Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

CHURCH ROCK, N.M. (AP) Louise Johnson, 76, made a plea for help in her cellphone voicemail message.

My name is Louise Johnson. I live in the Superman Canyon (area). I need food and woods.

Earlier this year, when the pandemic hit the Navajo Nation, she found herself unable to leave her home to go to town for groceries and other essentials for fear of being exposed to COVID-19.

Since she recorded the message in late March or April, her family and friends have been delivering goods to her home, a one-bedroom hogan without a bathroom or running water located in a rural area northwest of Church Rock known as Superman Canyon because thats where scenes of the 1978 Superman movie were filmed.

I heard it on the radio. They advised us to do that, Johnson said about the idea of recording a request for help on her voicemail.

She has not deleted the message, despite her brothers request, because the number of Navajo elders dying from COVID-19 continues to increase, and she feels she is still at risk and does not know when the crisis is going to end.

Johnsons needs go beyond food and woods.

She takes sponge baths and uses an outhouse for her necessities. Her biggest challenge is water. Even though her hogan was built about 50 feet away from a waterline, she has not been able to connect the structure to the line because she lacks a bathroom, one of the requirements for the Indian Health Service to connect the home to plumbing.

According to Church Rock Chapter records, Johnson applied for financial assistance through the chapter to build a bathroom in 2018. All 110 Navajo chapters have an annual budget to assist the community with home repairs and bathroom additions.

Morgan said since Johnsons plight was featured in the news earlier this year, the chapter passed an emergency resolution to immediately grant Johnsons request and she was awarded about $3,000 to pay for lumber and other materials to build the bathroom addition. She also told the Gallup Independent that three volunteers, two of whom had construction experience, offered to assist in building the bathroom.

The project is still in the works. Johnson said she visited the chapter recently to find out whats going on and was told not to worry, that its being taken care of, she said.

Morgan said she is working with the Navajo Engineering Construction Co. on getting Johnsons bathroom and plumbing. She said Johnson is one of about 300 families in Church Rock in need of a bathroom.

About 50 to 60% of our families need bathroom additions, Morgan said. The majority of the families need bathroom additions or new bathrooms because their systems are old and their septic tanks collapsed or their bathroom fixtures got depleted. Some of these homes or bathrooms were built back in the day, when bathroom construction was not efficient or they used to cut corners.

The cost to build or replace a bathroom varies, but the chapter typically awards $3,000 per member in need of assistance for lumber and material. Money, however, is limited and awarded based on priority and need.

Rex Kontz, Navajo Tribal Utility Authority deputy manager, told the Independent in May that about 15,000 homes on the Navajo Nation lack running water for different reasons that include the lack of a bathroom or plumbing.

After unofficial inquiry, I understand roughly 50% need plumbing, he said. But some also need an addition to create space for a bathroom or what is referred to as a bathroom addition. ... Some homes may have been pre-plumbed when built and some may be mobile homes that came with plumbing.

Jenny Notah, a spokeswoman for the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, said the agency can provide bathroom plumbing for homes when it is constructing water and sewer facilities at those homes. But the burden lies on others.

Bathroom additions must be built by either the homeowner, the chapter, the Navajo Nation or by others, she said in an email to the Independent. When IHS can fit bathroom plumbing, which usually includes a sink, a toilet, a shower-tub and a hot water heater, in a home without an addition, then we do. However, many older homes and hogans typically do not have room in the existing home for bathroom plumbing. When a bathroom addition is necessary, the IHS typically coordinates with the homeowner and chapter on the need for bathroom additions long before a water/sewer project begins in order to give the homeowners and chapters time to build the necessary bathroom additions.

Notah couldnt say how many homes are on a list of funded projects. Hundreds of others are in need of bathroom additions, she said.

The agency has worked with the Navajo Engineering and Construction Authority to install about 88 homes with plumbing, including toilets, and showers or tubs so far this year, Notah said.

