DEP TO HOST MEETING TO PROVIDE UPDATES ON LAKE JESUP RESTORATION PLAN

Florida DEP Banner

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 28, 2014

CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850.245.2112, DEPNews@dep.state.fl.us

DEP TO HOST MEETING TO PROVIDE UPDATES ON LAKE JESUP RESTORATION PLAN

~ Projects implemented have laid important foundation for continued restoration ~

SANFORD – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection invites local governments, scientists, environmentalists, agricultural producers and other interested parties to a meeting to discuss the status of the restoration plan covering Lake Jesup, part of the St. John’s River system.

WHAT:              Update Meeting for Lake Jesup Restoration Plan

WHEN:              Thursday, July 31

                          1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

WHERE:            Sylvan Lake Park

                          845 Lake Markham Road

                          Sanford, Florida

“The success we have experienced so far in this basin is a testament to the remarkable efforts of our stakeholders, and our collective commitment to preserving Florida’s valuable natural resources,” said Tom Frick, director of the Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration. “We will continue to restore the water quality in this basin and return Lake Jesup to health.”

The Lake Jesup restoration plan addresses five water bodies including Gee Creek, Howell Creek, Lake Jesup, Little Lake Howell and Soldiers Creek. The restoration plan was originally adopted in 2010 to reduce excess nutrients that have caused a decline in water quality, specifically addressing phosphorous. Since implementation of the restoration plan, total phosphorous loading has been significantly reduced by 74 percent, more than doubling the 33-percent reduction goal.

At the upcoming meeting, representatives from DEP will provide a summary of the projects that have been completed, a summary of the pollution reductions that have been achieved, and updates on monitoring activities and research studies. Officials from the city of Winter Park and Seminole County will present some of the projects they have implemented and discuss their accomplishments.

The north shore of Lake Jesup forms the basis for the Lake Jesup Wilderness Area, which serves as habitat for native wildlife and provides for recreational opportunities such as hiking, biking and horseback riding. One of the largest lakes in central Florida, Lake Jesup is also home to one of the state’s largest population of alligators.

More information about the upcoming meeting can be found here.

More information on the Lake Jesup restoration plan can be found here.