Homeowner's Helpline FAQ

Question: What's the story with cutting back my mangroves? 
I want to see the water.

Answer: There are rules in place that restrict the amount of mangroves you can cut. These 
rules exist because mangroves are an important asset to waterfront landowners- they are 
your first defense during storm episodes, a feeding ground for a variety of creatures 
including game fish and provide cover for an assortment of birds. They even provide 
food for at least one butterfly caterpillar- the mangrove skipper!

Question: Where can I get a field guide to Florida's fish?

Answer: In addition to a number of great books that identify fish, you can also go online 
to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's website for freshwater or marine.

Question: I heard that brown recluse spider bites can cause serious injury. What do they look like?

Answer: Although many cases have been attributed to brown recluse bites, there have been
few cases where the spider was actually caught and identified. For a great resource on this
spider, including photos, visit the EDIS website on Brown Recluse Spiders.

Question: Why are there watering restrictions even though we've been getting rain?

Answer: Rainfall in Florida varies from year to year. In order  to ensure that our reservoirs 
and  underground aquifer have plenty of water to carry us through the drought periods, we 
must conserve water all the time, not just when there is an emergency.
Typically, we get 60 to 65 percent of our rainfall between June and September, but lose nearly 
three-fourths to evaporation.(Source: SWFWMD)

Question: The garbage man won't pick up my empty paint cans. How can I get rid of them?
Answer: There are a number of hazardous household products that can't be put in with the 
regular trash. Hillsborough County has a great 'Household Chemicals and Electronics Disposal' 
program that will accept a long list of items. Three sites have collection stations and each 
is only open on one Saturday per month. For example, the South County Facility, just north 
of Big Bend Rd on the northbound side of U.S. 41, is open on the second Saturday each month from 
8am- 2pm. For a list of acceptable items contact Liz Brown at 813-272-5680. 

Coastal Resources:
Tampa Bay Estuary Atlas
Coastal Resources Information System- FWS GIS"
Mangrove trimming regulations
Single Family Dock Facts
Weather Forecast for Tampa Bay
NOAA Weatherwatch- Storms and Hazards Portal
Hurricane Preparedness

Question: What is a 'conservation easement'?

Answer: By granting or selling a conservation easement, an owner may 
protect important resources while also receiving certain tax 
advantages. A conservation easement allows the owner to retain 
title to the property along with certain negotiated rights, 
but protects the natural resource values of the property.
(Source: Florida Dept of Enviro Protection)


Regulatory agency restrictions and permits:
Tampa Bay Water- Water Restrictions by District
FDEP- permit forms
SWFWMD- permits and rules
Port Authority-Environmental Permitting
Florida FWC- Div of Law Enforcement

Paddling the Little Manatee River with students from the
Florida Master Naturalist Program

Local organizations concerned with the environment:
Florida Yards and Neighborhoods Yardstick
Audubon of Florida
Keep Hillsborough County Beautiful
Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council
Control of Non-native Invasive Plants
Hillsborough County ELAPP
Tampa Bay Sierra Club
Suncoast Chapter- Native Plant Society
South West Florida Water Management District

Places to go to learn about the nature in your backyard
Camp Bayou Outdoor Learning Center- south Hillsborough
ARC in the Park- north Hillsborough
Weedon Island/Brooker Creek- Pinellas
Hillsborough E.L.A.P.P. Preserves
Summary of Florida Conservation Lands
Hillsborough County Parks (including campgrounds)
Florida State Parks Online Guide

Camp Bayou offers programs on a variety of subjects-
from water conservation to attracting backyard wildlife

Ruskin Tomato and Heritage Festival
First weekend in May each year
sponsored by the 
Ruskin Community Development Foundation, Inc.

We don't promote any particular business but we encourage 
you to get in touch with your local Chamber of Commerce for
products and services offered by our local businesses:
Apollo Beach Chamber
Riverview Chamber
Ruskin Chamber
Sun City Center Chamber
West-Central Florida Chambers of Commerce