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Thousands of Navajo Nation homes without plumbing amid virus - The Journal

Habitat for Humanity of Collin County finished a home repair and renovation project in McKinney that helped make the McKeever house feel like home for everyone, including their 12-year-old son Mason.

"Mason was born with spina bifida," Jessica McKeever said of her son. "There is no way we could have done this on our own."

"I was a young man once. I certainly understand the need there," Scott Blackburn, construction coordinator for Habitat for Humanity of Collin County said. "We knew we could do some good."

The latest news from around North Texas.

Habitat built an accessible bathroom addition for Mason, who uses a wheelchair. They also gave him his own room.

"Mason's always loved Batman, so when you walk into his room it looks like a Batcave," his mom said. "He is the happiest 12-year-old because he can shut his door and keep his 4-year-old sister out of his room!"

The project was not without challenges. The pandemic has made it difficult to get volunteer work, something Habitat for Humanity relies on to minimize costs.

"We don't want to fill someone's house with volunteers. We've had to use contractors to take care of some of these needs, and that costs a lot more money," Blackburn said, pointing out the need hasn't changed. "No, not at all. If anything we're the busiest I've been in my six years here."

The superheroes always come through in a crisis.

"I get to help people for a living," Blackburn said. "You go home feeling pretty good most days."

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Family Gets Home Renovation Fit for Superhero - NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

Click here to visit the guests featured on Home Sweet Home Chicago.

This week, Tom Jahnke kicks off the show by talking about Farmhouse Sink Vanities that Builder Supply Outlet supplies. Then, our credit expert, Gary Novel, talks about how he was able to help a listener from Chicago get one point on her scores in 4 days so she could qualify for a lower rate on her mortgage loan. Next, the taxman, Steven A. Leahy, gives us the 411 on property tax appeals in the year of COVID-19. Mike Huston from Lindholm Roofing talks all things roofing and the most energy efficient roofing work to get done for the upcoming months. And obviously, throughout the show, listeners call in asking their questions and getting the information they need for the best outcome!

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Home Sweet Home Chicago (08/15/20) David Hochberg with Next Door and Windows Justin Bartley, Jill Van Riet Associate with Baird & Warner, Corey...

Everyone imagines that lifting the floorboards of an old house will uncover hidden wonders but perhaps not as plentiful as a page from a 600-year-old illuminated manuscript, hundreds of high-status Elizabethan textiles, fragments of 16th-century handwritten music and an empty box of Terrys chocolates.

The National Trust on Monday revealed remarkable details of one of the largest archaeology hauls ever found under the floors of one of its properties. The stash in the attics of Oxburgh Hall in Norfolk, which dates back to 1482, has astonished the team working on the project.

Thousands of objects have been found casting fresh light on the history of the houses owners, the Bedingfield family devout Catholics whose history includes periods of persecution.

The finds were made because the house is undergoing essential roof restoration work. The intention was that a team of volunteers would be on hand as floorboards were lifted to repair joists but because of lockdown, Matt Champion, a freelance archaeologist, has been working solo.

Anna Forest, the National Trust curator overseeing the work, said: As the floor boards have been lifted, Matt has been doing a fingertip search of all the dust and crud underneath those boards.

Youd expect to find things like cigarette packets and coins and scraps of newspaper but he began to discover a treasure trove of extraordinary, very early things.

One was a rats nest made up of more than 200 pieces of historic textiles, including silks, satin, leather, velvet, wool and examples of embroidery which date from the Tudor, Elizabethan and early Georgian periods.

Forrest said: Because they were beneath the floor, out of the sun for centuries they are in incredible condition.

Also in the rats nests were scraps of handwritten music dating from the 16th century.

One of the star finds has been a page from a late 15th-century illuminated manuscript, still with the glimmer of gold leaf and bright blue. It is just the most exquisite thing and to have found it literally in a pile of rubble is probably well, its unheard of for the National Trust, thats for sure.

