ... . ..,......_......._,........... • • ..... ..........•................ /\r_ -%. S SURFACE WINDS ry rn m kr. 4. try .1,, W. 4v. Cr+ .r. Q. Gn ors rni MM MI MOS SOL VA al SAM AU NOS WS MI Figure 6.01.2. Prevailing Winds, U.S. Virgin Islands July through December. Figure 6.01.3. Tropical Hurricane Frequencies in the Virgin Islands (National Weather Service . 20 EFTA00803028 0 2 on 0 N on -ctO a. Hurricanes and Tropical Storms Hurricanes O O 0 O O z O N O -110 -100 90 • 80 -70 - 60 • 50 -40 •30 • 20 • 10 0 Humber of Storms per 100 Years NOAA Figure 6.01.4. Tropical Storm and Hurricane Occurrences in the Atlantic (National Weather Service) 6.02 Landforms, Geology, Soils, and Historic Use GEOLOGY OF ST. THOMAS, ST JOHN AND SURROUNDING CAYS The Virgin Islands are near the northeastern corner of the present Caribbean Plate, a relatively small trapezoidal -shaped plate that is moving eastward relative to the North and South American continents carried on the American plate. The arc of the Lesser Antilles is an active volcanic arc above a subduction zone in which the Atlantic oceanic crust of the American Plate is carried downward under the Caribbean Plate. The closest volcano to the Virgin Islands that is still active is Saba, about 160 km. to the east. St. John is 7 miles long and 3 miles wide for a total of 12,000 acres or 19 square miles. The oldest rocks of St. John are submarine lavas (keratophyre and spilite), beds of volcanic debris and chert. Associated intrusive rocks of the Water Island Formation is overlain by andesitic volcanic and volcanoclastic rocks of the Louisenhoj Formation which underlies the island of St. Thomas to the east and much of the northwestern portion of St. John. Donnelly (1966) suggested that the Louisenhoj Formation was deposited unconformably on the Water Island Formation after a period of emergence, tilting and erosion, on the slopes and environs of a subaerial volcanic island located roughly between St. Thomas and St. John, an area now occupied by Pillsbury Sound. The youngest layered deposits on St. Thomas are volcaniclastic rocks of the Tutu Formation. Fossils contained in the Tutu Formation suggest that those deposits are of the Early Cretaceous (Albain) Age (Donnelly et. al. 1971). It appears that all of the volcaniclastic rocks of St. Thomas and St. John were deposited in a relatively short period of time spanning 10 to 15 million years approximately 100 million years ago (D. Rankin 1988). 21 EFTA00803029 GEOLOGY OF GREAT ST. JAMES The island which lies off the eastern tip of St. Thomas is irregularly shaped, and has two fault lines running across the island. The island is comprised of 162 acres and rises to an elevation of 186 feet above sea level. The island is a part of the Water Island Formation that was lain down in the Lower Cretaceous. The northern tip is tonalite, gabbro and granite from the tertiary period, the north-western tip as well as the southeastern tip of the island is basalt, and the southwestern tip is undivided, mostly keratophyra. The central portion of the island and the northeastern point is part of the Louisenhoj Formation. The shorelines are a combination of sandy beach, cobble beach and shear rocky cliffs. There are 6 salt ponds on the island. SOILS OF THE PROJECT SITE The Custom Soil Survey of the Unites State Virgin Islands has classified 6 soil types on the islands of Great St. James. Cinnamon Bay gravelly loam (CgC), 5 to 12 percent slopes, occasionally flooded is usually found on alluvial fans and terraces adjacent to volcanic uplands. It has a surface layer which is 0 to 5 inches deep that is a very dark grayish brown gravelly loam, the subsurface is 5 to 10 inches deep and is a dark brown gravelly loam. Redhook extremely stony sand (RdB), 0 to 5 percent slopes, rubbly, rarely flooded is usually found on coast beaches that are composed of calcareous sand. It has a surface layer 0 to 7 inches deep of dark brown extremely stony sand, underlain with 7 to 10 inches of brown very stony and 10 to 16 inches of very pale brown very gravelly sand below which is 16 to 60 inches of white very gravelly sand. Salt flats ponded (SaA) consist of area of unvegetated saline flats, saline marshes and salt ponds. The soils are very deep and poorly drained, strongly