Hailey Waldo
Reporter@greenepublishing.com
The Town of Lee is calling on local residents to take part in a community effort aimed at reducing local flooding and improving stormwater management. A flyer is soon to be expected to arrive in residents’ mailboxes, inviting them to join the towns new Stormwater Volunteer team. The plan is a part of stormwater vulnerability assessment in order to help officials better understand how the local systems handle heavy rain and the area’s ever changing weather patterns.
The assessment will involve engineers and surveyors examining locations throughout the town, including culverts, ditches and retention areas. Their work will focus on identifying drainage patterns, recurring flooding issues and the impact of future development of the stormwater system. The ultimate goal is to reduce flood risks before they can become major problems for homeowners and businesses in the area.
Residents of Lee and the surrounding area are encouraged to get involved in multiple ways. Volunteers may join the project’s Steering Committee, which will include local citizens working alongside town staff and experts. Committee members will attend four scheduled meetings during regular business hours. Volunteers can also help by sharing local knowledge of past flooding issues, assisting with field observations, taking notes or helping distribute informational materials to near-by homes and businesses. Community members also have the opportunity to participate in public meetings to review findings and discuss possible solutions.
The Town of Lee will soon launch a project page on its website, leeflorida.org, where residents can find important dates, updates and opportunities to participate in this movement. Residents interested in serving on the Steering Committee or volunteering in any way can contact Sona Hasylett at leemanager@leeflorida.org or call (850) 971-5867.