Two weeks ago an intact book of psalms with an embossed leather cover was found, dating from 1568. Again, it was just a knocks-your-socks-off find, said Forest.

There are also far more mundane discoveries such as a box of Terrys chocolates dating from the second world war. The wrappers and tissue paper remain but not the chocolates suggesting it was hastily hidden by someone with a guilty conscience.

There are also lots of old newspapers, crisp packets, cigarette packets and ping-pong balls, suggesting there was once a table tennis table in the attic rooms.

Oxburgh Hall was built by Sir Edmund Bedingfield in the late 15th century. The Bedingfields were once rising stars at the Tudor royal court but they were also devoutly Catholic and were ostracised and persecuted as a result.

Curators believe the manuscript parchment and other objects may well have been used in illegal masses and hidden deliberately by the family.

Russell Clement, general manager at Oxburgh Hall, said the finds were far beyond anything they expected.

He said: These objects contain so many clues which confirm the history of the house as the retreat of a devout Catholic family who retained their faith across the centuries.

This is a building which is giving up its secrets slowly. We dont know what else we might come across or what might remain hidden for future generations to reveal.

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Restoration of Norfolk hall uncovers Tudor and Elizabethan finds - The Guardian

A 1928 Tudor in the Eagle Rock neighborhood of Los Angeles is back on the market after a multiyear renovation led by Bungalowe and Vein Design. The home was last sold in 2018, and its formerly dated interior is now a sleek blend of contrasting black and white tones. The home has also more than doubled in size thanks in part to the transformation of a previously unused attic into an airy second floor with 13-foot vaulted ceilings.

For their first project, Los Angelesbased Bungalowe teamed up with designerNicole Palczynski, founder of VEIN Design. The exterior of the 1928 Tudor received less substantialchanges, as the teams wanted to respect the neighborhoods cohesive aesthetic.

Inside, the newly renovated living area features a large picture window, arched doorways, and a custom-made front door with inlaid capiz shells. The top-to-bottom renovation expanded the interior from around 1,400 square feet to over 3,200 square feetincluding a studio/office space.

"We wanted to stay true to the original character of the house," says Sapna Aggarwal of Bungalowe. "The neighborhood is lined with English Tudors and Spanish-style homes, so it was important to us that we keep it that way." Subtle changes to the exterior retained the Tudor style, while the interior received the bulk of the teams efforts. "There was no way of achieving our interior goals while keeping the original layout. Our challenge was to modernize the space so it would appeal to families without stripping away the charm."

Before, much of the interior was overwhelmed by dark wood floors and trim.

A look at the original kitchen reveals a mix of wood tones in the cabinetry and ceiling.

"Even though this was our first project, we came in with a very clear vision for the overall style," explains Sapna. "We wanted to create a sophisticated look without it feeling cold."

The team opted to give the home a cohesive look with a palette of contrasting color tones with natural wood accents. Finishes of satin brass and sage green complement the look. "We also didnt want to risk overlooking subtle nuances due to our lack of experience. Nicole at VEIN Design was the perfect partner on this project."

The revamped living area features an updated fireplace and sconces. Light hardwood floors run throughout the home, reflecting the brighter new aesthetic.

The dining area sits between the living area and the kitchen. French doors lead out to the side yard.

The all-new, European-style kitchen features custom oak cabinetry in contrasting finishes, open shelving, and a large central island. Bertazzoniappliances, marble counters, and cabinetry hardware from CB2 complete the look.

"The functionality of the space was very important to us," Sapna explains. "The existing layout was far from spacious, with tiny bedrooms, extremely tight bathrooms, and a very choppy floor plan. Having Nicole on our team helped us execute a perfect flow."

The team added approximately 600 square feet to the lower levelcreating a new den at the back of the kitchen, as well as a separate laundry room. The transformation of the unused attic space increased the floor plan by another several hundred square feet. "Adding the extra space allowed us to define each room and maximize utility. The kitchen is spacious without sacrificing the warmth felt in traditional Tudor kitchens, with features like a cozy breakfast nook and apron-front sink."

