Comprehensive Plan for the
City of Plant City
Florida
Conservation and
Aquifer Recharge
As amended by the City of Plant City City Commission
April 13, 2009 (Ordinance 11-2009)
Department of Community Affairs Notice of Intent to Find
Comprehensive Plan Amendments in Compliance published June
16, 2009 [DCA Docket No. 09-1ER-NOI-2902-(A)-(I)]
Effective Date:
July 7, 2009
Comprehensive Plan Amendment Number
and Description
Ordinance Number,
Effective Date
Adoption
Date
PC/CPA 11-04– – A text amendment to Ordinance 28-2012, September
streamline
and
improve
the 2012
understanding of the CARE.
Effective Date: October 18, 2012
&
10,
Comprehensive Plan for the City of Plant City, Conservation and Aquifer Recharge
City of Plant City
Conservation and Aquifer Recharge
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
I.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................................. 5
II. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................ 5
A. PURPOSE OF THE CONSERVATION AND AQUIFER RECHARGE ELEMENT............... 5
B. NEED FOR A CONSERVATION AND AQUIFER RECHARGE ELEMENT ..................... 6
C. ELEMENT ORGANIZATION .......................................................................... 6
III. INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS ............................................................................. 7
A. GEOGRAPHIC SETTING .............................................................................7
B. CLIMATE AND WEATHER ...........................................................................7
C. GEOLOGY ..............................................................................................7
D. SOILS ..................................................................................................8
E. MINERAL RESOURCES ..............................................................................9
F. SURFACE WATER RESOURCES ..................................................................9
G. ECOSYSTEMS MANAGEMENT ....................................................................11
H. NATURAL PRESERVES .............................................................................11
I. AIR QUALITY ..........................................................................................12
J. HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ..........................................................................13
K. NATURAL DRAINAGE FEATURES.................................................................14
L. SURFACE HYDROLOGY.............................................................................15
M. NATURAL GROUNDWATER AQUIFER RECHARGE AND DISCHARGE ....................15
N. STORMWATER MANAGEMENT ....................................................................18
O. WATER SUPPLY SOURCES AND ALTERNATIVES .............................................19
P. EXISTING REGULATIONS AND PROGRAMS ....................................................20
IV. GOALS, OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES* ............................................................. 24
V. STRATEGIES FOR IMPLEMENTATION*.............................................................. 50
VI. SUPPORT DOCUMENTS SUMMARY ................................................................. 54
“*” Denotes Adopted Sections and Maps
Comprehensive Plan for the City of Plant City, Conservation and Aquifer Recharge Element
Page 3
TABLE OF FIGURES
PAGE
FIGURE 1: SOILS MAP* ............................................................................................... 56
FIGURE 2: COMMERCIALLY VALUABLE MINERALS* .......................................................... 57
FIGURE 3: MAJOR DRAINAGE BASINS, RIVERS, BAYS, LAKES & HARBORS* ........................ 58
FIGURE 4: 100 YEAR FLOOD PLAIN* ............................................................................. 59
FIGURE 5: NATURAL RESOURCES, WETLANDS* .............................................................. 60
FIGURE 6: NATURAL SYSTEMS AND LAND USE LAND COVER INVENTORY* ........................... 61
FIGURE 7: BIODIVERSITY HOT SPOTS ........................................................................... 62
FIGURE 8: CONSERVATION LAND USE AND ELAPP AREAS ............................................... 63
FIGURE 9: STRATEGIC HABITAT CONSERVATION AREAS ................................................... 64
FIGURE 10: POTENTIOMETRIC SURFACE CONTOURS OF THE FLORIDAN AQUIFER ................. 65
FIGURE 11: REPORTED SINKHOLES .............................................................................. 66
FIGURE 12: AREAS OF NATURAL RECHARGE TO THE FLORIDAN AQUIFER............................ 67
FIGURE 13: AREAS SUSCEPTIBLE TO GROUNDWATER CONTAMINATION .............................. 68
FIGURE 14: EXISTING AND PROPOSED WELLS AND WELLFIELDS ....................................... 69
FIGURE 15: WELLHEAD RESOURCE PROTECTION* ........................................................... 70
“*” Denotes Adopted Sections and Maps
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Comprehensive Plan for the City of Plant City, Conservation and Aquifer Recharge
I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Conservation and Aquifer Recharge Element is an important portion of the
City of Plant City’s comprehensive planning and growth management process.
In a rapidly urbanizing area such as west central Florida, it is critical to protect
the natural environment which supports our lives.
In protecting the
environment, we protect the health, safety and welfare of Plant City’s citizens,
as well as maintaining the desired quality of life. While this Plan is providing
for an increased level of economic development and population within Plant
City’s boundaries, it must ensure that the natural resources and
environmental qualities that make the City an attractive living environment are
protected from undue degradation and abuse. The air, land and waters of
Plant City must remain an asset now and for future City inhabitants. The
Tampa Bay region is projected to maintain its rapid rate of growth, and in light
of that growth, a key role of the Conservation and Aquifer Recharge Element in
the growth management process is to ensure that the quality of Plant City’s
natural and man-made environment is maintained or improved.
II. INTRODUCTION
A. PURPOSE OF THE CONSERVATION AND AQUIFER RECHARGE ELEMENT
The purpose of the Conservation and Aquifer Recharge Element is to provide a
plan and policy direction for the preservation, conservation, and management
of the natural resources of importance to the citizens of the City of Plant City.
This Element is intended to provide guidelines for current and future
governmental programs and decisions related to the protection and
enhancement of the City’s natural environment and the public health, safety
and welfare. The objective of the Conservation and Aquifer Recharge Element
is to ensure that the air, land, water, and living resources of Plant City remain
an asset to the quality of life of all existing and future inhabitants.
The Conservation and Aquifer Recharge Element was prepared pursuant to the
mandate of Chapter 163, Florida Statutes, as amended by the Local
Government Comprehensive Planning and Land Development Regulation Act of
1985. This Act requires the development of a comprehensive plan by each local
government in the State of Florida.
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B. NEED FOR A CONSERVATION AND AQUIFER RECHARGE ELEMENT
Plant City, by virtue of its subtropical climate and variable hydrology and
geology, supports a rich and diverse complement of natural resources. The
City is underlain by the Floridan aquifer, the largest and highest quality
potable water aquifer in the state. The karst topography of the region has
created a mosaic of solution sinks and depressions that contain a wide variety
of wetland flora and fauna.
Over the past hundred years, however, development has slowly degraded the
rich, natural resources of the City. The unregulated filling of wetlands,
discharge of pollutants, clearing of forests, channelizing of streams, and overpumping of groundwater has altered much of the original natural resource
base. Environmental protection programs initiated at the federal, state,
regional and local levels have done much to stem the tide of this degradation.
However, advance planning and further safeguards are needed to ensure the
preservation and conservation of the City’s remaining natural resources for
future generations.
The Conservation and Aquifer Recharge Element is used to identify potential
problems and to set forth a plan and policy direction for ensuring
environmental protection and orderly economic growth under all projected
growth scenarios.
C. ELEMENT ORGANIZATION
This Element contains an Inventory and Analysis section, which presents
historic and current conditions upon which to base the recommended planning
and management strategies and a Goals, Objectives and Policies section, which
presents the recommended planning guidelines, programs and other operative
provisions intended to drive private and governmental decisions regarding
natural resources.
Finally, the Element includes the Strategies for
Implementation and Monitoring section, which recommends strategies for
implementing the Goals, Objectives and Policies. The Goals, Objectives and
Policies are the most critical portion of this Element, as they are adopted in
ordinance form and provide the guidelines within which Plant City operates.
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Comprehensive Plan for the City of Plant City, Conservation and Aquifer Recharge
III. INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS
A. GEOGRAPHIC SETTING
Plant City is located in northeast Hillsborough County. The City is generally
characterized by relatively flat terrain, with elevations that range between 100
and 150 feet. Elevations rise from less than 100 feet in the northwestern
sector of the City to approximately 150 feet near the Plant City Airport. Most of
Plant City falls within the Polk Uplands physiographic province, which is
comprised of relict beaches and sand dunes. Drainage in the area is generally
very good, with relatively little surface runoff.
B. CLIMATE AND WEATHER
The climate of Plant City is humid subtropical, characterized by high mean
annual rainfall and temperature. The mean annual temperature in the City is
about 72F (NOAA, 1986). Rainfall amounts in Plant City vary both seasonally
and annually. Annual rainfall averages about 50.8 inches. Long lasting
rainstorms during the summer months are uncommon, but when they do
occur, they are usually associated with tropical storms or hurricanes.
Because of its wide variability, the impact of weather on the city is significant.
The area could experience a drought in the spring or summer and floodinducing hurricane the same year, calling for extensive public works to manage
water accordingly. In Plant City the least rainfall occurs in the fall (October December) and in the spring (March - May). In the dry periods, low pressure
systems do not influence the area nearly as frequently as in winter, and local
convective shower activity is much weaker than in summer. The wet season is
usually from late May to early October.
C. GEOLOGY
Plant City is underlain with several thousand feet of limestone layers that can
contain or transmit large quantities of groundwater. Some strata are very
dense, and limit vertical migration of water underground. These confining
layers are very important for groundwater conservation. The limestone layers,
which are deposits of ancient marine sediment, are usually covered by sands
and clays. (Water Resources Atlas of Florida, 1984)
Four geologic layers underlay Plant City. The oldest of the four, the Suwannee
Limestone, is successively overlain by two other limestone layers — the St.
Marks/Tampa and Hawthorn Formations – and topped by a final
unconsolidated layer. The Hawthorn layer is especially important as a top
confining layer for the Floridan aquifer. All these layers, especially the
Suwannee, are rich in fossils.
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D. SOILS
(Reference: Figure 1)
There are four broad divisions of soil associations in Plant City. Each area
consists of more than one kind of soil. For general planning purposes refer to
the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service publication, “Soil Survey of
Hillsborough County, Florida” for a detailed description of soil types in Plant
City.
1. SOIL LIMITATIONS
Due to the flat topography and relative uniformity of soil distribution in Plant
City, soil limitations generally do not preclude structural development, except
in extreme cases (e.g., wetland soils). Instead, these limitations require that
engineering modifications be made to the site prior to construction. Soils with
few limitations can easily be made suitable for development, while moderate
limitations may require more extensive alterations. Future development should
utilize soil types in a manner identified by the Natural Resources Conservation
Service to conserve and protect the natural functions of existing soils.
The use of septic systems for the treatment and disposal of sewage effluent
may, however, be significantly limited by site specific soil conditions. The
location of septic systems in improper soils may result in several undesirable
effects. If the soils have high wetness and poor permeability, then the
discharged effluent does not percolate properly and may runoff into and
contaminate adjacent surface waters.
In excessively well-drained deep sand, septic effluent can migrate too rapidly
for purification processes to occur, and carry contaminants into the
groundwater supply. Extreme prudence should be used when permitting
septic tanks in very well drained soils. If a large number of tanks sited on
highly permeable soil generate effluent that reaches the potable water supply
without sufficient filtering, severe water quality problems can arise. The
surficial aquifer, and even the primary artesian aquifer (Floridan), are all
subject to contamination from septic wastes.
2. SOIL EROSION
According to the Natural Resources Conservation District (a division of the
U.S.D.A.), there are no chronic soil erosion problems in Plant City. Temporary
soil erosion problems often occur during land clearing for development;
however, this can be controlled through the implementation of Best
Management Practices (BMPs).
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Comprehensive Plan for the City of Plant City, Conservation and Aquifer Recharge
E. MINERAL RESOURCES
(Reference: Figure 2)
The most significant mineral resource in Hillsborough County is phosphate,
which has been mined throughout the area. From a land use perspective,
phosphate mining has the greatest impact of any mineral resource in
Hillsborough County. There are no active mines within Plant City.
