Wetlands Advisory Committee:

A meeting of the Wetlands Advisory Committee is tentatively scheduled for Monday, June 2, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. in the RPS Main conference room at the EPC Offices located at 3629 Queen Palm Drive in Tampa.

A representative from the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) will present the TAG’s recommendations, including pros and cons and any outlying concerns, regarding the following topics:

1)     The Basis of Review (BOR) document which will include guidelines for issuance or denial of a wetland or other surface water impact (Director’s Authorization) and guidelines for determining reasonable use as referenced in the EPC Wetland Rule.

2)     Mitigation Banking

3)     Classification of Wetlands

Attached please find a copy of the Agenda for the meeting and the Hybrid Plan that was adopted by the EPC Board on August 16, 2007.  Also included is the link to the TAG website so that you may review the pertinent information prior to the June 2nd meeting:  http://www.epchc.org/TAG.htm.

Environmental Tours Planned For May

The Environmental Protection Commission of Hillsborough County in partnership the Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department is inviting the public to “Celebrate Our Natural Treasures” this May.  The events are being held in conjunction with EPC’s annual tradition of celebrating May as Clean Air Month.  We are pleased to offer the public an opportunity to enjoy with us the many natural resources of our community with these special outdoor events. There is no charge to participate and canoes (where applicable) will be provided. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Please contact Barbara Motte at 627.2600 ext 1008 to register.

Saturday, May 3, 2008

Cockroach Bay Aquatic Preserve Land and Water Tour

·        Tour Times: 9am - 12pm and 1pm – 4pm

·        Location: Cockroach Bay Preserves at 3709 Gulf City Road, Ruskin

·        Description: Join us for a “hayride” tour of a 1000 acre preserve highlighting the wetland and upland restoration efforts at Cockroach Bay Aquatic Preserve. Following the land tour, guests will weave through estuarine restorations via canoe or kayak, out into Little Cockroach Bay through canopied mangrove forest and arriving at Big Pass in Tampa Bay. Participants will be delighted to see common visitors such as jumping mullet, wading birds, diving birds, birds of prey, otters, alligators, snakes, raccoons, coyotes and bobcats.

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Wilderness Park Guided Bike Rides

On-Road Bike Ride

·        Time: 8:30 am-10:30 am

·        Location:  Flat Woods Park at 14302 Morris Bridge Road, Thonotosassa

·         Description: The eight-mile on- road guided bike ride will take place in the 5,400 acres Flatwoods Park located in Wilderness Park. Best known for its paved loop road, a shared-used trail, Flatwoods Park provides a welcome getaway from Tampa’s developed landscape. The Morris Bridge well field is located within the park, and well houses can be observed along the trail. The location is also Site 102 on western section of Great Florida Birding Trail.

Off- Road Bike Ride

·        Time: 8:30 am-10:30 am

·        Location: Trout Creek at 12550 Morris Bridge Road, Thonotosassa

·        Description: The 12 mile guided off – road bike ride will take place in the 42 acre Trout Creek located in Wilderness Park, a site popular for fishing, canoeing and off-road biking. A small hill and gravel roads will lead the group across the flood control dam overlooking the breathtaking Hillsborough River into a canopy of woods, and circumnavigating a beautiful wetland area, full of water birds as well as few alligators!

Saturday, May 17, 2008

Guided Nature Hikes

Lettuce Lake Park

·        Time:  10 am – 12 pm

·        Location: Lettuce Lake Park at 6902 East Fletcher Avenue, Tampa, FL 

·        Description: Guided two hour nature hike that will highlight the unique plant and animal communities in Lettuce Lake Park. The hike will navigate visitors through upland areas such as pine flatwoods and will lead guests to beautiful hardwood swamp wetland, bordering the Hillsborough River, via 3,500 foot boardwalk. To top off the hike, guests will enjoy a “bird’s eye view” at a 35 foot high observation tower.  

Upper Tampa Bay Park

·        Time:  10 am – 12 pm

·        Location: Upper Tampa Bay Park at  8001 Double Branch Road , Tampa  FL33635

·        Description: Guided two hour nature hike that will highlight the parks pine wood forests and coastal wetlands on Old Tampa Bay.  Hikers will have the opportunity to see common visitors such as snakes, birds and raccoons. Rare visits by one of two Florida bobcats at the park have also been sited. The hike will also feature a visit to the Nature Center containing artifacts from the Tocobaga Indian tribe, including tools and arrowheads. The center also has displays featuring an active bee-hive, non-poisonous snakes, native turtles and fish.

