ANEP: Publications- Estuary Fact Cards - Charlotte Harbor NEP

http://www.nationalestuaries.org/publications/factcards/charlotte.htm[8/31/2011 8:08:11 AM]

Publications:

Fact Cards

Charlotte Harbor Estuary

Phone: 941.995.1777

Web: www.chnep.org

Charlotte Harbor Estuary is

located on Florida's west

coast on the Gulf of Mexico

where three large rivers

meet to form Florida's

second largest estuary. The

economy is based on

recreational and commercial

fishing, agriculture, mining,

tourism, the retirement

community, and construction. The coastal population increases by more

than 30 percent for several months each year because of seasonal

business and vacationing tourists. The subtropical climate and barrier

islands that stretch along the coastline make boating, fishing, shelling,

walking, and birdwatching particularly enjoyable activities.

Facts About the Estuary

Tourism expenditures exceeded $1.1 billion in Sarasota, Charlotte

and Lee counties 

in 1993.

Currently, 1.4 million people live in the watershed, up from 500,000

in 1960. By 2020 the population is expected to reach 1,903,000.

Natural resources provide $1.8 billion a year in net value to

recreation users and $3.2 billion per year in income.

One in three tourists fish while visiting. One in five residents fish,

creating an economic impact to the region of more than $1.1 billion

annually.

More than 250 fish, 275 shellfish, 316 birds, 44 mammals, and 55

reptile species live in the watershed.

Five National Wildlife Refuges are located within the Charlotte

Harbor watershed.
ANEP: Publications- Estuary Fact Cards - Charlotte Harbor NEP

http://www.nationalestuaries.org/publications/factcards/charlotte.htm[8/31/2011 8:08:11 AM]

Health of the Estuary 

There has been a 29 percent loss of seagrass coverage, impairing

critical habitat for invertebrates and fish.

Thirty percent of the Florida population uses on-site disposal

systems that discharge an estimated 210 million gallons of waste

daily into the estuary.

Seventy-seven species of amphibians, birds, fish, invertebrates,

mammals, and reptiles are considered to be endangered,

threatened or of special concern in the State of Florida.

Approximately one third of the area is approved for shellfish

harvesting.

Flow of the largest river, the Peace has been below the 70-year

average for all but three months since 1998. (The year 2000 was

the driest year on record since 1915.)

Floridians on average use nearly twice as much water per day as

average Americans, around 150 gallons-75 of which goes to lawn

irrigation.

Sinkholes, formed in 1999 near the Peace River, divert more than 7

million gallons of water from the river per day. 

Accomplishments of the Estuary Program

Identified how environmental problems are currently managed and

how people have influenced the condition of the estuary.

Defined monitoring programs for water quality, water flow, habitat,

fish and wildlife populations, and air quality.

Assessed the economic value of natural resources, both inland and

on the coast.

Funded 45 demonstration projects to restore wetlands, improve

habitat, remove exotic species, improve the understanding of water

quality and important seagrass habitat, coordinate conservation

initiatives with large agricultural landowners, and enhance

environmental education.

Developed comprehensive education and outreach programs that

included a technical symposium, public workshops, newsletters, and

a directory of public education programs.

Re-started the Florida Yards and Neighborhoods program in

Charlotte County to promote more efficient residential water use and

the use of native plants.

For Viewing and Printing:

Before printing one or more of these National Estuary Program files,

check out each of their text only versions for quick viewing.

To view each of the PDF versions, you will need Adobe Acrobat

Reader software, which can be downloaded FREE from Adobe's site

through a direct link.