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- Manages the federal “Pollution Prevention (P2)” program locally, which provides free audits to local businesses to identify ways to reduce or eliminate pollutants.
- Manages the “Green Yards” program, started in 2004, that assists automotive recycling yards in the County with becoming more environmentally-friendly through implementing best management practices and pollution prevention strategies, and helps them become certified by staff as a “Green Yard.”
- Currently 33 yards are participating in the program, and eleven have been certified as Green Yards. Certified yards display “Green Yard” flags and are listed on the EPC’s website. Website: www.epchc.org
- Implements the “Green Star” program, started in 2005, which encourages automotive repair facilities to undertake similar best management practices and pollution strategies, and helps them become certified as a “Green Star” facility.
- Coordinated with the Hillsborough County School Board to receive a $200,000 grant received from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2004 to retrofit the diesel exhaust systems on 258 local school buses, reducing children’s exposure to harmful pollution.
- Manages the Pollution Recovery Fund grants program, which provides funding of environmental projects that help clean up polluted areas and pays for a portion of the Artificial Reef program. This program, which is funded from penalties paid by EPC rule violators, is offering more than $500,000 in 2008.
- Formed the Clean Air Partnership (CAP) with the Pinellas County Department of Environmental Management to reduce the number of work-related, single-occupancy vehicle trips and encourage the use of clean fuels. The program seeks to link employers to local commuter organizations, such as Bay Area Commuter Services, and companies that assist with clean-fuel vehicle conversions. Also recognizes employers that participate in these programs through public relations efforts. Website: www.cleanairpartnership.com
- Promotes use of hybrid vehicles and encourages large fleet owners to purchase hybrid vehicles through recognition and promotion programs since 2005.
- Held first environmental summit in 2006, which brought together environmental groups, consultants, political leaders and the public to discuss environmental concerns.
- Enforces laws that cover a variety of environmental issues, such as vapor control at all gas stations, open burning and car wash standards.
- Educates residents on air quality issues, through a “Smart Driver” partnership with the Florida Department of Transportation that educates drivers on the problems of high ozone and how good driving and vehicle maintenance behaviors can reduce ozone. Also holds annual “Clean Air Month” events and programs every May to increase public’s awareness of issue.
- Monitors water quality in Tampa Bay and publishes progress and areas of concern for public and governmental organizations to review.
- Participates in Tampa Bay Estuary Program’s Nitrogen Management Consortium to develop innovative approaches for reducing nutrient input into the Bay, and provided a one-time contribution of funds to the effort.
- Developed a Seagrass Management Plan that was approved in 2007 that defines a course of action for seagrass restoration and management in Tampa Bay.
- Works with local governments and groups through an interlocal agreement to create Basin Management Action Plans and the implementation of Total Maximum Daily Load goals that will focus resources on improving water quality in identified impaired water bodies. Website: http://maps.wateratlas.usf.edu/bmap
- Monitors accidental release of hazardous chemicals in the air, and ensures that commercial facilities undertake reasonable measures and improvements to prevent future accidents.
- Exploring opportunities, as directed by County Commission, to receive a grant from the Environmental Justice Program to establish community-based partnerships to reduce toxic risks in local communities.
- Monitors and posts air quality index and water quality testing results on its website for public to review. Website: www.epchc.org
- Protects groundwater and surface water quality through monitoring and inspecting underground and aboveground storage tank systems, wastewater facilities, solid waste management facilities and businesses that create hazardous waste. Also oversees closing and clean-up of storage tanks and petroleum-contaminated sites.
- Implements and enforces wetland protection and mitigation rules, which includes reviewing rezoning requests to decide if they will impact wetlands, requiring mitigation of wetlands destroyed and repair of affected wetlands.
- Regulates and enforces laws relating to the trimming and alteration of mangroves, to ensure their protection in local water bodies.
- Creating an action plan to implement the state’s new Urban Turf Fertilizer Rule that was adopted in December 2007 and educate consumers on sound fertilizer application practices. Tampa Bay Estuary Program also involved in effort.
- Administers the Artificial Reef Program since 1986, which seeks to increase habitat diversity and sport fishing opportunities in Tampa Bay by providing hard-bottom substrates and communities.
- Program is funded by the EPC’s Pollution Recovery Trust Fund, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s sale of saltwater fishing licenses, the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Program and donations from local marine construction contractors.
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