HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-01-2024 Supporting DocumentsSLEEPY HARBOUR HOA PRESIDENT, MIKE SMARRITO’S CONCERNS REGARDING THE STATUS OF
TREATMENT OF LAKES PRIMA VISTA AND STARKE LAKE
To all city commissioners.
Please be advised that these concerns are not the opinions of the residents of the Sleepy Harbour
neighborhood, only the concerns of a Florida resident for over 50 years that has lived in East
Orlando and currently residing in Ocoee.
I want to remind all of you that in the year 2019, quite a few Ocoee residents attended a
commission meeting that included an agenda item related to the continuation of services of an
environmental engineering company tasked with commencing with a plan to improve the water
quality of Lakes Prima Vista and Starke Lake.
At that time, I had the opportunity to address all of you with my concerns regarding the scientific
data that resides on the University of Florida’s Lake Watch program. Based on my research, it was
concluded that both lakes were progressively getting worse. I compared data on Lake Apopka, and
it was discovered that Lake Apopka was in better health than our two lakes in Ocoee.
At this same meeting, I specifically asked the city engineer what the primary cause of the high
nutrient loading was created by and he stated; “It was from agricultural sources.” Please note that
this statement was recorded in the minutes of that specific meeting and unfortunately, I was not
able to attach a copy to this exhibit as I am currently out of town on business.
I have attached two aerial photographs that show Starke Lake, Lake Prima Vista, Lake Apopka, and
Lake Olympia. Please be advised that Lake Olympia has points of stormwater that discharge into
the lake. Can you see the definitive pea soup color of Lakes Starke, Prima Vista, and Apopka? We
all know that the downfall of Lake Apopka was due to nutrient overload from agriculture practices
for many years.
After this meeting, Woods Engineering volunteered to speak to members of the Sleepy Harbour
Condominium complex. I, and a couple of other Sleepy Harbour residents attended as well. At this
meeting I specifically asked one of the engineers if there was the possibility that the nutrient levels
could exponentially increase as the West Blueberry farm was pumping lake water from Lake Prima
Vista to supply their irrigation system for their blueberry plants. The answer was yes. It shall be
understood that this was not an oƯicial meeting and minutes were not recorded.
Now, after 5 years, I am only aware of the city performing phosloc treatment which is only a very
short-term solution and now the plan is to plant additional plant materials to help lower the
nutrient level. My question to all of you is when will the city address the main contributor of
nutrients to our lakes which is the Blueberry Farm? Woods engineering has provided
recommendations in their reports that would alleviate some of these nutrients.
I was recently reminded that this property is under Orange County zoning. When will the city
approach the county with mine and others concerns so that Orange County can assist with funding
to clean up our lakes? Please advise as soon as possible, thanks for your time.
Figure 1. Aerial photo of Starke Lake overlain with LVI segments.
STARK LAKE
LAKE PRIMA VISTA
LAKE APOPKA
Figure 2. Aerial photo of Lake Olympia overlain with LVI segments.
LAKE OLYMPIA