Engineering Department - Environmental and Stormwater Management

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions about Flood Zones

• Where can I look at the Federal Flood map for my property?

Questions about dead birds

• Who do I contact if I discover dead birds in my neighborhood or at my home?

Questions about Dursban

• I recently heard the that the USEPA has banned the use of the pesticide Dursban from virtually all home and garden uses. Is that true?
• Can I still use the Dursban I have in my garage?
• I have some containers of Dursban in my garage - how do I safely dispose of them?

Questions about sinkholes

• My house/foundation is cracking, what do I do?
• My insurance company has investigated my problem but has said the damage is not related to sinkhole damage; what do I do?
• Can someone from the City at least come look at my property to determine if it is safe to stay here until my insurance company can repair the damage?
• I don't have any insurance and cannot afford to repair my home, Is there anything I can do or are there any low interest loans available to me?

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Answers

Q: Where can I look at the Federal Flood map for my property?

A: Visit Engineering Department in the Municipal Services Building, 100 S. Myrtle Ave. This map is prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and is available for review at Engineering Department - Room #220. Specific questions regarding flood insurance provisions must be referred to FEMA or your insurance agent.

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Q: Who do I contact if I discover dead birds in my neighborhood or at my home?

A: With concerns about infection from the West Nile virus, reporting dead birds to the appropriate health officials is helpful. If you discover dead birds in your neighborhood or at your home that have died from unknown or inexplicable causes, we recommend you call the Pinellas County Environmental Health Section at (727) 588-4032 or the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Wildlife Officials at (800) 871-9703. Please call to report the dead birds as soon as possible, as the timing of sampling the birds for infection is important.

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Q: I recently heard the that the USEPA has banned the use of the pesticide Dursban from virtually all home and garden uses. Is that true?

A: Yes. On June 8, 2000 the Clinton/Gore Administration announced a step to improve safety for all Americans from the health risk posed by pesticides. EPA is conducting its review of chlorpyrifos as part of its effort to ensure that all older pesticides meet the tough new safety standards established by the 1996 Food Quality Protection Act. Through this review, EPA has determined that chlorpyrifos, as currently used, does not provide an adequate margin of protection for children. This action adds a greater measure of protection for children by reducing/eliminating the most important sources of exposure. For more information please log on to the USEPA web site at http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/announcement6800.htm.

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Q: Can I still use the Dursban I have in my garage?

A: Yes. But, as with all chemicals that are considered hazardous, improper use or storage could be harmful to your health. Please make sure that you read and follow all manufacturers directions. For more information, please log on to http://www.dowagro.com/chlorp/index.htm.

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Q: I have some containers of Dursban in my garage. How do I safely dispose of them?

A: For proper disposal location in Pinellas County please refer to the Household Electronics & Chemical Collection Center (HEC3) and Swap Shop. They are located at 2990 110th Ave. North, St. Petersburg. Hours of Operations are: Mon. - Tues. - Fri. 6:30am to 4:30pm, Wed. closed, Thurs. 8am to 6pm, closed on observed County holidays.

A 24-hour, 7-day a week household chemical waste information hot line is available at 464-4623. Or you may visit the Web site at http://www.pinellascounty.org/utilities/swapshop.htm.

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Q: My house/foundation is cracking, what do I do?

A: If you are renting your home, contact the property owner and let them know that the home is damaged beyond what you would normally consider to be typical wear and tear and you believe it is caused by a sinkhole. Be sure to find out if the owner has property insurance and attempt to discover when the owner will contact their insurance company to investigate. Be sure to follow-up to make sure that a claim is made. If you are the owner of the property being damaged, you should immediately contact your insurance provider and report the damage as a claim. By state law, all insurance providers are obligated to provide sinkhole coverage. When a claim is made, they are also required by law to investigate the claim for sinkhole activity that may have caused the damage.

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Q: My insurance company has investigated my problem but has said the damage is not related to sinkhole damage; what do I do?

A: If you, as the property owner, dispute the results of your insurance company's investigation, you should either resolve your dispute through whatever dispute resolution process is available to you by your insurance company or by contacting your attorney.

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Q: Can someone from the City at least come look at my property to determine if it is safe to stay here until my insurance company can repair the damage?

A: The City can and does investigate the structural integrity of homes through our building officials at the request of the public. However, you should first consult a structural engineer to investigate and render an opinion about your home before you contact the City. Calling the City will prompt an investigation to determine if your home appears to be an unsafe structure. If the structure is determined to be unsafe, and possibly posing a danger to you, you will then be cited and will be responsible for timely repairs. If, after the City investigates your concerns, the home is deemed not unsafe, there is no further action. However, monitoring will be done to see if the problem worsens.

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Q: I don't have any insurance and cannot afford to repair my home. Is there anything I can do or are there any low interest loans available to me?

A: You may qualify for financial support and should call the Economic Development and Housing Department, at (727) 562-4220, to obtain an application for either "Rehab" or an application for down payment assistance, whichever is more appropriate to your situation.

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