|
Water and Environmental Quality Issues to Recommendations
The Water and Environmental Quality Issues from the Smart Growth Committee have been divided into 4 clusters. These clusters were the basis of the breakout groups. Recommendations were developed which have been retranscribed into the issue format below. A recommendation may have applicability to more than one issue.
Each recommendation applies to at least one role of the Board of County Commissioners, either as a regional entity (R), de facto City Council (Ci), an Advocate (A), or the Forum for discussion (F), the latter role also applying by leading through example.
Each recommendation will require the County to use one or more of its functions, and these functions will preliminarily be shown as general government funding/taxation/budget (B), police power/planning/regulatory (P), enterprise activity/incentives/special taxing effort (E), or intergovernmental coordination (I), the latter function will indicate with whom the effort will need to be enacted.
I. Water Quality (Natural Water) 1. Evaluate how to further reverse the disruption caused by historic and current land use and development practices, restore natural water storage and recharge areas, and reverse the practice of water dumping on the estuaries through increased impervious surfaces and flood control practices. A. (Ci and A) Emphasize the relationship of volume/area to stormwater management and storage. (P and I) B. (Ci) Identify pre-regulation old developments and area specific opportunities for remediation of old practices. (P) C. (Ci and A) Provide incentives for infill in its design to also provide basis for BMP and remediation. (P I and E) D. (Ci) Evaluate and use undeveloped areas in platted subdivisions that are suitable for retrofit. (R and Ci) Institute a stormwater utility program for establishing and ensuring minimum flows, maintain flowways, maintain desirable water table levels, and ensuring adequate retention/detention to improve water quality in receiving water bodies. (P, I and E
2. Assess resource management challenges to keep up with continually increased competition in demands for water from the natural system by different urban users and agriculture and mining. A. (Ci) Evaluate and provide incentives for conservation. (P and I) B. (Ci) Evaluate and apply community based planning approach to water conservation, to enable more precision to be applied in developing achievable goals. (P) C. (A) Promote optimal conditions rather than minimum conditions for the natural system as the basis of supply planning. (I with WMD and FDEP)
3. Foster the implementation of best practices for water quality. A. (R, A and Ci) Link the BMPs for impervious cover and runoff to the various land use types. (P and I)
4. Complete and implement the Lee County Flow Ways Plan. A. (R and Ci) Improve the storage within the existing natural and manmade flowways. (P and E)
B.
(Ci) Develop a capital
improvements program to provide for the reconstruction and maintenance
of all programmed flowways and include incentives
for private participation. C. ("R" and "Ci") The flow ways master plan should be identified on a map and ground-truthed. It should incorporate opportunities for canal restoration and the creation of urban greenways that need restoration, preservation, and maintenance. (P) D. (Ci) Review appropriate uses in DRGR. Do not increase density in DRGR until comprehensive environmental program is complete and such increases are justified. Pursue less than fee simple acquisition to eliminate development rights (P and E) E. (R, I, Ci) Create a public/private management team to coordinate area wide conservation easements. (I and P) F. Develop a funding mechanism to implement the flow ways plan G. The flow ways plan should be integrated with the build out plan.
5. Improve and pursue improved water quality and water flow conditions on the Caloosahatchee River. A. (A) Support and Participate in the regional Natural Resources Conservation Service system. (I)
B.
(A)
The County should provide the SFWMD
input and continue to participate in District initiatives to ensure
positive results on matters that affect Lee
C. (A) Enter into interagency agreements to achieve mutual goals for the River. (I)
D.
E. (A) Coordinate through basin wide planning with sovereign local governments upstream. (I with RPC) F. (A) Discourage back pumping until an understanding of the volume needs of the seasonal nature of the estuarys range is achieved and the degree of synergy achieved in the wet season estuary from other watersheds. (I) (Staff expansion)
6.
