United States            Region 4          EPA 904/9-01 -001
Environmental Protection       61 Forsyth Street          June 2001
Agency               Atlanta, Georgia
Environmental                Draft
Impact Statement

Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
Hillsborough County, Florida

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                                       Draft
                            Environmental Impact Statement
                                        for the
                          Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project

                                     Prepared by
                     U. S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 4
       Tampa Bay Water proposes to build and operate an 1100-acre reservoir facility in
Hillsborough County southeast of Tampa, Florida. Untreated raw surface water would be
diverted from the Hillsborough River, the Tampa Bypass Canal, and the Alafia River and stored
in the regional reservoir.  This water would be used during dry periods when no surface water
could be diverted. The purpose of the project is to increase the reliability of Tampa Bay Water's
regional water supply system.

       This draft environmental impact statement was prepared in June, 2001, in cooperation
with the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers.  Technical assistance was provided by Burns &
McDonnell who served as the third party  contractor to EPA with financial resources being
provided by the applicant Tampa Bay Water.

                       Comments or inquiries should be directed to
                                     John Hamilton
                          Office of Environmental Assessment
                                     EPA Region 4
                                   61 Forsyth Street
                                 Atlanta Georgia 30303
                                   (404) 562-9617
                                  Fax (404) 562-9598
                                 E-Mail: hamilton.john@EPA.gov
                                    Approved By:
 L Stanley Meiburg'
Acting Regional Administrator
Date

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           TAMPA BAY REGIONAL RESERVOIR PROJECT
          DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT

Lead Agency:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV

Cooperating Agency:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District, Tampa Regulatory Office

Applicant:
Tampa Bay Water

( X )  Draft           (  ) Final

Type of Action:       Administrative( X )   Legislative (  )

ABSTRACT The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) discloses the environmental
impacts from Tampa Bay Water's plan to construct and operate the Tampa Bay Regional
Reservoir. The proposed reservoir and associated pipeline would be located in Hillsborough
County, southeast of Tampa, Florida. Three alternatives were selected for in-depth evaluation in
the DEIS: an 1,100-acre reservoir, an 1,100-acre reservoir with Aquifer Storage and Recovery
(ASR) system, and the No Federal Action alternative. The two action alternatives would store
untreated raw surface water diverted during high flow conditions from the Hillsborough River,
the Tampa Bypass Canal, and the Alafia River in the regional reservoir.  With the second action
alternative, surface water would be treated to current drinking water standards and injected into
an underground receiving aquifer. This water would be stored for use during dry periods when
little or no surface water could be diverted. Construction of either alternative would impact
wetlands, upland vegetation, and fish and  wildlife habitat. Approximately 182 acres of wetlands
within the reservoir footprint and 6 acres along the pipeline route would be impacted.  The
magnitude of the effects on the Alafia and Hillsborough rivers, Tampa Bypass Canal, and Tampa
Bay from operating either of the action alternatives appears to be within the normal range of
variation currently found in the natural systems.

If the No Federal  Action alternative were selected, federal funding in the amount of $12,615,000
would not be provided for the 1,100-acre reservoir. Were Tampa Bay Water unable to obtain
non-federal  funds and not to build the reservoir, no additional surface water withdrawals as a
result  of the reservoir from the Alafia River, the Hillsborough River, or the Tampa Bypass Canal
would be made. If no additional withdrawals occur, no additional impacts from this project to
these rivers or the Tampa Bay estuary would result. Without the proposed storage reservoir, with
or without the ASR  system, Tampa Bay Water would not be able to offset reduced groundwater
withdrawals as stipulated in their Consolidated Water Use Permit with the Southwest Florida
Water Management District (SWFWMD). If groundwater pumping exceeded the permitted
quantities specified  in the Consolidated Water Use Permit, Tampa Bay Water could potentially
lose up to $183 million of funding committed by SWFWMD through the Northern Tampa Bay
Groundwater Withdrawal Reduction Agreement (Partnership Agreement).

Comments are solicited on all aspects of the DEIS and will be considered in preparation of the
Final EIS and Record of Decision. Comments should be sent to Mr. John Hamilton at U.S.
Environmental Protection, Office of Environmental Assessment, 61 Forsyth St., Atlanta, GA
30303 by August  13, 2001.

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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
         SUMMARY
INTRODUCTION
Tampa Bay Water, formerly the West
Coast Regional Water Supply Authority,
proposes construction of a reservoir and
associated pipeline in Hillsborough
County, Florida to store and transport
untreated raw surface water diverted
during high flow conditions from the
Hillsborough River, the Tampa Bypass
Canal, and the Alafia River. This stored
water is for use during dry periods when
little or no surface water can be diverted.

The Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir was
authorized for grant funding in the
amount of $12,615,000 by the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
under the State Tribal Assistance Grant
Program. This funding action would
partially provide the means to design and
construct the Tampa Bay Regional
Reservoir and reservoir transmission
main. EPA, as the lead federal agency,
must consider all environmental effects
of the construction and operation of the
Tampa Bay Regional  Reservoir, and
must conduct a National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) analysis of project
impacts on the existing environment.
Pursuant to 40 C.F.R. 1501.4 (c) and in
accordance with Section 102(2)(C) of
NEPA, EPA has identified the need to
prepare an environmental impact
statement (EIS) for the Tampa Bay
Regional Reservoir Project.  The U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers (COE),
Jacksonville District is a Cooperating
Agency (40 C.F.R.  1501.5) as
jurisdictional wetlands are present on the
proposed sites that would require
permitting under Section 404 of the
Clean Water Act.
This Draft Environmental Impact
Statement (DEIS) was prepared in
accordance with Council of
Environmental Quality (CEQ)
regulations 40 CFR Parts 1500 through
1508 implementing NEPA and provides
a complete  and objective analysis of
environmental effects of the proposed
project and its reasonable alternatives.

PROJECT PURPOSE AND NEED
The purpose of the Tampa Bay Regional
Reservoir Project is to improve the
reliability and dependability of Tampa
Bay Water's regional surface water
supply system. The reservoir would
store untreated raw surface water
diverted during high flow conditions
from the Hillsborough River, the Tampa
Bypass Canal, and the Alafia River.
This stored water would be used during
dry periods when little or no surface
water could be diverted. The first 66
million gallons per day (mgd) of raw
water withdrawn from one or more of
the three surface water sources would be
treated at the new Tampa Bay Regional
Water Treatment Plant and then
distributed through Tampa Bay Water's
regional water supply system.

Diverted amounts of raw water
exceeding 66 mgd would be pumped
into the reservoir and stored for later use.
During the dry season when little or no
water could be diverted from the surface
water sources, up to 66 mgd would be
withdrawn from the reservoir, treated at
the Tampa Bay Regional Water
Treatment Plant and distributed to
wholesale customers, that would then
distribute it to retail customers.

The Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir
Project would effectively increase the
yield of the regional surface water
system.  Rapid population growth and
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        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
economic development has resulted in
an increase in projected future water
demand. In addition, Tampa Bay Water
has also entered into various agreements,
which require reductions in groundwater
use and maintaining water demand at or
below 94 percent of the total permitted
water supply capacity.  Based on
increased water demand and reduction of
the existing groundwater supply, Tampa
Bay Water proposes to develop new
water supply sources to meet the
additional required water supply.

ALTERNATIVES
A total of twelve alternatives were
initially evaluated in the DEIS - No
Federal Action  and eleven action
alternatives - to determine if they were
capable of improving the reliability and
dependability of Tampa Bay Water's
integrated water supply system.  Each
alternative was  presented with regard to
physical features, water supply, cost, and
source of water. Alternatives  were
evaluated using a tiered screening
process that was based upon engineering
feasibility, environmental fatal flaws,
and the ability to meet the regional
demand for drinking water. All  eleven
action alternatives were initially
screened to identify any extraordinary or
unproven technical engineering actions
that would be required to implement the
alternatives.  The identification of such
constraints eliminated an alternative
from further consideration.  Of the
eleven alternatives originally considered,
three were eliminated due to engineering
constraints.  These three alternatives
were (1) capturing freshwater springs,
(2) using lakes found in abandoned
phosphate pits,  and (3) using
aboveground storage tanks. The
remaining eight alternatives under
consideration were evaluated on their
ability to meet the water demand and
requirements set forth for the region.
The eight alternatives under
consideration must be capable of
providing at least 58 mgd of water by the
year 2007.  Of the eight alternatives
remaining, six were eliminated. The six
alternatives eliminated were: (1) potable
water reuse; (2) reclaimed water; (3)
seawater desalination; (4) brackish
groundwater; (5) water conservation;
and (6) an Aquifer Storage and Recovery
(ASR) system.  Only two alternatives
were capable of providing the necessary
water supply to meet the regional
demands by 2007. These two
alternatives were an 1,100 acre reservoir
and (2) an 1,100-acre reservoir with an
ASR system.

Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir
Project. Tampa Bay Water's Board of
Directors considered multiple options for
the potential regional reservoir location.
Preliminary screening was conducted to
minimize impacts to residential areas
and natural features such as wetlands,
bottom hardwood and riparian
communities. A total of fifteen potential
sites were reviewed and evaluated
considering such criteria as natural
features, land use, land values,
relocations, construction costs, and
potential contamination by hazardous
materials. Seven of the fifteen
alternative sites were retained in the
screening process and were subjected to
more extensive geotechnical and
environmental analysis. These seven
alternatives were presented to the public
through a public involvement program.
The screening process and cost analysis
led to the selection of the preferred site
for the Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir.
The proposed reservoir and associated
facilities would occupy approximately
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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
1,100 acres. The actual water surface
area of the reservoir would be about 900
acres when full and would have a
storage volume of approximately 48,000
acre-feet (15 billion gallons).  It would
be located in southeastern Hillsborough
County, south of County Road 640,
north of County Road 672, and west of
County Road 39. Portions of the site
have been mined for phosphate, but are
currently being used as improved
pasture.

Reservoir embankments would be 30 to
65 feet high and constructed from onsite
soils materials. To control erosion, the
interior face of the embankments would
be covered with soil cement.

Approximately 7.5 miles of 84-inch
water transmission pipeline would
connect the proposed reservoir to Tampa
Bay Water's regional water system via
the South Central Hillsborough Intertie.
The new pipeline route would generally
follow existing roadways and linear
utility corridors.  The route would begin
approximately 400 feet north of the
intersection of Fishhawk Drive, Bell
Shoals Road and Boyette Road.  It
would then travel south and east, parallel
to Boyette Road where it would cross
niral land to the Tampa Bay Regional
Reservoir site. The real property rights
required for construction and operation
of the pipeline would include a
temporary easement of 50 feet for
construction and a 50-foot permanent
easement for construction, operation and
maintenance activities.  In areas near
homes and other potentially sensitive
locations, the easement would be
reduced where possible to avoid or
minimize impacts.
Detailed design, site permitting and
construction of the reservoir are
estimated to cost approximately $111.9
million while annual operation and
maintenance costs are estimated at
$964,000. Treated water from Tampa
Bay Water's Enhanced Surface Water
System is estimated to cost $1.27 per
1,000 gallons.

Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir and
ASR System. An ASR system has been
considered a possible enhancement to
the Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir to
improve the reliability of the overall
surface water system. Two alternatives
were evaluated that included the Tampa
Bay Regional Reservoir and an ASR
system. The first alternative evaluated
included the proposed reservoir of 1,100
acres and an 18-mgd ASR system. The
second alternative included a smaller
reservoir of 800 acres and a 30-mgd
ASR system.

The concept of the  ASR system can be
thought of as an underground reservoir.
The ASR system would work together
with the surface reservoir to increase the
total storage capacity of the system.  An
advantage of subsurface storage is that it
is not subject to evaporative losses and it
does not require the acquisition of large
parcels of land. Favorable hydrology
and the ability to blend the recovered
ASR water with water stored in the
surface reservoir means that a large
percent of the water put into storage
could be recovered for use.

Up to this time, ASR has most
commonly been used in Florida for the
storage of fully treated potable water.
However, new applications of this
technology using water that has limited
pretreatment are being developed. ASR
is most easily permitted if the injected
water meets all primary and secondary
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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
drinking water standards. There is a
regulatory exemption process currently
in place that addresses the injection of
water that exceeds one or more
secondary drinking water parameters.
Currently, exemptions of primary
drinking water standards are very
difficult to obtain. At this time there are
new rules and procedures being
considered that may allow an exemption
for specific primary drinking water
standards. Assuming sufficient water is
available for storage, an ASR system
capacity would likely be limited by
regulatory criteria and maximum
drawdown allowed during the recovery
period within a prescribed distance from
the wells. Prior to final design  of an
ASR system, a pilot study would need to
be conducted to clearly define the ASR
storage interval, the type of
pretreatment, and specific details
regarding the wellfield design and
operation. The pilot study, permitting,
and construction of the ASR wellfield
under current regulatory criteria is
estimated to take about ten years.

Engineering studies conducted  by
Tampa Bay Water of the proposed
Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir
indicated that an ASR system having a
capacity to store and recover water at a
rate of approximately 18 mgd could
greatly improve the reliability of the
overall water storage and supply system.
The ASR system could be located at the
regional reservoir site, along the regional
reservoir pipeline route, or at a  more
distant location.  An ASR system built
adjacent to the regional reservoir site
could potentially be the most cost
efficient; no additional acquisition of
property would be required. It  is also
thought that pretreatment could be more
easily accomplished using stored
reservoir water since the large volume of
surface water stored could serve to
buffer and dilute any unforeseen water
quality parameters.

An ASR wellfield located more distant
from the regional reservoir could offer
certain advantages if regulatory issues
and/or public opinion do not favor siting
ASR wells adjacent to the reservoir.

The estimated costs of building an ASR
system were based on constructing the
ASR system near the regional reservoir
site.  Individual well  capacities used in
this analysis were estimated to be
approximately 2 mgd. A system of 9
wells was used yielding a total ASR
system capacity of 18 mgd with one 2-
mgd backup well. The estimated cost of
the entire wellfield was approximately
$10.7 million. The total estimated cost
of the regional reservoir and the ASR
system was about $121 million.

The preliminary investigation for the
second alternative conducted by Tampa
Bay Water, on a smaller 800-acre
reservoir, showed that an ASR system
having a capacity to store and recover
water at a rate of approximately 30-mgd
would be required. The design and
location of the ASR system would be
similar to that in the first alternative.

For the second alternative a system of 15
wells was used, yielding 30 mgd with
two 2-mgd backup wells. The estimated
cost of the ASR system was
approximately $18 million. The total
estimated cost of the  regional reservoir
and the ASR system was about $128
million.

No Federal Action.  The No Federal
Action alternative is also included in the
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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
DEIS.  As stated in Chapter 2, the
Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
is Tampa Bay Waters' preferred
alternative. To compare viable
alternatives in this DEIS, it was
necessary to consider that No Federal
Action equated to no reservoir.
However, absent $12,615,000 in federal
funds, nothing in this DEIS would
prevent Tampa Bay Water from building
the 1,100-acre reservoir and connecting
transmission pipeline.

If the Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir
were not built, Tampa Bay Water has
demonstrated that it would not meet the
tri-county area potable water demands
under the commitments and obligations
of the Interlocal and Partnership
agreements nor would it meet the
cumulative water supply needs predicted
to occur by the year 2007. A  25-mgd
deficit in water need would result.

Tampa Bay Water and SWFWMD have
agreed to a Consolidated Water Use
Permit that reduces Tampa Bay Water's
current groundwater withdrawals of 158
mgd to 120 mgd by December 2002, and
to 90 mgd by December 2007.
Exceeding permitted withdrawal
quantities in the Consolidated Water Use
Permit could result in loss of funding
committed by SWFWMD to Tampa Bay
Water through the Partnership
Agreement.  In addition, groundwater
pumpage above permitted levels would
continue, resulting in an increase in
environmental impacts to wetlands and
lakes.

ENVIRONMENTAL
CONSEQUENCES
Construction and operation of the action
alternatives presented above would, to
varying degrees, impact similar natural
resources.

The proposed action alternatives would
not affect the permitted freshwater
withdrawal schedules from the Alafia
and Hillsborough rivers and the Tampa
Bypass Canal. The alternatives would
increase the dependable yield of Tampa
Bay Water's total surface water system
by providing for the additional storage of
surface water diverted during periods of
higher flow for use during drier periods.

Implementation of either of the two
action alternatives could decrease
freshwater inflow into Tampa Bay by up
to 115 mgd during high flow conditions
(on a maximum daily basis). These
proposed freshwater withdrawals have
raised concerns about potential effects
on Tampa Bay and its tributaries. The
potential  impacts of freshwater
withdrawals on salinity and circulation
on Tampa Bay ecosystem have been
evaluated.

Modeling results have indicated
freshwater withdrawals from the Alafia
and Hillsborough rivers and the Tampa
Bypass Canal would influence salinity
and flushing time in Tampa Bay.  The
largest expected changes are predicted to
occur in northwestern Hillsborough Bay,
south of the interbay peninsula, and in
portions of the main ship channel.
However, because these changes are so
small, there is no reason to  believe that
salinity and flushing time of the bay
would be significantly adversely affected
by the proposed freshwater withdrawals.

Implementation of the proposed projects
to meet established 2007 water demands
would divert up to 129 mgd (on a
maximum daily basis) of freshwater
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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
flows from the Hillsborough River and
Tampa Bypass Canal.  Withdrawals for
the Hillsborough River would begin,
based on a permit issued by SWFWMD,
when flows in the river below the City of
Tampa's Hillsborough River reservoir
reach 65 mgd. Withdrawals from the
Tampa Bay Bypass Canal would begin,
based on the SWFWMD permit, when
flows in the canal exceed 7 mgd.

Studies evaluating the potential impacts
of freshwater withdrawals from the
Hillsborough River and Tampa Bypass
Canal indicate that some alterations to
the flow and salinity regime could be
expected. The saltwater wedge in the
Hillsborough River would likely also
fluctuate, moving up and down stream
within its normal range.  The magnitudes
of these effects appear to be within the
normal range of variation currently
found in the natural system.

Withdrawals from the Alafia River
would begin only when flow in the river
reaches or exceeds 80 mgd, a threshold
determined by SWFWMD and included
in Tampa Bay Water's permit. Once this
threshold is reached, withdrawals are
permitted up to 10 percent of the flow,
with a maximum withdrawal of 51.7
mgd. Hydrologic modeling studies
prepared for the permitted freshwater
withdrawals, described in Chapter 4,
include analyses of the predicted impacts
on both the Alafia River and Tampa Bay
at the mouth of the Alafia River.
Projected impacts resulting from
freshwater withdrawals, including
fluctuations of the saltwater wedge in the
Alafia River, were estimated to be
within the range of existing variation.

Under the Partnership Agreement
between Tampa Bay Water, SWFWMD,
and member governments, the proposed
Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
and the associated freshwater
withdrawals from the Alafia and
Hillsborough rivers and Tampa Bypass
Canal would allow Tampa Bay Water's
member governments to reduce
withdrawals from existing groundwater
wellfields. The Partnership Agreement
describes the required reduction in
groundwater withdrawals from the 11
regional wellfields by the year 2002 and
2007.

By reducing reliance on groundwater,
the action alternatives described in this
DEIS would assist in maintaining
groundwater levels and would enhance
the biological health of related wetlands,
lakes, and streams.  Improved biological
health of these resources would in turn
benefit the fish and wildlife that inhabit
these resources.

Construction activities associated with
the proposed alternatives would not be
expected to have any long-term impacts
on local or regional ambient air quality.
Any long-term increases in fugitive dust
or engine emissions for operation of
equipment would be temporary and
minimal. Construction activities in the
immediate reservoir pipeline areas
would also have a temporary effect on
local ambient air quality.  The proposed
Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
would not significantly impact the
existing air quality in the project area.

Construction and operation of the
proposed Tampa Bay Regional
Reservoir Project would not impact
vegetation and wetlands associated with
the Alafia and Hillsborough rivers or the
Tampa Bypass Canal.
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 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
 The Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir
 Environmental Resource Permit and the
 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Dredge
 and Fill Permit Applications addressed
 direct and indirect impacts of wetlands
 in the proposed project area. Direct
 impacts are those such as dredge and fill
 activities resulting from reservoir and
 pipeline construction.  Indirect impacts
 are those that could result in potential
 changes in local water table elevations
 resulting from reservoir seepage.

 The reservoir site selection process for
 the proposed Tampa Bay Regional
 Reservoir Project avoided and
 minimized direct and indirect impacts to
 wetlands to the maximum extent
 practical.  The total amount of wetlands
 impacted by the project would be 188.3
 acres. This includes 182.3 acres of
 wetlands within the reservoir footprint
 and 6  acres along the pipeline route.
 Impacts to wetlands along the pipeline
 would be temporary and would not
 require mitigation.  Impacts to wetlands
 within the reservoir footprint would be
 permanent and would require mitigation.

 Federal threatened and endangered and
 state sensitive species have been
. identified within the proposed project
 area.  The species potentially occurring
 include the American alligator, eastern
 indigo snake, wood stork, Florida
 sandhill crane, southeastern American
 kestrel, Florida scrub jay, and bald eagle.
 With exception of the Florida sandhill
 crane, the project would not be expected
 to adversely affect any of the above
 mentioned species.

 A cultural resource survey  of the Tampa
 Bay Regional Reservoir Project area was
 made. Six previously unrecorded
 historic structures and four previously
unrecorded prehistoric or archaeological
sites were located. The six previously
unrecorded historic structures are not
eligible for listing on the National
Register of Historic Places (NRHP).
One of the prehistoric sites required a
Phase II cultural resources survey, but
nothing of significance was found.  All
four prehistoric sites were not
considered to be eligible for NRHP
listing.

The reservoir area is primarily
undeveloped woodlands, wetlands, and
grasslands used primarily for cattle
grazing. Some agricultural crops are
grown on the northwest portion of the
site. The southern one-third of the site
was previously mined for phosphate ore
and has since been reclaimed.

Construction of the water transmission
pipeline could result in minor temporary
impacts such as disruption of traffic flow
and congestion, and increased noise and
dust levels.  Construction impacts from
the transmission pipeline would be
temporary and would occur for no more
than a few days in any one location.

Unavoidable adverse impacts. The
construction and operation of an action
alternative would have unavoidable
adverse impacts that could not be
completely mitigated.  Construction and
operation of the two action alternatives
would result in the following
unavoidable adverse impacts.

•  Construction would result in a
   temporary decrease in air quality in
   the immediate project area.
•  Noise in the immediate project area
   would be temporarily increased
   during construction.
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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
•   Terrestrial insects, reptiles, and
    mammals would be displaced to
    other areas, or lost, as the dam is
    constructed and the reservoir is
    filled.
•   Land used for the reservoir would be
    lost to cattle grazing and other
    agricultural production.
•   Unvegetated land exposed during the
    late summer through early spring
    would be vulnerable to erosion.
•   Loss of wetlands.

Irreversible and Irretrievable
Commitments of Resources.
Construction of the project facilities
would be the major aspect of the
proposed action that would involve an
irreversible commitment of resources.
Construction of the regional reservoir
would use construction materials such as
soil for the embankment, concrete, and
financial resources.  The project would
also commit freshwater flows from the
Alafia and Hillsborough rivers and the
Tampa Bypass Canal to fill and maintain
the reservoir pool.  If withdrawal of the
existing freshwater inflow was found to
have unacceptable adverse impacts on
Tampa Bay, the flows would be restored.
However, reduction or elimination of
this regional water supply storage would
cause considerable hardship to the
regional water supply system; resources
would have been committed to the
development and treatment of the water
from the reservoir to supplement the
regional water supply system.

Relationship between short-term uses
of the environment and the
maintenance and enhancement of
long-term productivity.  The short-term
and long-term tradeoff inherent in the
project is a positive one (i.e. it favors the
long-term).  In the short-term, use of
resources to construct the project
facilities would be required.  These
facilities would then yield long-term
benefits of supplementing and increasing
drought-resistant water supply allowing
for the natural recharge of groundwater
in the wellfield area and satisfying some
of the increased water demands
associated with population growth in the
three-county area.

Conflicts with Land Use Plans,
Policies, or Controls. The proposed
project would not conflict with any
existing land use plans, policies, or
controls. The construction of the
reservoir and pipeline would be
consistent with zoning currently
designated for the site.

Summary of Cumulative Impacts.
Tampa Bay  Water has developed a
Master Water Plan for meeting the
potable water needs of the Tampa Bay
region for the 15-year period 1995
through 2010. The Master Water Plan
incorporates plans for obtaining
freshwater from numerous sources or
storing freshwater, which include the:

•  Alafia and Hillsborough rivers
•  Tampa Bypass Canal
•  Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir
•  Brandon Urban Dispersed Wells and
   Cone Ranch projects

Studies have been conducted to predict
potential impacts from individual
projects of the Master Water Plan, and
the cumulative impact that would result
from implementing a number of the
projects simultaneously.  The
assessments of potential impacts to
Tampa Bay tributaries focused on
changes to freshwater inflow rates and
water quality that would result from the
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        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
proposed surface water withdrawals.
Potential impacts to the Hillsborough
River and Tampa Bypass Canal system
and the Alafia River were evaluated.
Stream flow characteristics and water
quality of the rivers were examined.
Resources of interest include fish,
benthos, and submerged and emergent
aquatic vegetation that could potentially
be impacted by changes in flow patterns
or salinity regimes resulting from
withdrawals.  The extent and magnitude
of impacts were then assessed to identify
any potential threats to living resources.

Different methods were used to estimate
potential cumulative impacts so that the
result of the diverse analysis could be
compared.  Obtaining similar results
using different methods of analysis
provides an increased level of
confidence in the findings.

The conclusions of the modeling efforts
conducted by both  Hillsborough County
and Tampa Bay Water were similar and
considered the other projects in the
Master Water Plan. The conclusions
concerning the possible individual  and
cumulative impacts are summarized
below.

Alafia River
•  Low and high flows are preserved
   under the withdrawal schedule.
   There is little change to salinity
   regimes under low and high flow
   conditions.
•  The saltwater interface may vary by
   a maximum of approximately 0.25-
   mile under moderate flow
   conditions. This could result in the
   conversion of a small area of
   freshwater marsh to saltwater marsh.
   The location of the saltwater
   interface is predicted to change much
    less under high flow and low flow
    conditions.
•   Maximum salinity increase is
    predicted to be less than 2 ppt, which
    is within the observed long-term
    variability of the system.

Hillsborough River/Tampa Bypass
Canal
•   Withdrawals from the Hillsborough
    River begin when flows below the
    City of Tampa's reservoir reach 5.6
    times the minimum flow of 10 cfs.
•   Significant impacts are unlikely to
    living resources of concern within
    the Hillsborough River and Tampa
    Bypass Canal system. The greatest
    withdrawals would be during the wet
    summer months when maintaining
    habitat for the biological resources
    would not be as critical. The
    predicted impacts to freshwater
    inflow and salinity patterns during
    summer months are not expected to
    be significant.

Tampa Bay
•   SWFWMD modeling efforts suggest
    salinity increases of no more that 1.5
    ppt in Hillsborough Bay due to
    freshwater withdrawals.
•   Investigations show no evidence of
    significant impacts to the  tributaries
    and living resources resulting from
    individual projects. In addition, the
    cumulative impact analysis did not
    identify any fatal flaws.
•   SWFWMD's Tampa Bay  model
    suggested salinity increases due to
    enhanced surface water system
    (ESWS)  withdrawals (and Brandon
    Urban Dispersed Wells and Cone
    Ranch) would be within the range of
    long-term variability.
•   Results of the coastal mass balance
    model suggested a maximum
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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
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    monthly impact to salinity from
    ESWS withdrawals  (and a
    desalination facility, Brandon Urban
    Dispersed Wells, and Cone Ranch)
    within the range of long-term
    variability (Coastal
    Environmental/PBS&J 1998).
•   The mass balance model suggested
    that the annual cycle of salinity
    within bay segments re-establishes
    and stabilizes at slightly higher
    levels than current levels after 3 to 4
    years of operation of the Master
    Water Plan projects.

Potential impacts to the Alafia and
Hillsborough rivers, the Tampa Bypass
Canal, and Tampa Bay from withdrawal
of freshwater for storage in the proposed
reservoir are considered to be modest
and within the range of normal
variability. This salinity fluctuation is
expected to be well within the normal
range of variability and is also within the
relatively wide range of salinity
tolerances of identified living resources
of interest found in oligohaline zones.

Impacts from Past and Present
Actions.  Past and present human
activity have  substantially affected the
land cover at  and  in the vicinity of the
proposed action alternatives. The
southern portion of the proposed
reservoir area contains reclaimed
phosphate mines and is currently being
used for agricultural purposes. The
northern portion of the site is unmined
agricultural land.  Overgrazing has
changed the plant species composition of
existing rangelands and the physical
structure of these  habitats by the
selective removal of the more palatable
species or life stages of plants. The lack
of restrictions on cattle movement has
also resulted in the degradation of
riparian and wetland communities. The
effect of these actions have reduced the
quality of habitat for native fauna and
increased erosion.  Initially, the
construction of one of the proposed
actions or alternative would continue the
trend in the destruction or degradation of
native terrestrial habitats.

Through the environmental assessment
process, gopher tortoise burrows were
located in the upland area in the
northwest corner of the reservoir site.
To minimize impacts to the tortoises, the
reservoir configuration was further
revised to avoid the upland area in the
northwest portion of the site.  Mitigation
measures would offset the losses through
the enhancement of existing habitat or
the creation of replacement habitat.

The original reservoir layout was
rectangular in  shape and was moved to
avoid potential environmental impacts
associated with Doe Branch Creek and
property owned by Hillsborough
County. The current shape of the
reservoir reflects these changes.

SWFWMD Governing Board in August
2000 voted to  acquire the property
necessary for the proposed reservoir
using a State fund called the Florida
Forever Fund.  There are three property
owners for  the reservoir site, with
parcels totaling 5,200 acres. SWFWMD
has acquired one of the three parcels of
land and is  in the process of acquiring
the remaining two parcels.  The area of
5,200 acres will include the 1,100 acres
required for the proposed reservoir, and
the property necessary for all of three
mitigation sites.  The entire 5,200 acres
would remain in public ownership and
property not directly  related to the
proposed reservoir footprint and
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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
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mitigation areas will be permanently
preserved. The 5,200-acre acquisition is
also important because it links the
habitat corridors of the mainstream of
the Alafia River to Fish Hawk creek, and
to the South Prong of the Alafia.  This
purchase will keep the land adjacent to
the proposed reservoir from being
encroached upon by suburban
development.

Significance of Cumulative Impacts.
The mitigation proposed for the loss of
vegetation communities caused by
construction of the proposed action or
the alternative would complement the
naitural habitat of the area.  The proposed
mitigation plan provides information to
compensate for unavoidable wetland
impacts associated with the proposed
reservoir project.  The amount of
mitigation is based on wetland impacts ,
as determined by the U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers, Florida Department of
Environmental Protection, and
Hillsborough County Environmental
Protection Commission.  Mitigation
would be conducted at three sites
adjacent to the reservoir. These
mitigation projects are expected to
provide an ecological benefit to the
region.

MITIGATION
The development and implementation of
a comprehensive HBMP is a condition
of the SWFWMD water use permit for
the freshwater diversions from the Alafia
arid Hillsborough rivers and Tampa
Bypass Canal.  The goal  of the HBMP is
to measure the change in water quality,
vegetation, and animal populations that
would occur in the project area, where
surface water withdrawals would occur,
as a result of the project and to
determine an appropriate course of
action in response to such changes. This
program would ensure that the salinity
distribution in the tidal portions and
estuaries of the Alafia and Hillsborough
rivers would not be significantly altered
as a result of the freshwater withdrawals,
and that recreation or commercial use or
aesthetic qualities of these resources
would not be adversely impacted.

The project would comply with local,
state, and federal emission limits and
operating parameter requirements for air
emission sources during construction.
Dust and noise control measures would
be implemented during construction of
the proposed projects. Minimizing the
area excavated, wetting of excavated
areas and timely seeding of or sodding
of exposed areas would minimize dust
levels and erosion potentials. Noise
abatement procedures would include
selective timing of construction activities
that could impact nearby sensitive
receptors.

Impacts to jurisdictional wetlands on
project sites would be mitigated in
accordance with Section 404 of the
Clean Water Act and all other State of
Florida and local wetland regulations.
Wetland mitigation was  discussed in
Section 4 and the Mitigation Plan in
Appendix B.

CONCLUSIONS
Based on the analysis of the two action
alternatives and the No Federal Action
alternative presented in the preceding
sections and discussions in Chapter 4,
the alternative  preferred  by EPA is the
1,100-acre Tampa Bay Regional
Reservoir Project.  To briefly
summarize, the 1,100-acre Tampa Bay
Regional Reservoir Project would not
affect the permitted freshwater
withdrawal schedules from the Alafia
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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
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and Hillsborough rivers and the Tampa
Bypass Canal. The water supply project
would increase the dependable yield of
the total surface water system by
providing for the additional storage of
surface water diverted during periods  of
higher flow for use during drier periods.
The first 66-mgd of surface water
withdrawn from the three combined
water supply sources would be treated at
the new regional water treatment plant
before being distributed to customers via
Tampa Bay Water's regional water
system. Any surface water withdrawals
in excess of 66 mgd would be pumped
into the 1,100-acre regional reservoir for
storage. When surface water flows
decrease and are below permitted
withdrawal levels,  stored water would be
withdrawn from the reservoir and treated
at the regional water treatment facility
for distribution.

The 1,100-acre Tampa Bay Regional
Reservoir alternative is also the project
preferred for implementation by Tampa
Bay Water. The regional reservoir
would provide a quality source of water
that could effectively provide Tampa
Bay Water and their member
governments a viable water source to
supplement the integrated surface water
supply system. Development of an ASR
system could improve the overall
reliability of Tampa Bay Waters'
preferred 1,100-acre water supply
reservoir.  A stand  alone ASR alternative
was originally included in the initial
array of alternatives; this alternative was
eliminated because it did not provide the
required supply in the time frame
desired. In addition, the policy and
technical issues pursuant to ASR have
not been technically addressed in this
DEIS to the extent  required by the
National Environmental Policy Act.
EPA makes no recommendation as to the
desirability or feasibility of the inclusion
of ASR in the Tampa Bay Regional
Reservoir Project.

Summary of Conclusions.
•  The Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir
   Project would improve the reliability
   and dependability of Tampa Bay
   Water's regional surface water
   supply system.
•  Construction of Tampa Bay Water's
   preferred alternative, Tampa Bay
   regional reservoir, would impact
   188.3,acres of wetlands.  This
   includes 182.3 acres of wetlands
   within the reservoir footprint and 6
   acres along the pipeline route.
•  By reducing reliance on
   groundwater, the preferred
   alternative would assist in
   maintaining water levels and
   enhance the biological health of
   related wetlands, lakes, and streams.
   Improved biological health  of these
   resources  would in turn benefit the
   fish and wildlife that inhabit these
   resources.
•  The magnitude of the salinity
   changes in the Alafia and
   Hillsborough rivers, Tampa Bypass
   Canal, and Tampa Bay from
   operating  the reservoir are expected
   within the normal range of variation
   currently found in the natural system.
•  Most adverse impacts would be
   avoided or minimized and mitigated
   where avoidance would not be
   practical.
•  SWFWMD has agreed to acquire the
   property for the regional reservoir
   and additional land located
   immediately adjacent to the reservoir
   footprint totaling approximately
   5,200 acres.
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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
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AREAS OF CONTROVERSY
The most prominent controversy
concerning the Tampa Bay Regional
Reservoir Project identified in the public
scoping process concerned the operation
of the reservoir and associated impacts
on the Alafia and Hillsborough rivers,
Tampa Bypass Canal and Tampa Bay.

Citizens and representatives of
Hillsborough County expressed
additional concerns pertaining to the
construction and operation of the
reservoir. These included the safety of
the reservoir and impacts associated with
embankment failure.

ISSUES BEING RESOLVED
Issues being resolved include
preparation of inundation maps for the
regional reservoir and monitoring water
seeping from the regional reservoir.
These issues are described below.

•  Tampa Bay Water has prepared
   inundation maps and an Emergency
   Action Plan has also been drafted.
•  By June 2001, Tampa Bay Water
   will have a formal plan to monitor
   and assess potential impacts to the
   areas surrounding the reservoir.
   Tampa Bay Water coordinated with
   regulatory agencies during the
   planning and development of the
   monitoring plan.
•  Areas of concern regarding seepage
   from the reservoir include such
   resources as gopher tortoise habitat
   located outside of the northeast
   corner of the reservoir embankment.
   Tampa Bay Water has initiated the
   collection of baseline date, which
   will be used for including these areas
   in the monitoring plan.
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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project                  Draft Environmental Impact Statement
                 TABLE OF CONTENTS


SUMMARY	S-l

TABLE OF CONTENTS	TC-1

LIST OF TABLES	TC-9

LIST OF FIGURES	TC-10

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

1.1 INTRODUCTION	1-1

1,2 PURPOSE OF THIS DOCUMENT	1-2

1.3 PROJECT PURPOSE	1-2

1.4 PROJECT NEED	1-4

1.5 CURRENT WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM	1-4
  1.5.1  Water Supply Sources	1-4
  1.5.2  Treatment Facilities	1-4
  1.5.3  Transmission Facilities	1-5
  1.5.4  Operation of the System	1-5

1.6 DEMAND AND POPULATION PROJECTIONS	1-5
  1.6.1  Demand Forecast Method	1-5
  1.6.2  Population Projections	1-7

1.7 WATER CONSERVATION MEASURES	1-7
  1.7.1  Hillsborough County Water Conservation Plan	1-9
  1.7.2  Pasco County Water Conservation Plan	1-9
  1.7.3  Pinellas County Water Conservation Plan	1-10
  1.7.4  City of St. Petersburg Water Conservation Plan	1-11
  1.7.5  City of Tampa Water Conservation Plan	1-11
  1.7.6  City of New Port Richey Water Conservation Plan	1-12

1.8 WATER USE PERMITS AND PRINCIPLE AGREEMENTS	1-13
  1.8.1  Water Permits	1-13
  1.8.2  Principle Agreements	1-13

1.9 NEW PROJECTS	1-14
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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project                  Draft Environmental Impact Statement


1.10 TAMPA BAY REGIONAL RESERVOIR PROJECT	1-16

1.11 SUMMARY OF PROJECT NEED	1-16

1.12 ADMINISTRATIVE AND ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS	1-16
  1.12.1  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 4	1-17
  1.12.2  Tampa Bay Water	1-17
  1.12.3  U.S. Army Corps of Engineers	1-17
  1.12.4  Florida Department of Environmental Protection	1-17
  1.12.5  Southwest Florida Water Management District	1-20
  1.12.6  Environmental Protection Commission of Hillsborough County	 1-20

1.13 EIS PREPARATION	1-20

1.14 ORGANIZATION OF THE DOCUMENT	1-21

CHAPTER 2 ALTERNATIVES, INCLUDING THE PROPOSED ACTION

2.1 INTRODUCTION	2-1

2.2 ACTION ALTERNATIVES	,	2-3
  2.2.1 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project	2-3
  2.2.2 Other Action Alternatives	2-12

2.3 NO FEDERAL ACTION ALTERNATIVE	2-22

2.4 EVALUATION OF ACTION ALTERNATIVES	2-22

2.5 ALTERNATIVES CARRIED FORWARD	2-25

CHAPTER 3 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

3.1 INTRODUCTION	3-1

3.2 GENERAL SETTING	3-1

3.3 SOILS AND GEOLOGY	3-4
  3.3.1 Soils	3-4
  3.3.2 Geology	3-5

3.4 AIR QUALITY	3-9

3.5 NOISE	3-9
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3.6 WATER RESOURCES	3-10
  3.6.1  Groundwater	3-10
  3.6.2  Surface Water Quantity	3-11
    3.6.2.1 Mafia River	.'	3-11
    3.6.2.2 Hillsborough River	3-12
    3.6.2.3 Tampa Bypass Canal	3-16
    3.6.2.4 Tampa Bay	3-16
  3.6.3  Surface Water Quality	3-18
    3.6.3.1 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project	3-19
    3.6.3.2 Alafia River	3-19
    3.6.3.3 Hillsborough River	3-20
    3.6.3.4 Tampa Bypass Canal	3-21
    3.6.3.5 Tampa Bay	3-22

3.7 MINIMUM FLOWS AND LEVELS	3-23
  3.7.1  Alafia River	3-25
  3.7.2  Hillsborough River	3-25
  3.7.3  Tampa Bypass Canal	3-26

3.8 UPLAND VEGETATION	3-26
  3.8.1  Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project	3-27
  3.8.2  Alafia River, Hillsborough River, Tampa Bypass Canal and Tampa Bay	3-27

3.9 WETLANDS	3-28
  3.9.1  Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project	3-29
  3.9.2  Alafia River	3-30
  3.9.3  Hillsborough River and Tampa Bypass Canal	3-31
  3.9.4  Tampa Bay.,	3-31

3.10 WILDLIFE	3-31
  3.10.1 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project	3-31
  3.10.2 Alafia River	3-34
  3.10.3 Hillsborough River and Tampa Bypass Canal	3-34
  3.10.4 Tampa Bay	3-35

3.11 FISH	3-37
  3.11.1 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project	3-37
  3.11.2 Alafia River	3-37
  3.11.3 Hillsborough River	3-38
  3.11.4 Tampa Bay	3-39

3.12 THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES	3-39
  3.12.1 Federally Threatened and Endangered Species	3-39
  3.12.2 State Listed Species of Special Concern	3-48
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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project                    Draft Environmental Impact Statement


3.13  SOCIOECONOMIC CONDITIONS	3-55
  3.13.1 Socioeconomic Portfolio for the Region of Influence	3-55
  3.13.2 Seasonal Residents	3-58
  3.13.3 Public Services	'.	3-58
  3.13.4 Environmental Justice	3-59

3.14  VISUAL AND AESTHETIC CHARACTERISTICS	3-61

3.15  CULTURAL RESOURCES	3-61

3.16  RECREATION	3-66

3.17  RISK ANALYSIS AND IMPACT TO THE HUMAN COMMUNITY	3-67


CHAPTER FOUR ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

4.1 INTRODUCTION	4-1

4.2 GENERAL SETTING	4-2
  4.2.1 Action Alternatives	4-2
  4.2.2 No Federal Action	4-2
  4.2.3 Mitigation	4-2

4.3 HYDROLOGY	4-3
  4.3.1 Surficial and Subsurface Soil Conditions	4-3
  4.3.2 Surface Drainage	4-3
  4.3.3 Mining and Reclamation History	4-3
  4.3.4 Action Alternatives	4-4
  4.3.5 No Federal Action	4-4
  4.3.6 Mitigation	4-4

4.4 GEOLOGICAL, HYDROGEOLOGICAL, AND GEOPHYSICAL
INVESTIGATION	4-4
  4.4.1 Action Alternatives	4-6
  4.4.2 No Federal Action	4-7
  4.4.3 Mitigation	4-7

4.5 GEOTECHNICAL EXPLORATION	4-8
  4.5.1 Action Alternatives	4-9
  4.5.2 No Federal Action Alternative	4-10
  4.5.3 Mitigation	4-10
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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project                     Draft Environmental Impact Statement


4.6 AIR QUALITY	4-10
  4.6.1  Action Alternatives	4-11
  4.6.2  No Federal Action	4-11
  4.6.3  Mitigation	4-11

4.7 NOISE QUALITY	4-12
  4.7.1 Action Alternatives	4-12
  4.7.2  No Federal Action	4-12
  4.7.3  Mitigation	4-12

4.8 WATER RESOURCES	:	4-12
  4.8.1  Groundwater Quantity	4-12
    4.8.1.1  Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project	4-13
    4.8.1.2  Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir and ASR System	4-14
    4.8.1.3  No Federal Action	.	4-15
    4.8.1.4  Mitigation	4-15
  4.8.2  Groundwater Quality	4-16
    4.8.2.1  Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project	4-16
    4.8.2.2  Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir and ASR System.	4-16
    4.8.2.3  No Federal Action	4-17
    4.8.2.4  Mitigation	:	4-17
  4.8.3  Surface Water Quantity	4-18
    4.8.3.1  Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project	:	4-19
    4.8.3.2  Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir and ASR System	4-21
    4.8.3.3  No Federal Action	4-21
    4.8.3.4  Mitigation	4-21
  4.8.4  Surface Water Quality	4-22
    4.8.4.1  Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project	4-22
    4.8.4.2  Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir and ASR System	4-29
    4.8.4.3  No Federal Action	4-29
    4.8.4.4  Mitigation	4-29

4.9 MINIMUM FLOWS AND LEVELS	4-29
  4.9.1  Action Alternatives	4-30
  4.9.2  No Federal Action	4-32
  4.9.3  Mitigation	4-32

4.10 UPLAND VEGETATION	4-32
  4.10.1  Action Alternatives	4-32
  4.10.2  No Federal Action	4-33
  4.10.3  Mitigation	4-33

4.11 WETLANDS	4-33
  4.11.1  Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project	4-34
  4.11.2  Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir and ASR System	4-36

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   4.11.3 No Federal Action	4-36
   4.11.4 Mitigation	4-36

 4.12 WILDLIFE	4-36
   4.12.1 Action Alternatives	4-37
   4.12.2 No Federal Action	4-40
   4.12.3 Mitigation	4-40

 4.13 FISHERIES	4-40
   4.13.1 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project	4-41
   4.13.2 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir and ASR System	4-42
   4.13.3 No Federal Action	4-42
   4.13.4 Mitigation	4-42

 4.14 THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES	4-42
   4.14.1 Federally Threatened and Endangered Species	4-43
     4.14.1.1 Action Alternatives	4-43
     4.14.1.2 No Federal Action	4-45
     4.14.1.3 Mitigation	4-45
   4.14.2 State Listed Species of Special Concern	4-45
     4.14.2.1 Action Alternatives	:	4-45
     4.14.2.2 No Federal Action	4-48
     4.14.2.3 Mitigation	4-48

 4.15 SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONDITIONS	4-49
   4.15.1 Population	4-49
	4.15.1.1 Action Alternatives	4-49
     4.15.1.2 No Federal Action	4-49
   4.15.2 Housing	4-51
     4.15.2.1 Action Alternatives	4-51
     4.15.2.2 No Federal Action	4-51
   4.15.3 Land Use	4-51
     4.15.3.1 Action Alternatives	4-51
     4.15.3.2 No Federal Action	4-51
   4.15.4 Employment and Income	4-51
     4.15.4.1 Action Alternatives	4-51
     4.15.4.2 No Federal Action	4-51
   4.15.5 Community Services and Facilities	4-53
     4.15.5.1 Action Alternatives	4-53
     4.15.5.2 No Federal Action	4-53
   4.15.6 Public Finance	4-53
     4.15.6.1 Action Alternatives	4-53
     4.15.6.2 No Federal Action	4-53
   4.15.7 Environmental Justice	4-53
   4.15.8 Mitigation	4-53
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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project                  Draft Environmental Impact Statement


4,16 VISUAL AND AESTHETIC CHARACTERISTICS	4-54
  4.16.1  Action Alternatives	4-54
  4.16.2  No Federal Action	4-54
  4.16.3  Mitigation	4-54

4.17 CULTURAL RESOURCES	4-55
  4.17.1  Action Alternatives	4-55
  4.17.2  No Federal Action	4-56
  4.17.3  Mitigation	4-56

4.18 RECREATION	4-56
  4.18.1  Action Alternatives	4-56
  4.18.2  No Federal Action	4-57
  4.18.3  Mitigation	4-57

4.19 RISK ANALYSIS AND IMPACT TO THE HUMAN COMMUNITY	4-57
  4.19.1  Action Alternatives	4-58
  4.19.2  No Federal Action	4-58
  4.19.3  Mitigation	4-58

4.20 UNAVOIDABLE ADVERSE IMPACTS	4-59

4.21 IRREVERSIBLE AND  IRRETRIEVABLE COMMITMENT OF
RESOURCES	4-59

4.22 RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SHORT-TERM USES OF THE ENVIRONMENT
AND THE MAINTENANCE AND ENHANCEMENT OF LONG TERM
PRODUCTIVITY	4-59

4.23 CONFLICTS WITH LAND USE PLANS, POLICIES, OR CONTROLS	4-60

4.24 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS	4-60
  4.24.1  Summary oflncremental Impacts	4-60
  4.24.2  Impacts from Past and Present Actions	4-61
  4.24.3  Significance of Cumulative Impacts	4-63

4.25 CONCLUSION	4-63

CHAPTER 5 COORDINATION AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT

5.1 INTRODUCTION	5-1
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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project                   Draft Environmental Impact Statement


5.2 PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT	5-1
  5.2.1  Public Meetings	5-1
  5.2.2  Public Scoping Meeting	5-1
  5.2.3  Draft EIS	'.	5-2
  5.2.4  Final EIS	5-2

5.3 AGENCY COORDINATION	5-2
  5.3.1  Public Notice and Other Communications	5-2
  5.3.2  Other Agency Consultations	5-3

5.4 DEIS PREPARATION TEAM	5-3
  5.4.1  Federal Lead Agency	5-3
  5.4.2  Applicant	5-3
  5.4.3  Third-Party Contractor	5-3
  5.4.4  Other Contributors	5-4

CHAPTER 6 LITERATURE CITED	6-1

APPENDIX A BIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT	A-l

APPENDIX B MITIGATION SUMMARY	B-l

APPENDIX C ALAFIA RIVER AND HILLSBOROUGH RIVER/TAMPA BYPASS
CANAL WITHDRAWAL PERMITS	C-l

APPENDIX D CORRESPONDENCE	D-l

APPENDIX E WILDLIFE  SPECIES LIST	E-l
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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project                     Draft Environmental Impact Statement


                        LIST OF TABLES

  1-1 Tampa Bay Regional Demographic Projections	1-7
  1 -2 Alafia River Permit Total Withdrawal Quantities Authorized Under This
  Permit	 1-15
  1 -3 Tampa Bypass Canal Permit Total Withdrawal Quantities Authorized Under This
  Permit	1-15
  1 -4 Hillsborough River Permit Total Withdrawal Quantities Authorized Under This
  Permit	1-15
  1-5 Maximum Withdrawal Hillsborough River and Tampa Bay Bypass Canal	1-15
  1-6 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir EIS and Pipeline Permits	1-19
  2-1 Alternatives Evaluated	2-2
  2-2 Summary Matrix of the Reservoir Siting Results	2-4
  2-3 Reclaimed Water Alternatives	2-15
  2-4 Aquifer Storage and Recovery Wellfield Alternatives	2-19
  2-5 Estimated Capital Cost Range for the Proposed ASR System	2-21
  3-1 Hillsborough County Maximum Permissible Sound Levels	3-10
  3-2 Federally, Threatened, or Endangered Species	:	3-41
  3-3 Florida Threatened, Endangered, and Special Concern Species	3-49
  3-4 Population Information  for the Authority's Member Counties	3-56
  4-1 Summary of Wetland Impacts for the Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir	4-34
  4-2 Summary of Wetland Impacts for the Associated Facilities	4-37
  5-1 EIS Preparers at U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV	5-5
  5-2 EIS Preparers at Tampa Bay Water	5-5
  5-3 EIS Preparers at Burns & McDonnell	5-6
  5-4 EIS Preparers at Florida Environmental, Inc	5-7
  5-5 EIS Preparers at Environmental Permitting and Design, Inc	5-7
                                      TC-9

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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project                     Draft Environmental Impact Statement
                       LIST OF FIGURES
  1-1 Tampa Bay Water Service Boundary	1-3
  1-2 EPACT Adjusted Annual Average Demand Projections (mgd) by Water Year....1-6
  1-3 Enhanced Surface Water System with and without the proposed Regional
  Reservoir	1-18
  2-1 Project Location Map	2-9
  2-2 Reservoir Cross Section	2-11
  2-3 Pipeline Route	2-13
  3-1 General Setting	'.	3-2
  3-2 Hydrologic Soil Groups	3-6
  3-3 Geologic Cross Section	3-8
  3-4 Alafia River Drainage Area	3-13
  3-5 Hillsborough and Tampa Bypass Canal Map	3-14
  3-6 Tampa Bay	3-17
  3-7 WQI Annual Average	3-24
  3-8 Wildlife Habitat	3-32
  3-9 Economic Breakdown of ROI.,	3-57
  3-10 Environmental Justice	3-61
  4-1 Reservoir Wetland Impacts	4-35
  4-2 Pipeline Wetland Impacts	4-38
  4-3 Proposed Mitigation Sites	4-50
  4-4, Adjacent Lands	4-52
                                    TC-10

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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
        CHAPTER 1


   INTRODUCTION AND
       BACKGROUND

1.1 INTRODUCTION
Tampa Bay Water, formerly The West
                      Coast Regional
                      Water Supply
                      Authority, was
                      established on
                      October 25,
                      1974. In
August 1998, the Authority became
Tampa Bay Water, which is responsible
for supplying wholesale water to its six
member governments of Hillsborough,
Pasco, and Pinellas counties and the
Cities of New Port Richey, St.
Petersburg, and Tampa (Figure 1-1).

Tampa Bay Water is the largest
wholesale water supplier in the State  of
Florida. Its member governments serve
the needs of approximately 2 million
people. Tampa Bay Water provides an
average of 176 million gallons of
drinking water each day (mgd).
Currently, this water comes in the form
of groundwater from the Floridan
aquifer. Since the Floridan aquifer is
hydraulically connected to  surface
waters in some areas, environmental
resources have been impacted in these
specific areas. In fact, the potential
impacts of groundwater pumping have
been a matter of substantial concern
among the member governments, the
Southwest Florida Water Management
District (SWFWMD), the Florida
Legislature and the public over the
course of several years.
In answer to these concerns, Tampa Bay
Water and SWFWMD have negotiated a
Consolidated Water Use Permit, which
regulates withdrawals from the 11
wellfields currently operated by Tampa
Bay Water.

The Consolidated Water Use Permit
currently limits withdrawals from 11 of
the 12 wellfields, currently operated by
Tampa Bay Water, to 158 mgd (based on
a 36-month running average).  The total
permitted capacity of the 11 wellfields
will be reduced to 121 mgd in December
2002 and to 90 mgd in December 2007.
To meet the terms of the Consolidated
Water Use Permit and the demands of
the growing population, Tampa Bay
Water has identified the need to develop
53 mgd of new water supply sources by
2002 and an additional 58 mgd by 2007.

To meet these demands, Tampa Bay
Water initiated a study that resulted in
the Master Water Plan Alternative
System Configurations (Report) (Black
& Veatch 1998).  The Report evaluated
potential water supply alternatives and
facilities using water demand
projections, existing water supply
sources and facility capacities. The
outcome was the identification of
potential water supply sources and
facilities to meet the needs of the Tampa
Bay area through the year 2010.

A number of combinations of projects
presented in the Report could potentially
meet the future demands of the Tampa
Bay Area.  However, based on a viable
implementation schedule, only four of
the new systems could potentially meet
the December 2002 and 2007
groundwater reduction requirements.
Each of the four systems identified in the
Report would provide both integration of
                                      1-1

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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
the water supply system and rotational
service. A water conservation program
is also included in all of the systems,
which proposes a reduction of average
annual demand by 10 mgd in 2000 and
17mgdin2005.

Each of the four systems described
contained one set of core projects that
would meet the 2002 need and a second
set of core project(s) to meet the need in
2007. The projects that were capable of
providing the need for 2002 are as
follows:

 •  Tampa Bypass Canal Water Supply
    project
 •  Alafia River project
 •  Brandon Urban Dispersed Wells
    project
 •  Seawater Desalination project
 •  Cypress Bridge II project

Regardless of which new sources were
constructed initially to meet the
established 2002 need, Tampa Bay
Water determined that one of the
following projects would also need to be
included in the system to meet the
projected needs of the Tampa Bay area
by December 31,2007.

•  Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir
   project
•  Seawater Desalination Expansion
•  Hillsborough Bay Resource
   Exchange

To make the system functional, the new
Tampa Bay Regional Water Treatment
Plant (WTP) and the South Central
Hillsborough Intertie would also need to
be constructed. Each one of these
projects represents a piece of the puzzle
that together will form an integrated
water supply for the Tampa Bay region.
The piece of the puzzle that is the
subject of this Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS) is the Tampa Bay
Regional Reservoir Project.

1.2 PURPOSE OF THIS
DOCUMENT
The Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir was
authorized for grant funding by the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
under the State Tribal Assistance Grant
Program. This action, if funded, would
partially provide the means to acquire
the real property and to design and
construct the Tampa Bay Regional
Reservoir and reservoir transmission
main. EPA, as the lead federal agency,
must consider all environmental effects
of the construction and operation of the
Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir, and
must conduct a National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) analysis of project
impacts on the existing environment.
Pursuant  to 40 C.F.R. 1501.4 (c) and in
accordance with Section 102(2)(C) of
NEPA, EPA has identified the need to
prepare an EIS for the Tampa Bay
Regional Reservoir Project.

1.3 PROJECT PURPOSE
Tampa Bay Water wishes to build the
Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir to
improve  the reliability and
dependability of the regional surface
water supply system.  The reservoir
would store untreated raw surface water
diverted during high flow conditions
from the Hillsborough River, the Tampa
Bypass Canal, and the Alafia River.
This stored water would be used during
dry periods when little or no surface
water can be diverted.  The first 66 mgd
of raw water withdrawn from one or
more of the three surface water sources
would be treated at the new Tampa Bay
Regional  WTP and then pumped into
                                      1-2

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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
                      Figure 1-1.  Tampa Bay Water Service Boundary
                  TAMPA BAY WATER
                     BOUNDARY
                                                                 No Scale
    STATE INDEX
         MAP
                                                                                   Source: Tampa Bay Water, 1998
                                                     1-3

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 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
 Tampa Bay Water's regional water
 distribution system.

 As envisioned, diverted amounts of raw
 water exceeding 66 mgd would be
 pumped into the reservoir and stored for
 later use.  During the dry season when
 lilttle or no water could be diverted from
 the surface water sources, up to 66 mgd
 would be withdrawn from the reservoir,
 treated at the Tampa Bay Regional WTP
 and distributed to retail customers.

 1.4 PROJECT NEED
 Tampa Bay Water believes that the
 proposed Tampa Bay Regional
 Reservoir is needed to increase the
 yield of the regional surface water
 system. Rapid population growth and
 economic development has resulted in
 an increase in projected future water
 demand (See Section 1.6).  In addition,
 Tampa Bay Water has also entered into
 various agreements, which require
 reductions in groundwater use and
 maintaining water demand at or below
.94 percent of the permitted capacity.
 Based on increased water demand and
 reduction of the existing supply, Tampa
 Bay Water wishes to develop new water
 supply sources to meet the additional
 required water supply capacity presented
 in the following schedule (Black &
 Veatch 1998).
Year
December
a
2002
2007
Total
Additional
Capacity
Required (mgd)
53
58
111
 1.5 CURRENT WATER SUPPLY
 SYSTEM
 Tampa Bay Water's existing water
 supply system (the System) includes 12
wellfields, two water treatment plants,
several booster pumping stations,
transmission mains, and interconnections
with member government systems
(Tampa Bay Water 1999b).

1.5.1 Water Supply Sources. Tampa
Bay Water currently obtains water from
12 wellfields located in Pasco, Pinellas,
and Hillsborough counties and from a
pipeline interconnect within the City of
Tampa's water distribution system.  The
12 wellfields are:

1.   Cosme-Odessa Wellfield
2.   Cross Bar Ranch Wellfield
3.   Cypress Bridge Wellfield
4.   Cypress Creek Wellfield
5.   Eldridge-Wilde Wellfield
6.   Morris Bridge Wellfield
7.  Northwest Hillsborough Wellfield
8.  North Pasco Wellfield
9.   Section 21 Wellfield
10. South Pasco Wellfield
11.  Starkey Wellfield South-Central
12.  South Central Hillsbrough Regional
    Wellfield

Additional sources of water include
surface water from the  Tampa Bay
Bypass Canal.  One portion of a Master
Water Plan project, well #7 of the
Brandon Urban Dispersed wells project,
has been in operation since January 2001
to meet demand requirements.

1.5.2 Treatment Facilities. Water in
the System is treated at two water
treatment facilities, the Cypress Creek
WTP located in Pasco County and the
Lake Bridge WTP in Hillsborough
County. All other water is treated by
facilities owned and operated by the
individual member governments.
                                       1-4

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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
1..5.3  Transmission Facilities.  The
existing water transmission system
includes eleven major transmission
mains and five booster-pumping
stations. Tampa Bay Water's major
transmission mains are (Tampa Bay
Water 2000b):

•  Cypress Creek Transmission Main
•  Cypress Bridge Transmission Main
•  Cross Bar Ranch Transmission Main
•  Morris Bridge Transmission Main
•  North Pasco Wellfield Phase-I
   Transmission Main
•  NW Hillsborough Transmission
   Main
•  South Central Hillsborough Regional
   Wellfield Transmission Main
•  Sheldon Road Transmission Main
•  Starkey Wellfield Transmission
   Main
•  Tampa Bypass Canal Transmission
   Main
•  South Pasco Transmission Main

Tampa Bay Water owns and operates
four booster pumping stations and one
surface water pumping station. These
include:

•  U.S. 41 Booster Pump Station
•  West Pasco Booster Pump Station
•  Morris Bridge Booster Pump Station
•  Tampa/Hillsborough Interconnect
   Booster Pump Station
•  Tampa Bypass Canal Intake and
   Pump Station

1.5.4 Operation of the System. Tampa
Bay Water, through its member
governments, supplies potable water to
approximately 85 percent of persons
residing in Hillsborough, Pinellas, and
Pasco counties.
Member governments service areas
include incorporated and unincorporated
portions of the three county areas.
This interconnected system allows
Tampa Bay Water great flexibility in
pumping between most of its wellfields.
The South Central Hillsborough
Regional Wellfield, the Starkey
Wellfield,  and the North Pasco
wellfields are isolated from the
remainder of the system and are operated
to match the demands of their
corresponding water service area.

1.6 DEMAND AND POPULATION
PROJECTIONS
Tampa Bay Water has completed several
studies and developed comprehensive
planning documents that include water
demand projections and demand
management options, and examine
existing water supply sources and
facility capacities to address the future
needs of its six member governments.
This section presents the demand and
population projections used by Tampa
Bay Water to determine future systems
requirements and implementation plans
(Tampa Bay Water 1999b).

1.6.1  Demand Forecast Method. The
demand forecast for the region was
estimated using the AQUATrak Demand
Forecast Factor (DBF) program (Ayres
Associates in 1998). The objectives of
the program were to forecast each
member government's average annual
water usage by major urban sectors and
to estimate seasonal components of
water use.  The average annual water
demand for each member government,
for a given base year, was separated into
the following major urban water use
sectors:
                                      1-5

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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
•   Single Family
•   Multi-Family
•   Commercial
•   Industrial
•   Public/Institutional
•   Wholesale
•   Other

Total demand was determined using data
obtained from member governments
utility billing records and from water
production records supplied by Tampa
Bay Water. Member governments total
water demand, less what is self supplied
by the City of Tampa from the
Hillsborough River, represented total
withdrawals from all of their permitted
sources as well as imported water.
supplies (Figure 1-2).

The year 1995 was selected as the base
year for the AQUATrak program
because it  represented the most recent
year of normal rainfall and temperature.
Socioeconomic data provided by each of
the member governments, as well as a
combination of utility billing data and
census data, were used to estimate the
various socioeconomic variables needed
to project demand coefficients.  Other
data utilized included member
governments comprehensive plans,
SWFWMD data, U.S. Census Bureau
data, and Traffic Analysis data used for
regional transportation plans.

The Water Conservation Programs
implemented by each member
government, as well as the U.S. Energy
Policy Act (EPACT) legislation (Tampa
Bay Water 1999b),  were considered
when estimating each of the demand
coefficients. The adjusted coefficients
termed the EPACT-adjusted demand
projections.

EPACT-adjusted demand projections
presented in Table 1-1 for each member
government were derived in 1999 from
the AQUATrak program (utilizing the
1995 water year as the base year) except
Figure 1-2. EPACT Adjusted Annual Average Demand Projections (mgd) by
Water Year
225
200
175
^ 150
•5"
M
£ 125
•o
* 100
* 75
50
25
0

^ 	 H— H 	 <—+
+ 	 * H
v ^ v v v v x x >£ 	 y
X 	 X 	 X 	 X- A A A A. /«, 7^; T\
	 A y^ ^ ^ 	 S 	 "
^ 	 & ts
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010


i ••+— Hillsboroug County
• 	 New Port Richey i
1 —A— Pasco County ;
. X Pinellas County
i M St. Petersburg |
• Tampa ;
— t— Total j
Year
                                      1-6

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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
for Pasco County and the City of Tampa.
Pasco County demands are from the
Pasco County 1999 Annual Report.  The
City of Tampa's demand projections are
estimated from the water supply contract
that states the City will buy five mgd of
treated water annually. The total
demand given represents the projected
water demand that Tampa Bay Water
will need to supply during the next 10-
year period (See Figure 1-2).

1..6.2  Population Projections.
Regional demographic data provided to
Tampa Bay Water by each member
government was input directly in the
AQUATrak program. The AQUATrak
program was used to compile this
information to produce regional
demographic projections as shown in
Table 1-1 (Ayres Associates 1998).
Tampa Bay Water is required to meet
forecasted water demands, while
reducing withdrawals from existing
wellfields. The increase in water
demand together with the groundwater
withdrawal reduction requirements
makes the development of new water
supplies by Tampa Bay Water and
implementation of conservation
measures important.

1.7 WATER CONSERVATION
MEASURES
One factor that can affect water demand
is water conservation. Even with the
existing water conservation programs in
place, new water supplies must be
developed to meet the region's growing
water needs. To address the future needs
of its member governments, Tampa Bay
Water developed a Resource

Table 1-1. Tampa Bay Regional Demographic Projections (l)











Category
Single population
Multi-family population
Comm/Indus. Employees
No. single-family homes
No. multi-family units
No. multi-family accounts (2)
Total no. dwelling units
No. comm./indus. accounts
Year
2000
989,617
412,447
888,130
450,509
286,938
15,670
737,448
44,144
2005
1,017,515
420,148
958,669
476,449
298,517
16,279
774,966
47,880
2010
1,043,256
427,377
1,029,209
502,808
310,233
116,897
813,041
51,616










(l) Source: EPACT Regional Demographic Projections developed from AQUATrak demand forecast
factor program, Tampa Bay Water, 3/1/99.
(2) Based on 55 MF units/account for Hillsborough County, 1 1 MF units/account for the City of New
Port Richey, 2.5 MF units/account for Pasco County, 16 MF units/account for Pinellas County, 13
multi-family units/account for the City of St. Petersburg, and 53 MF units/account for the City of
Tampa.
                                      1-7

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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Development Plan (RDP) in 1994 (Law
Environmental Inc 1994).  This RDP is
based on water demand projections and
includes an examination of existing
water supply and facility capacities.
Based on the RDP, Tampa Bay Water
developed a Master Water Plan in 1995,
which included demand management
and water conservation.

Water demand reductions through water
conservation of 10 mgd by 2000, 17 mgd
by 2005 and 42 mgd by 2030 were
established as goals for the Master Water
Plan based on projections in the Water
Demand Summary. The Regional Water
Supply Demand Management Plan
(DMP) was developed in 1997 to
provide Tampa Bay Water and its
member governments a means to
coordinate the on-going water
conservation efforts with SWFWMD
from a regional perspective. That same
year, the Demand Management
Implementation Plan (DMIP) was
developed and identified the Best
Management Practices (BMPs) that
could be used by the member
governments to reduce water demand
consistent with or exceeding the Master
Water Plan Goals. During this process,
AQUATrak application software was
also developed to facilitate strategic
planning of BMPs.

In 1998, the Northern Tampa Bay New
Water Supply and Groundwater
Reduction Agreement (the Partnership
Agreement) was finalized.  Tampa Bay
Water, the member governments and the
SWFWMD agreed to cooperate in the
development of new water supplies and
in reducing pumpage from specific
existing wellfields, using financial
assistance from the SWFWMD.  The
Partnership Agreement requires that
Tampa Bay Water provide an annual
report on the status of conservation and
demand management projects.  The
SWFWMD, intends to collectively
continue to fund $9 million per year for
water conservation and reclaimed water
projects that effectively reduce potable
water usage. Due to  the current 1999-
2000 drought, water conservation has
become more urgent.  In response, the
Basin Boards of the SWFWMD have
committed another $90 million through
2007 to promote water conservation and
water reuse.

In 1998, the Partnership Conservation
Guidelines (PCG) was developed to
determine how SWFWMD cooperative
funding could be  used to implement
conservation programs in a timely and
cost-effective manner. This was in
accordance with the water conservation
and reuse goals of the Partnership
Agreement. The  Tampa Bay Board of
Directors also approved of the
development of a Regional Five-year
Conservation Plan. Since this time, the
six member governments have
developed and adopted individual water
conservation plans.

To date, member  governments have
reported annual water savings as
follows: 2.07 mgd for fiscal year 1996,
3.80 mgd for 1997, 5.15 mgd for 1998
and 6.83 mgd for  1999.

The compilation of member
governments 5-year conservation plans
indicate anticipated savings of 9.5 mgd
for 2000, 13.1 mgd for 2001, 17.6 mgd
for 2002, 22.0 mgd for 2003 and 26.3
mgd by 2004. This is achievable if
programs proposed are implemented and
they save water as identified by
members (Tampa Bay Water 1999a).
                                      1-8

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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
These conservation plans include
regulatory, economic, educational and
operational measures.  An overview of
each member governments water
conservation plan is presented here.

1.7.1  Hillsborough County Water
Conservation Plan. Hillsborough
County, Florida was established in 1834,
encompassing about 1,051  square miles.
It is the sixth largest county in the State
of Florida and has the twelfth largest
school district in the United States. In
1990, the County's population was
834,054 and is expected to increase to
1,085,500 by the year 2010.

Hillsborough County provides water
service to the unincorporated areas of
Hillsborough County that are outside the
service areas of the Cities of Tampa,
Temple Terrace, and Plant  City. These
unincorporated areas also include 11
franchise utility companies, which serve
approximately 8,000 franchise
customers.

To date, Hillsborough County has had
annual water savings for the following
fiscal years: 0.874 mgd for 1996, 0.813
mgd for 1997, 0.399 mgd for 1998 and
0.695 mgd for 1999. The County had
cumulative savings of 2.806 mgd during
these years.

The continued water conservation efforts
in Hillsborough County have been
effective in reducing water use from 146
gallons per capita per day (gpcd) in 1989
to 110.7 gpcd in  1995.  Some of
Hillsborough County's conservation
efforts are list below.

The plan for the next five years calls for
a water savings of: 0.614 mgd for the
fiscal year 2000, 0.785 mgd for 2001,
0.711 mgd for 2002, 0.661 mgd for 2003
and 0.527 mgd for 2004. (Tampa Bay
Water 1999a).
  Hillsborough County
  Continuing Conservation
  Efforts
  •   Retrofit Kits
  •   Irrigation Evaluations
  •   Meter Replacements
  •   Billing Frequency
  •   Demonstration Projects
  •   Billing Inserts
  •   4-H Summer Water
     Camp
  •   Leak Detection
  •   Community Events
  •   Conservation Committee
  •   Speakers Bureau
  •   Other Awareness Efforts
1.7.2  Pasco County Water
Conservation Plan. Pasco County,
Florida was established in 1887. With
an estimated 1997 population of
315,785, Pasco County is projected to
have 381,000 residents by the year 2010.
The County is primarily a retirement and
tourist area, but construction, retail trade,
service industries, agriculture and
manufacturing are all important to the
community's financial strength.

The Pasco County Water System
services residents throughout the
unincorporated areas of the County. The
County has owned and operated its own
combined water and sewer system since
1979.  It serves at peak times of the year
(December-March) in excess of 51,000
water customers and 45,000 wastewater
customers. The ultimate authority for
the water system is the Pasco County
Board of County Commissioners.
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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
The Pasco County Conservation Plan
includes a community newsletter, public
education pamphlets, and public
speaking, a Conservation Education
Center at Starkey Wilderness Park, and a
Nature Coast Envirothon.

To date, Pasco County has had annual
water savings for the following fiscal
years: 0.328 mgd for 1996, 0.269  mgd
for 1997, 0.194 mgd for  1998 and 0.335
mgd for 1999.  The cumulative water
savings for Pasco County is 1.072 mgd
from 1996-1999  (Tampa Bay Water
1999b).

The plan during the next five years calls
for water savings of 0.402 mgd each
fiscal year from 2000-2004. (Tampa Bay
Water 1999c).

1.7.3  Pinellas County Water
Conservation  Plan.  Pinellas County
was established in 1911 as a Charter
County under the Constitution and Laws
of the State of Florida. It is located at
the midpoint on the West Coast of
Florida. The county contains a total area
of 439 square miles, of which
approximately  280 square miles are land
and the balance is water. Pinellas
County is the most densely populated in
Florida, with 3,211 persons per square
mile.  The 1998 population was
estimated to be 899,066.

Pinellas County's water system was
created by a special act of Florida
Legislature in 1935 to provide water
service to the beach communities.
Construction of the Pinellas County's
system started in 1936 under a loan and
grant provided by the Works Progress
Administration.  The  system was in
operation in 1937, serving less than 200
customers and has expanded due to
population growth. The system
currently serves 105,960 retail
customers, 93.5 percent of which are
residential (Tampa Bay Water
1999a).Pinellas County's water
conservation program has steadily
decreased per capita water consumption.
In fact, the decrease in per capita use
places Pinellas County among the lowest
in per capita water use in the Tampa
Area. In 1988-89, the average daily
usage for Pinellas County was 77 mgd.
In 1992-93, average daily usage had
decreased to 70 mgd. Some of Pinellas
County's water conservation efforts are
listed below.
 Pinellas County Water
 Conservation Efforts.
 •   Land Acquisition
 •   Water Quality - Pinellas
     County has one of the most
     advanced water quality
     laboratories in Florida.
 •   Water Restriction Enforcement
 •   Lawn Watering Program
 •   Inter-governmental
     Conservation Coordinating
     Committee
 •   Florida Yards and
     Neighborhoods
 •   Speaker's Bureau
To date, Pinellas County has established
annual fiscal year water savings as
follows: 0.429 mgd for 1996, 0.128 mgd
for 1997, 0.137 mgd for 1998 and 0.134
mgd for 1999. The cumulative water
savings for Pinellas County is 0.87 mgd
for these years.
The plan during the next five years calls
for fiscal year water savings of: 0.260
mgd for the year 2000, 1.218 mgd for
                                       1-10

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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
2001, 1.732 mgd for 2002, .607 mgd for
2003 and 0.463 mgd for 2004.

1.7.4  City of St. Petersburg
Water Conservation Plan.
St. Petersburg was incorporated in 1893
as a town and as a city in 1903. The City
encompasses 60 square miles, containing
about 37,730 acres of land. The total
population remained stable from 1980-
1990 with less than a one percent
increase. The total population is
projected to be 248,721 in 2000, 259,355
in 2010, and 272,629 in 2020.

St. Petersburg purchases raw water from
Tampa Bay Water (Tampa Bay Water
1999a) and utilizes a public utility
system which includes the treatment,
transmission, and distribution of potable
water; collection, transmission,
treatment, and disposal of wastewater;
storage, pumping, transmission, and
distribution of reclaimed water; and the
collection, transmission and treatment of
storm water within the City and adjacent
areas.

St. Petersburg is recognized worldwide
for its Reclaimed Water System.  The
use of reclaimed water has  stabilized
potable water use. In 1986, per capita
use was about 141 gallons per day. In
1994, usage dropped 13 percent to 120
gallons per capita per day.  With an
extensive conservation plan in place, the
City of St. Petersburg would like to
reduce potable water consumption to
100 gallons per capita per day by the
year 2001.

St. Petersburg's water conservation
education and public awareness program
contains elementary school outreach
programs, an annual water conservation
coloring contest, a green thumb festival
and other expos, fairs and festivals,
education materials, outreach programs
and a conservation character named
"Driplet" who spreads the message
about conserving limited water
resources.

These efforts have resulted in fiscal year
water savings as follows: 0.215 mgd for
1996, 0.401 mgd for 1997, 0.152 mgd
for 1998 and 0.133 mgd for 1999. The
cumulative saving for these years
amounts to 0.90 mgd.

In the next five fiscal years, St.
Petersburg is predicted to save: 0.213
mgd for 2000, 0.290 mgd for 2001,
0.410 mgd for 2002, 0.410 mgd for 2003
0.412 mgd for 2004 (Tampa Bay Water
1999a).

1.7.5 City of Tampa Water
Conservation Plan. The City of
Tampa, located in Hillsborough County,
is the third most populous municipality
in Florida. The population growth is
shown  in the table below.
Year
1980
1990
1995
2000
Population
271,577
280,108
285,153
289,800
Tampa's water system is run by the
Tampa Water Department and provides
service both within and outside the city
limits.  About 88 percent of Tampa's
customers are residential, with the
remainder being commercial and
industrial. The Water Department
receives raw water from the
Hillsborough River Reservoir and the
Morris Bridge wellfield.  During the
1998 fiscal year, the Water Department
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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
pumped an average of 69.8 mgd of
treated water into the transmission and
distribution system.  The maximum
month pumpage was 84.5 mgd during
June 1998. The maximum day pumpage
was 98.7 mgd.  The maximum day-to-
average-day ratio was 1.41 (Tampa Bay
Water 1999b).

The City of Tampa's water conservation
plan is designed to reduce demands on
water resources and increase the
efficiency of water use. These efforts
have resulted in fiscal year water savings
as follows: 0.221 mgd for 1996, 0.111
mgd for 1997, 0.189 mgd for 1998 and
0.328 mgd for 1999.  The cumulative
saving for these years is 0.85 mgd. The
projected water savings for the
upcoming fiscal years are 0.561 mgd for
2000, 0.551 mgd for 2001, 1.167 mgd
for 2002,2.167  mgd for 2003 and 2.567
mgd for 2004 (Tampa Bay Water
1999a).  A sample of implemented
programs to date include:
  City of Tampa Bay's Water
  Conservation Efforts
  •   Rate Structure
  •   Tampa City Code
      Provisions
  •   Plumbing Retrofit
      Program
  •   Toilet Rebate Program
  •   Sensible Sprinkling
      Program
  •   Waterless Urinal
  •   Unaccounted for Water
      Educational Initiatives
1.7.6  City of New Port Richey
Water Conservation Plan.  The City of
New Port Richey was incorporated as a
municipality in 1924. Located in Pasco
County, the city covers 4.5 square miles
with a 1998 population of 14,693 people.
The water system is operated together
with the wastewater system as the
"Utility System" and is administered by
the City's Department of Public Works,
with assistance from the  City Manager
and the City's Finance Department.
This system has been in operation since
the 1920's when it was originally
constructed. The City receives about 90
percent of its  raw water from Tampa
Bay Water. The remainder of the City's
water requirements is met through
withdrawals from six different City
owned wells located within the City's
corporate limits.  The City provides
water service  to about 15,434 customers
located within and outside its corporate
limits. Some  of New Port Richey's
water conservation practices are listed
below.
  City of New Port Richey's Water
  Conservation Efforts
  •   Reuse water
  •   Water reuse study
  •   Installation of water aquamiser
     on a local sprinkler system
  •   Water conservation kits
  •   Informative pamphlets
  •   Water Restriction Ordinance
  •   Public Presentations
  •   Wash water reuse system
  •   Toll-free water conservation
     hot- line
  •   Other programs
These efforts have resulted in fiscal year
water use savings as follows: 0.000 mgd
for 1996, 0.010 mgd for 1997, 0.310
mgd for 1998 and 0.010 mgd for 1999.
The cumulative saving is 0.330 mgd for
these years. The water savings
projections for the upcoming fiscal years
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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
are 0.540 mgd for 2000, 0.750 mgd for
2001, 0.760 mgd for 2002, 0.770 mgd
for 2003 and 0.780 mgd for 2004
(Tampa Bay Water  1999a).

1.8 WATER USE  PERMITS AND
PRINCIPLE AGREEMENTS
Water use permits and principle
agreements regulate the current and
future water supply  of Tampa Bay
Water. These water use permits and
principle agreements along with an
increasing water demand, are driving the
development of new water supply
sources in the region.

1.8.1  Water Permits. Tampa Bay
Water and SWFWMD have negotiated a
Consolidated Water Use Permit, which
regulates withdrawals from 11 of the 12
wellfields currently  supplying water to
Tampa Bay Water.  The Consolidated
Permit currently limits withdrawals from
the 11 wellfields to  158 mgd (based on a
36-month running average).  The total
permitted capacity of the 11 wellfields
will be reduced to 121 mgd in December
2002 and to 90 mgd in December 2007
(based on a 12-month average).  The
annual average withdrawals of the 11
wellfields are shown in the table that
follows.

The South Central Hillsborough
Regional Wellfield continues to be
regulated under a separate water use
permit of 24.1-mgd  annual average.

Water use permits have also been issued
by SWFWMD for surface water
withdrawals from the Alafia River,
Hillsborough River, and the Tampa
Bypass Canal. The  purpose of these
permits is to provide additional new
water for Tampa Bay Water's Regional
Water Supply System (HDR 1998a).
Wellfields
1.
2.

3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

8.
9.
10.
11.

Cosme-Odessa
Cross Bar
Ranch
Cypress Bridge
Cypress Creek
Eldridge Wilde
Morris Bridge
Northwest
Hillsborough
North Pasco
Section 21
South Pasco
Starkey
Total
Annual Average
Withdrawal
(mgd)
10
21

8
26
28
12
9

5
10
14
15
158
Peak monthly withdrawals for the Alafia
River are presented in Table 1-2. The
peak monthly withdrawals for the
Hillsborough River and Tampa Bypass
Canal are presented in Tables 1 -3 and
1-4 respectively.  Since water from these
two sources is drawn from the same
intake, the withdrawal for these two
sources are presented in Table 1-5
(Tampa Bay Water 2000c).

1.8.2 Principle Agreements. The
Interlocal Agreement requires Tampa
Bay Water, as of December 31, 2002, to
maintain production at or below 94
percent of permitted capacity. The
failure for Tampa Bay Water to maintain
this reserve capacity is defined under the
Amended and Restated Interlocal
Agreement as "Production Failure."
Should Tampa Bay Water fail to
maintain the buffer, the member
governments are entitled under the
Amended and Restated Interlocal
Agreement to pursue their own supplies,
thereby eliminating Tampa Bay Water
(State of Florida 1998b).
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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
The Partnership Agreement was entered
into between Tampa Bay Water and its
six member governments and
SWFWMD in April  1998. This
agreement, which is officially, referred
to as the "Northern Tampa Bay New
Water Supply and Ground Water
Withdrawal Reduction Agreement"
states:

 •  Tampa Bay Water shall have one or
    more projects, in operation and
    providing an annual average
    quantity of at least 38-mgd of new
    water supplies by December 31,
    2002.
 •  By December 31, 2007, Tampa Bay
    Water shall have at least an
    additional 47-mgd of water
    permitted, in operation and
    supplying the member governments.
 •  A reduction in groundwater
    pumping from the 11 existing
    wellfields to an annual average of
    121 mgd must be achieved by
    December 31,2002.  As of
    December 31, 2007, groundwater
    withdrawals must be further reduced
    to an annual average not to exceed
    90 mgd.
•  The agreement ends the existing
   litigation between Tampa Bay Water
   and the SWFWMD.
•   Commitment of funding ($ 183
    million) by SWFWMD will be made
    to assist Tampa Bay Water in
    developing new water supply
    projects.

Under these water use permits and
agreements, Tampa Bay Water has the
obligation to supply member
governments with potable water.  Tampa
Bay Water must satisfy the water supply
requirements of its member governments
and the requirements of the water use
permits and agreements by developing
new water supply sources.

1.9 NEW PROJECTS
Tampa Bay Water and SWFWMD
negotiated a new Consolidated Water
Use Permit for the existing wellfields.
As previously stated, the new water use
permit reduces the combined permitted
capacity of these wellfields to 90 mgd by
December 21,2007.

•   To comply with these new regulatory
    restrictions while satisfying the water
    supply demands of its member
    governments, Tampa Bay Water has
    initiated analyses and permitting
    efforts for a number of new projects
    to meet the 2002 and 2007 demands.

Various potential water supply
configurations were reviewed by Tampa
Bay Water (Section 1-1) and several of
the projects included in the water supply
system for design and implementation
were considered. These projects are
capable of providing between 97 and
107 mgd of new supply for the region
and are in one of the following three
developmental stages:

Stage A: This stage includes feasibility
studies, preliminary design and water
use permitting. In Stage A, water supply
projects in this phase of development
include:

•  Cypress Bridge II
•  Brackish Water Desalination
•  Cone Ranch & Dispersed Wells
•  Seawater Desalination II

Stage B: The projects included in this
phase are in final design, engineering,
property acquisition and bidding stages.
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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Table 1-2. Alafia River Permit
Total Withdrawal Quantities Authorized Under This Permit
Alafia River Flow at Intake
< 80 MGD
80 MOD to 520 MOD
> 520 MGD
Withdrawal Rate
OMGD
8 MGD to 52 MGD (10% of flow)
52 MGD Maximum
Table 1-3. Tampa Bypass Canal Permit
Total Withdrawal Quantities Authorized Under This Permit
Tampa Bypass Canal Flow at Structure 160
<7MGD
7 to 81 MGD
>81 MGD
Withdrawal Rate
OMGD
80% of total flow above 7 MGD
65 MGD Maximum


Table 1-4. Hillsborough River Permit
Total Withdrawal Quantities Authorized Under This Permit
Hillsborough River Discharge at Tampa Dam
< 65 MGD
65 to 97 MGD
97 to 139 MGD
139 to 647 MGD
> 647 MGD
Withdrawal Rate
OMGD
10% of total flow
10% of total flow increasing
proportionally to 30%
30% of total flow
194 MGD (maximum)

Table 1-5. Maximum Withdrawal
Hillsborough River and Tampa Bay Bypass Canal
Hillsborough River
Tampa Bypass Canal
Total
194 MGD
65 MGD
259 MGD

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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Projects in this Stage B phase of
development include:

•  Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir
   Project
•  Seawater Desalination Project
•  Loop 72 Phase A (Property
   Acquisition only)
•  Brandon/South Central Connection

Stage C: These projects have all the
necessary permits for construction and
operation and are in various stages of
construction.

•  Alafia River Project
•  Tampa Bypass Canal Water Supply
   Project (including Hillsborough
   River High Water)
•  Tampa Bay Regional Water
   Treatment Plant
•  South Central Hillsborough Intertie
•  North Central Hillsborough Intertie
•  Brandon Urban Dispersed Wells
   Project

1.10 TAMPA BAY REGIONAL
RESERVOIR PROJECT
The proposed Tampa Bay Regional
Reservoir is an off-stream reservoir.
This means that the reservoir does not
impound any existing stream, and that
water stored in the reservoir would have
to be delivered to and from the reservoir
via a pipeline. About 1,900 acres would
be needed to contain the 1,100-acre
reservoir, associated  roads, storm water
collection system, water treatment areas
and buffer.  The reservoir's anticipated
storage capacity would be approximately
15 billion gallons (48,000 acre-feet).
The Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir
Project also would include about 8 miles
of 84-inch transmission main to tie the
reservoir into the South Central
Hillsborough Intertie near the Alafia
River diversion facility (HDR
Engineering Inc.  1998b).

to illustrate the role of the reservoir, the
following graph depicts the variation in
available water resources with and
without the reservoir (HDR Engineering
Inc. 1999).  The graph is based on a 20-
year study of historical flow records
(Figure 1-3) and demonstrates
inconsistencies and fluctuations in
available water.

1.11 SUMMARY OF PROJECT
NEED
Tampa Bay Water currently supplies its
member governments with water from
12 well fields.  Water use permits and
agreements between Tampa Bay Water,
SWFWMD, and its member
governments limit the withdrawal of
water from the 11 Northern Tampa Bay
wellfields to 158  mgd, with reductions in
withdrawals to 121 and 90 mgd required
in 2002 and 2007, respectively. Tampa
Bay Water believes that it must develop
new water supply capacity to  meet the
projected requirements of the  region.
Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir is
designed to improve the reliability and
capacity of the water supply system.
The reservoir, if constructed, would be
completed by 2004 and will likely take
one year to fill and would be fully
operational by  2005. It is estimated that
the reservoir increases the sustainable
yield from surface water diversions from
approximately  25-mgd to 50-60 mgd
annually.

1.12 ADMINISTRATIVE AND
ENVIRONMENTAL
REQUIREMENTS
The Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir
Project is subject to a number of
regulatory requirements, which involves
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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
several regulatory agencies. Each of the
involved agencies and their interest in
the Regional Reservoir project is
presented in Table 1-6.

1.12.1  U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, Region 4. EPA is the lead
federal agency responsible for the scope
and content of the DEIS. They are
responsible for assuring the DEIS
complies with the requirements of
NEPA and EPA regulations. EPA will
make sure those reasonable alternatives
arid pertinent environmental issues and
impacts are addressed in the DEIS.

1.12.2  Tampa Bay Water. Tampa Bay
Water, formerly the West Coast
Regional Water Supply Authority, was
established  on October 25, 1974. In
August 1998, the Authority became
Tampa Bay Water, which is responsible
for supplying wholesale water to its six
member governments of Hillsborough,
Pasco, and Pinellas counties and the
Cities of New Port Richey, St.
Petersburg,  and Tampa.  As such, Tampa
Bay Water is the largest wholesale water
supplier in the state of Florida. Its
member governments supply the needs
of approximately 2 million people and
Tampa Bay Water provides an average
of 176 mgd of drinking water to them.
Tampa Bay Water is regulated by the
Safe Drinking Water Act and receives its
water use permits through the
SWFWMD.

Tampa Bay Water, by Florida mandate,
is responsible for developing,
recovering,  storing, and  supplying water
for its member governments in such a
fashion to reduce environmental impacts
(State of Florida 1998a). To accomplish
this directive, Tampa Bay  Water is
permitted to transport and  use ground or
surface water, across county boundaries,
or outside the watershed from which it is
taken if it is publicly and
environmentally acceptable (State of
Florida 1999).

Tampa Bay Water is proposing the
construction of the Tampa Bay Regional
Reservoir and pipeline.

1.12.3 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
(Corps) has primary authority for the
Clean Water Act, Section 404 program.
The Clean Water Act, Section 404
program, regulates the discharge of
dredge and fill material  into "Waters of
the United States" and establishes a
permit program to ensure compliance
with the Act.  Rivers, streams, estuaries,
territorial seas, and most ponds, lakes,
and wetlands are considered "Waters of
the United States" and are protected by
the Clean Water Act. Construction of
the Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir and
pipeline through waters  of the United
States are potential activities that would
require a Corps permit.

In addition, the Corps must ensure that
the permit complies  with the Endangered
Species Act, the Marine Mammal
Protection Act, and other federal
environmental laws.

1.12.4 Florida Department of
Environmental Protection. The
Florida Department of Environmental
Protection (FDEP) is in  charge of
protecting, conserving, and managing
Florida's environmental and natural
resources. The FDEP has offices
throughout the state  from which
environmental permits are generally
issued. The FDEP has the authority to
issue the Environmental Resource
                                      1-17

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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
                                                                           Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Figure 1-3. Enhanced Surface Water System with and without the proposed Regional Reservoir.
                                                                                WIP\feldW Reservoir

                                                                                WTPW/OReservoir
       CO
            CO
            =3
            OO
Co
3
                      O    —
CO
3
                                          Co
                                                                  CO
                                                                       CO
                                                                            CO
                                                                                      CO
                                                                                                CO
                                                                                                          CO
                                                                                                               CO
                                                                                                                    CO
                                                                                                                         Co
                                                              1-18

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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
                            Table 1-6. Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir EIS and Pipeline Permits
Requirement in Conventional
Permitting
Dredge and Fill Permit
(individual)
Dredge and Fill Permit
(nationwide)
Environmental Resource
Permit (individual)
Public Drinking Water
Construction Permit - Raw
Water Supply
Public Drinking Water
Conservation Permit - Intake
and Transmission Main
Notice of Intent to Use Storm
Water General Permit
HCPGMD Site Development
Review
Natural Resource Permit
Right of Way Permit
EPC Wetlands Permit
Disbursement of Grant Funds
-N EPA Review
U.S. Army
Corps of
Engineers
I
1








S
U.S.
Environmental
Protection
Agency
R
R



I




I
Florida
Department of
Environmental
Protection


I







S
Florida
Departme
ntof
Health



I
I





S
Southwest
Florida
Water
Managemen
t District


R







S
Hillsborough
County
R

R



I
I
I
R
S
Hillsborough
County
Environmental
Protection
Commission
R

R






I
S
                     I=Issues Permit/Disburses Grant Funds  R=Reviews     S=Provides Supporting Expertise
                                  HCPGMD=Hillsborough Co. Planning & Growth Mngt. Dept.
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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
Preliminary Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Permit (ERP) that would be required
prior to the construction of the reservoir.

1.12.5 Southwest Florida Water
Management District.  The SWFWMD
is a water management district
responsible for a broad range of water
management activities. These activities
include:

 •   management of water related
    environmental resources
 •  . promotion of conservation,
    development, and proper utilization
    of surface and groundwater
 •   provide water storage for beneficial
    purposes
 •   prevent damage from floods, soil
    erosion,  and excessive drainage

 •   manage stormwater and protect
    water quality
 •   protect wetlands, fish and wildlife
    and other natural resources
 •   promote recreational development

 SWFWMD administers a variety of
 water-related permits and regulatory
 programs. In addition to its regulatory
 functions, the SWFWMD operates more
 than 75 man-made water management
 structures, including the Tampa Bypass
 Canal.

 SWFWMD is responsible for regulating
 withdrawals of water through the
 issuance of water use permits that
 specify average, peak, or maximum
 allowed withdrawals from the given
 supply source.

 The Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir will
 not require a water use permit from
 SWFWMD.  SWFWMD will review the
 ERP application.
 1.12.6 Environmental Protection
 Commission of Hillsborough County.
 The Environmental Protection
 Commission of Hillsborough County
 (EPC) is responsible for issuing county
 construction permits for impacts to
 wetlands, for the construction of air
 emissions sources, and for providing
 review support in other areas.

 1.13 EIS PREPARATION
 EPA is the lead agency in the
 preparation of this DEIS and has primary
 responsibility for preparing the DEIS.

 Public and agency input into this DEIS
 was received through a public scoping
 meeting and from agency  reviews of
 drafts of the preliminary DEIS.

 EPA held a public scoping meeting for
 the reservoir project at the Riverside
 High School on June 8, 2000. Scoping
 is a process to obtain views from the
 public and other agencies  regarding the
 issues to be addressed in the EIS.  The
 issues and concerns raised at the public
 scoping meeting included  the following:

 •   Concerns with effects  of interbasin
     transfer of waters.
 •   Desire to address short and long-
     term impacts on the aquatic
     ecosystem from any incremental
     withdrawals of water attributable to
     the reservoir.
 •   Desire to have a peer review of the
     SWFWMD Permits issued to Tampa
     Bay Water for withdrawals from the
     Alafia and Hillsborough Rivers and
     the Tampa Bay Bypass Canal.
 •   Encourage a risk and impact analysis
     of the human community to include
     an emergency action plan, impacts of
     recreation, and ground and surface
     water contamination.
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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
Preliminary Draft Environmental Impact Statement
•   Concerns for impacts to threatened
    and endangered species.
•   Concerns for the effect of salinity
    changes on aquatic organisms, sport,
    and commercial fisheries.
•   Effects on wetlands from
    construction of the reservoir and
    pipeline and indirect impacts to
    surrounding  wetlands from altered
    drainage flow.
•   Effects on ecosystems associated
    with the rivers and bays in the area.
•   Concerns for water quality in the
    reservoir, particularly production of
    blue-green algae and contamination
    via treatment methods.
•   Desire for the scope of work to
    include all possible projects in the
    region.

•   Concerns with evaporation in the
    reservoir.
•   Effects of the State of Florida
    designation of the reservoir as a high
    hazard structure.
•   Concerns with seepage of water from
    the reservoir and flow changes in the
    watershed.
•   Effects on recreational use of the
    Regional Reservoir and the Alafia
    and Hillsborough rivers.

1.14 ORGANIZATION OF THE
DOCUMENT
This DEIS contains six chapters and two
supporting appendices. Chapter 1 is a
statement of the  purpose of and need for
 action; identifies the location of the
 proposed action; and describes the
 organization of the DEIS. Chapter 2
 provides alternatives selection criteria
 and alternatives considered; describes
 the proposed action; describes the no-
 action alternative; details other action
 alternatives; summarizes the
 environmental impacts; identifies the
 preferred alternative; and lists
 mitigation. Chapter 3 is a general
 description of the biophysical resources
 that the proposed action and alternatives
 could potentially affect. Chapter 4 is an
 analysis of the environmental
 consequences of the proposed action and
 alternatives. Chapter 5 discusses the
 public involvement,  agency
 coordination, issues identified during the
 scoping process, lists the preparers and
 other contributors to the document.
 Chapter 6 is a list of source documents
 relevant to the preparation of this DEIS.
 Appendix A is the biological assessment
 and Appendix B is the mitigation plan
 for the proposed project. The Alafia
 River and Hillsborough River/Tampa
 Bypass Canal withdrawal permits are
 included as appendix C. Appendix D
 contains correspondence for the DEIS
 while Appendix E is a wildlife and
 vegetation species list.
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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
        CHAPTER 2


      ALTERNATIVES,
      INCLUDING THE
    PROPOSED ACTION

2.1 INTRODUCTION
This chapter identifies eleven action
alternatives that are capable of
improving the reliability and
dependability of Tampa Bay Water's
integrated water supply system, as
described in Chapter 1, Purpose and
Need. Each alternative is discussed with
regard to physical features, water supply,
cost, and source of water. This chapter
also includes a discussion of the No
Federal Action alternative. Alternatives
were evaluated using a tiered screening
criteria based upon engineering
feasibility, environmental fatal flaws,
and their ability to meet the regional
demands for drinking water. Feasible
alternatives are identified and carried
forward  in Chapters 3 and 4 for detailed
description and analysis.

