FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 17, 2015
DEP HOSTS PUBLIC MEETING TO DEVELOP RESTORATION GOALS FOR LAKES WEIR AND DENHAM
~Restoration goals to serve as basis for restoration plan development~
LADY LAKE – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection held a
public meeting today to further the development of restoration goals for Lakes
Weir and Denham. The restoration goals under development are known as TMDLs, or
total maximum daily loads. A TMDL defines the maximum amount of a certain
pollutant that may be present for the waterbody to remain healthy and
functional.
”Nutrient pollution
is one of the most prominent issues facing water quality in Florida,” said Tom
Frick, director of the Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration.
“Setting effective, achievable goals is the first step towards restoration.”
At this meeting,
DEP representatives shared revised restoration goals based on previous
stakeholder and public comment.
Nutrients like
nitrogen and phosphorous naturally exist in the water and support the growth of
aquatic plant and animal life. When an excess of nutrients pollutes the
environment, however, rapid algal growth can occur. Rapid algal growth can lead
to algal mats, harmful algal blooms, habitat smothering and other
complications.
Lake Weir is a
5,600-acre lake located in Marion County, consisting of two distinct portions:
Lake Weir proper and Sunset Harbor. Lake Denham is a shallow, 250-acre lake in
Lake County, just southwest of Leesburg. The lake water flows east through
Helena Run to Lake Harris. Both lakes are located within the Ocklawaha River Basin.
More information on
the restoration goals can be found here.
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