Goal 5: Waterfront Communities: Increase the Economic Competitiveness and Environmental Sustainability of Coastal Communities and Water-Dependent Businesses

5.1 In coastal communities across the nation, there is a growing concern that current development patterns, dominated by what some call “sprawl,” are contributing to water quality and environmental degradation. Though supportive of growth, communities are increasingly seeking solutions to balance growth with community and environmental values. Projects will be developed on “smart growth” activities that address the land/water interface, in consultation with agencies and local decision-makers. (Spranger /Sidman : R/C-P-28CC)

5.2 The Florida Sea Grant Boating and Waterway Management Program will broaden the scope of the existing efforts to: 1) enhance smart growth planning and implementation in Florida by identifying and pursuing opportunities for smart growth collaboration with Florida’s coastal communities; 2) provide science-based information, planning models, and innovative tools and methods to state and local decision-makers to encourage sustainable growth and waterway management in coastal communities; 3) use Geographic Information Technologies to provide solutions that foster sustainable shorefront development and waterway management; and, 4) develop training opportunities for Extension faculty who will use the information in their individual educational activities. (2008) (Spranger /Swett /Sidman : R/C-P-29)

5.3 Local waterfront governments would benefit from a comprehensive legal analysis of their coastal policymaking authority, especially in the confusing nearshore jurisdictional environment, and from a systematic assessment of the planning tools at their disposal that is packaged in a usable format. This project will be an applied legal and policy research and model code development project, coupled with legal and planning extension to disseminate results. Working with selected communities, investigators will marshal information and develop locally applicable policy plans adapted to individual community needs. (2008) (Ankersen /Hamann /McLendon : R/C-P-30)

5.4 Florida Sea Grant Extension will continue its fifth-year outreach activity as a component of the Southeast Atlantic Coastal Ocean Observing System (SEACOOS). Four Sea Grant programs ( North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida) are cooperating in this regional project. Florida Sea Grant will serve as a member of the SEACOOS Extension and Education Workgroup. Regional and state educational products and resources will be developed for extension agents and marine and coastal resource users. (Simoniello / Spranger : E/T-12)

5.5 Continue to provide leadership in the development and evolution of the Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System Regional Association (GCOOS-RA), the Southeast Atlantic Coastal Ocean Observing System Regional Association (SECOORA) and the Florida Coastal Ocean Observing System (FLCOOS) Consortium. (Spranger )

5.6 Alachua County’s system of freshwater springs, lakes, and rivers represents a unique resource in the regional recreational geography, serving as destinations for various recreational pursuits. The University of Florida Department of Tourism, Recreation and Sport Management and the Florida Sea Grant Waterway Management Program will assist the County in the development of a countywide waterways master plan for achieving sustainable water-based recreation through community visioning, education, and waterway planning and management. This project is scheduled for completion in June 2007. (Confer /Delaney /Swett /Sidman /Schnell/Ankersen /Holland /Fann )

5.7 Continue working with the Clean Boating Partnership to designate new Clean Marinas and Boatyards. Present Clean Boater education materials to boaters at the Pensacola Boat Show and other environmental events. (Diller)

5.8 Continue working with the Clean Boating Partnership and DEP staff to designate new Clean Marinas and Boatyards. (Gregory )

5.9 Continue to work with local government on waterfront access issues. (Gregory )

5.10 Identify critical information on public waterfront access and facilitate presentation of the information to surveyors and county planners in Brevard County. (Leonard)

5.11 Provide technical information to the consultants of Lampl/Herbert as they finalize their feasibility study on constructing a Seafood Industrial Park in Franklin County. (Mahan )

5.12 Continue work to identify areas in Franklin County that are appropriate for the construction of boat ramps to provide increased public boat access in the county. (Mahan )

5.13 Assist the county and city government to identify ways to reduce problems associated with derelict/abandoned vessels and to identify and secure funding for vessel removal. (Mahan )

5.14 Work with Pierce Jones (UF Energy Specialist) to offer a Low Impact Development workshop to teach individuals about low impact development strategies that can used to help minimize the environmental impacts of development on the environment. The program will target local elected officials, Planners, Planning & Zoning Board Officials, developers, and builders. (Mahan )

5.15 Continue work with the County and city officials to address and waterfront issues such as community development, public access, zoning issues, and minimizing environmental impacts on coastal environments. (Mahan )

5.16 Continue working with the Clean Boating Partnership and DEP staff to designate new clean Marinas and Boatyards. (McGuire )

5.17 Work with GA SG to help them develop their Clean Marina program. (McGuire )

5.18 Work with Volusia County Extension Faculty to investigate the possibility of developing a paddling trail through St. Johns County, Flagler County and Volusia County. (McGuire )