A six-burner Bianco range takes center stage along one wall. Matte black accents contrast with the stone and natural wood finishes.

In one corner of the kitchen, a small breakfast nook features built-in seating.

The kitchen offers 17 feet of total counter space, as well as a large pantry at one end. Light fixtures and design accents throughout the home were sourced from Anthropologie, West Elm, Pottery Barn, CB2, and Rejuvenation, among other retailers.

The lower-level addition created a new den off the kitchen, as well as a rooftop deck for the principal bedroom above. French doors lead out to the backyard.

"The most exciting and challenging part about the project was the scope. Not only did the existing footprint need to be completely reimagined, but there was an entire attic space with stunning vaulted ceilings that wasn't being utilized at all."

The newly reclaimed second floor offers a principal suite, as well as an additional bedroom and bathroom. In total, the property has four bedrooms, four bathrooms, and 3,201 square feet of living space. A private walking trail branches off from the nearly half-acre lot and leads to a hilltop with views of downtown L.A. Keep scrolling to see more of the property, which is currently listed for $1,899,000.

An upstairs bedroom features 13-foot vaulted ceilings, which give the former attic space a surprisingly airy feel.

Hand-cut zellige tiles fromClline the bathroom.

The principal suite features a large dormer window and French doors leading to a private rooftop deck.

Finishes in the principal bathroom complement the rest of the home, with black cabinetry, a marble vanity top, and satin brass accents. All of the interior doors feature knobs and pulls fromEmtek.

A look at another bedroom on the lower level.

A view of another bathroom with zellige tiles and satin brass hardware.

Outside, an alleyway between the garage and the house leads to the backyard.

The home also offers a private, 205-square-foot workspace/studio.

The landscaped yard was designed byJonathan Froinesand features private hillside steps leading up to a picnic area with views of downtown Los Angeles.

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Tudor Home Renovation by VEIN Design and Bungalowe - Dwell

HGTV RENEWS HIT COMPETITION SERIES 'ROCK THE BLOCK' FOR SEASON TWO

NEW YORK [August 17, 2020] HGTV has picked up a sophomore season of its smash hit competition series, Rock the Block. Attracting more than 20.3 million total viewers in its debut season, the series has been renewed for six action-packed episodes slated to premiere in early 2021. In season two, four pairs of HGTV's brightest renovation stars will team up to take on identical three-story suburban properties and transform them into extraordinary custom dream homes. With only one month and a $175,000 budget, the network duo who adds the most value to their home will proclaim victory and savor the sweet satisfaction of bragging rights.

"Rock the Block has the winning combination of family-friendly competition and high stakes renovations that makes it one of our most popular crowd pleasers," said Jane Latman, president, HGTV. "We can't wait for our all-new line-up of HGTV superstars, intense challenges and surprise elements to bring millions of excited fans back to the block."

ABOUT HGTV

HGTV delivers families with relatable stories, superstar real estate and renovation experts and amazing home transformations that inspire a passionate audience. For anyone seeking entertaining and aspirational home and lifestyle content, HGTV is the place to be. HGTV offers: a top 10 cable network that is distributed to more than 86 million U.S. households; a website, HGTV.com, that attracts an average of 10.2 million people each month; a social footprint of 21.2 million; HGTV Magazine, a monthly publication that reaches more than one million readers and exclusive collections of home-oriented products through the HGTV HOME(TM) consumer products line. Viewers can become fans of HGTV and interact with other home improvement enthusiasts through Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram. HGTV is owned by Discovery, Inc., a global leader in real life entertainment spanning 220 countries and territories, whose portfolio also includes Discovery Channel, Food Network, TLC, Investigation Discovery, Travel Channel, MotorTrend, Animal Planet, Science Channel, and the forthcoming multi-platform JV with Chip and Joanna Gaines, Magnolia, as well as OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network.

