PASCO COUNTY RESTORE ACT MULTI-YEAR IMPLEMENTATION PLAN GULF COAST RESTORATION TRUST FUND 2017 ADDENDUM DECEMBER 31, 2017
Table of Contents
I. Restore Introduction and Executive Summary ...... 3
II. Project Map ...... 4
Attachment E – School Board Restoration Project ...... 5
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Introduction
I. Executive Summary
The Pasco County RESTORE Act Advisory Committee (RAC) initially met in March of 2013. The first order of business was to develop, review, and recommend scoring criterion that would be used to assess potential projects that may be eligible for funding through the RESTORE Act (Act). The final criterion developed for Direct Component funding is listed in Attachment D. Over 40 stakeholder projects with a net value of approximately 460 million dollars were presented for consideration by the RAC in a public forum. The RAC heard numerous project presentations; questioned project sponsors about project benefits, liabilities, and budgets; and considered all presentations sensibly. Projects were then scored using the criterion and score sheets developed in accordance with the Act. Scores were tallied by staff, projects ranked and the results presented back to the RAC for deliberation. The RAC members then assessed the community impact, funding availability or matching funds, location, readiness, and timeliness of the projects.
Based on the recommendations of the RAC, three projects were originally proposed to the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) on January 13, 2015 in Dade City during the regular board meeting. The BCC was given a presentation outlining the three projects. Projects included the Orange Lake Restoration Project in New Port Richey, the Waterfront Revitalization Project in Port Richey, and Pasco County's SunWest Park Improvement Project located in Hudson, Florida. The BCC voted unanimously to approve the RAC recommendation and authorized staff to develop the required Multi-Year Implementation Plan (MYIP).
The initial MYIP was published by Pasco County (County) on February 24, 2015. The plan outlined the three projects selected for funding from the initial award made available via the RESTORE Act under the initial TransOcean, Ltd. settlement. Public comment was received by staff, and the public comment period closed on April 13, 2015. On April 21, 2015, the BCC directed staff to take the public comments back to the RAC for further consideration as required by the Act. The RAC met on May 7, 2015 to discuss public comment. The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) was invited to come speak to the RAC about their concerns relative to the County’s RESTORE process and project selections. Many of NWF concerns and recommendations were addressed and incorporated into the final version of the MYIP.
Federal Grants for the original three projects were submitted to the U.S. Department of the Treasury (USTREAS). All three grants have been awarded by Treasury and are in various stages of execution as of publication of this MYIP.
On May 5, 2016, the RAC heard a presentation from the School Board on a restoration project to be conducted in the waters just east of the Energy and Marine Center in New Port Richey off Old Post Road. That project would involve restoration and monitoring of oyster bars and grass beds in the nearby bayou utilizing school age children. Restoration progress and results will be monitored over time to address and adjust as necessary to achieve maximum results. In order to accomplish the required restoration, purchase of a pontoon boat and supporting equipment will be required. The RAC recommended funding this project with $120,000.00 in Direct Component funds. The project was then presented to the BCC on June 21, 2016 and was approved.
Once published, comments for this version of the MYIP will be collected and reviewed. The public is encouraged to comment and participate in the RESTORE process.
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II. Project Map
SunWest Park
School Board Restoration
Port Richey Waterfront Revitalization
Orange Lake Restoration
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ATTACHMENT E – SCHOOL BOARD RESTORATION PROJECT
Project Summary
The Energy and Marine Center (EMC) located on Old Post Road in Port Richey, Florida is going to perform restoration projects in the Salt Spring Estuary, Werner-Boyce Salt Spring State Park and near shore area located adjacent to the EMC. Restoration projects include replanting of oyster beds and removal of invasive species located on Durney Key at the mouth of the Pithlachascotee River and along the Werner Boyce Salt Spring State Park. Native plants and herbaceous species will be planted in those locations. To provide support for these projects, a pontoon boat, launch facilities, and laboratory equipment will be purchased with the grant funds. The EMC will take custody of the equipment and will maintain it.
