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

W556
FDOT - Cape Haze Pioneer Trail Hydrologic Restoration
Project Type SWIM
AOR(s)
Water Quality, Natural Systems
Basin(s) Peace River
Cooperator(s)
Florida Department of Transportation
Project Manager POWERS, STEPHANIE
Task Manager(s)
Status Ongoing
Description
This project is in response to an FY2008 cooperative funding request from the Florida Department of Transportation
(FDOT) to restore habitat and improve water quality in the upper reaches of the East Fork of Coral Creek in Charlotte
County. In the early 1900s, a railroad causeway was constructed across Coral Creek effectively reducing the
bank-to-bank open water width from approximately 1,000 feet down to around 30 feet. This activity significantly
reduced tidal exchange and caused sedimentation in Coral Creek. Charlotte County acquired the railroad right-of-way
and converted the northern segment to a rails-to-trails bike/pedestrian path, known as the Cape Haze Pioneer Trail.
The District owns land on both sides of the trail. The trail presently terminates at the northern shore of Coral Creek.
The County had coordinated with the FDOT through a Local Agency Participation (LAP) agreement to bridge the
existing 30 foot opening and continue the trail to the south, but construction funds were redirected toward the
hurricane recovery efforts after Hurricane Charlie passed through the area in August 2004. District and FDOT funds
would be used for the engineering design, environmental permitting and construction for the removal of the existing
causeway. Non-District funds would be used for the construction of the new elevated boardwalk.
Benefits
The project is anticipated to restore tidal exchange and improve estuarine and intertidal habitats to approximately 110
acres of the East Fork of Coral Creek. It would also remove significant areas of exotic vegetation growth from project
areas. Additional benefits include extending the Pioneer Trail to the south, thus continuing public access to the
southern segment of the rails-to-trails. Further, this project compliments the goals of the Coral Creek Habitat
Restoration Project (W553), at SWIM initiative project, presently in the design phase.
Costs
The FY2008 project cost is $60,000 for design and permitting, with the FDOT and the District each contributing half
($30,000). The District share is split between the Peace River Basin Board ($15,000) and State SWIM ($15,000).
Future funding requests will be made to finance construction of the project.
Additional Information
Coral Creek flows into Charlotte Harbor near Placida, south of the Rotunda in Charlotte County. Charlotte Harbor is a
SWIM priority waterbody as well as a designated estuary of national significance as part of the National Estuary
Program. The project is consistent with the habitat restoration and water quality improvement goals of the District's
SWIM Plan for Charlotte Harbor. The project site adjacent to an ~2,600 acre parcel co-owned by the District and the
FDEP, and is part of the Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park. It appears that a significant volume of the stormwater
runoff from a residential area to the north discharges into the East Fork without much water quality treatment.
Elevated nitrogen levels have been observed in Coral Creek by Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program water
quality studies.
020 - Peace River Basin 61