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

W506
CHEC Charlotte Harbor/Lemon Bay SWIM Watershed Education
Project Type SWIM
AOR(s)
Water Supply, Flood Protection, Water Quality, Natural Systems
Basin(s) Peace River, Manasota
Cooperator(s)
Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center
Project Manager STERNBERGER, VIRGINIA
Task Manager(s)
Status Ongoing
Description
This Surface Water Improvement and Management project with the Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center provides
public involvement and water quality education opportunities to more than 4,000 residents in the Charlotte
Harbor/Lemon Bay watersheds. The program's goal is to foster a sense of stewardship and encourage actions that
benefit the watershed through focused education/outreach programs. The FY2010 program components include a
volunteer water quality monitoring program, estuary wading trips, a three-day water workshop for local residents,
community events, estuary boat trips, hiking trips; six barrier island education trips, reprint and distribution of "Keep it
Clean" Lemon Bay booklets, and reprint and distribution of "Watershed" Lemon Bay DVDs. Effectiveness will
be measured by number of participants, number of materials distributed, pre- and posttests and surveys.
Benefits
The Peace River discharges into Charlotte Harbor, a SWIM priority water body and a designated "estuary of national
significance." The project fosters a sense of stewardship for the Peace River, Charlotte Harbor, Lemon Bay and
related freshwater resources through focused education opportunities for public participation and schools. The
program provides an opportunity for comparison of different areas within the Charlotte Harbor and Lemon Bay
watersheds. These programs are consistent with the District's watershed management and watershed education
initiatives. Education was named as one of the top priorities of the Manasota and Peace River basin boards. CHEC
has the expertise and experience to provide quality education in a variety of methods leading to increased knowledge
and behavior modificiation among participants.
Costs
The total cost of the FY2010 project is $89,446, with the District contributing $39,250. The District's share is split
between the Peace River Basin Board ($16,283), the Manasota Basin Board ($3,342) and State SWIM (19,625).
District funds will pay for materials and program expenses. Each basin's share is based on anticipated work within that
basin. The program is projected to reach 4,230 residents at a cost to the District of $9 per person. The budget lines
below include costs for staff to manage the project.
Additional Information
The total cost of the FY2009 project was $85,835, with the District contributing $34,726 (Manasota $3,473; Peace
River $13,890; SWIM $17,363). This program is reaching 4,230 residents at a cost to the District of $8 per resident.
District funding is allocated toward staff time, materials and program expenses. The District has supported this project
since FY2000.
020 - Peace River Basin 37