saline and frequently ponded for very long periods. Southgate -Rock outcrop complex (SrE), 20 to 40 percent slopes is found on the summits and side slopes of volcanic hills and mountains. It has a surface layer of 0 to 5 inches of brown gravelly loam and a subsoil of 5 to 10 inches of brown very gravelly loam underlain by 10 to 17 inches of weathered igneous bedrock and 17 to 60 inches of unweathered igneous bedrock. Southgate -Rock outcrop complex (SrF), 40 to 60 percent slopes is found on the summits and side slopes of volcanic hills and mountains. It has a surface layer of 0 to 5 inches of brown gravelly loam and a subsoil of 5 to 10 inches of brown very gravelly loam underlain by 10 to 17 inches of weathered igneous bedrock and 17 to 60 inches of unweathered igneous bedrock. Solitude gravelly fine sandy loan (SoA), is found in areas that are adjacent to saline marshes, flats and salt ponds and are a mixture of terrestrial and marine sediments. 22 EFTA00803030 CUMOM SOS IIII•010011 Riven Sol Ma If 06 I I I I I I I I 9 NS leliPte• •JOIsslidleAbilimatill Innen* Imo a a A1. Zees Coniminall• insineaim.OPM Figure 6.02.1 Custom Soils map of the project area (USGS Custom Soil Survey (https://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/App/WebSoilSurvey.aspx) HISTORIC USE I I I I I I I I The archeological survey found no evidence of prehistoric habitation. There are no structures shown on the island before 1760 on any of the historic maps. The island is reported to have been under cultivation since the 1760. Around 1770, a cotton plantation was established and cotton was cultivated until approximately 1815. Great St. James was continuous occupied between 1760 and 1911. Today there is a house and complex located off the northern bay which is often referred to as Shallow Bay ADVERSE SITE CONDITIONS The island is protected by its location between St. Thomas and St. John and the surrounding cays. The northern temporary barge landing is protected by the other cays to the north, and St. Thomas and St. John to the west and east. Waves do attenuate in Pillsbury Sound and the area can be effected by large seas and swells. However, there are no offshore structures other than the buoys and barges using the site should be moored no more than a couple of hours. Under normal sea conditions the Christmas Cove Dock and the Southeastern Dock/Barge Landing are well protected by their locations in relation to the prevailing seas which are 23 EFTA00803031 usually from the east, southeast or northeast. During storms and during some periods of the winter, seas can approach from the southwest. The Christmas Cove dock could be effected by waves approaching between 220° to 250° and the Southwest dock would be effected by waves coming from 210' to 240'. Waves occur from this direction primarily during storm events. When seas become extremely rough or storms approach vessels would be taken to more protected anchorages. All three sites lie with area VE elevation 8ft where FEMA has determined that the 100- year flood elevation with velocity will be 8ft as shown on FIRM maps 45 and 30 below. Figure 6.02.2. FEMA FIRM Map Panel 45 of 94. 24 EFTA00803032 Figure 6.02.3 FEMA FIRM Map Panel 30 of 94. The U.S. Virgin Islands lie in one of the most earthquake prone areas of the world, and are susceptible to ground shaking, earthquake -induced ground failures, surface fault ruptures and tsunamis (tidal waves) (Hays, 1984). The activity is mostly associated with large-scale tectonic activity or faulting, originating in the Anegada Trough to the northeast of the islands. The trough and its related scarp apparently were thrown up by block faulting during the late Pliocene or early Pleistocene. It is oriented generally northeast to southwest, separating St. Croix from Puerto Rico and the other Virgin Islands. Based on shallow focus earthquakes, the Anegada Fault Trough is estimated to be more than 400 miles in length. There are indications that strike slip movement is occurring, with St. Croix shifting northeast relative to Puerto Rico (Puerto Rico Water Authority 1970). The year 2017 marks the 150th anniversary of the last major earthquake in the islands. This quake, which occurred on November 18, 1867 had an identified intensity of VIII on the Modified Mercalli Scale. Earthquakes of this magnitude have generally been associated with epicentral ground accelerations of between 0.05 and 0.35 gravities. Since the 1868 quake, there has been continuous low intensity activity, all below 6.0 Richter. Thousands of tiny earthquakes are encountered every year on the island. 