Author: admin

Springs restoration continues with $17.8 million investment in northwest Florida

Posted on

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 6, 2015
CONTACT: NWFWMD Public Information Office (850) 539-2663 or Jim.Lamar@yopmail.com  or Allyson.McKee@yopmail.com

HAVANA – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Northwest Florida Water Management District have approved six springs restoration projects in Bay, Jackson, Leon, and Wakulla counties. These projects will receive more than $11.6 million in state funding from Governor Rick Scott’s 2015-16 “Keep Florida Working” budget. This funding is expected to leverage over $6.2 million in matching funds.

These six selected projects will benefit Gainer, Jackson Blue, and Wakulla springs.

“I would like to thank Governor Scott and the Florida Legislature for providing record funding for springs restoration, and for securing the recurring funding that will allow us to continue to protect springs in the future,” said DEP Secretary Jon Steverson. “Combining efforts and resources with local governments, stakeholders and the water management districts enables us to take a more comprehensive and efficient approach to springs protection.”

The project development process is a collaborative effort among the department, water management districts, community leaders and local stakeholders. Projects are selected based on pollutant reduction, water conservation, cost effectiveness and available matching dollars.

“We are grateful for the vision and leadership shown by Governor Scott, Secretary Steverson and the Florida Legislature,” said Brett Cyphers, Executive Director of the Northwest Florida Water Management District. “The funding for these projects will allow the district to continue its role in restoring and protecting Florida’s unique and priceless springs.”

Northwest Florida Water Management District projects include:

  • Bay County Land Acquisition and Restoration (Bay County): Fee-simple acquisition and floodplain restoration of approximately three acres along Econfina Creek, including 300 feet of floodplain habitat restoration. This acquisition will be part of the district-managed Econfina Water Management Area that helps protect the first magnitude Gainer Spring and numerous smaller springs, as well as water quality in Deer Point Lake Reservoir.
  • Land Acquisition (Jackson County): Fee-simple and/or less-than-fee acquisition and protection of approximately 598 agricultural acres within the Jackson Blue groundwater contribution area. Protection of this land will facilitate changes in agricultural practices and land use to reduce nutrient loading to Jackson Blue Spring. A second fee-simple acquisition will provide protection of approximately 394 acres adjacent to Jackson Blue Spring. Long-term preservation of property will help reduce nutrient loading to Jackson Blue Spring.
  • Agricultural BMP Producer Cost Share Program (Jackson County): Cost-share funding for agricultural best management practices within the Jackson Blue Spring contribution area to improve water-use efficiency and reduce nutrient loading. Funding will assist 32 producers in the Jackson Spring basin, bringing the total producers served up to 65.
  • Indian Springs Sewer Connection Project (Jackson County): This project will extend central sewer services to the lower Indian Springs subdivision in Jackson County, removing up to 125 homes from septic systems. The project will reduce nitrate levels in Merrit’s Mill Pond and Jackson Blue Spring.
  • Woodside Heights Sewer Connection Project (Leon County): Continuation of a project to connect up to 200 households on septic systems in the Wakulla Springs Contribution Area to the city of Tallahassee’s Advanced Wastewater Treatment central sewer system. Phase II includes design and construction to connect up to 150 additional households.
  • Magnolia Gardens and Wakulla Gardens Sewer Connection Project (Wakulla County): Continuation of a major initiative to remove existing septic systems and reduce nutrient loading to Wakulla Springs. This project will connect up to 120 homes in the Magnolia Gardens neighborhood and up to 326 homes in the Wakulla Gardens neighborhood to Wakulla County’s central sewer facility.

Including these six Northwest Florida Water Management District projects, a total of 26 projects statewide have been selected to receive $41 million in state funding from Governor Rick Scott’s 2015-16 “Keep Florida Working” budget,” and are expected to leverage another $41.8 million in matching funds. This brings the total state and local investment springs projects to $189 million in the last three years.

