July 1, 2000 - June 30, 2001 Grant Cycle
COASTAL PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVE GRANTS
BY CATEGORY
Community
Stewardship
Baywatch For The Real Florida: Seagrass Monitoring
Florida Keys Greensweep Initiative
Coastal Wetland Nursery Program
Sea Turtle Monitoring and Public Information
Archie Carr Refuge: Pepper Free by 2003
Barrier Island Stewardship Initiative
Waterfronts
Panacea Revitalization Planning Project
A Revitalized Coastal Destination at Vilano Beach
Remarkable Coastal
Places
Marineland: A Remarkable Coastal Place
Public Access
Blind Creek Park Dune Crossovers
Ocean Bay Access, St. Lucie County
Trails and Tales: A Tour of Barrier Island Habitats
Manatee County Blueways
Nature Greenway Access to Town Center
OTHER FLORIDA COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM GRANTS Building Collaborative Processes for Addressing Coastal
Issues
"City of Wonders" Exhibit Support
Coastal Application of Sustainable Florida Standards
Coastal Program Support
Coastal Program Support
Evaluating and
Integrating Hazard Mitigation Assistance
Florida Blueways Strategic Implementation
Florida Seagrass Management Toolbox
New Best Management Practices
for Coastal Citrus
Key West Water Quality Enhancement Program
Ocean Research Priorities for Florida
Ocean and Coastal Policy Coordination
Waterfronts Florida Program Administration
Community
Stewardship
PROJECT: Baywatch For The Real Florida: Seagrass Monitoring
CONTACT:
Linda Fitzhugh
Monitoring Coordinator
Gulf Coast Community College
5230 W Hwy 98
Panama City, FL 32401
(850) 872-3488
fitzhugh@knology.net
FCMP FUNDING AMOUNT:
$25,000
DESCRIPTION:
Seagrass coverage in St. Andrew Bay has been on the decline since 1964.
Based on aerial surveys taken between 1964 and 1992, we know that over 350 acres of seagrasses
have been lost in West Bay alone. Furthermore, seagrasses are damaged by boat propellers; it is
estimated that more than 50% of the seagrass beds in the bay show signs of scarring. The
problem is that no one knows why so many acres of seagrasses have been lost, and no one knows
if species composition is changing in the bay system.
To answer these questions, the St. Andrew Bay Resource Management Association (RMA) will
start a seagrass monitoring program to better determine the health of this essential fisheries
habitat. RMA will set up transects and collect data on species composition, seagrass density,
seagrass canopy height, epiphyte abundance, and water quality. RMA will also create two videos
that will be used to better educate the public. One video will show viewers the importance of this
habitat. The second video will demonstrate how easy it is to start and maintain a seagrass
monitoring program.
PROJECT: Florida Keys Greensweep Initiative
CONTACT:
Chris Bergh
South Florida Regional Land Steward
The Nature Conservancy
PO Box 4958
Key West, FL 33041-4958
(305)296-3880
FAX (305) 292-1763
FCMP FUNDING AMOUNT: $25,000
DESCRIPTION: Invasive exotic plants are an insidious and pervasive threat to the ecological
integrity of the Florida Keys' upland natural areas and they are growing stronger and more
difficult to contain every day. Left uncontrolled, these weeds endanger the existence of the Keys'
unique flora, fauna and natural communities and an important part of the resource-based economy
they support. On the opposite side of this coin, the use of native plants in residential and
commercial landscapes has proven slow to catch on in the Keys. Education concerning the
benefits of native plants is lacking and there is a need for informed volunteers to help with natural
area restoration. There is a pressing need for a proactive, organized program designed to involve
local people in exotic plant control, native plant restoration and other terrestrial conservation
projects. In order to create such a program The Nature Conservancy (TNC) has formalized its
partnership with the Monroe County Cooperative Extension Service (Extension Service). The
pairing of TNC' s biodiversity conservation experience and established volunteer management
program (the Volunteer Stewardship Exchange) with the Extension Service' s expertise in
environmental outreach is a natural fit with great potential for success. A third partner is the
Florida Keys Invasive Exotics Task Force (Task Force), an interagency working group of 21
member organizations formed in 1996. In addition to TNC and the Extension Service this active
group includes most of the Key's public and private land managers, Monroe County planners, a
representative from the local office of the Department of Community Affairs (DCA), and other
conservation professionals. The Task Force will play a primary role in identifying and prioritizing
sites for volunteers to work.
PROJECT: Coastal Wetland Nursery Program
CONTACT:
Peter A. Clark
Executive Director
Tampa BayWatch
8401 Ninth St. N., Suite 230-B, St. Petersburg, FL 33702
(727) 896-5320
pclark@tampabaywatch.org
FCMP FUNDING AMOUNT: $25, 000
DESCRIPTION: Tampa BayWatch conserves and restores coastal wetland habitats in Tampa
Bay through the establishment of salt marsh nurseries within the bay region's middle and high
school ecology or science clubs. These nurseries are student-constructed and maintained and
provide a source of native wetland plants, specifically Spartina alterniflora (or more commonly
known as smooth cordgrass) to be used in habitat restoration projects, while teaching students the
value of maintaining a healthy environment. Each of the existing 11 Tampa BayWatch school
wetland nurseries involves at least 150 - 250 students every year, for a total of approximately
2200 students participating in the program each year. There are plans to add more schools and
nurseries, and in the Tampa Bay region by the end of the 2000/2001 school year. Upon inclusion
of three new nurseries, the nursery ponds will be capable of supporting between one and two
rooting cycles per year, for a potential program total of 70,000 to 140,000 plants, provided free
of charge to local and state environmental agencies conducting habitat restoration projects.
