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Pasco County Restore Act Multi-Year Implementation Plan Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund 2017 Addendum December 31, 2017

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Pasco County Restore Act Multi-Year Implementation Plan Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund 2017 Addendum December 31, 2017 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 RESTORE Multi-Year Implementation Plan – Attachment E – Revised December 31, 2017 -2- 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. RESTORE Multi-Year Implementation Plan – Attachment E – Revised December 31, 2017 -3- II. Project Map SunWest Park School Board Restoration Port Richey Waterfront Revitalization Orange Lake Restoration RESTORE Multi-Year Implementation Plan – Attachment E – Revised December 31, 2017 -4- 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.) RESTORE Multi-Year Implementation Plan – Attachment E – Revised December 31, 2017 -5- 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. RESTORE Multi-Year Implementation Plan – Attachment E – Revised December 31, 2017 -6- 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. RESTORE Multi-Year Implementation Plan – Attachment E – Revised December 31, 2017 -7- 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
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