Restoration
Restoration Project Progress Report
We have been approved for a grant of $4 million from the State of Florida to restore a portion of Point Lonesome Lake which is part of the Tsala Apopka chain of lakes. Hopefully, other lakes to follow.
Citrus County is a “Co-applicant” with TOOFAR for the Tsala Apopka Lakes Restoration project.
The Citrus County Public Works Department Director has signed all permit applications for this project.
Citrus County Parks and Recreation Department has also participated in the placement of the project sign at Hernando lake boat ramp.
Citrus County is listed on all correspondence regarding the project.
Steps Completed:
FDEP Contract is signed and active to proceed with restoration of Point Lonesome Lake in Hernando, Citrus County, Florida.
Grant Administrator, Project Manager and Restoration Contractor are actively working to secure permits.
Next Steps:
Secure Permits, Clean up Underway
This is a three year project ending on December 31, 2026.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) is the State of Florida agency which awarded the $ 4.2M grant for the Restoration of the Tsala Apopka Lakes.
The FDEP monitors and approves all financial transactions for the entire duration of the project.
The FDEP is also the coordinator for permitting, in which they assigned the issuance of an Environmental Resource Permit (ERP) to the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD).
The FDEP also coordinates a permit from the Corps of Engineers which is associated with dredged or fill material discharged into waters of the United States.
Citrus County is a “Co-applicant” with TOOFAR for the Tsala Apopka Lakes Restoration project.
The following is a list of persons & their related companies who are involved in the Point Lonesome Restoration project:
FDEP Grant Administration:
Gulf Atlantic Industrial Equipment, Homosassa, Florida
Lisa Moore, President
FDEP Grant Project Manager:
Automation Consulting & Education, Floral City, Florida
Bob “SCADAbob” Rutemiller, Vice President
Restoration Contractor:
Texas Aquatic Restoration, Inc.
Lake Wales, Florida
Texas Aquatic Harvesting
Jim Vaughan, President
Mike Hulon, Operations Manager
Alan Beville, Project Manager
Keep up to date on the lake restoration project by joining TOOFAR and getting detailed progress reports at our monthly meeting. Please support us in our goal to restore our lakes. They belong to us all. If you have any questions, please call Restoration Chairman and TOOFAR Vice President, Larry Hartman (352) 586-1071.
We invite you to attend one of our meetings held the 4th Thursday of the month (3rd Thursday in November and December) at our facility at 9228 East Gospel Island Road in Inverness.
We start the evening at 6:00 pm with an optional casual dinner which is available for a specified donation. The meeting starts at 6:30 pm. You will hear updates on the Restoration Project along with interesting speakers talking about our waterways, wildlife and their habitat.