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Annual Report 2006 - Volusia County, Florida · PDF fileANNUAL REPORT 2006 Background ......

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1 MANATEE PROTECTION PLAN for VOLUSIA COUNTY ANNUAL REPORT 2006 Background Florida’s freshwater, brackish and marine habitats are home to large mammals known as Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris.) For thousands of years, manatees and humans have shared these waterways. However, as the human population increased in Florida, threats to manatees grew, leading to federal, state, and local protections. In 1972, the Marine Mammal Protection Act prohibited any harassment or harm of manatees. The Endangered Species Act of 1973 increased federal protection of manatees and made it a violation to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, capture, or collect an endangered species. The Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act of 1978 declared the entire state as a refuge for manatees. In 1989, the State listed Volusia County as one of 13 counties key to manatee survival. As a result of continuing threats to manatees, Volusia County established a Manatee Protection Program in order to increase public awareness of manatees, and to reduce manatee injury and mortality; while taking into consideration natural resource protection, recreational demands, and economic factors. The county’s Manatee Protection Program, staffed by one full time employee and two contract employees, is supported by the county’s Natural Resources Program, and is designed to meet the State’s objectives for the creation and implementation of manatee protection plans. The Volusia County MPP is divided into two phases. Phase I which was approved by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) in February 2001, was designed to address current impacts to manatees and to promote manatee conservation through education, habitat enhancement, research, and interagency coordination. Phase II was approved by the FWC in October of 2005, and it includes the Boat Facility Siting Plan, which strives to minimize watercraft related injuries to manatees. In setting policies to safeguard manatees and their habitats, the effects of Phase II also increase boater safety, facilitate recreation planning, and protect estuarine habitat critical to many species.
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Page 1: Annual Report 2006 - Volusia County, Florida · PDF fileANNUAL REPORT 2006 Background ... Teacher on Assignment for Volusia County, ... with MRRP, which was then placed on the MRRP

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MANATEE PROTECTION PLAN for

VOLUSIA COUNTY

ANNUAL REPORT 2006

Background Florida’s freshwater, brackish and marine habitats are home to large mammals known as Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris.) For thousands of years, manatees and humans have shared these waterways. However, as the human population increased in Florida, threats to manatees grew, leading to federal, state, and local protections. In 1972, the Marine Mammal Protection Act prohibited any harassment or harm of manatees. The Endangered Species Act of 1973 increased federal protection of manatees and made it a violation to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, capture, or collect an endangered species. The Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act of 1978 declared the entire state as a refuge for manatees. In 1989, the State listed Volusia County as one of 13 counties key to manatee survival. As a result of continuing threats to manatees, Volusia County established a Manatee Protection Program in order to increase public awareness of manatees, and to reduce manatee injury and mortality; while taking into consideration natural resource protection, recreational demands, and economic factors. The county’s Manatee Protection Program, staffed by one full time employee and two contract employees, is supported by the county’s Natural Resources Program, and is designed to meet the State’s objectives for the creation and implementation of manatee protection plans. The Volusia County MPP is divided into two phases. Phase I which was approved by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) in February 2001, was designed to address current impacts to manatees and to promote manatee conservation through education, habitat enhancement, research, and interagency coordination. Phase II was approved by the FWC in October of 2005, and it includes the Boat Facility Siting Plan, which strives to minimize watercraft related injuries to manatees. In setting policies to safeguard manatees and their habitats, the effects of Phase II also increase boater safety, facilitate recreation planning, and protect estuarine habitat critical to many species.

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Phase I Phase I of the Volusia County Manatee Protection Plan (MPP) is divided into topics such as habitat inventory, enforcement, habitat protection, education and awareness, research, and governmental coordination. It was designed to address current impacts to manatees, and increase manatee conservation through discrete projects, public awareness initiatives, and interagency coordination, with the goal of achieving an optimal sustainable manatee population. Some of the projects which fall under Phase I include the Monofilament Line Recycling Program, Bilge Sock Distribution Program, Manatee Watch, Clean Marina and Clean Vessel Act programs, and education and outreach initiatives. Also included is the Sediment Analysis Study, which was completed in 2006. MONOFILAMENT LINE RECYCLING The Monofilament Line Recycling Program goals are to heighten awareness about the negative impacts of properly discarded fishing line, decrease the amount of line entering and remaining in the environment, and increase the amount of fishing line being recycled. With the help of school groups, civic organizations, local governments, businesses, and individual volunteers Volusia County has placed over 60 bins in areas where fishing line may accumulate. Bait and tackle businesses participate by volunteering to collect the line from the volunteers, and to ship the line via pre-paid UPS back to the Berkley Conservation Institute, where the line is recycled into underwater fish habitat structures. The program also conducted a jetty clean-up where a significant amount of line was removed from the rocks. DERELICT CRAB TRAP REMOVAL Also in 2006, aerial transect surveys were conducted by helicopter of the northern Mosquito Lagoon, and 75 potentially derelict crab traps were identified. A plan for trap removal was produced by staff in conjunction with an environmental consultant, and then the plan was approved by the FWC Division of Law Enforcement (FWC DLE.) Chapter 68B-55.001 requires approval of a removal plan, and also has very specific conditions which must be met for identifying and removing the derelict traps. On June 19 a derelict crab trap cleanup was conducted, with local, state and federal government staff participation, and all 75 of the identified traps were retrieved. As required by law, a final report was produced and transmitted to FWC DLE. BILGE SOCK DISTRIBUTION The Bilge Sock Distribution Program, now in its second year, was initiated as a discreet project devoted to increasing usage of fuel absorption devices by boat owners. The project goals also included raising public awareness about marine pollution, and encouraging clean boating habits. This in turn would help to protect marine life and enhance manatee habitat. Each bilge sock recipient also received the “Clean Boating

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Habits” booklet, a Clean Boater pledge card, a Clean Vessel Act brochure, a Clean marina brochure, and a Clean Boater decal. The recipient boaters were asked to sign the Clean Boater pledge card in order to receive the free bilge sock. In 2006, distribution was made to 15 marinas with a total number of 609 bilge socks distributed. The two year distribution total for the project was 2,080 bilge socks delivered to 35 participating marinas. MANATEE WATCH Manatee Watch is a program focusing on verifying and documenting manatee sightings in Volusia waterways. It utilizes volunteers trained in how to document sightings using scar pattern sheets and guides, photos, and observation techniques. Volunteers also learn how to distinguish between normal manatee behavior and an animal that may be in distress. Group training sessions take place in the spring and fall of each year, along with individual training on an as needed basis. Results of the volunteer sightings are also transmitted to the USGS Manatee Individual Photo-identification System (MIPS) program, if good photo documentation has been achieved. Since July of 2005 over 29 volunteers have been trained to participate in the Manatee Watch program. From July to December the Manatee Protection Program was responsible for doing daily observations of the Ponce de Leon Inlet navigation channel dredging project. A contract staff person was hired and trained using Manatee Watch protocols. All Manatee Protection Program staff participating in the observation of the dredging project had to also meet FWC standards for Observer Experience and Education Documentation for Marine Species Watch Programs, which consisted of a minimum of 20 hours of on-site sighting training, and experience in sighting at least 10 marine animals. These staff persons were then also placed on the Manatee Watch Observer List maintained by the FWC. The project was successfully completed in September, with no injury or harassment of manatees occurring during over 1,449 hours of observation, and over 1,427 animal sightings. These sightings consisted of 11 different species of marine mammals and sea turtles. CLEAN MARINA Volusia County now has three designated Clean Marinas, Halifax Harbor Marina, Inlet Harbor Marina, and New Smyrna Beach City Marina, in addition, Inlet Harbor also has the Clean Boatyard designation. The Clean Marina program is administered by DEP, and is a voluntary process for marinas which was introduced by the Clean Boating Partnership. This is a public/private effort, and is a partnership between the State of Florida and the marine industry. The Manatee Protection Program serves as the local liaison for the state program, and assists with marina designation by offering technical assistance and through participation on the final walk-through and checklist verification.