District provides $402,000 to Sneads for water project

Posted on

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 30, 2015
CONTACT: NWFWMD Public Information Office (850) 539-2663 or Jim.Lamar@yopmail.com  or Allyson.McKee@yopmail.com

SNEADS – Officials from the town of Sneads and the Northwest Florida Water Management District broke ground Wednesday on a project that will improve the supply of water for town residents.

A $402,354 grant from the District is paying for the replacement and upgrade of approximately 3,380 feet of old, undersized waterline along Old Spanish Trail from Section Avenue to Park Avenue.

“The District is proud to partner with the town of Sneads to help improve the reliability of its water system for its residents,” District Governing Board member John Alter said. “This is a great example of local governments working with the District on a project that will benefit citizens for years to come.”

The work will include the replacement of any cross connection with existing intersection lines, valves, hydrants, and other components. It will also include the replacement of the connection to an elevated water tank as well as the replacement of 1,120 feet of waterline on Park Avenue that is directly connected to the Old Spanish Trail line.

The new waterline will help reduce water loss within the town’s water system and will also improve public safety by providing firefighters a more reliable source of available water.

The project is part of the District’s Water Supply Development Grant Program developed nearly three years ago, according to Executive Director Brett Cyphers.

“It’s always a pleasure to take part in projects like this,” Cyphers said. “We are grateful for the opportunity to have a direct impact on one of our communities, especially a smaller one.” Construction on the project is expected to be completed within six months.

District adopts budget focused on springs, water resource protection

Posted on

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 25, 2015
CONTACT: NWFWMD Public Information Office (850) 539-2663 or Jim.Lamar@yopmail.com  or Allyson.McKee@yopmail.com

Northwest Florida Water Management District adopts budget focused on springs, water resource protection

PANAMA CITY – The Northwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board on Sept. 24 adopted a $55.7 million budget for Fiscal Year 2015-16, which begins Oct. 1. The budget represents an increase of $2.1 million from Fiscal Year 2014-15.

“This budget shows, once again, the Board’s commitment to the people and natural resources of northwest Florida,” said Brett Cyphers, Executive Director of the Northwest Florida Water Management District.

A majority of the spending in the final budget is directed toward restoring and protecting springs, providing water supply grant assistance to local communities, and improving the water quality in the Apalachicola River and Bay and St. Andrew Bay watersheds.

While the District funds many of its operations through the collection of ad valorem taxes and timber sales, the state also provides significant operational support and funding for projects that protect the region’s water resources.

“Thanks to the support of Secretary Steverson, Governor Scott, and the Legislature, the District is able to make significant strides toward completing projects that will make the greatest positive impact on the region’s communities and natural resources,” said Governing Board Chairman George Roberts.

Included in the newly adopted budget are the following highlights:

  • $17.3 million for Springs Projects. This funding will enable the District to implement springs restoration and protection projects for Wakulla Springs and Jackson Blue Spring as well as springs associated with the Holmes and Econfina creek systems.
  • $13.9 million for Water Supply Development Assistance. This funding includes $2.3 million for the implementation of new local grant funding for cooperative water supply development assistance.
  • $4.8 million for Watershed Restoration. This funding will facilitate continued efforts to protect and restore water quality and estuarine habitats in the Apalachicola River and Bay and St. Andrew Bay systems through the implementation of cooperative stormwater retrofit projects and other best management practices.
  • $1.7 million for the ongoing effort to develop Minimum Flows and Levels (MFLs) for the St. Marks River Rise, Wakulla Spring, Sally Ward Spring, Jackson Blue Spring and the Floridan aquifer in coastal Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties. This also includes MFL hydrologic monitoring for water levels, discharge, and rainfall at 97 sites across the Panhandle.

District provides $322,000 to Campbellton for water project

Posted on

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 21, 2015
CONTACT: NWFWMD Public Information Office (850) 539-2663 or Jim.Lamar@yopmail.com  or Allyson.McKee@yopmail.com

Northwest Florida Water Management District provides $322,000 to Campbellton for water project

HAVANA – Officials from the town of Campbellton and the Northwest Florida Water Management District broke ground Thursday on a project that will improve the supply of water for town residents.

