COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT SERVICES

Many HOAs and CDDs are responsible for handling unique situations and concerns in their communities. Johnson Engineering can help ease the workload by assisting with monitoring, permit compliance, inspections, feasibility studies and assessments, design consulting, and facility upgrades.

Florida’s sunshine and blue waters draw visitors and residents who are looking for the comfort and pleasure of a beautiful, high quality environment in which to live, work, and enjoy life. This attraction to the area has brought about development of many master planned communities which we’ve been a part of throughout our 63 years in business here. We have provided our diverse range of surveying, planning, engineering, environmental, transportation, landscape architecture and hydrogeological services to build and maintain the quality of these types of communities throughout Florida.

From the front end, our designers and technical experts prepare the plans for residential, commercial, and mixed use developments. Eventually, most of these developments transfer from the control of developers to the control of Homeowner Associations (HOA) and Community Development Districts (CDD). These HOAs and CDDs are typically served by a management company or staff, and over the years they are faced with managing and maintaining unique situations and concerns of their communities. We are well positioned to assist with the challenges and desires of residents and property managers as their community matures. With the advantage of our expertise in the front end design and implementation of community development projects, we are prepared to assist with ongoing requirements and changing needs that arise.

Monitoring, permit compliance, inspections, feasibility studies and assessments, design consulting, and facility upgrades are just a few services our experts can handle. We have outlined below the services we provide to assist in community development and longevity.

Planning and Development Services
For both new and established communities, our engineers and certified planners have the expertise to help maintain and improve their unique character. We can help with strategies to fulfill permit compliance as well as accomplish community goals. We can also provide:

Preserve and Wildlife Management Services
Our ecologists can develop and implement a specific preserve and wildlife management plan to benefit wildlife and reduce the potential wildfire risk. We conduct environmental surveys to evaluate the presence of protected wildlife, locate wildfire risk areas, and identify invasive plants threatening natural ecosystems. We offer preserve planting restoration, littoral shelves stabilization, and delineation of preserve boundaries. We can research and review the community’s local, state, and federal operating guidelines to verify its compliance. Our team can:

Irrigation Services
Our team of utility engineers and professionals can analyze a community’s irrigation system and provide the best recommendation for improvements to make the system function efficiently and ultimately save the community money. We can help by providing the following services:

Water Use Permit Compliance Monitoring Services
Most residential communities hold irrigation water use permits that commonly include limiting conditions which require the periodic collection of data and submittal to Water Management Districts (WMD). We routinely perform these data collection and reporting services for HOAs, CDDs, resorts, golf courses, agricultural operations, and government entities throughout Florida. Our hydrogeologists and environmental scientists can assist with:

Landscape Architecture Services
It has been said time and again that the biggest return on the investment a homeowner can make is proper landscaping. Our landscape architects can upgrade the design of landscape elements for better curb appeal, adjust plants for less maintenance and reduced water consumption. We can also provide:

For more information on how Johnson Engineering can assist with your community management needs, contact Laura DeJohn at 239.461.4331.

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JOHNSON ENGINEERING PARTICIPATES IN LOCAL WORKSHOPS FOCUSED ON ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Johnson Engineering sponsored the first annual Charlotte County Green Expo and Energy Options Conference this past November, by providing a greenhouse gas assessment of the multi-day event and assistance in event coordination. The expo highlighted the sustainable products and services of more than 60 exhibitors attracting more than 2,000 visitors. In addition, the conference brought together an impressive array of speakers to discuss positioning Southwest Florida as a leader in the alternative energy industry.

The event was spear-head by the Charlotte County Economic Development Office (CEDO) as a part of their targeted efforts to attract alternative energy companies and “green” businesses to the region to boost the local economy. During the event the CEDO was excited to announce their success in already attracting two innovative European companies to Charlotte County. According to a recent economic analysis, clean energy and climate legislation have the potential to create a substantial demand in the alternative energy and energy efficiency sector, and is forecasted to create 78,000 jobs in Florida by 2020. Charlotte County is actively ensuring some of those jobs will be in our region.

Charlotte County is not alone in recognizing the growing market and demand for sustainable forms of energy and sustainable development. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agriculture Science Extension and the SustainabLEE Program hosted a conference on December 4 to discuss local sustainable initiatives. Along with Johnson Engineering, many exhibitors provided local solutions to solving the challenges of a changing climate. Presenters discussed the local potential benefits from carbon trading, local crops as biodiesel, ethanol production from algae, ocean energy, wind energy, and solar power.

