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 Zephyr Watershed Improvements
Project Number N513
Cooperator
Pasco County
Department
Design Stormwater Management
Contact Person Cynthia Jolly
Address
4454 Grand Boulevard
City Sate Zip New Port Richey, FL 34652
Phone # 727-834-3611
Email
cjolly@pascocountyfl.net
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 X Pasco Pinellas Sarasota Sumter Polk
Project Description:
This is a multi-year (previously funded) project to perform the Implementation of Best Management Practices (BMPs) element of
the District's Watershed Management Program (WMP) for the Lake Zephyr Watershed..The SWMMP for the Lake Zephyr
Watershed was completed in 1989 and updated in 2009. Six phases of a single project consisting of the construction of a 70 acre
stormwater pond (Geiger Pond) near the headwaters of the creek and channel improvements were identified. Through cooperative
funding and HUD grant funds the pond has been completed. The pond was nearly 95% excavated during Tropical Storm Francis
and performed perfectly. Many structures were saved from flooding. Proposed FEMA map updating show that hundreds of
structures will be removed from the flood plain. In order to complete the entire Lake Zephyr Watershed Management Plan
additional funding is being requested. The entire project consists of five channel improvement phases (1,2,3,4 and 6) in addition to
the pond (Phase 5). Phases 1 and 2 have been designed and permitted including a redesign of Phase 1 to reduce acquisition
costs. Some Community Development Block Grant money along with some FEMA money has been used for the design and to
install box culverts under US 301 and Dean Dairy Road (portions of Phases 2 and 4). FY 2007 funding was used to redesign and
repermit Phases I and II. Phase 1 involves channel improvements from US Highway 301 to the Hillsborough River. Phase 2
consists of road crossing improvements from US Highway 301 to C Avenue in Zephyrhills. The project was delayed due to
acquisition of the drainage easements within Phase 1 and on September 13 2012 the original cooperative funding agreement was
discontinued. FY 2014 and subsequent fund is being requested to begin construction of Phases I and II and the design and
permitting of the subsequent phases. Due to the large funding requirements, acceleration of the funding schedule may be
requested at a later date
Describe your organizations efforts in developing, implementing and enforcing water conservation and flood protection
ordinances.
Pasco County has adopted Ordinance 01-08 requiring the following: one day per week irrigation restrictions for potable water;
curtailed use of potable water for irrigation when rain has occurred within the last 24 hours; scheduled availability and restricted use
of reclaimed water for lawn and landscape irrigation to 2 days per week county-wide to serve as many customers as possible;
washing of non-business, personal vehicles only using low volume methods and over non-impervious surfaces; prohibiting
aesthetic uses of water unless such provides a necessary aeration or water quality benefit; and the use of reclaimed water for road
construction activities when available. Enforcement of this ordinance is by designated County personnel and law enforcement
officers. During Water Year 2004, 100% of Pasco County Utilities¿ wastewater was reused. The bulk rate currently charged for the
use of reclaimed water is $0.61 per 1,000 gallons and a flat rate of $11.00 per ERU per month for residential irrigation. Pasco
County¿s potable water rates have been adjusted with steeper water conservation inclining block rates. County Ordinance 93-16
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