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EDUCATION & OUTREACH There were numerous opportunities for manatee education and outreach throughout the year, starting with our annual participation in the Manatee Festival at Blue Spring. For this event staff created a life size replica of a manatee in addition to providing educational brochures and activities for adults and children. The Manatee Protection Program staff also obtained permits for keeping a manatee skull and dolphin skull for educational purposes. Other events include Riverfest at Gemini Springs, Saltwater Fishing Tournament, Science Fair Expo, Turtle Day, the Halifax/Indian River Cleanup, River Fest in New Smyrna beach, Lyonia Preserve Day, the St. Johns River Cleanup, National Estuaries Day, Science Teacher Appreciation Day, the Ormond Scenic Loop & Trail Celebration, Home-school Day, DeLeon Springs Cleanup, Learn & Serve Make a Difference Day, and Wings on the Wind. Talks and lectures were also given for the Master Naturalist Program, and for many other civic groups, recreational organizations, and school groups. The program also sponsored a teacher workshop coordinated by the Environmental Teacher on Assignment for Volusia County, in order to create manatee lesson plans that were correlated to Florida Sunshine State Standards. The workshop resulted in four complete lesson plans which are available on the manatee web pages, with more lesson plans to follow. The manatee pages were updated and improved, and now offer a large amount of manatee information, as well as numerous activities, and links to other manatee related websites. Additionally, four hundred and fifty copies of the FWC DVD “The State of Manatees” were produced and distributed to underprivileged children. SEDIMENT ANALYSIS STUDY The Sediment Analysis Study which started in 2003 and concluded in 2006, studied sediments at selected locations on the Halifax, Tomoka, and St. Johns River, with the goal of ascertaining whether there were possible anthropogenic causes for the elevated manatee perinatal mortality that had been noted in the Tomoka and Halifax Rivers. The study examined and tested both bottom sediments and sediment located along the shorelines; the premise being that manatees ingest a large amount of sediment while feeding, and toxins that may be present in the sediment may then create a hazard to manatee health. Results of the study could not support a conclusion that contaminants are contributing to perinatal mortality in Volusia County, however this possibility could not be ruled out either. It was also noted that there may not be enough previous studies to conclusively identify the adverse effects of chemical contaminants on manatees. INTERGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION Other activities such as participation on the federal Manatee Recovery Plan working groups, and state interagency working groups help to foster the intergovernmental coordination Phase I calls for. Increased communication with our county Sheriff’s Marine Unit, as well as with FWC Law Enforcement has also been a priority.

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Participation on the Manatee Recovery Team’s Regulatory Working Group and the Monofilament Recovery and Recycling Working Group gave Volusia County the opportunity to provide input on manatee issues at the federal level. It also allowed staff to have first hand knowledge of cutting edge, and on-going research, and facilitated communication with professionals working on manatee issues. Similar benefits were also appreciated by staff participation on the state’s Interagency Task Force, and the Monofilament Recovery and Recycling Program (MRRP.) In 2006, Manatee Protection Program staff produced an Underwater Line Recovery Guide working in conjunction with MRRP, which was then placed on the MRRP website. LAW ENFORCEMENT In 2006 the Manatee Protection Program was able to send three Volusia County Sheriff Marine Unit officers to the Manatee Enforcement Workshop, which gave the officers the opportunity to collaborate with other on-the-water law enforcement agencies on effective manatee protection strategies. Also, manatee speed zone regulatory signage was replaced in the Halifax and Indian Rivers by the FWC’s Office of Boating and Waterways, and new signs were placed in areas where it was deemed to be needed for better boater awareness. Communication with the county Marine Unit was increased in order to provide them with information on manatee mortality due to boat strikes, and to correspondingly send directed patrols to areas that appeared to be “hot spots” for watercraft violations. MARINE MAMMAL STRANDING TEAM The Manatee Protection Program’s focus in 2006 on participation in manatee health assessments and capture/rescue efforts has increased our overall knowledge of manatee biology, physiology, and the practical implications of manatee/human interactions. Through participation in marine mammal health conferences, stranding training sessions, laboratory necropsies, and captures and releases the program staff has gained valuable experience and knowledge which will help in assisting our state and federal partner agencies. The program’s three year partnership assisting the Hubbs Sea-World Research Institute’s stranding network as a volunteer stranding response team, has provided invaluable experience and education, and has helped strengthen the program by giving it the depth and breadth of knowledge that such experience brings. ESTUARINE RESTORATION In addition, the county’s Estuarine Restoration Program has increased manatee protection efforts through shoreline restoration projects in crucial manatee habitat areas. Throughout 2006, the Estuarine Restoration Program stabilized shorelines using native plantings, removed exotic vegetation, initiated development of a five year Estuarine Habitat Restoration Plan (EHRP), cultivated partnerships with community organizations,

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encouraged volunteer involvement, and participated in educational events throughout the community. After the 2004 hurricane season, it was recognized that there was a need for a native planting initiative, especially along the Halifax River in Ormond Beach and Holly Hill, in order to remediate for the extensive shoreline erosion and loss of native vegetation that had occurred. So, VCEM coordinated, with the help of volunteers, eight plantings of Spartina alterniflora, a native marsh grass, in previously selected areas where the erosion was most severe. The Spartina grass used in these plantings were culled from large, healthy stands of the grass located in adjacent areas. A partnership was also created with the DeLand High School agriscience program to grow one gallon Spartina grass plants for future plantings. ESTUARINE HABITAT RESTORATION PLAN With the help of an environmental consulting firm, a longer term five year plan, the Estuarine Habitat Restoration Plan (EHRP), was developed, with the goal of restoring emergent and upland habitats along the Halifax and Indian Rivers. The anticipated results of the plan would be to improve water quality, dissipate wave energy, reduce shoreline erosion, and re-establish essential habitat for a diversity of wildlife. Implementation of the EHRP includes exotic vegetation removal, mangrove and Spartina plantings, oyster bed restoration, seagrass plantings, and long term monitoring. A plant nursery specializing in native, estuary grown red and black mangroves was contracted to grow red mangroves, Rhizophora mangle, and black mangroves, Avicennia germinans, in anticipation of the upcoming 2007 planting schedule. One staff member currently holding a pesticide applicator’s license was also secured for the 2007 exotic plant removal program; they attended a refresher course and renewed their certification for the pesticide applicator’s license. Phase I is available on the Volusia County website at: http://www.volusiamanatees.org/MPP_DOC8b.pdf . For purposes of annual reporting, and in order to easily view the essential tasks outlined in Phase I of the MPP, a matrix has been created with implementation information updated on an annual basis.

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MANATEE PROTECTION PLAN for VOLUSIA COUNTY PHASE I PROVISIONS

2006 Annual Report Acronyms: BPSM or ISM – Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Imperiled USEPA or EPA – United States Environmental Species Management Protection Agency FDEP or DEP – Florida Department of Environmental Protection USFWS, FWS – United States Fish and Wildlife FFWCC, FWCC or FWC – Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Service FIND – Florida Inland Navigation District USGS/Sirenia – United States Geological Survey FMRI, FWRI – Florida Marine Research Institute Sirenia Project IFAS – Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences VCEM or VCEMS – Volusia County Environmental MPP – Manatee Protection Plan Management NOAA – National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration VCLS – Volusia County Leisure Services SJR – St. Johns River VCPD – Volusia County Planning and Development SJRWMD – St. Johns River Water Management District VCPD – Volusia County Planning and Development SMC – Save the Manatee Club Port Authority District USACE or ACOE – United States Army Corps of Engineers VCPW – Volusia County Public Works USCG – United States Coast Guard VCSM – Volusia County Stormwater Management WAV – Watershed Action Volunteers

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C. ENFORCEMENT Purpose Statement The purpose of this section is to describe the roles of enforcement agencies and make recommendations for their coordination in order to avoid duplication and provide better coverage of the waterways. It is recognized by all that additional on-water officers are needed to effectively manage the County’s waterways.

