Environmental Protection

Grow Greener

Final Report in pdf format

A one-day workshop titled �Local Government Workshop on Low Impact Development and the Benefits to Water Quality� was held on March 22, 2007 at the Harn Museum of Art at the University of Florida in Alachua County, Florida.

The purpose of the workshop was to inform and educate local government (county and municipal) staff and elected officials, developers, and building contractors about implementing Low Impact Development (LID) practices in Alachua County and within local municipalities.  Eighty people registered in advance for the workshop, which exceeded the planning committee�s goal of 75 participants. Attendees included staff from 5 counties and 4 cities, as well as personnel from multiple private engineering firms and nearby county extension offices. 

In the past, economic development and protection of the natural environment seemed to exist as mutually exclusive goals. The contemporary view of "sustainable development" attempts to synthesize these goals through long range environmental planning and codes enforcement.

What We Do

Natural Resource's staff employs long range planning strategies to protect and conserve the resources that support our quality of life. Our goal is to maintain a strong economy by protecting the natural environment for future generations.

How We Do It

The first step of effective planning is to enhance our understanding of Alachua County's Natural Resources

Environmental Planning insures that the natural resources supporting health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Alachua County are managed in a sustainable manner. This is done through policy development and community participation.

Environmental Review evaluates development proposals for consistency with the environmental provisions of the Alachua County Comprehensive Plan, land development regulations and other environmental requirements. We provide professional analysis of potential impacts caused by proposed activities to our natural resources.

Environmental Compliance and Enforcement makes sure that all proposed development activities are in compliance to County environmental ordinances during and after the development review process.