ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DIVISION ANNUAL REPORT …ocfl.net/Portals/0/Library/Environment/docs/2014AnnualReport.pdf · ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DIVISION. ... Air and Your Health Local

ORANGE COUNTY � EPD ANNUAL REPORT 2014 � 1

ANNUAL REPORT2014

Where Are We Now?

Environmental Action

Serving our Community

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DIVISION

2 � ORANGE COUNTY � EPD ANNUAL REPORT 2014 ORANGE COUNTY � EPD ANNUAL REPORT 2014 � 3

Letter from Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs 3

Where Are We Now? 4 a. Air Quality Air and Your Health Out with the Old, in with the New Going Electric Community Health Monitoring Program b. Water Quality Lake Holden’s Path to Rehabilitation Florida Springs c. Awards & Recognitions NAHMMA Award Clean Air Award

Environmental Action 10 a. Controlled Burn b. Noise Ordinance Amendments c. Yard Trash Turned Treasure! d. Facility Inspections e. Petroleum Contamination f. Wildlife Celebration

Serving our Community 15 a. Explore Orange County Natural Lands b. Complaint Response Inspections c. Are you in the Know? d. eVIP e. Community Outreach Events

EPD Staff/ Commissioners/ EPC Members 19-20

Welcome to the 2014 Orange County Environmental Protection Division’s

(EPD) Annual Report. Orange County is committed to cultivating a community

embedded with sustainable roots — a community our 1.2 million residents are

proud to call their home for life. For us, sustainability embodies a need for

economic, environmental, and cultural initiatives that promote the conservation

and efficient use of our resources.

EPD is devoted to fostering the healthy and prosperous Orange County we all

envision. This year, as part of our eVIP (environmental Volunteer and Internship

Program), approximately 600 volunteers contributed more than 5,700 hours

of service, valued at more than $105,000, toward environmental education and

projects throughout our County.

I am excited for the future as we continue to implement sustainable

environmental strategies into all aspects of Orange County’s growth and

transformation. Please visit www.ocfl.net/epd for more information and ways to

become involved in your community.

Sincerely,

Sincerely,

Teresa JacobsOrange County Mayor

Letter frOM the MayOrtaBLe Of CONteNtS

Orange CountyEnvironmental Protection

Division Mission Statement:

“Serving our community by protecting the environment through education,

participation and conservation.”


Out With the Old, in With the NewOne of our air-monitoring stations is nearing the end of its evolution as it converts

from analog data transmission to digital. The task of organizing and implementing the local and state requirements necessary to replace the analog station lasted more than three years. The renovated station, located at Winegard Elementary, 7055 Winegard Road, Orlando, will be completed in 2015, allowing EPD to ensure local air quality continues to meet the federal standards.

Where are We NOW?

JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

Daily AQI Values in 2014Orange County, Florida

Due to instrument maintenance, index results were skewed for one day in 2014 causing an Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups value to be recorded. Although the reading was inaccurate, we must still report it, but please note that, at this range, the general public is still not likely to be affected.

Air and Your HealthLocal air pollution directly affects our quality of life. The Air Quality Index

(AQI) is a tool for reporting how clean or unhealthy the air we breathe currently is, and how it might affect our health. EPD monitors six major air pollutants that have been identified as causing health effects when at concentrations above federally established levels. Currently, Orange County remains below those levels and is in compliance with the federal standards.

EPD forecasts the index in order to help concerned citizens plan their daily activities. You can check daily air quality and forecasts at http://www.airnow.gov/ or download the Environmental Protection Agency AIRNow application directly to your smart device.

Good (<=50 AQI) 319 days

Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (101-150 AQI) 1 days

Moderate (51-100 AQI) 45 days

Unhealthy (151-200 AQI) 0 days

Very Unhealthy (>=201 AQI) 0 days

SOURCE: U.S. EPA AirData http://www.epa.gov/airdata; Generated: May 8,2015

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNSunday

Monday

Tuesday

Old Shelter (left);New Shelter (right)

Daily AQI Values in 2014

a Air Quality a Air Quality


Going ElectricA new electric vehicle charging station will be installed and ready to use

in 2015 at the University of Florida IFAS (Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences) Orange County Extension facility located on Conway Road. The station was funded through the Congressional District Project grant awarded to EPD by the Department of Energy.

