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Polk County accepts $850,000 FDEP grant, will match $850,000 for Lake Hamilton wetlands restoration
Summary
The board approved a Florida Department of Environmental Protection grant of $850,000 to restore and create wetlands along Lake Hamilton and the Peace Creek Canal, with Polk County committing a matching $850,000 from stormwater and community investment funds for phase 1 engineering and construction (project total not to exceed $1.7 million).
County manager described a grant agreement (FDEP WRP-15) that awards Polk County $850,000 to restore and create wetlands along Lake Hamilton and the Peace Creek Canal. The project aims to regrade and revegetate previously disturbed areas, expand wetland footprints, and construct treatment wetlands to reduce nutrient loading into the chain of lakes. Staff said Lake Hamilton had been identified as an impaired water body for chlorophyll, total nitrogen and total phosphorus and the proposed restoration work is part of the pollutant-reduction strategy.
The agreement requires a local match of $850,000, bringing phase 1 engineering and construction costs to a maximum of $1,700,000; county funds are budgeted in the Parks and Natural Resources five-year Community Investment Program with matching funds from the stormwater MSTU fund. The board voted to approve the grant agreement and matching funds.
Staff said passive outdoor recreational opportunities will be possible after project completion and the Stormwater Technical Advisory Committee formally endorsed the project.