Our regional economy is poised to benefit greatly from opportunities associated with clean energy, and Johnson Engineering is eager to assist industry leaders in bringing and developing these new technologies in Southwest Florida.

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7th ANNUAL CLEAN UP HONORS COMPANY’S ROOTS

The community spirit was alive and well for 95 Johnson Engineering team members, family, friends, park staff and Friends of Lover’s Key (F.O.L.K.S.). The dedicated group pitched in for the 7th consecutive year giving their time cleaning up one of Florida’s natural gems. Keeping this highly visited park looking its best, helps attract tourists to its beaches, in turn bringing visitors to Southwest Florida helping to boost our economy.

This annual event began in 2003 in honor of the company’s founder, Carl Johnson, whose efforts were instrumental in establishing the 1100-acre Lovers Key State Park/Carl E. Johnson Recreational Area. The company’s employees are proud of their roots and community, coming together each year to do their part in keeping the park looking its best for visitors from around the world to enjoy.

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PURSUIT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

Congratulations to this year’s recipients of the Johnson Engineering Endowed Scholarship at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU). Matthew Ardolino, Amanda Swenson and Sabrina Smith were recognized at this year’s FGCU President’s Scholarship Luncheon as the recipients of the 2009/2010 academic scholarship, which was established in 2005 to assist FGCU students pursuing their future careers.

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MAPPING THE UTILITY WORLD BELOW

Not far below the places we walk and drive exists a maze of utilities carrying critical components of everyday life. Navigating this unseen superhighway of conduits to avoid utility conflicts, delays and service interruptions is a challenge faced by general contractors, utility providers and municipalities. Comprehensive and accurate mapping is critical for the success of their projects.

The FDOT now requires Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) on all design projects that include underground infrastructure or earthwork excavation. Choosing the right company to quickly perform these underground investigations is vital to identify potential conflicts before they adversely affect the schedule and budget. Our rapid-response SUE team is available day or night with our custom-built soft dig vehicle, for all types of project throughout Florida. Through a combination of pressurized water and high vacuum suction, we remove soil and roots to quickly reveal various utility lines and create enhanced mapping of the mystery beneath your project. This one-of-a-kind vehicle provides double the suction and lift power of traditional machines and is a cost-effective, efficient tool to utilize on your projects.

Our SUE team is specialty-trained, holding both state and federal certifications for quality levels A through D excavating and covering tasks, operation of heavy equipment and sign placement for gas companies. They are trained in traditional land surveying, as well as OSHA safety regulations, MOT regulations, Sunshine State One Call requirements and the other unique aspects of SUE technology. For more information, contact Scott Copeland at 239.707.6806.

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People & Projects: ON THE MOVE

Patricia Newton, was recently honored with the prestigious Planner of the Year award by the Florida Promised Lands Section of the American Planning Association.

Timothy DeVries, surveying and mapping team, recently earned his State of Florida professional surveying and mapping (P.S.M.) license.

Michael Ekblad, landscape architecture team, has been elected Section Chair for the Naples/Fort Myers Section of the Florida Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (FLASLA).

PLANNING FOR THE “RE-CENTURY”

“Reinvesting, rebuilding, revitalizing, redeveloping and re-engineering. We live in the ‘re-century’,” suggests William Hudnut, Senior Resident Fellow, Urban Land Institute. Hudnut said these times bring about “gargantuan” business opportunities for redevelopment and infill projects.

Most want to take advantage of these opportunities, but the question is how? Johnson Engineering supports those who choose to regulate and develop projects in redevelopment areas. We have walked the walk ourselves, having reinvested in a new corporate headquarters building, where we have been operating for 63 years. Our planners, engineers, and landscape architects know from experience the unique challenges and opportunities associated with redevelopment. We see these challenges as opportunities in disguise.

Opportunity #1: Redevelopment projects must be a product of participatory planning and consensus building, since they bring change to an established community. Those living and working within redevelopment areas offer a wealth of knowledge as their collaborative ideas help officials and developers understand the opportunities that would best suit the area. The Fort Myers Downtown Riverfront Plan is an example of a public-private partnership, developed to invigorate the waterfront area with new businesses, public amenities, and water management system. To assist with plan development and availability of public funding, Johnson Engineering planners and engineers worked closely with the Acquest Development team, Populous, Parker Mudgett Smith Architects, stakeholders and agency representatives. The plan was adopted by City Council on September 8, 2009 and should be implemented throughout the next year.

