8020 STIRLING ROAD, HOLLYWOOD, FL 33024  Ph: 954-432-5110 Fax: 954-432-8603     

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Be sure to check back to this page from time to time
in order to view announcements of upcoming events, to receive informative updates,
and to find out about various matters that affect the District.

~Posted May 9, 2008 from Parkpaws E-News ~

It’s Against the Law to Dump Unwanted Pets!

It happens more times than most people know and the problem seems to be getting worse.  What was once a member of the family, a loving pet, has suddenly become a menace to natural wildlife.  Why do some people think it is okay to drop off the family bunny, snake, dog, cat or reptile in a wildlife area or park?  Do they think that a domesticated critter is actually going to find it adventuresome to suddenly have to fend for themselves in an unknown environment?  Besides, releasing any exotic wildlife in Florida is a first-degree misdemeanor, subject to one year in prison and a $1,000 fine.

The Everglades has been invaded by exotic snakes that are upsetting the way of life for the natives.  Broward County Parks and Recreation even hired an Animal Care Specialist to respond to the animal issues at the parks (as well as develop programs for pet owners).  The National Park Service and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission have developed a campaign called “Florida Invaders.”  They say, “Under siege by plant and animal  invaders, nature and our economy are at risk!” 

For more information about this campaign and things you can do, visit the web site by clicking here: FLORIDA INVADERS

~Posted April 4, 2008~

    

Town of Davie & Central Broward Water Control District
Present the 12th Annual
 Davie Waterway Cleanup
Saturday, April 19, 2008
8:30 to 11:30 AM
Along the C-11 Canal
between State Road & & Flamingo Road
Meet at 8 AM in front of Davie Town Hall
6591 Orange Drive

Town of Davie Web Site

This event is a public awareness campaign to keep our waterways clean. We are looking for groups, families, or individual residents to help clean and pick up trash from the canal banks. We also welcome residents with small boats willing to clean the canal waters. We invite you to join us and play a role in helping to clean Davie's waterway. Contact Bonnie Stafiej, Town of Davie Special Projects Director at 954-797-1163 to register.

~Posted April 3, 2008~

Children's Art Exhibition
April 11-May 18, 2008
The Museum Gallery at Old Davie School
6650 Griffin Road, East of University Drive in Davie

Presented as a Partnership Between
Central Broward Water Control District's Outreach Program
and
Davie School Foundation

 

~Posted December 26, 2007~

We are experiencing one of the worst droughts on record.
Brown lawns are a small price to pay to have an adequate source
of drinking water for our very large populations.

Carol Wehle, Executive Director SFWMD

Effective January 15, 2008

 

Although summer rains helped coastal communities, water levels in Lake Okeechobee and many other lakes, rivers, wetlands and aquifers are very low. That's why mandatory water restrictions are more stringent with one-day-per-week restrictions effective January 15, 2008.  Year-round conservation requirements are being considered countywide.

Regional Water Levels Begin Seasonal Decline; Water Shortage Order
Provides “Watering Windows” for Landscape Irrigation

West Palm Beach, FL – For the first time in the agency's history, the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) today declared an extreme District-wide water shortage, directly affecting more than five million South Florida residents and thousands of farms and businesses. At its monthly meeting, the District's nine-member Governing Board adopted a groundbreaking water shortage order, instituting a one-day-a-week watering schedule for residential landscape irrigation to conserve regional water supplies. Landscape irrigation accounts for up to half of all household water consumption in Florida and totals more than seven billion gallons per day nationwide.

"Today's order represents the most stringent landscape irrigation measures that this agency has ever had to impose, but we believe it will significantly help to protect and stretch our regional water supplies," said SFWMD Governing Board Chairman Eric Buermann. "We appreciate the public's understanding and compliance with these necessary restrictions that will result in measurable water savings."

Highlights of the Modified Phase III water shortage order, which will be enforced beginning January 15, 2008, include:

  • Residents and businesses of Okeechobee, St. Lucie, Martin, Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Hendry and Glades counties are limited to a one-day-per-week landscape irrigation schedule with two "watering windows."
     
  • Odd street addresses may irrigate lawns and landscapes on Mondays between 4:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. or 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
     
  • Even street addresses may irrigate lawns and landscapes on Thursdays between 4:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. or 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
     
  • Residents and businesses with more than five acres have expanded irrigation hours, between 12:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. or 4:00 p.m. and 11:59 p.m. on their designated irrigation day.
     
  • Residents and businesses in Lee and Collier counties are limited to one-day-a-week watering during specific four-hour "watering windows" directly associated with their unique street addresses (page 3 of this PDF).
     
  • Hand-watering with one hose fitted with an automatic shut-off nozzle is allowed for 10 minutes per day for landscape stress relief and to prevent plant die-off.
     
  • Low-volume irrigation, including the use of drip and microjet systems that apply water directly to plant root zones, is not restricted but should be voluntarily reduced.
     
  • Additional watering days and times will be allocated for the establishment of new lawns and landscapes.
     
  • No restrictions apply to other outside water uses, such as for car and boat washing, pressure cleaning of paved surfaces, decorative fountains and water-based recreation (e.g. swimming pools, water slides).
     