Ideally, these plants will result in enough salt marsh grasses to restore 14 - 20 new acres of tidal
ponds per year. This is a significant contribution to the long-term health and recovery of the
Tampa Bay estuary.
The High School Wetland Nursery Program (HSWNP) also instills in students an understanding and
appreciation of the Tampa Bay estuary. Tampa BayWatch, along with the participating schools,
conducts environmental educational outreach that involves students in hands-on habitat restoration
and protection activities. The interaction among the students and with local scientists creates a
heightened awareness within the community of the problems affecting the bay. The students are also
trained to be mentors to other classmates, to help ensure the program's success in future years.
PROJECT: Sea Turtle Monitoring and Public
Information
CONTACT:
Paul Davis
Environmental Program Supervisor
Department of Environmental Resource Management
3323 Belvedere Road, West Palm Beach, Fl 33406-1548
(561) 233-2400
pdavis@co.palm-beach.fl.us
FCMP FUNDING AMOUNT: $18, 500
DESCRIPTION: Sea turtle nesting data is used by many agencies and organizations for
management purposes and education. Collection of consistent data is vital but is hampered by
lack of enough people to survey and collect data and a consistent countrywide protocol. This
project assist with volunteer monitoring and data collection coordination; development of a
countrywide incentive program, and education of key user groups and property owners to reduce
activities that negatively affect sea turtle nesting and survival.
A pilot volunteer-based monitoring
program was initiated last year with FCMP funds and will be continued and expanded. The goal
for the 2000 nesting season will be to use volunteers to monitor 2 miles of beach 7 days per week.
The goal for the 2001 nesting season will be to establish monitoring programs on additional
beaches that are currently not consistently monitored. This will be accomplished by using trained
Program Coordinators to assist in the training and coordination of additional volunteers for these
beaches. Data collected by 15 different entities that conduct sea turtle monitoring throughout
Palm Beach must be collected consistently to be useful. This project proposes to adopt the data
the data collection standards of the statewide Index Nesting Beach Survey as a County standard.
In an effort to encourage permit holders to adopt these standards, an incentive program is
proposed. The incentive program will provide supplies such as surplus computers, software,
stakes, paint and cameras, volunteer manpower, training and other assistance. This project will
also adopt County standards for the reporting of data. Permit holders receiving assistance will
sign a pledge in which they agree to adopt countrywide standards for data collection and
reporting.
PROJECT: Archie Carr
Refuge: Pepper Free by 2003
CONTACT:
Raymond Mojica
Brevard County Parks and Recreation
2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Bldg. B
Viera, FL 32940
(321) 633-2046
FCMP FUNDING AMOUNT: $ 25, 000
DESCRIPTION:
Brazilian pepper continues to invade the maritime hammock and coastal
habitat of the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge. Aggressive efforts have been made to treat all
pepper plants on publicly owned lands within the Refuge. Until now, however, there has been
little chance to include citizens in the eradication efforts directed toward private property. This
project will offer quarterly community information meetings, as initiated through prior grants, to
educate the homeowners about Brazilian pepper and appropriate treatments and update them on
the progress of the "Archie Carr Refuge: Pepper-Free in 20003" project; will establish a volunteer
"pepper buster" program; and provide funds for the cost of chemicals. Private lands directly
adjacent to already treated conservation lands will be targeted first for removal of pepper.
The
Brevard Pepper Busters, a volunteer group, was formed more than 5 years ago to initiate public
awareness about Brazilian pepper. Any landowner living adjacent to the Indian River Lagoon
who removes all the pepper growing along their shoreline will be offered free mangrove plants for
shoreline planting. The home/business owners who totally eliminate pepper from their land will
also be publicly recognized at the quarterly meetings. This project will establish a local citizen
volunteer corps program for the south beaches. Brevard County is committed to eradication of
Brazilian pepper and to the training of volunteers. All volunteers will be trained in the proper use
of chemicals and provided with the appropriate safety equipment. Since these volunteers will be
local homeowners, they can also serve as "pepper buster ambassadors" to the private land owners,
educating their neighbors about Brazilian pepper and the Archie Carr Refuge: Pepper-Free in
2003 project.