Lake Holden’s Path to RehabilitationTo help determine the overall effectiveness of the programs we put into place,

the Water Resource Management team conducts water quality monitoring to track trends in the health of our lakes and streams. Lake Holden exemplifies the ability of our programs to restore unhealthy water bodies: implementation of projects and monitoring through the Municipal Services Taxing Unit (MSTU) and input from the Advisory Board during the last 10 years resulted in a steady drop in Trophic State Index (TSI), which measures the amount of biomass, such as algae, present in the water.

Where are We NOW?b Water Qualitya Air Quality

Community Health Monitoring ProgramResearch shows a direct correlation

between poverty and the presence of asthma. EPD partnered with the Orange County Health Department and completed the Asthma Friendly Childcare Project for children living in the Pine Hills Brownfields Study Area in which nearly 26 percent of families are living below the poverty level. Participating childcare center staff received training on how to provide support to children and families affected by asthma.

Electric-vehicle charging station

Pine Hills, FL; Google Maps 2015

Lake Holden; Google Maps 2015

SOURCE: Water Resource Management Team

Holden TSI

1989

69

6467

6569

66

61 62

68

Pond

Inst

alla

tion

Pond

Inst

alla

tion

Subm

erge

d Aq

uatic

Veg

etat

ion

Plan

ting

Alum

Inje

ctio

n

Stre

et S

wee

ping

Pro

gram

Stre

et S

wee

ping

Incr

ease

d Fr

eq.

Surf

ace

Alum

Trea

tmen

t

Surf

ace

Alum

Trea

tmen

t

Curb

and

Gra

te B

aske

ts

Curb

and

Gra

te B

aske

ts

Cont

inuo

us D

eflec

tion

Syst

em U

nit

65 65 6561

59 6055

4744

48 47

38

3027

25 23

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2014

R2 = 0.8089

Currently, there are more than

300 electric vehicle charging

stations within Central Florida!


Florida SpringsEPD spearheaded an educational campaign geared

towards residents of the Wekiva and Rock Springs Basin, both of which are polluted by excess nutrients. The goal of the campaign was to inform residents about the Orange County Fertilizer Ordinance.

Residents were reached at home, at work and at play through: direct mail and utility bill mailer inserts; door hangers; booths at community events; homeowner

association meetings; Public Service Announcements on TV and at movie theaters; fertilizer retailers; newspaper and magazine articles; and

advertising in local outdoor areas, website articles and social media.

We partnered with University of Central Florida students to conduct a follow-up survey questioning homeowners in the study area on the effectiveness of the campaign. Residents responded that they were not aware of the County’s fertilizer ordinance nor did

they remember receiving any material about it. However, most stated that they would be willing to change their habits in order to comply

with the law and that network TV and radio ads would likely influence their decisions.

Funds for these efforts have been generously donated by the Florida Springs Tag grant, the Central Florida Group Sierra Club and the Wekiva River System Advisory Management Committee.

2014 NAHMMA Award The North American Hazardous Materials Management

Association awarded the 2014 Longstanding Program Excellence Award to EPD’s Small Quantity Generator program both nationally and through the Florida chapter. This program inspects local businesses to ensure and promote proper management, disposal, reduction and elimination of hazardous waste.

Where are We NOW?b Water Quality c Awards & Recognitions

EPD continuesto have a billboard

at the intersection of S.R. 436 and Wekiva

Springs Road, and will run a network

ad during 2015.

2014 Clean Air Award Honorable MentionThe Air Quality Management

staff received an honorable mention from the Central Florida Clean Air Team for their electric transportation initiative, Get Ready Central Florida. The award recognizes organizations that are excelling at the improvement of their region’s air quality. Great job!


