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Watershed Management
Lake Management Program
The water quality of the lakes, which to most people is a matter of how clear the water is, directly relates to the quality of water coming into the lakes from their surrounding watersheds. Increasing development pressure and poor management practices around lakes has raised concerns about water quality and impacts on our lakes.
Often property owners find that they do not have all the resources to properly manage their lake. Seminole County Lake Management Program (SCLMP) offers options that are understandable and responsive to undesirable lake conditions affecting water quality and biological habitats for insects, fish, birds, etc.
The term "Environmental Stewardship" is taking active participation to care for natural resources ensuring that they are sustainably managed for current and future generations. By becoming a lake steward, citizens actively care for the needs of the lake. SCLMP promotes remediation of undesirable lake conditions by facilitating stewardships (lake associations) and partnerships among various stakeholders including fellow neighbors, landowners, community groups, and local and state government professionals working together protecting/improving/managing your lake.
SCLMP provides the following resources for unincorporated County lakes:
Often property owners find that they do not have all the resources to properly manage their lake. Seminole County Lake Management Program (SCLMP) offers options that are understandable and responsive to undesirable lake conditions affecting water quality and biological habitats for insects, fish, birds, etc.The term "Environmental Stewardship" is taking active participation to care for natural resources ensuring that they are sustainably managed for current and future generations. By becoming a lake steward, citizens actively care for the needs of the lake. SCLMP promotes remediation of undesirable lake conditions by facilitating stewardships (lake associations) and partnerships among various stakeholders including fellow neighbors, landowners, community groups, and local and state government professionals working together protecting/improving/managing your lake.SCLMP provides the following resources for unincorporated County lakes:
- Conducts detailed lake assessment and restoration studies
- Prepares reports analyzing the condition of County lakes
- Provides public education, volunteer monitoring and technical assistance to lake groups and lakeside residents
- Provides actions to control invasive aquatic plants
- Provides technical assistance with aquatic plant management
- Provides funding resource options
Basic Components of SCLMP include:
- Provide Biological and Water Quality Diagnosis – To assess the extent of eutrophication and evaluate trends in water quality conditions.
- Conduct Watershed Assessment – A detailed evaluation of important watershed features, such as land uses and soil types, is conducted to identify active or potential sources of pollution that need to be addressed to protect and improve lake water quality.
- Develop Lake Management Plan - The results of the water quality diagnosis and watershed assessment are used to evaluate methods to remediate undesirable lake conditions and to manage pollution sources in the lake watershed. The plan identifies the most cost effective ways to achieve water quality objectives.
- Provide Plan Implementation – The lake management plan may involve one or more of a variety of technologies including sediment dredging, weed harvesting, artificial aeration, grass carp fish, and aquatic herbicide treatments. Watershed management invariably involves the implementation of best management practices for non-point sources of pollution. (Examples are improved lawn fertilization practices, routine catch basin cleanouts, and installation of stormwater treatment technology). SCLMP provides oversight and assistance to guide recommended lake management activities.
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Educational Resources - Citizen Guide to Lake Management (booklet), Lakefront Revegetation (booklet), and How to Plant Your Lakefront (booklet). For more information about invasive plants, permits, and the Florida Aquatic Weed Control Act, please visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) at myfwc.com.
- Lake Management Funding Resources: Lake Restoration & Aquatic Weed Control MSBU- The MSBU Program of Seminole County provides management of the assessment districts that are established for funding various local improvements and services within the unincorporated boundaries of Seminole County. An assessment district, as established in Seminole County, is commonly referred to as an MSBU (Municipal Service Benefit Unit). Through the establishment of an MSBU, property owners can acquire certain essential improvements for community common areas which serve public purposes. Some examples of community improvements funded by assessment in Seminole County include the management of residential household solid waste with provisions for collection & disposal services, residential street lighting, constructed improvements (such as road paving, stormwater control systems- drainage systems and retention pond renovations), and lake management services (such as aquatic weed control and lake restorations). For more information on lake restoration and aquatic weed control MSBU, please visit the MSBU Aquatic Weed Control webpage. Please also see the latest edition of the Lake Management Program Newsletter.
The development of a successful lake management program is dependent on active community participation. SCLMP is very active in meeting with property owners, lake associations and professional officials to promote and assist in various lake management projects. It’s the cumulative effect of all of our efforts that will help protect our watershed.
KEY PERSONNEL