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

W501
SWIM Plan Implementation - Charlotte Harbor
Project Type SWIM
AOR(s)
Water Quality, Natural Systems
Basin(s) Peace River, Manasota
Cooperator(s)
Project Manager GARCIA, LIZANNE
Task Manager(s)
Status Ongoing
Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program
KAUFMAN, KRIS
Description
This project provides for the administration and implementation of projects as outlined in the SWIM Plan for Charlotte
Harbor. The FY2009 budget will include staff salaries and administrative costs to implement projects in the SWIM
Plan. Administration and implementation includes assessment of implementation progress, a review and refinement of
the Pollutant Load Reduction Goal (PLRG) for the waterbody, periodic SWIM Advisory Committee meetings, new
project development (rationale and justification), development of relevant contracts and Requests for Proposals,
invoicing, project related presentations, field visits, and miscellaneous duties as they arise. Included in the FY2006
budget was $50,000 for a historical benthic habitat mapping and change analysis of Charlotte Harbor. The project will
be similar to the effort completed for Tampa Bay in determining historical seagrass coverage from 1950s aerial
photography. This benthic habitat map will allow the District and the Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program
(CHNEP) to refine goals being set for this system.
Benefits
This project's support of the Charlotte Harbor SWIM Plan creates an opportunity for a cohesive effort between the
District, the CHNEP, and other state and local agencies to better implement resource management decisions and
restoration activities. SWIM projects are eligible for state matching funds with the state funding 50 percent of the
project costs and the District funding the remaining 50 percent.
Costs
The FY2008 and FY2009 ongoing costs for the Charlotte Harbor SWIM Plan Implementation are funded 12.5 percent
from the Manasota Basin, 37.5 percent from the Peace River Basin, and 50 percent from the State SWIM Program
and include staff salary, travel and central garage.
Additional Information
In 1987, the Florida Legislature established the Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) Act having
recognized that water quality and habitat in surface waters throughout the state have degraded or were in danger of
being degraded. The Act requires the five water management districts to maintain a priority list of water bodies of
regional or statewide significance within their boundaries, and develop plans and programs for the improvement of
those water bodies. To date, ten SWIM water bodies in the District have had plans developed and approved by the
state. Several plans have been updated one or more times as required by the Act. The Charlotte Harbor SWIM Plan
was first approved in 1993 and last updated in November 2000. Since the first plan, the District has initiated a number
of restoration and diagnostic assessment projects. Included within these are: 1) implementation of a water quality
monitoring program, 2) development of a pollutant loading model, 3) investigation of a resource-based pollutant load
reduction goal, 4) assessment of toxin levels, 5) identification of cumulative impacts to freshwater inflow reductions, 6)
seagrass mapping efforts, 7) various habitat restoration projects, and 8) involvement in numerous public outreach and
education activities.
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