FDEP introduces Sarasota County to new district office with open houses

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) maintains district offices representing five regional areas throughout the state. In an effort to establish a more consistent workload and to develop more uniform jurisdictional areas, FDEP has revised its district boundaries. As a result, Sarasota County's district is now represented by the FDEP office located at 2295 Victoria Ave., Fort Myers. Previously, the Sarasota County district had been represented by the FDEP office in Tampa.

FDEP South District Director Jon Iglehart will make a presentation at 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 5, during the Sarasota County Commission meeting at the Robert L. Anderson Administration Center, 4000 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice.

Local residents and businesses will be able to meet the FDEP South District staff, along with local service providers and regulatory contacts at the following open houses:

• Thursday, March 7, 5-7 p.m.,Morgan Family Community Center, 6207 West Price Blvd., North Port
• Tuesday, March 12, 5-7 p.m.,Venice Community Center, 326 S. Nokomis Ave., Venice
• Thursday, March 14, 5-7 p.m., Sarasota County Operations Center, Meeting Room 1, 1001 Sarasota Center Blvd., Sarasota



During the March 7 open house, the first 200 persons who sign up for North Port Utilities e-billing, reoccurring payments or automatic bank draft will receive a free 2013, 1-day Florida State Parks Pass for up to eight people. During the open houses on March 12 and 14, the first 200 people who donate nonperishable food items to the All Faiths Food Bank also will receive a free 2013 1-day Florida State Parks Pass for up to 8 people. Food items most needed are canned chicken, tuna, or salmon; canned fruits, juices, vegetables, peanut butter; and whole grains including cereal, pasta, rice and beans. No glass containers will be accepted.

FDEP provides oversight of many county environmental programs. Among them are storage tank compliance, petroleum cleanup, air quality, environmental permitting for mangrove trimming and alteration, and dredging and fill activities. To learn more about the FDEP South District, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/south.

For more information, contact the Sarasota County Call Center at 941-861-5000: TTY: 7-1-1 or 1-800-955-8771; or visit www.scgov.net.