As described in Chapter  1, groundwater
withdrawals from the wellfields utilized
by Tampa Bay Water's member
governments have indirectly impacted
water levels in lakes and wetlands in the
area. In order to reduce impacts
resulting from groundwater withdrawals
and to meet growing demands of its
member governments, Tampa Bay
Water has determined it must develop at
least 111 mgd of new water supply by
December 31, 2007.  Alternative water
sources such as seawater desalination
arid surface water storage are being
considered, as well as new small-scale
fresh and brackish groundwater
withdrawal projects.

To meet Tampa Bay Water's projected
water supply demands described in
Chapter 1, Tampa Bay Water initiated a
water supply planning process in 1993.
In 1994, Tampa Bay Water (then the
West Coast Regional Water Supply
Authority), its Members, the
SWFWMD, and other local
governmental agency representatives
developed the Resource Development
Plan (RDP).  The RDP established a
schedule, based on existing and
projected conditions, to ensure the
development of future water sources
through 2030 and provided specific
recommendations for developing new
water supplies. Tampa Bay Water's
Board of Directors approved one of the
RDP's recommended plans in December
1995 as the Master Water Plan.

Under the Master Water Planning
Process, water supply options were
studied, analyzed and compared. Tampa
Bay Water's  Board of Directors then
selected projects for implementation that
were technically feasible and
environmentally and economically
sound.  In November 1998, the Board
selected a combination of Master Water
Plan projects for development to meet
regional demand through 2010 (Black
andVeatch 1998).

A number of project configurations
presented in the Master Water Plan -
Alternative Configurations were
identified that could have potentially met
the future demands of the region.
However, based on a viable
implementation schedule, Tampa Bay
Water believes  that only four of the new
systems could potentially meet the
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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
         Draft Environmental Impact Statement
December 2002 and 2007 groundwater
withdrawal limitations imposed by the
partnership agreement with SWFWMD.
Each of the four systems unified the
water supply system and allowed for
rotational service. A water conservation
program was also included in all of the
systems, which proposed a reduction of
average annual demand by 10 mgd in
2000 and 17 mgd in 2005.

Each of the four new systems presented
in the Master Water Plan - Alternative
Configurations report contained a set of
core projects that Tampa Bay Water
believed would meet the requirements of
year 2007 wellfield withdrawal
cutbacks. These core projects as well as
reasonable alternatives that were
suggested during the regional reservoir
public scoping meetings are evaluated in
this chapter.

The action alternatives considered
include water storage, water supply, and
demand management alternatives.  The
first category, water storage, includes
alternatives that have a water storage
component capable of providing water to
the regional water system during periods
when surface water flows are inadequate
to meet the water demands of the region.
The second category, water supply,
involves alternatives that could provide
surface water to the region without the
use of a water storage component.
Demand management, the third
category, focuses on reducing water
demand through conservation measures
in order to serve additional customers
with existing supplies. Also included in
the list of alternatives is "No Federal
Action".

Because Tampa Bay Water has proposed
to apply federal grant funds toward the
 reservoir project, the NEPA process -
 including this DEIS - requires evaluation
 of environmental impacts, proposed
 mitigation of unavoidable impacts, and
 feasible alternatives to the reservoir
 itself.  At the conclusion of the NEPA
 process, EPA may release grant funds
 without conditions, release funds with
 conditions, or withhold funds exercising
 the No Federal Action alternative (40
 CFR Part 6.203 (1)(2)).  Were EPA to
 select No Federal Action, Tampa Bay
 Water may elect to not build the
 reservoir, or to build the reservoir using
 non-federal funds.

 For purposes of comparing alternatives
 in this DEIS, it was necessary to
 consider that No Federal Action equated
 to no reservoir; however, absent federal
 funds, nothing in this DEIS would
 prevent Tampa Bay Water from building
 the reservoir and pipeline. The action
 and no-action alternatives are presented
 in Table 2-1.
Table 2-1.  Alternatives Evaluated

Action Alternatives
•  Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir
•  Freshwater from Springs in the Gulf
•  Lakes in Abandoned Phosphate Pits
•  Above-Ground Water Storage Tanks
•  Reclaimed Water for Potable Reuse
•  Reclaimed Water
•  Seawater Desalination
•  Brackish Water Desalination
•  Water Conservation
•  Aquifer Storage and Recovery
   System (ASR)
•  Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir and
   ASR

No-Action Alternative
•  No Federal Action
                                       2-2

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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
2.2 ACTION ALTERNATIVES
Action alternatives include any actions
that could be undertaken by Tampa Bay
Water to supplement or create additional
regional water resources.  These include
the proposed Tampa Bay Regional
Reservoir Project and other
storage/supply alternatives.

2.2.1  Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir
Project.  Multiple options for the
potential reservoir site were considered
by Tampa Bay Water.  Preliminary
screening eliminated reservoir locations
that were near residential areas and
naitural features such as wetlands, bottom
hardwood and riparian communities.
Fifteen potential  sites were reviewed and
evaluated considering criteria such as
natural features, land use, land values,
relocations, construction costs,  and
potential contamination by hazardous
materials. Table 2-2 provides a matrix
of the reservoir siting screening results
(HDR 1998). Seven alternative sites
underwent more extensive geotechnical
and environmental analysis and were
included in a public involvement
program. The screening process and
related cost analysis led to the selection
of the preferred site for the Tampa Bay
Regional Reservoir. To effectively
operate the proposed reservoir,  the
following facilities would be required:

•  Connection with the South Central
   Hillsborough Intertie
•  Intake and pump stations situated on
   the Alafia River and Tampa Bypass
   Canal
•  The Tampa Bay Regional Surface
   Water Treatment Plant
•  The North Central Hillsborough
   Intertie
The proposed Tampa Bay Regional
Reservoir would be an off-stream
aboveground reservoir that would store
water withdrawn from the Tampa
Bypass Canal, the Hillsborough River,
and the Alafia River during periods of
high flow. The purpose of the reservoir
would be to increase the sustainable
yield of the system by storing untreated
surface water for use during low flow
periods when little or no water could be
withdrawn directly from the above
mentioned sources. The proposed
reservoir would not affect the permitted
withdrawal schedules from the surface
water sources, but would increase the
dependable yield of the system  from
approximately 25 mgd to 50-60 mgd
annually (HDR 1999a).

During periods when the allowable
withdrawals from the surface water
sources exceed the capacity of the water
treatment facilities, excess water would
be directed to and stored in the proposed
Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir. Any
surface water withdrawal amounts that
exceed 66 mgd would be delivered to the
reservoir for storage.  When stream
flows decrease and surface water
withdrawals are limited, water would be
delivered from the reservoir to the water
treatment facility, treated and distributed
to meet water demands  (HDR 2000).

The proposed reservoir and associated
facilities would cover approximately
1,100 acres (900 acres of surface area
when full), with a storage volume of
approximately 48,000 acre-feet (15
billion gallons). The proposed location
is in southeastern Hillsborough  County,
south of County Road 640, north of
County Road 672, and west of State
Road 39 (Figure 2-1). Portions of the
site have been mined for phosphate, but
                                        2-3

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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Table 2-2. Summary matrix of the reservoir siting results.
Source: HDR Engineering, Inc., June 1998. Alafia River Project, Reservoir site screening report selection of sites for comprehensive evaluation.
SITE
1
2
SIZE
(acres)
600
900
1200
600
900
WETLAND
MITIGATION
(acres)
0
60
75
0
0
NUMBER
OF
PARCELS
5
14
19
13
16
NUMBER
OF
STRUCTURES
2 total
(1 house, 1 mobile
home)
2 total
(1 house, 1 mobile
home)
3 total
(1 house, 2 mobile
homes)
5 total
(2 houses, 1 mobile
home, 1
warehouse, 1
comm.)
12 total
(5 houses, 3 mobile
homes, 1
warehouse, 1
comm., 3 access.
struc.)
DISTANCE TO
ALAFIA
WITHDRAWAL
LOCATION
(miles)
9.1
9.1
9.1
13.5
13.5
RESERVOIR
& PIPELINE
COSTS
$85,821,000
$100,824,000
$113,900,000
$107,124,000
$122,704,000
COMMENTS
No wetland mitigation anticipated
because site was previously mined.
(Based on conversation with Florida
Department of Environmental Protection
(FDEP))."
Portions of Turkey Creek will need to be
rerouted. No wetland mitigation
anticipated because site was previously
mined (Based on conversation with
FDEP).8
Portions of Turkey Creek will need to be
rerouted. No wetland mitigation
anticipated because site was previously
mined (Based on conversation with
FDEP).8
No wetland mitigation anticipated
because site was previously mined.
(Based on conversation with FDEP).
Based on the aerial photograph it
appears an industrial facility may need
to be relocated. No wetland mitigation
anticipated because site was previously
mined. (Based on conversation with
FDEP).
                                                                   2-4

-------
Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Table 2-2 cont. Summary matrix of the reservoir siting results.
SITE
2
(cont.)
3
4
5
6
SIZE
(acres)
1200
3600
600
600
900
600
900
WETLAND
MITIGATION
(acres)
0
47
89
77
105
83
88
NUMBER
OF
PARCELS
20
45
41
9
13
5
8
NUMBER
OF
STRUCTURES
17 total
(5 houses, 4
mobile homes, 1
warehouse, 2
comm., 5 access
struc.)
35 total
(13 houses, 8
mobile homes, 2
warehouses, 12
access, struc.)
39 total
(16 houses, 14
mobile homes, 9
access, struc.)
8 total
(3 mobile homes,
5 access, struc.)
8 total
(3 mobile homes,
5 access, struc.)
2 total
(1 mobile home,
1 access, struc.)
2 total
(1 mobile home,
1 access, struc.)
DISTANCE TO
ALAFIA
WITHDRAWAL
LOCATION
(miles)
13.5
7.0
8.3
7.3
7.3
6.6
6.6
RESERVOIR
& PIPELINE
COSTS
$139,129,200
$91,574,000
$113,449,000
$100,006,000
126,006,000
$91,209,000
$108,413,000
COMMENTS
Based on the aerial photograph it
appears an industrial facility may need
to be relocated. No wetland mitigation
anticipated because site was previously
mined. (Based on conversation with
FDEP).
Wetland mitigation required at
$50,000/ac.
Wetland mitigation required at
$50,000/ac.
Wetland mitigation required at
$50,000/ac.
Wetland mitigation required at
$50,000/ac.
Wetland mitigation required at
$50,000/ac.
Wetland mitigation required at
$50,000/ac.
                                                                   2-5

-------
Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Table 2-2 cont. Summary matrix of the reservoir siting results.
SITE
6 cont.
7
8
8A
9
SIZE
(acres)
1200
600
900
600
900
600
900
600
WETLAND
MITIGATION
(acres)
99 .
117
150
0
0
0
0
0
NUMBER
OF
PARCELS
9
7
9
9
10
6
9
5
NUMBER
OF
STRUCTURES
5 total
(1 mobile home,
3 access, struc., 1
bldg.)
4 total
(3 houses, 1
mobile home)
4 total
(3 houses, 1
mobile home)
0
0
3 total
(Igov'tbldg, 1
mobile home, 1
storage)
3 total
(Igov'tbldg, 1
mobile home, 1
storage)
0
DISTANCE TO
ALAFIA
WITHDRAWAL
LOCATION
(miles)
6.6
10.8
10.8
12.8
12.8
13.0
13.0
16.0
RESERVOIR
& PIPELINE
COSTS
$125,418,000
$104,180,000
$121,660,000
$100,087,000
$129,119,000
$102,061,000
$114,271,000
$113,441,000
COMMENTS
Wetland mitigation required at $50,000/ac.
Wetland mitigation required at $50,000/ac.
Wetland mitigation required at $50,000/ac.
No wetland mitigation anticipated because
site was previously mined. (Based on
conversation with FDEP).b
No wetland mitigation anticipated because
site was previously mined. (Based on
conversation with FDEP).
No wetland mitigation anticipated because
site was previously mined. (Based on
conversation with FDEP).
No wetland mitigation anticipated because
site was previously mined. (Based on
conversation with FDEP).
Former K10 site offered by IMC. All
wetlands removed during mining process.0
                                                                    2-6

-------
Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Table 2-2 cont. Summary matrix of the reservoir siting results.
Site
9 cont.
10
11
12
13A
SIZE
(acres)
900
1200
600
900
1200
600
900
600
900
600
WETLAND
MITIGATION
(acres)
0
0
78
87
118
59
187
4
4
0
NUMBER
OF
PARCELS
8
8
4
4
6
14
30
2
5
2
NUMBER
OF
STRUCTURES
0
0
0
0
0
19 total
(5 houses, 9
mobile homes, 4
access, struc., 1
warehouse)
35 total
(8 houses, 18
mobile homes, 8
access, struc., 1
warehouse)
0
8 total
(4 houses, 4
access struc.)
0
DISTANCE TO
ALAFIA
WITHDRAWAL
LOCATION
(miles)
16.00
16.0
12.5
12.5
12.5
11.0
11.0
18.4
18.4
22.7
RESERVOIR
& PIPELINE
COSTS
$122,244,000
$131,211,000
$107,307,000
$123,214,000
$140,956,000
$104,580,000
$128,999,000
$122,942,000
$133,827,000
$137,367,000
COMMENTS
Former K 1 0 site offered by IMC. All
wetlands removed during mining process.0
Former K10 site offered by IMC. All
wetlands removed during mining process.0
Wetland mitigation required at $50,000/ac.
Wetland mitigation required at $50,000/ac.
Wetland mitigation required at $50,000/ac.
Wetland mitigation required at $50,000/ac.
Wetland mitigation required at $50,000/ac.
Wetland mitigation required at $50,000/ac.
Wetland mitigation required at $50,000/ac.
Wetlands removed during mitigation
process. Land values based on quote to
Authority from IMC. Reservoir will
require closing of Taylor Road.
                                                                   2-7

-------
Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Table 2-2 cont. Summary matrix of the reservoir siting results.
Site
13A
cont.
13B
14
15
SIZE
(acres)
900
1200
1800
600
900
1200
600
WETLAND
MITIGATION
(acres)
0
0
0
55
70
200
263
NUMBER
OF
PARCELS
7
9
10
2
4
4
20
NUMBER
OF
STRUCTURES
0
0
0
0
0
0
16 total
(5 houses, 4
mobile homes, 6
access, struc., 1
office)
DISTANCE TO
ALAFIA
WITHDRAWAL
LOCATION
(miles)
22.7
22.7
22.0
21.6
21.6
21.6
10.3
RESERVOIR
& PIPELINE
COSTS
$151,225,000
$168,859,600
$182,483,000
$140,118,000
$151,103,000
$175,071,000
$130,416,000
COMMENTS
Wetlands removed during mitigation
process. Land values based on quote to
Authority from IMC. Reservoir will
require closing of Taylor Road.
Wetlands removed during mitigation
process. Land values based on quote to
Authority from IMC. Reservoir will
require closing of Taylor Road.
Wetlands removed during mitigation
process. Land values based on quote to
Authority from IMC. Reservoir will
require closing of Taylor Road.
Wetland mitigation required at $50,000/ac.
Wetland mitigation required at $50,000/ac.
Wetland mitigation required at $50,000/ac.
Wetland mitigation required at $50,000/ac.
'The Hillsborough County Environmental Protection Commission later indicted that the majority of the surface area at the site would be claimed by that agency
as wetlands and would require mitigation. This area represented over 800 acres of mitigation, causing the selection of this site to be cost prohibitive.
b. Through continued evaluation of the site, and communication with regulatory agencies, jurisdictional wetland impacts are expected to occur with construction
of the facility, which will require mitigation.
c.  In 1997, IMC removed its offer for the use of this site, indicating that it would be a necessary component of ongoing phosphate mining activities.  Even so,
this was evaluated in the reservoir site selection process because of Tampa Bay Water's eminent domain authority.
                                                                        2-8

-------
     Grajr

HalCoWinfl
                      "A"   Reservoir
Figure Source: HDR Engineering, Inc., EAR Application, September 7, 2000
                    Figure 2-1
              TAMPA BAY REGIONAL
            RESERVOIR PROJECT DEIS
            PROJECT LOCATION MAP

-------
 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
 are currently being used as improved
 pasture.

 The reservoir embankments would be 30
 to 65 feet high and constructed primarily
 from onsite soils. The reservoir
 embankment is the most perceptible
 structural feature of the reservoir. The
 design features described below are the
 essential features that would control
 seepage, minimize erosion, provide for
 operation and maintenance, and ensure
 long-term stability of the structure.

 The embankment cross-section and
 resulting earthwork quantity and cost
 depend on the strength and
 compressibility of the foundation soils,
 the strength of the compacted
 embankment soils, and the embankment
 height Figure 2-2.  The embankment
 would be constructed using on-site soils
 that meet the proposed design goals, and
 result in 3:1 side slopes on the interior
 and exterior sides of the embankment.
 Given the varying topography of the site,
 the embankment height would vary to
-maintain a constant crest elevation.

 An investigation of wave runup potential
 and maximum precipitation indicated
 that 8.5 feet of freeboard from the
 operating water surface elevation would
 be necessary to prevent overtopping. A
 20-foot wide access road would provide
 access along the crest of the
 embankment to allow for inspection and
 maintenance along the entire reservoir
 perimeter.

 A blanket drain is also included in the
 reservoir design. The blanket drain is a
 horizontal drainage zone that would be
 located at the downstream toe of the
 embankment. This drainage zone would
 control groundwater  seepage through the
embankment and collect embankment
and shallow foundation seepage.

The potential range of reservoir
drawdown suggests that the entire
interior face of the embankment may be
exposed to wave action and subsequent
erosion. A soil-cement barrier along the
interior face of the embankment would
serve as the primary erosion control
mechanism.

Reservoir seepage depends on the water
head, thickness and permeability of the
subsurface strata, and hydrogeologic
factors. The typical mining and
reclamation techniques  suggest that
reservoir areas used at the candidate sites
are geologically variable and potentially
susceptible to significant loss of the
reservoir water.  To minimize the loss of
the water and prevent adverse seepage
impacts, a slurry wall is recommended.
It is anticipated that the slurry wall
would penetrate the upper portion of the
confining layer by at least five  feet. The
thickness of the slurry wall would be
approximately  three feet thick.

Approximately 7.5 miles of 84-inch
pipeline would connect the proposed
reservoir to Tampa Bay Water's regional
water system at the South Central
Hillsborough Intertie. The new pipeline
route would generally follow existing
roadways and linear utility corridors.
The route would begin approximately
400 feet north of the intersection of
Fishhawk Drive, Bell Shoals Road and
Boyette Road.  It would then run south
and east, parallel to Boyette Road where
it would cross rural land to the  Tampa
Bay Regional Reservoir site (HDR
1999a). The real property rights
required for construction and operation
of the pipeline  would include a
                                       2-10

-------
         EMBANKMENT CROSS-SECTION
             Conventional Soil Cement
                                    Crest Road
Figure Source: HDR Engineering, Inc., EAP Application, September 7,2000
                                                 Maintenance
                                                   Terrace
                                                                Toe Road
                                                              Figure 2-2
                                                          TAMPA BAY REGIONAL
                                                         RESERVOIR PROJECT DEIS

                                                       EMBANKMENT CROSS-SECTION

-------
Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
temporary easement of 50 feet during
construction and a 50-foot permanent
easement for construction, operation and
maintenance. In areas near homes and
other potentially sensitive locations, the
easement would be reduced where
possible to avoid or minimize impacts
(HDR 2000). The approximate
alignment of the proposed pipeline route
is shown in Figure 2-3.

The proposed regional reservoir project
site consists of the footprint of the
embankment and reservoir, the
associated facilities and pipeline, and all
of the mitigation sites that would be used
to offset wetland impacts associated with
the project. Associated facilities would
include an intake tower and the pipeline
to connect the reservoir to Tampa Bay
Water's regional water system.  The
proposed reservoir surface area is
approximately 930 acres. When
combined with the associated facilities,
approximately 1,100 acres would be
affected by the construction of the
proposed reservoir. Impacts from the
proposed associated pipeline would be
minimal and short-term, as the majority
of the pipeline would occur within
easement parallel to existing roadways.

Tampa Bay Water has determined that
design, site permitting and construction
of the reservoir are expected to cost
approximately $111.9 million while
annual operation and maintenance cost
are estimated at $964,000. The cost per
1,000 gallons of treated watervfronrthe""
entire Enhance-Surface Water System is
estimated to be $1.27.

2.2.2 Other Action Alternatives

Capturing freshwater from springs in
the Gulf of Mexico. Under this
alternative, freshwater would be piped
from springs located in the Gulf of
Mexico to onshore water treatment
facilities and distributed for use as
potable water. The alternative would
require an extensive transmission system
to transport freshwater from the springs
to the existing treatment and distribution
system, making this alternative
infeasible.

Using Lakes in Abandoned Phosphate
Pits.  This alternative involves the
treatment and use of water from lakes
formed in inactive phosphate mines in
the region.  The extensive pumping and
transmission system that would be
required to transport water from each
mine to existing treatment facilities for
distribution and delivery is not
reasonable and practical due to
engineering feasibility and construction
cost.  In order to pump a reasonable
amount of water such a distance would
require the construction of additional
water treatment facilities and distribution
systems.

Using Aboveground Storage Tanks.
In order to provide a continuous supply
of water during low flow conditions,
multiple storage tanks would have to be
developed.  The use of aboveground
storage tanks would not have the means
to continually provide the necessary
supply of water to support the region.

Potable Water Reuse. The use of
highly treated wastewater treatment
plant effluent as 2 potable water supply
is increasing throughout the United
States, especially as water resources
become more restricted and water  ~
supplies more extended. Facilities exist
throughout the United States that utilize
reclaimed water as a potable drinking
                                      2-12

-------
       AJafia River
       Withdrawal Location
                                FishhawkDr
                                                                                K    Reservoir
Figure Source: HDR Engineering, Inc., EAP Application, September 7,2000
                                                                              Figure 2-3
                                                                       TAMPA BAY REGIONAL
                                                                     RESERVOIR PROJECT DEIS
Pipeline

Reservoir
                                                                          PIPELINE ROUT!

-------
Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
water supply. The City of Tampa (City),
in its Tampa Water Resource Recovery
Project (TWRRP) Feasibility Study,
concluded that treated water effluent was
indeed a feasible water supply and there
were no adverse health risks associated
with this type of water reuse (Law
Environmental, Inc., 1994). In this
alternative, the City proposed to treat
effluent waters from the Howard F.
Curran Advanced Wastewater Treatment
Plant, to supplement the City's existing
potable water supply.

One proposed option was for the City to
divert water from the existing water
treatment facilities for treatment and
distribution from a new treatment
facility. Treated water would be
pumped to  the Tampa  Bypass Canal,
where it would mix with the existing
water supply, and stay in the canal for a
specified residence time prior to being
withdrawn, treated again, and distributed
for use as a potable supply by the City.
The costs associated with this alternative
include treatment of the effluent to
interim standards, transmission to a new
treatment facility and interconnect
system, and a new water treatment
facility. A  significant  amount of
investigation was conducted on this
project.  A  final EIS was prepared.
Public opinion regarding this alternative
was not favorable.  Concern was
expressed over health risks that could be
associated with the reuse of treated water
as a potable water supply.  In March
1999, the Tampa Bay Water Board of
Directors removed the project from
further consideration.

Resue of Reclaimed Water. Reclaimed
water is defined by the FDEP as water
that is beneficially reused after being
treated to at least the secondary
wastewater treatment standards by a
domestic wastewater treatment plant
(WWTP). The use of reclaimed water to
irrigate crops, golf courses, and parks,
decreases the reliance of theses facilities
on potable water supplies and reduces
the quantity of effluent discharged from
WWTP.

The SWFWMD has solicited input from
utilities, local governments, and public
interest groups to develop possible
reclaimed water options. As a result,
SWFWMD developed a list of 180
potential reclaimed water options, which
were then narrowed to 25.  Of these, 25
potential options, nine  vere located in
Tampa Bay Water's three county region
of Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas
counties. The nine reclaimed water
options are described in Table 2-3.
Reclaimed water implementation is not
considered to be a viable alternative to
the reservoir project.

Seawater Desalination. Seawater
desalination involves the use of
membrane filtration technology to
produce freshwater from seawater.
The regions first seawater desalination
plant will be built at the Big Bend Power
Station in southern Hillsborough County
and will produce 25 mgd of drinking
water.  The facility is scheduled to come
on line by the end of 2002.

Tampa Bay Water is investigating the
possibility of a second desalination
facility to help meet the area's water
needs for 2008. This project is known as
Seawater Desalination II.
                                      2-14

-------
Tarnpa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Table 2-3. Reclaimed Water Alternatives
Options
Largo/Clearwater Pasco
Interconnnect/Dehydration
ASR
Pinellas County-St.
Peterburg
Storage/Interconnect
Horizontal Well
Reclaimed System
Augmentation
Tampa/C. Hillsborough
Interconnect
Dovmstream
Augmentation of
Hillsborough River
Downstream
Augmentation of Alafia
River
S. Hillsborough ASR
Wells/Recharge/Saltwater
Intrusion Barrier
US 41 Industrial Corridor
Transmission
Pinellas County Efficiency
Study
County
Pasco
Pinellas
Hillsborough
Hillsborough
Hillsborough
Hillsborough
Hillsborough
Hillsborough
Pinellas
Water
Offset
(MGD)
3
10
1.2
18
10
7
20
10
17
Capital
Cost
(millions)
$4.31
$11.05
$16.67
$13.09
$20.27
$11.69
$14.01
$7.79
$0.1
Cost/1000
gallons
$0.54
$0.28
$3.31
$0.24
$0.51
$0.40
$0.17
$0.18
N/A
Cost/mgd
(millions)
$2.3
$1.1
$13.8
$0.7
$2.0
$1.6
$0.7
$0.78
N/A


Another option beyond the Seawater
Desalination II alternative would be to
expand Tampa Bay Water's currently
planned desalination plant at Tampa
Electric Company's Big Bend Power
Station located on Tampa Bay in
southern Hillsborough County.
Currently, the private developer of the
sea water desalination project is in the
process of obtaining permits to facilitate
constructing a  25-mgd desalination plant
at this site.

As designed, the desalination plant is
expandable to 35 mgd.  The headworks
and transmission mains are designed for
the 35-mgd capacity. The plant's
process equipment would have to be
modified in order to treat the additional
quantity.

Expansion of the Big Bend Site would
require a modification of the FDEP
Wastewater Facility Permit in order to
accommodate the additional concentrate
discharge. If the discharge for the 25-
mgd facility does not violate discharge
permit conditions and environmental
monitoring programs show no
indications of adverse impacts, a
modification for an increased discharge
quantity may be obtained after some
                                      2-15

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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
additional analysis.  This option could
produce up to 10 mgd of potable water
for the region. The capital cost of this
expansion is estimated to be $27.9
million. The cost per mgd is $2,793.00
while the cost per 1,000 gallons is $2.69.
Serious consideration of this project for
implementation would be contingent
upon successful permitting, construction,
and operation of the first seawater
desalination facility.

Brackish Water Desalination.  A study
was conducted in 1999 to determine the
feasibility of developing a brackish
groundwater supply within the Tampa
Bay Water service area (Missimer
International 2000). Pinellas County
was identified as the only feasible area
for brackish groundwater withdrawals
given a review of currently planned or
proposed brackish groundwater
desalination options and an assessment
of brackish groundwater resources in the
region.

Two potential brackish wellfields and
associated reverse osmosis (RO) plant
sites were considered for development in
Pinellas County. Each site consisted of a
brackish groundwater wellfield,  an RO
treatment plant, associated water piping .
for transmission of water from the
wellfield to the treatment plant, and the
discharge of the waste concentrate.

The first site is located in Pinellas
County within the City of Clearwater,
and has now evolved into what is called
the Clearwater wells project. This
project will use the City's existing
municipal supply wellfield, which
currently produces approximately 3.0
mgd.  The City makes up the rest of its
15-mgd demand by purchasing water
from Pinellas County, a member
government of Tampa Bay Water. The
project proposes to increase production
from the wellfield from 3.0 mgd to 5.0-
mgd (Phase I) by December 2001. This
will represent a direct decrease in
demand from Tampa Bay Water's
Regional System. The second phase of
this project involves the installation of
an RO membrane treatment plant that
would treat a portion of the water within
an area of the City that receives no water
from Pinellas County. The RO plant,
scheduled to be on-line by December
2002, would allow the City to manage
deteriorating water quality in an area of
the City, which doesn't have the benefit
of dilution with outside sources. The
capital cost of the project is estimated at
$8.2 million, and the cost per  1,000
gallons is estimated at $1.68.  Tampa
Bay Water's involvement in the project
occurred during the project definition
and feasibility stage.  The City of
Clearwater will complete final design
and construction activities, and will
continue to own and operate its
municipal wellfield.  This way the City
and Tampa Bay Water both benefit,
while the original goals of the project are
met.

The second brackish water site is also
located in Pinellas County, specifically
in Pinellas Park. The project would
include a 3-4 acre Reverse Osmosis
plant site and installation of 13 to 15
dispersed brackish water production
wells. The dispersed wells collectively
would produce on average 6.5 mgd of
brackish groundwater from the Upper
Floridian Aquifer. This 6.5-mgd of
brackish water withdrawn would result
in 5 mgd of potable treated water and 1.5
mgd of byproduct.  The total capital and
unit costs for this project are
approximately $24 million for capital
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costs and $1.90/1000 gallons. Tampa
Bay Water is currently pursuing
implementation of this project in the
2008 time frame.

Water Conservation.  The Tampa Bay
region member governments are
responsible for implementing programs
that quantifiably reduce water demand.
Tampa Bay Water supports local
government conservation programs by
funding programs quantifying water
conservation potential and cost,
providing region-wide educational and
marketing programming, and various
research and development based
programs.

Demand Management is considered an
important component in the Master
Water Plan.  The Plan included an
aggressive demand management-
conservation component with goals to
reduce overall demand
by 10mgdin2000and
an additional 7-mgd by
2005.
A Regional Water
Supply Demand
Management Plan
(DMP) was developed
in June 1997, which
explored the
opportunities for
reducing the future
demand by improving
the efficiencies in
existing and future
water use in the region.
The DMP provided Tampa Bay and its
member governments a means to
coordinate the on-going conservation
efforts with SWFWMD from a regional
perspective.
Future Conservation
     Measures

Education and public
awareness programs
Programs to reduce
outside and inside water
use
Implementation of a
water rate structure
Improved utility
operations
Subsequently, additional efforts were
initiated to formulate a Demand
Management Implementation Board
Plan (DMIP) to identify specific Best
Management Practices (BMP's) that
could be used by member governments
to reduce water demand consistent with
or exceeding the Master Water Plan
goals.  Examples of conservation BMP's
include: low flow toilet rebates,
plumbing retrofit kit giveaway
programs, irrigation system and
landscape rebates, and 13 other potential
BMP's. During this process, application
software (AQUATrak) was also
developed to facilitate strategic planning
for implementation of selected BMP's.

The Partnership Agreement requires
Tampa Bay Water and its member
governments to continue to plan,
coordinate, develop, construct, and
implement conservation and reclaimed
             water projects in
             accordance with the
             responsibilities assigned
             to them in the Interlocal
             Agreement.  Additionally,
             the Partnership
             Agreement required
             Tampa Bay Water to
             provide an annual report
             on the status of
             conservation and demand
             management projects.
             According to this
             agreement, the District, in
             conjunction with the
             appropriate Basin Boards,
intends to collectively continue to  fund,
to the extent authorized by law,
approximately $9 million dollars per
year for conservation and reclaimed
water projects that effectively reduce
potable water use. This collective
funding is expected to be continued for
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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
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ten years (through 2008) and is expected
to provide funds for such purposes to
Tampa Bay Water, its member
governments, and other local
governments in Hillsborough,  Pasco, and
Pinellas counties on a 50/50 cost sharing
basis.

To determine how Member
Governments plan on meeting the
conservation and reuse goals of the
Partnership Agreement, a compilation of
their plans is annually completed.
Members used the AQUATrak program,
application software developed to assist
in determining cost-effectiveness of
conservation programming, to generate
water savings estimates or their own
savings per program, wherever possible.

According to member governments'
actual and projected 5-year water
conservation plans, the region  will save
approximately 11.3 mgd by the end of
fiscal year 2000 and 26.0 mgd by the
end of fiscal year 2005. The projections
assume that default savings contained in
the AQUATrak demand management
program, or the members identified
savings rates are achieved for all best
management practices.  The default
savings values that were developed in
the AQUATrak program are based on
national, regional, and local conservation
program data (where available).  Potable
water savings resulting from reclaimed
water use, account for 16.6 mgd to the
26.0 mgd that would be saved  by the  end
of fiscal year 2005. Savings originally
identified in the Master Water  Plan and
the 5-year water conservation plan does
not include implementation of the
National  Energy Policy Act. Between
implementation of the Act in 1994 and
2000, approximately 5.25-mgd savings
occurred due to its implementation (in
addition to active conservation
implementation in the region).

Education programs have been
developed successfully by many
members. Education programs are
generally targeted toward specific age
groups and/or sectors of the population.
Many education programs are offered on
an annual basis and are designed to
educate the public on the need to
conserve water and a means to modify
future water use habits.  In-school
education programs have developed
curriculum materials and are approved
for use by the public school system.
Generally, these programs offer specific
curricula, a mechanism to measure
knowledge increase, and change in water
use habits.

Public awareness programs also provide
education to the public but are generally
not quantifiable in nature. They reach a
broad population base and are developed
to keep issues in front of the public. No
predefined curriculum materials are
generally developed and mechanisms to
measure their effectiveness are much
more broad and non-quantifiable than
education programs.  The member
governments believe that these programs
are very successful at promoting
conservation and specific best
management practices that may be
implemented by the public.

Aquifer Storage and Recovery.
Aquifer storage and recovery  (ASR) is
the process where potable water is
injected into an aquifer, stored,  and
withdrawn. An ASR system is
comprised of wells, pipelines, and
pumps that allow the water to be injected
and withdrawn as needed. A
hypothetical system would store treated
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water withdrawn from the Tampa
Bypass Canal, the Hillsborough River,
and the Alafia River during periods of
higher flow. The purpose of an ASR
system would be to increase the
sustainable yield of the water supply
system by storing water for use during
low flow periods when surface water
withdrawals are restricted.

Federal and state regulations in Florida
currently require that water injected into
a storage aquifer meet potable water
quality standards to prevent
contamination of the aquifer,
groundwater, and potable or domestic
wells.

If an ASR project were being considered
as a replacement for the reservoir
project, Regional Surface Water
Treatment Plant (RSWTP) would have
to be tripled in size to handle the peak
flow.  Partial treatment of water would
require construction of a centrally
located water treatment plant.

To replace the storage capacity of the
reservoir, the required injection or
storage capacity was determined as
follows:

•  Maximum total surface water
   withdrawal capacity - 181  mgd
•  Less surface water treatment plant
   capacity - 66 mgd
•  Required wellfield capacity for
   injection - 115 mgd
Two alternatives have been developed to
meet the reservoir replacement criteria
(Table 2-4). One of the ASR wellfield
options proposes a wellfield system with
a withdrawal capacity of 30-mgd and 68
mgd of injection capacity.  This
alternative would have two additional
wellfields with 15 mgd of additional
withdrawal capacity and 30 mgd of
injection capacity.  The second
alternative includes the development of
six wellfields.  Each sized for
approximately 10 mgd of withdrawal
capacity and 20 mgd of injection
capacity. For either of the full or partial
treatment alternatives, additional
transmission pipelines would be required
to transport water to and from the ASR
wellfields.  An 84-inch diameter pipeline
would be sufficient to transport 121
mgd.

Placement of the ASR wellfields is
dependent upon both  hydrogeologic
factors and impacts to the environment
and other existing users. The
permeability and thickness of the
confining layers above the proposed
water storage zones are critical factors
for preventing water level drawdown
from well pumping and natural depletion
in the shallow aquifer system during the
dry season. Preliminary studies have
shown that areas south of the Alafia
River have geologic characteristics that
limit this type of drawdown. The degree
of mineralization in the groundwater that
is native to the storage zone is also
Table 2-4. ASR Wellfield Alternatives
Components
Number of Wellfields
Withdrawal Capacity
Injection Capacity
Alternative 1
1
30 mgd/wellfield
60 mgd/wellfield
2
15 mgd/wellfield
30 mgd/ wellfield
Alternative 2
6
10 mgd/wellfield
20 mgd/wellfield
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important since the mixing of injected
water with existing groundwater could
effect water quality.  Preliminary studies
showed that the most favorable areas for
the ASR wellfields were at least two
miles east of 1-75. Additional
investigations using more specific ASR
wellfield siting criteria are needed to
more specifically identify wellfield
locations.

Capital cost estimates were prepared for
both alternatives. The cost estimates
include wellfield development,
treatment, transmission, and other
associated facility costs (Table 2-5).

Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir and
.ASR System. ASR has been considered
a possible enhancement to the Tampa
Bay Regional Reservoir to improve the
reliability of the overall surface water
system. Two alternatives were intially
evaluated that included a regional
reservoir and an ASR system. The first
reservoir and ASR alternative evaluated
included a proposed 1,100-acre regional
reservoir and an 18-mgd ASR system.
The second reservoir and ASR
alternative was a smaller 800 acre
regional reservoir and a 30-mgd ASR
system.

The concept of the ASR system can be
thought of as an underground reservoir.
The ASR system would work together
with the surface  reservoir to increase the
total storage capacity of the system.  An
advantage of subsurface storage is that it
is not subject to evaporative losses and it
does not require the acquisition of large
parcels of land.  Favorable hydrology
and the ability to blend the recovered
ASR water with water stored in the
surface reservoir means that a large
percent of the water put into storage
could be recovered for use.  The Tampa
Bay Regional Reservoir is an important
component of the aquifer storage system
because it can be used to store high
flows so that injection capacity can be
minimized.

Up to this time, ASR has most
commonly been used in Florida for the
storage of fully treated potable water.
However, new applications of this
technology using water that has limited
pretreatment are being developed. ASR
is most easily permitted if the injected
water meets all primary and secondary
drinking water standards. There is a
regulatory exemption process currently
in place that addresses the injection of
water that exceeds one or more
secondary drinking water parameters.
Currently, exemptions of primary
drinking water standards are very
difficult to obtain. At this time there are
new rules and procedures being
considered by the State of Florida that
might allow an exemption for specific
primary drinking water standards.
Assuming sufficient water is available
for storage, an ASR system capacity
would likely be limited by regulatory
criteria and maximum drawdown
allowed during the recovery period
within a prescribed distance from the
wells.  Prior to final design of an ASR
system, a pilot study would need to be
conducted to clearly define the ASR
storage interval, the type of
pretreatment, and specific details
regarding the wellfield design and
operation. The pilot study, permitting,
and construction of the  ASR wellfield
under current regulatory criteria is
estimated to take about ten years.
A preliminary investigation  conducted
by Tampa Bay Water of the proposed
Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir
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Table 2-5. Estimated capital cost range for the proposed ASR system.
Description
P;ull Treatment Option:
Wellfield
Treatment
Transport
Other associated costs
Total
Partial Treatment Option:
Wellfield
Treatment
Transport
Other associated costs
Total
Estimated Cost

$43,500,000
$111,894,000
$61,594,500
$86,795,400
$303,783,900

$23,550,000
$94,215,000
$58,845,000
$70,644,000
$247,254,000

indicated that an ASR system having a
capacity to store and recover water at a
rate of approximately  18 mgd could
greatly improve the reliability of the
overall water storage and supply system.
The ASR system could be located at the
regional reservoir site, along the regional
reservoir pipeline route, or at a more
distant location.  An ASR system built
adjacent to the regional reservoir site
could potentially be the most cost
efficient; no additional acquisition of
property would be required.  It  is also
thought that pretreatment could be more
easily accomplished using stored
reservoir water since the large volume of
surface water stored could serve to
buffer and dilute any unforeseen water
quality parameters.

An ASR wellfield located more distant
from the regional reservoir could offer
certain advantages if regulatory issues
arid/or public opinion do not favor siting
ASR wells adjacent to the reservoir.

The estimated costs of building an ASR
system were based on  constructing the
ASR system near the regional reservoir
site. Individual well capacities used in
this analysis were estimated to be
approximately 2 mgd. A system of nine
wells was used yielding a total ASR
system capacity of 18 mgd with one 2-
mgd backup well. The estimated cost of
the entire wellfield was approximately
$10.7 million. The total estimated cost
of the regional reservoir and the ASR
system was about $121 million.

The preliminary investigation for the
second alternative conducted by Tampa
Bay Water, of a smaller 800-acre Tampa
Bay Regional Reservoir, showed that an
ASR system having a capacity to store
and recover water at a rate of
approximately 30-mgd would be
required. The design and location of the
ASR system would be similar to that in
the first alternative.

For the second alternative, a system of
15 wells was used, yielding 30 mgd with
two 2-mgd backup wells. The estimated
cost of the ASR system was
approximately $18 million.  The total
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estimated cost of the regional reservoir
and the ASR system was about $128
million.

2.3 NO FEDERAL ACTION
ALTERNATIVE
For the purposes of comparing
alternatives in this EIS, it was necessary
to consider that the No Federal Action
equated to no reservoir; however, absent
federal funds, nothing in this DEIS
would prevent Tampa Bay Water from
building the reservoir and pipeline.  If
the Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir were
not built, Tampa Bay Water believes it
would not meet the needs of the tri-
county area under the commitments and
obligations of the Interlocal  and
Partnership Agreements. The No
Federal Action alternative would not
provide the 111 -mgd cumulative water
supply needs by 2007; a short-fall of
approximately 25-mgd would  occur. If
pumping levels exceeded the permitted
quantities specified in the Consolidated
Water Use Permit, Tampa Bay Water
could potentially lose up to $183 million
of handing committed by SWFWMD
through the Partnership Agreement.  The
No Federal Action alternative  is the  least
cost effective of all the alternatives
presented.

Groundwater withdrawal above
permitted levels would continue to
adversely impact wetlands and lakes. If
conditions of the consolidated permit are
followed, the No Federal Action
alternative would ultimately result in a
water deficit for the tri-county area.

2.4 EVALUATION OF ACTION
ALTERNATIVES
An evaluation of 11 action alternatives
was conducted to determine which were
considered to be reasonable  and
practicable.  Each alternative was
assessed, using three criteria -
engineering feasibility, environmental
impacts, and the ability to meet
established regional water demands.  A
detailed comparison of the alternatives
that successfully met all three criteria
was then  made in the DEIS.

All 11 alternatives were initially
evaluated to  identify any extraordinary
or unproven  technical engineering
actions that would be required to
implement the alternatives.
Identification of such activities or
constraints was sufficient to eliminate an
alternative from further consideration.
Of the 11 alternatives originally
considered, three were eliminated due to
engineering constraints.  These
alternatives were capturing freshwater
springs, using lakes found in abandoned
phosphate pits, and using aboveground
storage tanks.

•  The proposed alternative to capture
   underground freshwater from
   springs percolating into the Gulf of
   Mexico has been suggested as a
   possible source for potable water.
   Recovery of usable amounts of water
   from these sources is problematic.
   Undersea springs would have to be
   located and somehow capped. The
   amount and quality of water
   resources from underground springs
   is unknown, and it  is also unknown if
   the springs flow year-round. Water
   would have to be piped along the
   seabed to a central  treatment and
   distribution center. A network of
   pipes situated in or on the seabed
   would be subject to damage by
   storms, dredging activities, anchors
   from commercial vessels and
   pleasure craft, and commercial
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   fishing. Technology to capture
   undersea springs for a public water
   supply is currently not available.
   This alternative is not feasible from
   an engineering standpoint and was
   removed from consideration.
•  The second alternative to be
   eliminated was one that proposed to
   use lakes found in abandoned
   phosphate pits.  Abandoned
   phosphate mines are unacceptable as
   water storage facilities. The
   abandoned mines are unlined, and
   the mine sidewalls are sufficiently
   porous making them essentially
   reservoirs for standing groundwater.
   Building perimeter berms on the
   mine shoulders would be structurally
   unsound.  Phosphate mines generally
   cannot be lined or retrofitted for
   water storage facilities because the
   geotechnical requirements of soil and
   substrate are critical and are unlikely
   to exist in abandoned mines.
   Attempts to store water above
   existing groundwater levels would
   result in hydrostatic pressure driving
   water into the ground. Conversely,
   drawing down water from the
   abandoned mines would be
   essentially the same as pumping
   from the aquifer. SWFWMD has
   limited the capacity of groundwater
   withdrawals from the existing 11
   wellfields to 121 -mgd by December
   2002 and to 90-mgd by December of
   2007. By drawing down water from
   an abandoned mine, in reality one
   would be pumping groundwater, and
   SWFWMD's mandate to reducing
   the regions dependence on
   groundwater would not be met.
   Most of the abandoned mines are
   located in Polk, Hardee, and
   Manatee counties, all considerable
   distance from the major population
    areas within Tampa Bay Water's
    service area.  In order to pump
    sufficient amounts of water these
    distances, additional water treatment
    facilities requiring extensive
    pumping and transmission systems
    would need to be built. This
    alternative was problematic and was
    removed from consideration.
•   The third alternative to be removed
    from further consideration due to
    engineering feasibility was using
    aboveground storage tanks. A
    public water supply for a large
    metropolitan area such as Tampa/St.
    Petersburg must have water supply
    system large enough to provide a
    continuous supply of water, and a
    network of storage tanks would not
    be a reliable source.  In order to
    provide a continuous supply of water
    during low flow conditions, multiple
    storage tanks would have to be
    developed. The use of aboveground
    storage tanks would not have the
    means to continually provide the
    necessary supply of water to support
    the region. Because siting,
    construction, and maintenance of
    hundreds of aboveground tanks
    would not be feasible, this alternative
    was removed from consideration.

The remaining eight alternatives were
investigated to determine their impacts
on the environment. Significant impacts
could include increasing the likelihood
of saltwater intrusion, negatively
impacting habitat for threatened or
endangered species, or negatively
impacting special or protected habitat
types. The probability of expensive
mitigation related to each alternative was
also considered, as such requirements
could increase the cost of water. The
eight alternatives did not demonstrate
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        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
any major fatal environmental flaws and
therefore none were eliminated.

The eight alternatives were then
evaluated on their ability to meet the
water demand and requirements set forth
for the region. As stated above, the
alternatives considered must be capable
of providing at least 58 mgd of water by
the year 2007. Of the eight remaining
alternatives, seven were eliminated. The
seven alternatives eliminated were:
potable water reuse, reclaimed water,
seawater desalination, brackish
groundwater, water conservation, an
ASR system,  and a 800 surface acre
Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir and 30
mgd ASR wellfield.

 •   The first alternative to be removed
    from further consideration was
    using reclaimed water for potable
    use.  Reclaimed water for potable
    use was examined by EPA and
    Tampa Bay Water with the proposed
    Tampa Bay Water Resource
    Recovery Project.  Lack of public
    support, health concerns, and
    concerns about costs caused the
    project to be discontinued in 1999
    and it was dropped from  further
    consideration in this study.
•  The second alternative to  be.
   eliminated was one that proposed to
   use reclaimed water to meet the
   regional demand. Most of the options
   included in this alternative are being
   implemented, and offsets  that could
   be expected have already  been
   considered in demand projections.
   The use of reclaimed water would
   not supply the capacity needed for
   the region and therefore was
   eliminated from further
   consideration.
•  The third alternative to be removed
   from consideration was the use of
   seawater desalination. Seawater
   desalination alternatives would not
   meet the demands of the region
   given the time constraints on Tampa
   Bay Water, and public concern was
   also expressed about the potential
   impacts of brine disposal from the
   plant.  For schedule reasons this
   alternative was eliminated from
   further consideration.
•  The major constraints of the fourth
   alternative, using brackish
   groundwater, are the disposal of the
   reverse osmosis byproduct
   (concentrate) and the impacts on
   existing groundwater supplies.
   Inadequate supply capacity, potential
   environmental concerns, and costs
   associated with brackish
  • groundwater caused it to be
   eliminated from further
   consideration.
•  The fifth alternative to be eliminated
   was one that proposed to solely
   reduce demand by using water
   conservation practices. Water
   conservation will reduce the amount
   of water used, although the
   cumulative reduction is not large
   enough to meet projected water
   demands. Decreases due to
   conservation are considered already
   in the region's demand projections.
   For this reason, water conservation is
   not carried forward as a stand-alone
   alternative.  However, water
   conservation programs are a critical
   component and they are a part of
   each alternative carried forward in
   this DEIS.
•  Developing an ASR system as a
   stand alone alternative was the sixth
   alternative eliminated.  The ASR
   system would not meet the region's
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    water needs in time because of the
    estimated 10-years required to test
    and build an ASR system. The
    projected costs of this alternative
    further preclude it as a stand-alone
    alternative.  However, ASR could be
    used to supplement the supply by
    increasing the yield of the surface
    water system, and will be considered
    in a combination alternative.
•   The seventh alternative to be
    eliminated was using a combination
    of an 800 surface acre Tampa Bay
    Regional Reservoir and 30 mgd
    ASR wellfield to meet the regional
    need.  This alternative would not
    meet the required schedule to  meet
    project needs nor would it supply
    enough water for the region. For
    these reasons this alternative is not
  •  carried forward as a standalone
    alternative.

None of the alternatives eliminated from
further consideration would allow
Tampa Bay Water's member
governments to meet the established
water needs of the region as defined in
the Interlocal and Partnership
Agreements.  Tampa Bay Water's
member governments would be required
to continue to pump the existing
groundwater facilities above permitted
limits.

2.5 ALTERNATIVES CARRIED
FORWARD
Eleven action alternatives were
originally  identified for inclusion  in the
alternative screening process. The
ability of these eleven alternatives to
satisfy the established project purpose
and need was evaluated. Only two of
the eleven original action alternatives are
capable of providing the needed water
supply to meet the identified regional
demands by 2007.  The two action
alternatives selected for further
consideration in the DEIS are:

•   1,100 Acre Tampa Bay Regional
    Reservoir Project. The proposed
    reservoir and associated facilities
    would cover approximately 1,100
    acres (900 acres of surface area when
    full), with a storage volume of
    approximately 48,000 acre-feet (15
    billion gallons). This alternative is
    Tampa Bay Water's preferred project
    and is located in southeastern
    Hillsborough County, south of
    County Road 640, north of County
    Road 672, and west of State Road 39
    (See Figure 2-1).

    Approximately 7.5 miles of 84-inch
    pipeline would connect the proposed
    reservoir to Tampa Bay Water's
    regional water system at the South
    Central Hillsborough Intertie. The
    new pipeline route would generally
    follow existing roadways and linear
    utility corridors. See Section 2.2.1
    for a detailed description of this
    alternative.

•   1,100 Acre Tampa Bay Regional
    Reservoir and 18-mgd ASR
    System. The second action
    alternative would include the same
    1,100-acre reservoir found in the first
    alternative above but would also
    include an 18-mgd ASR system.
    The proposed reservoir would cover
    approximately 900 acres of surface
    area when full and would have a
    storage volume of approximately
    48,000 acre-feet (15 billion gallons).
    As before, the proposed location is in
    southeastern Hillsborough County,
    south of County Road 640, north of
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   County Road 672, and west of State
   Road 39 (See Figure 2-1).

   In addition, approximately 7.5 miles
   of 84-inch pipeline would connect
   the proposed reservoir to Tampa Bay
   Water's regional water system at the
   South Central Hillsborough Intertie.
   The new pipeline route would
   generally follow existing roadways
   and linear utility corridors.

   The proposed 18-mgd ASR system
   would be constructed near the 1,100-
   acre regional reservoir site.
   Individual well capacities used in
   this analysis were estimated to be
   approximately 2 mgd. A system of
   nine ASR wells was used, yielding a
   total ASR system capacity of 18 mgd
   with one 2-mgd backup well.
The estimated cost of the entire ASR
wellfield was approximately $10.7
million. The total estimated cost of
the 1,100-acre regional reservoir and
the 18-mgd ASR system was about
$121 million. See  Section 2.4 for a
detailed description of this
alternative.

No Federal Action.  The No Federal
Action alternative,  as defined in
Section 2.1, is also carried forward in
the DEIS to serve as a baseline for
comparing the two action
alternatives.
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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
        CHAPTER 3

          AFFECTED
       ENVIRONMENT
3.1 INTRODUCTION
A wide array of action and no-action
alternatives were evaluated both to meet
the need being satisfied by Tampa Bay
Water's Regional Reservoir Project and
improving the reliability and
dependability of Tampa Bay Water's
integrated water supply system. A
multi-step screening process identified
two feasible alternatives capable of
obtaining these goals and one "no
action" alternative. Chapter 3, Affected
Environment, describes the natural
resources, such as
vegetation and
wildlife, and the
human resources, such
as socioeconomic and
cultural resources,
which could be
impacted by the three
alternatives remaining
under consideration.

3.2 GENERAL  SETTING
The project area for the proposed
alternatives, as described in Chapter 2, is
in the west-central portion of Florida, in
Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas
counties. Because each of the feasible
alternatives are in the same general area,
Chapter 3 will focus on the potential
reservoir area, the immediate area
surrounding it, and the proposed
alignment for the associated pipeline.
This area, plus land areas from which
water could be withdrawn or could be
impacted, the Alafia and Hillsborough
rivers, the Tampa Bypass Canal, and
Tampa Bay, will be included in the
project area (Figure 3-1).

In general, the Florida landscape is
dominated by flatwoods, which are
associated with low, flat topography and
poorly drained, sandy soils.  Individual
stands of flatwoods may occupy
thousands of acres, forming a matrix of
communities that include isolated
hammocks, marshes, wet prairies, and
scrub. Major streams in the project area
are often lined with forested vegetation.
Land use in the project area consists
primarily of undeveloped woodlands,
wetlands, and grasslands that are utilized
for cattle grazing and agriculture. Major
cities in the three-county area include
Tampa in Hillsborough County, St.
Petersburg in Pinellas County and New
                 Port Richey in Pasco
                 County.  Smaller
                 cities and towns, and
                 rural areas are
                 interspersed
                 throughout the
                 project area.

                 Tampa Bay, located
                 on the state's west-
                 central coast, is
Florida's largest open water estuary.  It
is a Y-shaped bay with an area of
approximately 398 square miles (mi2)
that receives runoff from a watershed
encompassing an area of 2,275 mi2.  The
watershed is composed of five major
river systems and smaller sub-basins of
coastal streams that form a drainage area
that contains all or portions of Pasco,
Pinellas, Hillsborough, Polk, Manatee,
and Sarasota counties. The rivers that
flow into Tampa Bay are the
Hillsborough, Alafia, Little Manatee and
Manatee, and the Tampa Bypass Canal.
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              " Hfflaborough   ft
70
70 Miles
           Figure 3-1
TAMPA BAY REGIONAL RESERVOIR
        PROJECT DEIS

      GENERAL SETTING

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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
The three water supply sources for the
proposed Tampa Bay Regional
Reservoir Project are the Alafia River,
the Hillsborough River, and the Tampa
Bypass Canal. These
three sources originate to the east of
Tampa Bay, flow southwest or west as
their floodplains become progressively
broader and are tidally affected near
Tampa Bay.

The Alafia River watershed is located in
Hillsborough and Polk counties,
originating in west-central Polk County.
The river flows approximately 24 miles
westward where it enters southeast
Hillsborough Bay and Tampa Bay.
Unlike most Florida streams, the
tributaries to the Alafia River are
somewhat narrow, swift-flowing streams
with deep-cut banks and relatively few
large swamps (U.S Department of the
Interior 1990). The Alafia River
watershed contains about 420 mi2.

Headwaters of the Hillsborough River
watershed are located in the
southwestern portion of the Green
Swamp in Pasco County. From this
point, the river flows southwest
approximately 54 miles to upper
Hillsborough Bay, through Pasco, Polk,
and Hillsborough counties. The
Hillsborough River is impounded by a
dam in Tampa that forms the
Hillsborough River Reservoir, the
primary drinking water supply for the
city of Tampa. The Hillsborough River
watershed covers an area of about 650
mi2.

The Tampa Bypass Canal is the
channeled extension of Six-Mile Creek
that intersects the Hillsborough River at
Trout Creek and at the City of Tampa's
water supply reservoir. Vertical lift
gates and slide gates at five water
control structures located at narrow
points along the waterway regulate flow
in the canal.

Each of the two viable alternatives
considered in this Draft Environmental
Impact Statement (DEIS) are physically
located in the same geographic area.
Because both alternatives involve
construction of a reservoir, pipeline,
and/or aquifer storage and recovery
(ASR) system, the general location in
which construction would occur will be
collectively called the project
construction area. This construction area
is located in southeast Hillsborough
County, approximately 16 miles east of
Tampa Bay and 8 miles south of the
Alafia River. Land use in the area is
primarily agricultural but also includes
mined lands, pastureland, and residential
properties.

Climate. The climate of the project area
is characterized as subtropical.  This is a
mild climate, resulting from low
topography,  proximity to the Gulf of
Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, and
relatively low latitude (Florida
Department of Envionmental Regulation
(FDER)1995). The mean annual
temperature  is 72.2 degrees Fahrenheit
(°F), which is modified by winds from
the Gulf of Mexico as they sweep across
the Florida peninsula.  Summers are
warm and humid, often with daily
afternoon thundershowers.  Summer
temperatures peak during June, July, and
August, when they average 90 °F.
Winters are short and mild with bright
sunny days and little rainfall. Windy
cold spells seldom occur and are short-
lived. The coldest month is January,
which has an average temperature of
60.8 °F. Although freezes can occur
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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
once or twice a month during the winter
season, they are usually not damaging.
Snowfall is negligible (Natural Resource
Conservation Service (NRCS) 1989).

Annual average precipitation is about 50
inches. Approximately 60 percent of the
rainfall occurs from June through
September and falls from heavy
thunderstorms. The wettest year on
record occurred in 1959 when 76.57
inches of rainfall was recorded.  The
driest year (28.89 inches) occurred in
1956.  In August through November,
disturbances varying in force from
hurricanes to thunderstorms move
northward from the tropics bringing
damaging winds and heavy rains.
Thunderstorms accompanied by
moderately high winds can occur
throughout the year (NRCS 1989).

3.3 SOILS AND GEOLOGY
The soils and geology define the
hydrology, topography, and ecology of a
region. Soil composition and the
underlying parent materials combine to
provide conditions that support the
different natural habitat types of the
surrounding landscape.

3.3.1  Soils.  Soils are described and
classified based on a number of
measurable differences, characterized by
the nature of the parent rock, weathering
processes, the transport mechanisms
involved, biology, and stage of
decomposition. In central and south
Florida, the soils are geologically young
and reflect changes in sediment types.
Sands and organics dominate the soils in
west-central Florida.  These soils are a
product of the  damp, semitropical
climate, flat topography, and the
relatively short geological time the
parent materials have been exposed to
soil developmental conditions (FDER
1995).

The project area is located within a
broad, flat regional feature known as the
Polk Upland, that occupies a large
portion of west-central Florida. A thin
sequence of Pleistocene sands and a
thick sequence of siliciclastic (sand, silt,
and clay) and carbonate sediments
underlay the upland.

Dominant soils in the watershed of the
Hillsborough River, Alafia River, and
Tampa Bypass Canal contain an
accumulation of organic matter and
precipitated aluminum and iron oxides.
Well-leached sands overlie the organic
layer .and are moderately to strongly
acidic resulting in low vegetation
productivity.  However, the acidic nature
of the soils makes them well-suited for
pine flatwoods. Seasonal ponding is
often associated with these soils because
they are typically found in areas with
little or no slope and are often underlain
with a well-developed hardpan that
blocks downward movement of water.

The soils in the project construction area
consist mostly of nearly level, poorly to
very poorly drained soils that have sandy
or loamy subsoil or are sandy
throughout. Dominant soil types include
the Myakka, Basinger, and Holopaw
series. These soil types are typically
associated with swamps and depressions.
Typically these soils are not suited to
most cultivated or citrus crops or pasture
but support natural vegetation of cypress
with an understory of bluestem,
maidencane, Jamaica sawgrass, and
cutgrass (NRCS 1989).  The reservoir
site is currently in pasture, and row crops
are located adjacent to the site.
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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Phosphorous strip mining has impacted
portions of the proposed construction
area, but these areas have since been
reclaimed.  It is assumed that soil
characteristics of these areas are now
similar to the surrounding landscape
with the exception of thin layers of very
soft elastic silt or highly plastic clay that
underlie the surface.  These silt and clay
layers appear to be clay tailings from the
earlier phosphate mining process (HDR
1998).

Hydrologic Soil Groups. Hydrologic
soil groups are those soils grouped
according to their runoff producing
characteristics (HDR 2000) (Figure 3-2).
Group A soils generally consist of deep,
well-drained sands or gravels with a high
raite of water transmission, usually
greater than 0.30 inches per hour.  At the
other end of the range, Group D soils
have a high  runoff potential and very
low infiltration rates. Group D soils
consist chiefly of clay soils with high
swelling potential, soils with a
permanent high water table, soils with a
claypan (hardpan) or clay layer at or
near the surface and shallow soils over
nearly impervious materials. These soils
have a low rate of transmission (0.0 to
0.05 inches per hour). Groups  B and C
range between Groups A and D (HDR
2000).

Hydrologic soil group classifications are
an indication of the infiltration capacity
of the soils and ground water table
elevations.  Soil types of the reservoir
site were delineated using the NRCS soil
survey.  The soil groups were found to
be fairly homogenous and consist
primarily of the B and D hydrologic
soils groups. Typically these types of
soils contain a semi-impermeable  layer
or hardpan several feet below the
surface.

Some soils are listed in more than one
hydrologic soil group.  Soils such as
those with B and D groups are also in
the hydrologic soil group D in their
natural (pre-developed) condition
because of the high water table
conditions that create drainage
impedance.  If these soils can be
effectively drained and properly
maintained, they may be reclassified  in a
different hydrologic soil group (HDR
2000).

3.3.2 Geology. The Peninsular Arch
and Ocala Uplift formations characterize
the majority of the geology in the project
area. The productive storage zones in
the project area are the lower Suwarmee,
and Avon Park formations. These
storage zones are located in the upper
Floridan aquifer system. The upper
Floridan aquifer is a highly variable
hydrologic system consisting of
carbonate rocks separated by less
permeable sediments that act as semi-
confining layers. The top of the Floridan
aquifer deepens moving south  across the
project area. As a consequence, areas
with a higher degree  of confinement are
found in the southern portion of the site.
Figure 3-3 provides a simplified
representation of a north-south cross
section showing aquifer formation
contacts and potential water storage
intervals.

The Suwannee storage zone is the
uppermost productive layer present in
the Floridian aquifer  on a regional basis.
Granular limestone is the predominant
component and is primarily found in the
upper part of the Suwannee production
                                       3-5

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                           Neal
                Doe Branch
Figure source: HDR Engineering, Inc., EAP Application, September 7, 2000
                                                                                 Reservoir

                                                                            |    | Basins

                                                                            Hydro-logic Soil Groups

                                                                                 B/D Soils Group

                                                                                 C Soils Group

                                                                                 D Soils Group

                                                                                 Water
             2000
2000  Feet
            Figure 3-2
TAMPA BAY REGIONAL RESERVOIR
          DEIS PROJECT

   HYDROLOGIC SOIL GROUPS

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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
zone. This zone typically ranges from
100 to 150 feet thick and is
approximately 150 feet below sea level
(bsl) in the northern portion of the
aquifer and about 400 feet bsl in the
southern portion. The confining layer of
this zone is clayey limestone in the
lower part of the Suwannee Limestone
formation or chalky limestone in the
underlying Ocala Limestone formation.

The underlying Avon Park storage zone
is a highly permeable, fractured rock
system that is the source for water
supply wells in Hillsborough County.
The storage zone occurs in the upper
part of the Avon Park formation in
fractured dolostone or in the basal layers
of the Ocala Limestone. This zone
typically ranges from approximately 600
feet bsl in the northern portion of the
study area to 750 feet bsl in the
south and is between 100 and 150 feet
thick, with some areas ranging up to 300
feet (HDR 2000).

A. layer of sedimentary  rocks underlies
the Alafia River, Hillsborough River and
Tampa Bypass Canal, and Tampa Bay.
The Alafia River flows through the
Southwestern Flatwoods physiographic
district, primarily in the Bone Valley
Uplands. These uplands are a poorly
drained plateau underlain by deeply
weathered sand and clayey sand. The
Hillsborough River flows through the
Ocala Uplift physiographic district,
principally in the Hillsborough Valley.
Sluggish surface drainage and many
karst features characterize the valley.
The Tampa Bypass Canal is also located
in the Ocala Uplift District in the
Hillsborough Valley (FDER 1995).

Sinkhole Potential. The reservoir
would be located in an area where
historic sinkhole activity is rare. The
level of geotechnical and geological
investigations at the reservoir took into
account the existence of paleosinkholes,
a few of which have been documented at
the site, and reported modern sinkholes,
which have not been reported at, or near,
the site. Reports of modern sinkholes
placed the nearest sinkhole at least a
mile or two from the proposed reservoir
site.  These sinkholes are located in the
Brandon karst terrain to the north and
west of the site.

Strip mining has impacted the southern
portion of the proposed reservoir site;
the northern portion is undisturbed land.
The topography of the land to the north
of the mined areas is gently sloping with
elevation contours that are somewhat
elongated and parallel, with abundant
surface drainage features.  The general
topographic  features of the proposed site
and surrounding area indicate low
sinkhole potential characteristics (HDR
1999).

Photolineament and Geophysical
Investigations. This  photolineament or
karst analysis consisted of a study of
aerial photography to reveal indicators
of fracturing in the underlying limestone
and dolostone at the site. These
indicators can include features such as
alignments of three or more circular
depressions, elongation of depressions in
the land surface, alignments and/or
elongation of wetlands and lakes, linear
stream segments, linear soil tones, or
linear vegetation patterns.

In addition to the preliminary literature
review and preliminary test wells, a
photolineament analysis and geophysical
investigation were also conducted to
assist in locating test-drilling locations
                                      3-7

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                                                                            ARCADIA FORMATION,
                                                                                   UNDIF.
            •'^^y^^
                              3UWANNEE LIMESTONE

                                                                                                                    i-X *-»•; v~ V '•'r^8a'-»>,^
                                                                                                                    ';:2fTsr7-i'-';''v";V'^cjVjri}n^;?>!»

                                                         OCALA LIMESTONE
'V.;>:-; •••••ii":: -u V>H-^;<^-^?><>~~-.
^•h'^^rv^^^r^il^f^-i^!^
                                                      AVON PARK FORMATION
                                                                                   MIDDLE
                                                                                  CONFINING
                                                                                    UNIT
                                                                                         BASE OF UPPER FLORIDAN AQUIFER
                                                                                                                                                   Rgure 3-3
                                                                                                                                              TAMPA BAY REGIONAL
                                                                                                                                            RESERVOIR PROJECT DEIS
                                                                                                                                            GEOLOGIC CROSS SECTION
FIGURE SOURCE: WATER RESOURCE SOLUTIONS
DATE: 7/8/00
       0          2.5
HORIZONTAL SCALE (MILES)
- MAJOR PRODUCTION  ZONE

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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
of potential sinkhole sites at the reservoir
(HDR 2000).

Aerial photographs from 1939, 1948,
1957, and 1988 were also evaluated.
Once it was determined that photolinear
features were present on the site, a
geophysical analysis was conducted
using ground penetrating radar, seismic
refraction, and seismic reflection to
evaluate subsurface stratigraphy and
structure at the reservoir site.  The
results of the geophysical analysis were
used to identify borehole locations that
were used to further refine the site.

3.4 AIR QUALITY
The State of Florida has adopted the
U.S. National Ambient Air Quality
Standards (NAAQS) except for sulfur
dioxide (SO2). Florida's SO2 standard is
slightly more stringent than the national
standard. In 1997, the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
changed the ozone standard from a one-
hour standard to an eight-hour standard.
EPA is currently redesignating the status
of ozone  areas.

All three counties (Hillsborough, Pasco
and Pinellas) in the general study area
are in attainment or are unclassified for
all criteria pollutants, and meet the new
eight-hour standard (FDEQ 2000).

Currently Hillsborough and Pinellas
counties are air quality maintenance
areas for ozone. Designated areas of
Hillsborough County are air quality
maintenance areas for particulate matter
(total suspended particulate) and lead.
Air quality maintenance areas, due to
past nonattainment status, are required to
implement strategies to maintain
attainment with the standards  for the
specified air pollutant established
ambient air quality standards.  A
discussion with the Florida Department
of Environmental Quality (FDEQ)
indicated that Hillsborough and Pinellas
counties might be redesignated to
nonattainment areas for ozone under the
new eight hour standard (FDEP 2000).

The State of Florida currently has air
quality monitors for particulate matter,
sulfur dioxide, ozone and lead in the
study area. The air quality in the three-
county area currently meets all ambient
air quality standards. Local
municipalities, agricultural and mining
industries are not expected to emit high
levels of any pollutant that would exceed
established air quality standards.

3.5 NOISE
The potential construction area is located
in a sparsely populated rural area.
Existing sources of noise include
vehicles on roads and highways, farm
equipment and a nearby pistol shooting
range located to the south of the
proposed reservoir. A residential area is
located less than Haifa mile to the east
from the potential regional reservoir
area.  Existing ambient noise data are not
available for the potential construction
area.  The FDEP does not regulate noise
levels from industrial or public works
facilities.  Hillsborough County
regulates noise generated by non-
exempted sources.  Sound level limits
have been established in Chapter 1-10.03
of the Rules of the  Environmental
Protection Commission of Hillsborough
County (HCEPC 2000). Table 3-1
shows the regulated sound level limits
grouped by receiving land use.
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 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
         Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Table 3-1. Hillsborough County Maximum Permissible Sound Levels
RECEIVING LAND USE
CATEGORY
Residential, Public Space
Commercial
Industrial
TIME
7:00 a.m.- 10:00 p.m.
10:00 p.m.- 7:00 a.m.
7:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
10:00 p.m.- 7:00 a.m.
All Times
SOUND LEVEL LIMIT
(dBA)
60
55
65
60
75

 3.6 WATER RESOURCES
 The major water resources of the project
 area include both surface and
 groundwater sources. The major
 components of these resources are
 discussed in the following sections.

 3.6.1  Groundwatef. The hydfogeology
 of south-central Hillsborough County,
 including the proposed regional reservoir
 area, consists of a surficial aquifer, a
 intermediate aquifer, and the underlying
. FJoridan aquifer. The geologic units that
 make up the aquifers consist of
 permeable strata (strata with pores or
 openings that permits water  to pass
 through) separated by layers of dense,
 low permeability rock. These dense
 layers, which act to hold water in the
 aquifers, are called confining layers and
 generally consist of relatively
 impermeable clay and clay marl.

 The hydrology of the proposed reservoir
 area was defined during geotechnical
 and aquifer performance testing (HDR
 2000). The surfical aquifer in the  project
 area is about 25  to 50 feet thick and
 generally consists of unconsolidated to
 poorly consolidated fine sand to silty and
 clayey sand. The intermediate aquifer is
 composed of the Miocene-aged
 Hawthorne Group, which includes the
 Peace River and the Arcadia (Tampa
 member) formations.  In terms of water
 availability, the Tampa member
 formation is generally the most
 productive portion of the intermediate
 aquifer. The Floridan aquifer includes
 the Suwannee Limestone, the Ocala
 Limestone, and the Avon Park
 formation.

 In a literature review to determine the
 general groundwater conditions at the
 proposed reservoir site, the NRCS soil
 survey for Hillsborough County
 described the fluctuation of the seasonal
 high water table as ranging from the
 surface to approximately 10 inches
 below the surface (HDR 1999). Soil
 borings for geotechnical exploration
 indicated groundwater levels
 approximately five feet below the
 surface during the dry season (HDR
 2000). Based on the soil survey results,
 geotechnical exploration and evaluation
 of drainage features, the wet season
 water table was estimated to be
 approximately one foot below ground
 surface over the majority of the reservoir
 site. Drainage features within and along
the periphery of the site, which serve to
 lower the groundwater table, were also
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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
considered in estimating the wet season
water table. These features include the
upland cut ditches along the northern
portion of the site as well as numerous
connections draining the existing
wetlands and the phosphate mined area.

Groundwater levels for the surficial
aquifer in the general area were found to
be about 70 to 80 feet above mean sea
level (msl) and the groundwater
elevation in the intermediate aquifer
about 40 to 50 feet msl.
The groundwater
elevation data indicates
a downward vertical
gradient between the
surficial and the
intermediate aquifer,
increasing the potential
for recharge to the
intermediate aquifer.
The groundwater
elevation in the upper
Floridan  aquifer in the
vicinity of the reservoir
is about 30 feet msl.

In addition to the
literature review, ten preliminary soil
borings were obtained (HDR 2000).
These soil borings ranged in depth from
45 to 50 feet below sea-level, and
indicated a somewhat uniform lithology
consisting of loose to medium dense
sands underlain by very dense,
calcareous sandy silt. The dense silt
would impede the vertical flow of water
from the  shallow sands to the deeper
limestone, resulting in a lower potential
for limestone dissolution and sinkhole
development.

Groundwater quality data for aquifers
beneath the reservoir site, specifically
for total dissolved solids (TDS),
chloride, and hardness were also
reviewed. Data from the SWFWMD
and Florida Geologic Society indicated
that, in the intermediate aquifer, TDS
ranged from about 250 parts per million
(ppm) to 500 ppm, and chloride was less
than 25 ppm. There was no data
available for hardness. In the Floridan
aquifer, TDS also ranged from 250 ppm
to 500 ppm but chloride was
approximately 20 ppm. In this case,
hardness ranged from  about 120 to 180
          ppm.
          3.6.2  Surface Water
          Quantity. The proposed
          regional reservoir and
          pipeline are located in the
          Alafia River basin. The
          major surface water
          components in the overall
          study area include the Alafia
          and Hillsborough rivers,
          Tampa Bypass Canal, and
          Tampa Bay. These surface
          water components are
          described in the following
          sections.
3.6.2.1 Alafia River. The Alafia River
drains approximately 420 square miles
(mi2) of Hillsborough and western Polk
counties (Figure 3-4). The North and the
South Prong tributaries form the
headwaters of the river and converge in
eastern Hillsborough County to form the
Alafia River. The river meanders
generally westward and empties into the
southeastern portion of Hillsborough
Bay.

As described in Section 3.2, the tributary
streams contributing to the Alafia River
are rather narrow, swift-flowing streams
with deep-cut banks and comparatively
few large swamps. Only Alafia Creek,
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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
tributary to the South Prong, is an
exception, draining a large wetland
slough named Hooker's Prairie.  The
lower Alafia River drops sharply in
elevation near Bell Shoals Road, and
then meanders in a narrow, deeply
incised channel downstream to U.S. 301.
From U.S. 301 to U.S. 41, the river
widens with little change in depth
(Giovanelli 1981).

The mouth of the Alafia River has been
extensively modified by dredge and fill
activities. A deep-water channel was
dredged from the main ship channel in
Tampa Bay, through uplands north of
the river mouth to the river upstream of
the mouth.  This channel provided
shipping access to a fertilizer-processing
plant. The original river mouth was
partially  filled with the excavated
material effectively changing its
location. Over the years, sediment from
an upstream spoil area has accumulated
in the historic river mouth, reducing it to
a small tidal creek with little or no
connection to the current river (Stoker et
al.  1996).

The lower watershed, from Turkey
Creek to  Hillsborough Bay,  is  dominated
by agricultural and  urban land  uses.
South of the river, the four tributaries
(Bell, Fishhawk, Little Fishhawk, and
Rice creeks) drain a predominately
agricultural area. The area to the north
of the river, drained by Buckhorn Creek,
is much more urban, especially around
the  cities of Brandon, Valrico,  and
Dover (USDI 1990).

Lithia Springs is a second magnitude
spring, with an average flow between 10
and 100 cubic feet per second (cfs). The
spring flows into the Alafia River about
13.8 river miles upstream of U.S.
Highway 41 or about 2 miles upstream
of Bell Shoals road. Buckhorn Spring, a
smaller spring, flows into the river about
6.6 miles upstream of U.S. Highway 41
or about three miles downstream of Bell
Shoals road.  Several other small springs
and seeps contribute flow to the Alafia
River. Discharges from the springs
average 49 cfs, ranging from 7 to 84 cfs.
(USGS 1983  in USDI 1990). During the
wet season, the spring contributes less
than 10 percent of the total flow in the
lower Alafia River, but as much as 27
percent in the dry season (USDI 1990).

3.6.2.2 Hillsborough River.  The
Hillsborough River flows southwest 54
miles from its source in southeastern
Pasco County to  Hillsborough Bay
(Figure 3-5).  The headwaters of the
river are near the western edge of the
Green Swamp in Pasco and Polk
counties. From this point the river flows
southwesterly through Hillsborough
County through the cities of Temple
Terrace and Tampa to Hillsborough Bay.
Principal surface drainage tributaries to
the river include  the New River, and
Blackwater, Flint, Stout, and Cypress
creeks. The Hillsborough River also
receives an average of 57 cfs of
groundwater discharge from Crystal
Spring, located near the Hillsborough-
Pasco County line (SWFWMD 1992).

The dam for the City of Tampa's
drinking water source reservoir is
located 10 miles  upstream from the
mouth of the Hillsborough river.
Discharge at the  dam depends on
reservoir inflows, water supply
withdrawals, and losses due to
evaporation and seepage.  Freshwater
discharge from the reservoir displaces
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                                Alafia River
                          Drainage Basin Boundary
                                                  Little Fishhawk Creek

                                                   •*	„
                                                   Fishh&vk Creek
                                                                  NOT TO SCALE
                Figure 3-4
          TAMPA BAY REGIONAL
        RESERVOIR PROJECT DBS
               ALAFIA RIVER
          DRAINAGE  BASIN MAP

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                                              Hillsborough River
                                              Reservoir
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Hillsborough
    Bay
    LEGEND

    • Sampling Stations
                                                                 Site
                                                                Location
                                     NOT TO SCALE
       Figure 3-5

   TAMPA BAY REGIONAL
 RESERVOIR PROJECT DEIS
   HILLSBOROUGH RIVER
AND TAMPA BYPASS CANAL

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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
saline water downstream of the dam.
The annual mean discharge at the dam,
as recorded by U.S. Geological Survey
(USGS) from 1939 to 1996 is 463 cfs.
The median discharge for this time
period was 152 cfs; annual mean
discharges ranged from less than 100 cfs
to nearly 1,700 cfs. The maximum daily
discharge of 13,500 cfs was recorded in
March 1960 (SWFWMD  1999a). The
USGS data represent the best available
information on the reservoir although the
hydrologic records are described as poor,
with potential error greater than 15
percent (Stoker et al. 1996).

Surface salinity downstream  of the dam
is inversely proportional to the amount
of discharge (Water and Air Research,
Inc and SDI Environmental Services
(WAR and SDI) 1995). Discharges of
100 cfs to 250 cfs displace the saline
water wedge downstream of Station 2 or
3 (Figure 3-5).  Discharges of 250 cfs to
1.000 cfs displace the saline water
wedge further downstream from Stations
5 to 8, and discharges greater than 1,000
cfs displace the wedge even further,
downstream of Station 9.  The extent to
which saltwater is displaced is
determined partially by the tide stage at
the time of measurement.  As would be
expected freshwater occurs at one or two
stations further downstream at low tide
than at high tide.

The Hillsborough River downstream of
the dam is a highly modified  system that
has been subjected to considerable
shoreline hardening, the filling of
wetlands, sediment deposition, and water
quality determined due to stormwater
runoff. These alterations to the lower
Hillsborough River have been so
extensive that hydrologic functions
associated with floodplain and estuarine
wetlands have been essentially lost
(SWFWMD 1999a).

The lower Hillsborough River extends
approximately 10 miles downstream of
the City of Tampa's dam. The
watershed of this portion of the river is
11,400 acres and is highly urbanized.
Residential and commercial land uses
comprise 93 percent of the river's
watershed below the dam. Storm sewers
drain nearly all of this land, for 114
major stormwater outfalls enter the river
below the dam. For over a century, there
has been extensive filling of fresh and
saltwater wetlands associated with the
lower river so that very few of these
wetlands remain. The shoreline of the
lower river has been highly modified and
approximately 76 percent of the
shoreline is either bulkhead, riprap, or
fill. Natural shorelines comprise only 24
percent of the lower river shoreline and
most are found near the dam. There are
no natural shorelines downstream of the
1-275 bridge.  This portion of the river is
tidal and brackish except during
freshwater releases from the reservoir
(SWFWMD 1999a).

The lower river also receives inflow
from Sulphur Springs (located
approximately one mile downstream of
the dam), other natural springs along its
course, urban stormwater, and tidal flow
from Hillsborough Bay. Spring  flow at
Sulphur Springs is regulated by a control
structure at the spring boil and by a
structure near the river. The long-term
average  discharge for Sulphur Springs is
40 cfs; however a declining trend was
reported in 1996 (Stoker et al \ 996).
Average spring flows in recent years
(through 1995) have been about  31 cfs.
Flow in  the lower river ranges from 71
cfs to 2,295 cfs, averaging 614 cfs
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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
mainly due to reservoir releases (WAR
and SDI1995).

The Tampa Bypass Canal also affects
drainage in the lower Hillsborough River
basin (Stoker etal 1996).  Prior to
construction of the bypass canal, the
basin drained about 690 mi2.  Because of
pumpage from the bypass canal to the
Hillsborough River, the effective
drainage basin area sometimes increases.
Operation of the control structures that
divert water from the Hillsborough River
to the bypass canal during floods also
temporarily alters the effective drainage
area.

3.6.2.3 Tampa Bypass Canal. The
Tampa Bypass Canal was constructed
between 1966 and 1982 for flood control
in the Hillsborough River basin.  The
canal system, which was largely
excavated in the channel of the former
Six Mile Creek and Palm River, is
connected to the Hillsborough River
basin by a series of water control
structures used to divert flood waters
away from the  Hillsborough River
(Figure 3-5). The purpose of the Tampa
Bypass Canal was to divert Hillsborough
River floodwater to McKay Bay,
bypassing the cities of Temple Terrace
and Tampa.  Since 1985, the Tampa
Bypass Canal has also been used to
augment water supplies in the
Hillsborough River reservoir during the
dry season.

The Tampa Bypass Canal extends about
14 miles from Cow House Creek in the
Lower Hillsborough Flood Detention
Area to McKay Bay at the mouth of the
Palm River.  Hydrologic conditions in
the canal are affected  by surface and
groundwater inflows,  direct
precipitation, evapotranspiration, and
direct surface water withdrawals
(SWFWMD 1999b).

The canal is subdivided into three
principal reaches or pools - the upper,
middle and lower pool. The pools are
separated by flood control structures that
consist of multiple vertical lift gates
seated on the crest of an ogee weir.  An
array of overflow weirs is located at the
top of each lift gate to  control the
upstream pool stage during low and
moderate flows.  The Tampa Bypass
Canal bottom width and elevations range
from 400 feet at elevation -21.0 feet msl
near McKay Bay to 200 feet at elevation
16.0 feet msl at Cow House Creek
(SWFWMD 1999b).

Large base flows in the canal have
become a source of water supply for the
City of Tampa.  Sometimes, during the
dry season, water can be pumped from
the Tampa Bypass Canal to the
Hillsborough River to  augment flow in
the river. Besides carrying flow from
the Lower Hillsborough Flood Detention
Area (LHFDA) and the City of Tampa
reservoir, the Tampa Bypass Canal is the
drainage for approximately 33 mi2.
Land use in the area is  generally semi-
rural and residential (SWFWMD
1999b).

3.6.2.4 Tampa Bay.  Florida's largest
open water estuary, Tampa Bay is
located on the state's west-central coast.
It has a total area of approximately 398
mi2 and is generally Y-shaped (Figure 3-
6).  The bay extends approximately 35
miles inland from the Gulf of Mexico
and is five to 10 miles  wide along most
of its length. It is crossed by four major
causeways and has 42 nautical miles of
dredged channels with  designed mean
low water depths of 20 to 43 feet.
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                                                                             \
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              Gulf of Mexico
3
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 i
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       Subdivisions of Tampa bay
            1-OW Tampa Bay

            2 - Hillsborougri Bay

            3-MiddleTampa Bay

            4-Lower Tampa Bay

            5 - Boca Ciaga Bay
            8-TefraCelaBay

            7-Manatee River
NOT TO SCALE
     Figure 3-6

TAMPA BAY REGIONAL
       IR PROJECT BS
      JVISONS OF
     TAMPA BAY

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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
The major shipping channel extends
from the mouth of the bay to the upper
reaches of the Middle Tampa Bay
segment where it splits north into the
Old Tampa Bay segment and to the
northeast into the Hillsborough Bay
segment. The average depth of the bay
is approximately 13 feet with a
maximum natural depth of 89 feet in a
small area at the mouth of the bay in
Egmont Channel (Pribble 1999).

Tampa Bay receives runoff from a
tributary watershed of approximately
2,275 mi2, encompassing all or portions
of Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Polk,
Manatee, and Sarasota counties. The
watershed is composed of major river
systems and smaller sub-basins of
coastal streams. In addition, about five
percent of the watershed is internally
drained and discharges surface flow to
the  bay only under extreme high flow or
flood conditions (Zarbock et al. 1995).

Tampa Bay is divided into seven
segments that include Old Tampa Bay,
Hillsborough Bay, Middle Tampa Bay,
Lower Tampa Bay, Manatee River, Boca
Ciega Bay and Terra Ceia Bay (Figure
3-6).  Tidal action causes seawater and
freshwater to be exchanged between the
segments and with the Gulf of Mexico.
Lower Tampa Bay tidally exchanges
about 6.5 percent of its total volume
each day, while Middle Tampa Bay and
Old1 Tampa Bay both exchange about 4.6
percent of their total volume.

Hillsborough Bay has the least tidal
exchange of any of the major segments,
with approximately 1.4 percent of its
total volume exchanged daily (Pribble
1999; Goodwin 1987 in Zarbock et. al.
1995).
Freshwater inflow to Tampa Bay total
about 525 billion gallons on an annual
basis with the four major rivers
contributing about 70 to 85 percent. The
Hillsborough and Alafia rivers, two of
the four major rivers, contribute
approximately 44 percent of the total
inflow to Tampa Bay through the
Hillsborough Bay segment (Pribble
1999).

Tampa Bay is generally vertically well
mixed.  Freshwater inflows result in
horizontal salinity gradients important in
the circulation and flushing of the bay,
especially along the eastern shore.
Northern portions of the bay are
generally more influenced by the
surrounding watershed and its  freshwater
inflow.  Salinity is higher in areas that
interact strongly with the Gulf of Mexico
and lower in regions affected by
freshwater inflow and regions farthest
from the Gulf.  Surface salinity's are
generally 1 to 2 parts per thousand (ppt)
less than those near the bottom.
Variability occurs between years of 6 to
10 ppt at the surface and 5 to 6 ppt near
the bottom (Zarbock 1995; Pribble
1999).

3.6.3  Surface Water Quality. Surface
waters within the Tampa Bay watershed
continue to be threatened by excessive
nutrient loading.  Population pressures
present the biggest challenge to nutrient
management. The vast amount of
developed land in the Tampa Bay
region, with associated increases in
impervious surfaces and reduction of
terrestrial vegetation has fundamentally
redirected nutrient assimilation to
aquatic systems (Hillsborough County
1997).
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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
3.6.3.1  Tampa Bay Regional
Reservoir Project. A preliminary
characterization of the expected
reservoir water quality based on an
assessment of inflows, reservoir storage,
and outflows was prepared. The quality
of the water diverted from the Alafia and
Hillsborough rivers and the Tampa
Bypass Canal depends on season, flow
regime, and other climatic factors.
Withdrawals from any or all of these
sources may be diverted to the reservoir
during moderate and high flow periods.
Chlorophyll-a and blue-green algae
levels are predicted to be higher than
found in many natural lakes and rivers
(Coastal Environmental and PBS&J
1998).

To predict reservoir water quality and
trophic status, nutrient loading,
transparency, hydrology, and
eutrophication was modeled. Normal
pool, high pool, and low pool scenarios
were investigated.  The reservoir was
assumed to be well-mixed  and global
variables of annual precipitation,
evaporation, and atmospheric loading of
total nitrogen and total phosphorus were
used.  The modeling results indicated
that nitrogen is the limiting nutrient and
that the water quality in the reservoir is
expected to have high concentrations of
phosphorus and chlorophyll a.
Predictive response modeling generally
showed that the reservoir should have
water with a quality comparative to other
reservoirs and lakes in the area (HDR
1999). As a result, the in-lake water
quality treatment should  be similar to
other facilities in the area.  Treatment
with chemicals, such as copper sulfate,
or other means to control primary
productivity in the reservoir will likely
be required.  Although contaminant
levels are not expected to be excessive in
reservoir water, periodic testing to
monitor the potential buildup of metals,
pesticides or other contaminants in
reservoir sediments should be
maintained (Coastal Environmental and
PBS&J 1998).

3.6.3.2  Alafia River. Water quality
conditions in the Alafia  River were at
their worst during the 1950's and
1960's; however, improved water
quality has resulted due  to the
implementation of pollution abatement
practices applied in the 1970's and
1980's. Even so, concentrations of
several constituents such as phosphorus
and nitrogen, fluoride, dissolved solids,
sulfate and coliform bacteria remain
high (FDER 1988 from SWFWMD
1992; Jones & Upchurch 1993).

Water quality has consistently been
adversely affected in the North Prong
due to the high density of phosphate
mines and chemical processing plants.
Water quality has typically been best in
the South Prong tributary,  and is of
intermediate quality in the main stem
downstream of the  confluence of the two
tributaries (SWFWMD 1992). The only
domestic point sources of pollution are
the city of Mulberry on the North Prong
and Cargill, Inc. near the mouth of the
river (USDI 1990).

Buckhorn and Lithia Springs historically
discharge nitrate-rich water into the
Alafia River. The total amount of nitrate
contributed annually is approximately 22
percent of the total  nitrogen the Alafia
River contributes to Tampa Bay (Jones
& Upchurch, 1993).

In the Alafia River main stem, water
quality is better than in the North Prong,
but is still degraded and  shows the
                                      3-19

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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
influence of phosphate mining and
agricultural land use in the upper
watershed (HCEPC 1984 in USDI
1990). Phosphorus, total nitrogen,
nitrate and coliform levels  are high in
the middle and upper reaches and
decrease downstream toward Tampa
Bay.  Ammonia and organic nitrogen
show the opposite pattern moving
toward the bay. This increase in
ammonia and organic nitrogen is most
likely a result of the Cargill point-source
discharge near U.S. 41 (USDI 1990).

While certain chemical and biological
parameters have improved  near
Hillsborough Bay,  water quality is still
degraded as evident in the area's algal
blooms and fish kills (FDEP 1982 in
USDI  1990).  These problems are
influenced by tidal  changes, the
saltwater-to-fresh water interface, the
industrial point source near U.S. 41. and
the inflow of relatively poor quality
water from the basin (Giovanelli 1981;
FDEP 1982, HCEPC  1982, 1984 in
USDI  1990).
The Alafia River is tidal upstream to
about Bell Shoals Road. An oscillating
saline wedge (saltwater interface) results
in degraded conditions similar to those
described for the Hillsborough River
below the City of Tampa's dam. Under
conditions of high flow and high tide,
salinities may range from less than 1 ppt
on the surface to more than 20 ppt near
the bottom.  Dissolved oxygen levels
near the mouth are vertically stratified
(top to bottom) because of the saltwater
interface and the high algal productivity
at the surface (USDI 1990).

The importance of maintaining
streamflows in the Alafia River and
Hillsborough Bay was crucial for proper
environmental balance even though the
need for drinking water was increasing
at a rapid rate (Giovanelli 1981).
Salinity is critical to the distribution and
maintenance of many estuarine
organisms and modifications to riverine
systems may cause changes in salinity
distributions. Saltwater intrusion and
changes in salinity distribution of the
Alafia River, Bullfrog Creek, and
Hillsborough Bay was recognized as a
possible result of reduced freshwater
inflow.

The  Alafia River has the greatest
concentration of total phosphorus and
delivers more phosphorus to Tampa Bay
than any of the other rivers (Lewis and
Estevez 1988).  Data on discharges from
permitted point sources showed that
waste discharges to the Alafia River
render it the greatest source of
phosphorus and fluoride to Tampa Bay.

3.6.3.3 Hiilsborough River.  Water
quality in the Hillsborough River basin
is affected by residential, agricultural,
and industrial land uses.  Phosphate
mining has not been a major land use.
The quality of the water entering the
tidal portion of the Hillsborough River at
the City of Tampa's dam is most likely
affected by storage in the upstream
reservoir (Stoker et al. 1996).  The
effects of storage on water quality
typically include a reduction in
suspended sediments and a decrease in
the constituents associated with the
suspended sediments.

Water flowing from Sulphur Springs
contains sodium-chloride. The primary
source of water to the spring is probably
the deep zones of the Upper Floridan
aquifer.  An  interconnection of the
spring with nearby sinkholes that are
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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
used as stormwater detention areas
sometimes results in stormwater runoff
mixing with spring flows (Stewart and
Mills 1984 in Stoker et al  1996).

It was found that the water quality
characteristics of the Hillsborough River
differed from Sulphur Springs.
Concentrations of total and dissolved
phosphorus, orthophosphorus, ammonia
nitrogen, and organic carbon are less in
Sulphur Springs than in the Hillsborough
River. Concentrations of nitrate, nitrite,
and silica were greater in the spring than
in the river.

Water quality characteristics at the
mouth of the Hillsborough River are
affected by water quality characteristics
of Hillsborough Bay (Stoker el al 1996).
Suspended solids, specific conductance,
ammonia nitrogen, phosphorus, and
chloride were greater at the mouth of the
bay than  further upstream in the nontidal
portion of the Hillsborough River or at
Sulphur Springs. Concentrations of total
nitrate plus nitrite, total organic carbon,
and dissolved silica at the mouth of the
river are  inversely related to specific
conductance which indicates that
concentrations of these constituents are
higher in the Hillsborough  River than in
Hillsborough Bay.  Phosphorus is not
related to specific conductance at the
mouth of the Hillsborough River.

Although it is highly modified, the lower
Hillsborough River contains valuable
freshwater and estuarine communities.
Salinity and dissolved oxygen (DO) are
critical water quality variables affecting
the abundance and distributions of
organisms in the lower Hillsborough
River.  Studies by SWFWMD (1999a)
indicate that the salinity regime of the
lower Hillsborough River is very
responsive to freshwater inflow.

Results from the current hydrobiological
monitoring program show that mean
surface salinities in the lower
Hillsborough River ranged from 3.9 ppt
one-half mile below the dam to 15.7 ppt
at the mouth. Salinity in the lower river
was highly variable. Releases from the
City of Tampa's reservoir resulted in a
freshwater zone below the dam. Surface
DO values generally increased
progressively downstream.  Low surface
DO concentrations were found at
Stations 3 and 5 during periods of no
discharge from  the dam (Figure 3-5).
Surface DO concentrations at Stations 2,
3, 5 and 6 were positively correlated
with discharge from the dam. Depletion
of DO with depth was common in the
lower river and  there were frequent
occurrences of low oxygen in bottom
waters. At stations nearest the dam, DO
bottom concentrations were closely
related to the rate of freshwater inflows
(WARandSDI 1995).

3.6.3.4 Tampa Bypass Canal.  Water
quality monitoring results show that
mean values for DO, conductivity, and
pH were generally high in the Tampa
Bypass Canal (WAR and SDI 1995). As
with many physical parameters, surface
means for biological oxygen demand
(BOD), ammonia, total Kjeldahl
nitrogen (TKN), turbidity, and
chlorophyll-a were high in the Tampa
Bypass Canal. Conditions with no
oxygen frequently exist in bottom waters
downstream of the Tampa Bypass Canal
control Structure 160 during the summer
and fall during warm water conditions
(Figure 3-5).
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 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
 The Tampa Bypass Canal below
 Structure 160 has high salinity values.
 Bottom salinities just below Structure-
 160 averaged 24.6 ppt with a minimum
 value of 20.0 ppt. Surface salinity's at
 this station averaged 19.6 ppt with a
 minimum of 12.5 ppt.

 3.6.3.5 Tampa Bay. Tampa Bay water
 quality is important to both the ecology
 and economy of the study area.  Water
 quality influences the types of plants and
 animals that can live and reproduce in
 the bay, their abundance, and where and
 when they can be found. Many
 commercial and recreational fishes are
 dependent on the quality of the bay's
 water for survival, which can impact the
 local economy.

 Long term and recent water quality data
 were examined to assess conditions in
 Tampa Bay. Physical parameters and
 water clarity parameters, DO
 concentration and nutrient
 concentrations (total phosphorus and
 total nitrogen), and phytoplankton
^jromass as estimated  by chlorophyll-a
 were reviewed as water quality
 indicators of Tampa Bay (Squires and
 Cardinale 1999). Since 1974, water
 quality in Tampa Bay has increased near
 the Gulf of Mexico verse inner areas of
 the Bay.  Hillsborough Bay typically has
 the poorest water quality since it
 receives the highest nutrient loads and
 has the greatest amount of upstream
 industrial activity relative to the other
 Tampa Bay segments.

