Petition to Protect Lake Ola: Close the Tangerine and Sadler Road Canal
The Issue
Petition to Protect Lake Ola: Close the Tangerine and Sadler Road Canal immediately and provide filtration on all other canals or ditches with the ability to carry water into Lake Ola and provide quarterly third party independent water and soil samples detailed below.
To: Orange County FL Commissioners, Christine Moore, St. Johns River Water Management District and Environmental Protection Agency EPA.
We, the undersigned, call upon Orange County FL Commissioners, Christine Moore, St. Johns River Water Management District and Environmental Protection Agency EPA.to take immediate action to close the Tangerine, Sadler Road canal to prevent further destruction of Lake Ola, a vital community and ecological resource.
The Problem
Lake Ola, a cherished natural asset in our community, is facing severe environmental degradation due to the continued inflow of foreign water and pollutants by the Sadler Road canal in Tangerine as well as from Greater Country Estates, Bargrove Estates retention ponds flowing directly into Lake Ola as well as other subdivisions and plant nurseries surrounding Lake Ola. Orange County is using Lake Ola as a massive retention pond for all the mentioned above, and is planning to include new developments such as Saddler Estates to also drain into Lake Ola.
Lake Ola, once a pristine and clear water body, is facing severe contamination and water clarity issues from several causes: sewage and chemical runoff flowing by canal coming under Sadler Rd. from nearby Jones Ave. as well as foreign contaminated runoff coming from Greater Country Estates also underneath Sadler Rd, flowing directly into Lake Ola as well as other neighborhoods, nurseries and subdivisions surrounding the lake. Orange County has allowed this practice for years, despite the clear and present danger it poses to the lake's ecosystem, human and wildlife health, property values and surrounding community. Multiple recent Orange County alerts have been published and released recommending not to drink, swim, wade, use personal watercrafts, or come into contact with waters where there is a visible algae bloom which has covered very large portions of the lake.
The Sadler Rd. canal:
Introduces untreated stormwater runoff containing bacteria, fertilizers, pesticides, and other contaminants being piped directly into Lake Ola that has lead to increased nutrient loading, which promotes harmful algal blooms.
Threatens the delicate ecosystem, harming fish and wildlife.
Diminishes the quality of water for recreational and aesthetic purposes.
The Impact
This environmental damage affects all who depend on Lake Ola for recreation, property value, and ecological balance. The loss of the lake's health would have lasting consequences for:
Local Wildlife: Declining populations of fish, birds, and other aquatic organisms.
Human Health: Increased risk of exposure to harmful algal toxins.
Community Well-Being: Reduced property values and diminished access to safe recreational activities.
Our Request
We urge Orange County FL Commissioners, Christine Moore, St. Johns River Water Management District and Environmental Protection Agency EPA. to:
Close the Tangerine Sadler Road canal that flows directly into Lake Ola immediately. Not allow any other canals, ditches or culverts to be installed that could have the ability to carry water into Lake Ola In order to halt the influx of contaminants, pollutants and foreign water flowing into Lake Ola as well as provide high quality filtration on any other canal, ditch or cluvert that flows into Lake Ola or has the ability to flow into Lake Ola.
Commit to quarterly third party water quality testing and non-chemical restoration projects to ensure the long-term health and clarity of Lake Ola.
Take water and soil samples quarterly from any and all canals or ditches with the ability to carry water into Lake Ola by testing specifically for bacteria, chlorophyll (a) and Nitrogen (Total Coliforms, E. coli, Enterococci, Ammonia (NH₃), Nitrate (NO₃⁻), Nitrite (NO₂⁻), total phosphorus, Dissolved Oxygen (DO), pH, Turbidity & Heavy Metals, lead, mercury, copper, and cadmium) and publicly report these test results to Lake Ola residents within one month of being taken following a quarterly schedule.
Implement sustainable stormwater infrastructure to address runoff issues, including: eliminating piping in runoff from retention ponds, housing developments or wetlands into Lake Ola.
Why Action is Needed Now
Delaying action will lead to further degradation of the lake, making restoration efforts more costly and difficult in the future. By acting now, we can preserve Lake Ola for current and future generations.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/AzgoZEu8fH0
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/dsBs8xQGmnA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MReB_noPlgA
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/BZkOEn1Vp4g Color of Lake Ola now green with particles
Please Sign the Petition to save Lake Ola
203
The Issue
Petition to Protect Lake Ola: Close the Tangerine and Sadler Road Canal immediately and provide filtration on all other canals or ditches with the ability to carry water into Lake Ola and provide quarterly third party independent water and soil samples detailed below.
