Attachment_D_FSEP_13-3.pdf

CITRUS COUNTY

Project Title

PROJECT NO. #-#

SECTION V: Proposed Projects, Programs, and Activities

Figure 13-3A. Location of artificial reef sites in Citrus County.

CITRUS COUNTY

Artificial Reef Program

PROJECT NO. 13-3

Project Description

OVERVIEW AND LOCATION

This project will add existing stockpiled materials, primarily processed concrete construction debris from the demolition of the old U.S. Route 19 bridge, to existing permitted artificial reef sites in3B). Citrus

County offshore waters. Figure 13-3A shows the general of location of the artificial reef sites in Citrus

County.

NEED AND JUSTIFICATION

The Citrus County artificial reef program was established in 1985. Since its inception, the program has established

10 permitted artificial reefs to meet increasing recreational demand for offshore bottom fishing and scuba diving opportunities. Materials have primarily included concrete rubble from bridge and culvert demolition.

There is a continuing need to augment existing permitted artificial reef sites—and to create new sites—to support the demand of recreational fishing and diving enthusiasts, both residents and tourists. In addition to enhancing recreational opportunities and associated economic benefits, artificial reefs can also provide ecological benefits. Hard substrate and vertical structure are limited habitats in the Gulf of Mexico (Fikes, 2013), and artificial reef habitats can provide: (1) hard substrate to support encrusting and colonial benthic organisms such as sponges and corals; (2) niche space for small marine invertebrates; and (3) shelter for larval and juvenile fishes. The project is justified by the demonstrated benefits of artificial reefs, such as increased economic activity (e.g., expenditures, incomes, and jobs) (Adams et al., 2011).

State of Florida State Expenditure Plan

RESTORE Act Com pliance Public Participation

Financial Integrity Overall Consistency

Proposed Projects Im plem entation

PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES

The purpose of the proposed project is to add to and improve the network of artificial reefs in coastal waters of Citrus County to provide greater recreational and economic opportunities for residents and tourists, and to reduce fishing and diving pressure on natural reefs.

Specific objectives of the proposed project include: (1) increase recreational fishing opportunities, (2) increase structure for snorkeling, scuba, and marine life viewing, and (3) potentially increase fish productivity by providing habitat structure. These objectives are consistent with those of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation

Commission’s (FWC’s) artificial reef program, which are:

1. Enhance private recreational and charter fishing and diving opportunities

2. Provide a socio-economic benefit to local coastal communities

3. Increase reef fish habitat

4. Reduce user conflicts

5. Facilitate reef related research

6. Do no harm to fishery resources, essential fish habitat (EFH), or human health.

PROJECT COMPONENTS

The artificial reef projects will be completed in phases over a 4-year period. Project components include:

• Deployment of artificial reef materials to the Fish Haven #1

• Selection of additional artificial reef locations

• Pre- and post- monitoring and data collection.

The initial focus of this project will be on the augmentation of the permitted Fish Haven #1 artificial reef site, the location of which is shown in detail in Figure 13-3B.

Citrus County has developed a detailed reef augmentation plan for Fish Haven #1. Processed concrete construction debris (e.g., pressure washed; removal of metal rebar) will be barged to the site and deployed at five locations within the permitted artificial reef boundary. Figure 13-3C shows the detailed augmentation plan.

In addition to the augmentation of Fish Haven #1, the project also involves the augmentation of other permitted artificial reef sites in the future, and the selection of potential new artificial reef sites.

The coordinates of all the artificial reef sites will be published, and all of the sites will be available for public use for recreational fishing and diving. The is part of a larger network of county artificial reef programs along the Nature

Coast and Springs Coast of Florida developed to ensure that residents and visitors have access to fishing and diving opportunities regardless of county boundaries.

In adding material to artificial reef sites, the project also includes post-construction monitoring conducted to ensure the deployment of this material produced high-quality habitat that supports important reef fish species (e.g., grouper, snapper).

Figure 13-3B. Location of existing the Fish Haven #1 artificial reef site.

SECTION V: Proposed Projects, Programs, and Activities

Contributions to the Overall Economic and Ecological Recovery of the Gulf The proposed project will enhance the local recreation and tourism-related economy. The proposed project will support snorkeling, diving, fishing, kayaking, and numerous other recreational water activities that in turn provide economic support to Citrus County. This project will: (1) support the increasing recreational demand for offshore reef fishing and scuba diving opportunities by both residents and tourists; and (2) enhance the abundance, distribution, and structural diversity of hardbottom habitat in Citrus County offshore waters.

Eligibility and Statutory Requirements This project is consistent with, and addresses, the following RESTORE Act eligible activity:

• Eligible Activity 10: Promotion of tourism in the Gulf Coast region, including recreational fishing.

Comprehensive Plan Goals and Objectives This project is consistent with, and addresses, the following Comprehensive Plan Goal:

• Goal 5: Restore and Revitalize the Gulf Economy.

This project is consistent with, and addresses, the following Comprehensive Plan Objective:

• Objective 8: Restore, Diversify, and Revitalize the Gulf Economy with Economic and Environmental

Restoration Projects.

Figure 13-3C. Detailed reef augmentation plan for Fish Haven #1.

RESTORE Act Com pliance Public Participation

Financial Integrity Overall Consistency

Proposed Projects Im plem entation

Implementing Entities Citrus County will be the sole implementing entity and grant sub-recipient responsible for the design, construction, and success monitoring of the program.