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Breaking News - HGTV Renews Hit Competition Series "Rock the Block" for Season Two - The Futon Critic

Tune in August 21st for season 23 premiere on Lifetime at 7:30am EST - The Military Makeover team renovated the home of Marine Corps Veteran Marcelino Marquez in Dacula, GA. All aired episodes can be viewed at http://www.militarymakeover.tv.

DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla., Aug. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- In true Military Makeover style, host Montel Williams, cast and crew, special guest WWE Superstar Lacey Evans, and equally passionate national brands have come together again to serve those who have served. Marine Corps Veteran Marcelino Marquez along with his family will be the recipients of a beautifully renovated home among other items of gratitude. The first of five (5) episodes airs on August 21st at 7:30am EST. All aired episodes can be viewed at militarymakeover.tv.

Marcelino Marquez enlisted out of high school and rose to one of the highest enlisted ranks of Master Gunnery Sergeant. Marcelino deployed on two tours in Iraq, two tours in Afghanistan, along with many other challenging postings. He started as an infantryman, then became a mortar man before shifting from mortars to close air support as a Low Altitude Air Defense (LAAD) Gunner. Marcelino later transitioned into Mortuary Affairs where he was tasked with the search, recovery, identification, preparation and return to the US of American and American-allied personnel killed in action. Those final emotionally wrenching assignments have left him suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Marcelino with his wife Francis, and three children, have been selected as our new Military Makeover family.

The Military Makeover team partners up with likeminded brands with a similar mission to help veterans such as our ongoing sponsors: Goodman Manufacturing, ABC Supply Co, MyComputerCareer, Tarkett and CaptionCall. This process also involves local businesses in the community and invites volunteers to step up and lend a hand in support of the Marquez family throughout the renovation process. Special guest WWE Superstar Lacey Evans, a veteran of the U.S. Marines, makes an appearance and supports the Marquez family throughout the renovation process. The final reveal unites cast, brand partners and volunteers, creating a literal "community celebration" of support for the change they created together.

"In the nearly three decades since I retired from the Navy, I've never really taken the uniform off because standing up for those who are serving now and those who have served has been the greatest honor of my professional career." - Montel Williams, Host and Co-Executive Producer

"We are so fortunate to be able to cultivate strong partnerships with national brands, non-profits, and local military communities to make each makeover better than the next."- Mark Alfieri, Founder and CEO of BrandStar

Military Makeover with Montel, A BrandStar Original, is America's Leading Branded Reality TV Show that offers hope and a helping hand here on the home front to members of our military and their loved ones. A veteran of both the Marine Corps and the Navy, talk show legend and military advocate Montel Williams, who creatively co-produces the show along with a colorful cast that seeks to transform the homes and lives of military families across the country. The cast includes co-host Art Edmonds, designer Jennifer Bertrand and contractor Ryan Stanley. This special series enlists caring companies of all sizes as well as non-profits and the local community. Military Makeover airs on Lifetime and on the American Forces Network which serves American servicemen and women, Department of Defense and other U.S. government civilians and their families stationed at bases overseas, as well as U.S. Navy ships at sea. Help starts at home for veterans on Military Makeover. Join us as our makeover team engages to change the living situation and the lives of these deserving families.

Military Makeover Press Kit: Here

Season 23 Air Dates on Lifetime 7:30am EST

August 21 Episode 1 August 28 Episode 2 September 4 Episode 3 September 11 Episode 4 September 18 Episode 5

SOURCE Military Makeover

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27 Year Marine Veteran Receives Complete Home Renovation Thanks to National TV Show Military Makeover with Montel, WWE Superstar Lacey Evans and Brand...

