Severe Drought Triggers
New Water Restrictions
In mid-April the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) imposed Phase II water restrictions on lawn watering, car washing and other uses in Broward County. The new restrictions follow Phase I restrictions which were imposed in March. Residents should monitor news reports for imposition of even stricter restrictions. If significant rainfall does not occur in early May, the South Florida Water Management District could impose Phase III or stronger restrictions for Broward County. Information on new directives from the SFWMD will be posted on Broward County’s website, www.broward.org. In addition, the SFWMD has recently implemented an interactive option on its web site at www.sfwmd.gov that allows residents to enter their zip code and find the restrictions in that area.
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Current Phase II Restrictions
Landscape irrigation and maintenance for homes and businesses with five acres of land or less are now in effect:
• Watering is permitted on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 4 a.m.-8 a.m. for homes with addresses that end with an ODD number.
• Watering is permitted on Thursdays and Sundays from 4 a.m.-8 a.m. for homes with
addresses that end with an EVEN number.
• Hand watering with one hose and an automatic shut-off nozzle is allowed from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. on the same days.
• New landscaping, planted for less than thirty days, may be watered Monday through Friday from 2 a.m.-8 a.m.
• Watering-in of pesticide/fertilizer by a licensed technician shall be voluntarily reduced. The technician must be present during application.
• Washing of cars, boats and other equipment is permitted 4 a.m.-8 a.m. and 5 p.m.-7 p.m. on the landscape watering days. Washing must be done on, or must drain to, a non-paved surface that permits water to soak into the ground, using a hose with an automatic shut-off nozzle.
• Rinsing and flushing of boats after saltwater use is allowed once a day for up to 15 minutes per boat.
• Washing or rinsing of sidewalks, driveways, streets or other paved surfaces is NOT ALLOWED at any time unless done with low-volume pressure cleaning equipment.
• Low-volume pressure cleaning of any surface and structure is permitted.
• Filling or refilling of swimming pools is allowed. If a pool is emptied, it must drain onto a non-paved surface such as a lawn.
For more information about restrictions and water conservation, visit www.broward.org or call the SFWMD Water Conservation Hotline at 800-662-8876. For tips on keeping your landscape healthy during the drought, visit www.broward.org and click on Keeping it Green.
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Air Quality Impacted
By Lack of Rain
Broward County’s Environmental Protection Department’s Air Quality Division and the state’s Broward County Health Department have issued a health advisory for areas of the County affected by smoke from wildfires, the result of dry conditions caused by the current drought.
Infants, children, pregnant women, older adults and people with chronic heart or lung diseases are at greatest risk. These residents are urged to limit their outside activities whenever possible. For the current air quality index for Broward County, residents should call the Air Quality Index Information Line at 954-519-1280. Residents can also receive immediate notification by email or pager when the air quality index falls into the “moderate” or “unhealthy for sensitive groups” categories by registering for the EnviroFlash alert systems. Visit www.broward.org/air and click on the Air Quality button, then Air Quality Alerts.
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Restitution Available to Victims
Of Unlicensed Contractors
Broward County’s Building Code Services Division’s Contractor Licensing & Enforcement Section is accepting applications from property owners who have been victims of certified and uncertified contracting work.
The fund, created by the County Commission in 2003, provides restitution to consumers due to violations of Chapter 9 of the Broward County Code of Ordinances by certified and uncertified contractors, business organizations or financially responsible officers.
To be eligible for compensation, consumers must file a complaint against the contractor or liable entity and submit claim forms. Claims are restricted to violations that occurred after April 1, 2003 and should include copies of contracts, cancelled checks, and other documentation supporting their claim. The consumer is eligible to receive restitution up to $5,000. To download forms and file a complaint, visit www.broward.org/building, and click on File a Complaint and Restitution Claim.
The Restitution Trust Fund is restricted to property owners who have pursued and failed to obtain compensation through all other means. For more information, visit www.broward.org/building or call 954-831-4000.
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County Commission Seeks
Public Input on Budget
The Broward County Commission has scheduled four workshops on the County’s Fiscal Year 2008 budget. The workshops will be held in Room 430, Broward County Governmental Center, 115 S. Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale. Public participation is encouraged.
• May 15, 10 a.m.
• May 22, 1 p.m.
• June 19, 10 a.m.
• August 21, 10 a.m.
Public hearings on the proposed budget will be held on September 11 and 25, 5:01 p.m. at the Governmental Center, where public testimony will be taken.
For detailed information on Broward County’s budget and property taxes, visit www.broward.org and click on Budget 2008.
Final Workshop on Landscape
Beautification Grants May 16
A final workshop for homeowner groups and other non-profit agencies interested in applying for this year’s Broward Beautiful Community Grant Program is scheduled for May 16, 6 p.m., African-American Research Library, 2650 Sistrunk Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale. The one-hour workshop is open to all county residents.
The program provides matching grants, up to $10,000, to homeowner groups and non-profit organizations to fund environmentally-friendly landscape projects on public property or common areas visible and accessible to the general public.
Those who attend a workshop will receive bonus points toward their overall application score. Grant applications must be submitted by June 8, 2007. For more information, visit www.broward.org/bio and click on Broward Beautiful, or contact Sean McSweeney at 954-519-0326.
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Mark Your Calendar
For 2007 Hurricane Expo
With the beginning of the hurricane season in June, Broward County will host the second annual Hurricane Expo on Saturday, June 2, 2007, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., at the Broward County Emergency Operations Center (EOC), 201 N.W. 84 Avenue, Plantation. The event will be free and open to the public.
More than 60 exhibitors, including businesses, governments and other agencies, will provide valuable hurricane preparedness information and demonstrations. There will be public tours of Broward’s EOC and the Mobile Command Center. In addition to the exhibitors, there will be displays, giveaways and light refreshments. Last year, more than a thousand residents attended the event. If you would like more information or would like to be an exhibitor, call Sandy Luongo at 954-831-3906.
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Yard Waste Accepted
At Three Locations
In preparation for the upcoming hurricane season (June 1-November 30), Broward County residents may dispose of residential yard waste at no charge at the County’s three trash transfer stations every Saturday during May and June, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. This service is available for free to the residents of all Broward County cities except Pembroke Pines, Parkland, Pompano Beach and Hallandale Beach, who are not participating in the program. Proof of Broward County residency is required. Acceptable materials include tree trimmings and residential yard waste, such as lawn and landscape items, and fencing. Debris brought in on commercial vehicles, by private contractors, or on trailers longer than 8 feet will not be accepted.
Yard waste will be collected at:
• 2780 N. Powerline Road, Pompano Beach
• 5490 Reese Road, Davie
• 5601 W. Hallandale Beach Blvd, West Park
For additional information, call 954-765-4999.
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To Receive Community Update
Please Send Email to Us
To receive Community Update electronically, send an email to publicinfo@broward.org. Please include your first and last name and email address. |
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For additional information, please contact the Public Communications Office
at 954-357-6990 or by e-mail at publicinfo@broward.org
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