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

S051
Bright Hour Watershed
Project Type SOR
AOR(s)
Flood Protection, Water Quality, Natural Systems
Basin(s) Peace River
Cooperator(s)
Project Manager MILLER, WILL
Task Manager(s)
Status Ongoing
SOWDERS, GINA, LOVE, KEVIN, GREEN, STEPHANIE
Description
In 1998 the Governing Board authorized the less-than-fee acquisition of 51,158 acres in DeSoto County, referred to as
the Bright Hour Watershed. To date 32,227 acres have been acquired by the District via perpetual conservation
easements (less-than-fee). An additional 19,311 acres have been identified for potential purchase of conservation
easements within the watershed. The project area consists of extensive, high quality prairie, hammock, marsh and
slough systems that provide water management benefits for a traditionally water-poor region. Hydrologic values
include protection of the headwaters of several important creek systems, such as Prairie and Shell Creeks. Water
storage, conveyance and flood control are also provided by the watershed's poorly drained landscape. Habitat
protection for numerous rare plant and animal species and globally imperiled, high quality natural communities is
amply afforded by this project.
Benefits
Since the lands within the project are not owned in fee simple, land management activities consist of monitoring the
terms of the conservation easements.
Costs
Funds included in the FY2009 and FY2010 budgets are for staff time for annual monitoring of the conservation
easements. Costs for this activity are 100 percent reimbursed through the state's Water Management Lands Trust
Fund.
FY 2009 FY2010
Funding Funding
District Budgeted - Outside Revenue
(SOR)
020 Peace River Basin 2,090 2,156
Status As Of: August 27, 2009
No significant activities have occurred since last update.
020 - Peace River Basin 20