Coordinate
II. Sanitation/Utilities (Altered Water)
1. Promote water conservation A. (Ci ) Review and incorporate appropriate missing elements of statewide initiative into county plan. (P) B. (Ci) Require rain sensors, and provide for periodic inspection of irrigation systems. (P) C. (Ci) Encourage reuse of water, and inspect and monitor reuse water. (P) D. (R and Ci) Support and implement Florida Yards and Neighborhoods program and RIDS. (P and E)
E.
(Ci and A)
F. (Ci and A) Update Regional Water Supply Plan for conservation recommendations and implement, with sector focused components. (P and I)
2. Consider RO and Desalinization options, and the related energy costs. A. (Ci) Evaluate the rapid and spray evaporation method with Desal. (P) B. (Ci) Evaluate the cost of engineered solution with more traditional conservation methods. (P) C. (Ci) Consider regulation reform. (P)
3. ASR and deep well injection. A. (A) Encourage the careful study of these options. B. (Ci) Have a financing profile by which consumptive users pay a higher percentage of ASR costs than reuse/return users. (E)
4. Appropriate collection and management of sewerage for reuse and recharge potential. A. (Ci) Identify the level of problem for appropriate action plan, such as central sewer for expected high density areas, high level of septic/domestic system for assured intermediate areas, and the Charlotte County program for permanent low density areas. (P and E)
5. Explore water conservation opportunities on irrigation systems, such as water sensors, prescribed weekly application rates and Xeriscaping. (Absorbed in recommendations above)
6. Solid Waste: A need to improve the recycling etc participation of the trash stream
A.
(Ci) Levy a redemption fee for certain solid waste typ
B.
(Ci) Evaluate and update current recycling plan for more efficient
recycling.
C. (Ci) Increase enforcement of solid waste violations by coordinating with DEP. (P) D. (Ci) Promote composting. ("P") E. ("Ci") Establish solid waste transfer stations for rural areas. F. (Ci) Ban smoking on beaches or establish tax on cigarettes for solid waste pickup. (P and E) G. (Ci) Establish public/private partnership to remove abandoned vessels. (P) H. Evaluate the cost/benefit of expanding curbside recycling to commercial and industrial businesses.
7. Hazardous Waste: A need to increase the percentage participation in the safe disposal of hazardous waste.
A.
(R)
B. (R) Continue hazardous waste amnesty days. (P) C. (R) Enhance enforcement for hazardous waste by coordinating with DEP. (P)
8. Liquid/Domestic Waste: A need to ensure that septic tank sludge, etc, is safely treated. A. (R and Ci) Pursue a regional approach to sludge disposal, and integrate where suitable with the wastewater treatment program. (P and E) B. (A) Pursue a better understanding of sludge disposal dynamics with groundwater. (I) C. (Ci) Ban domestic sludge in floodplain and flowways. (P)
III. Environmental Quality
1. Monitoring and enforcement: There is a recurring complaint that monitoring and enforcement of current regulations is not adequate. A. (A) Pursue a common set of permitting criteria, incentives, and regulatory measures specifically for SWFla conditions that would rehydrate the region, and meet minimum flows and levels. (I) B. (A) Set criteria for programmatic monitoring and enforcement specific to SWFla. (I) C. (Ci) Conduct an analysis of enforcement and compliance needs, and establish a priority list for implementation and fund to appropriate staff level. (P)
2. Carrying Capacity: Better information on human carrying capacity in Lee County to make informed and rational decisions on our quality of life. A. (A) Promote Sustainable Commission on Southwest Florida. (I) B. (Ci) Integrate concept of carrying capacity into planning strategies, with the assistance of area professionals. (P) C. (Ci) Define Carrying Capacity and the constraints to continual development as a quality of life characteristic. (P) D. (R) Set science based goals to assess what is necessary to maintain desired environmental factors, such as panthers extant, Estero Bay health, and so forth. (P, I) E. (R) Prepare a general assessment (barometer of variables) that links the goal of (and) capacity of development (built environment) to environment (natural or green space).
