SAS Project: South FL Rule for Preventing Aquatic Vegetation, Trash and Debris
This page profiles an individual project associated with the Trash-Free Waters South Atlantic Strategy (SAS). For additional information about this effort, or to get involved, please reach out to the project contact identified below.
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Detailed Project Information
Description: VolunteerCleanup.Org heavily lobbied South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) to do more frequent trash cleaning and maintenance of canals, as trash has historically built up at the flood gate barriers. As a result, SFWMD has drafted a rule to require all water management system owners, including special districts, located in Collier, Broward, Glades, Hendry, Highlands, Lee, Martin, Miami-Dade, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Polk, or St. Lucie County that connect to or make use of the Central and South Florida (C&SF) Project System or other Works of the District for any purpose, establish and implement a vegetation and debris management plan (Management Plan) to prevent the discharge of aquatic vegetation, trash, and other debris into the C&SF system or other Works of the District through best management practices (BMP). The Management Plan must include an implementation and maintenance schedule with preventative BMP measures, which may include mechanical removal, herbicide application, and installation of features to block transmission and facilitate removal.
Project Partners: South Florida Water Management District
Current Project Outcomes: N/A
Long-Term Project Outcomes: Canals are a significant conduit for marine debris entering into bays and oceans, and Water Management Districts are in a unique position to capture and remove trash IF they implement effect capture mechanisms and maintenance schedules. Prevent aquatic vegetation, trash, and debris from entering the canals and remove it once it is there to keep bays and oceans clean.
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