Phosphate deposits are found primarily in the eastern and southeastern
portions of Hillsborough County. Obviously, those deposits found under the
urbanized area of Plant City are no longer available for extraction. Plant City’s
zoning ordinance, section 111.23(2) prohibits excavation of soil other than for
use on the premises or for the alteration in grading of a specific site for
building purposes.
F. SURFACE WATER RESOURCES
(Reference: Figure 3)
Freshwater systems of the Plant City area include seven major drainage basins:
Campbell Creek, Hollomans Creek, Itchepackesassa Creek, English Creek, the
Little Alafia River, Turkey Creek, and Baker/Pemberton Creek, the flow from all
of which ultimately enters Tampa Bay. Several riverine systems within the
Plant City area are Pemberton Creek, Sparkman Branch, the tributaries of
Turkey and Itchepackesassa Creeks, Water Oak Branch, English Creek and
Howell Branch. Lakes of note within the City are Walden Lake and several
former phosphate pits.
Surface water flows are not only a product of runoff, but may also include a
ground-water baseflow component. In fact, many surface water systems in
Plant City and west central Florida are closely interconnected with the
underlying groundwater system through springs and sinkholes. In accordance
with hydrologic conditions, these natural interconnections may augment flow,
reduce flow, or perform both functions intermittently. Because this region
manifests annual wet and dry seasons with significant variations in
precipitation frequency and intensity, the contribution of surface runoff and
groundwater baseflow to streams varies. This cyclic pattern of changing
baseflow conditions results in variable surface water quantity and quality.
Stream flows are generally lowest during April and May. Unfortunately, high
municipal water demands historically occur during this same seasonal time
period because of the increased demand for irrigation of lawns and crops.
Rivers, lakes and wetlands within Plant City are identified as Class III waters,
deemed suitable for recreation and propagation and protection of fish and
wildlife as classified and specified in Chapter 62-302, FAC.
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1. WATER QUALITY
Most of the freshwater systems in Plant City exhibit good water quality on an
average annual basis, which is suitable for the support of a healthy and diverse
complement of fish and wildlife species. However, given the fact that many
surface waters in the region are fed by oxygen deficient groundwater and would
exist in a eutrophic state in the absence of anthropogenic nutrient additions,
periodic low dissolved oxygen levels in many streams and lakes are observed.
2. LAKES AND PONDS
Lakes typically are larger bodies of standing water, in which open water areas
predominate over shallow vegetated areas, while the inverse is typical of ponds.
There are several small lakes in the City. Walden Lake is the largest at sixty
acres in size. Other than Walden Lake, which has a boat ramp and dock, lakes
and ponds are not a major feature in the City. The other small lakes and
ponds in the City were either formed by solution activities or are former borrow
or phosphate pits that have taken on the characteristics of lake systems.
3. NATURAL WETLANDS
(Reference: Figure 5)
Depressional wetlands in the area may be classified into several categories:
cypress ponds and strands, swamps, marshes, bayheads, and cypress domes.
These wetlands are influenced by and dependent on certain water budgets.
Wetland functions include improving water quality by filtering out nutrients,
toxic substances, and disease-causing micro-organisms; protection of
shorelines and banks from erosion; storage of flood waters; and enhancement
of biota in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems adjacent to them. Wetlands are
classified, and their functions and benefits described, in the Ecosystems
Management section of this Element.
4. FLOODPLAINS
(Reference: Figure 4)
Much development has occurred in Hillsborough County, throughout Florida,
and around the country, which not only deprives us of future water reserves,
but also runs a high risk of destruction should a flood occur. The City is a
participant in the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) flood
insurance subsidization program and as such has adopted a Flood Damage
Control Ordinance. This ordinance complies with FEMA requirements, which
requires particular building standards and that structures be built above the
minimum flood elevation.
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Comprehensive Plan for the City of Plant City, Conservation and Aquifer Recharge
G. ECOSYSTEMS MANAGEMENT
(Reference: Figure 6 and Figure 7)
Plant City and the State of Florida are unique because of the wide diversity of
natural plant communities or habitats for wildlife resources. Climate and
geography, combined with soil composition, rainfall patterns and coastal
influences, provide a mosaic of habitats.
Ten vegetative communities occur in the Plant City area: pine flatwoods, dry
prairies, sandhills, xeric hammocks, mesic hammocks, hardwood swamps,
cypress swamps, freshwater marshes, sand pine scrub and wet prairies.
Historically, Plant City was covered with deciduous (predominately oak), mixed,
and coniferous (predominately pine) forests. Now, virtually all climax forests
have been cut, with present woodlands consisting of second and third
generation growth. Wetlands areas in Plant City have been severely impacted,
yet significant wetlands still exist.
Much of the well-drained and somewhat slightly well-drained land that was
first cleared for agricultural purposes has now given way to urban
development.
Longleaf pines, shrubs, and grasses were the principal
vegetation on well-drained areas. Where natural succession has occurred since
the original lumbering, turkey oaks and blackjack oaks have grown, with live
oaks in the less well-drained areas. Climax conditions typically include the
presence of oak, hickory, magnolia and longleaf pine.
Additionally, urban development has created the opportunity for increasing
occurrences of exotic plants and trees, most notably the Brazilian pepper
(Schinus terebinthiofolius), Australian pine (Casuarina spp.), and punk tree
(Melaleuca quinquenervia).
Currently, there is still a variety of natural plant communities in Plant City.
H. NATURAL PRESERVES
(Reference: Figure 8 and Figure 9)
Natural preserve lands are those lands that are maintained and managed in
essentially their natural state with the primary objective of conserving and
protecting their environmentally unique, irreplaceable and valued ecological
resources. Natural preserve lands provide recreation and aesthetic benefits
and are open to public use and enjoyment, to the extent that such uses are
compatible with the conservation and protection of these lands.
In 1987, Hillsborough County passed a referendum creating the Environmental
Lands Acquisition and Protection Program (ELAPP) under the administration of
the Parks and Recreation Department.
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In addition to the local ELAPP program, the Conservation and Recreation
Lands (CARL), and Save Our Rivers (SOR) programs, administered at the state
and regional levels, respectively, offer additional alternatives to local
acquisition.
I. AIR QUALITY
Air quality is a valuable natural resource, the protection of which should be
given high priority. The quality of the air directly affects the health and welfare
of Plant City’s residents. The City, like most urban areas, experiences periodic
air quality problems due to industrial facilities (point sources) and automobiles
(mobile sources) in and around Plant City. While air quality concerns are
present as a result of these activities, severe conditions are often localized and
temporary due to prevailing winds and the area’s open topography.
Air quality in Plant City and Hillsborough County is regulated at the federal
level by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, at the state level by the
Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and at the local level by the
Environmental Protection Commission of Hillsborough County. Through a
specific operating agreement with FDEP, the EPC is charged with enforcing air
quality regulations and permitting and compliance activities throughout
Hillsborough County.
The EPC also implements its own programs and
regulates activities for open burning, odor and dust control to ensure that air
quality problems are not exacerbated by growth in Plant City or Hillsborough
County.
While Plant City cannot establish higher discharge standards or require the
application of pollution control technologies, there is much that local
comprehensive plans can contribute toward air quality protection.
For
example, segregating lands by their use can play an important role in the
planning process. As growth continues in Plant City and Hillsborough County,
concern over shrinking distances between industrial and residential properties
may increase.
Without these considerations and safeguards, residential
property may be negatively impacted by adjoining industrial operations that
generate noise, dust and odor nuisances. However, it should be noted that the
municipality’s industrial land use plan category does not permit industrial
operations that produce excessive noise, dust or odors, which might impact
adjacent non-industrial uses within the City of Plant City.
1. PAST AND PROJECTED AIR POLLUTION IMPACTS
In 2006, EPC’s Air Monitoring Section operated 23 air monitors for national
and state air quality standard assessments, and 28 special purpose monitors
which collect specific air quality data on pollution problems unique to
Hillsborough County. These air monitors measured the levels of all federally
required pollutants: sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, ozone, particulate matter,
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Comprehensive Plan for the City of Plant City, Conservation and Aquifer Recharge
carbon monoxide and lead. These pollutants are the most prevalent and have
the greatest overall adverse impacts on health. The table below illustrates the
Air Quality for the Tampa Metropolitan Area over the past ten years.
TABLE 1
AIR QUALITY FOR TAMPA METROPOLITAN AREA
Air Quality was measured in Terms of Unhealthy Days for Sensitive Individuals
(1995-2006)
Year
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
Number of Unhealthy Days
7
11
2
10
13
4
5
0
4
1
5
3
Source: Air Quality Technical Reports, EPC, 1997-2006
2. ABATEMENT POTENTIAL
The current local, state, and federal efforts have made progress in improving
air quality. Continued regulation of point sources by EPC, FDEP, and EPA
through the permit process, compliance monitoring and enforcement of permit
conditions, as well as voluntary emission reduction and energy conservation
efforts will be vital to reduce pollution levels and improve air quality in Plant
City.
J. HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
Please refer to the Public Facilities Element, Solid Waste Sub-Element for
information on Hazardous Waste.
The following sections (Sections K-P) relate in particular
Groundwater and Aquifer Recharge issues in the Plant City area.
to
Natural
K. NATURAL DRAINAGE FEATURES
1. GEOLOGY OF THE REGION
In the Plant City area, groundwater originates through rainfall on land surfaces
throughout the region, particularly those lands lying to the north and
Comprehensive Plan for the City of Plant City, Conservation and Aquifer Recharge Element
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northwest of Plant City and the Green Swamp, where the rain can percolate to
underlying strata. Most of this water moves to the water table via seepage
through top soils and discharges to surface collectors such as lakes, streams,
or surrounding bays. The remainder reaches and recharges the deeper
underlying Floridan aquifer.
The strata underlying the region can be divided into units based on
groundwater: the upper, unconfined water table aquifer, a layer of confining
deposits, and the deeper Floridan aquifer.
2. GROUNDWATER LEVELS
(Reference: Figure 10)
The potentiometric surface of a confined aquifer is the elevation that water
would rise to if it were unconfined, and is generally an expression of the
“hydraulic head” or recharge pressure within the confined aquifer. The
potentiometric surface of the Floridan aquifer varies seasonally, with highest
and lowest levels occurring in September and May, respectively. September is
normally the end of the wet season, stress is placed on the aquifer in May
because seasonal rains have not yet begun and lawn sprinkling is heaviest.
Also, seasonal population is at its peak in late winter and early spring. This
places additional demands on the freshwater supply at a time when rainfall is
least. However, the amount of rainfall is the most important factor in dictating
the altitude of the potentiometric surface of the Floridan aquifer.
Groundwater flow in the upper Floridan aquifer in Plant City is generally
northeast to west and southwest.
Hydrographs of observation wells in
Hillsborough County indicate a general decline in water levels since 1955. The
greatest declines appear between 1965 and 1975. Excessive groundwater
withdrawals have, in the past, resulted in significant wetland and lake
drawdowns, leading to both temporary and permanent ecological damage to
these natural systems.
3. FRESHWATER/SALTWATER RELATIONSHIPS
Throughout Florida, saltwater underlies freshwater aquifers at depths that
range from 2,500 ft. in the center part of the state to almost zero along the
coasts. Any development that lowers the freshwater level in an aquifer causes
some movement, or encroachment, of saltwater. To date, saltwater intrusion
throughout the Plant City area has been negligible.
L. SURFACE HYDROLOGY
1. SPRINGS
There is no evidence that there are any major springs in Plant City.