3. Exotics: A need to control and eliminate invasive exotic plants and animals which otherwise impact our environment in a negative way. A. (Ci and A) Strengthen landscape ordinance to promote native plants and remove pest (as opposed to benign) exotics countywide. Evaluate replicability of Sanibel ordinance (P and I) B. (Ci) Prepare an exotic eradication plan/management plan using tax incentives for owners to remove exotics on private lands. (P and E)
C.
(Ci) Task a public/private partnership to do an assessment
and develop incentives to
D.
(R) Update current exotic priority list and evaluate current
education programs for need for expansion
4. Greenspace: There is a need for a comprehensive plan for green space, habitat, water quality, and access to public green space in Lee County. A. (Ci and R) Support and implement a comprehensive Greenways Plan that would include a flow way plan as component of mitigation and restoration plan, with opportunity for BMPs for DOT action. (P, B and E) B. (Ci) Regain waterfront for public. (P) C. (Ci and A) Implement Ten Mile Canal greenway. (P and I) D. (Ci) Sponsor public/private partnerships to reassemble portions of Lehigh and other obsolete platted lands and canal lots for environmental remediation and modern mixed-use development. (P and E) E. (R) Continue the 20/20 program and support other acquisition programs such as Florida Forever. (P, B) F. Coordinate with and support the Trail ways, Greenways and Blueways Committee planning efforts.
5. A need to maintain the quality of our air. Some problems resulting from automotive travel congestion and poor maintenance of engine emissions. A. (R) Consider a county-based vehicle inspection program, with a particular focus on heavy trucks. (P, E) B. (R) Initiate air quality studies. (P) C. (Ci) Use bio diesel in public vehicles. (B) D. (R and A) Install more flyovers (overpasses) over busy intersections. (B and I) E. (Ci) Certify law enforcement and others as visual observant inspectors. (P) F. (Ci) Incentivize the integration of land use density along corridors and nodes and transit/bike/ped planning to minimize air quality impact. (P) G. (R, A and Ci) Incorporate air/vehicle emission impact into TSM (signalization, overpass, queuing) project selection.
6. A need to maintain the quality of our air, resulting from countywide burning by distinguishing between controlled burning, and stack and burn land clearing, which is forbidden in some communities elsewhere. A. (Ci) Require outdoor incinerator to have air curtain incinerators, properly designed (P) B. (Ci) Support prescribed burns, when necessary tool for land management. (P) C. (Ci) Eliminate stack and burn land clearing, encourage instead chip and ship. (P)
D.
(Ci)
Establish criteria to evaluate weather conditions to
7. A need to maintain the quality of our air. Some problems resulting from reentrainment from roads, which needs to be recognized as an air/health problem. A. (Ci) Evaluate the impact of vehicle use and vehicle retrainment/emissions on air quality. (P).
8. Brownfields/Infill: Remediation of Brownfield sites is needed, and incentives given, in order to enable infill of such sites, and reduce pressure for expanding the urban fringe. A. (Ci) In the absence of any effective prosecution of known violators, provide incentives for cleanup. (P) (Italics from staff)
B.
(Ci)
Promote
C. (Ci and A) Identify infill sites including those impeded from development or redevelopment because of brownfield conditions. (P and I) D. (Ci) Provide incentives for infill development, including impact fee reductions and waivers, tax credits and off-site mitigation. (P, E) E. (Ci) Clean up chronically contaminated brownfield areas (such as 10 Mile Canal) to enhance water quality and to recycle lands. (P and E) F. (Ci) Create brownfield advisory coordinating committee to work cooperatively with the City of Fort Myers Brownfield Advisory Committee. (P and I)
9. Ownership/Management: Continuation of 20/20 environmental lands purchase program with appropriate additional focus (if needed) on Smart Growth objectives. A. (R) Have the 20/20 program focus on flowways and wildlife corridors. (P) B. (Ci) Put connection of flowways and corridors in CIP. C. (Ci) Coordinate 20/20 priorities with the mitigation map. (P)
10. Mining/Lakebelt: There needs to be a master plan for mining in the county, and a strategy in place for (a) examining the feasibility of establishing a Lakebelt and (b) a post mining Land Use plan. A. (Ci) Develop a comprehensive strategy for planning, and make part of county Smart Growth. (P) B. (Ci) Mining plan needs mining BMPs and reclamation requirements that are better than state minimum standards, with post mining reclamation and land use plans. (P) C. (Ci) Examine the impacts of the lake belt. (P) D. (Ci) Set maximum depth for lakes-based on science of geology, recognizing importance of confining layers, and enforce it. E. (Ci) Create a master plan with the mining industry to provide for the eventual environmental connection and public use of the lakes produced in the mining process. (P) F. (Ci: and A) Examine water storage/water quality potential for existing and future lands in conditional buffered lands. A fee should be provided to encourage increased existing water storage. (P, E, and I) Staff has question about the fee.
