Contents
Exhibits
A- Notes from Prior Year Planning Session
B - Budget/Financial Summaries
C - Historic Reports/Data
2023
HOWELL LAKE
LAKE MANAGEMENT PLAN
Annual Meeting
• Agenda
Lake Management Plan
• General Provisions
• Community-Based Activities & Events
• County Services
o Lake Management & Supplemental Programs
• Current Fiscal Year
o Planned Treatments & Funding
o Recommendations
• Next Fiscal Year
o Projected Treatments & Funding
• Exhibits
o Agenda & Notes Prior Year
o Financial Summary
o Historic Reports/Data
o Roles & Responsibilities
Annual Meeting 2023 – Lake Howell Page | 2
HOWELL LAKE: ANNUAL MEETING
General Topics & Updates
Lake Management Program
• Welcome
• Shoreline Protection Ordinance Status
o FWC Rule change removes permit requirements on lakes smaller than 160 acres
o County Shoreline Ordinance approved in April 2021
▪ FWC remains the permitting body
• Lake Status Nutrients/Habitat Scores [Bioassessment Indices - Refer to Exhibit C]
o Water quality trend lines stable
o TSI scored 51 in Good category
o Algae blooms
▪ Reduction in comparison to previous year
o LVI score continues to be in healthy category
o LVI/BioBase data on Watershed Atlas website:
http://www.seminole.wateratlas.usf.edu/shared/ecology.asp?wbodyid=7579&wbodyatlas=lake
• Treatment Plans - Current & Proposed [Refer to Lake Management Plan]
o Monitor hydrilla and treat as necessary (early detection and rapid response)
▪ Please advise if you see any hydrilla around your docks
o Hygrophila treatments at inflows
o Cassel Creek treated in December 2022
• General recommendations for Lake Community [Refer to Lake Management Plan]
o Increase native aquatic plantings in areas devoid of vegetation
o Promote “welcome packages” to new lakefront homeowners
• 2023 Shoreline Planting Event – Dates tentative
o To be coordinated via Tony Cintron
o Plants to be funded by MSBU
• Other
o Grass Carp
▪ No hydrilla to justify stocking
o Carp Barrier
▪ Monitoring multiple times monthly (sometimes twice a week)
▪ Chemically and physically treated to avoid debris accumulation
o Email Address for routine communications and important announcements – Cortland to update
homeowner list for Seminole county
o Confirm/update liaison information Bob Musser moving to Lake Hurst
o LMP to get quotes on Water Quality Projects
MSBU Program & Resource Management Department
• Financial Summary [Refer to Exhibit B]
• MSBU to investigate reduction in assessments – March 15
th
meeting
Date/Time/Location: Wednesday, February 1, 2023 /9:00 am – 9:45 am/ ZOOM - Virtual
Community Liaisons: Rankin Jays, Carol DiPasqua, Wayne General, Rita Hoffman, Joe Lung, Bob Musser, Ron Shady, Jim Travis,
Kyle Bateh, Wanda Basil, Jonathan Denton, Chuck Weirauch
Liaisons Present: Joe Lung, Bob Musser, Wayne General, Rita Hoffman, Diana Secor, Carol DiPasqua, Clayton Doolittle
Seminole County: Thomas Calhoun, Tony Cintron, Daniel Barber, Chad Day, Michael Eason, Tameka Morton, Michelle Rosa-Munger,
Lynda Reaves
Casselberry:
Annual Meeting 2023 – Lake Howell Page | 3
LAKE HOWELL
LAKE MANAGEMENT PLAN
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Scope of Public Lake Management Services
The scope of public lake management services funded by non-ad-valorem assessment includes those services associated
with managing aquatic plant communities as deemed beneficial and/or critical to restoring, developing and/or maintaining
conditions that enhance the water quality and over-all health of the waterbody; with emphasis on providing public services
for public purposes which by definition of public are limited to the waterbody and respective shoreline when/where
noxious and/or invasive exotic vegetation could/would threaten or impede the waterbody.
