August 2021 – The One Water Chapter of the Hillsborough County Comprehensive Plan was selected for an American Planning Association (APA) Florida Award of Excellence in the Comprehensive Plan – Large Jurisdiction category. The APA Florida Project Awards program will recognize the outstanding planning projects in the State of Florida at its annual conference in September 2021. The program provides APA Florida members with the chance to see and learn about development, conservation, government, or environmental projects, where planning has had a positive impact on the outcome. The Project Awards Committee looks for innovativeness and quality, and the potential for use in other areas.
The Hillsborough County One Water Chapter was selected for an award for elevating the role of water in comprehensive plans in an innovative approach, process, and form. Rather than individual Elements, One Water recognizes the interrelated nature of water and takes a holistic approach to planning for potable water, wastewater, stormwater, and the natural environment. The Chapter contains implementable policy direction at the forefront of water resources planning – from green infrastructure to integrated water resources management. Developed jointly by Planning Commission planners and Hillsborough County water resources technical experts, and with extensive involvement and input from the public, One Water reflects that water is interrelated, and all water has value.
