Protecting and Improving Estuaries with Smart Growth Tools
Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program
July 2008 FINAL
Part of the National Estuary
Program since 1995, the
Charlotte Harbor National
Estuary Program is a
partnership of citizens, elected
officials, resource managers,
and commercial and
recreational resource users
who work together to protect
the greater Charlotte Harbor
estuarine system in Florida.
The CHNEP covers watershed
areas from Venice in Sarasota
County, to Bonita Springs in
Lee County, to Winter Haven
in Polk County.
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.
Why Is Smart Growth Important for Estuary Protection
and Improvement?
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 Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program Use Smart
Growth To Protect Its Estuaries?
Southwest Florida is one of the fastest growing areas in the U.S. Its beautiful beaches,
warm climate, and outstanding recreational opportunities draw visitors from around the
world. During peak tourist
season, the area's population
can swell by more than 30
percent. Many visitors return
to make the area their
permanent retirement home.
The Charlotte Harbor
National Estuary Program
(CHNEP) includes the
southwest Florida coastline
from Venice to Bonita
Springs. The watershed
covers 4,500 square miles; the
associated study area includes
7 counties, 24 incorporated
cites and towns, and 5
regional agencies.
Natural resources are the
heart of the region's economy
and quality of life.
Challenges to maintaining
that quality of life include
past and current phosphate
mining, ranching and citrus
production, commercial
fishing, recreation-based
activities, tourism, and urban
and suburban development.
The population in the CHNEP study area doubled between 1980 and 2000. By the year
2025, almost 700,000 additional residents are expected ~ a 66 percent increase (from
1,052,344 to 1,750,000) over 2000 levels.
-------
Following Hurricane Charlie in 2004, a construction boom led to
increased development pressure in low density, outlying areas.
Development pressures have also been compounded by (1) the
sell-off of citrus groves in the wake of stiff international
competition and citrus diseases
and (2) the desire of rural
counties to reclaim phosphate
mines as developable lakes
instead of pasture.
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:
Charlotte Harbor National
Estuary Program
Phone: 239-338-2556
chneo(a>swfroc.org
www.chneo.org
Smart Growth Online
www.smart2rowth.or
US EPA Office of Wetlands,
Oceans, and Watersheds
(OWOW)
Coastal Management Branch
Phone:202-566-1260
www.eoa.gov/owow/estuaries
US EPA Smart Growth
Program
Development, Community, and
Environment Division (DCED)
Phone: 202-566-2878
www.eoa.gov/smartgrowth
Recognizing the importance of
environmentally responsible
development to its
environmental protection
objectives, the CHNEP
convened a two-day Coastal
Community Planning and
Development (CCPD) training
session in December 2007.
Targeted to the CHNEP's local
and regional partners, the
training provided a detailed
introduction to alternative
growth and development
approaches.
How Did Smart Growth
Tools Help the CHNEP
Achieve Its Goals?
CHNEP has identified four major environmental threats to the area: alterations to
natural hydrology, water quality degradation, loss offish and wildlife habitat, and gaps
in stewardship which call for public, decision-maker, and scientific information
regarding how individual and collective actions can affect the local environment.
Land use patterns have clearly altered the character and ecology of local waters.
Mangroves, which stabilize the soil and clean the water, have been removed or cut back.
Seagrass beds have been damaged. Nutrient runoff has exacerbated red tide events.
Groundwater supplies have been stressed by over-use.
The CCPD workshop helped the CHNEP's partners identify opportunities to conserve
and restore high-priority natural areas, focus development in areas with existing
infrastructure, explore options for transit-oriented development, and identify other
stakeholders who will be critical partners to future planning, development, and
conservation efforts. Participants' brainstormed local action plans to begin to make these
ideas a reality. The CHNEP plans to follow up with course participants and help
interested localities address development-related issues.
How Can Other NEPs Learn from the CHNEP Experience?
Are your partners interesting in learning more about smart growth? The CCPD course is
an excellent introduction to the principles of smart growth. Offered by the National
Ocean and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Coastal Services Center (CSC) and
developed through a partnership between NOAA and EPA, it is available to interested
coastal communities. CSC's training team can come to your area and customize this
training for your partners and staff. For more information, see
www.csc.noaa.gov/training/comm plan.html.
------- |