  • Golf courses must reduce their allocated water use by 45 percent.

"Our lawns do not need to be watered more than once a week during the dry season, and with seasonal rainfall to help, it should be more than enough to maintain a healthy lawn," added Buermann.

The new, mandatory restrictions apply to all water from traditional sources, including water from public utilities, private wells, canals, ponds and lakes. Users of 100-percent reclaimed water are exempt from the restrictions but are encouraged to conserve water voluntarily.

Because jurisdiction in certain counties is shared with other water management districts, the SFWMD has coordinated with these agencies to simplify implementation and enforcement. Residents of Orange and Osceola counties should adhere to any water restrictions set by the St. Johns River Water Management District. Residents of Polk, Highlands, and Charlotte counties should adhere to the water restrictions set by the Southwest Florida Water Management District. However, golf courses, nurseries, and agricultural users District-wide should follow SFWMD water use restrictions.

Restrictions Make a Difference!
Implementing water use restrictions has already proved effective during the continued regional water shortage. Based on data reported by 46 public water utilities in Broward, Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Collier, Lee and Miami-Dade counties, an estimated 11.7 billion gallons of potable water was saved since March 22, when restrictions first went into effect, through June 30. Savings were most pronounced on non-watering days. For example, one day per week landscape irrigation restrictions instituted in Broward and Palm Beach counties saved an estimated 130 million gallons a day of potable water.

 

~Posted June 7, 2007~

Areas Affected by Water Shortage Rules

SOUTH FLORIDA WATER SHORTAGE MAP

 

~Posted May 10, 2007~

Phase 3 Water Use Restrictions
Go Into Effect at 12:01 AM, Wednesday, May 16, 2007

 

Click here for Phase 3 Water Restrictions - Commercial

 

Click here for Phase 3 Water Restrictions - Residential
 

Phase III mandatory water use restrictions go into effect May 16 in eastern Palm Beach, Broward, and a small portion of Martin County.


Phase III water restrictions target outdoor water use, limiting lawn watering and car washing to one day a week: Saturdays from 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. for odd-numbered addresses; Sundays from 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. for even-numbered addresses.

These limitations and other actions are intended to produce a 45 percent water use reduction by the combined conservation efforts of all users, including agricultural, industrial, commercial, golf course, landscaping and residential water users. The Phase III restrictions in this region apply to users who get their water from public utilities, private wells, canals, ponds and lakes.

~ Press Release from South Florida Water Management District ~

West Palm Beach, FL – With recent rains doing little to alleviate drought-related conditions across South Florida, the South Florida Water Management District’s (SFWMD) Governing Board today declared an extreme water shortage for eastern Broward and Palm Beach counties. The two southeast coastal counties are the first primarily residential areas to be placed in modified Phase III water use restrictions since the agency adopted a phased water shortage plan more than two decades ago.

"During the past two months, the District has called upon local businesses, residents and our government partners to practice aggressive water conservation to stretch our municipal water supplies, and these efforts have made a difference," said SFWMD Executive Director Carol Ann Wehle. "Unfortunately, South Florida is facing one of the worst droughts on record. Four of our coastal wellfields are at risk of saltwater intrusion, and we simply need to do more to protect our regional water resources."

The following new restrictions will become effective at 12:01 a.m., Wednesday, May 16:

• Eastern Palm Beach, Broward, and a small portion of Martin County are required to follow  Phase III restrictions, limiting outdoor water use to one day a week.

• Agricultural users in the Indian Prairie Basin will transition to Phase III restrictions.

• As part of a severe water shortage declaration in the District’s Upper East Coast Service Area, Martin and St. Lucie counties will be required to follow modified Phase II restrictions, limiting outdoor water use to two days a week.

• In response to concerns over elevated chloride levels in coastal wellfields along eastern Broward and Palm Beach counties, water utilities in Lake Worth, Lantana, Hallandale and Dania Beach are required to cease or shift pumpage from certain coastal wells.

At 9.37 feet above sea level, the current water level in Lake Okeechobee is within five inches of its record low of 8.97 feet, recorded in 2001. The primary back-up water supply for most South Florida residents, the lake is so low this year that its waters cannot be used to replenish the regional supply. If drought conditions persist, water managers expect the lake level to reach a new record low elevation within weeks.

Over the past several weeks, the District has documented more than 200 water restriction violations by consumptive use permit holders such as homeowners associations, golf courses and other water users. Under Florida State Statutes, the District is authorized to seek civil penalties of up to $10,000 per offense per day for water use violations. In addition, local municipalities have reported issuing more than 9,400 warnings and citations for violations of the current residential and commercial water use restrictions.

For additional information, residents can call the SFWMD's toll-free Water Shortage Hotline at 1-800-662-8876 or contact their regional SFWMD Service Center. Helpful water conservation tips, TV and radio public service announcements, and specific information on current water use restrictions are available at www.sfwmd.gov/conserve.

 

~Posted May 3, 2007~

 

 

Congratulations to

Raven Cornett

of
Griffin Elementary School, First Place Winner
of

The First Annual
EVERGLADES EYES

Art Competition!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   
   
 

 

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