 The low water quality conditions
 occurred in the bay between 1974 and
 1997, during the late 1970's and early
 1980's. Improvements in water quality
 are mostly attributed to decreased point
 source loadings from wastewater
treatment plants, and in particular, the
conversion of the City of Tampa's
Hookers Point wastewater treatment
plant from primary to advanced
treatment. A sharp decrease in total
phosphorus concentrations from 1978 to
1982 represents the general slow-down
in upstream mining and fertilizer
production activity. Recent trends in
nutrient concentrations and water clarity
indicate that the large improvements in
the water quality of Tampa Bay realized
in the early 1980's have been maintained
through the 1990's.

The Hillsborough County Environmental
Protection Commission (HCEPC) has
conducted estuarine sampling in Tampa
Bay since 1972.  A countywide surface
water quality surveillance network has
been designed and implemented to
determine whether the level of water
pollution is increasing or decreasing
throughout the county and Tampa Bay.
The most recent summary of the water
quality monitoring program covers the
years from 1995 to 1997, and includes
data from 52 bay stations and 40
tributary stations (Hillsborough County,
1997).

The HCEPC developed a water quality
index (WQI) that can be used to
compare water quality in Tampa Bay
from year to year. The index is an
aggregate value of several parameters
including DO, chlorophyll a, total
coliform, BOD, total phosphorus, TKN,
and effective light penetration.  For each
parameter, a "bad-to-good" scale has
been devised. The final WQI is in the
range of 1 -100 points with 100 points
representing the highest water quality
possible.
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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
         Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Bay segments exhibit similar water
quality patterns indicating that year to
year WQI values are sensitive to
regional environmental factors such as
rainfall (Figure 3-7). The greatest range
and variability occur in Hillsborough
Bay while lower Tampa Bay has been
the most consistent. Although
Hillsborough Bay has the poorest water
quality of other major bay segments, it
consistently improved through 1993,
declined in 1994 and 1995, and returned
to former levels consistent with the
values derived in the early 1990's.  WQI
values for old Tampa Bay and middle
Tampa Bay segments are similar, with
middle Tampa Bay's WQIs about five
points higher than old Tampa Bay.  Old
Tampa Bay and lower Tampa Bay have
each registered an approximate ten-point
increase and middle Tampa Bay has
registered a fifteen-point increase during
the period of record. Lower Tampa Bay
has been in the good to  excellent
category throughout the period of record
(Hillsborough County 1997).

Nutrient loading has been a water quality
issue in Tampa Bay. High nutrient loads
have resulted in algae growth and
degradation of water quality. Industrial
runoff, urban stormwater and high
nutrient inflows from the Alafia River
have contributed to nutrient loading in
the Bay.

The relationship between freshwater
inflow and salinity is a characteristic of
the Tampa Bay ecosystem (Lewis and
Estevez 1988).  Sixty years of marine
research (up to 1988) have shown that
low-salinity estuarine water, combined
with the physical protection and energy
sources supplied by  marine plants,
constitutes the nursery habitat for most
of the commercially and recreationally
 important fish and shellfish species in
 the Gulf of Mexico.  It was noted that
 flows for all the tributaries to Tampa
 Bay need to be established based on
 biological studies as well as the water
 quality of these systems, with particular
 emphasis placed on salinity patterns in
 tidal areas.

 The mixing of the Gulf of Mexico water
 with freshwater inflows, whether
 directly as precipitation or as runoff via
 the rivers and streams, produces a
 salinity gradient in Tampa Bay.  The
 gradient is both vertically and
 horizontally distributed and changes
 seasonally with variation in rainfall. The
 salinity gradient is used by a variety of
 aquatic life from microscopic plankton
 to large adult fish. Variation  in salinity
 can trigger breeding behavior or
 migration of some fishes.  Juveniles of a
 species will often occupy a habitat that is
 very different from the habitat and
 salinity utilized by the adults  of the
 species.  Man-made structures and
 activities, such as dams and freshwater
 withdrawal, can mask or alter the natural
 salinity cycles (Hillsborough  County
 1997).

 3.7  MINIMUM FLOWS AND
 LEVELS
 In 1996, amendments by the Florida
 Legislature to Section 373.042 Florida
 Statutes required SWFWMD  to adopt
 minimum flows and levels in
 Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas
 counties for priority waters that are
 experiencing or may be expected to
 experience adverse impacts. (SWFWMD
 1999a).

 Section 373.043 Florida Statues defines
 the minimum flow for a surface
 watercourse as ""the limit at which
further -withdrawals would be
                                      3-23

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         K:\JCCO\*CAD\£SMCPVlB-i-7.d»9 02-12-2001 11:09 CJW
                                             COPWKHT ©2001 BY BURNS AND UcOONNEU. ENGKERMG COVANY. NC.
   100
    90
I  80
£70
    60
    50
              Excellent
        1981
1985

 Hills -•-  Low
1989
                                                      Mid
   1993

Old
1997
                                                                                      Figure 3-7
                                                                                  TAMPA BAY REGIONAL
                                                                                 RESERVOIR PROJECT DS
                                                                               WATER QUALITY INDEX (WQi)
                                                                                   ANNUAL AVERAGES

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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
significantly harmful to water resources
or ecology of the arear.  In addition, the
definition of the minimum level of an
aquifer or surface water body is "the
level ofgroundwater in an aquifer and
the level of surface water at which
further withdrawals would be
significantly harmful to the water
resources of the area" (SWFWMD
1999a).

The following paragraphs describe the
existing status of efforts to establish
minimum flows and levels for the Alafia
and Hillsborough  rivers and Tampa
Bypass Canal.

3.7.1 Alafia River. The process of
developing minimum flows and levels
for the Alafia River is being conducted.
A minimum flow  will be adopted for the
River with the objective of maintaining
the quality of the river.  Minimum flows
and levels will likely be established by
the end of 2001.

3.7.2 Hillsborough River.  The process
to develop minimum flows and  levels for
the Hillsborough River by SWFWMD
was conducted as  an open public
process. Interested parties were invited
to participate  in developing scientific
methods for determining the limit at
which significant  harm would occur to
the resource.  The Tampa Bay National
Estuary Program facilitated a technical
advisory group representing various
interests. The advisory group was
commissioned to make
recommendations to SWFWMD staff for
identifying and evaluating water
resources and ecological criteria
necessary to establish minimum flows
and levels. At the completion of this
process, SWFWMD finalized the
methodologies and minimum levels and
flows for the Hillsborough River and
obtained approval for implementation by
the SWFWMD Governing Board on
February 23, 1999.

A minimum flow of 10 cfs has been
adopted for the lower Hillsborough
River with the objective of maintaining
an oligohaline and/or freshwater zone
from the City of Tampa's dam
downstream to the point where Sulfur
Springs discharges to the river. After
approval of its proposed rule to establish
a minimum flow for the lower
Hillsborough River, SWFWMD  received
petitions requesting an independent
scientific peer review from the HCEPC,
Tampa Bay Water and the City of
Tampa. As a result, a scientific review-
panel made of members with experience
in marine science, oceanography, civil
engineering, and fisheries ecology was
established.  The review panel issued a
final report for the lower Hillsborough
River on October 28, 1999.  The peer
review panel recommended the use of
the 10-cfs minimum flow but only as an
experiment under an adaptive
management approach.  The panel also
recommended  that detailed monitoring
and assessment of biological systems be
conducted concurrently.

Because the  existing database  for the
river during  low flows is limited,
SWFWMD and the City of Tampa
agreed to conduct a study to re-evaluate
the minimum flow for the lower
Hillsborough River once the ruling was
implemented.  The study is to be
completed by December 31, 2005 unless
the city and SWFWMD agree to  an
extension. If the study demonstrates the
need for revisions to the minimum flow,
SWFWMD shall revise  the minimum
flow ruling (SWFWMD 1999a).
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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
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3.7.3 Tampa Bypass Canal. In 1998,
SWFWMD proposed a minimum flow
of zero discharge for the Tampa Bypass
Canal. An independent peer review
panel of recognized experts was
established to review scientific and
technical data and methodologies used in
the development of the proposed
minimum flow. The proposed flow of
zero discharge was found deficient by
the Northern Tampa Bay Minimum
Flows and Levels Scientific Peer Review
Panel in 1999, resulting in a renewed
look at minimum flows for the Tampa
Bypass Canal. The panel recommended
that additional data be collected to
improve resolution, especially in the
critical zero flow range, and a
mechanistic model be developed to
evaluate and predict the effects of
various minimum flow strategies on the
Palm River/McKay Bay system. A final
ruling on the minimum flows and levels
for the Tampa Bypass Canal is expected
by July of 2001.

3.8 UPLAND VEGETATION
In the Alafia River basin, and more
specifically the Fishhawk Creek sub-
basin, the primary ecosystem type is
mesic flatwoods or pine flatwoods,
interspersed with isolated hammocks,
marshes, wet prairies and scrub.  These
flatwoods are typified by low, relatively
flat, moderately to poorly drained,
acidic, sandy soils with overlying
organic hardpan with open canopy pine
forests, which support frequent fires.
This combination of sandy soils and
frequent fires has led to a vegetation
community that is adapted to xeric (i.e.,
dry) and frequently burned conditions
(Myers and Dwell 1991).
Prior to settlement, the flatwoods'
vegetation was dominated by an
overstory of longleaf pine, slash pine,
 and pond pine.  The understory shrub
 layer included saw palmetto, gallberry,
 fetterbush, staggerbush, dwarf
 huckleberry, wax myrtle, dwarf live oak,
 and tarflower. Typically, the herbaceous
 layer only existed where there was a
 relatively open canopy. Grasses were
 the primary herbaceous ground cover
 with wiregrass as the dominant cover
 (Myers and Dwell 1991).

 Despite being the most widespread
 biological community in Florida, very
 few undisturbed flatwoods still exist
 because of the influx of humans and
 their activities.  Flatwoods have
 historically been used for lumber,
 livestock grazing and other forms of
 agriculture. Houses, fences and other
 structures associated with settlement
 have drastically reduced the number of
 naturally occurring fires, which help
 maintain these communities.

 Currently, the vast majority of upland
 habitats in the project area  are mixed
 coniferous/hardwood forests.  The
 coniferous components of this
 community are dominated by slash pine.
 longleaf pine  and, to a lesser degree,
 sand pine. Representative hardwood
 components include a variety of oak
 species including live oak,  sand live oak,
 water oak. laurel oak, and turkey oak.
 Other hardwood species include
 sweetgum, and various hickories. Some
 areas in the western extent  of the project
area are classified as upland hardwood
 forests, with representative species
 similar to those hardwoods listed above
without the coniferous component.

 Shrub and brushland, rangeland, and
pine flatwoods comprise the second
most dominant cover types found in the
project vicinity. Pine flatwoods are low-
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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
         Draft Environmental Impact Statement
lying communities, which support pine
as the dominant overstory species.
Common pines include slash pine and
longleaf pine.  Common ground cover
and understory species include saw
palmetto, wax myrtle, gallberry,
wiregrass, and a large variety of herbs
and brush.  Brushland and rangeland
support similar understory and
groundcover species to the pine
flatwoods, but lack any pine overstory.
Rangeland includes a mixture of these
native plants with grasslands and is
frequently used to graze cattle.

Cropland and pasture are located
throughout the study area. Common
crops include tomatoes, strawberries,
and a variety of melons.  Pasture is often
"improved" through the planting of
bahia grass.

3.8.1  Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir
Project. Upland habitats within the
proposed reservoir footprint are
dominated by improved pasture and are
actively used for cattle grazing and sod
production.  The southern third of the
site consists of phosphate mined land,
which was subsequently reclaimed. The
native soils have been removed in this
area and natural upland communities do
not exist.

Located just outside of the northwest
corner of the reservoir footprint is an
area of scrubby flatwoods. This
community is dotted with xeric oaks,
scattered long leaf pine and turkey oak,
suggesting a sandhill community. Due
to an abundance of wiregrass and
palmetto and lesser amounts of the pine
and turkey oak, however, this
community is characterized as a scrubby
flatwood. Hillsborough County has
 designated this area as significant upland
 habitat.

 Pipeline and Access Roads. The
 proposed pipeline corridor from the
 Alafia River generally follows Boyette
 Road. The dominant upland
 communities along the corridor include
 mixed coniferous hardwood forest and
 improved pasture with minor areas of
 pine forest and pine flatwoods.  The
 mixed coniferous and hardwood forests
 are dominated by xeric and mesic
 hammock composed largely of laurel
 oak, live oak, and sand live oak, with
 scattered slash and long-leaf pine.

 3.8.2 Alafia River, Hillsborough
 River, Tampa Bypass Canal and
 Tampa Bay. Land use in the Alafia
 River and Hillsborough watersheds,
 which includes the Tampa Bypass Canal,
 is primarily agriculture (improved
 pasture, citrus, fishponds), rangeland
 (unimproved pasture), wetlands and
 barren land.  Barren land, a byproduct of
 phosphate mining and processing,
 dominates the landscape drained by the
 North and South Prongs, major
.tributaries in the Alafia River watershed
 (USDI 1990).

 Upland forest communities included
 coniferous forest, pine flatwoods,
 hardwoods,  and mixed
 conifer/hardwoods.  Mixed
 conifer/hardwood areas represent most
 of the upland forest communities.  These
 upland forests are distributed throughout
 the study area, and are often associated
 with drainage features or make up large
 blocks of land surrounded  by residential
 land uses.

 At the mouth of the Alafia River, there is
 a berm derived  from dredging. This
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        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
basin resulting from the berm has
become vegetated by upland woody
species such as live oak, laurel oak,
water oak, red maple, sweet gum, pignut
hickory, cabbage palm, and occasional
southern magnolia.  Where conifers are
mixed, slash pine and southern red cedar
are the dominant trees (HDR 1998).

3.9 WETLANDS
Wetlands  are important natural
communities protected by the Clean
Water Act and provide the following
important functions:

•   contain vegetation that filters
    sediment and impurities from surface
    runoff to improve water quality
•   increase flood water retention and
    erosion control
•   provide recreational opportunities
    like bird watching, canoeing, and
    fishing
•   provide important habitat for many
    rare and endangered plants and
    animals
•   are important fish spawning and
    nursery areas, as well as nesting,
    resting, and feeding areas for
    waterfowl and mammals

Section 404 of the Clean Water Act
regulates discharges of fill or dredged
material, unless exempted, into "waters
of the United States," which include
jurisdictional wetlands and other aquatic
habitats. Jurisdictional wetlands are
defined for regulatory purposes in the
Clean Water Act, and the EPA uses this
definition and the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers (Corps) to administer the
Section 404 permit program:

Wetlands are those areas that are
inundated or saturated by surface or
groundwater at a frequency and duration
sufficient to support, and under normal
circumstances do support, a prevalence
of vegetation typically adapted for life in
saturated soil conditions (Environmental
Laboratory, 1987). Wetlands generally
include swamps, bogs, and similar areas
(40 CFR 230.3 and 33 CFR 328.3).

This definition recognizes and
emphasizes the fact that wetlands
possess three essential characteristics:
hydric soils, prevalence of hydrophytic
vegetation, and wetland hydrology.
These three characteristics are the
mandatory technical criteria required for
wetland determination. Areas must meet
all three of these criteria before being
designated as jurisdictional wetlands.

Wetlands are frequently located between
open water and upland systems. They
are inundated or saturated for prolonged
periods during the growing season. The
majority of the project area consists of
upland, or non-wetland, communities.
Because of the existing topography,
soils, and climate, only a  few wetlands
are present in the  project area.

Wetlands may be  classified within three
broad categories based upon dominant
vegetation species. Forested wetlands
are characterized by woody vegetation
that is 6.0 meters tall or taller (Cowardin
etal.  1979). Forested wetlands within
the project support a wide variety of
species.

Scrub/shrub wetlands are dominated by
woody vegetation less than 6.0 meters
tall.  Dominant species include true
shrubs, young trees, and trees or shrubs
that are small or stunted because of
environmental conditions. Scrub/shrub
wetlands may represent a successional
stage leading to forested wetland, or they
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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
may be stable communities.  Typical
species in the project area include
willows and wax myrtle.

Emergent wetlands are characterized by
erect, rooted, herbaceous plants adapted
to wet soil conditions. These wetlands
appear as fringe wetlands or develop
along and/or within drainage ditches.
These areas are typically dominated by
soft rush within the project area.

Based on mapping compiled  by
SWFWMD, the vast majority of wetland
resources in the study area include
river/lake swamp and freshwater marsh.
River/lake swamp is largely associated
with the riverine systems of Long Flat
Creek, Doe Branch, Chito Branch, and
Fishhawk Creek. These hardwood
forests support a wide variety of species
including oaks, black gum, cypress,
American elm, hickory, red bay and
sweet bay.  Canopies are typically dense
while shrub layers vary from dense
thickets to relatively open conditions.
Isolated basins formed over paleo-karst
features typically represent freshwater
marsh wetlands. Many of these systems
are surrounded by improved pasture and
have undergone some degree of drainage
resulting from the construction of
shallow agricultural swales. Common
species include  maidencane,
pickerelweed. smartweed, and soft rush.

Cypress domes  and isolated cypress
swamps are concentrated west of the
proposed reservoir site and are
uncommon in the immediate  study area.

3.9.1  Tampa Bay Regional  Reservoir
Project. Wetland communities found
within the footprint of the proposed
reservoir can be segregated into five
major types: (1) basin marsh, (2) cypress
swamp, (3) open water, (4) scrub
shrub/mixed forest swamp, and (5)
drainage ways. The drainage ways are
dominated by soft rush and are classified
as herbaceous wetlands.

Most basin marshes have undergone
some degree of hydrologic alteration as a
result of the excavation of shallow
ditches and cattle ponds through or
within the wetland.  These features
reduce surface water elevations and
hydroperiods.  Vegetation in deeper
zones of these  marshes typically consists
of maidencane, pickerelweed, soft rush,
and a variety of less dominant herbs.
Landward zones of these  systems are
flooded less frequently and support red
carpetgrass, large-flowered false
pimpernel, and coinwort.

Cypress swamp is represented by only
one system, located in the northeastern
section of the proposed reservoir site.
This small, two lobed strand  is
dominated by bald cypress, with a
subcanopy supporting dahoon holly.
laurel oak and cabbage palm. The
northern lobe supports an interior marsh
with seasonal to semi-permanent water.
This is a high quality system, although
the surrounding land use of improved
pasture has removed or significantly
altered any historic wet prairie fringe.
Open water in the reservoir footprint is
found in two situations; the first as lakes
within  the reclaimed mine land to the
south and, second, as excavated cattle
ponds within isolated basin marshes.
Drainage in the form of shallow swales
is found in the  reclaimed mine land as
well  as in pasturelands. In reclaimed
areas, these drainage ditches  are most
always vegetated by soft rush and
smartweed.  Ditches within pasture are
vegetated by a mixture of soft rush, and
big carpetgrass.
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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Scrub shrub/mixed forest swamp areas
are dominated by primrose willow,
Carolina willow, red maple, and wax
myrtle.  These systems, left after mine
reclamation activities were completed,
are generally linear and parallel with
steep transition zones to the adjacent
upland.

Pipeline and Access Roads.  Wetlands
along the proposed pipeline route are
limited to bottomland hardwood forest
associated with Long Flat Creek, and
small areas of wet pasture. Within Long
Flat Creek, dominant species include
cypress, sweet gum, red maple, laurel
oak, Carolina ash, black gum, and
cabbage palm.  However, the remaining
pipeline length will follow the rights-of-
way of the existing Boyette road.

3.9.2 Alafia River. The Alafia River
has both a palustrine and an estuarine
component, and both of these
components support different  wetland
habitat types.

The predominant palustrine wetland
community is classified as river/lake
swamp. Forested wetlands are nearly all
associated with drainage features,
especially the Alafia River, Bell Creek,
and Buckhorn Creek. Representative
tree species include red maple, popash.
American elm, hackberry, cypress, water
locust, black gum, sweetgum,  Carolina
willow, laurel oak, and slash pine (HDR
1998).

Hydroperiods for these wetlands are
variable and dictated by overland
flooding of river and creek systems,
rainfall, springs, and groundwater
seepage.  Rainfall, springs, and seepage
are the primary sources of surface water
for the majority of wetlands in the study
area. Due to the deep entrenchment of
much of the Alafia River channel in non-
tidal and tidal/freshwater areas, overland
flooding of contiguous and nearby
wetlands occurs infrequently.

Estuarine areas contain seawater that has
been significantly diluted with
freshwater inflow from land.  Because
these areas are a freshwater-saltwater
interface,  water concentrations can vary
depending on tides, amount of rainfall
and other conditions that affect the
quantity of freshwater runoff into
riverine systems.  Typically, the
estuarine system is considered to extend
upstream to where salinity of the water
measures  less than 0.5 parts per
thousand (ppt).

The  most  abundant estuarine wetland
communities are saltwater marsh and
mangrove swamps.  Black needle rush
and saltmarsh cordgrass dominate the
saltwater marsh communities. The
saltwater marsh communities are
common in protected backwater areas
and along the Alafia River. These
communities function as nursery
grounds for a variety of finfish and are
some of the most important and
productive zones of the Alafia River
estuary. There are also areas of
mangrove swamp in the study area.
Black mangrove and red mangrove are
the dominant tree species (HDR 1998).

As salinity in the river decreases moving
upstream,  saltmarsh communities are
replaced by species that favor freshwater
such as cattail and leather fern. Since
seawalls and residential development
throughout the lower reaches of the
Alafia River system have replaced much
of the natural shorelines, these species
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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
are uncommon and occur sporadically
on narrow shorelines and mud flats.

3.9.3 Hillsborough River and Tampa
Bypass Canal. Both the lower
Hillsborough River and the Tampa
Bypass Canal (below Structure S-160)
are highly modified systems. Most of
the wetlands associated with the
shoreline of the lower Hillsborough
River have been filled and sections of
the shoreline  have been hardened by
seawalls, rip-rap or other material.
Bulkheads, or walls, are the most
prevalent shoreline types along the
Hillsborough River (WAR and SDI,
1995) with little shoreline with natural
cover.  The morphology of the original
stream that was excavated to create the
Tampa Bypass Canal has been
drastically changed. Because of this,
very little natural shoreline exists.

3.9.4 Tampa Bay. Tampa Bay,
classified as a subtropical estuary, has a
rich mosaic offish and wildlife habitats.
The bay consists of open water and
vegetated intertidal zones.
Approximately ninety-three percent of
Tampa Bay is open water and seven
percent is vegetated intertidal area with
mixtures of mangrove and tidal marsh
vegetation (Lewis and Estevez 1988).

The three broad classes of emergent
saltwater wetlands that are generally
recognized are:

•  mangrove forests
•  tidal marshes
•  salt barren/high marshes

Mangrove Forests and Tidal Marshes.
The saltwater wetlands include the
mangrove forests and tidal marshes.
They occur primarily along a natural
intertidal shelf, which rims the bay and,
to a lesser extent, along filled intertidal
areas created by urban development.
The saltwater wetlands are typically a
mosaic of mangrove forests composed of
red mangrove, black mangrove, and
white mangrove interspersed with
species of the tidal marshes such as
smooth cordgrass and black needle rush.
Other plant species commonly found in
these wetland areas include leather fern
and the brackish water cattail. Exotic
plants such as Brazilian pepper have
invaded many of the native communities
throughout the bay (Janicki 1995).

Salt Barren/High Marsh.  The salt
barren/high marsh habitat, or saltern, is
created when saltwater from the bay
enters sand flats, termed salt barrens, on
extremely high tides. The water collects
and pools in these areas and is
subsequently evaporated by the sun and
wind. The residual salt content within
the sediments of these salt flats often
exceeds 100 ppt. These areas provide
habitat for a unique community of salt
tolerant plants that typically include sea
purslane, glasswort, saltwort, sea oxeye
daisy, and sea lavender (Janicki 1995).

3.10 WILDLIFE
The general project area contains a
variety of wildlife habitat types used by
a diverse group of species (Figure 3-8).
A discussion of the various habitats
present and the common species found
in the vicinity of the proposed Tampa
Bay Regional Reservoir, Alafia River,
Hillsborough River, Tampa Bypass
Canal, and Tampa Bay are presented.

3.10.1 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir
Project.  Extensive field reviews of
existing habitats within the reservoir site
and related infrastructure alignments
                                      3-31

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     Agricultural Lands
     Rangeland
     Upland Coniferous Forests
CD Mixed Upland Forests
I    iPlneFlatwoods
•i Mixed Coniferous/Hardwood
d] Wetlands
I    I Proposed Reservoir
^/Proposed Pipeline
     Water Bodies
  Source: Southwest Florida Water Management District Land Us* Land Cow 1990
                             Figure Sourc*: HDR Engln»ef1n
, Inc., EAP Application, September 7,2000
               4000
4000 Feet
             Figure 3-8
 TAMPA BAY REGIONAL RESERVOIR
          PROJECT DEIS
        WILDLIFE HABITAT

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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
have been completed (HDR 2000).
Suitability of habitats for the support of
wildlife, including listed species, as well
as documentation of wildlife utilization,
has been ongoing since 1998. The
following is a summary of expected and
observed onsite conditions.

Wildlife species expected to occur in the
vicinity of the Tampa Bay Regional
Reservoir and pipeline are numerous and
varied due to the mosaic of upland and
wetland communities found in the
region.  Small mammals that can be
expected include raccoon, armadillo,
opossum, eastern cottontail, gray
squirrel, pocket gopher, cotton mouse,
cotton rat, round-tailed muskrat, gray
fox, skunk, and bobcat. Large mammals
include wild pig and white-tailed deer.
Reptiles utilizing the upland habitats at
the reservoir site include the skinks,
green anole, Cuban brown anole, six-
lined racerunner, and Southern fence
lizard. Upland snakes that can be
expected at the reservoir site include the
black racer, the Eastern diamondback,
dusky pygmy rattlesnake. Eastern
indigo, garter snake. Southern ringneck
snake, yellow rat snake, Florida
kingsnake. and peninsula ribbon snake.
A wide variety of birds can be expected
to use the upland habitats of the
reservoir site including year-round
upland and wetland residents as well as
winter migrants. Some of the more
upland residents include the killdeer,
red-shouldered hawk, red-bellied wood
pecker, downy woodpecker, blue jay,
American crow, mourning dove, ground
dove, burrowing owl, turkey vulture,
black vulture, cattle egret, grey catbird,
mockingbird, cardinal, eastern
meadowlark, boat-tailed grackle,
common grackle. brown-headed cowbird
and common bobwhite.
Winter migrants might include the red-
winged blackbird, robin, American
kestrel, common nighthawk, belted
kingfisher, northern flicker, Eastern
phoebe, great-crested flycatcher, Eastern
kingbird, tree swallow, barn swallow,
purple martin, Carolina wren, brown
thrasher, and palm warbler.

Many species of wading or water birds
use the shallow wetlands for feeding and
some for nesting. In the proposed
reservoir area, these include the heron
and egret guild and contain such birds as
the great egret, great blue heron, snowy
egret, little blue heron, tri-colored heron,
green-backed heron,  white ibis, glossy
ibis, wood stork.  Other wetland bird
species expected in the herbaceous
wetlands include the  least bittern,
limpkin, black rail, Florida mottled duck,
black-crowned night-heron and yellow-
crowned night-heron, and sandhill crane.

Representative upland-bird species
common in and around freshwater
herbaceous wetlands found in the
proposed reservoir area include such
species as the red-shouldered hawk.
Coopers' hawk, red-winged blackbird,
sora rail, tree swallow, barn swallow.
common yellowthroat, boat-tailed
grackle, and cardinal.

Some of the amphibians common to the
freshwater herbaceous wetlands in the
area are the greater siren, dwarf siren,
two-toed amphiuma,  southern cricket
frog, little grass frog, Florida chorus
frog, pig frog, southern leopard  frog,
bullfrog and green tree frog.
Many of the reptiles common in
freshwater herbaceous wetlands of the
area include the water snakes such as the
cottonmouth moccasin, Florida
watersnake and Eastern mud snake.
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 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
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Upland snakes that utilize wetlands for
food include the eastern diamondback,
dusky pygmy rattlesnake, eastern indigo,
garter snake, Southern ringneck snake,
yellow rat snake, Florida kingsnake, and
peninsula ribbon snake.  Alligators are
commonly found within wetlands,
especially those, with a deeper core area,
and play a key role in maintaining some
wetlands throughout the dry season.

Turtles that tend to be found in wetlands,
referred to here as  the aquatic-turtle
guild, include such species as the Florida
softshell turtle, Florida chicken turtle,
Florida red-bellied turtle and the
stinkpot.

The Florida box turtle is an upland
species more adapted for terrestrial life
that can often be found in or around
shallower wetlands. The gopher
tortoise, also an upland species,  has been
observed in and around the proposed
regional reservoir.

3.10.2 Alafia  River.  The diverse
habitat around the Alafia River provides
cover and forage for a variety of wildlife
species.  Small mammals occurring
along the river include the hispid cotton
rat. rice rats, feral house rats, least
shrew, cotton mice, and black rats.
Other species encountered along the
river include deer, gray squirrel, fox
squirrel, cottontail rabbit, marsh rabbit,
wild hog. raccoon,  gray fox, red fox, and
bobcat (Dames & Moore  1975).

Marine mammals occurring in the
vicinity of the lower Alafia River system
include the bottlenose dolphin and the
West Indian manatee.  Dolphins can be
found throughout Tampa Bay with the
northern mouth of the bay being most
heavily used (HDR 1998). Based on
 data collected by the Florida Marine
 Research Institute (FMRJ) from 1987
 through 1989, the Alafia River system
 provides habitat for bottlenose dolphins
 in Tampa Bay but does not appear to be
 a critical resource (Weigle et al. 1991).
 The West Indian (Florida) manatee can
 be found throughout Tampa Bay, with
 the highest numbers occurring in the
 winter season from December through
 February and the lowest numbers in the
 summer, between June and October.

 A wide variety of bird species frequent
 the diverse habitats present around the
 Alafia River. Birds reported in the
 Alafia River basin include little blue
 heron, cattle egret, great egret, bobwhite,
 killdeer, and willet. Other common  bird
 species include common flicker, blue
jay, Carolina wren, tufted titmouse,
 brown thrasher, starling, cardinal,  and
 red-winged blackbird.

 Benthic macrdinvetebrates in the Alafia
 River include those invertebrate animals
 that spend a portion or all of their life
 cycle within or on the bottom  sediments.
 These groups are comprised of both  the
 primary consumers (herbivores) and
 secondary consumers (carnivores) and
 play an important role in the ecology of
 aquatic systems.  Benthic
 macroinvetebrates provide a source of
 food for a variety of higher animals
 including other invertebrates, fish, birds,
 and mammals (Coastal Environmental
 and PBS&J  1998a; HDR 1998). During
the  fall, mollusks were most common
while in the  winter and spring
amphipods were  dominant.  Large
 invertebrates collected included blue
crabs, horseshoe  crabs, spider crabs,
fiddler crabs, stone crabs and barnacles.

3.10.3 Hillsborough River and Tampa
Bypass Canal. Similar to the Alafia
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 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
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 River, the diverse habitat around the
 Hillsborough River and Tampa Bypass
 Canal provides cover and forage for a
 variety of wildlife species.  However,
 due to the developed nature of the area
 and its heavy recreational use, those
 species occurring are more tolerant of
 human disturbance and development.
 Housing and commercial developments
 and human disturbance throughout the
 area impact the overall amount of habitat
 present, generally limiting the
 population size of any particular species.
 Additionally, competition within and
 between species for the limited resources
 of cover and forage likely contributes to
 the limited species diversity and
 populations occurring in the area.

 Small mammals occurring along the
 river and canal include the hispid cotton
 rat, rice rats, feral house rats,  least
 shrew, cotton mice, and black rats.
 Other species encountered along the
 river include deer, gray squirrel, fox
 squirrel,  cottontail rabbit, marsh rabbit,
 wild hog, raccoon, gray fox, red fox, and
 bobcat.

 A wide variety of bird species frequent
 the diverse habitats present around the
 Hillsborough River and Tampa Bypass
 Canal. Birds reported include little blue
 heron, cattle egret, great egret, bobwhite,
 killdeer,  and willet.  Other common bird
 species include common flicker, blue
jay, Carolina wren, tufted titmouse,
 brown thrasher, starling, cardinal, and
 red-winged blackbird.

 The estuarine areas are host to over 70
 species of overwintering waterbirds.
 Birds known to frequent these shallow
 ponds and mud flats include wood stork,
 bald eagle, least tern, sharp-shinned
 hawk,  snowy plover, roseate spoonbill,
white ibis, glossy ibis, little blue heron,
tricolored heron, snowy egrets, great
egret, and great blue heron. Migrants
include an array of waterfowl and
shorebirds that forage in the mud and
ponds.  Black-necked stilts, mottled
ducks, Wilson's plovers, and green-
backed herons nest within these spoil
areas (HDR 1994).

Benthic macroinvertebrates occurring in
the Hillsborough River and the Tampa
Bypass Canal were reviewed.  The most
abundant organisms were polychaetes
and amphipods.  Pelecypods
occasionally were dominant in the lower
Hillsborough River and in McKay Bay
(WAR and SDI 1995).

3.10.4  Tampa Bay. Tampa Bay,
classified as a subtropical estuary, has a
rich mosaic of fish and wildlife habitats.
Each of the seven named subunits of the
bay consists of open water and vegetated
intertidal zones.  Approximately ninety-
three percent of Tampa Bay is  open
water and seven percent is vegetated
intertidal area with mixtures of
mangrove and tidal marsh  vegetation
(Lewis and Estevez 1988).

A list of mangrove animals in South
Florida has been compiled (Odum et al
1982).  Included in this list were 220
species of fish, 24 species of reptiles and
amphibians, 18 species of mammals and
181 species of birds (divided into
wading birds, probing shore birds,
floating and diving water birds, aerially
searching birds, birds of prey and
arboreal birds).  A variety of these
wildlife species uses the habitats  found
in Tampa Bay.

A variety of mammals use the habitat
around Tampa Bay including the cotton
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 mouse, the hispid cotton rat, the round-
 tailed muskrat, the house mouse, the
 least shrew, and the short-tailed shrew.
 The small mammal fauna of the bay are
 predominately aboreal and terrestrial
 species adapted to periodic flooding.
 Opossum, marsh rabbits, cotton rats and
 rice rats are common in mangrove
 habitat. White-tailed deer also utilize
 mangrove habitat as well as many other
 upland habitats.  A number of medium-
 sized and large carnivores, including,
 gray fox, bobcat, striped skunk, raccoon,
 mink, and river otter, utilize south
 Florida mangroves. The striped skunk,
 raccoon and bobcat are common in
 mangroves, but several of the rarer
 species seem to be highly dependent on
 mangrove habitat.

 The Florida manatee and bottlenose
 dolphin can be found in Tampa Bay
 during every month of the year.  Other
 species of dolphins and an occasional
 whale are sometimes observed in nearby
 Gulf of Mexico waters. They
 occasionally strand on Gulf beaches but
 are not commonly found within the  bay.

 Both the American alligator and the
 American crocodile are occasionally
 found in mangrove swamps of the bay.
 The alligator is widespread throughout
 the southeastern United States and is
 only incidentally found in low salinity
 sections of mangrove habitat.  The
 American crocodile is rare, usually
 found in the mangrove-dominated areas
 of the upper and lower Florida Keys,
 although recorded as far north as Tampa
 Bay. Species of toads associated with
 mangrove habitat includes the squirrel
treefrog, urban treefrog, the giant marine
toad and possibly in the more freshwater
communities, the narrow-mouthed toad,
the eastern  spadefoot toad, the frog,  the
green tree frog, and the southern leopard
frog.

There are four species of sea turtles that
inhabit the Tampa Bay estuary,
including the loggerhead sea turtle,
green sea turtle, Kemp's ridley sea turtle,
and occasionally the hawksbill sea turtle
(Ueylanetal. 1999).  Under the
Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA)
as amended, the loggerhead sea turtle is
listed as Threatened, and the other
species above are listed as endangered.
Historically, sea turtles were abundant'in
Tampa Bay (Wik 1960), but recent
studies suggest that sea turtles are  now
less numerous (Lewis and Estevez
1988). This population decline follows a
worldwide trend as sea turtles have
suffered habitat loss, overharvesting, and
other human-related stresses (pollution,
monofilament entanglement, propeller
wounds, fishhooks, etc.) during the past
century.

The nesting season for sea turtles in the
Tampa Bay area is from  May to October.
Tampa Bay beaches have been
monitored for nesting activities since
1982, and nearly all nests laid have been
loggerhead sea turtle nests. There  have
been occasional nests by other species,
including a green sea turtle nest
identified at Ft. Desoto in 1994 and a
Kemp's ridley nest on Madeira Beach in
1989(Meylane/fl/.  1994). Nesting
activities occur almost exclusively on
the Gulf facing beaches in the Tampa
Bay area. Nesting inside the Bay
appears to be rare. The most productive
nesting beach in the Tampa Bay area is
Egmont Key, with an average of 35 nests
per year.

The Tampa Bay benthic community is
made up of the organisms living on and
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within the bottom sediments and is an
important indicator of changes in the
quality of the surrounding waters and
sediments. An on-going, bay-wide
benthic monitoring program was
initiated in 1993 for Tampa Bay.
Several abiotic (station depth,
temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen,
and percent silt clay) and biotic (richness
or number of species, abundance,
diversity, evenness, and dominance)
parameters are examined to help
describe conditions of the benthic
community. In addition, a Benthic Index
has been developed to assess the health
of Tampa Bay.  The benthic community
is primarily composed of bivalves,
polychaetes and amphipods.

The Tampa Bay system is home to about
28 species of colonial water birds and
allies' totaling about 44,000 breeding
pairs plus their young for a total of
nearly 200,000 birds (Paul 1999).  While
the breeding population is about 45,000
pairs annually at 20 or more sites, up to
half the total occurs in Hillsborough Bay
(including the mouth of the Alafia  river)
alone.  Two species, white ibis and
laughing gull account for half to two-
thirds of all individuals.  Most rare or
coastal species have stable or increasing
populations, while many of those that
forage commonly or primarily in
freshwater wetlands are decreasing (Paul
1999).

3.11 FISH
The general project area contains a
variety of fish habitat types that are
available and used by a diverse group of
species. A discussion of the various
habitats present and the common species
found in the vicinity of the proposed
Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir, Alafia
River, Hillsborough River, Tampa
Bypass Canal, and Tampa Bay are
presented.

3.11.1 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir
Project. Most of the fishes that could
potentially be found in the freshwater
marsh wetlands of the proposed
reservoir area are small, minnow-sized
species such as the live bearing
mosquitofish, least killifish, sailfin
molly, sheepshead minnow, flagfish,
golden topminnow, Seminole killifish
and bluefin killifish. Small sunfishes
such as the pigmy sunfish and smaller
individuals of larger species such as the
warmouth and redear sunfish can also be
found in these marshes.

The size and abundance of individual
fish species varies seasonally.  Small
fishes especially mosquito fish and
killifish (along with the invertebrates)
increase rapidly following re-flooding of
a previously dry marsh.  As water levels
rise and stabilize, larger fish survive and
become dominant. These include such
species, which inhabit the deeper
marshes and ponds such as the  Florida
gar, bullhead catfish and bowfin.

The wildlife and fish species lists
included in Appendix F are by  no means
all-inclusive, but they are representative
of the major groups of fauna that are
found at the proposed reservoir area.
These lists exemplify the great  diversity
and abundance of wildlife and fish in the
general area of the proposed regional
reservoir and pipeline.

3.11.2 Alafia River. Fish data from
several sources including Florida Marine
Research Institute (FMRI), Tampa Bay
•National Estuary Program (TBNEP),
SWFWMD, and the Fisheries-
Independent Monitoring Program
(FIMP) was reviewed to determine the
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composition of the estuarine fish
populations of the Alafia River (HDR
1998). Fish populations in the Alafia
River were sampled in 1973 and 1974
(Dames and Moore 1975 and HDR
1998).

A study conducted by the Florida Game
and Freshwater Fish Commission
reported fish data for the river from four
years of collection. Two sampling
stations were located close to the
proposed diversion location on the
Alafia River at Bell Shoals Road, one at
Lithia Pinecrest Road and the other at
SR 39.  At the Lithia Pinecrest Road
station, the predominant species found
were coastal shiners, mosquitofish, and
spotted sunfish. The  shiner was found to
frequent deeper zones of the river and
the mosquitofish were most abundant in
slow moving, shallow, backwater areas.
During sampling, fishermen were
observed with catches of largemouth
bass, bullheads, and striped mullet.

At the SR 39 station,  mosquitofish and
spotted sunfish were again the
predominant species found. Other
species included coastal shiner, redfin
pickerel, and pirate perch.
Downstream near the mouth of the
Alafia River, species present included
sand seatrout, hardhead catfish, spotted
sea trout, bull shark, silverside, juvenile
black drum, striped mullet, and
sheepshead minnow.  Within the upper
reaches of the estuary, striped mojarra.
spotfin mojarra, and bay anchovy were
found.

3.11.3  Hillsborough River.  As
observed in the Alafia River, the
Hillsborough River provides habitat for
a wide variety of freshwater, estuarine,
and marine fish species. The shallow
fish species found in the river were
composed of both resident and migratory
species. Resident species often
reproduce in the rivers, so juveniles as
well as adults were found to be present.
Migratory species enter the lower
reaches of the river mainly as juveniles
or as young-of-the-year, and  inhabit
these nursery areas prior to moving to
the bay.

Residents were numerically dominant,
comprising about 92 percent  of the total
population. Three of the four most
abundant residents were schooling
species; the bay anchovy and two
species of silversides.  The fourth most
abundant species was the yellowfin
menhaden. Other prominent  residents
were species of killifish along with the
tidewater mojarra, the hogchoker. and
the clown goby. Air were spawned in
Tampa Bay or  in the Gulf of Mexico
(Peebles and Flannery 1992 in WAR and
SDM995).

The freshwater resident fish community
is an important component of the
Hillsborough River. Important
freshwater gamefish such as largemouth
bass, redear sunfish and bluegill  sunfish
are commonly  found in the area. The
transient fish community is especially
important because most of the species
represent the juveniles of important sport
or commercial  fish species.

The dominant transient was the
schooling yellowfin menhaden.  While
other prominent immigrants were the
black drum, spot, red drum, sand sea
trout, southern  kingfish, striped mullet,
pinfish, and the striped mojarra.  Other
marine sport and commercial fishes
using the Hillsborough River, Palm
River and McKay Bay as nursery areas
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included common snook, spotted
seatrout, bonefish, ladyfish, and
sheepshead.

Sixteen commercially important species
of major importance to Gulf of Mexico
fisheries have been identified in McKay
Bay.  These species are silver mullet,
stripped mullet, spot, spotted seatrout,
red drum, sheepshead, Gulf killifish,
longnose killifish, rainwater killifish,
sailfin molly, bay anchovy, tarpon,
snook, Gulf toadfish, tidewater
silverside, and mojarra (HDR 1994).

3.11.4 Tampa Bay.  Tampa Bay
provides important habitat  for both adult
and juvenile resident  and migratory fish
species.  The seagrass beds and
backwater areas in the bay  provide
important nurseries for the  larva and
juvenile stages of these species (Lewis
and Estevez 1988). Most species spawn
during the spring and early summer in
either the nearby Gulf or in higher
salinity  areas of Tampa Bay. During and
following these spawning periods, the
larval and juvenile fish typically migrate
into either seagrass beds or shallow.
protected, low-salinity nursery areas of
the bay  to feed and mature  (Comp 1985;
Lewis eral. 1985b).

Fish sampling programs have used
various  approaches to study the fishes in
Tampa Bay. Early studies  focused on
species numbers and species dominance
(Springer and McErlean  1961; Moe and
Martin 1965; Comp 1985).   Comp
(1985) listed 125 common  fish species in
Tampa Bay; only ten  represented the
majority of species sampled. This ten
species included the tidewater silverside,
bay anchovy, scaled sardine, striped
mullet, pinfish, longnose killifish, spot,
silver perch, silver jenny, and code goby.
The scientists conducting these studies
emphasized that the sampling gear used
was biased towards smaller, less mobile
species. Other species such as sharks
and rays may have been abundant, but
were rarely sampled (Lewis and Estevez
1988).

The dominant fish families of the
benthic habitat include drums, porgys,
grunts mojarras, snappers, and mullet.
Other families with sizeable
contributions to the benthic fauna
include pipefishes, flounder, sole,
searobins, and toadfishes. Numerically
abundant fishes of the mid and upper
waters include anchovies, herrings, and
needlefishes.

More estuarine species, such as mullet
and spot, were also common along with
anchovy, needlefish and gobies.  This is
in agreement with a variety of authors
cited by Montague and Wiegert (1991).
These smaller species provide forage for
the less common but more recreationally
valuable predatory fish and wading birds
that can utilize these areas. Tarpon,
snook, drum, croakers, sea trout,
kingfish, sharks and rays can be found in
salt-marsh creeks and ditches, along with
a variety of herons and egrets near the
edges of the tidal creeks.

3.12 THREATENED AND
ENDANGERED SPECIES
The Endangered Species Act of 1973
(ESA) affords federal protection to those
species and their habitats determined to
meet the criteria for listing as either
federally threatened or endangered. The
ESA defines a federally threatened
species as "any species which is likely to
become an endangered species within
the  foreseeable future throughout all or a
significant portion of its range." A
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 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
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 federally endangered species is defined
 by the ESA as "any species, which is in
 danger of extinction throughout all, or a
 significant portion of its range."
 Candidate species are those for which a
 sufficient amount of information has
 been gathered to support a listing as
 threatened or endangered, but listing at
 the present time is precluded at this time
 (50CFR17).

 3.12.1 Federally Threatened and
 Endangered Species.  The FWS has
 identified five endangered and six
 threatened species as potentially
 occurring in the
 project area (Table
 3-2). Brief
 descriptions of
 each species are
 presented below.
 More detailed
 descriptions are
 included in
 (Appendix A) the
 Biological
 Assessment.

 Extensive field
 reviews of existing
 habitats within the
 proposed reservoir
 site and related
 infrastructure
 alignments have
 been completed by HDR biologists.
 Documentation of suitable wildlife
 habitat, including habitat required for
 listed species, and wildlife utilization has
 been ongoing at the reservoir site since
 1998. Biologist's conducting wetland
 and wildlife assessments spent a total of
44 full or partial days on the reservoir
 site.  The pipeline route was driven each
of these days to and from the site.
Florida Scrub Jay
 Wood stork.  Wood storks feed in a
 variety of aquatic habitats ranging from
 freshwater marshes and streams to
 intertidal zones of estuaries, consuming
 fish, amphibians, and reptiles. Wood
 storks normally nest in large rookeries
 and feed in flocks. This species prefers
 to nest in large cypress trees or in
 mangrove swamps and may travel up to
 80 miles to marshland and shallow open
 water areas to forage, especially during
 the breeding season. Wood stork nesting
 is highly dependent on water levels and
 food availability. Almost any shallow
 wetland depression where fish tend to
           i   become concentrated,
              either through local
              reproduction by fishes or
              as a consequence of area
              drying, may be good
              feeding  habitat. These
              sites include drying
              marshes, shallow
              roadside or agricultural
              ditches,  narrow tidal
              creeks and pools, and
              depressions in cypress
              heads or swamp sloughs
              (Ogden  1996).

              For nesting to be
              successful in South
              Florida, colonies must
              begin forming between
              November and January.
Storks begin moving into the vicinity of
the rookery several weeks before nesting
begins. Nesting colonies may be
abandoned due to human disturbance
and lack of available food.

Wood storks have been observed
foraging in marsh wetlands located
within the proposed reservoir site (HDR
2000). No rookeries or nests have been
observed on site and no sign of
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Table 3-2. Federally Threatened or Endangered Species
Common Name
Birds
Wood stork*
Florida scrub jay
Bald eagle*
Red-cockaded woodpecker
Reptiles
Hawksbill sea turtle
Green sea turtle
Kemp's Ridley sea turtle
Leatherback sea turtle
Loggerhead sea turtle
American alligator*
Eastern indigo snake*
Fish
Gulf sturgeon
Mammals
Florida manatee
Plants
Beautiful PawPaw
Florida Bonamia
SrhalTs Jointweed
Pygmy Fringe Tree
Florida Golden Aster
Scientific Name

Mycteria americana
Amphelocoma coerulescens
coerulescens
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Picoides borealis

Eretmochelys imbricata
Chelonia mydas
Lepidochelys kempii
Dermochelys coriacea
Caretta caretta
Alligator mississippiensis
Drymarchon corals couperi

Acipenser oxyrhynchus desotoi

Trichechus manatus

Deeringothamnus pulchellus
Bonamia grandiflora
Polygonella myriophylla
Chionanthus pygmaeus
Chrysopsis floridana
Status

Endangered
Threatened
Threatened
Endangered

Endangered
Endangered
Endangered
Endangered
Threatened
Threatened
Threatened

Threatened

Endangered

Endangered
Threatened
Endangered
Endangered
Endangered

* Observed at the proposed reservoir site
     rookeries, such as old nests or
     accumulation of guano, have been
     observed in forested and shrub wetlands
     on the reservoir site. No nesting was
     observed during the first four months
     (January through April) of the 1999.
     2000, and 2001 breeding seasons.

     Florida Scrub Jay. The Florida scrub
    jay is strongly associated with several
     Florida scrub communities and adjacent
     non-scrub habitats of certain types.
     Florida scrub jays are most abundant in
open, oak dominated scrub communities
of the interior and Atlantic coastal sand
ridges (Fitzpatrick et al. 1991).

An area of potential scrub jay habitat
was identified at the reservoir site.  This
area of scrubby flatwoods, used for
cattle grazing, is bounded by row crops
to the south, active pasture to the east,
and hardwood-dominated wetlands
associated with Doe Branch and Long
Flat Creek to the north and west
respectively.  The eastern two-thirds of
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 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
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the area has a rather dense saw palmetto
and wiregrass cover, while the remainder
is a more hardwood-dominated turkey
oak community. Surveys were
conducted following the Florida Wildlife
Conservation Commission's Nongame
Wildlife Program Technical Report No.
8 to determine and document the
presence or absence of scrub jays within
the survey area (HDR 2000). No scrub
jays were found during the survey
period.

Bald Eagle.  Bald eagles have been
protected in the United States for many
years.  Florida has the largest population
of nesting bald eagles in the
Southeastern United States. Although
populations are recovering due to the
decline of the insecticide DDT, habitat
alteration continues to be a problem.
The bald-eagle breeding season in
Florida officially begins in mid-October
with nest repair activities. Most of the
young are fledged by mid-May, the
official  end of the nesting season in
South Florida. While some eagles are
year-round residents in Florida, many
migrate to northern  territories for the
summer, often returning to the same
Florida  nest site for the winter breeding
season.

Bald eagles may be  seen feeding in
coastal and inland areas (Paul 1999).
Because eagles rely on a diet
predominately offish, nesting in South
Florida  usually occurs in slash-pine
trees, near permanent water bodies.
Eagles occasionally use less desirable
nesting  trees when suitable slash pines
are not available.

Bald eagles are known to occur in the
vicinity of the project. No nests have
been observed or recorded within the
reservoir site or within the pipeline
corridor, although one individual was
pbserved in flight over the reservoir site
(HDR 2000).

Red-cockaded Woodpecker. The red-
cockaded woodpecker has been listed as
a federal endangered species since 1970.
Documented population declines are
presumed to be due to reductions in
available nesting  habitat.

Primary nesting and roosting habitat for
red-cockaded woodpeckers consists of
pine stands, or pine-dominated
pine/hardwood stands, with a low or
sparse understory and ample old-growth
pines. Nest and roost cavities are almost
always located in old age living pines
that are at least 60 years old.  In
southwest Florida, the hydric slash pine
flatwoods provide the preferred critical
nesting and foraging habitat for red-
cockaded woodpeckers.

Red-cockaded woodpeckers are non-
migratory,  territorial, and live in
cooperative breeding social groups.
They forage primarily on arthropods and
sometimes  consume vegetative matter.
Red-cockaded woodpeckers are not
listed by the FNAI as occurring in
Hillsborough, Pasco, or Pinnellas
counties.

Hawksbill  Sea Turtle. Under the ESA,
the hawksbill sea  turtle is listed as an
endangered species. Known for their
beautiful shells, which are used to make
tortoise shell jewelry,  hawksbill sea
turtles have suffered population declines
during the past century due to
overharvesting.

Hawksbill sea turtles have life histories
that are similar to  other sea turtle species
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(Musick and Limpus 1996). Hatchling
hawksbills live in the open ocean, in the
shelter of weedline habitats of oceanic
currents (Carr et al. 1966). Little is
known about the hawksbill diet during
the hatchling life history phase.
Hawksbills in the  Atlantic are thought to
become juveniles  at an age of 1 to 3
years (Musick and Limpus 1996).
Juvenile hawksbills are typically found
in shallower more developed habitats
where their diets consist primarily of
sponges (Meylan  1984).  Common
foraging habitats of the adult hawksbills
include coral reefs and rock
outcroppings, and less commonly
seagrass pastures  in mangrove-fringed
bays (Bjomdal and Bolten 1988).

Tampa Bay beaches have been
monitored for nesting sea turtles since
1982, and nearly all nests laid have been
loggerhead sea turtle nests. The Florida
Marine  Research Institute (FMRI) arid
the Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage
Network (STSSN) document injured or
dead turtles that strand on Florida
beaches. Data indicate that the
hawksbill  sea turtle is the least common
sea turtle species in Tampa Bay (Meylan
et al. 1999). All hawksbills have been
found in the outer Bay area. Size-classes
of hawksbill sea turtles found stranded in
Tampa Bay indicate that the population
consists primarily  of juveniles.

Green Sea Turtle.  Green sea turtles
have highly migratory life histories that
are similar to other sea turtle species
(Musick and Limpus 1996). It is
believed that hatchling green turtles live
in weedline habtiats of oceanic currents,
where they primarily feed on plant and
animal material (Bjorndal 1985). Green
turtles leave open  water habitats and
enter benthic foraging areas at a size of
20 to 25 cm carapace length in the
western Atlantic (Bjomdal and Bolten
1988). As adults, green sea turtles shift
to a diet primarily consisting of
seagrasses and algae (Mortimer, 1982).
Green sea turtle are most commonly
observed foraging over seagrass beds
(Bjorndal and Bolten, 1988).

Stranding data collected by FMRI and
STSSN indicate that the green sea turtle
is the third most commonly found sea
turtle species in Tampa Bay. Size-
classes of green sea turtles found
stranded in Tampa Bay indicate that the
population consists primarily of
juveniles and sub-adults (Meylan et al.
1999).

Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle. Kemp's
ridley sea turtles also begin their lives as
migratory animals, living in the open
water of the sea as hatchlings and not
reappearing in the shoreline zone until
they are about 2 years old or about 20
cm  carapace length (Zug et al.  1997;
Ogren 1989). Once Kemp's ridley sea
turtles become juveniles they move into
the  shallow benthic feeding habitats
along the continental shelf and feed
primarily on crabs (Burke et al. 1993).
These juveniles can be found in shallow
waters along the east coast of North
America and in the Gulf of Mexico.  As
adults they return to the western Gulf of
Mexico where they nest almost
exclusively on one beach area (Rancho
Nuevo)  in Tampaulipas, Mexico.

Stranding data collected by FMRI and
the  STSSN indicate that the Kemp's
ridley sea turtle is the second most
common sea turtle species  in Tampa Bay
(Meylan et al. 1999).  Size-classes of
Kemp's ridley sea turtles found stranded
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in Tampa Bay show that juveniles and
sub-adults comprise the population.

Loggerhead Sea Turtle. Loggerhead
sea turtles have highly migratory life
histories that are similar to other sea
turtle species (Musick and Limpusl996).
During their first few years of life,
loggerheads live in the open ocean, often
in association with sargassum (Carr
1987). Loggerhead turtles leave the
open water habitats and enter shallow   .
water foraging areas at a size of 40 to 50
cm carapace length in the western
Atlantic (Carr 1986). Loggerheads are
more
opportunistic
feeders than
other sea turtle
species,
foraging on a
wide variety of
invertebrates
(Bjorndal,
1996),   ;;

Stranding data ,
collected by
FMRI and
STSSN suggest
that the loggerhead sea turtle is the most
common sea turtle with the widest
distribution in Tampa Bay (Meylan el al.
1999). Size-classes of loggerhead sea
turtles found stranded in Tampa Bay
indicate that adults make up the majority
of the population.

Leatherback Sea Turtle.  The
endangered Leatherback sea turtle is the
largest of all marine turtles, with adults
weighing between 650 pounds and 1,300
pounds. Leatherbacks nest regularly, but
not abundantly, in Florida (Moler, 1992).
Most Nesting records are for the Atlantic
Coast in the mid-peninsular area of
American Alligator
Florida.  Harris et al. (1984) reported a
minimum of 18 and maximum of 45
Florida nests between 1979 and 1983.
On the Gulf Coast, there is only a single
record of hatchlings.

This species is endangered because of
morality resulting from shrimp trawls,
entanglement in lobster lines, and
ingestion of plastic refuse  in the ocean.
The future of the leatherback rests
primarily in the hands of other nations.
Human predation on turtles and their
eggs on many of the tropical nesting
grounds is excessive.

                American Alligator.
                The American
                alligator is commonly
                found in the great river
                swamps, lakes.
                bayous,  marshes, and
                other bodies of water
                in Florida. American
                alligators were once
                considered an
                endangered species by
                the FWC, but due to a
                remarkable comeback
                in many areas, they
have been downgraded to a species of
special concern.  This species is
protected by the USFWS due to its
similarity of appearance to the
endangered American crocodile.  The
American alligator generally grows from
six to 16 feet in length, and can grow to
19 feet.  The growth rate of the alligator
is dependent on climate and food
availability.  Their diets include nearly
any animal including fish,  crabs, turtles,
mammals, birds, other alligators, and
even dead animals. Both male and
female alligators dig open  depressions in
marshes and wetlands called 'gator
holes', which vary in width from several
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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
yards to the size of a small lake.  These
gator holes are significant to the
freshwater ecology of Florida because
they provide a dry season refuge for
aquatic life as well as the many birds,
mammals, and reptiles that concentrate
in these holes in search of food and
water (Conant and Collins 1991).
American alligators occur in creeks,
streams, and other wetlands throughout
Hillsborough County. They have been
observed on the reservoir site in two
open water bodies on the western portion
of the reservoir site.
Eastern Indigo Snake.  In southern
Florida, the eastern indigo snake may be
found in a variety of habitats including
freshwater marshes,
coastal prairies,
mangrove forests and
other upland habitats.
Indigo snakes
potentially utilize
several habitat types
found within the
project area including
flatwoods,  hardwood
forest, marsh edges,                   Manatee
and freshwater
swamp. Eastern indigos frequent gopher
tortoise burrows, which are used as dens
and for egg laying. A scrubby flatwoods
community located outside of the
northwest corner of the reservoir
supports a large gopher tortoise
population, and it is likely that the
eastern indigo is also present in this area.
This snake is listed as  threatened by both
federal and state wildlife agencies.
Losses of habitat and over-collection for
the pet trade have contributed to the
species decline.
(HDR 2000). One sighting was within
the northern hardwood forest associated
with Doe Branch. The second sighting
was within an oak shrouded fence line in
the west-central portion of the proposed
reservoir site.

Gulf Sturgeon. The gulf sturgeon is a
threatened sub-species of the Atlantic
sturgeon, and once inhabited the
Hillsborough River and Tampa Bay
(FMRI 2000; FWS 2000). Subadult and
adult Gulf sturgeon migrate upstream to
spawn in rivers draining to the Gulf of
Mexico from early spring through the
end of May. In late September to early
October, adults migrate downstream to
estuarine habitats until they are at least
                 two years old.  Gulf
                 sturgeons are long-
                 lived and grow large.
                 living up to 28 years
                 and growing up to 8
                 feet and 200 pounds.
                 The first sturgeon
                 fishery in Florida was
                 established in 1886 in
                 Tampa Bay, but only
                 lasted a few years.
Construction of the Hillsborough Dam in
1888 is thought to have contributed to
the sturgeon's decline, since dams
prevent sturgeon from migrating
upstream to spawn (Wooley  and Crateau
1985; FMRI 2000).  Currently, the
Florida Marine Research Institute is
leading a cooperative effort to release a
limited number of Gulf sturgeons into
parts of the Hillsborough River.
Individual Indigo snakes were observed
on the reservoir site on two occasions
Florida Manatee. The Florida manatee
is protected by both federal and state
wildlife agencies and listed as
endangered (FGFFC 1997). They
inhabit freshwater, brackish, and marine
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 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
 habitats and move freely between
 salinity extremes. Water depths of at
 least one to two meters are preferred and
 flats and shallows are avoided unless
 adjacent to deeper water. Along the
 coast, manatees tend to travel in water
 three to five meters deep. If the water is
 deep enough and the currents are not too
 strong, manatees will travel great
 distances up coastal rivers (Florida
 Power and Light 1982).

 Florida manatee can be found in Tampa
 Bay during every month of the year.
 From 1991 to 1998, manatees were
 counted statewide by numerous
 biologists from ten state, federal, county,
 and private agencies. The highest
 number of manatees counted in Tampa
 Bay was 164 during January 1997.  This
 number represented 7.4 percent of the
 state total at that time (Ackerman et al.
 1999).
 In a preliminary review of current
 manatee sighting data, Florida Marine
 Research Institute staff verify that
 Florida manatee also frequent both the
 Lower Hillsborough River and  the Palm
 River (FMRI 2000).  Since 1978, idle-
 speed zones have  been established in the
 Alafia River to avoid boat and propeller-
 related injuries and deaths to manatees
 (HDR 1998).

 Because of their lack of tolerance to
 water less than 68°F, manatees
 aggregate at the warm water discharges
 of power plants and springs during cold
 fronts (Ackerman et al. 1999).  Cargill
 Fertilizer company was once considered
the major wintering area for manatees in
Tampa Bay, but since the 1986  reduction
of warm-water effluent it is considered a
minor wintering site.
Beautiful PawPaw. Destruction of
habitat for residential, commercial,
recreational, and agricultural purposes is
the leading cause of declining
populations.  The beautiful pawpaw, a
low shrub with a stout taproot and
yellow-green berries, is listed as
endangered by FWS. Typically, this
plant grows in poorly drained, slash
pine-saw palmetto flatwoods with sandy
soils.

Beautiful pawpaw is a disturbance-
dependant plant that resprouts readily
from the roots following the removal of
the top by fire or mowing. Flowers
occur on new growth and are white with
a pleasant scent. A lack of disturbance
leads to the eventual death of the plant.

Florida Bonamia.  The Florida bonamia
was formerly widespread in central
Florida. Conversion of Florida's scrub
habitat to residential housing or
agricultural areas has dramatically
reduced the amount of habitat available
for this plant.

Florida bonamia is the only morning
glory vine with large, blue flowers that is
found in Florida scrub vegetation. It is a
perennial plant with sturdy stems and
leathery oval leaves found only in scrub
areas of central and South Florida.
Primarily, this morning glory is found  in
sand pine scrub vegetation with
evergreen scrub oaks and  sand pine
(commonly referred to as  Florida scrub),
but can occasionally be found in clear-
cut areas in the Ocala National Forest.

Florida bonamia grows for three or more
years and flowers from spring to
summer. It has a mixed mating system,
can self-pollinate, and it can produce
seeds without fertilization. However,
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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
pollinators are essential to ensure
substantial seed production.

Small's Jointweed.  Small'sjointweed
is also known as sandlace. Loss of
habitat to residential and agricultural
development is the most serious threat to
the upland scrub community in which
Small's jointweed is found. At least two
thirds of the pine scrub vegetation in
south central Florida has been cleared.

Small's jointweed is a sprawling shrub
with many branches that zigzag along
the ground forming dense mats. Lower
parts of creeping branches have reddish-
brown bark that cracks and separates in
interlacing strips. The leaves are 0.1 to
0.3 inches in length and are needle-like
and fleshy. Small white, pink, or yellow
petal-like sepals are present when the
plant flowers.
This plant is restricted to the pure white
andy ridges in the scrub of the southern
Florida Lakes Region, where 40 to 50
percent of the scrub community is open,
bare sand.

Pygmy Fringe Tree. The pygmy fringe
tree is listed as endangered by the FWS,
primarily because of habitat loss due to
residential development and to citrus
groves. Although locally abundant,
development of a few more large citrus
groves within its range could severely
impact the pygmy fringe tree.

The pygmy fringe tree grows as a shrub
that may be less than 1  meter tall, but
may grow as tall  as 2 to 4 meters. This
small scrub tree blooms in March, with
four white fused petals in shown
panicles. The pygmy fringe tree bears
fruits that are purple drupes 2 to 2.5 cm
long.
The pygmy fringe tree is endemic to
Florida, occurring in Lake, Osceola, and
Hillsborough Counties and at sites along
the Lake Wales Ridge in Highlands and
Polk Counties.  This species is found
primarily in scrub habitats along the
coasts and sand ridges of central Florida.

Florida Golden Aster.
Residential and commercial
development poses the greatest threat to
the Florida golden aster. Added threats
include mowing, dumping, excessive
grazing, and off-road vehicle damage.
Additionally, this species'  restricted
distribution has contributed to its decline
and endangered status.

A member of the Asteraceae family, the
Florida golden aster is a perennial herb
showing  yellow flowers in mature
specimens. Young plants of this species
forms rosettes with leaves covered in
dense, white, short-wooly hairs. As the
plant matures, upright stems grow from
the rosettes to a height of 0.3 to 0.4
meters, with obovate-elliptic, hairy
leaves. Flower heads are clustered and
flat-topped, with yellow rays and central
discs. The  species is short-lived and
reproduces by seeds, which are dispersed
by wind.

The Florida golden aster primarily
occurs in scrub habitats where there is
well-drained fine sand. It grows best in
open, sunny areas.

The distribution of the Florida golden
aster includes Hillsborough and Hardee
Counties, and in recent years has been
collected in Manatee County.
Historically, populations occurred on St.
Petersburg Beach and Bradenton Beach,
but have since been destroyed.
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 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
                   Draft Environmental Impact Statement
3.12.2 State Listed Species of Special
Concern. In addition to the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service listing of protected
species, the Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission (FWC,
formerly the FGFWFC) is responsible
for listing protected species in the state
of Florida. The FWC maintains state
lists of endangered, threatened, and
species of special concern. The listing
status is related to
population abundance
in Florida. Federally
listed endangered and
threatened species are
most often listed by the
state as well, but the
species of special
concern category is
strictly a state listing.
Data bases maintained
by the Florida Natural
Areas Inventory (FNAI)
and the FWC were
consulted for the
identification and
locations of threatened,
endangered, and species of special
concern known to occur in the project
area (HDR 2000).  Pedestrian and
vehicle surveys were completed on
numerous occasions during  1998 and
1999 to document species use of the
proposed reservoir site. Table 3-3 lists
the state species of special concern most
likely to occur within the project area
and their listing status.

Florida Sandhill Crane. The sandhill
crane prefers open pine flatwoods or
prairies located near wet prairies and
seasonal ponds. Sandhill cranes are
often seen in improved pastures and
open woodlands feeding on a variety of
plants and invertebrates.
Four nesting pairs of Florida sandhill
Sandhill Cranes
           cranes were documented on the
           proposed reservoir site during the 1999-
           nesting season (April 13, 1999) (HDR
           2000).  Only one pair of offspring was
           observed during the nesting season
           (April 14, 1999). Their absence may be
           due to extreme dry conditions in the
           region and a general absence of standing
           water within marsh wetlands, which are
           preferred by the crane.
                           During non-nesting
                           months, no more than
                           two pair of adult cranes
                           were observed foraging
                           on the proposed
                           reservoir site at any one
                           time. During the 2000
                           nesting season, no nests
                           or nesting adults were
                           observed at the 1999
                           nest sites.  One adult
                           crane was observed
                           sitting on a nest on
                           January 8.  2000.
                          Least Tern.  This
           smallest North American tern is a
           familiar resident in Florida from March
           through September. Their breeding
           range extends throughout Florida, both
           inland and on the coast. Historically,
           least terns nested on coastal beaches,
           dunes, and islands. Today, most nesting
           occurs from April through August on
           man-made habitats including dredged-
           material islands, construction sites,
           phosphate mines, and gravel rooftops
           (Kale and Maehr 1990).  Nesting
           behavior can be either colonial or
           solitary.

           Typically, 100 to 150 pairs of least tern
           are censused annually in the Tampa Bay
           area, but colonies move frequently. Most
           least terns in the Tampa Bay area now
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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
         Draft Environmental Impact Statement
s
*
Table 3-3. Florida Threatened, Endangered, and Special Concern Species
Common Name
Birds
Florida sandhill cranes
Least tern
Bald eagle
Southeastern snowy plover
Peregrine falcon
Wood stork
Southeastern American
kestrel
Snowy egret*
White ibis*
Roseate spoonbill
Burrowing owl*
Tri-colored heron
Little blue heron*
Brown pelican
American oystercatcher
Black skimmer
Reddish Egret
Reptiles
Gopher tortoise*
Mammals
Florida mouse
Shermans fox squirrel*
Florida gopher frog
Fish
Common snook
Scientific Name

Grus canadensis pratensis
Sterna antillarum
Haliaeetus leucocephalis
Charadirus alexandrinus
Falco peregrinus
Myceteria americana
Falco sparverius parulus
Egretta thula
Eudocimus albus
Ajaia ajaia
Speotyto cunicularia
Egretta tricolor
Egretta caerulea
Pelicanus occidentlis
Haematopus palliatus
Rynchops nigra
Haematopus palliatus

Gopherus polythemus

Podomys floridanus
Sciurus niger shermani
Rana capita aeospus

Centropomis undecimalis
Status

Threatened
Threatened
Threatened
Threatened
Endangered
Endangered
Endangered
SSC
SSC
SSC
SSC
SSC
SSC
SSC
SSC
SSC
SSC

SSC

SSC
SSC
SSC

SSC
SC: Species of Special Concern
Observed at the proposed reservoir site

nest on gravel rooftops where they can
be difficult to locate. Nesting colonies
have been lost to development, chronic
human disturbance, and occasionally to
raccoon predation (Paul 1999).

Southeastern Snowy Plover. The
southeastern snowy plover inhabits
barrier beaches, particularly near passes
and intertidal sand flats. They feed on
marine worms and small crustaceans, by
quickly running back and forth in the
wash zone and probing their bills in the
sand. This species nests in shallow
depressions on salt flats or the open
beach. Populations of the plover are
declining due to nesting habitat loss and
nest destruction on beaches.  Several
individuals exist in the Tampa Bay
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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
                                                     Draft Environmental Impact Statement
region and are thought to be on the brink
of local extinction (Paul 1999).

Peregrine Falcon. Peregrine falcons are
large and powerfully built birds of prey
with long, pointed wings typical of
falcons. They are currently listed as
endangered by the state of Florida
(Meyer and Smallwood 1996).  The
peregrine falcon was delisted from the
federal list on August 25,  1999 and is
now in a five year monitoring program.

Peregrines are the largest falcon found in
Florida, which is an important wintering
area, especially for the Arctic
subspecies. Migrant falcons can be seen
in Florida after the first cold front and
some remain all  winter. Peregrines take
a wide variety of bird prey, specializing
on wetland species. Peregrine falcons are
often observed along
Florida's coasts                 .     ;i>
including the Tampa
Bay area, feeding on
migrant shorebirds,
but inland lakes and     - i
marshes also  attract     -_-'
falcons (Kale and
Maehr 1990).           ^

Peregrines have been              White Ibis
observed throughout
Florida during the winter, but are
encountered most often near the coasts.
The destruction of habitat poses the
greatest threat to the Peregrine falcon in
Florida. Coastal wetlands, particularly
important to the species, suffer the
highest rates of development and
urbanization (Rodgers, et al. 1996).

Southeastern American Kestrel. The
American kestrel is America's  most
numerous and smallest falcon.  The
southeastern American kestrel, a
                                             subspecies of the American kestrel, is a
                                             permanent, non-migrating resident in
                                             Florida. The population decline of the
                                             southeastern American kestrel appears to
                                             be due to loss of suitable nest sites and
                                             foraging habitat.

                                             American kestrels are secondary cavity
                                             nesters often utilizing abandoned
                                             woodpecker nest cavities. They can also
                                             be found nesting in abandoned or
                                             occupied buildings that provide cover
                                             from predators and readily nest in man-
                                             made boxes within a variety of habitat
                                             types (Stys 1993).

                                             In Florida, the southeastern American
                                             kestrel prefers open habitats including
                                             pastures, open longleaf pine-turkey oak
                                             sandhill communities, grasslands, and
                                             open sites within suburban and
                                                         residential areas. The
                                                  •       habitat must have open
                                             -"._." "^ '_..;.;    areas of short vegetation
                                                         with scattered perch sites,
                                                         an adequate prey base, and
                                                         have suitable nest sites in
                                                         close proximity to foraging
                                                         areas.

                                                         The majority of prey items
                                                         of the southeastern
                                                         American kestrel are
                                             insects, small rodents, reptiles, and
                                             occasionally birds. Various prey capture
                                             techniques are employed by the kestrels,
                                             including perch hunting, flight hunting
                                             and hover hunting.
                                             Pasture is the primary kestrel habitat on
                                             the proposed reservoir site. American
                                             kestrels were frequently observed within
                                             the proposed reservoir site and pipeline
                                             routes during the fall and winter months
                                             (HDR 2000). The first arrivals during
                                             the 1999 fall season were documented
                                             on October 22nd. No kestrels were
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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
observed during the five-month period
of April through August indicating that
kestrels observed on the reservoir site
during fall and winter months were
migratory individuals and not the listed
Florida subspecies.

Snowy Egret. Snowy egrets are
common in Florida and are found mostly
in fresh and saltwater marshes. Snowy
egrets are very active foragers
employing techniques such as walking,
running, and hopping and use their feet
to stir and probe the sediment in shallow
water while searching for food. They eat
shrimp, fish, crabs, amphibians, small
snakes, worms, crayfish and insects
(Kale and Maehr 1990). The snowy
egret nests either singly, or in large or
small colonies with other heron species
located in shrub-covered wetlands or
islands in lakes and coastal lagoons.
Snowy egrets have been documented
foraging in wetlands at the proposed site
reservoir (HDR 2000) and about 800 to
1,000 pairs are censused annually in the
Tampa Bay area. The population appears
stable but has declined significantly
since the early 1980s in the Tampa Bay
area, and probably statewide (Paul,
1999).

White  Ibis. White ibis occur along
coastal and coastal-plain habitats from
North Carolina through Texas, the West
Indies, Central America and northern
South America. In peninsular Florida,
they normally occur in wetlands such as
marshes, marsh prairies and mangrove
swamps. White ibis feed in shallow fresh
or salt water either alone or in flocks,
probing the substrate with their bill.
Forage includes crayfish, mudcrabs,
frogs, and aquatic insects.
There are about 6,000 to 11,000 pairs of
white ibis nesting in the Tampa Bay
area.  Annual numbers strongly reflect
local wetland conditions. Although
white ibis are Florida's most numerous
wading birds, this species is believed to
have declined by about two-thirds since
the 1940s due to loss of wetlands and
wet pastures. Despite these losses, the
population at the mouth of the Alafia
River remains one of the largest in the
state (Paul 1999). White ibis have been
observed foraging or resting on the
proposed reservoir site (HDR 2000).

Roseate Spoonbill. Although the
roseate spoonbill range has expanded,
impacts to wetlands continue to threaten
their feeding habitats.  They are most
often found in the mangrove and tidal
marsh habitat.  Forage includes small
fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and aquatic
insects. They feed by wading through
shallow water, moving their partially
open bills back in forth until finding
prey (Paul 1999).

The roseate spoonbill was probably
extirpated from the Tampa Bay area by
1900. The species was subjected to
severe hunting pressures as their wings
were used as ladies' fans.  They were .
rediscovered nesting in the bay in  1975
and have shown a strong recovery during
the 1990s. There are approximately 110
to 150 pairs in the Tampa Bay area,
which represents about 15 percent of the
state population.

Burrowing Owl.  Burrowing owls live
in open, treeless areas and roost and nest
underground, typically in sandy soil.
Burrows extend 4 to 8 feet underground
with nests located at the end of the
burrow. The burrowing owl spends
most of its time on the ground near the
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 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
                    Draft Environmental Impact Statement
mouth of the burrow or perched on a
nearby post.  It is a small, mostly diurnal
owl that averages nine inches in height
and forages primarily on insects, lizards,
frogs, snakes and rodents. Populations
have decreased because of the loss of
habitat.

One pair of burrowing owls has been
observed on the
proposed reservoir site
but no quantitative
surveys have been
completed (HDR
2000). Extensive time
on site provided some
assurance that this is
the only pair.
Tricolored Heron.
Tricolored heron
habitat includes fresh
and saltwater marshes, shores, mudflats,
and tidal creeks. They normally feed by
wading in water and stalking prey that
includes  fish, amphibians, and insects.
This species nests in large colonies,
often with other heron species.

This medium-sized heron is still
abundant through much of peninsular
Florida (Kale and Maehr 1990). No
tricolored herons were observed at the
proposed reservoir site (HDR 2000),
however, there are an estimated 500 to
700 breeding pairs censused annually in
the Tampa Bay area. This population
appears stable, but like other herons in
Florida, tricolored heron numbers have
declined  significantly due to wetland
habitat loss. (Paul 1999).

Little-Blue Heron. This medium-sized
heron is widely distributed in Florida
and utilizes a variety of nesting and
feeding habitats. Although many nesting
Brown Pelican
colonies occur on saltwater sites, little
blue herons seem to prefer freshwater
habitats for feeding. They can also be
found foraging in mudflats, tidal
shallows, salt marshes and southern
wooded swamps. They feed while
wading slowly through shallow water,
searching for small fish, frogs, and
invertebrates. The general downward
              population trend of this
              species is due to wetland
              habitat losses and
              possible competition with
              cattle egrets for nest sites
              (Kale and Maehrl 990).

              Nesting populations of
              the little blue heron in the
              Tampa Bay area appear
              to be stable at around 300
              pairs. They nest and
              forage primarily in
freshwater habitats and are vulnerable to
continuing alteration of wetlands (Paul
1999). Little blue heron have been
observed utilizing wetlands at the
proposed reservoir site for resting and
foraging (HDR 2000).

Brown Pelican. Brown pelicans prefer
coastal habitats and nest colonial with up
to several hundred birds in a rookery and
usually on coastal mangrove islands.
Loss of nesting habitat on coastal
beaches threatens existing populations.
This species breeds, roosts and feeds in
flocks, often flying in line formations
both high in the air and just above the
water surface.

The brown pelican is perhaps Florida's
most distinctive and widely recognized
bird.  They dive for fish from 20- to 30-
feet heights, and can be seen flying to
and from feeding grounds in loose V-
formations.  There have been  1,600 to
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 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
 2,000 breeding pairs of brown pelicans
 censused in Florida since 1994.  About
 20 percent of the state breeding
 population occurs in the Tampa Bay area
 (Paul, 1999).

 American Oystercatcher. The
 American oystercatcher is one of
 Florida's most unmistakable shorebirds.
 Strictly a coastal species, American
 oystercatcher populations have been
 declining for many years.

 American oystercatchers nest on open
 beaches above the high-tide mark.
 Population numbers appear to have
 stabilized on some undisturbed Gulf
 coast beaches and islands, and on
 dredged material islands and shell bars
 along the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway
 (Kale and Maehr 1990).  American
. oystercatcher habitat includes
 mangroves, beaches, and tidal marshes
 (Paul, 1999).  This species feeds
 primarily on oysters, but also a variety of
 other mollusks, crustaceans, and other
 invertebrates. The American
 oystercatcher population is stable and
 increasing.  A minimum of 125 pairs or
 approximately 40 percent of the state
 population occurs in the Tampa Bay
 area.

 Black Skimmer.  Black skimmers are
 found along the entire Florida coast,
 nesting in large colonies, often with
 other tern species (Kale and Maehr
 1990).  Black skimmer habitat includes
 beaches and estuaries.  Unique among
 birds, this species feeds by flying
 quickly over the water, skimming the
 water surface for fish with its elongated
 lower mandible, and snatching their fish
 or shrimp prey with a quick downward
 snap.  Several birds can be seen feeding
 together in this manner.
There are about 600 to 700 pairs of black
skimmers in the Tampa Bay area.
Including another 300 pairs at colonies
near Clearwater, 50 to 70 percent of the
state population nests in the region
(Paul, 1999).

Reddish Egret. The reddish  egret is
Florida's least common heron. Primarily
a Gulf coast species, reddish egrets nest
from Florida Bay north to Tampa Bay.
The rate of recovery following
protection from past plume hunting has
been much slower than for other species
(Kale and Maehr 1990). Reddish egrets
are strictly a coastal species, often
associated with mangroves. They are
colonial nesters preferring coastal  red
mangrove islands.  Their habitats include
shorelines, tidal flats, and shallow pools.
The reddish egret is a very active heron,
using a  variety of feeding techniques.
Forage includes fish, frogs, and
crustaceans.

Hunted  for their nuptial plumes, the
reddish  egret was extirpated from Tampa
Bay by  1900. They were found nesting
again in 1974 and since that time, their
numbers have increased to 60 to 75
pairs. This represents 15 percent to 20
percent  of the state population (Paul
1999).

Gopher Tortoise.  The gopher tortoise
requires habitat that has well-drained
sandy soils, abundant herbaceous ground
cover for food, and a generally open
canopy  and sparse shrub cover, allowing
sunlight to reach the ground floor.
Gopher  tortoises dig burrows that
average approximately  15 feet in length
and 6 to 7 feet in depth.  Burrows
provide  protection from temperature
extremes, desiccation, and predators and
are essential to the survival of tortoises
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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
                      Draft Environmental Impact Statement
throughout much of Florida (Cox et al.
1987).

Gopher tortoises burrows also serve as
refuges for a variety of other animals
including 39 invertebrate and 42
vertebrate species. Protected species
that are linked with gopher tortoise
burrows are the Eastern indigo snake,
Florida mouse, gopher frog, and Florida
pine snake.
One area of
suitable gopher
tortoise habitat,
located outside
of the north-
west corner of
the proposed
reservoir site,
was surveyed to
quantify
population
densities. A
total of 54
Gopher Tortoise
active and 16 inactive burrows were
identified, giving an approximate density
of 1.6 tortoises per acre (HDR 2000).

Florida Mouse. Similar to the gopher
tortoise, the Florida mouse is dependent
on xeric upland communities such as
sand pine scrub, coastal scrub, scrubby
flatwoods and longleaf pine-turkey oak
sandhill.  The mouse prefers deep, well-
drained sandy soils, open tree cover, and
sparse, patchy ground cover. This
species is closely associated with gopher
tortoise burrows, in high pine habitats
with an open overstory of longleaf pine.
In more scrubby habitats, the mouse is
not as dependent on the use of burrows.
Suitable habitat exists adjacent to the
northwest corner of the proposed
reservoir footprint (HDR 2000) and it is
likely that the Florida mouse utilizes the
gopher tortoise burrows on site.

Sherman Fox Squirrel. Fox squirrels
feed mostly on pine seeds in the summer
and on acorns during other times of the
year. Breeding occurs in late winter and
mid summer.  Fox squirrels have two to
four offspring per litter, and usually have
one litter per year; however, under
proper conditions they may have two
litters. Sherman fox squirrel habitat on
                 the proposed reservoir
                 site includes oak-
                 dominated fence lines,
                 sparse oak woodland
                 near Long Flat Creek,
                 oak hammock, and
                 cypress swamp The
                 squirrels have been
                 observed on  the
                 proposed reservoir site
                 at several locations
                 over the past two
                 years. Although fox
squirrels are widespread in Florida, they
are listed as threatened (state list) and
their distribution is patchy due to habitat
loss.

Gopher Frog. The gopher frog is
closely linked  to the gopher tortoise,
often using the tortoise burrow as a
refuge. The gopher frog is generally
nocturnal but occasionally emerges to sit
near the mouth of its burrow on dark,
damp days.  Its diet consists mainly of
invertebrates, frogs, and toads.

Most documented occurrences  for the
gopher frog have been within native,
xeric uplands,  particularly longleaf pine
and turkey oak community associations.
Unlike the gopher tortoise, the  gopher
frog appears to be absent from  most
coastal islands and dunes.
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Surveys for the frog have not been
conducted on the reservoir site, although
suitable habitats exist (HDR 2000).  The
gopher frogs' preferred breeding habitat
includes seasonally flooded, grassy
ponds and cypress domes that lack fish
populations.

Common Snook.  Common snook  have
a wide tolerance to different salinity
levels and are found in warm estuaries
and adjacent rivers, and in nearshore
waters of the tropical and sub-tropical
western Atlantic. On Florida's  West
Coast, snook travel into estuarine and
nearshore waters from April through
September to spawn (FMRI 2000).  Eggs
and larval snook are found  in estuarine
passes and river mouths. Juveniles settle
in warm, brackish, shallow riparian
habitats including unvegetated bottoms
and submerged mangrove prop-roots
(Muller 2000). As they grow, snook
move into seagrass meadows, mangrove
fringes, and deeper estuarine waters.

Because of their complex life histories,
long life span, and sensitivity to low
water temperatures, snook can easily
become overfished (Taylor 2000). This
susceptibility to exploitation led the
State of Florida to designate the common
snook as a "species of  special concern".
Snook have been regulated in Florida
since 1947, when snook haul seines  were
made illegal in Lee County. The latest
regulations, established in 1999, limit
anglers to no more than two snook per
day.  between 24 and 36 inches
(maximum total length).  Snook
possession is illegal from December 15
to January 31  and in June and July.

Snook are well documented inhabitants
of Tampa Bay. usually located among
the mangroves, tidal marshes and non-
vegetated subtidal areas of lower
salinities (Comp 1985; Janicki et al.
1995) Snook are reported as utilizing
Tampa Bay as a nursery habitat (Lewis
and Estevez 1988) and are capable of
moving far inland in the canals and
rivers (HDR 1994; USDI  1990).

3.13 SOCIOECONOMIC
CONDITIONS
The social and economic conditions of
the region served by Tampa Bay Water
as well as the need to reduce
groundwater pumping are the factors
ultimately responsible for the increase in
demand for additional water supplies.
The region of influence (ROI) that will
be the focus of the socioeconomic study
includes Tampa Bay Water's three-
county service area made up of
Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas
counties.

In the State of Florida, consideration
must be made for the seasonal residents
that may or may not be included in
census figures.  These seasonal residents
are often referred to as "snowbirds" and
are not reflected in the census figures for
the state. A more detailed description of
these seasonal residents and their effect
on the population and regional economy
will be presented at the end of this
section.

Many factors combine to make up the
socioeconomic character of a region.
These factors vary from population
growth rate to unemployment rate.  The
following sections present the existing
socioeconomic makeup of the ROI
followed by forecasts for the region.

3.13.1  Socioeconomic Portfolio for the
Region of Influence. The
socioeconomic portfolio of the ROI is
distinctly different depending on which
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of the three counties is being analyzed.
The diversity of this ROI is similar to the
composition of the State of Florida,
which is composed of retirement, tourist,
and farm counties.

Population. The counties of
Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas have
experienced steady growth over the past
10 years. The population change from
1990-1999 in these counties averaged
11.2 percent which is 5.6 percent lower
that the state average of 16.8 percent and
1.6 percent higher than the United States
average of 9.6 percent.  Pasco County
experienced the most growth with a 17.6
percent increase in population and
Pinellas County experienced the  least
amount of growth, averaging only 3.2
percent during the 10-year period.  The
estimated 1999 population for the ROI is
2,149,687.  Table 3-4 summarizes the
population of the region (US Census
Bureau 1995).

In future  years, population growth in the
ROI is projected to be the lowest
experienced since 1930. Even with the
first of the baby boomers retirement in
2010, regional  growth is not expected to
reach previous highs due to the
combination of out-migration of the
same age group and the low  birthrate
(West 1999). The anticipated annual
population growth from 1995-2010 for
the ROI is protected as follows:
Hillsborough County, 1.4 percent; Pasco
County, 1.7 percent; and Pinellas
County, 1.1 percent.

Housing. In 1990, the number of single-
family homes in the ROI was 547,794
with a home ownership rate averaging
71.06 percent compared to the state
ownership rate of 67.2 percent and the
United States rate of 64.2 percent. The
number of persons per household
averaged 2.31 in the three-county area
compared to the state average of 2.46
and the United States average of 2.63.
The higher percentage of home
ownership and lower percentage of
persons per household can possibly be
attributed to the fact that 28.1 percent of
the population in the three-county area is
65 years old and older compared to the
state level of 18.3 percent and the United
States level of 12.7 percent (US Census
Bureau 1995).

The number of building permits issued
in 1999 for the ROI was 21,726. The
highest number of permits issued was
14.665 in Hillsborough County and the
lowest number was 3,237 in Pinellas
County.  In Florida, work began on more
than 148,000 housing units in 1999.
This was the biggest surge in home
development in the past decade.  This
surge was centered in the construction of
Table 3-4. Population information for the Authority's member counties (US Census
Bureau).

1 999 estimated
population
Percent change in
population 1990-
1999
Hillsborough
County
940,484
12.8 percent
Pasco County
330,704
1 7.6 percent
Pinellas County
878,499
3.2 percent


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  Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
                              Draft Environmental Impact Statement
                  Figure 3-9. Economic Breakdown of ROI
     Health care and
     social assistance
          13%
Arts, entertainment
  and recreation
      2%
 Educational
   services
     1%
  Professional,
  scientific and
technical services
     11%
Manufacturing
    13%
            Admn, waste mgt
             and remediation
                 24%
Accommodation
and foodservices
     3%
                                        Wholesale Trade
                                             9%
                                     Retail Trade
                                        21%
            Real estate, rental,
              and leasing
                  3%
  A slower population growth is
  forecasted to lead to a smaller number of
  housing starts. The Bureau of Economic
  Business Research (BEBR) has
  forecasted 1.9 million housing starts
  from 1996-2010, down from the 1981-
  1995 number of 2.1 million. The
  forecast of long-term housing starts is
  derived from the existing housing start,
  vacancy rates, changes  in the stock of
  mobile homes and the replacement of
  aged housing.  Mobile homes are taken
  into consideration due to their
  prevalence throughout the state.  Prior to
  Hurricane Andrew in 1992, the number
  of new housing starts has mirrored the
  number of mobile homes sold. Since
  1992, the number of new mobile homes
  sold has been smaller than in previous
  years, but it  is anticipated that the
  number of mobile homes will again
  increase within the next decade.  The
  number of forecasted housing starts
  between 2001 and 2010 in the ROI is as
  follows: Hillsborough County - 81,200;
                       categories. In Pasco County, retail trade
                       is the largest employer followed by
                       health care and social assistance,
                       accommodation, and food services (US
                       Census Bureau 1995). Figure 3-9
                       illustrates the employment breakdown of
                       the ROI as a whole.

                       Job growth rates for the State of Florida
                       are expected to decline through the next
                       decade. The BEBR has evaluated this
                       forecasted decline and believes that it is
                       due to the state having reached a full
                       employment status. Forecasted growth
                       will be due to the accumulation of
                       employees and productivity increases.
                       For each of the counties in the ROI, job
                       growth rates have declined from the
                       1980-1995 forecast (West 1999).  The
                       job growth rate in a county typically
                       mirrors its population growth rate.
                       People are transient and move  where the
                       work is often commuting between
                       counties and economic shocks. The
                       forecast population growth rate for the
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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
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ROI from 1995-2010 has Pasco County
with the highest forecasted annual job
growth rate of 1.7 percent, followed by
Hillsborough County at 1.4 percent, and
Pinellas County at 0.5 percent.

It is anticipated that the declining job
growth rate will also balance the
personal income growth rate, which has
been higher than the national average for
the past few decades.  Pasco and
Hillsborough counties will experience
income growth rates lower than what
was experienced from 1980-1995, while
Pinellas County is expected to
experience a higher income growth rate.
Pasco County again leads the ROI with
an anticipated income growth rate of 4.0
percent followed by Hillsborough
County at 3.3 percent and Pinellas
County at 2.8 percent.  The average
income in 2010 in the counties is
projected to be as follows: Hillsborough
- $67,341, Pasco - $54,884, and Pinellas
- $74,683. Pinellas County is the only
county above the state's forecasted
average of $69,766.

3.13.2  Seasonal Residents.  In Section
3.7, mention was made of the seasonal
residents.  These temporary residents re-
locate to the area during the winter
months. Because official ties are often
to other locations in other states, their
population numbers do not show up in
the State of Florida demographics.  Not
only are the populations not included on
the Florida Census, they also do not
show up as tourists at the state and
national level due to the long length of
their stay in the state.  Approximately
857,500 seasonal residents reside in the
state during the months from October to
April. Of the individuals, 41.2 percent
reside within the ROI and have an
average stay of 5.9 months (Galvez
1997).

Telephone surveys of the seasonal
residents have revealed the following
statistics:

•  92.8 percent are white
•  66.7 percent are married
•  63.7 percent are college educated
•  61.0 percent do not participate in the
   labor force
•  66.4 percent are age 55 or older
•  32.3 percent are over the age of 70
•  71.0 percent are retired
•  average income of snowbirds is 19
   percent higher than the residents of
   Florida

For those snowbirds that are employed
in the three-county area, most fill low
paying laborer and clerical positions as
well as positions that result from the
presence of their fellow seasonal
residents. The spending habits of these
individuals differ from the full-time
Florida residents. For example, seasonal
residents often purchase very expensive
homes that are expensively furnished.
While the region benefits greatly from
the seasonal residents, their lack of
inclusion in the state demographics can
present problems when planning for
services such as ambulances, fire
stations, and hospitals.  At this point in
time, the best method to estimate
seasonal residents is through telephone
interviews.

3.13.3 Public Services.  Public services
in the three-county area are categorized
into transportation, law enforcement,
healthcare, and education. The
following sections provide brief
descriptions of these services for the
ROI.
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Transportation.  The ROI is served
primarily by Interstates 75, 275 and 4
and U.S. Highway 301. The Tampa
International Airport is the major airport
serving the region. Smaller airports are
also found in each of the counties and
larger municipalities. The Seminole
Gulf Railroad is the major rail carrier in
the region for freight and Amtrak is the
major passenger carrier. The Greyhound
Bus Line is the major bus carrier.

Law Enforcement. Each county houses
its own sheriff and associated staff. The
crime rate in each of the counties is
lower than the state average. The larger
municipalities in the region maintain
police departments which serve the area
within the designated city limits.

Healthcare. Hillsborough County is
home to three major hospitals, Pasco
County has four large hospitals, and
Pinellas County has five major hospitals.

Education.  The three-county area is
served by 228 elementary schools, 71
middle schools, and 44 high schools.

3.13.4  Environmental Justice. The
purpose of an environmental justice
analysis is to guarantee the fair
environmental protection and treatment
of all races, incomes, and cultures with
respect to the development,
implementation, and enforcement of
environmental laws, regulations and
policies. This analysis ensures that no
person or groups of people experience a
disproportionate share of the negative
environmental impacts of a project.
Executive Order 12898, "Federal
Actions to Address Environmental
Justice in Minority Populations and
Low-Income Populations" requires each
Federal agency to identify and address
such potential impacts of its programs,
policies, and activities.

In accordance with EPA's guidelines,
the following four questions must be
addressed during an environmental
justice analysis:
•   What are the demographic
    characteristics of the population
    adjacent to the project?
•   Is the facility on or near or owned by
    an Indian reservation?
•   Have any local citizens or groups
    expressed an interest in the project?
•   What steps are being taken to
    address potential environmental
    justice concerns?
The following paragraphs provide
discussions on each of these topics.

Demographics.  To classify as an
environmental justice  area of concern,
the percentage of low-income or
minority populations in a project area
must be lower or higher than the state's
low-income or minority threshold.  The
State of Florida's minority threshold is
31.99 percent and the  low-income
threshold is 30.01 percent. As illustrated
in Figure 3-10, there are no minority or
low-income populations greater than the
state's threshold limit  within one mile of
the project study area.

Native American Issues.  The project
area is not located on or near an Indian
reservation.  The proposed reservoir will
not be owned or operated by an Indian
Tribe nor will it be located in tribal
ceded territory.

Project Interest. Both individuals and
groups living in or adjacent to the
project area have showed a great deal of
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         —*—> •.-—-V--•v' ' ,
                w
I    I  Proposed Reservoir
j    |  1,3, 5 Mile Buffer Zones
Potential EJ Areas
       Low Income
       Minority
       Minority/Low Income
       Non-EJ Areas
Source: 1990 U.S. Census Population and Housing Sumary Tape File 3 (STF3) data
Aggregated to Block group Level -600-2000 People.	
Figure Source: EPA Region 4. Environmental Accountability Division
                                            2 Miles
                    Figure 3-10
       TAMPA BAY REGIONAL RESERVOIR
                  PROJECT DEIS
 POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AREAS
Relative State Minority Threshold: 31.99%
Palatfcn 3tafe I nui InnnmA ThmehnM MKKY Vt MV.

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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
interest in the Regional Reservoir
Project. Most of the concerns raised
during the preparation of the DEIS and
the NEPA process relate to the
construction and operation of the
reservoir.  These concerns have all been
taken into account and are addressed in
the appropriate sections of the DEIS.

