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

W611
Sarasota Bay Spoil Island Restoration Project
Project Type SWIM
AOR(s)
Water Quality, Natural Systems
Basin(s) Manasota
Cooperator(s)
Project Manager GARCIA, LIZANNE
Task Manager(s)
Status Ongoing
Sarasota County, Sarasota County Watershed Management
Description
This project originally proposed to restore degraded habitat on three groups of islands in Sarasota Bay, a SWIM
priority water body. The islands were Bird Colony Islands, Jim Neville Marine Preserve and Palmer Point Park. These
islands have been impacted by spoil deposition from the dredging of the Intracoastal Waterway, and have been
colonized by exotic vegetation consisting mostly of Australian pines and Brazilian peppers. The project proposes to
restore habitat through the removal of exotic vegetation, excavation of tidal channels and excess spoil, planting of
native vegetation and shoreline stabilization. The project at Bird Colony Islands is primarily focused on shoreline
stabilization while the other two projects focused more on comprehensive coastal ecosystem restoration. Due to the
significant construction cost estimate for the Jim Neville Marine Preserve and a shortfall in expected federal funding
the cooperative funding agreement was amended to remove the Jim Neville Preserve Marine Preserve site from this
project.
Benefits
These projects focus on intertidal hydrologic restoration, removal of exotic vegetation, and re-vegetation with native
plants to increase and improve wildlife habitat. This habitat restoration project is consistent with and specifically
identified in the the Sarasota Bay SWIM Plan, 2002.
Costs
The total project cost is approximately $2.6 million. The District share totals $945,000 with $402,500 from the
Manasota Basin Board, $322,500 from State SWIM and $220,000 in State Appropriations. The county's share totals
$1,608,453, with $637,953 from the county, $300,000 from the West Coast Inland Navigation District, $520,500 from a
Jacksonville Community Foundation Grant and $150,000 from the United State Army Corps of Engineers. FY2009
project funding is $750,000, with the District contributing $325,000 and the County contributing $425,000. The
District's share is split 50/50 between the Manasota Basin Board and State SWIM ($162,500). 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.
021 - Manasota Basin 87