DEP HOSTS PUBLIC MEETING TO DEVELOP RESTORATION GOALS FOR CRESCENT LAKE

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 17, 2015

CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850-245-2112, DEPNews@dep.state.fl.us 

DEP HOSTS PUBLIC MEETING TO DEVELOP RESTORATION GOALS FOR CRESCENT LAKE

~Restoration goals to serve as basis for restoration plan development~

BUNNELL – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection held a public meeting today to further the development of restoration goals to reduce nutrients in Crescent Lake. 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.

“The Department collected and analyzed field information along with data from stakeholders,” said Tom Frick, director of the Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration. “By combining our analysis with input from stakeholders and the public, we can generate the best restoration goals possible.”

At this meeting, DEP representatives will provide an overview of Florida’s TMDL program and discuss the development of nutrient TMDLs for waters in the Lower St. Johns River Basin.

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. 

Crescent Lake is a 16,000 acre lake in north central Florida, on the border between Putnam and Flagler counties. This long, narrow lake discharges into the St. Johns River.

More information on the restoration goals can be found here.