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Broward County Water Preserve Areas (BCWPA Fact Sheet)

The Broward County Water Preserve Areas (BCWPA) project is part of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP).
It consists of three components that were recommended as part of CERP:

● C-11 Impoundment
● C-9 Impoundment
● Water Conservation Area (WCA) 3A/3B Seepage Management

BCWPA Fact Sheet (PDF)

Environmental Concerns

To learn more about Environmental Concerns in the Weston area, and throughout South Florida, visit this page.

Lakes and Canals / Wetland Mitigation

The water bodies within Weston are an integral part of the City's water management system. The lakes and canals provide storage for storm water runoff from roadways and other non-previous areas. In the event of a major storm event, lakes and canals are lowered to accommodate the increased runoff, and over time, the water bodies will return to their normal levels as the excess water from the storm event is pumped to the Everglades or the Atlantic Ocean.

The vegetation in the water bodies adjacent to the banks are known as "littoral shelves", which provide food and nesting habitats for birds, insects and fish indigenous to the area. It also acts as a cleansing area for the water running off the banks. The introduction of pollutants, including dog waste or other foreign matters into water bodies or the catch basins that flow to the water bodies is a violation of various laws and subject to prosecution.

Fertilizing

The City follows the Florida Friendly Landscaping practices with our plant selection and landscaping methods. We only fertilize turf and plants as needed, instead of the industry standard of four times a year.

We do not fertilize plants in general, but rather only the plants needing it on a case by case basis. We follow integrated pest management practices and only treat for pests on an as-needed basis. The insecticides we used are the safest we can find for our applicators and the public, mostly which are natural based insecticides of plant extracts. We generate our own mulch from tree pruning which is reused in the landscape eliminating trucking, dumping fees and regeneration from our own natural waste.

Tree Removal and Planting

The City of Weston has a strict code when it comes to tree removal and the planting of trees in order to preserve the tree canopy.

Learn more at: Landscaping-Residential or Commercial Property.

Wildlife

Weston’s natural environment and proximity to the Everglades attracts a variety of wildlife.

For dead animals on the public roadways, contact Public Works at 954-385-2600, or within a gated community please contact your HOA or Property Manager.

Details on Wildlife in Weston

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FAQs

Why do the city lakes have more growth during the summer months compared to the winter?

The weather is warmer in the summer months; the water is warmer and the days are longer. Heavy fertilization of lawns can increase growth due to introduction of Phosphorus.
Why do some lakes have more vegetation than others?

Some lakes have littoral shelves that could extend out 30 feet or more and some have more turbidity. For instance, the Bonaventure lakes have virtually no shelves, so there is less growth.
Who applies the chemicals?

The City of Weston's Public Works Department who are all licensed by the Florida Department of Agriculture.
What causes fish kills?

The most common cause is cold weather, which lasts for a few days or more. Heavy rainfall can also cause fish kills, as well as several overcast days which depletes the oxygen in the water.
What are the methods of spraying?

We have various means of applying chemicals. The most common is with small john boats equipped with a hundred-gallon spray tanks. We also have a truck spray rig and a four-wheel drive Kubota also equipped with a spray rig.
What are the chemicals you use?

We use a chemical Rodeo for grasses and brush, we use diquat for aquatic vegetation and Copper sulfate for algae. Each Herbicide has its corresponding label which includes application rates, personal protective equipment for the applicators such as boots and gloves, and safety glasses if required.
What types herbicides do you use to control the aquatic plants, and how long does it take to see results?

It depends on the target plant. Each plant has its own target herbicide. The State of Florida requires that certain nuisance aquatic plants be suppressed or controlled. Generally, it takes between 7 - 10 days to see results.
Are the herbicides safe for the environment?

The herbicides are EPA approved at legal rates and all have aquatic labels. The Drainage Division keeps Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) at Public Works Department available for anyone who wants to learn more about the herbicides.
I’m concerned about the alligators I see in the lake, what should I do?

The alligator must be 5 to 6 feet in length or showing aggressive behavior such as walking onto a resident’s property. Then you can contact Fish and Wildlife Conservation (954) 746-1789 and report to the Weston Public Works Department. Never feed an alligator.
My lake bank has erosion. What can I do?

Unless the erosion is on public property, the property owners are responsible for the restoration of the shoreline. This must be done through a licensed contractor, who must apply for the appropriate permits.

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City of Weston, FL

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Broward County Water Preserve Areas (BCWPA Fact Sheet)

Lakes and Canals / Wetland Mitigation

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