FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Brandon Moorebmoore@tampabaywater.org727-796-2355 or 813-996-7009
LITHIA, Fla. — Tampa Bay Water will be conducting “controlled, prescribed burns” during the summer and fall months (July 2017 through Dec. 2017) 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 summer and fall 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 the largest wholesale water supplier in Florida, providing high-quality drinking water to its members, who in turn, supply water to more than 2.4 million residents of the Tampa Bay area. Tampa Bay Water member governments include the cities of New Port Richey, St. Petersburg and Tampa, and the counties of Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas. tampabaywater.org
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
