Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #89
Tampa Bay Surface Water Improvement and Management Plan Implementation
Requester:		E.D. "Sonny" Vergara, Executiv			Organization:		Southwest Florida Water Management District
Project Title:		Tampa Bay Surface Water Improvement and Management Plan Implementation			Date Submitted		1/7/2003 10:32:41 AM
Sponsors:		Murman
Statewide Interest:
Tampa bay has been identified by the SWFWMD as the #1 priority water body within its jurisdiction.
Recipient:		Southwest Florida Water Management District			Contact:		Bruce C. Wirth, Director, Reso
		2379 Broad Street			Contact Phone:		(800) 423-1476
		Brooksville 34604
Counties:		Hillsborough, Manatee, Pinellas
Gov't Entity:		Yes	Private Organization (Profit/Not for Profit):
Project Description:
This project approved by the Governing Board of the SWFWMD involves the implementation of ongoing SWIM Plan projects including seagrass mapping, habitat restoration and stormwater retrofit projects. The SWIM Plan goals are to: Cap nitrogen loadings to Tampa Bay at the existing levels, restore 12,350 acres of seagrass and protect the bay's existing 25,600 acres of grass beds, and restore the historic balance of coastal habitats in order to better support the bays fish and wildlife populations. There are over 40 ongoing water quality improvement and habitat restoration projects including Cockroach Bay, Clam Bayou, McKay Bay/Palm River, Wolf Branch Creek, The Kitchen, Terra Ceia, McIntosh Park, Reed Property, Kapok Wetlands, Apollo Beach and others. Projects involve many partners including Hillsborough, Manatee and Pinellas counties, as well as the cities of St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Tampa and Largo. The projects under this plan are closely coordinated with the programs of the governments surrounding the bay (Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, Tampa, Clearwater) as well as FDEP and EPA.
Is this a water project as described in Chapter 2002-291, Laws of Florida?								Yes
Has the project been submitted to the Department of Environmental Protection?								Yes
DEP Identfying Number:			SWR20022179
Measurable Outcome Anticipated:
To cap nitrogen loadings to Tampa Bay at existing levels and to encourage the re-growth of an additional 12,350 acres of seagrass. To protect relatively clean areas of the bay from the increases in toxic contamination and minimize the risk to marine life and humans associated with toxic contaminants to impacted areas. To increase and preserve the quantity, quality and diversity of seagrass communities. The long term goal is to restore 12,350 acres of seagrass and to protect the bay's existing 25,699 acres.
Amount requested from the State for this project this year:						$7,000,000
Identify item(s) in the FY 2003-04 Appropriations Bill to be reduced:
Specific Appropriation #:
Specific Appropriation Title:
Amount to be reduced:			$
Total cost of the project:			$9,000,000
Request has been made to fund:				Construction
What type of match exists for this project?					Local
	Cash Amount		$2,000,000
Was this project previously funded by the state?							No
Is future-year funding likely to be requested?							Yes
	Amount:		$5,000,000		To Fund:		Operations, Construction
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:		Tampa Bay SWIM Plan
Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)?							Yes
	Hearing Body:			Hillsborough County Legislative Delegation
	Hearing Meeting Date:			01/31/2003