Wetlands Protection

Protecting Broward County's natural resources has always been a major commitment of the Resource Recovery System's development and operation. And part of that commitment includes wetlands restoration, or mitigation, a process to compensate for any wetlands impacted by drainage or construction.

Wetlands can be a marsh, a swamp, or even a muddy field covered with native plants and trees. Wetlands help absorb floodwater and act as a natural filter, capturing pollutants as water trickles through and into the Biscayne Aquifer, the source of South Florida's drinking water. They also provide a refuge for birds and other animals.

One of our wetlands restoration projects, within Tree Tops Park, received honors for landscape enhancement. As proud as we are of this winner, it's just one of six areas, totaling 246 acres, that has been improved or conserved on behalf of the Resource Recovery System. This update takes a brief look at the results of our wetlands mitigation efforts at these locations:

• Riverine Area: 12 acres, adjacent to the south waste-to-energy plant. This area was previously occupied by a marine construction facility and other buildings. The site was covered predominantly with exotic vegetation such as Australian pine and Brazilian pepper. These were removed and the area was replanted with native vegetation. An upland island was created to protect marsh, swamp, and open water areas from boat wakes.
• Ash Landfill: 14 acres, east of the south plant's ash monofill. Additional wetlands and a wildlife habitat were created, and the existing habitat was enhanced through removal of undesirable vegetation.
• Hacienda Flores: 16 acres, north of SR 84, east of US 441. This area is now functioning as a viable ecosystem and enhances the New River both aesthetically and environmentally by providing native upland hardwood and native freshwater hardwood marsh habitats.
• East Everglades Area: 30 acres, north of Griffin Road, east of US 27. A self-contained habitat of mixed marsh, upland hammock and open water was developed. The area now attracts a variety of mammals, birds, fish and invertebrates.
• Tree Tops Park: 24 acres located in the northwestern portion of the park. The area is now an aesthetically pleasing, high quality wetland/upland habitat area with a boardwalk system and bridal path for park visitors.
• Broward Interim Contingency Landfill: 150 acres out of 588 acres that involved three areas, east of US 27, north of Sheridan Street. Mitigation resulted in hardwood swamp, marsh, open water and hammock tree islands.