Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #655FY0001 Lake Griffin Alligator Health
Requester:		Gene Molnar			Organization:		Lake County Water Authority
Project Title:		Lake Griffin Alligator Health			Date Submitted:		02/07/2001 10:08:20 AM
Sponsors:		Randy Johnson
Statewide Interest:		Water quality and natural systems improvement to a large regional chain of lakes
Recipient:		Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission			Contact:		Dennis David
		1239 SW 10th Street			Contact Phone:		(352) 732-1225
		Ocala 34474
Counties:		Lake
Service Area:		Government Entity
Project Description:
Alligators are sensitive indicators of lake health. As predators at the top of the food chain, they are affected by changes in the food chain caused by lake eutrophication and they accumulate pollutants and blue-green algal toxins that may affect survival and reproduction. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has performed alligator population surveys on Lake Griffin for the last 20 years. Over the last several years, mortality of adult alligators has increased dramatically while hatch rates of alligator eggs have declined. Sick alligators collected from Lake Griffin have decreased nervous function and lesions in the brain or on the nerves. This funding will provide for evaluation of changes in Lake Griffin's alligator population relative to habitat and contaminants. Scientists will examine alligator mortality, assess egg viability in comparison with other lakes, and provide materials for studies in pathology and of contaminants. Levels and distribution of contaminants in alligator tissues and eggs will be examined. Clinical methods will be developed to detect toxins in tissue samples from sick and dead alligators and to assess the effects of these toxins on alligator mortality and egg viability. A $5.00 in-Kind contribution has been assigned to show there is an In-Kind Contribution. An Amount has not been attatched the the contribution at this time, but there will be one.
Measurable Outcome Anticipated:
Alligator mortality rate: egg viability rate compared to other lakes; contaminant levels and distribution
Amount requested from the State for this project this year:						$630,000
Identify item(s) in the Appropriations Bill to be reduced:
Specific Appropriation #:			1591G
Specific Appropriation Title:			Grants and Aids to Local Governments and Nonprofit Organizations - Fixed Capital Outlay: Statewide Restoration Projects
Amount to be reduced:			$630,000
Fund Source:
Total cost of the project:			$1,980,000
Request has been made to fund:				Operations
Type of funding match:		Local
					Total In-Kind Amount:		$5
Was this project previously funded by the State?							No
Is future-year funding likely to be requested?							Yes
	Amount:		$850,000
	Purpose for future year funding:					Recurring Operations
	Will this be an annual request?						No
Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request?							Unknown
Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget?							Unknown
Is there a documented need for this project?							Yes
	Documentation:		Unknown at this time.
Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)?							Yes
	Hearing Body:		Lake County Water Authority
	Meeting Date:		12/20/2000