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Miller Lake neighbors urge county action as residents report rising water and permit concerns
Summary
Multiple Miller Lake-area residents told Volusia County leaders on June 2 that lake levels and street flooding have reached new highs and urged the county to investigate stormwater flows and possible state permits that residents say send runoff into Miller Lake.
Several Miller Lake-area residents appealed to the Volusia County Council during the public-comment slot on June 2, describing what they say is unprecedented high water, ongoing flooding of roads and yards, and concerns about new permits or permitted systems that divert water into local ponds and lakes.
Resident David Hill told council members Miller Lake “has never been this high in my lifetime” and warned a major storm could cut off neighborhood access on Shady Lane and Alice Drive. Hill described a pattern he believes sends stormwater through neighboring detention systems — he said water moves from an unnamed “Wawa Lake” through a commercial system and ultimately into Miller Lake. He asked whether the county would object to forthcoming St. Johns River Water Management District permits that he says will direct water into Miller Lake.
Neighbor Catherine Levinson presented maps and images showing Miller Lake inside a mapped wildlife corridor and said parts of the area had been designated as “Forever Florida” conservation corridors since 2001. Levinson said she believes restrictions for Forever Florida had been removed or altered online and that ongoing permitted flows from nearby developments and roadway ponding were drowning wetlands, displacing wildlife and harming private property.
Residents asked whether the county would object to St. Johns River Water Management District permits and whether county staff could investigate permitted stormwater devices at nearby commercial sites. Residents also raised local road-access concerns and asked the county to pursue corrective actions and regulatory objections where appropriate.
County staff present at the meeting did not present a formal staff action response during public comment, and councilmembers did not take action on the speakers’ requests during this session. Council members indicated they would route the concerns to appropriate staff for follow up; residents requested the county review drainage connections, permit approvals, and potential enforcement or objections to permit applications affecting Miller Lake.
Ending: The council asked staff to follow up with residents and report back; the transcript shows staff will document and investigate the claims about permit diversion and drainage connections, but no formal objection or policy action was taken at the June 2 meeting.