3.14 VISUAL AND AESTHETIC
CHARACTERISTICS
The primary determinants of visual
character are topography, vegetation,
and land use. Unique combinations of
vegetation, topography, and manmade
features create the aesthetic  quality of
the area.

Located in west-central Florida along the
Gulf coast, the landscape of
Hillsborough County is primarily
composed of large, nearly level plains
called flatwoods.  The flatwoods rise
gradually from the coast to more than
100 feet msl in the eastern part of the
county. Along the coast, elevations
range from sea level to approximately
144 feet.

The land use in the proposed reservoir
area is primarily agricultural land, being
used for row and citrus crops, livestock
grazing, and improved pasture. Portions
of the site  were once part of a
phosphorous mine that have since been
reclaimed.  Small ponds, one small
manmade lake, and several small to
medium sized streams are also present.
Overall the land in the project area is
flat, however the few high areas that are
present do provide a long range
panorama of the landscape.  Physical
features of the area, such as  wetlands,
ponds and wooded areas, are generally
considered to be  visually pleasing.
The proposed pipeline route is primarily
located in disturbed right-of-ways along
existing roadways such as Boyette Road.
The land use along the alignment
includes improved pasture, upland
forest, and agricultural cropland.  Very
few wetlands are present along the
proposed route and those that are in the
area have been considered. Several rural
residences are traversed and the entrance
to one Girl Scout camp property is
crossed.  No major streams or rivers are
crossed.  Electrical transmission and
distribution lines and communication
towers are also present along the route.

3.15 CULTURAL RESOURCES
The cultural resources of a given area
are often described from a prehistoric
and historic context. The discussions
that follow present the cultural
perspectives of the Regional Reservoir
Project using these separations.

Prehistoric Background. The project
area is located in the Central Peninsular
Gulf Coast archaeological region, which
extends from just north of Tampa Bay
southward to the northern portion of
Charlotte Harbor (Milanich and
Fairbanks 1980; Milanich 1994).  Within
this zone, archaeologists have defined
the Paleo-Indian, Archaic, Transitional,
Woodlands, and Mississippian stages on
the basis of unique sets  of material
culture traits such as characteristic stone
tool forms and ceramics as well as
subsistence, settlement, and burial
patterns.

The Paleo-Indian stage identifies the
earliest evidence of human culture in
Florida, dating from about 12,000 BC to
7500 BC.  During this time period,
Florida was in a cooler and drier climate.
Sea level was approximately 130-165
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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
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feet below today's modern levels. A
xerophytic environment was typical with
scrub oaks, pine, open grassy prairies,
and savannas the most common
vegetation types. Inland water sources
were in shorter supply, and this lack of
water led to the so-called Oasis
hypothesis, a supposition that localized
watering holes determined the patterning
of Paleoindian presence in prehistoric
Florida.

In Hillsborough County, the evidence for
Paleo-Indian occupation is abundant.
Lanceolate-shaped projectile points are
often found in dredged spoils from
beneath Tampa Bay, indicating that
Paleoindian sites might now lie
submerged by higher sea levels .that have
been present since the late Pleistocene
(Austin 2000).  The Harney Flats site,
excavated in 1980, is a regional example
of a large terrestrial Paleoindian
habitation site. Tools such as scrapers,
adzes, and spokeshaves have been found
at this site along the Hillsborough River
drainage.  Sites such as these have
yielded information about  both the
manufacturing processes of this period
as well as the stylistic transitional from
Paleo-lndian to Archaic points.

The Late Paleo-Indian periods indicated
a trend toward a wetter climate. With the
probable expansion of water sources, the
Paleoindian hunters expanded their
strategies to include greater portions of
the state. This transition resulted in the
loss of large lanceolate points such as
the Suwannee and Simpson points, and
the incorporation of smaller points
including the Tallahassee,  Santa Fe, and
Beaver Lake types.  Important sites for
Late Paleo-Indian presence are found in
lithic scatters from Boca Ciega Bay near
St. Petersburg, and Deerstand site in the
 Hillsborough River drainage.  Following
 the end of the Ice Ages, the Pliestocene
 megafauna gradually died out, forcing
 the use of smaller game and other food
 sources by the aboriginal peoples of
 Florida. This climatic change is reflected
 in the cultural aspects of the Archaic
 period (Almy et al 1998).

 Milanich (Milanich and Fairbanks  1980;
 Milanich 1994) has divided the Archaic
 time period into three periods: Early,
 Middle, and Late Archaic. Early Archaic
 cultures appear to overlap with the
 Paleoindian period cultures, but are
 documented as attaining unique identity
 in Florida approximately 6500 to 5000
 BC. The archaeological record is
 usually interpreted as indicating an
 expansion of the tools from Paleoindian
 sources.  Specialized stone tools
 developed as well as tools to perform
 multiple tasks. Many well preserved
 bohe artifacts and wooden tools have
 been recovered from the sites of Little
 Salt Springs in Sarasota County and
 Windover Pond in Brevard County. The
 Early Archaic populations are known to
 have established camps near water
 sources, especially small seasonal
 campsites.

 These Early Archaic cultures are
 assumed to have adapted from the
 nomadic lifestyle of the Paleo-Indian
 period to a more settled coastal and
 riverine-associated with the Middle
 Archaic period. This period lasted from -
 approximately 5000 to 1000 BC. A shift
 from a dispersed settlement pattern to a
 system of base camps has been
 hypothesized (Bullen et al 1959).
Artifacts associated with this period
 include broad-bladed, stemmed
projectile points such as the Newnan,
 Marion, and Putnam types.
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The major sites contributing to
knowledge about the Middle Archaic
period are the Deerstand and
Wetherington Island Sites in
Hillsborough County, four lithic scatter
sites on the CF Industries property in
Hardee County, and the Republic Groves
Site southeast of Zolfo Springs in
Hardee County, along with the
previously mentioned Little  Salt Springs
site in Sarasota County. Quarry sites,
such as the Wetherington Island Site in
northeast Hillsborough County represent
quarry sites where chert was mined and
roughly shaped before being taken to
other locations for tool making (Chance
1981). The Republic Grove Site
(Wharton et al. 1981), and the Little Salt
Springs Site (Clausen et al. 1979)
include human interments, artifacts and
tools. These sites contain representations
of wetland burials, which have preserved
human tissues in peat remarkably well.
These sites have the potential to provide
extraordinary information about native
peoples in Florida.

During the Late Archaic, approximately
3000 to 1200 BC, prehistoric human
settlements adapted  to specific
environmental zones.  This period
marked the arrival of essentially modern
climatic conditions.  An increased use of
coastal resources is  found in
archaeological records for shell midden
sites, such as the one adjacent to
Sarasota Bay (Bullen and Bullen 1976).
The increasing reliance on coastal
resources has resulted in the  presence of
many Late Archaic middens  across the
Florida coast. Many of these sites may
have been already destroyed due to the
practice of utilizing  shell middens  to
provide road materials for towns like
Bradenton and Tampa.  The remaining
identified sites are located in Tampa Bay
and Hillsborough County such as the
Culbreath, Apollo Beach sites, and the
Canton Street site in St. Petersburg.
Other regional examples include the
Palmer Site in Sarasota County, and
Useppa Island Archaic site in the mouth
of Charlotte Harbor (Almy and
Hutchinson 1998).

The Late Archaic Period also marks the
appearance of ceramic shards of pottery.
For this reason, the period is sometimes
called the Ceramic Period, or the Orange
Period in Peninsular Florida.  The early
pottery was fiber-tempered ware, dating
back to approximately 2000-1650 BC.
More recent pottery was decorated with
geometric designs and punctuation.
These features now serve as the method
used to distinguish earlier and later sites
within the 2000-1000 BC period.

The later cultures of Florida all
incorporated ceramics in their lifestyle,
which has become an important tool
today as chronological markers of
specific periods. The Transitional stage
bridged the time between the Archaic
and the Woodland stages, and was
associated with limited horticulture.
Although still referred to in the
literature, the Transitional period is no
longer considered a distinct viable
period as new and better data  from all
parts of the state are collected and
recorded.  Evidence points to  regional
interaction with other cultures such as
the Poverty Point complex of the lower
Mississippi valley. The Canton Street
site in St. Petersburg, for example,
shows evidence of the gradual
introduction of pottery manufacturing
methods typical of the Transitional
period.
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 The Woodlands stage is known
 throughout the central peninsular Gulf
 Coast regions as the Manasota culture
 period (ca. 500 BC to AD 300).  These
 sites were characterized as economy
 sites based on fishing, hunting, and
 shellfish gathering (Almy et al 1979).
 Ceramics were limited to sand-tempered
 undecorated pottery and little use of
 stone tools have been found. Shell tools
 and bone tools were increasingly
 preferred. Most of these sites are
 identified by the presence of coastal
 shell middens, usually linear deposits
 parallel to the shoreline, sometimes
 forming undulating swales or possessing
 shell ramps (Milanich 1994).  Burial
 mound customs, artifacts of trade and
 economy, and settlement patterns
 suggest a complex social and religious
 organization from this period. Some use
 of horticulture in the larger settlements
 may be indicative of larger populations
 and a more sedentary lifestyle.

 Tampa Bay may have provided an ideal
 setting for the Manasota cultures due to
 its vast resources describing the  setting:

       A large inlet that offers
 numerous estuaries and in the past
 extensive marsh and mangrove
 stands...a giant food basket offish and
 shellfish that could support relatively
 large pre-Columbian
populations...[where they] could take
 advantage not only of marine resources
 but of the resources of the wooded locals
 and the inland rivers and wetlands.

 Regional sites have been identified from
 the Late Manasota/Early Wheeden
 Island cultural stages at Stanley Mound
 in Manatee County and Sarasota County
 Mound (Bullen  1971). These sites have
 been valuable in providing information
about tools, burial customs, and other
subsistence patterns for the region.

The final prehistoric Mississippian
cultural stage is known as the Safety
Harbor period, named after the type-site
in Tampa Bay, Pinellas County. Spanish
contact is known from several sites of
this stage.  Recovered artifacts provide
evidence this culture continued to
occupy its traditional region into
colonial times.  Large towns with temple
mounds, plazas, middens and burial
mounds characterized this period. Most
major sites were located along the shore,
often over the top of Manasota sites.
Evidence also exists for the use of maize
(Almy etal 1981).

The Timucuan Indians are recognized as
the primary constituents of the  Safety
Harbor period. Large populations were
located at Safety Harbor, Miximo Point,
Narvaes Midden, and Tierra Verde, all in
Pinellas County. Inland sites include
Parrish Mounds in Manatee County, the
Davis Mound in Hardee  County, and the
Arcadia Site and Keen Mound in Desoto
County. A burial site located on the
Myakka River, outside of the project
area for the alternatives remaining under
consideration, may have a Safety Harbor
Component.

Historic Background. With the
Spanish Crown's explorations into
Florida came disease and repeated
conflict. Panfilo de Narvaez landed
south of Tampa Bay in 1528, traveling
inland and then north to the Apalachee
Bay region (Milanich and Hudson 1993).
Hernando de Soto also landed on the
west coast of Florida, in Tampa Bay near
the mouth of the Little Manatee River.
DeSoto and some of his men left the
Tampa Bay camp and headed northeast,
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crossing what is now known as the
Alafia River (River of Mocoso).
Archaeological sites associated with the
DeSoto expedition have been located in
Hillsborough County, however these
sites are outside of the project
alternatives remaining under
consideration. After the first half of the
18th century, native Indian populations
had been largely wiped  out. Florida's
historic period began with the
occupation of Spain from 1565 to 1763.
No permanent settlements were
established in the project region.

The State of Florida was ceded to
England in 1763, until the Treaty of
Paris returned Florida to Spain. Loose
associations between  portions of the
Creek Nation and other Indian groups
from Alabama,  Georgia and South
Carolina were pushed into Florida by
American colonization prior to the
settlement of Florida. The emigrated
groups became  known as  the Seminole
Indians, and at times formed
confederations against the American
advance. Seminole Indians began
moving into the Tampa Bay area in  the
early 18th century.

Bloody conflict marked the contact
between the fledgling Americans and the
Seminoles. By 1818, these skirmishes
had developed into the First Seminole
War. The Seminoles relinquished their
claims to the peninsula of Florida with
the Treaty of Moultrie Creek in 1823
and were relocated to areas near Ocala
and north of Charlotte Harbor. After this
war, Florida officially became a United
States Territory in 1821. A second
Seminole Indian revolt occurred in 1835
and became known as with the Second
Seminole War. This conflict lasted until
1842 when the federal government
withdrew its troops from Florida. With
military installations Fort Chokonikla,
Fort Hartsuff, and Fort Green in
Manatee County to protect residents
from continued minor skirmishes, the
Seminoles were pushed further to the
south into the Everglades and Big
Cypress Swamp. Fighting erupted once
again with the Third Seminole War, also
known as the Billy Bowlegs War.
Ending in 1856, the Seminole warriors
were persuaded to move west.
In 1845, Florida was admitted to the
Union with Tallahassee as the state
capital. Manatee County  was created in
1855 from portions of Hillsborough and
Dade counties.  Cattle ranching was one
of the first economic activities
undertaken in Manatee County. By the
late 1850's, cattle were a significant
portion of southwest Florida's economy.
Tampa and Punta Rassa, south of Fort
Meyers became major shipping ports for
cattle.  During this  period in Florida's
history, cattle barons and  "crackers'"
became participants in society. Don
Vicente Martinez Ybor moved his cigar
factory from Key West to the outskirts
of Tampa in 1886.  The historic district
today is still a commerce district,
catering to nighttime revelry and
entertainment.

Florida seceded from the Union in 1861
as a prelude to the Civil War. Florida
became a major supplier of beef to the
Confederate Army  during this time.
Development of the State  was slow until
the end of the Civil War allowed the
railroad to arrive in the 1880's.
Phosphate was discovered in the late
1880's while surveying the Peace River.
Florida's phosphate industry went
through three periods of development,
bringing corresponding increases  in
population. Agriculture became an
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 important part of Florida's economy and
 is today second only to tourism as an
 economic anchor.

 The stories of several historic
 communities including Boyette to the
 west, Lithia to the north, and Picnic to
 the south of the proposed regional
 reservoir have been summarized. Along
 the western end of the pipeline corridor
 are Riverview and the historic
 community of Bell Shoals.  Boyette was
 originally known as Fish Hawk, later
 renamed for Thomas Boyette in 1902.
 Lithia's first white settlers came to the .
 area before the Civil War. Occupied
 also around this time was the settlement
 of Hurrah, later renamed to  Picnic.
 Dating back to the 1840's Peru was one
 of Hillsborough County's earliest
 settlements; the town was situated on the
 south side of the Alafia River near the
 intersection of U.S. 301  and Balm-
 Riverview Road. However, Riverview  -
 eclipsed, and eventually consumed Peru
 during the 20th century. With the
 discovery of phosphate in the region.
 people flooded into Riverview. Later,
 Riverview developed into a haven from
 urban Tampa where people,grew citrus
 and raised cattle.

 3.16 RECREATION
 Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas
 counties contain many significant natural
 resources that are developed and used to
 satisfy the public's recreation demands.
 In the project area, the Alafia River,
 Hillsborough River, Tampa Bypass
 Canal, and Tampa Bay provide a variety
 of recreational opportunities. These
 activities include fishing, canoeing and
 boating, youth sports, walking and
jogging trails, bicycling, and others.
 Recreational opportunities of almost
 every type are available on lands
administered by various federal and state
agencies in the project area.

m considering the opportunities for
recreational and educational use of the
Tampa Bay  Regional Reservoir and
surrounding area, Tampa Bay Water
consulted with residents, recreation
users, recreation experts, and
environmental experts to determine the
best recreation opportunities while
preserving the existing conditions of the
area. A conceptual recreation plan for
the regional reservoir and surrounding
lands were developed (Wade-Trim
2000). Three different recreation plans
were developed that reflect a variety of
recreational  opportunities for the area.
These plans are described as follows:

•   Level 1 - focuses on water-related
    recreational uses such as canoeing
    and fishing as well as trail systems.
    The Level One plan has primarily
    passive recreation uses.
•   Level 2 - has extensive boating and
    fishing opportunities plus primitive
    camping, horseback riding and an
    equestrian center.  A golf course is
    also featured.
•   Level 3 - has the most complete
    offering of recreational
    opportunities, featuring all of the
    uses proposed in the previous two
    plans, plus an expanded equestrian
    center, a sporting clays and paintball
    complex, an expanded environmental
    education center, a sports complex
    and recreational vehicle camping.

In August 2000, Tampa Bay Water
presented the conceptual recreation plan
through a mailer to 1,400 people living
in the area and asked for their input. The
mailing list included property owners
near the regional reservoir, people who
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have expressed an interest in the project,
as well as a number of recreational and
environmental groups. A short survey
was included in the mailing that
addressed which recreation uses were
favored, what level of development they
felt was appropriate, what concerns they
had about the conceptual recreation plan,
and what might be done to mitigate
those concerns.

A total of 115 questionnaires (8 percent
response rate) were returned from the
1,400 persons contacted. Results of the
survey indicated most respondents were
interested  in canoeing, hiking and biking
trails, interpretive nature trails, fishing,
an environmental education center and
primitive camping.  Overall, the
respondents seemed to prefer a less
intensive type of recreational
development and more passive activities.
The plan preferred by  the respondents
(about 42 percent) was the Level  1 plan,
although 38 percent indicated preference
for the Level 2 plan.

At this point, there is no definite
commitment to incorporate recreational
uses at the Tampa Bay Regional
Reservoir.  Further development of a
recreational plan would include
identification of potential funding
sources and facilities management
alternatives for  the uses favored by the
public in the survey. Any recreational
activities would be compatible with the
reservoir's primary purpose and
consistent  with  the needs to protect
water quality, manage  water levels, and
maintain security. However, the
reservoir would be suitable for
recreation  in the context of a large man-
made  lake, and at least some of the
surrounding property that would be in
public ownership could be used for land-
based activities.

3.17 RISK ANALYSIS AND
IMPACT TO THE HUMAN
COMMUNITY
Throughout the siting and design of the
Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir, safety
has been and will continue to be a
primary consideration. The
consideration of safety and risk began
with the initial site selection process and
continued through the geotechnical site
characterization.  Several layers of
analysis were included in the
geotechnical investigation, each of
which  built on the previous layer and
further refined the study.  These layers
included a historical site analysis, a
geophysical investigation using ground
penetrating radar, seismic reflection and
refraction, and a geotechnical analysis.

A detailed stability analysis was
conducted on an embankment with the
proposed dimensions of the Tampa Bay
Regional Reservoir. While the
embankment was found to be stable on
its own and met all applicable standards,
other design features were incorporated
to further increase the factor of safety of
the embankment.  These features include
a geomembrane liner on the interior face
of the embankment to reduce seepage,
soil cement on the interior embankment
facing  to reduce potential erosion of the
embankment, and a drain system on the
exterior of the embankment to collect
seepage.  The resulting factors of safety
under all conditions referenced in the
design standards are greater than
required (HDR 2000).

During design, the potential impact of
large storm events and the wind and rain
associated with those storms were also
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 evaluated.  The design of the reservoir
 includes 8.5 feet of freeboard, which is
 the difference between the maximum
 operating water surface elevation and the
 embankment crest elevation. This
 freeboard will allow for maximum
 rainfall of 40 inches (3.3 feet) and 5.2
 feet of wave run-up and storm surge.
 The 5.2 feet of freeboard for wave run-
 up and storm surge accounts for
 sustained winds of 110  miles per hour.

 Even though safety has been considered
 in all aspects of reservoir design from
 project planning to operation, an
 emergency action plan (EAP) has been
 prepared. The EAP was prepared using
 the guidelines established by the Federal
 Emergency Management Agency
 (FEMA) (HDR 2000).

 The EAP is a formal document that
 identifies potential emergency
 conditions at the Tampa Bay Regional
 Reservoir and specifies preplanned
 actions to be followed to avoid or
 minimize impacts. The EAP specifies
 actions that will be taken to moderate or
 alleviate the problems and contains
 procedures and information to assist
 personnel in issuing early warning and
 notification messages to responsible
 emergency management authorities of
 any emergency situations.

 Emergency Detection and Evaluation.
 The EAP provides a discussion of the
procedures for the timely and reliable
 detection, evaluation, and classification
of an existing or potential emergency
condition.  It also establishes procedures
 for determining the classification of an
emergency condition, based on the
severity or urgency of the situation.
Based on FEMA guidelines, four
emergency conditions have been
identified,

•   Embankment Advisory Condition.
    A situation where an unusual
    problem or situation has occurred,
    but failure of the embankment is not
    imminent.
•   Embankment Warning Condition. A
    situation where any developing or
    occurring event or circumstance
    could potentially adversely affect the
    integrity of the embankment, but is
    considered controllable.
•   Embankment Emergency Condition.
    A situation where rapid deterioration
    is occurring or available freeboard
    has been reduced to the point where
    sufficient freeboard does not exist to
    contain the anticipated rainfall and
    wave run-up from an approaching
    hurricane.
•   Embankment Breach Condition.
    Defined as the dislocation or failure
    of any structure that allows for an
    expanding, uncontrollable discharge
    of water through the embankment
    indicating a breach is occurring.

Emergency Notification.  In the event
of an emergency at the regional
reservoir, Tampa Bay Water would be
responsible for notifying both the
Hillsborough County Emergency
Management Department (HCEMD) and
the  State Dam Safety Officer at the
Bureau of Mine Reclamation for the
FDEP. Once an emergency condition is
identified, the HCEMD is contacted.
This allows the HCEMD to coordinate
with both their Emergency Dispatch
Operations and Emergency Management
Office.

General Responsibilities under the
Emergency Action Plan. The EAP also
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establishes the responsibilities of Tampa
Bay Water, as the facility owner, and the
local and state emergency management
agencies, as the entities with the
statutory obligation for warning and
evacuating the public within the
potentially affected areas (HDR 2000).
These specific responsibilities by agency
are;

Tampa Bay Water
•  Identification of the Emergency
   Condition
•  Notification of the Hillsborough
   County Emergency Management
   Department and the FDEP State
   Dam Safety Officer
•  Implementation and direction of
   emergency repairs
•  Update the emergency status to the
   appropriate Hillsborough County
   Agency and the State Dam Safety
   Officer
•  Provisions for security measures at
   the facility
•  Evacuation of the Tampa Bay
   Regional Reservoir site itself in the
   event of an emergency condition
•  Provision of technical assistance to
   local and state emergency
   management agencies, when
   necessary
•  Reporting termination of emergency
   situation on-site at the facility

Hillsborough County Emergency
Management Department
•  Coordinate with both the Emergency
   Dispatch Operations and the
   Emergency Management Office.
   Coordinating the County's response
   at the County's Emergency
   Operations Center.
•  Responsible for orchestrating
   response and recovery actions in the
   aftermath of a  disaster.
•   Dispatch center for 911 calls
    requesting police, fire, or medical
    assistance and dispatching the
    appropriate rescue units.

Florida Department of Community
Affairs, Division of Emergency
Management
•   Control and coordination of with
    Public Law in accordance with all
    emergency action.
•   Provide assistance to Hillsborough
    County when it is requested and is
    beyond Hillsborough County
    capabilities.
•   If necessary, notification of other
    appropriate state agencies.
•   Review and  testing of the emergency
    notification process.
•   Request of Federal Aid if applicable.

Florida Department of Environmental
Protection, Bureau of Mine
Reclamation, State Dam Safety
Officer
•   Provide technical assistance to
    Tampa Bay Water.
•   Assist in the evaluation and
    assessment of potential emergency
    conditions.
•   Implement their authority to direct
    Tampa Bay Water to take any
    necessary, reasonable safety
    measures.

Termination and Recovery of an
Emergency. For an emergency situation
to be terminated there has to be an
agreement between Tampa Bay Water
and Hillsborough County as to when it is
appropriate to terminate the emergency
condition. Upon inspection of the
facility, it is Tampa Bay Water's
responsibility to make the decision  when
the facility is safe and the emergency
condition can be terminated.  It is then
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Hillsborough County's responsibility to
terminate off-site evacuation and
emergency response activities.  Upon
termination of the emergency, a news
release would be issued by Tampa Bay
Water to the local media for broadcast to
the general public. At this time, the
County would begin evaluating the
overall emergency response and prepare
a report documenting the emergency
procedures. The purpose of the report is
to help identify any deficiencies in the
Emergency Action Plan that could
include procedure, manpower, materials,
or equipment used during the
emergency.

Once the emergency is terminated,
recovery actions are taken to demobilize
and return to the pre-emergency
conditions of the facility. Tampa Bay
Water is responsible for securing the
site, taking necessary actions of restoring
the basic facility service, and assessing
the damage. As with the termination
phase, off-site recovery actions are the
responsibility of Hillsborough County.

Preparedness.  The EAP describes
preparedness  actions to be taken by
Tampa Bay Water prior to and following
the onset of an emergency.  This
includes the installation of equipment or
the establishment of procedures to:

  • Prevent emergency conditions from
     developing and warning of the
     onset of an emergency condition.
  • Facilitate the operation of the facility
     in an emergency condition.
  • Minimize the extent of damage
     resulting from any emergency
     situation.

The preparedness section of the EAP
describes the procedures such as
surveillance, instrumentation, and
inspection schedules.  An extensive
surveillance program has been designed
for the Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir,
which include instrumentation and
alarms for detecting water levels and
instrumentation for evaluating
embankment performance. An
inspection program has been developed
for the Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir
and includes various types of
inspections.  These include an annual
third-party and weekly inspections, and
informal observations by project
personnel as they operate the reservoir.
Inundation maps will also be used to
assist in notification and evacuation of
the public in the event of an emergency
at the Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir.
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         CHAPTER 4


      ENVIRONMENTAL
       CONSEQUENCES

 4.1  INTRODUCTION
 Chapter 4, Environmental
 Consequences, discusses the adverse and
 positive impacts associated with
 development of the two action
 alternatives carried forward in the
 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
 DEIS and how the significant adverse
 impacts resulting from implementation
 of either of the two action alternatives
 would be mitigated. The two action
 alternatives considered are:

 •  1,1.00-Acre Tampa Bay Regional
    Reservoir Project
 •  1,100-Acre Tampa Bay Regional
    Reservoir Project and an 18-mgd
    ASR System

 These two water storage/supply
 alternatives along with the No Federal
 Action alternative (see Chapter 2) are
 compared in the following sections. The
 impacts addressed include those to both
 the existing natural resources and the
 existing human environment. The
 descriptions of mitigation measures
 contained in these discussions are
, intended as brief summaries.  A
 summary of the proposed mitigation
 plan has been developed and is included
 as Appendix B.

 According to Tampa Bay Water, the
 addition of an 18-mgd ASR system as a
 component with the 1,100-acre regional
 reservoir would enhance the overall
 surface water supply system by
 increasing its reliability. However, the
time interval required to develop an
operational ASR system is about 10
years.  Therefore, the inclusion of an
ASR component with the 1,100-acre
reservoir does not satisfy the need to
develop an operational water supply by
the year 2007.  All of the technical
aspects of the development and
operation of an ASR system have not
been addressed in this DEIS. As a
result, Tampa Bay Water may want to
further evaluate the effects of adding an
ASR system to the existing 1,100-acre
reservoir at some point in the future.

As stated in Chapter 2, the Tampa Bay
Regional Reservoir Project is Tampa
Bay Waters' preferred alternative.  To
compare viable alternatives in this DEIS,
it was necessary to consider that No
Federal Action equated to no reservoir.
However, absent $12,615,000 in federal
funds, nothing in this DEIS would
prevent Tampa Bay Water from building
the 1,100-acre reservoir and connecting
transmission pipeline.

If the Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir
were not built, Tampa Bay Water has
demonstrated that it would not meet the
tri-county area potable water demands
under the commitments and obligations
of the Interlocal and Partnership
agreements nor would it meet the
cumulative water supply needs predicted
to occur by the year 2007.  A 25-mgd
deficit in water need would result.

Tampa Bay Water and SWFWMD have
agreed to a Consolidated Water Use
Permit that reduces Tampa Bay Water's
current groundwater withdrawals of 158
mgd to 120 mgd by December 2002, and
to 90 mgd by December 2007.
Exceeding permitted withdrawal
quantities in the Consolidated Water Use
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 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
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 Permit could result in loss of funding
 committed by SWFWMD to Tampa Bay
 Water through the Partnership
 Agreement. In addition, groundwater
 pumpage above permitted levels would
 continue, resulting in an increase in
 environmental impacts to wetlands and
 lakes.

 The natural resources evaluated in this
 chapter include land, water, air,
 vegetation communities, wildlife, and
 threatened and endangered species. The
 human resources examined are
 population, land use and ownership,
 employment, economics, recreation*
 cultural resources, and aesthetics.  The
 methodology for determining impacts to
 these resources and the criteria for
 evaluating the significance of these
 impacts are described.  The impacts are ,
 further categorized and, for potentially
 significant impacts, mitigation measures
 are proposed.

 4.2 GENERAL SETTING
 The general setting of an area is a
 function of its geographic location,
 topography, climate, and land cover.
 Locations can not be changed by human
 activity, although the selection of
 alternatives in different locations could
 result in different types and levels of
 impact to the  general  setting.  Climate
 can only be changed by human activity
 on a massive scale. Topography could
 be altered or modified by human
 activities conducted on a local scale.
 However, extensive measures would
 normally be required to significantly
 change the overall topography of an
 area.

 Methodologies and Significance
 Criteria. Site visits and best
professional judgement was used to
 gauge the effects the alternatives would
 have on location, topography, climate,
 and land cover.  Impacts to the general
 setting of the project area would be
 significant if they resulted in a dramatic
 change in the overall character of the
 area.

 4.2.1 Action Alternatives. Both of the
 action alternatives would alter a specific
 portion of the existing project area
 through the construction and operation
 and maintenance of the embankment,
 transmission main, and reservoir.
 Changes to the general setting of the
 local area would be limited to the lands
 temporarily disturbed or permanently
 modified by construction or operation
 and maintenance. No changes in
 climatic conditions would result.
             !
 Changes in the local topography would
 result from the construction of the
 reservoir embankments, which are
 proposed to be 65 feet at the highest
 point.  All borrow material required to
 construct the embankments would come
 from the reservoir interior.  No
 significant  changes in area topography,
 other than the embankments, would
 result.

 4.2.2 No Federal Action. The No
 Federal Action alternative would not
 change the  climate, topography, or land
 cover of the local area since no
 construction or operation and
 maintenance activities would occur.
 Land use changes currently on-going
 with local area development would
 continue unabated. With the exception
 of land development, the No Federal
 Action would not significantly impact
the  general setting of the area.

4.2.3 Mitigation. Planned mitigation
areas located outside of the embankment
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 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
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 and reservoir area would be shaped and
 vegetated after construction to mitigate
 for wetland impacts that are expected
 due to the construction of the project.

 4.3 HYDROLOGY

 Methodology and Significance
 Criteria.  The following local and
 regional hydrogeology information of
 the site and surrounding area was
 reviewed.
 •   Hydrology of the Floridan Aquifer
    System in West-Central Florida,
    1985;
 •   Ground-Water Resource Availability
    Inventory: Hillsborough County,
    Florida, 1988;
 •   The Geology of Florida, 1997;
 •   U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) 7.5
    minute series topographic map,
    Lithia, Florida Quadrangle, 1955,
    and 1972;
 •   U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) 7.5
    minute series topographic map,
    Lithia, Florida Quadrangle, 1955,
    and 1987;
 •   USDA Soil Surveys of Hillsborough
    County, Florida, 1958 and 1989.

 4.3.1  Surficial and Subsurface Soil
 Conditions. The 1989 U.S. Department
 of Agriculture (USDA) Soil
 Conservation Service (SCS) soil survey
 for Hillsborough County, Florida defines
 nine dominant soil types characteristic of
 the proposed reservoir  property and the
 immediate vicinity. Sandy soil types
 dominate the northern portion of the site
 and the southern half is dominated by
 soils typical of those found in reclaimed
 strip mine areas.  Prior to mining,
 several discontinuous, low, wet areas
were located within the southern portion
of the site.  Some of these depressional
areas were mapped by the 1958 USDA
 soil survey as containing organic bearing
 soils.

 4.3.2 Surface Drainage. Based on
 nearby drainage basin features and
 ground surface elevations, the apparent
 surficial groundwater flow direction and
 unchanneled surface-water runoff
 direction is to the northwest on an
 regional basis. The regional reservoir
 site is bounded by Doe Branch to the
 northeast and Long Flat Creek to the
 west. These creeks drain to  the
 northwest into Chapman Hammock and
 Cabbage Hammock, respectively. These
 areas eventually drain into Fishhawk
 Creek and the Alafia River.

 4.3.3 Mining and Reclamation
 History. The approximate southern one-
 third of the proposed site was previously
 disturbed and mined for phosphate ore.
 The mining was done using  surface
 excavating equipment that first removed
 the overburden materials, then the
 phosphate bearing ore or "matrix".
 Agrico Chemical Company (Agrico) did
 the mining from the 1940s through the
 1960s. The area was known as the
 Boyette Mine. After mining, the
 disturbed land areas were incorporated
 into a series of waste clay  disposal ponds
 that were active in the 1950s and 1960s.
 Reclamation activities began in the mid-
 1970s and were generally finished by the
 late 1980s.

The year that clearing and mining by
Agrico commenced is not exactly
known; however, historical aerial
photographs and records indicate that it
was about 1945. Mining activities at the
Boyette Mine continued until about
 1966. Agrico sold some of the mined
land in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
The mined area that is included in the
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 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
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 reservoir footprint was sold to Amos
 Adams in 1969 and later to Dr. J. C.
 Pruitt.  After areas were mined, they
 were re-shaped to act as disposal or
 settling areas for waste phosphatic clays.
 Reclamation of these areas was done as
 part of the State's Nonmandatory or
 "Old Lands" Reclamation Rules,
 administered by the State of Florida
 Department of Environmental Protection
 (FDEP), Bureau of Mine Reclamation,
 (FACRule62C-17). This reclamation
 work was done for Dr. J. C. Pruitt in the
 early to mid-1980s.

 The sand tailings from the mining
 operation appear to have been deposited
 in areas south of the proposed reservoir
 area. The sand tailing area, south of the
 reservoir project area is one-quarter
 circular in shape and extended to an
 elevation of about +150 feet NGVD,
 which is its current maximum elevation.

 4.3.4 Action Alternatives.
 Construction and operation of either
 alternative would not significantly
 impact the hydrology of the proposed
 site. The site would still be drained by
 Doe Branch to the northeast and Long
 Flat Creek to the west.  These creeks
 drain to the northwest into Chapman
 Hammock and Cabbage Hammock,
 respectively.

 4.3.5 No Federal Action. The No
 Federal Action alternative does not
 include development of either alternative
 and therefore would not alter the existing
 hydrology.

 4.3.6 Mitigation. No mitigation is
 proposed for this portion of the project.
 Potential impacts to the hydrology of the
proposed reservoir would be modest.
 4.4  GEOLOGICAL,
 HYDROGEOLOGICAL, AND
 GEOPHYSICAL INVESTIGATION
 This section describes the geology and
 hydrogeology of the site, including an
 analysis of the potential for sinkhole
 development.  Construction of the
 proposed reservoir requires
 characterization of the materials upon
 which it would be built. It is important
 to understand the potential for leakage
 from the reservoir and for development
 of sinkholes, which are common features
 in parts of west central Florida.  It is also
 important to delineate the availability
 and distribution of geologic materials
 that may be useful in construction of the
 reservoir or that may interfere with its
 construction or function.

 Methodology and Significance
 Criteria.  Geological investigations
 were undertaken to develop information
 on the surface and subsurface geologic
 materials for the proposed reservoir site
 characterization. Geologic
 investigations necessary to support
 detailed geologic design of the
 alternatives included a photolineament
 analysis, ground penetrating radar,
 seismic  reflection and refraction,
 drillings, test pits, pedestrian surveys,
 and the review of existing data.  Impacts
 on geology would be significant if
 natural geologic processes such as uplift,
 faulting, landslides, or weathering were
changed. Conversely, local geology
would significantly impact the project if
expensive  and time consuming
engineering solutions were required for
embankment or wellfield construction.
Such investigations required:

•  Review of past studies by others in
   the same location or in geologically
   similar locales.  Observation of
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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
    landforms and materials exposed at
    the ground surface or in shallow
    trenches.
•   Review of aerial photographs of the
    site.
•   Measurement of the geophysical
    properties of the sediments and rocks
    in the subsurface.
•   Drilling of boreholes to recover
    sediment and rock samples for
    analysis.
•   Construction of cross-sections and
    maps of the subsurface as enabled by
    the program of drilling and sampling.
•   A geophysical investigation was
    used to "screen" large areas of the
    reservoir site for discrete structures
    and to assist in identification of
    locations for test drilling.
    Geophysicist accomplished this by
    observing the physical responses of
    the subsurface to such diverse
    probing tools as seismic and radar
    waves.

The geophysical program was developed
to work with the geological investigation
to develop a model of the subsurface
geology of the site to:

•   Locate areas within the  site that are
    potential hazards to the  success of
    the planned impoundment.
•   Provide information about the
    characteristics of subsurface
    materials that would affect the
    engineering design of the project.
•   Guide the drilling program to
    locations  appropriate for verification
    and delineation of subsurface
    features.

In order to conduct a photolinear
analysis at the reservoir site, aerial
photographs taken in 1939,  1948, 1957,
and 1998 were reviewed.  The 1939 and
 1948 images allowed identification of
 photolinear features in the land that was
 subsequently mined.

 Once it was determined that photolinear
 features are present on the site, they
 were identified in the field and staked as
 potential borehole locations.
 Geophysical exploration in the vicinity
 of these sites was used to refine the
 borehole locations for drilling.
 Geophysical investigation concentrated
 on areas where photolinear features
 intersected each other, especially where
 these features had been assigned high
 levels of confidence, and where
 photolinears intersected the proposed
 embankment centerline. Additional
 geophysical exploration sites were
 selected near circular depressions  and
 wetlands that might represent past
 sinkhole activity.

 A complementary suite of geophysical
 methods was utilized to evaluate
 subsurface stratigraphy and structure  at
 the Tampa Bay Regional  Reservoir site.
 This combination included ground
 penetrating radar, seismic refraction, and
 seismic reflection (Table 4-1).

 Upon completion of the geophysical
 investigations, the photolinear features
 were reviewed. Some of the
 photolinears exhibited no geophysical
 anomalies while others indicated the
 presence of geophysical anomalies.
 Where necessary, preliminary borehole
 locations were moved to the center of
 the geophysical anomaly. Typically, the
 locations of the final boreholes were less
than 100 feet from the original locations.
A geologist developed the SPT and
 lithologic information collected from  the
boreholes with oversight by principal
geologists and engineers.  Lithologic
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 Tanya Bay Regional Reservoir Project
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 designations were reviewed and a
 geologic interpretation of the
 stratigraphy and karst at the site was
 prepared. Geologic formations were
 identified based on rock characteristics.
 However, the upper 100 to  150 feet of
 sediment at the site includes well-
 defined sequences of siliciclastic (sand,
 silt, and clay) and carbonate (limestone
 and dolostone) sediments within a single
 formation. These sequences were given
 informal designations in order to
 correlate between boreholes and identify
 anomalous sections where karst
 activities maybe present.

 4.4.1  Action Alternatives. The
 findings of the geological, geophysical,
 and hydrological investigations are
 summarized below.

 •   The Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir
    site is located on a physiographic
    province characterized by well
    developed stream systems and
    minimal karst or sinkhole activity.
 •   The geology of the site includes a
    sand mantle that averages 18 feet in
    thickness.
 •   Underlying the sand mantle is a thick
    section of siliciclastic and carbonate
    strata of the Hawthorn Group.
 •   The uppermost unit of the Hawthorn
    Group is the siliciclastic and
    phosphatic Bone Valley Member of
    the Peace River Formation. The
    Bone Valley averages 12 feet in
    thickness at the site. No  other Peace
    River Formation sediments have
    been documented at the  site.
 •   The Bone Valley was mined for
    phosphate in the southwestern third
    of the site.
•   Beneath the Bone Valley Member
    lies the Arcadia Formation, which
    consists of siliciclastic and
    phosphatic sediments, limestone, and
    dolostone.
 •   The shallow strata were subdivided
    into five informal stratigraphic units
    as follows: Unit A, the surficial
    marine terrace sands; B, Bone Valley
    Member siliciclastic sediments; C, a
    weathered limestone at the top of the
    Arcadia Formation; D, a siliciclastic
    unit that lies below Unit C; and E, a
    dolostone unit that  lies
    approximately below Unit D.
 •   The top of the Bone Valley Member
    (Unit B) and portions of the Unit C
    limestone were affected by
    weathering and soil formation prior
    to deposition of Unit A. This
    weathering zone, the leached zone,
    includes some loose material.
 •   At the reservoir site, the surficial
    aquifer generally consists  of
    unconsolidated to poorly
    consolidated fine sand to silty and
    clayey sand of informal stratigraphic
    Unit A. However, due to the
    complex interbedding of strata,
    variable lithology, and infilling of
    erosional  features, the surficial
    aquifer is likely to be in hydraulic
    connection with stratigraphic Units
    B, C, and D in some areas of the site.
•   The intermediate aquifer system
    penetrated at the reservoir site
    consists of Hawthorn Group
    sediments of informal stratigraphic
    Units B, C, D, and E.  The full
    thickness  of the intermediate aquifer
    and confining beds was not
    penetrated at the reservoir  site.
•   The most  consistent permeable zone
    encountered at the site is a
    weathered, nodular cherty  dolostone
    where drilling mud losses  have
    occurred. This unit is typically
    encountered within informal
    stratigraphic Unit E, and is defined,
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 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
         Draft Environmental Impact Statement
    for the purposes of this study, as the
    "permeable zone of Unit E".
 •   The definition of an upper confining
    unit of similar lithology at the
    reservoir is difficult due to the
    complex nature of the Hawthorn
    Group.  Ground-water elevation data
    from on-site piezometer nests
    indicate a substantial  head difference
    ("head loss interval") between the
    75-foot depth interval and the
    permeable zone of Unit E at the
    reservoir site. This head difference
    indicates that confinement likely
    exists between the two intervals.
 •   Geophysical surveying identified
    anomalous areas across the site that
    maybe related to subsurface karst
    activity. The observed anomalies
    included columns of disturbed soil
    and broad depressions within the
    shallow  soil horizons  and locations
    along seismic lines where the
    cemented layer is depressed.
«   Locations having the coincidental
    occurrence of GPR, refraction, and
    reflection anomalies were prioritized
    for investigation by drilling for
    verification and positive subsurface
    analysis.
«   Karst-related features  were detected
    at the site. These include  a small
    number of collapse-type
    paleosinkholes (no modem sinkholes
    were detected) and solution-type
    sinkholes.
•   The ancient collapse-type features
    found in Areas C  (ERM-16A) and D
    (ERM-42A) were of concern because
    of their proximity to the
    embankment.  The embankment
    centerline was subsequently adjusted
    to the east to avoid the feature at
    ERM-42A. The features in areas C
    and D appear to be ancient, inactive
    features due to the undisturbed
    character of the uppermost sand unit.
 •  The solution sinkhole-type features
    are restricted to broad depressions in
    Areas A, B, and, to some degree E
    (Figure 3.5-7). Areas A and B have
    sag features (wetlands, sag ponds)
    and the land surface in Area E is
    characterized by a small embayment
    in the floodplain to the north.
 •  The only concern relative to the
    solution sinkholes is potential
    enhanced leakage from the reservoir.
    Structural failure of these features is
    improbable.
 •  Columns of disturbed soil are present
    in many parts of the site. These
    reflect downward movement of soil,
    but do not appear to be associated
    with voids or well-developed
    ground-water circulation systems.
 •  Sinkhole risk at the reservoir is
    considered to be low relative to other
    areas in Hillsborough County.

 The geology of the project area was
 found to be suitable for the construction
 of the alternatives. Some additional
 areas would be  disturbed for
 construction of roads, pipelines, and
 other associated facilities. These
 impacts would be relatively superficial
 and would not affect natural geologic
 processes  or local area geology. Overall,
 no significant impacts to the areas'
 geology would  result.

 4.4.2  No Federal Action. The No
 Federal Action alternative would not
 disturb the area geology and therefore no
 significant impacts would occur.

4.4.3  Mitigation. Detailed geologic
 investigations required to prepare the
 final design plans were performed.
These investigations establish design
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 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
         Draft Environmental Impact Statement
 criteria that insure sound and safe
 construction and operation of the water
 storage reservoir and associated
 alternatives. No mitigation is proposed
 for the geological impacts from
 construction phase impacts of either of
 the two action alternatives or the No
 Federal Action alternative.

 4.5 GEOTECHNICAL
 EXPLORATION
 The objective of the geotechnical
 exploration program was to evaluate the
 following general conditions at the
 proposed regional reservoir site:

 •   Characterization of the soil and rock
    material beneath the proposed
    reservoir embankments.
 •   Evaluation of geologic features
    identified by the project geologists
    and geophysicists.
 •   Characterizations of potential borrow
    material in the interior of the
    reservoir for embankment
    construction.
 •   Delineation of phosphatic waste clay
    deposits in the mined area of the site.
 •   Piezometric elevations at various
    depths, locations, and time around
    the site were evaluated to provide a
    better understanding of the local
    hydrogeology.
 •   Measurement of the in-situ borehole
    hydraulic conductivity and aquifer
    well pumping characteristics; this
    information will be used to model
    the reservoir leakage characteristics,
    as discussed in Section 3; the test
    results and evaluation of the data will
    be presented in a supplemental
    report.

Methodology and Significance
Criteria. To accomplish these
 objectives, the following types of
 explorations were utilized:

 •   Rotary-wash borings (land and over
    water)
 •   Cone penetrometer test soundings
    with pore pressure measurements
 •   Flat-plate dilatometer test soundings
 •   Rotary-auger borings
 •   Test trenches
 •   Soil probing and shallow hand auger
    borings
 •   Borehole hydraulic conductivity
    testing
 •   Piezometers and pumping wells.

 The entire field exploration program was
 performed between January 28, and
 December 14, 1999. A substantial
 quantity of drilling, soil sampling, soil
 and rock coring, in-situ testing, and
 trenching was performed at the reservoir
 site. This includes approximately 5,300
 feet of coring, over  13,300 feet of rotary-
 wash borings,  and approximately 3,200
 feet of CPTU soundings.

 Quantitative laboratory testing was
 performed on representative samples of
 the soils encountered in the field
 exploration. The laboratory-testing
 program for this investigation included
 tests for moisture content, percent fines,
 grain size, organic loss on ignition,
 Atterberg limits, specific gravity,
 standard Proctor, maximum/minimum
 density, hydraulic conductivity, and unit
 weight. Additionally, strength and
 compressibility tests were performed.
 Tests were performed on soil and rock
 samples collected between January 28,
 and November 10, 1999.  All tests were
performed in accordance with the
 applicable American Society for Testing
and Materials (ASTM) test methods.
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 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
 4.5.1 Action Alternatives. The original
 reservoir layout for the site encompassed
 Hillsborough County's land north of the
 landfill and one private landowner to the
 north. This layout was rectangular in
 shape and would have required the
 rerouting of a large portion of Doe
 Branch Creek.  Based on information
 from the SWFWMD, the proposed
 reservoir was reconfigured to minimize
 the impact to Doe Branch. The current
 reservoir configuration would not impact
 the existing creek system.

 The initial reservoir configuration also
 maximized the use of the southern
 portion of the site, which is owned by
 the Hillsborough County (County) Solid
 Waste Management Department and
 Parks and Recreation Department.
 Based on initial discussions, both of
 these departments and the County's Real
 Estate Departments issued letters
 outlining their concerns or issues with
 the initial reservoir configuration.

 The Solid Waste Management
 Department stated that they had plans for
 the area as a source of cover material,
 buffer and potential leachate disposal.
 In addition, the Florida Department of
 Environmental Protection has a
 requirement that any Class I water body
 be at least 3,000 feet from a landfill cell.
 The Parks and Recreation Department's
 concerns centered upon the man-made
 lake in the southern portion of the site.
 This lake is currently the only lake with
potential vehicle access on their
property. Prior to the initiation of the
detailed geotechnical investigation, the
reservoir was moved approximately
3,000 feet to the north in response to
input from the County's Solid Waste
Management Department.
 During the geotechnical investigation
 conducted on the County's property, it
 was determined that construction of the
 embankment on this property would
 require removal of more waste clays
 from the mining process than would be
 required if the embankment was moved
 north, approximately 800 feet, off of the
 County's property. As a result,
 constructing the embankment on the
 County's property would increase
 construction costs. Based on this issue
 and the previous alignment, the southern
 alignment of the embankment was
 moved north off the County's property.

 Approximately 260 acres of the reservoir
 footprint (or slightly less than 25
 percent) has been affected by the mining
 process.  The land reclamation process
 has disturbed most of the prior
 observable evidence of the previous
 mining activity. The remainder of the
 site is considered to be "unmined" based
 on available historic information. This
 conclusion is also supported by the data
 obtained from the subsurface
 investigation program. The  unmined
 area typically consists of 30 to 40 feet of
 predominantly sandy soil overlying
 limestone and dolostone rock layers
 ("rock"), interlayered with sandy layers
 to the depth explored.
 The overburden soils above the top of
 rock are predominantly cohesionless
 soils. The percentage of different soil
 types was found to be a function  of
 depth for the embankment borings. The
 variation in soil types with depth shows
 a similar pattern for the majority of the
 segments with fines content typically
 increasing with depth. The fines content
ranged from 4 to 97 percent with a
median value of 24 percent for all soils
tested to a depth of 30 feet. However,
for soils to a depth of 15 feet (potential
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 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
         Draft Environmental Impact Statement
 borrow material), the fines content
 ranged from 4 to 72 percent with a
 median value of 15 percent.

 Of importance to embankment design is
 the strength, compressibility, and
 hydraulic conductivity characteristics of
 the overburden soils because this may
 influence the design of the embankment.
 The overburden soils generally appear to
 be acceptable for use as structural fill
 within the embankment and foundations
 of the reservoir ancillary structures.
 Overburden soils containing substantial
 amounts of vegetation or other
 deleterious materials would not be
 acceptable as structural fill.

 4.5.2 No Federal Action  Alternative.
 The No Federal Action alternative would
 have no impact on the geotechnical
 aspects in the project area.

 4.5.3 Mitigation.  Soil loss caused by
 construction or operation and
 maintenance would be minimized by
 implementation of erosion and
 sedimentation control plans. Silt fences,
 silt traps, sedimentation basins,
 reshaping, reseeding, and soil cement on
 the reservoir embankments would be
 used to control erosion  caused by
 construction and operation and
 maintenance. Restricting human activity
 to specific access points and vehicular
 traffic to prepared roadways and parking
 areas would reduce or eliminate impacts
 from construction activities.
 Implementing these mitigation measures
 would avoid significant soil disturbance
 and loss.

4.6 AIR QUALITY
All three counties (Hillsborough, Pasco
and Pinellas) in the general study area
are in attainment or are  unclassified for
 all criteria pollutants and meet
 established ambient air quality
 standards. It is possible that
 Hillsborough and Pinellas counties will
 be redesignated from attainment or
 unclassified to nonattainment areas for
 ozone under the new eight-hour
 standard. This would occur if these
 counties exceed the national standard for
 ozone.

 Methodology and Significance
 Criteria. The State of Florida has
 adopted the U.S. National Ambient Air
 Quality Standards (NAAQS) except for
 sulfur dioxide (SO2).  Florida's SO2
 standard is slightly more stringent than
 the national standard.  In 1997,  the
 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
 changed the ozone standard from a one-
 hour standard to an eight-hour standard.
 The EPA is currently redesignating the
 status of ozone areas.

 Currently, Hillsborough and Pinellas
 counties are air quality maintenance
 areas for ozone.  Some areas in
 Hillsborough County are designated as
 air quality maintenance areas for
 particulate matter (total suspended
 particulate) and lead.  Air quality
 maintenance areas are defined as areas
 that, due to past nonattainment status,
 are required to implement strategies to
 maintain attainment with the standards
 for the specified air pollutant.

 The State of Florida currently has air
 quality monitors for particulate matter,
 sulfur dioxide, ozone and lead in the
 study area. The air quality in the three-
 county area currently meets all ambient
 air quality standards. Local
municipalities and agricultural and
mining industries are not expected to
emit high levels of any pollutant that
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 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
         Draft Environmental Impact Statement
 would exceed established air quality
 standards.

 4.6.1 Action Alternatives. The
 proposed site for the two action
 alternatives is not in an air quality
 maintenance area for particulate matter
 or lead, but is included in the
 maintenance area for ozone.

 Particulate matter, in the form of total
 suspended particulate (TSP) and
 particulate matter less than  10 microns in
 size (PM10) would be generated in the
 construction process. Ozone may be
 generated from the photochemical
 reaction of exhaust gases carbon
 monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx),
 and volatile organic compounds (VOC)
 in the atmosphere from mobile sources
 used during construction.

 Fugitive particulate matter emissions
 would be generated by various
 construction activities such as
 earthmoving, excavation, and grading
 operations.  CO, NOx, and VOC
 emissions would also be generated from
 the exhaust of the construction vehicles.
 There may be some temporary adverse
 affects on the air quality from
 construction activities, but these
 activities would not be expected to have
 any long-term impacts on the local
 ambient air quality in the three-county
 area.

 Construction emissions can be
 distinguished as either onsite or offsite.
 Onsite emissions generated  during
 construction principally would  consist of
 exhaust emissions (e.g., NOx, SOx, CO,
 VOC, and PM10) from mobile  diesel
and gasoline-powered construction
equipment and portable auxiliary
equipment, and fugitive dust (e.g.,
 PM10) from disturbed soil.  Offsite
 emissions during the construction phase
 would consist of exhaust emissions from
 worker commute trips and material
 transport trips to and from the
 construction site. Onsite construction
 activities are typically divided into three
 distinct phases: (1) demolition and land
 clearing, (2) site preparation, and (3)
 general construction. This project could,
 with no control measures, be expected to
 have a significant short-term impact on
 the regional air quality due to
 construction activities. Long-term, non-
 construction related air quality impacts
 from this project would be insignificant
 because normal maintenance activity at
 the reservoir, once it is constructed,
 would have minimal impact  on air
 quality.

 4.6.2  No Federal Action. No
 construction or operational activities
 would be associated with this alternative.
 Therefore, the No Federal Action
 alternative would not have any impact
 on ambient air quality in the  project area.

 4.6.3  Mitigation. The emissions from
 construction activities are primarily from
 demolition, excavation, off-road mobile
 source equipment, and on-road motor
 vehicles (construction worker trips).
 The mitigation measures listed below are
 intended to minimize the emissions
 associated with construction  activities.

Construction related mitigation measures
include:

•   Water active portions of construction
    site daily.
•   Apply non-toxic soil stabilizers to
    graded areas that will be  inactive for
    10 days or more.
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 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
         Draft Environmental Impact Statement
 •  Improved fueling management
    techniques to reduce evaporation
    emissions.
 •  Fuel -tank storage berms to
    contain/absorb accidental spills and
    protecting wet areas.
 •  Impervious matting around fueling
    zones.
 •  Off-site oil change/maintenance of
    construction equipment.

 No other feasible measures have been
 identified to reduce emissions from
 construction or operation and
 maintenance activities.

 4.7 NOISE QUALITY
 Construction and operation activities
 associated with the alternatives could
 raise noise levels in the surrounding
 area.  Noise sources during construction
 would include heavy construction
 equipment and increased vehicular
 traffic to and from the construction site.
 Following project construction, any
 potential noise would be from operation
 and maintenance activities with the
 embankments, intake facilities, pump
 stations or pipeline. Sensitive noise
 receptors could include residences,
 livestock and wildlife.

 Methodologies and Significance
 Criteria. Most individuals would notice
 noise levels that  increase by an
 increment of 10 dBA or more. For the
 purposes of this analysis, the impact
 would be considered significant if
permanent residences were to experience
 an increase of 10 dBA or more above
 ambient noise levels. Noise impacts
would be considered significant if
 increases in ambient noise levels  would
result in significant redistribution or
disturbance to wildlife.
 4.7.1 Action Alternatives. There are no
 permanent residences within
 approximately 650 feet of the proposed
 project site. After construction, higher
 noise levels in the vicinity of the dam
 would be caused by traffic from periodic
 dam and reservoir operation and
 maintenance and possible recreational
 use. Activities associated with the day
 to day operations of the reservoir would
 be virtually noiseless.

 The reservoir may be used for
 recreational activities such as fishing,
 boating and hiking in the future. These
 activities generate minimal noise and
 would have no significant impacts on
 local residences or wildlife.

 4.7.2  No Federal Action. No
 construction or operational activities
 would be associated with the No Federal
 Action alternative. No noise impacts to
 either human or wildlife populations in
 the project area would occur.

 4.7.3  Mitigation.  Construction
 activities near residences would be
 restricted to daytime hours. No
 mitigation is proposed for the No
 Federal Action alternative.

 4.8 WATER RESOURCES
 The project area includes both
 groundwater and surface water
 resources.  The impacts to these
 resources from the alternatives carried
 forward are discussed in the following
 sections.

4.8.1  Groundwater Quantity. The
hydrogeologic units underlying the
reservoir site consist of the surficial,
intermediate, and upper Floridan aquifer
systems (LAW 1999). The character of
the geologic units at the surface and in
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 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
         Draft Environmental Impact Statement
 the subsurface of the study area
 influence potential impacts to the water
 table and groundwater in that area.

 Methodologies and Significance
 Criteria. A detailed hydrogeologic
 evaluation was performed to evaluate the
 character of the potential reservoir site,
 the pipeline, and the ASR system
 facilities. Objectives of the
 hydrogeologic evaluation were:

 •   To identify permeable units and
    determine the level of confinement
    between these units in the site
    subsurface
 •   To estimate existing vertical seepage
    through the shallow confining units
    in the site subsurface
 •   To determine the effects of the
    reservoir on the surrounding near-
    surface environment

 Using data generated during the
 geotechnical site characterization and
 data collected during site-specific
 aquifer performance tests (APTs), a
 seepage evaluation was performed for
 the proposed reservoir to determine
 horizontal and vertical hydraulic
 properties of the aquifer systems and the
 confining strata in the site subsurface.
 Potential water losses and the effects of
 these losses from a completed and filled
 reservoir were predicted by these tests.
 Flow modeling was performed using the
 site-specific data to predict the potential
 range of losses from the reservoir.

Flow modeling of the reservoir was
performed to predict water losses from
the reservoir at maximum pool level, and
to estimate the distribution  of the
surficial seepage, particularly to the
shallow water table and surrounding
streams.  Flow modeling of the reservoir
 was performed using the finite computer
 program SEEP/W (Geo-Slope version
 4.2.2) for the simulation. To simulate
 observed conditions, the SEEP/W model
 was calibrated to site-specific
 groundwater elevation data from
 monthly piezometer monitoring at the
 reservoir site.  The model does not
 account for precipitation or
 evapotranspiration effects, which
 normally add or remove water from a
 system.  Only horizontal and vertical
 water seepage losses were modeled for
 the proposed reservoir (HDR 2000).

 A preliminary ASR feasibility study
 identified permitting, hydrogeologic,
 groundwater quality, and siting
 concerns. Criteria for the development
 of a successful ASR system include
 water availability, cost effectiveness,
 suitable storage capacity in a receiving
 aquifer, limited nearby competing
 groundwater users, and minimization  of
 impacts during pumping.

 Regional hydrogeologic trends were
 evaluated through cross  sections
 developed from lithologic descriptions
 from core and drill cuttings, available
 aquifer test results, and well-control
 points (HDR 2000a).

 4.8.1.1 Tampa Bay Regional
 Reservoir Project. Significant water
 exchange from vertical migration of
 water from the reservoir into underlying
 aquifers is not expected. Although the
 potential exists for downward vertical
movement of groundwater to lower
 aquifers, the presence of low
permeability confining intervals would
retard the vertical movement of water
between the aquifer units. The
difference in water pressure gradients
between the reservoir and the underlying
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 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
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 aquifer indicates that a significant low
 permeability layer (uppermost
 intermediate confining unit) is present.
 A lowermost intermediate confining
 unit, which is deeper than the depths
 investigated at the reservoir site, has
 been identified below the permeable
 zone(s) of the intermediate aquifer
 system (Ryder 1985; SWFWMD 1993).
 These low permeability-confining
 intervals retard the vertical movement of
 water between the aquifer units.

 Presently, land surface covered by the
 proposed reservoir and associated
 facilities - approximately 1,100 acres  -
 contributes an estimated 10 inches of
 rainfall per year or 0.75 to 1 mgd to the
 underlying aquifer as a result of direct
 infiltration.  A similar amount of runoff
 occurs from the site to the Alafia River.

 Flow modeling studies indicated that
 seepage loss into the shallow water table
 and adjacent streams would occur.
 Seepage from the reservoir would be
 dependent on the water level within the
 reservoir. With a full reservoir, the
 estimated maximum water loss through
 seepage would be 3.7 mgd for typical
 site conditions.  The resulting long-term
 average seepage, based on historical
 data, is estimated at 2.5 mgd. This
 assumes an operational phase with
 varying water levels based on historical
 stream flow records.  Based on this
 historical analysis, the reservoir is
 expected to be full approximately 15
 percent of the time.

 Pre-reservoir runoff and infiltration rates
 at the site average 1.5 to 2 mgd.
Therefore, seepage from the reservoir  at
maximum pool level could potentially
add 0.5 to 1 mgd more water to the
 groundwater and surface water system at
 the site.

 Impacts from horizontal seepage would
 include a rise in the water table within
 400 feet of the embankment toe.  The
 flow model shows that some of the
 horizontal flow from the reservoir would
 discharge to the water table outside of
 the embankment boundary. This
 calculated discharge, which would
 represent upward flow to the surficial
 aquifer, is highest (45 percent of the total
 upward movement) within
 approximately 100 feet from the
 embankment toe under typical site
 conditions. Within 100 to 200 feet from
 the embankment toe, the discharge to the
 water table dissipates to approximately
 20 percent of the upward flux. At
 distances of 200 to 400 feet from the
 embankment toe, the upward movement
 decreases rapidly, and would not be
 distinguishable from normal surficial
 aquifer water levels at distances greater
 than 400 feet (HDR 2000).

 4.8.1.2 Tampa Bay Regional
 Reservoir and ASR System. The
 impacts associated with construction and
 operation of the reservoir component of
 this alternative are the same as in
 Section 4.8.1.1 above. In addition to the
 reservoir, this alternative would provide
 additional underground storage capacity
 and would enhance the reliability of the
proposed surface reservoir as a regional
water storage facility. The majority of
existing permitted groundwater users
within the study area currently tap  the
upper and intermittent parts of the
Floridan aquifer. The proposed storage
zones for the ASR systems have
sufficient confinement to potentially
preclude any impacts to the surficial or
intermediate aquifer systems.  Injection
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 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
 and pumpage within the proposed
 storage zones may affect existing users
 (mostly agricultural users) that tap the
 upper Floridan aquifer for a water supply
 by producing variations in the level and
 pressure within the aquifer system.

 Two potential ASR storage zones have
 been identified in the upper Floridan
 aquifer in the study area.  The uppermost
 potential storage interval occurs in the
 lower part of the Suwannee Limestone
 and is composed of granular limestone
 with matrix-type porosity. The
 lowermost potential storage interval
 occurs in the upper part of the Avon
 Park Formation, a laterally persistent
 highly permeable zone in fractured
 dolostone. Confining units above the
 upper Floridan aquifer retard the vertical
 movement of any injected water in the
 storage intervals between the
 intermediate and surficial aquifers. The
 top of the upper Floridan aquifer
 deepens to the south across the study
 area, producing a higher degree of
 confinement (see Figure 3-3).

 An ASR system by itself does not
 produce a net loss of water from the
 aquifer system; an ASR accounting
 system would be developed that would
 report how much water is recharged to
 the aquifer system and how much water
 is removed.  Composed of intensely
 fractured rock, the Avon Park highly
 permeable zone has transmissivities
 from two to ten times greater than the
 Suwannee production zone. Injection
 and recovery rates per well are estimated
 to be 2.5 mgd or more in this zone.

4.8.1.3  No Federal Action. The No
Federal Action alternative would result
in the reservoir and/or ASR system not
being constructed; therefore, it is
 assumed that no impact to the proposed
 reservoir site or the surrounding area
 would occur.

 4.8.1.4 Mitigation. The embankment
 design contains several measures to
 minimize seepage from the reservoir
 (HDR 1999). First, the installation of a
 flexible geomembrane liner on the inner
 embankment slope would reduce water
 seapage and lower the surface of the
 saturated zone within the embankment.
 The geomembrane liner would connect
 to a second minimizing measure, a very
 low permeability soil-bentonite cut-off
 wall that would be designed to extend
 into the underlying confining layer at
 least 5 feet.  The cut-off wall also
 reduces water losses from the reservoir
 and lowers the surface of the saturated
 zone in the embankment. A third
 measure would be a horizontal blanket
 and toe drain that would be designed to
 control the water table outside of the
 reservoir embankment by collecting and
 routing seepage to discrete discharge
 points.

 The majority of potential upward
 movement resulting from seepage is
 predicted to occur within the first 200
 feet outside of the reservoir
 embankment. Within the first 100 feet
 of this interval, the embankment design
 includes drainage facilities (stormwater
 ponds, a perimeter roadway, and
 drainage swales) to intercept water that
 reaches the surface. Streams that occur
 around the majority of the perimeter of
the embankment in the second 100-foot
 interval will  intercept and convey any
upward water that reaches the stream
bottoms.

To prevent environmental and ecological
impacts due to the predicted rise in the
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 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
 water table from seepage, a monitoring
 and management program would be
 implemented. This program, consisting
 of a network of piezometers along the
 perimeter of the reservoir and near
 adjacent streams, biological transects,
 stream flows, and annual infrared aerial
 photography would allow assessing
 biological health and hydroperiod
 conditions prior to, during, and after
 filling the reservoir so that adverse
 ecological impacts can be avoided. A
 management program would be
 implemented in any areas where seepage
 adversely impacted the surrounding
 landscape.  A means of management of
 seepage impacts is the use of extraction
 well that would control surficial aquifer
 groundwater levels, a proven method
 that can be applied to specific areas.

 4.8.2  Groundwater Quality. Water
 seeping from the proposed reservoir or
 injected through the ASR system could
 affect the water quality of the adjacent
 aquifers. Water to be stored for the
 regional reservoir would be diverted
 from the Alafia River, Hillsborough
 River, and Tampa Bypass Canal. The
 quality of water diverted from these
 three sources is dependent on the season
 of the year, flow regime, and other
 existing climatic factors.

 Methodologies and Significance
 Criteria. Groundwater quality data
 were reviewed for the aquifers located
 beneath the reservoir site, specifically
 for total dissolved solids  (TDS),
 chlorides, and hardness (HDR 2000).
 Data from SWFWMD and Florida
 Geologic Society indicated that, in the
 intermediate aquifer, TDS ranges from
 about 250 parts per million (ppm) to 500
ppm, and chloride is less than 25 ppm.
There are no data available for hardness.
 In the underlying Floridan aquifer, TDS
 also ranged from 250 ppm to 500 ppm
 but chloride is approximately 20 ppm.
 In this case, hardness ranges from about
 120 to 180 ppm. The Florida
 Department of Environmental Protection
 (FDEP) permits injection of treated
 water using ASR facilities into aquifer
 zones containing native water with less
 than 10,000 ppm TDS.

 4.8.2.1  Tampa Bay Regional
 Reservoir Project. Quality of water
 seeping from the reservoir into the
 surrounding water table would be
 dependent on the quality of the water
 stored in the reservoir. High organic,
 nutrient, or bacteriological
 concentrations in water in the reservoir
 could impact ambient water quality of
 nearby streams and local groundwater in
 the surficial aquifer. A reservoir
 seepage evaluation concluded that
 significant water exchange from vertical
 migration of water into underlying
 aquifers would not occur. This is due to
 the intermediate confining aquifer layer
 that is located between the bottom of the
 reservoir and the underlying aquifer.

 4.8.2.2 Tampa Bay Regional
 Reservoir and ASR System.  This
 alternative would provide additional
 underground storage and would enhance
 the reliability of the proposed surface
 reservoir as a regional water storage
 facility. Chloride ion and TDS
concentrations of the inflow water
 typically meet State drinking water
 standards. The proposed ASR storage
zones in the upper Floridan aquifer have
sufficient confinement to preclude any
water quality impacts to the surficial or
intermediate aquifer systems.
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 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
         Draft Environmental Impact Statement
 Groundwater quality in the targeted
 Suwannee and Avon Park aquifer
 storage zones is generally high in the
 study area. State regulations do not
 permit the injection of lower quality
 water into a zone containing higher
 quality water.  Three groundwater
 constituents - alkalinity, hardness, and
 hydrogen sulfide - that are not regulated
 under State drinking water standards
 have been identified to have somewhat
 elevated levels in the upper Floridan
 aquifer in the study area (HDR 2000a).
 Significant mixing of native
 groundwater with treated injected water
 could result in the required retreatment
 of recovered water to reduce
 concentrations of these constituents to
 acceptable levels prior to distribution.

 4.8.2.3  No Federal Action. The No
 Federal Action alternative would result
 in continued adverse environmental
 impacts to wetlands and lakes from
 groundwater pumpage from existing
 wellfields. Groundwater withdrawals
 above permitted levels to meet tri-county
 water supply needs could result in
 degradation of the water quality in the
 producing aquifers.

 4.8.2.4  Mitigation. Embankment
 design includes several measures to
 minimize impacts due to seepage from
 the reservoir.  A flexible geomembrane
 liner on the inner slope and a soil-
 bentonite cut-off wall will be included in
 embankment construction.

 Quality of the water stored in the
 reservoir could directly affect the quality
 of any seepage to the surficial aquifer
and surrounding drainage features. Best
management practices (BMPs) proposed
 for use to control water quality in the
reservoir include (HDR 1999):
 •  In-lake treatment for algae control,
    such as copper sulfate, potassium
    permanganate, powdered activated
    charcoal, destratification or aeration,
    and biomanipulation
 •  Source treatment for nutrient control,
    such as pretreatment of source water;
    and
 •  Watershed BMPs to improve source
    water quality.

 Although contaminant levels are not
 expected to be excessive, periodic
 testing to monitor potential buildup of
 metals, pesticides, or other contaminants
 in the reservoir sediments would also be
 conducted. In the event of build-up of
 herbicides from reservoir operations,
 alternative methods of algae control
 would be evaluated and  Tampa Bay
 Water would monitor the condition of
 the sediments.

 Two alternatives for surface water
 pretreatment prior to ASR injection have
 been proposed to meet permitting
 requirements.  Full treatment prior to
 injection would include disinfection and
 addition of chloramines. Quality of the
 injected water would be equivalent to
 potable water sent to a distribution
 system. Water recovered from ASR
 systems typically requires disinfection
 prior to distribution.  The second
 treatment alternative, partial treatment
 prior to injection, would reduce the
 coliform bacteria to acceptable levels
 through disinfection by ultraviolet light.
 This pretreatment method would only
 satisfy the microbiological standards
 required for injection. With this
 treatment alternative, water withdrawn
 from the ASR systems would require full
 treatment at the water treatment plant
prior to distribution.
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 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
 New legislation allowing a limited
 aquifer exemption from primary
 drinking water standards for coliform
 bacteria was considered by the Florida
 Legislature this year. This exemption
 would have modified pretreatment
 requirements for ASR injection water to
 remove the requirements to reduce
 coliform levels; however, the proposed
 legislation did not pass in this years
 legislation session.

 Selection of an appropriate ASR storage
 zone could reduce the need for
 retreatment of recovered water. The
 highly permeable zone of the Avon Park
 aquifer is highly fractured and can
 sustain high injection and recovery rates
 with little change in aquifer pressure.
 However, this fractured characteristic
 also promotes rapid flushing of the
 aquifer and significant mixing of the
 native  groundwater and the injected
 ASR water could be expected. The
 Avon Park zone would be the best
 choice when using partially-treated
 injection water, since mixing with the
 native  water would not be a concern and
 the water would be treated after
 recovery.  The Suwannee aquifer
 production zone is typically
 characterized by matrix-type porosity
 and is not fractured. The Suwannee
 zone would be more effective for a
 potable water ASR system, where no
 retreatment of recovered ASR water
 would  be required.

 4.8.3 Surface Water Quantity.
 Because of the ecological importance of
 maintaining sufficient freshwater inflow
 into Tampa Bay, it is important to
 document the stream flow from Tampa
 Bay's tributaries that would be affected
by the proposed surface water
withdrawals.  Surface water runoff,
 spring inflow, and tidal currents
 influence flows in the tributaries.
 Discharges in tidal rivers are highly
 variable and are characterized by
 frequent reversals in flow and changes in
 flow magnitude due to upstream and
 downstream movements of water with
 tidal currents (PBS&J, 1998).

 Methodologies and Significance
 Criteria. Numerous studies have
 illustrated the importance of freshwater
 inflows to the biological structure and
 productivity of an ecosystem (Lewis and
 Estevez 1988; Sklar and Browder 1998;
 Estevez 2000; Estevez 2000a; USEPA
 1999). Estuaries function as transition
 zones between the freshwater of a river
 and the saline environment of the sea
 and, by definition, receive freshwater
 inflows. Freshwater inflow in estuaries:

 •   Provide a food supply by stimulating
    both photosynthesis and microbial
    decomposition.
 •   Deposit sediments that stabilize
    coastal wetlands against erosion,
    subsidence, and sea level rise.
 •   Drive estuarine circulation and
    establish salinity gradients.
 •   Create a range of salinities under
    which plants and animals thrive.

 The ability of an estuary to function
 properly and to sustain populations of
 animals and plants depends on the
 quantity, quality, timing, and location of
 freshwater inflows.
 Peak monthly withdrawal quantities for
 the Alafia River, Hillsborough River,
 and the Tampa Bypass Canal would be
based on the practical conveyances of
combined flow through an 84-inch
diameter pipeline to the proposed
reservoir. The maximum withdrawals
would be determined by the existing
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 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
         Draft Environmental Impact Statement
 SWFWMD water permits and by the
 physical constraints tied to the size of
 the pumping systems and conveyance
 infrastructure. Water velocity and
 impingement impacts at the intake
 structures have also been taken into
 consideration and evaluated.  Surface
 water intakes are under construction.
 Their size and design have already been
 determined. In the case of the Tampa
 Bypass Canal intake, it is designed with
 a smaller maximum capacity than
 permitted by the SWFWMD.

 4.8.3.1 Tampa Bay Regional
 Reservoir Project Alafia River. To
 assist in the determination of freshwater
 withdrawal impacts, the location of the
 saltwater interface for pre-withdrawal
 and post-withdrawal scenarios under
 average tide conditions was analyzed for
 inclusion in the Alafia River Water Use
 Permit application.  The minimum flow
 in the Alafia River prior to  withdrawal
 was established from a percentile
 analysis of daily historical flows
 measured from January 1, 1977 to
 December 31,  1996. The minimum flow
 selected corresponded to the 80th
 percentile flow or 124-cubic feet per
 second (cfs) (80-mgd).  This means that
 a flow of 124 cfs or greater occurred for
 80 percent of an average year, based on
 historical data. Therefore, the lowest 20
 percent of flows would not  be affected
 by the freshwater withdrawals. This
 analysis was conducted because low
 flow periods are often the most crucial
 for oligohaline habitat maintenance, and
 that this lower  limit for withdrawals
 appears sufficiently prudent to avoid
 impacts.

When flow is 80 mgd (124 cfs) or
greater in the Alafia River,  10 percent of
the total river flow would be withdrawn.
 The maximum rate of withdrawal is 51.7
 mgd (80 cfs), regardless of river flow,
 which corresponds to the 7th percentile.
 Therefore, the withdrawal would occur
 at the maximum proposed rate for 7
 percent of an average year.  No
 additional withdrawals in excess of 51.7
 mgd (80 cfs) would occur when flows
 exceeded 517 mgd (800 cfs) thereby
 maintaining the beneficial flushing
 impacts found with high river flows.

 Frequency analysis of historic stream
 flows was compared to the proposed
 withdrawal schedule. The comparison
 showed that the proposed withdrawals
 would not lower the low flows, and
 would lower the mid-frequency flows by
 7 to 10 percent and high flows by 5
 percent or less. Regression analyses of
 stream flow and salinity showed that
 salinity near the mouth of the Alafia
 River would increase by less than 2 ppt
 during moderate flows; virtually no
 change in salinity regime would occur at
 lowest and highest frequency flows.

 High flows can greatly benefit
 oligohaline and estuarine waterbodies by
 flushing the system. The freshwater
 withdrawal schedule permitted by
 SWFWMD for the Alafia River would
 substantially preserve high flows in the
 Alafia River, and continue the benefits
 afforded by a wide range of flows.

 Hillsborough River.  The Hillsborough
 River is the largest river discharging into
 Tampa Bay. The mean annual flow of
 the river at the  City of Tampa
 Hillsborough River reservoir (USGS
 gage 02304500 near Tampa) is 463 cfs
 for the period 1939-1996. Flows in the
 lower Hillsborough River are regulated
by the operation of the dam. The
permitted withdrawal schedule for the
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 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
 Hillsborough River is based on the
 quantity of water flowing over the dam
 at the City of Tampa reservoir. The
 water use permit contains a requirement
 for a low flow over the dam of 65-mgd
 (100-cfs), below which no water can be
 withdrawn.  The withdrawal would
 actually occur at a pump station located
 on the Tampa Bypass Canal. This is
 possible because the river and the canal
 are connected by another canal called the
 HarneyCut. During flows of 65 to 97
 mgd (150 cfs), 10 percent of the total
 flow could be withdrawn, and during
 flows from 97 to 139 mgd (215 cfs), 10
 percent of the total flow can be
 withdrawn, increasing proportionally
 from 10 percent up to 30 percent. From
 flows of 139 to 647 mgd (1000 cfs), 30
 percent of the total flow could be
 withdrawn with a cap on the maximum
 withdrawal at 194 mgd (300 cfs) no
 matter how high flows become.

 In the past, no flow was allowed to pass
 downstream through the dam during
 many months to preserve the City of
 Tampa's drinking water supply.
 However, to protect and enhance the
 living resources in the lower river, a
 minimum flow rate of 10-cfs (6.5-mgd)
 has been provisionally adopted.

 Tampa Bypass Canal.  Water from the
 Hillsborough River can be diverted to
 the Tampa Bypass Canal through a
 flood-control structure just north of the
 City of Tampa, and through the Hamey
 Canal at the City of Tampa's reservoir.
 Flow in the canal is controlled by a
 series of structures that retain water in
the canal during low flow periods and
are opened during high flows.
For the Tampa Bypass Canal, the
permitted withdrawal schedule limits the
 low flow withdrawal to 7 mgd (11 cfs),
 below which no water can be withdrawn.
 During flows from 7 to 81 mgd (125
 cfs), 80 percent of the total flow above 7
 mgd could be withdrawn. A maximum
 of 65 mgd (100 cfs) could be withdrawn
 when flows are greater than 81 mgd.

 Statistical models were used to predict
 salinity in the Tampa Bypass Canal as a
 function of flow releases from Structure
 160, the most downstream control
 structure.  A minimum flow past
 Structure 160 of zero mgd has been
 provisionally adopted by SWFWMD.
 Historical median flow at S-160 is
 approximately 40 mgd.

 Tampa Bay. Potential impacts to
 Tampa Bay salinity regimes resulting
 from Tampa Bay Water's Master Water
 Plan projects were assessed using a mass
 balance approach and a constructed box
 model. The bay was divided into 13
 segments and water and salinity inputs
 and outputs to the segments were
 evaluated using the mass balance model.
 Some of the scenarios included the
 Tampa Bypass Canal water supply
 project alone, the Alafia River project
 alone, and the combined enhanced
 surface water project (ESWS), with and
 without each of the proposed
 desalination options.

 Results of the mass balance model
 suggest that the annual cycle of salinity
 within bay segments would re-establish
 and stabilize at slightly higher than
 current levels after 3 to 4 years of
operation of the Master Water Plan
projects. Even with desalination, the
model indicated that after a minor initial
 increase in salinity over the first 2 to 3
years, equilibrium would be reached. In
effect, fluctuations of salinity conditions
in the bay would be overcome by the
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 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
 flushing action of the wet season flows
 (Coastal Environmental/PBS&J 1998).

 4.8.3.2  Tampa Bay Regional
 Reservoir and ASR System. The
 addition of an ASR system to the storage
 capacity of the proposed reservoir would
 increase impacts due to increased
 freshwater withdrawals to the Alafia or
 Hillsborough rivers, Tampa Bypass
 Canal, or to the Tampa Bay estuary
 beyond  those withdrawals incurred by
 the reservoir alone. Limits on
 freshwater withdrawals from each of the
 rivers and the canal are regulated and
 permitted by SWFWMD. The same
 minimum and maximum flows, which
 limit low flow and maximum high flow
 withdrawals, would remain in effect
 whether or not the ASR system is
 constructed.

 Any future changes to the withdrawal
 permits  would require additional
 evaluations of minimum flows and
 levels program administered by
 SWFWMD.

 4.8.3.3  No Federal Action.  If the No
 Federal  Action alternative were selected,
 it is assumed that no additional surface
 water withdrawals from the Alafia River,
 the Hillsborough River, or the Tampa
 Bypass Canal would be made. If no
 additional withdrawals occurred, no
 impacts  from this project to these rivers
 or the Tampa Bay estuary would result.

 Tampa Bay Water and SWFWMD have
 agreed to a Consolidated Water Use
 Permit that reduces Tampa Bay Water's
 current groundwater withdrawals of 158
mgd to 120 mgd by December 2002, and
to  90 mgd by December 2007. Without
the proposed storage reservoir with or
 without the ASR system, Tampa Bay
 Water would not be able to:

 •   Rely on increased surface water
    withdrawals to offset reduced
    groundwater withdrawals as
    stipulated in their Consolidated
    Water Use Permit with SWFWMD.
 •   Store surface water withdrawn in
    excess of 66 mgd during the wet
    season for use during the dry season
    when no withdrawals can be made.

 Tampa Bay Water would be in violation
 of their Consolidated Water Use permit
 unless alternative surface water storage
 was found.

 4.8.3.4 Mitigation. A condition of the
 Alafia River, Hillsborough River, and
 Tampa Bypass Canal water use permits
 is the establishment of an extensive
 HBMP. The HBMP is an  adaptive-
 management monitoring program that
 includes elements of water quality,
 benthic invertebrates, fish, plankton, bird
 census, vegetation analyses, flow, and
 rainfall (Dr. Ralph Montgomery,
 personal communication).

 Developed using a consensus-based
 approach, the HBMP incorporates
 programmatic criteria designed to ensure
 that the permitted withdrawals meet the
 conditions of the SWFWMD water use
permits. The goal of the HBMP is to
determine if conditions in the Alafia and
Hillsborough rivers, and the Tampa
Bypass Canal deviate from their normal
rate and range of fluctuation.  The focus
of the HBMP is to monitor the extent
that water quality, vegetation, and
animal populations are adversely
impacted or salinity distributions in tidal
streams and estuaries are significantly
altered. The HBMP also will monitor
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 Tanya Bay Regional Reservoir Project
         Draft Environmental Impact Statement
 changes in recreational use or aesthetic
 qualities.  Monitoring began, as part of
 the HBMP, in April 2000.

 4.8.4 Surface Water Quality. While it
 is important to meet the increasing need
 for potable water, it is equally as
 important that the water quality in the
 Alafia River, Hillsborough River, and
 the Tampa Bypass Canal and the proper
 balance of freshwater to the Tampa Bay
 estuary be maintained.

 Methodologies and Significance
 Criteria.  As noted by Zarbock et al.
 (1995), "Water is one of Florida's most
 plentiful, and most utilized, natural
 resources  ... As the volume of water
 diverted for consumptive use increases,
 the potential for altering natural systems
 that depend on it also increases."  hi an
 estuary, the most important
 hydrobiological parameter is salinity
 (Copeland 1966) and one of the most
 conspicuous water quality characteristics
 of an estuary is fluctuation in salinity.
 This fluctuation, in turn, is influenced  by
 fluctuations in freshwater inflow as well
 as the quality if those inflows.

 Numerous studies have  demonstrated the
 importance of freshwater inflows to the
 biological structure and productivity of
 estuarine ecosystems. Sklar and
 Browder (1998) concluded that
 freshwater inflow is one of the most
 influential landscape processes affecting
biotic community structure and function
 in estuaries. Watersheds determine
 surface and groundwater flows to
estuaries and their flows have a source,
timing, and velocity that can be
significantly affected by human
alterations in the landscape. As a result,
landscape  alterations influence
 productivity, structure, and behavior of
 coastal plant and animal populations.

 The general consensus from these
 studies is that the changes in flows
 resulting from the proposed freshwater
 withdrawals will affect salinity
 downstream of the intake structures.
 Some shifts in flow and salinity regimes
 can be expected  to occur due to the
 withdrawals. Salinity increases due to
 withdrawals for Tampa Bay Water's
 Regional Reservoir Project, a component
 of the Enhanced Surface Water System,
 are modest and are expected to be within
 the range of normal variability.

 4.8.4.1 Tampa Bay Regional
 Reservoir Project. Potential impacts to
 the downstream reaches of the Alafia
 and Hillsborough rivers, the Tampa
 Bypass Canal, and consequently in
 Tampa Bay resulting from freshwater
 withdrawals for reservoir storage are
 discussed below.

 Alafia River. The Alafia River is a
 coastal stream discharging through
 Hillsborough Bay, into Tampa Bay.
 Reduction of streamflow would result in
 the upstream movement of saltwater and
 increased salinity in Hillsborough Bay
 (Giovanelli 1980).  The proposed
 withdrawals were predicted to shift the
 location of the saltwater interface
 location in the Alafia River from a few
 hundredths of a mile during high and
 low flows to almost one-quarter mile
 during moderate  frequency flows
 (Coastal Environmental/PBS&J 1998).

 These studies showed that salinity levels
 are sensitive to fluctuations in freshwater
 inflow. Model results indicated that the
 freshwater inflow from the Alafia River
had the greatest effect on areas closest to
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 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
 the mouth of the river during periods of
 above average flow.  Large volumes of
 freshwater inflow reduce the
 conductivity in areas adjacent to the
 river, whereas areas located towards the
 center of Hillsborough Bay and Tampa
 Bay experience little change. For below
 average streamflow conditions, the
 effect of variations in freshwater inflow
 on salinity is small (Giovanelli 1980).

 Additional analyses were conducted to
 examine the magnitude of change in
 salinity at the mouth of the Alafia River
 caused by changes to stream flow.
 Salinity in Hillsborough Bay near the
 mouth of the Alafia River is highly
 influenced by river flow. Less than 2
 ppt change in salinity is expected during
 moderate flows from the proposed
 withdrawals at the mouth of the river
 and that this increase is well within the
 natural variation of the system.  Neither
 low flows nor high flows would be
 substantially affected because of the
 withdrawal limits imposed by the
 SWFWMD water use permits.   There is
 virtually no change expected in salinity
 regime at the lowest and highest
 frequency concentrations.

 In the Alafia River Water Use Permit
 application, salinity changes from
 freshwater withdrawals of the Alafia
 River were predicted. Analysis of
 salinity data from each of 18 segments
 of the river was conducted from the
 mouth to the Bell Shoals Road intake
 structure to develop the relationship
 between the salinity concentration and
 flow. The model assumed that, as
 freshwater was withdrawn at Bell
 Shoals, a volume of downstream water
would move farther upstream to take its
place. The quantity of water that moved
in each segment was dependent on the
percent of the total volume of water in
the segment that was removed by the
withdrawal. The model was limited to
predicting salinity concentrations for
flows between 124 cfs and 400 cfs and
for moderate to high tide conditions.

Results from the model showed that the
changes in salinity due to the proposed
withdrawals were less than 1.0 ppt in all
segments of the river.

It was concluded that, predicted salinity
changes in river segment A (river
mouth) are zero ppt. This is due
primarily to the over-riding influence of
tidal waters from Tampa Bay on the
mouth of the river.  It is anticipated that
the proposed withdrawal schedule, both
withdrawal flow and period, should have
minimal impact on the
saltwater/freshwater interface,
downstream water levels, and both
freshwater and estuarine ecosystems"
(HDR  1998).

In summary, analysis of salinity
intrusion indicated the following:

•   Because low and high flows are
    preserved under the withdrawal
    schedule and there is  little change to
    salinity regimes under low and high
    flow conditions.
•   The location of the saltwater
    interface may vary by a maximum of
    0.24 mile during moderate flows.
    The saltwater interface was predicted
    to not change, or change only by a
    few hundredths of a mile for both
    low and high frequency flows.
•   Maximum salinity increase in the
    zone is predicted to be 3 ppt, which
    is within the observed long-term
    variability of the system.
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 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
         Draft Environmental Impact Statement
 Hillsborough River.  The Hillsborough
 River is the largest freshwater tributary
 to the Tampa Bay estuary and has been
 impounded and flows have been
 regulated since the late 1800s.  In the
 lower portion of the river, salinity
 regimes and dissolved oxygen
 characteristics are affected by the
 amount of freshwater that is released
 from the City of Tampa's reservoir and
 freshwater inflows from Sulphur
 Springs.

 During a three-year study from 1991 to
 1993, discharge rates from the reservoir
 and downstream displacement of salinity
 were investigated (WAR/SDI1995).
 This study indicated that surface salinity
 downstream of the dam are inversely
 proportional to the amount of discharge
 from the reservoir. That is, salinity
 decreases when discharge increases.
 Discharges of 100 cfs  to 250 cfs displace
 the saline water wedge downstream of
 Station 2 or 3 (see Figure 3-5).
 Discharges of 250 cfs to 1,000 cfs
 displace the saline water wedge farther
 downstream from Station 5 to Station 8,
 and discharges greater than 1,000 cfs
 displace the wedge even farther,
 downstream of Station 9.  The
 downstream extent to which saltwater is
 displaced is determined partially by the
 tide stage at the time of measurement.
 Freshwater is present at one or two
 stations farther downstream at low tide
 than at high tide.

 Coastal Environmental (1993) compared
 the frequency of flows at the
 Hillsborough River dam using historical
conditions with and without the
proposed withdrawals. This study
 showed that low flows and high flows,
while both important to maintaining
oligohaline habitats, would be protected
 through a proposed withdrawal schedule
 of 56 cfs minimum flow (proposed at
 that time) for the Hillsborough River.

 A two-dimensional hydrodynamic model
 of the lower Hillsborough River was also
 developed to examine the response of
 salinity in the lower reaches of the River
 to inflows of freshwater (SWFWMD
 1999a). The model simulated the effects
 of different minimum flow scenarios on
 salinity distributions in the river. Forty-
 five scenarios were run, including
 different combinations of discharges
 from the reservoir and flows from
 Sulphur Springs that could be diverted to
 the base of the dam. The model was also
 used to  examine the effects of a
 minimum flow of 10 cfs on salinity
 distribution during naturally occurring
 patterns of rainfall, reservoir discharges,
 and stormwater runoff.

 The model results illustrated that a
 release of 10 cfs from the reservoir
 would reduce salinity to between 1 and 2
 ppt on the river bottom at the base of the
 dam. The volumes of low salinity
 waters rapidly increased with larger
 discharges from the reservoir.  The
 results are similar to the other studies
 and indicate that the salinity regime of
 the lower Hillsborough River is very
 sensitive to freshwater inflows. Model
 results also showed that dramatic
 changes in the  salinity regime of the
 lower river could occur at relatively low
minimum flows (10 to 30 cfs).
In conclusion, the results of the analysis
 indicated, under the proposed
withdrawal schedule, the 5 to 11  ppt
salinity (oligohaline) portion of the
Hillsborough River is predicted to vary
in area by 33 percent and in volume by
 15 percent over existing conditions. The
salinity fluctuation is also within the
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         Draft Environmental Impact Statement
 normal range of variability and is also
 within the relatively wide range of
 salinity tolerances of the identified fauna
 and biota. The HBMP would be used to
 monitor the impacts of withdrawals on
 the biological resources of the
 Hillsborough River.

 Tampa Bypass Canal.  The Tampa
 Bypass Canal was constructed to divert
 floodwaters from the urbanized portions
 of the Hillsborough River to the nearby
 Palm River. The Palm River then
 discharges to McKay Bay, which, like
 the Hillsborough River, is a tributary to
 Hillsborough Bay. Structure 160 is the
 downstream most structure on the
 Tampa Bypass Canal that regulates the
 quantity of freshwater  that enters the
 downstream estuarine  portion of the
 canal. When warranted, water is also
 pumped from the Tampa Bypass Canal
 to augment the City of Tampa's water
 supply reservoir located just upstream of
 Station 2.

 An analysis was conducted to investigate
 the relationships between freshwater
 discharge and water quality conditions
 downstream of Structure 160 (Coastal
 Environmental 1997).  This analysis
 showed that between 1985 and 1993,
 there was no flow over Structure S-160
 on the Tampa Bypass Canal for
 approximately 5 percent of the time, and
 flows over the structure were 200 cfs or
 less over 90 percent of the time. The
 analysis also showed that flows are
 important to maintaining the estuary
 habitats and would not be impacted by
 the permitted withdrawals from the
proposed reservoir project.
Another assessment of potential impacts
 from the implementation of proposed
withdrawals from the Tampa Bypass
Canal on McKay Bay,  which also
 receives freshwater from the Tampa
 Bypass Canal system, was conducted
 (PBS&J 1998). Although the study
 showed that flushing rates in McKay
 Bay are determined in part by freshwater
 flows, tidal exchange makes up a much
 larger component of the bay's total
 flushing capacity. The residence time in
 the McKay Bay would increase slightly
 due to the proposed freshwater
 withdrawals, from 1.08 days to 1.10
 days. Under the proposed withdrawals
 for the Tampa Bypass Canal, predicted
 changes in salinities throughout most of
 the year are approximately 1.0 to 1.5 ppt.
 The greatest changes in salinities, of 3 to
 4 ppt in the Palm River below Structure
 160, would occur only one or two
 months during the wet season. The
 resultant salinities in  McKay Bay would
 be 22 to 24 ppt, or 1 to 2 ppt greater than
 currently existing salinities.

 Statistical analyse predicting salinity as a
 function of flow indicated that surface
 salinity values would remain over 20 ppt
 over the length of the Palm River, even
 if the flows at Structure 160 were
 maintained at their post-construction
 median value of 73 cfs. Increasing flows
 from zero to 20  cfs would reduce salinity
 by about 2 ppt to produce values of 23 to
 28 ppt between the surface and two
 meters depth at the station nearest
 Structure 160. It is unlikely that salinity
 changes of this magnitude for short
 periods of time would change the basic
 ecological characteristics of the Palm
 River or McKay Bay. Overall, the
 salinity distributions and ecological
 characteristics under no-flow conditions
 would be similar (SWFWMD 1999b).
Other important water quality
characteristics in the Palm River showed
either no relationship  or a weak response
to freshwater inflows.  There is very
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 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
 little relationship between dissolved
 oxygen concentrations and freshwater
 inflows in the Palm River/McKay Bay
 system. Bottom water throughout the
 length of the Palm River exhibited
 problems with low oxygen regardless of
 the rate of freshwater inflow.

 It is not expected that zero flows at
 Structure S-160 will continue for long
 periods of time even though a zero
 minimum flow requirement was
 proposed by SWFWMD for the
 minimum flow for the Tampa Bypass
 Canal. Construction of the Tampa
 Bypass Canal breached the top of the
 upper Floridan aquifer, which increased
 the baseflow and total discharge at
 Structure 160 by approximately 1.5 to 2
 times.

 In summary, the study conducted on the
 Tampa Bypass Canal found that
 significant impacts to living resources of
 concern within the Hillsborough River
 and Tampa Bypass Canal system are
 unlikely. The heaviest withdrawals
 would  be during the wet summer months
 when maintaining oligohaline habitat for
 the biological resources is not as critical.
 The predicted impacts to freshwater
 inflow and salinity patterns during
 summer months are not expected to be
 significant.

 Tampa Bay. Sources of freshwater
 inflow to Tampa Bay include streamflow
 and overland flow, point source
 discharges, direct rainfall, and
 groundwater. To evaluate potential
water quality effects due to the project,
 studies were conducted that compared
 existing condition inflows to historical
inflows and correlated salinity
concentrations at selected sampling sites
within Tampa Bay.
 One investigation studied the potential
 effect to the salinity characteristics in
 Tampa Bay that could result from
 alterations to freshwater inflows
 (Zarbock et al. 1995). The study
 evaluated flow relationships in the open
 water segments of Tampa Bay, including
 Hillsborough Bay, for the years 1985
 through 1991. A hydrologic model was
 also developed to predict surface flows
 over the entire Tampa Bay watershed.
 Methods focused on the use of available
 flow data from the watershed. The
 relationships derived in this investigation
 provide evidence that the month-to-
 month variation in freshwater inflow
 measurably affects mean monthly
 salinity concentrations in Tampa Bay.
 The degree of significance of these
 relationships appears to be a function of
 volume of the receiving water by
 segment, internal circulation within the
 bay segment, and the degree of
 interaction with other bay segments and
 the Gulf of Mexico.

