On April 26, Assistant County Attorney Joseph DiNovo briefly explained his prepared report for the BOCC which was summarized in the 5/6/16 issue of Hernando Sun. According to the guidelines, removing invasive species from land designated as environmentally sensitive would qualify as appropriate use of funds. Changing the landscape by dredging would not. Land that has been altered to create roads is not considered environmentally sensitive, so that using ESL funds to remove invasive species from a right-of-way does not meet the guidelines.
John Burnett, from Department of Public Works, provided a map of Hunters Lake from 1954 showing a lake comprised of 302 acres. As of 2015, the lake encompasses 429 acres, a difference of 127 acres. The increase is due to dredging and other activity during the development of Spring Hill.
Christine Grigsby, from the Office of Management and Budget, presented information relating to history of the lake and funding options. Hunters Lake is connected to the aquifer and considered unconfined, meaning the aquifer is naturally close to the surface and has not been exposed due to mining. Water flows freely from deep underground and can be replenished via rainwater seepage. A bird sanctuary has been established in the lake by the Audubon Society, originally separated from the land by a channel of water.
In 2003, the Florida legislature approved creation of the Citrus/Hernando Waterways Restoration Council, an entity which reviews issues concerning lakes and rivers and seeks solutions to any issues and reports to the legislature annually. The Council’s 2009 report noted approximately 100 acres of tussocks, which granted animal access to the bird sanctuary. Tussocks also impaired growth of native plants and posed a threat to fish populations. Without intervention, the report explained the tussocks would reduce the lake size by creating layers of sediment/sludge. Recommendations from the 2009 report included removal of tussocks, dredging, and ongoing maintenance.
The 2015 Council report recommended a Feasibility Study, but had no other significant updates. According to Grigsby, a Feasibility Study would present the current conditions and concerns of the lake. If given approval as a restoration project, public and private grant money could become available and allow the county to use the funds effectively.
Two grants have been obtained for a removal of tussocks; one from FWC and one from Wells Fargo. A future grant submission is planned. However, these grants account for a total of only 19 acres of tussock removal, approximately 10% of what is needed to improve the lake.
Adkins called on Dawn Velsor, lead Environmental Planner, to help determine if Hunters Lake meets the sensitive lands criteria. Velsor read a list of seven requirements and applied them to the lake. Of the seven, the lake meets three criteria. Assistant County Administrator Ron Pianta responded to Adkins’ question of whether this is enough to include the lake in the ESL program, saying that the criteria Velsor read was actually to determine whether the project (tussock removal and/or dredging) would be eligible for funding under the ESL program, and not the Hunters Lake property itself.
Pianta stated the conclusion was that the tussock removal project does have the potential for funding under the ESL program, but not dredging the lake. However, Pianta noted Grigsby’s presentation indicated other sources might be able to provide funding, such as through the Florida Boating Improvement Program (FBIP).
Dukes expressed dismay over the condition of the lake and stated, “We abandoned this lake for 20 years. It’s one of the few lakes in the county you can actually use. We can’t just ignore it.” He recalled how it used to be “one of the best bass fishing lakes”, but no longer.
Nicholson stated the Hernando Waterways Restoration Council (HWRC), of which he is a member, has requested funding from the State for years, solely to study the situation, and the State has not provided any money. He would support using money from the County’s general fund to remove the tussocks and revive the fish population as he does not expect the State to come through with any financial assistance.
Rowden suggested reinstating the .1 mil tax for the ESL program, but clarified that it would be used for preservation of current sites, not purchasing new lands. Her concern was that the money currently set aside for maintenance would be depleted without the tax. County Attorney Garth Coller advised that would need to be put on the ballot as a referendum.
Chuck Morton, also a member of the HWRC, acknowledged the other potential sources mentioned by Grigsby. He stated that oftentimes, as in the case of Wells Fargo, the funder wishes to see a project already in motion before they provide funding. Budget cuts accounted for the loss of one grant applied for. Morton stated SWFWMD advised that the correct terminology to use is “muck removal” rather than dredging, as the purpose is to remove the layered organic debris and not making a channel deeper by removing sand.
Dukes is willing to bring the tax to the citizens in November but is concerned about having to wait an additional year to begin work at the lake. Responding to Adkins’ question, Pianta stated that because his department looked at the criteria only for the project, another analysis would be needed before determining if the lake could be added as environmentally sensitive land. The new analysis is expected to be presented at the 5/24/16 or 6/7/16 meeting.
On May 10th, the BOCC approved the permitting for tussock removal at Hunter’s Lake unanimously. The estimated total cost for removal is $425,000 and will be put in the budget for FY2017, which begins in October 2016. Money to remove the sediment ($275,000) will come from the aquatic department, and the remaining $150,000 for the tussock removal will come out of the sensitive lands funds.
A graphic of the lake showed at the May 10th meeting showed three different areas needing attention. The section of the lake nearest the bird sanctuary will use a grant from FWC. The areas along the south and southwestern sections will be paid for by with a grant from Wells Fargo, if it is approved. A third area along the north and eastern areas will need work, and grants for that portion have not been requested yet.
Chairman Jim Adkins noted that even with grants, the permit approval process could still take a few months before any work at the lake begins. Malmberg agreed, stating that includes obtaining the money from the ESL funds.
Another issue with the tussocks is actually moving them away from the lake. Permissions from landowners with property adjoining the lake will be needed since the tussocks will need to be pulled from the water, dried, and then hauled away.
Adkins remarked that with the tussocks removed, getting the sediment out of the lake would require funds and hoped that grants could be secured for that as well. Malmberg stated that his office is looking toward the next fiscal year and planning to apply for grants for sediment removal. FWC’s matching grant application process begins in March 2017.
Commissioner Diane Rowden referenced the denial of the county’s request for funds to help with Hunters Lake during the 2016 Legislative Session, stating that they should try again for the 2017 session. Commissioner Nick Nicholson stated that Hunters Lake has needed care for years and looks forward to seeing progress beyond putting in a parking lot.