2012
2012 - Lake Committee Update
  • Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.  What goes in, must come out...so please do not pollute.  Fertilizer, reclaimed water, animal waste, etc...all feed algae blooms.  Engage in Florida Friendly landscaping.
  • Our year began with erosion issues.   Ownership and financial responsibilities are to be clarified by PBCA and Neighborhood boards.
  • In February,  the Lake Committee inspected the Erosion Monitoring Stakes  (installed in 2008) and determined the erosion level at 18 various locations throughout our 10 stormwater ponds. A full report was submitted to the PBCA board.
  • In March, stabilization methods were recommended to the PBCA board for various methods to slow or stop erosion along the banks of our 10 stormwater ponds.  These recommendation were accepted by the PBCA board as specifications or guidelines to be used by residents. Most of the existing seawalls have reached their 10 year mark and will require maintenance and/or replacement in the near future.  CES Engineering, Reuben Clarsen, Gibson Marine and the City of St. Petersburg have given suggestions.  An arborist trimmed the tree roots damaging seawalls in the common areas. 
  • In April, a budget for aquatic plantings for the new fiscal year was submitted. In June, 50  Arrowhead plants were planted in Lake #4 and 50 were planted in Lake #5 (Greenscapes).  Additional pickerelweed was planted in Lake #6 (Lake Doctors).
  • An Aeration Summary table was created for the various systems located in our ponds.  The remaining 2 ponds (Lakes #9 & 10) had an aeration system approved in April and installed in July.  Due to poor water quality levels and water stratification, this system was not consistently up and running until January of 2013.  All 10 lakes now have aeration systems operating 24/7.
  • A Request for Proposal was created and  sent out to several lake management companies and lawn care companies to consolidate shoreline management, aquascaping, and water quality treatments.  In the past, we have used combinations of lake management companies, resident volunteers and lawn care services to perform these tasks.  Over the summer the Request for Proposals were evaluated and Aquatic System, Inc. was selected to replace Lake Doctors, Inc starting October 1st.
  • In May, SWFTMUD representatives visited our shorelines and stormwater ponds. SWFTMUD stated that we are in relatively good shape and are one of the more pro-active communities that they have visited.  
  • In June, Tropical storm, Debby, damaged several seawalls in our community.  Several residents have contacted the office and the Lake Committee regarding building new seawalls or installing other forms of bank stabilization in their yards.  A meeting is planned in February 2013 for residents interested in seawalls and to discuss options and combining contracts.
  • In August, a floating mat was installed in Lake Egret #6.  Floating mats are part of our overall aquascaping plans.  They improve water quality and provide habitat for wildlife.
  • Over the summer and into the fall, there were several long lasting bursts of duckweed and algae blooms in various lakes.  High winds also caused a  foul smelling “turn over” event in Lake #9 in October.
  • Further aquascaping plans have been placed on hold until the chemicals needed to control the algae blooms can be decreased on a regular basis.  The algaecides and herbicides used to control the algae blooms damage the aquascaped shorelines.
  • Committee meetings were held in January, March, and June and are no longer being held due to poor attendance.  Communication with interested residents is currently through email.


Respectfully submitted

Jean Catanese

January 31, 2013