Governing Documents
• Seminole County Ordinance 2015-6
• Interlocal Agreement with the City of Casselberry
• FWC Aquatic Plant Management Permit
• FWC Triploid Grass Carp Permit
Methods for Aquatic Weed Control as authorized via County Ordinance/Resolution
• Chemical (herbicides)
• Biological (sterile triploid grass carp fish [TGC])
• Mechanical (harvesting, cutting, etc.)
• Physical (hand removal)
Targeted Invasive/Exotic Aquatic Vegetation
• Hydrilla (The management of submersed vegetation other than hydrilla and provisions for lake access corridors are
excluded from MSBU services.)
• Water hyacinth, water lettuce, parrots feather; torpedo grass, paragrass, cattail, water fern, hygrophila, and algae
Frequency of Aquatic Vegetation Management Treatment (herbicides)
Treatment services are performed at the direction of the Seminole County LMP as per the Lake Howell Management Plan
which will be reviewed at the annual planning sessions with the expectation that the Seminole County LMP may alter
anticipated treatments as merited per changing/evolving conditions noted during site inspections.
Herbicide Treatments - Service Provider
• As determined by Seminole County
Funding
Financial management of the MSBU fund is provided by the Seminole County MSBU Program. Financial plans developed
by the MSBU Program include eligible expense funding requests submitted by the Lake Management Program and other
cost and revenue components typical to MSBU funds. Financial information inclusive of prior year actual outcome, current
year working budget and next year budget proposal data is reported annually. Assessment levy is subject to Board
approval and the standard procedures associated with non-ad valorem assessment. The financial plans may be adjusted
by the County as merited per changing/evolving essential services as directed by the County and per financial planning
considerations. The governing ordinance limits assessment increases to no greater than 10% above the prior year
assessment; the ordinance does not include provisions for an assessment cap.
Seminole County Employees
Information for contacting the employees of Lake Management and the MSBU program:
Lake Management – Thomas Calhoun (tcalhoun@seminolecountyfl.gov), Tony Cintron
([email protected]), Daniel Barber ([email protected]), Chad Day
MSBU – Michael Eason (measo[email protected]), Tameka Morton (tmorton@seminolecountyfl.gov), Michelle
Rosa-Munger (mrosamunger@seminolecountyfl.gov)
Annual Meeting 2023 – Lake Howell Page | 4
Lake Liaisons
The ordinance governing the Howell Lake MSBU provides the for liaison participation as 2 liaisons from the Friend
of Lake Howell organization; 1 liaison per each common element property (property owned by an association
such as HOA or COA) and 2 liaisons from the general lakefront. Designated property owners (or their designated
representatives) provide community representation at annual planning sessions with the County and serve
voluntarily as the key point of contact for community inquiries and concerns. The liaisons for Lake Howell are
as shown in the following table and are current as of 2020. The open slots are available to property owners in
the designated HOA or Association.
LIAISON NAME
EMAIL
REPRESENTATING
Secor, Diana
Carmel (CE)
Lung, Joe
FOLH (1 of 2)
Open
FOLH (2 of 2)
Naldrett-Jays, Rankin
Howell Harbor Estates(CE)
Travis, Jim
Lago Vista(CE)
Open
Lake Howell Arms (CE)
DiPasqua, Carol
Lakefront (1 of 2)
Fergerson, Scott
Lakefront (2 of 2)
Musser, Bob
Lakehurst (CE)
Hoffman, Rita
Marbeya (CE)
Open
Reserve at Lake Howell (CE)
Weirauch, Chuck
Sausalito Condo (CE)
Shady, Ron
Sausalito Shores (CE)
Annual Meeting 2023 – Lake Howell Page | 5
COMMUNITY-BASED ACTIVITIES & EVENTS
LMP recommends/encourages homeowners to coordinate a resident-based volunteer event involving native
plantings along the shoreline of Lake Howell. The intention of such an event is to plant beneficial native aquatic
plants to key areas in need along the bank. Residents should organize planting days creating a beneficial
shoreline. It is especially important that as the aquatic invasive plants (such as torpedo grass) are being treated,
native aquatic plants should be established within these areas. The presence of the recommended native plant
species along the shoreline provides habitat for fish and wildlife, helps impede invasive exotics from re-
establishing, and reduces erosion of the shoreline. All of these best management practices are essential to
providing the conditions that promote an environmentally stable habitat to be enjoyed by generations to come.