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Comprehensive Plan for the City of Plant City, Conservation and Aquifer Recharge
2. SINKHOLES
(Reference: Figure 11)
Sinkholes are part of the natural process of erosion in limestone terraces.
Defined, a sinkhole is “a depression in the land surface formed either by
solution of near-surface limestone or similar rocks or by collapse of the roof of
underground channels and caverns” (Water Resources Atlas, 1984). Sinkhole
areas are unsuitable for development. Sinkholes are uncommon in Plant City.
M. NATURAL GROUNDWATER AQUIFER RECHARGE AND DISCHARGE
1. AQUIFER RECHARGE AND DISCHARGE
Recharge can be defined as the replenishment of groundwater in an aquifer by
artificial or natural means. Recharge to the surficial or water table and
Floridan aquifers occurs primarily as a result of infiltration of rainfall.
The water management districts are to designate prime recharge areas, the law
provides no statutory definition of “prime.” Water management districts,
therefore, are to determine the meaning of “prime” for those recharge areas of
greatest importance and value.
2. RECHARGE AREAS - PLANT CITY
(Reference: Figure 12)
The delineation of aquifer recharge areas in the Plant City area has been
mapped by the United States Geological Survey (USGS), and the area has been
designated as a very low recharge area by the Southwest Florida Water
Management District (SWFWMD). This may include some areas where the
thickness and extent of the confining bed is not known. Recharge is low where
confining beds are of sufficient thickness and extent to physically restrict
movement of water into the Floridan, or where the confining bed is absent but
both the water table and potentiometric surface of the Floridan are close to the
land surface. Recharge is moderate where the confining bed is locally thin or
breached and where the water table is considerably higher than the
potentiometric surface.
3. GROUNDWATER CONTAMINATION
(Reference: Figure 14 and Figure 15)
Maintaining high quality groundwater and preventing contamination is a
strong concern to the residents, administration and elected officials of Plant
City. Groundwater provides the only potable water source in the area, and is
vulnerable to groundwater pollution (the source of which is often difficult to
identify and almost always costly to correct). Increases in regional population
increase the potential for contamination and subsequent depletion of the
groundwater resource, providing a need for the application of appropriate
pollution control and growth management strategies.
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4. AQUIFER CONTAMINATION
(Reference: Figure 13)
The Southwest Florida Water Management District has delineated areas
susceptible to aquifer contamination in Plant City and Hillsborough County.
To do this, SWFWMD utilized the DRASTIC methodology developed by the U. S.
Environmental Protection Agency. DRASTIC maps are constructed by
individually mapping variations of the seven DRASTIC parameters. Each of
the seven parameters is then assigned a rating. In the case of depth to water
in Hillsborough County, 0-5 feet is assigned a rating of 10, 5-15 feet a rating of
9, and a depth of water greater than 100 feet a rating of 1. In addition to
ratings, each of the seven parameters are assigned a weighing factor relative to
their importance relative to restricting the potential for the groundwater system
to become contaminated. The weighing factors of the seven parameters are:
Parameter
Depth to water
net Recharge
Aquifer media
Soil media
Topography
Impact of the vadose zone
hydraulic Conductivity
Weighing Factor
5
4
3
2
1
5
3
Once the seven parameters are individually mapped and assigned ratings, the
seven maps are superimposed, and composite DRASTIC areas are formed.
These composite areas are assigned DRASTIC indices, which are the sum of the
products of the ratings and weights of the seven parameters for the individual
composite areas. Finally, DRASTIC indices of the composite areas are grouped
in categories for ease of map discernability. These categories are listed below:
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Comprehensive Plan for the City of Plant City, Conservation and Aquifer Recharge
Category
200+
180-199
160-179
140-159
Color
Red
Orange
Yellow
Light Green
Category
120-139
100-119
80-99
79 and below
Color
Dark Green
Light Blue
Indigo
Violet
Interpreting DRASTIC maps is quite simple; the higher the DRASTIC index, the
greater the groundwater pollution potential.
It should be noted that the DRASTIC methodology was developed to be applied
universally for hydrogeologic units 100 acres or greater in size. Although the
maps produced provide a generally useful tool for directing development, waste
disposal and other land use activities away from contamination-prone areas,
maps of much greater resolution will be necessary to definitively identify and
protect such areas. Furthermore, due to the unique hydrogeology of westcentral Florida, the DRASTIC methodology can provide misleading results.
Particularly, the competency of the clays overlying the intermediate and upper
Floridan aquifers is, in most cases, less than that found in “typical” clay units,
primarily due to breaching.
Therefore, the methodology may actually
underestimate the degree of contamination potential in many areas.
5. POTENTIAL WATER QUALITY PROBLEMS
Plant City depends solely upon groundwater to meet its domestic potable water
supply needs. There are, however, certain areas where water quality violates
recommended maximum contamination levels, due primarily to localized
hydrogeologic conditions and man’s influences.
At times, the quality of water pumped from local aquifers does not meet
drinking water standards because of mineralization.
The degree of
mineralization is referred to as the “hardness” or “softness” of the water.
6. UNDERGROUND STORAGE AND TRANSPORT FACILITIES
Underground storage of gasoline, kerosene and other petroleum products in
steel tanks has proven to be a source of contamination of considerable
proportions nationally. Steel tanks are now being replaced by fiberglass or
other leak-resistant materials, and all service stations and other facilities that
have used underground storage are now required to install monitoring wells
and to monitor for groundwater contamination at regular intervals.
Buried pipelines are another source of potential contamination and are typical
of commercial enterprises. They normally are carefully monitored where
vaporizing compounds such as natural gas can be detected. Slowly leaking
petroleum products are much more difficult to detect.
Comprehensive Plan for the City of Plant City, Conservation and Aquifer Recharge Element
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7. UNDERGROUND DISPOSAL FACILITIES
Landfilling of garbage is a common practice nation-wide. However, there are no
active landfills located in the City of Plant City. There are several abandoned
landfills/dump sites in the Plant City area, posing only a minimal potential for
surface or groundwater contamination. (This information is from County
Government Hazardous Waste Management Assessment for Hillsborough
County, ESE/TBRPC, 1984, page 4-15.)
There is also a Superfund site, Schuykill Metals, located within the City limits.
Battery casing scraps have been removed by the company under a 1983
consent order between Schuykill Metals and the Florida Department of
Environmental Regulation (now Department of Environmental Protection,
FDEP).
N. STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
1. STORMWATER RUNOFF
Stormwater runoff, or the water flowing over land surfaces during and
immediately after a rainfall, carries almost every kind of pollutant. More than
half of all pollutants entering surface waters have been carried by stormwater
runoff, which enters the system from non-point sources. Runoff can contribute
from 80-95 percent of the annual heavy metal loading (for example, lead, zinc,
iron, cadmium) to all of Florida’s surface waters (Wanielista et al., 1976).
EPA regulates the quality of stormwater run-off through the National Pollutant
Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting process. However, in the
state of Florida, the control of stormwater is so closely related to the regulation
of water management for flood control and water resource protection, and is
carried out by SWFWMD.
2. SPRAY IRRIGATION OF WASTEWATER
The most common form of land application of wastewater is spray irrigation,
the controlled discharge of effluent, generally secondarily treated, to land
surfaces to promote plant growth. While the City does not currently have a
zero discharge facility, and permitting future expansion to its outfall will be
challenging, the City is always striving to meet 100% reuse and therefore
continues to enroll and execute agreements with potential new reclaimed water
users.
3. ON-SITE SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEMS (SEPTIC TANKS)
On-site Sewage Disposal Systems (OSDSs, aka, septic tanks) are primarily
underground concrete boxes that receive and provide for the preliminary
treatment of human sewage effluent. Solids are settled out, bacteria-induced
decomposition occurs, and the remaining liquids are dispersed to surrounding
soils. Dense concentrations of septic tanks can cause their efficiency to
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Comprehensive Plan for the City of Plant City, Conservation and Aquifer Recharge
decrease, and increase the potential for groundwater contamination. The
potential for well-water contamination is also mitigated by the availability of
public water in potential problem areas. This does not prevent environmental
degradation, but does provide a potable water supply unaffected by local
groundwater conditions. There are many existing septic tanks within the
municipality, however new residential development within 250 feet of existing
municipal sanitary sewer lines is required to connect. All other types of
development are required to connect to municipal sanitary sewer service
regardless of the distance to existing lines.
O. WATER SUPPLY SOURCES AND ALTERNATIVES
1. CURRENT AND PROJECTED WATER USE
(Reference: Figure 15)
The Plant City Water Department maintains four (4) water supply wells to serve
customers located within and outside the city limits. The wells are designated
as numbers 5, 6, 7 and 8, all of which draw their water from the Floridan
aquifer. Additional information on water supply is located in the Potable Water
Sub-Element of the Public Facilities Element.
2. WATER CONSERVATION
Water conservation plays an important role in the City’s efforts to plan for
future water supplies, wastewater disposal, and environmental protection.
Typically, as areas experience growth, inexpensive sources of water are
developed first.
As growth continues, remaining sources become more
expensive to bring to specific locations. Also, with increasing water use, more
wastewater treatment and disposal is required.
Minimum per capita water consumption goals developed for the Northern
Tampa Bay Water Use Caution Area (NTBWUCA) by the Southwest Florida
Water Management District (SWFWMD) shall be the minimum guidelines used
by the city to measure the success in implementing water conservation
measures.
3. WASTEWATER REUSE
Proper management of the groundwater resource requires consideration of the
potential for reuse of wastewater. Reuse can decrease demands for potable
water, help solve limitations on the disposal of wastewater effluent, and lessen
the effects of excessive groundwater withdrawal. A reuse master plan is
currently under development.
P. EXISTING REGULATIONS AND PROGRAMS
Comprehensive Plan for the City of Plant City, Conservation and Aquifer Recharge Element
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1. FEDERAL REGULATIONS
Congress has passed five major acts to address groundwater regulation. These
are discussed below, and include: the Clean Water Act of 1972; the Safe
Drinking Water Act of 1974; the Resource Conservation Recovery Act of 1976;
the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976; and the Surface Mining Control and
Reclamation Act of 1977.
2. CLEAN WATER ACT - PUBLIC LAW 92-500 - EPA, U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
The passage of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972
(1972 FWPCA) and the amendments of 1977 had a major impact upon the
water resources of the nation. This law, which delegated authority over surface
waters and groundwaters to EPA, is now known as the Clean Water Act. The
objective of the Act is “to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and
biological integrity of the nation’s waters”.
The national goal of eliminating the discharge of pollutants to navigable waters
by 1985 evolved into what is now known as the National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System (NPDES) permit program.
Authority for the NPDES
program is established under Section 402 of the Clean Water Act. The program
addresses point source pollutant discharge and requires the control of
pollutants discharged into federal waters.
Groundwater receives some protection from Section 208 of the act. This
section provides for the development and implementation of areawide water
quality management plans. The Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council is the
designated area wide agency for this region, and it published the Areawide
Water Quality Management Plan for the Tampa Bay Region in 1978. The intent
is to develop ways to protect regional groundwater resources from point and
non-point source pollution.
In addition, Section 404 of this Act provides the Army Corps of Engineers with
the authority to regulate dredge and fill material and its disposal to Waters of
the United States. In some cases, dredge and fill activities can alter the
hydrologic regime of an area and thus affect the groundwater resources.
3. THE SAFE DRINKING WATER ACT OF 1974
The Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 corrected some of the deficiencies of the
Clean Water Act. It succeeded in certain areas by establishing a federal
regulatory mechanism to insure the quality of publicly supplied drinking water.
The act provides programs to combat groundwater pollution, in addition to
granting EPA the authority to set drinking water standards and treatment
technologies for public water supply systems. The three (3) main provisions of
the Act affecting ground water are: 1) the Underground Injection Control
Program; 2) the Gonzales Amendment; and 3) the Primary Drinking Water
Standards.