Opportunity #2: Redevelopment projects can be riskier than new construction projects, due to site-specific context within built-up areas, with limited comparables. Adhering to regulations originally established for new development is challenging, causing developers to steer away from pursuing redevelopment opportunities. The feasibility of redevelopment projects must be carefully examined to consider all opportunities to reduce exposure for redevelopers.

With more than 49 years of combined experience, our planning experts help prepare language in plans and Land Development Codes, helping bring projects to fruition, with incentives and predictability. Our experts also assist with redevelopment strategies and schedules to maximize the benefits of local, state and federal grant resources.

We are working closely with the City of Fort Myers to draft amendments to the Cleveland Avenue Overlay zoning standards within the Land Development Code. This will provide a framework to encourage redevelopment within the Cleveland Avenue Redevelopment Area. Using local initiatives, Land Development Code incentives, federal funding and leveraging mechanisms, a series of opportunities can unfold to make a challenging project a reality.

Opportunity #3: National legislation and Florida Growth Management Law set the stage for the “re-century” with programs and policies focusing on sustainable development practices. Redevelopment and infill projects are poised to satisfy mandates for a built environment that performs more efficiently, reduces adverse impacts to natural resources, and reduces suburban sprawl.

By their location and design, redevelopment and infill projects can reduce vehicle miles traveled, thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and can promote alternative transportation modes and use of alternative energy. Such projects support the objectives of Florida House Bill 697. This bill requires local comprehensive plans to include energy-efficient land use patterns and greenhouse gas reduction strategies. These projects can take advantage of relief from Transportation Concurrency Exception Area designations initiated by Senate Bill 360, impact fee credits or exemptions, and tax credits. These redevelopment projects can also score points toward achieving LEED certification and Florida Green Development designation.

We would like to share our knowledge and creativity to help your next redevelopment project. Contact Planning Director Christine Hurley at 239.461.3316 or mkt@johnsoneng.com.

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ECOLOGISTS NOW AUTHORIZED GOPHER TORTOISE AGENTS

Johnson Engineering ecologists, Bill Brammell, John Curtis, and Christopher Stephens received their Authorized Gopher Tortoise Agent Permits from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). In November 2007 the FWC reclassified the gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) as a threatened species and revised the gopher tortoise permitting guidelines in April 2009. The new permitting guidelines provide incentives for relocating tortoises to managed lands that have long term conservation value. In addition to permitting tortoise relocations, the revised guidelines authorize gopher tortoise agents to be who are responsible for surveying, capturing, handling, and transporting gopher tortoises. Currently, our team is permitting a 90-acre gopher tortoise recipient site in Florida.

As authorized relocation agents our ecologists accurately represent FWC policies, guidelines, and rules to the general public and specifically to their clients. Only authorized agents will be allowed to survey for and relocate tortoises on project sites with more than 10 burrows. Agents will have access to a streamlined online permitting process, for certain gopher tortoise permit approvals. The overall goal of the new permitting system is to restore and maintain secure, viable gopher tortoise populations throughout the species current range in Florida. For more information on gopher tortoise relocations in the Southwest Florida area, contact John Curtis at 239.461.2462, or in the Tampa Bay area, contact Bill Brammell at 813.909.8099, or e-mail mkt@johnsoneng.com.

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LEEDING THE WAY

LEED certification for new construction is becoming more widespread throughout Florida. Johnson Engineering’s LEED professionals have witnessed this first hand with the growing number of Southwest Florida projects that are seeking their LEED certification. The United States Green Building Council (USGBC) created the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) as a rating system for green buildings that promotes sustainable development through accepted tools and performance criteria.

Johnson Engineering has been involved with the following LEED projects in Lee County:

All projects registered after June 26, 2009 will fall under the new LEED v3 Rating System. Projects already registered under LEED v2.2 may continue under that system, or transfer to the new rating system, free of charge, through January 1, 2010. After January 1, 2010 there will be a registration fee to switch systems. A project registered under v2.2, may find the v3 rating system is more advantageous after performing an analysis and comparing both systems.

