Environmental Support Services

ENVIRONMENTAL SUPPORT SERVICES SECTION

The Environmental Support Services Section helps facilitate the construction of Capital Improvement projects, especially through the environmental permitting process and liaison activities with State and Federal regulatory agencies. The section also provides Habitat Management Permitting and investigates inquiries and complaints as they relate to County projects.

The construction of County Capital Improvement Projects nearly always involves permitting through one or more regulatory agencies. In addition, wetlands are sometimes impacted due to project constraints such as limited rights-of-way or safety concerns. During the permit application process, the Public Works Department had experienced many costly delays due to the many detailed environmental questions asked by the regulatory agencies.

The County decided that it needed a unique approach to help speed up the permitting process by addressing more of the environmental concerns early in the review. In April of 1988, the Department of Environmental Management, in conjunction with Public Works, formed the Environmental Support Services Section.

This section supports the Public Works/Engineering Section in project design and permitting by performing as an in-house environmental consultant for County projects.

Graphic of Oyster Reef Construction and Ft. DeSoto Recirculation Project.

Since its inception, the responsibilities of Environmental Support Services have expanded to serve other County sections and departments including Parks, Sewer, Water and the General Services Real Estate Management Division. Duties have broadened to include mitigation site monitoring, inspection and redesign as well as a myriad of special projects supported by the County Commission.

HIGHLIGHTS OF SECTION

Coordinated and managed the completion of the Ft. DeSoto Recirculation Project. This project immediately improved water quality and fisheries habitat in the “back-bays” of Ft. DeSoto by allowing tidal and wind-driven circulation to occur. The project was funded by grants from a team comprised of Federal, State, County, and private entities.The County has received numerous awards at local, State and National levels for both the engineering and environmental aspects of the project.
Provided environmental oversight and construction consulting for all phases of Wall Springs Park in Palm Harbor. ESS will continue to advise the Park on matters related to restoration efforts or future improvements.
Providing environmental consulting services for the “Lake Kimberly” property acquisition.The County is planning many environmental improvements to the property to correct past impacts and remove the infestation of exotic/invasive species.
Coordinated and managed the construction of the War Veterans’ Memorial Park Oyster Reef Project. This project, located off the western side of the Park, will provide scarce hard-bottom habitat and shoreline protection.It is hoped that seagrass will re-establish behind the reef once wave energy is reduced. The project was funded with a grant from the 1993 Oil Spill Mitigation Fund and managed through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Assisting the Land Management Division with the planning and design of the Mobbly Bayou Wilderness Preserve and Alligator Lake environmental restoration projects.