The authority under the Orange County Noise Ordinance (Chapter 15, Article V.) was expanded to provide some relief for citizen noise complaints that fell under “Breach of Peace” that required a victim affidavit. The changes established a “plainly audible” standard enforceable by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. With the new standard, officers need only their ears and a set distance to determine if a violation exists; an affidavit is no longer required.

The revisions to the ordinance also created an exemption provision that allows large-scale commercial concrete pours to begin earlier in the in the day, so long as certain noticing requirements are fulfilled. Large-scale concrete pours are a critical component in the construction industry and are usually a long continuous process. Getting as much done before the heat, rains or traffic congestion is very important to the process. EPD staff found that with proper notifications to

surrounding residents, complaints were practically nonexistent.

a Controlled Burn b Noise Ordinance Amendments

c Yard Trash Turned Treasure!

Over the years, fire has played a major role in shaping Florida’s ecosystems, and today it serves as one of the most efficient and cost-effective tools land managers utilize to restore and/or maintain these ecosystems. Controlled burns reduce hazardous fuel loads surrounding urban areas and protect people and their homes from wildfires. Controlled burns are used by land managers to restore or maintain Florida’s fire dependent, natural communities. EPD’s Green PLACE (Park Land Acquisition for Conservation and Environmental Protection) program successfully burned 758 acres throughout four County preserves in 2014. It is essential that land managers continue to perform controlled burns in order to preserve Florida’s ecosystems well into the future.

eNVIrONMeNtaL aCtION

The Solid Waste Management team worked hard this year to help turn yard trash into treasure! Yard trash processing facilities receive waste vegetation from land clearing and landscaping projects, and typically process the material into usable products such as mulch or firewood. Repurposing this waste allows it to enter back into commerce while at the same time keeping tons of trash out of our landfills.

Under the changes to the Solid Waste Ordinance regarding yard trash, those facilities which keep their total stockpile below 12,000 cubic yards, and meet other siting and performance criteria, are now able to operate under an exemption, easing their recycling protocol. Larger facilities are still handled through a more detailed permit review process.

Savage/Christmas Creek Preserve

For more details on the noise ordinance or contacts visit:www ocfl net/epd and click on the Noise link.


The Petroleum Cleanup program oversees the assessment and cleanup of soil and groundwater contaminated by petroleum discharges from storage systems throughout Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties. Cleaning of sites prevents human exposure and is vital towards protecting our underground potable water sources.

EPD oversees numerous contaminated sites, including a mushroom-growing farm that uses two aboveground storage tanks to store diesel for their facility vehicles. This year, the tanks leaked and contaminated local soil and groundwater. After a site assessment and approximately two years of remediation, the site is almost clean and moving into a post-remediation monitoring phase.

d Facility Inspections e Petroleum Contamination

eNVIrONMeNtaL aCtION

Number of Facility Inspections for 2014

4,417

137

2.438

748

1,431

588

Hazardous Waste Generators

Solid Waste Management

Facilities

Petroleum Storage Tanks

Air Pollutant

ConstructionSites

Stormwater Management

Ponds

Percentage of Compliance Rates for 2014

76%

64%

64%

98%

32%

25%

Hazardous Waste (SQG) Generators

Solid Waste Management Facilities

Petroleum Storage Tanks

Air Pollutant

Construction Sites

Pond

Petroleum Cleanup by the Numbers

33 Discharges were successfully cleaned up in 2014 450

1,251

At any given time, our staff is over-seeing work on more than 450 sites

902 To date there are 902 open petroleum dis-charges requiring cleanup in Central Florida

In total, 1,251 discharges have been cleaned up or determined to require no clean up following an evaluation of the data in Orange County


EPD’s Green PLACE program manages over 22 natural lands and currently six are open for the use and enjoyment of our citizens. Please refer to the list of the preserves that are open for passive recreational use.

EPD staff members made a difference in their community by volunteering at the Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge 25th birthday celebration and grand opening of their new location on the Eagles Roost Green PLACE property.