 Based on these analyses, these areas
 have always been subject to wide
 variation in salinity due to the proximity
 of major sources of freshwater, and
 organisms that live or breed in this type
 of environment are physiologically
 adapted to fluctuating salinity regimes.

 hi addition, a 'fatal flaw' analysis of
 potential impacts from Tampa Bay
 Water's individual Master Water Plan
 projects, as well as potential cumulative
 impacts from implementing a number of
 the projects simultaneously,  was
 conducted (Coastal
 Environmental/PBS&J 1998).  Fatal
 flaws are impacts of enough magnitude
or severity that might jeopardize a
project's ability to obtain permits.
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 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
 The assessment of potential impacts to
 Tampa Bay focused on potential changes
 to freshwater inflow rates resulting from
 the proposed surface water withdrawals.
 A variety of statistical methods was used
 to evaluate cumulative impacts and to
 provide an increased level of confidence
 in the findings. Methods used include
 regression analyses or the functional
 relationship between two variables, a
 previously developed mechanistic model
 (SWFWMD's Tampa Bay Model), and a
 box model for a water and salinity mass
 balance.

 SWFWMD's Tampa Bay Model was
 used to predict changes to the salinity
 distributions in the Tampa Bay estuary
 in response to a variety of freshwater
 withdrawal scenarios.  The model used
 monthly salinity data from Hillsborough
 County's Environmental Protection
 Commissions sampling sites in Tampa
 Bay and monthly freshwater inflows for
 the water years 1985 through 1994.
 Sources of freshwater inputs to the bay
 included stormwater runoff, point source
 discharges, direct rainfall, and
 groundwater infiltration.  The ESWS
 components included withdrawals from
 the Alafia River and the Hillsborough
 River and Tampa Bypass Canal system
 according to the proposed withdrawal
 schedules. The model  simulated the
 progressive implementation of several of
 Tampa Bay Water's proposed Master
 Water Plan projects.

 The model suggested that implementing
 the ESWS projects alone might increase
 salinity in the lower Hillsborough Bay
by approximately 0.4 ppt in May and by
0.5 ppt in September. In the upper
Hillsborough Bay, salinity predictions
from the model showed increases in
salinity due to implementation of the
 ESWS projects of 0.3 ppt in May and 0.7
 ppt in September.

 The cumulative modeled impacts of
 desalination and freshwater withdrawals
 associated with the proposed reservoir
 project were assessed to determine if
 impacts to Tampa Bay and its estuary
 would occur. Potential cumulative
 impacts to Tampa Bay salinity regimes
 were assessed using a mass balance
 approach and a constructed box model.
 The mass balance accounted  for water
 and salt movement between segments of
 the bay to predict changes in  salinity.
 Tampa Bay was divided into  13
 segments and loading and predicted
 water quality data were prepared at the
 segment scale. The model was
 structured so that the desalination
 process could be simulated and was run
 for a 10-year period.  The predicted
 changes reflect an average condition
 over an entire segment, and may not
 accurately represent small-scale changes
 within a segment.

 The mass balance study suggested that
 by implementing the ESWS, the Alafia
 River and the Hillsborough River  and
 Tampa Bypass Canal withdrawals alone
 would increase salinity in lower
 Hillsborough Bay in May by 0.5 ppt (1.6
 percent) and by approximately 0.6 ppt
 (2.8 percent) in September. The range
 of salinity in lower Hillsborough Bay
 typically varied from 3 ppt to 6 ppt in
 any given month.  Long-term variability
 is greater than the predicted segment-
 averaged change in salinity of about 1.5
ppt resulting from the withdrawals.

The mass balance approach for upper
Hillsborough Bay suggested that
implementation of the ESWS  projects
would increase salinity in the  bay by 0.5
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 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
 ppt (1.8 percent) in May and 0.8 ppt (3.8
 percent) in September. Like lower
 Hillsborough Bay, the range of salinity
 in upper Hillsborough Bay also typically
 varied from over 3 ppt to 6 ppt in any
 month. Long-term variability is greater
 than the predicted segment-averaged
 change in salinity of about 1.5 ppt
 resulting from the withdrawals.

 Mass balance modeling also indicated
 that, after an initial increase in salinity
 over the first 2 to 3 years, an equilibrium
 condition would be reached. An annual
 cycle developed, but no trend over time
 was evident. The evaluation of potential
 cumulative impacts to Tampa Bay was
 completed at a relatively broad spatial
 scale; small-scale impacts were not
 defined (Coastal Environmental/ PBS&J
 1998). A three-dimensional, time-
 dependent hydrodynamic model of
 Tampa Bay was developed and used to
 evaluate smaller scale impacts that could
 result from surface water withdrawals
 from the Alafia River, and the
 Hillsborough River and Tampa Bypass
 Canal system.

 At a bay-segment scale, results of the
 three-dimensional model for salinity
 were very similar to those of the Tampa
 Bay box model (Janicki et al. 1995);
 both models predicted salinity changes
 in the range of 1.0 ppt or less on an
 annual basis.

 In Hillsborough Bay, the cumulative
 impacts of the three surface water
 withdrawals on surface water salinity
 were typically  1.0 ppt or less. Worst-
 case changes in surface water salinity are
predicted to occur in July and August.
 In the lower Hillsborough River, the
predicted salinity changes for these
months are between 2 and 2.5 ppt.  In
 McKay Bay, the predicted salinity
 changes range between 2 and 3 ppt; and
 in the Tampa Bypass Canal below
 Structure S-160, the predicted salinity
 change is 3 to 4 ppt (PBS&J 1998a).

 The predicted annual change in surface
 salinity in the majority of Hillsborough
 Bay is 1.0 ppt or less.  Some apparent
 influence of freshwater withdrawals
 from the Alafia River is predicted to
 occur on surface salinities at the mouth
 of the river.  However, the affected area
 is small and the predicted surface
 salinity change due to freshwater
 withdrawals is typically less than 0.75
 ppt throughout the year.

 In summary the water quality studies
 conducted on Tampa Bay indicated:

 •   The investigation of impacts to
    tributaries that may result from
    individual projects has not yielded
    evidence of significant impacts to
    living resources. In addition, the
    cumulative impact analysis did not
    identify any fatal flaws.
 •   Regression analysis indicated
    salinity increase of no more than 1.5
    ppt in Hillsborough Bay due to
    ESWS freshwater withdrawals.
 •   SWFWMD mechanistic Tampa Bay
    model suggests salinity increase due
    to ESWS withdrawals (and Brandon
    Urban Dispersed Wells and Cone
    Ranch) are within the range of long-
    term variability for that portion of
    the bay.
•   The mass balance model indicated a
    maximum monthly impact to salinity
    from ESWS withdrawals (and a
    desalination facility, Brandon Urban
    Dispersed Wells, and Cone Ranch)
    within the range of long-term
    variability of that portion for the bay.
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 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
 •   The mass balance model predicted
    that the annual cycle of salinity
    within bay segments re-establishes
    and stabilizes at slightly higher
    levels than current levels after 3 to 4
    years of operation of the Master
    Water Plan projects.

 4.8.4.2  Tampa Bay Regional
 Reservoir and ASR System. The
 addition of an ASR system to the storage
 capacity at the proposed reservoir is not
 expected to increase impacts to the
 Alafia River, the Hillsborough River and
 Tampa Bypass Canal system, or in the
 Tampa Bay estuary, beyond those
 caused by the reservoir alone. The limits
 on withdrawal from each of the rivers
 are regulated by SWFWMD.  The same
 minimum and maximum flows, which
 limit low flow withdrawal and maximum
 high flow withdrawal, would remain in
 effect for the withdrawal permits
 whether the ASR system is included or
 not.

 Any changes to the withdrawal permits
 would come from additional analysis
 either through the minimum flows and
 levels programs administered by
 SWFWMD or from additional data and
 analysis obtained from the HBMP that is
 a condition of the SWFWMD permit.

 4.8.4.3 No Federal Action
 If the No Federal Action alternative were
 chosen it would be assumed that there
 would be no storage for additional
 surface water withdrawals from the
 Alafia River or the Hillsborough River
 and the Tampa Bypass Canal system.  If
there were no additional withdrawals,
there would be no impacts from this
project to these rivers or the Tampa Bay
estuary.
 4.8.4.4 Mitigation. No mitigation is
 proposed for this portion of the project.
 Potential impacts to the Alafia River, the
 Hillsborough River and the Tampa
 Bypass Canal, and in Tampa Bay from
 withdrawal of surface waters for storage
 in the proposed reservoir would be
 modest and within the range of normal
 variability. The salinity  fluctuation is
 also within the normal range of
 variability and is also within the
 relatively wide range of salinity
 tolerances of the identified fauna and
 biota.

 A condition of the Alafia River,
 Hillsborough River and Tampa Bypass
 Canal water use permits  issued  by
 SWFWMD is the establishment of an
 extensive HBMP to be conducted by
 Tampa Bay Water. This adaptive
 management monitoring program,
 started in 2000, includes  elements of
 water quality, benthic invertebrates, fish,
 plankton, bird census, vegetation
 analyses, flows and rainfall (Ralph
 Montgomery 2001).

 4.9 MINIMUM FLOWS AND
 LEVELS
 In 1996, the Florida Legislature directed
 the SWFWMD to establish minimum
 flows for surface-water courses and
 minimum levels for aquifers and surface
 waters, pursuant to Section 373.042 of
 the Florida Statutes.

 Methodology and Significance
 Criteria. The purpose for establishing
 minimum flows and levels is to identify
 a limit at which further groundwater
withdrawals would be "significantly
harmful" to the water resources or
ecology of the area. The  SWFWMD
Governing Board interprets the phrase
"further withdrawals" to mean continued
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 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
 withdrawals that would cause water
 levels or flows to drop below the
 established minimum flows or levels
 (SWFWMD 1999).

 Currently, minimum flows and levels
 have not been set for the Alafia River.
 Modeling over a 10-year period using
 the proposed withdrawals, flow
 diversions, and desalination options
 showed initial increases in monthly
 salinities of around 1 ppt over the first
 three years of the simulations, with
 annual wet season flushing resetting the
 system each year so that no continued
 buildup of salinity occurs.

 The minimum flow designation for the
 Alafia River is scheduled to be set by the
 end of 2001 by SWFWMD. The
 withdrawals from the Alafia River by
 Tampa Bay Water are not scheduled to
 begin until the end of 2002.  There is a
 specific condition in the Alafia River
 permit, which requires the withdrawal
 table to be modified if the table is
 inconsistent with the minimum flow.
 Minimum flows and levels for the lower
 Hillsborough River have been set by
 SWFWMD at  10 cfs. The determination
 of the minimum flow was based on the
 loss of historical hydrologic functions,
 the existing changes and alterations
 along the river and its watershed, and the
 dependence of viable ecological
 communities downstream of the dam on
 flows from the Hillsborough River and
 Sulphur Springs (SWFWMD 1999a).

 To help determine minimum flows,
 statistical models and a two-dimensional
 hydrodynamic model of the lower
 Hillsborough River were used to
 evaluate salinity distributions. Statistical
 analyses were used to predict dissolved
oxygen concentrations and the
 probability of low oxygen conditions in
 the lower river under various minimum
 flow releases.

 The Tampa Bypass Canal has been the
 subject of numerous monitoring studies
 and additional studies focusing in re-
 analysis of existing data.  Data have
 been collected and analyzed within the
 past five years either for or by the City
 of Tampa, Tampa Bay Water,
 Hillsborough County Environmental
 Protection Commission, the USGS,
 SWFWMD, the Department of
 Community Affairs and the Tampa Bay
 National Estuary Program. These data
 and studies were analyzed by the
 SWFWMD to develop a minimum flow
 rule in 1998.  The proposed zero
 minimum flow discharge was found
 deficient by the Northern Tampa Bay
 Scientific Peer Review Panel in 1999,
 resulting in this renewed look at
 minimum flows for the Tampa Bypass
 Canal.

 4.9.1 Action Alternatives.

 Alafia River. Although minimum flows
 and levels have not been set for the
 Alafia River, the potential impacts of the
 various projects  to tributaries of the
 Tampa Bay estuary result in salinity
 changes that remain within the range of
 natural system variation. The largest
predicted effects on freshwater flow
occur in the middle range of flow
 frequencies, leaving the low and high
 flow rates relatively or entirely
unimpacted. Low and high flows are
preserved under the withdrawal  schedule
and little change to salinity regimes
under low and high flow conditions
occurs.
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 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
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 Hillsborough River. During the Lower
 Hillsborough River minimum flows
 study and associated workshops, a
 minimum flow of 10 cfs as a lower limit
 for river discharges at the dam was
 provisionally adopted by SWFWMD,
 with exceptions for extreme drought
 conditions. Two key points in
 determining the minimum flow, agreed
 to by the technical advisory group
 convened to assist SWFWMD in
 establishing minimum flows, were that
 salinity and dissolved oxygen are critical
 water quality variables affecting the
 abundance and distribution of organisms
 in the lower Hillsborough River.

 The determination of minimum flows
 evaluated how freshwater flows affect
 the distribution of salinity and dissolved
 oxygen concentrations in the lower river.
 Results indicate that salinity is very
 responsive to freshwater inflows and that
 relatively small minimum flows could
 dramatically reduce salinity values.
 Flows as small as 10 to 20 cfs below the
 dam could markedly reduce the
 maximum salinity values at downstream
 water quality  stations. Other data
 indicated that the continued releases of
 water below the dam would improve
 dissolved oxygen concentrations in the
 lower river, depending on the magnitude
 of the freshwater release.

 Tampa Bypass Canal.  To determine
 minimum flows for the Tampa Bypass
 Canal, SWFWMD examined flow
 releases that must be maintained during
 dry periods to sustain the downstream
 estuary. A principal factor contributing
to the evaluation was the highly altered
status of the canal and Palm River.
Excavation of the Palm River to form
the Tampa Bypass Canal dramatically
altered the salinity regime of this system
 and its relationship to freshwater
 inflows. Bottom waters in the Palm
 River have poor flushing characteristics
 and are relatively isolated from the
 effects of freshwater inflows.

 Predictions of salinity as a function of
 flow indicate that surface salinity values
 will remain over 20 ppt over the length
 of the Palm River, even if the flows at
 Structure 160 are maintained at their
 post-construction median value of 73
 cfs. Increasing flows from zero to 20 cfs
 reduces salinity by about 2 ppt to
 produce values of 23 to 28 ppt between
 the surface and two meters depth at the
 water quality station nearest Structure
 160. Overall, the salinity distributions
 and ecological characteristics under no-
 flow conditions are relatively similar.  It
 is unlikely that salinity changes of this
 magnitude for short periods of time will
 change the basic ecological
 characteristics of the Palm River or
 McKay Bay.

 From a hydrologic perspective, it is not
 expected that zero flows at Structure 160
 will remain for long periods of time even
 if a zero minimum flow has been
 established; construction of the canal
 breached the top of the Upper Floridan
 aquifer and groundwater inflow
 increases baseflow and total discharge at
 Structure 160 (SWFWMD  1999b).

 Tampa Bay.  Most studies on minimum
 flows and levels of tributaries entering
Tampa Bay have focused on the
maintenance of flow regimes to sustain
the estuary. In response to  a variety of
freshwater withdrawal scenarios, several
models and analyses have been
conducted to predict changes to the
salinity distributions in the Tampa Bay
estuary. These models include
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 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
         Draft Environmental Impact Statement
 SWFWMD's Tampa Bay Model and
 Mass Balance Model (Zarbock et al.
 1995) and a fatal flaw analysis (Coastal
 Environmental/PBS&J 1998).  Since the
 tributary minimum flows are based on
 the minimum requirements of living
 resources for that water body, the
 potential impacts of the proposed
 withdrawals, diversions, and
 desalination options are not expected to
 adversely affect these living resources.

 The salinity fluctuations found in the
 above studies are well within the normal
 range of variability of any month's
 salinity in Tampa Bay.  They are also
 within the relatively wide range of
 salinity tolerances of identified living
 resources of interest. The mass balance
 model suggested that the annual cycle of
 salinity within bay segments re-
 establishes and stabilizes at slightly
 higher levels than current levels after 3-4
 years of operation of the proposed
 withdrawals.

 4.9.2 No Federal Action. The
 construction and operation of the
 alternatives would not significantly
 affect the minimum flows and levels of
 the above mentioned sources.

 4.9.3 Mitigation. A condition of the
 Alafia River, Hillsborough River and
 Tampa Bypass Canal water use permits
 issued by SWFWMD is the
 establishment of an extensive HBMP to
 be conducted by Tampa Bay Water.
 This adaptive management monitoring
 program, started in 2000, includes
 elements of water quality, benthic
 invertebrates, fish, plankton, bird census,
vegetation analyses,  flows and rainfall
(Ralph Montgomery 2001).
 Since minimum flows are legislatively
 defined, the potential impacts of the
 proposed withdrawals, diversions, and
 desalination options within the estuary
 should remain similar to those of an
 unimpacted system.

 4.10  UPLAND VEGETATION
 All upland habitats within the footprint
 of the proposed reservoir site will be
 converted to open water, embankments,
 and operations  facilities.  Upland
 habitats within  the proposed reservoir
 footprint are dominated by improved
 pasture and are actively used for cattle
 grazing and sod production.

 Methodology and Significance
 Criteria. A site visit verified the
 different upland types found within the
 project area. Existing vegetation would
 be permanently lost or altered because of
 construction of the action alternatives
 and associated components.  The
 significance of the impacts of the
 proposed water storage alternatives on
 vegetation communities was determined
 by evaluating the overall quality of the
 habitat, regional abundance, importance
 to wildlife, and  permanence of the
 impact. Significant impacts would occur
 if the vegetation loss was permanent, of
 high value to wildlife, and relatively
 scarce in the surrounding area.

 4.10.1 Action Alternatives. The
 proposed reservoir site is comprised of
 improved pasture, some scrub-
 shrub/mixed forest and a variety of
 wetland and open water types. The
 primary upland  habitats that are found
 within the proposed reservoir footprint
 are improved pasture that is actively
 used for cattle grazing and sod
production. The total number of acres
that will be impacted by the footprint of
the reservoir is approximately 1,100
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 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
         Draft Environmental Impact Statement
 acres.  Of these 1,100 acres, a little more
 than 1,000 acres are uplands.  All
 impacts within the reservoir footprint are
 permanent.

 The associated facilities that are required
 for the operation of the reservoir include
 a pipeline from Tampa Bay Water's
 regional system and a service road. The
 proposed pipeline corridor, from 400
 feet north of the intersection of
 Fishhawk Drive, Bell Shoals Road, and
 Boyerte Road, generally follows existing
 road rights-of-way, and most impacts to
 these uplands will be temporary. The
 construction and continued maintenance
 of an access road to the reservoir would
 permanently impact approximately 15
 acres of upland vegetation. Water
 withdrawn from the Alafia River,
 Hillsborough River and Tampa Bypass
 Canal and the continued maintenance of
 the reservoir would not be expected to
 impact any upland  communities along
 these three drainage's or adjacent to
 McKay Bay (Tampa Bay).

 Permanent and temporary impacts to
 vegetation would result from
 implementation of an ASR system.
 Existing vegetation would be
 permanently lost or altered at the sites of
 new wells, basins, and access roads.
 Construction of pipelines would
 temporarily and permanently disturb
 additional areas of existing vegetation.
The vegetation at the  ASR sites would
be converted to buildings and settling
ponds.  The upland vegetation
community is one of the dominant land
covers in the Hillsborough county and
permanent loss of vegetation from an
ASR system would not  significantly
impact area upland vegetation.
 Most of the areas that would be
 disturbed by the action alternatives
 contain vegetation communities, which
 have already been greatly altered by
 human activity for agriculture or urban
 and suburban development.

 4.10.2 No Federal Action. No impacts
 to upland vegetation would occur with
 the No Federal Action alternative since
 no construction or operation and
 maintenance activities would be
 assumed.

 4.10.3 Mitigation. The alignment of
 the reservoir footprint was adjusted
 during the final design stage to minimize
 the impacts to upland  areas in the
 northwest comer of the proposed
 reservoir site.  This is  an area known to
 be habitat for gopher tortoises.

 4.11 WETLANDS
 Wetlands that would be impacted in the
 study area include forested, herbaceous,
 scrub-shrub and open water wetlands.
 These impacts have been broken down
 into those occurring because of the
 reservoir and those occurring because of
 the associated infrastructure (e.g., access
 roads, pipelines,  etc.).

 Wetland communities on site include
 five major types:  1) basin marsh, 2)
 cypress swamp, 3) open water, 4) scrub
 shrub/mixed forest swamp, and 5)
 drainage ways classified as herbaceous
 wetlands. Most basin marshes have
 undergone some  degree of hydrologic
alteration, such as excavation of shallow
ditches and cattle ponds through or
within the wetlands. There is one
cypress swamp located in the
northeastern portion of the proposed
reservoir site. Lakes within reclaimed
mine land and excavated cattle ponds
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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
within isolated basin marshes represent
open water.  Drainage ways are found
throughout, and the scrub shrub/mixed
forest areas are associated only with
reclaimed mine lands in the southern
third of the proposed site.

Wetlands along the pipeline route are
limited to bottomland hardwood forest
and small areas of wet pasture. The
disturbances to wildlife caused by
construction of the transmission and
effluent pipelines would be primarily
temporary.  Some woodland habitat
would be lost for the maintenance of the
pipeline.

Methodologies and Significance
Criteria. Wetland limits were
delineated in the field with the aid of
infrared photography and recorded on
1"-200' rectified aerials with one foot
contour intervals and assigned a letter
and number designation.  The wetlands
were classified using both the Florida
Land Use, Cover and Forms
classification system (FLUCFCS) and
the National Wetland Inventory (NWI)
wetland classification system.
4.11.1  Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir
Project.  Herbaceous wetlands account
for 60 percent (109.58 ac) of the total
impacted wetlands on the reservoir.
Reclaimed lands, which are located in
the southwest portion of the project,
contain 19 percent (34.68 ac) of the total
impacted wetlands.  Reclaimed lands are
those lands that have been restored
following phosphate mining.  The
communities that are found in this region
are forested, scrub-shrub, and
herbaceous wetlands and open water
features.  Impacts to forested
communities comprise 9 percent (16.63
ac) of the total impacts and open water
features account for 12 percent (21.39
ac).  Impacts within the reservoir
footprint are permanent and would
require mitigation. The amount of
wetland impacts as determined by the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Florida
Department of Environmental
Protection, and Hillsborough County
Environmental Protection Commission
within the reservoir footprint are
presented in  Table 4-1. Figure 4-1
shows where individual wetland impacts
would occur within the reservoir
footprint.
Table 4-1. Summary of Wetland Impacts for the Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir

FDEP/EPC
Acreage
Impacts
ACOE
Acreage
Impacts
Forested
14.32
16.63
Herbaceous
94.88
109.58
Reclaimed--
Lands
(Forested and
Herbaceous)
34.56
34.68
Open Water
21.39
21.39
*Total
Acreage
Impacts
165.15
182.28
*all impacts within the reservoir are permanent
                                      4-34

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                                                       Reservoir

                                                       Pipeline
                                  Wetlands

                                  Road RIght-of-Way
Figure source: HDR Engineering, Inc., EAP Application, September 7,2000
             2000
2000  Feet
            Figure 4-1
TAMPA BAY REGIONAL RESERVOIR
         PROJECT DEIS

 RESERVOIR WETLAND IMPACTS

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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
For pipeline and access roads associated
with the reservoir, a total of 10,131
cubic yards of fill will be placed in
wetlands and 861 cubic yards will be
dredged.

The pipeline route includes numerous
creek crossings.  Most of these are minor
and would involve open-cut construction
across creeks that may or may not have
water in them at the time of construction.
These creeks include jurisdictional
wetlands and waters of the United
States. Actual crossing construction
(open cut or trenchless) would depend
on environmental resource permit
negotiations. Turbidity control and
erosion control would be in place during
construction. Grades should  be returned
to pre-construction conditions.
Herbaceous  impacts account  for 8
percent (0.46 ac) of the total impacted
wetlands along the pipeline route.
Impacts to forested communities
comprise 72 percent (4.33 ac) of the total
impacts and open water features account
for 20 percent (1.23  ac).  Impacts along
the pipeline  are temporary and are not
anticipated to require off-site mitigation.
Impacts to individual wetlands  are
included in Table 4-2; a graphic
illustration of impacted wetlands is
presented in Figure 4-2.

Both palustrine and estuarine wetlands
occur along the Alafia River. The
principal palustrine wetland community
along the river is river/lake swamp with
a few forested wetlands while, the
estuarine wetland communities are
primarily saltwater marsh and mangrove
swamps.

The Hillsborough River and Tampa
Bypass Canal are both highly modified
systems.  As a result, very little natural
shoreline and few wetlands exist.  In
Tampa Bay, emergent saltwater
wetlands occur and include mangrove
forest, tidal marshes and salt barren/high
marshes. However, because of
commercial and residential development,
the extent of these natural communities
is limited.  Potential impacts to these
communities found in and around
Tampa Bay and its tributaries would
result if salinity levels change
dramatically. Therefore, the operational
impacts of this project would not be
expected to affect these natural systems.

4.11.2 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir
and ASR System. The wetland impacts
associated with construction and
operation of proposed reservoir for this
alternative  are the same as those
described above, with some additional
potential impacts associated with the
ASR system.

The construction of transmission
pipelines and access roads may cross
wetlands located in the area of the ASR
system. These wetlands, however,
would be impacted only temporarily.
For transmission pipelines, wetlands
were considered lost within the
permanent  easement and temporarily
disturbed within an additional
construction easement. Pipelines within
the well fields were considered to
temporarily disturb wetlands within a
50-foot wide construction zone.
Crossing wetlands by access roads
would be avoided. In the event that
access roads could not avoid wetlands,
the impact would be permanent. The
access road width would be
approximately 20 ft. Based on spot
observations, wetlands were assumed to
exist along the banks of all streams that
would be crossed by pipelines.
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 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
         Draft Environmental Impact Statement

Table 4-2 Summary of Wetland Impacts for the Associated Facilities

FDEP/EPC
Acreage Impacts
ACOE
Acreage Impacts
Forested
4.33
4.33
Herbaceous
0.46
0.46
Open Water
1.23
1.23
"Total Acreage
Impacts
6.02
6.02
""Includes both temporary and permanent impacts.

Wetlands and aquatic beds are afforded
an extra measure of protection under the
Clean Water Act. Any unavoidable loss
to these special aquatic sites would be a
significant impact.

4.11.3 No Federal Action.  The No
Federal Action alternative would not
have any impacts on the wetlands in the
project area because it would be
assumed that neither of the proposed
alternatives would be built. However,
impacts to wetlands resulting from the
withdrawals from existing wellfields
would continue to significantly impact
wetlands in Tampa Bay Water's service
area.

4.11.4 Mitigation.  The mitigation plan
provides base information to compensate
for unavoidable wetland impacts
associated with the proposed reservoir
project. The amount of mitigation is
based on wetland impacts as determined
by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
(Corps), Florida Department of
Environmental Protection (FDEP), and
Hillsborough County Environmental
Protection Commission. The mitigation
projects are expected to provide an
ecological benefit to the region. The
mitigation summary is included as
Appendix B.
 4.12  WILDLIFE
 In this discussion, wildlife is considered
 to be the more common species of
 mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians,
 and fish that occur in the project area.
 Information was obtained from on-site
 observations during the permitting
 process as well as scientific literature
 research.  Construction of any of the
 water supply alternatives would impact
 wildlife directly through mortality of
 individuals during reservoir construction
 and indirectly through habitat loss.

 Methodologies and  Significance
 Criteria.  Extensive  field reviews and
 surveys of the proposed reservoir site
 have been conducted since 1998  for
 suitable wetland and wildlife habitats,
 including those for federal and state
 listed threatened and endangered
 species. Potential impacts on terrestrial
 wildlife were evaluated based on the
 quantity, quality, and scarcity of the
 habitats disturbed by or lost to
 construction. Impacts would be
 significant if high quality, relatively rare
 wildlife habitat is lost or significantly
 impacted.

4.12.1 Action Alternatives.  Wildlife
 species expected to occur in the vicinity
of the proposed project area are
numerous and  varied due to the mosaic
                                       4-37

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Figure source: HDR Engineering, Inc., EAR Application, September 7, 2000
             2000
2000  Feet
LEGEND

        Reservoir

        Pipeline
Wetlands

Road Right-of-Way
            Figure 4-2
TAMPA BAY REGIONAL RESERVOIR
          PROJECT DEIS

   PIPELINE WETLAND IMPACTS

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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
         Draft Environmental Impact Statement
 of upland and wetland communities
 found in the region.

 Wildlife observed on the reservoir site,
 or highly likely to utilize the site, include
 small and large mammals, reptiles,
 amphibians, and a wide variety of birds.
 Small mammals that may occur on the
 project site such as raccoon, armadillo,
 opossum, and eastern cottontail, will be
 displaced to surrounding habitats by
 construction of the reservoir.  Large
 mammals such as wild pig, and white-
 tailed deer, and reptiles such as the
 anole, six-lined racerunner, and various
 snakes, are mobile species and will
 likewise be displaced to surrounding
 habitats. Impacts to these species are
 expected to be minor but habitat loss
 would be permanent in nature.

 A wide variety of upland and wetland
 dependent bird species, both permanent
 residents and winter migrants,
 potentially utilize the proposed reservoir
 site. Habitat for these species will be
 lost within the footprint of the reservoir.
 These species will be displaced by the
 construction of the reservoir but many,
 especially upland species, will likely
 utilize the uplands immediately
 surrounding the reservoir.  Wetland-
 dependent species will be displaced to
 wetlands in the surrounding areas.
 Impacts to these species are also
 expected to be minor but habitat would
be lost due to construction.

Alafia River, Hillsborough River, and
Tampa Bypass Canal. The diverse
habitat around the Alafia River provides
cover and forage for a variety of wildlife
species.  Species occurring in and along
the river  include small and large
mammals, marine mammals, birds
 (including wading birds), and benthic
 macroinvertebrates.

 It is unlikely that significant impacts to
 the Alafia River would result from the
 proposed surface-water withdrawals.
 Many resource managers agree that in
 most  systems the largest potential for
 impacts occurs when low flows are
 disrupted. For the proposed project, the
 largest predicted effects on freshwater
 flows would occur in the middle range
 of flow frequencies, leaving the low and
 high flow rates relatively or entirely
 unimpacted. Therefore it is highly
 unlikely that operation of either of the
 proposed alternatives would impact
 wildlife associated with Alafia River.
 Similar to the Alafia River, the diverse
 habitats around the Hillsborough River
 and Tampa Bypass Canal provide cover
 and forage for a variety of wildlife
 species.  However, these habitats have
 been greatly impacted by human
 development, resulting in limited species
 diversity and population sizes.
 Developments and human disturbance
 limit the  overall  amount of habitat
 present, and competition is high for
 limited resources.  It is unlikely that
 significant impacts to the wildlife
 associated with the Hillsborough
 River/Tampa Bypass Canal system
 would result from the operation of any
 of the water supply alternatives.

Tampa Bay. Tampa Bay is a
subtropical estuary with a rich mosaic of
 fish and wildlife habitats. These habitats
include seagrass beds, salterns, and
vegetated intertidal areas with mixtures
of mangrove and tidal marsh vegetation.
A variety of wildlife species use the
habitats found  in Tampa Bay, including
small  and large mammals, marine
mammals, birds (including wading
                                       4-39

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 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
         Draft Environmental Impact Statement
 birds), reptiles, amphibians, and benthic
 macroinvertebrates.

 Potential impacts of the proposed
 withdrawals should not adversely affect
 the estuary as a nursery and habitat for
 living resources.  The required minimum
 and maximum flow levels as specified
 by the existing water use permits would
 be addressed through operating
 schedules, design considerations, and
 other resource management activities.
 The potential impacts of the various
 projects to tributaries of the Tampa Bay
 estuary result  in salinity changes that
 remain within the range of natural
 system variation.  It is unlikely that
 significant impacts to wildlife habitat in
 and around Tampa Bay would result
 from operation of the action alternatives.
 The largest predicted effects on>
 freshwater flows would occur in the
 middle range of flow frequencies,
 leaving the low and high flow rates
 relatively or entirely unimpacted.

 ASR wells are by definition constructed
 below ground level, usually with
 minimal surface impacts. Additional
 impacts to  wildlife from the addition of
 the ASR wells to the reservoir site would
 be essentially temporary in nature and
 related to construction. Human presence
 and noise associated with drilling
 activities would be expected to cause
 wildlife to  avoid the area.  After
 construction, human presence will be
 limited and would not be expected to
 cause increased impacts over current
 conditions.

 4.12.2  No  Federal Action. The No
 Federal Action alternative would not
 require any construction activities and
would not change existing wildlife
habitats in the project area.  Overall, the
No Federal Action alternative would
 have no impacts, positive or negative, on
 local wildlife.

 4.12.3  Mitigation. Three mitigation
 sites are proposed in the vicinity of the
 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
 to compensate for unavoidable wetland
 impacts associated with the project. The
 three sites are:

 •  East Pruitt/Carlton-Smith Site
 •  West Pruitt Site
 •  North Carlton-Smith Site

 Based on anticipated mitigation
 requirements, all three sites would need
 to be developed to meet the mitigation
 needs for the proposed reservoir project.
 The mitigation sites would be developed
 near the Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir
 Project,  hi addition 5,200 acres
 immediately adjacent to the proposed
 reservoir is being purchased by the
 SWFWMD and will be preserved as a
 natural area.

 4.13  FISHERIES
 The general project area contains a
 variety of available fish habitat types,
 used by a diverse group of species. A
 discussion of the various habitats present
 and the common species found in the
 vicinity of the proposed Tampa Bay
 Regional Reservoir, Alafia River,
 Hillsborough River, Tampa Bypass
 Canal, and Tampa Bay are presented in
 Chapter 3.  In this section, possible
 impacts to fish species found in these
 areas as a result of freshwater
 withdrawals are discussed.

 Methodologies and Significance
 Criteria. Potential impacts to the Alafia
River, the Hillsborough River, Tampa
Bypass Canal, and the Tampa Bay
estuary would include changes to
                                       4-40

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 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
         Draft Environmental Impact Statement
 downstream habitats and the associated
 fish species due to surface water
 withdrawals for storage in the proposed
 reservoir and ASR wells. Salinity plays
 the most important role as a limiting
 factor for most species in estuaries,
 where organism distribution can be
 established in relation to the isohalines
 (Cognetti and Maltagliati 2000).
 Therefore, salinity is used here as the
 primary indicator for potential impacts
 to wildlife.  Impacts to terrestrial and
 aquatic wildlife and fishes were based on
 changes in the salinity gradients of the
 rivers and estuaries, as well as the
 habitats affected by these changes.

 Fish data from several studies and
 sources were reviewed to determine
 species present that would potentially be
 affected by the proposed withdrawals
 (Dames and Moore 1975, HDR  1998).
 As expected, in the upstream reaches of
 the Alafia River, species preferring
 lower salinity to freshwater habitats
 were found, and downstream near the
 mouth,  species preferring higher salinity
 habitats were found.

 4.13.1 Tampa  Bay Regional Reservoir
 Project. Fish species expected to occur
 in the vicinity of the proposed project
 area are limited to the open water habitat
 found on site. Most of the fish would
 occur in the  freshwater marsh wetlands
 of the proposed reservoir area. Fish that
 inhabit these areas are typically small,
 minnow-sized species and smaller
 individuals of larger species. The size
 and abundance of individual fish species
 varies seasonally.  Numbers of small
 fishes increase rapidly following re-
 flooding of previously dry marshes. As
wr.ter levels  rise and stabilize, larger fish
 survive  and become dominant, including
species that inhabit the deeper marshes
 and ponds.  Impacts to species found on
 the site are expected to be minor but
 open water habitat associated with
 wetlands on the interior would be lost
 due to construction of the reservoir.
 Species assemblages typical for this
 habitat are presented in Chapter 3.

 Construction of the proposed reservoir
 would increase open water habitat and
 provide a significant freshwater fishery.
 This would  provide a positive benefit for
 the fisheries on site.

 Alafia River, Hillsborougb River, and
 Tampa Bypass Canal. Like the tidal
 portion of the Little Manatee River, the
 Alafia River and Hillsborough River are
 used heavily year-round as nursery
 habitat by an economically important
 assemblage  of estuarine-dependent
 fishes, with  larval species richness
 highest during spring and summer.

 Based on the salinity tolerances of
 species present,  it is predicted that the
 maximum increase of 2 ppt within the
 oligohaline reaches of the Alafia and
 Hillsborough rivers is not expected to
 cause undue stress to these fisheries.
 Fish species with identified salinity
 preferences  are reported to tolerate
 salinity concentration ranges greater than
 the maximum predicted increase within
 oligohaline reaches of the river. In
 addition, fish are mobile and can move
 to coincide with the most favorable
 water-quality conditions during short-
 term perturbations.

 Tampa Bay. Tampa Bay provides
 important habitat for both adult and
juvenile resident and migratory fish
 species. The seagrass beds and
 backwater areas  in the bay provide
 important nurseries for the larvae and
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 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
         Draft Environmental Impact Statement
juvenile stages of these species (Lewis
and Estevez 1988).  Most species spawn
during the spring and early summer in
either the nearby Gulf or in higher
salinity areas of Tampa Bay. During and
following these spawning periods, the
larval and juvenile fish typically migrate
into either seagrass beds or shallow,
protected, low-salinity nursery areas of
the bay to feed and mature (Comp 1985;
Lewis etal. 1985).

Like juvenile snook and spotted seatrout,
juvenile striped mullet and red drum are
euryhaline. Juvenile striped mullet
prefer low-salinity riverine tidal creeks
and creek mouths with unvegetated
muddy or mud and sand bottoms, and
may avoid linear mangrove habitats and
marsh shorelines. Epiphytic and benthic
microalgae and macrophyte detritus of
these habitats provide the food source.
Juvenile red drum occur in waters of 0-
50 ppt salinity, but migrate to 0.5-8 ppt
salinities and prefer tidal tributaries and
backwater areas with muddy bottoms,
low-energy shorelines or coves; and
some shoreline emergent vegetation
(Killameffl/. 1992).

Both salinity and habitat characteristics
affect distribution of the  species
described above, so that changes in the
salinity regime with respect to fixed
habitat features may change the
availability of suitable habitat. This is
also true with respect to seagrasses,
marshes, and riparian vegetation that are
both living resources and relatively fixed
biotic components of fish habitat.
Inspection of these predicted salinities
and preferences for the vegetation,
benthos, and fishes examined indicates
that the predicted salinities resulting
from application of the proposed
withdrawal schedule are well within the
 range of salinities tolerated by the
 organisms.

 4.13.2 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir
 and ASR System. Additional impacts
 to fisheries from the addition of the ASR
 system to the reservoir site will be
 essentially temporary in nature and
 related to construction. After
 construction, human presence will be
 limited and is not expected to cause
 increased impacts over current
 conditions.

 4.13.3 No Federal Action.  If the No
 Federal Action alternative were chosen,
 the proposed reservoir and associated
 facilities associated pipeline, and the
 ASR system would not be built. There
 would be no impacts to fisheries from
 this alternative.

 4.13.4 Mitigation. Tampa Bay Water
 has corresponded with FDEP and EPC
 and it appears that the agencies would
 require open water mitigation for the
 proposed reservoir. Therefore an
 additional 14 acres of open water would
 have to be created within the three
 mitigation areas.  These open water
 areas would provide mitigation for
 impacted fisheries in the proposed
 project area.

 Intake velocities at maximum
 withdrawal rates for the Tampa Bypass
 Canal and the Alafia River Pump
 Station. Intakes are less than 0.5 ft/sec
 to minimize entrainment and
 impingement.

4.14 THREATENED AND
ENDANGERED SPECIES
Eleven endangered and seven threatened
species have been identified as
potentially occurring in the project area
                                      4-42

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 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
         Draft Environmental Impact Statement
 (Table 3-5).  Brief descriptions of each
 species are presented in Chapter 3.
 More detailed descriptions are included
 in the Biological Assessment (Appendix
 A).

 Methodologies and Significance
 Criteria. Field reviews and surveys of
 the proposed reservoir site have been
 conducted since 1998 for suitable
 wetland and wildlife habitats, including
 those for listed species (HDR 2000).

 Impacts of the proposed project on
 wildlife would include temporary
 disturbance during construction and loss
 of habitat. Impacts on terrestrial wildlife
 were evaluated based on the quantity,
 quality, and scarcity of the habitats
 disturbed by or lost to construction.
 Impacts would be significant if high
 quality, relatively rare wildlife habitat is
 lost or significantly impacted.  Impacts
 from construction of the proposed
 pipeline to habitat  potentially supporting
 protected species will be temporary in
 nature.

 4.14.1  Federally Threatened and
 Endangered Species.

 4.14.1.1  Action Alternatives. Prior to
 construction,  supplemental surveys are
 anticipated to confirm the presence or
 absence of listed species within zones of
 direct impact, and appropriate permits or
 authorizations will be requested.
 Typically these authorizations include
 avoidance of construction during the
 breeding seasons of certain species, e.g.
 burrowing owl, fox squirrel, and sandhill
 crane.

Wood Stork.  Surveys conducted in
 1999 and 2000 indicated that impacts to
the foraging habitat of the wood stork
 would occur as a result of the project
 construction and operation, however,
 impacts to nesting areas or rookeries
 would not occur. It is concluded that the
 proposed project is not likely to
 adversely affect the wood stork.

 Scrub Jays. Surveys were conducted
 following the guidelines in the FWC
 Nongame Wildlife Program Technical
 Report No. 8 prepared to determine the
 presence of scrub jays within the survey
 area and,  if present, to document the
 population (Fitzpatrick et al. 1991).
 Although an area of potential scrub jay
 habitat was identified at the reservoir
 site, no scrub jays were observed. The
 footprint of the proposed reservoir was
 redesigned to avoid this habitat;
 therefore, the proposed project is not
 likely to adversely affect the Florida
 scrub jay.

 Bald Eagles. Bald eagles are known to
 occur in the vicinity of the project site;
 however,  only one individual was
 observed in flight over the reservoir site.
 Because no nests have been observed or
 recorded on the reservoir site or within
 the pipeline corridor, the project is not
 anticipated to adversely affect the bald
 eagle.

 Red-Cockaded Woodpecker.
 Impacts as a result of the proposed
 project are not expected to adversely
 affect the  red-cockaded wookpecker.
 The Florida Natural Areas Inventory
 (FNAI) does not list the red-cockaded
 woodpecker as occurring in
 Hillsborough, Pasco, or Pinnellas
 counties.  This species was not found
during surveys of the regional reservoir
 site and pipeline corridor and therefore
construction and operation of the project
would not likely impact the species.
                                       4-43

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 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
         Draft Environmental Impact Statement
 American Alligators. American
 alligators occur in creeks, streams, and
 other wetlands throughout Hillsborough
 County. They have been observed on
 the western portion of the reservoir site
 in two open-water bodies. Although
 some loss of suitable habitat would
 occur as a result of the project, the
 proposed project is not likely to
 adversely affect the American alligator
 population.

 Indigo Snakes. Individual indigo
 snakes were observed on the reservoir
 site on two occasions. One sighting was
 within the northern hardwood forest
 associated with Doe Branch. The
 second sighting was within an oak-
 shrouded fence line in the west-central  '
 portion of the proposed reservoir site.

 Potential impacts to the indigo snake are
 associated with habitat loss, specifically
 wetland hardwood forest. However, due
 to the expanse of similar habitats in the
 project  vicinity, the proposed project is
 not likely to adversely affect the eastern
 indigo snake.

 Sea Turtles.  Decreases in freshwater
 inflow into Tampa Bay are not expected
 to adversely affect sea turtle populations.
 Sea turtles are highly migratory and will
 travel great distances to forage (Musick
 and Limpus 1996) and are also capable
 of moving into preferred salinity
 habitats. In addition, all sea turtle species
 have salt glands that mechanically
 reduce water and salt flux, and
 physiological mechanisms that work to
 actively extrude gained salt, obtain free
water, and regulate the internal ionic
balance (Lutz 1996).  Because nesting
activities occur almost exclusively on
the Gulf-facing beaches in the Tampa
Bay area, potential salinity changes
 within the bay should have no effect on
 sea turtle nesting.

 Gulf Sturgeon. The Gulf sturgeon is
 threatened sub-species of the Atlantic
 sturgeon, and once inhabited the
 Hillsborough River and Tampa Bay.
 Sub-adult and adult Gulf sturgeon
 migrate upstream to spawn in rivers
 draining to the Gulf of Mexico from
 early spring through the end of May
 (USFWS 2000). In late September to
 early October, adults migrate
 downstream to estuarine habitats until
 they are at least two years old.
 Currently, the Florida Marine Research
 Institute is leading a cooperative effort to
 release a limited number of Gulf
 sturgeon into parts of the Hillsborough
 River (FMRI2000). Due to the
 sturgeon's mobility, the proposed project
 is not likely to adversely impact the Gulf
 sturgeon.

 Florida Manatee. The Florida manatee
 is protected by both federal and state
 wildlife agencies and listed as
 endangered (FGFFC 1997).  They
 inhabit freshwater, brackish, and marine
 habitats and move freely between
 salinity extremes. If the water is deep
 enough and the currents are not too
 strong, manatees will travel great
 distances up coastal rivers (Florida
 Power and Light 1982). Because
 manatees move freely between salinity
 extremes, and the adjacent tributaries
 provide a source of freshwater, proposed
 freshwater withdrawals would have no
 adverse impacts on this species (Coastal
 Environmental/PBS&J 1998).

Threatened and Endangered Plants.
 Impacts as a result of the proposed
project are not expected to adversely
affect endangered and threatened plant
                                      .4-44

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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
species. Florida bonamia, pygmy fringe
tree and Florida golden aster are
documented to occur in Hillsborough
County, but have not been found on the
proposed project site. Beautiful pawpaw
and Small's jointweed are not
documented by the FNAI or FWS to
occur in Hillsborough County, and are
therefore not likely to be impacted by
the proposed project.

4.14.1.2 No Federal Action. The No
Federal Action alternative would not
impact federal threatened and
endangered species.

4.14.1.3 Mitigation.  The Proposed
Mitigation Plan provides base
information to compensate for
unavoidable wetland impacts associated
with the proposed reservoir project. The
amount of mitigation is based on
wetland impacts as determined by the
United States Army Corps of Engineers,
FDEP, and Hillsborough County
Environmental Protection Commission.
In addition to the proposed mitigation
sites, SWFWMD is purchasing 5,200
acres adjacent to the proposed reservoir
that would remain set aside  as a natural
area.

The basin-marsh mitigation could
provide habitat suitable for sandhill
cranes, a protected species observed in
the area, and other wetland dependent
species of the proposed reservoir site.
Most likely, some type of mitigation for
loss of habitat will be required by
permitting agencies for sandhill cranes
and other wetland-dependent species.
The mitigation project would most likely
provide benefits to future corridors. As
a result of this site's proximity to the
Pruitt Site, where several protected
species of wildlife have been observed,
it is reasonable to assume that herons,
egrets, and Florida sandhill cranes use
this site. Recent field observations on
the proposed mitigation parcel indicate
that eastern indigo snakes, alligators, and
a bald eagle use this site.  The mitigation
scenario proposed for the site is expected
to benefit these species.

4.14.2 State Listed Species of Special
Concern. The Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission (FWC,
formerly the FGFWFC) is responsible
for listing protected species in the State
of Florida.  Impacts to State Listed
Species of Special Concern are regulated
by the FWC, and impacts may require
permits and/or mitigation.

4.14.2.1  Action Alternatives.

Sandhill Cranes. During the 1999
nesting season, four nesting pairs of
Florida sandhill cranes and  one pair of
offspring were documented on the
proposed reservoir site. During non-
nesting months, no more than two pair of
adult cranes were observed  foraging on
the proposed reservoir site at any one
time.  During the 2000 nesting season,
no nests or  nesting adults were observed
at the 1999 nest sites, although one adult
was observed sitting on a nest at a
previously undocumented site on
January 8, 2000. Mitigation for impacts
to wetlands, including suitable nesting
habitat, will replace crane nesting
habitat. Construction related impacts to
active nest sites would not be permitted.

The proposed mitigation plan for
wetland impacts  associated  with the
reservoir construction include basin-
marsh restoration/creation, which could
provide suitable habitat for sandhill
cranes.
                                       4-45

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 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
         Draft Environmental Impact Statement
 Southeastern American Kestrel.  In
 Florida, the southeastern American
 kestrel prefers open habitats including
 pastures, open longleaf pine-turkey oak-
 sandhill communities, grasslands, and
 open sites within suburban and
 residential areas. Pasture is the primary
 kestrel habitat on the proposed reservoir
 site. American kestrels were frequently
 observed within the proposed reservoir
 site and pipeline routes during the fall
 and winter months. The first arrivals
 during the  1999 fall season were
 documented on October 22nd. No
 kestrels were observed during the five-
 month period of April through August
 indicating that kestrels observed on the
 reservoir site during fall and winter
 months were migratory individuals and
 not the listed Florida subspecies.

 Because of their diverse habitat
 preferences, it is concluded that the
 proposed reservoir site does not
 currently support resident Southeastern
 American kestrels, and therefore the
 project would not likely adversely affect
 this species.

 Wading Birds.  Wading birds found in
 the vicinity of Tampa Bay include the
 snowy egret, white ibis, tricolored heron,
 little blue heron, reddish egret, and
 roseate spoonbill. Some loss of wading
 bird foraging habitat would occur as a
 result of the project; however, since no
 colonies or sign of colonial activities
 were observed during the 1998, 1999, or
 2000 nesting season, impacts to nesting
 areas or rookeries would not occur.
 Therefore the proposed project would
not likely adversely affect these wading
bird species. Over 14 acres of open
water systems would be developed to
mitigate for impacts that could occur in
 the reservoir footprint and would
 provide habitat for wading birds.

 Burrowing Owls. One pair of
 burrowing owls has been observed on
 the proposed reservoir site but no
 quantitative surveys have been
 completed. If construction of the
 reservoir impacts any nesting burrowing
 owls, the necessary permits would be
 applied for and mitigation will be
 proposed.

 Gopher Tortoise. Gopher tortoise
 habitat is located outside of the
 northwest comer of the proposed
 reservoir site and was surveyed to
 quantify population densities.  A total of
 54 active and 16 inactive burrows were
 identified,  giving an approximate density
 of 1.6 tortoises per acre. This area
 would be avoided and direct impacts are
 not expected.

 Surveys have been completed within
 suitable habitat along the pipeline route;
 two active  burrows were identified.
 Impacts to  suitable habitat along the
 pipeline route would be temporary.
 Additional surveys prior to construction
 would be completed to confirm the
 presence or absence of tortoises.

 Potential secondary impacts related to
 seepage could occur to the population
 located in the northwest corner of the
 reservoir site. Seepage could potentially
 result in an increase in water-table
 elevations and therefore flooding of
 gopher tortoise burrows.

 As part of the ecological and HBMP,
 surficial aquifer wells would be installed
 in this area to track changes in the
 surficial aquifer (i.e. water table) under
baseline conditions (pre-construction),
                                       4-46

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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
during construction, and during
operation.  The extent of seepage and
related changes in the water table, if any,
would appear gradually during the initial
filling of the reservoir. Should surficial
aquifer levels deviate from an expected
annual flux compared to baseline
conditions, management strategies
would be implemented. These strategies
would primarily include the
establishment of well points and
pumpage of this seepage water out and
back into the reservoir or other suitable
off-site location.

Florida Mouse. Suitable habitat also
exists for the Florida Mouse adjacent to
the northwest corner of the proposed
reservoir footprint and it is likely that the
Florida mouse uses  the gopher tortoise
burrows on-site. This area would be
avoided during construction and
operation of the alternatives and
associated facilities. The project is not
likely to adversely affect the Florida
mouse.

Sherman Fox Squirrel. Sherman fox
squirrel habitat on the proposed reservoir
site includes oak-dominated fence lines,
sparse oak woodland near Long Flat
Creek, oak hammock, and  cypress
swamp. The squirrels have been
observed on the proposed project site at
several locations over the past two years.
Although fox squirrels are widespread in
Florida, they are listed as threatened
(State list) and their distribution is
patchy due to habitat loss.

If nests were identified within the site
footprint, an equivalent acreage of
habitat would be placed into
preservation. The acreage to be
preserved would be  calculated by
measuring the impacted habitat plus a
 100-foot buffer. Preservation of
 hardwood riverine corridors (e.g. Doe
 Branch and Long Flat Creek) would
 adequately mitigate for impacts to
 habitat used by this species.

 Gopher Frog.  The gopher frog is
 closely linked to the gopher tortoise,
 often using the tortoise burrow as a
 refuge. Surveys for the frog have not
 been conducted on the project site,
 although suitable habitat exists. A
 cypress swamp with interior marsh is
 located approximately one-quarter mile
 southeast from the xeric community
 noted for the gopher tortoise.  This
 cypress swamp is within the proposed
 reservoir footprint and would be lost. If
 the gopher frog occupies the xeric oak
 community, the project could adversely
 affect breeding opportunities for those
 individuals.

 Estuarine Birds. Estuarine birds listed
 as species of special concern in the
 Tampa Bay area include the least tern,
 southeastern snowy plover, brown
 pelican, American oystercatcher, and
 black skimmer. These birds live and
 forage in a variety of saline habitats,
 including coastal beaches, dunes,
 intertidal sand flats, and estuaries. The
 potential salinity changes from the
 proposed withdrawals would not be
 expected to adversely impact food
 sources of marine birds.
These birds have physiological
adaptations that enable them to tolerate
high salinities. Many estuarine birds
have paired nasal salt glands, located
above the orbit of each eye, that secrete
a salty fluid through a duct connected
with the nasal cavity (Schmidt-Nielson
 1991). These salt glands are usually
inactive until the bird is under osmotic
stress (eating salty food or drinking
                                       4-47

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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project.
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
seawater), and can effectively eliminate
the internal salt load in a matter of hours
(Schmidt-Nielson 1991).  With these
physiological adaptations, it is unlikely
that the proposed withdrawals would
adversely affect coastal bird populations.

Peregrines. Peregrines have been
observed throughout Florida during the
winter, but are encountered most often
near the coasts. The destruction of
habitat poses the greatest threat to the
Peregrine falcon in Florida. Coastal
wetlands, particularly important to the
species, suffer from the highest rates of
development and urbanization (Rodgers
et al. 1996).  It is unlikely that the
proposed withdrawals would adversely
impact these birds.

Brown Pelican. The brown pelican is
perhaps Florida's most distinctive and
widely recognized bird. They dive for
fish from 20- to 30-foot heights, and can
be seen flying to and from feeding
grounds in loose V-formations. There
have been 1,600 to 2,000  breeding pairs
of brown pelicans counted in Florida
since 1994.  About 20 percent of the
state breeding population occurs in the
Tampa Bay area (Paul, 1999). It is
unlikely that that proposed withdrawals
would adversely affect brown pelican
populations.

Snook.  Common snook are well-
documented inhabitants of Tampa Bay,
usually located among the mangroves,
tidal marshes, and non-vegetated
subtidal areas of lower salinities (Comp
1985; Janicki et al. 1995). Adult snook
generally inhabit brackish water areas
where salinities range from 0 to 36 ppt.

Studies suggest that salinity may not be
a major factor influencing larval and
juvenile snook distribution in the
estuary; however, water temperature,
water depth, currents and structural
habitat components appear to be critical
factors in the selection of snook
spawning and nursery habitat.
Extremely low water temperatures can
be lethal to snook. Snook abundance is
probably limited by the availability of
critical habitat in the Tampa Bay
estuary.  Typical habitats of larval,
juvenile and adult snook include
mangroves, backwaters, tidal tributaries,
and areas that provide access to deep
water channels (Versar 1992).

Given the large range in salinities in
which snook are found in Tampa Bay,
this difference in metabolic cost may not
be critical to survival of this species.
Therefore the possible maximum salinity
changes from the proposed freshwater
withdrawals would not be expected to
adversely impact juvenile or adult snook
in Tampa Bay and its associated
tributaries.

4.14.2.2  No Federal Action. If the No
Federal Action alternative were chosen,
it would be assumed that there would be
no construction of the proposed
reservoir, pipeline, or ASR well field
and no additional surface-water
withdrawals from the Alafia River, the
Hillsborough River, or the Tampa
Bypass Canal. If there are no additional
withdrawals, there would be no impacts
from this project to the proposed
reservoir site, the tributary rivers, or the
Tampa Bay estuary.

4.14.2.3  Mitigation. Three mitigation
sites are proposed in the vicinity of the
Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
to compensate for unavoidable wetland
                                      4-48

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 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
 impacts associated with the project
 (Figure 4-3). The three sites are:

 •  East Pruitt/Carlton-Smith Site
    (approximately 367 acres)
 •  West Pruitt Site (approximately 850
    acres)
 •  North Carlton-Smith Site (design
    phase)

 Based on  anticipated mitigation
 requirements, all three sites would need
 to be developed to meet the mitigation
 needs for  the proposed reservoir project.
 The mitigation sites would be developed
 near the Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir
 Project (Figure 4-4).

 4.15 SOCIOECONOMIC
 CONDITIONS
 The construction and operation of the
 project alternatives would have both
 positive and negative impacts from a
 social and economic perspective. The
; construction phase would take
 approximately two years to complete
 and would create some short-term
 employment in the area. New long-term
 employment would consist primarily of
 personnel for operations and
 maintenance of the water supply and
 treatment  components. The construction
 of the reservoir would remove grazing
 and agricultural land out of production.
 The 5,200 acres purchased by
 SWFWMD would be taken off of the tax
 role as SWFWMD and Tampa Bay
 Water are both state agencies and are tax
 exempt.

 Existing social  and economic conditions
 and trends within the project region were
 documented and impacts caused by the
 project were evaluated. Based on
 existing conditions and trends, project
 impacts would be significant only if
changes in the social and economic
environment of the area would exceed
the ability of the area to absorb the
change and result in hardships for a
segment of the population, the economy,
or public services.

4.15.1 Population.
4.15.1.1  Action Alternatives. During
the construction phase, the primary
effect on population would be a
temporary increase from the influx of the
construction work force. Construction is
anticipated to take two years for  either of
the action alternatives.  The peak
maintenance and operation work force
expected at any single site  would be
approximately two people. It is
anticipated that the project work force
would likely.be composed  of both local
and non-local personnel. Non-local
workers would be distributed throughout
the area, with some residing locally in
the Riverview area and others
commuting from the City of Tampa and
surrounding communities.  Even if all of
the workers came from outside of the
study area, the short-term increase in
population would not cause impacts
large enough to be analyzed due  to the
existing large population base.

The primary long-term effect of the two
action alternatives would be the
facilitation of the current forecasted
trend in area population growth,  which
would not be a significant impact.

4.15.1.2  No Federal Action.  The No
Federal Action alternative would not
require any construction or result in any
change in the availability for water for
public consumption. Consequently, this
alternative would not impact the  regional
population.
                                       4-49

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                                          Dorman Road
       Bo^ette
Boyette Road'

                              West Pruitt
                             Mitigation Site

                          Stallion
                         Hammock
                                                Browning Road
                                             !f ab^e
                                             .Hammock
                                              'yrff
                                               4
                                                 North
                                             Carlton-Smith
                                             Mitigation Site
                                                                     Doe
                                                                    Branch
                                  Reservoir
                                    Site
                                 (By Others)
                                                             Chito
                                                             Branch
 East Pruitt/
Carlton-Smith
Mitigation Site
                                                     Wendel Ave.
                                                              Reservoir Project Boundary
N
                                                              Rgure4-3
                                                   TAMPA BAY REGIONAL RESERVOIR
                                                            PROJECT DEIS

                                                     PROPOSED MITIGATION SITES

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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
4.15.2 Housing.
4.15.2.1  Action Alternatives. No
increases in housing demands are
expected from the temporary and
permanent work forces needed for the
project because most of the labor would
come from local sources.  No residences
are found within the proposed reservoir
site; therefore, no significant impacts on
existing housing are anticipated.

4.15.2.2  No Federal Action.  Under the
No Federal Action alternative, no
significant impacts on  existing housing
would occur.

4.15.3 Land Use.
4.15.3.1  Action Alternatives. The
development of a reservoir would alter
the current land use of the project area
and other lands immediately adjacent to
the reservoir. The total land
requirements of the reservoir are
approximately 1,100 acres. This land is
currently used as rangeland with some
pasture. The loss of this land as
rangeland is imminent with or without
the reservoir since it is located in an area
experiencing developmental pressure. If
the proposed reservoir were developed
approximately 5,200 acres including the
reservoir footprint would be purchased
by SWFWMD. This property would be
set aside as a natural area to not be
developed in the future. No significant
impacts to land use would result from
the action alternatives.

4.15.3.2  No Federal Action.  The No
Federal Action alternative would not
lead to any changes in  existing land use,
nor would it provide any benefits to the
public.
4.15.4 Employment and Income.
4.15.4.1  Action Alternatives. The
construction and operation of a new
water supply would provide both
temporary and long-term employment
within the study area.  Most of the new
employment would be in the
construction sector of the economy.
Demands for construction materials
could also stimulate job growth in the
manufacturing sector; however, this
growth would not necessarily be local
because some construction materials
would likely be imported from outside
the project area (e.g., structural steel,
water treatment plant equipment, pipe).
The purchase of materials, fuel, food,
and services by construction workers
would contribute to local employment
and income, particularly in the rural
community of Riverview. Overall, the
project construction would tend to
reduce local unemployment.

Limited gains in permanent employment
would occur directly as a result of
constructing a new water treatment
facility. The work force needed to
operate the new water supply would be
small relative to the size of the
construction work force and the
available work force in the Tampa area.
Indirectly, the additional water provided
by the plant would facilitate the
continued expansion of the area
economy. This expansion would result
in increasing employment and income in
most sectors of the local  economy.

4.15.4.2  No Federal Action. No
employment benefits would result from
the implementation of the No Federal
Action alternative. Current practices and
trends would be expected to continue.
No significant impacts to employment
would result.
                                      4-51

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  Figure Source: HDR Engineering, Inc.,
     EAP Application, May 15, 2001
              HILLSBOROUGH
                 COUNTY
     '          * Reservoir
LEGEND

      Proposed Greenway
   J Original "4,800 Acre" Primary Study Area

    * Current SWFWMD "5,200 Acre"

/\/ Pipeline
/\/ Wetlands

    / Railroads

      Reservoir Site
      Acquired ELAPP Site Area
      Approved ELAPP Site Area
      Other Preservation Lands
|	| ume   aservanon i_anas
•    ;] Other Recreational Public Owned Lands
Y/A Other Hillsborough County Lands
    71 Wetlands
              Figure 4-4
  TAMPA BAY REGIONAL RESERVOIR
           PROJECT DEIS

 	ADJACENT LANDS	

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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
4.15.5 Community Services and
Facilities.
4.15.5.1  Action Alternatives. The
addition of 80 to 120 temporary workers
to the project area would impose
minimal, if any, increases in demand on
local services facilities.  Construction
and recreation activities could lead to
accidents that would require emergency
medical services. Adequate hospital
facilities are present within the region to
accommodate  any additional injuries
caused by construction or the slight,
temporary increase in population.

Some additional police patrol of the
water supply alternative facilities could
be required. The existing police force
for Hillsborough County should be able
to accommodate the additional patrols
and police services associated with
project construction and operation.  Few
workers would be likely to enroll
children in the local schools because of
the seasonal timing of the construction.
Excess classroom facilities are present,
therefore, small increases in enrollment
would not cause overcrowding in
schools.  Should workers and their
families relocate to the area during
construction, area schools and churches
should be adequate to accommodate
them.

The construction and operation of a
reservoir would result in an increase in
traffic on the roads that lead to the
individual alternative sites.  Because
both workers and recreation users would
come from different communities in the
area, the traffic would be spread over the
local and state roads in Hillsborough
County. The project would require
Tampa Bay Water to receive a traffic
permit from the Hillsborough County's
Planning and Growth Management
Department.

As discussed earlier, population
increases would be nominal and
distributed throughout the region.
Therefore, a negligible increase would
occur in the demand for drinking water
and wastewater treatment facilities.

4.15.5.2 No Federal Action. The No
Federal Action alternative would not
result in any increased demands on
public services or facilities, nor would it
provide any additional water for public
consumption.  No significant impacts to
public services and facilities would
occur.

4.15.6 Public Finance.
4.15.6.1  Action Alternatives. The
land, which has been set aside for both
of the reservoir alternatives, would be
owned by the SWFWMD. This land
would be taxed in the same manner
regardless of whether or not either of the
alternatives is constructed; therefore, no
public finance impacts are anticipated.

4.15.6.2 No Federal Action.  The No
Federal Action alternative would not
result in an increase or decrease to
public finances; therefore, no impact is
anticipated.

4.15.7 Environmental Justice.  After
completing the environmental justice
review in Chapter 3, it has been
determined that there are no potential
environmental justice areas that would
warrant further investigation.

4.15.8 Mitigation.  No adverse or
significant impacts to any of the above
socioeconomic parameters would result
from construction of a water supply
                                       4-53

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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
alternative. Therefore, no mitigation is
proposed.

4.16 VISUAL AND AESTHETIC
CHARACTERISTICS
The main elements of visual character
are landscape character, visual variety,
and deviation from landscape character.
Impact to visual character is a function
of how the project changes these aspects
ofthe landscape.

Methodologies and Significance
Criteria.  Landscape character is the
overall visual impression resulting from
the visual features created by the area
topography, vegetation, and land use.
Visual variety concerns the different
features within the landscape. Visual
variety is considered appealing, whereas
visual continuity is considered
monotonous.  Impacts on the landscape
generally result when human alterations
to the topography, vegetation, or land
use contrast with the natural character of
an area. In general,  strong contrast with
these components results  in visual
disharmony, while changes that conform
to the existing visual components are
less noticeable.

Significant visual impacts would result if
the action projects would create visual
disharmony. Visual impacts would be
significant if large numbers of people
would view the visual disharmony
created, alter current points of
recognized scenic value, or alter state or
federally designated scenic areas.

4.16.1  Action Alternatives. The
construction of a new embankment and
reservoir and an ASR system would
impact all components of landscape
character by adding an earthen
embankment and well heads to the
landscape and removing some
vegetation. The embankment for each of
the alternatives would create visual
contrast in the existing landscape.  The
embankment would be covered with
natural vegetation creating less of a
contrast to the natural character of the
area.  The land use of the reservoir and
the immediate vicinity of each ASR well
would change.

No areas designated as scenic by state or
federal agencies are located in the
immediate project area, therefore, none
would be impacted by this project.

Impacts to the visual character of the
area would result from this project.
Overall, the only significant impact to
the visual character of the area would be
the addition of a water body to an
agricultural landscape. However, these
impacts would generally be considered
positive because of the introduction of
variety into the landscape.  Overall, no
significant adverse impacts to the visual
character or the area would result from
the project.

4.16.2 No Federal Action. This
alternative would not change landscape
and visual character or create large
deviations from surrounding landscape
character. Therefore, the no-action
alternative would have no effect on the
aesthetics of the area.

4.16.3 Mitigation.  Visual impacts
caused by the action alternatives would
be mitigated by adding berms and
vegetation to screen the structures from
view, breaking up the strong rectangular
and geometric visual elements, and
return a natural aspect to the landscape.
Trees would be planted along the
southeast portion of the reservoir
                                      4-54

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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
embankment to create a natural barrier
and visual relief from Wendell Avenue.
Painting the associated structures
earthtone  colors would mitigate the
visual impact of the well structures.
Lighting would be kept to the minimum
necessary to provide adequate safety and
security.

4.17  CULTURAL RESOURCES
The proposed action alternatives possess
the potential to impact cultural resources
in several ways.  Archaeological
evidence remains one of the primary
links to Florida's prehistory in the
absence of oral traditions and written
records. Possible damage associated
with construction of transmission mains,
excavation of the reservoir, placement of
intake, storage facilities, ASR wells  and
pipelines, reservoir filling, or erosion
could alter or destroy sites and prevent
the recovery of culturally significant or
historically valuable information.  The
presence of water storage structures  and
associated facilities has the potential to
alter the character of historic sites.

Methodologies and Significance
Criteria.  Existing cultural  resource
information was reviewed for the broad
study area and for the specific locations
of the project sites involved in the
Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir EIS
analysis. This effort determined the
number, type, location, and significance
of previously recorded historical and
archaeological sites in relation to
National Register of Historic Places
[NRHP] significance. Sites were
evaluated  for their potential for listing on
the NRHP. The criteria used to
determine the inclusion of a site on the
NRHP is in accordance with the
Department of the Interiors regulations
36 CFR 60.4.
The quality of significance in American
history, architecture, archaeology,
engineering, and culture is present in
district, sites, buildings, structures, and
objects that possess integrity of location,
design, setting, and materials.
Workmanship feeling, and association,
and that (a) are associated with events
that have made a significant contribution
to the broad patterns of our history; or
(b) that are associated with the lives of
persons significant in our past; or (c) that
embody the distinctive characteristics of
a type, period, or method of
construction, or that represent the work
of a master, or that possess high artistic
values, or that represent a significant
distinguishable entity whose components
may lack individual distinction; or (d)
that have yielded or may be likely to
yield information important in history or
prehistory.

This review examined existing data and
literature such as cultural assessment
reports, site descriptions and resource
evaluations contained in the Florida Site
File (FSF) system and the NRHP.
Additionally, personnel at Florida State
Historic Preservation offices (SHPO)
were consulted. Identified sites
considered potentially eligible for listing
on the NRHP were investigated to
determine proximity to construction
activities.  Impacts to cultural resources
would be considered adverse if the
project would damage or destroy any site
identified  as eligible for the NRHP.

4.17.1  Action Alternatives.  Resource
review identified archaeological sites
that have been documented within a one-
mile radius of the potential project sites.
Impacts to cultural resources would
include damage from exposure, erosion
or construction to artifacts of cultural
                                       4-55

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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
significance. Most of the prehistoric
archaeological sites can be characterized
as low to moderate density lithic or
artifact scatters.  The historic structures
documented have a lack of significant
historical association or architectural
distinction.  In addition, these structures
exhibit non-historic modifications that
would most likely limit the importance
of the buildings in regards to their
potential for listing on the NRHP.

The construction and operation of either
of the action alternatives would
potentially alter several sites not
considered eligible for listing on the
NRHP. These sites have been
determined to be ineligible based on
their limited potential for research and
lack of significant historical association
(Austin 2000). The Alafia River site
(8HI6762) was discovered at the site of
the proposed intake pump station at Bell
Shoals Road.  This site is a moderate-
density lithic scatter that is not
considered eligible for listing on the
NRHP. The Long Flat Creek site
(8HI6817) is located within the footprint
of the proposed reservoir. The research
potential of the Long Flat Creek site
appears to be limited.  According to
Austin (2000) the assemblage is sparse
and unexceptional, and no temporally
diagnostic materials were encountered.
The Pruett site (8HI6818) also located in
the reservoir footprint is an additional
small lithic scatter site of limited
research potential. Historical resources
along the proposed pipeline route could
potentially suffer adverse impacts during
construction. These structures are not
considered eligible for listing on  the
NRHP.

A Phase II archaeological test was
conducted on the Hutto Lake (8HI6820)
site located within the pipeline corridor.
The site has produced information that
contributes to a better understanding of
regional prehistory, however it does not
appear to meet the eligibility criteria for
listing on the National Register of
Historic Places.  Therefore, no further
archaeological work is recommended for
the site.

4.17.2 No Federal Action.  The No
Federal Action alternative would not
impact cultural resources in the area.

4.17.3 Mitigation. Avoidance of the
site has been recommended. If
avoidance is not feasible, then Phase II
test excavations have been
recommended to gather data sufficient to
either 1) make a final determination of
NRHP eligibility, or 2) mitigate project
impact.  This study also determined that
no secondary visual impact as a result of
construction of an earthen dam would
occur to any historic structures due to
their distance from the reservoir and
either intervening natural foliage or a
proposed tree planting that would
provide a visual buffer.

4.18 RECREATION
Although recreation is not a primary
purpose of these water supply
alternatives, the creation of a reservoir
could provide additional recreation
opportunities to the area.  Currently,
recreation plans have been proposed but
not finalized for the reservoir and
surrounding project area.

4.18.1  Action Alternatives. A new
reservoir would provide additional flat-
water recreational opportunities for local
area residents in the Tampa area. The
local economy would benefit because
                                       4-56

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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
        Draft Environmental Impact Statement
less money would leave the area for the
other regional recreation areas.

The new water supply would both
eliminate and provide opportunities for
land-oriented recreation. Private land,
currently not accessible to the public,
would be purchased as part of the project
as a buffer around the reservoir and for
mitigation areas. This land would likely
be open to public access. The  land
acquired around the project area would
be purchased by SWFWMD and made
available to the  public. If the project
area is made available for recreation, the
project would have a positive impact on
recreation of the local area.

4.18.2  No Federal Action.  No
recreation facilities would be created as
a result of the No Federal Action
alternative.

4.18.3  Mitigation.  No mitigation is
proposed for recreation.

4.19 RISK ANALYSIS AND
IMPACT TO THE HUMAN
COMMUNITY
Safety has been a primary factor
throughout the design and, as a result,
failure of the reservoir embankment is
not anticipated.  Nevertheless, this does
not preclude the necessity of a  thorough
Emergency Action Plan (EAP) and
preparation of inundation maps for the
water supply alternatives.

Methodology and Significance
Criteria. The EAP has been developed
for the Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir
following the guidelines provided by the
Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA).  The EAP is  a formal
document that identifies potential
emergency conditions at the Tampa Bay
Regional Reservoir and specifies
preplanned actions that would be carried
out by Tampa Bay Water, Hillsborough
County's Emergency Management
Agency, and local emergency
management organizations such as the
county sheriff.

Inundation maps would be used to assist
in notification and evacuation of the
public in the event of an emergency at
the Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir.
Inundation maps would be prepared
using the United States National
Weather Services FLDWAV model.

It is important that the inundation maps
represent the best available information
and not lead to confusion by re-issuance
of several versions.  Therefore, it was
determined in the pre-application
meetings with the FDEP that a
workgroup session(s) needs to be held to
discuss the model parameters that would
be required for the FLDWAV modeling
efforts prior to the preparation of the
maps. After these sessions, Tampa Bay
Water would submit the parameters to
the FDEP's State Dam Safety Officer for
review.  Upon agency approval of
reservoir footprint and maximum water
surface elevation, the inundation maps
would be prepared.

It is important to note that there are
currently no state regulations or rules
that require the preparation of an EAP or
inundation maps, nor state guidelines
describing how to prepare them. FDEP
representatives have explained that they
would require the inundation maps
during the permit review process, but
that they would request them as part of
the  "request for additional information"
stage of the process. In this way,
direction can be given by FDEP on the
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methodology, data and assumptions to
be used to create the inundation maps.

4.19.1  Action Alternatives.  Both of
the water supply alternatives would
include an off-stream reservoir that is
enclosed by earthen embankments. The
reservoir does not have a drainage area
contributing runoff to the water
impoundment. It is filled by pumping
inflows from the Alafia and
Hillsborough rivers and Tampa Bypass
Canal or by direct rainfall. A reservoir
of this type is difficult to analyze for
failure because there is no clear location
where a breach may occur.  If a breach
were to occur, the breach would
gradually become larger and larger with
flow rates through the breach varying
according to the size of the opening.

Ultimately, discharge from a breach
would reach the tidal system of Old
Hillsborough Bay via the Alafia River.
Historically, dam failures occurring on a
typical "fair weather" day have caused
the most damage.  This is simply
because a dam failure is not expected
and the population is less prepared for
evacuation. This scenario would be
simulated with a mean annual flow in
the Alafia River.

The boundary conditions would be
developed in coordination with the State
of Florida Dam Safety Officer.

Breach of the dam embankment of either
water supply alternative could imperil
communities in the inundation area
identified from the modeling efforts
described above. Warning systems and
development of the EAP have been
established to mitigate the effects of an
embankment breach.
4.19.2 No Federal Action. Under the
No Federal Action alternative, an
embankment and subsequent reservoir
would not be developed. No impact to
the human community due to dam
failure would occur.

4.19.3 Mitigation. The EAP is a formal
document that identifies potential
emergency conditions at the Tampa Bay
Regional Reservoir and specifies
preplanned actions to be followed to
avoid or minimize impacts.  The EAP
specifies actions that would be taken to
assist personnel in issuing early warning
and notification messages to responsible
emergency management authorities of
any emergency situation.

Continuing education and training of
Tampa Bay Water staff involved with
the Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir
would be an important  element of both
the normal operation and maintenance of
the reservoir and the EAP.  Tampa Bay
Water as owner of the Tampa Bay
Regional Reservoir, would be
responsible for training of all personnel
involved in the EAP. Training of
personnel involved in the
implementation of the EAP would be
conducted to make sure that personnel
would be familiar with all elements of
the plan and their responsibilities and
duties under the EAP.

Tampa Bay Water would review and
update the EAP annually.  If, during the
annual review, no updates to the EAP
are identified, a statement indicating that
a review was completed and no changes
were identified would be provided to
each recipient of the EAP. A complete
reprint of the EAP would be completed
every three  years.  In addition, the EAP
would be updated after each change
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involving individuals identified by name
in the plan or changes to their telephone
numbers.

4.20 UNAVOIDABLE ADVERSE
IMPACTS
The construction and operation of an
action alternative would have
unavoidable adverse impacts (through
not necessarily significant) that could
not be completely mitigated.
Construction and operation of any of the
alternatives would result in the following
unavoidable adverse impacts.

•   Construction would result in
    temporary decrease in air quality in
    the immediate project area.
•   Noise in the immediate project area
    would be temporarily increased
    during construction.
•   Terrestrial insects, reptiles, and
    mammals would be displaced to
    other areas, or lost, as the
    embankment is constructed.
•   Pastureland would be lost for cattle
    grazing and other agricultural
    production.
•   Unvegetated land exposed during the
    late summer through early spring
    would be vulnerable'to erosion.
•   Loss of approximately 188.3 acres of
    COE jurisdictional wetlands.

4.21 IRREVERSIBLE AND
IRRETRIEVABLE COMMITMENT
OF RESOURCES
Any of the proposed alternatives would
permanently change the natural land
contours of the affected area.  Clearing,
cuts, fills, and borrow extraction would
result in modifications to the landscape.
Some soils would be lost during
construction because of erosion.
Revenues generated from grazing leases
and grazing rights, sod farming, and
other agricultural practices on lands and
easements purchased for the project
would be lost.
Construction and operation would result
in the permanent commitment to the
project of local soils for borrow material
and concrete.

Energy expended on the project would
not be available for other uses.
Petroleum-based products, including
gasoline, diesel fuel, lubricants, and
antifreeze, would be consumed during
construction. Operation and
maintenance of the project facilities
would also require the commitment of
lesser amounts of energy.  The project
would result in a commitment of
manpower. Considerable efforts and
funds have already been expended on
planning and design of the project.

Existing terrestrial habitat would be
converted to an aquatic ecosystem.  The
clearing of vegetation and imposition of
project features would cause a
readjustment of the wildlife in the
immediate project area.

4.22 RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN
SHORT-TERM USES OF THE
ENVIRONMENT AND THE
MAINTENANCE AND
ENHANCEMENT OF LONG TERM
PRODUCTIVITY
The short-term/long-term tradeoff
inherent in the project is a positive one
(i.e. it favors the long-term).  In  the
short-term, use of resources to construct
the project facilities would be required.
These facilities would then yield long-
term benefits of supplementing and
increasing drought-proof water supply
allowing for the natural recharge of
groundwater in the wellfield  area and
satisfying some of the increased water
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demands associated with population
growth in the three-county area.

4.23 CONFLICTS WITH LAND USE
PLANS, POLICIES, OR CONTROLS
The proposed project would not conflict
with any land use plans, policies, or
controls. The construction of the 1,100-
acre reservoir and transmission pipeline
is consistent with zoning designated for
the site.

4.24 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS
Cumulative impacts result when the
effects of an action are added to or
interact with other effects in a particular
place within a particular time.
Cumulative impacts are those effects on
resources from the proposed action or
alternative added to the effects on those
same resources from the past, present,
and reasonably foreseeable action of
others. Thus the cumulative impacts of
an action can be viewed as the  total
effects on a resource, ecosystem, or
human community of that action in
combination with all other activities
affecting that resource.

4.24.1 Summary of Incremental
Impacts. Tampa Bay Water has
developed a Master Water Plan for
meeting the potable water needs of the
Tampa Bay region for the 15 year period
1995 through 2010. The Master Water
Plan incorporates plans for obtaining
freshwater from numerous sources or
storing freshwater, which include the:

•  Alafia and Hillsborough rivers
•  Tampa Bypass Canal
•  Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir
•  Brandon Urban Dispersed Wells and
   Cone Ranch projects
Studies have been conducted to predict
potential impacts from individual
projects of the Master Water Plan, and
the cumulative impact that would result
from implementing a number of the
projects simultaneously.  The
assessments of potential impacts to
Tampa Bay tributaries focused on
changes to freshwater inflow rates and
water quality that would result from the
proposed surface water withdrawals.
Potential impacts to the Hillsborough
River and Tampa Bypass Canal system
and the Alafia River were evaluated.
Stream flow characteristics and water
quality of the rivers were examined.
Resources of interest include fish,
benthos, and submerged and emergent
aquatic vegetation that could potentially
be impacted by changes in flow patterns
or salinity regimes resulting from
withdrawals. The extent and magnitude
of impacts were then assessed to identify
any potential threats to living resources.

Different methods were used to estimate
potential cumulative impacts so that the
result of the diverse analysis could be
compared. Obtaining similar results
using different methods of analysis
provides an increased level of
confidence in the findings.

The conclusions of the modeling efforts
conducted by both Hillsborough County
and Tampa Bay Water were similar and
considered the other elements of the
Master Water Plan. The conclusions
concerning the possible individual and
cumulative impacts are summarized
below.

Alafia River
•  Low and high flows are preserved
   under the withdrawal schedule.
   There is little change to salinity
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    regimes under low and high flow
    conditions.
•   The saltwater interface may vary by
    a maximum of approximately 0.25-
    mile under moderate flow
    conditions.  This could result in the
    conversion of a small area of
    freshwater marsh to saltwater marsh.
    The location of the saltwater
    interface is predicted to change much
    less under high flow and low flow
    conditions.
•   Maximum salinity increase is
    predicted to be less than 2 ppt, which
    is within the observed long-term
    variability of the system.

Hillsborough River/Tampa Bypass
Canal
•   Withdrawals from the Hillsborough
    River begin when flows below the
    City of Tampa's reservoir reach 5.6
    times the minimum flow of 10 cfs.
•   Significant impacts are unlikely to
    living resources of concern within
    the Hillsborough River and Tampa
    Bypass Canal system. The greatest
    withdrawals would be during the wet
    summer months when maintaining
    habitat for the biological resources
    would not be as critical. The
    predicted impacts to freshwater
    inflow and salinity patterns during
    summer months are not expected to
    be significant.

Tampa Bay
•   SWFWMD modeling efforts suggest
    salinity increases of no more that 1.5
    ppt in Hillsborough Bay due to
    freshwater withdrawals.
•   Investigations show no evidence of
    significant impacts to the  tributaries
    and living resources resulting from
    individual projects,  hi addition, the
    cumulative impact analysis did not
    identify any fatal flaws!
•   SWFWMD's Tampa Bay model
    suggested salinity increases due to
    ESWS withdrawals (and Brandon
    Urban Dispersed Wells and Cone
    Ranch) would be within the range of
    long-term variability.
•   Results of the coastal mass balance
    model suggested a maximum
    monthly impact to salinity from
    ESWS withdrawals (a desalination
    facility, Brandon Urban Dispersed
    Wells, and Cone Ranch) within the
    range of long-term variability
    (Coastal Environmental/PBS&J
    1998).
•   The mass balance model suggested
    that the annual cycle of salinity
    within bay segments re-establishes
    and stabilizes at slightly higher
    levels than current levels after 3 to 4
    years of operation of the Master
    Water Plan projects.

Potential impacts to the Alafia and
Hillsborough rivers, the Tampa Bypass
Canal, and Tampa Bay from withdrawal
of freshwater for storage in the proposed
reservoir are considered to be modest
and within the range of normal
variability.  This salinity fluctuation is
expected to be well within the normal
range of variability and is also within the
relatively wide range of salinity
tolerances of identified living resources
of interest found in oligohaline zones.

4.24.2 Impacts from Past and Present
Actions. Past and present human
activity have substantially affected the
land cover at and in the vicinity of the
proposed action alternatives. The
southern portion of the proposed
reservoir area contains reclaimed
phosphate mines and is currently being
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used for agricultural purposes.  The
northern portion of the site is unmined
agricultural land.  Overgrazing has
changed the plant species composition of
existing rangelands and the physical
structure of these habitats by the
selective removal of the more palatable
species or life stages of plants.  The lack
of restrictions on cattle movement has
also resulted in the degradation of
riparian and wetland communities.  The
effect of these actions have reduced the
quality of habitat for native fauna and
increased erosion.  Initially, the
construction of one of the proposed
actions or alternative would continue the
trend in the destruction or degradation of
native terrestrial habitats.

Through the environmental assessment
process, gopher tortoise burrows were
located in the upland area in the
northwest comer of the reservoir site.
To minimize impacts to the tortoises, the
reservoir configuration was further
revised to avoid the upland area in the
northwest portion of the site.  Mitigation
measures would offset the losses through
the enhancement of existing habitat or
the creation of replacement habitat.
The original reservoir layout for the site
encompassed Hillsborough County's
land north of the landfill  and one private
landowner to the north. This layout was
rectangular in shape and would have
required the rerouting of a large portion
of Doe Branch Creek. Based on
information from the  SWFWMD, the
proposed reservoir was reconfigured to
minimize the impact to Doe Branch.
The current reservoir configuration
would not impact the existing creek
system.

The initial reservoir configuration also
maximized the use of the southern
portion of the site, which is owned by
the Hillsborough County (County) Solid
Waste Management Department and
Parks and Recreation Department.
Based on initial discussions, both of
these departments and the County's Real
Estate Departments issued letters
outlining their concerns or issues with
the initial reservoir configuration.  The
Solid Waste Management Department
stated that they had plans for the area as
a source of cover material, buffer and
potential leachate disposal. In addition,
the Florida Department of
Environmental Protection has a
requirement that any Class I water body
be at least 3,000 feet from a landfill cell.
The Parks and Recreation Department's
concerns centered upon the man-made
lake in the southern portion of the site.
This lake is currently the only lake with
potential vehicle access on their
property. Prior to the initiation of the
detailed geotechnical investigation, the
reservoir was moved approximately
3,000 feet to the north in response to
input from the County's Solid Waste
Management Department.

During the geotechnical investigation
conducted on the County's property, it
was determined that construction of the
embankment on this property would
require removal of more waste clays
from the mining process than would be
required if the embankment was moved
north, approximately 800 feet, off of the
County's property. As a result,
constructing the embankment on the
County's property would increase
construction costs. Based on this issue
and the previous alignment, the southern
alignment of the embankment was
moved north off the County's property.
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SWFWMD Governing Board in August
2000 voted to acquire the property
necessary for the proposed reservoir
using a State fund called the Florida
Forever Fund.  There are three property
owners for the reservoir site, with
parcels totaling 5,200 acres.  SWFWMD
has acquired one of the three parcels of
land and is in the process of acquiring
the remaining two parcels. The area of
5,200 acres will include the 1,100 acres
required for the proposed reservoir, and
the property necessary for all of three
mitigation sites. The entire 5,200 acres
would remain in public ownership and
property not directly related to the
proposed reservoir footprint and
mitigation areas will be permanently
preserved. The 5,200-acre acquisition is
also important because it links the
habitat corridors of the mainstream of
the Alafia River to Fish Hawk creek, and
to the South Prong of the Alafia. This
purchase will keep the land adjacent to
the proposed reservoir from being
encroached upon by suburban
development.

4.24.3 Significance of Cumulative
Impacts.  The mitigation proposed for
the loss of vegetation communities
caused by construction of the proposed
action or the alternative would
complement the natural habitat of the
area.  The proposed mitigation plan
provides information  to compensate for
unavoidable wetland impacts associated
with the proposed reservoir project. The
amount of mitigation is based on
wetland impacts as determined by the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Florida
Department of Environmental
Protection, and Hillsborough County
Environmental Protection Commission.
Mitigation would be conducted at three
sites adjacent to the reservoir. These
mitigation projects are expected to
provide an ecological benefit to the
region.

A condition of the Alafia River and
Tampa Bypass Canal Water Supply
Water Use Permits is the establishment
of an extensive HBMP to be conducted
by Tampa Bay Water. Because of the
similar schedule for development and
the close proximity and the integrated
nature of these two water supply
projects, SWFWMD agreed that a single
unified HBMP could be jointly
developed to address permit
requirements for both projects
simultaneously.

The goal of the HBMP is to generate
information at an appropriate scale and
solution to determine if the permitted
water supply projects are in compliance
with SWFWMD's rules and permit
conditions. In addition, the goal of the
HBMP is to ensure that, following the
implementation of the permitted surface
withdrawals, flows in the potentially
affected water bodies do not deviate
from the normal rate and range of
fluctuation to the extent that: water
quality, vegetation, and animal
populations are adversely impacted in
streams and estuaries; or salinity
distributions in tidal streams and
estuaries are significantly altered as a
result of withdrawals; or recreational use
or aesthetic qualities of the resource are
adversely impacted. This adaptive
management-monitoring program was
started in 2000 and includes elements of
water quality, benthic invertebrates, fish,
plankton, bird  census, vegetation
analyses, flows, and rainfall.

4.25 CONCLUSION
Based on the analysis of the two action
alternatives and the No Federal Action
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alternative presented in the preceding
sections and discussions in Chapter 4,
the alternative preferred by EPA is the
1,100-acre Tampa Bay Regional
Reservoir Project. To briefly
summarize, the 1,100-acre Tampa Bay
Regional Reservoir Project would not
affect the permitted freshwater
withdrawal schedules from the Alafia
and Hillsborough rivers and the Tampa
Bypass Canal. The water supply project.
would increase the dependable yield of
the total surface water system by
providing for the additional storage of
surface water diverted during periods of
higher flow for use during drier periods.
The first 66-mgd of surface water
withdrawn from the three combined
water supply sources would be treated at
the new regional water treatment plant
before being distributed to customers via
Tampa Bay Water's regional water
system.  Any surface water withdrawals
in excess of 66 mgd would be pumped
into the 1,100-acre regional reservoir for
storage. When surface water flows
decrease and are below permitted
withdrawal levels, stored water would be
withdrawn from the reservoir and treated
at the regional water treatment facility
for distribution.

The 1,100-acre Tampa Bay Regional
Reservoir alternative is also the project
preferred for implementation by Tampa
Bay Water. The regional reservoir
would provide a quality source of water
that could effectively provide Tampa
Bay Water and their member
governments a viable water source to
supplement the integrated surface water
supply system.  Development of an ASR
system could improve the overall
reliability of Tampa Bay Waters'
preferred 1,100-acre water supply
reservoir. A stand-alone ASR
alternative was originally included in the
initial array of alternatives; this
alternative was eliminated because it did
not provide the required supply in the
time frame desired.  In addition, the
policy and technical issues pursuant to
ASR have not been technically
addressed in this DEIS to the extent
required by the National Environmental
Policy Act. EPA makes no
recommendation as to the desirability or
feasibility of the inclusion of ASR in the
Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project.
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        CHAPTER 5


 COORDINATION AND
            PUBLIC
      INVOLVEMENT

5.1 INTRODUCTION
The National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA) requires federal agencies to
follow a process of environmental
analysis, consultation, disclosure, and
public involvement when taking actions
such as construction, funding, or
permitting of projects. The process is
intended to identify the significant
impacts to the human environment  and
provide an opportunity for interested
individuals, organizations, and
government agencies to participate in the
analysis. The process
is also to inform the
public of the proposed
action and its effects.
For actions with a
high  potential for
significant adverse
environmental impact,
the centerpiece of
NEPA analysis is the
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
The U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) is the federal agency
responsible for issuing the  funding  and
serves as the agency responsible for
conducting the NEPA process of the
Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project.
On April 10, 2000, EPA  published  a
Notice of Intent in the Federal Register
to prepare an EIS for the Tampa Bay
Regional Reservoir.

5.2 PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT
The initial mechanism for public
participation in NEPA is the scoping
process. The purpose of scoping is to
identify significant environmental issues
that require study, sort out insignificant
issues, and thereby focus the scope of
the EIS. High priority was given to
public involvement from the early stages
of this project.  A thorough program was
prepared to provide information and to
receive input from the public in the
vicinity where the proposed action
would be carried out. The public
involvement plan included public
meetings, informational handouts,
publication of public meeting notices,
and media releases and briefings.  In
addition, public comment was solicited
on the Draft EIS (DEIS).

5.2.1  Public Meetings Tampa Bay
Water conducted many public  meetings
and briefings in order to gain public
input on the reservoir siting process. In
           addition, Hillsborough
           County conducted a public
           meeting prior to the Tampa
           Bay Water's Board
           selection of the proposed
           reservoir site. These
           meetings and briefings
           were held prior to the
           initiation of the DEIS and
           are listed below.

Public Meetings and Briefings:
•  July 20, 1998
•  July 23, 1998
•  September 1, 1998
•  September 29, 1998
•  October?, 1998
•  October 14, 1998

5.2.2  Public Scoping Meeting. A
DEIS  public scoping meeting was held
in the  auditorium of the Riverview High
School in Riverview, Florida, on June 8,
2000.  A radio announcement was
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broadcast on June 7, 200,1 on stations
WRBQ and WQYX announcing the
DEIS public scoping meeting.  The
formal meeting was attended by
approximately 125 people and opened
with a presentation given by the EPA
and the third party contractor, Bums &
McDonnell.  Upon conclusion of the
presentation, the meeting was opened for
public comment.  The meeting
proceeded with presentations and
comments from the public. The major
comments received for consideration and
inclusion in the DEIS were impacts of
withdrawals from the Hillsborough and
Alafia rivers and  Tampa Bypass Canal,
impacts to Tampa Bay, and impacts
from construction of the reservoir. At
the end of the meeting, EPA outlined
the schedule for the EIS and invited the
public to  submit comments postmarked
by June 22, 2000.

5.2.3  Draft EIS.  Comments received
from the public and government
agencies as a result of the scoping
meeting were used to tailor the content
or the DEIS so that issues specific  to this
project were addressed.  Examples of
issues raised by the public and
government agencies were viable
alternatives to the proposed action,
withdrawals attributable to the reservoir
operation, and risk analysis and impact
to the human community.

5.2.4  Final EIS  Comments on the
DEIS received from the public and the
cooperating agencies will be addressed
in the Final EIS (FEIS). Once the FEIS
has been prepared, a Notice of
Availability will be published and the
FEIS will be distributed. After 30  days,
a Record of Decision reporting the final
decision of the EPA will be prepared and
issued.
5.3 AGENCY COORDINATION

5.3.1  Public Notice and Other
Communications. EPA and
Hillsborough County Environmental
Protection Commission staff participated
in two meetings held on February 17th
and 22nd, 2000. The purpose of the open
televised meetings was to discuss the
EIS process and other related
environmental issues.

On March 17, 2000, EPA published the
legal notice announcing their intention to
prepare an EIS for the regional reservoir
project. The announcement was
published in the Sun Herald from March
17th to March 25th, 2000.
On May 8, 2000, EPA published  a
public notice announcing their intention
to prepare an EIS on the regional
reservoir project.  The notice was
published in The Tampa Tribune  on May
8th and 9th, 2000 and in The Free  Press
on the following dates:

•  May 6, 2000
•  May 13, 2000
•  May 20, 2000
•  May 27, 2000

The public notice was also published in
the U. S.  Federal Register on May 8,
2000.

On January 11, 2001, Hillsborough
County held an additional meeting in
their offices in Tampa, Florida. Parties
in attendance included EPA and
members representing Hillsborough
County. The purpose of the meeting was
to discuss the status of the DEIS.  This
included a discussion about the
alternatives considered, cumulative
impact analysis, impacts to public health
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and safety and property, reservoir water
quality, wetlands, and mitigation plans.

5.3.2 Other Agency Consultations.
On October 2, 2000, an agency letter
requesting input on the project was
mailed to the State of Florida
Clearinghouse and various federal
agencies including:

•   Hillsborough County
•   Hillsborough County Environmental
    Protection Commission
•   Pasco County
•   Pinellas County
•   City of Tampa
•   City of St. Petersburg
•   City of New Port Richey
•   National Resource Conservation
    Service
•   U. S. Geological Survey
•   U. S. Army Corps of Engineers
•   National Marine Fisheries Service
•   U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service

The purpose of this letter was to request
input pertaining to the project. A copy
of the letter is included as Appendix E.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and
the  National Marine Fisheries Service
were consulted, as required by Section 7
of the Endangered Species Act. The
agencies were asked for a list of
potential species occurring in the project
area and  for their concurrence on the
impacts to federally listed threatened or
endangered species and their
recommendations for mitigation. A
copy of this letter is also included as
Appendix E.

5.4  DEIS PREPARATION TEAM
An  interdisciplinary team of qualified
federal and state government personnel
and consultants were responsible for the
                                           preparation of the Tampa Regional
                                           Reservoir Project DEIS.