To: Orange County FL Commissioners, Christine Moore, St. Johns River Water Management District and Environmental Protection Agency EPA.
We, the undersigned, call upon Orange County FL Commissioners, Christine Moore, St. Johns River Water Management District and Environmental Protection Agency EPA.to take immediate action to close the Tangerine, Sadler Road canal to prevent further destruction of Lake Ola, a vital community and ecological resource.
The Problem
Lake Ola, a cherished natural asset in our community, is facing severe environmental degradation due to the continued inflow of foreign water and pollutants by the Sadler Road canal in Tangerine as well as from Greater Country Estates, Bargrove Estates retention ponds flowing directly into Lake Ola as well as other subdivisions and plant nurseries surrounding Lake Ola. Orange County is using Lake Ola as a massive retention pond for all the mentioned above, and is planning to include new developments such as Saddler Estates to also drain into Lake Ola.
Lake Ola, once a pristine and clear water body, is facing severe contamination and water clarity issues from several causes: sewage and chemical runoff flowing by canal coming under Sadler Rd. from nearby Jones Ave. as well as foreign contaminated runoff coming from Greater Country Estates also underneath Sadler Rd, flowing directly into Lake Ola as well as other neighborhoods, nurseries and subdivisions surrounding the lake. Orange County has allowed this practice for years, despite the clear and present danger it poses to the lake's ecosystem, human and wildlife health, property values and surrounding community. Multiple recent Orange County alerts have been published and released recommending not to drink, swim, wade, use personal watercrafts, or come into contact with waters where there is a visible algae bloom which has covered very large portions of the lake.
The Sadler Rd. canal:
Introduces untreated stormwater runoff containing bacteria, fertilizers, pesticides, and other contaminants being piped directly into Lake Ola that has lead to increased nutrient loading, which promotes harmful algal blooms.
Threatens the delicate ecosystem, harming fish and wildlife.
Diminishes the quality of water for recreational and aesthetic purposes.
The Impact
This environmental damage affects all who depend on Lake Ola for recreation, property value, and ecological balance. The loss of the lake's health would have lasting consequences for:
Local Wildlife: Declining populations of fish, birds, and other aquatic organisms.
Human Health: Increased risk of exposure to harmful algal toxins.
Community Well-Being: Reduced property values and diminished access to safe recreational activities.
Our Request
We urge Orange County FL Commissioners, Christine Moore, St. Johns River Water Management District and Environmental Protection Agency EPA. to:
Close the Tangerine Sadler Road canal that flows directly into Lake Ola immediately. Not allow any other canals, ditches or culverts to be installed that could have the ability to carry water into Lake Ola In order to halt the influx of contaminants, pollutants and foreign water flowing into Lake Ola as well as provide high quality filtration on any other canal, ditch or cluvert that flows into Lake Ola or has the ability to flow into Lake Ola.
Commit to quarterly third party water quality testing and non-chemical restoration projects to ensure the long-term health and clarity of Lake Ola.
Take water and soil samples quarterly from any and all canals or ditches with the ability to carry water into Lake Ola by testing specifically for bacteria, chlorophyll (a) and Nitrogen (Total Coliforms, E. coli, Enterococci, Ammonia (NH₃), Nitrate (NO₃⁻), Nitrite (NO₂⁻), total phosphorus, Dissolved Oxygen (DO), pH, Turbidity & Heavy Metals, lead, mercury, copper, and cadmium) and publicly report these test results to Lake Ola residents within one month of being taken following a quarterly schedule.
Implement sustainable stormwater infrastructure to address runoff issues, including: eliminating piping in runoff from retention ponds, housing developments or wetlands into Lake Ola.
Why Action is Needed Now
Delaying action will lead to further degradation of the lake, making restoration efforts more costly and difficult in the future. By acting now, we can preserve Lake Ola for current and future generations.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/AzgoZEu8fH0
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/dsBs8xQGmnA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MReB_noPlgA
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/BZkOEn1Vp4g Color of Lake Ola now green with particles
Please Sign the Petition to save Lake Ola
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Petition created on December 4, 2024