Johnson Engineering currently has three LEED accredited professionals, from various market groups, who assist clients with their sustainable needs. They include: Amy Wicks, P.E. (surface water engineer); David Hoffman, P.G. (hydrogeologist); and Erik Howard, P.E. (utilities engineer.)

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NEW INCENTIVES FOR LANDOWNERS

Are you a landowner in the State of Florida? If so, you should be aware of the recently passed Amendment 4 that amended the Florida Constitution, requiring the State Legislature to provide a property tax exemption for property under perpetual conservation protection. This applies to property taxes beginning in 2010.

The measure provides a positive incentive for private landowners to engage in conserving Florida’s native habitats. Johnson Engineering can evaluate and assess the ecological value of your land, prepare the required surveys, legal descriptions and title recordings. For information please contact Church Roberts at 239.461.2464 or mkt@johnsoneng.com.

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REAL ESTATE PORTFOLIO SERVICES

Johnson Engineering has expanded our services to include assisting lenders with their special assets and distressed loans. We are working with lenders to help identify the current status of their real estate portfolio as it relates to permitting, plan preparation, and construction close out. These services include:

• Permit Compliance – Review and analysis of existing distressed properties to determine status of permitting and plans preparation.
• Consult with and assist lenders with permit extensions and/or project completion procedures.
• Survey – Provide ALTA surveys for closings.
• Due Diligence – Provide due diligence package on existing portfolio. Easy to understand report of property zoning and engineering characteristics.
• Construction Consulting – Provide site construction completion estimates and consultation. Perform field reviews of existing sites to determine status of construction.

For more information on how Johnson Engineering can assist with your real estate portfolio in the Tampa Bay area, contact Steve Shaw, P.E. at 813.909.8099,, or in the Southwest Florida area, contact Kevin Winter, P.E. at 239.461.2473, or e-mail mkt@johnsoneng.com.

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People & Projects: ON THE MOVE

David Trouteaud, P.E., Utilities team project manager, has earned his State of Florida Professional Engineering (P.E.) license.

Erik Howard, P.E., Utilities team project manager, has become a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) accredited professional.

Amy Wicks, P.E., Surface water engineer, earned her masters in Environmental Engineering – Water Resources Planning and Management; and has become a LEED accredited professional.

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GREEN FUTURES EXPO & ENTERY OPTIONS CONFERENCE

November 1-2, 2009
Visit our booth at the Green Futures Expo on Sunday, November 1st at the Charlotte Harbor Event Center, Port Charlotte, Florida.

The Green Futures Expo is a tradeshow designed to highlight the products and services that will benefit consumers and businesses for a future of green living. The Energy Options Conference on Monday, November 2nd will bring worldwide representatives from the alternative energy industry, for participants to discuss the future of the industry, current issues, policies, and market strategies in several panel discussions.

Johnson Engineering supports Charlotte County’s initiatives to bring environmentally friendly businesses and manufacturing to this area.

For more information on this conference visit www.charlottecountyfl.com/BCS/GreenFutures or contact Mary Ann Grey at 941.743.1245, maryann.grey@charlottefl.com.

FIRM’S EFFORTS HELP CITY OBTAIN SFWMD GRANT FUNDING

Johnson Engineering assisted the City of Fort Myers with obtaining a grant of $309,000 from the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) to pay for 40% of construction costs of a new reuse irrigation lake at the Eastwood Golf Course. The lake will be lined to prevent water percolation and seepage and will store 1.5 million gallons of highly treated wastewater that will be reused to irrigate the golf course.

The funding enables the City of Fort Myers to expand upon its commitment to environmentally sustainable practices and complete the project at a greatly reduced cost. The project includes the construction of the lined lake, an irrigation pump station, a surface water back-up pump station, and stormwater piping. Johnson Engineering is responsible for design, permitting, bidding assistance, construction services, and final certification.

The grant was obtained from the SFWMD through the Alternative Water Supply Funding Program, which was created by the 2005 Florida Legislature to address the challenges of ensuring the State’s future water supply by reducing use of traditional sources, including fresh groundwater and surface water. The program promotes the development of alternative water supplies which include: use of saline/brackish water and reclaimed water, aquifer storage and recovery, creation of new and additional storage capacity, and capture of stormwater for consumptive use. The SFWMD accepts applications for funding once a year and selects those projects that reduce competition for water, achieve goal-based water conservation targets, minimize impact on the environment, and provide the biggest “bang for the buck”— conserving the most water for the lowest cost. These funds are available for cities, utilities, homeowners associations, community development districts, and other water users and suppliers.

