MANASOTA & PEACE RIVER BBDs Meeting Notebook 10-21-09.docx

S032
Little Manatee River
Project Type SOR
AOR(s)
Flood Protection, Water Quality, Natural Systems
Basin(s) Alafia River, Manasota
Cooperator(s)
Hillsborough County
Project Manager LOVE, KEVIN
Task Manager(s) NELSON, BRIAN, SOWDERS, GINA, HAGBERG, JEFFREY, MILLER, WILL, KRUK, COLLEEN,
VANGELDER, WILL
Status Ongoing
Description
In 1992 the Governing Board authorized the acquisition of lands within the Little Manatee River project in Hillsborough
and Manatee Counties. The Little Manatee River project, consisting of 7,050 acres, acquired in fee simple, contains
parcels of land along the Little Manatee riverine corridor from downstream estuarine waters, to the river's headwaters.
Dense forest dominates the land along the river's floodplain with the adjoining uplands being comprised of a mixture of
pine flatwoods, mixed hardwoods, and shrub and brushlands. An additional 27,000 acres have been authorized for fee
simple acquisition. In 1996 the District entered into a lease agreement with Hillsborough County that designated the
County as manager of lands jointly purchased by the County and the District. The County manages 6,979 acres of the
project lands. Recreational improvements/ amenities made available on the County managed lands include: several
miles of hiking trails, fishing areas and primitive camping along the river. Lands managed by the District within the
Little Manatee River project, in the Manasota Basin, consisting of 1,071 acres are referred to as the Southfork (F/K/A
Cordell) Tract.
Benefits
Pursuant to Section 373.1391(1)(a), Florida Statutes, lands within the project are managed and maintained in such a
way as to ensure a balance between public access, general public recreational purposes, and restoration and
protection of their natural state and condition.
Costs
FY2009 - The Land Resources Department Manasota and Alafia budgets consist of salaries and central garage for
prescribed burning, resource monitoring, land maintenance, fence repair and recreational monitoring. The budget also
includes contractual services for 50% reimbursement to Hillsborough County for management of lands within
Hillsborough County Southfork Tract in the Alafia Basin. Recreation improvements for the Upper Tract in the
Manasota Basin include an entrance sign, kiosk and trail signs. The Aquatic Plant Management Section has budgeted
funds for salaries, central garage charges and herbicides to treat infestations of invasive plant species. Additionally,
contract funds have been budgeted to outsource vegetation management operations targeting Old World climbing
fern. Old World climbing fern is spreading within as well as outside District-owned lands. Due to the difficulty of
assessing known areas of infestation and moving from site to site within swampy areas, existing staff can not
complete this job and stay up with required work on other properties. Field Operations has budgeted for
salaries, rental equipment, central garage charges, parts, supplies, and land maintenance materials to support Land
Management's requirements. FY2010 - The Land Resources Department Manasota and Alafia budgets consist of
salaries and central garage for prescribed burning, resource monitoring, land maintenance, fence repair and
recreational monitoring. The budget also contains contractual services for security and recreational mowing.
Costs for these activities are 100% reimbursed through the state's Water Management Lands Trust Fund.
FY 2009 FY2010
Funding Funding
District Budgeted - Outside Revenue
(SOR)
011 Alafia River Basin 34,636 16,600
021 Manasota Basin 149,421 95,995
Project Funds Not Budgeted by the
District
Hillsborough County 20,650
0
021 - Manasota Basin 17