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

W394
FELTS Preserve Restoration
Project Type SWIM
AOR(s)
Water Quality, Natural Systems
Basin(s) Manasota
Cooperator(s)
Manatee County Audubon Society
Project Manager PRATER, CORRINA
Task Manager(s)
Status Ongoing
NORTON, NANCY
Description
This project will restore important habitat and improve water quality functions on the FELTS Preserve which drains into
Terra Ceia Bay about two miles away and ultimately discharges into Tampa Bay, a District SWIM waterbody. The
FELTS Preserve, owned by Manatee County Audubon, is located at 4600 24th Avenue, East Palmetto in north
Manatee County within the Manatee River Watershed. This project will result in restoration/creation/enhancement of
5.5 acres of freshwater wetlands, plus restoration of 8.5 acres of adjacent uplands located within the 28.5 acre
preserve through backfilling ditches, removal of exotic vegetation and planting of native vegetation. Much of the project
site has been altered over time, primarily through ditching and draining to create improved pasture for agricultural
purposes. The site is important because the general area is rapidly being converted from agricultural to residential
development and much of the habitat has been fragmented by construction of roads. Natural sheet flow has been
diverted through development and ditching. Vegetative diversity is relatively low in the existing water features due to
the establishment of monocultures by invasive and exotic plants. A mosaic of diverse habitat types is proposed,
including emergent marsh, existing hardwood swamp and hammock and ponded features.
Benefits
Best management practices will be implemented through planting of emergent and submergent plant species and the
management and control of invasive exotics. Water quality benefits will be achieved and monitored as the enhanced
site will provide for pollutant filtration and nutrient uptake through the creation of the proposed littoral shelves, as well
as buffering against erosion. The project location will also offer exceptional habitat value through the creation of
feeding platforms for wading birds.
Costs
The total cost of the project is $196,900. In FY2006, the District contributed $29,500 shared evenly by SWIM and the
Manasota Basin Board. The FY2006 application requested funding $40,400 but the manatee Audubon was unable to
acquire that amount for a match. Earthmoving was accomplished by grants from U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and
National Fish & Wildlife Foundation at a cost of $23,070. The FY2008 project cost is $32,600, with the Manatee
Audubon and the District each contributing half ($16,300). The District's share is split between the Manasota Basin
Board ($8,150) and State SWIM ($8,150). The FY2009 project cost is $28,700, with Manatee Audubon and the District
each requested to contribute half ($14,350). The District share is split between the Manasota Basin Board ($7,175)
and State SWIM ($7,175). The FY2010 project cost is $18,000 with Manatee Audubon and the District each
contributing half ($9,000). Total funding in the table below includes staff salary, travel and central garage.
Additional Information
A professional management plan has been completed by Ed Freeman, then with the Nature Conservancy when
contracted by Manatee Audubon. The Mana-Teens, Native Plant Society, Manatee River Garden Club and others
have helped to inventory plants on site, control exotic plants by manual removal and minimal chemical means, and
performed additional habitat improvement primarily on the uplands. Five and one-half wetland acres have been
planted and eight and one-half acres of pasture was restored in FY2008. Chemical and mechanical control for
invasive exotic plants has been implemented on approximately 17.5 acres and a monthly maintenance program is
underway. Audubon is re-creating littoral areas around the enhanced ponds by planting some 14,200 plants. Manatee
Audubon will guarantee survival of 85% of planted material. In FY2009, Manatee Audubon will do a littoral shelf
planting of 3 acres, install 90 plants in a 17-acre upland area and continue with exotic control.
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