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Comprehensive Plan for the City of Plant City, Conservation and Aquifer Recharge
4. THE RESOURCE CONSERVATION AND RECOVERY ACT OF 1976 (RCRA) - EPA
This act complements the efforts of the Clean Water Act and the Safe Drinking
Water Act by addressing additional sources of pollution. It increases federal
supervision over the land disposal of municipal waste discharged into any
waters, and over the generation, treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous
waste. It supplies EPA and states with certain necessary provisions to protect
the environment from improper waste management.
5. THE TOXIC SUBSTANCE CONTROL ACT OF 1976 - EPA
The Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) was passed shortly after RCRA, and
the two acts periodically overlap. TSCA authorizes EPA to regulate toxic
pollutants throughout their production, consumption, and disposal. It is
designed to protect human health and the environment by establishing testing
requirements and restricting the use of certain chemical substances. By
recognizing that improper disposal of these substances presents unreasonable
risks, TSCA provides additional protection of groundwater.
6. SURFACE MINING
OF INTERIOR
CONTROL AND RECLAMATION ACT OF 1977 - U. S. DEPARTMENT
This Act requires operating permits, mining and reclamation plans,
reclamation bonds, and permit approval procedures for surface mines. It is
designed to minimize the environmental effects of surface mining (with some
exemptions for phosphate mining) on water resources, and therefore provides
additional protection of groundwater. There are no surface mines in Plant City.
7. STATE REGULATIONS
Regulations by the State and the Water Management District are intended to
prevent adverse impacts to Waters of the State by the discharge of stormwater
or drainage facilities.
The regulations are intended to prevent flooding
problems, maintain aquifer recharge through infiltration, manage water
budgets to natural systems through the regulation of discharge quantities, and
maintain the quality of wetlands and other natural systems through water
quality treatment of stormwater discharges.
8. SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
The Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) was created in
1961 by a special act of the Florida Legislature to serve as local sponsor for the
Four River Basins Project, designed by The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In
1972, the Florida Resources Act (Chapter 373, F. S.) incorporated SWFWMD as
the regulatory agency with jurisdiction over development, use and conservation
of water resources within its boundaries. The jurisdictional limits include
sixteen counties, including Hillsborough. Rules established by the District to
implement the Act are included under Chapter 40D, Rules of the Southwest
Florida Water Management District. District Rules which require permitting
Comprehensive Plan for the City of Plant City, Conservation and Aquifer Recharge Element
Page 21
and design criteria for construction of new facilities for surface water
management and drainage are included under Chapter 40D-4, Management
and Storage of Surface Waters, and Chapter 40D-40, General Surface Water
Management Permits.
The Southwest Florida Water Management District administers and enforces
the following activities: stormwater discharge (management and permitting);
consumptive use permits; surface water management (conceptual approval,
construction and operation permits); and water-well construction.
The Stormwater Rules (Chapter 62-25, FAC, adopted in 1982), technicallybased performance standards emphasize treatment of “first flush” pollutants.
Discharges of stormwater which are not retained entirely on site and which
eventually reach any surface water, as broadly defined by the statute, should
meet the requirements of Chapter 62-25. This includes discharges to local
government stormwater systems, either ditches or storm sewer pipes.
Chapter 373, FS, is primarily concerned with the consumptive uses of water,
including groundwater. The statute protects groundwater by establishing laws
to conserve and control waters, in order to project and promote their full
beneficial use.
9. DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) has as its overall
goal the restoration and maintenance of environmental quality in the State of
Florida.
This overall goal is accomplished through the development of
standards to protect natural systems, by applying these standards through
permitting of potential sources of pollution, and monitoring for compliance.
Additional permitting criteria for stormwater are contained in Chapter 62-4,
F.A.C. Chapter 62-3, FAC, classifies Waters of the State and establishes water
quality standards for those classifications.
Chapter 62-302, Classified Waters, provides that the surface waters of the
State of Florida are classified as Class III - Recreation, Propagation and
Maintenance of Healthy, Well-Balanced Population of Fish and Wildlife, except
for certain waters which are described in this section. A water body may be
designated as an Outstanding Water, in addition to being classified as Class I,
Class II, or Class III. Outstanding Florida Waters (OFW’s) are listed in Chapter
62-302, F.A.C.
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Comprehensive Plan for the City of Plant City, Conservation and Aquifer Recharge
Class I Class II Class III Class IV Class V Surface Water Classifications and Standards
Potable Water Supplies Shellfish Propagation or Harvesting Maintenance of a Healthy, Well‐Balanced Population of Fish and Wildlife Agricultural Water Supplies Navigation, Industrial, or Utility Use Groundwater sources are classified by the State of Florida, taking into
consideration the use and value of waters for public water supplies. Sources of
groundwater are classified G-I and G-II (potable water) and G-III and G-IV (nonpotable water). Chapters 62-520 and 62-522, FAC set minimum criteria for
groundwater quality standards.
10. TAMPA BAY REGIONAL PLANNING COUNCIL
The Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council (TBRPC) planning area includes
Pasco, Hillsborough, Pinellas and Manatee Counties. The Council reviews local
government planning documents for consistency with adopted regional plans
and policies prepared by the Council.
Under directive of the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the
TBRPC serves as a clearinghouse for Federal and State funding for projects
within the region. The Council is also the review agency for the region for
Applications for Development Approval (ADA’s) for Developments of Regional
Impact (DRI’s).
The Florida Department of Environmental Regulation has designated the
Council to review permit applications for wastewater treatment plants for
compliance with state and regional policies.
11. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Under Section 381.272, FS, the Department of Health (DOH) is given general
responsibility for supervision and permitting of septic tank systems generating
up to 5000 gallons of domestic waste daily. This section sets standards which
serve as a basis for rules set forth by DOH and establishes procedures for
hearing requests for variances from these standards. Under Chapter 387, FS,
discharges of sewage into groundwater is illegal unless otherwise permitted by
DOH.
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IV. GOALS, OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
GOAL 1:
Preserve, conserve, restore, and
appropriately manage the natural resources of
importance to the citizens of the City of Plant City, in
order to maintain or enhance environmental quality for
present and future generations.
AIR QUALITY
Issue: A primary factor in maintaining the quality of life of the residents of the
City of Plant City is maintaining or improving the quality of the air we breathe.
EPC is the local environmental regulatory agency delegated with enforcing air
quality regulations throughout the City and Hillsborough County. EPC has
been delegated with jurisdictional authority by the Florida Department of
Environmental Protection (FDEP), which was delegated with responsibility for
enforcing the provisions of the Federal Clean Air Act by the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) in Washington, D.C. The EPC was created by a special
act of legislature, and is not administered by, nor directly responsible to, the
County Administrator or the City of Plant City. For that reason, language in
this Plan does not mandate the EPC to implement the Plan’s provisions, but
rather seeks a cooperative agreement between the City and the Environmental
Protection Commission to ensure that the Plan is implemented and enforced.
For the most part, most aspects of maintaining air quality are beyond the
authority and jurisdiction of the City, which can, however, take certain actions
as follows below.
Objective A: The City shall cooperate as
appropriate to maintain compliance with
federal and state air quality standards in part
by implementing the following policies and
practices.
Policy A.1:
The City shall actively promote, through conditions in development orders,
signs, media promotions and other techniques, the use of ride-sharing, car
pooling, mass transit systems, safer bicycle routes, improved traffic signal
timing and other techniques for reducing vehicle emissions in the City.
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Comprehensive Plan for the City of Plant City, Conservation and Aquifer Recharge
Policy A.2:
Reserved
Policy A.3:
When planning and implementing transportation system improvements, the
City shall coordinate to ensure that priority be given to traffic flow
improvements that reduce air pollution concentrations, particularly in areas
where ambient standards are violated. The City shall also coordinate to
ensure that the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), the
Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), Hillsborough County and other
agencies in the transportation planning and funding process give priority to
traffic flow improvements that reduce air pollution concentrations,
particularly in areas where ambient standards are violated.
Policy A.4:
The City shall promote, through conditions in development orders, signs,
media promotions, by example and through other techniques, programs
that implement employer-option transportation control measures that
reduce peak-hour vehicle use, such as flexible work hours, employer based
car-pooling and compressed work weeks.
Policy A.5:
The City supports the Environmental Protection Commission of
Hillsborough County’s (EPC’s) continued maintenance of an air quality
monitoring program to monitor progress towards future compliance with all
ambient air quality standards.
Policy A.6:
The City will comply with the Environmental Protection Commission’s Open
Burning Rule and cooperate in its enforcement.
Policy A.7:
The City will prohibit, other than in cases of overriding pubic interest any
new stationary sources of air pollution emissions within the City’s
jurisdiction.
Policy A.8:
The City shall promote, through appropriate land development regulations
and development order conditions, energy conservation measures and the
use of alternative energy sources.
Policy A.9:
The City will continue to cooperate with EPC in its local hazardous and toxic
air pollutants program to implement and enforce the Federal National
Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (FNESHAP) program.
Comprehensive Plan for the City of Plant City, Conservation and Aquifer Recharge Element
Page 25
Policy A.10:
The City shall promote, through written request, greater coordination,
communication and/or cooperation among federal, state, and local agencies
and governments in seeking regional compliance with ambient air quality
standards, and will participate as appropriate in any regional forum to
attain such compliance.
Policy A.11:
The City will continue programs and policies to attract environmentally
compatible industrial development.
Policy A.12:
The City will cooperate with the Environmental Protection Commission of
Hillsborough County in its enforcement of air pollution regulations.
SURFACE WATER RESOURCES
Issue: In the past, surface water quality in the City of Plant City has been
degraded due to a variety of unregulated water uses and adjacent land use
activities. The most prominent sources of water pollution have included point
source discharges of domestic wastewater and urban and up-stream
agricultural runoff. The passage of state and local laws aimed at controlling
these sources of pollution has resulted in improved local water quality in recent
years. However, some surface waters in the City are designated as “impaired”
under the Clean Water Act. As such the City will work with appropriate
agencies to implement Basin Management Action Plans (BMAPS) to address
these impairments.
EPC has been charged in its enabling legislation with
minimizing water pollution throughout the City and
County, and delegated the authority to review FDEP
permit applications to ensure compliance with its
Rules. While EPC does not have specific delegated
authority to review Federal National Pollutant
Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) regulations,
EPC does serve to co-review and provide comments to
the State DEP on such issues. For the most part,
maintaining water quality is beyond the authority and
jurisdiction of the City, which can, however, take
certain actions as follows below.
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Comprehensive Plan for the City of Plant City, Conservation and Aquifer Recharge
Objective B:
The City will coordinate as
appropriate with environmental agencies toward
continued compliance with established water
quality discharge standards, which the City will
achieve in part by implementing the following
policies and practices.
Policy B.1:
The City shall not support the reclassification of any surface water body
within City boundaries except to acknowledge conditions that cannot be
improved, as necessary to protect the public health, safety or welfare. The
City shall, however, support the reclassification of surface water bodies to
accommodate higher standards, where it can be demonstrated that
improved water quality conditions will prevail in the future.
Policy B.2:
The City shall ensure that the discharge from any wastewater treatment
plants discharging effluent into the tributaries of Tampa Bay meet
advanced wastewater treatment standards, by requiring appropriate state
and federal permits.
Policy B.3:
The City shall continue to promote environmentally acceptable effluent
disposal alternatives to surface water discharge, including, but not limited
to, reuse for irrigation and industrial purposes.
Policy B.4:
The City supports EPC in its water quality monitoring program and will
assist EPC in locating appropriate monitoring locations and other activities
germaine to the City.
