The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board is dedicating an additional $448,340 to clean up debris related to Hurricane Charley.
The District had previously approved $472,340 to clean up debris in the Peace Creek Drainage Canal in Polk County.
The latest funding will be used to remove Hurricane Charley-related debris from Flint Creek in Hillsborough County and portions of the Peace River.
The total cost of the Flint Creek cleanup project is $220,000. Funding for the project includes $80,000 from the District, $90,000 from United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and $50,000 Hillsborough County.
The total cost of the Peace River cleanup project is $992,660. Funding for the project includes $248,165 from the District and $744,495 from NRCS.
Meanwhile, clean-up efforts have begun on the Peace Creek Drainage Canal in Polk County. In September the District approved funding for the project, which is being funded through an agreement between the District and NRCS. As the lead agency, the District is managing the project and has hired Arbor Tree and Land Inc. to perform the work. The District has also hired PBS&J to inspect the work. Debris removal activities in the Peace Creek Canal are expected to be complete in February.
The work is consistent with the District’s areas of responsibility for flood protection, and is authorized under the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program administered by NRCS. The total cost of the Peace Creek Canal cleanup project is $472,340, and the NRCS will reimburse the District approximately $370,000.
If debris in the Peace Creek Canal is not cleared out, the potential for flooding and damage to bridges and stormwater management infrastructure would be increased.