Southern Region - Southwest Florida Water Management District

W616
Restoration - Sarasota Bay Habitat Restoration
Project Type
AORs
Natural Systems
SWIM
Strategic Initiatives
Natural Systems Conservation and Restoration
Sarasota Bay Estuary Program
Cooperator(s)
Project Manager Stephanie Powers
Task Manager(s)
Status
Proposed
Recommendation
Fund as High priority. The proposed project provides opportunities for natural systems improvement that are consistent with
District goals.
Description
This project is in repsonse to a series of cooperative funding requests (FY09, FY10, and FY13) from the Sarasota Bay Estuary
Program (SBEP) for the restoration and enhancement of several coastal dune/coastal hammock systems in the Sarasota Bay
watershed. The SBEP has developed a comprehensive plan for restoring intertidal and submerged aquatic habitats at 20 locations
throughout Sarasota Bay. This project will help to fund restoration and management plans for several of the locations, in addition to
exotic plant species removal and control. Funds for FY13 will be used to complete three projects: Pinecraft Park, Bayfront Park, and
the South Creek area at Oscar Scherer State Park.
Benefits
This project provides improved natural systems through habitat enhancement and creation.
Costs
The total estimated project budget is $1,020,000. The proposed FY2013 funding amount requested from the District is $150,000.
The District contributed $240,000 in FY2009 and $120,000 in the FY2010 funding cycle, which was provided by State SWIM funds
($180,000) and the Manasota Basin ($180,000). Funds are matched by SBEP Federal and grant funds. District funds shown in the
table include staff salaries.
Additional Information
Since 1950, approximately 40 percent of Sarasota Bay's intertidal wetland habitat has been lost due to development and reduction
in water quality. This resulted in a decline in the aesthetic, recreational, and commercial value of the bay, as well as a loss of
habitat for native plants and animals. The SWIM Plans for Sarasota Bay outline goals to restore habitat throughout the bay areas
and reduce pollutant loads entering the bays. The objectives of this project are consistent with these goals.
Prior
Funding
Cumulative
Transfer or
Lapsed Funding
FY2012
Funding
FY2013
Funding
Future
Funding
Total
Funding
District Budgeted - Ad Valorem
Based Revenue
010 General Fund (Districtwide) 0 0 0 30
0
30
021 Manasota Basin 188,008 0 4,002 150,000
0 342,010
District Budgeted - Outside
Revenue
State Trust Funds (SWIM) 122,301 0 0 0
0 122,301
WMLTF (SWIM) - Prior Year Funds 1,640 60,000 0 0
0
61,640
Project Funds Not Budgeted by the
District
Sarasota Bay Estuary Program 365,000 0 0 150,000
0 515,000
Critical Project Milestones
1. Contract Development and Execution
Projected
Amended
Actual
Draft agreement Sent to Management Services 09/12/2007 01/03/2008
Agreement Returned from Management Services 10/03/2007 02/20/2008
Agreement Sent to Cooperator 10/10/2007 02/28/2008
Signed Agreement Returned from Cooperator 11/07/2007 04/01/2008 03/24/2008
Agreement Fully Executed 11/21/2007 04/15/2008 04/07/2008
Notice To Proceed 11/27/2007 04/30/2008 04/09/2008
1. Contract Development and Execution
First Amendment to Original Agreement 04/01/2009 04/17/2009
Contract Expiration 12/31/2011
Total
$1,040,981
40