Stormwater Relief on the Way!

Venice just secured a $360,525 federal grant to help restore a local creek system and improve stormwater quality — a key step in protecting both neighborhood waterways and the Gulf ecosystem. The targeted area includes sections that feed directly into Curry Creek and Hatchett Creek, both of which connect to Roberts Bay and ultimately the Gulf of Mexico.

 

The funding, issued through a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) partnership, will support creek restoration, erosion control, and pollutant reduction within the city’s stormwater management network. 

 

City engineers say the project will use a combination of vegetative buffers, sediment traps, and improved stormwater filtration systems to reduce nutrient runoff — one of the leading contributors to harmful algal blooms. Beyond environmental gains, the work will also enhance local flood resilience by widening and reinforcing key water channels that overflow during heavy rains.

 

This grant is part of a broader city initiative to modernize Venice’s stormwater and watershed infrastructure. Over the next year, city officials plan to coordinate with Sarasota County Environmental Services  and local partners to design and implement the improvements.

 

Residents will soon be able to follow progress and see project updates through VeniceGov.com and the city’s official social media pages. The city notes that community feedback and volunteer participation will play a key role in long-term maintenance and public education efforts.