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Tampa Bay Water Plans Controlled Burns

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By YVETTE C. HAMMETT

yhammett@tampatrib.com

Published: November 1, 2008

TAMPA - Tampa Bay Water will burn for the sake of the environment.

The water utility plans to conduct controlled burns at the C.W. "Bill" Young Regional Reservoir through the late fall and winter months.

The burn sites are on the West Pruitt mitigation area, west of the reservoir, east of Hobson-Simmons Road and south of Boyette Road. There also will be burns northeast of the reservoir, southeast of Browning Road and west of State Road 39.

The burns are part of the regional utility's effort to remove nuisance plant species, encourage growth of native species and reduce the possibility of wildfires.

The burns will be conducted intermittently during the best weather conditions. Tampa Bay Water spokeswoman Michelle Biddle Rapp said efforts will be made to keep smoke off nearby roads. Drivers should use caution if smoke affects visibility, she said.

Tampa Bay Water built the 15 billion gallon reservoir to contain water from the Alafia River and store it for use during the dry season. The utility provides wholesale water to governments in Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties and New Port Richey, St. Petersburg and Tampa.

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