Saturday’s 14 Annual Miami Riverday was a big success. Four boats, the Pearson Pontoon Boat, the Island Queen, Friendship and Celebration took over a 1,000 people for free down the Miami River. The four boats went continuously from 11 am till 3:30 pm. Besides the educational river cruises there were booths manned by environmental groups and others that educated children on various issues such as water use, the Everglades, safe boating and even the Masons offered information and tours of the neighboring Scottish Temple. The children participated in a brief lecture at each booth and collected a star for their participation. When they had enough stars they earned an olympic type medallion that hangs around their neck. It says: “Go Green.” One mother said: “My children have been to 4 Riverday Celebrations in row and they have a collection of all the medals hanging in their room, they are so proud of them.”The Miami River Commission, Bunnell Foundation, Island Queen Cruises, Robert L. Parks Law offices, The City of Miami, The South Florida Water Management District and Miami Dade County were among the many sponsoring organizations that made this event possible and for the 1,000 boat trips down the river to be offered FREE to the public!

It seems that since 2002, Miami-Dade is still drafting a plan — you might ask, where’s the stuff being disposed of now? Miami-Dade County’s Biosolids Master PlanThis project includes the evaluation of Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department’s (MDWASD) wastewater and water treatment facilities and operations, and preparation of a county-wide master plan to address biosolids treatment and disposal over a 20 year planning horizon. Project objectives included:a) Investigating specific biosolids management issues at each WWTP; b) Evaluating the cost and benefits of increasing the level of treatment at all biosolids processing facilities to meet Class AA standards; and c) Developing biosolids treatment alternatives taking into account costs and regulations, as well as environmental and public acceptance factors.===September 4, 2007www.co.miami-dade.fl.us/govaction/legistarfiles/Matters/Y2007/072024.pdf(Excerpt from the Executive Summary, page 1-14)1.7 Biosolids Master PlanOn the last renewal of the sludge hauling contract in 2002, MDWASD was directed to proceed with addressing the feasibility of treating all biosolids to Class AA level. This upgrade increases the disinfection levels of the biosolids, allowing for additional applications sites, such as use as fertilizer, for disposal. The first step taken by MDWASD was to issue a Request for Information regarding the alternatives available to achieve this goal. On the receipt of the various proposals, MDWASD decided to obtain the assistance of a consultant to evaluate the present biosolids processing and to make recommendations as to the appropriate upgrades to attain the Class AA treatment levels in the form of a Biosolids Master Plan. Camp Dresser &McKee, Ine (CDM) was selected for this assignment. The consultant, CDM, was retained. A draft Biosolids Master Plan was submitted to the MDWASD on March 31, 2007 and is presently under review. In the Plan preparation, a number of technologies were evaluated on various criteria including technical and cost bases. The final three technologies evaluated are as follows: – Advanced Digestion utilizing two phases. Higher temperatures would be utilizedfor the first high-rate phase to achieve the pathogen reductions necessary for ClassAA treatment levels. – Composting. An upgrade to the present system employed at the SDWWTP so that solar drying and composting would take place in enclosed areas so that the effects of rain would not impede the process. – Rotary Heat Dryers. Biosolids are dried using heat in rotating drums to form pellets. These alternatives produce different product consistency at solids concentrations ofapproximately 25, 80, and 95 percent, respectively. These factors affect the numbers and reliability of disposal sites for the processed biosolids. In view of the uncertainty of the continued sustained use of the various disposal sites for the products for each of these technologies, CDM has proposed that a diversified approach be taken. Under this plan, facilities using each of these technologies would be constructed for designated proportions of the sludge production. Accordingly, for each of the overall wastewater facilities alternatives developed, the same groupings of biosolids processing technologies were included. Taking into account improvements to the present biosolids systems at the CDWWTP and SDWWTP, the project costs for the facilities under the diversified approach are $360,180,000 and $356,670,000 for the alternatives with and without the new plant in the central west part of the County. MDWASD is presently reviewing Biosolids Master Plan draft and the consultant recommendations.

Today in the Miami Herald, reporter Andres Viglucci said:”In a big leap forward for preservationists trying to salvage the historic but dilapidated Miami Marine Stadium, the Miami-Dade Commission has unanimously agreed to provide $3 million toward the city-owned facility’s restoration.It’s the first chunk of money secured for the renovation, a priority of Miami Mayor Tomás Regalado, who said the grant will make it easier for the city and preservationists to attract additional funding. The cash-strapped city is unlikely to provide substantial funding directly, Regalado has said.”Our Virginia Key partners, Friends of Miami Marine Stadium, have worked on preserving the stadium, Viglucci said:”…the $3 million represents a major boon to preservationists, organized as Friends of Miami Marine Stadium, who launched what struck many as a quixotic battle to salvage the stadium at a time when the city intended to do away with it.”

Celebrate the Miami River at Lummus Park, 11 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 10th.

TROPICAL AUDUBON SOCIETY: April 25 |4 p.m. | 5530 Sunset Dr., South MiamiAt our annual event and silent auction, TAS will recognize longtime activist Alan Farago and DERM employee Gary Milano for their work in the environmental community in South Florida. Speakers will include Charlie Crist (invited), Eric Buermann and Craig Pittman.FRIENDS OF THE EVERGLADES: April 11, 2 p.m., Garden Room at Fairchild Tropical GardenGuest Speaker is Matthew Schwartz who will speak on: Back to the Jetport and other Big Cypress National Preserve issues. Honoree: Shannon Estonez who will receive the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Defender of the Everglades Award.The UEL will be having our annual meeting on June 17th.