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

L238
SEC Southern Coastal Watershed Education
Project Type Cooperative Funding
AOR(s)
Water Supply, Flood Protection, Water Quality, Natural Systems
Basin(s) Peace River, Manasota
Cooperator(s)
Science and Environment Council of Sarasota
Project Manager STERNBERGER, VIRGINIA
Task Manager(s)
Status Ongoing
Description
This Cooperative Funding Initiative project is a continuation of the SEC program designed to work collaboratively with
its members to convene policy discussions and enhance public understanding about water and watershed
conservation based on science. The FY2010 program components include two decision-maker and policymaker
workshops on water and low-impact development (LID). The first workshop will identify local water and LID issues. The
second will refine and come to a consensus on solutions. The SEC also plans to enhance the general public's
understanding of watersheds by producing a 20-minute video that explains the concept of a watershed and
demonstrates ways SEC member organizations protect their watershed. Lastly, the SEC will again coordinate a
Watershed Awareness Week in Sarasota County. The program was developed by SEC to enhance the general
public's understanding of watersheds in Sarasota County and to show how their actions as stewards can help protect
water resources. Evaluation will be conducted by SEC member organizations and will include surveys, attendance
statistics, number of website hits, an assessment of visitor comments (written and voice), and number of promotional
brochures distributed.
Benefits
This program educates 181,700 residents on how productivity and vitality of natural systems, storm water, water
supply, wastewater and land use are all part a watershed. The SEC plans to build on previously successful education
components to engage discussion between decision-makers and policymakers on water use and LID and enhance the
public's understanding of how they affect the watershed in Sarasota County.
Costs
The total cost of the FY2010 project is $120,000, with the District contributing $60,000 (Manasota). District funds will
pay for implementing a two-part workshop, creating and distributing a 20-minute video and coordinating Watershed
Awareness Week in Sarasota County. The program is expected to reach 181,700 residents at a cost to the District of
$.33 per person. The budget lines below include costs for staff to manage the project.
Additional Information
The FY2009 total project cost was $120,000, with the District contributing $60,000 (Manasota). District funding was
used to develop three outdoor interpretive signs, mobile phone audio messages, a brochure mapping the trail of the
interpretive signs and mobile phone audio messages, a second Watershed Awareness Week and a decision-makers
workshop. The project will reach 300,000 residents at a cost to the District of $.20 per resident.
District Budgeted - Ad Valorem Based
Revenue
020 Peace River Basin 3,300 0 0
0
0 3,300
021 Manasota Basin 84,493 0 62,070 62,092
0 208,655
Project Funds Not Budgeted by the
District
Science and Environment Council of
Sarasota County
Prior
Funding
Cumulative FY 2009 FY2010
Transfers Funding Funding
99,000 0 60,000 60,000
Total:
Future
Funding
0
Total
Funding
219,000
$430,955
Critical Project Milestones Projected Amended Actual
021 - Manasota Basin 274