Pinellas County Public Works - Watershed assigned this issue to Blake Lyon

Good Morning, this issue has been referred over to the County's Development Review Services office who oversees the permitting of development.

Blake Lyon assigned this issue to City of Tarpon Springs

Is there anyone else you could pass the buck to? I'm not sure the government of Tarpon Springs is against development, even of this nature.

Have yet to hear from anyone from the City regarding this issue. Really disappointed that the County could not/ did not offer assistance. I thought we had an EPA type department in Pinellas. Not sure if it maybe should have been referred to the State or Feds; but, doubt with all their budget cuts we can expect any protection. Viewing the flooding in Texas, Bradenton and constant rain today here in Tarpon Springs makes me all the more worried what environmental disaster huge 20,000 gallon gas tanks could cause should a Harvey come to our neighborhood. Open to any suggestions of where I might find some assistance...

Unfortunately, the issue you have reported is not within our jurisdiction, and this matter will need to be addressed with the City of Tarpon Springs. This SeeClickFix request has been forwarded to them, but please feel free to contact the City of Tarpon Springs directly for further updates, or to voice your concerns, by calling their Public Works department at (727) 942-5610 or their Planning department at (727) 942-5611.

Thank you for your understanding, and thank you for reporting this matter via SeeClickFix.

Still no response from the City of Tarpon Springs. Not sure we have anyone assigned to EPA issues. In the meantime, Wawa is moving ahead with their plans and my small band of opposition is feeling powerless against this giant corporation. Did some research and see that many other jurisdictions tried to oppose them to no avail. Very sad state of affairs when you cannot get assistance. Still think the County should have addressed this issue. Passing the buck was not the answer. Should an environmental catastrophe occur that ends up harming our waterway and the Gulf as well as they are all interconnected. I will remember to let the media know that no one answered our calls for assistance. Seems we are going backwards in protecting our environment instead of forward. Very disappointed and disgusted...

Why didn't this matter stop at the desk of Mr. Blake Lyon of Pinellas County Development Review Services for his department to independently review?

The City of Tarpon Springs, through its Board of Adjustment which is a sub-division of its Planning and Zoning Board, has already approved five "adjustments" to allow this gas station with its two 20,000 gallon tanks and one 22,000 gallon tank to go ahead and sink those tanks into marsh land which abuts a canal feeding into the bayous and the Gulf. Furthermore, this plot of land sits in a FEMA designated "High Risk Flood Zone."

One of those adjustments the City asked to be made was that a percentage of the pavement WaWa lays down over this swampland must be "pervious," or porous, because of the flooding problem in the area during heavy rains. This, of course means, every time it rains or a WaWa employee hoses down any of the area, spilled and dripped gas and oil (of which a gas station has plenty) are washed into the soil, fed into the canal, and . . . . . you get the picture.

We publicly voiced our concerns at the Board of Adjustment hearing on June 28th, the night they subsequently approved the adjustments by a vote of 3 - 2, giving the go-ahead for WaWa to submit its Site Plan Application. Which they have now done. This is the City you think we should bring our concerns to? This is the City you think cares about the possible ruinous outcome of allowing a gas station to build on a wetland?

Additionally, I have called the Tampa Bay Times environmental reporter Craig Pitman twice, left messages when he didn't answer, and he has not returned my calls.

Please, where else do you suggest we can turn for help in heading off this possible environmental calamity?

Sincerely,
Pat Borowiec

Still have no idea who is in charge locally of protecting our environment. I believe this is a "County" issue. If not, what is their job and whom are they protecting. From top to bottom, EPA budgets have been cut to the point that renders them inefficient and too few people are speaking out. It's a very sad state of affairs. So NO this issue has not been resolved.

Still no assistance from anyone. Seems no government agency cares. Just a handful of us are trying our best to no avail. How do you fight a corporation as big as WAWA? Does anyone out there have a suggestion?

We've been in contact with the SWFWMD, Army Corps of Engineers and educating the public on our own. As more citizens have become informed, there is a growing opposition mounting. Sad that the days of public sector Environmental Protection no longer exist. I would like to keep this open. There must be others out their that share my opinion.

@ Sue M - if you would be interested in joining our group in opposing this Wawa's placement on a wetland that drains into the canals and Bayous of Tarpon Springs, we meet every Monday evening at 7:00 in the Green Dolphin Park clubhouse.

