Senate Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #2223 Chassahowitzka Regional Wastewater Collection System
Requester:	Ken Cheek		Organization:		Citrus County Board of County Commissioners
Project Title:	Chassahowitzka Regional Wastewater Collection System		Date Submitted:		01/31/2000 1:23:44 PM
District Member:	Richard Mitchell		Service Area:		City/Town
Counties Affected:	Citrus
Recipient:	Citrus County Board of County Commissioners		Contact:		Ken Cheek
	111 W Main Street - Third Floor		Contact Phone:		(352) 746-2694
	Inverness 34450
Project Description:
The project will construct a potable water distribution system to provide safe drinking water to Chassahowitzka area. These facilities will address the environmental and public health concerns associated with the general decline in water quality in the area and begin the process of restoring the Chassahowitzka River to its natural state. The decline in water quality is attributed, in large part, to the impact of septic tank effluent on the surface waters and ground water in the Chassahowitzka area. Many of the residents get their drinking water from private wells, which draw from the same groundwater. A seperate application for state funding assistance has been submitted for review by the Water Advisory Panel for construction of a wastewater collection system to serve the Chassahowitzka area.
Services Provided/Benefit to State:
The Chassahowitzka River and the surrounding marshes are prime wildlife habitat for a variety of species including the West Indian manatee, the bald eagle and the American alligator. The importance of maintaining the Chassahowitzka River and the surrounding coastline has been recognized by State and Federal Agencies and has led to the establishment of the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge which extends north and south of the river. In addition, the Southwest Florida Water Management District has purchased a substantial amount of property adjacent to the headwaters of the river. The construction of the Suncoast Parkway is expected to bring additional pressure on this entire area. This project will reduce the impact of existing development on the natural system and provide a healthy source of potable water for the existing residents of the Chassahowitzka area.
Measurable Outcome Anticipated:
The project will eliminate the need for private drinking water wells and connect the existing residences to a central water system. This will reduce the risk to public health by providing safe drinking water for the existing residents of the area.
Amount requested from the State for this project this year:				$1,200,000
Total cost of the project:		$1,200,000

Request has been made to fund:			Construction
Is there Local Government or Private match for this request?					Yes
				In-Kind Amount:	$50,000
Was this project previously funded by the State?					No
Is future-year funding likely to be requested?					Unknown
Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request?					Yes
	Agency:	Environmental Protection, Department Of
Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget?					Yes
Is there a documented need for this project?					Yes
	Documentation:	The need is addressed in the Citrus Cty. Comp. Plan. Water tests by Univ. S FL indicate pollutants
Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)?					Yes
	Hearing Body:	Citrus County Board of County Commissioners
	Meeting Date:	09/14/1999