PROVISION ACTION FUNDED BY C.1. Volusia County will lobby the FWCC to seek three additional officers.

The regional FWC office has a complement of three officers assigned to the east coast, and three officers assigned to the St. Johns River. Funding for more officers is not available at this time.

FWC

C.2. An annual group meeting that would establish a working relationship between enforcement agencies shall be developed.

VCEM’s Manatee Protection Program provided funding for 1 staff person and 3 Volusia County Marine Unit officers to attend the first state Boating & Waterways Management Conference. This was attended by local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, and emphasized cooperation between law enforcement and other government agencies. An Interagency Law Enforcement Task Force has also been created for this area.

FWC, VCEM

C.3. The County will actively explore ways to clarify and consolidate signage relating to boating regulations.

Completion of the installation of new Federal zone (new rule) signage. See: http://www.volusiamanatees.org/pha

USFWS, FWC

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seII/Attachment_F.pdf and http://www.volusiamanatees.org/phaseII/Attachment_G.pdf New state manatee zone signs (no new rules) were installed on the H/IR, and planning for new signage on the SJR for 2007 installation is underway. See: http://myfwc.com/boating/waterways/Documents/FWC-USFWSWaterwayMarkerStandardsPostingManateeProtectionZones.pdf New signage is in the process of being created to warn citizens about manatee harassment regulations. Installation will be done when the signs are available.

C.4. The County will include the 1-888-404-FWCC phone number with information for reporting dead or injured manatees and any violations related to manatee protection and habitat degradation with all boater education and waterfront property owner information materials.

This has been implemented. The FWC wildlife hotline number has also been included on laminated Wildlife Emergency cards to be distributed.

VCEM

C.4.1. The County will attempt to inform all registered boaters, possibly through a mass mailing, of any regulatory changes that would impact them.

VCEM has posted the approved MPP for Volusia County on its website www.volusiamanatees.org along with other manatee information, and VCEM also sends out list-serve information. To sign up: http://volusia.org/environmental/listserv.htm Mail-outs will be done as funding permits.

VCEM

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D. HABITAT PROTECTION Purpose Statement: The purpose of the Habitat section is to define favorable habitat for manatees in Volusia County, identify areas in the County where favorable habitat for manatees exists, establish baseline information as necessary for evaluating trends toward improvement or degradation, and to identify and evaluate both threats and actions needed to restore, enhance, or protect habitat. No recommendations in this section are meant to duplicate existing efforts.

PROVISION ACTION FUNDED BY D.1. Volusia County will actively support the Action Items outlined in the IRLNEP CCMP, and work in concert with the various agencies involved, to ensure that the goals and objectives of this plan are met. (See attachment for items*)

This has been implemented. Funded by the respective agencies and Volusia County

D.1.1. The County will review the IRLNEP CCMP and related regulations, and determine how best to achieve a similar result in the Halifax River.

Volusia County Councilman Jack Hayman sits on the IRL Board and VCEM staff regularly attends the meetings. See: http://www.sjrwmd.com/indianriverlagoon/pdfs/CCMP_update_2007_Rev11.pdf Volusia County also has participated in the IRL North Feasibility Study. See: http://www.sjrwmd.com/irlinsert/insert2.html

Volusia County

D.2.1. VCEMS will continue its water sampling program. This has been and continues to be implemented. The monitoring program has been in place for about 20 years, sampling data from the last 15 years is available on the web. See: http://www.volusiahealth.net/lab/water_quality.htm

VCEM, SJRWMD

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D.2.2. VCEMS shall establish a water quality monitoring sampling program on Strickland Creek, establishing several sampling sites that will be monitored on a monthly basis. This program will require 3-5 years of data before baseline water quality parameters can be established.

This has been implemented. Samples have been collected since 2002, so there are currently four years worth of monthly monitoring data for Strickland, Thompson and Dodson Creeks.

VCEM, SJRWMD

D.2.3. A. VCEMS will continue to work with the County and the coastal areas to explore ways in which to move some of the waterfront properties from septic tanks to direct sewer connection. B. VCEMS will also assist the County and the cities as they plan for the movement of homes from septic to sewer systems.

A. B.VCEM continues to work with the appropriate county departments, particularly Public Works, and the coastal cities. See: http://www.volusia.org/publicworks/water.htm VCEM also assists through the Rose Bay Task Force, which has helped to move Allandale and Harbor Oaks residents onto Port Orange City sewer. See: http://www.saj.usace.army.mil/restore/projects/rosebay.htm The new Northern Coastal Basin SWIM Program, which with VCEM facilitation was designated in 2003, also addresses this issue. See: http://www.sjrwmd.com/northerncoastalbasin/SWIM.html

A. B. VCEM, SJRWMD, County and respective municipalities.

D.3. A. Volusia County will extend the Florida Yards & Neighborhoods program to property owners along the SJR system. B. Property owners on this water body will be surveyed to determine how their yards are being maintained. C. This information will be added to the database of ICW property owners. D. VCEMS will follow up with an informational mailing on tips for environmentally sound property maintenance.

A. The Florida Yards and Neighborhoods (FY&N) program is available to all Volusia County residents. This program is currently under IFAS http://fyn.ifas.ufl.edu/ also www.ifas.ufl.edu Also, the Florida Yards, Neighborhoods Program will be part of the Volusia WAV program. B. The survey is done on a request-by-resident basis. C. Not yet

A. IFAS B. IFAS D. WAV, VCEM

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implemented. D. WAV and VCEM distribute FY&N brochures and VCEM has incorporated the program into the county’s Waterwise Ordinance. VCEM is also funding half of the new WAV Coordinator position in Volusia County, who will also implement the Your Neighborhood Pond program.

D.4. A. VCEMS will coordinate with FDEP on identifying areas along the SJR system where manatee habitat must be balanced with aquatic plant control. B. A plan, with timetables, will be developed for addressing these areas. C. VCEMS will also coordinate with ACOE to identify finger canals that have become clogged with vegetation and work with the homeowners to have the whole canal treated at once. D. VCEMS will meet with ACOE on the issue of how much spraying, if any, is needed to control nuisance vegetation. The results of this meeting will be disseminated to the public and managers of the ecosystems.

A., B., D. VCEM has participated in past quarterly meetings with FDEP, USACE and other agencies. These meetings included stakeholders such as local fishermen, guides, and homeowners interested in aquatic spraying issues. Spraying plans and protocols were initiated. See: http://el.erdc.usace.army.mil/aqua/ and http://www.saj.usace.army.mil/invasive_species/SpraySchedule.htm C. VCEM has facilitated the reduction of exotic aquatic vegetation in Bethel Creek and Lake Bethel and communicates with the appropriate control agencies. The USACE is assisting in removing exotics in areas where Blue Way trails are present.

A. B. C. D. VCEM, FDEP, USACE, Volusia County Mosquito Control

D.4.1. The County will explore how, where, and on what schedule re-vegetation of the St. Johns River (with native submerged and emergent vegetation, especially eel-grass) might be undertaken.