Thank you for the invite. I will put it on my calendar.

Wonderful. We hope to see you.

We have had contact with the Southwest Florida Water Management. We have also managed to find a way to locate a contact within the State EPA. We also have an inquiry with the Army Corps of Engineers. No definitive responses at this time. Our City Planning and Zoning department has raised a number of questions that have yet to be adequately resolved.

For all that concern about the flood, this location for Wawa has disaster written all over. Please, click on the sites below to see EPA 's own site explaning what will happen. We just need to soread the word to locals ( Thank you)
PDF]Effects of flooding at service stations and underground storage tank ...
https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf.../effects-flooding-service-ust.pdf
Underground storage tank (UST) systems can become submerged or displaced by flood waters or extended periods of heavy rain, leading to damaged UST systems or even releases of product. If UST systems are damaged, they will need to be returned to normal operation in the most expedient, safe, and environmentally ...
Missing: overflow ‎disaster
https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf.../effects-flooding-service-ust.pdf
https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2014-03/documents/ustfloodguide.pdf

JUST SHOW THEM THEVPICTURE OF THE GAS STATION DURING THE FLOOD IN TEXAS

Underground Storage Tank Flood Guide - EPA
https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2014-03/documents/ustfloodguide.pdf
by F Guide
Underground Storage Tank. Flood Guide. Junction, Texas Flood of 1935. Photo courtesy of Texas Escapes Online Magazine and Texas Department of .... inadequate drainage in urban areas can also result in flooding. Floods are ... could occur as a result of flooded UST systems, as well as help return these UST systems to.
People also search for
epa underground storage tank flood guide
water in gas station tanks
underground fuel tank installation drawing
underground fuel storage tanks specifications
buoyancy check for underground structures

[PDF]Protecting Building Fuel Systems from Flood Damage - FEMA.gov
https://www.fema.gov/media-library.../SandyRA6ProtectingFuel_508_FINAL2.pdf
height or protected by dry floodproofing when placed in buildings located in areas with identified flood risk. However ... Section G701.1: Specifies that underground tanks must be designed and constructed

Please, see the below site for EPA own guide showing what clould happen in the event of flood .
Underground Storage Tank Flood Guide - EPA
https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2014-03/documents/ustfloodguide.pdf
by F Guide
Underground Storage Tank. Flood Guide. Junction, Texas Flood of 1935. Photo courtesy of Texas Escapes Online Magazine and Texas Department of .... inadequate drainage in urban areas can also result in flooding. Floods are ... could occur as a result of flooded UST systems, as well as help return these UST systems to.
People also search for
epa underground storage tank flood guide
water in gas station tanks
underground fuel tank installation drawing
underground fuel storage tanks specifications
buoyancy check for underground structures
[PDF]Protecting Building Fuel Systems from Flood Damage - FEMA.gov
https://www.fema.gov/media-library.../SandyRA6ProtectingFuel_508_FINAL2.pdf
height or protected by dry floodproofing when placed in buildings located in areas with identified flood risk. However ... Section G701.1: Specifies that underground tanks must be designed and constructed

To all that care about environmental damage in the sensitive flood area Please see the site below

[PDF]Effects of flooding at service stations and underground storage tank ...
https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf.../effects-flooding-service-ust.pdf
Underground storage tank (UST) systems can become submerged or displaced by flood waters or extended periods of heavy rain, leading to damaged UST systems or even releases of product. If UST systems are damaged, they will need to be returned to normal operation in the most expedient, safe, and environmentally ...
Missing: overflow ‎disaster

Hi, Vinnie.

Thanks for finding that EPA information! The more recent picture of the damaged fuel tank after Katrina it includes is very powerful.

I couldn't get the worksafe or FEMA sites to come up. But I did find this through the FEMA site. Look at the caution in the margin on page 3.2-7.

https://www.fema.gov/pdf/fima/pbuffd_chapter_3-2.pdf

I strongly recommend you send your opposition, along with this information, to the mayor, the commissioners, and the director of Planning and Zoning. The more people they hear from who are opposed because of valid concerns for our waterways, the better our chances they will vote against it. Here are their email addresses:

calahouzos calahouzos@ctsfl.us, rsieber rsieber@ctsfl.us, skikta skikta@ctsfl.us, dbanther dbanther@ctsfl.us, jkarr jkarr@ctsfl.us, hurwiller hurwiller@ctsfl.us

Thanks again for this!

