Broward County Commission Goal 8
Environmental Preservation

Preserve the environment as a globally competitive value and promote benchmark improvements to our stakeholders.

Protecting Broward County’s unique and subtropical environment will require the dedicated efforts of government, business and residents. Preserving the County’s fragile ecosystem involves water conservation, safe and clean methods for waste disposal and efficient energy methods.

Hillsboro Pineland Prairie Overlook

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Market Measures

	Percentage of Days When the Outdoor Air Quality was Good
	Pollutant Loads to Waterways
	Percentage of Total Beachfront Providing Storm Protection and Recreational Opportunities
	Cumulative Acreage of Green Area Brought Under Management Plans Since 2004

2006-2010 Objectives

	Maintain annual attainment of federal health-based air quality standards by responding to increasing pressures on air quality.
	Institute or maintain programs to prevent pollution impacts to the groundwater and to improve the quality of surface water discharges to achieve a two percent reduction in pollutant loads by 2008.
	Maintain beaches of sufficient dimension (greater than 75 feet in width) to provide storm protection and recreational opportunities through 2010.
	Promote better land management by encouraging Florida-friendly landscaping of private lands and by improving access and management of publicly-held green areas by an average of 200 acres annually for five years.

 

 

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The Museum of Discovery and Science has a NatureScape in its back yard.

Pine Island Ridge oak hammock near Tree Tops Park

Key Initiatives

Energy Efficiency within the County - The Public Works Department is targeting two significant sources of air contaminants: power plant and tailpipe emissions. To reduce vehicle emissions, the County is increasing the number of government-owned hybrid vehicles and installing an additional compressed natural gas fueling station. In order to promote construction, operation, and maintenance of energy-efficient County buildings, the County is pursuing Green Building Certification for all new County construction, which will reduce energy and maintenance costs.

Water Quality Protection - To protect our waterways, the Water Resources Division is implementing the requirements of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System to improve the water quality of “nonpoint source runoff.” This program works in cooperation with 26 municipal and state agencies to make operational improvements such as street sweeping, swale rehabilitation, and catch basin clean-out. To protect groundwater, the County is implementing inspection programs to prevent spills to groundwater caused by improper handling of hazardous chemicals and to provide oversight for safe and effective clean-up of contaminated sites.

Safe Recycling/Disposal of Waste  - The County will promote and expand two programs for the safe recycling and disposal of residential, governmental and institutional electronic waste. Both programs are projected to result in a 50 percent increase in collected waste.

Beach Renourishment - Several of the County’s beaches are critically eroded and require renourishment. Currently, the beaches south of Port Everglades are the main focus (6.2 miles) with areas from Port Everglades to Hillsboro Inlet scheduled for improvement over the next several years (5.2 miles). To sustain the constructed beaches south of Port Everglades, the mechanical bypassing of sand around Port Everglades is planned.

Management Plans for Lands Acquired under the 2000 Safe Parks and Land Acquistion Bond - The 2000 Safe Parks and Land Preservation Bond Program identified and acquired sites important to the community for recreation and habitat for local and migratory wildlife and indigenous plants. Management plans, which will ensure that sites meet their environmental and recreational goals, are required for all sites acquired under the bond program.

NatureScape - To complement the County’s effort to protect and conserve its natural resources, the NatureScape program seeks to ensure the sustainability of urban landscapes through Florida-friendly landscape techniques and the creation of wildlife habitat. Individuals, businesses, and local governments apply for certification showing that they have adopted “smart” landscape practices that reduce total irrigation, limit the application of pesticides, promote the use of native plants, and attract wildlife. Program staff hopes to certify 7,000 sites over the next ten years.

For additional information on this Commission goal, call the Environmental Preservation Goal Team at 954-519-1200.

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