The SFWMD has indicated that funding for the Alternative Water Supply Program was not appropriated by the 2009 Legislature for Fiscal Year 2010 due to economic conditions. The lack of funds will make the next round of funding more competitive. If you are interested in learning if your project may quality for SFWMD Alternative Water Supply Funding, please contact Johnson Engineering’s utility group project manager, David Trouteaud at 239.461.2438 or mkt@johnsoneng.com.

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GIS METHOD HELPS ASSESS AIRPORT WILDLIFE HAZARDS

The conflict between birds and planes has always been a hot topic in the civil and military aviation world. Periodically the general public is reminded of the hazards birds can pose to aviation; most recently with the near tragedy on the Hudson River. There probably was not one person watching the news January 15, 2009 who did not breathe a sigh of relief when we were told everyone was safely off that plane; now it is time to learn from that incident.

We know through experience and through data collected in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) National Wildlife Strike Database that different species pose varying levels of threat to aircraft depending on their size, flocking habits, and the type of habitats to which they are attracted.

Here in South Florida the wildlife that can be of greatest risk are deer, eagles, vultures, sandhill cranes, ducks, osprey, herons, and hawks. Deer graze in open fields; eagles seek high perches to hunt; vultures roost in tall open trees; cranes, ducks, and herons feed in the shallow margins of ponds, lakes or canals; these are all habitats that can occur on or near airport properties.

Our environmental team is working with airports to identify the areas of risk around their airport, which allows them to make management decisions accordingly. We have four ecologists who have completed the FAA wildlife hazard management training and have conducted wildlife hazard assessments (WHA) for airports throughout Florida. The primary goal of a WHA is to identify problematic areas that may attract hazardous wildlife to an airport and/or surrounding property. No specific assessment protocol is currently provided by the FAA to quantify wildlife hazards.

Our team developed an innovative methodology to capture and analyze wildlife data using GIS technology. We also developed a formula for wildlife species or species groups representing hazard and risk using Relative Hazard Scores, as per FAA Advisory Circulars.
The result is a tool which shows areas of hazardous wildlife concentration, classified by risk. This tool allows the user to query the data and create maps depicting specific attributes. This method can be utilized by airports to define quantifiable benchmarks, and provide objective metrics to assess the success of wildlife hazard management programs.

On September 14, 2009, Johnson Engineering ecologist, Anik Smith, will be presenting this GIS methodology at the 2009 Bird Strike North America Conference in Victoria, BC. For more information on airport wildlife hazards, please contact Anik Smith at 239.461.3327 or mkt@johnsoneng.com.

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OFFERING GREENHOUSE GAS ACCOUNTING

Businesses and government entities are turning towards a new form of accounting to help take advantage of growing opportunities related to sustainability and the “green” movement, and reducing future risks related to energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. Greenhouse gas accounting is an evaluation and quantification of the sources and amounts of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and/or offsets for which an organization is responsible. The most common of the six GHGs is carbon dioxide; the other five GHG categories included in an inventory are methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride.

Although GHGs are not currently regulated in the United States or Florida, there are several reasons for conducting a GHG inventory. Inventories help to identify ways to reduce waste and cost, form a baseline for tracking performance, and can be used to set goals for corporate social responsibility and improve competitiveness. Additionally, inventories are necessary for participating in GHG emission markets and reporting programs, as well as for assessing liabilities associated with future legislation.

Federal and state policies are expected to move forward within the next year, with goals to reduce GHG emissions, while also increasing energy efficiency. Other incentives for reducing GHGs are expected through competitive funding opportunities. Already we are seeing funding opportunities, as a result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which require the quantification of GHG emission reductions for proposed projects.

Our environmental team is prepared to assist our clients in further understanding GHG accounting. With training from the Greenhouse Gas Management Institute, the most highly recognized international training program for GHG accounting and verification, we are prepared to provide you with a defensible assessment of your organizational or project-level greenhouse gas emissions, based on the most up to date methodology.

If you have questions about greenhouse gas accounting, or if you would like a proposal to perform a greenhouse gas inventory or related work, please contact Johnson Engineering environmental scientist, Jaime Boswell at 239.461.2449 or mkt@johnsoneng.com.

