News - TampaBay.WaterAtlas.org

Community partners enhance environment education in Manatee County

Unknown — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT

BRADENTON – On May 29th, Nature’s Academy teamed up with Manatee County Parks and Recreation and United Park Services to host a field trip for Anna Maria Elementary at Coquina Beach.

“Over 700,000 people live in the Sarasota Bay watershed and impact the estuary,” said Dana Pounds, while addressing fifth grade students from Anna Maria Elementary. Binoculars in hand, the students looked out upon the water encircling the barrier island they call home.

Pounds, co-founder of Bradenton-based nonprofit, Nature’s Academy, delivered visual and tangible lessons to the students, deepening their understanding of the local natural history and ecology. The Anna Maria Elementary fifth graders also grasped a sense of stewardship after collecting over fifty-eight pounds of litter from Coquina Beach.

The field trip was hosted through a partnership between Nature’s Academy, Manatee County Parks and Recreation and United Park Services. Thanks to this collaboration between a nonprofit company, a government entity and a private corporation, these children were granted an invaluable educational experience at no cost to their school.

Florida Geological Survey collaborates to study groundwater in Pinellas County

Unknown — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT

TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Geological Survey is participating in a study that will investigate the effects of recharging up to 3 million gallons per day of purified reclaimed water into the Suwannee Limestone of the Upper Floridan aquifer at the Northwest Wastewater Treatment Facility in Clearwater.

“The Florida Geological Survey is excited to contribute to this important project by helping provide an understanding of complex water-rock interactions that can help the people of Clearwater,” said Cindy Fischler, a professional geologist with the Florida Geological Survey. “Studies like this are highly important as Florida water managers explore development of alternative water resources.”

In partnership with the University of Florida and IndeWater, LLC, the groundwater replenishment study is being led by Tetra Tech and Leggette, Brashears & Graham, Inc. for the city of Clearwater and the Southwest Florida Water Management District. The project is currently underway and is expected to be completed in one year.

The Florida Geological Survey’s portion of the study, which includes a $13,200 grant from the University of Florida, will begin in July with multiple methods of geochemical analysis of rock samples taken from the aquifer. The samples will be taken from rock that has not been exposed to pretreated waters and compared to rock that has been exposed.

Gulf of Mexico Alliance Invites Public to Learn About Gulf Restoration Progress, Partnerships

Unknown — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The 2013 "All Hands Meeting" will be June 25-27 at Tampa's Grand Hyatt hotel

OCEAN SPRINGS, MS – The Gulf of Mexico Alliance will hold its 8th Annual Meeting in Tampa, FL on June 25-27, 2013. The overall theme for the three-day meeting is "Collaboration is the Key to Successful Gulf Restoration." The meeting will focus on how the Alliance is working to expand and maintain partnerships to enhance the ecological and economic health of the Gulf of Mexico. The meeting will be held at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay and is open to the public. Links to registration and a full schedule of events are available at www.GulfofMexicoAlliance.org.

As Gulf restoration is a key topic at the meeting, there will be an update on the RESTORE Comprehensive Plan and how Alliance partners are addressing restoration opportunities. The week will begin with a public meeting Monday evening, June 24, 2013, from 4:00 until 6:00 p.m. on the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Science, Observation, Monitoring and Technology Program (RESTORE Act Science Program).

The following two days of the meeting will provide information and updates on several topics of interest including a presentation on conservation economics by Scott Burns of the Walton Family Foundation. Moderated sessions will explore the state of science in the Gulf, Gulf restoration/conservation needs, and the incorporation of new networks into the Alliance. Keynote speakers include the newly appointed Executive Director of the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council, the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency as well as state environmental agencies. Each agency will give updates on current priorities.

The two-day plenary meeting will be followed on Thursday by concurrent sessions on the Alliance's Priority Issues: water quality, nutrient impacts, ecosystem integration and assessment, habitat conservation and restoration, coastal community resilience, and environmental education. These working sessions will engage participants in the Alliance's goals and actions at the community level and leaders from around the Gulf Coast will share knowledge and expertise. The Alliance plans to build on discussions from the previous days and take advantage of broad membership to further integrate with regional priorities.

TBEP Emergency Policy Board Meeting June 18th

Unknown — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The Tampa Bay Estuary Program (TBEP) announces scheduling of an emergency Policy Board Meeting and conference call to which all persons are invited, on Tuesday, June 18, 2013 at 3:00 p.m.

IN PERSON: Tampa Bay Estuary Program
263 13th Avenue South, Suite 350
St. Petersburg, Florida 33701

BY PHONE: Dial – 1-888-670-3525
Code – 507-753-3111#

The purpose of this emergency board meeting is to approve a cooperative funding agreement between the Southwest Florida Water Management District and TBEP. An emergency meeting is required to allow a season-specific demonstration stormwater project to be initiated in early summer during the rainy season assessment period, prior to the next regularly-scheduled meeting in August.

