 To conserve our remaining natural resources for future generations  To protect a valuable economic revenue stream  To organize management efforts to optimize resources Kids fishing pics

 Outside the boundary for both Tampa Bay Estuary Program and the Tampa Bay SWIM Plan  Critical habitat for Birds, Turtles, Manatee, and Fishes  Tremendous economic resource for the area Will replace

 Pollutant loads have decreased due to improved stormwater and wastewater practices  Water quality in the estuary has been improving  Seagrass acreage has been increasing Wastewater treatment Regs Maintaining WQ

 Increased pressure on resources  Increasing regulatory burdens on local governments  Limited financial resources to protect a revenue generating asset

 Focus on Estuary  Establish Historical Benchmarks  Develop Management Targets  Develop Action Plans to Protect and Restore  Co-ordinate Activities Throughout the Watershed

Goals Identify Critical Issues Identify Data Sources Analysis Assess Relationships Define Management Targets Actions Develop Action Plans Develop Implementation Strategy

 Seagrasses are increasing!  Approaching historical acreage  Basis for “Hold the Line” strategy for water quality Acres Seagrass Aerial Extent Over Recent History TARGET Split axis TARGET

 Maintain conditions that resulted in increasing seagrass acreage – i.e. good water quality  Develop indicators to determine when water quality degradation is occurring

YearSaint Joseph Sound Clearwater Harbor North Clearwater Harbor South Threshold=3.1 (µg/L)Threshold=5.4 (µg/L)Threshold=7.6 (µg/L) = Reference 2009 = Excursion 2010

Mangroves - Protect remaining, focus restoration in Clearwater Harbor South Salt Marsh – Protect remaining Freshwater Wetlands – No more losses, restoration where practical – TMDL/ Ag Lands Native Uplands- Protect remaining in managed lands Add Pictures

 Regulatory pressures persist  Benefit of a unified plan of action  Demonstrated success using local data and expertise  More work to be done TMDLs/BMAPs

 Bay Habitats  Watershed Habitats  Water Quality  Estuarine Fauna  Sediment Management  Public Education CCMP outlines specific actions to implement protection and restoration strategies

 Central repository of information from past and current projects throughout the watershed  Coordination mechanism for projects throughout the County  Accounting mechanism for effort spent on environmental improvements  Potential application in EPA/FDEP - TMDL/BMAP process

 Maintain Technical Advisory Committee with representatives from local governments  Stay flexible in approach – coordinated in action  Communicate  Leverage individual efforts for public engagement  Leverage unified approach –strength in numbers

 Pinellas County Department of Environment and Infrastructure  Southwest Florida Water Management District (Pinellas Anclote Basin Board)  United States Environmental Protection Agency  Cities of: Clearwater, Dunedin, Tarpon Springs, Largo  Florida Department of Environmental Protection  Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission  Florida Coastal Islands Sanctuaries Program (Audubon)

September 2009 December 2011

 Quantify economic value of CHSJS natural resources  Information sharing with Pasco County on Anclote River issues  Fisheries/Scallop/Oyster data could be enhanced  Quantify hard bottom habitat in the estuary  Stormwater pipes and outfall locations in electronic database  Database of stormwater maintenance activities