Policy B.5:
If necessary to correct water quality problems, the City will cooperate with
appropriate environmental regulatory agencies toward establishment of
nutrient monitoring and control strategies for land uses located adjacent to
surface water bodies that have been identified as significant sources of
nutrients.
Policy B.6:
The City will cooperate with local, state and federal agencies to improve
monitoring and compliance enforcement of point and non-point source
discharges through an active cooperative enforcement program to be
developed in conjunction with the appropriate entities.
Comprehensive Plan for the City of Plant City, Conservation and Aquifer Recharge Element
Page 27
Policy B.7:
The City shall require that redevelopment projects provide or support
stormwater treatment improvements within the affected drainage basin
where treatment facilities are lacking. The City shall require retrofitting of
stormwater treatment facilities in urbanized areas lacking such facilities,
where necessary to meet water quality standards.
Policy B.8:
The City will encourage the use of new, affordable stormwater management
technology, as well as low impact development techniques in order to
minimize the impervious surfaces in new developments, and to minimize
pollutant loads due to stormwater runoff.
Policy B.9:
The City shall monitor emerging state-of-the-art stormwater treatment
technology and shall cooperate with the Southwest Florida Water
Management District to ensure that water quality objectives are met
through the most appropriate and effective methodologies.
Policy B.10:
The City shall support public education programs, particularly those aimed
at home-owners and small businesses that address the surface water
quality
impacts
of
improperly
managed
lawn
litter
and
fertilizer/herbicide/pesticide applications.
WETLANDS AND FLOODPLAINS
Issue: In past decades, a significant percentage
of the City and County’s original wetlands and
floodplains were drained, filled, dredged and/or
channelized, thus reducing or eliminating their
natural functions of providing water quality
treatment and productive and diverse fish and
wildlife habitat. Federal, state, regional and
local wetland protection laws have significantly
slowed the destruction and alteration of
wetlands and floodplains. However, increased
growth pressure in the more marginallydevelopable portions of the City will place even greater stresses on remaining
resources in the future.
Through its Wetland Rule (Chapter 1-11, Rules of EPC), the EPC has primary
jurisdiction over all wetlands throughout Hillsborough County and its
municipalities, although the SWFWMD and U. S. Army Corps of Engineers may
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Comprehensive Plan for the City of Plant City, Conservation and Aquifer Recharge
also exercise jurisdiction over both isolated wetlands and Waters of the State
and nation.
Objective C: The City shall continue to apply
a comprehensive planning-based approach to
the protection of wetland ecosystems assuring
no net loss of ecological values of functions
performed by wetlands and other surface
waters and 100-year floodplain storage
volume for projects in Plant City.
Policy C.1:
The City, through the land use planning and development review
processes, and in cooperation with the Environmental Protection
Commission, shall continue to conserve and protect wetlands and
floodplains from detrimental physical and hydrological alteration.
Policy C.2:
The City shall prohibit the unmitigated channelization of natural stream
courses, and shall restrict the hardening of their shorelines to cases where
it is necessary to prevent erosion. Shoreline erosion should be controlled
through the use of natural vegetation in order to maintain both water
quality and wildlife habitat.
Policy C.3:
The City, through the land planning and development review processes and
in cooperation with the Environmental Protection Commission, shall
continue to prohibit unmitigated encroachment into the 100-year
floodplain of riverine systems and wetlands.
Policy C.4:
Reserved
Policy C.5:
Reserved1
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Policy C.6:
The City, through the land development review process and in cooperation
with the Environmental Protection Commission and the Southwest Florida
Water Management District, shall continue to promote the use of desirable
native wetland plant species for the creation of wetland habitat and for
biologically enhanced filtration and assimilation of pollutants in newly
constructed stormwater retention and detention ponds.
Policy C.7:
Reserved2
Policy C.8:
The City shall continue to promote the
development of passive recreational facilities
(e.g., boardwalks) in wetlands, where it can be
demonstrated that such facilities will not have
adverse impacts on water quality or fish and
wildlife attributes.
Policy C.9:
The City will cooperate with Hillsborough County and the Southwest
Florida Water Management District in the development of comprehensive
floodplain management regulations for the protection of the natural floodassimilating capacity and fish and wildlife attributes within the 100-year
floodplain.
Policy C.10:
Environmentally Sensitive Area Overlay designation on the FLUM will serve
as the conceptual indicator of wetland and 100 year floodplain areas. The
precise delineation of wetland areas shall be determined by the
Environmental Protection Commission’s delineation of wetlands through
site specific studies and field determinations which assess the actual extent
of wetlands. If an area designated Environmentally Sensitive Area Overlay
on the FLUM is determined to be non-wetland area by the EPC, the FLUM
designation shall be only that of the remainder of the parcel(s). A
comprehensive plan amendment shall not be required to adjust the FLUM
boundaries based upon the above circumstances. (Per DCA Compliance
Agreement Case NO. 98-2872GM)
Policy C.11:
A minimum buffer of 15 feet and an average of 25 feet shall be required for
all wetlands, consistent with State of Florida Environmental Resource
Permitting (ERP) Rules, Chapter 40D, F.A.C.
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Comprehensive Plan for the City of Plant City, Conservation and Aquifer Recharge
Policy C.12:
Reserved3
Policy C.13:
Development which impacts wetlands may be deemed appropriate only as a
last resort; where:
1. Reasonable use of the property is otherwise
unavailable and/or onsite preservation of a
functioning
wetland
system
is
deemed
unsustainable;
2. The adverse impact is offset by the benefit of the
development to the public such that it is
reasonable, in the public interest and an
acceptable mitigation plan is proposed.
This determination shall be made by Plant City and/or the Environmental
Protection Commission.
Policy C.14:
The development review process, part of a comprehensive program for the
protection of wetlands, shall make every effort to maintain natural
undisturbed wetlands by way of a sequential review process that first
evaluates all means of avoiding wetland impacts in regard to a particular
project; if necessary, secondly, evaluates and requires measures to minimize
wetland impacts; and if necessary, thirdly, evaluates and requires the
mitigation of wetland impacts.
Policy C.15:
Plant City shall encourage clustering to preserve open space to protect
floodplains.
Policy C.16:
Plant City shall restrict filling low lying areas as a means of meeting
minimum flood elevations.
SOIL RESOURCES
Issue: With few exceptions, the soils of the
City of Plant City can generally be
characterized as poorly drained fine sands,
which are relatively nutrient poor. Because
there is minimal topographic relief in the City,
natural erosion has not been a problem in the
past. However, temporary soil erosion during
Comprehensive Plan for the City of Plant City, Conservation and Aquifer Recharge Element
Page 31
land clearing for development often results in localized
when best management practices and erosion control
followed. In utilizing soils for development activities,
imperative to ensure consideration of soil suitability for a
to avoid depletion of valuable soil resources.
erosional problems
measures are not
proper planning is
given land use, and
Objective D: The City recommends conservation of
valuable soil resources and shall ensure that soils
are utilized in a manner best suited to their
particular capabilities, which will be carried out in
part by implementing the following policies and
practices.
Policy D.1:
During the land development review process, the City shall recommend the
use of soils in accordance with the soil suitabilities identified by the
U.S.D.A. Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Prior to the
commitment of resources for potential development and land use activities,
actual determination of suitabilities may be required on a site-by-site
basis, to allow for the possibility of special exceptions in which proper
modification of the natural soil can take place to reduce the limitation for
development.
Policy D.2:
The City, in cooperation with the U.S.D.A.
Natural Resources Conservation Service
(NRCS), shall recommend that topsoil best
management practices be observed during
all land alteration activities.
To the
greatest degree practicable, erosional soil
loss due to construction activities shall be
minimized.
Policy D.3:
During the land use planning and development review processes, the City
shall evaluate and utilize, where appropriate soil capability analyses for
flood hazard, stability, permeability, and other relevant soil characteristics
when planning for and permitting new development.
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Comprehensive Plan for the City of Plant City, Conservation and Aquifer Recharge
HAZARDOUS MATERIAL
Issue:
There are small quantity
generators of hazardous materials, which
include dry cleaners, automobile service
stations,
print
shops,
and
other
commercial facilities, located in the City of
Plant City. The Environmental Protection
Commission of Hillsborough County is
charged with the inventory of businesses
dealing with hazardous materials, as well
as with the enforcement of a variety of
state and federal regulations and programs, in conjunction with their air and
water quality protection responsibilities. Local fire departments are also active
in hazardous materials emergency programs.
Objectives and policies addressing hazardous materials and waste issues are
contained in the Public Facilities Element, Solid Waste Sub-Element.
Objective E: Reserved
FLORA AND FAUNA (PLANTS AND ANIMALS)
Issue: Due to its subtropical climate and
variable hydrology and geology, the City of
Plant City supports a wide variety of plant
and animal species. However, the rapidly
growing human population and its associated
urbanization has resulted in a substantial
loss of natural wildlife habitat, especially in
the developed portions of the City, while the
cumulative impacts of development continue
to divide and isolate large contiguous natural areas. As a result of habitat
destruction and alteration, the natural populations of many wildlife species
have declined dramatically.
Currently, the following types of environmentally sensitive areas are protected
in the City of Plant City: Conservation Areas, which include freshwater
marshes, wet prairies, sand pine scrub, hardwood swamps, cypress swamps,
natural shorelines, and Class III Waters; and Preservation Areas, which include
Class I Waters and critical habitat (according to the Federal Endangered
Species Act) for threatened or endangered species and species of special
concern. Other areas which provide significant or essential wildlife habitat, as
defined in this Plan, should also be included as environmentally sensitive
areas.
Comprehensive Plan for the City of Plant City, Conservation and Aquifer Recharge Element
Page 33
Furthermore, a comprehensive wildlife protection and management program is
needed to inventory populations of threatened or endangered species and
species of special concern, and significant and essential wildlife habitat for
potential public purchase and/or improved public and private management.
Because the provision of habitat for wildlife is the most important factor
associated with wildlife conservation, the future of the City’s wildlife will
depend heavily on habitat maintained by private land-owners.
Public
education and incentives for maintaining private lands for wildlife benefits are
needed.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), in coordination
with the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and various state and local
entities, has jurisdiction and authority to manage listed and non-listed species
and their habitats.
Objective F: The City shall protect and
conserve significant wildlife habitat and
shall ensure a no net loss of essential
wildlife habitat.
Policy F.1:
The City will assist any established local agency in developing and
implementing a county-wide wildlife protection and management program.
Policy F.2:
The City will work with Hillsborough County and the Florida Fish and
Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) in the identification and mapping
of natural plant communities determined to provide significant wildlife
habitat in or around the City. FWC maps provide a basis for this effort.
Areas of significant wildlife habitat shall be indicated as environmentally
sensitive area lands on the Future Land Use Plan Map and/or map overlay.
Policy F.3:
The City will participate as requested with the Florida Fish
and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) in the
identification, mapping, protection and restoration of
areas of essential wildlife habitat in and around the Plant
City environs.
Policy F.4:
Reserved4
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Comprehensive Plan for the City of Plant City, Conservation and Aquifer Recharge
Policy F.5:
The City will assist toward implementation of a comprehensive program to
conserve and protect significant wildlife habitat from development activities
by modifying and amending existing land development regulations and
performance standards. The program may include,
but not be limited to, the following:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Transfer of development rights;
Clustering and buffer requirements;
Conservation easements;
Post-acquisition disposition mechanisms (e.g., lease back options);
Fee simple purchase;
Land or mitigation banking; and
Tax incentives.
Policy F.6:
The City shall restrict development activities that adversely affect areas
identified and mapped as significant or essential wildlife habitat, by means
including, but not limited to, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission (FWC) map series. Where development activities are proposed
in such areas, the City shall require site-specific wildlife surveys and other
field documentation, as needed, to assess potential impacts and include
recommendations of the FWC as conditions of development.