Cheers,
Pat Borowiec

Hi Pat,
l did send e mail to all.
Thank you

Great!

Hi Vinnie,

WOW!!! Thanks for your input Vinnie. If you would like more information or find out how to join us leave a message at our email address PreserveTarpon@gmail.com with your cell phone number and we'll give you a call...Really appreciate and share your concerns...

We are not talking about a small gas stations that sells 30,000 to 50,000 gallans per month. This Wawa will sell 10 to 15 time more per month than an average gas stations and this one near the Marsh land???
Please click and read the article from NBC news. Not to mention, that Wawa will kill most of the small business that sells fast food, Coffee and convenience stores in the near by areas, How is that good for the city? this will do the same damage as Wallmart does to small business.

Gas Station Spills Could Pollute Water by Drips and Drops: Study ...
https://www.nbcnews.com/.../gas-station-spills-could-pollute-water-drips-drops-study-...
Oct 9, 2014 - The dribbles and drops of gas splattering onto the ground at your local filling station could contaminate your water, a new study suggests. ... Older studies have found gas additives in the groundwater of urban areas. This new ... Hilpert also worries about spills that are carried off the concrete by rain water.
Missing: washes ‎marsh

We are definitely on the same page Vinnie and we hve even more documentation from Southwest Water Management, Army Corps, FLDEP etc. You really should join us. If you want more information email PreserveTrapon@gmail.com and leave a contact.

I can't seem to find the parcel #? Do you have a crossing intersection?

It is on the NW corner of Meres Blvd. and Alt.19 (S.Pinellas Ave.) Tarpon Springs

Tax Parcel ID: 13-27-15-89946-007-0010

We are still working on this issue and have been in touch with SWMD, Army Corps, FL EPA. We are also writing to our elected officials and informing them of our opposition.

Still working on our opposition. WAWA hasn't gotten through their second TRC meeting with the City. Visit Preserve Tarpon Facebook and/or submit inquires to PreserveTarpon@gmail.com.

What Happens when Tank Systems are Flooded?
Damage that occurs to underground storage tank (UST) systems generally result from the buoying up of tanks which are partially full or empty, water entering the tanks and displacing product, failure of underground piping from groundwater pressure or debris and damage to electrical systems from extended contact with water. Tanks that are weighted down with fuel or anchored by other means and have tight fill caps should sustain little impact, even after being submerged for days. If tanks ‘float’, the entire system will have to be replaced. There will very likely be a loss of petroleum when tanks lift and piping breaks so an expensive remediation can be expected. ( This is from EPA)
Wawa should not build on environmentally sensetive areas

Underground Storage Tank Flood Guide - EPA
https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2014-03/documents/ustfloodguide.pdf
by F Guide
During floods, underground storage tank (UST) systems can become submerged or displaced by ..... Natural disaster occurrences can damage UST system components, resulting in oil, .... Options for Consideration: Opening a Service Station.

Still working on our opposition. WAWA has advanced and may soon be heading to the P & Z Board. No permit issued as yet from the Southwest Water Management District.

Why is Tarpon Springs Government not getting into this conversation? Why is Pinellas County not getting into this conversation? They should both be ashamed and embarrassed. And regretful if this ever gets passed into existence. Today we are have our first named hurricane of the season. Rain everywhere. What would happen with just a flood?

The issue is now advancing to the Planning & Zoning Board. No assistance from any government agencies and little interest by our citizens. SAD... Our grass roots group has not given up hope and will continue to fight.

Still a work in progress. As it stands, won't go to the P&Z Board before September at the earliest. Sierra Club now on board and assisting. Currently meeting with the mayor and commissioners individually presenting our opposition issues. Front page article just appeared this week in the weekly Beacon newspaper. Hopeful Always looking for more allies...

We won!!! WAWA has withdrawn their permit application due to public sentiment.

That is great news!

Great News!!! Congratulation to all that took part in defeating Wawa project, and Thank you all for trying.

WAWA withdrew their permit. time to close this issue

♥