"Tarpon Tag" Sales Soar in 2002

Sales of the Tampa Bay Estuary specialty license plate are averaging nearly $10,000 a month for the first four months of 2002 - doubling license tag revenues for the same period last year. At this rate, annual revenues may reach or exceed $120,000!

From January through April of 2002, sales of the Tampa Bay Estuary license tag totaled $37,350, including a single week with record sales of $5,000. Since its debut in April 2000, the tag has earned more than $180,000 for projects to benefit Tampa Bay.

The Tampa Bay Estuary license plate features a lifelike illustration of a Silver King tarpon designed by St. Petersburg's own Captain Russ Sirmons.

The Tampa Bay Estuary Program receives 80 percent of the revenues from the license plate, and disburses the money yearly in the form of grants to community groups for bay restoration, education and pollution prevention initiatives. This grassroots effort, known as the Bay Mini-Grant Program, awarded nearly $62,000 in license tag funds in 2001 to homeowner associations, environmental groups, schools and other organizations for bay-related projects (see accompanying article for description of projects).

The Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council receives 20 percent of the tag revenues, or up to $50,000 a year, to fund activities of the Agency on Bay Management outlined in its plan for implementing the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan. The ABM, a forum of local governments, regulators, industry, scientists, interest groups, commercial and recreational fishermen and citizens, directs diverse activities including educational and outreach programs as well as consensus-building initiatives.

Community support played a key role in securing the signatures necessary for the approval of the license plate. Members of the Coastal Conservation Association and many other volunteers helped to gather the required signatures on petitions supporting the creation of the specialty license plate.

The Tampa Bay Estuary license tag was authorized by the Florida Legislature in 1999 and went on sale in Spring 2000. Primary sponsors of the license tag bill were Sen. Jim Sebesta (R-Pinellas) and Rep. Bob Henriquez (D-Tampa). The bill was co-sponsored by a number of other Tampa Bay area legislators.

As might be expected, the bulk of the license tag sales have been in the Tampa Bay counties of Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, and Pasco counties - with Pinellas leading the way statewide in tag sales. But sales also have been strong in Palm Beach, Broward, Sarasota, Lee, Charlotte and Collier counties.

The Tampa Bay Estuary license plate is second only to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers plate among the five plates featuring the Tampa Bay area.

Motorists can purchase the Tampa Bay Estuary tag by going to the nearest tax collector's office or by enclosing a note and payment with their mail-in renewal notice indicating they wish to purchase the Tampa Bay Estuary plate.

The tag costs $27 the first year, and can then be renewed for $17 annually - with $15 going directly to projects that will advance the bay restoration goals adopted in the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan for Tampa Bay.

Thank you, Tampa Bay, for your support!

License Plate Sales Fuel Bay Restoration

Revenues from the Tampa Bay Estuary specialty license tag are financing nearly $62,000 in grassroots efforts this year to involve area citizens in protecting and improving Tampa Bay.

Through its popular Bay Mini-Grant program, the Tampa Bay Estuary Program awards small grants to non-profit organizations, schools, civic associations and other community groups for environmental restoration and education projects.

This year, 12 projects in Hillsborough, Manatee and Pinellas counties were awarded Bay Mini-Grants.

More than $46,000 in revenues from the first full year of sales of the Tampa Bay Estuary license plate were directed to the community program this year. The Estuary Program's Policy Board also allocated $15,000 from local government partner contributions to finance additional worthy projects.

In past years, the maximum grant awarded was $5,000. Utilizing license tag revenues provided more money for the program, allowing the cap to be raised to $7,500 this year.

Recipients of 2001-2002 Bay Mini-Grants are:
Hillsborough Community College $2,755.42
Junior and senior high school students participating in field trips led by HCC scientists will assemble a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) and use it to explore Tampa Bay from a new perspective - under the water!
The Florida Aquarium $5,920.00
At-risk students from Title I schools will blend art and science with hands-on field experiences on Tampa Bay in the "Art-O-Fishal-Fun" summer camp program. At the end of the week-long camp, artwork created by the students will be displayed at the Tampa Museum of Art.
Suncoast Earth Force $5,764.40
Pinellas County students will learn the importance of watersheds, conduct water quality testing and use their newfound knowledge to implement a bay improvement project of their choice as part of the Global Rivers Environmental Educational Network (GREEN).
St. Petersburg Audubon Society $2,695.00
Members of St. Pete Audubon will teach urban neighborhoods how to enhance backyard wildlife habitat and protect local bird nesting colonies through an "Eco-Neighborhoods" program that includes a slide show, reference notebook, guided bird walk and follow-up advice and assistance.
Cockroach Bay Users Group (C-BUG) $5,000.00
This grant will fund production of educational materials designed to teach boaters how to operate safely in areas of Cockroach Bay frequented by manatees. The materials will be distributed by C-BUG volunteers at boat ramps and marinas providing access to Cockroach Bay.
Around the Bend Nature Tours $7,200.00
More than 2,500 Manatee County students in grades 4-6 will take "Spud-Buster" field trips to Emerson Point Nature Center, where they will participate in a nature walk to learn about the importance of native habitats, and then use what they have learned in a fun and friendly competition to remove exotic air potato plants from the park.
The Pier Aquarium $7,500.00
Grant money will help to finance "Tampa Bay: Species of Concern," a new exhibit focusing on endangered animals found in Tampa Bay. In addition to the exhibit housed at the aquarium, companion educational activities for both children and adults will be provided at The Pier's Education Station.
Keep Manatee Beautiful $3,600.00
Existing "Boaters and Anglers Environmental Service Centers" at boat ramps in Manatee County will be expanded and updated with new information on environmentally responsible boating. The kiosks feature waterway maps identifying important natural resources, manatee protection information, and trash bag dispensers.
St. Petersburg Audubon Society/Audubon of Florida $4,750.00
Grant will finance production of a Boater's Guide specific to Boca Ciega Bay. The guide will highlight important natural resources, boat ramps, canoe and kayak launch sites, and boating speed zones.
Hillsborough County Cooperative Extension Service $1,316.00
Grant will finance creation of a Junior Master Gardener (JMG) program to teach children horticultural and environmental science. The JMG curriculum includes a youth handbook and teacher guide. At the end of the curriculum, the children participate in a community improvement project such as a coastal clean-up.
St. Paul's School $7,500.00
A section of the Allen's Creek shoreline bordering the Clearwater school will be restored and stabilized with native plants. Students will participate in the restoration and conduct water quality testing and wildlife observations to assess changes in the creek as a result of the enhancement.
Bayshore Beautiful Homeowners Association $7,290.00
Grant will finance placement of small oyster reefs along a portion of Bayshore Boulevard at the end of Villa Rosa Street in Tampa. The reefs will help to reduce wave erosion of sediments in the area and provide habitat for crabs, mussels and fish.
Information about the Bay Mini-Grant program can be found on the Estuary Program's website at www.tbep.org. Proposals for 2002-2003 Mini-Grants are due October 15.

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