FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Brandon Moorebmoore@tampabaywater.org727-791-2304 | 727-470-0702
PICNIC and LITHIA, HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY – Tampa Bay Water will be conducting “controlled, prescribed burns” during the spring and summer months (April through September 2015) on the C.W. Bill Young Regional Reservoir property. The parcels slated for controlled burns are on the mitigation and conservation areas surrounding the reservoir, east of Hobson-Simmons Road, southeast of Browning Road and west of County Road 39.
Controlled burns are part of Tampa Bay Water’s land management program. The controlled burns at the regional reservoir are prescribed to remove nuisance plant species, encourage the growth of native species and decrease wildfire severity by reducing the amount of flammable vegetation on-site.
Prescribed burns are only conducted when weather conditions allow, so burns will be conducted intermittently over the spring and summer months by certified, experienced personnel. Efforts will be made to ensure that smoke will not affect nearby roads. However, vehicle operators should exercise caution in case smoke does lead to reduced visibility on the area’s roadways.
Tampa Bay Water is Florida’s largest wholesale water provider. The agency provides wholesale drinking water to its member governments of Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties and the cities of New Port Richey, St. Petersburg and Tampa.
For news media requests, please contact: Michelle Stom, MPA, APR Chief of Staff/Chief Strategy Officer O: (727) 791-2305 | M: (727) 418-4652 Brandon Moore, APR Public Communications Manager O: (727) 791-2304 | M: (727) 470-0702