Re-vegetation of eel-grass and bullrush has been done in Lake Monroe.

FDEP

D.5. A. VCEMS will support the County’s Public Works Department by providing water quality monitoring to

A., B. This cooperation has been ongoing.

A. B. VCPW, VCEM

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stormwater projects. B. VCEMS will also provide input to the Public Works Department on areas that they feel need attention, such as Strickland, Thompson, and Dodson creeks.

See: http://www.volusia.org/publicworks/stormwater2.htm

D.5.1. The County should develop a comprehensive strategy for stormwater management. It should coordinate with and make use of existing efforts, expanding these efforts to include current retrofitting standards, and to focus on the importance of stormwater management in the protection of aquatic habitat and manatees.

Volusia County Stormwater Management uses a three-pronged strategy: 1. Watershed/basin management plans 2. Stormwater requirements for new construction 3. Stormwater Utilities retrofitting and maintenance. It also utilizes county and city comprehensive plans. See; http://www.volusia.org/publicworks/stormwater2.htm There are ongoing cooperative efforts with the NCB and IRL SWIM Programs as well.

VCSM

D.6. A. Volusia County will continue to actively pursue the purchase of the Spruce Creek CARL property, B. the Lake Woodruff corridor property, and C. other properties, or the development rights to those properties identified in the Indian River Lagoon Blueway project. D. The County will work with Tomoka Geo-Park to pursue their purchase of the Strickland, Thompson, and Dodson creeks confluence property.

A., C. The Volusia Forever Program has acquired or has a conservation easement on over 28,000 acres of conservation land since 2000, including Spruce Creek CARL property. See: http://www.volusia.org/growth/landacq.htm C. This project is ongoing. B. The Lake Woodruff Wildlife Refuge has purchased at least part of this property. D. Tomoka GeoPark has purchased this property.

A. C. Volusia Forever B. Lake Woodruff Wildlife Refuge C. Volusia Forever D. State of Florida

D.6.1. An inventory of irreplaceable resources should be developed which should include developed areas, any areas important to manatees including any feeding, calving, nursing, cavorting, resting, and freshwater areas, and any manatee migratory routes.

Information concerning the areas most important to manatees has been included in Phase II (marina siting) of the MPP. See: http://www.volusiamanatees.org/mpp.htm

VCEM

D.6.3. A. VCEMS will work with SJRWMD, FDEP, and EPA, if A. The USEPA requires that Total A. B. USEPA, FDEP

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appropriate, on the feasibility of using computer models for pollution load reduction and development impacts. B. VCEMS will research the legal implications and the costs associated with setting up such a system.

Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) standards are met nationwide. FDEP and the County help to implement them. The USEPA will identify non-point sources and allocate each a TMDL through modeling. See: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/water/tmdl/index.htm B. FDEP is responsible for this.

D.7. A. All dredged material shall be contained on an upland site. (FDEP Policy Dredge and Fill Requirements) B. New and maintenance dredging projects on the Intracoastal Waterway should be performed during the period of November 15 through March 15, when feasible, to minimize potential impacts to manatees (would require a new policy.) C. Dredging in areas of abundant seagrasses will be prohibited. (would require a new County policy or Countywide Minimum Standards.)

A. FDEP current policy, also in Phase II of the MPP. See: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/water/wetlands/erp/wetperm.htm#VII B. This is part of Phase II of the MPP See: http://www.volusiamanatees.org/phaseII/default.htm C. This is also in the the marina siting segment (Phase II) of the approved MPP for Volusia County. FDEP, the Water Management Districts and USACE currently regulate dredge and fill activities.

A. B. C. FDEP, WMD’s, USACE

E. EDUCATION AND AWARENESS Purpose Statement: The purpose of the Education and Awareness section is to make the citizens of Volusia County and visitors to the County aware of the vulnerability of the manatee to threats of all kinds, from habitat degradation to direct human intervention, and to make people care enough to modify their behavior to protect the manatee and its habitat. Background Information E.1. Volusia County has several programs in place that deal with manatee education and awareness (see section II.E. for existing programs). However, education is a vital element in manatee protection so the following education initiatives were developed to raise

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the level of awareness for manatee protection in Volusia County. The initiatives are labeled according to their projected time of implementation. Short term initiatives are those that can be completed in less than a year. Near term initiatives are those completed in a 1-3 year period. Finally, long term initiatives are those which will take longer than three years to complete. Completion of these initiatives is the responsibility of the County unless otherwise specified and is contingent upon available funding. The suggested education programs are as follows: PROVISION ACTION FUNDED BY E.1. The on-going support of the education initiatives will be coordinated through VCEM’s assigned staff. Due to the importance of manatee education initiatives, governmental coordination and implementation of all MPP components it is recommended that a position be created and funded. Interns, with close guidance of assigned staff, will be responsible for helping with the execution of the education portion of the plan. In addition, volunteers are available. (Short Term)

Council approved the position 9/7/2000. We have an active college intern and volunteer program. In addition, two contract service employees have been hired to expedite the implementation of Phase I provisions. There are also two contract service employees working on estuarine restoration. See: http://www.volusiaestuaries.org

VCEM, VCPLIPAD

E.2. A. Manatee education brochures will be developed and distributed with all new boat registrations. (Near Term) B. Floatable manatee-shaped key chains to be distributed with all new boat registrations. These key chains would show the 1-888-404-FWCC phone number that should be called if a dead, injured, orphaned or harassed manatee is observed. C. Manatee informational stickers (decals) should be created and distributed to all rental vessels. A manatee briefing checklist should be developed, which would be signed by both the rental operator and the renter before a vessel is allowed to be operated. D. Environmental Management will contact Seminole and Lake counties and offer to supply an original of the manatee information distributed to boater registrations in Volusia County.

A. A survey is being developed to direct the most effective strategy for manatee education for the public. B. Floatable keychains have been given to boat rental firms. C. Decals have been given to all boat rental and marine related businesses. Checklist not yet implemented. D. Not yet implemented.

A. FIND B. VCEM C. FWCC D.

E.3. Manatee educational brochures should be developed and distributed to residents. (Short Term)

A survey is being developed to direct the most effective strategy for

FWCC, VCEM, VCPLIPAD

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manatee education for the public. In the past, the EnviroNet Manatee Newsletter has been distributed to all marine businesses, public libraries, county, state and national parks, as well as at festivals and other public events. Now, in lieu of hardcopy editions of the EnviroNet newsletter VCEM distributes timely environmental information through its listserv. To sign up: http://volusia.org/environmental/listserv.htm

E.4. Boating education courses should be developed and include the following information: how to identify manatees in the water, manatee habitat areas, how to reduce the impact of boating on the environment, marine debris, the law against disturbing manatees, and how to report a dead, injured, orphaned or harassed manatee. B. A video or slide show along with an educator’s guide would be used to convey this information. (USCG Auxiliary and the US Power Squadron) (Near Term)

The Sheriff’s Marine Unit officers give presentations at boating education classes given by both the USCG Auxiliary and the U.S. Power Squadron - For Boat Smart see: http://www.dbsps.org/boat_smart.htm This educational material includes extensive information on manatee speed zones and manatee awareness while boating. The Marine Unit also gives out manatee educational brochures when issuing warnings and citations. B. Two videos have been produced by the FWC, A Closer Look at Manatees and The State of Manatees, which VCEM uses as educational tools.