Saturday, May 31, 2008

John B. Sargeant Senior Memorial Park Guided Canoe Trips

·        Times:  9 am – 11 am and 11 am - 1:00 pm

·        Location: 12702 Highway 301 North Thonotosassa, FL 33592 – 3 miles north of Fowler and 301

·        Description: Guided two hour canoe trip of the Hillsborough River. Guests will learn about the importance of the Hillsborough River and its vital resource for drinking water. The subtropical environment is alive with alligators, oak hammocks and sea birds.

Known as the most primitive area of the Hillsborough River, historically the site was a popular for logging Cypress trees. It was also home to several fish and Indian camps. 

To sign up or for additional information, please contact Barbara Motte at 813.627.2600 ext 1008 or via e-mail at motte@epchc.org.

Earth Day Tampa Bay

You Are Invited to Attend

Clean Air Fair 2008

The Environmental Protection Commission of Hillsborough County would like to extend an invitation for you to attend Clean Air Fair 2008.  Join us to learn more about our environment and how to protect and enjoy Tampa Bay’s natural treasures.

Exhibitors include Lowry Park Zoo, Tampa Bay Asthma Coalition, Sweetwater Organic Farms, HARTLine, TECO, Croc Adventures, Big Cat Rescue, Florida Yards and Neighborhoods and many more!

Thursday, May 1, 2008

11:30 am – 1:30 pm

Poe Plaza, Downtown Tampa

(Pedestrian mall located between Hyatt Regency and One Tampa City Center on Jackson @ Franklin Street).

Live entertainment, prize drawings and complementary ice cream top off the event!

Clean Air Fair 2008 Flyer

For additional information, please contact Barbara Motte at 813.627.2600 ext 1008.

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March 11, 2007
EPC Hosts Project Return Art Exhibition now through May 2008

Now through May 2008, the Environmental Protection Commission of Hillsborough County and Project Return is pleased to present “Visionary Landscapes”, an exhibition of environmental artwork created by members of Project Return Art Studio. 

Project Return provides a place for people experiencing mental illness to learn, work and return to rewarding lives. More than 20 selected pieces of their artwork is on exhibition at the EPC’s offices located:

The Roger P. Stewart Center

3629 Queen Palm Drive

Tampa, Florida 33619

We welcome the public to visit the exhibition weekdays from 8 am - 5 pm and by appointment Saturdays and Sundays.  For more information about Project Return, please visit their website at www.projectreturn.org.

For additional information, or to schedule a weekend appointment, please contact Barbara Motte with the EPC at 813.627.2600 ext 1008 or via e-mail at motte@epchc.org.
 

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March 5, 2008
Science Fair

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February 29, 2008
Engineering Expo

The EPC received the outstanding government exhibit at the 2008 USF engineering Expo held on February 15 and 16 in Tampa, Florida.  We would like to thank and recognize the following EPC staff members for their participation and contribution to EPC’s great exhibit - enjoy the attached photos!

Marie Clarke with EPC’s Waste Division explains how contamination at local gas stations gets remediated through EPC’s Petroleum Clean-up Program.

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Special Meeting Notice:  There will be a special meeting on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 at approximately 11:30 a.m. at the County Center.  This is to authorize the EPC Chairman to send a letter to the University of Florida President and the Hillsborough County Legislative Delegation to request that the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences not bear a disproportionate impact due to impending University of Florida budget cuts and to add this issue to the County Legislative program. Read the Agenda for the meeting.

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For Immediate Release 

February 14, 2008

PRESS RELEASE

Pollution Recovery Funds Available

The Environmental Protection Commission of Hillsborough County announces the availability of approximately $433,000 of unallocated money in its Pollution Recovery Fund.  This fund, created by the Florida Legislature, is to be used for projects that will “restore polluted areas of the county to the condition they were in before pollution occurred … mitigate the effects of pollution, or … otherwise enhance pollution control activities.” For this funding program, the legislature defined “polluted areas” as sites impacted by a variety of human activities (ditching, draining, dredging, filling, etc.), as well as by the discharge of conventional pollutants.