This evening, Friday, August 15, First Selectman Kevin Moynihan that while all but a handful of our residents by now have had their power restored by Eversource, New Canaan's Public Works and Human Services staffs continue to offer assistance to those with issues with the utilities or those in need.In a number of parts of town, there remain telephone and cable wires down and it will take several more days for Frontier and Optimum to make repairs and restore services.

COVID-19

"On the coronavirus front, New Canaan had 3 new positive test results for COVID this week bringing our cumulative total to 248," said Moynihan. The new positives range in age from 14 to 20 years old, with 2 females and 1 male.All 3 individuals are asymptomaticand two have already retested negative. The third is isolating at home.

"Our Health Director notes that shenow has access to data from the CT Department of Health that includes all negative COVID tests for our residents who test, which she didnt have access to before.So to put further detail to this, for period August 1stthrough August 14tha total of 373 residents were tested and only 3 tested positive. This is a test positivity rate of less than 1%," said Moynihan.

COVID tests for teachers and students

New Canaan Health Department has arranged with Stamford Hospital PCR testing of teachers and students next week here in New Canaan. "By conducting this testing of teachers and students we hope to get a picture of current community transmission trends prior to the opening of school," he said. "The health and safety of all our residents remains of utmost importance to the Town of New Canaan.We remind you that if you travel to any of the states on the Governors list of coronavirus hot states except for less than 24 hours you must quarantine for 14 days upon your return home, Moynihan continued.

Please continue to wear masks when social distancing cannot be achieved and when masks are required indoors in public places and continue to wash or sanitize hands when in contact with public surfaces.

Everbridge

Next week the Town will launch a new emergency outcall service platform called Everbridge. If you are receiving this message by phone or email you will be pre-registered in Everbridge.Watch for additional information about Everbridge early next week.

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New Canaan Power Restoration Update, Three New COVID Positives, Testing for Teachers and Students, Everbridge - HamletHub

Scott McGillivray and Debra Salmoni are the dream team one would like to have when renovating their house. The latest episode (August 15, Saturday) of the show, the pair met Laura and Dale, house owners of a carriage house who bought it to get some income. Laura and Dale thought that the house would help them to have a steady flow of income, but the renovation was taking too much of their time.

After struggling to land on a place that would be good enough to invite guests, Laura and Dale decided to turn to Scott and Debra. When Scott first saw the house, he was excited to be part of a renovation that involved a carriage house. However, as he spent more time looking at the property, he realized that the house will require a lot of time and effort.As he walked into the house, Scott quickly realized that the space of the house was not being properly used. Estimating that the house can fetch them around $80,000 per month, Scott knew that he had to work hard to bring his imagination to life. With the help of Debra, Scott came up with the plan of renovating the house.

Meanwhile, Debra thought of ways in which the designs can help retain the original beauty of the house. The pair was aware that people would come to a carriage house to get the real experience. Keeping that in mind, Scott and Debra planned their renovation to ensure the true beauty is not lost with all the renovation.Scott started by breaking some walls and converting big bedrooms into two rooms to make sure they bring in more money. He then brought in new appliances for the bathroom and kitchen to ensure that it matches the idea they both had in mind.

Meanwhile, Debra bought some items that she thought would fit the house. Without wasting any time, Debra and Scott got to their work. Laura and Dale also helped out with the house as they helped to renovate a carriage door. Scott wanted to bring the doors to add them as an element in the house and with a little help from the owners, he managed to save some cost.

With the help of everyone, Scott and Debra were able to complete the renovation on time and undoubtedly, Laura and Dale loved in.

'Vacation House Rules' airs on Saturdays at 8 pm ET on HGTV.

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'Vacation House Rules': Scott and Debra land carriage house for renovation, can they bring its beauty to life? - MEAWW

As the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary wades through the Restoration Blueprint public meetings, discussions, drafts and revisions processes, water quality remains a primary concern for all parties involved.

The Weekly caught up with Karen Bohnsack, who deals with all things water quality for the sanctuary, to learn more.

