Harbor Bay Ponds and Littoral Shelf Permit Information
The follow is a summary of permit requirements for the ponds in Harbor Bay CDD. I have also included a “How to maintain your stormwater infrastructure” information book from the Southwest Florida Water Management District that outlines maintenance requirements for stormwater management systems for your reference. (see link below)
Harbor Bay Stormwater management system includes several wet detention ponds. These ponds are designed to detain stormwater for several days while pollutant sediments settle to the pond bottom. Additionally, sunlight and oxygen bread down greases and oils. Vegetation in the shallow littoral zone helps treat water through nutrient and heavy metal uptake. Littoral shelves are constructed around the outfall structure to reduce pollutant discharge.
The permits for the stormwater management ponds are governed by the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD). The SWFWMD requires and engineer to inspect the existing stormwater management system every 2 years and certify the system is being operated and maintained in general conformance with permit.
The littoral shelf vegetation can be removed or replanted. These operations are to be submitted to the SWFWMD for approval prior to commencing work. When wetland detention pond littoral shelves are intentionally planted for aesthetic purposes, or to offset wetlands impacts, removal of weedy or exotic vegetation may be required and accompanied by replanting of desirable vegetation. Activities in the littoral shelf are to be submitted and approved by the SWFWMD prior to commencement of work.
The SWFWMD permits are broken up into phases that were constructed with that portion of the stormwater management system. It takes us approximately one day to inspect each phase and provide a report outlining any maintenance items observed. Cardno reviews each pond and control structure to ensure it is operating and is being maintained per the original permit.
Wetland buffers are to remain in an undisturbed condition except for approved drainage facility construction or maintenance. Any activities in or around wetland lines or wetland buffers are to be submitted for approval prior to commencement of work within the wetland or wetland buffer.