Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #345FY0102

Lower St. Johns River Basin Initiative

Requester:

Michael Slayton

Organization:

St. Johns River Water Management District

Project Title:

Lower St. Johns River Basin Initiative

Date Submitted:

1/18/2002 1:27:18 PM

Sponsors:

James King

Statewide Interest:

This project addresses improving water quality, at a minimum, as it relates to the importance of the area for breeding and feeding by a large variety of fish and wildlife, which are of statewide interest.� In addition, the basin is a designated priority water body under the 1987 Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) Act.

Recipient:

St. Johns River Water Management District

Contact:

Michael Slayton

P.O. Box 1429

Contact Phone:

(321) 722-5364

Palatka 32178-1429

Counties:

Duval, Flagler, Marion, St. Johns, Volusia

Gov't Entity:

Yes

Private Organization (Profit/Not for Profit):

Project Description:

The Lower St. Johns River Basin Initiative is an ongoing project to restore and enhance the lower St. Johns River and its tributaries. Many factors threaten the health of the lower St. Johns River.� As urban growth increased, so did the discharge of wastewater and store water from urban areas.� This increase in discharge has resulted has resulted in a steady decline in the river's water quality.� Farming also has had an impact on the river in the form of agricultural runoff.� All of these factors contribute to algal blooms, which block the sunlight from reaching aquatic plants.� These algal blooms ultimately affect the manatee and the fish that depend on the plants for food and habitat.� Blooms of some algal species have a direct impact on fish and other wildlife.� Funding through this initiative will help to restore and enhance the river.� Examples of subprojects that could be funded through this request must follow.� This list is in alphabetical order and is not a complete listing.

* Bunnell Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrades

* Clay County Utility Authority

* Green Cove Springs Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrades

* Implementation of the Jacksonville Master Storewater Management Plan-Water Quality Enhancements

* Implementation of Total Maximum Daily Load Allocations

* Reuse and Service Area Expansions and Wastewater Treatment Improvements-City of Jacksonville

* Septic Tank Enforcement Project

* Town of Orange Park Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrades

* Tri-County Agricultural Area Regional Stormwater Treatment Initiative

* Tri-County Agricultural Area Water Quality Protection Cost-Share Program

*Welaka Wastewater Treatment Plant Collection System Improvements

Measurable Outcome Anticipated:

Stormwater treatment/management facilities; improved water quality in the river and tributaries (e.g., less nutrients, improved dissolved oxygen levels); reduced algal bloom levels; acres of submerged aquatic vegetation.

Amount requested from the State for this project this year:

$15,000,000

Total cost of the project:

$155,750,000

Request has been made to fund:

Operations and Construction

What type of match exists for this project?

Local, Private, Federal

Cash Amount:

$145,966,775

Was this project previously funded by the State?

Yes

Fiscal Year:

2001-02

Amount:

$4,500,000

Is future-year funding likely to be requested?

Yes

Amount:

$41,770,000

Purpose for future year funding:

Recurring Operations and Non-recurring Construction

Will this be an annual request?

Yes

Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request?

Unknown

Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget?

Unknown

Is there a documented need for this project?

Yes

Documentation:

SWIM Plan and District Water Management Plan

Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)?

Yes

Hearing Body:

Duval County Legislative Delegation

Meeting Date:

9/25/2001