Background
Located just north of the Pithlachascotee River in the Salt Spring Estuary, the EMC is a Pasco County School Board owned and operated facility designed to provide environmental education for children along the Gulf of Mexico. The research and restoration efforts will be conducted by staff and volunteers from the EMC. This facility will be utilized to conduct restoration projects in the Gulf of Mexico, specifically in the areas identified on the attached map, and will serve as a cultivate center for other restoration projects for sea grasses, oyster and spartina grasses, and mangroves.
Current Status
N/A
Location
The Energy and Marine Center is located in New Port Richey, Florida (82.724846 W, 28.290387 N.)
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Project Objectives
1. Restore Oyster beds in the Salt Spring Estuary.
2. Remove invasive species from Durney Key.
3. Plant native plants on Durney Key.
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Project Need, Purpose, Benefits, and RESTORE Applicability
Need:
Restoration projects are needed to improve the environment around the EMC. Projects will be an ongoing effort, and the equipment purchased with this grant is vital to conducting the restoration projects. Multiple restoration projects have already been identified as being needed in the local area. Examples include oyster bar restoration, invasive species removal, and sea grass replacement, particularly in areas subject to prop scarring near Durney Key. For the purpose of this grant, Durney Key invasive species removal, native plant restoration, and oyster bed planting will be the focus.
Purpose:
The purpose of the grant to conduct restoration projects and increase ecological services and functions in our surrounding estuary, Durney key and near shore habitats over a five year period. The purchase of a vessel, dock and boat lift are necessary initial costs to carry out that five year program.
Benefits:
Oyster bar restoration, invasive species removal, and native plant restoration, as well as secondary benefits of biodiversity improvement for both vertebrate and invertebrate marine species.
RESTORE Objectives:
RESTORE objectives addressed by this project include ecosystem restoration and mitigation of environmental damages.
Plan of Action and Milestones Associated with the Project
Timeline Proposed Date
Sub-recipient agreement Grant +1 month
Equipment specifications generated Grant +3 months
Bidding processes commenced Grant +4 months
Bidding processes completed Grant +6 months Construction begins on facilities improvement. Procurement started on equipment. Grant +6 months
Construction complete on facilities improvement. Grant + 9 months Procurement Complete. Ready to commence restoration projects. Grant + 12 months
Once construction is complete, the restoration and monitoring projects will commence. Monitoring and survey will continue for five years following construction completion.
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Year One (Focal Zone 1) *Habitat surveying and evaluation Daily measurements (Sept-May) – biodiversity survey and water quality testing Tide dependent measurements – Oysters and (low tide) mangrove line intercept mapping, spartina coverage (high tide) Quarterly invasive species marking/tagging *Target species cultivation (Sept-Oct) Mangrove propagules collection (Sept-May) Oyster fragments *Habitat restoration Daily – oyster fragment transplant Quarterly – oyster reef balls, invasive removal and Durney Key cleanup Biannually – coastal cleanups, mangrove transplanting and spartina (April-May) *Monitoring and statistical analysis Quarterly – monitoring of restoration areas EOY (May) – All reports
Year Two (Focal Zone 2) Same as previous year Quarterly – monitoring of restoration areas in Zone 1.
Year Three (Focal Zone 3) Same as previous year Quarterly monitoring of Zones 1 & 2
Year Four (Focal Zone 4) Same as previous year Quarterly monitoring of Zones 1-3
Year Five (Focal Zone 5) Same as previous year Quarterly monitoring of Zones 1-4
Project Success Criteria
Successful removal of invasive species and installation of native plants from Durney Key and a monitoring program established for a minimum of 5-years. Oyster bar restoration projects show a 25% increase or greater of oysters present in the Salt Spring Estuary. Estimated area of restoration is 2.5 acres.
Funding
Funding from this project will be provided as follows:
RESTORE Funding $120,000.00 In-kind funding $130,000.00 Total $250,000.00
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Project Description
Restoration projects will be broken into four different steps: Habitat Surveying and Evaluation, Target Species Cultivation, Habitat Restoration, and Monitoring and Statistical Analysis. A more detailed description is listed below. This methodology will be used to complete restoration projects relating to oyster bars, invasive species removal, and native plant species replacement on Durney Key. An environmental scientist and instructor at the EMC will oversee the projects and aid volunteers in conducting them. To complete the project, a research vessel will be purchased and a dock and boat lift installed at the EMC. Scientific instrumentation for a wet lab will be purchased with funding from RESTORE. The equipment will be used and maintained by the EMC.
