Protecting and Improving Estuaries with Smart Growth Tools
Tampa Bay Estuary Program
July 2008 FINAL
Why Is Smart Growth Important For Estuary Protection
And Improvement?
Part of the National Estuary
Program since 1990, the Tampa
Bay Estuary Program (TBEP)
provides leadership and
coordination to restore and
maintain the water quality and
ecological integrity of almost
19,000 acres of habitat in
Tampa Bay, Florida.
Runoff from developed areas often contains nutrients, pathogens, and metals. Nationally,
runoff is the second most common source of water pollution for estuaries. Cumulative
impacts from conventional development ~ including increased stormwater volume and
flow rates - lead to erosion, estuary degradation, and habitat destruction. Conventional
stormwater management practices address peak flows and suspended solids, but are only
partially effective in managing cumulative impacts. Compact development paired with
preservation of critical natural areas can help protect estuaries by (1) using land more
efficiently, (2) reducing the amount of impervious surface per capita, and (3) allowing
open lands to filter rainwater naturally, thus recharging local groundwater aquifers and
supporting improved hydrologic function.
How Did The Tampa Bay Estuary Program Use Smart Growth To Protect Its
Estuaries?
In 2006, the Tampa Bay region joined the ranks of numerous other U.S. communities
when it conducted the visioning process known as Reality Check, which is designed to:
Estuary Prog
Promote a region-wide awareness of the level of growth that is coming;
The National Estuary Program
(NEP) was established under
the 1987 Clean Water Act
Amendments. It is a unique
voluntary program that
operates through partnerships
with EPA and other public and
private sector entities. Each
NEP operates via an inclusive,
collaborative decision-making
process to deliver on-the-
ground results, making the NEP
a leading model of watershed
management.
Allocate projected housing and employment
growth among jurisdictions;
•2 ULI Reality Check
k.
-------
TBEP's Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP) names water and sediment quality, particularly
reduction in nitrogen levels, as a top priority. TBEP took an active role in the Reality Check process because it saw an
opportunity to address nitrogen loading levels that are harming biological resources in local estuaries. TBEP will use One
Bay's 2050 vision to estimate nitrogen loadings into Tampa Bay assuming that (1) Florida's current stormwater regulations
remain in effect and (2) proposed new regulations take effect. TBEP's main objective is
to determine whether the organization's nitrogen loading cap, which is a reduction of 7
percent (17 tons per year) nitrogen loading, can be maintained as the region grows by 3
million new residents. If TBEP determines this cap cannot still be met, the organization
will examine how the area can grow smarter to protect the bay.
Principles of Smart Growth
• Create Range of Housing
Opportunities and Choices
Create Walkable
Neighborhoods
Encourage Community and
Stakeholder Collaboration
Foster Distinctive, Attractive
Communities with a Strong
Sense of Place
Make Development
Decisions Predictable, Fair
and Cost Effective
Mix Land Uses
Preserve Open Space,
Farmland, Natural Beauty and
Critical Environmental Areas
Provide a Variety of
Transportation Choices
Strengthen and Direct
Development Towards
Existing Communities
Take Advantage of Compact
Building Design
For Additional Information:
Tampa Bay Estuary Program
Phone: 727-893-2765
saveit@tbep.org
www.tbeD.ors
Smart Growth Online
www.smartgrowth.or
US EPA Office of Wetlands,
Oceans, and Watersheds
(OWOW)
Coastal Management Branch
Phone:202-566-1260
www.eoa.2ov/owow/estuaries
US EPA Smart Growth
Program
Development, Community, and
Environment Division (DCED)
Phone: 202-566-2878
www.eDa.pov/smartprowth
The value of the One Bay process will be enhanced by a concurrent study being led by
EPA's Office of Research and Development Gulf Breeze Laboratory that will evaluate,
through models and other tools, how the ecosystem services provided by the estuary will
change under different development scenarios.
How Did Smart Growth Tools Help TBEP Achieve Its Goals?
One Bay is a collaborative partnership between the ULI Tampa Bay District Council, the
Tampa Bay Partnership Regional Research & Education Foundation, Southwest Florida
Water Management District, the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council, and TBEP.
These organizations realized the importance of working together to bring different
interests to the table and emphasize commonalities in order to achieve realistic smart
growth goals for the Tampa Bay area. In addition, they used the Reality Check process
to engage and collaborate with the public, creating a shared vision for growth and
protection of resources, including estuaries. Workshop participants concluded that three
principles are essential as the Tampa Bay area grows:
Create an integrated multi-modal
transportation system using cars, buses,
light rail, and ferries to bridge the bay;
Cluster housing close to work,
shopping, and entertainment; and
Preserve Florida's natural habitats and
water supplies.
Not only do these goals embody smart growth principles, they are more likely to be
implemented because the ideas were developed by the citizens, Tampa Bay area
organizations, and their official representatives.
How Can Other NEPs Learn From The TBEP Experience?
TBEP used anticipated rapid growth in the Tampa Bay area as an opportunity to
collaborate with other organizations and present an engaging learning process, in the
form of Reality Check. TBEP then used the outcome of the process to address goals in
its CCMP. Other NEPs can look for similar opportunities by asking themselves these
questions:
• Should you work with the Urban Land Institute and other organizations to hold
Reality Check workshops or other visioning exercises in your area?
• Can you use specific results of Reality Check or other planning analyses to
effectively utilize smart growth tools for protection of your estuaries?
• If you have engaged in Reality Check or another similar process, can you create or
participate in partnerships, like One Bay, to keep the momentum going and achieve
your CCMP goals by implementing smart growth practices?
------- |