Resource Protection

Program or Project: Reclaimed Water Program
Description/Accomplishment: Reuse of secondary effluent, with additional treatment, for in-plant processes, irrigation and groundwater recharge. The program minimizes  salt water intrusion, saves approximately  25 billion gallons of water  annually.
Primary Department: Utility Services
Time Frame: Initiated in 1990s

Program or Project: Conversion of Septic Tank Systems to Central Sewer System
Description/Accomplishment: Eliminate septic tank use in the City by connecting users to the City’s sanitary sewer collection system. Reduces environmental pollution from  septic tanks.  Less than 1% of the City remains on septic tanks.
Primary Department: Utility Services
Time Frame: Started in 1990s

Program or Project: Additional Raw Water Wells
Description/Accomplishment: Addition of three (3) Biscayne Aquifer raw water wells to minimizes saltwater intrusion and increase raw water capacity.
Primary Department: Utility Services
Time Frame: Completed in 2013

Program or Project: Beach Renourishment and Dune Stability
Description/Accomplishment: The City continues to complete beach renourishment and dune stability projects. Recent North Boca Raton Beach Renourishment Project received  the American Shore Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA) “Best Restored  Beach Award” for the North Beach Project.
Primary Department: Municipal Services
Time Frame: Initiated in 1980s

Program or Project: Natural Areas and Environmentally Sensitive Land
Description/Accomplishment: There are 7 public preserves of environmentally sensitive land totaling 377 acres in the City.
Primary Department: Recreation Services
Time Frame: Initiated in 1990s

Program or Project: Beach and Mangrove Clean-ups
Description/Accomplishment: Host two annual major cleanups as part of a larger effort: Great American Cleanup and International Coastal Cleanup.
Primary Department: Recreation Services
Time Frame: Initiated in 1995.  Small group monthly cleanups started in 2005.

Program or Project: Ocean Outfall Program
Description/Accomplishment: Developed reclaimed water system to eliminate ocean outfall.
Primary Department: Utility Services
Time Frame: Completed in 2015

Program or Project: Drainage & Stormwater
Description/Accomplishment: Compliance with NPDES MS4 permit for monitoring stormwater quality.
Primary Department: Utility Services

Program or Project: Weather Stations
Description/Accomplishment: Athletic Field Maintenance utilizes weather stations to obtain rainfall data to assist in eliminating any over-watering of the athletic fields.
Primary Department: Utility Services
Time Frame: Initiated in 2016

Program or Project: Green Industry Best Management Practices (GI-BMP)
Description/Accomplishment: Maintenance Supervisors and numerous Groundskeepers and Greenskeepers obtained certificates to effectively apply fertilizers, herbicides,  pesticides as well as managing the quantity of irrigated water.
Primary Department: Recreation Services
Time Frame: Initiated in 2014

Program or Project: Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Description/Accomplishment: Industry practice used  by maintenance staff using a combination of biological, physical and  chemical methods to manage pests with the least possible hazard to human  health and the environment.
Primary Department: Recreation Services
Time Frame: Initiated in 2010

Program or Project: Rain Barrels
Description/Accomplishment: Utilize water collected for irrigation of container garden and plants in gopher tortoise enclosure at Gumbo Limbo Nature Area
Primary Department: Recreation Services
Time Frame: Initiated in 2007

Program or Project: Janitorial Services
Description/Accomplishment: Implemented use of “green” cleaning products.
Primary Department: Municipal Services
Time Frame: Completed 2011-2012

Program or Project: LEED Certification at Downtown Library and Fire Station 5
Description/Accomplishment: Downtown Library – efficient HVAC, low-flow plumbing, water efficient irrigation, etc.
Primary Department: Municipal Services
Time Frame: 2009 and 2013

Program or Project: Sub-Surface Irrigation
Description/Accomplishment: A sub-surface irrigation system was installed when four hard surface courts were converted to a clay surface, which saves water use
Primary Department: Recreation Services
Time Frame: Initiated in 2012

Program or Project: Artificial Turf Fields
Description/Accomplishment: During the CDBG project to improve Sand Pine Park, an artificial turf field and play areas were installed, which conserves water.
Primary Department: Development  Services (CDBG)
Time Frame: 2007

Program or Project: Exotic Plant Removal Program
Description/Accomplishment: Removing Brazilian Pepper, Australian Pines, and other non-native species from beach front parks to sustain the viability of native plant  species.
Primary Department: Recreation Services
Time Frame: Initiated in 1996

Program or Project: Vine Removal Program
Description/Accomplishment: Removing invasive vines and plants from City-owned property lands to sustain the viability of native plant species.
Primary Department: Recreation Services
Time Frame: Initiated in 2014

Program or Project: Dune Restoration
Description/Accomplishment: Removed invasive plants from the dune on north end of South Beach Park and replace with native plants.
Primary Department: Recreation Services
Time Frame: Completed in 2008

Program or Project: Beach Lighting
Description/Accomplishment: Surveys and reports which address turtle disorientation by switching fixtures and/or bulbs to turtle friendly lights.
Primary Department: Recreation Services
Time Frame: Initiated in 2000

Program or Project: Electronic Building Plans
Description/Accomplishment: Currently 40% of the City’s permit applications are submitted on-line.  The City received about 230 pounds of paper per year as applications and other material, which means that the City is saving about 138 pounds  of paper annually.
Primary Department: Development Services
Time Frame: Initiated in 2010

Program or Project: Laserfiche
Description/Accomplishment: Elimination of paper forms, approvals, invoices, submittals and storage through the use of LaserFiche products.
Primary Department: Financial Services
Time Frame: Initiated in 2014

Program or Project: Alarm System Registration Online – implemented a $25 fee for registering in paper format and reduced fees for online registration.
Description/Accomplishment: Eliminated manual data entry of approximately 7,000 annual paper registrations.
Primary Department: Financial Services
Time Frame: Completed in 2014

Program or Project: Partner with local Honey Farm
Description/Accomplishment: Partnered with a local business, Bee Healthy Honey Farm, to provide raw honey for treatment of sea turtle in our Rehabilitation Facility.
Primary Department: Recreation Services
Time Frame: Initiated in 2016

Program or Project: Spanish River Park Bird Observation Area
Description/Accomplishment: Removed downed trees after Hurricane Wilma to create a bird friendly habitat.
Primary Department: Recreation Services
Time Frame: Completed in 2006

Program or Project: Manatee Protection
Description/Accomplishment: The State of Florida, Palm Beach County and the City support the protection of Manatees and have established Manatee Protection Zones throughout the City of Boca Raton.
Primary Department: Municipal Services
Time Frame: Ongoing