Ditto for 28th Ave. S. lakeshore/rain-off drainages. The County used to spray-off cattails. And the last time they did was around last Thanksgiving but have not done so this year yet. We were told that St. Petersburg City gave its budget and air-boat to Pinellas County to do this task, and we pay continue to city and county taxes to get this service but it is not being done in a timely manner... PLEASE HELP!

SPTO Admin 3 u xilsaaray arrinkan SPTO Environmental 1

Thank you for reporting this issue to the City of St Petersburg. The Stormwater Department does remove vegetation where the growth is related to or impeding the conveyance of stormwater, such as in front of pipes and outfalls, and other publicly owned land.

We have created a work order to remove cattails in front of those outfalls and City owned right-of-ways and work is scheduled to begin the week of 11/27/2023. As it relates to private shorelines, we have reviewed the information you provided and determined that issue is outside the scope of work or the city's responsibility. Aquatic plant management is the responsibility of the abutting property owner. Lake Maggiore is also a state water body, and the state also has jurisdiction over aquatic plant management. We want to provide you with some resources that may be able to assist in your request.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission -

Florida law requires all persons to obtain a permit from FWC prior to controlling, removing or altering aquatic plants in waters of the state unless the waters or activities are expressly exempt from the permitting requirements. The below link has all the information needed to permit this work.

https://myfwc.com/license/aquatic-plants/

Update: The City has removed cattails along this shoreline at City Right-of-Ways to maintain conveyance from the water using our floating aquatic harvesters. This section along 18th St S is scheduled to be removed using land based machinery.

The SPTO customer service team has received an update that this issue has been addressed by the corresponding crew. We will continue to have these public right of ways on our cattail maintenance schedule.

Please feel free to submit future requests to us via SeeClickFix or by contacting the SPTO at 727-893-7421.

Thank you,

Michael Perry
Lakes Manager
727-893-7759