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WATER USE ACCOUNTING SERVICES

Documentation of a reliable, repeatable water use accounting system is commonly required by limiting conditions in water management district permits. This often consists of checking flowmeter calibration, or calculating flow through closed pipes and open channels. Periodic calibration checks are necessary to confirm that water use accounting is accurately reported to regulatory agencies. Our team of water resource professionals are manufacturer trained and approved by the SFWMD and SWFWMD to verify calibration.

DEWATERING PERMIT SERVICES

The South Florida Water Management District and Southwest Florida Water Management District often require water quality monitoring and reporting as part of the limiting conditions for dewatering permits. The monitoring may include:

Johnson Engineering provides all of the services above and more to help fulfill permit requests. For more information on Water Use Accounting or Dewatering Permit Services, please contact Tim Denison at 239.461.2458 or mkt@johnsoneng.com.

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MAINTAIN THE VALUE OF ENTITLEMENT ON YOUR PROPERTY FOR an EXTRA TWO YEARS

Governor Crist has signed Senate Bill 360 that allows state and local government agencies to extend permits for two years, upon agency approval as outlined in the bill.

The holder of a valid DEP or Water Management District Environmental Resource Permit (ERP), expiring between 9/1/08 and 1/1/12, is eligible for a two year permit extension. Other permits may also be eligible for two-year extensions including:

To be eligible, permit holders must notify the authorizing agency in writing no later than December 31, 2009, with specific information on the permit they are seeking to extend and plans for utilization of the permit itself. Johnson Engineering is set to assist you with the requests for permit extensions, communicating with local and state government agencies, and obtaining written authorizations on the extensions. Please contact Johnson Engineering principal planner, Debi Pendlebury at 239.461.2439 or mkt@johnsoneng.com to get this important process started.

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People & Projects: ON THE MOVE

Andrew Tilton, P.E., company principal, has been appointed to serve as a FDOT District One representative on the Florida Greenbook Advisory Committee.

David Hoffman, P.G., hydrogeologist, in the Fort Myers water resources group, has passed his Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Accredited Professional Exam.

James “Vee” Lofton, has been named Director of Construction Engineering and Inspection (CEI). His 20 years prior FDOT experience gives him a unique understanding of the agency’s needs.

SURVEYING A RIVER OF GRASS

Since July, the Johnson Engineering team has surveyed more than 86,203 acres, 60 miles of railroad and set more than 2,500 boundary corners for United States Sugar Corporation throughout Glades, Hendry, and portions of Palm Beach Counties.

In July 2008, United States Sugar Corporation (USSC) announced the proposed sale of their 185,000 acres of land to the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD). Realizing surveying sectionalized lands of this magnitude would be a monumental opportunity for Johnson Engineering, we quickly submitted our scope and fees to perform the needed surveys. Based on our team’s reputation, capabilities and in-house resources, we were selected to survey 80,000 acres in Glades and Hendry Counties.

Phase I: Mobilization

Under the direction of Orvell Howard, owner of Survey1, LLC., and former USSC veteran, our team began preparing to complete the needed surveys in the required time frame. Johnson Engineering’s surveying and mapping director, Mark Wentzel and LaBelle office survey manager, Matt Howard, didn’t waste any time, immediately gathering historical survey data to prepare for this opportunity. Within five days of the project start, Matt mobilized six survey field teams to the area to begin conducting boundary surveys.

Matt knew completing a project of this size in five short months would require a dedicated and focused team working together in one location. After being given the reins to hand select this team, Matt moved several highly qualified team members from our various offices to LaBelle. Our LaBelle office became the project central command center as the team hit the ground running working days, nights, and weekends conducting boundary surveys of the land, preparing worksheets, production drawings, plotting aerials and performing endless title work. USSC and SFWMD provided AutoCAD files, PDF’s, TIFF’s, scanned historical surveys, and numerous right of way maps for roads and canals. Team meetings were crucial for project communication and focus, on a daily and sometimes hourly basis, as the ever-changing project at times brought them in many different directions. The tight quarters quickly challenged this group to become one strong cohesive team, working together to problem solve and efficiently reach a common goal.