Policy F.7:
During the land use planning and development
review processes, the City shall consider the
effects of development on significant wildlife
habitat, to protect important wildlife corridors
from fragmentation. The City may require the
preservation of wildlife corridors within
developments to ensure regional species
viability and diversity.
Objective G:
Existing populations of threatened and
endangered species and species of special concern
occurring in the City shall be maintained. Where feasible,
the abundance and distribution of populations of such
species shall be increased.
Comprehensive Plan for the City of Plant City, Conservation and Aquifer Recharge Element
Page 35
Policy G.1:
The City will recommend consultation with, and will
consider the recommendations of, the Florida Fish and
Wildlife
Conservation
Commission
(FWC)
in
determining the issuance of land development
approvals that would impact upon threatened and
endangered species or species of special concern and
their essential habitats.
Policy G.2:
The City shall assist appropriate agencies in local
implementation of specific management and recovery strategies for key
listed species, as they are developed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission (FWC) and the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Proper management techniques for key species (e.g., wood stork) shall be
utilized to ensure the overall protection of essential habitat types upon
which numerous other threatened and endangered species or species of
special concern are dependent.
Policy G.3:
The City will cooperate with the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), the
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the Florida
Department of Environmental Protection, in a manner to be stipulated, in
the implementation of recovery programs for threatened or endangered
species or species of special concern, occurring in the City.
Policy G.4:
The City shall consult, coordinate with, and consider the recommendations
of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the Florida Fish
and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), and the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service to ensure the protection of wildlife and wildlife habitat.
Furthermore, the City shall ensure that development is directed away from
areas of protected wildlife and wildlife habitat.5
Objective H: The City will continue to
require the protection of Conservation and
Preservation areas and the application of
environmentally-friendly
landscaping
principles in new developments and
encourages the use of native plants, and
also recommends the elimination of exotic
nuisance vegetation on public and private properties, which will be
achieved in part by implementing the following policy and practices.
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Comprehensive Plan for the City of Plant City, Conservation and Aquifer Recharge
Policy H.1:
The City shall cooperate with the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA),
FDEP and EPC in eliminating exotic nuisance plant species (e.g., Brazilian
pepper) in the City by requiring the elimination of them in appropriate
development orders, as identified in the Land Development Code.
Policy H.2:
The City shall require the use of native plant species in the landscaping of
new development projects.
Policy H.3:
The City shall distribute a recommended native plant listing and other
educational materials to increase public awareness of the need to utilize
native plant species in the developed landscape.
Policy H.4:
The City shall require the preservation of significant trees and existing
native vegetation in new development projects and continue to protect
established Conservation and Preservation Areas.
NATURAL PRESERVES
Issue: The majority of the environmentally sensitive or ecologically important
land in the City of Plant City is currently held in private ownership. The
management objectives of many private owners of such lands are not generally
oriented towards maximizing the maintenance of abundant fish and wildlife
resources. Furthermore, as urbanization advances into undeveloped areas,
increasing property values encourage the sale and subdivision of tracts of
pristine natural lands for urban development. Public education and awareness
of the need to protect pristine natural lands, along with the development of
more creative mechanisms for public acquisition, preservation, protection and
management of natural preserves and environmental lands, as well as the
provision of incentives for maintaining private lands for wildlife benefits, are
needed. In addition, a comprehensive wildlife protection and management
program is needed to inventory populations of threatened and endangered
species and species of special concern, and to identify significant and essential
wildlife habitats for public purchase and/or improved public and private
management. The City also needs to promote the need for and continuation of
the County’s Environmental Lands Acquisition and Protection Program (ELAPP)
to continue to ensure the acquisition and/or protection of truly significant
natural areas of importance to the City.
Comprehensive Plan for the City of Plant City, Conservation and Aquifer Recharge Element
Page 37
Objective I:
The City will ensure the
proper protection and management of
natural preserve areas for provision of
wildlife habitat and other public benefits, in
part by facilitating the development of
management plans for natural preserves of
importance to the City, and in part by
implementing the following policy and
practices.
Policy I.1:
The City supports the continued funding of the Environmental Lands
Acquisition and Protection Program (ELAPP) through periodic county-wide
referendum.
Policy I.2:
Reserved6
Policy I.3:
The City will monitor and consider utilization of any comprehensive land
acquisition and protection study that identifies environmental protection
alternatives to fee simple purchase and shall promote the use of
appropriate alternatives. The alternatives may include, but not be limited
to, conservation easements, transfer of development rights, and long-term
leases. The results of the study should be used to protect lands through
the use of appropriate land development regulations and other programs.
Policy I.4:
The City shall continue to support public acquisition of natural preserves
under federal, state, regional and local programs including, but not limited
to, the Conservation and Recreation Lands (CARL), Save-Our-Rivers (SOR)
and Environmental Lands Acquisition and Protection Program (ELAPP)
programs.
Policy I.5:
The
City
shall
cooperate
in
the
management of natural resources on
publicly-owned lands with the U. S. Fish
and Wildlife Service, the Florida Fish and
Wildlife Conservation Commission, the
Florida Department of Environmental
Protection, and the Southwest Florida
Water
Management
District,
and
Page 38
Comprehensive Plan for the City of Plant City, Conservation and Aquifer Recharge
Hillsborough County as determined in the various management plans for
those public lands.
Policy I.6:
The City shall promote the multiple use of publicly-owned natural
preserves, where appropriate, to provide for passive recreation, wildlife
habitat, watershed protection, erosion control, maintenance or
enhancement of water quality, aquifer recharge protection, or other such
natural functions.
Policy I.7:
The City shall discourage the approval of more intense land uses on
ecologically valuable lands which have qualified for acquisition by state,
federal, regional, or local land management agencies.
Policy I.8:
Through the land use planning process, the City shall restrict incompatible
development activities adjacent to publicly-owned or managed natural
preserves.
LAND USE
Issue: In past decades, land use decisions were based primarily upon socioeconomic and demographic factors, with little consideration given to preserving
or conserving the natural attributes of the land. As a result, urban land uses
were often allowed to replace or permanently alter environmentally sensitive
lands and natural systems. With a better understanding of the ecological
impacts of land uses, it has become clear that the natural carrying capacity of
the land must be carefully considered in land use decisions if the natural
attributes and functions of the environment are to be maintained for future
generations. Plant City shall appropriately preserve or conserve valuable
natural resources while allowing for orderly economic growth and development.
Objective J: The City shall continue to
regulate land uses in order to ensure the
protection of the attributes, functions and
amenities of the natural environment, and
the City’s natural heritage, under all
projected growth scenarios.
Comprehensive Plan for the City of Plant City, Conservation and Aquifer Recharge Element
Page 39
Policy J.1:
The City shall cooperate with the Southwest Florida Water Management
District and the Hillsborough County Environmental Protection
Commission in an effort to evaluate existing scientific studies with the
objective
of
scientifically
determining
environmentally-safe
and
economically-viable construction setback and buffer distances from
wetlands, floodplains and water bodies. The City shall use the results of
this evaluation to consider the amendment of the City’s Zoning Code and
other appropriate land development regulations, if such setbacks and
buffer distances are determined to be warranted.
Policy J.2:
The City shall continue to implement a comprehensive program to protect
environmentally sensitive lands within the City, including conditions that
developments that include environmentally sensitive lands and/or
essential wildlife habitat use the cluster concept to move development
activity away from such areas, and to provide adequate buffers and open
space as an amenity to the development, along with other techniques for
protecting the City’s natural heritage.
Policy J.3:
In the development review process, the City shall promote the preservation
of representative examples of upland native plant communities through
appropriate restrictions and requirements in the land development
regulations.
Policy J.4:
The City may consider a “Plant City Quality Development” review process,
which would provide incentives, such as reasonable increases in densities,
for developments that undergo planned unit development review, and for
which minimal adverse impacts on the natural environment are proposed.
Policy J.5:
The City should assess and require mitigation for the cumulative adverse
impacts of small developments (Sub-Development of Regional Impact
Scales) on the natural environment.
Policy J.6:
The City shall continue to encourage infilling and growth within identified
and environmentally acceptable “activity centers” and shall continue to
discourage urban sprawl, through its land use planning and development
regulation processes.
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Comprehensive Plan for the City of Plant City, Conservation and Aquifer Recharge
Policy J.7:
The City may, with technical assistance from the SWFWMD or other
agencies, adopt appropriate modifications to current land development
regulations that reduce the destruction of natural upland vegetation by
filling, and maintain natural drainage patterns and water table levels.
Policy J.8:
The City may consider reducing densities and clustering development
intensity away from environmentally sensitive areas and resource
protection areas in order to protect these areas.
Objective K:
The City shall identify, map, and
develop special protective measures for any
environmentally sensitive Resource Protection Areas
identified in the City.
Policy K.1:
The City shall amend or adopt new site specific land use regulations and
performance standards for development proposed within or adjacent to the
following Resource Protection Areas:
• Significant and essential wildlife habitat;
• Areas of high aquifer recharge/contamination potential;
• Public potable water wellfields and their cones of influence.
LAND EXCAVATIONS
Issue: The demand for fill material in the City
of Plant City has resulted in a proliferation of
land excavation projects, especially in outlying
rural areas. Land excavation projects that are
not regulated often result in local surface water
quality and groundwater drawdowns.
In
addition, land excavation areas are often left as
non-productive open water bodies, with little or
no fish and wildlife habitat value. In addition,
land excavations must be located and operated
Comprehensive Plan for the City of Plant City, Conservation and Aquifer Recharge Element
Page 41
in a manner that minimizes negative impacts
on surrounding property.
Objective L: The City shall regulate land excavation activities to ensure
effective reclamation and productive reuse of such areas.
Policy L.1:
The City shall prohibit land excavation activities that adversely impact
wetlands or water levels of either surface water or groundwater on
surrounding property.
GROUNDWATER RESOURCES
Issue: The City of Plant City is underlain by a multi-layered freshwater aquifer
system which includes the surficial and Floridan aquifer systems. Unregulated
urbanization in areas of high contamination potential may, however, pose
unacceptable threats to the long-term water quality of the aquifer system.
Furthermore, the proliferation of improperly sited, constructed and/or
maintained septic tanks, underground storage tanks, sewage percolation
ponds, effluent spray irrigation sites, sewage and septage sludge land disposal
sites, and other potential sources of groundwater pollution common in urban
and suburban areas in Florida, both within and outside the City limits, may
pose a significant cumulative threat to the quality of potable groundwater
supplies. SWFWMD is responsible, also through delegation from FDEP, for
protection of groundwaters throughout the District. For the most part,
protecting groundwater is beyond the authority and jurisdiction of the City,
which can, however, take certain actions as follows below.
EPC has
jurisdiction over most discharges to groundwater in Hillsborough County and
the City of Plant City, although the FDEP maintains jurisdiction over major
discharges, such as deep-well injection.
The FDEP has delegated the
Underground Storage Tank (UST) and the State Underground Petroleum
Environmental Response (SUPER) Act programs to the EPC.
Objective M:
Under all future growth
scenarios, the City shall ensure compliance
with state groundwater quality standards, in
part by implementing the following policies
and practices.
Policy M.1:
The City supports SWFWMD in its further mapping areas of high aquifer
recharge/contamination potential at a level of resolution applicable to future
land use planning. When completed, the City will utilize the high resolution
Page 42
Comprehensive Plan for the City of Plant City, Conservation and Aquifer Recharge
mapping of such areas for future land use planning and development review
purposes.