PROJECT:
Barrier Island Stewardship Initiative
CONTACT:
David Godfrey
Executive Director
Caribbean Conservation Corporation
4424 NW 13th Street, Suite A-1, Gainesville, Fl 32609
(352) 373-6441
FCMP FUNDING AMOUNT:
$25,000
DESCRIPTION:
In order to promote a greater community understanding and stewardship of the
significant role Brevard County's barrier islands play in the survival of threatened and endangered
sea turtles, as well as other imperiled Florida wildlife, the Caribbean Conservation Corporation
(CCC) proposes to develop a partnership educational program with the Brevard County
Environmentally Endangered Lands Program that will provide visitors to the planned "Barrier
Island Ecosystem Center" (Center) with high-quality, interactive exhibits and opportunities for in-field experiences with nesting sea turtles. The Richard King Mellon Foundation purchased a
beachfront parcel of land within the Archie Carr NWR in south Brevard County and donated it to
Brevard County for the purpose of building and operating a public learning center to raise
awareness about the unique and fragile nature of barrier islands.. Brevard County and its citizens
are enthusiastically committed to building the center, and they are already in the final stages of
preparing the master site plan. Brevard County approached CCC about becoming a partner in the
development and operation of educational displays and programs at the Center. Specifically, the
County is looking to CCC for assistance in designing exhibits that accurately tell the story of
Archie Carr, sea turtles and the global significance of Brevard's south beaches. CCC accepted the
offer to become a partner in the Center and views the opportunity as a way to expand CCC's
existing public education and outreach activities in Brevard County.
Waterfronts
PROJECT:
Panacea
Revitalization Planning Project
CONTACT:
Pam Portwood
Grants and Special Project Coordinator
Post Office Box 309
Crawfordville, Florida 32326-0309
(850) 926-0909
pam.grants@nettally.com
FCMP FUNDING AMOUNT:
$25,000
DESCRIPTION:
Wakulla County has received funding for several projects within the waterfront
area of Dickerson Bay and Panacea. The County believes that an organized, comprehensive plan
for the entire area, rather than a separate plan for each project, would have a greater, more
positive impact on the community as a whole. The County believes that the solution to the overall
needs of the community is to promote eco-tourism through implementation of a plan that will
revitalize the waterfront area. The Waterfronts Florida Partnership is particularly appropriate for
the Panacea waterfront area and the County is interested in applying for designation during the
next cycle application. Unfortunately, the local government lacks resources to coordinate this
planning effort and obtain assistance. This project provides a means for the County to obtain the
necessary technical assistance, training, and financial assistance to position the community for the
development of an effective, competitive application to the Waterfronts Florida Partnership.
PROJECT:
A Revitalized Coastal Destination at Vilano Beach
CONTACT:
Georgia Katz
Program Manager
St. Johns County Planning Department
P.O. Box 349
St. Augustine, FL 32085
904-823-2478
georgiakatz_plandept@mail.com
FCMP FUNDING AMOUNT:
$25,000
DESCRIPTION:
Vilano Beach has no "sustainable community" in an area where the population
of the surrounding residential area has grown substantially since 1995. Commercial services and
existing businesses do not provide the support necessary to sustain nearby populations. The
Vilano Road district was the main commercial street for this barrier island peninsula, but the area
was severely affected by the relocation of State Road A1A and a new bridge constructed over the
Intracoastal Waterway in 1995, taking drive-by traffic away from Vilano Road. Vilano Beach has
been designated a Waterfronts Florida community, but the area designated as the Town Center
District lacks a formal entrance and any indication of the existence of a town center or business
district. This project will provide signage with attractive landscaping for a visual cohesiveness for
the area, streetscaping and a Town Center design to provide a sense of place and help to establish
a sustainable business district.
Remarkable
Coastal Places
PROJECT:
Marineland: A Remarkable Coastal Place
CONTACT:
James C. Netherton
Mayor
Town of Marineland
9507 Oceanshore Blvd.
Marineland, FL 32086
(904) 471-1111 or 461-4044
jcn@whitney.ufl.edu
FCMP FUNDING AMOUNT: $25,000
DESCRIPTION: The Town of Marineland needs a master plan to make it a sustainable
community for the future. The Town is a unique community, a kind of campus, rich in historical,
cultural, scientific, educational, environmental, and recreational resources. The anchor for the
Town and the driving force for the creation and conservation of its intrinsic resources was the
Marineland attraction. Today, the 'company' that provided for all needs is gone and the attraction
is in an economic decline. However, the Town's intrinsic resources not only remain but have
become more significant. Against this backdrop of economic distress and resource value, a new
mix of public and private owners has the challenge of revitalizing and transforming this
remarkable coastal place into a sustainable community of the future. The problem is that
municipal resources and infrastructure are extremely limited in shepherding this revitalization.
The Town will create a stakeholders work group that will consist of a representative from each
entity that owns and operates a program or facility in the Town. Project funds will employ a
consultant for the Town to organize the stakeholders in developing the master plan. The issues
that will be addressed include: public sector financial and technical assistance; economic
redevelopment incentives for the non-governmental sector; enhancement of the Town's
educational and scientific research institutions; residential development in the Town and the
creation of a Town Center; utilities for a sustainable marine based community; environmental
protection measures in land use; historic preservation; nature and heritage tourism as a sustaining
economic enterprise; restoration and stabilization of the beaches; and hazard mitigation planning.
