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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. Currently, 15 automotive repair facilities have been certified as Green Stars. Certified facilities display a “Green Star” decal in their store and are listed on the EPC’s website. Website: www.epchc.org .
- 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 $200,000 in 2009.
- Formed the Clean Air Partnership (CAP) program which aimed to reduce the number of work-related, single-occupancy vehicle trips and encouraged the use of clean-fuels in business fleets. The program linked employers to local commuter organizations, such as Bay Area Commuter Services, and companies that assist with clean-fuel vehicle conversions. Participating companies are continuing their green activities today.
- 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 issuing permits to facilities which emit air pollutants; inspecting industrial source facilities to ensure compliance with federal emission standards, and monitoring air quality to assure a healthy environment.
- Annually hosts “Clean Air Month” events and activities during May to increase the public’s awareness of air quality issues.
- Monitors water quality in Tampa Bay and Hillsborough County rivers and streams and reports their findings, especially those areas of concern, to the public and governmental organizations to review.
- Helps to develop innovative approaches for reducing nutrient input into the Bay by participating in Tampa Bay Estuary Program’s Nitrogen Management Consortium.
- 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 other stakeholders through an interlocal agreement to develop and implement Basin Management Action Plans (BMAP) intended to meet Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) goals that will result in improving water quality in 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.
- Explores grant opportunities, as directed by the EPC Board, from various agencies and organizations on issues such as the Environmental Justice Program and Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE). These grants seek 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.
- Formed the Tampa Bay Asthma Coalition which brings together agencies throughout the community, providing education and a central resource for citizens and families dealing with asthma.
- Implements and enforces wetland protection and mitigation rules, including the review of development requests authorizing the impact to wetlands and requiring mitigation to compensate for those impacts.
- Regulates and enforces laws relating to the trimming and alteration of mangroves, to ensure their protection in local water bodies.
- Works with Hillsborough County staff and the community on managing fertilizer use in residential and other turf grass settings by developing consensus for a Landscape Management Regulation (LMR) as initiated by the Tampa Estuary Program.
- 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. This program is funded by the EPC’s Pollution Recovery Fund, the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Program and donations from local marine construction contractors.
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