Subject:
Title
Letter of community support for advancing the United States Army Corps of Engineers Section 216 Feasibility Study for the Lake Tarpon Outfall Structure and Outfall Canal through the Southwest Florida Water Management District.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of the letter of community support for advancing the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Section 216 Feasibility Study for the Lake Tarpon Outfall Structure (S-551) and Outfall Canal (C-351) through the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD).
• Letter of community support is for advancing USACE Section 216 Feasibility Study for S-551 and C-351 and authorization for the Chairman to sign.
• It is recommended that the County support SWFWMD request and full funding and authorization of the USACE Section 216 Feasibility Study for S-551.
• Study is essential to ensure Lake Tarpon continues to receive flood protection and freshwater management benefits the structure was designed to provide.
• High tide and storm surge events have led to overtopping of S-551 and reduction in ability for passing flood water from lake to Old Tampa Bay, increasing potential for flooding and affecting public safety and emergency response.
• Recent USACE Section 216 Assessment confirmed that changing physical conditions warrant further evaluation. SWFWMD has committed approximately $1.5 million in matching funds for this effort.
• This letter of community support has no fiscal impact on Pinellas County.
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Strategic Priorities:
Resilient Infrastructure and Environment
1.4 Improve environmental quality.
1.6 Ensure sustainable water management.
Healthy and Safe Communities
2.2 Enhance community safety.
Summary:
Summary
SWFWMD requested the Letter of Community Support for advancing the USACE Section 216 Feasibility Study for the Lake Tarpon Outfall Structure (S‑551) and Outfall Canal (C‑351).
It is recommended the County support the SWFWMD request and full funding and authorization of the USACE Section 216 Feasibility Study for S‑551. This study is essential to ensure Lake Tarpon continues to receive the flood protection and freshwater management benefits the structure was designed to provide.
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Background Information:
Lake Tarpon is a significant recreational and economic asset in the County. USACE built Lake Tarpon Structure (S-551) and Outfall Canal (C-351) to regulate Lake Tarpon water levels for flood protection and management of freshwater conditions in lake. SWFWMD is responsible for operation and management of these facilities. Recently, high tide and storm surge events made worse by sea level rise have led to th overtopping of the S-551 structure and reduction in ability for passing flood water from lake to Old Tampa Bay, increasing the potential for flooding and affecting public safety and emergency response. USACE completed a 216 Assessment resulting in recommendation that a feasibility study should be performed to identify adaptation alternatives to address the decline in level of service.
Constructed by the USACE in 1969 as part of the Four River Basins, Florida Project, the S-551 water control structure regulates Lake Tarpon water levels for flood risk management and freshwater resource protection. Located on C-351, the structure
provides the sole surface water outlet from Lake Tarpon to Old Tampa Bay. Since 1974, the SWFWMD has operated and maintained S-551 as part of its regional water management system.
Given the age and deterioration of structure S-551, it is important that SWFWMD and USACE replace this critical infrastructure.
Fiscal Impact:
N/A
Staff Member Responsible:
Kelli Hammer Levy, Director, Public Works
Partners:
USACE
SWFWMD
Attachments:
Letter of Community Support
Lake Tarpon Structure (S-551) Feasibility Study