The attendance and contribution of more than 3,000 citizens and volunteers helped raise more than $18,000 to aid with the mission of the refuge. A ribbon-cutting ceremony led by Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs kicked off the day’s activities of nature trail hikes, classes and exhibitions.

“We are so excited to give Back to Nature a permanent home,” Mayor Jacobs said during her remarks at the event. “Orange County recognizes the need to preserve land for future generations and the habitat for wildlife. It is vital to invest in nature.”

Commissioner Jennifer Thompson, District 4, stated, “What impresses me most is that I will meet people who come to Back to Nature because they have a love for the animals and for taking care of the community; and they do it over and over again.”

a Explore Orange County Natural Lands

eNVIrONMeNtaL aCtION SerVING OUr COMMUNItyf Wildlife Celebration

From left: Back to Nature Executive Director Debbie Helsel, Representative Tom Goodson, Back to Nature Board of Directors President Debbie Kleinberg, Mayor Teresa Jacobs and Commissioner Jennifer Thompson host the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Mayor Jacobs greets wildlife.

Long Branch Preserve

� Eagles Roost/Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge� Long Branch� Isle of Pine Preserve� Pine Lily Preserve� Savage/Christmas Creek Preserve

� Sandhill Preserve

For more information on the location and trail maps of these natural lands, please visit:orangecountyfl net

https://vimeo.com/97620501

To view the event, click on the video link


Our new smartphone application, OCFL Alert, enables residents to receive critical updates from Orange County Government. Be the first to know about environmental concerns such as lake alerts and controlled burns; traffic congestions, missing children alerts, weather alerts; and

up-to-date information during hurricane season regarding water and ice distribution stations, open shelters and road closures. You will also gain direct access to lists of upcoming community events and FAQs.

The eVIP (Orange County Environmental Volunteer & Internship Program) accomplished a great deal of work in 2014. eVIP volunteers devoted their time to the community by providing requested educational presentations, labeling storm drains, assisting with restoration projects, sampling surface water at various Adopt-A-Lake locations and assisting on various projects through professional internships.

d Environmental Volunteer & Internship Program

SerVING OUr COMMUNItyb Complaint Response Inspections

Due to Orange County’s large population of more than 1.2 million residents, EPD relies on our residents and businesses to help us keep watch over our community. This year, EPD conducted 2,342 investigations and follow-up inspections on potential environmental violations such as:� Vegetation removal from wetlands and shorelines� Shoreline alterations (i.e. boat dock and seawall construction) � Improper disposal of solid and hazardous wastes � Industrial noise pollution

EPD Complaint Response Inspections

179

700

861

124

249

173

56

Air

Wetlands

Water Quality

Noise

Solid Waste

Unpermitted Activities

Various Types

We are grateful for your vigilance and ask that if you

see environmental concerns to please call

311or report it on the web at

www ocfl net/311{ {c Are You in the Know?

eVIP volunteers join a community storm-drain labeling project.

Environmental Volunteer & Internship Program (eVIP) Volunteer Number of Number of SpecificProjects Hours Volunteers Projects Project Details

Adopt-A-Lake (AAL) 88 5 5 Sampling on various lakes

Enviroscape Presentations 49 14 61 790 students

Internships 4,237 25 25 Various tasks

Restoration 672 301 7 Removed 145 lbs. of debris and 3,045 lbs. of invasive plants

Storm Drain (SD) Labeling 618 200 23 Labeled 1,010 inlets; distributed 3,093 door hangers

Volunteer Trainings 55 53 49 Training types: Enviroscape, SD Label and intern orientation

Adult Presentations 1 1 2 86 adults reached

TOTALS 5,720 599 172

http://studio stupeflix com/v/ldJb9BFl62VX/?autoplay=1

To view the event, click on the video link


In 2014, EPD participated in 48 community outreach events, reaching approximately 132,000 residents and visitors. The education provided by our staff and eVIP volunteers broadens environmental awareness throughout our community.

