Loading ...
Jack Berlin
Other
11
0
Try Now
Log In
Pricing
T H E C O M P R E H E N S I V E C O N S E R V A T I O N A N D M A N A G E M E N T P L A N F O R T A M P A B A Y M A Y 2 0 0 6 CHARTING COURSEthe TAMPA BAY ESTUARY PROGRAM RICHARD ECKENROD DIRECTOR HOLLY GREENING SENIOR PROGRAM SCIENTIST NANETTE HOLLAND PUBLIC OUTREACH COORDINATOR MISTY CLADAS PROJECT MANAGER RON HOSLER OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR LINDSAY CROSS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATE COLLEEN GRAY OUTREACH ASSISTANT WRITERS: NANETTE HOLLAND MARY KELLEY HOPPE LINDSAY CROSS THE PROGRAM OFFICE IS LOCATED AT: 100 8TH AVE. S.E. ST. PETERSBURG, FL 33701 TELEPHONE (727) 893-2765 FAX (727) 893-2767 TO EXPLORE TAMPA BAY ONLINE, VISIT US AT WWW.TBEP.ORG CHARTING the COURSE F O R T A M P A B A Y Charting the Course for Tampa Bay May 2006 THE MISSION OF THE TAMPA BAY ESTUARY PROGRAM IS TO BUILD PARTNERSHIPS TO RESTORE AND PROTECT TAMPA BAY THROUGH IMPLEMENTATION OF A SCIENTIFICALLY SOUND, COMMUNITY-BASED MANAGEMENT PLAN. In memory of our friend and colleague, Roy G. Harrell, Jr., Tampa Bay Estuary Program Policy Board member (1992-1996), champion and author of the landmark Interlocal Agreement for bay restoration adopted in 1997. II CHARTING the COURSE F O R T A M P A B A Y PREFACE This first revision of Charting the Course encompasses the 2003-2008 timeframe. It provides a look back at progress made in implementing the original goals and priorities of the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan for Tampa Bay, and a look ahead at updated bay restoration and protection strategies. Charting the Course is intended to provide a flexible, evolving framework that can be adapted to the changing needs of both the bay and the bay management community. The Tampa Bay Estuary Program (TBEP) was established by Congress in 1991 to assist the region in developing and implementing a comprehensive plan for bay improvement. The Program is a partnership of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; Florida Department of Environmental Protection; Southwest Florida Water Management District; Hillsborough, Pinellas and Manatee counties; and the cities of Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater. The revised Action Plans for bay improvement presented in this document reflect input from bay managers, advocates, key industries and citizens from throughout the region. The actions within this Plan were reviewed and refined by outside experts as well as members of TBEP’s Technical Advisory Committee and Community Advisory Committee. Final Action Plans were approved by TBEP’s Management and Policy Boards over a 2-year period. We thank all the individuals who participated for their sub- stantial insights and contributions. The Tampa Bay Estuary Program invites your comments and participation as we contin- ue to assist the region in charting the course for the future well-being of Tampa Bay. III CHARTING the COURSE F O R T A M P A B A Y TABLE OF CONTENTS About the Tampa Bay Estuary Program ..................................................VIII About Charting the Course ..........................................................................IX Partners of the Tampa Bay Estuary Program ................................................XI State of the Bay ..............................................................................................1 Goals and Priorities for Tampa Bay ..............................................................18 Introduction to Action Plans (See complete index of Action Plans, page IV) ............20 Water & Sediment Quality Action Plan ....................................................22 Bay Habitats Action Plan ........................................................................75 Bay Fish & Wildlife Action Plan ............................................................96 Dredging & Dredged Material Management Action Plan ....................111 Spill Prevention & Response Action Plan ............................................115 Invasive Species Action Plan (New) ......................................................120 Public Education & Involvement Action Plan ......................................124 Public Access Action Plan (New)..........................................................129 Implementation & Financing ......................................................................132 Research and Monitoring Priorities ............................................................138 General References ....................................................................................144 Glossary ......................................................................................................148 List of Acronyms ........................................................................................150 See Index of Action Plans, page IV. IV CHARTING the COURSE F O R T A M P A B A Y INDEX OF ACTION PLANS AND ACTIONS FOR TAMPA BAY WATER & SEDIMENT QUALITY Actions to improve overall water quality: WQ-1 Implement the Tampa Bay nitrogen management strategy . .23 WQ-2 Reduce pollution from recreational boaters . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 New Action – Includes Steps from TX-3, PH-3 & SP-3 Actions to reduce pollution from stormwater runoff: SW-1 Continue support for Florida Yards & Neighborhoods Program and similar pollution prevention initiatives . . . . ..30 SW-2 Assist businesses in implementing best management practices to reduce stormwater pollution, and develop model landscaping guidelines for commercial use . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 SW-3 Encourage local governments to adopt integrated pest management policies and implement environmentally beneficial landscaping practices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 SW-4 Reduce impervious paved surfaces Action Retired- Incorporated into SW-10 SW-5 Require older properties being redeveloped to meet current stormwater treatment standards for that portion of the site being redeveloped Action Retired- Incorporated into SW-10 SW-6 Promote compact urban development and redevelopment Action Retired – Incorporated into SW-10 SW-7 Enforce and require the timely completion of the consent order for the cleanup of fertilizer facilities in the East Bay sector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 SW-8 Encourage best management practices on farms . . . . . . . . .38 SW-9 Improve compliance with agricultural ground and surface water management plans Action Retired SW-10 Design and implement a Low Impact Development strategy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41 New Action – Includes Steps from SW-4, SW-5 & SW-6 SW-11 Expand the Adopt-A-Pond program to additional communities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44 New Action Actions to reduce the effects of air pollution on the bay: AD-1 Continue atmospheric deposition studies to better understand the relationship between air and water quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46 V CHARTING the COURSE F O R T A M P A B A Y AD-2 Promote public and business energy conservation . . . . . . . .49 Actions to reduce pollution from wastewater discharged to the bay: WW-1 Expand the use of reclaimed water where reuse benefits the bay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52 WW-2 Extend central sewer service to priority areas now served by septic systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56 WW-3 Require standardized monitoring of wastewater discharges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60 WW-4 Revise HRS rules to incorporate environmental performance or design standards for septic systems Action Retired – Incorporated into WW-2 Actions to reduce toxic contaminants in the bay: TX-1 Address hot spots of toxic contamination . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62 TX-2 Improve opportunities for proper hazardous waste disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68 TX-3 Reduce toxic contaminants from ports and marinas Action Retired – Incorporated into WQ-2 Actions to reduce pathogens: PH-1 Reduce the occurrence of municipal sewer overflows . . . .70 PH-2 Continue source and risk assessments of human and ecosystem health indicators suitable for subtropical marine beaches and waters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72 PH-3 Install additional sewage pump-out facilities for recreational boaters and live-aboard vessels Action Retired – Incorporated into WQ-2 BAY HABITATS Actions to increase and preserve the number and diversity of healthy bay habitats: BH-1 Implement the Tampa Bay master plan for habitat restoration and protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76 BH-2 Implement mitigation criteria for Tampa Bay, and identify priority sites for mitigation . . . . .80 BH-3 Reduce propeller scarring of seagrass and pursue seagrass restoration opportunities at select sites . . . . . . . . .83 BH-4 Restrict impacts to hard-bottom communities . . . . . . . . . . .86 BH-5 Improve management of parking and vehicle access along causeways and coastal areas Action Retired – Incorporated into PA-1 VI CHARTING the COURSE F O R T A M P A B A Y BH-6 Encourage waterfront residents to enhance shorelines and limit runoff from yards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89 BH-7 Improve compliance with and enforcement of wetland permits Action Retired – Incorporated into BH-2 BH-8 Expand habitat mapping and monitoring programs . . . . . . .91 Actions to establish and