Public
Access
PROJECT: Blind Creek Park Dune Crossovers
CONTACT:
Anna Smith
Ecosystems Manager
St. Lucie County
2300 Virginia Avenue
Ft. Pierce, FL 34982
(561) 462-1685
FAX (561) 462-2103
FCMP FUNDING AMOUNT: $50,000
DESCRIPTION:
To enhance beach access for the general public, St. Lucie County is proposing
to construct two elevated dune crossovers within the Blind Creek Park that meet
the guidelines for the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.
The crossovers, constructed in accordance with DEP's Beach/Dune Walkway Guidelines, would
concentrate foot traffic to one specific location over the dune, minimizing continual degradation
to the dunes, while enhancing public access. The crossovers, one at Little Mud Creek and the
other at Blind Creek within the park's boundaries, will be approximately 190 feet in length and
approximately 100 feet in length, respectively, both 5 feet in width. Concurrently, the County has
also taken the initiative to partner with other organizations for the restoration of approximately
1.5 miles of dune system within the Blind Creek Park site through the removal of invasive exotic
plants on the dunes. With the construction of the elevated dune crossovers, the integrity of the
restored dune would not be compromised nor be degraded due to foot traffic by the general
public at these locations. FCMP funds would be utilized by the County to contract a construction
firm to design, obtain permits and construct the elevated dune crossovers within Blind Creek
Park. The framework of the crossovers will be made from pressure treated lumber while the
decking of the crossovers will be constructed out of materials made from recycled Florida waste
tires.
PROJECT: Ocean
Bay Access, St. Lucie County
CONTACT:
Don McLam
Project Manager
St. Lucie Leisure Services
2300 Virginia Avenue 2300 Virginia Avenue
Fort Pierce, FL 34982-5652
(561) 462-1514
FAX (561) 462-1940
FCMP FUNDING AMOUNT: $50,000
DESCRIPTION:
The Ocean Bay site in St. Lucie County does not provide any access to the
ocean or the Indian River Lagoon. This site was purchased to preserve rare coastal habitat and to
provide passive recreation. The goal of this project is to provide trails and a dune crossover on
the east side of A1A, and trails with possibly bridged areas on the west side of A1A. By
developing specific walking areas, the public can safely walk from the parking lot to the ocean or
river without impacting the native vegetation. The trail on the Indian River Lagoon side will
weave through a hammock adjacent to a wastewater / reuse treatment plant to an existing
mosquito impoundment dike. Specific items to be completed include a paved parking lot,
permitting and construction of a ADA accessible dune crossover, and a nature trail on both the
river and ocean side.
PROJECT: Trails and Tales: A Tour of Barrier Island Habitats
CONTACT:
Roymond Mojica
Brevard County Parks and Recreation
2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way Bldg B
Viera, FL 32940
(321) 633-2046
FCMP FUNDING AMOUNT: $50,000
DESCRIPTION:TheBrevard County Environmentally Endangered Lands (EEL) Program manages approximately 240
acres of land located on the barrier island of southern Brevard County within the Archie Carr
National Wildlife Refuge. These properties encompass dunes, coastal strand, maritime hammock and
mangrove swamp habitats. Since these properties are natural lands, access is currently limited. This
project will install trails, boardwalks, bridges, and educational kiosks along several properties
stretching from the Sebastian Inlet State Recreation Area, north to Melbourne Beach. Three
individual trials will be developed: 1. Long Point Trail Loop; 2. The Martime Hammock Trial Loop;
and 3. The Coconut Point Trial Loop. The extent of development needed at each of these site varies.
Education will be a common theme for all of the proposed sites. Educational kiosks will display
information on current research or management being conducted on site as well as general
information about the history of the site, including historic aerial photos. Photographs and signs
designed to highlight management efforts will be incorporated into all educational materials.
PROJECT: Manatee County Blueways
CONTACT:
Charlie Hunsicker
Ecosystem Administrator
Manatee County
PO Box 1000
Bradenton, Florida 34205
(941) 745-3737
FAX (813) 795-3490
FCMP FUNDING AMOUNT: $25,000
DESCRIPTION:
The Manatee County project will develop a series of connective canoe and kayak
trails throughout the waterways of Manatee County. Currently, there are opportunities for canoeing
however, the facilities are limited and novices may get lost, because there are no guided trail markings
for area trails within the waterways. Launch areas are limited and there is a need for canoe maps to
be disseminated within kiosks at the various trailheads depicting the waterway routes. The
project plan is to create ten miles of canoe trails through the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve, four miles
along the Braden River, four miles in the Upper Manatee River, and five miles through Palma Sola
Bay. Plans are to conduct field research utilizing GPS and to mark the trails by mile markers.
Invasive exotics will be removed in the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve, to enhance access and improve
habitat at this protected sanctuary. Two primitive new launch areas will be created, one at either
Emerson Point Park or Riverview Pointe Preserve for canoeists to access and land and enjoy the
nearby Desoto National Memorial and a second site at the SR70 Recreational Park to serve as a
southern anchor for the Braden River blueway component. Each of the launch areas will be created
through clearing of exotics, if necessary, grading to insure a desired slope and planting of appropriate
vegetation. Manatee County will produce an overall blueways map or several canoe trail maps
depicting the new waterway trails and mile marker program. The County will also produce new
kiosks for these two launch areas in order to disseminate the canoe guides.
