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Burn ban temporary lifted for holiday weekend

Submitted by Kristin Weber, Web Producer, 10News In Your Neighborhood
Thursday, June 30th, 2011, 10:07am
Burn ban temporary lifted for holiday weekend

Polk County, FL -- Effective today, June 30, the County’s burn ban will be suspended for the Independence Day holiday through Wednesday, July 6.

It appears that the summer rainy season has arrived. Some parts of the county are still dry, with the drought index above 500, but most of the area has benefitted from recent rainfall.

The suspension includes all of the unincorporated areas of Polk County as well as the municipalities who chose to participate in the mandatory ban that took effect on June 8. Those municipalities include: Auburndale, Bartow, Eagle Lake, Fort Meade, Frostproof, Lake Alfred, Mulberry, Polk City and Winter Haven.

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Lake Gibson water suitable for irrigation

Submitted by Kristin Weber, Web Producer, 10News In Your Neighborhood
Monday, June 27th, 2011, 12:27pm
Lake Gibson water suitable for irrigation

Lakeland, FL -- Testing reveals the water in Lake Gibson is now suitable for irrigation. Parks and Natural Resources staff used the herbicides, diaquat, flumioxazin, and imazamox to treat Hydrilla on Lake Gibson in Lakeland on Tuesday, June 7.

Following the herbicide application, area residents and businesses were asked to refrain from using treated lake water for irrigation until testing revealed it was safe to do so. Swimming and fishing were not restricted.

Hydrilla is an invasive aquatic weed that grows in many Florida lakes. It can impede water flow, causing flooding, hamper recreational activities such as boating and fishing, and can completely choke out native aquatic life.

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Learn about Florida ecosystems during “Freshwater Wetlands Module” course

Submitted by Kristin Weber, Web Producer, 10News In Your Neighborhood
Sunday, June 26th, 2011, 10:13pm
Learn about Florida ecosystems during “Freshwater Wetlands Module” course

Polk County, FL -- Polk’s Nature Discovery Center at Circle B Bar Reserve will host one of several educational components available through the University of Florida IFAS Master Naturalist Program.

The course provides behind-the-scenes field tours of the Green Swamp and Gator Sink along the Peace River. The freshwater wetland module takes more than 40 hours to complete and will be held July 31 - August 6.

The Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) is a statewide University of Florida/IFAS Extension environmental education program that provides training for anyone interested in learning more about Florida ecosystems.  The program offers participants three modules: Upland Habitats, Freshwater Wetlands and Coastal Systems.

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Polk County receives federal EPA grant

Submitted by Kristin Weber, Web Producer, 10News In Your Neighborhood
Saturday, June 18th, 2011, 11:32am
Polk County receives federal EPA grant

Polk County, FL -- Ten Florida communities were awarded $7 million in brownfields grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Polk County one of them.

Florida received more grant funding than any other state in the nation to help communities revitalize properties environmentally, restore economic vitality and alleviate potential health risks.

Polk County received two brownfields revolving loan fund grants totaling $1,000,000 will be used to provide loans and subgrants to support cleanup activities for sites contaminated with hazardous substances and petroleum in Polk County and the Cities of Mulberry and Fort Meade.

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Cities participating in County burn ban

Submitted by Kristin Weber, Web Producer, 10News In Your Neighborhood
Thursday, June 16th, 2011, 2:53pm
Cities participating in County burn ban

Polk County, FL -- Some cities in Polk opted to participate in the County’s mandatory burn ban that took effect on June 8.

The following cities notified Polk County of their intended participation: Auburndale, Bartow, Eagle Lake, Fort Meade, Frostproof, Lake Alfred, Mulberry, Polk City and Winter Haven.

Their participation is subject to certification by their own governing bodies that the municipality has no charter provisions or ordinances in conflict with the County’s burn ban ordinance and that they desire to be subject to the provisions of the ordinance.

The mandatory burn ban means residents may not burn trash, yard debris, campfires, bonfires, construction debris, unpermitted controlled burns, or ignite fireworks.

Any person who refuses to comply with this burn ban will violate County Ordinance 08-015 which is punishable by a fine of up to $500, imprisonment for up to 60 days in the county jail, or both.

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Lake Gibson to be treated, water use restrictions in place

Submitted by Kristin Weber, Web Producer, 10News In Your Neighborhood
Monday, June 6th, 2011, 11:28am
Lake Gibson to be treated, water use restrictions in place

Lakeland, FL -- Polk County Parks and Natural Resources will use the herbicides, diaquat, flumioxazin, and imazamox to treat Hydrilla on Lake Gibson in Lakeland on Tuesday, June 7.

Following the herbicide application, area residents and business should not use treated lake water for irrigation until further notice.

Testing will begin one week after treatment is complete and will continue each week to determine when the lake water can be used for irrigation.

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Polk County holds Hurricane Expo

Submitted by Chris Suchan, Meteorologist
Sunday, June 5th, 2011, 11:53am
Polk County holds Hurricane Expo

Polk County, FL -- Thousands of residents participated in the Polk County Hurricane Expo held at the Orange Dome in Winter Haven Saturday.

Experts including 10 News meteorologist Chris Suchan spoke on the upcoming season, forecasting and concerns of the inland wind and tornado threat from tropical systems passing across Polk County.

Additionally, members of emergency services in the county were on hand along with a number of vendors to answer questions, pass out information or showcase products to buy.

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