Volusia County Sheriff’s Marine Unit

E.5. A. A series of public service announcements on manatee education have already been developed by the Save the Manatee Club, FDEP, and Duval County, and could be utilized by Volusia County to educate the public. B. A series of slides for movie theater previews would be another outlet for conveying manatee and safe boating information. (Short

A. We have the PSA’s from the SMC, but they have not yet been aired. B. Not yet implemented.

A. SMC

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Term) E.6. At high use ramps and/or key manatee areas visited by the public (areas with high manatee presence), a covered kiosk with a graphic illustration of manatee awareness information will be established. (Long Term)

Kiosks are maintained at County boat ramps and they all have manatee awareness information.

VCLS, VCEM

E.7. The County will coordinate with the organizers of fishing tournaments to provide the participants with information regarding manatees (Short Term)

VCEM provides educational materials at fishing tournaments.

VCEM

E.8. A. Signs will be developed, with the assistance of Volusia County’s GIS department, that contain a map illustrating a particular ramp’s location in relation to relative speed zones. The map will include a five mile sphere of influence for each ramp. The signs will be visible from boat ramp lanes. (Near Term) B. Volusia County will identify those ramps and marinas that do not display education materials and coordinate the effort to have the signs posted. (Short Term)

A. Funding for this is being actively pursued. B. All county ramps display educational material and a survey is planned for municipal, and private marinas and ramps. This is an ongoing activity.

A. B. VCEM

E.9. Incentives should be established to encourage marinas to display manatee brochures and information. Special displays should be designed to specifically promote manatee information. (Short Term)

Special countertop display holders for the EnviroNet Manatee Newsletter and the decals have been provided to all marinas.

VCEM

E.10. A Traveler’s Information Manatee Alert (30 second broadcast) will be developed and included in NOAA weather radio weather advisories for boaters. This should provide basic information for non-resident boaters to alert them that manatees are in the area, to watch for marked manatee protection boat speed zones, and what to do if a manatee is seen injured, harassed, or killed. (Short Term)

This was investigated and NOAA had no interest in doing it at this time.

E.11. An interactive manatee educational computer program should be developed for various age levels and distributed to schools. This program would include information on manatee habitat and biology, and the rules about not disturbing manatees. (Long Term)

Not yet implemented, but may be developed with the creation of the Environmental Learning Center at Lyonia Preserve, set to open in 2008.

E.12. A. Volusia County has an established Internet home page, which includes Environmental Management’s home page. Manatee information which can be accessed by the

A. Most of this information and more is available on the VCEM website: www.volusiamanatees.org B. Links

A., B. VCEM

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public will be added to these systems. Information would include, but not be limited to: manatee habitat, manatee speed zones, manatee migratory patterns, special events, lectures, current manatee information (Blue Spring counts, etc.), sources of additional manatee information and brochures, and prop guard information. (Short Term) B. The Internet page would provide links to other sites containing manatee information, such as Save the Manatee Club’s site and DEP’s Web site.

to SMC at: www.savethemanatee.org/ and DEP at: www.dep.state.fl.us/ as well as many other sites, including the FWC at: http://www.myfwc.com/ have been provided. Funding for the Volusia County Water Atlas website is also being pursued.

E.13. Monofilament Line Recycling Program. To create incentives for increased clean-up and recycling of monofilament, receptacles should be placed at high-use boat ramps. Partnerships with service groups could be utilized to maintain receptacles, collect the line, and return it to the line manufacturers. (Near Term)

This is an on-going project. As of the end of 2006 over 60 recycling boxes had been installed and a volunteer network to empty them is in place. More businesses have been recruited to collect the line, and ship it back to the manufacturer. We will be building more boxes for future sites. See: http://volusia.org/environmental/environet/monofilament_line_recycling.htm VCEM is also part of the statewide Monofilament Recovery and Recycling Working Group, and contributes to their website: www.fishinglinerecycling.org/index.asp

VCEM

E.14. SMC has developed an educational sign that warns against the dangers of feeding and watering manatees and explains the legality of such actions. SMC has provided signs to Volusia County to be placed at high interaction areas. (Short Term)

This has been implemented in identified problem areas, and will be an ongoing project. The FWC also has a similar sign. See: http://myfwc.com/manatee/signs/PermanentManateeSigns_2007.pdf The FWC Division of Boating & Waterways is also in the process of developing another manatee

SMC, VCEM

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harassment warning sign. E.15. A. Manatee educational curriculum should be made available to compulsory schools (K-12) and adult education programs (such as DBCC). B. Volusia County will be responsible for providing balanced packets of information which describe all threats to the manatee. This packet may include that fact sheet to be developed by the County, as well as information from other interested groups. (Short Term)

A. A manatee education curriculum that is consistent with Florida Sunshine State Standards is currently being developed; lessons plans will be made available on the VCEM website, with more to follow. See: http://www.volusiamanatees.org/education.htm In addition, VCEM provides manatee education programs with speakers, videos, literature, etc. to schools, clubs, groups, and organizations upon request. We also attend and provide displays at festivals, special events, etc. B. Not yet implemented.

A. VCEM

E.16. It is recommended that the State of Florida develop enhancements to the existing mandatory education programs for boat operators under 16 years of age and for boating regulation violators. These enhancements should include manatee and habitat information, safe boat operation, rules of the road, basic navigation, and the effects of such boating operations as prop scarring and fuel discharges. Provided through the existing programs provided by the U.S. Power Squadron and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. (Near Term)

A Boater Education Identification Card may be obtained by taking a course approved by the FWC and the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, and is a requirement for boaters under 16 years of age. FWC offers a “How to Boat Smart” correspondence course See: http://www.boat-ed.com/fl/fl_internet.htm or the on-line version at: http://www.boat-ed.com/fl/index.htm and also “The Boater 101 Program” See: http://www.boater101.com/ which is an interactive online program for teachers and youth.

FWC

E.17. Volusia County should establish a bi-annual effort for cleaning up abandoned traps and nets on both the SJR and In the recent past it has been illegal

for unauthorized persons to tamper

VCEM, VCPLIPAD

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ICW. This program would require coordination from the FWCC, Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, Volusia County Environmental Management, and the Enviro-Net program. Volunteers should be recruited to participate in this effort. This effort could also be coordinated with the Center for Marine Conservation’s (now the Ocean Conservancy) annual coastal clean-up. (Near Term)

with or remove traps or trap lines, even if deemed abandoned. A new rule has been implemented (Chapter 68B-55.001 FAC) that allows pulling traps under very specific conditions and with an approved removal plan. A special committee, through the FWC, is also currently investigating a closure rule and will identify protocols. A derelict crab trap cleanup was conducted June 19, 2006. 75 derelict traps were identified by aerial survey, and 75 traps were retrieved. VCEM staff is part of the State Entanglement Working Group and has participated in past crab trap clean-ups in the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.

E.18. “Please Watch for Manatees” signs are provided free of charge by SMC. Volusia County Environmental Management will bring a supply of the signs, when available from SMC, to the County for distribution. This service would be provided as a courtesy to private residents. (Short Term)

This has been implemented, and is an ongoing project. See: http://www.savethemanatee.org/boatertips_public_awareness_sign.htm

SMC, VCEM

E.19. Aquatic Plant Control. Volusia County should disseminate information to all waterfront property owners in existing County database regarding the following: 1. The dangers and risks of spraying yards. 2. The dangers and risks of spraying for exotic plants. 3. The potential for using mechanical means to control aquatic plants. 4. The value of replanting with native species.

The Florida Yards & Neighborhoods Program disseminates such information through lectures, classes, news articles, letters, and the IFAS website at: http://ifas.ufl.edu/ and also the Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants website at: http://aquat1.ifas.ufl.edu/ . Native plant information can also be found on the VCEM website at:

IFAS, VCEM

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www.echotourism.com/arboretum/default.htm This information is available to all Volusia County residents, including waterfront property owners.