PROJECT: Nature
Greenway Access to Town Center
CONTACT:
Georgia Katz
Special Projects Coordinator
4020 Lewis Speedway
St. Augustine, FL 32095
(904) 823-2478
FAX: (904) 823-2498
georgiakatz_plandept@mail.com
FCMP FUNDING AMOUNT: $50,000
DESCRIPTION:
At
present there is no access to the habitat of the tidal marsh on the
Intracoastal Waterway side of Vilano Beach. It is important that
tourists and residents have the opportunity to have as intimate a
relationship with the ecology of the area as possible and at the
same time be educated in how to protect that environment. The
Florida Department of Transportation has completed a foot and
bicycle path which connects the City of St. Augustine with the
western end of the Vilano Bridge. However, there is no continuing
footpath or sidewalk at the eastern end of the bridge for
pedestrians and no foot or bike path to connect the residential area
north of the bridge with the proposed town center district on the
south side of the bridge. A nature Walkway and Bikeway Trail over
the marsh to the Town Center District will be constructed for a
walkover distance of approximately 540 feet; have directional and
informational displays at each end and several other places on the
trail; provide ADA disability access for pedestrians and bicycles to
travel west or north; provide opportunity to create favorable
wildlife habitat; integrate environmental areas into the Town Center
District design for passive recreational uses such as parks and/or
nature trails.
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OTHER FCMP
GRANTS
PROJECT: Building Collaborative Processes for Addressing Coastal
Issues
CONTACT:
Dr. Roy Carriker
University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences
P.O. Box 110230
Gainesville, FL 32611
(352) 846-2010
FAX (352) 392-847
rusty@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu
FCMP FUNDING AMOUNT: $20,000
DESCRIPTION:
The Florida Natural Resources Leadership Institute
(NRLI) is a joint project of the University of Florida and Florida State
University. Its goal is to help rising leaders develop the skills to build
consensus around contentious environmental issues and move beyond conflict to
find solutions. The NRLI trains Floridians who have a stake in the use and
conservation of our natural resources and draws Institute Fellows from land
management agencies and resource-based industries, from environmental and
conservation organizations, local government, people who own and manage lands,
educators and elected officials, and people who are concerned about the way
resources are managed. Institute graduates will help the people, industries,
and agencies of Florida collaborate in achieving the often conflicting goals
of protecting the environments while fostering economic development. The
program consists of nine elements, two of which are directly related to the
management of coastal resources, specifically a unit on coral reefs and the
Florida Keys, and a unit on barrier island development. The FCMP will provide
expertise to develop the units and funding for NRLI administration support.
PROJECT: "City of Wonders"
Exhibit Support
CONTACT:
Chucha Barber
Mary Brogan Museum
350 S. Duval Street
Tallahasse, FL 32301
(850) 513-0700 x229
FCMP FUNDING AMOUNT: $20,000
DESCRIPTION:
The "City of Wonders" is an outreach project of the Florida League of
Cities. It is a traveling exhibit illustrating how cities work and will
travel to the science museums in eight Florida cities: Tallahassee,
Jacksonville, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Orlando, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, and West
Palm Beach. The exhibit will have four components: the safe city, the busy
city, the fun city, and the green city. The FCMP will provide expertise
and partial funding support for the "green city," which will
illustrate four specific program areas: resource protection, public access,
special area management planning, and public participation.
PROJECT: Coastal Application of Sustainable Florida Standards
CONTACT:
Alexandra Bianchi
Administrative Assistant
Council for Sustainable Florida
PO Box 1068
Tallahassee, Florida 32302
(850) 425-1733
FAX: (850) 425-8490
FCMP FUNDING AMOUNT:
$50,000
DESCRIPTION:
The Council of Sustainable Florida (CSF) provides a
diverse nonpartisan forum on innovative policies and practices for
sustainability in Florida. The CSF is a private sector partner for the FCMP,
offering participation and input on a variety of issues, including setting
priorities and development programs; and by facilitating information transfer
from Sustainable Florida award recipients to peers in coastal communities. The
CSF has set core standards for a Sustainable Florida; these comprise guidelines
for management structures and decision-making based on best practices in several
major sectors. An award review competition has been developed and applicants are
recognized for performance, leadership, and initiative in reaching those
standards.
Under this project, four workshops will be conducted to share
information from winning applicants. CSF will work with FCMP to: (1) select
model case studies, (2) plan workshops, (3) invite participants, (4) prepare
agendas and program materials, (5) conduct and facilitate the events, and (6)
develop a contact data base for continued communication and involvement.
Workshops will be conducted in Florida coastal communities chosen by the FCMP
and CSF staffs. The submission of coastal case studies will identify new and
varied leadership on which FCMP can build future programs and partnerships. The
CSF Awards Committee will work with the FCMP in designing special recognition of
coastal award recipients. FCMP officials will be invited to participate in
meetings of the CSF Coastal Committee and Board of Directors. CSF will continue
to work with FCMP officials to identify strategies to maximize input and
exchange of ideas on current FCMP priorities and programs.
PROJECT:
Coastal Program Support
CONTACT:
Lynn Griffin
Environmental Manager
Department of Environmental Protection
3900 Commonwealth Blvd., Mail Station 047
Tallahassee, FL 32399-3000
(904) 487-2231
FAX (904) 922-5380
FCMP FUNDING AMOUNT:
$40,000
DESCRIPTION: DEP?s Office of Intergovernmental Programs (OIP) is
understaffed to meet the significant workload assigned to it. In particular,
coordination of clearinghouse-federal consistency reviews for the department is
a considerable task since DEP is responsible for administering 11 of the FCMP?s
23 enforceable policies. In addition, this coordination is a key element of the
Department?s watershed initiatives. OIP is responsible for coordinating
federal consistency reviews and reviews of related coastal projects,
facilitating policy development, program activity tracking, monitoring federal
and state review timelines, assisting with permit-consistency review tracking,
and training department in review procedures. In addition, OIP is adapting all
its federal coordination procedures to be integrated with the department?s
comprehensive plan review coordination and watershed initiatives. To meet these
challenges and meet its coastal management program responsibilities, the
department needs financial assistance. This task provides funding for a staff
position to conduct and coordinate such reviews and activities.
PROJECT:
Coastal Program Support
CONTACT:
Beth Frost
Senior Management Analyst
Department of Community Affairs
2555 Shumard Oak Boulevard
Tallahassee, FL 32399-2100
(850) 488-2356
FAX: (850) 488-3309
FCMP FUNDING AMOUNT: $30,000
DESCRIPTION:
The Florida
Coastal Management Program will continue a program of coordination, technical
support, and review through the DCA Division of Community Planning to assist
local governments in dealing with the cumulative and secondary impacts of
coastal development, primarily through the federal consistency process; through
local government efforts to revise and update local comprehensive plans pursuant
to Chapter 163, Part II, Florida Statutes (F.S.), and Chapter 9J-5, Florida
Administrative Code (F.A.C.); and through local government actions regarding
review and approval of developments of regional impact (DRI) pursuant to Chapter
380, F.S., and Chapter 9J-2, F.A.C. This task provides some funding for travel
expenses for staff in the Division of Community Planning to meet with local
government staff, elected officials, and citizens of 35 coastal counties and
designated coastal municipalities. Such meetings, workshops, and hearings may be
attended to coordinate responses or address concerns dealing with projects
subject to federal consistency; to provide technical assistance for
comprehensive plan evaluation and appraisal reports (EAR) or plan amendments; to
facilitate the review and approval of DRIs; and to provide technical assistance
as necessary to address the cumulative and secondary impacts of coastal
development. Salaries and fringe benefits of six Division administrators also
provide match for the overall cooperative agreement.
PROJECT:
Evaluating and
Integrating Hazard Mitigation Assistance
CONTACT:
Dennis Smith
Planning Manager
Department of Community Affairs
2555 Shumard Oak Boulevard
Tallahassee, FL 32399-2100
(850) 922-5434
FAX: (850) 922-5623
FCMP FUNDING AMOUNT:
$80,000
DESCRIPTION:
The
Florida Department of Community Affairs (DCA) provided over $8 million to fund
the development of Local Mitigation
Strategies in each of Florida?s 67 counties. This two year process, which is
coming to a close, involved developing a unified disaster loss reduction
strategy for each county and the municipalities located therein. In coordination
with this effort, the DCA initiated the Florida Showcase Community Project, a
demonstration project in disaster loss reduction designed to highlight state-of
-the art disaster mitigation techniques and foster community partnerships. The
Showcase initiative has been directed to the City of Deerfield Beach / Broward
County, Escambia County / Pensacola, and most recently the Tampa Bay Region.
The problems which now need to be addressed are
twofold: 1) how to continue offering technical assistance to communities to
support the implementation and enhancement of their Local Mitigation Strategies,
and 2) how to expand the programmatic innovations demonstrated in the Florida
Showcase Community Project communities statewide. The goal of this proposal is
to create an improved mechanism for providing technical assistance on hazard
mitigation to local governments in Florida. This will be accomplished by
integrating the demonstration project initiatives of the Florida Showcase
Community Project into the ongoing technical assistance provided to local
governments to implement and enhance their Local Mitigation Strategies. This
objective will be met through a series of three strategies involving:1) program
evaluation, 2) supporting local governments in implementing mitigation
initiatives, and 3) developing a comprehensive protocol for directing technical
assistance to communities.
PROJECT: Florida Blueways Strategic Implementation
CONTACT:
Christopher Friel
Program Administrator
Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission
Florida Marine Research
Institute
100 8th Avenue S.E.
St. Petersburg, Florida 33701
(727) 896-8626
chris.friel@fwc.state.fl.us
FCMP FUNDING AMOUNT:
$80,000
DESCRIPTION:
Current
and projected resource issues highlight the need for a policy framework that
will integrate management across the coastal, nearshore, and marine
environments. Florida Blueways is a multi-year initiative to create the
information base and management support needed to initiate such a framework. The
Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Florida Marine Research Institute (FMRI)
has been working with the FCMP on the project since 1998. The design and
implementation of the project are driven both by FMRI's scientific expertise and
GIS capabilities and by the FCMP's management experience.