The key to success is dependent on strong participation of the Lake Howell community.
Continued recommendations for community initiatives are as follows:
1) Plant a healthy shoreline with native emergent plants;
2) Continue the Friends of Lake Howell, a formal Lake Association, and hold at least one annual meeting with
topics relevant to your lake;
3) Establish a backyard berm and swale system where applicable;
4) Continue to increase educational outreach programs i.e. Shoreline Restoration Workshops (planting days),
Florida Yards and Neighborhoods (FYN), Lake Management Video mail-outs, and reduction of residential
pollution such as grass clippings, Contact us at 407-665-5542 for assistance;
5) Fertilize wisely by using phosphorous free and slow-release nitrogen based fertilizers only. Visit
www.seminolecountyfl.gov/fertilizer for more information; and
6) Provide content for the Seminole County Water Atlas Lake Management Webpage for your lake (such as
newsletters and photos).
Important to Note: When herbicides are applied along the shoreline to invasive plants (such as torpedo grass), overspray
onto adjacent desirable vegetation may occur. In order to avoid damage to desired vegetation, manual (by hand) removal
(by property owner) of the undesirable species from among the desirable species along the shoreline is advised. If the
invasive plants are removed by this method, spraying the area can be reduced, thereby offering greater protection to the
desirable species. The physical removal of dead/decaying aquatic plant material will reduce the volume of decomposing
vegetation on the lake bottom (muck layer) and will increase the success of the efforts to limit the re-growth of the invasive
plants. The presence of submerged aquatic vegetation (“SAV” such as hydrilla) should be communicated to your lake liaison
for their reporting to the County so appropriate treatment of SAV can be provided.
COUNTY SERVICES – Lake Management & Supplemental Programs
Lake Howell is monitored by LMP to assess the aquatic plant growth. LMP provides continued evaluation of the
aquatic plant species, such as hydrilla, and provides community updates on the status of treatments and
waterbody bioassessment. While the MSBU assessment includes a nominal charge for administering the MSBU,
the amount charged does not cover all the expenses incurred by the County on behalf of the waterfront property
owners. Many of the services provided by the LMP are made available to support community riparian
stewardship without additional charges being assigned to the MSBU budget.
Annual Meeting 2023 – Lake Howell Page | 6
CURRENT FISCAL YEAR – Planned Treatment & Funding
Primary Aquatic Plant Management Expectations
Lake Howell has an on-going history of hydrilla presence. In 2015 the hydrilla conditions were prolific and were
addressed via an extensive whole-lake treatment shortly after the MSBU was created. Aggressive hydrilla
growth in Lake Howell has the likelihood to continue. The timing and extent of hydrilla re-growth is affected by
multiple natural and environmental factors that cannot be controlled or predicted with certainty. As with any
lake with a history of hydrilla infestation, long-term planning to include financial preparation for potential
additional future whole lake treatment is advised. While extensive growth of hydrilla is possible at any point in
time; it is anticipated that routine spot treatments of hydrilla with herbicides and re-establishing continuous
biological control pressures from re-stocking with triploid grass carp fish will be sufficient to manage hydrilla re-
growth during this fiscal year.
Primary expectations for current fiscal year are as follows:
1) Monthly aquatic herbicide maintenance for non-native vegetation and hydrilla treatments (as
needed)
2) Grass carp stocking monitoring (determining biological need)
3) Continued monitoring of hydrilla, and other submersed aquatic plants, and
4) Continue grass carp barrier debris/maintenance services
Funding Expectations
Refer to current fiscal year data provided in Exhibit B.
NEXT FISCAL YEAR – Projected Treatment & Funding
Primary Aquatic Plant Management Expectations
The projected treatment plans for the next fiscal year remain consistent with the plans and expectations noted
for the current fiscal year. Primary expectations are as follows:
1) Continued monthly aquatic herbicide maintenance for non-native vegetation and hydrilla
treatments (as needed),
2) Future grass carp stockings if deemed necessary, pending permit amendment,
3) Continued monitoring of hydrilla, coontail, other submersed aquatic plants, and grass carp fish,
4) Continued grass carp barrier debris and maintenance services.
Funding Expectations
Refer to next fiscal year data provided in Exhibit B.
Annual Meeting 2023 – Lake Howell Page | 7
Exhibits
A – Agenda & Notes Prior Year Meeting
B – Financial Summary
C – Historic Reports/Data
D – Roles & Responsibilities
Annual Meeting 2023 – Lake Howell Page | 8
Exhibit A – Agenda & Notes (Prior Year Planning Session)
General Topics & Updates
Lake Management Program
• Welcome
• Shoreline Protection Ordinance Status
o FWC Rule change removes permit requirements on lakes smaller than 160 acres
o County Shoreline Ordinance approved in April 2021
▪ FWC remains the permitting body
• Lake Status Nutrients/Habitat Scores [Bioassessment Indices - Refer to Exhibit C]
o Water quality trend lines stable
o Algae bloom
▪ Reduction in eelgrass was a contributing factor
o LVI score continues to be in healthy category
o LVI/BioBase data on Watershed Atlas website:
http://www.seminole.wateratlas.usf.edu/shared/ecology.asp?wbodyid=7579&wbodyatlas=lake
• Treatment Plans - Current & Proposed [Refer to Lake Management Plan]
o Monitor hydrilla and treat as necessary (early detection and rapid response)
▪ Please advise if you see any hydrilla around your docks
o Upstream hydrilla sources
▪ Winter Park hydrilla treatment on hold until flow reduces
o Hygrophila treatments at inflows
o Check Cassel Creek per Joe Lung observations
• General recommendations for Lake Community [Refer to Lake Management Plan]
o Increase native aquatic plantings in areas devoid of vegetation
▪ Thomas recommends planting bulrush around the lake this year to replace cattails
o Promote “welcome packages” to new lakefront homeowners
o Rita to receive 4-5 welcome packages
• 2022 Shoreline Planting Event – Dates Available
o To be coordinated via Tony Cintron
o Dates shared with Liaisons
o Plants to be funded by MSBU
o Transportation restrictions
• Other
o TGC Restocking for 2022 on hold
▪ No hydrilla to justify stocking
o TGC Fish Barrier
▪ Monitoring multiple times monthly (sometimes twice a week)
▪ Chemically and physically treated to avoid debris accumulation
o Email Address for routine communications and important announcements
o Water Quality project at Howell Creek weir
o Confirm/update liaison information
o New liaison for Carmel – Diana Secor; email?
MSBU Program & Resource Management Department
• Financial Summary [Refer to Exhibit B]
• MSBU to investigate reduction in assessment
Date/Time/Location: Wednesday, March 23, 2022 /12 pm – 1 pm/ ZOOM - Virtual
Community Liaisons: Diana Secor, Rita Hoffman, Joe Lung
Liaisons Present:
Seminole County: Daniel Barber, Thomas Calhoun, Tony Cintron, Michael Eason, Tameka Morton, & Lynda Reaves
Casselberry:
Annual Meeting 2023 – Lake Howell Page | 9
Exhibit B - Financial Summary
MSBU FUND:
HOWELL (LAKE)
Tax Year
2021
2022
2023
Assessment [Average Per Waterfront Parcel]
$ 1,488
$ 1,488
$ 1,488
Fiscal Year
FY21-22
FY22-23
FY23-24
Revenue
Actual
Working Budget
Proposed Budget
Beginning Fund Balance
$ 301,780
$ 411,734
$ 518,100
Assessment Revenue
$ 128,071
$ 130,450
$ 130,450
Other (Interest)
$ 1,187
$ 1,000
$ 1,000
Other - FOLH (FY20-21); FEMA
$
$
$
MSBU Program Fund Advance
TOTAL Revenue
$ 431,038
$ 543,184
$ 649,550
Expenditure & Reserves
Actual
Working Budget
Proposed Budget
Application Fee Recoupment
$ -
$ -
$ -
MSBU Program Administrative Fee [7% Rev FY21-
22]
$ 9,132
$ 9,130
$ 9,130
Other County Services (Service Entity)
$ -
$ -
$ -
Fund Advance Repayment
$ -
$ -
$ -
Contracted Services
$ 10, 172
$ 15,954
$ 47,000
AWC Services (via AAM)
$ 9,672
$ 12,000
$ 12,000
Chemicals (Non-AAM)
$ -
$ -
$ 25,000
FAS/GEN Testing
$ -
$ -
$ -
Shipping (Test Samples)
$ -
$ -
$ -
TGC Fish
$ -
$ -
$ -
Fish Barrier Inspection/Minor Repair
$ 500
$ -
$ 10,000
Fish Barrier Replace/Major Repair
$ -
$ -
$ -
Other
$
$ 3,954
$ -
Total Expenditure & Reserves
$ 19,304
$ 25,084
$ 56,130
Reserve/Contingency1
$ 411,734
$ 518,100
$ 593,420
1
Note: These funds are secured (1) for maintaining rate stability as annual cost are known to fluctuate, (2) in preparation of planned or anticipated future
expenses, (3) to provide response to emergency and/or urgent needs for which planning was not feasible. These funds are not intended for expenditures that
could be planned and included in annual budget planning processes.
LM Program Enhanced Service Cost
Pending development & confirmation
Annual Meeting 2023 – Lake Howell Page | 10
Reserve/Contingency Funds
The primary purpose for establishing contingency/reserve funding is twofold – (1) To have funding
on hand to accommodate unexpected essential aquatic weed control emergencies that cannot be
reasonably foreseen, planned or identified in routine budget planning & forecasting and (2) To
provide rate stability as costs for ongoing services often vary from year to year. By establishing
contingency and reserve funds, such funding may be allocated temporarily from these funds to
operating expenditures to avoid periodic spikes in assessment.
Contingency funds are developed by financial management planning decisions and by default when
actual expenditures are less than budgeted expenses. Although reserve/contingency funds are not
expected to be expended in any given year, these values are included under expenditures because
they are “on hold” for future needs and are classified by accounting practices as expenditures.
In the financial summary (Exhibit B) the total dollars in reserve/contingency are identified in the
expenditure section on a single line (darker shading). The total dollars in contingency are calculated
by subtracting the other expenditures (typically “contracted services” and “administrative fee”) from
the total revenue. Contingency funds may be used as deemed essential to meeting emergency needs
of the waterbody.
Annual Meeting 2023 – Lake Howell Page | 11
Exhibit C - Historic Reports/Data
Additional information for Lake Howell can be found on the Seminole County Water Atlas website at
http://www.seminole.wateratlas.usf.edu/lake/waterquality.asp?wbodyid=7579&wbodyatlas=lake
http://www.seminole.wateratlas.usf.edu/resourceprogram.aspx?aid=15&wbodyid=7579
Lake Howell Water Quality Report: How Does My Lake Rank? TSI SCORE: 51 GOOD
The Trophic State Index (TSI) is a classification system designed to "rate" individual lakes, ponds and reservoirs
based on the amount of biological productivity occurring in the water. Using the index, one can gain a quick idea
about how productive a lake is by its assigned TSI number. A "Good" quality lake is one that meets all lake use
criteria (swimmable, fishable, and supports healthy habitat).