E.20. Volusia County should disseminate information to marina owners on the proper use of cleaning agents and other chemicals used by the boating industry.

This is being implemented through the “Clean Marina” program. See: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/cleanmarina/ Also, literature disseminated with the Bilge Sock Distribution Program See: http://volusia.org/environmental/environet/bilge_socks.htm includes the “Clean Boating Habits” booklet, the “Clean Vessel Act” brochure See: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/law/grants/cva/ a Clean Boater pledge card and decal, and two brochures on monofilament recycling.

FDEP, VCPLIPAD, VCEM

E.21. Boat Speed Definitions. The County will include and disseminate these definitions with all appropriate boater education materials.

This information is available on the Manatee Protection Program website at: http://www.volusiamanatees.org/caqfwc05.pdf and the FWC website at: http://myfwc.com/manatee/data/mapref.htm Manatee speed zones are also included in Phase II of the MPP for Volusia County and available at: http://www.volusiamanatees.org/speedzones.htm

FIND

E.22. Volusia County will develop a manatee fact-sheet. It should discuss and place in context all threats to manatees

This fact sheet is the insert in the EnviroNet Manatee Newsletter,

FWC

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and be widely disseminated to the public. which is being distributed on an on-going basis. There is also a manatee mortality facts webpage on the county website at: http://volusia.org/environmental/natural_resources/manatees/faq_mant.htm

E.23. Boater Handbooks. The County will disseminate these to boaters with boat registrations.

The FIND boater’s handbooks have been available at Tag and Title offices in the county. However, since new federal speed zones have been implemented in part of the county a new handbook will need to be created.

FIND, VCEM

F. RESEARCH Purpose Statement: The purpose of the Research section is to identify, collect, assimilate, and analyze data among all of the agencies/organizations collecting data on manatees, in order to make informed management decisions regarding manatee protection within Volusia County. This involves identifying areas where data is missing, and developing programs to obtain this data.

PROVISION ACTION FUNDED BY F.1. A. While research by FWCC/FMRI into the causes of high perinatal mortality among manatees is ongoing, Volusia County recommends that these efforts be increased. B. Additional research by FDEP should also address hormone disrupting chemicals and their origins.

A. B. FWS has identified this issue in their Manatee Recovery Plan. VCEM has completed a sediment study in areas of high perinatal mortality, which investigates the possible presence of toxins. The study conclusion was that the available information did not support a conclusion that chemical contaminants are contributing to

VCEM, VCPLIPAD .

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perinatal mortality within the County, however this possibility cannot be ruled out. Currently no known research is being done by FWC/FWRI or FDEP on hormone disruptors, and their influence on marine mammals.

F.1.2. VCEMS will coordinate with the SJRWMD to develop a comprehensive water quality data analysis and reporting program.

This is an ongoing project that has been addressed through the Storet program and the VCEM Health Lab. See: www.volusiahealth.net/lab/ Water quality data can be viewed at: http://www.volusiahealth.net/lab/water_quality.htm and will soon be available on the Water Atlas website at: http://www.wateratlas.org

SJRWMD, VCEM

F.2. A. Additional research by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on manatee use patterns in Volusia County should be conducted. B. VCEMS will coordinate with U.S.G.S. on this research and will provide resources (staff, volunteers, boats, etc.) to assist in this endeavor.

A. FWC has flown new aerial transect surveys of the H/IR, looking at manatee distribution. These were completed in 2004. The specific purpose of a new citizen volunteer program called Manatee Watch is to document and report manatee presence in Volusia waters. The Manatee Watch program has been in place since 2005. See: http://volusia.org/environmental/natural_resources/manatees/watch.htm B. Manatee Watch is a cooperative project that shares data with the USGS/Sirenia MIPS program. See: http://cars.er.usgs.gov/Manatees/Manatee_Sirenia_Project/manatee_sirenia_project.html

FWC, USGS, VCEM

F.3. The boating activity study completed for this report should A boating activity study update on VCEM

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be repeated every five years on a smaller scale. It could be updated by flying two aerial survey flights in the summer and two flights in the winter, with one being a holiday and the other a normal weekend day; completing the marina inventory in the summer (could be done over the telephone); and the boat ramp census in the summer and winter (one weekend day and one weekday).

marina/boat ramp inventory has been completed. It was deemed that a more thorough (on the ground) marina/ramp inventory would be more accurate than phone calls at this time. See: www.volusia.org/environmental/natural_resources/manatees/phaseII/default.htm The next update may have new boater destination interviews and aerial surveys, as funding allows.

F.4. Volusia County will coordinate with FWCC and other interested parties in designing and implementing a speed zone compliance study to determine the effectiveness of current speed zones. The group eventually identified to conduct this study will be agreed upon by all parties.

The FWCC Law Enforcement Division keeps compliance records that VCEM has access to. Shapiro (2001) also conducted an enforcement study in New Smyrna Beach in which compliance ranged between 51-89%, dependent upon law enforcement presence. (NSB had the highest rate of compliance in the study.) This is an ongoing project. Under State Statute 370.1202(3) the FWC will be conducting compliance studies at designated locations throughout the state.

FWC, FDEP

F.5. If funding becomes available, research should be conducted by involved agencies on the economic impact of manatee protection.

Not yet implemented.

F.6. In order to better understand the range of threats to manatees, the scientific community should continue to collect data on environmental stressors which may affect manatee health.

FWCC/FMRI, USGS, USFWS as well as other groups and agencies continue to study this issue.

FWC/FMRI, USGS, USFWS

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G. GOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION Purpose Statement: The purpose of the Governmental Coordination section is to coordinate all of the agencies and organizations collecting data and managing programs on manatees, at the Federal and state levels, as well as at the County level, to open lines of communication, and to engage in meaningful dialogue, in order to make informed management decisions regarding manatee protection in Volusia County.

PROVISION ACTION FUNDED BY G.1. Volusia County shall establish a reporting mechanism whereby FMRI will send the County mortality summaries and rescue reports for each quarter beginning in 1998.

This has been implemented. FWRI maintains a list-serve that alerts subscribers to current updates on manatee mortalities, as well as red tide events, and news of importance. The manatee mortality statistics are available on the FWRI website. See: www.research.myfwc.com/features/category_sub.asp?id=2241

FWRI

G.2. Volusia County shall establish a reporting mechanism with the rangers at Blue Spring State Park to provide the County with Blue Spring manatee counts on a monthly basis. This shall take place during the months when manatees are congregating at the Spring, beginning in ___?____.

Blue Spring maintains yearly counts, as well as a register of specific animals. VCEM records annual numbers and informal monthly updates are communicated. This is an ongoing project.

VCEM

G.3. A. Volusia County shall request additional data and input from USFWS, FWCC/FMRI and BPSM as necessary. B. Volusia County will request that VCEMS be notified whenever any one of the above agencies are planning on conducting any manatee research in the County. This will allow VCEMS to provide additional manpower, if available, to assist in the research efforts.

A. This has been implemented, and is an ongoing effort. B. This is an ongoing effort.

A. B. VCEM and appropriate agency

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G.4. The final draft of the MPP shall be reviewed to ensure that it is consistent with Volusia County’s Comprehensive Plan and vice-versa in order to ensure full implementation.

A review has been conducted and adoption into the Comprehensive Plan is required by law. VCEM worked with the Planning Department to make the needed changes to the County Comprehensive Plan, and they have been approved by DCA. The MPP for Volusia County was approved by the FWC and FWS on October 19. 2005. See: http://www.volusiamanatees.org/mpp.htm

VCPD, VCEM

G.5. Annually, Volusia County will convene a meeting with the appropriate programs to share information and concerns and develop action items for the coming year. Preliminary groups include: VCEMS, FWCC/FMRI and BPSM, USFWS, and the Sirenia Project. All interested groups will receive invitations and the meeting will be noticed as a public meeting.

