• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About Us
  • Videos
    • Featured Video
    • Foodie Friday
    • Monthly ReCap
  • Online E-Editions
    • This Week’s E-Editions
    • 2023
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
  • Social Media
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
  • Advertising
  • Local Jobs
  • Puzzles & Games
  • Circulation Request

The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

  • Home
  • News
    • Land O’ Lakes
    • Lutz
    • Wesley Chapel/New Tampa
    • Zephyrhills/East Pasco
    • Business Digest
    • Senior Parks
    • Nature Notes
    • Featured Stories
    • Photos of the Week
    • Reasons To Smile
  • Sports
    • Land O’ Lakes
    • Lutz
    • Wesley Chapel/New Tampa
    • Zephyrhills and East Pasco
    • Check This Out
  • Education
  • Pets/Wildlife
  • Health
    • Health Events
    • Health News
  • What’s Happening
  • Sponsored Content
    • Closer Look
  • Homes
  • Obits
  • Public Notices
    • Browse Notices
    • Place Notices

U.S. Geological Survey sets up shop in Lutz

August 30, 2012 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

By B.C. Manion

The U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) Florida Water Science Center is preparing to open a new office in Lutz, moving from its current location in Tampa near the University of South Florida.

Rafael W. Rodriguez, director of the center, said the new facility will be in Compark 75 at 4450 Pet Lane in Lutz.

The center will house 60 employees, Rodriguez said, during an Aug. 23 meeting of the economic development committee of the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce. He expects that number will gradually grow, as the economy improves, to between 65 and 70.

Preparations are under way for the U.S. Geological Survey Water Science Center to open a new office this September in Lutz. Sixty employees will be moving into the 21,000-square-foot space. (Photo by B.C. Manion)

“We’re going to move in within the next couple of weeks,” Rodriguez said.

The staff will occupy a space of about 21,000 square feet, Rodriquez said. They are relocating to be in a more central location with easy access to I-75 and I-275.

“We need to be prepared to go out in the field and document the field,” Rodriquez said. “Where we are now, we’re stuck in traffic a lot.”

The Compark location is also more spacious, Rodriquez said. “The office that we’re in was getting too small for us.”

The USGS is the nation’s largest earth science agency. The Florida Water Science Center collects, analyzes and disseminates hydrologic data and information. Its hydrologic projects address a wide variety of water-resources issues, including aquifer characterizations, availability of water, climate change and hydrologic extreme events, ecosystems, hydrologic modeling, surface water, water quality conditions and wetlands.

The hydrologic modeling work aims to provide better understanding of the movement and condition of water in the state’s streams, lakes and estuaries.

The climate change work involves studying how water resources are affected by shifts in temperature patterns and the consequences of hydrologic extreme events including floods and droughts.

Rodriguez said his agency’s role is to provide impartial information.

“We tell it like it is,” Rodriquez said.

The reports released by the USGS are peer-reviewed and meet stringent research standards, Rodriquez said.

The USGS operates a network of monitoring stations throughout the state and across the nation to help forecast future floods, track rising water caused by rain or storm surge and monitor the availability and quality of water, Rodriguez said.

The USGS collects data that can be used to answer questions such as: “How much water can be extracted out of a river? How much water can be extracted out of a well?” Rodriguez said. He added, “In some places, we’re extracting more water than can be recharged.”

Rodriguez said the USGS’ role is to remain neutral, providing information based on science, not opinion.

For instance, on the topic of climate change, the USGS has a wealth of data, tracking changes that have occurred over time.

“I think the scientific community is 99.9 percent sure that climate change is happening,” Rodriguez said. The scientific data that has been collected makes a case for it, he added.

“It’s not science fiction. It’s real,” Rodriguez said. “Sea level is going to be rising.”

Reversing climate change would require a sustained global effort, Rodriguez said. It may not be possible to stop the effects of climate change at this point, but communities can take action to improve their ability to deal with its effects, Rodriquez said.

“We need to start addressing what to do with infrastructure,” Rodriguez said.

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Email
  • Print

Like this:

Like Loading...

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Primary Sidebar

Search

Sponsored Content

Avalon Applauds African American Club of Pasco

March 7, 2023 By Kelli Carmack

One of Avalon Park Wesley Chapel’s main missions is being a champion for culture. “Celebrating culture is a vital … [Read More...] about Avalon Applauds African American Club of Pasco

CMK Construction: Expertise Guaranteed

March 3, 2023 By Trevor Lloyd

When creativity strikes, it’s only natural to want to get the job done ourselves, and quickly, too. However, some … [Read More...] about CMK Construction: Expertise Guaranteed

More Posts from this Category

What’s Happening

03/21/2023 – Chess Club

The Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, will host a Chess Club on March 21 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., for all ages and abilities, in Adult Multipurpose Room C. Participants can use the chess sets provided or bring their own. For information, call 813-929-1214. … [Read More...] about 03/21/2023 – Chess Club

03/21/2023 – Teen Advisory Board

The Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, will host the Teen Advisory Board on March 21 at 6 p.m., for teens who would like to discuss ideas and recommendations for programming at the library. Call 813-929-1214 for information. … [Read More...] about 03/21/2023 – Teen Advisory Board

03/22/2023 – Florida Landscaping

The New River Library, 34043 State Road 54 in Wesley Chapel, will host “Florida-Friendly Landscaping 101” on March 22 at 2 p.m. Participants can learn how to create a successful home landscape by following the nine Florida-Friendly program principles. Register online at PascoLibraries.org. … [Read More...] about 03/22/2023 – Florida Landscaping

03/22/2023 to 03/24/2023 – Betmar Chorus

The Betmar Chorus will perform its annual Spring Concert on March 22 at 2 p.m., and on March 23 and March 24 at 7 p.m., at Betmar Acres, 37145 Lakewood Drive, Clubhouse 2, in Zephyrhills. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. The choir will perform a variety of show tunes, hymns, spirituals and classics. Tickets will be available at the door for $5. For information, all 810-837-0520. … [Read More...] about 03/22/2023 to 03/24/2023 – Betmar Chorus

03/23/2023 – Free Food Distribution

The Pasco Sheriff’s Office, Farm Share, Veteran’s Memorial Park, the Gentlemen’s Course, Samaritan Corporation of Pasco County Inc., and the Pasco County NAACP will team up for a free community food distribution on March 23 at Veterans Memorial Park, 14333 Hicks Road in Hudson. The food will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis from 9 a.m., until the items run out. … [Read More...] about 03/23/2023 – Free Food Distribution

03/23/2023 – Paint with Puppies

B Creative Painting Studio, 6013 Wesley Grove Blvd., Suite 103, in Wesley Chapel will host “Paint with Puppies” on March 23 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., in support of the Mercy Full Project. Guests can get creative and cuddle with puppies. Only 50 spots available. An RSVP and $5 deposit is required online at tinyurl.com/PaintWithPuppy. Balance will be due at the event. The total cost of $50 includes a dog bowl, paint, glaze and fire of the bowl. … [Read More...] about 03/23/2023 – Paint with Puppies

More of What's Happening

Archives

 

 

Where to pick up The Laker and Lutz News

Copyright © 2023 Community News Publications Inc.

   
%d bloggers like this: