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

W507
CHEC Peace River Watershed Education
Project Type SWIM
AOR(s)
Water Supply, Flood Protection, Water Quality, Natural Systems
Basin(s) Peace River
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 develops
and provides watershed education outreach programs to residents that focus on awareness and protection of the
Peace River watershed and Charlotte Harbor. This project will reach approximately 5,000 residents in Charlotte,
DeSoto, Hardee and Polk counties. Specifically, participants will learn how to correctly operate their irrigation systems,
properly fertilize their landscapes, utilize integrated best management practices and incorporate Florida-friendly
landscaping, leading to a reduction of pollution in stormwater runoff. The FY2010 program components include
coordinating a volunteer monitoring program in the City of Punta Gorda, conducting interpretive bus tours in the Peace
River basin, attending community events, leading educational hikes to Shell Creek and Prairie Creek properties,
reprinting and distributing "Keeping the Peace" watershed guide booklets and evaluation to determine knowledge and
behavioral changes. 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." Through education, residents will learn specific behaviors that will have a positive impact on watersheds,
leading to more sustainable water resources.
Costs
The total cost of the FY2010 project is $62,198, with the District contributing $29,000. The District's share is split
between the Peace River Basin Board $14,500 and State SWIM $14,500. This program is projected to reach 5,000
residents at a cost to the District of $5.80 per resident. The budget line below includes costs for staff to manage the
project.
Additional Information
The total cost of the FY2009 project was $71,248, with the District contributing $18,101 (Peace River $9,051; SWIM
$9,050). Originally, the Peace River Basin Board approved funding for $34,050. A portion of this project was for the
Hardee Volunteer Water Monitoring program for $21,799. Staff transferred this amount to SWIM to coordinate this
portion of the project. After further review, SWIM concluded these funds would benefit the District more as an
education program and the $21,799 was returned to Communications. At the April 2009 meetings, the Peace River
and Manasota basin boards approved the final transfer of $15,949 from W507 to W513 (Charlotte County
Fourth-Grade Field Trip). The CHEC Peace River Watershed Education project will reach 5,000 residents at a cost to
the District of $4 per person.
020 - Peace River Basin 39