Drivers on Sikes Boulevard may soon notice construction work in the wetlands area south of the RP Funding Center. The wetlands are slated to be cleared of invasive vegetation and three ponds built as part of a stormwater filtration system; it’s being created to reduce harmful nutrients, trash and sediments flowing into Lake Hunter, said […]
Category: Environment
Posted inEnvironment
Cygnet Gone: Baby Black-Neck Swan is Missing
Lakeland’s first baby black-necked swan in years went missing Wednesday night, hours after being placed in a holding pen on the southern shore of Lake Morton. While the city parks director lamented, “It’s very disappointing that someone would do this,” police said they’ve found no evidence of a crime and suggested a predatory animal could […]
Posted inEnvironment
Lakeland Will Continue Limited Plant Control in Lakes
The city of Lakeland will continue limited spraying to control invasive plants in lakes even as a temporary moratorium halts the bulk of herbicide use in Lakeland lakes, city commissioners were told this morning.
Posted inEnvironment
Circle B’s Alligator Alley Remains Closed as Birds Return
Migrating birds are already returning to Circle B Bar Reserve, but it will be a bit longer before nature lovers can hike the popular Alligator Alley trail beyond the gazebo on Lake Hancock. County officials say it will be about three weeks until they hear from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers about whether they […]
Posted inEnvironment
Raw Sewage Spills Into Lake Parker
Residents were warned against fishing and swimming in Lake Parker today after up to 400,000 gallons of raw sewage poured into the west side of the lake near Valencia Street and Lake Parker Drive. The spill was caused when tree stump removers accidentally broke a pressurized sewage line. It will be Friday morning before the […]
Posted inEnvironment
Federal Judge: Oakbridge Radiation Suit Can Proceed
U.S. District Judge Elizabeth Kovachevich denied Drummond Corp.’s move to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Oakbridge and Grasslands homeowners alleging their property was contaminated by gamma radiation. Source: The Ledger
Posted inNeighborhoods
Arborist: Lovers Oak Is Three Trees, Not Two
An arborist using high-tech tools to examine the Lovers Oak near Lake Morton revealed two findings about the endangered intertwined trees this morning: It’s three trees, not two, as popularly thought, and the trees are at least 150 years old. Joe Samnik of Palm Harbor, who was hired by the city of Lakeland to inspect Lovers […]
Posted inEnvironment
State Outlines Steps for BS Ranch Clean-Up
The owners of BS Ranch & Farm, an east Lakeland recycling facility that’s been the subject of odor complaints, can avoid court by restoring five acres of wetlands, enclosing parts of its operation and changing waste-handling procedures, state regulators said in a letter. BS Ranch’s attorney thanked them but noted that they’re not aware of […]
Posted inScenes
White Pelicans Return for Annual Lake Morton Visit
View this post on Instagram A post shared by City Of Lakeland (@lakelandgov) Source: Instagram: City of Lakeland
Posted inCity Hall / Local Gov't
Lake Morton Swans Get Annual Physicals
Veterinarian Patricia Mattson of Companion Animal Hospital examined dozens of swans by Lake Morton today after they were rounded up by city parks staffers on Tuesday. 2017 Swan Roundup: Day 2 Annual Check-ups from City of Lakeland on Vimeo.
