Representatives from the Pinellas County Highway Department were honored today with a Water Stewardship Award from the Southwest Florida Water Management’s Pinellas-Anclote River Basin Board.
The board chose the Pinellas County Highway Department’s “McMullen Booth Road at Curlew regional Mitigation Facility” project because the former spoil site is in Pinellas County adjacent to the Lake Tarpon Outfall Canal. Although the project is permitted for potential mitigation credits, site enhancement and land management practices far exceed permit requirements. Additional areas have been planted, community involvement is promoted and research is being conducted.
The Water Stewardship Awards program recognizes excellence in the following categories: wetland systems restoration and preservation, water supply and conservation, water resources education, uplands restoration and management, water quality.
One project was chosen from each Basin within the District that exemplifies protection and/or conservation of west-central Florida’s water resources, demonstration of cost-effectiveness and demonstration of a benefit beyond that which is required by law, regulation or permitting requirements was chosen in each basin.
Applicants were from private businesses (commercial and agriculture), government agencies, individuals/communities (volunteers, business service clubs, individuals and non-government organizations), and educational institutions.
Basin Board winners will be considered for the Districtwide Water Steward of the Year Award. The winner of this award will be announced at the Governing Board meeting on September 28, 2004.
The Pinellas-Anclote River Basin includes all of Pinellas County and a portion of Pasco County.