Southwest Florida is so rich with plant life and wildlife that it is easy to miss the fact that the environment is very sensitive and the natural balance is difficult to maintain. While Waterways lakes may appear to be the developer’s effort to increase the value of homes (and they do), they play an important role in maintaining the health of the environment. The wildlife that appears in the neighborhood can be fascinating, encouraging that wildlife to stay by feeding it can prove to be disastrous, for the animal, for pets, or even for humans.
The Lakes and You
The Waterways Lakes were not dug simply to increase the value of the land. The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) is charged with managing the natural water resources so that developments do not negatively impacts this very essential natural resource.
Our lakes are retention devices designed to slow storm water runoff until it can be reabsorbed to refill and recharge the water aquifer. As such, they are under the control of the SFWMD. The district has specific rules, regulations, and restrictions as to what we can do with “their” lakes, and we generally need their permission to do almost anything. For example we have limits on how much water we can take from the lakes for irrigation, and there are very strict limits on what we can put into the lakes, which even includes the carp we use for weed control.
Our residents are most directly affected by the limits on putting anything into the lakes. Anything put into the lakes without WMD permission is considered “dumping”, and is against the law. That would include trimmings from trees and shrubs, small plants, grass clippings, dirt or stones dug out for a new plant, Christmas trees, discarded grill parts, any chemicals, petroleum products, old tires….anything. So, the obvious message here is “don’t do that”. Dispose of all items using the county waste management resources for safe and environmentally sound practices.
Muscovy Ducks
Information about Muscovy Ducks is available from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission http://www.myfwc.com/
Even though covered by State and Federal law, Waterways has had problems with a few residents feeding these ducks. Therefore, the HOA documents were amended to make feeding the ducks a violation that can result in HOA fines.
Alligators
Targeted Harvest Area
Waterways is a Targeted Harvest Area (THA) for alligators. This does not mean that hunting alligators is permitted in Waterways. This Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) designation means that individual residents may request the removal of an alligator.
Ray (239) 410-2408
Note: Trapping alligators is an nocturnal activity conducted in and around the water.
Prior to becoming a THA, only a member of the Board of Directors could make the request because the alligators were most often trapped in the water and the Lakes belonged to the HOA, not the individual homeowners.
About Alligators
Adapted from Florida State guidelines for nuisance alligator removal:
Generally, alligators may be considered a nuisance when they are at least four feet in length and pose a threat to people or their pets or property.
Alligators less than four feet in length are naturally fearful of people and are not generally capable of eating anything larger than a small turtle. They eat small fish, frogs, and other small animals. They are too small to be a threat to even small pets and pose no threat to people. They are typically not dangerous to people unless someone attempts to handle them. Also, they are common in Florida, and the mere presence of a small alligator is not cause for concern, even when they turn up in places where people may not expect to see them such as retention ponds and drainage ditches.
However, occasionally alligators less than four feet in length are legitimate problems and must be addressed. If an alligator less than four feet in length
- approaches people,
- does not retreat if approached, or
- is in a location that is not natural,
call the trapper, Ray (239) 410-2408
The Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program strives to reduce the threat from alligators to people and their property in developed areas, while conserving alligators in areas where alligators naturally occur.