25 EFTA00803033 IMPACT OF SITE GEOLOGY ON THE DOCK The site geology will have little impact on the construction and placement of the temporary barge landing. Both other docks will be impacted by the site geology which will dictate how the pilings can be installed. It is probable that the pile in the pavement areas will have to be socketed. Once beyond the pavement a vibratory hammer can be utilized. IMPACT OF THE EXISTING DOCKS ON GEOLOGICAL RESOURCES No dredging or filling is proposed, therefore there will be negligible impact on the geology of the area. 6.03 Drainage, Flooding, and Erosion Control 6.03a Impacts of Terrestrial and Shoreline Erosion The project includes the construction of 3 landing or access pads on cobble beaches between rocky headlands. These pads are all limited in size the largest being just over 1000sqft. Due to the small size of these introduced impervious surfaces none should result in any notable change in terrestrial runoff. Both docks are pile supported and in areas of rocky or cobble beaches. Neither dock site has sand deposition on the beach and the cobbles found on both beach are moved by wave action rather than littoral transport. The construction of the docks should not result in any shoreline erosion. 6.03b Relationship of the Project to the Coastal Flood Plain All three sites lie with area VE elevation 8ft. where FEMA has determined that the 100- year flood elevation with velocity will be 8ft as shown on FIRM maps 45 and 30 provided in Section 6.02. 6.03c 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. 26 EFTA00803034 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). 27 EFTA00803035 TM lirvng Oceans Bunt lc Habotat (2001) Rant Dadra pavement Bedrock. Slaw a caicamouS roue Nam gasp:flans co NOD* Dense own, IL rasing Dense warms 0cyota on peasmont Sane co-aks b NA algid cover Sauna curia a ro. algal cover ratan donut 14419/JSS Montataaaa rail Rabe Sand Sand.( ea* L-5 Sal vd Caareare =Minal Kale dorpcans Sone seagran C' Turl ads and %Was Natural Resource Inventory SI Thomas EaSlEnd R0Sende C0Mattro Decen:el 4. 2008 RN. / Cul a Mated Wa Ovate, eibiA — moo.° aeons (DE pt 10/9041110r1 Cover Padre Italdee " Sersp".3Pedli (Taunt '-\.. Roads A fly/ Mavrowt Lagool decal for i C s c.. C. 'Marrow , U900° C°""ThaStal =Mi mingriFneno P:al i /Axed dry shrub's-NO Sal ISIS* ton CIC St James C D Canon. pen UM poai OS an, maan ri IllIsloilaill St Truck. scrub Beach Rod( poomont Figure 5.01.2 STEER boundaries. (STEER (2011) St. Thomas East End Reserve Management Plan. St. Thomas, USVI. 28 EFTA00803036 The regulations for the St. James are as follows: St. lames Marine Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary Subchapter 96, Section 96-3 Prohibited Activities within the St. James MRWS: • It is unlawful to remove any marine or other wildlife without a permit or specific authorization from the Commissioner Subchapter Permitted Activities within the St. James MRWS: 96, Section 964 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 baldish (fry) within 50 feet of the shoreline, except for Cow and Calf rocks • Fishing with hook and line 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 amzularis, 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. amiularis 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. palmata 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. pabnata 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. 29 EFTA00803037 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. 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. 6.04 Fresh Water Resources There are no freshwater resources on the island of Great St. James. There is no potable water use planned for either dock or the temporary barge landing. 6.05 Oceanography 6.05a Sea Bed Alteration 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 conducted around the entire island to determine suitable locations for the dock locations and sites with th