VCEM participates in a state interagency working group dedicated to facilitating manatee recovery in Florida. The group is organized under the FWC, with staff members of ISM, FWRI, FWS, USGS, DEP, and other local governments attending.

G.6. Volusia County shall establish a formal communication link with Tomoka Geo-Park to exchange data of manatee use in the Park as well as the Tomoka River. The exact form of this communication link will be developed by the County and the Park rangers.

Links to the park have been established, and anecdotal manatee sightings are communicated. The type of formal data that can been transmitted is currently being considered. Manatee Watch volunteers also collect sighting data within the park. See: http://www.volusiamanatees.org/watch.htm

VCEM, Tomoka GeoPark

G.7. A. Volusia County will contact each municipality to request that an individual be assigned to the position of liaison for manatee-related issues. B. The County will periodically request time on commission agendas to update the

A. VCEM has contacts that handle manatee permitting issues within each city, however formal liaison positions have not been created by

A. B. VCEM

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municipalities about the status of manatee protection measures in Volusia County and around the state.

the cities. B. VCEM meets periodically with all concerned cities, and several MPP workshops for city staff have been held. A dock permitting workshop was held in May 2006. City Managers/Mayors are updated as needed on current manatee issues, at their monthly meetings. VCEM staff always attends City Commission meetings when requested.

G.8. Volusia County will work together with the waterfront cities on water quality issues, including sharing of data gathered from the County’s water sampling program.

This was addressed in part through the Bilge Sock Distribution Program, which has helped to improve water quality, and which also provides water quality educational literature. See: www.volusia.org/environmental/environet/bilge_socks.htm Good water quality is also a goal of the Clean Marina/Clean Vessel Act programs. See: http://www.volusia.org/environmental/natural_resources/manatees/Clean%20Marina%20&%20Vessel.pdf Other water quality issues may be addressed through the county Estuarine Restoration Program. See: http://www.volusiaestuaries.org Water quality data is available through the VCEM Health Lab and through the VCEM Health Lab website. See: www.volusiahealth.net/lab .

VCEM

G.9. VCEMS will contact the Volusia County School Board to The Volusia County School Board,

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discuss the feasibility of a public school manatee information coordinator to assist with distribution of educational materials.

with input from VCEM, has appointed a new Teacher on Assignment for Environmental Education that will assist with the development of a manatee curriculum and with the distribution of manatee educational material. The manatee education curriculum is consistent with Florida Sunshine State Standards, which will assist teachers in incorporating it into their lesson plans.

G.10. Incorporate USGS telemetry data which the County has formally requested from the Sirenia Project into the Manatee Protection Plan.

The data has been incorporated by reference into Phase II (marina siting) of the MPP which is available at: http://www.volusia.org/environmental/natural_resources/manatees/phaseII/default.htm

USGS/Sirenia, VCEM

* D.1. Indian River Lagoon Comprehensive Conservation & Management Plan Background Information D.1. Volusia County has assisted and supported the efforts of the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program (IRLNEP) in defining objectives on maintaining the quality of the Indian River through collaborating with them on water quality monitoring programs and providing technical support and review during the development of their management plan. IRLNEP has existed for five years and has done extensive research in regards to the preservation and conservation of the Lagoon. IRLNEP has produced the final draft of the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (IRLCCMP) that outlines various objectives for habitat protection in the Lagoon. Volusia County EMS is one of the reviewers of this document, and has been involved in the development process from the beginning. The final draft of the IRLCCMP has been approved by Governor Chiles and Carol Browner, the EPA Administrator, and has been endorsed by the Volusia County Council. The Volusia County Council supports the habitat

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recommendations for the North Indian River, that area of the river from Ponce Inlet south to the Brevard/Volusia County line. In addition, some of the CCMP action plans, such as the management of septic tanks, can be applied to all waters of the County and should be analyzed for inclusion to all water bodies. The IRLCCMP includes Action Plans which address the following issues: A. Water and Sediment Quality - Point Source Discharges-Objective: To ensure compliance with the Indian River Lagoon Act and to reduce or eliminate, where possible,

industrial wastewater discharges to the IRL. - On-Site Sewage Disposal-Objective: Determine the impacts of on-site sewage disposal on the resources of the Indian River Lagoon, and to

develop and implement strategies to address these impacts. - Fresh & Stormwater Discharges-Objective: To develop and implement strategies to address the impacts of freshwater and storm-water

discharges on the resources of the Indian River Lagoon. - Marina & Boat Impacts-Objective: To engage the boating public and marine industry as active participants in the protection and restoration

of the resources of the Indian River Lagoon. B. Biodiversity Preservation & Restoration - Biodiversity Research & Management-Objective: Develop and implement a coordinated research and management strategy to preserve,

protect, and restore biodiversity in the Indian River Lagoon. - Seagrass Restoration-Objective: To protect and restore seagrass integrity and function in the Indian River Lagoon by attaining and

maintaining water quality capable of supporting a healthy submerged aquatic vegetation community to a depth of 1.7 meters - Wetlands-Objective: Preserve, protect, restore and enhance the wetland resources of the Indian River Lagoon Region. - Impounded Marsh Restoration & Management-Objective: Restore the functions of marshes impounded for mosquito control purposes. - Land Acquisition-Objective: Develop and implement a coordinated strategy to protect environmentally endangered habitats within the Indian

River basin through acquisitions. - Endangered & Threatened Species-Objective: Protect endangered and threatened mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and

invertebrates of the Indian River Lagoon. - Fisheries-Objective: Conserve and protect fin and shell fisheries of the Indian River Lagoon. C. Public and Government Support and Involvement - Public Governmental Support & Involvement-Objective: Facilitate implementation of the Indian River Lagoon CCMP through public

involvement and education. - Future IRLCCMP Implementation-Objective: Establish a modified management structure that will oversee the implementation of the Indian

River Lagoon Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan and provide for an organization to support the activities of the modified management conference.

- Data & Information Management Strategy-Objective: Develop and implement a strategy to coordinate the management and dissemination of data and information concerning the Indian River Lagoon.

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- Monitoring-Objective: To develop and maintain a monitoring network which will provide adequate and reliable data and information on water quality, sediment quality, and the biological resources of the Indian River Lagoon on which management decisions may be based.

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Phase II BACKGROUND Phase II of the Manatee Protection Plan for Volusia County (MPP) is the Boat Facility Siting Plan. This plan was designed to decrease the potential for watercraft to collide with manatees and to minimize indirect impacts of marine facilities on manatee populations. It also provides direction to those wishing to expand or construct new marine facilities. Phase II of the MPP incorporates funding for increased on-the-water law enforcement of manatee speed zones, and area-specific slip to shoreline ratios established by a criteria-based evaluation of the manatee data and manatee habitat, by state and federal agencies. It also includes specific siting criteria (including depth conditions, water quality specifications, best management practices, zoning/land use policies, etc.). These factors, utilized together result in dock density and boater operation that is appropriate to Volusia County. CITY PARTICIPATION Volusia County has several main bodies of water that support manatee populations within its jurisdiction. They are the Atlantic Ocean, the Halifax and Indian Rivers and tributaries, on the coastal side of the county, and the St. Johns River and tributaries, on the west side of the county. The cities within Volusia County that border these waterbodies, and which are affected by the MPP are: Coastal Volusia

City of Ormond Beach City of Holly Hill City of Daytona Beach City of Daytona Beach Shores City of South Daytona City of Port Orange Town of Ponce Inlet City of New Smyrna Beach City of Edgewater City of Oak Hill

