Quarterly Progress Report: Fourth Quarter FY 2006
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EPA Demonstration Project on Hydrilla and Hygrophila in the Upper Kissimmee Chain of Lakes; EPA Grant #X796433105-1 (Hydrilla / Hygrophila Demonstration Projects - Osceola County, FL)
Project description and Goals:
This project is a combination of studies that will result in improved water quality and natural habitat in Osceola County lakes. Hydrilla and Hygrophila are exotic invasive weeds that are dominating the lakes aquatic ecosystem, shading out natural vegetation, reducing oxygen level, increasing the amount of sediments, and impacting flood control in lakes and canals. The project objectives are to evaluate the effectiveness of Experimental Use Permit herbicides, biological controls and application methods of herbicides in the treatment and control of hydrilla and Hygrophila using small-scale fieldwork, large-scale field demonstrations and public outreach on the progress and findings.
Participants:
Eleanor Foerste, Project Manager, Osceola County
Hilda Hatzell, EPA Project Officer, Region 4
Reporting period:
Fourth Quarter, EPA Fiscal Year 2006 July 1- September 30, 2006
Project activities during reporting period:
Project activities are on schedule for this quarter and for the project.
Osceola County Board of County Commissioners approved acceptance of funding for FY 05 appropriation of $892,800.00 for a combined total budget of $2,881,000 (FY 04 $1,988,200.00 + FY 05 $892,800.00). The Osceola County Board of County Commissioners approved the submitted budget for $1,988,200.00 as well as approval for two new positions as outlined in the workplan: Extension Agent- Aquatics and Sr. Biologist. A budget amendment in October, 2006, will revise the Osceola County budget for the total of $2,881,000.
Foerste met with Osceola County staff in Grants, Procurement, Human Resources, Fleet Management, Finance and IT to prepare for new budget and expenses. Position announcements for two positions, Extension Agent- Aquatics and Sr. Biologist, are prepared for advertisement after October 1, 2006 and are being posted on the http://osceola.org job listing website. All applications must be submitted through this website. Announcements will be submitted to additional locations for job postings on websites and via list serves.
Foerste is working with SePRO and UF regarding subcontracting agreements for transfer of funds to support their work. It should be noted that both are considered sole source providers.
Osceola County is preparing the draft Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) for submittal in early October. Both SePRO and UF are continuing activities related to this grant that are previously funded jointly by other agencies. Activities related to funding through this project grant will be reported beginning with next quarterly report.
There is no change in Grantee’s Authorized Representative. Dr. Ken Langleand, Professor of Aquatic and Invasive Plants with the Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants at UF has agreed to be the Project Quality Assurance Manager.
Dr. Ken Langeland
Professor, Aquatic and Invasive Plants
UF/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants
PO Box 110610
Gainesville, FL 32611-0610
Phone 352-392-9614
Fax 352-392-3462
Email kal@ifas.ufl.edu
Project spending for reporting period:
No funds were spent under this quarter; therefore the remaining balance is $2,881,00.00.