Applicable Scientific Documents
These projects will be broken into four categories:
1. Habitat Surveying and Evaluation 2. Target Species Cultivation 3. Habitat Restoration 4. Monitoring and Statistical Analysis
Projects will include but are not be limited to:
1. Habitat Surveying and Evaluation
a. Mangrove Line Intercept Mapping: Systematically mapping the three mangrove species that occur in our estuary and on Durney key. Using the Line Intercept method (LI), will use a 10m long transect line to identify species and horizontal coverage along the shoreline in each of our five focal zones (see map on Page 2). Stratified random sampling points will be assigned along the transect line to determine depth of mangroves and species as elevation increases from shoreline to upland. Due to the overlapping of branches of the same species and of different species and the difficulty in determining the center of the multi-stem mangroves, we have chosen the LI method; “this method is primarily designed to sample plant species with dense crowns or large basal areas.” (2)
b. Oyster Reef Clutch Count: Belt transects will be used to estimate the distribution and population of oysters and oyster clutches on oyster beds in our estuary. The belt transect method is similar to the line transect method but gives information on abundance, as well as presence or absence of species. Similar local counts have been used to observe oyster density. “On each sampling date at each site, we counted live and dead oysters within temporary belt transects marked using stakes and string. Each transect was 15.4 cm wide and as long as the site footprint (generally 21 m). We counted within three transects that were spaced evenly across the square (ends were 5.34, 10.68 and 16.02 meters from northeast and southeast corners) and were oriented parallel to the east and west sides of the squares, which is also along a gradient moving away from the inlet. Transects were formed by placing vertical “H” shaped iron stakes (providing attachment points for strings) at each end of a transect, and running tightened nylon string between the corners so that a 15.4 cm wide belt transect was formed approximately 5 –10 cm above the substrate. Metric tape measures were laid along these transects with 0 at the farthest point from each inlet. Using
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click-counters, live and dead oysters were then counted within each 2.5 m section of the transect. Dead oysters were defined as having two valves that were clearly open with no evidence of a living oyster within. All size classes were counted including live and dead spat. Only oysters that could be distinguished visually from above or to the side were counted: oysters on the undersides of clumps were not counted, and clumps were not picked up. The temporary belt transects were removed after each sampling event”. (4)
c. Biodiversity Survey: Staff and volunteers will be given identification guides that have a list of the usual fish species we catch each year in our seine nets. Over the course of a year, using the presence/absence method they will identify which fish species are present/absent at different times of the year in our estuary. This will be a continuation of a project we are currently working on; collected data can be found at the following link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kOWSx0WJpT7w4tt527CsJmK_- jkmlxSzZQJheQt1IXE/edit#gid=2033955296
d. Durney Key Invasive Plant Survey: Quarterly identification of invasive species on Durney Key, and mark and tag them for removal. Volunteers will be given identification guides of common invasive species found on Durney Key. We will be using the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Invasive Plant Management Plan for each species we tag for removal. (6)
e. Water Quality Measurements: Volunteers will collect water samples daily, using a water sampler at three different depth intervals at fixed spots along our focal zones each year. We will use Vernier probe ware to measure and record the following parameters:
i. Phosphate ii. Nitrate iii. Dissolved Oxygen iv. Turbidity v. pH vi. Salinity vii. Temperature This will be an expansion on our current water quality data collection efforts which can be found at the following link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1xIoICfps0VmQl1pPDQj5Eg3QuXThvT2zshsWOoqtFh U/edit#gid=53711979
2. Target Species Cultivation
a. Spartina Grass Harvesting and Cultivation: We are currently cultivating spartina grass in a raised cultivation garden. With minimal harvesting, we have established new growth in our cultivation garden that will be used to restore sections along Durney Key after invasive species are removed. The garden has rich nutrient soil from our estuary and weekly water flushing with fresh estuary water. We will evaluate the replanting zone in our estuary and on Durney Key to determine the best areas to replant.