e Community Outreach Events AdministrationLori CunniffMichelle GonzalezDennis Weatherford

Administrative SupportTerri BrinsonCharlotte Carson

Petroleum, Air, Sustainability & Energy

Norma AliGlen BeckerTom BessaMike BowersIlka BundyRoger ClarkBarbara Cochrane-OlvetreaSteven CottrellCharlie CoxSean EhrlichTodd FletcherMandeep GillJames (Mike) GirtonCarlos GonzalezJose GonzalezNatrevia Gradney-MitchellMatt Green Assefa HailemariamKristen HarbinJane HeppnerBetty HillOmar HortaDavid JonesJohn JowettJohn KasperRobin KatzSeth MoorheadBrian NicolsonJohn ParkerRenee ParkerJackie PerryDavid Press

Leonardo QuiterioRuth RauenzahnKevin ScharlauAlex StringfellowDamon TaylorKevin ThorntonNidia VolpeKaren WaltonCarol White

Compliance & Waste Management

Sarah BernierDavid BromfieldVanessa CruzBeth DarbyJohn GeigerCynthia GosiewskiJane GregoryJohn HarrisLaura LordAlan MarshallArnaldo MercadoCarrie MohannaRicardo MooreMark OverstreetNancy RodlunLarry RossChris SchroettingerLauren StalyRichard StephensShana ThomasMartha Worland

Natural Resource Management

Marcia AndersonRuth ArmstrongEdna ArroyoJulie BortlesMelanie BrodheadAlexis ClarkMike Colon

Jeff DarrGodfrey Dickson Jr.Sergio DuarteTeayann DuclosGreg EwanitzDan HombletteAlyse HowellTim HullBeth JacksonGary JacobsCatherine JohnsonElizabeth JohnsonRose JuerlingMitchell KatzJohn KleinAlicia KrechtAimee KrivanMark KromerMelissa LavigneMelissa MorellaMark NaughtonRyan PatrickJohn PierceSteve RichTina RichardsMark RizzoJason RootCarolyn SchultzRobert SheridanGeoffrey ShetkaLavaughn SimmonsJulee SimsBrad TalesnickNeal ThomasTara UrbanikSapho VatelEfren VazquezChristian VisscherWalter Wheeler

Event Spotlight:� Our Home for Life Community Workshop� National Plug In Day� METRA Environmental Excellence Day� Arbor Day� National Public Lands Day� Art Meets Agriculture Exhibit

ePD Staff aND SUPPOrtSerVING OUr COMMUNIty

http://www orangetvfl net/orange-county-update/art-meets-agriculture-contest-video_4990f16f6 html

To learn moreabout the Art Meets

Agriculture exhibit, click on the video link

20 � ORANGE COUNTY � EPD ANNUAL REPORT 2014

Environmental Protection CommissionSally Atwell: Regulated Business or Municipality Representative

Glenn Dunkelberger: Professional Engineer RepresentativeJonathan Huels: Environmental Specialist Representative

Michael Kyhos: Regulated Business or Municipality RepresentativeJohn Miklos: Recognized Environmental Conservation Organization

RepresentativeAlex Preisser: At Large Citizen Representative

David Ward: Agricultural Interests Representative

Orange County MayorTeresa Jacobs

District 1CommissionerS. Scott Boyd

District 2Commissioner

Outgoing: Frederick BrummerIncoming: Bryan Nelson


Pete Clarke


Jennifer Thompson

District 5CommissionerTed B. Edwards


Outgoing: Tiffany M. RussellIncoming: Victoria P. Siplin

County AdministratorAjit Lalchandani

Assistant County AdministratorChris Testerman

DirectorCommunity, Environmental and

Development Services DepartmentJon Weiss

Deputy DirectorCommunity, Environmental and

Development Services DepartmentLori Cunniff

Orange County EnvironmentalProtection Division

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Documents

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DIVISION ANNUAL REPORT …ocfl.net/Portals/0/Library/Environment/docs/2014AnnualReport.pdf · ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DIVISION. ... Air and Your Health Local