Please note that if a person decides to appeal the decision made by the Tampa Bay Estuary Program’s Policy Board to the matter considered at the above cited meeting, he/she will need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is based.

For more information or if you require special assistance to attend the meeting or conference call, please contact TBEP Program Administrator Ron Hosler .

It's turtle nesting time... Lights out!

Unknown — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The first nests found on North Redington Beach and at Fort De Soto Park mark the start of sea turtle season. The residents and owners of beachfront properties are reminded of the “lights out” ban. Most of the Pinellas County beach communities have ordinances in place prohibiting lighting that casts glare onto the beach during turtle nesting season, from May 1 to Oct. 31.

Florida’s beaches are essential for nesting loggerheads. The Pinellas County beachfront area averages about 120 nests per season and each nest can contain, on average, 100 to 110 eggs. The last nest is expected to hatch by the end of October.

Each May and July, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium conducts a beach lighting survey to identify problem lighting that may not be in compliance with turtle protection ordinances. Properties with lights shining on the beach at night are reported to Pinellas County Coastal Management and the local code enforcement agency.

While conducting the lighting surveys, the aquarium staff provides educational posters and brochures to visitors and residents explaining the “lights out” policy during nesting and hatching season.

The aquarium monitors nearly 26 miles of coastline and reports on sea turtle nesting activity. The staff engages in early morning patrols to locate new nesting sites and late night patrols to check existing nests for hatchlings and watches the nests from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. to make sure that hatchlings make it to the water safely.

In addition to checking the beaches every morning for signs of nests, the aquarium marks the nests and accounts for false crawls – times when the female that comes ashore does not complete her nest. Successful nests are roped off to avoid human disturbance.

As an endangered species, federal law protects loggerhead turtles and bothering their nests is illegal. The nests are caged and volunteers watch the site at night to alert officials when the hatchlings emerge.

By obeying the law and following some simple guidelines, residents and visitors can greatly improve the chances of sea turtle survival, while being given the opportunity to experience first-hand the wonder of their life cycle.

If residents encounter a turtle, eggs or hatchlings:

Turn off outside lights, draw drapes and avoid using flashlights or fishing lamps on the beach. Turtle nesting season runs from May 1 to Oct. 31.
Do not approach or harass adult turtles as they make their way back to sea.
If residents spot turtle tracks or what might be a nest, and it does not appear to be protected by stakes or ribbon, call the Clearwater Marina Aquarium at (727) 441-1790, ext. 224.
Do not pick up hatchlings heading toward the water, shine lights or use photo equipment with a flash. Hatchlings use starlight and moonlight reflecting off the water to find their way to the ocean, and if they become misled by artificial light, they can become disoriented and die.

SBEP to host urban planner Andres Duane June 18-19

Unknown — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Visit includes public presentation to City of Sarasota and Sarasota County Commissions

SARASOTA – Andres Duany, a leader of the New Urbanism Planning Movement, is visiting Sarasota June 18-19 to introduce the Light Imprint engineering technique. He will be the guest at a 6pm dinner on Tuesday, June 18 hosted by the Downtown Sarasota Alliance (DSA). Mr. Duany will also give a public presentation to a joint meeting of the City of Sarasota and Sarasota County Commissions beginning 1:30pm on Wednesday, June 19. The presentation will be held in the Commission Chamber on the first floor of the Sarasota County Administration Building located at 1660 Ringling Blvd in downtown Sarasota.

The dinner will be held in The Francis Ballroom at Louie's Modern, a restaurant located at 1289 North Palm Avenue. The cost is $50 and can be paid via PayPal or credit card on the DSA website.

Andres Duany is a founding principal at Duany Plater-Zyerk & Company (DPZ). DPZ has completed designs for close to 300 new towns, regional plans, and community revitalization projects. The Light Imprint initiative is a comprehensive approach for the placement of development with engineering practices and New Urbanist design techniques. Light Imprint provides a toolkit for stormwater management using natural drainage, traditional engineering infrastructure, and filtration practices.

Environmentalists missing from state's water-management boards

Unknown — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT

By Kevin Spear

For the first time in nearly three decades, none of the Florida's water-management agencies — which are supposed to safeguard the state's wetlands, rivers and aquifers — has a board member who is an environmentalist.

Environmental activists are troubled because the boards are dominated by representatives of agribusiness, real estate and development industries.

"It is indeed a concern that there are no environmental representatives on any of the boards, when other interest groups are adequately and sometimes abundantly represented," said Rae Ann Wessel, policy director at the Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation. "Because Florida's economy depends on its unique environment."

Gov. Rick Scott recently chose not to reappoint for a second term on the governing board of the St. Johns River Water Management District a University of Florida water-law expert known for his environmental advocacy.

It was the latest move by the governor to make the state's water-management agencies smaller, weaker and, now, less environmentally minded; none of the five water districts' combined 49 board seats is filled by someone readily identifiable as an active environmentalist.

