Lake Tarpon Drainage Basin Management Plan Update Pinellas County Department of Environmental Management Water Resources Management Section

Lake Tarpon Watershed Located in north Pinellas County Lake- over 4 square miles in surface area acres Outfall on southern end discharges to Old Tampa Bay Economically and ecologically important Watershed- 61 square miles – acres

Pinellas County DEM has been sampling lake since 1988 Declining water quality led to the formation of a multi-agency committee to address lake water quality issues. In October of the release of the Lake Tarpon Drainage Basin Management Plan prepared for Pinellas County by PBS&J consultants Outlined goals and targets to improve and maintain the quality of the lake

Goals addressed in the plan update: Fisheries Aquatic Vegetation Water Quality Wildlife and Associated Habitat

Fisheries of Lake Tarpon "The fish populations of the lake should be managed to provide for sustained quality fishing opportunities."

Black Crappie Redear Sunfish Bluegill Largemouth Bass

Fisheries Report Summary Sport fish populations of Lake Tarpon, with the exception of black crappie, are in excellent shape. The study also concluded that minor (<1m) water level fluctuations would not adversely affect either vegetative habitat or sport fish recruitment in the lake. Recommended implementation of a 254-mm TL (total length) minimum length limit for black crappie, to improve survivability to spawning age. Recommended continued monitoring of the lake fisheries. Allen, M.S., Tate, W., Tugend, K.I., Rogers, M., & Dockendorf, K.J. (2003). Effects of Water Level Fluctuations on the Fisheries of Lake Tarpon. Gainesville: The University of Florida Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences.

The goal outlined in the Drainage Basin Management Plan concerning the aquatic vegetation on the lake calls for maintenance of exotic plants "to the lowest feasible level while encouraging beneficial native plants to establish.”

FDEP monitors nuisance vegetation removal FDEP- plant permitting agency- performs annual inspection of plant species in lake SWFWMD sprays the lake proper Pinellas County maintains the canals

Lake Water Quality “The Lake should be managed such that good water quality is assured.”

WRMS samples Lake and tributaries Fixed stations until Starting in 2003, lake sampling stations were random, while land–based stations remained fixed.

Tributary Sampling Program Priority tributary sampling was conducted in 1997, 1998, 2000 and Data was used to estimate nutrient loadings into Lake Compiled with monitoring data Monitoring involved sampling of the five priority basins and the gauged portion of Brooker Creek.

Water Quality Data

Trophic State Index (TSI)

Nutrient Budget Total Nitrogen

Nutrient Budget Total Phosphorus

Groundwater Study Leggette, Brashears, & Graham, Inc. & SDI Environmental Inc. Lake Tarpon Ground-Water Study (2004). Florida.

Groundwater Results Impacts from septic tanks not as large as previously thought Fertilizer- major contributor of nutrient loads Found a site showed an influence of pet waste- dog walk. Isotope sampling found that N2 was organic- animal source or septic- which leaves animals. Based on the above discussion, septic tanks contribute 0.97 tons of TN and 0.05 tons of TP to Lake Tarpon. Conversely fertilizer contributes 3.63 tons of TN and 0.21 tons of TP.

Aquifer Storage and Recovery 2001 report on feasibility of storing, recovering, and using surface water of Lake Tarpon The report recommended that the best reuses of stored Lake Tarpon surface water are for lake management (i.e. to replenish lake levels if there is a long term drought) and augmentation of the County reclaimed water supply. Pinellas County Utilities is currently looking at the Chestnut Park site a an Aquifer Storage Recovery site.

Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) Lake Tarpon Sub-Basin, Area 6 FDOT pond at corner of US19 and Oakwood Alum injection system Planning stage Lake Tarpon, Areas 63 and 23 FY Alum systems Treat inflow channels

Chestnut Park Water Quality Improvement Study 2001 study done to see feasibility of treating stormwater runoff through Chestnut Park and to enhance wildlife habitat and native vegetation. List of recommendations and capital improvement projects Still on the “drawing board”, other CIP projects have taken precedence.

Picture Credits oct/page4.html may-jun95/fish.html walleye_fishing_nd_info.htm environmentpgh.tripod.com/ fish.htm agr.state.mt.us/weedpest/ Aquatics/Hydrilla.htm photos.asp Meadows/meadows.html

The Penny Is not a new tax - it' s a renewal of an existing one- cent sales tax in effect since Benefits our economy and adds value to our county by funding roads, bridges, parks, drainage and other capital improvement projects. Funds new capital projects without relying on property taxes. Is paid by all who spend money in the county, including tourists who contribute more than a third. To Be Continued…..

Gets divided between the county and cities. Can only be used for capital improvement projects Is only collected on the first $5,000 of purchases. Is not collected on groceries and medications. The Penny To Be Continued… February Meeting with Peter Yauch