House Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #527 Lake Trafford Restoration
Requester:	Frank Bernardino		Organization:		South Florida Water Management District
Project Title:	Lake Trafford Restoration		Date Submitted:		01/24/2000 12:12:52 PM
District Member:	Dudley Goodlette		Service Area:		Regional
Counties Affected:	Collier
Recipient:	Big Cypress Basin, SFWMD		Contact:		Frank Bernardino
	6089 Jane Lane		Contact Phone:		(305) 546-8836
	Naples 34109
Project Description:
The project involves the use of one or more 14-inch portable cutter dredges to accomplish lake-wide organic sediment removal. Approximately 8.5 million cubic yards of loose, flocculent, organic materials blanket the bottom of the Lake and range from approximately 9 inches to 9 feet in thickness. The material will be pumped to an upland disposal site on existing farmland less than 1 mile from the Lake. The pipeline to the upland disposal area will be located adjacent to an existing ditch with an easement being provided by the landowner. This ditch will also be used to carry the return flow from the disposal area. The disposal area consists of a 624-acre diked, agricultural facility, which will be divided into three cells. Lake Trafford has no control structures and is an aquifer and rainfall runoff fed lake. Dredging will occur with the Lake's water surface at a normal elevation, which typically ranges between 18 and 23 feet NGVD on a seasonal basis.
Services Provided/Benefit to State:
Restoration of Lake Trafford is necessary to preserve a vital environmental resource. As the headwater to the Corkscrew Swamp and Camp Keais Strand, the water quality of the Lake affects these wetland resources that have been targeted for protection. These wetlands drain into important estuarine systems such as Estero Bay, Wiggins Pass at Estero Bay, and Cape Romano. Lake Trafford is an integral contributor to the sheetflow that traverses such areas as the Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed (CREW) and the Southern Golden Gate Estates area. As the only major lake in southwest Florida, Lake Trafford provides a sanctuary during the dry season. The quality of the Lake and the associated watershed affects important wildlife species and offers a sanctuary for migrating birds. Restoration of Lake Trafford will be independent, requiring no other non-project features to meet performance objectives. The benefits will be substantial, the water quality and habitat of a 1,494-acre lake in south Florida will be restored and the spread of exotic plants (i.e., Hydrilla verticillata) will be reduced. An opportunity for more native aquatic plants to develop within the Lake will be created. The fisheries and wildlife dependent upon Lake Trafford will benefit from the improved water quality provided by this project. This project will likely lead to an increase in sport fishing on Lake Trafford and in increase in general recreational use of the Lake. Any recreational benefits occur without additional cost and the restoration effort will not be detrimentally impacted by recreational use of the Lake. This project was ranked number 15 in importance by the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Working Group.
Measurable Outcome Anticipated:
A list the quantifiable restoration targets of the project. Remove 8.5 million cubic yards of muck. Improve water quality. Restore habitat. Increase natural regional retention/detention capacity. Improve fisheries.
Amount requested from the State for this project this year:				$1,000,000
Total cost of the project:		$17,540,000

Request has been made to fund:			Construction
Is there Local Government or Private match for this request?						Yes
	Cash Amount:	$10,155,000		In-Kind Amount:		$3,385,000
Was this project previously funded by the State?						Yes
	Fiscal Year:	1999-2000		Amount:		$1,000,000
Is future-year funding likely to be requested?						Yes
	Amount:	$2,000,000
	Purpose for future year funding:				YesNon-recurring Construction
	Will this be an annual request?					No
Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request?						No
Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget?						No
Is there a documented need for this project?						Yes
	Documentation:	South Lee County Watershed Plan; Big Cypress Basin Watershed Plan
Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)?						No