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CBIRS Request 1395

Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #1395

Sarasota Bay Restoration

Requester:

David Morre, Executive Directo

Organization:

Southwest Florida Water Management District

Project Title:

Sarasota Bay Restoration

Date Submitted

1/12/2005 3:13:58 PM

Sponsors:

Bennett

Statewide Interest:

The Sarasota Bay Estuary has experienced a decline in water quality and sea grass coverage and a significant decrease in inter-tidal wetlands habitat. Shoreline habitats have been replaced by sea walls and construction of homes and commercial businesses. The loss of the bay's natural shoreline and sea grass acreage has resulted in a decline in the aesthetic, recreational, and commercial value of the bay, as well as a loss of habitat for native fish and wildlife. Sarasota Bay is made up of approximately 52 square miles of open water and extends from Anna Maria Sound and Palma Sola Bay in the north, to Venice Inlet in the south. It is a District SWIM Priority Water Body. It is also designated as an Estuary of National Significance, by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and as an Outstanding Florida Water. In order to protect the bay from further degradation, preservation and restoration activities must be undertaken, including inter-tidal wetlands restoration, stormwater retrofits, and restoration of shoreline habitats

Recipient:

Southwest Florida Water Management District

Contact:

David Rathke, Community and Le

2379 Broad Street

Contact Phone:

(352) 279-2834

Brooksville 34604

Contact email:

david.rathke@swfwmd.state.fl.us

Counties:

Manatee, Sarasota

Gov't Entity:

Yes

Private Organization (Profit/Not for Profit):

Project Description:

(Include services to be provided) Preservation and restoration of Sarasota Bay will require ongoing stormwater retrofit projects, wetland restoration, restoration of shoreline habitats, artificial reef construction and enhancement, and removal of exotic vegetation. These activities will improve fisheries and protect the economic benefits of the bay on the local economy

Is this a project related to 2004 hurricane damage?

Measurable Outcome Anticipated:

Improved water quality and habitat in Sarasota Bay; improved fisheries habitat and reduced pollutant load.

Amount requested from the State for this project this year:

$100,000

Total cost of the project:

$200,000

Request has been made to fund:

Construction

What type of match exists for this project?

Local

Cash Amount

In-kind Amount

$100,000

Was this project previously funded by the state?

Yes

Fiscal Year:

2004-2005

Amount:

$100,000

Is future-year funding likely to be requested?

Yes

Amount:

$1,000,000

To Fund:

Construction

Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request?

Yes

Agency

Environmental Protection, Department Of

Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget?

Is there a documented need for this project?

Yes

Documentation:

Sarasota Bay SWIM Plan

Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)?

Yes

Hearing Body:

Sarasota Legislative Delegation

Hearing Meeting Date:

11/04/2004

Is this a water project as described in Section 403.885, Laws of Florida?

Yes

Has the project been submitted to the Department of Environmental Protection?

Yes

DEP identifying number:

_SWR20022178

Is this project eligible under section 403.885(5) F.S.?

Yes

Is your project addressed in a state, regional or local plan (such as a SWIM plan, Comprehensive Plan, local master plan, etc.)?

Yes

Name the plan and cite the pages on which the project is described:

SWFWMD Sarasota Bay SWIM Plan

If you are requesting funding for a stormwater or surface water restoration project:

Which Water Management District has the jurisdiction of your project?

SWFWMD

Have you provided at least 50% match?

Yes

Match Amount:

100000

Match Source:

SWFWMD

Will this project reduce pollutant loadings to a water management district designated 'priority' surface water body?

Yes

Name of water body:

Sarasota Bay

Describe how it will reduce loadings, identify anticipated load reductions for total suspended solids, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and other contaminants, and specify the practices that will be used to reduce loadings:

If you are requesting funding for a wastewater project:

Does your project qualify for funding from DEP's 'Small Community Wastewater Treatment Grant Program' under section 403.1838 F.S.?

Other wastewater projects:

Have you received previous legislative funding for this project?

Is the project under construction?

Have you provided at least a 25% local match?