Aerator (Fountain) Lake Grassmere

At the February 29, 2024 Executive Board Meeting we discussed a letter the Park received from Orange County Environmental Protection Division (EPD) on February 1st and the Attorney follow-up pursuant to the letter.   The letter was a 30 day corrective action for the Aerator (Fountain).  The aerator was installed in 2018. An EPD Permit was not obtained for installation. This a process we have been fighting since September 2023 when notified by Orange County EDP of the possible violation.

In short, we either permanently remove the aerator or submit a Shoreline Alteration Dredge and Fill application asap.  Our Attorney has been in contact with the County Attorney who has referred the case back to the EPD.  This gives us a little more time to come into compliance.  If we choose to continue with the permit process we have to temporarily remove the aerator from the lake (If we choose not to proceed the aerator will be pulled permanently) during the permit process.  Once we submit the EDP application we will eventually have to appear before a Board of Commissioners for a permit declaration.  

In 12/23 we received a letter from the St. Johns River Water Management District (Requested by our attorney) advising that a permit is not necessary through the District as the project falls within the exemption requirements.  The caveat is that the District advised that this does not exempt us from other permitting agencies requirements (Hence: Orange County).  

The aerator, since 2018. has provided us with a clear and algae free lake.   

Due to the success of the aerator and the fact it has become an amenity we enjoy the Executive Board chose to move forward with the Permit Process.  While we complete the permitting process the aerator will be pulled by Lake Doctor.