FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 9, 2001
DEP Approves Preliminary
Contaminated Sediment Removal From Lake Wire
--Interim
Cleanup is the First Step in Overall Lake Restoration--
LAKELAND --
Florida Tile, under the guidance of the Florida Department of
Environmental Protection (FDEP), and the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (USEPA), will soon begin a cleanup project at
Lake Wire, which is located in Lakeland, Florida. The company will
be removing mud and sediment along the shoreline, and from the
bottom of portions of the lake along Lake Wire Drive. The project
is expected to begin Thursday, July 12, and will be completed in
about three weeks, depending on weather conditions.
The
project follows a comprehensive planning and approval process
conducted by FDEP, the USEPA and Florida Tile. All project costs
will be paid by Florida Tile. In addition, the City of Lakeland
supports the plan and will monitor activities.
The
cleanup will involve the removal of approximately 1,000 cubic
yards of mud and sediment from the lake bottom along the southwest
shore of Lake Wire. In some areas, the mud and sediment contains
elevated concentrations of metals and other materials related to
past operations at Florida Tile’s manufacturing facility located
on Sikes Boulevard, which were halted by the early 1990’s.
Because of the recent drought and historically low water levels in
Lake Wire, some areas of the lake bottom are now readily
accessible for cleanup, and there is agreement that current
conditions are favorable for the project.
The
sidewalk in the vicinity of the cleanup site will be closed during
the project, to maintain the safety of the public and the workers.
The
removed mud and sediment will be transported to an FDEP and USEPA
approved disposal facility. Clean backfill will be used to replace
the removed mud and sediment, and FDEP approved vegetation will be
planted. Some naturally occurring odors from the mud and sediment
may be present at times during the cleanup. Following the project,
further monitoring of the lake will be conducted by Florida Tile,
under the direction of FDEP and the USEPA. FDEP, USEPA, the City
of Lakeland, and Florida Tile will make a final decision
concerning any additional activities based upon the results. The
removal of the sediment us is an interim step to address the
ultimate cleanup of the lake.
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