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| Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #1781 |
| Pinellas County Blueway |
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| Requester: |
Elithia Stanfield |
Organization: |
Culture, Education & Leisure, Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners |
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| Project Title: |
Pinellas County Blueway |
Date Submitted |
1/3/2008 3:34:26 PM |
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| Sponsors: |
Jones |
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| Statewide Interest: |
| Meets the requirements of Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Greenways & Trails strategic priority for 2007._Identified in Statute 260.019 Florida Circumnavigation Saltwater Paddling Trail (Pinellas is segment 8). The blueway project is a statewide effort to connect canoe/kayak trails along marine waterways that circumnavigate the water perimeter of Florida. The Pinellas blueway section is one of many blueway connections being made statewide that will serve to improve eco-tourism activities in this growing segment of water recreational use. Providing a blueway connection also meets the Comprehensive Plan for open space, greenway and blueway requirements. |
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| Recipient: |
Parks & Recreation Department |
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Contact: |
Debbie Chayet |
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631 Chestnut St |
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Contact Phone: |
(727) 464-5111 |
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Clearwater 33756 |
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Contact email: |
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| Counties: |
Pinellas |
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| Gov't Entity: |
Yes |
Private Organization (Profit/Not for Profit): |
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| Project Description: |
| The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Office of Greenways and Trails (OGT) has embarked on creating the Florida Circumnavigation Saltwater Paddling Trail as a strategic priority for OGT. This project, initiated by the state, plans for establishment of a sea kayaking trail around the entire state. The three-year project includes comprehensive mapping of the route, recommendations for overnight stays and establishment of a support network. The goal is to enhance Florida�s reputation as a world-class recreation destination and to educate and enlighten visitors about Florida�s fragile coastal environment. Pinellas County worked with OGT to perform a preliminary evaluation in February 06. A working �Citizen Blueway Task Force� was created to identify local amenities and to promote this ecotourism opportunity. This project currently has no funding in Pinellas County Capital Improvement Program. Funds are needed for publication printing, promotion and blueway signage. This includes educational signage for the kayak trail through Pinellas County and promotion of the available ecotourism destinations within Pinellas. |
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| Is this a project related to a federal or state declared disaster? |
No |
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| Measurable Outcome Anticipated: |
| Anticipated outcome includes development of the trail within Pinellas County, increased tourism visitation and economic enhancement. This ecotourism promotion is expected to result in small business development in Pinellas County and covers a tourist niche previously untapped. It may also provide revenue generation in Pinellas County parks for concession to rent kayaks. Signage also provides marking of a safe water route for the public to use. |
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| Amount requested from the State for this project this year: |
$150,000 |
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| Total cost of the project: |
$200,000 |
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| Request has been made to fund: |
Construction |
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| What type of match exists for this project? |
Local |
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Cash Amount |
$ |
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In-kind Amount |
$50,000 |
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| Was this project previously funded by the state? |
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No |
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| Is future-year funding likely to be requested? |
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No |
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| Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request? |
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No |
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| Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget? |
Unknown |
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| Is there a documented need for this project? |
Yes |
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Documentation: |
Florida Department of Environmental Protection Office of Greenways & Trails strategic priority; Stat |
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| Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)? |
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Yes |
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Hearing Body: |
Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners |
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| Is this a water project as described in Section 403.885, Laws of Florida? |
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No |