What is your primary objective as the associate director for water quality and ecosystem restoration for FKNMS? My goal is to work with the community and suite of partners who have authority over activities that impact water quality to understand the sources of water quality decline, and develop and implement solutions. Through my role, I want the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary to be a leader in demonstrating commitment, action, and progress towards improving water quality in the Florida Keys.

Is your position relatively new with FKNMS? When did you start? Yes, my position is relatively new with the sanctuary, and was created with the recognition that we needed to have more dedicated attention to water quality issues and solutions. I started in mid-August 2019.

What are the biggest water quality challenges for the Sanctuary? Are these local, regional, global or a mix? Water quality in the sanctuary is affected by a mix of local, regional and global factors.

Locally, wastewater, stormwater runoff and land-based sources of pollution from the islands are among the most important contributors to water quality decline as they contribute high concentrations of nutrients and other pollutants into nearshore waters. The Keys are made of a porous limestone bedrock, so pollutants that soak into the ground may eventually reach nearby surface waters.

Were also influenced by waters that flow to the Keys from other locations, including the Gulf of Mexico and southern Florida, which is highly urbanized and home to 8 million people. This connectivity adds additional complexity to managing water quality locally, as wastewater and stormwater inputs from Floridas east and southwest coasts also have the ability to influence Keys water quality.

Globally, increasing temperatures and ocean acidification will affect our waters, and sea level rise and changing storm and rainfall patterns may exacerbate local water quality issues by increasing runoff of various land-based pollutants into nearshore waters.

How are water quality and ecosystem restoration connected? Restoring and protecting water quality is essential for the overall recovery and sustainability of habitats, fish and wildlife in the Keys.

The coral reefs and seagrasses thrive in and rely on clean, clear water that is low in nutrients. Exposure to nutrients, toxins and other pollutants negatively affects these resources and their associated marine life, which over time causes shifts to algae dominated areas with cloudier water and fewer fish.

Can we restore our coral, seagrass, mangroves etc. if we dont tackle water quality issues? Good water quality is fundamental to a healthy ecosystem and is important for the long term success of any restoration effort. We have and will continue to work on water quality solutions within the Florida Keys and regionally. However, understanding that such improvements are extremely complex and require significant time and financial investments, it is important to simultaneously pursue proactive restoration to maintain key ecosystem functions.

What is the Water Quality Protection Program, how can it help, and can folks get involved? The Water Quality Protection Program (WQPP) was created as part of the legislation that established the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. This program has worked for over 25 years to address sources of pollution and maintain the water quality conditions needed to sustain healthy coral reefs, seagrass and marine wildlife populations.

Through this program, a variety of corrective actions, education and outreach, monitoring, and research activities have been undertaken to better understand and address the sources of pollution contributing to water quality degradation within the Florida Keys. In addition to contributing strong scientific information and providing a forum for public input on water quality issues, the WQPP allows for collaboration among the different agencies with water quality responsibilities, which creates an opportunity to achieve meaningful improvements in water quality beyond what an individual agency or organization could accomplish alone.

Members of the community can attend WQPP meetings both to become more informed about water quality issues and to share concerns or perspectives about water quality from their experience. Visit ocean.floridamarine.org/FKNMS_WQPP/ to learn more.

Whats one thing people can do to help improve water quality? Protecting and improving water quality is complex and challenging, and requires both coordinated agency action and individual effort. Probably the best thing that each individual can do is to become informed about water quality, then consider their own activities and identify one way you can specifically change your behaviors to protect water quality. This may include keeping nutrient-rich yard waste and fish scraps out of canals and nearshore waters, using vessel pumpout services, reducing fertilizer use or avoiding applications before rain, proper disposal of household chemicals and/or connecting to central sewer if you havent yet. Such small, individual efforts can help, especially if everyone contributes.

Bohnsack can be reached at [emailprotected].

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Sanctuarys expert talks about sources, restoration and why it matters - Florida Keys Weekly