As early as 2008, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was predicting possible disaster at the old Piney Point phosphate plant in Manatee County north of Bradenton if a plan to use the site for dredging went forward.
From Silver Springs to Juniper Springs, Marion County has numerous household names when it comes to nature preserves and recreation areas. You probably haven’t heard of Big Pine Preserve though yet.
That’s the new name of 541 acres that sit inside of, but are not a part of, the Ocala National Forest and border Lake Kerr. The North Florida Land Trust recently received approval from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to add Big Pine Preserve to the Florida Forever program, which protects conservation and recreation lands.
To be added to the program, areas must pass a vote by Florida Forever’s Acquisition and Restoration Council. The council considers whether the project will meet certain goals, such as increasing the protection of Florida’s biodiversity, protecting and restoring the functions of land and water systems and increasing natural resource-based public recreation.
Health advisory issued for Port Mayaca Lock after blue-green algae detected
Children, pets particularly vulnerable, health officials say
The Florida Department of Health in Martin County issued a new health advisory Friday for the vicinity of the Port Mayaca Lock because of the presence of algae.
and last updated 2021-04-16 18:35:28-04
PORT MAYACA, Fla. â The Florida Department of Health in Martin County issued a new health advisory Friday for the vicinity of the Port Mayaca Lock because of the presence of algae.
Recent samples taken by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection in the S308 canal found the presence of blue-green algae.
The wastewater is remaining on-site, the state said.
Credit: Florida Department of Environmental Protection
A crew working to repair a seal at the Piney Point site in Manatee County, Florida. Author: Andrew Krietz Updated: 6:10 PM EDT April 14, 2021
PALMETTO, Fla. Some wastewater was seen leaking from a temporary fix at the breached Piney Point reservoir on Tuesday, state officials confirmed.
A low-level flow was spotted around 3:30 p.m. from the east wall of the NGS-South compartment underneath the steel plate that had been placed over the liner seam separation, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The initial separation is what prompted fears of a total collapse of the wastewater reservoir back in March.