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

SA19
Lake Manatee Lower Watershed Upland Restoration #1
Project Type SOR
AOR(s)
Natural Systems
Basin(s) Manasota
Cooperator(s)
Project Manager VANGELDER, WILL
Task Manager(s)
Status Ongoing
Description
In 1991 the Governing Board authorized the acquisition of lands within the Lake Manatee Lower Watershed project in
Manatee County. The Lake Manatee Lower Watershed extends over a large area that includes narrow floodplain
forests and native pinelands surrounded by vast areas of rangeland, improved pastures, croplands, and citrus groves.
Lands purchased within this project protect an existing regional water resource, protect floodplains, and restore
adjoining wetlands in the headwaters. To date 7,932 acres have been acquired in fee simple within the project, with an
additional 11,046 approved for future fee simple acquisition. In 2002, 149 wetland acres were restored via the Florida
Department of Transportation (FDOT) mitigation program. In FY2005 through FY2010, approximately 324 acres of
former farm field are proposed for restoration back to upland vegetation communities, including scrub, scrubby
flatwoods and dry prairie. The site is the largest contiguous altered site on the tract and ranked as a high priority for
restoration. In FY2005, site work began in preparation for re-vegetation of a 25-acre portion of the site to serve as a
pilot project to test planting methods. A grower was contracted to propagate plant materials for the project, including
palmettos, and three species of scrub oaks, totaling 18,500 plants. The re-vegetation of this site will expand a five-acre
remnant scrub patch that currently supports a family of scrub-jays. This pilot phase of the project was completed in
July 2006. Subsequent monitoring has indicated that the pilot results have exceeded target levels.
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
Funds were included in the FY2008 budget to conduct phase 2 of the project, which included plant material and
planting labor to re-vegetate approximately 46 acres of the site. Plant species, stocking rates and planting methods will
be similar to those proving successful on the pilot phase. Future restoration efforts on the remainder of the site will be
conducted in annual stages over an approximately four-year period.Funds in the FY2009 and FY2010 budgets are for
salaires and central garage charges. Costs for these activities are 100 percent reimbursed through the Water
Management Lands Trust Fund.
FY 2009 FY2010
Funding Funding
District Budgeted - Outside Revenue
(SOR)
021 Manasota Basin 18,356 18,385
Critical Project Milestones Projected Amended Actual
Phase 1
RFB 9/1/04 9/1/04
Install Plants 7/31/06 7/31/06
Award Contract 12/1/07 12/1/04
Phase 2
RFB 10/1/07 11/1/07
Award Contract 12/1/07 9/1/07
Install Plants 7/31/09
Phase 3
RFB 10/1/08 10/15/08
021 - Manasota Basin 23