The EPC wishes to expend the available funds for projects that are cost effective and environmentally beneficial to the citizens of Hillsborough County. Completed applications meeting the requirements of Section 19(5) Chapter 84-446 Laws of Florida, and received by EPC on or before May 1, 2008 at 5:00 p.m. will be considered. Applications will be reviewed by EPC technical staff, after which the Executive Director and the Citizens Environmental Advisory Committee will make recommendations regarding each project to the EPC Board. It is anticipated that selections for funding will be made on or about October 2008.

Applications may be obtained on-line by visiting the EPC website or by writing to the EPC Environmental Resources Management Division, 3629 Queen Palm Drive, Tampa, FL 33619. An applicant may also request a meeting with appropriate EPC staff to discuss a proposed project and obtain conceptual and technical assistance in its development.

CONTACT PERSON:  

Tom Ash, General Manager

Environmental Restoration Section

Phone: (813) 627-2600 Ext. 1011

Fax: (813) 627-2650

www.epchc.org

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Pollution Recovery Fund (PRF):  EPC is now accepting applications until May 1, 2008 at 5:00pm for PRF projects. 

EPC Meeting:  The February EPC Meeting has been cancelled.  The next EPC meeting is March 20, 2008, at 9:00am at the County Center.

 Wetlands Rule:  View the Wetlands Rule, Ch. 1-11, updated on January 18th.

Technical Advisory Group (TAG) - Read the position paper from the TAG group regarding the Agriculture Wetland Rule Amendment.  You can also view the latest updates and reports from the TAG group.

TAG Meeting Notice -

Friday, January 18, 2008, 9 a.m.

RPS Main Conf. Room, EPC

3629 Queen Palm Drive
Tampa, FL  33619

TAG Subcommittee Meeting -

Friday, January 29, 2008, 1:30pm

RPS Main Conf. Room, EPC

3629 Queen Palm Drive
Tampa, FL  33619

Wetlands Advisory Committee Stakeholders Group -
View the Stakeholder Members List
View the January 7 WAC meeting agenda

U-CAN - View “Response to U-CAN questions presented on the current proposed wetland rule amendment addressing ‘Bona Fide Agricultural Activities.’”

EPC to Host Second Wetlands Workshop

Regarding proposed changes to agricultural impacts to Wetlands

The Environmental Protection Commission of Hillsborough County (EPC) will hold a second informal workshop to take public input on a proposed amendment, section 1-11.12, to Chapter 1-11, Wetlands Rule. Section 1-11.12 provides for specific exemptions for certain bona fide agricultural activities.  The workshop will be held:

DATE:        Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2007

TIME:        3:00-5:00 p.m.

PLACE:      Environmental Protection Commission

Roger P. Stewart Center

3629 Queen Palm Drive (Sabal Park)

Tampa, FL

The proposed amendment is available for review online at www.epchc.org. Copies can be requested by calling the Legal Dept. at (813) 627-2600.  Please submit written comments to Andrew Zodrow, Esq., via e-mail at zodrowa@epchc.org, via facsimile at (813) 627-2602 or via U.S. Mail at the Environmental Protection Commission, 3629 Queen Palm Drive, Tampa, FL 33619. 

EPC Board Vote, August 16th

The EPC Board voted 7-0 in favor of Dr. Garrity's Hybrid Proposal.

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EPC Board Vote, July 26th

The EPC Board voted unanimously to direct EPC staff to draft and present rule language for both proposals, generally as follows: 

   1) Amend the rules to adopt immediate rule changes reflecting the new hybrid wetland program model or

   2) Amend the rules to eliminate the wetland program. 

The rulemaking, public hearing, and vote on either version of the rules will be during the August 16th EPC Board Meeting.  EPC staff will take stakeholder comments on the rulemaking prior to the board meeting.

EPC Meeting - Dr. Garrity presented his Hybrid Proposal at the July 26th EPC Meeting regarding Wetlands Protection (click on picture to view presentation). View the draft Hybrid Presentation given by Dr. Garrity.

View Dr. Garrity's Hybrid Proposal "EPC Wetlands Protection:  Improving the Process, Maintaining the Protection."

View the Background Presentation on EPC's Wetlands Management Division

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Wetlands Update:  EPC Meeting - The next regularly scheduled EPC meeting is August 16, 2007 at the County Center from 9am to 12:30. 

View Dr. Garrity's Presentation given during the July 26th EPC Meeting.  

    Agenda for EPC Meeting, July 26th

View Dr. Garrity's Hybrid Proposal "EPC Wetlands Protection:  Improving the Process, Maintaining the Protection."

View the Background on EPC's Wetlands Management Division