DAVIS ISLANDS - With the city considering a special storm water tax and civic groups in the West Shore area clamoring for drainage improvements, Ralph Labarta wants to make sure islands residents are not left out.

Ralph Labarta, technology manager for a human resources company and a Geneva Place resident, is trying to form the Davis Islands Waterfront Property Association. Anyone concerned about the sediment buildup in the islands' canals is welcome to join, he said, but the group obviously will look out for the interests of waterfront dwellers.

Drainage problems and sediment buildup caused by storm water systems draining into canals in the West Shore area are readily apparent, Labarta said. But he doesn't want the attention being brought to the area by groups like Neighbors Against Stormwater Pollution to result in the city not paying attention to the islands.

"We have a lot of similar issues on Davis Islands related to canals," Labarta said. "There are canals that can't be navigated at low tide."   The city is working on a number of projects to improve drainage in the West Shore area, including systems to prevent storm runoff from carrying sediment into canals, he said.

The same kind of work needs to be done to improve drainage on the island and reduce harmful effects to the Bay, he said.

"You can clearly see at low tide that sediment in the canals rises toward the storm water drains," Labarta said. "Our canals tend to be narrower, so it doesn't take that much to affect them." Another voice will be welcomed by the city, said Ralph Metcalf, director the city's stormwater and sewer systems. But the city already has studied storm water issues on the islands, he added. "The city is aware of canals on Davis Islands, as well as West Shore, that have problems," Metcalf said. "We know they are there, and we're not planning on ignoring them."

The Tampa City Council was moving ahead with a special storm water tax last month, but that is being held up until the city's new mayor, Pam Iorio, and her staff can review it. The original plan was to assess a $12 fee on property owners to help fund storm water projects.

Islands residents need to be actively involved in future projects, Labarta said. To that end, a Davis Islands Waterfront Property Association Web site at www. ss-grp.com/diwpa went online this week. The first newsletter has been posted, as well as an e-mail address and telephone number for those wishing to join or get information. Labarta also hopes to make an appeal for members during an upcoming general membership meeting of the Davis Islands Civic Association.