EPA: $384B needed for drinking water infrastructure by 2030

Unknown — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today released results of a survey showing that $384 billion in improvements are needed for the nation’s drinking water infrastructure through 2030 for systems to continue providing safe drinking water to 297 million Americans.

EPA’s fifth Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment identifies investments needed over the next 20 years for thousands of miles of pipes and thousands of treatment plants, storage tanks and water distribution systems, which are all vital to public health and the economy. The national total of $384 billion includes the needs of 73,400 water systems across the country, as well as American Indian and Alaska Native Village water systems.

“A safe and adequate supply of drinking water in our homes, schools and businesses is essential to the health and prosperity of every American,” said EPA Acting Administrator Bob Perciasepe. “The survey EPA released today shows that the nation’s water systems have entered a rehabilitation and replacement era in which much of the existing infrastructure has reached or is approaching the end of its useful life. This is a major issue that must be addressed so that American families continue to have the access they need to clean and healthy water sources.”

The survey, required under the Safe Drinking Water Act to be submitted to Congress every four years by EPA, was developed in consultation with all 50 states and the Navajo Nation. The survey looked at the funding and operational needs of more than 3,000 public drinking water systems across the United States, including those in Tribal communities, through an extensive questionnaire. In many cases, drinking water infrastructure was reported to be 50-100 years old.

The assessment shows that improvements are primarily needed in:

Distribution and transmission: $247.5 billion to replace or refurbish aging or deteriorating lines
Treatment: $72.5 billion to construct, expand or rehabilitate infrastructure to reduce contamination
Storage: $39.5 billion to construct, rehabilitate or cover finished water storage reservoirs
Source: $20.5 billion to construct or rehabilitate intake structures, wells and spring collectors

EPA allocates Drinking Water State Revolving Fund grants to states based on the finding of the assessment. These funds help states to provide low-cost financing to public water systems for infrastructure improvements necessary to protect public health and comply with drinking water regulations.

Since its inception in 1997, the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund has provided close to $15 billion in grants to all 50 states and Puerto Rico to improve drinking water treatment, transmission and distribution. The Drinking Water State Revolving Fund program has also provided more than $5.5 billion to protect drinking water in disadvantaged communities.

EPA is committed to utilizing the tools provided under the Safe Drinking Water Act to assist states and to better target resources and technical assistance toward managing the nation’s drinking water infrastructure. In addition to Drinking Water State Revolving Fund grants, EPA awarded nearly $15 million in funding in 2012 to provide training and technical assistance to small drinking and wastewater systems – those serving fewer than 10,000 people – and to private well owners to improve small system operations and management practices and to promote sustainability. EPA also works with states, municipalities and water utilities to strengthen the resiliency of drinking water systems against the potential impacts of severe weather events and climate change.

SBEP to host king tide photo exhibit in Sarasota

Unknown — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT

SARASOTA – The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program (SBEP) and Tampa Bay Estuary Program (TBEP) have partnered to present Chasing the Waves, a special exhibit of photos showing king high tides. The free exhibit will open Thursday, June 6 in downtown Sarasota at the Federal Building located at 111 S. Orange Avenue. The public is invited to attend the opening night from 5:30 to 7 pm. The photos will be on display through July before traveling to other venues in Sarasota, Manatee, Hillsborough, and Pinellas Counties.

The goal of the exhibit is to raise awareness about the effects of sea level rise on our shorelines, structures and communities. Images will include winning submissions to the King Tide Photo Contest held last year by SBEP and TBEP. The exhibit will also include photos from the U.S., Australia, and small Pacific Island nations, showing the global impact of rising seas.

The current schedule includes:
• The Federal Building in downtown Sarasota through July
• The South Florida Museum in Bradenton in September and October
• The Sarasota Bay Water Festival on Saturday, Nov. 2 at Ken Thompson Park
• Weedon Island Preserve in St. Petersburg Nov. 4-30
• Robinson Preserve in Bradenton in January and February 2014

Visit SarasotaBay.org for the current schedule and venue information.

Volunteer for June 20th Native Planting at Feather Sound

Unknown — Fri, 31 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Tampa Bay Watch, in partnership with The Tampa Bay Estuary Program, Pinellas County and the Southwest Florida Water Management District is recruiting volunteers to plant native coastal upland plants including seashore paspalum and sand cordgrass to restore Feather Sound.

Date: Thursday, June 20, 9AM - 12PM
Location: The meeting location is Feather Sound Drive south of the Earl R. Maize Recreation Area, 2051 Feather Sound Drive, Clearwater, FL 33762.

Goal of Project:
To restore more than 30 acres of marsh and mangrove wetlands in the area along Feather Sound Drive, including around the borrow pit and near Ulmerton Road. Invasive, exotic vegetation such as Brazilian pepper has been removed, now native coastal upland plants will be planted that will provide habitat for wildlife and help clean runoff before it enters the bay.

Questions?
Please contact Rachel at rarndt@tampabaywatch.org or (727) 867-8166 x233 with questions.

Registration is required: