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MARKET SNAPSHOT: Snead Island is one of Florida s best-kept secret
The island at the mouth of the Manatee River and south of Terra Ceia Bay has a pristine, old-Florida atmosphere.
Chris Angermann
Snead Island at the mouth of the Manatee River and south of Terra Ceia Bay has a pristine, old-Florida atmosphere. There are only 800 homes or so, surrounded by tropical foliage. Emerson Point Preserve, a 365 acres nature preserve – part mangroves, part Florida coastal jungle occupies nearly half of the island’s area.
A network of shell trails, boardwalks and paved biking paths offers plenty of opportunities to experience Florida plant and wildlife, including turtles, herons, egrets, roseate spoonbills and a wide variety of ducks. An observation tower provides panoramic views of the lush greenery and Terra Ceia Bay.
Forecasting what comes next from Piney Point for Tampa Bay tampabay.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from tampabay.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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A leak at the reservoir of an old phosphate plant in Piney Point, Florida, as shown in an aerial photograph on April 3, has prompted evacuations, environmental concerns and threats of a full-fledged breach.
Officials say the wastewater being released into Tampa Bay is not radioactive but it does contain a lot of nutrients that can fuel algal blooms. Scientists say it will take time to see if damage occurs.
Environmental officials are closely monitoring the water quality near Piney Point in Manatee County where hundreds of millions of gallons are being discharged into Tampa Bay.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has been publishing water quality samples from 11 areas near the discharge site and further out into the bay.