IV. Research, Education, and Funding
1. Acceptance and funding of capital improvement projects. A. Capital Improvement Program should be integrated across the board to achieve recommended actions. (Environmental restoration, air quality improvements, greenway acquisition, filter marshes, and platted lots solutions) B. (Ci) Evaluate funding mechanisms for RO and DeSal through taxes and/or hook up fees. (P) C. (Ci) consider partnering with state and federal agencies for land acquisition. (P) Staff note: Lee County does. D. (Ci) Build on 20/20 Program for funding a green infrastructure and natural functions tax. Green infrastructure /natural functions should be evaluated and documented within the County CIP program. (E) E. (Ci) Ensure that all large CIPs have broad public education and information exchange as a component for securing public support. (P)
2. Decisions related to costs versus quality indexing.
3. Develop a comprehensive plan for public education on water related issues. Outreach coordinated with public and private programs. A. (Ci) Promote Florida Yards and Neighborhoods to provide public education and outreach for water quality and conservation. (P) B. (A) FGCU create a curriculum for environmental education. (I) C. (R) Work with county extension office to promote community outreach and education. (P) D. (Ci) Create a community education/outreach program that fosters the construction and implementation of environmental projects, such as the filter marshes, land acquisition, and local mitigation opportunities. (P)
4. Environmental Education: Better environmental education to improve our ability to make informed and rational decisions on our quality of life, and educate on what we actually have. · There is a need for a three-tiered program for the three different audiences: Pre-K through 12, General Adult, and Newcomers. · There is a need to make better use of our tools and support them and their use; Governmental Access TV; Lee County School System; SWFCEE · There is a need to heighten awareness of our areas special characteristics: (Example) Questions on FCAT · Ensure an effective public information program, incentives, and requirements for landscaping, trees, and exotic species removal. (Cape Coral Tree Ordinance serves as an example for listing.) A. (Ci) Ensure all incentive programs also include an education program for the related industry (such as real estate industry) to understand better the purpose of the incentive and the intended result. (P and E)
5. Environmental Research: Better knowledge, science, and information concerning the existing problems as evidenced by declining trend lines in environmental indicators. There needs to be a set of items where better science is known to be needed, which needs to be targeted for action. There needs to be a willingness to err on side of caution when information on impact on public health, safety, and welfare is not known. A. (R) Fund a mixing model (freshwater flow into salt water to achieve salinity mix) that will benefit recreation, wate quality, public health, etc. (B) B. (Ci) Research the issue of using salt tolerant grass on golf courses as it relates to contaminating the surficial water supplies, in order to save as much potable or potentially potable water as possible. (P)
6. Need for a watershed approach to manage our cumulative development practices and environmental protection initiatives. A. (Ci and A) Strongly promote watershed approach to management of our cumulative development practices as funded by a stormwater utility management tax. (P and I) B. (Rand A) Create a formalized regional land management restoration collaboration to plan and pool resources and equipment. (P and I) C. (Ci) Ensure the comprehensive approach is adequately funded for agency implementation. (B) D. Develop a Water Budget that will be consistent with SFWMD regional water supply plan and the non-CERP reservation for Caloosahatchee River Estuary.
7.
Establish
|