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“Smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) dominates the low marsh all the way down to the estuary’s edge. It is tall, sturdy, broad-leaved, and one of the main components of peat. As one moves toward the high marsh, salt hay (Spartina patens), a very fine-leaved grass about 1-2 feet tall, and spike grass (Distichlis spicata) dominate the area. The highest parts of the marsh are characterized by black rush (Juncus gerardii), which grows in dense swaths”. (10) “Planting Time: Late winter and early spring (and beginning of rainy season in Florida). Plant Material: Potted plants or bare root stock from vigorous, uncrowded stands - 5 to 10 stems per transplant. Spacing: Place plants 12 to 24 inches apart depending on severity of site. Depth: Plant soil and root mass 6 to 8 inches or deeper in moist soil” (15).
b. Red and Black Mangrove Aquaculture: Red and black mangrove propagules are collected during August and September and placed in an Aquaponic greenhouse garden. Humidity levels are constantly over 50%, and nutrients from the tilapia tank is continuously cycled over the greenhouse substrate. Substrate is a mixture of vermiculite, perlite and mangrove mud. Water temps vary from 60-90 degrees Fahrenheit. We currently have plots of red mangroves from 1-2 years old and black mangroves plot of one-year- olds. The two-year-old red mangroves will be removed this year and will be transplanted in our restoration area.
c. Oyster Propagation: Broken and dead oysters will be used to promote new oyster clutches. Similar to the South Carolina Oyster Restoration and Enhancement program (SCORE), which uses fossilized oysters to promote new oyster growth we will use the oyster fragments to create new oyster clutches on affected oyster beds. “Oyster habitats are created by replanting shell primarily oyster shell but also whelk and clam shell in appropriate intertidal locations”. (5)
3. Habitat Restoration
a. Oyster Reef Balls: Reef balls are shaped to optimize protective void spaces for fish, “large central cavity sized for larger-bodied fish, like gag” (3) and include features such as with rough surface textures to enhance oyster, coral and sponge settlement. Holes designed to create whirlpools help bring nutrients to animals and plants living on the reef ball surface. Our reef balls will be transported to Durney Key and shoreline areas where we have fast boat traffic to help prevent erosion. Reef balls will be winched into place from the research pontoon boat. We will experiment with different concrete designs and test their effectiveness as a substrate for new oyster growth. “In South Carolina, scientists are testing the efficacy of "oyster castles" — concrete, shell, and limestone blocks — assembled on the shoreline to grow new oyster reef”. (13)
b. Invasive Plant Removal: Partnership with Florida DEP at Werner Boyce Salt Springs State Park, Nature Coast Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area, Florida Forestry and UF IFAS Extension office. Invasive plants along the boundary of Werner Boyce, Durney Key and the Salt Spring Estuary will be removed and treated to prevent regrowth. Through our partnerships, we will assist in removal and spraying of these invasive species. Durney Key will be divided into five zones. After identification/tagging, removal, and spraying in each zone, we will restore these areas with native plants, spartina grass and mangroves from our cultivation tanks. Each zone
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will be evaluated on which species should be placed where for our replanting efforts. We will also reach out to the Nature Coast Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (NCCISMA) to coordinate help in managing Durney Key. (9)
c. Marine Debris/Derelict Fishing Gear Removal: Participation in the International Coastal Cleanup, Great American Cleanup and quarterly cleanups at Durney Key. Derelict blue crab traps will be crushed and used as a substrate to promote oyster growth on our oyster beds. “Lost or abandoned blue crab pots can continue to capture crabs, fish, and other organisms for multiple years.” (12) There are several blue crab traps that are lost or left unattended each year, and some are so heavy we will need to winch them out with the research pontoon boat to ensure crabs and other marine organisms don’t become trapped and die inside them.
d. Transplanting of Spartina, Mangroves, and Oysters Most of our restoration efforts will be along a small key near the mouth of the Pithlachascotee River called Durney Key. This key is a spoil island made from the dredging of the Pithlachascotee channel and is a popular area for boaters to hang out at. Most of the island is covered in invasive plants with a few mangroves, thin patch of spartina grass, and a rocky tidal flat. The key will be broken into five zones; staff and volunteers will identify invasive species and will remove and spray stumps. These zones will be restored with native plants, mangroves, oysters, and spartina grass.
