Home > Committees > Committee Publications > Community Budget Issue Requests

Senate Committee Publications

CBIRS Request 643

Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #643

North Tampa Closed Basins Water Management

Requester:

S. W. Daignault, P.E., Administrator, Public Works

Organization:

City of Tampa

Project Title:

North Tampa Closed Basins Water Management

Date Submitted

12/27/2007 2:49:36 PM

Sponsors:

Joyner, Justice

Statewide Interest:

The North Tampa Closed Basins project is a true water resources protection project addressing groundwater, potable water, ecosystem protection, flood protection and general public environmental benefit and awareness. This project will provide protection of ground water resources by addressing stormwater discharges to sinkholes that outfall to a series of springs along the lower Hillsborough River. The River outfalls to Hillsborough Bay. The River is one of the most highly managed surface water systems in the State of Florida. This portion of the River is the basis for the creation of the Water Management District approach when a local sponsor was needed for the Army Corps of Engineer's project to create a Hillsborough River by-pass, known as the Tampa Bypass Canal. The Hillsborough River, surrounding groundwater system and Hillsborough Bay (Upper Tampa Bay) are water resources of not only state but national significance. The health and ecological vitality of these water bodies on national scale are not only worthwhile in their own right but an opportunity to improve water quality in an area of high visibility and public use.

Recipient:

City of Tampa

Contact:

Chuck Walter, P.G., Director

306 E. Jackson Street, 8N

Contact Phone:

(813) 274-8771

Tampa 33602

Contact email:

chuck.walter@tampagov.net

Counties:

Hillsborough

Gov't Entity:

Yes

Private Organization (Profit/Not for Profit):

Project Description:

This project will address the sinkhole-dependent stormwater systems in the closed drainage basins of North Tampa. The project also has the capability of addressing a portion of the minimum flow and level requirements for the Lower Hillsborough River as well as augmenting potable water sources. The North Tampa area has long suffered from flooding during wet periods when the capacity of the sinkholes in the area is exceeded. Stormwater disposal by the use of sinkholes is neither a long term solution nor good for the underlying aquifer. Pollutants in stormwater runoff from this area have found their way to springs in the area and were the proximate cause of the closing of the swimming pool at Sulphur Springs. Though steps have been taken to treat some of this runoff prior to discharge to the sinks, the opportunities for groundwater pollution remain high. A consultant is currently under contract to perform an analysis of these systems and is developing a long-term plan to address both the water quality and quantity issues. If this project is approved, the City would seek to use the funding for this analysis as part of the funding match. This project is anticipated to take 5-10 years to complete.

Is this a project related to a federal or state declared disaster?

Measurable Outcome Anticipated:

The improvements will increase the flooding level of service (LOS) from multiple times per year when flooding occurs and businesses and transportation are routinely impacted, to a LOS that will handle a 1 in 25-year, 24-hour storm.

Amount requested from the State for this project this year:

$1,500,000

Total cost of the project:

$48,650,000

Request has been made to fund:

Construction

What type of match exists for this project?

Local

Cash Amount

$1,500,000

Was this project previously funded by the state?

Is future-year funding likely to be requested?

Yes

Amount:

$23,000,000

To Fund:

Construction

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

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

Is there a documented need for this project?

Yes

Documentation:

Drainage reports, flooded property damage and business damage

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

Is this a water project as described in Section 403.885, Laws of Florida?

Yes

Is the project eligible under section 403.885(2),F.S. to protect public health or the environment; and implement plans developed pursuant to the Surface Water Improvement and Management Act created in part IV of Chapter 373,F.S., other water restoration plans required by law, management plans prepared pursuant to 2.403.067,F.S., or other plans adopted by local government for water quality improvement and water restoration?

Yes

Is your project addressed in a state, regional or local plan (such as a SWIM Plan, Comprehensive Plan, Local Master Plan, etc.)?

Yes

Name the plan and cite the pages on which the project is described:

Master Stormwater Plan

Are requesting funding for a stormwater, surface water restoration, or other water management project?

Yes

In which Water Management District is your project located?

Southwest Florida Water Management District

Have you provided at least 50% match (that is, one-half the total project cost identified in this request?

Yes

Match Amount:

1500000

Match Source:

General Fund; Utility Tax

Will this project reduce pollutant loadings to a water management district designated 'priority' surface water body?

Yes

Name of water body:

Hillsborough River, Hillsborough Bay, Tampa Bay

Describe, specifically, how it will reduce loadings, identify anticipated load reductions for total suspended solids, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and other contaminants, and specify the practices that will be used to reduce loadings:

Initial study phases underway.

Is the project under construction?

Are you requesting funding for a wastewater project?

Are you requesting funding for a drinking water project?