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SARASOTA BAY NATIONAL ESTUARY PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION REVIEW 2002
Citation:
Sarasota Bay National Estuary Program. SARASOTA BAY NATIONAL ESTUARY PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION REVIEW 2002. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C.
Description:
The SBNEP accomplishments over the past two years are significant including completion of: Five major wetland restoration projects and six artificial reefs to create habitat; A series of research projects related to atmospheric nitrogen and storm water to refine pollutant loading and reduction strategies; Heritage Trail to promote environmental stewardship; and State of the Bay - 2000 report. SBNEP data indicates that a 47% reduction in nitrogen loading to the Bay has been achieved since 1988. Water quality trends in the Bay continue to show improvement while the sea grass trends are debated (8-27% increase depending on methodology). A series of ecological parks have been created around the Bay in conjunction with wetland habitat restoration. Construction was also initiated on major projects by our partnering organizations over the past two years: sewers in the Phillippi Creek watershed, the Manatee Agricultural Re-use System (MARS) as well as aquifer storage and recovery systems (ASR) at the major wastewater treatment plants. A bulk service agreement was also signed between the City of Sarasota and Sarasota County to use the excess capacity at the City wastewater treatment plant as outlined in the CCMP. In addition, the Florida Yards and Neighborhoods Program (FY&N) increased in stature locally with passage of an ordinance mandating implementation in new development in Sarasota County and four additional staff positions were created in both Manatee and Sarasota County governments. The Southwest Florida Water Management District also awarded a major grant to fund education and outreach activities in the business community related to FY&N. In regard to the challenges addressed in the 1999 EPA review, SBNEP staff: Developed implementation tracking systems to demonstrate success; Pursued institutional modifications to funding arrangements possibly leading to a more formalized "stakeholder agreement" in the future; Established new program priorities for both research and CCMP implementation; and Engaged in technical transfer activities through the Estuarine Research Federation with the other NEP's in Florida.