Florida DEP Awards Funding for Stormwater Projects

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection recently awarded more than $500,000 in Total Maximum Daily Load water-quality restoration grants for stormwater projects in two communities.

Total Maximum Daily Load water-quality restoration grants are awarded to local communities and water management districts to implement and construct projects designed to reduce pollutant loads to impaired waters from stormwater discharges.

“The department is proud to partner with local communities to make vital investments in stormwater projects that improve water quality and protect the state’s important natural resources,” said DEP Interim Secretary Ryan Matthews.

Funded through annual appropriations from the Florida Legislature, TMDL grants provide funding assistance for communities to implement projects to better manage or treat stormwater, focusing on projects designed to restore impaired springs, rivers, lakes and estuaries, which need help meeting Florida’s stringent water-quality standards.

The two communities awarded TMDL grants during the agency’s November 2016 cycle were:

Jacksonville: Awarded $225,000 for part of the city’s Drainage System Rehabilitation program. As part of this project, nutrients will be reduced in the St. Johns River by rehabilitating existing storm sewers, constructing new drainage infrastructure and upgrading baffle boxes.

Oakland: Awarded $301,222 to reduce phosphorous and nitrogen being discharged to Lake Apopka by constructing dry stormwater ponds and pollutant removal systems, as well as a stormwater collection system including storm inlets, pipes, swales and control structures to detain runoff for treatment.

For more information about the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s TMDL grants, visit http://www.dep.state.fl.us/water/watersheds/tmdl_grant.htm.

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