                                           5.4.1  Federal Lead Agency. The EPA,
                                           Region IV was the lead federal agency
                                           for this project and the U.S. Army Corps
                                           of Engineers is a Cooperating Agency.
                                           As the lead federal agency, EPA must
                                           consider all environmental effects of the
                                           construction and operation of the Tampa
                                           Bay Regional Reservoir Project, and
                                           must conduct a NEPA analysis of project
                                           impacts on the existing environment.
                                           The Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir
                                           Project was authorized for grant funding
                                           by the EPA under the State Tribal
                                           Assistance Grant Program.  This funding
                                           action will partially provide the means to
                                           acquire the real property and to design
                                           and construct the Tampa Bay Regional
                                           Reservoir Project including the
                                           connecting reservoir transmission main.
                                           EPA staff who contributed to the DEIS
                                           are identified in Table 5-1.

                                           5.4.2 Applicant. Tampa Bay Water is
                                           the sponsor of the Tampa Bay Regional
                                           Reservoir Project. Projects receiving
                                           federal funds for  actions that may impact
                                           the environment will trigger the
                                           preparation of the EIS. The staff at
                                           Tampa Bay Water who contributed to
                                           the DEIS are listed in Table 5-2.

                                           5.4.3 Third-Party Contractor.  Burns
                                           & McDonnnell Engineering Company,
                                           Inc., Kansas City, Missouri, was the
                                           third-party consultant, which had
                                           primary responsibility for preparation of
                                           the DEIS.  The contributors, their roles
                                           and expertise are  listed in Table 5-3.

                                           Additional expertise was provided in the
                                           areas of archaeology, hydrology,
                                           biology, and wetlands to Burns &
                                           McDonnell by specific subconsultants.
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These subconsultants and their
credentials are listed in Table 5-4 and
Table 5-5.

5.4.4  Other Contributors.
Many other individuals or sources
contributed information to the DEIS as
personal communication through
telephone or written contact:

•  Sid Flannery - SWFWMD, water
   quality
•  Stephen Grabe - Hillsborough
   County Environmental Protection
   Commission (HCEPC), Benthics &
   water quality
•  Marty Kelly - SWFWMD,
   Minimum Flows and Levels
•  Anthony D'  Aquila - HCEPC, water
   resources
•  Richard Boler - HCEPC, Director of
   water quality monitoring
•  Sam Stone - Peace River/Manasota
   Regional Water Supply Authority,
   ASR system operations
Tom Logan - Florida Fish and
Wildlife Conservation Commission
(FWC), State wildlife listing
procedures
Andy Squires - Pinellas County,
water quality.
Mark Thompson - National Marine
Fisheries Service,  managed fish
species
Beth Wright - Florida Marine
Research Institute, manatees
Jim Beever - FWC, protected
species, red-cockaded woodpeckers
Ric Jensen - Texas Water Resources
Institute,  estuaries
David Tomasko - SWFWMD,
seagrasses
Dawn Creamer - Florida Master Site
File, Division of Historical
Resources
Robin Jackson - State Historic
Preservation Offices, Division Of
Historical Resources
Dr. Ralph Montgomery - Post
Buckley Jernigan & Shuh
FMRI-
http://www.fmri.usf.edu/fish/
NMFS - http://www.galveston.gov
USFWS -
http://www.endangered.fws.gov
                                    5-4

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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Table 5-1. DEIS Preparers at U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV
Education and Years Experience
Name Discipline and Expertise EIS Role
Heinz Mueller
John Hamilton
Serdar Ertep
BS, Engineering
MS, Urban Planning
BS, Zoology
MS, Parasitology
BS, Engineering
MS, Geography
25, EIS Preparation
36, EIS Preparation
Public Health
7, Geographic
Information
Systems (GIS)
NEPA Policy
Project Officer
GIS Specialist

Table 5-2. EIS Preparers at Tampa Bay Water
Education and Years Experience
Name Discipline and Expertise EIS Role
Amanda Rice
Ken Herd, P.E.
David Bracciano
BS, Civil Engineering
MS, Civil Engineering
BS, Civil Engineering
MS, Civil Engineering
BS, Water Resource
Development
MPA, Public
Administration
8, Water Resource &
Supply Development
17, Water Supply
Development
18, Alternative
Supplies, Demand
Management
Project Manager
Program
Manager
Conservation &
Water Demand
Specialist

                                          5-5

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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Table 5-3. EIS Preparers at Burns & McDonnell
Education and Years Experience and
Name Discipline Expertise EIS Role
Fred Pinkney
Justin Meyer
Angela Bulger
Andrew Grammer
Mark Wolff
Richonia Freeman
Nancy Trobisch
Dennis Lessig
Rod Fraser
PhD Plant Ecology
and Statistics, MS
Range Ecology, BS
Range Science
MA Ecology and
Evolutionary
Biology, BS Biology
MA Environmental
Biology, BS Biology
and Systematics and
Ecology
MA Botany, BS
Biology (Ecology)
BS, Biological
Systems Engineering
BS Chemical
Engineering
M.A. Education, B.S.
Business
Communications
MS Zoology, BS
Education
MA Geography, BS
Criminal Justice
30, environmental
impact analysis and
water resources studies,
NEPA compliance
3, environmental
impact analysis and
water resources studies,
NEPA compliance
1.5, years in
environmental impact
analysis and NEPA
compliance
3, wetland ecology,
habitat assessments and
threatened and
endangered species
surveys
3, noise modeling,
water resource studies
6, air quality reporting,
Clean Air Act
compliance and
permitting
15, writing, editing,
publishing, teaching
30, water pollution
control, environmental
regulatory analysis
6, mapping and
analysis of linear
features and Corps
projects
Project Manager
Assistant
Project Manager
Biologist
Wetland
Specialist
Noise Specialist
Air Specialist
Technical
Editor
Quality
Assurance
GIS Specialist

                                          5-6

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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir
                               Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Table 5.4. EIS Preparers at Florida Environmental,Inc
Education and Years Experience
Name Discpline and Expertise EIS Role
Sunny Diver
Charles Kocur
Erin Redfeam
Karen Burnett
MS
Ecology/Zoology
MS Oceanography
MS Biology
MS Geology
22, water and
wildlife
22,estuarine
biology
4, wildlife
resources
26, geology and
environmental
sciences
Project Manager
Quality Control and
Technical Review
Literature research
and technical writing
Technical writing

     Table 5.5. EIS Preparers at Environmental Permitting and Design, Inc.
      Name
  Education and
     Discipline
 Years Experience
   and Expertise
     EIS Role
  Donna Clarke
Master of Science,
I.M., Georgia
Institute of
Technology
B.E., Mathematics,
University of Miami
10, years in
Environmental
Projects
Management
Project Manager
   Jesse Hardin
New College of
University of South
Florida
2, years in
Environmental
Science
Cultural Resources
                                     5-7

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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project                     Draft Environmental Impact Statement


                             CHAPTER 6


                         LITERATURE CITED

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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project                      Draft Environmental Impact Statement


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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project                     Draft Environmental Impact Statement


Dames and Moore. 1975. Hydrobiological Assessment of the Alafia and Little Manatee
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Environmental Laboratory. 1987. Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual.
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Galvez, Janet. The Florida Elusive Snowbird.  October 1997
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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project                     Draft Environmental Impact Statement


Giovannelli, R.F.  1981. Relation between Freshwater Flow and Salinity Distributions in
       the Alafia River, Bullfrog Creek, and Hillsborough Bay, Florida.  U.S.G.S
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Goodwin,  C.R. 1987. Tidal flow, Circulation, and Flushing Changes Caused by Dredge
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HDR 1998b. Water Use Permit Application. Tampa Florida.

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HDR 2000b.  Regional Reservoir Transmission Main, Basis of Design Report. Tampa,
       Florida.
                                    6-4

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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project                      Draft Environmental Impact Statement


HDR 2000c. Potable Water ASR Report (draff). Tampa, Florida Environmental Inc.
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                                    6-5

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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project                       Draft Environmental Impact Statement


Meylan, A.B. 1984. Feeding ecology of the Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata):
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                                     6-6

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Odum, W.E., C.C. Mclvor, and T.J. Smith,  III.  1982.  The Ecology of the Mangroves of
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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project                      Draft Environmental Impact Statement


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       Water Management District, Peer Review Final Draft. June 15, 1999.
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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project                      Draft Environmental Impact Statement


SWFWMD. 1999b. An Analysis of Hydrologic and Ecological Factors Related to
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USFWS (United States Fish and Wildlife Service). 2000. http://www.endangered.fws.gov
                                    6-9

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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project                      Draft Environmental Impact Statement


WAR/SDL 1995. Second Interpretive Report, Tampa Bypass Canal and Hillsborough
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Weigle, B.L., I.E. Reynolds, III, B.B. Ackerman, I.E. Beeler, and P.L. Boland. 1991.
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       277-288. Tampa, FL.           ;

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West, Carol T.,  Lenze, D. G. The Florida Short Term Outlook October 1999.

Wharton, Barry, G Ballo, and M Hope. 1981. The Republic Groves Site,  Ear dee County,
       Florida.  Florida Anthropologist 34:59-80.

Wik, R.M. 1960. Captain Nathaniel Wyche Hunter and the Florida Indian Campaigns,
       1837-1841. Florida Historical Quarterly 39 (1): 62-75.

Wooley, C. M. and E. J. Crateau. 1985. Movement, microhabitat, exploitation and
       management of the Gulf of Mexico Sturgeon, Appalachicola River, Florida. North
       American Journal of Fisheries Management 16:590-605.

Zarbock, H. A.Janicki, D. Wate, D Heimbuch and H. Wilson.  1995. Current and
       Historical Freshwater Inflows to Tampa Bay, Florida. Prepared for Tampa Bay
       National Estuary Program, St. Petersburg, Florida. Coastal Environmental, Inc. St.
       Petersburg, Florida.

Zug, G.R., Kalb, H., and Luzan, S.L. 1997. Age and growth in wild Kemp's ridley sea
       turtles (Lepidochelys kempi) from skeletochronological data. Biological
       Conservation. 80, 3, 261-268.
                                    6-10

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APPENDICES

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             LIST OF APPENDICES
APPENDIX A - BIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT

APPENDIX B - MITIGATION SUMMARY

APPENDIX C - ALAFIA RIVER AND HILLSBOROUGH RIVER/T AMP A
BYPASS CANAL WITHDRAWAL PERMITS

APPENDIX D - CORRESPONDENCE

APPENDIX E - WILDLIFE AND VEGETATION SPECIES LIST

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APPENDIX A - BIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT

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         BIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT
                     for
            TAMPA BAY WATER' S
TAMPA BAY REGIONAL RESERVOIR PROJECT
                 Submitted to the

          U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
           Office of Environmental Assessment
                     by
   BURNS & MCDONNELL ENGINEERING COMPANY, INC.
                   June 2001
                    25489
                 Burns ^
                 McDonnell
                   SINCE 1898

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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project                 Preliminary Draft Biological Assessment
                      TABLE OF CONTENTS
PARTI  INTRODUCTION	1
  1.1 OVERVIEW	1
  1.2 PURPOSE OF THE BIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT	1
  1.3 PROJECT PURPOSE	1
  1.4 PROJECT NEED	2
  1.5 PROPOSED FACILITY	2
  1.6 PROJECT HISTORY	3
PART 2  THE PROPOSED PROJECT	7
  2.1 ALTERNATIVES	7
  2.2 DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE	8
  2.3 RELEVANT ECOLOGICAL IMPACTS	9
    2.3.1 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project Area	9
    2.3.2 Alafia River	10
    2.3.3 Hillsborough River and Tampa Bypass Canal	10
    2.3.4 Tampa Bay	10
    2.3.5 Groundwater	11
PART 3  POTENTIALLY IMPACTED SPECIES	13
  3.1 WOOD STORK	13
    3.1.1 General Life History	13
    3.1.2 Project Area	16
  3.2 FLORIDA SCRUB JAY	16
    3.2.1 General Life History	16
    3.2.2 Project Area	18
  3.3 BALD EAGLE	19
    3.3.1 General Life History	19
    3.3.2 Project Area	21
  3.4 RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER	21
    3.4.1 General Life History	21
    3.4.2 Project Area	22
  3.5 PEREGRINE FALCON	22
    3.5.1 General Life History	22
    3.5.2 Project Area	23
  3.6 HAWKSBILL SEA TURTLE	:	23
    3.6.1 General Life History	:	23
    3.6.2 Project Area	24
  3.7 GREEN SEA TURTLE	24
    3.7.1 General Life History	24
    3.7.2 Project Area	25
  3.8 KEMP'S RIDLEY SEA TURTLE	25
    3.8.1 General Life History	25
    3.8.2 Project Area	26
  3.9 LOGGERHEAD SEA TURTLE	26
    3.9.1 General Life History	26
    3.9.2 Project Area	27
                                TOC-1

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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project                 Preliminary Draft Biological Assessment
  3.10 LEATHERBACK SEA TURTLE	27
    3.10.1 General Life History	27
    3.10.2 Project Area	28
  3.11 AMERICAN ALLIGATOR	28
    3.11.1 General Life History	28
    3.11.2 Project Area	29
  3.12 EASTERN INDIGO SNAKE	29
    3.12.1 General Life History	29
    3.12.2 Project Area	30
  3.13 GULF STURGEON	30
    3.13.1 General Life History	30
    3.13.2 Project Area	31
  3.14 FLORIDA MANATEE	:	31
    3.14.1 General Life History	:	31
    3.14.2 Project Area	32
  3.15 BEAUTIFUL PAWPAW	32
    3.15.1 General Life History	32
    3.15.2 Project Area	 32
  3.16 FLORIDA BONAMIA	33
    3.16.1 General Life History	-.	33
    3.16.2 Project Area	33
  3.17 SMALL'S JOINTWEED	.	33
    3.17.1 General Life History	33
    3.17.2 Project Area	33
  3.18 PYGMY FRINGE TREE	:	33
    3.18.1 General Life History	34
    3.18.2 Project Area	;.	34
 -3ri9 FLORIDA GOLDEN ASTER	34
    3.19.1 General Life History	34
    3.19.2 Project Area	34
PART 4 POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE	35
  4.1 WOOD STORK	35
  4.2 FLORIDA SCRUB JAY	:	35
  4.3 BALD EAGLE	35
  4.4 RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER	35
  4.5 PEREGRINE FALCON	36
  4.6 ENDANGERED AND THREATENED SEA TURTLES	36
  4.7 AMERICAN ALLIGATOR	36
  4.8 EASTERN INDIGO SNAKE	36
  4.9 GULF STURGEON	36
  4.10 FLORIDA MANATEE	36
  4.11 THREATENED AND ENDANGERED PLANTS	37
PART 5 CONCLUSIONS	38
  5.1 MITIGATION MEASURES	39
LITERATURE CITED	LC-1
                               TOC-2

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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
               Draft Biological Assessment
PARTI

INTRODUCTION

1.1 OVERVIEW
This biological assessment was prepared
as part of the environmental studies for
the Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir
Project.  The assessment, under Section
7 of the Endangered Species Act of
1973, (Public Law 930205), and
subsequent amendments, addresses the
potential impacts of the project on
species that are federally listed as
threatened and endangered. The species
discussed in this assessment were
identified by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service (FWS) because of their
documented or potential occurrence in
the vicinity of the proposed reservoir, or
because they were observed on the
project site by wildlife  biologists. The
discussion for each species includes its
status, life history, and  the potential
impact of the Tampa Bay Regional
Reservoir Project on each.

1.2 PURPOSE OF THE
BIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT
The Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir
Project was authorized  for grant funding
by the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) under the State Tribal
Assistance Grant Program. This funding
action will partially provide the means to
acquire the real property and to design
and construct the Tampa Bay regional
reservoir and transmission main.  EPA,
as the lead federal agency, must consider
all environmental effects of the
construction and operation of the Tampa
Bay Regional Reservoir Project, and
must conduct a National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) analysis of project
impacts on the existing environment.
Pursuant to 40 C.F.R. 1501.4(c) and in
accordance with Section 102(2)(c) of
NEPA, EPA has identified the need to
prepare an Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS) for the Tampa Bay
Regional Reservoir Project.  This
biological assessment is submitted to the
FWS as part of the determination of
potential  impacts of the Tampa Bay
Regional Reservoir Project on threatened
and endangered species. In response, the
FWS will prepare a biological opinion
stating whether the proposed action
would adversely affect or jeopardize the
continued existence or have no impact
on the threatened and endangered
species identified for the Tampa Bay
Regional Reservoir Project area.

1.3 PROJECT PURPOSE
The purpose of the Tampa Bay Regional
Reservoir Project would be to improve
the reliability and dependability of
Tampa Bay Water's regional surface
water supply system.  The reservoir
would store untreated raw surface water
diverted during high flow conditions
from the Hillsborough River, the  Tampa
Bypass Canal, and the Alafia River.
This stored water would be used during
dry periods when little or no surface
water could be diverted. The first 66
million gallons per day (mgd) of raw
water withdrawn from one or more of
the three surface water sources would be
treated at the new Tampa Bay Regional
Water Treatment Plant (WTP) and then
distributed through Tampa Bay Water's
regional water distribution system.

Diverted amounts of raw water
exceeding 66 mgd would be pumped
into the reservoir and stored for later use.
During the dry season when little or no
water could be diverted from the  surface
water sources, up to 66 mgd would be
withdrawn from the reservoir, treated at
the Tampa Bay Regional WTP and
distributed to retail customers.

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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
                Draft Biological Assessment
1.4 PROJECT NEED
The Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir
project is needed to increase the yield
and improve the reliability of the
regional surface water system. Rapid
population growth and economic
development has resulted in an increase
in projected future water demand.

Tampa Bay Water currently supplies its
member governments with water from
12 groundwater wellfields. Water use
permits and agreements between Tampa
Bay Water, Southwest Florida Water
Management District (SWFWMD), and
its member governments limit the
withdrawal of water from the 11
Northern Tampa Bay wellfields to 158
mgd, with reductions in withdrawals to
121 and 90 mgd required in 2002 and
2007 respectively. Based on increased
water demand and reduction of the
existing supply, Tampa Bay Water needs
to develop new water supply sources to
meet the additional required water
supply capacity presented in the
following schedule (Black and Veatch
199*)r

Year
December 2002
December 2007
Total
Additional Water
Supply Required
(mgd)
53
58
111
The reservoir would be constructed by
2004 and would likely take one year to
fill. It is anticipated to be fully
operational by 2005.  It is estimated that
the additional storage capacity in the
reservoir would increase the sustainable
annual yield from surface water
diversions from approximately 25-mgd
to 50-60 mgd.

1.5 PROPOSED FACILITY
The proposed Tampa Bay regional
reservoir is an off-stream, above-ground
reservoir that would store water
withdrawn from the Hillsborough River,
the Tampa Bypass Canal, and the Alafia
River during periods of high flow. The
reservoir would increase the sustainable
yield of Tampa Bay Water's system by
storing untreated surface water for use
during low flow periods when little or no
direct flow water could be withdrawn
from these sources.  Water would be
transmitted to the WTP during dry
periods for treatment and distribution via
Tampa Bay Water's regional water
supply system.

The regional reservoir project site
consists of the footprint of the
embankment and reservoir, the
associated facilities and transmission
pipeline, and all of the mitigation sites
that would be used to offset impacts
associated with the project. Associated
facilities include an intake tower and
potential water quality pump station.
The transmission pipeline would connect
the reservoir to Tampa Bay Water's new
WTP and regional water  system.

The proposed reservoir and associated
facilities would cover approximately
1,100 acres (900 acres of surface area
when full), with a storage volume of
approximately 48,000 acre-feet (15
billion gallons) (HDR 2000b). It would
be located in southeastern Hillsborough
County, south of County  Road 640,
north of County Road 672, and west of
State Road 39 (Figure  1-1). Portions of
the site have been mined  for phosphate,

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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
               Draft Biological Assessment
but are currently being used as improved
pasture.

Reservoir embankments would be 30 to
65 feet high and constructed primarily
from onsite soils. To control erosion,
the interior face of the embankments
would be covered with a soil and cement
mixture.

Approximately 7.5 miles of 84-inch
pipeline would connect the proposed
reservoir to Tampa Bay Water's regional
water system at the South Central
Hillsborough Intertie. The new pipeline
route would generally follow existing
roadways and linear utility corridors.
The route would begin approximately
400 feet north of the intersection of
Fishhawk Drive, Bell Shoals Road and
Boyerte Road.  It .would then run south
and east, parallel to Boyerte Road where
it crosses rural land to the Tampa Bay
regional reservoir site (HDRa 1999).

The real property rights required for
construction and operation of the
pipeline include a temporary easement
of 50 feet during construction and a 50-
foot permanent easement for
construction, operation and maintenance
activities. In areas near homes and other
potentially sensitive locations, the
easement would be reduced where
possible to avoid or minimize impacts
(HDR 2000).  The approximate
alignment of the proposed pipeline route
is shown in Figure 1-2.

1.6 PROJECT HISTORY
Tampa Bay Water, formerly the West
Coast Regional Water Supply Authority,
was established on October 25, 1974. In
August 1998, the Authority became
Tampa Bay Water, which is responsible
for supplying wholesale water to its six
member governments of Hillsborough,
Pasco, and Pinellas Counties and the
Cities of New Port Richey, St.
Petersburg, and Tampa.

Tampa Bay Water is the largest
wholesale water supplier in the state of
Florida. Its member governments serve
the needs of approximately 2 million
people.  By Florida mandate, Tampa Bay
Water is responsible for developing,
recovering, storing, and supplying water
for its member governments in such a
way as to reduce environmental impacts.
Tampa Bay Water is permitted to
transport and use ground or surface
water, across county boundaries within
the 3 county area, if publicly and
environmentally acceptable.

Tampa Bay Water provides an average
of 176 million gallons of drinking water
each day. Currently, this water is
groundwater from the Floridan aquifer.
Environmental resources have been
impacted in some areas where the
Floridan aquifer is indirectly connected
to surface  waters.  The potential impacts
of groundwater pumping have been a
matter of substantial concern among the
member governments, SWFWMD, the
Florida Legislature and the public for
several years. To answer these concerns,
Tampa Bay Water and SWFWMD have
negotiated a Consolidated Water Use
Permit, which regulates withdrawals
from the 11 wellfields currently operated
by Tampa Bay Water.

The Consolidated Water Use Permit
currently limits withdrawals from the 11
of the 12 wellfields to 158 mgd (based
on a 36-month running average). The
total permitted capacity of the 11
wellfields  will be reduced to 121 mgd in
December 2002 and to 90 mgd in
December 2007. To meet the terms of

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           \              V
Rgure Source: HDR Engineering, Inc.. EAP Application, September 7, 2000
                            w   Reservoir
                                                                        Figure 1-1
                                                                  TAMPA BAY REGIONAL
                                                                RESERVOIR PROJECT DEIS
I     |  Reservoir
                                                                PROJECT LOCATION MAP

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       Alafia River
       Withdrawal Location
                               FishhawkDr
Figure Source: HDR Engineering, Inc., EAP Application, September 7,2000
                                                                          Figure 1-2
                                                                   TAMPA BAY REGIONAL
                                                                 RESERVOIR PROJECT DEIS
                                                                      PIPELINE ROUTE

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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
                Draft Biological Assessment
the Consolidated Water Use Permit and
demands of the growing population,
Tampa Bay Water has identified the
need to develop 53 mgd of new water
supply sources by 2002 and an
additional 58 mgd by 2007.

To meet these demands, Tampa Bay
Water initiated a study that resulted in
the Master Water Plan Alternative
System Configurations (Report) (Black
& Veatch, 1998). The Report evaluated
potential water supply alternatives and
facilities using water demand
projections, existing water supply
sources, and facility capacities.  The
outcome was the identification of
potential water supply sources and
facilities to meet the needs of the Tampa
Bay area through the year 2010.

A number of combinations of projects
presented in the Report  could potentially
meet the future demands of the Tampa
Bay Area. However, based on a viable
implementation schedule,  only four of
the new systems could potentially meet
the December 2002 and 2007
groundwater reductions (Black & Veatch
1998). Each of the four systems would
provide both integration of the water
supply system and rotational service.  A
water conservation program is also
included in all the systems, which
proposes reduction of average annual
demand by 10 mgd in 2000 and 17  mgd
in 2005 (Black & Veatch 1998).

Each of these systems contained a set of
core projects what would meet the 2002
need and a second set of core projects to
meet the need in 2007. The projects
capable of providing the need for 2002
include:

•   Tampa Bypass Canal Water Supply
    Project
•   Alafia River Project
•   Brandon Urban Dispersed Wells
    Project
•   Seawater Desalination Project
•   Cypress Bridge II Project

Regardless of which new sources were
initially constructed to meet the
established 2002 need, one of the
following projects would also need to be
included in the system to meet the
projected needs of the Tampa Bay area
by December 31, 2007. These include:

•   Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir
    Project;
•   Seawater Desalination Expansion
    (from initial of 20 or 35 mgd to 50
    mgd);
•   Hillsborough Bay Resource
    Exchange Project.

To make the system functional, the new
Tampa Bay Regional WTP and the
South Central Hillsborough Intertie
would also need to be constructed.  Each
of these projects represents a piece of the
puzzle that together will form an
integrated water supply for the Tampa
Bay region.  The piece of the puzzle that
is the  subject of this EIS is  the Tampa
Bay Regional Reservoir Project.

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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
                 Draft Biological Assessment
PART 2 THE

PROPOSED PROJECT

2.1 ALTERNATIVES
Twelve alternatives capable of
improving the reliability and
dependability of Tampa Bay Water's
integrated water supply system have
been identified.  Alternatives evaluated
in the EIS were  grouped into two
categories: action and no action
alternatives. Alternatives were subjected
to a tiered screening criteria based on
engineering feasibility, environmental
fatal flaws, and their ability to meet
regional demands. Feasible alternatives
were identified and carried forward for
detailed description and analysis.

The action alternatives considered
include water storage, water supply, and
demand management alternatives.

•  Water storage includes alternatives
   that have a water storage component
   capable of providing water to the
   regional water system during periods^
   when surface water flows are
   inadequate to meet the water
   demands of the region.

•  Water supply involves alternatives
   that could provide drinking water to
   the region without the use of a water
   storage component.

•  Demand management, focuses on
   reducing water demand through
   conservation measures to serve
   additional customers with existing
   supplies.

Action alternatives include any actions
that could be undertaken by Tampa Bay
Water to supplement or create additional
water resources.  These include the
Table 2.1. List of Alternatives Evaluated

Action Alternatives

   Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir

   Freshwater from Springs in the Gulf

   Lakes in Abandoned Phosphate Pits

   Above-Ground Water Storage Tanks

•  Reclaimed Water for Potable Reuse

   Reclaimed Water

   Seawater Desalination

   Brackish Water Desalination

   Water Conservation

   Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR)
   System

   Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir and ASR
   System

No Action Alternative

   No Federal Action
 proposed Tampa Bay Regional
 Reservoir Project and other
 storage/supply alternatives.

 Also included in the list of alternatives is
 the No Federal Action. The action and
 no-action alternatives are presented in
 the Table 2.1.

 Based on the alternative analysis, the
 recommended alternative is the
 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir
 Project. The EPA believes the proposed
 reservoir can provide a quality source of
 water that can effectively provide Tampa
 Bay Water's member governments'

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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
                Draft Biological Assessment
water to supplement the integrated
surface water system.

The proposed reservoir will not affect
the permitted withdrawal schedules from
the surface water sources. It will simply
increase the dependable yield of the
surface water system by providing
storage of water during periods of
sufficient flow in the surface water
system for use during dry periods.

2.2 DESCRIPTION OF THE
PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE
The addition of an off-stream reservoir
would improve the reliability and
dependability of the regional water
system. Tampa Bay  Water's Board of
Directors has considered several options
for the potential reservoir site. A
preliminary screening process was used
to eliminate reservoir alternatives
because of land use issues, natural
features such as wetlands, bottomland
hardwood and riparian communities, and
proximity to residential areas.
Preliminary screening resulted in the
identification of 15 potential reservoir
sites to be reviewed in detail. The
review process included a range of
criteria, including natural features, land
use, land values, relocations,
construction costs, and potential
contamination by hazardous materials.
Seven alternatives underwent more
extensive geotechnical and
environmental analyses and were
included in a public involvement
program.  The screening process and
related cost analysis led to the selection
of the preferred off-stream reservoir site,
the proposed Tampa Bay regional
reservoir.  Implementation of the
proposed site would involve the
following facilities:
•   The South Central Hillsborough
    Intertie.
•   The Alafia River and Tampa Bypass
    Canal Intakes and Pump Stations.
•   The Tampa Bay Regional Water
    Treatment Plant.

The proposed Tampa Bay regional
reservoir is an off-stream above ground
reservoir that would store water
withdrawn from the Tampa Bypass
Canal, the Hillsborough River,  and the
Alafia River during periods of high flow.
The purpose of the reservoir would be to
increase the sustainable yield of the
system by storing untreated surface
water for use during low flow periods
when direct flow water cannot be
withdrawn from the above mentioned
sources.  The reservoir would not affect
the permitted withdrawal schedules from
the surface water sources, but would
increase the dependable yield of the
system from approximately 25 mgd to
50-60 mgd(HDR 1999).

During periods when the allowable
withdrawals from the surface water
sources exceed the  capacity of the water
treatment facilities, water would be
stored in the proposed Tampa Bay
regional reservoir.  Any surface water
withdrawal amounts that exceed 66 mgd
would be pumped to the reservoir for
storage, prior to treatment. When stream
flows decrease and direct flow surface
water withdrawals are limited, water
would be pumped from the reservoir  to
the treatment facility and distributed  to
meet water demands (HDR 2000b).

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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
                Draft Biological Assessment
2.3 RELEVANT ECOLOGICAL
IMPACTS

2.3.1  Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir
Project Area
The Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir
Environmental Resource Permit and
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Dredge
and Fill Permit Application prepared in
August of 2000 assessed direct and
indirect impacts to wetlands in the
proposed project areas (HDR 2000b).
Direct impacts are defined as dredge and
fill activities resulting from reservoir and
pipeline construction. Indirect impacts
are related to potential changes in local
water table elevations resulting from
reservoir seepage.

The reservoir site selection process for
the proposed Tampa Bay Regional
Reservoir Project used criteria to avoid
and minimize direct and indirect impacts
to wetlands. It was estimated that the
total amount of wetlands impacted by
the project is 189.9 acres.  This includes
182.3 acres of wetlands within the
reservoir footprint and 7.6 acres along
the pipeline route.  Impacts along the
pipeline are temporary and are not
anticipated to require off-site mitigation.
Impacts within the reservoir footprint are
permanent and will require mitigation.

Based on mitigation credits anticipated
from the project site, the Recommended
Mitigation Plan, proposed by Tampa
Bay Water, is anticipated to provide
approximately 521 acres of wetland
mitigation using a combination of
enhancement, restoration, and creation.
All of the proposed mitigation sites and
scenarios are subject to additional
coordination and approvals by
permitting agencies, development of
final impact acres and mitigation
requirements, and additional engineering
studies. The recommended Mitigation
Plan is proposed to meet the anticipated
mitigation requirements of the reservoir
project.

Extensive field reviews and surveys of
the proposed reservoir site have been
conducted since  1998 for suitable
wetland and wildlife habitats, including
those for federal and state listed
threatened and endangered species.
Potential impacts on terrestrial wildlife
were evaluated based on the quantity,
quality, and scarcity of the habitats
disturbed by or lost to construction.
Impacts would be significant if high
quality, relatively rare wildlife habitat is
lost or significantly  impacted.

Wildlife species  expected to occur in the
vicinity of the proposed  project area are
numerous and varied due to the mosaic
of upland and wetland communities
found in the region.   Wildlife observed
on the reservoir site, or highly likely to
utilize the site, include small and large
mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and a
wide variety of birds. Small mammals
that may occur on the project site such as
raccoon, armadillo, opossum, and
eastern cottontail, would be displaced to
surrounding habitats by construction of
the reservoir. Large mammals such as
wild pig, and white-tailed deer, and
reptiles such as the anole, six-lined
racerunner, and various snakes, are
mobile species and would likewise be
displaced to surrounding habitats.
Impacts to these  species are expected to
be minor but habitat loss would  be
permanent in nature.

A wide variety of upland and wetland
dependent bird species, both permanent
residents and winter migrants,
potentially utilize the proposed reservoir

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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
                Draft Biological Assessment
site. Habitat for these species would be
lost within the footprint of the reservoir.
These species would be displaced by the
construction of the reservoir but many,
especially upland species, would likely
utilize the uplands immediately
surrounding the reservoir. Wetland-
dependent species would be displaced to
wetlands in the surrounding areas.
Impacts to these species are also
expected to be minor but habitat would
be lost due to construction.

2.3.2 Alafia River
The diverse habitat around the Alafia
River provides cover and forage for a
variety of wildlife species.  Species
occurring in and along the river include
small and large mammals, marine
mammals, birds (including wading
birds), and benthic macroinvertebrates.

It is unlikely that significant impacts to
the Alafia River would result from the
proposed surface-water withdrawals.
Many resource managers agree that in
most systems the largest potential for
impacts occurs when low flows are
disrupted. For the proposed project, the
largest predicted effects on freshwater
flows would occur in the middle range
of flow frequencies, leaving the low and
high flow rates relatively or entirely
unimpacted. Therefore it is highly
unlikely that operation of the proposed
alternative would  impact wildlife
associated with Alafia River.

2.3.3 Hillsborough River and Tampa
Bypass Canal
Implementation of the proposed projects
would divert up to 129 mgd (on a
maximum daily basis) of freshwater
flows from the Hillsborough River and
Tampa Bypass Canal.  Withdrawals for
the Hillsborough River would begin
when flows in the river below the City of
Tampa's Hillsborough River Reservoir
reach 65 mgd, which has been permitted
by the SWFWMD.  Withdrawals from
the Tampa Bay Bypass Canal would
begin when flows in the river reach 7
mgd, which has been permitted by the
SWFWMD.

Similar to the Alafia River, the diverse
habitats around the Hillsborough River
and Tampa Bypass Canal provide cover
and forage for a variety of wildlife
species.  However, these habitats have
been greatly impacted by human
development, resulting in limited species
diversity and population sizes.
Developments and human  disturbance
limit the overall amount of habitat
present, and competition is high for
limited resources. It is unlikely that
significant impacts to the wildlife
associated with the Hillsborough River
and Tampa Bypass Canal systems would
result from the operation of any of the
water supply alternatives.

Studies evaluating the potential impacts
of the Hillsborough River and Tampa
Bypass Canal indicate that although
some alterations to the flow and salinity
regime could be expected due to
withdrawals, the magnitude of the
effects appear to be within the normal
range of variation for the natural system.

2.3.4 Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay is a subtropical estuary with
a rich mosaic offish and wildlife
habitats. These habitats  include seagrass
beds, salterns, and vegetated intertidal
areas with mixtures of mangrove and
tidal marsh vegetation.  A variety of
wildlife species use the habitats found in
Tampa Bay, including small and large
mammals, marine mammals, birds
(including wading birds), reptiles,
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amphibians, and benthic
macroinvertebrates.

Implementation of the proposed projects
would eliminate up to 181 mgd (on a
maximum daily basis) of freshwater
inflow into Tampa Bay.  The proposed
withdrawals raise concerns about the
potential effects on Tampa Bay and its
tributaries. The potential impacts of
freshwater withdrawals on salinity and
circulation and the potential impacts of
any changes in salinity and/or circulation
on the Tampa Bay ecosystem have been
evaluated.

Potential impacts of the proposed
withdrawals would not adversely affect
the estuary as a nursery and habitat for
living resources (Coastal
Environmental/PBS&J 1998). The
required minimum and maximum flow
levels must be addressed through
operating schedules, design
considerations, and other resource
management activities.

The prediction of possible local-scale
changes in salinity and circulation
resulting from the withdrawals was
made utilizing a three-dimensional
hydrodynamic model (PBS&J 1998).
The objectives of this model were to
estimate the modifications to spatial arid
temporal patterns of salinity and residual
tidal circulation within Tampa Bay that
could result from surface water
withdrawals from the Alafia River and
Hillsborough Rivers and the Tampa
Bypass Canal. The model used spatial
scales sufficient to determine changes  to
portions of the estuary.

The modeling indicates freshwater
withdrawals from the Alafia and
Hillsborough Rivers and the Tampa
Bypass Canal appear to influence
salinity and flushing time in Tampa Bay.
The potential impacts of the various
projects to tributaries of the Tampa Bay
estuary result in salinity changes that
remain within the range of natural
system variation. It is unlikely that
significant impacts to wildlife habitat in
and around Tampa Bay would result
from operation of the action Tampa Bay
Regional Reservoir Project. The largest
predicted effects on freshwater flows
would occur in the  middle range of
permitted flow frequencies, leaving the
low and high flow rates relatively or
entirely unimpacted (Coastal
Environmental/PBS&J  1998).

2.3.5  Groundwater
By legal actions under the Partnership
Agreement between Tampa Bay Water,
SWFWMD,  and member governments,
the proposed projects would allow
Tampa Bay Water's member
governments to reduce withdrawals from
regional wellfields. The Partnership
Agreement outlines the  required
reduction in  groundwater withdrawals
from the 11 of the 12 regional wellfields
by the year 2002 and 2007.

By contributing to a reduced reliance on
groundwater, the proposed projects
would enhance the  water levels and
biological health of related wetlands,
lakes, and streams.  The improved
biological health of these resources
would in turn benefit the fish and
wildlife that  depend on them for habitat.

At the reservoir site, significant water
exchange from vertical migration of
water into underlying aquifers is not
expected. Although the hydraulic
potential exists for downward vertical
movement of groundwater to lower
aquifers, the  presence of low
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permeability confining intervals would
retard the vertical movement of water
between the aquifer units (HDR 2000b).

Flow modeling results indicate water
loss from seepage would occur into the
shallow water table and surrounding
streams. Seepage from the reservoir at
maximum pool level could potentially
add 0.5 to  1 mgd of water to the
groundwater/surface water system of the
site.  Horizontal flow discharge to the
water table outside of the embankment
boundary is predicted to be as  high as 45
percent of the total  upward flux within
100 feet of the embankment toe.
Impacts from horizontal seepage would
include a rise in the water table within
400 feet of the embankment toe (HDR
2000b).
Adding ASR to the reservoir site would
provide additional underground storage
and would enhance the reliability of the
proposed surface reservoir as a regional
water supply. The majority of existing
permitted groundwater users within the
study area tap the intermediate aquifer
and the uppermost part of the Floridan
aquifer. The proposed storage zones for
ASR have sufficient confinement from
the intermediate aquifer to preclude any
impacts to the surficial or intermediate
aquifer systems. Injection and pumpage
within the proposed storage zones may
affect existing users (mostly agricultural
users) that tap the Upper Floridan
aquifer for a water supply by producing
variations in the level and pressure
within the aquifer system (HDR 2000a).
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PART 3
POTENTIALLY

IMPACTED SPECIES

The Endangered Species Act of 1973
(ESA) affords protection to those species
and their habitats that are listed as
federally threatened or endangered. A
federally endangered species is "any
species which is in danger of extinction
throughout all or a significant portion of
its range". A federally threatened
species is "any species which  is likely to
become an endangered species within
the foreseeable future throughout all or a
significant portion of its range".

For the Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir
Project, the FWS identified five
endangered and six threatened species
that could be impacted by the  project
(Table 3-1).

3.1 WOOD STORK
The endangered wood stork (Mycteha
americand) is one of two species of
storks that breed in North America.
These inhabitants of marshes, cypress
swamps, and mangrove swamps reach
the northern limit of its breeding range
in the southeastern United States where
it shares breeding colonies with great
egrets, snowy egrets, white ibis, and
other species.  The unique feeding
method of the wood stork requires
specialized habitat requirements. These
habitats on which wood  storks depend
have been disrupted by changes in the
distribution, timing, and quantity of
water flows in south Florida.  The
population declines that accompanied
this disruption led to its listing as an
endangered species and continue to
threaten their recovery in the United
States (FWS 1999).
In south Florida, breeding colonies of
wood stork occur in Broward, Charlotte,
Collier, Miami-Dade, Hardee, Indian
River, Lee, Monroe, Osceola, Palm
Beach, Polk, St. Lucie, and Sarasota
counties. At one time or another, wood
storks have nested in every county in
south Florida (FWS 1999).

The current population of adult birds is
difficult to estimate, because not all
adult birds nest every year. Presently,
the wood stork population is believed to
number 11,000 adults.  Recent United
States breeding is restricted to Florida,
Georgia, and South Carolina (FWS
1999).

3.1.1  General Life History
The wood stork  is one of 17 species of
true storks (Ciconiidae) in the world.
The wood stork  is one of three stork
species found in the Western
Hemisphere and is the only one that
breeds north of Mexico. The wood stork
has no described subspecies, races, or
distinctive subpopulations (FWS 1999).

The wood stork  is a large, long-legged
wading bird, with a body length from
head to tail  of 35 to 45 inches and a
wingspread of 60 to 65 inches. The
plumage is  white, except for iridescent
black primary and secondary wing
feathers and a short black tail. Storks
soar with necks and legs extended. On
adults, the rough scaly skin of the head
and neck is unfeathered and dark gray in
color, the legs are dark, and the feet are
flesh-colored. The bill is black colored
(Ogden 1996).

During the courtship and early nesting
season, adults have pale salmon coloring
under the wings, fluffy, white undertail
covets that are longer than the tail, and
toes that brighten to a vivid pink.
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   ••-.:,--.>••.;- >,:.•,'.••...:•'..   Table3-l   ,,..••  •.;••'•   •;..,;-.••  .,..,;,-..  :
                    ,'",.;<".
    ENDANGERED, THREATENED, CANDIDATE OR PROPOSED SPECIES
Common Name
     Scientific Name
Federal Status
Wood Stork
Florida Scrub Jay
Bald Eagle
Red-cockaded Woodpecker
Peregrine Falcon
Hawksbill Sea Turtle
Green Sea Turtle
Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle
Loggerhead Sea Turtle
Leatherback Sea Turtle
American Alligator
Eastern Indigo Snake
Gulf Sturgeon
Florida Manatee
Beautiful PawPaw
Florida Bonamia
Small's Jointweed
Pygmy Fringe Tree.
Florida Golden Aster
    Myceteria americana
 Amphelocoma coerulescens
   Haliaeetus leucocephalus
      Picoides borealis
      Falco peregrinus
   Eretmochelys imbricata
       Chelonia mydas
     Lepidochelys kempii
       Caretta caretta
    Dermochelys coriacea
   Alligator mississippiensis
 Drymarchon corals couperi
Acipenser oxyrhynchus .desotoi
     Trichechus manatus
 Deeringothamnus pulchellus
    Bonamia grandiflora
   Polygonella myriophylla
   Chionanthus pygmae us
    Chrysopsis floridana
   Endangered
   Threatened
   Threatened
   Endangered
     Delisted
   Endangered
   Endangered
   Endangered
   Threatened
   Endangered
   Threatened
   Threatened
   Threatened
   Endangered
   Endangered
   Threatened
   Endangered
   Endangered
   Endangered
 Immature storks, up to about three years
 old, differ from adults in having a yellow
 or straw-colored bill and varying
 amounts of dusky feathering on the head
 and neck. In the field, wood storks are
 distinctive among North American
 wading birds through their long, heavy
 bills, black primary and secondary
 feathers, and black tails (Ogden 1996).

 Nesting, roosting, and foraging activities
 are primarily associated with freshwater
 and estuarine habitats. Wood storks
 typically construct their nests in medium
 to tall trees that occur in stands located
 either in swamps or on islands
 surrounded by relatively broad expanses
 of open water (Ogden 1996).
 Historically, wood storks in  south
 Florida established breeding colonies
 primarily in  large stands of bald cypress
              (Taxodium distichum) and red mangrove
              (Rhizophora. mangle) although other
              species of trees have been used (FWS
              1999).

              During the non-breeding season or while
              foraging, wood storks occur in a wide
              variety of wetland habitats. Typical
              foraging sites include freshwater
              marshes and stock ponds, shallow,
              seasonally flooded roadside or
              agricultural ditches, narrow tidal creeks
              or shallow tidal pools, managed
              impoundments, and depressions in
              cypress heads and swamp sloughs. Loss
              or degradation of wetlands in central and
              south Florida is one of the principal
              threats to the wood stork.

              Wood storks use a specialized type of
              feeding called tactolocation. A foraging
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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
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wood stork wades through the water
with its beak immersed and partially
open. When it touches a prey item, the
wood stork will snap its mandibles shut,
raise its head, and swallow what has
been caught. The wood storks will
regularly stir the water with their feet, a
behavior that appears to startle hiding
prey.  This feeding method allows storks
to feed at night and use water that is
turbid or densely vegetated.  However,
the prey must be concentrated in
relatively high densities for wood storks
to forage
effectively
(FWS 1999).
The natural
hydrologic
regime in
south Florida
involves
seasonal
flooding  of
extensive
areas
followed by
drying events
that confine
water to
ponds and
sloughs.  Fish                    WoQd stork
populations
reach high numbers during the wet
season, but become concentrated into
smaller areas as drying occurs. Wood
storks are able to exploit high
concentrations of fish in drying pools
and sloughs. Storks forage in a wide
variety of shallow wetlands, where prey
reach high enough densities and water is
shallow and open enough for the  birds to
be successful.  Good feeding conditions
usually occur in relatively calm water,
where depths are between 5 and 10
inches, and where the water column is
uncluttered by dense patches of aquatic
vegetation (FWS 1999).

 The wood stork is a highly colonial
species, usually nesting in large
rookeries and feeding in flocks. They
tend to use the same colony sites over
many years, as long as the sites remain
undisturbed and sufficient feeding
habitat remains in the surrounding
wetlands. Traditional wetland nesting
sites may be abandoned by storks once
local or regional drainage schemes
                  remove surface water
                  from beneath the
                  colony trees.
                  Maintaining adequate
                  water levels to protect
                  nests from predation
                  is a critical factor
                  affecting production
                  of a colony. As a
                  result of drainage
                  changes, or predation,
                  many storks have
                  shifted colony sites
                  from natural to
                  managed or
                  impounded wetlands
                  (FWS  1999).

                  Wood storks are
seasonally monogamous, probably
forming a new pair bond every season.
Their nests are flat platforms,
constructed  out of sticks with a lining of
finer material, up to 3 feet in diameter.
Adult storks maintain them throughout
the breeding season maintain them.

Nesting periods vary geographically. In
Florida, wood storks lay eggs as early as
October and as late as June. In general,
earlier nesting occurs in the southern
portion of the state. Colonies that start
after January in south Florida risk having
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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
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young in the nests when the May-June
summer rains flood marshes and
disperse fish.

Wood storks usually lay a single clutch
of two to five eggs per breeding season
depending on environmental conditions.
Incubation takes approximately 28 days
and begins after the first one or two eggs
are laid.  Fledging takes about nine
weeks and the young stay at the nest for
an additional three to four weeks to be
fed by the parents.

3.1.2 Project Area
Wood storks can be observed throughout
south Florida foraging or loafing in and
around shallow wetlands and ditches.
Wood storks, have been observed
foraging in marsh wetlands located
within the proposed reservoir site (HDR
2000b). No rookeries or nesting habitat
exist on site except for one small cypress
wetland, which is suitable, but does not
support nesting woodstork.

3.2 FLORIDA SCRUB JAY
The Florida scrub jay (Aphelocoma
coerulescens) is a relict species of fire-
dominated oak scrub habitat that occurs
on well-drained sandy soils in peninsular
Florida. Scrub jays are extremely
habitat specific, sedentary, and
territorial. Florida scrub jays form
family groups  and fledglings remain
with their parents in their natal territory
as helpers (FWS 1999).
The Florida scrub jay is listed as a
threatened species in Florida because of
loss, fragmentation, and degradation of
scrub habitats throughout the state. This
is primarily due to urbanization,
agriculture, and fire suppression.
According to FWS, the population has
declined by an estimated 25 to 50
percent in the last 10 to 12 years. At one
time, the Gulf coast of Florida supported
a contiguous major core population of
scrub jays. Today this population is
divided into two subregions because of
the extensive amount of habitat
fragmentation and loss that has occurred
in Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco, and
Hernando counties (FWS 1999).

The Florida scrub jay has disappeared
from several counties and is reduced to
scattered, small and rapidly declining
populations in many more.  The
decreasing trend of the Florida scrub jay
population is correlated with loss of
scrub habitat.  Today, only relict patches
of xeric oak scrub remain (Fitzpatrick et
al. 1994).

3.2.1  General Life History
The Florida scrub jay is a disjoint
member of a species complex otherwise
restricted to western North America.
Following its isolation, probably in late
Pliocene or early Pleistocene times, the
Florida population diverged extensively
from its western counterparts.  Now,
important differences exist in plumage,
morphology, vocalizations, display, and
social behavior.  The Florida scrub jay is
genetically distinct and represents the
only bird species restricted to Florida
(Woolfenden 1996).

The Florida scrub jay is about 10 inches
long, and similar to its close relative, the
blue jay. The. predominant colors of
both species are blue and white, but the
two differ in color pattern.  Scrub jays
have no crest and lack the white tips,
black barring, and bridle of the blue jay.
Scrub jays have a pale blue head, nape,
wings, and tail and, are a pale gray on he
back and belly. A white eyebrow blends
with a frosted white forehead.  Throat
and upper breast are faintly striped and
bordered by pale blue, forming a distinct
bib. Both sexes of Florida scrub jays are
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nearly identical in plumage with males
slightly larger than females. Juvenile
plumage is smoky gray on the head and
back, entirely lacking the blue crown
and nape of adults.  An incomplete molt
during summer makes juveniles nearly
indistinguishable from adults
(Woolfenden 1996).
Florida scrub jay
habitat
requirements are
very specie
specific. Optimal
scrub jay habitat
consists of scrub or
scrubby flatwoods
with a 50 to 75
percent cover of
scrub oak, 1 to 3
meters in height;
scattered patches of
bare sand covering
10 to 30 percent of
the area; and no
more than a 20
percent canopy
cover by trees
Scrub Jay
(Fitzpatrick et al. 1991).  Scrub oak
habitat on the west coast of Florida is
often different in appearance from oak
scrub habitat on the east coast.
Normally, it is sub-optimal habitat and
instead of the open expanses of scrub
oaks and rosemary interspersed with
large patches of sandy open areas, it is
usually more overgrown and vegetated,
with little open sand due to leaf litter and
palmetto growth. This is largely due to
fire suppression in the suburban
developed areas.

Long-term breeding populations of scrub
jays exist only where there are scrub
oaks in sufficient quantity to provide an
ample acorn supply, cover from
predators, and sufficient nest sites.
Protected scrub habitats will most
effectively sustain overall scrub jay
populations if located within a matrix of
surrounding habitats that can be utilized
and traversed by scrub jays.
Elimination of scrub habitat  through
human activities has occurred
              throughout Florida scrub
  -^ k. ~M$ AS   ^ nat*ve  ran§e-
  ~v '%C«^   Conversion of scrub
              habitat to citrus groves
              and dwellings proceeded
              throughout the 20th
              century with rapid
              acceleration in the 1950s
              and 1960s. Continued
              loss of habitat to rural
              residential development,
              mobile-home  parks,
              industrial construction,
              shopping malls, golf
              courses, and other
              recreational uses closely
              tracked the rapid growth
              of the human  population
              in Florida  through the
              1970s and 1980s.
Conversion of scrub to citrus groves
eliminated  scrub and jays from hundreds
of xeric-soil patches as early as the
1920s. Major killing freezes caused
rapid southward expansion of the citrus
industry in the 1970s and 1980s,
especially in the interior peninsula.
Scrub habitat vacated  by citrus growers
is not restored to its natural condition
and rarely reverts to habitat suitable for
Florida scrub jays (Woolfenden 1996).

Fire suppression by humans  has caused
many of the remaining patches of scrub
to become tall and dense with a canopy
of oaks and pines and  a thick leaf litter.
Under these conditions, death rates for
breeding adults exceed recruitment and
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the scrub jays die out. Entire local
populations of Florida scrub jays have
disappeared as a result, despite the
persistence of native xeric vegetation
(Woolfenden 1996).

Florida scrub jays forage on or near the
ground in open areas and along edges of
natural or man-made openings. Insects
make up a large portion of their animal
diet throughout most of the year
although a variety of vertebrate prey
items are consumed. Acorns are the
most important plant food.  The acorns
are cached beneath the surface of bare
sand during the fall  and retrieved and
consumed in winter and early spring.

The Florida scrub jay is a non-migratory,
family-oriented species with a well-
defined territory:  Believed to be
monogamous, the breeding pair stays
within the territory year after year.
Juveniles  remain in  their natal territory
for up to five years before  dispersal to
(generally) within two territories of their
natal territory and less than five miles.
Prior to dispersal, prebreeders, primarily
yearlings, living in their natal territory
assist the breeders, usually their parents,
with daily activities.

The nests  are usually built in scrub oaks
at a height of 1 to 2  meters although
other trees are used, especially in
suburban areas or areas of sub-optimal
habitat. Nesting  normally  occurs from
the beginning of March through the end
of June although some areas differ
slightly. Clutch size ranges from one to
five eggs,  typically three to four, and
only the female incubates and broods
eggs and nestlings.  Average production
of young is two fledglings per year, per
pair. In optimal habitat, survival of scrub
jay fledglings to yearling class is about
35 percent.

Florida scrub jays live most of their lives
as members of a group and conduct most
daily activity in close proximity to their
group members. Almost no Florida
scrub jays breed before the age of two
years.  Older prebreeders that fail to
acquire breeding space almost always
return to their natal area, where they help
the resident breeders defend the territory
and rear offspring. A well-developed
sentinel system exists, in which one
member of the group sits on an exposed
perch above the shrubbery watering for
predators or territory intruders.

3.2.2 Project Area
One area of suitable habitat was
identified on the project site that would
potentially support scrub jays. An area
of scrubby flatwoods is located just
outside of the northwest corner of the
proposed reservoir site.  The eastern
two-thirds of the site has dense saw
palmetto (Serenoa repens) and wiregrass
(Aristida spp.) cover, while the
remainder is a more hardwoods-
dominated turkey-oak community.

Florida scrub jay surveys were
conducted in the scrubby flatwoods
habitat to determine their presence
within  the project area and to document
the population if jays were found.
Survey methods employed followed
Florida Game and Freshwater Fish
Commission Nongame Wildlife Program
Technical Report No. 8 (Fitzpatrick et
al.  1991). Playback stations  were
located approximately 300 to 500 feet
apart and placed such that all Type II
and Type III scrub habitat was sampled.
Morning surveys were conducted on
April 10, 11,13, 14, and 15,  1999
beginning one hour after sunrise and
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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
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concluding between 10:30 and 11:00 am.
A pre-recorded tape of scrub jay distress
calls, obtained from the Archbold
Biological Station, was played at full
volume for one minute each in four
directions. Weather conditions were
relatively cool (between 75° and 80° F),
calm, and free of precipitation.

3.3 BALD EAGLE
The bald eagle (Haliaeetus
leucocephalus) was formerly distributed
in suitable habitat across the North
American continent from western Alaska
to the Maritime Provinces of Canada
south to the Florida Keys, the Gulf
Coast, and Baja California. Presently,
over 90 percent of the nesting eagles are
found in disjunct populations in Florida,
the Chesapeake Bay area, the Great
Lakes, Maine, and the Pacific Northwest
(Curnu'tt 1996).

The bald eagle was originally found
throughout Florida in great numbers,
probably in excess of 1,000 nesting
pairs. By the early 1970s, habitat loss
and a declining population led to the
extirpation of bald eagles from most of
Florida. At the top of the food chain,
this raptor was adversely affected by the
bioaccumulation of pesticides,
particularly
dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT).
These pesticides interfered with calcium
metabolism, which resulted in eggshell
thinning.  The banning of DDT in 1972
halted a 30-year decline of bald eagle
reproduction in Florida. Bald eagles are
now considered common in Florida and
are  known to breed throughout the state.
Population estimates, based on the 1993
Florida statewide survey, were 1,775 to
2,450 individuals and 667 breeding pairs
(Curnutt 1996).
Interactions between eagles and humans
are the single most important factors
affecting eagles. Anthropogenic effects
have been responsible for degradation of
nesting, foraging, and wintering habitat
throughout the species' range.  Current
threats to the bald eagle include habitat
fragmentation and loss, collisions with
cars and powerlines, and  shooting. (FWS
1999).

3.3.1  General Life History
The bald eagle is in the Order
Falconiformes, Family Accipitridae.
The bald eagle is the sole representative
of the genus Haliaeetus ("sea eagle")
regularly found in the western
hemisphere. The division of H.
leucocephalus into two species, the
southern and northern bald eagle, is
based primarily on size. Bald eagles
from opposite  ends of their 2,750-mile
range (north to south) are distinctly
different with the northern bald eagle
slightly larger  than the southern.  There
is a gradient of larger to smaller birds
from north to south and the overlap of
breeding and migration ranges make it
difficult to define geographic limits of
subspecies (Curnutt 1996).

The bald eagle is the largest raptor that
breeds in Florida. The female is 35 to 37
inches in length, slightly  larger than the
male. Wingspan varies from 79 to 90
inches. The male bald eagle has  a body
length from 30 to 34 inches and a
wingspan that  ranges from 72 to  85
inches.

The white head and tail, chocolate-
brown wings and body, and yellow eyes,
bill, and feet readily identify adults.
First-year juveniles are nearly uniform
dark brown with variable white
speckling under the wings and  on the
underside of the  tail. Each year
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thereafter, molting brings about a highly
variable array of dark and white patterns.
The head and tail become increasingly
white with age until full adult plumage is
reached in the 4th or 5th year. During this
same period, the legs, bill, and eyes
change gradually from black to yellow
(FWS  1999).

Bald eagles are considered a water-
dependent species typically  found near
estuaries, large lakes, reservoirs, major
rivers, and some seacoast habitats.
Distribution is influenced by the
availability  of suitable nest and perch
sites near large open water bodies,
typically with a high proportion of
water-to-land edge (FWS 1999).
Throughout their range, bald eagles
demonstrate a remarkable ability to
tolerate disturbances to their habitat.
Their adaptability to a variety of habitat
conditions makes generalizations about
habitat requirements and nesting
behavior difficult. Though variable,
eagles  have basic habitat requirements
that must be met to  successfully
reproduce and survive during the winter
or non-nesting season (FWS 1999).

Nesting habitat includes the nest tree,
perch and roost sites, and adjacent high
use areas; it usually does not include
foraging areas. The nest, perches, roost
sites and use areas around the nest
comprise the nesting territory. The size
and shape of a defended nesting territory
varies greatly depending on  the terrain,
vegetation, food availability, and eagle
density in the area.  Generally, bald
eagle nesting habitat is adjacent to or
near large bodies of water that are used
for foraging. Nest sites must also
provide good visibility and a clear flight
path to the nest (FWS 1999).
Most eagles select nest trees that are
larger and taller than surrounding trees.
Nests are usually positioned below the
treetop of live conifers, although other
tree species have been used. A typical
nest is about 5 feet in diameter and is
often used year after year.  Over the
years, some nests become as large as
nine feet in diameter, and weigh up to
several tons.  When a nest tree falls or
strong winds blow a nest down, the
established pair of eagles usually rebuild
at or near the site within a few weeks,
particularly if it happens near the
breeding season (Curnutt 1996).

In south Florida, bald eagles breed and
nest during the winter months. Contrary
to changes in habitat use exhibited by
northern bald eagles, eagles in the  south
do not substantially alter habitat
throughout the year.  Some adults may
remain in and defend  their nesting
territory outside of the nesting season,
use or defend portions of their territory,
or disperse and congregate at food
sources such as landfills. Of those adults
that do not maintain territories
throughout the year, most are not
thought to leave the state (FWS 1999).

Bald eagles are monogamous. Annual
courtship behavior serves to re-establish
pair bonds. Early in the nesting season,
mated pairs of bald eagles will perform
spectacular aerial displays that include
pursuit flights and high soaring, talon-
locking, and cartweeling.  In establishing
territories, eagles may also fly around
the perimeter of their nesting areas to
advertise their presence (Curnutt 1996).

In the southeast United States, nesting
activities generally begin in early
September, with egg laying occurring as
early as late October and peaking in the
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latter part of December. Depending on
latitude, incubation may be initiated as
early as October to as late as March.
Clutches usually consist of one or two
eggs, but occasionally three or four are
laid. Incubation takes approximately 35
days and fledging occurs within 10 to 12
weeks of hatching. Parental care may
extend four to six weeks after fledging
even though young eagles are fully
developed and may not remain at the
nest after fledging (FWS 1999).

Juveniles fledged  in Florida are highly
migratory, with more than one-third of
the recoveries made 1000 miles or more
north of Florida during the non-nesting
season (FWS 1999).  Juvenile Florida
eagles tend to move rapidly to northern
summering grounds from South Carolina
to Prince Edward  Island, Canada. Most
radio-collared juveniles return each year
but a small proportion remains away for
two to three years. It is not known
whether all birds fledged in Florida
ultimately breed in Florida.

The bald eagle is an opportunistic
feeder. Its diet varies tremendously
depending on the time of year and
habitat, and foraging behavior is highly
diverse. In the southeastern United
States, the bulk of the diet is fish;
however turtles, birds, and waterfowl are
also taken. Bald eagles typically hunt
from perch sites or by soaring over
foraging areas.  Most foraging occurs
early in the morning with another, less
intense feeding period usually in the late
afternoon.

3.3.2 Project Area
Bald eagles are known to occur in the
vicinity of the project site; however,
only one individual was observed in
flight over the proposed reservoir site.
Florida Natural Areas Inventory (FNAI)
records indicates bald eagle nests are
located greater than 1 mile south of the
proposed reservoir and to the north near
Alderman Ford Park at the Alafia River.
No nests have been observed or recorded
on the reservoir site or within the
pipeline corridor (HDR 2000a).

3.4 RED-COCKADED
WOODPECKER
The historic range of the red-cockaded
woodpecker encompassed the
southeastern United States from eastern
Texas and Oklahoma to New Jersey  and,
at one time, it probably occurred in all
67 Florida counties, with the exception
of the Florida Keys in Monroe County
(FWS 1999).

3.4.1  General Life History
The red-cockaded woodpecker belongs
to the Picidae family and was first
described by Vieillot in 1807. Adults
are approximately 18 to 20 cm in length
and have a wingspan of 35 to 38 cm.
Males are slightly larger than females.
The red-cockaded woodpecker has large,
conspicuous cheek patches, a black cap
and neck, and black and  white barred
back and wings. Males have a few red
feathers slightly above and behind each
eye, however the red spot is rarely
visible in the field (FWS 1999).

Primary nesting and roosting habitat for
red-cockaded woodpeckers consists of
pine stands, or pine-dominated
pine/hardwood stands, with a low or
sparse understory and ample old-growth
pines.  The low or sparse understory
allows unimpeded access to cavities.
Nest and roost cavities are almost always
located in old age living  pines that are at
least 60 years old.  In southwest Florida,
the hydric slash pine flatwoods provide
the preferred critical nesting and
foraging habitat for red-cockaded
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woodpeckers.  This community does not
have the dense midstory of xeric and
mesic flatwoods in southwest Florida
(FWS 1999).

Red-cockaded woodpeckers are non-
migratory, territorial, and live in
cooperative breeding social groups.
Such groups are typically comprised of a
breeding pair and up to three "helpers,"
which are usually males.  Nesting occurs
from late April through early June and
the nest cavity is usually the roost cavity
of the male. Nest cavities are usually
excavated on the west to southwest side
of a mature pine tree and generally
located  10 to 13 m above the ground.
Clutch size is normally two to four eggs
and incubation lasts 10 to 11  days. Both
parents incubate eggs and young fledge
at 26 to 29 days of age. Red-cockaded
woodpeckers are long-lived birds,
reaching as many as 15 years old 9FWS
1999).

Red-cockaded woodpeckers forage
primarily on arthropods,1 taken by
chipping away the outer layer of tree
bark and gleaning what they find
underneath.  Vegetative matter, such as
pine mast and fruits, is sometimes
consumed.

3.4.2 Project Area
The Florida Natural Areas Inventory
(FNAI)  does not list the red-cockaded
woodpecker as occurring in
Hillsborough, Pasco, or Pinnellas
counties. This species nor suitable
habitat was not found during  surveys of
the regional reservoir site and pipeline
corridor.

3.5 PEREGRINE FALCON
Historically, the peregrine falcon had a
range as extensive as any other bird and
bred in nearly every state. However, in
the early 1950's it became apparent that
peregrine falcon numbers were declining
(FWS 2000). Pesticides, in particular
DDT and its metabolites, were causing
eggshell thinning  which resulted in
widespread nesting failure. The species
was listed as endangered in 1970 (35 FR
16047) and in 1972 DDT was banned in
the Untied States  (FWS 2000). Through
research, conservation, management, and
protection, the specie population within
the lower 48 states is increasing. The
peregrine falcon was delisted from the
federal list on August 25, 1999 and is
now in a five year monitoring program.

3.5.1  General Life History
The peregrine falcon is between 15 and
21 inches in length with a wingspan of
38 to 45 inches, or approximately the
size of a crow. This species is identified
by a strong facial  pattern characterized
as wide, black sideburns. Adult birds
are blue-gray and  barred above and
pinkish and spotted below.  Juveniles are
brown and heavily streaked (FWS 2000).
Peregrine falcons  can live up to  17 years
in the wild. Females and males are
dimorphic in size. Females weigh 21 to
53 ounces, while males weigh 16 to 30
ounces.  It has been suggested that
peregrines do not  reach sexual maturity
until 2 years of age (FWS 2000).

The peregrine falcon  is the fastest bird
on record, with cruising speeds of 40 to
55 miles per hour  and diving speeds of
99 to 273 miles per hour (FWS 2000).
These flying abilities allow the bird to
hunt over a relatively large area.  It is not
uncommon for a peregrine to travel as
much as 17 miles  from its' nest to
hunting  areas. Peregrines feed almost
exclusively on birds, which they capture
while in flight.  Peregrines strike their
prey while diving, often killing it upon
contact. Geographic areas with an
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abundance of birds are common hunting
grounds. During winter, areas, which
concentrate waterfowl, provide
important foraging areas.

Even with the falcon's remarkable flying
ability, nests are usually situated near
waterways where abundant prey occurs.
Some peregrine falcons, however, have
adapted to urban landscapes. They have
substituted high-rise buildings for cliffs
and ledges and feed on pigeons.

Nesting occurs in spring; generally a pair
of falcons is present on the nest by
March.  Three to four eggs are laid in
April. The incubation period lasts about
33 days. Both the female and male
incubate the eggs, although the female
spends the majority of time on the nest.
Young fledge in mid-summer (FWS
2000).

Little is known about post-breeding
movements.  Some peregrine falcons
have been known to over-winter in the
vicinity  of their nests, particularly during
mild winters.  Others leave the area and
do not return to the nesting area.  It is
not known if this is because of mortality
or other factors (FWS 2000).

3.5.2  Project Area
The FNAI lists the peregrine falcon as
having potential to occur in
Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinnellas
counties. This species has not been
observed on reservoir project site and
pipeline corridor.

3.6 HAWKSBILL SEA TURTLE
Hawksbill sea turtles (Eretmochelys
imbricatd) are highly desired for their
beautiful shells that are used to  make
tortoise  shell jewelry.  The demand for
hawksbill shells has led to population
declines during the past century due to
overharvesting. This exploitation is the
primary contributor to the species listing
status of endangered.

3.6.1  General Life History
Hawksbill sea turtles belong to the
family Chelonidae, one of the two
marine turtle families. These sea turtles
possess a dorsal bony shell called a
carapace, which is covered by large hard
epidermal plates or scutes. The turtles
also have a ventral shell (plastron),
although it  is reduced compared to other
turtle families. Shell shape is
compressed and tapering at each end, an
adaptation for their highly aquatic life.
Body shape and forelimbs are also
streamlined and compacted, providing
hydrodynamic flippers for swimming.
Their heads and necks are largely
nonretractable, adding to their basic
hydrodynamic body shape (Zug 1993).

The hawksbill is a small- to medium-
sized sea turtle, and adult females in the
Caribbean range from 24.6 to 37.0
inches straight carapace length and
weighs approximately 100 pounds.  The
carapace is  patterned with radiating
streaks of yellow, reddish brown, brown,
and black.  The large scutes on the
hawksbill's carapace overlap (except in
the very young and old), lending to the
species name (imbricata). The head is
relatively small with a narrow snout and
smooth cutting edges on the jaws,
suggesting  a hawk's bill. The hawksbill
has two pairs of scales between the eyes
and nostrils; this is a difference from the
green turtle, which only has one pair of
scales.

Hawksbill sea turtles have life histories
that are similar to  other sea turtle species
(Musick and Limpus  1996). Hatchling
hawksbills  live in the open ocean, in the
shelter of weedline habitats of ocean
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currents (Carr et al. 1966). Little is
known about the hawksbill diet during
the hatchling life history phase.
Hawksbills in the  Atlantic ocean are
thought to become juveniles at an age of
one to three years (Musick and Limpus
1996). Juvenile hawksbills are typically
found in shallower habitats where their
diet includes primarily sponges (Meylan
1984). Adult hawksbills inhabit tropical
seas preferring coral reefs and rocky
ledges where they forage primarily on
sponges.  Common foraging habitats of
the adult hawksbills include coral reefs
and rock outcroppings, and less
commonly seagrass pastures in
mangrove-fringed bays (Bjorndal and
Bolten 1988).

Like other sea turtle species, hawksbill
turtles reproduce in shallow waters
adjacent to nesting beaches (Ehrhart
1982). After mating, females move to
nesting beaches, come ashore, and lay
their clutches of eggs in the sand in  two-
week intervals over the summer  nesting
season. Nest incubation lasts
approximately 60  days. Although sea
turtles may not necessarily return to their
beach of birth, genetic studies have
demonstrated that breeding sea turtles
return to the region of their birth. When
the nesting season is over, adult  females
return to their foraging areas where  they
begin to prepare for the next
reproductive period, a few to several
years in the future. As adults, hawksbill
turtles are less migratory than other sea
turtle species, nesting primarily on
tropical islands surrounded by the
preferred coral reef foraging areas.

Tampa Bay beaches have been
monitored for nesting sea turtles since
1982, and nearly all nests laid have been
loggerhead sea turtle nests. The Florida
Marine Research Institute (FMRI) and
the Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage
Network (STSSN) document injured or
dead turtles stranded on Florida beaches.

3.6.2  Project Area
Data indicate that the hawksbill sea
turtle is the least common sea turtle
species in Tampa Bay (Meylan et al.
1999). All hawksbills observed have
been found in the outer bay area. Size-
classes of hawksbill sea turtles found
stranded  in Tampa Bay indicate that the
population consists primarily of
juveniles.

3.7 GREEN SEA TURTLE
The green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas} is
distributed worldwide, with its important
nesting and feeding grounds located in
the tropics. In many countries this
species has long been harvested for its
meat and eggs. The green sea turtle is
currently listed as endangered under the
authority of the Endangered Species Act.

3.7.1  General Life History
Like the Hawksbill sea turtle, green sea
turtles belong to the family Chelonidae,
one of the two marine turtle families.
These sea turtles are the hard-shelled
marine turtles (Zug 1993). Hatchling
green turtles are solid black to dark gray
dorsally with a white margin around the
posterior margin of the carapace and
along the edge of their flippers.  The
ventral shell or plastron is creamy white.
The juvenile carapace is brownish green,
with light and dark streaks radiating
within each plate or scute. Although a
faint juvenile pattern may be seen in
some adults, the carapace is primarily
olive with numerous black spots. A
single pair of elongate scales between
the eyes,  a strongly serrate jaw, and a
single claw on each front flipper
distinguishes this large sea turtle from
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the other species. Mature females
measure 35 to 46 inches in straight
carapace length and weigh 220-390
pounds.

Green sea turtles have highly migratory
life histories that are similar to other sea
turtle species (Musick and Limpus
1996). It is believed that hatchling green
turtles live in weedline habitats of ocean
currents, where they feed primarily on
plant and animal material (Bjorndal
1985). Green turtles leave open water
habitats and enter benthic foraging areas
at a size of 8 to 10 inches carapace
length in the western Atlantic Ocean
(Bjorndal and Bolten 1988). As adults,
green sea turtles  shift to a diet primarily
consisting of seagrasses and algae
(Mortimer 1982). Green sea turtles are
most commonly  observed foraging over
seagrass beds (Bjorndal  and Bolten
1988).

Like other sea turtle species, green
turtles reproduce in  shallow waters
adjacent to nesting beaches  (Ehrhart
1982). After mating, females move to
nesting beaches,  come ashore, and lay
their clutches of  eggs in the sand in two-
week intervals over  the summer nesting
season.  Nest incubation lasts
approximately 60 days.  Although sea
turtles may not necessarily return to their
beach of birth, genetic studies have
demonstrated that breeding  sea turtles
return to the region of their  birth. Green
turtles show a strong tendency toward
nest site fidelity, and have been
documented returning to the same tenth-
mile area of beach many times within
one nesting season.  When the nesting
season is over, adult female green turtles
return to their foraging areas and begin
to prepare for the next reproductive
period, a few to several years in the
future.

3.7.2 Project Area
Available data indicate that the green sea
turtle is the third most commonly found
sea turtle species in Tampa Bay.  Size
classes of green sea turtles found
stranded in Tampa Bay indicate that the
population consists primarily of
juveniles and sub-adults (Meylan et al.
1999).

3.8 KEMP'S RIDLEY SEA TURTLE
The Kemp's ridley sea turtle is less
widely distributed than other sea turtle
species, occurring primarily in the
continental shelf waters of the Gulf of
Mexico. Before the implementation of
turtle excluder devices (TEDs) on
shrimp nets, this species suffered great
loss from incidental catch, and led to
their designated endangered status under
the Endangered Species Act.

3.8.1  General Life History
Kemp's ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys
kempii) also belong to the family
Chelonidae. As one of the two marine
turtle families, these sea turtles are hard-
shelled marine turtles (Zug 1993).  The
Kemp's ridley sea turtle is a small
species with an extremely broad shell or
carapace that may resemble a heart
shape. The small orbit located high on
the head above the deep upper jaw
creates a parrot-like appearance.  Mature
females average about 25 inches in
carapace length and range in weight
from 70 to 110 pounds. Dorsal
coloration of the adult is grey to olive
green with a yellowish ventral shell.
Hatchlings are completely dark, with the
ventral shell becoming lighter and
changing whitish after several months.
There is a transition from the juvenile
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coloration to the adult when carapace
length reaches 11 inches.

Kemp's ridley sea turtles also begin their
lives as migratory animals, living in the
open water of the sea as hatchlings and
not reappearing in the shoreline zone
until they are about two years old or
have a 8-inches carapace length (Zug et
al. 1997; Ogren 1989). Once Kemp's
ridley sea turtles become juveniles, they
move into the shallow benthic feeding
habitats along the continental shelf and
feed primarily on crabs (Burke et al
1993). These juveniles can be found in
shallow waters along the east coast of
North America and in the Gulf of
Mexico.

Like other sea turtle species, Kemp's
ridley turtles reproduce in shallow
waters adjacent to nesting beaches
(Ehrhart  1982). After mating, females
come ashore, and lay their clutches of
eggs in the sand in two-week intervals
over the summer nesting season. Nest
incubation lasts approximately 60 days.
Although sea turtles may not necessarily
return to  their beach of birth, genetic
studies have demonstrated that breeding
sea turtles return to the region of their
birth.  As adults, Kemp's ridleys return
to the western Gulf of Mexico where
they nest almost exclusively on one
beach area (Rancho Nuevo) in
Tampaulipas, Mexico. When the nesting
season is over, adult females return to
their foraging areas and begin to prepare
for the next reproductive period, a few to
several years in the future.

While most marine turtle species are
widely distributed, the Kemp's ridley sea
turtle nesting is restricted to a narrow
band of beaches in the western Gulf of
Mexico.  This site was and is the only
known nesting area for this species,
although there have been few isolated
cases of nesting in Florida.

3.8.2 Project Area
Available data indicates that the Kemp's
ridley sea turtle is the second most
common sea turtle species in Tampa Bay.
(Meylan et al. 1999). Size-classes of
Kemp's ridley sea turtles found stranded
in Tampa Bay show that juveniles and
sub-adults comprise the population.

3.9 LOGGERHEAD SEA  TURTLE
The loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta
carettd) is rarely hunted for its meat.
Although the eggs are harvested in some
parts of the world, direct take for human
consumption has not been a major factor
in its decline. The wide range of this
species brings it into  contact with many
human activities including incidental
capture in shrimp trawls and injury by
contact with boat propellers, dredges,
and fishermen; all have contributed to
this species decline and its listing as  a
threatened species.

3.9.1  General Life History
Loggerhead sea turtles belong to one of
the two marine turtle families, which
includes all hard-shelled marine turtles
(Zug 1993). The loggerhead sea turtle is
a medium to large sea turtle. Their
limbs are modified as flippers, the shell
is streamlined and elongated, and their
heads are large with powerful jaws
adapted for crushing mollusks. In
Florida, adult loggerheads have shell
lengths that range from 2.3 to 4.1 feet;
individuals weigh from 155 to 400
pounds. Adult loggerheads typically
have reddish brown shells that are often
covered with barnacles, and cream-
colored ventral shells or plastrons.
Hatchlings are brown to reddish-brown
dorsally and from buff to gray-black
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ventrally. The loggerhead can be
distinguished from other sea turtles
because of their large heads, reddish
brown color, and presence of barnacles
on their shells.

Loggerhead sea turtles have highly
migratory life histories that are similar to
other sea turtle species (Musick and
Limpus 1996). During their first few
years of life, loggerheads live  in the
open ocean, often in association with
sargassum vegetative communities (Carr
1987). Loggerhead turtles leave the
open water habitats and enter shallow
water foraging areas in the western
Atlantic when shell lenghts reach 15 to
20 inches (Carr 1986). Loggerheads are
more opportunistic feeders than other
sea turtle species, foraging on a wide
variety of invertebrates (Bjorndal 1996).

Like other sea turtle species, loggerhead
turtles reproduce in shallow waters
adjacent to nesting beaches (Ehrhart
1982). After mating, females  move to
nesting beaches, come ashore, and lay
their clutches of eggs in the sand in two-
week intervals over the summer nesting
season. Nest incubation lasts
approximately 60 days. Although sea
turtles may not necessarily return to their
beach of birth, genetic studies have
demonstrated that breeding sea turtles
return to the region of their birth.
Loggerheads show a strong tendency
toward nest site fidelity.  When the
nesting season is over, adult females
return to their foraging areas and begin
to prepare for the next reproductive
period, a few to several years in the
future. Loggerheads are the most
temperate chelonids, and mostly nest on
subtropical and temperate beaches.
3.9.2 Project Area
Available data suggest that the
loggerhead sea turtle is the most
common sea turtle with the widest
distribution in Tampa Bay (Meylan et al.
1999). Size classes of loggerhead sea
turtles found stranded in Tampa Bay
indicate that adults make up the majority
of the population.

3.10 LEATHERBACK SEA TURTLE
The leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys
coriaced) has suffered from habitat
destruction, incidental bycatch in
commercial fisheries, and egg and meat
harvesting, thus leading to the present
endangered status.

3.10.1 General Life  History
The leatherback sea turtle represents a
separate family, Dermochelyidae, and is
morphologically distinct from the
Cheloniid sea turtle species.  Instead of a
shell made  of horny scutes, the
leatherback turtle has extremely reduced
carapace bones covered with a thick,
leathery skin, hence earning the common
name "leatherback".  Leatherback sea
turtles are the largest sea turtles in the
world, averaging 118 to 178 cm in
length and 650 to 1500 pounds in
weight.  Hatchling leatherbacks are
dorsally black and ventrally white, and
are  covered with tiny scales.  Adult
leatherbacks have similar coloration,
although their ventral surface is darker
and they lack scales.  Splotches of white
may also appear on the head, neck and
flippers, especially in juveniles and
hatchlings.  In both adults and hatchlings
the  upper jaw has two tooth-like
projections at the premaxillary-maxillary
sutures (NMFS 2001).
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Of all sea turtle species, the least is
known about the life history of the
leatherback turtle.  Leatherbacks are
believed to be the most pelagic of all sea
turtles, which makes the species the
most difficult to study. Like other
species, hatchling leatherbacks move
immediately to the water and swim
actively offshore. Hatchling
leatherbacks virtually disappear after
moving offshore, and are not seen again
until the juvenile stage (110 to 120 cm
curved carapace length), when they
recruit to temperate continental shelf
waters to feed on concentrations of
jellyfish
(Musick and
Limpus 1996).
As adults,
leatherbacks
are pelagic and
often follow
aggregations
of jellyfish up
and down the
U.S. East
Coast.
Leatherbacks
feed throughout the water column, and
are adept deep divers (Bjorndal 1996).
Although primarily tropical, the
leatherback travels farther north than
other sea.turtles, reaching Nova Scotia
and Newfoundland. Adult leatherbacks
are uniquely endothermic, capable of
maintaining a deep body temperature far
above that of the surrounding water,
apparently through muscular activity and
fatty insulation.

Age at sexual maturity of the leatherback
is unknown. Like other sea turtle
species, female leatherbacks come
ashore and lay their eggs on tropical
beaches. Eggs of the leatherback are
larger (approximately baseball sized)
than those of Cheloniid species.  In the
Atlantic and Caribbean, nesting occurs
from February to July, with the largest
nesting populations found in the  U.S.
Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and  the east
coast of Florida (NMFS 2001). Nesting
along the West Coast of Florida is
extremely rare.

3.10.2 Project Area
Distribution of the leatherback turtle
extends from Cape Sable, Nova Scotia,
south to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin
Islands (NMFS 2001). Sightings of
leatherbacks in the Gulf of Mexico and
               Tampa Bay are rare.

               3.11 AMERICAN
               ALLIGATOR
               The American alligator
               (Alligator
               mississippiensis) is
               commonly found in the
               great river swamps,
               lakes, bayous, marshes,
               and other bodies of
               water in Florida.
               American alligators
were  once considered an  endangered
species by the FWS, but due to a
remarkable comeback in  many areas,  :
they have been downgraded to a  species
of special concern.  This  species
continues to be protected by FWS due to
its similarity of appearance to the
endangered American crocodile.

3.11.1 General Life History
American alligators are largely tropical
American crocodilians, in the family
Alligatoridae.  American alligators are
easily distinguished from all other
crocodilians in that they have
mandibular teeth that fit inside the upper
jaw; that means that no teeth are  visible
when their mouths are closed.
Crocodilians are the only cold-blooded
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reptiles with a fully developed secondary
palate and a four-chambered heart.
Thick skin and scales armor the back
and bottom of their bodies.  Although
they are aquatic, their limbs are well
developed, making them capable of
running at high speeds on land (Zug
1993).

The American alligator generally grows
to a length of 6 to 16 feet, and can grow
up to 19 feet. This large reptile has a
broad snout, a short neck, a heavy body,
and a laterally compressed tail. Adults
are blackish or dark gray, and faint
yellowish crossbands are sometimes
evident. The young are black with
conspicuous yellow crossbands.
Crocodilians produce eggs that hatch
outside the body. Mating usually occurs
shortly prior to egg-laying and, unlike
turtles, they do not appear to have long-
term sperm storage. Alligators build
nests that form large mounds made  of
vegetation and soil. The rotting plant
material of the nest mound help to
incubate the eggs.  Females guard nests
and assist their young in hatching and
nest emergence (Zug 1993).

The growth rate of the alligator is
dependent on climate and food
availability.  Their diets include nearly
any animal including fish, crabs, turtles,
mammals, birds, other alligators, and
even dead animals. Both male and
female alligators dig open depressions in
marshes and wetlands called 'gator
holes', which vary in width from several
yards to the size of a small lake. These
gator holes are significant to the
freshwater ecology of Florida because
they provide a dry season refuge for
aquatic life as well as the many birds,
mammals, and reptiles that concentrate
 in these holes in search of food and
 water (Conant and Collins 1991).

 3.11.2  Project Area
 American alligators occur in creeks,
 streams, and other wetlands throughout
 Hillsborough County.  This  species has
 been observed on the western portion of
 the reservoir site in two open-water
 bodies.

 3.12 EASTERN INDIGO  SNAKE
 The Eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon
 corais couperi) was formerly collected
'heavily for the pet trade.  Although some
 illegal collecting continues,  the listing of
 the eastern indigo snake as federally
 threatened has largely curtailed the
 commercial collecting of this species.
 The most serious and far-reaching threat
 to the survival of this species is habitat
 loss or degradation.  Historically, indigo
 snakes took refuge from temperature
 extremes in gopher tortoise burrows;
 however, gopher tortoises and their
 burrows are also becoming more rare
 due to habitat encroachment.

 3.12.1  General Life History
 The eastern indigo snake has a
 maximum-recorded length of 8.6 feet.
 They are iridescent black in color, but
 the throat is typically red, coral, or
 white.  Both the color of the throat and
 the extent of this coloration  are
 extremely variable. In some individuals,
 especially in south Florida, bright red
 covers the face and throat and may
 extend several inches onto the belly.  In
 much of north Florida, indigo snakes
 show only a light pinkish-bluish color on
 the throat. The scales of the indigo
 snake are smooth, although adult males
 typically show a partial ridge on the
 front of the middorsal scales (Moler
 1992).
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 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
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 The only snake commonly confused
 with the Eastern indigo snake is the
 black racer (Coluber constrictor). The
 black racer is a smaller snake in Florida,
 usually less than 4 feet long; it is dull
 black in coloration, with white (brown in
 some areas) on the throat and lower
 scales around the mouth.

 In southern Florida, the Eastern indigo
 snake may be found in a variety of
 habitats including freshwater marshes,
 coastal  prairies, mangrove forests, and
 other upland habitats. Eastern indigos
 frequent gopher tortoise burrows, which
 are used as dens and for egg laying.
 This species feeds on virtually any
 vertebrate small enough for it to
 overpower. Prey includes fish, frogs,
 toads, lizards, snakes, small turtles,
 birds, and small mammals.  Indigo
 snakes are not constrictors and its prey is
 usually swallowed alive (Moler 1992).

.Indigo.Snakes are completely diurnal.
 They actively search prey, especially
 favoring the edges of wetlands, where
 frogs and snakes abound. During the
 warmer months, they range widely,
 individuals utilizing activity areas of
 125-250 acres or more. Males are
 territorial, at least during the breeding
 season, and confrontations sometimes
 lead to combat or cannibalism (Moler
 1992).

 3.12.2  Project Area
 Indigo snakes potentially  use several
 habitat types found within the project
 area including flatwoods, hardwood
 forest, marsh edges, and freshwater
 swamp.  Individual indigo snakes were
 observed on the reservoir site on two
 occasions (HDR 2000b).  One sighting
 was within the northern hardwood forest
 associated with Doe Branch. The
 second  sighting was within an oak-
shrouded fence line in the west-central
portion of the proposed reservoir site
(HDR 2000b).

A scrubby flatwoods community located
outside of the northwest corner of the
reservoir supports a large gopher tortoise
population; it is likely that the eastern
indigo is also present in this area. This
snake is also listed as threatened the
State of Florida.

3.13 GULF STURGEON
The Gulf sturgeon is a threatened sub-
species of the Atlantic sturgeon, and was
once common in the Hillsborough River
and Tampa Bay (FMRI 2000; FWS
2000). The first sturgeon fishery in
Florida was established in 1886 in
Tampa Bay, but only lasted a few years.
Construction of the Hillsborough Dam in
18 8 8 is thought to have, contributed to
the sturgeon's decline, preventing the
sturgeon from migrating upstream to
spawn (FMRI  2000).

3.13.1  General Life History
Gulf sturgeons are in the family
Acipenseridae. The Gulf Sturgeon is a
large fish with a long extended snout.
Gulf Sturgeon can live up to  70 years.  It
takes 8 to 12 years for females and 7 to
10 years for males to reach sexual
maturity. Their habitat is the Gulf of
Mexico and the fresh water rivers
draining into the Gulf. The Sturgeon
spends most of their lives in fresh water.
They only reproduce in fresh water, but
their feeding habits only allow them to
eat  in saltwater. They are a threatened
species due mainly to loss of habitat and
poor water quality. In areas where fresh
water rivers have been dammed the
sturgeon have been prevented from
traveling upstream to spawn. Over
fishing of the species has also caused a
decline in number of fish.
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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
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 Sub-adult and adult sturgeon along the
west coast of Florida migrate upstream
to spawn in rivers draining to the Gulf of
Mexico from early spring through the
end of May (FWS 2000). In late
September to early October,  adults
migrate downstream to estuarine habitats
until they are at least two years old.
Gulf sturgeon are long-lived and grow
large, living at least 28 years, growing
up to 8 feet in length and weighing up to
200 pounds (FWS 2000).

The life history traits of sturgeons make
them unique and susceptible to
overexploitation
by humans.  They
are exceptionally
long-lived. As is
often the case
with long-lived
vertebrates,
sexual maturity is
attained slowly.
In Atlantic
sturgeon, both
sexes mature after
5 to 30 years, the
older ages
characterizing individuals at higher
latitudes.  After maturation, females may
only spawn every three to five years, and
even longer intervals may characterize
other sturgeon species.

Fertility is relatively high in  the gulf
sturgeon; ovaries may account for 25
percent of the body mass of a female.
Sturgeon eggs are the most valuable kind
of caviar, making an  individual female
worth several thousand dollars.
Sturgeons are also  commercially
important as a smoked product.  Natural
predators beyond the juvenile stage are
rare; parasitic lampreys are one of the
Manatee
few organisms capable of attacking an
adult sturgeon (Helfman et al. 1997).

3.13.2  Project Area
Although Gulf sturgeons have been
extirpated from Tampa Bay since 1889,
the Hillsborough River still retains some
sturgeon habitat (FMRI 2000). The
FMRI is currently leading a cooperative
effort to release a limited number of
Gulf sturgeons into parts of the
Hillsborough River (FMRI 2000).

3.14 FLORIDA MANATEE
Exploitation of the Florida manatee
                (Trichechus manatus)
                during the 17th, 18th,
                and 19th centuries is
                thought to have
                reduced their number
                from several thousand
                to their current
                population level. The
                principal threats to
                manatees in Florida
                result from boat
                propellers, vandalism,
                poaching, and habitat
                destruction.  The
Florida manatee is protected by both
federal and state wildlife agencies and
listed as endangered (FGFWFC 1997).

3.14.1  General Life History
The Florida manatee belongs to the
animal order Sirenia. Manatees are
commonly referred to as "seacows"
because of their characteristic behavior
of grazing on aquatic vegetation.

Manatees inhabit freshwater, brackish,
and marine habitats and move freely
between salinity extremes.  Water depths
of at least 3 to 6 feet are preferred and
flats and shallows are avoided unless
adjacent to deeper water. Along the
coast, manatees tend to travel in water
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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
                Draft Biological Assessment
10 to 15 feet deep. If the water is deep
enough and the currents are not too
strong, manatees will travel great
distances up coastal rivers (Florida
Power and Light 1982). The manatee
diet is strictly herbivorous, consisting of
algae and seagrasses.

Because of their lack of tolerance to
water less than 68°F, manatees
aggregate at the warm water discharges
of power plants and springs during cold
fronts (Ackerman et al. 1999).  Cargill
Fertilizer Company was once considered
the major wintering area for manatees in
Tampa Bay, but since the 1986 reduction
of warm-water effluent, it is considered
a minor wintering site.

Manatees are essentially solitary animals
with a weak social structure.  Cohesive
associations are formed only when males
pursue an estrous female. Gestation is
believed to last 385 to 400 days and
twins are rare.  Calves are born and
nursed in the water. The family unit
consists of mother and offspring.  The
reproductive rate is probably one calf per
adult female every 2 to 2 !/2 years.  There
is no well-defined breeding season.
Estimated age at reproductive maturity is
four to six years. Longevity is unknown,
although captives have lived over 25
years.

3.14.2 Project Area
Florida manatees can be found in Tampa
Bay during every month of the year.
From 1991 to 1998, manatees were
counted statewide by numerous
biologists from ten state, federal, county,
and private agencies. The highest
number of manatees counted in Tampa
Bay was 164 during January 1997. This
number represented 7.4 percent of the
state total at that time (Ackerman et al.
1999).
In a preliminary review of current
manatee sighting data, FMRI staff
verified that Florida manatee also
frequent both the lower Hillsborough
River and the Palm River (FMRI 2000).
Since 1978, idle-speed zones have been
established in the Alafia River to avoid
boat and propeller-related injuries and
deaths to manatees (HDR 1998).

3.15 BEAUTIFUL PAWPAW
Habitat destruction for residential,
commercial, recreational, and
agricultural purposes is the leading cause
of Beautiful pawpaw (Deeringothamnus
pulchellus) declining populations (FWS
2001).

3.15.1 General Life History
The beautiful pawpaw, a low shrub with
a stout taproot and yellow-green berries,
is listed as endangered by FWS.
Typically, this plant grows in poorly
drained, slash pine-saw palmetto
fiatwoods with sandy soils.  In Pine
Island, beautiful pawpaw can be found
on road edges that are regularly  mowed
with little soil disturbance.

Beautiful pawpaw is a disturbance-
dependant plant that resprouts readily
from the roots following the removal of
the top by fire or mowing.  Flowers
occur on new growth and are white with
a pleasant scent. A lack of disturbance
leads to the eventual death of the plant.
Currently, the taking, transport, and sale
of beautiful pawpaw is regulated by
Florida law (FWS 2000).

3.15.2 Project Area
Beautiful pawpaw is found in northern
Lee, southern Charlotte and Orange
Counties.  The FNAI and FWS do not
document beautiful pawpaw to occur in
Hillsborough County (FNAI 2001; FWS
2001).
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3.16 FLORIDA BONAMIA
The Florida bonamia (Bonamia
grandiflord) was formerly widespread in
central Florida. Conversion of Florida's
scrub habitat to residential housing and
agricultural areas has dramatically
reduced the amount of habitat available
for this plant, leading to its present
threatened status.

3.16.1  General Life History
Florida bonamia is the only morning
glory vine with large, blue flowers that is
found in Florida scrub vegetation. It is a
perennial plant with sturdy stems and
leathery oval leaves found only in scrub
areas of central and South Florida.
Primarily, this morning glory is found in
sand pine scrub vegetation with
evergreen scrub oaks and sand pine
(commonly referred to as Florida scrub),
but can occasionally be found in clear-
cut areas in the Ocala National Forest.

Florida bonamia grows for three or more
years and flowers from spring to
summer. It has a mixed mating system,
can self-pollinate, and it can produce
seeds without fertilization. However,
pollinators  are essential to ensure
substantial  seed production.

3,16.2  Project Area
Most of the known Florida bonamia
populations occur in Marion County
within the Ocala National Forest. The
FNAI documents the presence of
Florida bonamia in Hillsborough
County, although biologists have not
found this species on the project site.

3.17 SMALL'S JOINTWEED
Small's jointweed (Polygonella
myriophylld), also known as sandlace, is
listed as endangered by the FWS. Loss
of habitat to residential and agricultural
development is the most serious threat to
the upland scrub community in which
Small's jointweed is found. At least two
thirds of the original pine scrub
vegetation in south central Florida has
been cleared.

3.17.1 General Life History
Small's jointweed is a sprawling shrub
with many branches that zigzag  along
the ground forming dense mats.  Lower
parts of creeping branches have  reddish-
brown bark that cracks and separates in
interlacing strips. The leaves are 0.1 to
0.3 inches in length and are needle-like
and fleshy. Small white, pink, or yellow
petal-like  sepals are present when the
plant flowers.

This plant is restricted to the pure white
sandy ridges  in the scrub of the southern
Florida Lakes Region, where 40 to 50
percent of the scrub community  is open,
bare sand. The shrub's range is  in
Highlands, Polk, Osceola, and Orange
counties, Florida.

3.17.2 Project Area
Small's jointweed is found in central
Florida, and the FNAI and FWS do not
document small's jointweed occuring in
Hillsborough County (FNAI  2001; FWS
2001). Surveys conducted on the
reservoir site and along the pipeline
corridor did not indicate the presence of
this species.

3.18 PYGMY FRINGE TREE
The pygmy fringe tree (Chionanthus
pygmaeus) is listed as endangered by the
FWS, primarily because of habitat loss
due to residential development and to
citrus groves. Although locally
abundant, development of a few more
large citrus groves within its  range could
severely impact the pygmy fringe tree.
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 Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
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 3.18.1 General Life History
 The pygmy fringe tree grows as a shrub
 that may be less than 1 meter tall, but
 may grow as tall as 2 to 4 meters. This
 small scrub tree blooms in March, with
 four white fused petals in shown
 panicles.  The pygmy fringe tree bears
 fruits that are purple drupes 2 to 2.5 cm
 long.

 The pygmy fringe tree is endemic to
 Florida, occurring in Lake, Osceola, and
 Hillsborough Counties and at sites along
 the Lake Wales Ridge in Highlands and
 Polk Counties. This species is found
 primarily in scrub habitats along the
 coasts and sand ridges of central Florida.

 3.18.2 Project Area
 The FNAI documents the presence of
 the pygmy fringe tree in Hillsborough
 County, although the species has not
 been documented on the project site.

 3.19 FLORIDA GOLDEN ASTER
 Residential and commercial
 development poses the greatest threat to
 the Florida golden aster (Chrysopsis
floridand). Added threats include
 mowing, dumping, excessive grazing,
 and off-road vehicle damage.
 Additionally, this species' restricted
 distribution has contributed to its decline
 and endangered status.
3.19.1 General Life History
A member of the Asteraceae family, the
Florida golden aster is a perennial herb
showing yellow flowers in mature
specimens. Young plants of this species
forms rosettes with leaves covered in
dense, white, short-wooly hairs. As the
plant matures, upright stems grow from
the rosettes to a height of 0.3 to 0.4
meters, with obovate-elliptic, hairy
leaves. Flower heads are clustered and
flat-topped, with yellow rays and central
discs.  The species is short-lived and
reproduces by seeds, which are dispersed
by wind.