Policy M.2:
Until such time as areas of high aquifer recharge/contamination potential
are precisely mapped, the City shall consider the best available
hydrogeological information (e.g., SWFWMD DRASTIC maps, etc.), and may
require the collection of site-specific hydrogeologic data, such as soils
borings and head gradients between the upper aquifers, when assessing the
impacts of proposed land use changes and developments in areas of
suspected high aquifer recharge/contamination potential. This information
should be used in the determination of land use decisions on a case-by-case
basis.
Policy M.3:
The City shall continue to implement and fund investigations and necessary
clean-up actions for all groundwater pollution sources for which the City is
responsible, to the extent required by law.
Policy M.4:
As the necessary data becomes available the City will develop a
comprehensive set of land use regulations and performance standards for
development activities proposed within areas shown by SWFWMD to be of
high aquifer recharge/contamination potential, in cooperation with the
District. Such regulations and performance standards may include, but not
be limited to, control of land use types and densities, impervious surface
limitations, and discharge-to-groundwater controls.
Policy M.5:
Reserved7
Policy M.6:
Reserved
Policy M.7:
The City will cooperate with SWFWMD
and TBW in developing site-specific
testing and modeling for the mapping of wellfield cones of influence. (See
Future Land Use Element for additional policy guidance).
Policy M.8:
Through the land development review process and the land development
code, the City shall restrict development or land alteration activities to
ensure that they will not breach the confining layers of the Floridan aquifer.
Comprehensive Plan for the City of Plant City, Conservation and Aquifer Recharge Element
Page 43
Policy M.9:
Reserved
Policy M.10:
The City will cooperate with environmental regulatory agencies to ensure
compliance with the Underground Storage Tank (UST) program and the
State Underground Petroleum Environmental Response (SUPER) Act
program, especially in areas of demonstrated high recharge/contamination
potential.
Policy M.11:
The City shall coordinate to ensure that excessive consumptive use of
groundwater or excessive drainage does not significantly lower water tables
or surface water levels, or reduce base flows.
Policy M.12:
The City shall not support the reclassification of any groundwater aquifer
within City boundaries except to acknowledge conditions that cannot be
improved, as necessary to protect the public health, safety or welfare. The
City shall, however, support the reclassification of groundwater aquifers to
accommodate higher standards where it can be demonstrated that improved
water quality conditions will prevail in the future.
Policy M.13:
The City supports studies to determine the effect of variable impervious
surface percentages on groundwater recharge, and to evaluate the
effectiveness of alternative engineering techniques that could be used to
control increases in evapotranspiration and runoff, and to preserve or
enhance recharge. The results of the study may be used to develop
scientifically-defensible
performance
standards
for
recharge,
evapotranspiration
and
runoff
in
areas
of
high
aquifer
recharge/contamination potential which are subject to future development
pressures.
Policy M.14:
The City may, through the land development
review process, require demonstration that
post-development recharge volumes will
equal pre-development recharge volumes to
the Floridan aquifer for developments
proposed in areas of high aquifer recharge
potential.
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Comprehensive Plan for the City of Plant City, Conservation and Aquifer Recharge
WATER CONSERVATION
Issue: Potable water is currently supplied to the residents of the City of Plant
City from a single source, the City’s public wellfield system, located within City
boundaries. The sole supply of water to this source is the rain which falls
within the City, Hillsborough and adjacent counties to the north and east,
minus losses through evapotranspiration (about 75%) and runoff. This source
appears to be adequate to meet all current and near-future demands. A water
conservation program should include public education, possible amendment of
appropriate building codes, voluntary lawn watering restrictions, consideration
of reuse and recycling of water, and analysis of other methods of potable water
conservation. Public education will be critical to the success of all future water
conservation efforts.
Objective N: The City shall meet its potable
water demands under all future growth
scenarios through the conservation, reuse, and
enhancement of groundwater supplies and
consideration of alternative sources, and shall
prevent environmental degradation due to
excessive groundwater withdrawals, in part by
implementing the following policies and
practices.
Policy N.1:
The City shall accurately estimate and precisely communicate groundwater
and surface water supply and demand projections. The City shall comply
with SWFWMD’s “safe yield” groundwater withdrawal limitations as
determined through the appropriate application of water budget equations
and site specific data.
Policy N.2:
The City will cooperate in the implementation of the Hillsborough County’s
Water Reuse program, which maximizes the use of advanced secondary or
tertiary treated sewage effluent for residential and recreational irrigation
and other purposes, where such reuse can be demonstrated to be
environmentally acceptable, economically feasible, and no threat to public
health.
Policy N.3:
The City shall require the use of the most practical, economically feasible
and efficient irrigation methods reasonably available for all new irrigation
systems. This policy should not be interpreted to require replacement of
existing irrigation systems.
Comprehensive Plan for the City of Plant City, Conservation and Aquifer Recharge Element
Page 45
Policy N.4:
The City shall require the use of the lowest quality water reasonably and
feasibly available, which is safe for public health and the environment and
suitable to a given use, in order to reduce the unnecessary use of potable
water. The City shall identify sources of lower quality water that can be
made available to potable and reclaimed water users in the City. This policy
shall be applied with discretion to ensure that those activities for which high
quality water is necessary, such as fish farms, crop producers and water
bottlers, may continue to use high quality water.
Policy N.5:
The City shall, in cooperation with the
Southwest Florida Water Management
District, promote a comprehensive water
conservation public education program by
distributing available information.
Policy N.6:
The City shall cooperate with SWFWMD in enforcing water conservation
measures and programs by adopting and enforcing the appropriate
ordinances.
Policy N.7:
The City shall cooperate with SWFWMD in the Quality Water Improvement
Program (QWIP), which identifies and caps free-flowing abandonded wells.
Policy N.8:
Reserved8
Policy N.9:
The City shall, with assistance from SWFWMD, develop a local
comprehensive water conservation program, addressing specific building
code requirements for water saving devices, as well as various measures and
requirements for reducing unnecessary potable water use and consumption.
Policy N.10:
The City shall consider implementing an escalating potable water user fee
rate scale designed to discourage non-essential uses of potable water.
Policy N.11:
The City shall, through the land development review process, restrict the
substantial lowering of the water table to meet stormwater treatment or
storage requirements.
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Comprehensive Plan for the City of Plant City, Conservation and Aquifer Recharge
Policy N.12:
Through the land development review process and land development
regulations, the City shall request and promote the use of Florida Friendly
Landscaping and low-volume irrigation systems as water conservation
measures.
Policy N.13:
The City will protect water quality by restricting activities and land uses
which would adversely affect the quality and quantity of identified water
sources used as a source of public water supply.
Policy N.14:
The City shall, through its land development review process, land
development regulations, or other ordinances, require that identified
alternative water sources, including identified sources of lower quality water
such as domestic and non-domestic wastewater, be collected and made
available for use where practicable to meet reclaimed water demands and
offset potable water demands of the City’s customers.
Policy N.15:
Through its land development review process, land development regulations,
or other ordinances, the City shall regulate activities that will result in
reductions in groundwater recharge within the City.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Issue:
Key components of the City’s overall
commitment to make economical use of public dollars
and protect the environment are improving energy
conservation and efficiency and engaging in resource
efficient sustainable development practices.
With
rising costs and increasing demands for energy and
natural resources, the City will seek to reduce energy
use and manage development in a more resource
efficient manner. The City can motivate employees,
residents and businesses to become more energy
efficient and to apply sustainable construction
practices. Acting to conserve energy and become
resource efficient saves public money and benefits the
environment.
Comprehensive Plan for the City of Plant City, Conservation and Aquifer Recharge Element
Page 47
Goal 2: The City shall have sufficient and reliable
energy available to meet the future needs of
residents, businesses and government, and
development practices shall be resource efficient.
Objective O: Plant City will engage in and promote practices that result in
energy conservation and efficiency.
Policy O.1:
Plant City will continue to offer energy conservation and efficiency
information to enable residents, businesses and city employees to reduce
electrical loads and demands on the electrical utility system.
Policy O.2:
The City will continue to enhance employee awareness of energy efficiency
through training and periodic notifications.
Policy O.3:
During the planning and design of new municipal buildings and facilities,
and major renovations, the City will evaluate alternative energy systems.
Where these systems prove both cost effective during their initial installation
and long term maintenance, they will be pursued by Plant City. Based on
knowledge gained from this ongoing process, the City will promote
alternative energy sources in other public and private development projects
within Plant City.
Policy O.4:
The City will continue to pursue energy-saving options for exterior lighting
of City buildings and facilities.
Objective P: The City will encourage energy
efficient
and
sustainable
development
practices.
Policy P.1:
The City will encourage builders and developers to exceed the minimum
requirements for energy efficiency of the Florida Building Code by sharing
information on available training, tools or literature on resource efficient
development.
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Comprehensive Plan for the City of Plant City, Conservation and Aquifer Recharge
Policy P.2:
The City will explore sponsoring or partnering with organizations such as
the Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida to educate
consumers about emerging practices in energy conservation and
sustainable development.
Policy P.3:
The City will explore creating incentives for new homes, developments and
commercial buildings to become certified under the U.S. Green Building
Council’s “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design” (LEED)
program, the Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC), or meet similar
standards of development.
Policy P.4:
The City will seek to maintain
environmentally beneficial plant life.
and
increase
Objective Q:
The City will support the
development of and consider use of alternative
energy/fuel in order to achieve energy supplies
that are secure, sustainable and not harmful
to the environment.
Policy Q.1:
The City will support the adoption of federal, state and local polices that
foster domestic production of environmentally safe energy sources.
Policy Q.2:
The City will seek to diversify its fuel supply and reduce its use of fossil
fuels by using alternative energy technologies where feasible.
Policy Q.3:
The City will investigate the use of alternative energy technology for existing,
new and renovated City facilities.
Policy Q.4:
The City will seek to stimulate economic growth of new business, business
expansion and development of technology in alternative energy and fuels.
Comprehensive Plan for the City of Plant City, Conservation and Aquifer Recharge Element
Page 49
V. STRATEGIES FOR IMPLEMENTATION
The policies of the Conservation and Aquifer Recharge Element provide
direction for actions at the local level and guidance for actions by those beyond
the City’s jurisdiction.
The following sub-sections describe strategies regarding implementation of plan
provisons by issue area. While many policies are self-implementing by nature,
others require additional steps by either the City or an outside interest.
A. AIR QUALITY
Air quality is a regional issue. The City's ability to effectuate air quality
changes is limited because the City does not have jurisdiction over most
aspects of air quality protection. Air quality issues are addressed by many
different agencies and groups including: the U. S. Environmental Protection
Agency, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the
Environmental Protection Commission of Hillsborough County, the
Hillsborough County Metropolitan Planning Organization and the National
Weather Service. Each performs separate functions to improve air quality. For
example, the Environmental Protection Commission of Hillsborough County
(EPC) is responsible for air quality monitoring and enforcing air quality
regulations. The City of Plant City's major involvement in improving air quality
is largely one of cooperating with these regional, state and federal agencies
charged with various responsibilities related to air quality, implementing sound
growth management practices, providing technical assistance or lobbying for
change.
The things the City can do to improve air quality, and policies to that end are
included herein. For example, the city can help to reduce vehicle emissions
through land use planning efforts that may increase internal trip capture for
land development projects; promote increased bus ridership through a variety
of means; and promote other types of programs geared toward reduction of
peak-hour single-occupancy vehicle trips such as ride sharing, van pooling and
flexible work hours.
B. SURFACE WATER RESOURCES
Although the City has only limited surface water resources, there are several
things the City does to manage and improve surface water resources. Point
and non-point source water pollution can significantly degrade surface water
resources. The City’s wastewater treatment plant generates 100% reclaimed
water for reuse by industrial, residential and agricultural customers both
inside and outside the city limits. Unused reclaimed water meets quality
standards for effluent discharge into the eastside canal and finds its way into
the Hillsborough River.
