Group Name: Hillsborough River Interlocal Planning Board and Technical Advisory Council
Contact: Alan Wright
Contact Address: The Planning Commission, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., 18th FL
Tampa, Florida 33602
Contact Phone: 813-272-5940
Contact Email: wrighta@plancom.org
URL: http://www.hillsboroughriver.org
Activity:Watershed Alliance/Council
Description:Historical Support for Hillsborough River Corridor Protection
In the early 1980s, several groups recognized the significance of the river and began to focus on securing the Hillsborough River?s future protection. These groups included environmental groups, civic associations, elected officials and governmental agencies. One of the major obstacles to overcome in these efforts to protect the river was that the river was being managed with little coordination or consultation between agencies or jurisdictions. These independent efforts to manage the river however did little to protect the river on the whole.
In 1986, an initiative to establish river corridor coordination was begun by passage of Special Act 86-335 by the state legislature. This act created the Hillsborough River Interlocal Planning Board and Technical Advisory Council. The act empowers the River Board and Council to oversee the Hillsborough River at a corridor-wide level within Hillsborough County in an advisory capacity. These bodies? representation reflect a balanced political assemblage and the early local interests to protect and preserve the river within Hillsborough County by citizen groups and agencies. The River Board consists of three elected officials representing the political jurisdictions through which the river flows within Hillsborough County. The Technical Advisory Council membership includes representation of 11 regulatory agencies, citizens representatives and local staff members.
Following the establishment of the River Board and Council, the Hillsborough River Master Plan was developed by these groups. This plan addressed many of the local concerns and issues that had prompted the support for unified river management. It clearly identified responsibility for each aspect of the river?s management in one document. Once the Master Plan was adopted by the River Board in 1989, it was recommended to the county and both cities for inclusion in their respective comprehensive plans. Upon the jurisdictions? review, the appropriate policy statements were incorporated within their local plans. Reviews by the River Board and Council of activities within the river corridor are based on the policy statements adopted within these comprehensive plans.
Benefits of the Hillsborough River
The Hillsborough River corridor provides many benefits to the communities it passes through although some benefits are more apparent than others. Clearly, the river is recognized for its importance by providing over 75 per cent of Tampa?s drinking water. It is used extensively for various water-oriented recreational purposes. The corridor provides habitat to many species, including endangered manatees. The lands surrounding the river often sustain a high density of vegetation that serves many purposes; habitat, moisture attenuation, shading and aesthetics. All of these ?river attributes?, and others, currently exist to the benefit of the area.
Unique Aspects of the Hillsborough River
Unique Physical/Natural Aspects:
The Hillsborough River corridor, from the county line south to the mouth in downtown Tampa has several unique aspects. The corridor winds its way through three distinct settings: rural or natural area in the northern portion of the county, north of Fletcher Avenue, suburban as it flows through Temple Terrace and Tampa, downstream from Fletcher to Columbus Drive, and urban, from Columbus Drive south to the river?s mouth as it passes through downtown Tampa. These various settings serve as diverse and unique aesthetic backdrops within the same corridor.
The Hillsborough River includes the City of Tampa reservoir, an in-stream holding area for billions of gallons of water ultimately used in providing water to area users. This reservoir also is an important recreational area for water-oriented activities on the river.
Sulphur Springs is a special geologic feature and historic area that is situated on the river downstream of the reservoir. The spring area is a landmark that is a reminder of the historical recreational use of the river as well as the major freshwater source to the river downstream from the reservoir.
Manatees are often found in the Hillsborough River, upstream of the river?s mouth to the City of Tampa dam. These gentle mammals have been observed at several of their favorite stops within the river, near fresh water springs and/or vegetation. One particular area of the river seems to be a favorite for manatee births.
The Hillsborough River corridor provides habitat to a variety of wildlife species which is unique in that the river has three distinct water salinity levels. Upstream of the dam, fresh water habitats can be found exclusively. Downstream of the dam structure, an area of mixing of fresh and salt water creates brackish conditions which create a unique environment for spawning of certain species. Downstream of the brackish area, which varies in size due to tidal fluctuations and downstream flow, is an area of salt water created by the inflow from the bay.
This area supports primarily salt water habitats, yet evidence of fresh water springs can be found in some places where these small fresh water springs flow into the river.
Unique Aesthetics:
The Hillsborough River corridor sets the background for much of the surrounding environment at many points along its course. The river in downtown Tampa contributes unique aesthetic opportunities to the urban core; parks, river walks and scenic vistas are often tied to the river. River front festivals and shows are a mainstay in the communities of Tampa and Temple Terrace. The river also provides a natural setting that backdrops the suburban areas along its banks.
Various bridge designs are represented on the Hillsborough River. The Hillsborough Avenue bridge is one of the last operating lift-bridges in the state. The Kennedy Avenue bridge, located in downtown Tampa, is being renovated to meet safety standards while keeping its original historic design intact.
Unique Recreational Uses:
The river downstream of Sligh Avenue serves as a practice area to national sculling teams that make use of the river nearly year-round due to the climate.
The parks and the amount of other public lands along the river are extensive, providing public access to the waterfront. The Lowry Park Zoo is a special attraction that highlights manatees and their protection.
A relatively new venture that uses the Hillsborough River as a base transports riders aboard a vessel from Harbor Island up the Hillsborough River in the downtown Tampa area. This provides the public the opportunity to view the river and its inhabitants from a unique perspective.
Acquisition Programs:
Acquisition projects in the Hillsborough River corridor include land acquisition efforts through the Southwest Florida Water Management District, the Hillsborough County Environmental Lands Acquisition and Protection Program (ELAPP) and the Florida Communities Trust. Individual parcels and stream corridors have been nominated for or have been acquired to further protect the river corridor?s many natural attributes.
Additionally, the Southwest Florida Water Management District?s Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) Program has undertaken and completed a shoreline/wetland restoration project at Lowry Park in Tampa. This was accomplished at the cost of several thousands of dollars.
Designations:
Portions of the Hillsborough River were designated Outstanding Florida Waters (OFW) in early 1995 by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). The OFW now includes the main river, from Fletcher Avenue north to its beginning at the Withlacoochee River overflow, Blackwater Creek east to the county line, and portions of Cypress and Trout Creeks. This designation requires more stringent water quality standards be met for FDEP permit applications that could significantly impact the river or tributaries.
Approximately 35 miles of the Hillsborough River was designated to be included as part of the State Recreational Trail System (canoe trail) in 1995 and a 5 mile expansion of this designation was granted by the state in 2001.
The Hillsborough River was nominated by the River Board and TAC in 1995 to be included as part of the Florida Greenways System. By proclamation of the Governor?s Office in 1996, this designation was attained..
Agency Recognition:
In recognition of the Hillsborough River?s regional ecological significance, as a primary potable water resource and for its contribution to the area as a recreational asset, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) selected the Hillsborough River as one of five river corridors in the state in which to implement its Ecosystem Management program. The Hillsborough River, because of its natural qualities and wide-spread community support for its protection was used as a model for the FDEP Ecosystem Management program. In addition, the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) has selected the Hillsborough River as a demonstration river for a watershed approach to river management.
Address: 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., 18th Fl.
, Florida 33602
Phone: 813-272-5940
Email: wrighta@plancom.org
Date Last Modified: 10/24/2008 09:05:47 AM