FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 27, 2014
DEP COMMITS $1.5 MILLION TO RESTORATION
PROJECT FOR OKLAWAHA RIVER BASIN
~Stormwater improvement project reduces pollutants
reaching Lake Dora~
TALLAHASSEE – The
Florida Department of Environmental Protection has committed $1.5 million to
the city of Tavares for a stormwater-improvement project to reduce pollutants
reaching Lake Dora. The project includes construction that will reroute seven
outfalls currently flowing directly into Lake Dora to a stormwater- treatment
pond. The restoration also involves construction of a floating wetland of aquatic plants in the pond to provide
further stormwater treatment.
“We
thank the Florida Legislature for supporting this important project,” said DEP
Secretary Herschel T. Vinyard Jr. “This funding will kick off the infrastructure
improvements necessary to preserve the water quality of Lake Dora.”
“Governor Scott, Secretary Vinyard, and I all appreciate the
leadership of the Tavares City Council, Mr. John Drury, and his professional
staff in facilitating this improvement in the waters of the entire Harris Chain
of Lakes,” said Sen. Alan Hays. “It is wonderful to see teamwork accomplish
such good things. This is a great
cooperative effort between the city and the State!”
“I am very pleased to hear about the finalized contract
between the city of Tavares and the Department of Environmental Protection,
which will allow the city to carry out its stormwater treatment project,” said
Rep. Bryan Nelson. “This $1.5 million investment in the city’s infrastructure
is welcome news and will ensure that Tavares is able to remain America’s
Seaplane City. The city leaders of Tavares and the DEP can both be proud of
this agreement.”
Stormwater runoff is
water that flows into creeks, streams or rivers after rain. Stormwater runoff
usually contains a number of pollutants including fertilizers, pesticides, oil
and grease. Once this runoff reaches a body of water the pollutants can cause
rapid algal growth, algal blooms and other complications. Increased retention
and filtration of stormwater runoff through the exfiltration system will
improve water quality.
The Ocklawaha River Basin
includes 10 named waterbodies, including Lake Dora, Lake Carlton and Lake
Apopka. These waters suffer from excess nutrients. To address this issue, the
DEP recently adopted a second phase to its water-quality restoration plan.
Stakeholders are actively engaged in implementing projects to improve water
quality.
Florida has historically been at the
forefront of the nation in addressing stormwater management as one of the first
states to implement a statewide stormwater program. Florida was also one of the
first states to address agricultural and urban stormwater management through
its water-quality restoration program.
This project was funded evenly through
legislative appropriations and EPA grant money allocated by DEP. For more
information on the grant program, click here.
For more information on the Ocklawaha
River Basin restoration plan, click here.
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