Tampa Bay Region - Southwest Florida Water Management District

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SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
FY2014 COOPERATIVE FUNDING INITIATIVE APPLICATION FORM
Project Name
Lake Tarpon Water Quality Management Plan
Project Number W737
Cooperator
Pinellas County
Department
Environmental Management
Contact Person Kelli Hammer Levy
Address
300 S. Garden Ave
City Sate Zip Clearwater, FL 33756
Phone #
727-464-4425 ext3317
Email
klevy@pinellascounty.org
Project Type:
Water Supply X Water Quality X Flood Protection X Natural Systems
Strategic Initiatives:
X Water Quality Maintenance and Improvement Water Quality Monitoring
Alternative Water Supply Conservation
Reclaimed Water Regional Water Supply Planning
Emergency Flood Response
X Floodplain Management
Minimum Flows and Level Establishment and Monitoring Minimum Flows and Levels Recovery
X Natural Systems Conservation and Restoration Natural Systems Identification and Monitoring
Indicate All Counties to Benefit From Project:
Charlotte Citrus Desoto Hardee Hernando Highlands Hillsborough Lake
Levy Manatee Marion Pasco X Pinellas Sarasota Sumter Polk
Project Description:
Lake Tarpon is the largest lake in Pinellas County with a surface area of four square miles. Its watershed encompasses 52 square
miles, including its two largest tributaries, South Creek and Brooker Creek. The lake is a valuable recreational destination and is
renowned for its largemouth bass fishing. Pinellas County and the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD)
share jurisdiction in maintaining and improving the health of Lake Tarpon. In 1998 the Lake Tarpon Drainage Basin Management
Plan was completed and outlined a series of initiatives to protect the Lake from water quality degredation. Many intiatives from the
plan have been implemented; however, Lake Tarpon's water quality has continued to decline; the Lake is now on the state's
verified impaired waters list; and the remaining capital improvements are not feasible. This effort is to understand the continuing
decline of water quality within the lake and to develop strategies to decrease nutrient loadings to the lake and restore and protect
the lake's natural resources.
Describe your organizations efforts in developing, implementing and enforcing water conservation and flood protection
ordinances.
Pinellas County is dedicated to improving flood protection as documented in the County's Comprehensive Plan (CP). The Surface
Water Element of the CP obligates the County to protect, enhance, and improve water quality through water quality monitoring,
watershed management plan development, and environmental enforcement. In addition, Pinellas County continues to expand its
reclaimed water service areas to reduce demand on potable water for irrigation, to enforce watering restrictions, and to educate the
public on the benefits of Florida Friendly Landscaping and proper irrigation and fertilization practices. Pinellas County also offers
free resources to help students learn about saving water and offers numerous programs through the Extension office on the use of
rain barrels, rain gardens, composting, and other conservation measures.
Funding Source
Prior Funding
FY2013
Budget
FY2014
Budget
Future
Funding
Total Funding
Applicant Share 100,000 250,000 350,000
Pinellas Anclote 100,000 250,000 350,000
Total 200,000 500,000 700,000
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