The Blueways project
collects and integrates ecological, human use, and management information for
Florida's coastal ocean and estuarine environments. A GIS-based program is being
used to integrate and update data. By combining layers showing environmental
conditions, resource uses, and existing management efforts, Blueways provides a
place-based description of competing opportunities in the coastal and marine
environment. Ultimately the FCMP hopes to expand Blueways to a state-wide
analysis that allows true ecosystem-scale management. This year's project will
complete the ecological, human use, and management characterizations for
Charlotte Harbor. Much of this work will be accomplished in cooperation with the
FCMP's recently awarded Coastal Services Center Fellow. Once the Charlotte
Harbor region is completed, the project will focus on extending the process to
other estuaries across the state. Also during the project year, state
decision-makers will be brought to the table to review the project and to
discuss the management framework needed to effectively utilize Blueways to
coordinate management across coastal and ocean areas.
PROJECT: Florida Seagrass Management Toolbox
CONTACT:
>Christopher Friel
Program Administrator
Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission
Florida Marine Research
Institute
100 8th Avenue S.E.
St. Petersburg, Florida 33701
(727) 896-8626
chris.friel@fwc.state.fl.us
FCMP FUNDING AMOUNT: $100,000
DESCRIPTION:
Much of Florida?s natural seagrass coverage has been lost over the
last 50 years, and degradation continues at alarming rates. The Florida Marine
Research Institute (FMRI) has done extensive seagrass research and has produced
boaters guides aimed at minimizing impacts to seagrass. FMRI?s statewide
assessment of seagrass distribution and scarring (supported by the FCMP)
recommended that local-level management pursue tools to increase seagrass
protection. The FGOC?s Final Report recommended numerous strategies and
actions for improving Florida?s management of marine resources, including the
application of innovative techniques for habitat protection, restoration, and
enhancement, and supporting efforts that protect critical habitats such as
wetlands, seagrass, and sargassum. This project will build upon these efforts by
initiating a statewide dialogue about seagrass management and providing
technical assistance to improve local-level management. A statewide meeting of federal
and state interests will solicit targeted input and commitment from selected
agencies to build a systematic and consistent approach to statewide seagrass
management. A working group will be formed to continue state-level meetings over
the course of the year. In addition, targeted technical and scientific
assistance will be provided to a number of local governments. Local-level
efforts will focus on those areas identified as priority regions by the 1995
study and subsequent research. Local workshops will be held to discuss seagrass
status and potential management measures that could increase seagrass
protection. Technical assistance to local managers may include strategic
assessments of local seagrass distribution and abundance, channel marking and
boat ramp signage strategies, boaters and angler guides, identification of
restoration sites and restoration priority rankings, and assessment and
delineation of limited-motoring zones.
PROJECT: New Best Management Practices
for Coastal Citrus
CONTACT:
Robert C. Adair, Jr.
Executive Director
7055 33rd St.
Vero Beach, FL 32966-1409
(561) 562-3802
FAX: (561) 562-4308
FCMP FUNDING AMOUNT:$40,000
DESCRIPTION:
Section 6217 requires coastal states to address
pollutants impacting coastal waters. All of the state?s 833,701 acres of citrus are located within the
coastal zone and are subject to management measures for nonpoint source
pollution. The primary sources of agricultural nonpoint source pollutants are
nutrients and in particular, nitrogen and phosphorus. Unfortunately, very little
work has been done recently on developing and testing new BMPs for Florida?s
citrus groves and very few have been evaluated in the field.
This project seeks
to demonstrate and validate new BMPs to reduce nutrients entering coastal waters
and to make them available to citrus growers to assure them of a sustainable
future, both environmentally and economically. This project will make available
to citrus growers two new BMPs for fertilization: foliar fertilization and the
application of organic matter to reduce nutrient discharge while maintaining
profitability. Foliar fertilization is the application of small amounts of
appropriate fertilizers to a plant?s foliage for assimilation and use by the
plant as a source of nutrients. Foliar fertilization as a new, innovative BMP
would reduce the amount of ground applied fertilizer. This project would
validate the environmental benefits of foliar fertilization as a BMP. The soil
application of organic materials to citrus is the second new BMP to be validated
by this project. This BMP will use applications of urban plant debris as a mulch
that is overlaid on a prior application of chicken manure. The discharged
stormwater from each site receiving a particular fertility program would be
monitored and assessed as to its environmental benefit or shortcoming based on
nutrient loading.
PROJECT: Key West Quality Enhancement Program
CONTACT:
Jimmy Weekley
Mayor
City of Key West
P.O. Box 1409
Key West, FL 33041-1409
(305)292-8180
FCMP FUNDING AMOUNT:
$80,000
DESCRIPTION:
The City of Key West is located within a National Marine Sanctuary and has
been designated an Area of Critical State Concern by the Florida Legislature.
