Howell Creek Stabilization Project

Directly after Hurricane Ian, the Department of Natural Resources and Sustainability conducted an environmental assessment and noted extensive damage to Howell Creek from Lake Sue north to Lake Virginia. In an effort to protect and preserve Howell Creek, which is a vital natural resource for Mead Gardens. The City of Winter Park and the wildlife/waterfowl it inhabits, the city applied for federal assistance through the Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) program. NRCS evaluated the city’s application request and was awarded $2.2 million dollars for restoration efforts. The goal of the restoration is to stem severe erosion issues, provide bank stabilization, remove sediments that is impacting natural flow, and restoring with native vegetation. This project is intended to protect and restore nature including the diverse trees and canopy that exists.

Please note that Pond & Company (P&C) will be conducting a stream assessment of Howell Creek between Lake Sue and Lake Virginia from Monday, January 22, through Friday, January 26. During this time, P&C staff will enter the creek at various locations, including through adjacent residential properties. They may enter the creek on foot or traverse the stream with kayaks and will be utilizing various types of survey equipment including laser levels, survey rods, and distance measuring tapes.

During October through December, you may have seen land surveyors and biological assessors collecting data, laying the preliminary groundwork for the restoration project which includes survey staking and flagging. Flagged trees do not indicate tree removal, it is mapping the wetland boundary needed for permitting only. All flags will be removed once the field analysis has been completed.

• Howell Creek Stabilization Report
• Stakeholder Meeting Posters
• Community Meeting – Thursday, March 28 from 5-7 p.m. @ Mead Botanical Garden
• Access tentative project timeline