The Florida golden aster primarily
occurs in scrub habitats where there is
well-drained fine sand. It grows best in
open, sunny areas.

The distribution of the Florida golden
aster includes Hillsborough and Hardee
Counties, and in recent years has been
collected in Manatee County.
Historically, populations occurred on St.
Petersburg Beach  and Bradenton Beach,
but have since been destroyed.

3.19.2  Project  Area
The FNAI and FWS document Florida
golden aster populations occurring in
Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties,
although biologists have not found this
species on the proposed reservoir site.
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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
               Draft Biological Assessment
PART 4  POTENTIAL

IMPACTS OF THE
PREFERRED
ALTERNATIVE

Development of the Tampa Bay
Regional Reservoir Project could impact
the existing environment in the project
area in several ways. Construction of
the reservoir would impact numerous
wetland and upland habitats, and the
associated wildlife species.
Construction of the water transmission
pipeline, access roads, and ancillary
facilities would result in temporary
disturbances to wildlife and habitats.
Freshwater withdrawals would only
minimally affect salinities within Tampa
Bay and its tributaries, with a predicted
shift in the Alafia River isohaline
migrating only 0.24 mile upstream.  This
part of the report addresses the extent to
which the federally threatened or
endangered species would be impacted
by these changes.

4.1 WOOD STORK
Wood storks have been observed
foraging in marsh wetlands located
within the proposed reservoir site. No
rookeries or nests have been observed on
site and no sign of rookeries were
observed during the first four months of
1999 and 2000.  Surveys in 1999 and
2000 indicate that impacts to the
foraging habitat of the wood stork would
occur as a result of the project        -
construction and operation; however,
impacts to nesting areas or rookeries
would not occur. It is therefore
concluded that the proposed project is
not likely to adversely affect the wood
stork.
4.2 FLORIDA SCRUB JAY
Surveys were conducted following FWC
Nongame Wildlife Program Technical
Report No. 8 guidelines (Fitzpatrick et
al. 1991). The purpose of the surveys
was to determine the presence of scrub
jays within the Tampa Bay Regional
Reservoir Project area and, if present, to
document the population. Although an
area of potential scrub jay habitat was
identified at the reservoir site, no scrub
jays were observed.  The  survey did not
identify any scrub jay habitat within the
transmission pipeline corridor. The
footprint of the proposed  reservoir was
redesigned to avoid this habitat;
therefore, the proposed project is not
likely to adversely affect the Florida
scrub jay.

4.3 BALD EAGLE
Bald eagles are known to occur in the
vicinity of the project site; however,
only one individual was observed in
flight over the reservoir site. Because no
nests have been observed or recorded on
the reservoir site  or within the pipeline
corridor, the project is not anticipated to
adversely affect the bald eagle. Creation
of the proposed reservoir  would likely
provide additional foraging habitat for
Bald eagles.

4.4 RED-COCKADED
WOODPECKER
Impacts as a result of the proposed
project are not expected to adversely
affect the red-cockaded wookpecker.
The Florida Natural Areas Inventory
(FNAI) does not list the red-cockaded
woodpecker as occurring  in
Hillsborough, Pasco, or Pinnellas
counties. This species was not found
during surveys of the regional reservoir
site and pipeline corridor and therefore
construction and operation of the project
would not likely impact the species.
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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
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4.5 PEREGRINE FALCON
Impacts as a result of the proposed
project are not expected to adversely
affect the peregrine falcon.  The FNAI
lists the peregrine falcon as having
potential to occur in Hillsborough,
Pasco, and Pinnellas counties. This
species has not been observed on
reservoir project site or pipeline corridor
and the project would not likely impact
the species.

4.6 ENDANGERED AND
THREATENED SEA TURTLES
Decreases in freshwater inflow into
Tampa Bay are not expected to
adversely affect sea turtle populations.
Sea turtles are highly migratory, travel
great distances to forage and are capable
of moving into preferred salinity
habitats.  In addition, all sea turtle
species have salt glands that
mechanically reduce water and salt flux,
and physiological mechanisms that work
to actively extrude gained salt, obtain
free water, and regulate the internal ionic
balance.  Because nesting activities
t>ccur almost exclusively on the beaches
facing the Gulf of Mexico outside of
Tampa Bay proper, potential small
salinity changes within the bay should
have no effect on sea turtle nesting.

4.7 AMERICAN ALLIGATOR
American alligators occur in creeks,
streams, and other wetlands throughout
Hillsborough County.  They have been
observed on the western portion of the
reservoir site in two open-water bodies /
but they have not been observed within
the transmission pipeline corridor.
Although some loss of suitable habitat
would occur as a result of the project,
the proposed project is not likely to
adversely affect the American alligator
due to a recent increase in population
and the abundance of habitat in the
project area.

4.8 EASTERN INDIGO SNAKE
Individual indigo snakes were observed
on the reservoir site on two occasions.
One sighting was within the northern
hardwood forest associated with Doe
Branch. The second sighting was within
an oak-shrouded fence line in the west-
central portion of the proposed reservoir
site.

Potential impacts to the indigo snake are
associated with habitat loss, specifically
wetland hardwood forest. However, due
to the large expanse of similar habitats in
the project vicinity, the proposed project
is not likely to adversely affect the
eastern indigo snake.

4.9 GULF STURGEON
The Gulf sturgeon is threatened sub-
species of the Atlantic sturgeon, and
once inhabited the Hillsborough River
and Tampa Bay. Sub-adult and adult
Gulf sturgeon migrate upstream to
spawn in rivers draining to the Gulf of
Mexico from early spring through the
end of May. In late September to early
October, adults migrate downstream to
estuarine habitats until they are at least
two years old.  Currently, the FMRI is
leading a cooperative effort to release a
limited number of Gulf sturgeons into
parts of the Hillsborough River.  Due to
the sturgeon's mobility, the proposed
project is not likely to adversely  impact
the Gulf sturgeon.

4.10 FLORIDA MANATEE
The Florida manatee is protected by both
federal and state wildlife agencies and is
listed as endangered.  They inhabit
freshwater, brackish, and marine habitats
and move freely between salinity
extremes.  If the water is deep enough
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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
               Draft Biological Assessment
and the currents are not too strong,
manatees will travel great distances up
coastal rivers. Because manatees move
freely between salinity extremes,
proposed freshwater withdrawals would
have no adverse impacts on this species.

4.11 THREATENED AND
ENDANGERED PLANTS
Impacts as a result of the proposed
project are not expected to adversely
affect endangered and threatened plant
species. Florida bonamia, pygmy fringe
tree and Florida golden aster are
documented to occur in Hillsborough
County, but have not been found on the
proposed project site.  Beautiful pawpaw
and Small's jointweed are not
documented by the FNAI or FWS to
occur in Hillsborough County, and are
therefore not likely to be impacted by
the proposed project.
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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
                Draft Biological Assessment
PARTS

CONCLUSIONS

The preferred alternative for the
proposed Tampa Bay Regional
Reservoir Project is designed to provide
a consistent, drought-resistant source of
water that will meet the region's water
needs through 2010. The project
involves construction of a 1,100-acre
reservoir, transmission pipeline, and
associated infrastructure.

The four endangered and one threatened
sea turtle species found in Tampa Bay
will not be affected by the proposed
project.  Sea turtles are highly mobile
and would travel great distances to
preferred reproductive and foraging
habitats. All four species have
adaptations to handle a wide range of
salinities. In addition, sea turtle nesting
typically occurs on the  beaches facing
the Gulf of Mexico, outside of Tampa
Bay proper, which is an area not affected
by the proposed project.

The wood stork, American alligator, and
eastern indigo snake have all been
documented on the reservoir site and
will experience some habitat loss;
however, the proposed project is not
likely to adversely affect these species.
No wood stork rookeries or nests have
been observed in the project area.
Although the American alligator and
eastern indigo snake will lose suitable
habitat due to reservoir construction,
other suitable habitat occurs in the areas
around the reservoir site.  It is therefore
concluded that the proposed project is
not likely to adversely affect these
species.
Construction of the Tampa Bay Regional
Reservoir Project will impact habitats
and wildlife on the reservoir site, and
freshwater withdrawals for the reservoir
may minimally increase salinities in the
Alafia River, Hillsborough River, Tampa
Bypass Canal, and Tampa Bay.

Freshwater withdrawals are predicted to
shift the Alafia River isohaline only 0.24
mile upstream. Five endangered and six
threatened species have been identified
in the project area.  A list of potential
impacts to these species is listed in Table
5-1.

Neither the Florida scrub jay, red-
cockaded woodpecker, bald eagle, or
peregrine falcon would be affected by
the proposed project.  Both the Florida
scrub jay or red-cockaded woodpecker
habitat is not found on the project area or
in potentially impacted areas, and no
bald eagle or peregrine falcon nests were
found on the reservoir site or along the
pipeline corridor.  Since these species
are not found utilizing potentially
impacted areas, the proposed project is
not likely to adversely affect these
species.

The proposed project will  not affect the
gulf sturgeon and Florida manatee, both
highly mobile species.  Both species are
documented in Tampa Bay and
associated tributaries, and  move freely
between salinity extremes; therefore the
minimal changes in salinity are not
expected to adversely affect these
species.

The four endangered and one threatened
plant species present would not be
affected by the proposed project.
Impacts as a result of the proposed
project are not expected to adversely
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   Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
                                   Draft Biological Assessment
                                     Table 5-1
          SUMMARY OF ENDANGERED AND THREATENED SPECIES
Common Name
Potential Impacts    Potential Impact Effects
Wood Stork
Florida Scrub Jay
Bald Eagle
Red-cockaded
Woodpecker
Peregrine Falcon
Hawksbill Sea Turtle
Green Sea Turtle
Kemp's ridley Sea Turtle
Loggerhead Sea Turtle
Leatherback Sea Turtle
American Alligator
Eastern Indigo Snake
Gulf Sturgeon
Florida Manatee
Beautiful PawPaw
Florida Bonamia
Small's Jointweed
Pygmy Fringe Tree
Florida Golden Aster
Loss of habitat        May affect, not likely to adversely affect
None, habitat not lost  No effect
No nests present      Not likely to adversely effect
None, habitat not lost  No effect
None, habitat not lost
None, highly mobile
None, highly mobile
None, highly mobile
None, highly mobile
None, highly mobile
Loss of habitat
Loss of habitat
None, highly mobile
None, highly mobile
None, habitat not lost
None, habitat not lost
None, habitat not lost
None, habitat not lost
None, habitat not lost
No effect
No effect
No effect
No effect
No effect
No effect
May affect, not likely to adversely affect
May affect, not likely to adversely affect
No effect
No effect
No effect
No effect
No effect
No effect
No effect
  affect the endangered and threatened
  plant species.

  5.1 MITIGATION MEASURES
  Three mitigation sites are proposed in
  the vicinity of the Tampa Bay Regional
  Reservoir Project to compensate for
  unavoidable wetland impacts associated
  with the project (Figure 5-1). The three
  sites are:

  •   East Pruitt/Carlton-Smith Site
  •   West Pruitt Site
  •   North Carlton-Smith Site
                    Based on anticipated mitigation
                    requirements, all three sites would need
                    to be developed to meet the mitigation
                    needs for the proposed reservoir project.
                    The mitigation sites would be developed
                    near the Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir
                    Project. In addition, the acquisition and
                    preservation of other sites are still being
                    considered as potential mitigation
                    opportunities in the event that the
                    proposed overall plan does not meet
                    permitting requirements.
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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
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East Pruitt/Carlton-Smith Mitigation
Site.  The East Pruitt/Carlton-Smith Site
lies approximately 5.5 miles southeast of
the Alafia River in Hillsborough County
and is adjacent to the proposed reservoir
site. The mitigation site encompasses
approximately 367 acres and is located
between the proposed Tampa Bay
Regional Reservoir and County Road
(C.R.) 39 in southeastern Hillsborough
County. The site is currently used for
cattle and horse grazing with some sod
farming areas.

A large association of herbaceous and
forested wetland creation and
enhancement is proposed over the
central portion of the mitigation site. A
smaller second area of wetland creation
lies adjacent to the south. In addition
grading is proposed within the southern
extent of Doe Branch Creek to
reestablish natural creek grades lost
through historic channeling. The onsite
and surrounding drainage basins for each
mitigation area have been surveyed,
quantified, and modeled in order to
delineate existing drainage basins and
surface water flow direction.

Hillsborough County has mapped a
small area of the East Pruitt/Carlton-
Smith Site, at the  northern extent of Doe
Branch creek, with the Significant
Wildlife Habitat designation. The
mapped Significant Wildlife Habitat
areas on the site would  be enhanced by
the proposed wetland mitigation and
enhancement plans. In  part, this would
occur by the proposed planting of a
natural upland tree buffer around
wetland mitigation sites up to 300 feet
wide. This mitigation concept would
provide ecological benefits to the
property by increasing natural habitat
cover and diversity, particularly along
wetland ecotones.  In addition, the
mitigation areas could provide a linkage
to nearby preservation and recreation
lands owned by Hillsborough County
and SWFWMD.

The final conceptual mitigation plans
propose a total of approximately 216
acres of habitat improvements.  This
includes approximately 102 acres of
wetland mitigation and enhancement and
114 acres of surrounding upland buffer
restoration.  Correspondence with
Florida Department of Environmental
Protection (FDEP) and Hillsborough
County Environmental Protection
Commission (EPC), it appears highly
unlikely that either agency would award
open water mitigation credit for the
proposed reservoir.  Therefore an
additional 14 acres of open water would
have to be created within the three
mitigation areas.

The East Pruitt/Carlton-Smith Site
would be expected to provide the
anticipated required mitigation for the
following agencies: FDEP,
approximately 31 percent; EPC,
approximately 35 percent; and U.S
Army Corps of Engineers (COE),
approximately 57 percent.

West Pruitt Mitigation Site. The West
Pruitt Site lies approximately five miles
southeast of the Alafia River in
Hillsborough County and is adjacent to
the west side of the proposed reservoir
site.  The site encompasses
approximately 850 acres and is located
south of Boyette Road and east of
Hobson-Simmons Road in southeastern
Hillsborough County.  The site is
currently used for cattle grazing and
other agricultural activities such as row
crops.  Stallion and Cabbage Hammock
                                        40

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                 Gorman Road
                       Browning Road
                North
            Carlton-Smith
            Mitigation Site
Boyette Road
                                            Doe
                                           Branch

    West Pruitt
   Mitigation Site
 Stallion
Hammock
                      :abigge
 Reservoir
    Site
(By Others)
                             Chito
                            Branch
 East Pruitt^
Carlton-Smith
Mitigation Site
                    Wendel Ave.
                                     Reservoir Project Boundary
                                                               Figure 5-1
                                                    TAMPA BAY REGIONAL RESERVOIR
                                                            PROJECT DEIS

                                                      PROPOSED MITIGATION SITES

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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
                Draft Biological Assessment
(with the Long Flat Creek tributary)
traverses the central portion of the West
Pruitt property where they converge and
drain northward to Coleman Hammock
and then to Fishawk Creek, which is a
tributary to the Alafia River.

Four mitigation areas are situated within
the western half of the West Pruitt
property.  Constructing additional areas
of inundation and planting with
herbaceous species would expand two
separate existing marsh systems. Two
other areas of mixed hardwood and
cypress wetlands would be constructed,
one as a flow-through system and the
other located adjacent to a forested
floodplain. These areas would also be
planted with tree species. In addition,
eight cypress wetlands would be
enhanced by hydrological
improvements.

Like the East Pruitt/Carlton-Smith
Mitigation Site, the West Pruitt
Mitigation Site was previously mapped
by Hillsborough County and designated
as Significant Wildlife Habitat. This
designation covers the majority of the
southern, eastern, and northern site and
completely overlaps the Stream Swamps
that drain northward through the
property. This mitigation site would
also be enhanced with proposed
plantings of natural upland trees
providing ecological benefits to the
property.

The conceptual mitigation plan for this
site totals approximately 295 acres of
habitat improvements. This includes
approximately 59 acres of wetland
mitigation and 83 acres of wetland
enhancement and 153 acres of
surrounding upland buffer restoration.
The West Pruitt site is expected to
provide approximately 29 percent of the
FDEP, 35 percent of the EPC, and 62
percent of the COE requirements for the
overall Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir
Project's wetland impacts.

North Carlton-Smith Site
The North Carlton-Smith Site is located
northeast of the boundary of the
reservoir project, approximately 3 miles
south of the Alafia River. The site
encompasses approximately 1,000 acres
and is located east of Browning Road,
west of County Road 39, and one mile
south of Lithia Pinecrest Road (County
Road 640).   The southern limit of the
site is traversed by Chito Branch, which
drains to the east. Northern drainages on
the property lead to Doe Branch, in the
southwest.  Currently, the land is used
for cattle grazing and is owned by
Carlton-Smith.

Approximately 199 acres of habitat
improvements are proposed for this
mitigation site. This includes
approximately 119 acres of wetland
mitigation and 80 acres of wetland
enhancement. Eight systems are
included in the mitigation plan for this
site. The plans include creation of
herbaceous wetland, wet prairies, and
mixed hardwood wetlands, enhancement
of mixed hardwoods, herbaceous, and
open water  wetlands, and creation of a
natural upland buffer around wetland
areas.
                                        42

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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project                             Draft Biological Assessment
                       LITERATURE  CITED

Ackerman, B.B., T.D. Pitchford, B.L. Weigle, J.E. Reynolds, III, R.S. Wells, and M.A.
       Baran. 1999. Marine mammals, in: Baywide Environmental Monitoring Report,
       1993-1998, Tampa Bay, Florida. J.R. Pribble, A.J. Janicki, and H. Greening, eds.
       Technical Publication 07-99. St. Petersburg, FL.

Bjorndal, K.A. 1985. Nutritional ecology of sea turtles. Copeia. 736, 1985.

Bjomdal, K. A.  1996. Foraging ecology and nutrition of sea turtles, in: Biology of Sea
       Turtles. Lutz, P.L. and J.A. Musick, eds. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL.

Bjorndal, K. A. and A.B. Bolten.  1988. Growth rates of immature green turtles, Chelonia
       mydas, on feeding grounds in the southern Bahamas. Copeia. 555, 1988.

Black and Veatch. November 1998. Master Water Plan, Alternative System
       Configurations, Final Report. Clearwater, Florida.

Burke, V.J., Morreale, S.J., and A.G.J. Rhodin. 1993. Lepidochelys kempi (Kemp's ridley
       sea turtle) and Caretta caretta (loggerhead sea turtle) diet. Herpetol. Rev. 24, 31.

Carr, A. 1986. Rips, FADS, and little loggerheads. Bioscience, 36, 92-100.

Carr, A. 1987. New perspectives on the pelagic stage of sea turtle development. Conserv.
       Biol. 1, 103.

Carr, A., Heath, H., and Ogren, L. 1966. The ecology and migrations of sea turtles: the
       hawksbill turtle in the Caribbean Sea. Am. Mus.  Novit. 2248, 1.

Coastal Environmental and PBS&J, Inc.  1998. Cumulative Impact Analysis for Master
       Water Plan Projects. Prepared for West Coast Regional Water Supply Authority.
       Coastal Environmental/PBS&J, Inc., St. Petersburg, FL.

Conant, R. and J.T. Collins. 1991.  Reptiles and Amphibians, Eastern and Central North
       America. Third edition. Houghton Mifflin Company. Boston New York.

Curnutt, J.L. 1996. Threatened Southern Bald Eagle, in:  Rare and Endangered Biota of
       Florida. J.A. Rodgers, Jr., H.W. Kale II, and H.T. Smith, eds. University Press of
       Florida, Gainesville, FL.

Ehrhart, L.M. 1982. A review of sea turtle reproduction, in: Biology and Conservation of
       Sea Turtles. Bjorndal, K.A., ed. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D.C.
                                     LC-l

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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project                              Draft Biological Assessment
Fitzpatrick, J.W., G. E. Woolfenden, M.T. Kopeny.  1991. Ecology and Development-
       Related Requirements of the Florida Scrub Jay (Aphelocoma Coerulescens
       coerulescens). Office of Environmental Services. Florida Game and Fresh Water
       Fish Commission, Tallahassee, FL.

Fitzpatrick, J.W., B. Pranty, and B. Stith.  1994.  Florida scrub jay Statewide Map 1992-
       1993. Archbold Biological Station, Lake Placid, Florida.

Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission (FGFWFC). 1997. Florida's
       Endangered Species and Species of Special Concern, Official Lists. Tallahassee,
       FL.

Florida Power and Light Company.  1982. The West Indian Manatee in Florida.  FPL
       Corporate Communications, Miami, FL.

FMRI. 2000. http://www.fmri.usf.edu/fish/

FWS 1999. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  South Florida Multi-Species Recovery
       Plan. Atlanta, Georgia. 2172 pp.

FWS 2000. U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service,  http://www.endanuered.fws.uov

FWS  2001. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Division of Endangered Species: Species
       Accounts.

HDR Engineering, Inc. 1998.  Water Use Permit Application. Attachment la. Prepared
       by HDR Engineering, Inc., for the West Coast Regional Water Supply Authority.

HDR Engineering, Inc. 1999. Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project. Clearwater,
       Florida.

HDR Engineering, Inc. 2000a.  Regional Reservoir Transmission Main, Basis of Design
       Report. Tampa, Florida.

HDR Engineering Inc., 2000b.  Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Joint Application for
       Environmental Resource Permit. Submitted to the Southwest Florida Water
       Management District, 2379 Broad Street, Brooksville, Florida 34609.

Helfman, G.S., Collette, B.B. and Facey, D.E. 1997. The Diversity of Fishes. Blackwell
       Science, Inc. Maiden, Massachusetts.
                                      LC-2

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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project                              Draft Biological Assessment


Meylan, A.B. 1984. Feeding ecology of the hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricatd):
       Spongivory as a feeding niche in the coral reef community, dissertation,
       University of Florida, Gainesville.

Meylan, A., A. Redlow, A. Mosier, K. Moody, and A. Foley. 1999. Occurrence and
       distribution of sea turtles in Tampa Bay, Florida, in: Baywide Environmental
       Monitoring Report, 1993-1998, Tampa Bay, Florida. J.R. Fribble, A.J. Janicki,
       and H. Greening, eds. Technical Publication 07-99. St. Petersburg, FL.

Miller, T. 1987. Knotting: A previously undescribed feeding behavior in muraenid eels.
       Cope/al987:1055-1057.

Moler, P. E. 1992. Eastern indigo snake, in: Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida:
       Volume III.  Amphibians and Reptiles. Paul E. Moler, ed. University Press of
       Florida, Gainesville, Florida.

Mortimer, J.A. 1982. Feeding ecology of sea turtles, in: Biology and Conservation of Sea
       Turtles, Bjorndal, K.A., ed. Smithsonian Press, Washington, D.C. p. 103.

Musick, J.A. and C.J. Limpus. 1996. Habitat utilization and migration in juvenile sea
       turtles, in: Biology of Sea Turtles. Lutz, P.L. and J.A. Musick, eds. CRC Press,
       Boca Raton, FL.

NMFS. 2001. Endangered Species: Leatherback Sea Turtles.
       WAVw.nmfs.noaa.gov/prot_res/turtles/leatherback.html

Ogden, J.C. 1996.  Endangered Wood Stork, In: Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida.
       J.A. Rodgers, Jr., H.W. Kale II, and H.T. Smith, eds. University Press of Florida,
       Gainesville, FL.

Ogren, L.H. 1989. Distribution of juvenile and subadult Kemp's ridley turtles:
       Preliminary results from the 1984-1987 surveys, in: Proc. Ist Int. Symp. Kemp's
       Ridley Sea Turtle Biology, Conservation and Management, Caillouet, C.W., Jr.
       and Landry, A.M., Jr., eds. Sea Grant College Program, Galveston, TX, 116.
       PBS&J.  1998.  Assessment of the Potential Impacts of the Tampa Bay Water
       Surface Water Projects on Tampa  Bay. Prepared for Tampa Bay Water. PBS&J,
       Inc., 2535 Landmark Drive, Suite 221, Clearwater, FL.

PBS&J.  1998. Assessment of the Potential Impacts of the Tampa Bay Water Surface
       Water Projects on Tampa Bay. Prepared for Tampa Bay Water. PBS&J, Inc.,
       2535 Landmark Drive, Suite 221, Clearwater, FL.

Woolfenden, G.E.  1996. Threatened Florida Scrub Jay, In: Rare and Endangered Biota
       of Florida. J.A. Rodgers, Jr., H.W. Kale II, and H.T. Smith, eds. University Press
       of Florida, Gainesville, FL.
                                      LC-3

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AFFEJND1X B - MITIGATION SUMMARY

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       TAMPA BAY REGIONAL RESERVOIR, CONCEPTUAL
                    MITIGATION PLAN SUMMARY

INTRODUCTION

Tampa Bay Water's Regional Reservoir Project (Reservoir Project) proposes to construct
a 1,100-acre reservoir to meet future water supply needs. Construction of the reservoir
would have permanent impacts to wetlands that currently exist within the proposed
reservoir footprint, pipeline, and access roads.  The following summarizes the proposed
mitigation plan for those impacts, as presented by Tampa Bay Water in the Master Water
Plan Mitigation Project Basis of Design Report (BODR) (URS Corporation Southern,
2001a,b,c).

Three mitigation sites were presented to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE), the
Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), the Hillsborough County
Environmental Protection Commission (EPC), and other agencies as potential mitigation
areas. The sites were:

       •   East Pruitt/Carlton-Smith Site
       •   West Pruitt Site
       •   North Carlton-Smith Site

The three sites were chosen for their proximity to the proposed reservoir location, the
availability of appropriate habitat, and the presence of Significant Wildlife Habitat as
designated by Hillsborough County Planning and Growth Management Department.
Coordination with lead permitting agencies includes the COE for federal permits, the
FDEP for the Environmental Resource Permit (ERP) application, and the Environmental
Protection Commission of Hillsborough County (EPC) for county approval.

PURPOSE AND NEED

The proposed wetland mitigation areas serve as compensation for unavoidable permanent
herbaceous and forested wetland impacts associated with the proposed Reservoir Project.
According to the ERP application (HDR, 2000), approximately 169 acres have been
designated as impacted wetlands based on FDEP and EPC wetland jurisdiction, and 185
acres based on COE wetland jurisdiction.  These wetlands are predominantly herbaceous
with a small forested wetland component. Using the Wetland Rapid Assessment
Procedure (WRAP), Tampa Bay Water estimated the COE jurisdictional wetlands
impacted by the Reservoir Project to have a functional unit value (FUV) of 111.12.
These wetlands will be mitigated for on the three proposed sites, East Pruitt/Carlton-
Smith Site, West Pruitt Site, and North Carlton-Smith Site by creating new wetlands,
restoring impacted wetlands, and enhancing existing wetlands on the properties.

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SITE SELECTION PROCESS

Candidate mitigation sites in the Alafia River basin underwent an extensive review and
were narrowed down to the sites presented for agency comment. The three proposed
mitigation properties are within the reservoir project boundary (Figure 1) and are within
the Alafia River basin.  The sites were chosen because they can provide wetland
mitigation adjacent to the reservoir project, thereby compensating for impacts to wetland-
dependent fish and wildlife resources in proximity to the wetland impact area. In
addition, the sites contain large areas designated by Hillsborough County as Significant
Wildlife Habitat that can benefit from the proposed wetland mitigation (URS Corporation
Southern, 200la).

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) will acquire the
properties associated with the three mitigation areas as part of an acquisition totaling
approximately 5,200 acres.  The SWFWMD has eminent domain authority for this
acquisition.

SITE LOCATIONS

All three proposed mitigation sites are within or adjacent to the reservoir project
boundary (Figure 1) and within the Alafia River basin in Hillsborough County. The
Alafia River is between 5 and 6 miles northwest of the mitigation sites.

East Pruitt/Carlton-Smith Site
The East Pruitt/Carlton-Smith site encompasses approximately 367 acres, between the
proposed Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir and County Road 39. The western boundary of
the site is comprised of the proposed reservoir and Doe Branch creek, which is the major
site-drainage. Chito Branch forms the eastern boundary of the mitigation site (Figure 1).
Currently, the land is used for cattle and horse grazing with some sod farming areas.  The
site is located on lands currently owned by Pruitt and Carlton-Smith.

West Pruitt Site
The West Pruitt Site encompasses approximately 850 acres and is located to the west side
of the proposed reservoir site, South of Boyette Road and east of Hobson-Simmons Road.
Stallion Hammock and Cabbage Hammock traverse the  central portion of the property
(Figure  1).  Row crops, cattle grazing, and other agricultural activities are the current land
use at the site.

North Carlton-Smith Site
The North Carlton-Smith  Site is located northeast of the boundary of the Reservoir
Project,  approximately 3 miles south of the Alafia River. The site encompasses
approximately 1,000 acres and is located east of Browning Road, west of County Road
39, and one mile south of Lithia Pinecrest Road (County Road 640). The southern limit
of the site is traversed by the Chito Branch, which drains to the east. Northern drainages
on the property lead to Doe Branch, in the southwest. Currently, the land is used for
cattle grazing.

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EXISTING CONDITIONS
The following describes the current environmental conditions on the three properties
proposed as mitigation sites. More detailed descriptions s can be found in the Master
Water Plan Mitigation Project BODRs (URS Corporation Southern, 2001a,b,c).

Landscape Setting

The mitigation project sites are located in a remote rural area of Hillsborough County
where there is little to no residential and commercial development. The majority of
vegetation on the properties has historically been cleared for agricultural activities.
Uplands across the sites are fairly flat with a primary cover of bahia grass (Paspalum
notatum), scattered longleaf pine (Pinus palustris), and saw palmetto (Serenoa repens).
Wetlands located on the properties contain water high in tannin concentration with low to
moderate turbidity. The presence of cattle  and agricultural activities could lead to high
aquatic nutrient and bacteria concentrations on the site.

East Pruitt/Carlton-Smith Site
The primary land use on this mitigation project site is as cattle and horse grazing on
cropland, pastureland, and improved pasture. In the east portion of the site live oak
(Quercus virginiand) communities are associated with Chito Branch. Approximately 50
residences are located on Wendel Avenue to the Southeast of the site. Wetland
vegetative communities are interspersed across  the site and include stream swamp,
freshwater marshes, emergent aquatic vegetation, dog fennel, low marsh grasses, and wet
prairies.  These communities are generally  in poor ecological condition with ditches for
flood control  that have altered historic drainage patterns and caused soil erosion.

West Pruitt Site
This mitigation project site contains agricultural land as well as some natural
communities  in the northwestern and northeastern portions.  Management of the property
currently serves as cattle grazing on cropland and pastureland and as row crops.  Wetland
vegetative communities are interspersed across  the site. These communities include
stream swamps, cypress, mixed forested wetland, and freshwater marsh.  The wetland
systems are in average ecological condition with drainage patterns altered from historic
condition using ditches for flood control. Erosion is present  near these ditches and along
the lower elevations of fields adjacent to wetland systems.

North Carlton-Smith Site
Land on this site is primarily used for cattle grazing or as pastureland. The majority of
upland and wetland vegetative communities have been cleared and excavated for
agricultural activities, except in some stream and lake swamps and where live oak occurs
along Chito Branch and smaller tributaries. Wetland vegetation is scattered across the
site and includes communities such as stream swamps, freshwater marsh, wet prairies,
and emergent aquatic vegetation. These wetland systems are in moderate, to often poor,
ecological condition. Numerous small ditches,  cattle watering holes, and spoil piles have
altered historic drainage patterns.

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Soils

According to the Soil Survey of Hillsborough County (1989), the dominant soil
classifications in the mitigation sites are Myakka fine sand, Basinger-Holopaw-Samsula
soils, depressional, Malabar fine sand, Smyrna fine sand, and St. Johns fine sand.  In
uplands, the high water table depth varies between 0 and -1.0 foot between June and
November. During prolonged dry periods, water can recede  to a depth of 40 inches and
even during normal hydric conditions permeability is rapid in the surface and subsurface
layers. Hydric soils underlay the wetlands on the sites and are classified as Basinger-
Holopaw-Samsula soils, depressional, Malabar fine sand, and St. Johns fine sand.  Hand
auger borings in wetland areas indicate fairly acidic soils with an organic content ranging
from 3.6 to 8.5 percent.

Hydrology

Extensive hydrologic and hydraulic modeling was performed for the project area to
analyze and evaluate the existing drainage conditions. This included identifying seasonal
high water elevations (SHW) and drainage areas, where possible.

East Pruitt/Carlton-Smith Site
A lack of trees or shrubs within the basin-marshes at this site prevented definitive
establishment of SHW. Consequently, SHW was set at the wetlands overflow contour
elevation (URS Corporation Southern, 200la). The majority of the drainage area at the
site drains to Doe Branch. Basin-Marshes rely on rainfall and groundwater for base-flow
conditions because there are no contributing creeks, rivers, or inflows to them. Man-
made ditches provide outflow from one wetland  to another and to Doe Branch, which
also receives inflow from the south. Currently, approximately 1,176 acres drain from
Wendel Avenue, Carlton-Smith and Cytec Brewster areas to  Doe Branch.
Approximately 272 acres of this drainage area enter wetland  systems on the property
(URS Corporation Southern, 200la).

West Pruitt Site
Hydrologic and hydraulic modeling was performed on a drainage area of approximately
521 acres. Approximately 104 acres drain to the west and discharge off-site.  The
remaining 417 acres drain to the east and discharge into  Stallion Hammock. Cypress
swamps on the site are dependent on rainfall and groundwater for base-flow conditions
because no  contributing inflows into these swamps are present. Existing outflows are
man-made ditches between wetlands and to Stallion Hammock.

Existing SHW for the cypress swamps and open  water cattle  ponds were determined in
August 2000. Most wetlands on the site receive  overflow from adjacent wetlands.
Approximately 77 acres currently drain directly to three wetlands on the property that are
sites for proposed mitigation (URS Corporation Southern,  200 Ib).

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North Carlton-Smith Site
Extensive modeling was performed on the 976-acre drainage area on the mitigation site.
The models included all wetland systems, northern inflows and southern discharges.
Approximately 730 acres drain to the southwest and discharge into Fishawk Creek. The
remaining 247 acres drain to the southeast and discharge to Chito Branch. Small swamps
on the site are dependent on rainfall and groundwater for base-flow conditions because of
the lack of contributing creeks, rivers, or other inflows. Natural tributaries and man-
made ditches provide outflows to Fishawk Creek and Chito Branch.

Existing SHW for the swamps, marshes, and open water ponds on the site were
determined during the winter drought period from January to April, 2001. The wetland
sites have been distributed into six groups based on proximity to drainages.
Interconnecting ditches, pipes, and drainage systems provide overflow to the wetlands.

Vegetation

The mitigation  sites are primarily used for agricultural purposes such as livestock grazing
and crop production.  As a result, bahia grass, crab grass (Digitaria sp.), slash pine (Pinus
elliottif), and longleaf pine are vegetative covers common to all three sites.

East Pruitt/Carlton-Smith Site
Upland vegetation on this mitigation site is dominated by  improved pastures containing
species such as bahia grass and crab grass as well as longleaf pine and slash pine that do
not form a solid canopy. Small sod farms are present in other field areas but are not
widespread. Throughout the site, upland habitat diversity is low because of historical
land-clearing and current land management practices.

West Pruitt Site
Cropland and pastureland dominates the vegetation at the  West Pruitt mitigation site.
Species such as bahia grass and crabgrass comprise the majority of the ground cover and
longleaf pine and slash pine are scattered across the site.  Row crops and remnant furrows
that have been invaded by weedy pioneering species are present in other areas of the site.
Cogongrass (Imperata cylindricd), a detrimental invasive species, is present in a few
areas.  Remnant pine flatwoods and pine-mesic oak are present on the northern portion of
the property.  These areas will complement the proposed mitigation plan (URS
Corporation Southern, 200 Ib).

North Carlton-Smith Site
Upland vegetative communities on the North Carlton-Smith Site are dominated by
ground cover species such as bahia grass, crabgrass, dog fennel, and other species
common to pastureland habitat.  Open field areas contain pioneering species that are
subjected to intense grazing and active management practices that limit their growth.
Pine flatwoods extend from the north portion of the property. Although this forested area

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is not widespread, it will complement the proposed mitigation plan by serving as a
wildlife corridor. The entire property supports few natural upland habitats.

Wetlands

Existing wetland vegetation on the three sites proposed for mitigation are typical of
systems in west-central Florida.  Jurisdictional wetlands were delineated according to
Florida Administrative Code 62-340 for the Florida Department of Environmental
Protection and Chapter 1-11 for the Environmental Protection Commission of
Hillsborough County. To establish federal wetlands Jurisdictional limits, the COE's
Wetland Delineation Manual,  1987, was used.  Jurisdictional wetlands were identified,
marked, land-surveyed, plotted, and reviewed by qualified biologists (URS Corporation
Southern, 2001a,b,c).  Formal  approval from all permitting agencies is being pursued.

East Pruitt/Carlton-Smith Site
Naturally occurring wetlands on this site include stream swamps, freshwater marshes,
and wet prairies. Doe Branch  contains stream swamp on the site but it has been
channellized and partially cleared. Live oaks on spoil mounds, scattered cabbage palm
(Sabalpalmetto), and other mesic oak species are present along the creek. Small fill
roads crossing Doe Branch1 and Chito Branch cross the site and provide  a moderately
continuous corridor through the property that will complement the overall mitigation and
enhancement design (URS Corporation Southern, 200la).

Excavated ponds on the property support pickerelweed and floatingheart (Nymphoides
sp.) as well as nuisance species such as primrose willow (Ludwigia peruviana), cattails
(Typha sp.), water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), dog fennel (Eupatorium
capillifolium), and duckweed (Lemna sp.). No phosphate mining has occurred at this site
but cattle watering ponds represent small-scale disturbances to wetlands and associated
soils.  These areas would be re-contoured to simulate more natural conditions (URS
Corporation Southern, 200la).

West Pruitt Site
Existing wetland types on this mitigation site are swamps, cypress, mixed forested
wetland habitat, and freshwater marsh.  The floodplain areas of Stallion Hammock, Long
Flat Creek, Cabbage Hammock, Chapman Hammock, and Coleman Hammock provide a
mosaic of stream swamps and  mixed wetland hardwoods on the site.  These  swamps
provide a refuge of habitats and a continuous corridor through the property that would
complement the proposed mitigation and enhancement plan.

Cypress domes present on the  site vary in condition from good with evidence of seedling
recruitment, presence of hardwood transition species, established shrub  and groundcover
species, and adequate levels of inundation, to systems with ditch disruption that have
altered flood storage elevations and inundation periods.  Cattle grazing and numerous
field ditches have resulted in flow, soil, and vegetation disruption in approximately half
of these systems. Upland species have recruited into some of the wetlands and lower
than average rainfall in the past few years has aggravated wetland conditions.

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Freshwater marshes contain species typical of this wetland type but fringes adjacent to
agricultural fields contain nuisance species such as primrose willow.  Open water and
wetland species, including excavated ponds, also support nuisance species, including
pickerelweed, cattails, torpedo grass (Panicum repens), and duckweed. No phosphate
mining has occurred on this mitigation site.  Cattle watering ponds in some marshes
would be reconfigured and re-contoured to more natural conditions.

North Carlton-Smith  Site
Existing  wetland vegetation on this site are typical of those that occur in stream and lake
swamps, freshwater marshes, wet prairies, and emergent aquatic vegetation systems in
west-central Florida. Floodplain areas and tributaries to Chito Branch and Doe Branch
are crossed by fill roads, with and without culverts. Wetlands created by these access
roads are not extensive and do  not contain natural ecotones because of frequent cattle
disturbance and proximity to adjacent pasturelands.

Several freshwater marshes on the site have been previously recontoured to create open
water areas with narrow littoral zones and adjacent wet prairies. These areas contain
species typical of that habitat type in the region.  Wetland forest fringes and marshes
adjacent  to agricultural fields contain nuisance species, primarily primrose willow and
torpedo grass. No phosphate mining  has occurred on this mitigation site. Several cattle
watering ponds occur across the property and have been excavated in many of the
marshes, creating a moderate- to small-scale disturbance to wetlands and associated soils
on the property.

Significant Wildlife Habitat

Hillsborough County has designated land  in the proposed mitigation properties as
Significant Wildlife Habitat. The proposed wetland mitigation and enhancement plans
would improve the wildlife habitat through planting natural upland tree buffers around
wetland mitigation sites.  The buffers would increase natural habitat cover and diversity
in the area and link sites to  nearby preservation and recreation lands.

East Pruitt/Carlton-Smith Site
A small area, at the northern extent of Doe Branch, was mapped by Hillsborough County
as Significant Wildlife  Habitat. Approximately two miles west of the mitigation site,
larger areas along Stallion Hammock and  Cabbage Hammock (on the West Pruitt Site)
are also designated as Significant Wildlife Habitat.

West Pruitt Site
Land designated as Significant Wildlife Habitat covers the majority of the southern,
eastern, and northern portions of the site and overlaps the Stream Swamps  in the north
end of the property. The southern and central property areas, however, are now cleared
agricultural lands and do not support natural upland vegetative communities. Few
isolated natural pine forests still occur in the northern and northeastern portions of the
site.

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North Carlton-Smith Site
Designated Significant Wildlife Habitat occurs along Chito Branch at the southern
boundary of the site and overlaps the Stream Swamps that drain to the east. Another area
overlaps the band of Pine Flatwoods on the site's northern portion. Very few natural
upland habitats occur on the site.

Protected Species

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service were contacted to determine lists of potentially occurring species, and the Florida
Natural Areas Inventory databases of known protected species sightings were reviewed.
Surveys were conducted for protected species and their habitat on the proposed
mitigation properties.  Seven species were identified onsite, including American alligator
(Alligator mississippiensis), wood stork (Mycteria americana), great blue heron (Ardea
herodias), sandhill crane (Grus canadensis), bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus),
eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon corias couperi), and Sherman's fox squirrel  (Sciurus
niger shermani).  Sandhill crane nesting was observed and documented in basin-marshes
on the East Pruitt/Carlton-Smith Site during Spring 2000 and 2001. Coordination with
state, federal, and local agencies will ensure no adverse impacts will occur to protected
species as a result of the mitigation process. Should it be necessary to prepare a protected
species mitigation plan, the ERP application will be amended following coordination
with permitting agencies.

PROPOSED MITIGATION

Several mitigation design parameters  were evaluated during the development of the
Conceptual Mitigation Design. The design was developed to improve site conditions and
to fit into natural site features while benefiting the regional ecosystem. The parameters
include:

       •  enhancement of the general landscape setting,
       •  use of onsite wetlands and topography,
       •  incorporation of existing soil and use of impacted-wetland topsoil for
          inoculation of mitigation sites,
       •  control of nuisance and exotic vegetative species,
       •  maintenance or establishment of appropriate hydrology,
       •  diversification or maintenance of wetland plant species,
       •  establishment of a marsh system for wildlife forage opportunities,
       •  transplantation of cypress trees from impacted wetlands,
       •  simplification of construction techniques to minimize earthwork, and
       •  implementation of erosion control for wetland and water quality protection.

Wetland enhancement at the sites will be accomplished by improving the hydroperiod,
controlling exotic and nuisance species using herbicide application and/or manual
removal, and excavation and re-grading of wetland areas. Restoration areas will be

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replanted with desirable wetland species. The enhancement and creation of basin
marshes will include: removal of exotic and nuisance species, grade modifications to
increase wetland size, ditch modification to increase hydroperiods and inundation levels,
removal of spoil mounds in wetlands to create waterfowl roosting habitat, increasing
open-water areas, planting native herbaceous wetland species, and planting upland
buffers.

The FDEP will determine the total wetland mitigation credit for each of the wetland
mitigation sites, based on ERP guidelines. Hillsborough County EPC will determine
mitigation credit based on a 1:1 creation to impact ratio for all wetland habitat types.
WRAP scores will be calculated for impacted and mitigated wetland acreage, and
Functional Unit Values will be developed according to COE guidelines. An additional 15
acres of open water will also be developed within the sites to mitigate for open water
impacts.

East Pruitt/Carlton-Smith Site
Approximately 216 acres  of habitat improvements are proposed on this mitigation site.
This includes approximately 102 acres of wetland mitigation and enhancement and 114
acres of surrounding upland buffer restoration. Specifically, the mitigation plan for this
site proposes mitigation in four systems; enhancement of two large marsh systems,
improvement to a small cattle pond, and creation of forested floodplain along Doe
Branch. The enhancement of Doe Branch will include:  removal of collapsed culverts,
grading and planting of the east side of the channel to provide riparian wetland habitat.
All of the proposed mitigation wetlands include planting approximately 300-foot wide
upland buffers to increase habitat diversity.

West Pruitt Site
The Conceptual Mitigation Plan for this site proposes a total of approximately 295 acres
of habitat improvements.  Approximately 59 acres of wetland mitigation, 83 acres of
wetland enhancement, and 153 acres of surrounding upland buffer restoration are
included in the plan.  Mitigation is proposed in four systems at this site.  Two are large
marsh systems, one is a mixed hardwood and cypress slough, and one is a mixed
hardwood floodplain along Stallion Hammock.  Currently, 15 acres of open water
creation are planned for development from existing agricultural uplands on the
northeastern portion of this site, adjacent to the reservoir.

North  Carlton-Smith Site
Approximately 199 acres  of habitat improvements are proposed for this mitigation site.
This includes approximately 119 acres of wetland creation and 80 acres of wetland
enhancement.  Eight systems are included in the mitigation plan for this site. The plans
include creation of herbaceous wetland, wet prairies, and mixed hardwood wetlands,
enhancement of mixed hardwoods, herbaceous, and open water wetlands, and creation of
a natural upland buffer around wetland areas.

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Landscape Setting

The proposed mitigation plans will benefit the area surrounding the proposed reservoir by
increasing habitat diversity and creating and enhancing critical habitat such as wetlands.
These improvements will provide additional habitat for local fauna and create corridors
linking adjacent natural areas.

East Pruitt/Carlton-Smith Site
The proposed mitigation plan will improve habitat at the East Pruitt/Carlton-Smith Site in
a number of ways. Forested wetlands, upland buffers, and riparian habitat will be created
or enhanced, improving the low habitat diversity on the site and in surrounding areas.
Forest, shrub, and marsh areas will provide foraging habitat and cover for local avian,
mammalian, and herpetofaunal species. Deeper portions of the expanded marsh systems
will provide increased habitat for fish and other aquatic organisms and littoral areas will
provide foraging and nesting habitat for wading birds.  The buffer systems around
wetland systems and along Doe Branch will improve the biological function of these
wetlands and provide additional habitat diversity.

West Pruitt Site
Proposed mitigation on the West Pruitt Site will add large  herbaceous wetlands over
areas previously managed as row-crop fields. Forested wetland creation along streams
will diversify habitat at the site. This combination of wetland and upland mitigation will
provide foraging and cover habitat for local fauna and will increase habitat diversity.
Enhancement of marsh systems will provide habitat for aquatic organisms and increase
feeding and nesting habitat for wading birds. Upland tree  buffers will improve the
biological function of the wetland systems they surround.

North Carlton-Smith  Site
This site contains disturbed wetland systems and altered natural upland systems that will
be restored and enhanced by the proposed mitigation plan. Habitat will be diversified
and foraging and nesting habitat will be made available for avian, mammalian,
herpetofaunal, and aquatic species. Buffer zones around wetland systems will improve
the ecotone and biological function of the wetlands. Recovery of the natural landscape
will eventually benefit the site and the regional  environment.

Soils

Soils on the proposed mitigation sites are dominated by those common to Hillsborough
County.  Myakka fine sand dominates the upland soil type and wetland  soils are
predominantly Basinger-Holopaw-Samsula soils, depressional, and Malabar fine sand.
Appropriate topsoil and subsoil from the proposed reservoir site will be used for
construction and grading on the mitigation properties.  The use of imported topsoil and
wetland muck from impacted wetlands on the reservoir site for construction of mitigation
wetlands will ensure survival of planted and recruited vegetation and provide benefits
such as wetland stabilization.
                                        10

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Hydrology

Extensive hydrologic and hydraulic modeling was performed to the project area to
determine peak stages in the proposed wetland systems for storm events and to predict
impacts from the proposed reservoir.  The modeling was performed according to Natural
Resouce Conservation Service methods.

East Pruitt/Carlton-Smith Site
Effects of the proposed reservoir are important to this mitigation site because horizontal
seepage to the proposed wetland sites could affect their success. Modeling indicates that
seepage from the proposed reservoir is estimated to be very small and would primarily
occur within 100 feet of the intercept to Doe Branch. Horizontal seepage from the
proposed reservoir, therefore, is not expected to impact the proposed wetland mitigation
sites. Within the proposed reservoir, drainage to Doe Branch will be reduced, which will
reduce flows to wetland systems within the mitigation site. To offset the reduction,
grading of certain areas will increase the drainage area to other wetland systems.  Overall,
the analysis determined that the altered hydrologic system will provide adequate water
quantities for proposed wetland expansions (URS Corporation Southern, 2001 e).

West Pruitt Site
The proposed mitigation at this site would increase the drainage areas to three wetlands
and reduce the drainage areas to four adjacent wetlands. Results of the hydrologic and
hydraulic modeling for the proposed conditions indicate that the increase storage
provided by expanded wetlands would lower peak stages in these wetlands. Overall, the
altered hydrologic conditions can support the three proposed expanded wetland systems
(URS Corporation Southern, 200Id).

North Carlton-Smith Site
Following proposed mitigation, drainage areas would be increased in all but four wetland
sites. Reduced drainage at these wetlands would not have negative impacts because
models indicate that proposed wetland mitigation can be supported. Removal of existing
pipes, and the blocking of ditches would help compensate this loss by allowing wetlands
to hold more water for longer time-periods.  Existing conditions and modeling suggest
that hydrologic conditions are adequate to support planned wetland mitigation planting
and inundation areas.

Vegetation

Species composition for the proposed wetland mitigation sites was selected based on
desirable vegetation currently present at the sites and from species documented from the
Reservoir Project area.  Other species were chosen based on their establishment success
in past projects.  The  use of these plants should increase the mitigation success while
complementing existing  habitat types. Additionally, attempts may be made to transplant
mature pond cypress trees from the forested  wetlands impacted by the proposed reservoir.
Transplantation would occur during optimal conditions to achieve the highest degree of
                                        11

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success.  The feasibility of this type of transplantation will be assessed and evaluated
further during the final permitting and design phase.

Upland areas that will be re-contoured or left undisturbed to provide a 3 00-foot-wide
buffer around mitigation wetlands will be planted with trees, shrubs, and native ground
cover. These plantings should stabilize soils, improve wetland functions, and increase
habitat diversity.  Because of the large size of this project, plant materials would be
utilized from a variety of sources, including those that are nursery grown or field
collected. Contract growing may also be used.

Management Plan

Wetland  mitigation areas in all three mitigation sites are expected to have a three- to five-
year permit-required wetland mitigation monitoring and maintenance plan. Monitoring
plans will be designed to provide assessments of wetland condition and recommendations
for maintenance, replanting, and corrective actions as necessary to meet permit
conditions. The SWFWMD is anticipating obtaining ownership of the land proposed for
mitigation by July 2001.  Typically, their management practices include prescribed
burning,  control of exotic species, habitat restoration, timber management, wildlife
management, and resource monitoring. These will be integrated with permit conditions
to assure that best management practices will be employed for the success of the
mitigation sites.

Construction Techniques

Similar construction techniques will be used on all three-mitigation properties.
Earthmoving activities to stockpile topsoil excavate and transport soil, and dump, spread,
and grade topsoil will require specialized equipment.  Issues of concern will include
transport of exotic or nuisance species, reestablishment of subsoil confining layers, and
segregation of undesirable soils.  Final design and permitting will take these issues into
consideration. Planting of vegetation will occur only after grading has been approved by
the project engineer and environmental scientist and accepted by the planting contractor.

Construction Schedule

A generalized construction schedule has been proposed and will be further developed as
the project advances. The schedule includes the following:

       •   Coordination with Reservoir Contractor throughout the Bid and Construction
          phases
       •   Demolition of existing structures
       •   Earthwork and site preparation
       •   Exotic and nuisance species control
       •   Planting
                                         12

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Construction of all mitigation sites has been scheduled to run concurrently with the
sequence of reservoir construction, from December 2001 through January 2004.

Earthwork associated with the mitigation construction should be performed during the
dry season and completed prior to the onset of the following wet season.  Aquatic plant
introduction should occur during the wet season to ensure establishment, and tree
transplantation should be implemented during the winter and early spring dormancy
period.  The construction schedule should also take into account breeding and migration
seasons for threatened or endangered species that may utilize the existing habitat. These
activities should be coordinated with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Florida
Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Construction Erosion Control

Erosion control during the construction process will be in accordance with the Florida
Department of Transportation standard specifications and detail drawings. Other
appropriate measures will be taken, including preparation of an National Pollutant
Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan, filing a
Notice of Intent with the EPA's General Clearinghouse, and inclusion of primary
pollution control measures. These pollution control measures will include staked hay
bales and silt fences and a monitoring and inspection  program.

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The proposed mitigation plan for the Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project is part of a
comprehensive assessment of biological and physical parameters, anticipated regulatory
agency requirements, and use of current hydrologic and hydraulic modeling techniques.
The plan incorporates existing biological conditions, takes into account the type of
habitat lost, and attempts to provide a variety of onsite and regional ecological
improvements to the existing natural habitats. Based  on anticipated mitigation
requirements, the three sites together are expected to meet mitigation needs as well as
enhance and diversify  existing habitat in the surrounding area.
                                        13

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LITERATURE CITED

HDR Engineering, Inc. 2000a. Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Joint Application for
       Environmental Resource Permit. Submitted to the Southwest Florida Water
       Management District, 2379 Broad Street, Brooksville, Florida 34609.

URS Corporation Southern.  200la.  Master Water Plan Mitigation Project, Basis of
       Design Report for Conceptual Mitigation Design, Proposed Wetland Mitigation
       Project, West Pruitt Site. Draft prepared for Tampa Bay Water, March 30, 2001.

URS Corporation Southern.  200Ib.  Master Water Plan Mitigation Project, Basis of
       Design Report for Conceptual Mitigation Design, Proposed Wetland Mitigation
       Project, East Pruitt/Carlton-Smith Site. Draft prepared for Tampa Bay Water,
       April 30,2001.

URS Corporation Southern.  200Ic.  Master Water Plan Mitigation Project, Basis of
       Design Report for Conceptual Mitigation Design, Proposed Wetland Mitigation
       Project, North Carlton-Smith Site.  Draft prepared for Tampa Bay Water, June,
       2001.

URS Corporation Southern.  300Id.  Master Water Plan Mitigation Project, Hydrologic
       and Hydraulic Evaluation for Conceptual Mitigation Design, Final Report,
       Proposed Wetland Mitigation Project,  West Pruitt Site. Draft prepared for Tampa
       Bay Water, March 30, 2001.

URS Corporation Southern.  200le.  Master Water Plan Mitigation Project, Hydrologic
   • - -  and Hydraulic Evaluation for Conceptual Mitigation Design, Final Report,
       Proposed Wetland Mitigation Project,  East Pruitt/Carlton-Smith Site.  Draft
       prepared for Tampa Bay Water, April  20, 2001.
                                       14

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APPENDIX C - ALAFIA RIVER AND
HILLSBOROUGH RIVER/TAMPA BYPASS
CANAL WITHDRAWAL PERMITS

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     Ronald C. Johnson \
      Chair. Lake Wales :
     Brand* Monendez I
      Vice Chair. Tamca i
                    i
       Sally Thompson
       Secretary, Tamca j
     Ronnie) E. Duncan i
  Treasurer. Safety Harocr
   Monro* -AT Cooler \
             Lecanto |
       Jo* L Davis, Jr.
            Wauchuia
      Rebecca M. Eger i
             Sarascta i

     John P. HarilM, IV i
            Bradentcn I
   Watson L. Haynom. II i
         St. Petersburg |
     Mm K. Renke, III j
        New Port Ricf.ey i
 Pame4a Stlnnotta-Taytor i
              Tamca i
  E. 0. 'Sonny' Vorgara
       Executive Director
        0«no A. Heatft
Assistant Executive Direc'.sr
  Edward B. Helventton
        General Counsel
                      Southwest Florida
                      Water Management District
  WUPINAPR.FAA
  R.3-23-92
   Protecting Your
 Wc:er Resources

                                            2379 Broad Street. Brocksv'ile. Florida 34609-6899
                                            (352) 796-7211 or 1-800-423-1476 (FL only)
                                           • SUNCOM 528-4150 TDD cny 1-800-231-6103 (FL only)

                                            World Wide Web: http://vw*.swfwmd.state.fl.us
                      Tampa Service Office
                      7501 Hignwa> 301 Now
                      Tamoa. Floriaa 33637-6759
                      :813) 985-7481 er
                      1-300-336-0797 ..-:. :r.iv
                      SUNCOM 578-2070

                          July 27,  1999
                    Barlow Service Office
                    170 Century Soulevara
                    Bartow. Fonca 33830-7700
                    (941) 534-1-43 cr
                    l-8CC-492-"362 -P.
                    SUNCOM 572-6200
Venice Service Office
115 Coroc.'3'jon Way
Venice. Flcrca 34292-3524
•:94i; 486-1212 or
1-3CO-32C-35C3 IR :r.iyi
SUNCOM 525-6900
Lecanto Service Office
3600 West Sovereign Pain
Suite 226
.ecar.to. Ponca 34461-8070
25:- :27-3131
SUNCOM 667-3271
Tampa Bay Water
2535 Landmark Drive, Suite 211
Clearwater, FL  33761

Subject:   Final Agency Action TransmittaJ Letter
          Individual Water Use Permit No(s). 2011794.00

Dear Sir or Madam:
                    R  E  C S i V € 0

                     AUG  3 0  1S99
                  TA.VIFA  8AV WATER
Your Water Use Permit(s) was/were approved by the District Governing Board subject to all terms and
conditions set forth in the approved Permit(s).

You or any person whose substantial interests are affected by the District's action regarding your
application may request an administrative hearing in accordance with Sections 120.569 and 120.57, F.S.,
and Chapter 28-106, F.A.C., of the Uniform Rules of Procedure. A request for hearing must (1) explain
how each petitioner's substantial interests will be affected by the District's action, or proposed action: (2)
state all material facts disputed bv the petitioner or state that there are no disputed facts: and (3) otherwise
comply with Chapter 28-106.301. F.A.C.. A request for hearing must be filed with and received by the
Agency Clerk of the District at the District's Brooksville address within 21 days of receipt of this notice.
Receipt is deemed to be the fifth day after the date on which this notice is deposited in the United States
mail. Failure to file a request for hearing within this time period shall constitute a waiver of any right such
person may have to request a hearing under Sections 120.569 and 120.57, F.S.

Mediation pursuant to Section 120.573, F.S. to settle an administrative dispute regarding  the District's
action in this matter is not available prior to the filing of a request for hearing.

Please be advised that the Governing Board has formulated a water shortage plan as referenced in
Condition 4 of the Standard Water Use Permit Conditions (Exhibit A), and will implement such a plan
during periods of water shortage.  You will be notified during a declared water shortage of any change in
the conditions of your Permit(s) or any suspension of your Permit(s), or of any restriction on your use of
water for the duration of any declared water shortage.

The  ID tag(s) for your withdrawal(s) shall be installed by a District representative.  This representative will
attempt to contact you within 30 days to discuss placement of your tags. If you have any questions or
concerns regarding your tags, please contact  Debbie Summerall at extension  2023  in the Tampa
Regulation Department  If you have any questions or concerns regarding your permit or  any other
information, please contact this office at extension 4343.
                          Sincerely,
                          Adeline Wood, Supervisor
                          Records and Data Department
                                                                                        „
                                                                                     Coc No
                                                                     r      [-- j

                                                            Pile Sec. r\ *  /i^/i Lji
                          AW:kat
 Enclosures:
                                       1. Approved Permit
                                       2. Rule 40D- 1.521, F.A.C.
 cc: C. Edwin Copeland, Jr.

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               SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
                                     INDIVIDUAL
                          WATER USE PERMIT NO. 2011794.00
  EXPIRATION DATE:   December 31, 2010       |  PERMIT ISSUE DATE: July 27, 1999
1
THE PERMITTEE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR APPLYING FOR A RENEWAL OF THIS PERMIT PRIOR
TO THE EXPIRATION DATE IN ACCORDANCE WITH DISTRICT RULES, WHETHER OR NOT THE
PERMITTEE RECEIVES PRIOR NOTIFICATION BY MAIL. CONTINUED USE OF WATER AFTER
THE EXPIRATION DATE IS A VIOLATION OF DISTRICT RULES, EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE
PROVIDED BY APPLICABLE LAW.  VIOLATION OF  THE  CONDITIONS OF THIS  PERMIT
CONSTITUTES A VIOLATION OF APPLICABLE LAW.

This permit, issued under the provision of Chapter 373, Florida Statutes and Florida Administrative Code 40D-2,
authorizes the Permittee to withdraw the quantities outlined herein, and requires various activities to be performed by
the Permittee as outlined by the Special Conditions. This permit, subject to all terms and conditions, meets all District
permitting criteria.

PROJECT NAME:    Alafia River Project

GRANTED TO:      Tampa Bay Water, A Regional Water Supply Authority
                    2535 Landmark Drive, Suite 211
                    Clearwater, FL 33761

The above named party  is considered the Permittee in this document  and is solely responsible  for
performance of the terms and conditions of this permit.

ABSTRACT: It is the Governing Board's intent that the Permittee reduce withdrawals from its existing
Central System, comprised of 11  wellfields located in Pasco, Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties; and that
reasonable present and future demand be satisfied solely from environmentally sustainable sources of supply.
To this end, the District, Tampa Bay Water and its Member Governments, consisting of Pasco, Hillsborough,
and Pinellas Counties, City of St. Petersburg, City of Tampa, and City of New Port Richey, entered into  the
Northern Tampa Bay New Water Supply and Ground Water Withdrawal Reduction Agreement (Agreement)
approved May 14,1998. In general, the agreement consolidates the individual wellfield permits into one
permit for the Central System, and outlines a specific time frame, plan of actions and requirements to achieve
the withdrawal reductions from the system.  Most critical to achieving the Central System reductions is
obtaining new environmentally sustainable sources of water supplies to allow for replacement of restricted
quantities.  Tampa Bay Water prepared a New Water Plan which outlines environmentally sustainable
sources of water supplies for replacement of restricted quantities. The District's Governing Board approved
the New Water Plan on August 25,1998. The New Water Plan specifies a number of proposed projects to
meet the following objectives; having one or more projects permitted,  constructed, in operation and
providing at least 38 mgd of new supply to the Central System by December 31, 2002; by December  31,
2007 having the remaining projects permitted, constructed, in operation and providing an additional 47 mgd,
for a total of at least 85 mgd of new water supply for regional distribution to the Tampa Bay Water Member
Governments. The District will be providing co-funding for eligible projects in accordance with the New
Water Sources Funding Agreement between the District and Tampa Bay Water.  This Application represents
one of the new water supply source projects of the New Water Plan which  is eligible for co-funding.

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Permit No.:
Permittee:
Page
2011794.00
Tampa Bay Water
2
The water use authorized by this permit is for the purpose of providing additional new water supply
quantities for Tampa Bay Water's Interconnected Regional Water Supply System. The allocation of the
water use quantities for replacement and rotation purposes is pursuant to the Agreement.

This is a new application for a surface water withdrawal from the Alafia River to be used for public supply
in Tampa Bay Water's service area located within the Northern Tampa Bay, the Eastern Tampa Bay and the
Southern Water Use Caution Areas (WUCAs). This application includes one surface water withdrawal
intake structure located on the south side of the Alafia River, at the intersection of Bell Shoals Road and the
river.   Tampa Bay Water's  interconnected regional water supply system service area includes the
communities of Pasco, Hillsborough, and Pinellas Counties, City of St. Petersburg, City of Tampa, and City
of New Port Richey. An Environmental Resource Permit (ERP) is required for the implementation of this
Water Use Permit. The Permittee has submitted a complete ERP application (# 4918392.00) to the District
for this project.

Special Conditions are included to address pertinent concerns.  Special Conditions include a withdrawal
schedule  linked to river flow, comprehensive review/consistency with adopted minimum flows, metering
and reporting of pumpage, hydrologic  monitoring (water levels, water quality,  rainfall, evaporation,
streamflow ), ecological monitoring and mitigation through an approved Hydro-Biological Monitoring
Program  (HBMP), complaint investigation and mitigation, WUCA conditions, and submittal of a Surface
Water Diversion Annual Report.  With the proposed permit conditions applied, the application meets all
Chapter 40D-2.301 rule criteria.

                           WITHDRAWAL QUANTITIES TABLE
TOTAL QUANTITIES AUTHORIZED UNDER THIS PERMIT (in MGD)
Withdrawal Rate
OMGD
8
MGD to 51.7 MGD (10% of flow)
5 1 .7 MGD Maximum
Alafia River Flow at Bell Shoals Road
< 80 MGD
80 MGD to 5 17 MGD
> 517 MGD
Actual quantities are based on percentage withdrawals identified in the PUMPING SCHEDULE AND
AVAILABLE QUANTITIES Special Condition of this permit. The Maximum Daily withdrawal is limited
by system pumping capacity. Refer to Exhibit "A" for historical analysis of flows in the Alafia River as an
example of the application of the withdrawal quantities table set forth above.
PROPERTY LOCATION:
              South Central Hillsborough County,  two and  half miles  south of
              Bloomingdale Avenue at the intersection of Bell  Shoals Road and the
              Alafia River.

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Permit No.:   2011794.00
Permittee:    Tampa Bay Water
Page        3

TYPE OF APPLICATION:   New
                   WATER USE CAUTION AREA:
                   Eastern Tampa Bay / Southern
APPLICATION FILED:     June 18, 1998  ACRES:   0.00 Owned (To be acquired)
                                               629,536.00 Serviced
                                               (Owned)+629,536.00 Owned and Serviced

APPLICATION AMENDED:    N/A
WATER USE:
         Regional Public Supply System
SERVICE AREA NAME:
         Tampa Bay Water's Interconnected Regional Water Supply System
USE TYPE:
TOTAL PUBLIC SUPPLY:
         Residential Single Family
         Residential Multi-Family
         Commercial/Industrial Non Process
         Unaccounted Use
         Lawn and Landscape
         Fire Fighting/Testing
         1,770,101
      Gross = 137 gpd/person
DISTRICT/
PERMITTEE
LD. NO.

1/ALF-l
SEC./TWN./RNG.
24/30/20
   LOCATION
   LAT/LONG

275125.35/821608.13
EQUIVALENT
DIAMETER
(INCHES)

120
PERMIT SPECIAL CONDITIONS

All conditions referring to approval by the Regulation Department Director, Resource Regulation,
shall refer to the Director, Tampa Regulation Department, Resource Regulation.

1. APPROVALS
   All conditions referring to approval by the Regulation Department Director, shall refer to the Director,
   Tampa Regulation Department.

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Permit No.:
Permittee:
Page
          2011794.00
          Tampa Bay Water
          4
2.  WITHDRAWAL LIMITATIONS
   Withdrawals from the Alafia River will be limited to the periods of time when flows in the river, as
   estimated at Bell Shoals Road using the calculation identified in the ALAFIA RIVER REGIONAL
   PUMPING FACILITIES OPERATIONS AND REGULATORY LEVELS Special Condition of this
   permit, are greater than 124 cubic feet per second (cfs). Surface water withdrawals may occur at a rate
   of 10 percent of the total river flow at Bell Shoals Road between 124 to 800 cfs, up to a maximum
   withdrawal rate of 80 cfs. Based on historical Alafia River flow data from 1977 through 1996 presented
   in Exhibit "A", surface water quantities available under the withdrawal schedule would yield 7.21 MOD
   to 28.95 MGD on an Annual Average basis. Since daily withdrawals will be regulated by the withdrawal
   schedule, as described above, no Annual Average withdrawal quantity is assigned to this permit in order
   to allow maximum  flexibility to meet demands.
3.
PUMPING SCHEDULE AND AVAILABLE QUANTITIES
The amount of water diverted from the Alafia River for water supply purposes shall not exceed the
quantities listed in Table I below.

TABLE 1  WITHDRAWALS FROM THE ALAFIA RIVER
Maximum Withdrawal Rate -
MGD / CFS
0 (no Withdrawal)
10% of total flow
51.7 /SO cfs
Alafia River Flow at Bell Shoals Road in
Millions of Gallons Per Day (MGD) /
Cubic Feet Per Second (CFS)
0 to 80/0 to 124
80 to 517/124 to 800
Above 5 17/800
4.  SUBMISSION OF DATA AND REPORTS

   A.  DATA REPORTS
       The Permittee shall provide the District with 1 copy of the data reports required by these Special
       Conditions. All reports of data shall be submitted to the District on or before the 15th day of the
       month following data collection and shall be addressed to:

       Permit Data Section, Records & Data Department
       Southwest Florida Water Management District
       2379 Broad Street
       Brooksville, Florida 34609-6899

   B.  OTHER REPORTS
       For other reports or plans, unless otherwise indicated, the Permittee shall provide to the District 1
       original, 1 unbound copy, and 1 copy in acceptable digital format (see paragraph 4.C., below).
       Unless otherwise specified, all reports required to be submitted by the Permittee to the District
       pursuant to one or more conditions of this permit shall be submitted as part of the Annual Report
       required by this permit.

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Permittee:     Tampa Bay Water
Page          5

    C.  FORMAT
       All data and reports shall be submitted in writing, and, when feasible and, if prepared, in digital
       format and medium compatible with the format and medium then utilized by or agreed to by the
       District.

5.   LEGAL CONTROL OF PROPERTY
    This permit is issued contingent upon the Permittee's power to acquire the property rights for properties
    on which pumps or other withdrawal facilities will be located, as described in the application, through
    eminent domain; specifically, the properties associated with District ID No. 1, Permittee ID No. ALF-1,
    (Alafia River withdrawal intake) and the proposed regional pumping facility near the Alafia River. If
    the property needed for this project is not so conveyed, or if the ownership or other legal control is
    divided, this permit shall immediately terminate unless the terms of the permit are modified or the permit
    is transferred pursuant to District rules. In no case shall issuance of this permit convey any property
    rights to the Permittee.

6.   OPERATIONS PLAN
    The Optimized Regional Operations Plan (Operations Plan) shall be modified when new water supply
    capacity is added to Tampa Bay Water's Interconnected Regional Water Supply System. The Permittee
    shall submit a modification to the Operations Plan which incorporates the Alafia River Project and
    describes how Tampa Bay Water shall operate its water supply system in a manner to
    minimize environmental stresses to the 11 Central System Wellfield area. The Permittee shall comply
    with the Operations Plan and all modifications thereof, as approved by the District.

7.   USE OF WITHDRAWAL QUANTITIES
    Surface water withdrawal quantities from the Alafia River Project  shall be used for the purpose of
    providing replacement capacity and rotational capacity to the following Tampa Bay Water Central
    System wellfields as required by the Agreement:

    1.  Cosme-Odessa Wellfield
    2.  Cross Bar Ranch Wellfield
    3.  Cypress Bridge Wellfield
    4.  Cypress Creek Wellfield
    5.  Eldridge-Wilde Wellfield
    6.  Morris Bridge Wellfield
    7.  Northwest Hillsborough Regional Wellfield
    8.  North Pasco Wellfield
    9.  Section 21 Wellfield
    10. South Pasco Wellfield
    11. Starkey Wellfield

    Wellfield replacement and rotational capacity is authorized for the Alafia River facility to reduce flow
    from the Tampa Bay Water Central System, to optimize withdrawals at wellfields and to relieve
    environmental stresses. Withdrawal quantities delivered by the Alafia River regional pumping facilities
    shall be  used for existing system demand and documented growth. The identification of wellfields
    receiving rotation capacity will be determined by Tampa Bay Water's Optimized Regional Operations
    Plan.

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Permittee:      Tampa Bay Water
Page           6

8.   MONITORING OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

    A. HYDROBIOLOGICAL MONITORING
       The Permittee shall develop and implement a Hydrobiological Monitoring Program (HBMP) for the
       Alafia River. The scope and design of the HBMP shall be based on discussions with District staff
       and Permittee which shall occur within 60 days of permit issuance and submittal of a draft HBMP
       within 120 days of permit issuance. The District may solicit outside technical review for design of
       the HBMP. The final HBMP plan must be approved by the District prior to implementation. The
       initial date of implementation will be specified in the final approved HBMP plan.

       The HBMP shall address the following objectives:
       1.   Establish baseline conditions prior to permitted use for streamflow rates, salinity distributions,
           and selected water quality and biological variables within the Alafia River and its estuary.
       2.   Monitor withdrawals from the Alafia River at the withdrawal point and evaluate streamflow data
           for the river at all applicable locations.
       3.   Evaluate the ecological relationships of the Alafia River and its estuary to freshwater flows.
       4.   Monitor selected water quality and biological variables in order to determine if the ecological
           characteristics of the river and its estuary related to freshwater flow change over time.
       5.   Determine the relative effect of permitted withdrawals from the Alafia River on any ecologic
           changes that may occur in the river and its estuary.
       6.   Determine if these  withdrawals  cause or  significantly contribute  to any  unacceptable
           environmental impacts that the river and its estuary exhibit as a result of changes in freshwater
           flows.
       ~L  Coordinate with appropriate agencies which have or are currently collecting data which can be
           incorporated into the HBMP to avoid duplication of effort and to facilitate the most efficient use
           of resources.

       HBMP reports will be submitted to the District according to the time frame established in the final
       approved HBMP plan. The periodic cycle for these reports will include yearly Data reports and
       periodic Interpretive reports that will be submitted according to a specific schedule which will be
       established in the final approved HBMP plan.

       On an annual basis, the Permittee shall submit a Data report of all raw data collected during the past
       year. The Data reports will be submitted in tabular form with text limited to an explanation of
       variable names and a description of any problems  encountered or important observations made
       during the monitoring year. This information shall be included in the Annual Report for this permit.

        At the end of selected years specified in the final approved HBMP plan,  the Permittee will submit
       Interpretive reports that  will include comprehensive analyses of all data collected to date that
       specifically address the objectives of the HBMP. Qualitative and quantitative analyses shall be
       presented in the Interpretive reports to evaluate the interactions of hydrologic conditions and
       withdrawals on streamflow. inundation of the river channel and  its floodplain, nutrient loading,
       salinity distributions in  the estuary, and the response of related water  quality and biological
       variables. The Interpretive reports will also include an appendix that provides all raw data collected
       during the previous year, thus fulfilling the requirement for the Annual Report for that year. Upon

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Permittee:     Tampa Bay Water
Page          7

       completion of each cycle of the HBMP, a draft HBMP Interpretive report shall be submitted to the
       District as part of the overall Annual report. The District shall review and provide written comments
       within 45 days of the submittal of each draft HBMP Interpretive report. Final Interpretive reports
       shall be submitted by the Permittee within 90 days of receipt of District comments.

       The District will review the results of these reports to determine if the withdrawals have or are
       expected to result in unacceptable environmental impacts to the natural resources of the Alafia River
       and its estuary as addressed in Part 4 of the District's Basis  of Review for Water Use Permit
       Applications.  If unacceptable environmental impacts  have or are expected to occur due to the
       withdrawals, then the District shall require a revision to the withdrawal schedule.

   B.  AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY
       The Permittee shall conduct aerial photographic reconnaissance of all water supply facilities
       encompassed  within this permit, all environmental monitoring station locations, and surrounding
       areas as approved by the District. The reconnaissance areas must be submitted in writing within 120
       days of permit issuance for approval by the District. The approved photographic reconnaissance
       shall occur on a semi-annual basis (April-May and October-November) unless another schedule is
       identified as part  of the final  approved HBMP plan.  Photography shall be color infrared at
       1"=2000'± scale with 60% forward overlap and 30%  side overlap. Original or first generation
       positive transparencies of the flight photography and an analysis of the flight's photography shall
       be included in the Annual Report submitted to the District by July 1 of each year. This photography
       shall be used  to detect landscape changes over an extended period of time and when the HBMP
       monitoring detects potential changes at monitoring sites.

9.  WUCA CONSERVATION REPORTING
   As pan of the Annual Report required by  this  permit, the Permittee shall  submit the following
   information relative to each Demand Planning Area or Member Government serviced by this permit:

   A. PER-CAPITA USE
       1. The population served;
       3.  Significant deducted uses, the associated quantity, and conservation measures applied to these
           uses;
       3.  Total withdrawals;
       4.  Treatment losses;
       5.  Environmental mitigation quantities;
       6.  Sources and quantities of incoming and outgoing transfers of water and wholesale purchases and
           sales of water, with quantities determined at the supplier's departure point;
       7.  Documentation of reuse and desalination credits, if taken.
       8.  The gross per-capita use rate, and, at the Permittee's option, an adjusted (compliance) per-capita
           use rate, as specified in the  Basis of Review for Water Use Permit Applications, that reflects
           adjustments for significant users, treatment losses, environmental mitigation, and incentives for
           reuse and the use of desalination sources.

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Permittee:     Tampa Bay Water
Page          8

   B.  WATER CONSERVING RATE STRUCTURE
       A copy of the official rate-structure document for each Member Government serviced by this Permit
       in effect at the time the Annual Report is compiled.

   C.  WATER AUDIT PROGRAM
       Documentation of the results of the ongoing water audits for each Member as well as Tampa Bay
       Water's distribution system serviced by this permit.

   D.  RESIDENTIAL WATER USE
       The total number of connections and total water use for:

       1. Residential customers for each of the following categories:
          a)  single family dwelling units served;
          b)  multi-family dwelling units  served  and the number of equivalent residential units
              represented; and
          c)  mobile homes served.
          (Where separate indoor and outdoor meters exist, residential water use quantities shall include
          both the indoor and outdoor water uses associated with the dwelling units, including irrigation
          water.)
       2. Commercial customers
       3. Industrial customers
       4. Public/Institutional customers
       5. Wholesale customers, including the name and quantity sold to each individual customer
       (L Other customers

   E.  RECLAIMED WATER USE
       1. The quantity of total reclaimed water provided by the Member Governments serviced by this
          permit for reuse on both a total annual average daily and monthly basis;
       2. For all individual customer reuse connections with line sizes of 4-inches or greater, a listing of:
          a)  account name and address;
          b)  location of connection(s) by latitude - longitude;
          c)  line size;
          d)  meter (yes or no); and
          e)  metered quantities, if metered.
       3. The annual average daily quantities, monthly quantities, locations, and methods of disposal for
          effluent that is not reused.
       4. A map or plan depicting the area of reuse service; including areas projected to be added within
          the next year, if possible.

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Permittee:      Tampa Bay Water
Page          9

10. WATER QUANTITY AND HYDROLOGIC  MONITORING CONDITIONS

   A. FLOW METERING

       1.  INSTALLATION, MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION OF FLOW METERS
          Upon construction of the Project pumping facilities, flow measuring devices shall be installed
          at the following locations:

          District ID Nos J
          Permittee IP Nos. Location

          1 / ALF-1         Alafia River Regional Pumping Station intake structure pipeline from the
                           River near Bell Shoals Road

          2 / ALF-2         Influent Meter into the Regional Water Treatment Plant

          Flow measuring devices shall be non-resettable, totalizing flow meters or other flow measuring
          devices as approved in writing by the Regulation Department Director. Such devices shall have
          and maintain an accuracy within five percent of the actual flow as installed. Total flow and
          meter readings  from the listed intake and effluent lines shall be recorded on a daily basis and
          reported to the Permit Data Section, Records and Data Department (using District forms) on or
          before the fifteenth (15*) day of the following month. Monthly flow data shall be submitted on
          the District-supplied scanning card provided to the Permittee for that purpose, or other District-
          approved electronic form of data submittal, to the Permit Data Section, Records and Data
          Department, on or before the 15th day of the following month. If a metered withdrawal is not
          utilized during a given month, a report shall be submitted to the Permit Data Section, Records
          and Data Department, indicating zero gallons.

          a)  SCADA-EQUIPPED FACILITIES
              For  flow monitoring points equipped with SCADA (Supervisory  Control and Data
              Acquisition), the Permittee shall maintain the following for each flow monitoring point: one
              venturi-type flow meter or other approved  flow meter, one non-resettable totalizing
              recording device at each monitoring point, one remote transmitter unit that transfers the
              recorded flow data by telemetry to the remote SCADA master station. The SCADA master
              station flow data shall be recorded on a daily basis for each flow monitoring point and for
              the combined facility pumpage. For all SCADA-equipped monitoring points, the non-
              resettable totalizing recording device at each monitoring point shall  be recorded on an
              annual basis, and reported in the Annual Report with a comparison to the SCADA-retrieved
              cumulative flow for each monitoring point. If and when any the facility becomes equipped
              with SCADA, the provisions of this paragraph shall apply.

          b)  TOTAL FACILITY PUMPAGE
              Flow data recorded at the  Alafia River intake structure pipeline shall represent the total
              surface water source pumpage for the Alafia River Project.

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Permittee:     Tampa Bay Water
Page          10

       2.  METER CALIBRATION, TESTING AND MAINTENANCE PROGRAM
           The Permittee shall undertake regular and routine testing, calibration and preventive/corrective
           maintenance for all flow meters to ensure that they have and maintain an accuracy within 5
           percent of actual flow  as installed.  The Permittee shall describe the standard  operating
           procedures for the Meter Calibration, Testing and Maintenance Program in a report submitted
           for District approval by January 1, 2000. The report shall include a description of methods to
           be used for estimation of flow from a withdrawal point during a meter malfunction. Changes
           to the program shall be subject to District approval.

       3.  NOTIFICATION AND CORRECTION OF METERING DISCREPANCIES
           Within 3 working days of identification of a meter that is not providing an accuracy within 5
           percent of actual flow as installed, the Permittee shall inform the District in writing of the facts
           regarding the problem. Until the problem is corrected, flows through the metered point shall
           be  estimated, using methods identified in the Meter Calibration, Testing and Maintenance
           program. The Permittee shall correct the problem within 15 days following identification of the
           problem, or discontinue use of the withdrawal point until the problem is corrected,  unless an
           extension is confirmed in writing from the Regulation Department Director.
         •                                             '
       4.  ANNUAL REPORT REGARDING FLOW METERS
           The Annual Report shall summarize activities conducted under the Meter Calibration, Testing
           and Maintenance Program to maintain accuracy of withdrawal metering. For SC ADA equipped
           monitoring points, the non-resettable totalizing recording device at each monitoring point shall
           be recorded on an annual basis, and reported in the Annual Report with a comparison to the
           SCADA-retrieved cumulative flow for each monitoring point.

       5.  DESTINATION OF WATER
           The Permittee shall provide a monthly summary report of the total quantity of water delivered
           to each Member Government. This amount will be estimated based upon the percentage of total
           water delivered to each Member from the Tampa Bay Water Interconnected Regional Water
           Supply System.  The Permittee shall also provide a summary in the Annual Report showing the
           volume of water withdrawn during the annual reporting period from the Alafia River intake, the
           water delivered from the Alafia River to a reservoir (if constructed), and the water delivered
           from the Alafia  River to the Regional  Water Treatment plant  for distribution  to the
           Interconnected Regional Water Supply System.

    B. RAINFALL AND EVAPORATION MONITORING
       The Permittee shall monitor the rain gauges and evaporation pan at the sites and at the frequencies
       listed below.  The  sites  listed are currently monitored in accordance with the South Central
       Hillsborough Regional Wellfield (SCHRWF) Water Use Permit (WUP No. 204352). The Permittee
       may utilize data obtained for the SCHRWF to satisfy the permit monitoring requirements for this
       condition. However, should monitoring at the sites listed cease to be required under the SCHRWF
       WUP, the Permittee shall be required to monitor the listed sites for this permit, or establish new,
       District approved sites to  replace the lost sites.

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Page          11

       The sites listed shall continue to be monitored and reported in accordance with the SCHRWT permit.
       Data from these sites shall not be reported for this permit as long as the data is submitted in support
       of the SCHRWF permit. For the purpose of this permit, data obtained from the listed sites during
       the annual reporting period shall be summarized in the Annual Report required by this permit. Any
       proposed changes to the recording frequency and locations shall be approved by the Regulation
       Department Director, and shall be summarized in the annual report as described in the Annual
       Reporting Special Condition.

       District    Permittee       Latitude/
       ID No.    ID No.         Longitude             Frequency
       NA1       SC1RG        275151/821212        Continuous
       NA       SC4RG        275151/820842        Continuous
       NA       SC1EVAP2     271551/821213        Continuous
       NA       SCHM2RG     275614/820954        Continuous
       NA       SC17RG       275204/820458        Continuous

       1   District ID Nos. are not applicable; sites are currently permitted under SCHRWF.
       2   Permittee ID No. SC1EVAP is an evaporation station; all others in this table are rainfall.

   C.  STAGE, STREAMFLOW  AND SPRING DISCHARGE MONITORING

       1.  EXISTING MONITORING
          The Permittee shall monitor the average daily stage and estimated average daily flow for the
          Alafia River, and the average daily stage and spring discharge for Lithia Springs at the sites and
          frequencies listed below. The sites listed are currently monitored in accordance with the South
          Central Hillsborough Regional Wellfield (SCHRWF) Water Use Permit (WUP No. 204352).
          The Permittee may utilize data obtained for the SCHRWF to satisfy the permit monitoring
          requirements for this condition.  However, should monitoring at the sites listed cease to be
          required under the SCHRWF WUP, the Permittee shall be required to monitor the listed sites
          for this permit, or establish new, District approved sites to replace the lost sites.

          The sites listed shall continue to be monitored and reported in accordance with the SCHRWF
          permit. Data from these  sites shall not be reported for this permit as long as the data is
           submitted in support of the SCHRWF permit. For the purpose of this permit, data obtained from
          the listed sites during the annual reporting period shall be summarized in the Annual Report
           required by this permit.  Any proposed changes to the recording frequency and locations shall
           be approved by the Regulation Department Director, and shall be summarized in the annual
           report as described in the Annual Reporting Special Condition.

           District    Permittee   Water      Latitude/
           ID No.     ID No.     Body       Longitude                Frequency
           NA1       AR-L2     Alafia      275209/821225           Continuous
           NA        NPRONG3  Alafia      275307/820614           Continuous
           NA        SPRONG4  Alafia      274733/820652           Continuous
           NA        LS         Lithia Sp.  275150/821349           Weekly

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Permittee:     Tampa Bay Water
Page          12

           1   District ID Nos. are not applicable; sites are currently permitted under SCHRWF.
           2   AR-L =Alafia River at Lithia Pinecrest
           3   NPRONG = North Prong of the Alafia River at County Road 676
           4   SPRONG = South Prong of the Alafia River at Jamerson Road

       2.  ADDITIONAL MONITORING
           By December 31,1999, the Permittee shall install a stage recorder as identified below. Stream
           stage shall be recorded at the frequency identified below, and reported to the Permit Data
           Section, Records & Data Department (using District forms) on or before the fifteenth day of the
           following month.  Stream stage shall be reported as average daily values.  The frequency of
           stage recording may be modified by the Regulation Department Director, as necessary to ensure
           the protection of the  resource. The  stage recorder shall be surveyed and referenced to the
           NAVD, and  a copy of the survey including location and latitude and longitude  shall be
           submitted with the first stage data report to the District.

                     Permittee  Water            Latitude/
                     ID No.    Body  (          Longitude                    Frequency
                     AR-BS1   Alafia            275128.75/821613.84          Continuous

           1   AR-BS = Alafia River near Bell Shoals Road

11. ALAFIA RIVER REGIONAL PUMPING FACILITIES OPERATIONS AND REGULATORY
   LEVELS
   The regional pumping facility for the Alafia River as part of this permit includes a single surface water
   withdrawal intake structure on the Alafia River near Bell Shoals Road bridge. Withdrawals at the Alafia
   River regional pumping facility shall be subject to the following constrains:

   A. The flow at Bell Shoals Road will be determined by the following formula:

       Alafia River Flow at the Lithia Gauge (cfs) x ((335 sq. mi. + 39.2 sq. mi.) / 335 mi.) +
       Flow from Lithia Springs (cfs) = Alafia River Flow at Bell Shoals Road

   B. No withdrawals will be made  from  the  regional withdrawal intake  on the Alafia River when
       estimated flow at Bell Shoals Road is less than 124 cfs.

   C. The volume of withdrawal shall not exceed 10 percent of the previous day's estimated average daily
       flow rate of the Alafia River at Bell Shoals Road.

   D. The amount of the peak withdrawal will not exceed 80 cfs.

12. INVESTIGATION OF COMPLAINTS
   The Permittee shall investigate complaints related to withdrawals. This condition shall be an ongoing
   effort for the duration of this permit. All  complainants will make an application to the Permittee and
   must receive an investigation  report, including any action to be taken within a reasonable time by the
   Permittee. The Permittee shall file a report of the complaint, the findings of facts, and any mitigation

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Permittee:     Tampa Bay Water
Page          13

    action taken  or to be taken by the Permittee, to the Regulation Department Director for review and
    approval within 90 days of the receipt of any complaint.  The report shall include:

    A. The name and address of each complainant;
    B. The date  and nature of the complaint;
    C. A summary of the Permittee's investigation;
    D. A summary of the Permittee's determination, including details of any mitigation activities; and
    E. Cost of mitigation activity for each complaint.

    Full mitigation shall not exceed 180 days from complaint receipt, unless additional time is granted by
    the District. A summary of the investigations of complaint and mitigation activities, related to the Alafia
    River Project operations for the annual reporting periods shall be provided, and reported in the Annual
    Report.

13.  BASIN PLAN
    The Permittee will develop and implement a Watershed Protection Program and Action Plan for the
    Alafia River watershed. The overall goal of this program will be to protect and improve the water quality
    in the river, especially the water quality upstream of the proposed withdrawal point. The Permittee will
    use its best efforts to foster the development of a citizen and userbased Stewardship Group for the river,
    and will assist such a group in its efforts to protect the quantity and quality of water in the .Mafia River.
    The Permittee will review the published literature on watershed protection efforts and will develop an
    initial comprehensive listing of possible actions to be considered for the Alafia. The Permittee will then
    determine the feasibility of each of these possible actions with respect to the Alafia River in cooperation
    with the District, Hillsborough County, and citizens / organizations / businesses along or within the
    watershed. Actions to be considered include but are not limited to: (a) fee simple acquisition of lands
    adjacent to the river and  its tributaries; (b) purchasing development rights of lands adjacent to the
    river/tributaries; (c)  education/partnership  programs with agricultural businesses  and homeowner-
    associations on the use of Best Management Practices for fertilizers and pesticides; (d) identification of
    major non-point source and point source discharges and estimation of pollutant loadings from each; (e)
    citizen-based monitoring and stewardship actions to protect and improve water quantity and quality. The
    Permittee will provide a yearly status report to the District on the progress toward the development and
    implementation of the Watershed Protection Program and Action Plan.  Yearly status reports should
    include descriptions of the extent to which the goals identified have been achieved. The Permittee will
    implement water quality sampling necessary to adequately document the improvements to water quality
    resulting from the implementation of the Action Plan.

14.  ANNUAL REPORT

    A.  GENERAL INFORMATION AND DATA
        The Permittee shall provide a comprehensive and concise annual report ("Annual Report") to the
        District which describes the operation of the Alafia River Regional Pumping Facility covered under
        this permit. Information collected through the following conditions of this permit shall be included
        in this Annual Report:

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Permittee:     Tampa Bay Water
Page          14

          The Operations Plan
          WUCA Conservation Reporting
          Water Distribution Data
          Meter Calibration, Testing and Maintenance Program

       Data sources shall be referenced in the Annual Report, but no raw data shall be included in the
       report.  Only essential text, graphs, and tables should be included in the report. Six copies of the
       Annual Report shall be submitted to the Permits Data Section by July 1 of each year. The Annual
       Report shall cover the preceding water year period from October 1 to September 30.

       Operations Plan implementation, water quantity and water distribution information collected for this
       permit shall be summarized for the annual reporting period. A population estimate for the annual
       reporting period, which includes only those served by the municipal system within the defined
       service areas, shall be provided and referenced. The quantities of water delivered to and used within
       the service area of each member government of Tampa Bay Water over the annual reporting period
       shall be used with the population estimate to determine a per capita use rate for the period.  Any
       changes to the service area boundaries shall be described in the text and plotted on a map.

   B.  ALAFIA  RIVER SURFACE WATER WITHDRAWAL ANNUAL REPORT
       The Permittee shall provide a concise individual annual report ("Surface Water Withdrawal Annual
       Report") to the District which provides a compilation of data collected during the course of the year
       as part of the final approved HBMP plan. The  Surface Water Withdrawal Annual Report shall
       concisely  summarize the elements listed below, and any other elements within this permit which
       require annual environmental reporting, with emphasis on the interactions between these elements,
       where appropriate. Six copies of each Surface Water Withdrawal Annual Report shall be submitted
       to the Permits Data Section by July  1 of each year. The Annual Reports shall cover the preceding
       water year from October 1 to September 30.

       1. HYDROLOGIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
          Data collected as a part of the MONITORING OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITION -
          HYDROBIOLOGICAL MONITORING  Special Conditions  shall be summarized and
          analyzed by the Permittee to document any effects of surface water withdrawals on the Alafia
          River and  its  estuary.  Each annual report will contain a HBMP data report of all raw data
          collected during the past year. A brief summary of any recommended changes to the monitoring
          requirements  shall also be included. More comprehensive analyses  for the HBMP shall be
          included in the HBMP Interpretive reports which shall be submitted for each periodic cycle as
          defined in the final approved HBMP plan.

          The Permittee shall provide a comprehensive and concise individual  annual report ("Surface
          Water Withdrawal Annual Report") to the District which provides an  assessment of the water
          resources and environmental systems associated with the Alafia River covered under this permit.
           An assessment of the water resources and environmental systems in the area of the Alafia River
           is required for all sections listed below as defined in the approved HBMP. The Surface Water
           Withdrawal Annual Report shall concisely summarize the elements listed beiow, and any other
          elements within this permit which require annual environmental reporting, with emphasis on the

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           interactions between these elements, where appropriate.  Six copies of each Surface Water
           Withdrawal Annual Report shall be submitted to the Permits Data Section by July 1 of each
           year. The Annual Reports shall cover the preceding water year from October 1 to September
           30.

       2.  INVESTIGATION OF COMPLAINTS
           A summary of the investigations of all complaints concerning adverse impacts to existing legal
           users, land uses and environmental features, as well as all of the Permittee's efforts to mitigate
           such adverse impacts, shall be provided for each reporting period. This summary shall include:

           a)  Number and type of complaint(s);
           b)  Number and type of mitigation activities); and
           c)  Number and type of complaint(s) which did not require mitigation activity.

       3.  OTHER
           All reports specified to be included in the Surface Water Withdrawal Annual Reports by
           conditions of this permit shall be so included.

15. TIME EXTENSIONS
   Unless specified otherwise, time extensions to condition deadlines may be granted upon written request
   to the District, provided that the request is made prior to the deadline, the Permittee has demonstrated
   a good faith effort in meeting the deadline set forth in the condition, and a reasonable modified deadline
   is proposed by the Permittee.

16. MODIFICATION OR REVOCATION OF PERMIT BY DISTRICT
   Nothing in this permit is intended, nor shall anything herein be construed, to replace, limit or impair the
   District's right to modify or revoke this permit in accordance with applicable law.

17. OTHER LIMITATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
   The remedies for violation of this permit are cumulative.  Thus, the pursuit of one remedy shall  not
   preclude the pursuit of other remedies provided by this permit or by applicable law.  The pursuit of any
   remedy provided in this permit or by applicable law shall not constitute a forfeiture or waiver of any
   other remedy.  The waiver of one violation shall not be deemed a waiver of any other violation.
   Forbearance to enforce  one or more of the remedies provided by this permit or by applicable law on an
   event of violation shall not be deemed or construed to constitute a waiver of the right to any remedy for
   that violation.

18. MINIMUM FLOWS FOR ALAFIA RIVER
   The District anticipates establishment of minimum flows for the Alafia River during the term of this
   permit. If during the course of consideration of minimum flows for the Alafia River, it is determined that
   additional hydrologic, biologic, or chemical data is needed in order to assess minimum flows, the District
   and the Permittee shall  work collaboratively to achieve a mutually acceptable data collection program.
    Should a mutually acceptable program not be accomplished, the District may require modification of
   this permit.

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Permit No.:    2011794.00
Permittee:     Tampa Bay Water
Page          16

    Once minimum flows are adopted, this water use permit may be subject to additional comprehensive
    review by the District during the term of this permit. The decision as to the need for further modification
    or review of the permit shall be made by the District after adoption of minimum flows for the Alafia
    River system. All withdrawals from the Alafia River shall be consistent with the adopted minimum
    flow. Any requests to increase the yield of this project through modification of the withdrawal schedule
    shall be through formal application to the District.