The city?s location at approximately one foot above sea level and having less
than one half inch of soil above the lime rock aquifer provide a unique set of geologic conditions which makes the
nearshore water quality vulnerable to pollution. Stormwater facilities are only
able to remove minimal amounts of sediments and heavy metals during rain events when stormwater
runoff enters the near shore waters directly or indirectly. Impacts to water quality
have
been further exacerbated by houseboats discharging wastewater directly into
surface water instead of pumping their holding tanks. Many marinas and the
harbor surrounding Key West contain an unidentified number of permanent live-aborads.
The city is providing sewage pumpout facilities, free parking, dingy dock sites,
and marina services such as showers and laundry facilities as incentives to get
boats anchored around the city to utilize moorings provided at city marinas.
Boats anchored offshore are currently damaging seagrasses and discharging
untreated waste into the bay.
On numerous occasions the Monroe County Health
Department has issued health advisories and posted signs prohibiting swimming at
several public beaches in Key West due to high fecal coliform counts and the
presence of the enterococci bacteria. The DEP and FKNMS are conducting limited
sampling of near shore waters and the harbor. The Legislature has provided some
funding to continue sampling, but it is insufficient. The City budgeted some
funds for construction of restroom facilities for individuals who rent slips or
mooring stations and has committed some funding for the purchase of mooring
stations. Additional sites need to be tested and marina management techniques
need to be employed to reduce nonprofit source pollution.
PROJECT: Ocean Research Priorities for Florida
CONTACT:
Raymond Bye
Interm Vice President for Research
Florida State University
109 Westcott Building
Tallahassee, FL 32306-1330
(850) 644-3347
FCMP FUNDING AMOUNT:
$30,000
DESCRIPTION:
This project proposes a consensus building process to be designed to
identify ocean research priorities that address recommendations made by the
Florida Governor?s Ocean Committee (FGOC) in its 1999 final report. The work
of the FGOC is part of the approved Section 309 Ocean Resources Strategy. This
specific project was begun in fiscal year (FY) 1999-2000 with formation of a summit steering
committee to provide guidance on the design and development of the process, to develop a white paper to analyze the FGOC
recommendations, to hold an initial
summit to further discuss and refine the management needs/info/gaps, and to hold a
mini-summit to identify research to address needs/info/gaps. The project during
FY 2000-01 will hold a final summit to meet and develop a report on ocean
research priorities to seek legislative and foundation support. The same
contractor will be hired for all phases of existing (FY 1999-2000) and proposed
(FY 2000-2001) project work.
PROJECT: Ocean and Coastal Policy Coordination
CONTACT:
Carliane Johnson
Environmental Manager
Department of Environmental Protections
3900 Commonwealth Blvd.
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3000
(850) 488-2231
FCMP FUNDING AMOUNT:
$83, 000
DESCRIPTION:
Florida?s favorable climate, top-rated beaches and
overall high quality of life attract large numbers of visitors and
residents, which results in conflicts between the need to
accommodate a growing population and the need to protect Florida?s
natural resources. These conflicts must be addressed because much of
Florida?s economy and quality of life are dependent upon the
maintenance of its natural environment, particularly its coastal and
marine resources. To ensure that Florida maintains this balance, it
is essential that environmental policy coordination be provided
among all entities associated with ocean and coastal resource
management.
The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Office of
Legislative and Governmental Affairs (OLGA) is responsible for
coordinating a number of programs and activities for the Department,
including congressional affairs, federal projects review,
comprehensive plans, transportation issues, Gulf of Mexico Program,
federal consistency procedures and coordination of offshore
activities. In addition, OLGA is the lead state office representing
the Governor for outer continental shelf (OCS) activities and is
responsible for developing the state?s position regarding mineral
activities in federal waters of the OCS. This framework provides a
logical setting for specialized coordination of ocean and coastal
resource management issues. The goal of the project is to facilitate
such coordination efforts and provide support for policy initiatives
related to activities affecting the ocean and coastal environment.
Project funds will allow OLGA to coordinate with federal,
interstate, intrastate, regional and local levels of government, as
well as interest groups and the public, to implement the Governor?s
policies and to accomplish specific project objectives aimed at
natural resource protection, conservation, restoration and
enhancement.
PROJECT: Waterfronts Florida Program Administration
CONTACT:
Dan Pennington, Community Planner
1000 Friends of Florida
926 East Park Avenue
Tallahassee, FL 32301
(850) 222-6277
FCMP FUNDING AMOUNT:
$115,000
DESCRIPTION: This project
supports continuation of the
Waterfronts
Florida program developed as part of the approved Section
309 Special Area Management Plan Strategy begun in 1997-98.
The Waterfronts Florida program provides technical assistance and
training to designated communities involved in waterfront
revitalization and results in the completion of special management
plans for participating communities to use for guidance and
direction during their redevelopment efforts. The program
designates three communities every two years and provides technical
assistance, training, and limited financial assistance (from the
FCMP) to those selected communities. The waterfront
revitalization targets four major issue areas: environmental
resource protection, public access, retention of viable traditional
waterfront economies, and hazard mitigation. The revitalization
is done through four components: designation of the participating
communities; organization of the local effort within the
communities; visualization of a revitalization plan, and
implementation of the vision and plan. Designation and
organization occur primarily during the first year; visualization
and implementation occur primarily during the second
year.
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2012 State of Florida