Best Available Science and Feasibility Assessment Artificial reefs in the Gulf of Mexico have been extensively studied with regard to the habitat and economic benefits they provide. The scientific literature on the ecological benefits is somewhat controversial (Lindberg et al., 2014, Fikes, 2013; Bortone et al., 1994; etc.). Some experts argue that artificial reefs are functionally comparable to natural reefs, and that they augment fish populations by providing habitat that is otherwise naturally limited in the Gulf of

Mexico. Others argue that artificial reefs simply attract and aggregate existing fish populations and do not enhance fish stocks. While those assertions may be debatable, the economic benefits of artificial reefs are not. Artificial reefs provide significant recreational opportunities and associated benefits along the Florida Gulf Coast (Swett et al., 2011;

Adams et al., 2011). In addition, research has produced best practices guidance on site selection, design features, and construction methods, which are now part of the FWC permitting regulations. Ongoing research in the Big Bend and Springs Coast waters (Lindberg et al., 2014) will further inform artificial reef efforts. Key literature forming the basis for Citrus County’s Artificial Reef Program are cited below.

• Adams, C., et al., 2011. The economic benefits associated with Florida’s artificial reefs. EDIS document FE649

(2011): 1-6.

• Bortone, S.A., et al., 1994. Factors affecting fish assemblage development on a modular artificial reef in a northern Gulf of Mexico estuary. Bull. Mar. Sci. 55 (2-3), 319-332.

• Fikes, R., 2013. Artificial Reefs of the Gulf of Mexico: A Review of Gulf State Programs & Key Considerations.

National Wildlife Federation.

• Lindberg, W.J., et al., 2014. Rationale and Evaluation of an Artificial Reef System Designed for Enhanced

Growth and Survival of Juvenile Gag, Mycteroperca microlepis. Proc.66th Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries

Institute November 4 – 8. Corpus Christi, TX. Pages 320-325.

• Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission, 2004. Guidelines for Artificial Reef Materials.

This project is feasible with respect to the ability to: (1) obtain necessary permits; (2) construct the project within the proposed budget; and (3) effectively operate and maintain the project components over the long term. Furthermore, this project is consistent with the National Artificial Reef Plan published in 1985 and the Florida Artificial Reef

Strategic Plan (FWC, 2003).

Risks and Uncertainties No significant risks or uncertainties were identified during the evaluation of this project that would preclude project implementation. Citrus County will ensure design to limit damage from tropical storms. Controls for lionfish and other nuisance/exotic species may be required. Regulatory constraints will address issues such as spatial boundaries for navigation, channels, marine habitat resources, historic areas, sand borrow areas, existing structures and leases, etc. Success monitoring is critical in a fisheries management context given that these reefs have not previously been used as fisheries management tools.

SECTION V: Proposed Projects, Programs, and Activities

Success Criteria and Monitoring This and all artificial reef projects involve the placement of hard substrate to: (1) support recreational demand for offshore reef fishing and scuba diving opportunities and (2) enhance the abundance, distribution, and structural diversity of hard bottom habitat in the affected waters. Therefore, a range of applicable success criteria will be developed and described in the project grant request. It is anticipated that quantitative success criteria will be developed for:

• Increase in the areal extent of new artificial reef habitat

• Increase in recreational usage.

In the project grant request, a detailed monitoring program design will be described that addresses data collection and assessment methodologies. Citrus County’s Aquatic Division already has an operational plan that includes the monitoring of their reefs; therefore, no additional funds for monitoring are required.

Milestones and Schedule The total estimated time horizon of this project is approximately 4 years. The project will begin in June 2025 with preconstruction monitoring, final design, and permitting. There are six sites secured for placement, and one site will be constructed during each phase. The first five phases of construction will start in 2025 and the completion of deployment is anticipated in 2026, followed by 2 years of success monitoring through 2028, that will be completed by County staff. Implementation of this project has been divided into four milestones, as shown in the chart below.

MILESTONE

YEARS TO COMPLETE

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

Final design and permitting

Construction – Phases 1–5

Construction – Phase 6

Success Monitoring

Budget and Funding Sources The total estimated cost of the proposed project is approximately $850,000. Citrus County is committed to allocating

$850,000 of its share of the Florida Spill Impact Component to this program, as well as $50,000 in other County funds (in-kind services) to cover monitoring, but will also be seeking other leveraged funding sources to supplement these monies. A summary of the project budget and funding sources is provided in the following table.

RESTORE Act Com pliance Public Participation

Financial Integrity Overall Consistency

Proposed Projects Im plem entation

MILESTONE

ESTIMATED TOTAL

DOLLARS

ESTIMATED POT 3

ALLOCATION

Final design and permitting $170,000 $170,000

Construction $680,000 $680,000

Implementation Subtotal $850,000 $850,000

Monitoring $50,000 $0

Total Cost $900,000 $850,000

COMMITTED FUNDING SOURCES

Spill Impact Component $850,000

Direct Component $0

Other grants or co-funding $0

Other County funds – Aquatic Division monitoring $50,000

Total Committed Funding $900,000

Budget Shortfall $0

POTENTIAL LEVERAGED FUNDING SOURCES

Natural Resource Damage Assessment

O.18 FishAmerica Foundation

S.41 Artificial Reef Construction and Monitoring

S.49 Sport Fish Restoration Program

Partnerships/Collaboration The Citrus County Artificial Reef Program routinely collaborates with the Florida Artificial Reef Program managed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. This collaboration includes representatives from nearly all coastal counties in Florida and assists with material collection resources, technical construction assistance, artificial reef construction best practices, and outreach. Citrus County will also partner with the neighboring Counties of

Hernando and Pasco to implement a cooperative regional artificial reef program to ensure coordination of monitoring, design, and permitting efforts and better inform future reef projects.