A TSI score of 60 or above is considered impaired (or polluted) lake. Continued reduction of TP sources (personal
pollution, run-off, landscaping practices, shoreline erosion) can help reduce phosphorous in your lake that is
abundantly available, potentially creating algae blooms.
Lake Vegetation Index Bioassessment (LVI): How Does My Lake Rank? 43 Healthy
The Lake Vegetation Index is a rapid bioassessment tool created by the Florida Department of Environmental
Protection (FDEP) to assess the biological condition of aquatic plant communities in Florida lakes. The most
recent LVI bioassessment for Lake Howell (sampled on August 3, 2022) scored 43 Healthy. While the score
slightly decreased from the previous year’s 45 score, it remains in the Healthy category. This decrease is due to
a loss of sensitive native taxa.
Aquatic life use category
LVI Range
Description
Category 1
“exceptional”
78–100
Nearly every macrophyte present is a species native to Florida, invasive taxa typically not
found. About 30% of taxa present are identified as sensitive to disturbance and most taxa have
C of C values >5.
Category 2
“healthy”
43–77
About 85% of macrophyte taxa are native to Florida; invasive taxa present. Sensitive taxa have
declined to about 15% and C of C values average about 5.
Category 3
“impaired”
0–42
About 70% of macrophyte taxa are native to Florida. Invasive taxa may represent up to 1/3 of
total taxa. Less than 10% of the taxa are sensitive and C of C values of most taxa are <4.
Annual Meeting 2023 – Lake Howell Page | 12
Annual Meeting 2023 – Lake Howell Page | 13
Florida LAKEWATCH Data:
Total Phosphorus and Total Nitrogen
Trend plots of annual average total phosphorus and annual average total nitrogen versus year. The R2 value
indicates the strength of the relations (ranges from 0.0 to 1.0; higher the R2 the stronger the relation) and the
p value indicates if the relation is significant (p < 0.05 is significant). Trend status are reported on plots.
Total Chlorophyll and Secchi Depth
Trend plots of annual average chlorophyll and annual average Secchi versus year. The R
2
value indicates the
strength of the relations (ranges from 0.0 to 1.0; higher the R2 the stronger the relations and the p value
indicates if the relation is significant (p < 0.05 is significant). Trend status are reported on plots.
Annual Meeting 2023 – Lake Howell Page | 14
Exhibit D
Roles & Responsibility
General Outline
COUNTY
Seminole County will
✓ Govern the MSBU
✓ Provide financial management of MSBU fund and assessment levy
✓ Ensure activities conducted with assessment funding align with the scope of
services documented in the governing ordinance
✓ Ensure the lake is monitored and services are appropriately rendered
✓ Maintain decision-making authority relative to public services and will defer to
best lake management practices when making such decisions
✓ Provide an ongoing lake management plan based on the defined service scope,
permitting, conditions at the lake, funding parameters, and best lake management
practices. The Lake Management Plan will be developed and maintained by the
Lake Management Program with liaison participation
✓ Initiate and manage service contracts, monitor results, and communicate updates on
a routine basis
✓ Conduct annual meetings that offer opportunity for liaison discussion as to prior,
current, and future action plans
✓ Encourage liaisons and assist with educational outreach efforts to protect the health
and water quality of the waterbody
LIAISONS
Liaisons will
✓ Encourage communitywide awareness and participation relative to environmental
stewardship recommendations and opportunities
✓ Provide communitywide communication and assist the County in the distribution of
relevant lake information
✓ Attend annual lake management and budget planning sessions conducted by the
County
✓ Serve as representatives of the community on lake issues; representing the respective
lake community as a whole
✓ Monitor lake conditions and provide feedback to the County as to observations