West Volusia

City of DeBary City of Deltona

Under the MPP Phase II provisions cities and municipalities bordering waterways along the coastal side of the County have three options that relate to boat facility siting. Those cities may 1) adopt Phase II provisions as written, referred to as the “as is” option, 2) adopt a city specific refinement to Phase II’s provisions referred to as the “slip

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aggregation” option, or 3) take no action. Unincorporated county lands, and cities bordering the St. Johns River have two options 1) adopt Phase II provisions as written, referred to as the “as is” option, or 2) take no action. Since the MPP is a county specific document, and applies to unincorporated Volusia County, adoption by the cities of either the “as is” option or the “slip aggregation” option is necessary in order to include that city under the MPP, and allow permitting to be regulated by the Phase II provisions. A decision by an affected city to take no action could result in impediments in the boat facility permitting process within that city. As of the end of 2006, one coastal city, Ormond Beach, decided to adopt the “as is” option as outlined in the MPP. All of the other coastal cities opted for the “slip aggregation” method, and with the exception of the Town of Ponce Inlet, have also endorsed the MPP and adopted resolutions to that effect. The unincorporated county, and cities with lands bordering the St. Johns River, are required by the MPP, to utilize the “as is” method if they decide to endorse the MPP provisions. Both DeBary and Deltona, the only two cities bordering the St. Johns River, have endorsed the MPP and adopted the “as is” method through resolutions of support. Another MPP requirement of Phase II is the execution of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with each participating city in order to outline the responsibilities of both the county and the city, and to detail the process for the permitting of boat facilities. By the end of 2006, all but three cities had executed MOU’s with the county. The remaining cities without executed MOU’s are: Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach Shores, and Edgewater. LAW ENFORCEMENT In order to sustain a viable and healthy manatee population in the context of a growing county, additional on-the-water law enforcement must be provided. Phase II, of the MPP provides for this additional funding through the collection of manatee mitigation fees. All applicants with new or expanding boat facilities must pay a one-time mitigation fee for each new or expanded: boat slip, ramp parking space, and/or dry storage space. The fees are deposited into a dedicated, interest bearing account named the Manatee Conservation Fund (MCF.) The MCF is administered by the County’s Manatee Protection Program, and the first $500,000 collected by the fund may be used in its entirety for enforcement and manatee conservation and education purposes. Seventy five percent of the funding is reserved for law enforcement, and is awarded through grants to the County Sheriff’s Marine Unit as well as participating cities, for increased enforcement of manatee speed zones by marine law enforcement units, additional equipment for on-the-water law enforcement efforts, and enforcement related education programs.

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Twenty five percent of the MCF is reserved for manatee conservation efforts, and education and awareness programs which are administered by the County Manatee Protection Program. Once the $500,000 dollar threshold has been reached, thereafter the County of Volusia will only utilize/disburse the interest accrued on the fund account. Single family boat docks pay a one-time mitigation fee of $250. All other boat facilities pay a one-time mitigation fee of $1000 per wet slip, ramp parking space, or dry storage space. While various factors including watercraft related manatee mortality may necessitate changes in mitigation fees, which the Volusia County Council reserves the right to raise as it sees fit, for the first five years of the plan the mitigation fees and planning zone descriptions shall remain fixed. MCF grant funding to the Sheriff’s Marine Unit and the participating cities is determined by percentage, based on linear river miles within each agency’s jurisdiction. No MCF dollars were used in 2006 for manatee education or conservation so that all available funds could be directed to law enforcement efforts. The following table shows the law enforcement funding distribution for 2006.

Percentage of Enforcement Funding Available to Each Participating City 2006

EAST SIDE

Enforcement

Funds % Of River Miles Available Funds Ormond Beach 46,101.07 4.00% $1,844.04 Holly Hill 46,101.07 1.40% $645.41 Daytona Beach 46,101.07 4.10% $1,890.14 South Daytona 46,101.07 1.50% $691.52 Port Orange 46,101.07 1.60% $737.62 Daytona Beach Shores 46,101.07 0.30% $138.30 Ponce Inlet 46,101.07 2.30% $1,060.32 New Smyrna Beach 46,101.07 3.30% $1,521.34 Edgewater 46,101.07 2.70% $1,244.73 Oak Hill 46,101.07 1.90% $875.92 WEST SIDE DeBary 46,101.07 5.50% $2,535.56 Deltona 46,101.07 0.30% $138.30 County Marine Unit 46,101.07 71.10% $32,777.86 TOTAL $46,101.07

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Of the participating cities that qualified for MCF funding (must have a signed MOU with the County) there were two agencies that applied for the funds. The Sheriff’s Marine Unit and the City of New Smyrna Beach both applied for and received grant funding; the Sheriff’s Marine Unit received a grant for $25,024.24 and the City of New Smyrna Beach received a grant for $1,470. The Sheriff’s Marine Unit funds were used for on-the-water officer overtime hours, boat fuel, and enforcement related educational fliers to be distributed to boaters. During the course of the 2006/2007 fiscal year they logged 399 overtime hours, they issued 122 citations and 448 warnings, and distributed 1,081 FWC approved manatee educational fliers. The City of New Smyrna Beach used the MCF funding for on-the-water officer overtime hours. During the 2006/2007 fiscal year they logged 42 overtime hours. They made numerous contacts with boaters, however they did not observe any manatee speed zone violations, and thus did not issue any citations for zone violations. They did however issue citations for other boating offenses, and dispersed FWC approved manatee educational fliers. MORTALITY The FWC Florida Wildlife Research Institute manatee mortality database indicates that there were a total of 22 manatee mortalities in Volusia County for 2006, three of which were Watercraft related. The first Watercraft related mortality occurred on May 4 in the St. Johns River, the second on August 29 was located in the Halifax River, and the third mortality on October 7 was located in the Indian River. There was one manatee mortality catalogued as Other Human, which occurred on June 25. The carcass was retrieved from Spruce Creek, and the cause of death appeared to have been ingestion of a hook and line which had lodged itself in the larynx. There were nine listed Perinatal mortalities five of which were located in the Tomoka River system, two occurred in the Halifax River, one was found at Blue Spring and another in the St. Johns River. There were also five mortalities listed as Natural, three occurred in the Tomoka River system, one in the St. Johns river, and one in the Mosquito Lagoon. Two mortalities were listed as Undetermined, one was found in the Halifax River, and the other in Rose Bay. And, there were two mortalities listed as Unrecovered, one was verified in Spruce Creek and the other in the Mosquito Lagoon. The following charts reflect the manatee mortality in Volusia County for 2006 by mortality category, by location, and by sex.

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MANATEE MORTALITY 2006

Other Human5%

Watercraft 14%

Gate/Locks0%

Unrecovered9%

Undetermined9%

Natural23%

Cold Stress0%

Perinatal40%

Watercraft Gate/LocksOther HumanPerinatalCold StressNaturalUndeterminedUnrecovered

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MANATEE MORTALITY BY LOCATION 2006

0 2 4 6

St. Johns River

Blue Springs

Tomoka River

Strickland Creek

Halifax River

Spruce Creek

Rose Bay

Indian River

Mosquito Lagoon

LOC

ATI

ON

S

MORTALITIES

UnrecoveredUndeterminedNaturalCold StressPerinatalOther HumanGate/LocksWatercraft

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MANATEE MORTALITY BY SEX 2006

0123456

Watercra

ft

Gate/Lo

cks

Other H

uman

Perina

tal

Cold Stre

ss

Natural

Undeter

mined

Unreco

vered

MORTALITY CATEGORY

MO

RTA

LITI

ES

MaleFemaleUnknown


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