The Lake County Board of County Commissioners is committed to implementing green practices throughout County Government operations. Below is a list of some examples of green practices at Lake County Government:

DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION & COMPLIANCE

• Mobile Irrigation Lab, the Lake Soil & Water Conservation District’s program assists commercial citrus groves and nurseries in conserving water. The lab inspects irrigation systems and recommends enhancements and efficiencies to save water and money.
• Promotes and enforces landscape irrigation restrictions established by the St. Johns River Water Management District.

DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC GROWTH & REDEVELOPMENT

• Economic Development Strategic Plan, the plan identifies target industries for business retention, expansion and attraction activities. One of the targeted industries is Clean Tech, including green building and clean energy.

DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYEE SERVICES

• Online job application, reduces paper consumption as the application process is completed online and supervisors can review the applications digitally.

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL UTILITIES

• Lake County Water Atlas, an online research and education resource for all types of surface water data.
• Adopt-a-Lake Program, a volunteer program encompassing public participation and education concerning Lake County’s water bodies.
• Home Heating Oil Recovery Program, helps with the free removal of old home-heating oil from above and underground residential storage tanks.
• Commercial recycling program
• Recycling program at the Lake County Administration Building
• Paint recycling and stewardship program
• Recycling of propane tanks and other pressure vessels
• Recycling auto and marine batteries
• Recycling motor oil and other automotive liquids
• Recycling cooking oil
• Removing Freon from refrigerators

DEPARTMENT OF FACILITIES DEVELOPMENT & MANAGEMENT

• Umatilla Health Clinic, opened in May 2008 the health department facility is the first health department building in the state to receive silver certification by the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system.

DEPARTMENT OF GROWTH MANAGEMENT

• Paperless permitting, the Building Services Division has an electronic review and document-scanning process for permitting packages, which requires only one set of sealed building plans to be submitted.
• Online permitting, the Building Services Division accepts permit applications online for re-roofing, electrical, plumbing, mechanical and vinyl-siding permits.

DIVISION OF INFORMATION OUTREACH

• Recycled paper, is used in many of the Division’s publications and promotional items.

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

• Illicit Discharge Ordinance to ensure non-stormwater does not enter the MS4 and impact the receiving water bodies.
• Public Lands Management Section, purchases properties to protect water resources, improve water quality of rivers and lakes, protect open space and provide recreation areas.
• Partners with the St. Johns River Water Management District Water Action Volunteers (WAV) program to provide stormwater education to the public.
• Adopt-a-Roadway Program is a volunteer litter prevention program for county roads. The program encourages local civic organizations, beautification, fraternal and business groups to adopt two or more miles of roadways.