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

W526
Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program
Project Type SWIM
AOR(s)
Water Quality, Natural Systems
Basin(s) Peace River, Manasota
Cooperator(s)
Project Manager GARCIA, LIZANNE
Task Manager(s)
Status Ongoing
Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program
KAUFMAN, KRIS, POWERS, STEPHANIE, GARCIA, LIZANNE
Description
This project provides for the funding of the Annual Workplan for the Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program
(CHNEP). The District participates in three main areas. First the District's SWIM program, usually funded by the basin
boards and State, carries out the projects that will address water quality and habitat restoration within the Harbor.
Second, the District has contributed annual funding to the CHNEP since 1997 to carry out the administration and
implement of projects identified in the CHNEP Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan. And finally, the
District provides staff to sit on the technical, management and policy (Governing or Basin Board member) committees
of the program. The District's annual budget includes funding support to the CHNEP and District staff salaries, travel
and central garage to administer the project, which includes attending board meetings and other workshops and
invoicing.
Benefits
This project support of the CHNEP creates an opportunity for a cohesive effort between the District, CHNEP and other
state and local agencies to implement resource management decisions and restoration activities. Additionally, this
project provides for leveraging funding between the partners. Projects contained within the CHNEP Annual Workplan
address management issues concerning hydrologic alterations, water quality degradation, and habitat loss within the
Peace and Myakka River watersheds and the Charlotte Harbor estuary.
Costs
The District has provided funding to the CHNEP on an annual basis since 1997. The District's annual funding
commitment for the CHNEP is $110,000, which is split between the Manasota Basin Board (25%) and the Peace River
Basin Board (75%). If State SWIM funds are available, they will be applied to the District's contribution. District funds
are used to implement projects outlined in the Annual Workplan. District funds shown in the table include staff
salaries.
Additional Information
In 1987, the Florida Legislature established the Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) Act, having
recognized that water quality and habitat in surface waters through out the state have degraded or were in danger of
being degraded. The Act requires the District to maintain a priority list of waterbodies of regional or statewide
significance within their boundaries. Charlotte Harbor is designated as a priority waterbody. Charlotte Harbor was
identified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) in 1995 as an estuary of Federal
Significance and subsequently included in the National Estuary Program. As a result of this designation, the Charlotte
Harbor National Estuary Program was established to assist the region in developing a comprehensive plan for the
restoration and protection of Charlotte Harbor. Partners in the CHNEP include the Southwest Florida and South
Florida Water Management Districts, USEPA, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, other state and federal
agencies, and local governments from the watershed. The goals and strategies for the Harbor are identified in the
Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP) for Charlotte Harbor which provides guidance to each
entity on their contribution to restore the Harbor. Since 1993, the District has completed several habitat restoration
projects and diagnostic assessments, including seagrass mapping, water quality monitoring, and development of a
pollutant load reduction goal for the Harbor.
020 - Peace River Basin 49