Category: River News
-
Dry weather signals seasonal changes for Hillsborough River
April 2023 – Freshwater flows are the lifeblood of the lower Hillsborough River. This area is an estuary, where saltwater and freshwater meet. As such, it is an important nursery ground for numerous commercially and recreationally important fish, crabs, and other species. With the growing population of Tampa taking more and more drinking water from […]
-
#YourTPO shows wildlife some love
March 2023 – Wildlife need space to seek food, water, and find mates, and the larger the animal, the farther they roam to find needed resources for survival. As our population increases, interactions with wildlife also increase. Wildlife crossings are underpasses or similar structures that allow animals to safely cross roads and provide environmental benefits. […]
-
The health of the river a continued focus in 2023
March 2023 – The Hillsborough River Interlocal Planning Board’s Technical Advisory Council (TAC) held its first meeting of the new year on February 21. As required by their bylaws, their first business was to hold elections of officers. Both Dr. Richard Brown and Mr. Stu Marvin were re-elected as Chair and Vice Chair, respectively. This […]
-
A fond farewell & thank you to Mark Hudson
February 2023 – Mark Hudson was hired by the Planning Commission in 1987. His initial role was as a member of the team that developed the first truly comprehensive plans for Hillsborough County and its three cities as required by the Growth Management Act of 1985. Since that time, Mark has held a wide variety […]
-
47K households move to Hillsborough County and bring $3.6 billion annually
February 2023 – As we discussed in the last article, Hillsborough County’s population continues to grow albeit at a relatively slower rate than before 2020. Typically for Florida, most of the growth is from new households moving to the county from other counties in Florida or other areas. In this article, we use IRS Statistics […]
-
The Hillsborough River and contaminants of emerging concern
February 2023 – Emerging contaminants, or contaminants of emerging concern, can refer to many different kinds of chemicals, including medicines, personal care or household cleaning products, lawn care, and agricultural products, among others. These chemicals make it into lakes and rivers and have a detrimental effect on fish and other aquatic species. They have also […]
-
One death too many: Remembering those lost to traffic crashes
November 2022 – Join us and other members of the community on Sunday, November 20 as people around the world gather to honor the 2022 World Day of Remembrance. Featuring safety advocate Melissa Wandall who lost her husband to a traffic crash in 2008, our local event will take place at 5 pm in Palm […]
-
The history of the Hillsborough River dam
November 2022 – The “middle river” has a long and interesting history. The middle river through Temple Terrace and into the City of Tampa didn’t always include a dam, and that dam wasn’t always used for water supply. During much of the 1800s, the Hillsborough River existed in a natural wild state. In 1886, the […]
-
Planning for hurricane risk
October 2022 – Hurricane Ian was a tragedy for Florida communities that were in its path. Plan Hillsborough continues to be at the forefront of addressing the risks associated with hurricanes in Hillsborough County through important projects such as the Community Vulnerability Study, Storm Evacuation Forecast & Shelter-in-Place Scenarios Study, Transportation Disadvantaged Service Plan, and […]
-
Join the Plan Hillsborough Team
October 2022 – We’re looking for a Planner I/II (depending on qualifications) to join the Comprehensive Plan and Policy Review Division (CPPR) at the Planning Commission. Apply by November 1 on the Hillsborough County website. Learn more and apply
-
Speed zone consistency on the river
October 2022 – Great strides were made in the last few years to have consistent speed zones for boaters on the Hillsborough River. For years there was a patchwork of “Resume Normal Speed,” “Slow Speed Minimum Wake,” and “Slow Speed No Wake” signs which led to confusion for boaters and others utilizing the river. Tampa […]
-
Join us for our virtual Info BBQ on August 17
August 2022 – Love clean air as much as we do? Then join us for our virtual Info BBQ on Wednesday, August 17 from noon until 1 pm Register now and learn how health and equity are related to traffic-related air pollutants and how an Air Quality Pilot Study will help us better address these […]
-
Are we headed for a recession in the next six months?
August 2022 – “Objects in this mirror are farther than they appear.” – Anonymous In Florida, searches for the word recession peaked from July 12–18[i]. At Florida State, economist Dr. Jerry Parrish believes that there is a 67% chance of a recession in Florida later this year or early 2023[ii][iii]. Here we go behind the […]
-
To protect the river, keep storm drains clear
August 2022 – It is a common misconception that storm drains lead to a wastewater treatment plant. In many urban and rural settings, the water entering drains receives no treatment and is discharged directly into the closest waterway. Aside from the dirt and pollution that is simply washed off urban surfaces into the waterways, your […]
-
Freshwater is a lifeline for the Lower Hillsborough River
July 2022 – By definition, a river is a freshwater body flowing into a large water body such as a saltwater sea, ocean, gulf or bay. If you cut off this freshwater flow, the saltwater connection moves in, dramatically changing the ecosystem. Maintaining this flow of freshwater ensures a balanced habitat and estuary environment that […]