4. Monitoring and Statistical Analysis
Each report will contain a map of surveyed area, summary of measurements, recording, and findings from data analysis.
a. Oyster report/map b. Mangrove report/map c. Biodiversity report (quantity and frequency) d. Marine debris report and removal tonnage. e. Invasive plant report/removal f. Water quality report
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Literature Citation
1. Bert, T.M., J. Tilmant, J. Dodrill, and G.E. Davis. 1986. Aspects of the Population Dynamics and Biology of the Stone Crab (Menippe mercenaria) in Everglades and Biscayne National Parks as Determined by Trapping. South Florida Research Center Report SFRC-86/04. National Park Service, Everglades National Park, Homestead, Florida, USA. 77 pp
2. Caratti, John F. 2006. Line Intercept (LI)Sampling Method. USDA Forest Service Gen Tech. Rep RMRS-GTR-164-CD. USDA Forest Service.
3. FL Sea Grant. 30 Aug, 2013. Artificial Reefs Placed in Steinhatchee Fisheries Management Area. University of Florida, Florida Sea Grant, Bldg 803 McCarty Drive, P.O. Box 110400, Gainesville, FL, 32611-0400.
4. Frederick, Peter; Pine, Bill; Seavey, Jennifer; Sturmer, Leslie. 31 August, 2015. Restoring Resilient Oyster Reefs in Florida’s Big Bend. The Nature Conservancy and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
5. Hodges, Michael, July 11, 2016. Building Oyster Habitats. South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR).
6. MacDonald, Greg; Sellers, Brent; Langeland, Ken; Duperron-Bond, Tina; Ketterer- Guest, Eileen. 2004. Invasive Plant Management Plans. Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants. UFIFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants. University of Florida-IFAS. Gainesville, Florida, USA. < http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/plant-directory/invasive-plant- management-plans/>
7. Mark S. Fonseca, W. Judson Kenworthy, and Gordon W. Thayer. November 1998. Guidelines for the Conservation and Restoration of Seagrasses in the United States and Adjacent Waters. NOAA’s Coastal Ocean Program.
8. Mitchell, Kevin. 25 June, 2007; Revised 15 July, 2015. Quantitative Analysis by the Point-Centered Quarter Method. Department of Mathematics and Computer Science Hobart and William Smith Colleges Geneva, NY, 14456, USA. < https://arxiv.org/pdf/1010.3303.pdf>
9. Nature Coast Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area, Web. 08 Dec. 2016, from
10. NOAA's National Ocean Service Education: Estuaries. Revised March 25, 2008. US Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Web. 08 Dec. 2016. < http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/kits/estuaries/media/supp_estuar06a_saltmarsh. html>
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11. Petersen C.J.G. 2016. The Mark and Recapture Technique. Biology Department. Radford University, 801 East Main St., Radford, Virginia 24142
12. Scheld, A.M. et al. ˆThe Dilemma of Derelic Gear. Sci. Rep. 6, 19671; doi: 10.1038/srep19671 (2016). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - Marine Debris Program.” 02 October, 2016.
13. The Nature Conservancy. Oyster Habitat Restoration Monitoring and Assessment Handbook. Web. 29 September, 2016.
14. Timothy Jones, Jonathan Brucker, Kris Kaufman, Paul R. Carlson, Jr. 2015. Summary Report for the Springs Coast. Seagrass Integrated Mapping and Monitoring Program Mapping and Monitoring Report No. 1.2 FWRI Technical Report TR-17. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, 100 Eighth Avenue Southeast, St. Petersburg, Florida, 33701, USA.
15. USDA-NRCS Plant Materials Center. PLANTING GUIDE SPARTINA PATENS Marshhay Cordgrass. (1996, January). Retrieved September 28, 2016.
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