STANDARD CONDITIONS;

1.   The Permittee shall comply with the Standard Conditions attached hereto, incorporated herein by
    reference as Exhibit "B" and made a part hereof.
Authorized
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT

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Permit No.:
Permittee:
Page
 2011794.00
 Tampa Bay Water
 17

                         EXHIBIT A

Alafia River Withdrawal Schedule Applied to 1977 through 1996 Flows
'••'-''•' "'
" DATE M
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
AVERAGE
,:^:TEARLY SUMMARY , .. . .. •-
=••'. T /ANNUAL - -
-"•:• ; AVERAGE ~ " J
i*«FLOW ,- - - -.
-. — '.•"- - OJSJ'-i--"1:,-. - x . i— —JT^: J^_— _. ,
" -mvf(MGD)^: '-:-.- %
116
201
417
212
134
241
342
198
117
158
264
285
139
99
201
134
206
293
304
226
214
ANNUAL
AVERAGE
, ^r WITHDRAWAL ,
"5". (MGD) .'""..'. -r
9.99
17.71
28.95
20.87
10.26
21.16
28.34
17.99
8.24
13.66
23.05
20.08
12.25
7.21
14.16
9.84
18.11
23.05
25.54
19.69
17.51

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Permit No.:    2011794.00
Permittee:      Tampa Bay Water
Page           18

                                             40D-2
                                          Exhibit "B"

                             WATER USE PERMIT CONDITIONS

STANDARD CONDITIONS

1.  If any  of the statements in the application and in the supporting data are found to be untrue and
    inaccurate, or if the Permittee fails to comply with all of the provisions of Chapter 373, F.S., Chapter
    40D, or the conditions set forth herein, the Governing Board shall revoke this permit in accordance with
    Rule 40D-2.341, following notice and hearing.

2.  This permit is issued based on information provided by the Permittee demonstrating that the use of water
    is reasonable and beneficial, consistent with the public interest, and will not interfere with any existing
    legal use of water. If, during the term of the permit, it is determined by the District that the use is not
    reasonable and beneficial,  in the public interest, or does impact an existing legal use of water, the
    Governing Board shall modify this permit or shall revoke this permit following notice and hearing.

3.  The Permittee shall not deviate from any of the terms or conditions of this permit without written
    approval by the District.

4.  In the event the District declares that a Water Shortage exists pursuant to Chapter 40D-21, the District
    shall alter, modify, or declare inactive all or parts of this permit as necessary to address the water
    shortage.

5.  The District shall collect water samples from any withdrawal point listed in the permit or shall require
    the Permittee to submit water samples when the District determines there is a potential for adverse
    impacts to water quality.

6.  The Permittee shall provide access to an authorized District representative to enter the property at any
    reasonable time to inspect the facility and make environmental or hydrologic assessments.  The
    Permittee shall either accompany District staff onto the property or make provision for access onto the
    property.

7.  Issuance of this permit does not exempt the Permittee from any other District permitting requirements.

8.  The Permittee shall cease or reduce surface water withdrawal as directed by the District if water levels
    in lakes fall below applicable minimum water level established in Chapter 40D-8 or rates of flow in
    streams fall below the minimum levels established in Chapter 40D-8.

9.  The Permittee shall cease or reduce withdrawal as directed by the District if water levels in aquifers fall
    below the minimum levels  established by the Governing Board.

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Permit No.:     2011794.00
Permittee:      Tampa Bay Water
Page           19

10. The Permittee shall practice water conservation to increase the efficiency of transport, application, and
    use, as well as to decrease waste and to minimize runoff from the property.  At  such time as the
    Governing Board adopts specific conservation requirements for the Permittee's water use classification,
    this permit shall be subject to those requirements upon notice and after  a reasonable period for
    compliance.

11. The District may establish special regulations for Water Use Caution Areas.  At  such time as the
    Governing Board adopts such provisions, this permit shall be subject to them upon notice and after a
    reasonable period for compliance.

12. The Permittee shall mitigate, to the satisfaction of the District, any adverse impact to existing legal uses
    caused by withdrawals. When adverse impacts occur or are imminent, the District  shall require the
    Permittee to mitigate the impacts. Adverse impacts include:
    a.  A reduction in water levels which impairs the ability of a well to produce water;
    b.  Significant reduction in levels or flows in water bodies such as lakes, impoundments, wetlands,
       springs, streams or other watercourses; or
    c.  Significant inducement of natural or manmade contaminants into a water supply or into a usable
       portion of any aquifer or water body.

13. The Permittee shall mitigate to the satisfaction of the District any adverse impact to environmental
    features or offsite land uses as a result of withdrawals. When adverse impacts occur  or are imminent,
    the District shall require the Permittee to mitigate the impacts. Adverse impacts include the following:
    a.  Significant reduction in levels or flows in water bodies  such as lakes, impoundments, wetlands,
       springs, streams, or other watercourses;
    b.  Sinkholes or subsidence caused by reduction in water levels;
    c.  Damage to crops and other vegetation causing financial harm to the owner; and
    d.  Damage to the habitat of endangered or threatened species.

14. When necessary to analyze impacts to the water resource or existing users, the District shall require the
    Permittee to install flow metering or other measuring devices to record withdrawal quantities and submit
    the data to the District.

15. A District identification tag shall be prominently  displayed at each withdrawal point by permanently
    affixing the tag to the withdrawal facility.

16. The Permittee shall notify  the District within 30  days of the sale or conveyance of permitted water
    withdrawal facilities or the  land on which the facilities are located.

17. All permits issued pursuant to these Rules are contingent upon continued ownership or legal control of
    all property on which pumps, wells, Withdrawals or other water withdrawal facilities are located.

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                SO UTHWEST FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
                     INDIVIDUAL WATER USE PERMIT NO. 2011796.00
                                           FOR
            TAMPA BAY WATER, A REGIONAL WATER SUPPLY AUTHORITY
            —-—^FAMPA BYPASS CANAL WATER SUPPLY PROJECT
                                                                                       File:
                 (INCLUDLNG HILLSBOROUGH RIVER WATER SOURCE)
   EXPIRATION DATE;   December 31,2010       | PERMIT ISSUE DATE: March 30, 1999
 THE PERMITTEE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR APPLYING FOR A RENEWAL OF THIS PERMIT PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION
 DATE IN ACCORDANCE WITH DISTRICT  RULES,  WHETHER OR NOT THE PERMITTEE  RECEIVES PRIOR
 NOTIFICATION BY MAIL.  CONTINUED USE OF WATER AFTER THE EXPIRATION DATE IS A VIOLATION OF
 DISTRICT RULES, EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED BY APPLICABLE LAW. VIOLATION OF THE CONDITIONS
 OF THIS PERMIT CONSTITUTES A VIOLATION OF APPLICABLE LAW.

 This permit, issued under the provision of Chapter 373, Florida Statutes and Florida Administrative Code 40D-2, authorizes the
 Permittee to withdraw the quantities outlined herein, and requires various activities to be performed by the Permittee as outlined by
 the Special Conditions. This permit, subject to all terms and conditions, meets all District permitting criteria.

 GRANTED TO:      Tampa Bay Water, A Regional Water Supply Authority
                     2535 Landmark Drive, Suite 211
                     Clearwater, FL 34621                  '

 The above  named party is considered the Permittee in this document and is solely responsible for
 performance of the terms and conditions of this permit.

 ABSTRACT:  This Permit was initially scheduled for consideration by the District's Governing Board on
 December 15, 1998.  However, a petition was received on December 4,1998, from Mr. John R-Mohme-in
 objection to the District's Proposed Agency Action dated November 13, 1998. On February 17, 1999, the
 Petitioner signed  a Joint Stipulation to Dismissal of the petition, which releases the proposed permit for
 Governing Board action.

 It is the Governing Board's intent that the Permittee reduce withdrawals from its existing Central System,
 comprised of 11 wellfields located in Pasco, Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties; and that reasonable present
 and future demand be satisfied solely from environmentally sustainable sources of supply. To this end, the
 District, Tampa Bay Water and its Member Governments, consisting of Pasco, Hillsborough, and Pinellas
 counties, City of St. Petersburg, City of Tampa, and City of New Port Richey,  entered into the Northern
 Tampa Bay New Water Supply and Ground  Water Withdrawal Reduction  Agreement (Partnership
 Agreement) approved May 14,1998. In general, the agreement consolidates the individual wellfield permits
 into one permit for the Central System, and outlines a specific timerrame, plan of actions and requirements
 to achieve the withdrawal reductions from the  system.  Most critical to achieving the Central System
 reductions is obtaining new environmentally sustainable sources of water supplies to allow for replacement
 of restricted quantities. Tampa Bay Water prepared a New  Water Plan which outlines environmentally
 sustainable  sources of water supplies for replacement of restricted quantities.  The District's Governing
 Board approved the New Water Plan on August 25, 1998. The New Water Plan specifies a number of
 proposed projects to meet the following objectives; having one or more projects permitted, constructed, in
 operation and providing at least 38 mgd of new  supply to the Central System by December 31, 2002; By
.December 31, 2007 having the remaining projects permitted, constructed, in operation and providing an

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 Permit No.:    2011796.00
 Permittee:      Tampa Bay Water, A Regional Water Supply Authority
 Page:          2
 additional 47 mgd, for a total of at least 85 mgd of new water supply for regional distribution to the Tampa
 Bay Water Member Governments. The District will be providing co-funding for eligible projects in
 accordance with the New Water Sources Funding Agreement between the District and Tampa Bay Water.
 This Application represents one of the new water supply source projects of the New Water Plan which is
 eligible for co-funding. The water use authorized by this permit is for the purpose of providing additional
 new water supply quantities for Tampa Bay Water's Central  System.  The allocation of the water use
 quantities for replacement and rotation purposes is pursuant to the Partnership Agreement.

 This is a new application for surface water withdrawals from the TBC to be used for public supply in Tampa
 Bay Water's Interconnected Regional Water Supply System service area located within the Northern Tampa
 Bay, the Eastern Tampa Bay and the Southern Water Use Caution Areas (WUCAs). This application
 includes two surface water withdrawal intake structures on the TBC, one located on the north side of the
 TBC Structure S-162, withdrawing water from the TBC's Middle Pool, and one on the south side of S-162,
 withdrawing water from the TBC's Lower Pool.   In addition, surface water will be diverted from the
 Hillsborough River through the Harney Canal Structure 161 to be combined with water in the TBC for
 withdrawal at  the two surface water withdrawal intake structures near S-162.  Both  surface water
 withdrawals and diversions are located within the Northern Tampa Bay WUCA.  Tampa Bay Water's
 Interconnected  Regional  Water Supply  System service  area includes the communities of Pasco,
 Hillsborough, and Pinellas Counties, City of St. Petersburg, City of Tampa, and City of New Port Richey.
 An Environmental Resource Permit (ERP) is required for the implementation of this Water Use Permit. The
 Permittee has submitted a  complete ERP application (29-0144697-3-001) to the Florida Department of
 Environmental Protection for this project.

 Special  Conditions are included to address pertinent concerns. Special Conditions include operational
management levels, metering and reporting of pumpage, hydrologic monitoring (water levels, water quality,
rainfall,  evaporation, streamflow), ecologic monitoring and mitigation through an approved Hydrobiological
Monitoring Program (HBMP), complaint investigation and mitigation, WUCA conditions, and submittal of
a Surface Water Diversion  Annual Report. With the proposed  permit conditions applied, the application
meets all Chapter 40D-2.301 rule criteria.

                          WITHDRAWAL QUANTITIES TABLES
TOTAL QUANTITIES AUTHORIZED UNDER THIS PERMIT (in MGD)
Diversion Rate
OMGD
6.5 MGD to 9.7 MGD (10% of flow)
9.7 MGD to 42 MGD
(10% to 30% of flow - see Exhibit "A")
42 MGD to 194 MGD (30% of flow)
194 MGD Maximum
Hillsborough River Discharge Rate at Tampa
Dam
< 65 MGD
65 MGD to 97 MGD
97 MGD to 139 MGD
139 MGD to 647 MGD
> 647 MGD

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 Permit No.:    2011796.00
 Permittee:     Tampa Bay Water, A Regional Water Supply Authority
 Page:         3
TOTAL QUANTITIES AUTHORIZED UNDER THIS PERMIT (in MGD)
Withdrawal Rate
OMGD
0 MGD to 65 MGD (80% of total flow , Flow
at S-160 cannot be less than 7 MGD)
65 MGD Maximum
Tampa Bypass Canal Discharge Rate at S-160
<7MGD
7 MGD to 81 MGD
> 81 MGD
Actual quantities are based on percentage withdrawals identified in the PUMPING SCHEDULE AND
AVAILABLE QUANTITIES Special Condition of this permit. The Maximum Daily withdrawal is limited
by system pumping capacity. Refer to Exhibit "B" for historical analysis of flows in the Tampa Bypass
Canal and the Hillsborough River as an example of the application of the withdrawal quantities table set forth
above.
PROPERTY LOCATION:
Central Hillsborough County. Paired withdrawal sites located on
a small tract of land on the east side of the Tampa Bypass-Canal,
adjacent to Structure S-162, 1 mile south of 1-4 / TBC overpass.
TYPE OF APPLICATION:
New
WATER USE CAUTION AREA:     Northern Tampa Bay
APPLICATION FILED:
June 18, 1998
ACRES:
0.00 Owned   (To be acquired within 2 years)
629,536.00 Serviced
(Owned) + 629,536.00 Owned and Serviced
APPLICATION AMENDED:
N/A
WATER USE:
Regional Public Supply
SERVICE AREA NAME:
Tampa Bay Water's Interconnected Regional Water Supply
System

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 Permit No.:    2011796.00
 Permittee:     Tampa Bay Water, A Regional Water Supply Authority
 Page:         4
 USE TYPE:                       Residential Single Family
                                  Residential Multi-Family
                                  Commercial/Industrial Non Process
                                  Unaccounted Use
                                  Lawn and Landscape
                                  Fire Fighting/Testing
Gross Per Capita Use.
              137gpcd
DISTRICT/
PERMITTEE
I.D. NO.

1/TBC-l
2 / TBC-2
SEC./ TWN./ RNG.
06/29/20
01/29/19
LOCATION
LAT/LONG

275858.S3/
822105.26

275854.6S/
822111.51
EQUIVALENT
DIAMETER
(INCHES)

96
96
PERMIT SPECIAL CONDITIONS

All conditions referring to approval by the Regulation Department Director, Resource Regulation,
shall refer to the Director, Tampa Regulation Department, Resource Regulation.
1.   APPROVALS

    All conditions referring to approval by the Regulation Department Director, shall refer to. the Director,
    Tampa Regulation Department.

2.   INDIVIDUAL WITHDRAWAL QUANTITIES

    The water use quantities listed above for the TBC Regional Pumping Station intake pipelines from the
    TBC Middle Pool and Lower Pool near S-162 provide for flexibility in pumping schedules and are not
    intended to dictate the distribution of pumpage from each of the permitted sources. The-Permittee may
    make adjustments in pumpage distribution as necessary so long as adverse impacts to water resources,
    environmental systems, and existing legal users do not result and other conditions of this permit are
    satisfied. In all cases, the total withdrawal quantities are limited to the withdrawal schedule set forth
    above.

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Permit No.:    2011796.00
Permittee:     Tampa Bay Water, A Regional Water Supply Authority
Page:         5
3.  WITHDRAWAL LIMITATIONS

    Withdrawals from the Tampa Bypass Canal will be limited to the periods of time when flows through
    the TBC and the Hillsborough River, as measured at S-160 and the Tampa Dam, in accordance with the
    TAMPA  BYPASS CANAL REGIONAL  PUMPING  FACILITIES OPERATIONS  AND
    REGULATORY LEVELS Special Condition of this permit, are greater than 7 MGD and 65 MOD,
    respectfully. Operation of the pumping facilities associated with this project shall not interfere with the
    Hillsborough  River reservoir augmentation requirements as specified in the Amended and Restated
    Interlocal Agreement (June 10,1998), Section 3.08 (D)( 1), which states that Tampa Bay Water's Hamey
    Pumping Station on the TBC  shall augment the Hillsborough River Reservoir  within the permitted
    quantity range as specified in  Water Use Permit  No.  206675.03 when the  draft  from  Tampa's
    Hillsborough River Water Treatment Plant exceeds the flow in the Hillsborough  River as measured at
    the Morris Bridge Hillsborough River Flow gauge and the Hillsborough River Reservoir stage is below
    22.5 feet MSL as measured at the Hillsborough River Reservoir dam.

4.  PUMPING SCHEDULE AND AVAILABLE QUANTITIES

    The pumping facilities associated with this permit will be located at the TBC, near Structure 162. Water
    available from the Hillsborough River Water Source will be diverted through Structure 161 (S-161) into
    the TBC and combined with quantities available from the TBC Source for withdrawal at Tampa Bay
    Water's Regional Pumping Facilities. The amount of water diverted from the Hillsborough River
    through S-161 into the TBC specifically for water supply purposes shall not exceed the quantities listed
    in Table A-l.  Quantities, available  for regional withdrawal from the Tampa Bypass Canal Source,
    independent of water diverted into the Canal from the Hillsborough River Water Source shall not exceed
    the quantities listed in Table B-l.

    A.  HILLSBOROUGH RIVER WATER SOURCE: The average daily discharge at the Hillsborough
       River Dam, as measured on the previous day, will be the standard utilized to calculate the: quantity
       of water available for diversion  from the Hillsborough River to the TBC for regional use.  The
       diversion  of water from the Hillsborough River through S-161 into the TBC for water supply
       purposes,  and the withdrawal of those diverted quantities for regional  use will be based on the
       schedule in Table A-1 below.

    B.  TAMPA BYPASS CANAL WATER SOURCE: The average daily discharge at Control Structure
       160 (S-160) on the TBC Lower Pool, as measured on the previous day, will be the standard utilized
       to calculate the quantity of water available for withdrawal from the TBC  Source for distribution to
       the regional system. The withdrawal rate will be based on the schedule in Table B-1 below.

    C.  MAXIMUM  COMBINED WITHDRAWALS: The maximum combined withdrawal rate from the
       Tampa Bay Water Regional Pumping Facilities on the TBC shall not exceed 258 MGD or 400 CFS.

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Permit No.:
Permittee:
Page:
   2011796.00
   Tampa Bay Water. A Regional Water Supply Authority
   6
TABLE A-1   DIVERSIONS FROM HILLSBOROUGH RIVER
Maximum Diversion Rate -
MGD / CFS
0 (no Di%'ersion)
10% of total flow
10% to 30% - sliding scale
30% of total flow
194/300
Hillsborough River Discharge Measured at
Tampa Dam in Millions of Gallons Per Day
(MGD) / Cubic feet per Second (CFS)
0 to 65/0 to 100
65 to 97/100 to 150
97 to 141/150 to 215
141 to 647/215 to 1001
Above 647 /1 001
          TABLE B-1    WITHDRAWALS FROM THE TBC
Maximum Withdrawal Rate -
MGD / CFS
0 (no Withdrawal)
80% of total flow and flow at
S-160 cannot be less than 7 MGD
65/100cfs
TBC Discharge Measured at Structure 160 in
Millions of Gallons Per Day (MGD) / Cubic
feet per Second (CFS) )
0 to 7 / 0 to 1 1
7 to 81/11 to 125
Above 81/125
5.  TAMPA BYPASS  CANAL REGIONAL  PUMPING  FACILITIES  OPERATIONS AND
   REGULATORY LEVELS

   Regional pumping facilities proposed as part of this permit include water intake structures on both the
   Middle Pool and Lower Pool of the TBC in the immediate vicinity of Structure 162. These intake
   structures will enable water to be withdrawn from the Middle and Lower Pool of the TBC by a common
   pumping station located adjacent to S-162. Unless superseded by the provisions in the Coordination
   Plan Special Condition of this permit, withdrawals at the Tampa Bay Water Regional Pumping Facilities
   on the TBC shall be subject to the following constraints in addition to the limitations imposed in the
   Pumping Schedule and Available Quantities Special Condition.

   A.  1.  Withdrawals from the regional intake on the TBC Middle Pool will be limited to the following:

          a)  Quantities being diverted in accordance with Table A-1 from the Hillsborough River or,

          b)  Quantities available from the Tampa Water Resource  Recovery Project or,

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Permit No.:    2011796.00
Permittee:     Tampa Bay Water, A Regional Water Supply Authority
Page:         7
           c)  The TBC Middle Pool is at or above 14 feet NGVD and discharge at S-160 is greater than
              or equal to 100 cfs or the District is maintaining the elevation in the Middle Pool lower than
              14 feet NGVD.

       2.  Withdrawals from the regional intake on the TBC Lower Pool will be limited to the following:

           a)  Quantities being diverted in accordance with Tables A-l and B-l from the Hillsborough
              River and/or TBC Lower Pool or,

           b)  The TBC discharge at S-160 is greater than or equal to 11 cfs.

    B) The following structural-constraints shall apply to regional withdrawals from the Middle Pool as
       limited by 5A1 .a), 5 A1 .b), and 5A. 1 .c) above:

       1. No withdrawals will be made when the surface water elevation in the TBC Middle Pool and
          Hamey Canal, as read on the gauges at S-161 and S-162, is at or below twelve and a half (12.5)
           feet NGVD, or

       2. The difference in the surface water elevations between the Hamey Canal, as read on the east
          gauge at S-161, and the Hillsborough River, as read on the west gauge at S-161, is 9.5 feet or
          greater.

    C) The following structural constraints shall apply to regional withdrawals from the Lower Pool as
       limited by 5A2.a), and 5A2.b) above:

       1. No withdrawals shall be made when the difference in the surface water elevations between the
          TBC Middle Pool, as read on the gauge at S-162 upstream, and the TBC lower pool, as read on
          the gage at S-162 downstream, is 6.5 feet or greater.

6.   SUBMISSION OF DATA AND REPORTS

    A. DATA REPORTS
       The Permittee shall provide the District with 1 copy of the data reports required by these Special
       Conditions. All reports of data shall be submitted to the District on or before the 15th day of the
       month following data collection and shall be addressed to:

       Permit Data Section, Records & Data Department
       Southwest Florida Water Management District
       2379 Broad Street
       Brooksville, Florida 34609-6899

    B. OTHER REPORTS
       For other reports or plans, unless otherwise indicated, the Permittee shall provide to the District 1
       original, 1 unbound copy, and 1 copy in acceptable digital format (see paragraph 3.C., below).
       Unless  otherwise specified, all reports required to  be submitted  by the Permittee to the District

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Permit No.:    2011796.00
Permittee:     Tampa Bay Water, A Regional Water Supply Authority
Page:         8
       pursuant to one or more conditions of this permit shall be submitted as part of the Annual Report
       required by this permit.

    C. FORMAT
       All data and reports shall be submitted in writing, and, when feasible and, if prepared, in digital
       format and medium compatible with the format and medium then utilized by or agreed to by the
       District.

7.  LEGAL CONTROL OF PROPERTY

    This permit is issued contingent upon the Permittee's power to acquire the property rights for properties
    on which pumps or other withdrawal facilities will be located, as described in the application, through
    eminent domain. Specifically, the properties associated with District ID No. 1 and No. 2, and Permittee
    ID No. TBC-1 and No. TBC-2, (Tampa Bypass Canal withdrawal intakes) and the proposed regional
    pumping facility near the Tampa Bypass Canal. If only a part of such lands is so conveyed, or if the
    ownership or other legal control is divided, this permit shall immediately terminate unless the terms of
    the permit are modified or the permit is transferred pursuant to District rules. In no case shall issuance
    of this permit convey any property rights to the Permittee.

8.  OPERATIONS PLAN

    The Optimized Regional Operations Plan (Operations Plan) shall be modified when new water supply
    capacity is added to Tampa Bay Water's Regional Interconnected Water Supply System. The Permittee-
    shall submit a modification to the Operations Plan which incorporates the TBC Water Supply Project -
    and describes how Tampa Bay Water  shall operate its water supply system in a manner to avoid~and
    minimize environmental stresses to the 11 Central System Wellfield area. The Permittee shall comply
    with the Operations Plan and all modifications thereof, as approved by the District.

9.  USE OF WITHDRAWAL QUANTITIES

    Surface water withdrawal quantities from the TBC Water Supply Project shall be used for the purpose
    of providing replacement capacity  and rotational capacity to the following Tampa Bay .Water Central
    System wellfields as required by the Agreement:

    1.  Cosme-Odessa Wellfield
    2.  Cross Bar Ranch Wellfield
    3.  Cypress Bridge Wellfield
    4.  Cypress Creek Wellfield
    5.  Eldridge-Wilde Wellfield
    6.  Morris Bridge Wellfield
    7.  Northwest Hillsborough Regional  Wellfield
    8.  North Pasco Wellfield
    9.  Section 21 Wellfield
    10. South Pasco Wellfield
    11. Starkey Wellfield

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Permit No.:    2011796.00
Permittee:     Tampa Bay Water, A Regional Water Supply Authority
Page:         9
   Wellfield replacement and rotational capacity is authorized for the Tampa Bay Water Central System
   to optimize withdrawals at wellfields and to relieve environmental stresses.  Withdrawal quantities
   delivered by the TBC  Regional Pump Facilities shall  be  used for existing system demand and
   documented growth. The identification of wellfields receiving rotation capacity will be determined by
   the approved Tampa Bay Water Optimized Regional Operations Plan.

10. MONITORING OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

   A. HYDROBIOLOGICAL MONITORING
      The Permittee shall develop and implement a Hydrobiological Monitoring Program (HBMP) for the
      Hillsborough River/Tampa Bypass Canal. The scope  and design of the HBMP shall be based on
      discussions with District staff and the Permittee which shall occur within 60 days of permit issuance
      and submittal of a draft HBMP within 120 days of permit issuance. The District may solicit outside
      technical review for design of the HBMP. The final HBMP plan must be approved by the District
      prior to implementation. The initial date of implementation will be specified in the approved
      HBMP plan.         .

      The HBMP shall address the following objectives:
      1.  Establish baseline conditions prior to permitted use for streamflow rates, salinity distributions,
          and selected water quality and biologic variables within the  lower Hillsborough Riverbelow
          Tampa Dam, TBC, Palm River, and McKay Bay.

      2.  Monitor diversions from the Hillsborough River and withdrawals from the TBC at~the,
          withdrawal points and evaluate streamflow data for the lower Hillsborough River at Sulphur
          Springs, and the TBC at structures 160 and 162.

      3.  Evaluate the ecological relationships of the lower Hillsborough River below Tampa Dam, TBC,
          Palm River, and McKay Bay to freshwater flows.

      4.  Monitor selected water quality and biologic variables in order to determine if the ecological
          characteristics of the lower Hillsborough River below Tampa Dam, TBC, Paim-River, and
          McKay Bay related to freshwater flow change over time.

      5.  Determine the relative effect of permitted diversions and withdrawals on any ecologic changes
          that may  occur in the lower Hillsborough River below Tampa Dam, TBC, Palm River, and
          McKay Bay.

      6.  Determine  if these withdrawals cause or significantly contribute  to  any unacceptable
          environmental impacts that the lower Hillsborough River below Tampa Dam, TBC, Palm River,
          and McKay Bay exhibit as a result of changes in freshwater flows. The HBMP shall identify
          criteria that will be used to determine unacceptable environmental impacts to the resources.

      7.  Coordinate with appropriate agencies which have or are currently collecting data which can be
          incorporated into the HBMP to avoid duplication of effort and to facilitate the most efficient use
          of resources.

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Permit No.:    2011796.00
Permittee:     Tampa Bay Water. A Regional Water Supply Authority
Page:         10
       HBMP reports will be submitted to the District according to the time frame established in the final
       approved HBMP plan. The periodic cycle for these reports will include yearly Data reports and
       periodic Interpretive reports that will be submitted according to a specific schedule which will be
       established in the final approved HBMP plan.

       On an annual basis, the Permittee shall submit a Data report of all raw data collected during the past
       year. The Data reports will be submitted in tabular form with text limited to an explanation of
       variable names and a description of any problems encountered or important observations made
       during the monitoring year. This information shall be included in the Annual Report for this permit.

       At the end of selected years specified in the final approved HBMP plan, the Permittee will submit
       Interpretive reports that will include comprehensive analyses of all data collected to date that
       specifically address the objectives of the HBMP.  Qualitative  and quantitative analyses shall be
       presented in  the interpretive reports to evaluate the interactions of hydrologic conditions and
       withdrawals on streamflow, nutrient loading, salinity distributions, and the response of related water
       quality and biological variables in the lower Hillsborough River below Tampa Dam, TBC, Palm
       River, and McKay Bay. The Interpretive reports will also include an appendix that provides all raw
       data collected during the previous year, thus fulfilling the requirement of the Annual for that year.
       Upon completion of each cycle of the HBMP, a draft HBMP Interpretive report shall be submitted
       to the District as part of the overall Annual report.  The District shall review and provide written
       comments within 45 days of the submittal of each draft HBMP Interpretive report. Final interpretive
       reports shall be submitted by the Permittee within 90 days of receipt of District comments.

       The District will review these results of these reports to determine if the diversions or withdrawals
       have or are expected to result in unacceptable environmental impacts to the natural resources of the
       lower Hillsborough River below Tampa Dam, TBC, Palm River, and McKay Bay as addressed in
       Part 4 of the  District's Basis of Review for Water Use Permit Applications. If unacceptable
       environmental impacts have or are expected to occur due to the withdrawals, then the District shall
       require a revision to the diversion and/or withdrawal schedule.

   B. AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY
      The Permittee shall conduct aerial photographic reconnaissance of all  water supply facilities
       encompassed within this permit, all environmental monitoring  station locations, and surrounding
       areas as approved by the District. The reconnaissance areas must be submitted  in writing within 120
       days of permit issuance for approval by the District. The approved photographic reconnaissance
       shall occur on a semi-annual basis (April-May and October-November). Photography shall be color
       infrared at 1"=2000'+ scale with 60% forward overlap and 30% side overlap and flown in a north-
       south flight path whenever possible. Original or first generation positive transparencies of the flight
      photography  and an analysis of the flight's photography shall be included in the Annual Report
       submitted to the District by July 1 of each year. This photography shall be used to detect landscape
      changes over an extended period  of time and in instances where the HBMP monitoring detects
      potential changes to monitoring sites.

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Permit No.:    2011796.00
Permittee:     Tampa Bay Water, A Regional Water Supply Authority
Page:         11
11. WUCA CONSERVATION REPORTING

   As part of the  Annual Report  required by this permit, the Permittee shall submit  the following
   information relative to each Demand Planning Area or Member Government serviced by this permit:

   A.  PER-CAPITA USE
       1.  The population served;
       2.  Significant deducted uses, the associated quantity, and conservation measures applied to these
          uses;
       3.  Total withdrawals;
       4.  Treatment losses;
       5.  Environmental mitigation quantities;
       6.  Sources and quantities of incoming and outgoing transfers of water and wholesale purchases and
          sales of water, with quantities determined at the supplier's departure point;
       7.  Documentation of reuse and desalination credits,  if taken.
       8.  The gross per-capita use rate, and, at the Permittee's option, an adjusted (compliance) per-capita
          use rate, as specified in the Basis of Review for Water Use Permit Applications, that reflects
          adjustments for significant users, treatment losses, environmental mitigation, and incentives for
          reuse and the use of desalination sources.

   B.  WATER CONSERVING RATE STRUCTURE
       A copy of the official rate-structure document for each Member Government serviced by this Permit
       in effect at the time the Annual Report is compiled.

   C.  WATER AUDIT PROGRAM
       Documentation of the results of the ongoing water audits for each Member as well as the Authority's
       water distribution system serviced by this permit.

   D.  RESIDENTIAL WATER USE
       The total number of connections and total water use for:

       1.  Residential customers for each of the following categories:
          a)  single family dwelling units served;
          b)  multi-family dwelling  units served and  the number of equivalent residential  units
              represented; and
          c)  mobile homes served.
          (Where separate indoor and outdoor meters exist, residential water use quantities shall include
          both the indoor and outdoor water uses associated with the dwelling units, including irrigation
          water.)
       2.  Commercial customers
       3.  Industrial customers
       4.  Public/Institutional customers
       5.  Wholesale customers, including the name and quantity sold to each individual customer
       6.  Other customers

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Permit No.:    2011796.00
Permittee:     Tampa Bay Water, A Regional Water Supply Authority
Page:         12
    E.  RECLAIMED WATER USE
       1.  The quantity of total reclaimed water provided by the Member Governments serviced by this
           permit for reuse on both a total annual average daily and monthly basis;
       2.  For all individual customer reuse connections with line sizes of 4-inches or greater, a listing of:
           a)  account name and address;
           b)  location of connection(s) by latitude - longitude;
           c)  line size;
           d)  meter (yes or no); and
           e)  metered quantities, if metered.
       3.  The annual average daily quantities, monthly quantities, locations, and methods of disposal for
           effluent that is not reused.
       4.  A map or plan depicting the area of reuse service including and areas projected to be added
           within the next year, if possible.

12. WATER QUANTITY AND HYDROLOGIC MONITORING CONDITIONS

   The tables contained in the following Special Conditions of this permit contain specific details of the
   monitoring requirements.  Changes and adjustments to the monitoring requirements may be made as
   necessary to provide for continued or more effective monitoring of hydrologic conditions associated with
   the withdrawals. Monitoring requirement changes shall be made after consultation with the Permittee,
   and shall be confirmed by written approval from the Regulation Department Director. Nothing in this
   permit shall be construed to limit the authority  of obligation of the District to require changes or
   additions to monitoring requirements as necessary to ensure the protection of the resource.

   A.  FLOW METERING

       1. INSTALLATION, MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION OF FLOW METERS
       Upon construction of the Project pumping facilities, flow measuring devices shall be installed at the
       following locations:

       District ID No. 1, Permittee ID No. TBC-1-TBC Regional Pumping Station intake pipeline from
       the TBC Middle Pool near"S-162

       District ID No. 3, Permittee ID No. TBC-3-TBC Pumping Station Effluent Line

       NOTE: District ID No. 2, Permittee ID No.  TBC-2, is defined as the TBC Regional Pumping
       Station intake pipeline from the TBC Lower Pool near S-162.  This  intake pipeline wilLnoLbe	
       metered directly. However, surface water withdrawal quantities diverted through this intake pipeline
       will be calculated by taking the difference between quantities recorded at District ID No. 3 and
       District ID No. 1 on a daily basis.

       Flow measuring devices shall be non-resettable, totalizing flow meters or other flow measuring
       devices as approved in writing by the Director of the Tampa Regulation Department.  Such devices
       shall have and maintain an accuracy within five percent of the actual flow as installed. Total flow
       and meter readings from the listed intake and effluent lines shall be recorded on a daily basis and
       reported to the Permit Data Section, Records and Data Department (using District forms) on or

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Permit No.:    2011796.00
Permittee:     Tampa Bay Water, A Regional Water Supply Authority
Page:         13
       before the fifteenth (15th) day of the following month. Monthly flow data shall be submitted on the
       District-supplied scanning card provided to the Permittee for that purpose, or other District-approved
       electronic form of data submittal, to the Permit Data Section, Records and Data Department, on or
       before the 15th day of the following month. If a metered withdrawal is not utilized during a given
       month, a  report shall be submitted to the Permit Data  Section, Records and Data Department,
       indicating zero gallons.

          a) SCADA-EQUIPPED FACILITIES
          For flow monitoring points equipped with SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition)
          the Permittee shall maintain the following for each flow monitoring point: one venturi-type flow
          meter or other flow metering device, one non-resettable totalizing recording device at each
          monitoring point, one remote transmitter unit that transfers the recorded flow data by telemetry
          to the remote SCADA master station. The SCADA master station flow data shall be recorded
          on a daily basis for each flow monitoring point and for the combined facility pumpage. For all
          SCADA-equipped monitoring points, the non-resettable totalizing recording device at each
          monitoring point shall be recorded on an annual basis, and reported in the Annual Report with
          a comparison to the SCADA-retrieved cumulative flow for each monitoring point. If and when
          any the facility becomes equipped with SCADA, the provisions of this paragraph shall apply.
                                                           •\
          b) TOTAL FACILITY PUMPAGE
          Flow data recorded at the TBC Pumping Station Effluent Line shall represent the total surface
          . water source pumpage for the TBC Water Supply Project.

       2.  METER CALIBRATION, TESTING AND MAINTENANCE PROGRAM
       The Permittee shall undertake regular and routine testing, calibration and preventive/corrective
       maintenance for all flow meters to ensure that they have and maintain an accuracy within 5 percent
       of actual flow as installed. The Permittee shall describe the standard operating procedures for the"
       Meter Calibration, Testing and Maintenance Program in a report submitted for District apprav-aLby
       January 1,2000. The report shall include a description of methods to be used for estimation of flow
       from a withdrawal point during a meter malfunction. Changes to the program shall be subject to
       District approval.

       3.  NOTIFICATION AND CORRECTION OF METERING DISCREPANCIES
       Within 3 working days of identification of a meter that is not providing an accuracy within 5 percent
       of actual flow as installed, the Permittee shall inform the District in writing of the facts regarding
       the problem. Until the problem is corrected, flows through the metered point shall be estimated,
       using methods identified in the Meter Calibration, Testing and Maintenance program. TKePermittee
       shall correct the problem within 15 days following identification of the problem, or discontinue use
       of the withdrawal point until the problem is corrected, unless an extension is confirmed in writing
       from the Director of the Tampa Regulation Department.

       4.  ANNUAL REPORT REGARDING FLOW METERS
       The Annual  Report shall summarize activities conducted under the Meter Calibration, Testing and
       Maintenance Program to maintain accuracy of withdrawal metering.  For SCADA equipped
       monitoring points, the non-resettable totalizing recording device at each monitoring point shall be
       recorded on  an annual basis, and reported  in the Annual Report with a comparison to the SCADA-

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Permit No.:    2011796.00
Permittee:     Tampa Bay Water, A Regional Water Supply Authority
Page:         14
       retrieved cumulative flow for each monitoring point. The Permittee shall present the results of a
       daily comparison of withdrawals from the intake structures on both sides of Structure S-162 to the
       cumulative flow recorded at the TBC Pumping Station Effluent Line for the annual reporting period.
       The Annual Report shall also present the total amounts of water delivered to member governments
       and other points of use.

       5.  DESTINATION OF WATER
       The Permittee shall provide a monthly summary report of the total quantity of water delivered to
       each Member Government. This amount will be estimated based upon the percentage of total water
       delivered to each Member from the Tampa Bay Water Interconnected Regional Water Supply
       System. The Permittee shall also provide a summary in the Annual Report showing the volume of
       water withdrawn during the annual reporting period from the TBC intake structures, the water
       delivered from the TBC to a reservoir (if constructed), and the water delivered from the TBC to the
       Regional Water Treatment plant for distribution to the Interconnected Regional Water Supply
       System.

   B.  RAINFALL AND EVAPORATION MONITORING

       1.  RAINFALL GAUGES
       The District currently maintains rainfall gauges at TBC Structures S-160, S-161 and S-162 as listed
       below. Data obtained from these monitoring points shall be made available to Tampa Bay Water.
       For purposes of this permit, data obtained from the listed site during the annual reporting period
       shall be summarized in the Annual Report required by this permit.  Should the District discoritiuug
       monitoring ai the listed sites, Tampa Bay Water will be required to establish replacement-sites-for..
       those where District monitoring will be terminated.   Any proposed changes to the iecoidiiig~
       frequency and locations shall be approved by the Regulation Department Director, and shall "be
       summarized in the annual report as described in Annual Reporting Special Condition,
       District
       I.D. No.
       206
       54
       55
Site Name
Structure 160
Structure 162
Structure 161
Latitude/
Longitude
275722.07/822214.31
275901.06/822106.31
280106.06/822214.31
Frequency
Continuous
Continuous
Continuous
       2. EVAPORATION PAN
       Within 60 days of permit issuance, the Permittee shall establish and maintain a continuousrecording
       evaporation pan(s) as identified below.  Total daily evaporation shall be recorded and submitted to
       the District, in a form acceptable to the District, by the 15* day of the following month.  The period
       of record for these data shall begin and  end on the last day of each month.
       District
       I.D. No.
       208
Permittee
I.D. No.
S-162EV
Latitude/
Longitude
To Be Determined
Frequency
Continuous

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Permit No.:    2011796.00
Permittee:     Tampa Bay Water, A Regional Water Supply Authority
Page:         15
    C. STAGE ELEVATION MEASUREMENTS
       The District's Resource Data Department will collect continuous stage elevations from the TBC at
       the locations designated below, and provide the data to the Permittee for use in meeting regulatory
       compliance levels in the TBC. Stage elevation data shall be provided on a continuous basis using
       the District's SCADA system.

          Continuous Stage Measurements

          Location ID                                 SWFWMD SCADA ID

          S-159 (upstream)                              47
          S-160 (upstream)                              48
          S-161 (east)                                  49
          S-161 (west)                                 49
          S-162 (upstream)                              50
          S-162 (downstream)                           50

          NOTE:  Stage elevation data for the Tampa Dam is recorded by the City of Tampa.

   D. DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS
       The Permittee will calculate average daily discharge measurements for flow at the structures and
       frequencies  designated below, and submit the data to the Permit Data Section, Records-andJData-
       Department, in a form acceptable to the District, on or before the 15* day of the following-month.
       Flow measurements may not be required to be calculated during flood control discharge_events_
       declared by  the District's Operations Department.

       Average Daily Flow Measurements

       District              Permittee     Latitude/
       ID No.               ID No.        Longitude                           Frequency
       400                  S-159F        to be determined                      Avg. Daily
       401                  S-160F        to be determined                      Avg. Daily
       402                  S-161F        to be determined                      Avg. Daily
       403                  S-162F        to be determined                      Avg! Daily

13. COORDINATION PLAN

   By December 31,1999, the Permittee, in coordination with the District's Operations Department, Land
   Management Department, Resource Regulation Department, and the City of Tampa shall provide a
   coordination plan which identifies  the multiple functions (flood  control, Hillsborough Reservoir
   augmentation, regional water supply) and activities (regional pumping station construction, telemetry
   improvements, etc.) authorized for the TBC. The first and foremost priority of the TBC shall continue
   to be for the purposes of flood management.  The Coordination Plan shall include  but will not
   necessarily be limited to the following issues:

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Permit No.:     2011796.00
Permittee:      Tampa Bay Water. A Regional Water Supply Authority
Page:          16
    A.  Works of the District Permitting;
    B.  District Land Use and Protection License Agreement;
    C.  USCOE Permitting;
    D.  A plan and time line for construction of regional pumping facilities on the TBC;
    E.  A detailed communications plan including telemetry to enable operation of the TBC for water supply
        purposes without interfering in flood control operations of the Canal and the Hillsborough Reservoir
        dam or interfering with City of Tampa water supply operations;
    F.   A list and conceptual design for control structure automation/improvements necessary to facilitate
        conveyance of water through the TBC to the Tampa Bay Water Regional Pumping Facilities;
    G.  Water supply  operations  schedule and protocol to enable diversion of appropriate flows and
        withdrawal of available quantities;
    H.  SWFWMD application of herbicides in the TBC
    I.   Consistency with established Minimum Flows on the Hillsborough River and TBC

    Prior to activation of the TBC pumping facilities, and following District approval of the Coordination
    Plan, the Permittee,  in coordination with the District's  Operations Department,  shall  develop a
    Coordination Plan  Agreement which provides for the operation and maintenance of the permanent
    pumping  facilities, discharge  structure  improvements,  and telemetry on the TBC.   The  TBC
    Coordination Plan Agreement  shall be included as an integral part of a Comprehensive Management
    Plan for the Hillsborough River, the TBC, Sulfur Springs and the Morris Bridge Wellfield in accordance
    with the Amended and Restated Interlocal Agreement (July 10, 1998), Section 3.08 (G).

14.  INVESTIGATION OF COMPLAINTS

    The Permittee shall in%'estigate complaints related to withdrawals.  This condition shall be an ongoing
    effort for the duration of this permit.  All complainants will make an application to the Permittee and1
   must receive an investigation report, including any action to be taken within a reasonable time'by^the
    Permittee. The Permittee, shall file a report of the complaint, the findings of facts, and any mitigation
    action taken or to be taken by the Permittee, to the Director of the Tampa Regulation Department for
    review and approval within 90 days of the receipt of any complaint. The report shall include:

    A.  The name and address of each complainant;
    B.  The date and nature of the complaint;
    C.  A summary of the Permittee's investigation;
    D.  A summary of the Permittee's determination, including details of any mitigation activities; and
    E.  Cost of mitigation activity  for each complaint.

    Full mitigation shall not exceed 180 days from complaint receipt, unless additional time is granted by
    the District.  A summary of the  investigations of complaint and mitigation activities, related to the TBC
    Water Supply Project operations for the annual reporting periods shall be provided, and reported in the
    Annual Report.

15.  CAPPING WELLS NOT IN USE

    Within 60 days of permit issuance, any wells constructed during the Tampa  Bypass Canal Linear
    Wellfield hydrogeologic testing program (1997), that are not proposed for continued monitoring shall

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Permit No.:    2011796.00
Permittee:     Tampa Bay Water, A Regional Water Supply Authority
Page:         17
   be capped in a watertight manner.  These wells shall, within two (2) years after permit issuance be
   plugged and abandoned in accordance with Chapter 62-532.500(4) F.S. and Chapter 40D-3.531(2).

16. ANNUAL REPORT

   A. GENERAL INFORMATION AND DATA
       The Permittee shall provide a comprehensive and concise annual report ("Annual Report") to the
       District which describes the operation of the TBC Regional Pumping Facility covered under this
       permit. Information collected through the following conditions of this permit shall be included in
       this Annual Report:

       The Operations Plan
       Conservation Reporting
       Water Distribution Data
       Meter Calibration, Testing and Maintenance Program
       Investigation of Complaints

       Data sources shall be referenced in the Annual Report, but no raw data shall be included in the
       report. Only essential text, graphs, and tables should be included in the report.  Six copies of the
       Annual Report shall be  submitted to the Permits Data Section by July 1 of each year. The Annual
       Report shall cover the preceding water year period from October 1 to September 30.

       Operations Plan implementation, water quantity and water distribution information collectertfbrthis
       permit shall be summarized for the annual reporting period.  A population estimate for the annual
       reporting period, which includes only those served by the municipal system within the defined
       service areas, shall be provided and referenced. The quantities of water delivered to and used-wrmin
       the service area of each member government of Tampa Bay Water over the annual reporting period
       shall be used with the population estimate to determine a per capita use rate for the period. Any
       changes to the service area boundaries shall be described in the text and plotted on-a-map.

   B.  TBC WATER SUPPLY PROJECT ANNUAL REPORTS
       The Permittee shall provide  a concise individual annual report ("Surface Water Diversion and
       Withdrawal Annual Report") to the District which provides a compilation of data collected during
       the course of the year as part of the final approved HBMP plan. The Surface Water.Di version and
       Withdrawal Annual Report shall concisely summarize the elements listed below, and any other
       elements within this permit which require annual environmental reporting, with emphasis on the
       interactions between these elements, where appropriate. Six copies of each Surface Water Diversion
       and Withdrawal Annual Report shall be submitted to the Permits Data Section by July 1 of each
       year. The Wellfield Annual Reports shall cover the preceding water year from October 1 to
       September 30.

       1.  HYDROLOGIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

          a) Data collected as a part of MONITORING OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITION -
          HYDROLOGICAL MONITORING Special Conditions shall be summarized and analyzed
          by the Permittee to  document any effects of surface water diversions and withdrawals on the

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Permit No.:    2011796.00
Permittee:     Tampa Bay Water, A Regional Water Supply Authority
Page:         18
           lower Hillsborough River below Tampa Dam, TBC, Palm River, and McKay Bay and the
           cumulative effects to the Tampa Bay estuary.  Each annual report will contain a HBMP data
           report of all raw data collected during the past year. A brief summary of any recommended
           changes to the monitoring requirements shall be included. More comprehensive analyses for
           the HBMP shall be included in the HBMP Interpretive reports which shall be submitted for each
           periodic cycle as defined in the final approved HBMP plan.

           b) The Annual Report shall include an update  of the status of plans to use additional surface
           water or ground-water storage facilities to increase water supplies available from the enhanced
           surface  water system, which includes the Hillsborough River, Tampa Bypass Canal, and Alafia
           River surface water sources.  This update shall describe the size, location infrastructure and
           permitting status of any water storage facilities that are being considered for use. The effects
           of these storage facilities for improving water supply yields from the enhanced surface water
           system shall be discussed. Should additional water storage facilities become available that could
           alleviate or prevent unacceptable environmental impacts, then alternative withdrawal schedules
           will be evaluated.

       2.   INVESTIGATION OF COMPLAINTS
           A summary of the investigations of all complaints concerning adverse impacts to existing legal
           users, land uses and environmental features, as well as all of the Permittee's efforts to mitigate
           such adverse impacts, shall be provided for each reporting period. This summary shall include:

           a)  Number and type of complaint(s);
           b)  Number and type of mitigation activiry(ies): and
           c)  Number and type of complaint(s) which did not require mitigation activity.

       3.   OTHER
           All reports specified to be included in the Wellfield Annual Reports by conditions of this permit
           shall be so included.

17. TIME EXTENSIONS

   Unless specified otherwise, time extensions to condition deadlines may be granted upon written request
   to the District, provided that the request is made prior to the deadline, the Permittee has demonstrated
   a good faith effort in meeting the deadline set forth in the condition, and a reasonable modified deadline
   is proposed by  the Permittee. However, the extensions provided for in this shall not 'apply to the
   Pumpage Schedule and Available Quantities Specific Condition of this permit.
18. MODIFICATION OR REVOCATION OF PERMIT BY DISTRICT

   Nothing in this permit is intended, nor shall anything herein be construed, to replace, limit or impair the
   District's right to modify or revoke this permit in accordance with applicable law.

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Permit No.:    2011796.00
Permittee:     Tampa Bay Water, A Regional Water Supply Authority
Page:         19
19. OTHER LIMITATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

    A. Should the Permittee's ownership of the lands and facilities encompassed within this permit change
       such that the Permittee takes ownership of the surface water intake points, pumping facilities, and
       transmission lines only, with the remainder of the associated lands reverting to ownership by
       Member Governments, impacts to such lands shall not be considered "offsite land-use impacts"
       within the meaning of Rule 40D-2.301(l)(h) and Section 4.7 of the Basis of Review for Water Use
       Permitting.

    B. The remedies for violation of this permit are cumulative. Thus, the pursuit of one remedy shall not
       preclude the pursuit of other remedies provided by this permit or by applicable law. The pursuit of
       any remedy provided in this permit or by applicable law shall not constitute a forfeiture or waiver
       of any  other remedy. The waiver of one violation shall not be deemed a waiver of any other
       violation. Forbearance to  enforce one or more of the remedies provided by this permit or by
       applicable law on an event of violation shall not be deemed or construed to constitute a waiver of
       the right to any remedy for that violation.

20. MINIMUM FLOWS FOR HTLLSBOROUGH RIVER AND TAMPA BYPASS CANAL

    The District anticipates establishment of minimum flows for the Hillsborough River and TBC during
    the term of this permit. If during the course of consideration of minimum flows for the Hillsborough
    River and TBC it is determined that additional hydrologic, biologic, or chemical data is needed in order
    to assess minimum flows, the District and the Permittee shall work collaboratively to achieve a mutually
    acceptable data collection program. Should a mutually acceptable program not be accomplished, the
    District may require modification of this permit.

    Once minimum flows are established, this water use permit may be subject to additional comprehensive
    review by the District during the term of this permit. The decision as to the need for further modification
    or review of the permit shall  be made by the District after  adoption of minimum flows for ihe
    Hillsborough River and Tampa Bypass Canal systems.

STANDARD CONDITIONS;   '

1.  The Permittee shall comply with the Standard Conditions attached hereto, incorporated herein by
    reference as Exhibit "C" and made a part hereof.
Authorized Signature
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT

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             EXHIBIT A
HILLSBOROUGH RIVER FLOW DIVERSIONS
        FOR 10%-30% OF FLOW
Flo* Off Dim Before
Divenioni
(MCD'CFS)
97/150
98/151
9S/I52
99/1 SJ
100/154
100/155
101/156
101/157
102/151
103/159
103/160
104/161
105/162
105/163
106/164
107/165
107/166
I0&'167
108/168
109/169
110/170
110/171
111/172
112/173
112/174
113/175
1U/I76
114/177
115/171
11&/179
II6/IU
1 17/111
118/182
118/183
Divenioni
(MGD/CFS)
9.7/15.0
9.8/15.1
9.4/1 5 J
9.9/ISJ
10.0/15.4
IO.O/15J
10.1/15.6
10. I/I 5.7
10.2/15.8
IOJ/IS.9
10.3/16.0
10.4/16.1
10.5/16.2
10.S/I6J
10.6/16.4
10.7/16.5
10.7/16/6
1 1.0/17.0
11.6/IS.O
12J/19.0
12.9/20.0
I3JV21.0
14.2/22.0
14.9/U.O
15i74.0
I6J/25.0
I6J/26.0
17.4/27.0
I8.I/M.O
11.7/29.0
19.4/30.0
20.00 1.0
20.7/32.0
21.3/33.0
P»rc«m
Divenioni
10.00
10.00
10.00
10.00
10.00
10.00
10.00
10.00
10.00
10.00
10.00
10.00
10.00
10.00
10.00
10.00
10.00
10.18
10.71
11.24
11.76
12JI
12.79
13.29
13.79
14.29
14.77
15.25
15.73
16 JO
16.67
17.13
17.58
18.03
Flow Over Dim Before
Divenioni
(MCD/CFS)
119/184
120/115
120/IM
121/187
121/188
121/189
123/190
123/191
124/192
125/193
IIS.' IX
126/195
127/196
127/197
12X/I9S
128/199
129/200
130701
130/202
131/203
132/204
132/205
133/206
134/207
134/208
135/209
136/710
136/211
137/212
138/213
138/214
139/215


Divenioni
(MCD/CFS)
22.0/34.0
22.6/35.0
23J/36.0
23.9/37.0
24.6/38.0
25.2/39.0
25J/40.0
26.5/41.0
27.1/42.0
274/43.0
28.4/44.0
29.1/45.0
29.7/46.0
30.4/47.0
31.0/48.0
31.7/49.0
32J/SO.O
33.0/51.0
33.6/52.0
34.2/53.0
34.9/54.0
35.5/55.0
36.2/56.0
36.8/57.0
37.5/68.0
38.I/59J
Mi/60.0
39.4/61.0
40.1/62.0
40.7/63.0
41.4/64.0
41. 7/64 J


Percent
Divenioni
18.48
18.92
I9JS
19.79
20.21
20.63
21.05
21.47
21JS
22.28
22.68
23.08
23.47
23 M
1AM
24.42
2i.oe
2SJ7
2SJ4-
26JI
26.47
26J3
27.18
27 J4
27.88
28:23
28J7
28.91
29 OS
29 J8
29.91
30.00



-------
              EXHIBIT B
HILLSBOROUGH RIVER FLOWS/DIVERSIONS
DATE
1975
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
AVERAGE
ANNUAL .
AVERAGE
FLOW
OVER DAM
(MOD)
176
108
28
167
370
55
74
259
368
150
139
148
191
212
31
11
118
63
51
173
210
148
ANNUAL
AVERAGE
DIVERSION
(MGD)
41.5
25:9
5.7
39.3
55.4
11.9
20.8
57.6
74.1
40.8
27.0
38.3
32.6
37.5
7.0
0.8
27.5
17.0
12.8
35.3
45.2
31.0

-------
             EXHIBIT B Cont.
TAMPA BYPASS CANAL FLOWS/WITHDRAWALS
DATE
1975
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
AVERAGE
ANNUAL
AVERAGE
FLOW
OVERS- 160
(MGD)
29
21
24
26
256
42
28
115
205
56
123
44
103
163
23
33
51
87
63
75
91
79
ANNUAL
AVERAGE
WITHDRAWAL
(MGD)
21.07
14.40
16.5
18.32
35.88
30.52
19.61
40.74
43.22
30.78
20.15
31.96
29.66
13.38
15.40
24.22
33.15
39.37
43.68
40.52
56.68
29.49

-------
                                             40D-2
                                           Exhibit "C"

                             WATER USE PERMIT CONDITIONS

STANDARD CONDITIONS

1.  If any of the statements in the application and in the supporting data are found to be untrue and
    inaccurate, or if the Permittee fails to comply with all of the provisions of Chapter 373, F.S., Chapter
    40D, or the conditions set forth herein, the Governing Board shall revoke this permit in accordance with
    Rule 40D-2.341, following notice and hearing.

2.  This permit is issued based on information provided by the Permittee demonstrating that the use of water
    is reasonable and beneficial, consistent with the public interest, and will not interfere with any existing
    legal use of water.  If, during the term of the permit, it is determined by the District that the use is not
    reasonable and beneficial, in the public interest, or does impact an existing legal use of water, the
    Governing Board shall modify this permit or shall revoke this permit following notice and hearing.

3.  The Permittee shall not  deviate from any of the terms or conditions of this permit without written
    approval by the District.

4.  In the event the District declares that a Water Shortage exists pursuant to Chapter 40D-21, the District
    shall alter, modify, or declare inactive  all or parts of this permit as necessary to address the water
    shortage.

5.  The District shall collect  water samples  from any withdrawal point listed in the permit or shall require
    the Permittee to submit water samples  when the District determines there is a potential for adverse
    impacts to water quality.

6.  The Permittee shall provide access to an authorized District representative to enter the property at any
    reasonable time to inspect  the facility and make environmental  or hydrologic  assessments.   The
    Permittee shall either accompany District staff onto the property or make provision for access onto the
    property.

7.  Issuance of this permit does not exempt the Permittee from any other District permitting requirements.

8.  The Permittee shall cease or reduce surface water withdrawal as directed by the District if water levels
    in lakes fall below applicable minimum water level established in Chapter 40D-8 or rates of flow in
    streams fall below the minimum levels established in Chapter 40D-8.

9.  The Permittee shall  cease or reduce withdrawal as directed by the District if water levels in aquifers fall
    below the minimum levels established by the Governing Board.

10. The Permittee shall practice water conservation to increase the efficiency of transport, application, and
    use, as well as to decrease waste and  to minimize runoff from the property. At such time as the
    Governing Board adopts specific conservation requirements for the Permittee's water use classification,
    this permit  shall be subject to those requirements upon  notice and after a reasonable period for
    compliance.

-------
 11. The District may establish special regulations for Water Use Caution Areas.  At such time as the
    Governing Board adopts such provisions, this permit shall be subject to them upon notice and after a
    reasonable period for compliance.

 12. The Permittee shall mitigate, to the satisfaction of the District, any adverse impact to existing legal uses
    caused by withdrawals.  When adverse impacts occur or are imminent, the District shall  require the
    Permittee to mitigate the impacts. Adverse impacts include:
    a.  A reduction in water levels which impairs the ability of a well to produce water;
    b.  Significant reduction in levels or flows in water bodies such as lakes, impoundments, wetlands,
       springs, streams or other watercourses; or
    c.  Significant inducement of natural or manmade contaminants into a water supply or into a usable
       portion of any aquifer or water body.

 13. The Permittee shall mitigate to the satisfaction of the District any adverse impact to environmental
    features or offsite land uses as a result of withdrawals.  When adverse impacts occur or are imminent,
    the District shall require the Permittee to mitigate the impacts. Adverse impacts include the following:
    a.  Significant reduction in levels or flows in water bodies such as lakes, impoundments, wetlands,
       springs, streams, or other watercourses;
    b.  Sinkholes or subsidence caused by reduction in water levels;
    c.  Damage to crops and other vegetation causing  financial harm to the owner; and
    d.  Damage to the habitat of endangered or threatened species.

14. When necessary to analyze impacts to the water resource or existing users, the District shall require the
    Permittee to install flow metering or other measuring devices to record withdrawal quantities and submit
    the data to the District.

15. A District identification tag shall be prominently displayed at each withdrawal point by permanently
    affixing the tag to the withdrawal facility.

16. The Permittee shall notify the District within 30 days of the sale or conveyance of permitted_water-
    withdrawal facilities or the land on which the facilities are located.

17. Ail permits issued pursuant to these Rules are contingent upon continued ownership or legal control of
    all property on which pumps, wells, diversions or other water withdrawal facilities are located.

-------
APPENDIX D - CORRESPONDENCE

-------
Water Resource
  ASSOCIATES
                  May 21, 2001

                  Mr. John Hamilton
                  US Environmental Protection Agency
                  Region IV
                  61 Forsyth St., SW
                  Atlanta, GA 30303

                  Re:    Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir (TBRR) EIS

                  Dear John:

                  This  is a  follow-up to our conversation  whether the inclusion of
                  information  generated  by  Hillsborough  County, in  support of the
                  evaluation  of  the TBRR,  would be  included in the Environmental
                  Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed  reservoir.   Based on our
                  discussion, it was decided  rather than including documents or parts of
                  documents, that you would prefer to reference and briefly describe this
                  data in the EIS.

                  To accomplish  this, I have included references  and  a  description of
                  three  items that  we are requesting  be  included  in  the EIS.  This
                  information is provided  to you both in hard copy  and electronically for
                  your use.

                  ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT FOR THE PROPOSED
                  TAMPA BAY, FLORIDA WATER WITHDRAWAL PROJECTS

                  A study was   conducted  by Hillsborough  County to  determine  if
                  environmental  effects from  withdrawals of freshwater water from the
                  Hillsborough  River,  the  Alafia  River  and the  Tampa   Bypass
                  Canal/Palm River would occur with  respect to marine  life in Tampa
                  Bay.  These impacts could  be caused  by changes in the temperature
                  and salinity distributions that may result from these withdrawals.  The
                  entire Bay was considered  with  a special focus on the  above named
                  rivers and on McKay and Hillsborough Bays because of their proximity
                  to the proposed withdrawal sites.
                          I4S02 NORTH DALE HABRY HWY. SUITE 226  TAMPA, FLORIDA 33618
                                 PHONE: 8I3-265-3I30  FAX: 8I3-26S-66IO
                                      www.wraconsultants.com

-------
Mr. John Hamilton, US Environmental Protection Agency
May 21, 2001
  A well-tested and extensively used three-dimensional hydrodynamic circulation model
  was developed to encompass all of Tampa Bay including the rivers and tributaries
  delivering freshwater into the bay. The study period of calendar years' 1998 and 1999
  was chosen from a 40-year record of freshwater inflows  into the  bay because they
  represented extreme  conditions, relatively  wet and  dry  years.   Water withdrawal
  scenarios  from the Hillsborough  River, the Alafia River and  the  Tampa  Bypass
  Canal/Palm River were constructed based on specifications in the Enhanced Surface
  Water System permitted withdrawal schedule.

  An analysis of the changes in the bay, as a result  of the  withdrawals, indicates that
  only the region where any detectible change  can be  found is in the area  of the
  withdrawals themselves.
                     •i
  No changes were apparent anywhere in the  vicinity of  the  proposed desalination
  facility and  no  changes in temperature were found anywhere in the entire river/bay
  system.

  Changes in salinity due to the withdrawals will be confined to the Hillsborough River,
  the Alafia River, and the Tampa Bypass Canal/Palm River and the McKay Bay portion
  of the bay.  The model results show salinity increases when compared to background
  of 1.5-psu, 20% of the time in the Hillsborough River.  There is a 1  to 2-psu increase
  of salinity in the surface waters of the Tampa Bypass Canal.  The Alafia River shows
  minor increases in salinity in the range of 0.5 to  1-psu with  infrequent bursts of 2 to 3-
  psu upstream.   The organisms  now  present  in the river will  tolerate the  salinity
  changes that will result from river withdrawal and no significant changes will occur to
  the ecology of the river as a result of withdrawal.

  The Palm River is largely a degraded habitat and proposed river withdrawals are not
  expected to  lead to further significant degradation  of the biota.  Although the flow
  patterns  of the  Alafia River have been altered less than the other two river-estuarine
  systems, the habitat, especially the benthic  habitat, cannot be defined as "healthy".
  The slight increases that will occur in salinity when withdrawal is permitted will easily
  be tolerated by the oligohaline and low mesohaline species  occurring presently.
"Seawater Desalination Brine Disposal Investigation"; Alan F. Blumberg, Ph. Dand Norman Blake,
Ph. D; Hillsborough County, Florida; Draft May 2001

-------
Mr. John Hamilton, US Environmental Protection Agency
May 21,2001
HILLSBOROUGH INDEPENDENT MONITORING PROGRAM (HIMP)

In mid-1999, the Board  of County Commissioners authorized EPC to develop  an
independent  monitoring  program with the objective  of  establishing  sufficient pre-
operational and post-operational observations to determine any environmental change
in the rivers and  near shore ecological  communities of the Tampa  Bay estuary,
particular to the areas of study, which are contiguous to Hillsborough County.

The  Hillsborough Independent  Monitoring Program (HIMP)  has three components:
water quality monitoring, benthic invertebrate and sediments monitoring, and  vegetative
analysis. Areas of monitoring include the lower Hillsborough River, the Alafia River, the
Palm River and McKay Bay, the Hillsborough Bay, and the area adjacent to the location
of the proposed desalination facility at Big Bend,  referred  to generally as the Apollo
Beach embayment. The Little Manatee  River is monitored as a control site.

Water   quality    monitoring    is    conducted   for    the    typical     criteria
(conductivity,  dissolved oxygen, temperature,  chlorophyll, etc.)  Sampling is conducted
throughout  the rivers and bays named. Generally, three types of sampling are done.
Synoptic surveys involve traversing the sampled  water body  by boat and  deploying
electronic monitors (Hydrolab Surveyor) to take water column measurements at multiple
locations.  Continuous  moveable monitoring involves deploying multi-probe  electronic
monitors (Hydrolab  Datasondes)  throughout  the sampled  water  body.   These
instruments are programmed to collect data at fifteen-minute intervals over  a 72-hour
continuous  period before they are retrieved.  Finally, limited numbers of continuous
fixed electronic monitors (Campbell Model AMJ 99) are set on  pilings to continuously
record salinity and dissolved oxygen at  top and bottom of the water column every fifteen
minutes. This data is stored and periodically recovered by boat.

The  benthic invertebrate and sediment monitoring is designed to provide a statistically
defensible method for characterizing the status of the benthic community and compiling
data  on sediments  analyzed for  trace metals,  polycyclic aromatic  hydrocarbons,
organochlorine  pesticides, and polychlorinated biphenyls:  The study design is  the
stratified-random probability based  approach developed  for  EMAP.   The  desired
criterion was that the  study design could detect at least a 20% change in mean species
richness 80% of the time at a p = 0.05 (confidence level = 95%).

The vegetative component of the HIMP is focused principally on the Alafia River, and is
meant to provide ground-truthed inventories  and  evaluations of vegetative transects
along the  shoreline  of the river.  The objective  is to characterize  key locations  of
transitions between salt tolerant and freshwater  dependent vegetation, so  as to note
significant change in composition and location over time.

-------
 Mr. John Hamilton, US Environmental Protection Agency
 May 21. 2001
The water quality and benthic monitoring components of the HIMP have completed
early  two years of  monitoring  to date, and numerous data reports have been
published (and are available) at the agency. This year will mark the first vegetative
analysis conducted by the HIMP.

TAMPA BAY REGIONAL RESERVOIR FLOOD INUNDATION MAPPING

In October 2000, the Hillsborough County Commission retained the firm of Applied
Technology and Management (ATM), to produce inundation mapping  for the Tampa
Bay Regional Reservoir (TBRR). Although this mapping was to be produced by Tampa
Bay Water (TBW), there was a  disagreement between the County and TBW on when
the appropriate time  was to develop this mapping. Hillsborough County believed that it
was appropriate to have this information as part of the upfront permitting process to
determine public health and safety issues.  TBW disagreed and said they would provide
the mapping before the reservoir was charged or filled from captured surface water.

Meetings with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Dam Safety
Officer and the  Hillsborough County Emergency Operations  Director  were held to
determine the  appropriate dam  break scenarios  and other parameters to consider for
the inundation maps.   Based  on  these  meetings  the following scenarios were
developed:

   1.     A northwest breech in the Fishhawk Creek  watershed and a  breech in the
         southeast berm adjacent to Wendel Avenue.
   2.     The breech considered a failure at the toe of the berm and not an overtopping
         scenario;
   3.     Downstream conditions considered  three separate antecedent conditions:
         the  probable maximum precipitation, the  100-year flood event and the fair
         weather condition; and
   4.     The dam break considered that the dam was full at the time of failure.
Model runs were calibrated and depicted graphically using 1-foot contour mapping. The
final product depicts the different breech scenarios and timing of the flood wave as it is
generated and moves down gradient.  The modeling is currently being used to draft the
amendment to the County's Emergency Operations Action Plan and is also being used
by County planners in reviewing zoning and development of regional impact requests.

-------
Mr. John Hamilton, US Environmental Protection Agency
May 21, 2001

This information generated  and the  programs developed are extremely  important to
Hillsborough County as the  host government for this major water supply  project.   We
request that the consultants developing the EIS will review this information and that it
will be referenced in the document.
If you need any clarification of the information sent or need any additional information,
don't hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,     /I
Peter G. Hubbell
Principal

Cc:   GaryKuhl, HCWRT
      Mario Cabana, HCWRT
      Ed Helvenston, HCWRT
      RickGarrity,  HCEPC
      Darrell Howton, HCEPC
      Rick Tchsantz, HCEPC
      Tony D'Aquila, HCEPC

-------
  <«  %          UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
                                        REGION 4
                                ATLANTA FEDERAL CENTER
                                   61 FORSYTH STREET
                               ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30303-8960
Dr. Joseph Powers, Acting Regional Administrator
National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Region
9721 Executive Center Drive, North
St Petersburg, Florida 33702
Subj:         Early Coordination with the National Marine Fisheries Service on Threatened and
              Endangered Species on the Proposed Tampa Bay Water Reservoir and Pipeline
              Request for Listed Species of Concern in Project Area

Dear Dr. Powers:

       In accordance with Section 7 (a) (2) of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will be requesting consultation with the National
Marine Fisheries Service regarding potential impacts on threatened and endangered (T&E)
species at a site in Hillsborough County, Florida. The purpose of this letter is to advise you of
the proposed project and to allow for early coordination between National Marine Fisheries
Service and EPA.

       EPA is providing partial funding in the amount of $12.6 million to assist Tampa Bay
Water to construct a 1200-acre reservoir and pipeline situated in Hillsborough County south of
the Alafia River. A summary of preliminary information concerning the project is attached and
provides a general project overview. The Alafia River intake structure component of the project
is not included in the EIS.

       EPA will determine if these actions are likely to jeopardize the continued existence of any
listed species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of critical habitats.  A biological
assessment is being prepared and  should be available, along with a draft EIS, by approximately
mid-2001.

       EPA wishes to determine early in the preparation of the EIS if National Marine Fisheries
Service has any special concerns for any T&E species found in the project area. Eleven T&E
species potentially found in the project area have been identified thus far by the Authority, and
we will consult internet sites and other sources for information. EPA requests that National
Marine Fisheries Service alert us if there are new or proposed listings of species that should be
included in our biological opinion.
                              Internet Address (URL) • http://www.epa.gov
            Recycled/Recyclable • Printed with Vegetable Oil Based Inks on Recycled Paper (Minimum 30% Postconsumer)

-------
      Thank you for your assistance in this matter.  Please feel free to call me at 404.562.9617
if more information is needed.

                                      Sincerely,
                                       John B. Hamilton
                                       Project Officer
Enclosure
cc:
      Fred C. Pinkney, Ph.D.
      Bums & McDonnell
      9400 Ward Parkway
      Kansas City, MO  64114
      Amanda Rice, HIT
      Environmental Engineer
      Tampa Bay Water
      2535 Landmark Drive, Suite 211
      Clearwater, FL 33761-3930

-------
                                  ATTACHMENT

BACKGROUND - Tampa Bay Water is proposing to construct and operate an above-ground
water storage facility to be known as the Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir. The reservoir will
store untreated raw surface water diverted during high flow conditions from the Hillsborough
River, the Tampa Bypass Canal,  and the Alafia River. This stored water is for use during dry
periods when no surface water can be diverted. The first 60 mgd of raw water withdrawn from
one or more of the three surface sources will be treated at the new Tampa Bay Water Regional
wastewater treatment plant and then pumped into Tampa Bay Water's regional distribution
system.  About 1,900 acres are need to contain the 1,200-acre reservoir, associated roads,
stormwater collection system, and buffer zones. The reservoir will have capacity of
approximately 15 billion gallons, will be constructed by year 2004, and will likely take one year
to fill. It is estimated that the reservoir will increase sustainable yield from surface water
diversions approximately 25-mgd to 50-60 mgd annually.

BIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT - EPA and its contractor Bums and McDonnell will prepare a
biological assessment to satisfy the requirements of Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act.
The biological assessment will utilize information developed by the local water authorities on
streamflow depletions to assess the effects of federally listed species, specifically the magnitude,
timing, frequency and duration of estimated water depletions  on a monthly basis throughout the
river reach area under various operating scenarios.  The biological assessment shall address the
following:

•     description of the status, known occurrences, and habitat and life requirements of the
      species
•     potential impacts of the federally threatened or endangered species which are expected to
      occur in the project area
•     potential for the project to impact critical habitat for the continued existence of each
      species
•     provide an analysis indicating reasons for impacts

The threatened and endangered species that could be included in the biological assessment are:
•     eastern indigo snake
•     sand skink
•     Florida grasshopper sparrow
•     Florida scrub jay
•     crested caracara
•     bald eagle
•     wood stork
•     Highlands scrub hypercium
•     Small's jointweed
•     hairy jointweed
•     paper-like nailwort

-------
The biological assessment will provide one of the following conclusions:

•      the proposed project is unlikely to adversely affect any federally-listed species or
       candidate species
•      the proposed project may adversely affect one or more federally-listed species or
       candidate species

-------
Master  Water Plan
  The Plan Include* a progressive conservation program with
  the goal of reducing per capita use by 1O mgd hi 20OO and
  17 mgd In 3OOO.
       Board-Approved Projects

      Projected Capacities - MOD

  Stage B Projects (Final Design. Prop Acquisition)
   Brandon Urban Dispersed Walla                    6
   North Central Intertle
   Seawater Desalination                          25
   Enhanced Surface Water System (IncludingTampa        eo
     Bypass Canal/HlUsboroagh Rrver High Water,
     Alafla Rr*er,8oath Central Intertle,Tampa Bay
     Regional Reservoir. Regional Water Treatment Plant)
   Brandon/ South-Central Connection
   Loop 72 Phaae A

  Stage A Projects (Feasibility. Prelim Design)
   Cone Ranch ft Dispersed Wells                     12*
   BracUah Water Desalination                     4-1O*
   Cjrpresa Bridge II                            4(mu)

  Developmental Alternatives (Concept, PtocusatonJ

   Seawater DesaHnatton II
  Estimate of capacity. Permit applications will be baaed on
  optimized capacity within the limits of sound environmental
  practice.
LEGEND

•   Existing Facilities

|   New Water Supplies

/   New Pipelines / Interties

JL.   New Water Treatment Plant
 .                   I
+   Potential Brackish Water Desalination Site
TAMPA
BAY
WATER
Supplying Water To The Region
                                         PASCO
                                         COUNTY
                           Cypress Creek
                           Wellfleld
                            Cypress Bridge Wellfleld


                              Cypress Bridge II
  t
  i
Coarne
Od&ssa
Wellfleld
   \
                 Loop 72
                 Phase A
Cone
Ranch
Dispersed
Wells
                   Nort
                   Cent
                   HUls
                                                                                                    Tunpa
                                                                                                    Bypass
                                                                                                    Canal
                                                                                                    Supply
 N.W. Hills
Reg. Wellfleld
                                                                                                                 Brandon
                                                                                                                 Urban
                                                                                                                 Dispersed
                                                                                                                 Wens
                                                           Brackish
                                                            Water
                                                         Desalination

                                                                 *
                                      Brandon / South-
                                      Central Connection
                                                            PINELLAS
                                                            COUNTY
                                             Soufh^TIentral
                                             Hlllsbotough
                                             Wellfle
                                                                                                        Ala/la
                                                                                                        River
                                                                                                        Project
         Seawater
       Desalination
                                          lampa Bay
                                          Regional
                                          Reservoir
                                  HILLSBOROUGH
                                  COUNTY
                                                                                                                    •DF9S-11 >• M.CDa/DMB
                                                                                                                        11/30/1 MS

-------
                                               UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
                                               National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
                                               NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE

                                               Southeast Regional Office
                                               9721 Executive Center Drive North
                                               St. Petersburg, FL 33702
                                               (727) 570-5312, FAX 570-5517
                                               http://calderasero.nmfs.gov
                                        FEB   2  2001
                                                                           F/SER3:EGH:mdh
Mr. John B. Hamilton
Project Officer
United States Environmental Protection Agency
61 Forsyth Street
Atlanta, GA 30303-8960

We received and reviewed your letter dated January 19, 2001, concerning the proposed Tampa Bay
Water Reservoir and Pipeline, and request for a list of species of concern in the project area.  You have
requested early coordination pursuant to section 7 consultation requirements of the Endangered
Species Act of 1973. We have assigned log number I/SER/2001/00068 to this consultation.  Please
refer to this number in future correspondence on this project.

Enclosed is a list of Federally listed species under the jurisdiction of the National Marine Fisheries
Service for the state of Florida (West Coast).

If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Lee, fishery biologist, at the number listed above,
or by email atjennifer.lee@jioaa.gov.
                                               Sincerely,
                                               Katherine R Wang
                                               Acting Assistant Regional Administrator
                                               for Protected Resources
Enclosure

cc:  F/PR3
o:\section7\informal\Hamilton.wpd

File: 1514-22.k.l

-------
                     -Endangered and Threatened Species and Critical Habitats
                   under the Jurisdiction of the National Marine Fisheries Service
                                            Florida - Gulf Coast
Listed Species
Marine Mammals
blue whale
Finback whale
humpback whale
sei whale
sperm whale
Turtles
green sea turtle
hawksbill sea turtle
Kemp's ridley sea turtle
leatherback sea turtle
loggerhead sea turtle
Fish
gulf sturgeon
Scientific Name

Balaenoptera musculus
Balaenoptera physalus
Megaptera novaeangliae
Balaenoptera borealis
Physeter macrocephalus

Chelonia mydas
Eretmochelys imbricata
Lepidochelys kempl
Dermochelys coriacea
Caretta caretta

Acipenser oxyrhynichus desotoi
Status

Endangered
Endangered
Endangered
Endangered
Endangered

Endangered1
Endangered
Endangered
Endangered
Threatened

Threatened
Date Listed

12/02/70
12/02/70
12/02/70
12/02/70
12/02/70

07/28/78
06/02/70
12/02/70
06/02/70
07/28/78

07/28/78
Species Proposed for Listing
       None
Designated Critical Habitat
       None

Proposed Critical Habitat
       None
        Candidate Species2
                Fish
 dusky shark
 sand tiger shark
 night shark
 saltmarsh topminnow
 Alabama shad
 mangrove rivulus
 Key silverside
 speckled hind
 jewfish
 Warsaw grouper
 Nassau grouper
         Scientific Name
Carcharhinus obscurus
Odontaspis taurus
Carcharinus signatus
Fundulus jenkensi
Alosa alabamae
Rivulus marmoratus
Menidia conchorum
Epinephelus drummondhayi
Epinephelus itajara
Epinephelus nigntus
Epinephelus striatus
       2. Candidate species are not protected under the Endangered Species Act. but concerns about their status indicate that they may
       warrant listing In the future.  Federal agencies and the public are encouraged to consider these species during project planning so
       that future listings may be avoided.
              1 Green turtles are listed as threatened, except for breeding populations of green turtles In Florida and on the Pacific
       Coast of Mexico, which are listed as endangered.
       o:\forms\flgc_can.sl (revised 6/7/99)

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                   UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
I"        4                              REGION 4
                                  ATLANTA FEDERAL CENTER
                                  100 ALABAMA STREET. S.W.
                                ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30303-3104
                                       - i : i Jj I'i
                                       1 - ^.»  '  '
                                      v,'..» -i.  d
  Jay Slack, Field Supervisor
  US Fish & Wildlife Service
  Box 2676
  Vero Beach, Florida  32961-2676
  Subj:         Early Coordination with the US Fish & Wildlife Service on Threatened and
               Endangered Species on the Proposed Tampa Bay Water Reservoir and Pipeline
               Request for Listed Species of Concern in Project Area

  Dear Mr. Slack:

        In accordance with Section 7 (a) (2) of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the
  Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will be requesting consultation with the U.S. Fish and
  Wildlife Service (FWS) regarding potential impacts on threatened and endangered (T&E) species
  at a site in Hillsborough County, Florida.  The purpose of this letter is to advise you of the
  proposed project and to allow for early coordination between FWS and EPA.

        EPA is providing partial funding in the amount of $12.6  million to assist Tampa Bay
  Water to construct a 1200-acre reservoir and pipeline situated in Hillsborough County south of
  the Alafia River.  A summary of preliminary information concerning the project is attached and
  provides a general project overview. The Alafia River intake structure component of the project
  is not included in the EIS.

        EPA will determine if these actions are likely to jeopardize the continued existence of any
  listed species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of critical habitats.  A biological
  assessment is being prepared and should be available, along with a draft EIS, by approximately
  mid-2001.

        EPA wishes to determine early in the preparation of the EIS if FWS has any special
  concerns for any T&E species found in the project area.  Eleven T&E species potentially found
  in the project area have been identified thus far by the Authority, and we will consult internet
  sites and other sources for information. EPA requests  that FWS alert us if there are new or
  proposed listings of species that should be included in  our biological opinion.

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       Thank you for your assistance in this matter. Please feel free to call me at 404.562.9617
if more information is needed.

                                       Sincerely,
                                       John B. Hamilton
                                       Project Officer
Enclosure
cc:    USFWS
      Cynthia Dohner, Chief
      Division of Endangered Species
      1875 Century Blvd, Suite 200
      Atlanta, GA  30345

      Fred C. Pinkney, Ph.D.
      Bums & McDonnell
      9400 Ward Parkway
      Kansas City, MO  64114

      Amanda Rice, EIT
      Environmental Engineer
      Tampa Bay Water
      2535 Landmark Drive, Suite 211
      Clear-water, FL 33761-3930

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                                  ATTACHMENT

BACKGROUND - Tampa Bay Water is proposing to construct and operate an above-ground
water storage facility to be known as the Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir. The reservoir will
store untreated raw surface water diverted during high flow conditions from the Hillsborough
River, the Tampa Bypass Canal, and the Alafia River. This stored water is for use during dry
periods when no surface water can be diverted. The first 60 mgd of raw water withdrawn from
one or more of the three surface sources will be treated at the new Tampa Bay Water Regional
wastewater treatment plant and then pumped into Tampa Bay Water's regional distribution
system. About 1,900 acres are need to contain the 1,200-acre reservoir,  associated roads,
stormwater collection system, and buffer zones. The reservoir will have capacity of
approximately 15 billion gallons, will be constructed by year 2004, and will likely take one year
to fill. It is estimated that the reservoir will increase sustainable yield from surface water
diversions approximately 25-mgd to 50-60 mgd annually.

BIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT - EPA and its  contractor Burns and McDonnell will prepare a
biological assessment to satisfy the requirements of Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act.
The biological assessment will utilize information developed by the local water authorities on
streamflow depletions to assess the effects of federally listed  species, specifically the magnitude,
timing, frequency and duration of estimated water depletions on a monthly basis throughout the
river reach area under various operating scenarios.  The biological assessment shall address the
following:

•      description of the status, known occurrences, and habitat and life requirements of the
       species
•      potential impacts of the federally threatened  or endangered species which are expected to
       occur in the project area
•      potential for the project to impact critical habitat for the continued existence of each
       species
•      provide an analysis indicating reasons for impacts

The threatened and endangered species that could be included in the biological assessment are:
•      eastern indigo snake
•      sand skink
•      Florida grasshopper sparrow
•      Florida scrub jay
•      crested caracara
•      bald eagle
•      wood stork
•      Highlands scrub hypercium
•      Small's jointweed
•      hairy jointweed
•      paper-like nailwort

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The biological assessment will provide one of the following conclusions:

•      the proposed project is unlikely to adversely affect any federally-listed species or
       candidate species
•      the proposed project may adversely affect one or more federally-listed species or
       candidate species

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Master  Water Plan
  The Plan Includes a progressive conservation program with
  the goal of reducing per capita use by 10 mgd la 2000 and
  17 mgd In 2O06.
       Board-Approved Projects

      Projected Capacities - MGD

 Stage B Projects (Final Design. Prop Acquisition)
   Brandon Urban Dispersed Well*                    6
   North Central Intertle
   Seawater Desalination                         29
   Enhanced Surface Water System (including Tampa       60
     Bypass Canal/HUlsborough River High Water,
     Alafla River, South Central Intertie,Tampa Bay
     Regional Reservoir, Regional Water Treatment Plant)
   Brandon/ South-Central Connection
   Loop 72 Phase A

 Stage A Prefects (Feasibility, Prelim Design)
   Cone Ranch ft Dispersed Wells                    12*
   BracUsh Water Desalination                     4-10*
   Cypress Bridge II                             4(mu)

 Developmental Alternatives  (Concept, Discussion)

   Seawater Desalination II
  Estimate of capacity. Permit applications will be based on
  optimized capacity within the limits of sound environmental
  practice.
  LEGEND

  [j~l  Existing Facilities

  ^  New Water Supplies

  /  New Pipelines / Intcrtics

  JaV  New Water Treatment Plant

  •    Potential Brackish Water Desalination Site
TAMPA
D AVrffc^
PSt«m W  ipi:.*-*-.,,..
m^ % i  -8o««-

WATER
Supplying Water ToTTie Region
                                                                                                                      PASCO
                                                                                                                      COUNTY
                                                                                                        Cypress Creek
                                                                                                        Wellfleld
                                                                                                     \,° Cypress Bridge Wellfleld


                                                                                                            Cypress Bridge II
                                                                            WeUfleld «•—-—
                                                                                                              Mqrrfs Bridge
                                                                                                              Wtllfleld
                                                                                              Loop 72
                                                                                              Phase A

                                                                                                North
                                      Cone
                                      Ranch
                                      Dispersed
                                      Wefts
                                                                                 N.W. Hills
                                                                                Reg. Welineld
                                                                                                                    Brandon
                                                                                                                    Urban
                                                                                                                    Dispersed
                                                                                                                    Wells
                                                            Brackish
                                                             Water
                                                          Desalination

                                                                   *
                                Brandon / South-
                               .Central Connection
                       South
                       Central
                       Hills.
                       Intertie
                                                             PINELLAS
                                                             COUNTY
                                       South 'Central
                                       Hlllsborough
                                       Wellfleld
                                                                                                           Alafla
                                                                                                           River
                                                                                                           Project
  Seawater
Desalination
                                                                                                                        Tampa Bay
                                                                                                                        Regional
                                                                                                                        Reservoir
                                                                                                                HILLSBOROUGH
                                                                                                                COUNTY
                                                                                                                            .
                                                                                                                           i i/as/1 sas

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September 29, 2000

Name
Address
Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project Environmental Impact Statement
Request for Resource Information and Issue Identification
TAMPAEIS 00-180-4

Dear:

Burns & McDonnell has been retained by Tampa Bay Water as a third-party consultant to
assist the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in preparation of an
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project.
The purpose of this letter is to request your agency to provide input on the project. We
also request that you identify any natural resource data that would be available for the
proposed project area that could be used in the preparation of the EIS.

The purpose of this EIS is to evaluate the proposed Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir
Project, which is designed to improve the reliability and dependability of the regional
surface water system and help meet the 2005 water needs of Tampa Bay Water and its
member governments.  Tampa Bay Water is charged with providing potable water to its
six member governments - Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas counties, and the cities  of
St. Petersburg, New Port Richey, and Tampa.  To meet the terms of ground water
reduction agreements, Tampa Bay Water needs to develop 53-mgd of new water supply
by 2002 and an additional 58-mgd of supply by 2007.

The Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project is an off-stream reservoir designed to
improve the reliability and capacity of the surface water supply system.  The reservoir
would store untreated surface water diverted during high flow conditions from the
Hillsborough River, the Tampa Bypass Canal, and the Alafia River (see Figure 1). This
water is stored in the reservoir for use during dry periods when  surface water is not
available. The reservoir will be constructed by January 2004, will likely take one year to
fill, and is anticipated to be operational by January 2005.  The reservoir is designed to
increase the yield of the surface water supply system by approximately 25-mgd during
average-year conditions. At this time,  other alternatives to the regional reservoir being
considered include aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) systems.

Please provide any information you deem pertinent on the Tampa Bay Regional
Reservoir Project.  Examples of the information provided could include water rights and

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September 29, 2000
Page 2

water quality issues, protected species information, institutional concerns, locations of
sensitive environmental resources, or any other issues that you feel should be addressed
in the EIS.

We have enclosed the distribution list of the recipients of this letter for your review.
Please inform us of other agencies of offices/departments that you feel should be
contacted.

Thank you for your assistance with providing this information.  Please submit any
information by October 30, 2000.  If you have any questions or require additional
information, please contact Fred Pinkney at (816) 822-3304 or myself at (816) 822-3481.
Sincerely,
Justin Meyer
Assistant Project Manager

Enclosure

CC.    John Hamilton, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
       Amanda Rice, Tampa Bay Water
       Files

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APPENDIX E -• WILDLIFE AND VEGETATION
SPECIES LIST

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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project EIS
Fish and Wildlife Species
Common Name
Mammals
Raccoon
Armadillo
Opossum
Eastern cottontail
Gray squirrel
Pocket gopher
Cotton rat
Round-tailed muskrat
Cotton mouse
Gray fox
Skunk
Bobcat
Wild pig
White-tailed deer
Bottlenose dolphin
West Indian manatee
Reptile
Skinks
Green anole
Cuban brown anole
Six-lined racerunner
Southern fence lizard
Black racer
Eastern diamondback
Dusky pygmy rattlesnake
Eastern indigo
Garter snake
Southern ringneck snake
Yellow rat snake
Florida kingsnake
Cottonmouth moccasin
Florida watersnake
Eastern mud snake
Alligators
Florida softshell turtle
Florida chicken turtle
Florida red-bellied turtle
Stinkpot
Scientific Name
•
Procyon lotor
Dasypus novemcinctus
Didelphis marsupialis
Sylvilagus floridanus
Sciurus carolinensis
Geomys pinetis
Sigmodon hispidus
Neofiber alleni
Peromyscus gossypinus
Urocyon cinereoargentem
Spilogale putorius
Lynx rufus
Sus scrofa
Odocoileus virginianus
Tursiops truncatus
Trichechus manatus

Eumeces
Anolis carolinensis
Anolis sagrei
Cnemidophorus sexlineatus sexlineatus
Sceloporus undulatus undulatus
Coluber constrictor riapus
Cro talus adamant eus
Sistrurus miliarius barbouri
Drymarchon corals couperi
Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis
Diadophis punctatus punctatus
Elaphe obsoleta quadrivitta
Lampropeltis getula floridana
Agkistrodon piscivorus
Neroida fasciata pictiventris
Farancia abacura
Alligator mississippiensis
Apaloneferox
Deirochelys reticularia chysea
Pseudemys nelsoni
Sternotherus odoratus

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Florida box turtle
Loggerhead sea turtle
Green sea turtle
Hawksbill sea turtle
Kemp's ridley sea turtle
Peninsula ribbon snake
Birds
Red-winged blackbird
Robin
American kestrel
Common nighthawk
Belted kingfisher
Northern flicker
Eastern phoebe
Great-crested flycatcher
Eastern kingbird
Barn swallow
Tree swallow
Purple martin
Carolina wren
Great egret
Great blue heron
Snowy egret
Brown thrasher
Palm warbler
Little blue heron
Tri-colored heron
Green-backed heron
White ibis
Glossy ibis
Wood stork
Yellow-crowned night-heron
Least bittern
Impkin
Black rail
Florida mottled duck
Sandhill crane .
Coopers' hawk
Sora rail
Common yellowthroat
Amphibians
Greater siren
Dwarf siren
Two-toed amphiuma
Southern cricket frog
Terrapene Carolina bauri
Caretta caretta
Chelonia mydas
Eretmochelys imbricata
Lepidochelys kempi
Thamnophis sauritus sakenii

Agelaius phoeniceus
Turdus migrator ius
Falco sparverius
Chordeiles minor
Ceryle alcyon,
Colaptes auratus
Sayornis phoebe
Myiarchus crinitus
Tyrannus tyrannus
Hirundo rustica
Tachycineta bicolor
Progne subis
Thryothorus ludovicianus
Casmeroides albus
Ardea herodias
Egretta thula
Toxostoma rufum
Dendroica palmarum
Egretta caerulea
Egretta tricolor
Butorides striatus
Eudocimus albus
Plegadis falcinellus
Mycteria americana
Nyctanassa violacea
Ixobrychus exilis
Aramus guarauna
Laterallus jamaicensis
Anas fulvigula
Grus canadensis.
Accipiter cooper ii
Porzana Carolina
Geothlypis trichas

Siren lacertina
Pseudobranchus striatus
Amphiuma means
Acris gryllus dor sal is

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Florida chorus frog
Pig frog
Southern leopard frog
Bullfrog
Green tree frog
Squirrel tree frog
Giant toad
Narrow-mouthed toad
Eastern spadefoot toad
Urban tree frog
Fish
Mosquitofish
Least killifish
Sheepshead minnow
Sailfin molly
Flagfish
Golden topminnow
Sminole killifish
Bluefm killifish
Pigmy sunfish
Warmouth
Redear sunfish
Florida gar
Bullhead catfish
Bowfin
Coastal shiners
Spotted sunfish
Largemouth bass
Bullheads
Redfin pickerels
Pirate perch
Sand seatrout
Hardhead catfish
Spotted sea trout
Bull sharks
Black drum
Striped mullet
Bay anchovy
Yellowfin menhaden
Tidewater mojarra
Hogchoker
Largemouth bass
Redear sunfish
Bluegill sunfish
Black drum
Pseudacris nigrita verrucosa
Rana grylio
Rana utricularia
Rana catesbeiana
Hyla cineria
Hyla squirella
Bufo marinus
Gastrophryne carolinensis
Scaphiopus holbrooki
Hyla septentrionalis

Gambusia affinis
Heterandria formosa
Cyprinodon variegatus
Poecilia latipinna
Jordanella floridae
Fundulus chrysotus
F.seminolis
Lucania goodei
Elassoma spp.
Lepomis gulosus
L. microlophus
Lepisosteus platyrhincus
Ictalurus natalis
Amia calva
Notropis pertersoni
Lepomis punctatus
Micropterus salmoides floridanum
Ictalurus spp
Esox americanus americanus
Aphredoderus sayanus
Cynoscion arenarius
Ariusfelis
Cynoscion nebulosus
Carcharhinus leucas
Pogonias cromis
Mugil cephalis
Anchoa mitchilli
Brevoortia smithi
Eucinostormus harengulus
Trinectes maculatus
Micropterus salmoides
Lepomis microlophus
L. macrochirus
Pogonias cromis

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Spot
Silversides
Red drum
Sand sea trout
Southern kingfish
Clown goby
Pinfish
Striped mojarra
Common snook
Spotted seatrout
Bonefish
Ladyfish
Gulfkillifish
Longnose killifish
Rainwater killifish
Scaled sardine
Pinfish
Longnose killifish
Silver perch
Silver jenny
Code goby
Porgys
Grunts
Moj arras
Snapper
Pipefishes
Flounder
Sole
Needlefishes
Leiostomus xanthurus
Menidia beryllina
Sciaenops ocellatus
Cyoscion aranarius
Menticirrhus americanus
Microgobius gulosus
Lagodon rhomboides
Diapterus plumieri
Centropomus undecimalis
Cynoscion nebulosus
Albula vulpes
Elops saurus,
Fundulus grandis
F. similis
Lucaniaparva
Harengula jaguana
Lagodon rhomboides
Fundulus similis
Bairdiella chrysoura
Eucinostomus gula
Gobiosoma robustum
Sparidae
Pomadasyidae
Gerreidae
Lutjanidae
Sygnathidae
Bothidae
Soleidae
Belonidae

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Tampa Bay Regional Reservoir Project
Plant Species
Common Name
Slash Pine
Sand pine
Live oak
Sand live oak
Water oak
Laurel oak
Turkey oak
Sweetgum
Hickories
Cabbage palm
Southern magnolia
Southern red cedar
Saw palmetto
Red maple
Wax myrtle
Gallberry
Bahia grass
Wiregrass
Cypress
American elm
Red bay
Sweet bay
Maidencane
Pickerelweed
Smart weed
Soft rush
Red carpetgrass
Large-flowered false pimpernel
Coinwort
Dahoon holly
Big carpetgrass
Willow
Carolina willow
Red maple
Carolina ash
American elm
Hackberry
Cypress
Water locust
Scientific Name
Pinus elliottii
Finns clausa
Quercus virginiana
Quercus geminata
Quercus nigra
Quercus laurifolia
Quercus laevis
Liquidambar styraciflua
Gary a spp.
Sabal palmetto
Magnolia grandiflora
Juniperus silicicola
Serenoa repens
Acer rubrum
Myrica cerifera
Ilex glabra
Paspalum notatum
Aristida strict a
Taxodium distichum
Ulmus americana
Persea borbonia
Magnolia virginiana
Panicum hemitomon
Pontederia cordata
Polygonum hydropiperoides
Juncus effusus
Axonopus spp.
Lindernia grandiflora
Centella asiatica
Ilex cassine
Axonopus furcatus
Ludwigia peruviana
Salix caroliniana
Acer rubrum
Fraxinus caroliniana
Ulmus americana
Celtis laviengata
Taxodium distichum
Gleditsia aquatica

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Black gum
Sweetgum
Black needle rush
Saltmarsh cordgrass
Black mangrove
Red mangrove
Leather fern
Cattail
Carolina willow
Nyssa sylvatica
Liquidambar styraciflua
Juncus reomerianus
Spartina alterniflora
Avicennia germinans
Rhizophora mangle
Acrostichum danaeifolium
Typha latifolia
Salix carolinicma

-------