Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #891FY0001 Contaminant Assessments at Former Muck Farms in the Upper Ocklawaha River Basin
Requester:		Gene Molnar, Chairman			Organization:		Lake County Water Authority
Project Title:		Contaminant Assessments at Former Muck Farms in the Upper Ocklawaha River Basin			Date Submitted:		2/9/01 4:05:36 PM
Sponsors:		Anna Cowin
Statewide Interest:		Water quality & natural systems improvement to a highly degraded chain of lakes system.
Recipient:		St. Johns River Water Management District			Contact:		Carol Senne
		P.O. Box 1429			Contact Phone:		(904) 329-4447
		Palatka 32178-1429
Counties:		Lake
Service Area:		Government Entity
Project Description:
This funding will provide for contaminant assessments at Emeralda Marsh Conservation Area ($50,000) and Pine Meadows Restoration Area ($20,000). A large part of the District's efforts to restore water quality in the Harris Chain of Lakes has focused on the purchase and restoration of wetlands on 12,000 acres of former muck farms that drain into the lakes. The District conducted a screening-level survey of contaminants at five muck farm restoration sites (excluding Lake Apopka) and in the Harris Chain of Lakes soon after purchase. Additional contaminant sampling was later conducted at Emeralda Marsh Conservation Area to assess sites for fisheries management and for a marsh filtration system. Pesticide residues from farming were present at levels that did not present a clear hazard to fish, wildlife or humans. With funding now available for large-scale restoration construction at the former muck farms, additional contaiminant sampling and analysis is being conducted on soils to be exposed by construction activities at these former farms. Independent toxicologists will evaluate results to determine if increased sediment exposure would threaten wildlife using the restoration sites. Construction will not begin until evaluation of soil contaminants indicates that wildlife will not be threatened. Project Partner: U.S. Department of Agriculture - Natural Resources Conservation Service
Measurable Outcome Anticipated:
Independent evaluation to determine if increased sediment exposure would threaten wildlife using the restoration sites.
Amount requested from the State for this project this year:						$70,000
Total cost of the project:			$220,000
Request has been made to fund:				Construction
Type of funding match:		Federal
	Total Cash Amount:		$150,000
Was this project previously funded by the State?							No
Is future-year funding likely to be requested?							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:		Upper Ocklawaha Basin Surface Water Improvement and Management Plan
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:		12/20/00