Page 10 - The Islander - April '21

Page 10, The Islander

northern notes

Hurricane Season May Start Earlier In The Future

By Katie Roundtree, Finance Director, Northern Palm Beach County Improvement District
In February, it was Organization announced the National Hurricane Center July combined. As
announced that a committee “will determine a quantitative threshold for adding or the oceans heat up,
within NOAA (National removing dates from the official Atlantic Hurricane activity increases.
Oceanic and Atmospheric Season,” and “will then examine the need for … potentially Storms form more
Administration) is moving the beginning of hurricane season to May 15.” frequently and are
determining w hether Warmer waters, potentially from climate change, have caused much more intense
hurricane season should tropical storms to develop earlier than June 1 on a more consistent than storms earlier
begin on May 15 rather basis. Better modeling technology and satellites have led to the in the season. Hurricane Wilma – NOAA
than June 1, as is the current ability to track and name storms more effectively than in the past. So, what does
internationally recognized Storms that may have been missed before can now be monitored this mean to those of us in South Florida? Not much. Hurricanes
start date. This is in response and forecasted more accurately. There have been calls for years will not suddenly decide to form earlier because of a shift in dates.
to weather patterns over the to revise the official start date of the Atlantic hurricane season to This doesn’t give a green light to the atmosphere to stir up storms
past decade and tropical activity starting earlier than June May 15, matching the first day of hurricane season in the eastern prior to June 1. It simply means that we need to be more vigilant,
1 over the past six consecutive years. Since 2000, 11 storms Pacific. June 1 is an arbitrarily chosen date; some think it’s time prepare early and pay attention to weather trends and forecasts a
have been named prior to the official start of the season. It to change the definition to reflect reality. bit sooner in the year than in the past. Hurricane season is a long
is a trend that they believe will continue into the future. Even though there is discussion about moving the hurricane stretch, but it’s the price we pay to live in paradise.
In response, NOAA may begin issuing daily tropical season start date to May 15, the ending date of Nov. 30 has not NPDES Tip: Hurricane season begins officially on June 1.
weather forecasts as early as May 15. As to moving the changed. The height of hurricane season is August through mid- Make sure your yards and trees are trimmed early to avoid flying
start date of the official hurricane season to May 15, in October, later in the season. Typically, August has more than three debris during a storm. Dispose of your trimmings and clippings
their annual hurricane plan, the World Meteorological times more storms than July or double the amount of June and properly. Do not put them into storm drains or lakes!

Commissioner’s Update

Sound Water Strategies

By Commissioner Maria Marino

Water resources in Palm South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), the In February, the county commission unanimously
Beach County are part of Florida Department of Environmental Protection and local passed a resolution urging the state to implement specific
a complex, interconnected stakeholders in achieving restoration of our critical resources. activities to help improve the quality of water resources
system, and decisions made at The county, along with local districts and municipalities, including grant programs, technology, collaboration on
the regional, state and federal has requested more than $2.8M in appropriations this year the implementation of projects, and supporting SFWMD
levels can dramatically affect from the State Legislature toward projects to benefit the to identify and prioritize additional funding. The
local communities. While Loxahatchee River, including: commission also approved a resolution urging Congress
Florida averages five feet of • Sawfish Island Restoration to fund the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Central
rainfall per year, it is essential • Seminole Avenue and Pennock Industrial Park and Southern Florida Flood Resiliency Study, and to
that we support strategies to stormwater improvements appropriate funding for the implementation in the Army
store, filter and send water • Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area Civil Works program, in partnership with SFWMD, for
to critical facilities, drinking Living Shoreline (erosion control) flood and storm damage reduction.
water resources and wetlands, and reduce what is lost to tide. • Loxahatchee River Mile Six Gap Closure and Oxbow These partnerships are vital to executing sound water
Most of the fresh water we use in South Florida comes Restoration Maintenance (preventing saltwater intrusion) strategies and I look forward to reporting on further progress
from surficial aquifers and the Floridan Aquifer system. The • Sims Creek Preserve Hydrologic Restoration as these projects move forward.
GRAND OPENING
aquifers are composed of multiple layers of porous rock and • Section Seven Drainage Improvement Project Please contact me if I can assist you at (561) 355-2201
supply approximately 90 percent of the state’s drinking water, • Loxahatchee River Sediment Study or by email at mmarino@pbcgov.org.
according to the South Florida Water Management District.
Rainfall mainly recharges the aquifers, but they also receive
water from lakes, streams and groundwater flows.
The C-51 Reservoir project – 15 years in the making –
is under construction on Southern Boulevard near 20 Mile
Bend. This reservoir will store excess storm water for later
distribution during the dry season. Additional benefits will
include enhanced flood protection and water quality, and
will help combat saltwater intrusion and provide other
environmental benefits. www.washandwax.com
Two main environmental initiatives this project will
serve are the restoration of the Lake Worth Lagoon and Full Service Is Back!
the Loxahatchee River Watershed Restoration Project. The
Northwest Fork of the Loxahatchee River is one of only unlimited exterior Wash Plans
two rivers in the state and the only river in South Florida
with the national designation as a Wild and Scenic River.
These delicate ecosystems are vulnerable to harmful algae BaSIC WaSh $25 Deluxe WaSh $30 laVa $35 CeRamIC $40
discharges from Lake Okeechobee and saltwater intrusion.
Having reservoirs, stormwater treatment areas and flow ways
over wetlands allows us to send clean water east to the lagoon
and gradually north to the Loxahatchee River Watershed. $5
Sending filtered fresh water in, and keeping saltwater out, is
what helps fresh water aquatic species thrive in their habitat. Car Wash
Palm Beach County is an active partner with the (Reg. $10)

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