It’s been months since residents in Manatee County dealt with the imminent threat of a collapse at Piney Point. Since then, officials have been working quickly to find a solution to ultimately close the old phosphate plant.
USF scientists announce initial findings from Piney Point research effort
USF scientists release findings from Piney Point research
and last updated 2021-05-24 21:23:25-04
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. â After millions of gallons of contaminated water were drained into Tampa Bay last month, USF scientists say the good news is that the short-term impacts on the bay are not as bad as expected, but the long-term effect is still unknown.
The threat of a collapsing gypsum stack at Piney Point forced the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to drain more than 200 million gallons of contaminated water into Tampa Bay.
The efforts saved the stack from collapsing but the impact of the polluted water in Tampa Bay is something USF scientists and many organizations have been trying to figure out ever since.
Researchers develop flow chart forecast for Piney Point contaminated water discharged in Tampa Bay
USF researchers say the dark brown water now seen in the bay are in part due to Piney Point.
and last updated 2021-04-15 19:50:13-04
PALMETTO, Fla. â A Piney Point water flow model developed by USF researchers shows the forecasted flow of more than 200 million gallons of contaminated water that was pumped into Tampa Bay to prevent the collapse of a leaking gypsum stack.
The model shows the water moving back and forth near Port Manatee and the mouth of Tampa Bay.
Researchers say it will take months before the water completely flushes out of the Bay.
Researchers concerned with contaminated water impact on dolphins near Piney Point
Right now dolphin researchers are concerned about how the contaminated water released at Piney Point could impact dolphins.
and last updated 2021-04-14 15:56:19-04
PALMETTO, Fla. â Right now, dolphin researchers are concerned about how the contaminated water released at Piney Point could impact dolphins.
The pristine water in the preserves near Port Manatee in Tampa Bay are normally lush with marine life including a community of dolphins that have been living there for more than 30 years, but right now, theyâre nowhere to be seen. So far weâve seen very few dolphins in our surveys centered on Piney Point. We donât know where theyâve gone, said Randall Wells, the director of the Chicago Zoological Societyâs Sarasota Dolphin Research Program.
Local business owners concerned about Piney Point s impact to marine life The FWC still hasn t opened snook, trout and redfish, he said. They re just talking about voting to open it next month. Who knows what s going to happen now with this, the owner of Palmetto Bait and Tackle said.
and last updated 2021-04-06 13:40:59-04
MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. â Brian Wilson and his family moved to the Tampa Bay area for the beach. We have the best beaches in the world! he smiled. We ve got some of the best fishing.
He loves it so much that he left his corporate America job to open his own business, Palmetto Bait and Tackle. It s just a few miles from the Tampa Bay.