5.19 A seasonal characterization of recreational boating in Brevard County will be initiated to characterize the preferences, activities, and use-patterns of area boater populations. The information will be used for resource management and planning applications by Brevard County and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. (Sidman /Swett /Fann /Sargent )

5.20 Support Hurricane Preparedness efforts of other Sea Grant agents by providing literature, explanations of technology used to measure topics of relevance (e.g. storm surge models, water level data); and provide maps of COOS asset locations so boaters can customize local forecasts and make more informed decisions. (Simoniello )

5.21 Continue producing information, brochures and other products to help Sea Grant agents in FL, GA, SC and NC educate the public about coastal ocean observing systems (COOS). Oversee redesign of extension and education portion of www.seacoos.org website, including layout and content. (Simoniello)

5.22 Participate in state, regional, national and international activities that are associated with coastal ocean observing systems, providing “best management practices” and “lessons learned” through publications and presentations at workshops. (Spranger , Simoniello )

5.23 Assist with water dependent enhancement activities in Charlotte County. (Staugler )

5.23.1 Conduct on-site training and guidance to assure Clean Marina or Clean Boatyard designation at 2 pledged marinas.

5.23.2 Increase public awareness of Clean Marina/Clean Boatyard program through the distribution of the Boating and Angling Guide to Charlotte Harbor, and the Clean Boater outreach program.

5.23.3 Work with the Punta Gorda Boaters Alliance to develop a marine overlay district for the City of Punta Gorda waterfront.

5.23.4 Work with Team Punta Gorda to develop a managed mooring field.

5.23.5 Work with Bob Swett to develop a regional waterway management system for Charlotte County.

5.23.6 Work with Bob Swett to develop a Cruising (Maritime History) Guide to Charlotte Harbor.

5.24 Assist Sea Grant waterway management program in providing technical assistance in managing anchorages and boat ramps. (Stevely )

5.25 The State of Florida, with the guidance of Florida Sea Grant (FSG), will develop a new administrative rule for dredging public waterways in Lee County under the authorization of a general permit. The rule will apply to traffic sheds with high priority maintenance dredging needs as identified by applications of the FSG Regional Waterway Management System. (Swett /Fann /Sidman )

5.26 Local municipal regulations that govern boating activities on local waterways will be identified, documented, and incorporated into a statewide GIS database for use with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Coastal Resource Information System. The purpose is to assist the FWC and partners in implementation of more effect waterway management. The project will span multiple years. (Swett /Ruppert /Ankersen /Fann /Purdy /Sidman /Sargent -FWC)

5.27 Waterfront communities and coastal counties are increasingly aware of the need to develop long-term plans for their public waterways and to provide adequate public access to their coastal resources. Work on developing comprehensive boating and waterways management plans is ongoing with Bay, Brevard, and Santa Rosa counties. ( Swett /Sidman /Ankersen/Cameron/ Leonard/Verlinde )

5.28 Florida Sea Grant, the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences and School for Forestry and Resource Conservation at the University of Florida will conduct a 2.5 day GIS training, scheduled for February 2007. (Swett /Lindberg /Fann/Andreu )

5.29 The Florida Coastal Training Program (CTP) provides coastal decision-makers with the best available science based information, tools, and techniques required to make responsible decisions about land use in Florida and the resulting effects on coastal resources. The Florida Conflict Resolution Consortium, Center for Economic Forecasting and Analysis at Florida State University, and the Florida Sea Grant Program at the University of Florida will assist in this mission. Their objectives will include an assessment of the training and information needs of elected and appointed government officials and land use planners, a pilot project based on the results of the assessment, and an outreach plan to continue positive, long-term relationships with the target audience. This project is scheduled for completion in spring of 2007. (Taylor /Harrington /Swett /Sidman )

5.30 Promote the Clean Marina Program to marinas and fish camps still recovering from storms. (Verlinde )

5.31 Promote the Clean Marina Program and the Clean Boating Partnership at the Pensacola Boat Show, Spring 2007. (Verlinde )

5.32 Complete the Boating and Angling Guide to Pensacola Bay, 2007. (Verlinde )

5.33 Work with the Bagdad Waterfronts Partnership to address invasive species, public access and the development of the historic Bagdad Mill Site Community Park. (Verlinde )

5.34 Provide Santa Rosa County community leaders with coastal information Support the SRC Board of County Commissioners Marine Advisory Committee. Work with Florida Sea Grant Waterfront group to develop a long range waterway management plan for Santa Rosa County. (Verlinde)

.35 Continue working with the Clean Boating Partnership and DEP staff to designate new Clean Marinas and Boatyards and assist recovery of marinas damaged by hurricanes in 2004 and 2005. Present Clean Boater education materials to boaters at the Pensacola Boat Show and other environmental events. (All agents, as needed)