The contributions of wetlands; i.e. lakes, rivers, ponds, streams, bays, springs, swamps and marshes and other similar areas, to a high quality environment are substantial and irreplaceable. Wetlands improve water quality by trapping sediments, filtration and adsorption of pollutants, and natural flood protection through water storage and conveying flows.

This agency reviews projects: County, City and private proposed developments that may potentially affect the wetlands of Hillsborough County. Filling of ditches, invert elevations of culverts, alteration of wetlands’ hydroperiods (established based on biological indicators or determined by a monitoring program with significant period of record), hydration of wetland areas are evaluated for any impact it may pose to wetland areas.

Developers create stormwater ponds to allow settlement of pollutants (treatment) and to control the release of stormwater runoff (attenuation) from the site. It is also recommended, as possible, to route the pond outfall to hydrate wetland areas, which provide further treatment and attenuation of flow. The associated volume of runoff for each post-developed wetland sub-basin may not be reduced from the pre-development volume greater than 10% (5% if possible) using no less than the mean annual storm but no greater than the 25 year/24hour design storm. The design storm used to perform the pre-development analysis is required for the post-development analysis. The volumetric analysis is evaluated to ensure that the existing wetland hydrology is maintained in the post-development conditions.

EPC also participates in the discussions of the improvement plans coordinated by Hillsborough County Stormwater Section and Transportation Task Force of the Public Works Department.