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Comprehensive Plan for the City of Plant City, Conservation and Aquifer Recharge
Stormwater runoff is another major source of pollution to surface water
resources. The City requires stormwater treatment that complies with the
Southwest Florida Water Management District's standards and the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System Permit Requirement.
Wetland management has also historically been done at an inter-jurisdictional
level because wetlands protection laws are implemented at every level of
government.
The City's means of implementation is through its land
development regulations and development review processes.
C. LAND USE
The proper management of land and its uses and activities can play a
significant role in the long-term conservation of natural resources and the
community’s natural heritage. The City has primary responsibility over the use
of land and must use the comprehensive planning process and related police
powers to maximize the effectiveness of achieving the desires of its citizens in a
manner that is cost-effective and equitable. Beyond the land use planning
process itself, the primary means to achieve this is through the land
development regulation and review processes.
Many of the City's land development regulations (LDRs) incorporate
consideration of plan policies. The value of the comprehensive planning
approach is that it takes a longer-term view of the area’s growth and
development, and can identify means of protecting natural resources and
special areas in a deliberate manner that incorporates community involvement
and equity. For example, land development regulations can require
preservation of upland plant communities on a parcel-by parcel basis, but the
value of those areas can be greatly increased by ensuring that the synergies
achieved by protecting connected or contiguous areas are identified and
maximized through the planning process.
To take better advantage of these opportunities, the Conservation and Aquifer
Recharge Element establishes general city-wide resource protection provisions,
addressing air and water quality, soil conservation and protection, and
protection of wetlands and wildlife habitat, and calls for development of
resource protection strategies for special areas of concern. Properly and
conscientiously done, these provisions and strategies can provide a framework
within which the city’s natural resources can be managed into the future. With
active implementation of the land development regulations and other
conservation strategies, in conjunction with the extensive existing network of
conservation programs and interests, the city’s natural heritage and significant
natural resources base can be enjoyed, maintained and improved into the
future.
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D. SOIL RESOURCES
Conservation of Plant City’s soil resources is important. Because of the city’s
minimal topographic relief, natural erosion has not been a major concern.
However, during development, soil erosion can become a problem if proper soil
management practices and erosion control measures aren’t utilized.
The objectives and policies in this section address soil capability analysis in
development, subsurface investigations of soil stability, and erosion of soil
during development.
E. HAZARDOUS MATERIALS AND WASTE
See the Public Facilities Element, Solid Waste Sub-Element.
F. ECOSYSTEMS MANAGEMENT
This section addresses protection, preservation and restoration of ecosystems
of importance to the City. Implementation of the provisions of this section
recognize that responsibility for some actions rely on the City, generally in
coordination with appropriate wildlife protection agencies. The expansion of
existing programs will be an opportunity in which the City will enhance its
protection of native plant and animal life.
G. NATURAL PRESERVES
This section addresses the protection and acquisition of natural preserves. The
City has a supportive role in fulfilling the provisions of this section.
Implemention responsibility is held by federal, state and local regulatory
agencies, since the City does not own or manage any natural preserve areas.
H. GROUNDWATER RESOURCES
The groundwater system is the only source of water for domestic and industrial
uses in the city. Major concerns include wellhead protection, contamination of
the aquifer and saltwater intrusion into the aquifer.
The objectives and policies in this section address groundwater quality and
protection through various programs, such as the Underground Storage Tank
program.
In addition, land use regulations and performance standards
address these concerns on a case-by-case basis.
Various agencies or departments are responsible for implementing these
objectives and policies, including the City Planning and Water Departments,
the Environmental Protection Commission of Hillsborough County, the
Southwest Florida Water Management District, and the Florida Department of
Environmental Protection.
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Comprehensive Plan for the City of Plant City, Conservation and Aquifer Recharge
I. WATER CONSERVATION
The City’s potable water supply comes solely from the Floridan aquifer.
Currently, there is an adequate supply of water for projected needs. However,
since future water demands will increase and water supply sources are limited,
water conservation should be a primary concern.
The objectives and policies in this section address conservation, reuse, and
enhancement of potable water supplies, achieved through land use and
development regulations (e.g., application of environmentally-friendly
landscaping principles), water conservation measures and programs (e.g.,
escalating user fee rate scale and public education program).
Various agencies or departments are responsible for implementing these
objectives and policies, including the Plant City Public Utilities Department,
Hillsborough County, and the Southwest Florida Water Management District.
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VI. SUPPORT DOCUMENTS SUMMARY
1.
Environmental Protection Commission of Hillsborough County, 2006.
2006 Air Quality Report. Tampa, FL. Provides air quality statistics for
Hillsborough County for 1993-2006.
2.
Environmental Protection Commission of Hillsborough County, 2005. The
State of the Environment: 2005 Annual Report. Tampa, FL. Describes
EPC’s programs, actions, and issues and the state of the environment
throughout Hillsborough County.
3.
Environmental Protection Commission of Hillsborough County, 2000.
Surface Water Quality 1998-2000. Tampa. This document is primarily a
compilation and assessment of water quality parameters from the
Environmental Protection Commission’s extensive county-wide monitoring
network, indicating relative water quality in both fresh and saltwater
systems.
4.
Environmental Protection Commission of Hillsborough County, 1985.
Wetlands Rule, Chapter 1-11, Laws of Florida. Tampa, FL. Describes local
wetlands protection program.
5.
ESE, 1984. County Government Hazardous Waste Management
Assessment for Hillsborough County. Prepared for Hillsborough County
and the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council by Environmental Science
and Engineering, Inc. This document is a relatively comprehensive
identification of known abandonded dump sites and other potential
hazardous waste sites throughout Hillsborough County and an
assessment of the degree of threat each poses to water supplies, with a
rough estimate of clean-up costs and priorities.
6.
Florida Department of Environmental Regulation. FDER Database, 1987.
Tampa, Florida. This document contains the pertinent data from FDER's
extensive water quality monitoring system.
7.
Fernald, E.A., 1984, Water Resources Atlas of Florida, Florida State
University. This book is a comprehensive analysis of the water resources
of the State, including information on the State's legal framework for
water quality protection, a review of the water management districts, etc.
8.
Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission, 1995. Closing the Gaps
in Florida’s Wildlife Habitat Conservation System. Tallahassee, FL. Study
provides a comprehensive analysis of the state of Florida’s wildlife
protection strategy and provides recommendations for its improvement.
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Comprehensive Plan for the City of Plant City, Conservation and Aquifer Recharge
9.
Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation Department, 2005.
Environmental Lands Acquisition and Protection Program (ELAPP) Annual
Report. Tampa, FL. Includes management plan briefs for lands acquired
and managed through the ELAPP.
Comprehensive Plan for the City of Plant City, Conservation and Aquifer Recharge Element
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FIGURE 1: SOILS MAP
(Located in Comprehensive Plan Figure/Map Folder)
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Comprehensive Plan for the City of Plant City, Conservation and Aquifer Recharge
FIGURE 2: COMMERCIALLY VALUABLE MINERALS
(Located in Comprehensive Plan Figure/Map Folder)
Comprehensive Plan for the City of Plant City, Conservation and Aquifer Recharge Element
Page 57
FIGURE 3: MAJOR DRAINAGE BASINS
(Located in Comprehensive Plan Figure/Map Folder)
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Comprehensive Plan for the City of Plant City, Conservation and Aquifer Recharge
FIGURE 4: 100 YEAR FLOOD PLAIN
(Located in Comprehensive Plan Figure/Map Folder)
Comprehensive Plan for the City of Plant City, Conservation and Aquifer Recharge Element
Page 59
FIGURE 5: NATURAL RESOURCES, WETLANDS
(Located in Comprehensive Plan Figure/Map Folder)
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Comprehensive Plan for the City of Plant City, Conservation and Aquifer Recharge
FIGURE 6: NATURAL SYSTEMS AND LAND USE COVER INVENTORY
(Located in Comprehensive Plan Figure/Map Folder)
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FIGURE 7: BIODIVERSITY HOT SPOTS
(Located in Comprehensive Plan Figure/Map Folder)
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Comprehensive Plan for the City of Plant City, Conservation and Aquifer Recharge
FIGURE 8: CONSERVATION LAND USE AND ELAPP AREAS
(Located in Comprehensive Plan Figure/Map Folder)
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FIGURE 9: STRATEGIC HABITAT CONSERVATION AREAS
(Located in Comprehensive Plan Figure/Map Folder)
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Comprehensive Plan for the City of Plant City, Conservation and Aquifer Recharge
FIGURE 10: POTENTIOMETRIC SURFACE CONTOURS OF THE FLORIDAN
AQUIFER
(Located in Comprehensive Plan Figure/Map Folder)
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FIGURE 11: REPORTED SINKHOLES
(Located in Comprehensive Plan Figure/Map Folder)
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Comprehensive Plan for the City of Plant City, Conservation and Aquifer Recharge
FIGURE 12: AREAS OF NATURAL RECHARGE TO THE FLORIDAN
AQUIFER
(Located in Comprehensive Plan Figure/Map Folder)
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FIGURE 13: AREAS SUSCEPTIBLE TO GROUNDWATER CONTAMINATION
(Located in Comprehensive Plan Figure/Map Folder)
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Comprehensive Plan for the City of Plant City, Conservation and Aquifer Recharge
FIGURE 14: EXISTING AND PROPOSED WELLS AND WELLFIELDS
(Located in Comprehensive Plan Figure/Map Folder)
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FIGURE 15: WELLHEAD RESOURCE PROTECTION
(Located in Comprehensive Plan Figure/Map Folder)
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Comprehensive Plan for the City of Plant City, Conservation and Aquifer Recharge
1
ENDNOTE: 2nd Cycle 2012 (Ref: DCA #12-2): PC/CPA 11-04 Conservation and Aquifer Recharge
Element. Ord. 28-2012, 9-10-12, EFFECTIVE: October 18, 2012.
2
ENDNOTE: 2nd Cycle 2012 (Ref: DCA #12-2): PC/CPA 11-04 Conservation and Aquifer Recharge
Element. Ord. 28-2012, 9-10-12, EFFECTIVE: October 18, 2012.
3
ENDNOTE: 2nd Cycle 2012 (Ref: DCA #12-2): PC/CPA 11-04 Conservation and Aquifer Recharge
Element. Ord. 28-2012, 9-10-12, EFFECTIVE: October 18, 2012.
4
ENDNOTE: 2nd Cycle 2012 (Ref: DCA #12-2): PC/CPA 11-04 Conservation and Aquifer Recharge
Element. Ord. 28-2012, 9-10-12, EFFECTIVE: October 18, 2012.
5
ENDNOTE: 2nd Cycle 2012 (Ref: DCA #12-2): PC/CPA 11-04 Conservation and Aquifer Recharge
Element. Ord. 28-2012, 9-10-12, EFFECTIVE: October 18, 2012.
6
ENDNOTE: 2nd Cycle 2012 (Ref: DCA #12-2): PC/CPA 11-04 Conservation and Aquifer Recharge
Element. Ord. 28-2012, 9-10-12, EFFECTIVE: October 18, 2012.
7
ENDNOTE: 2nd Cycle 2012 (Ref: DCA #12-2): PC/CPA 11-04 Conservation and Aquifer Recharge
Element. Ord. 28-2012, 9-10-12, EFFECTIVE: October 18, 2012.
8
ENDNOTE: 2nd Cycle 2012 (Ref: DCA #12-2): PC/CPA 11-04 Conservation and Aquifer Recharge
Element. Ord. 28-2012, 9-10-12, EFFECTIVE: October 18, 2012.
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