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

L604
Manatee - WMPlan Little Manatee River
Project Type Cooperative Funding
AOR(s)
Flood Protection, Water Quality, Natural Systems
Basin(s) Manasota
Cooperator(s)
Manatee County
Project Manager NGUYEN, NAM
Task Manager(s)
Status Ongoing
Description
This multi-year funded project is to perform the 1) Topographic Information, 2) Watershed Evaluation, and 3)
Watershed Management Plan elements of the District's Watershed Management Program (WMP) for the LITTLE
MANATEE RIVER Watershed. The watershed occupies approximately 79.0 square miles within northern Manatee
County and discharges into Tampa Bay, a SWIM waterbody. The watershed is beginning to experience rapid
residential development to the west of Interstate 75 that is expected to expand to the east in the near future.
Topographic information includes the acquisition of data and development of the terrain features in the Geodatabase
to be used in the Watershed Evaluation. The Watershed Evaluation includes collection of existing data, GIS
processing of the terrain features to establish catchments and connectivity, field reconnaissance, refinement of the
terrain features and development of the hydraulic element point features. The Watershed Management Plan element
includes: development of watershed parameters for a specific use, GIS processing, computer modeling, floodplain and
water quality analysis, surface water resource assessment, establishment of LOS, BMP alternative analysis.
Benefits
The WMP provides a method to evaluate the capacity of a watershed to protect, enhance, and restore water quality
and natural systems, while achieving flood protection. The information developed provides the science for the District's
Resource Management and Environmental Resource Permitting (ERP). It assists local governments: 1) With their land
management responsibilities by establishing a level of service and developing Best Management Practices (BMPs) to
address level of service deficiencies. 2) Provides a Geodatabase and projected results from watershed model
simulations for floodplain and water quality management.
Costs
The total budget amount for this project is $1 million, of which the District's share is $500,000 to be funded by the
Manasota Basin. The County will contribute $500,000. Previously approved FY2007 funding included $500,000 from
the Basin's budget with a revenue from Manatee County for $250,000. Previously approved FY2008 funding included
$500,000 from the Basin's budget with a revenue from Manatee County for $250,000. Due to the recent tax cuts,
Manatee County has notified us that they are not able to contribute the $250,000 as originally planned for FY2008.
When each element is completed the project budget and scope may require refinement based on the information
gathered. The District funding amounts shown in the table include staff salaries.
Additional Information
A WMP includes five major elements: 1) Topographic Information, 2) Watershed Evaluation, 3) Watershed
Management Plan, 4) Implementation of Best Management Practices, and 5) Maintenance of Watershed Parameters
and Models. Implementing elements of the WMP with local governments is one of the Comprehensive Watershed
Management (CWM) initiative strategies and one of the District's Strategic Priorities. The District has been working
with the County for several years through the Watershed Management Program Coordination to develop a five year
implementation schedule by watershed based on their projected funding levels, and funding available from others for
example FEMA or State appropriations. A cooperative funding revenue agreement with Manatee County has been
developed as a multi-year funded project contingent on the approval of future funding to complete the WMP elements
through the Watershed Management Plan. This is a multi-year funded project that will require a cooperative funding
request each fiscal year until completed. If approved, this project will be ranked as a 1A project in future fiscal years.
The District will manage the project and will enter into work orders and agreements to accomplish project tasks.
Future cooperative funding requests and agreements will be required for a BMP alternative analysis, the
Implementation of BMPs, and the Maintenance of Watershed Parameters and Models.
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