preserve adequate freshwater inflows to Tampa Bay and its tributaries: FI-1 Maintain minimum seasonal freshwater flows downstream of dams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93 FISH & WILDLIFE Actions to protect and enhance fisheries and wildlife: FW-1 Increase on-water enforcement of environmental regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97 FW-2 Establish and enforce manatee protection zones . . . . . . .100 FW-3 Support bay scallop restoration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102 FW-4 Assess the need to investigate the cumulative impacts of power plant entrainment on fisheries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .104 FW-5 Continue and expand the Critical Fisheries Monitoring Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106 FW-6 Preserve the diversity and abundance of bay wildlife . . . .108 New Action DREDGING & DREDGED MATERIAL MANAGEMENT Actions to reduce the impact of dredging and improve dredged material management: DR-1 Manage dredging and dredged material in Tampa Bay . . . .112 SPILL PREVENTION & RESPONSE Actions to improve spill prevention and response: SP-1 Establish an integrated vessel traffic system for Tampa Bay and permanently fund the PORTS system . . .116 SP-2 Evaluate and update spill response plans for priority areas ……. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118 SP-3 Improve fueling and bilge-pumping practices among pleasure boaters Action Retired – Incorporated into WQ-2 VII CHARTING the COURSE F O R T A M P A B A Y INVASIVE SPECIES (New Action Plan) Actions to reduce the occurrence of invasive species in the bay: IS-1 Assess the extent of existing marine bio-invasions in Tampa Bay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .121 New Action IS-2 Implement a public education program to enlist citizen help in preventing marine bio-invasions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .122 New Action PUBLIC EDUCATION & INVOLVEMENT Actions to increase public education and involvement: PE-1 Promote public involvement in bay restoration and protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125 PUBLIC ACCESS (New Action Plan) Actions to promote responsible public use of the bay: PA-1 Reduce human and pet waste in traditional bay recreation areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .130 New Action VIII CHARTING the COURSE F O R T A M P A B A Y ABOUT THE TAMPA BAY ESTUARY PROGRAM The Tampa Bay National Estuary Program (TBNEP) was established in 1991 to assist the region in developing and implementing a comprehensive plan to restore and pro- tect Tampa Bay. The Program is part of a national network of 28 estuary programs established under the Clean Water Act and administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The landmark agreement establishing the Tampa Bay NEP brought together Hillsborough, Pinellas and Manatee counties; the cities of Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater; the Southwest Florida Water Management District; the Florida Department of Environmental Protection; and EPA in a partnership committed to action. In 1998, these and six other partners signed a formal Interlocal Agreement, and ancil- lary agreements, pledging to achieve the goals of the newly completed Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP) for Tampa Bay, called Charting the Course. The Plan culminated nearly six years of scientific research into the bay's most pressing problems, and reflected broad-based input from citizens, groups and communities with a common interest in a healthy bay as the cornerstone of a prosperous economy. Upon adoption of the Interlocal Agreement, the Tampa Bay National Estuary Program became simply the Tampa Bay Estuary Program, in recognition of its reorganization as a truly regional alliance. TBEP continues to coordinate the overall protection and restoration of the bay with assistance and support from its many formal and informal partners. TBEP monitors progress in achieving the goals of the CCMP by regularly summarizing and evaluating information provided by program participants. Under the terms of the Interlocal Agreement governing the Program, TBEP is required to review and update the major goals for bay restoration every five years to assess progress, revise strategies as needed and address emerging issues affecting the bay. TBEP leverages the resources of program partners by financing cutting-edge research into key problems impacting the bay; sponsoring demonstration projects to test innov- ative solutions to these problems; providing “Mini-Grants†to community groups to engage the public in bay restoration; and developing educational programs targeting key segments of the bay community – including teachers, boaters and homeowners.