The strict time frame challenged us to complete a years worth of work in five months, all while overcoming many obstacles. Tropical Storm Faye hitting the area caused down power lines and flooding in many of the areas our field teams needed to survey. The project was further complicated as it revealed incomplete title work, since not all the property was officially in USSC’s name. Since much of the land was acquired in the 1930’s, new descriptions were not properly prepared on certain sold portions, making it unclear who actually owned the land. Our team spent countless hours researching historical surveys and right of way maps to determine the correct location of the section corners, which at times were off by up to 50 feet. Weeks later, additional historical records would reveal new survey data, taking us in an entirely different direction. Had time not been a factor, all necessary information would have been gathered and sorted in advance to avoid such changes.

One of the large challenges we faced was at Lake Hicpochee in Glades County. One of our boundary lines was the shore of Lake Hicpochee, which is owned by the State. Initially we thought the Florida Department of Environmental Protection would require us to perform an Ordinary High Water Line Survey (OHWL) to determine the boundary line. Time didn’t permit for the extensive efforts it would take to perform the typical OHWL survey, so after extensive discussions between State officials and Orvell Howard, an alternate method was deemed sufficient to establish the boundary line.

This method involved using a scanned digital file of a survey prepared in the early 1900’s, which had the shoreline of Lake Hicpochee delineated, along with section lines. We used the scanned survey, georeferenced it to the section corners we located and field tied, then digitized the shoreline. This seemed simple enough, however it turned into quite a challenging process for our team. We researched and compiled records from multiple firms and governmental agencies, which revealed section corners found or set by each were not always the same corner location. The problem centered on the township line between Township 42 South and Township 43 South, Range 32 East. Further complicating this survey was the North tier of sections in Township 43 South are only about 600 feet long at the west side of the township and got shorter as we went east, making these section dimensions non-typical. Two weeks of research comparing the section corners we found, together with the historical surveys, and determining which corners to hold, we finally finalized the township line.

Phase 2: Vesting Deeds in and Vesting Deeds Out

In October, we were tasked with mapping all USSC’s vesting deeds. They provided us with all the deeds for the property they owned, followed by the property they sold, or no longer had title to. By mapping the “deeds in” and removing “deeds out”, we were left with the land USSC currently owns. The quality and quantity produced by our title team, lead by Francie Summerall and Devon Hart, moved us into the position to map all of USSC’s deeds for Glades, Hendry and Palm Beach Counties. USSC provided us with digital files from the company surveying their Palm Beach County lands, allowing us to map on top of their surveyed areas. Once the vesting deed mapping was completed, we provided the digital line work to the Palm Beach County surveying company to revise their boundary surveys, based on those deeds.

Phase 3: Railroads

In November, USSC contacted us to determine the railroad acreage for the proposed rights of way. We prepared exhibits showing the acreage and adjacent haul roads to use as contract documents. Four days later, we were asked to begin surveying to develop a right of way survey and description for the nearly 60 miles of rail. Our field teams immediately dispatched, outfitting their specialty pick up trucks, designed to travel on the rails, with GPS receivers allowing us to continuously collect points every 50 feet. This data quickly provided us with a high quality centerline for the railroad tracks, allowing the right of way maps to be prepared.

Phase 4: Drainage Districts

Our team received another request to map the drainage district canals and levees for Glades, Hendry, and Palm Beach Counties. Mapping on aerial images, with field verification, was the only way to produce the line work for the complex mapping process.

Phase 5: Preparing Descriptions

The title work originally provided to us was based on a mortgage agreement and did not contain all lands owned by USSC. Once the vested deeds, railroad corridor, and drainage districts were mapped, we then prepared new descriptions of USSC’s land ownership in Glades, Hendry and Palm Beach Counties. These new descriptions were based on the format of the original vesting deeds and were also provided to the West Palm Beach surveying company to revise and update their surveys.

Phase 6: Township 41 South, Range 37 East

In late December, we were asked to assume the survey efforts in Township 41 South, Range 37 East in Palm Beach County. This township has been highly publicized regarding the issues relating to inaccurate past surveys. The position of the township’s calculated section corners do not agree with the lines of occupation. After lengthy discussions with local surveyors, it was agreed that the occupation lines were the only way to make the surveys work with ownership and eliminate recreating the wheel.

Phase 7: Revise and Update Boundary Surveys

The final phase of the project has us currently updating our boundary surveys to reflect the information established from the vesting deeds, railroad surveys, drainage districts, and new descriptions.

Summary

Since July, the Johnson Engineering team has surveyed more than 86,203 acres of land, 60 miles of railroad and set more than 2,500 boundary corners throughout Glades, Hendry and portions of Palm Beach Counties. There was no task too big, no schedule too tight for our team. This project allowed us to challenge ourselves, grow as a team and gain valuable experience that will benefit our clients’ projects well into the future.

Johnson Engineering’s U.S. Sugar Lead Team

Lonnie Howard, P.E., Contract Manager
Matt Howard, P.S.M., Project Manager
Mark Wentzel, P.S.M., Survey Director
Kevin RisCassi, P.S.M., Production Surveyor
Francie Summerall, P.S.M.,Title Examiner
Devon Hart, Title Examiner
Mike Tiseo, CAD Technician
Alfredo Perez, CAD Technician
T.M. White, CAD Technician
Robert Howard, Field Team Supervisor
Tad Simpson, P.S.M., Production Surveyor

If you have surveying and mapping needs, please contact Mark Wentzel, P.S.M. at 239.461.2440 or mkt@johnsoneng.com.

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WATER USE PERMIT COMPLIANCE SOLUTIONS

Many of you hold consumptive water use permits from the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) or Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) for irrigation, public water supply, dewatering, or industrial uses that require periodic compliance monitoring and reporting. Performing these monitoring activities should not create a cost or time burden for you. Our team of water resource professionals routinely perform monitoring services for homeowners associations, Community Development Districts, property management companies, agricultural operations, resorts, and golf courses throughout Southwest Florida.

Monitoring typically consists of pumpage recording, wetland water level measurement, rainfall monitoring, and dissolved chloride testing. Complying with the limiting conditions of your water use permit is an important part of maintaining your existing water rights and making sure your next permit renewal or modification goes smoothly. If you have questions about your water use permit, or if you would like a proposal to perform the required monitoring, please contact Wesley Williams at 239.461.2472 or mkt@johnsoneng.com.

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JOHNSON ENGINEERING PARTNERS WITH THE FLORIDA DIVISION OF FORESTRY FOR UNIQUE URBAN BURN

A 30-acre prescribed burn was conducted within the south preserve of the Naples community Autumn Woods through a joint effort by Johnson Engineering, the Florida Division of Forestry, and the North Naples Fire Department.

Johnson Engineering ecologists and the Florida Division of Forestry promoted the urban burn to community residents in an effort to reduce hazardous vegetation and maintain the preserve to benefit wildlife. More importantly, the goal was to reduce the potential wildfire risk to surrounding homes.

Historically, periodic lighting ignited wildfires were integral in maintaining vegetative succession. Prescribed burning is the most cost effective tool to reduce overgrown vegetation, eradicate certain exotic and nuisance plant species, and consume accumulated plant material (fuels) that create unsafe conditions for homes near preserve areas. Through prescribed burning, nutrients from the vegetation are recycled back to the soil helping germination of certain plant species, including Slash Pine and some wildflowers. Fire is also essential in providing the right habitat for wildlife species such as the gopher tortoise as it clears the ground cover allowing them to be more mobile.

Johnson Engineering and the Florida Division of Forestry prepared and educated the residents of Autumn Woods for what they could expect during and after the prescribed burn. The community understood the importance of the burn and financially supported the project.

For more information on how Johnson Engineering can help you with your preserve management program, please contact Christopher Stephens at 239.461.2414.

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People & Projects: ON THE MOVE

Ricardo Acosta, P.E.

Fort Myers surface water management team project manager, recently earned his professional civil engineering (P.E.) license.

Rick is a stormwater engineer in the surface water management team. He handles the design and permitting of surface water management systems that service mixed use developments, roadways and municipal projects. He has prior experience working on the design and construction management of the Southwest Florida International Airport expansion project and determining quantities for pay, participating in resolution of design and construction related issues, and in contract close-out documentation.

Kimberly Arnold, P.G.
Fort Myers water supply team project manager, recently earned her professional geologist (P.G.) certification.

Kim performs hydrogeologic investigations, water resource assessments, hydrologic monitoring program development, water management district water use and Florida Department of Environmental Protection permitting. She has assisted in Public Service Commission utility certification cases, comprehensive plan amendment applications and Development of Regional Impact applications for large-scale developments. Kim is familiar with the hydrogeology of Southwest Florida and its regulatory requirements, having worked for the South Florida Water Management District as a hydrogeologist involved with water use permitting prior to joining Johnson Engineering. She has experience with groundwater modeling, hydrologic data analysis, and the use of GIS in addressing water resource and environmental issues.