A $322,000 grant from the District is paying for the replacement of nearly 1,900 feet of aging waterline in Campbellton, a small town located in Jackson County just south of the Alabama border on U.S. Highway 231.

“The District is proud to partner with the town of Campbellton to help improve the quality of water for its residents,” District Governing Board member John Alter said. “This is a great example of local governments working with the District on a project that will benefit citizens for years to come.”

The new waterline will serve as the primary source of drinking water for residents along State Road 2 and will also improve public safety by providing firefighters a more reliable source of available water.

The project is part of the District’s Water Supply Development Grant Program developed nearly three years ago, according to Executive Director Brett Cyphers.

“We are committing as many resources as possible toward helping our communities, especially the smaller ones,” Cyphers said. “So it’s always a pleasure to see projects like this come to fruition.”

Construction on the project is expected to be completed within four to six months.

Ted Everett appointed to NWFWMD Governing Board

Posted on

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 3, 2015
CONTACT: NWFWMD Public Information Office (850) 539-2663 or Jim.Lamar@yopmail.com  or Allyson.McKee@yopmail.com

Ted Everett appointed to NWFWMD Governing Board

HAVANA – Governor Rick Scott announced the appointment of Ted Everett to the Governing Board of the Northwest Florida Water Management District.

Everett, 54, of Chipley, is the executive director of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce and the owner and operator of Hard Labor Creek Hunting Plantation and Hard Labor Creek Off Road Park. He currently serves as the secretary of Opportunity Florida and is a member of the Florida Economic Development Council and Florida Association of Chamber Professionals.

Everett earned a four-year degree in political science from Augusta College and a two-year degree in forestry with a minor in wildlife management from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. He fills a vacant seat and is appointed for a term beginning July 31, 2015, and ending March 1, 2017.

The appointment is subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

District, DEP hosting stormwater conference

Posted on

CALENDAR ANNOUNCEMENT: July 2, 2015
CONTACT: NWFWMD Public Information Office (850) 539-2663 or Jim.Lamar@yopmail.com  orAllyson.McKee@yopmail.com

District, DEP hosting stormwater conference

WHAT: Northwest Florida Stormwater Conference
WHEN: Friday, July 10; 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

WHERE: Department of Environmental Protection; Carr Building – Room 170; 3900 Commonwealth Blvd.; Tallahassee, FL 32399

HOW: To register online, click here. For more information, please contact Brandy Smith at 850-595-0695 orbrandy.m.smith@dep.state.fl.us.

The Northwest Florida Water Management District and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Northwest District invite local governments, engineers, consultants, architects and other interested parties to attend a Stormwater Conference in Tallahassee.

The conference will highlight key issues the District and DEP review for permitting and compliance of stormwater treatment systems to ensure proper design and functionality. Appropriate design and maintenance ensure that development activities will not cause violations of water quality standards in receiving waters or adverse impacts to on-site and off-site property. Learning how to avoid these impacts will reduce the potential for future compliance issues.

The conference agenda will include a review of stormwater regulations and thresholds, operating agreements between DEP and the District, design criteria, best management practices, compliance expectations and online resources. Professional development hours, approved by the Florida Board of Professional Engineers, will be awarded.

District adds 58 campsites to its online reservation system

Posted on

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 1, 2015
CONTACT: NWFWMD Public Information Office (850) 539-2663 or Jim.Lamar@yopmail.com  or Allyson.McKee@yopmail.com

District adds 58 campsites to its online reservation system

HAVANA – The Northwest Florida Water Management District has added 58 campsites to its online camping reservation system. These campsites are located along the Apalachicola, Escambia and Choctawhatchee rivers. With these new additions, there are now 88 campsites within 28 areas available to reserve online for free.

“One of the District’s priorities is making the use of public lands easier and more convenient for our visitors, whether they’re from across town or across the country,” District Executive Director Brett Cyphers said. “By providing potential visitors the ability to reserve more campsites online, we can better ensure a more predictable and positive experience. And that’s what we want in the end, more people getting outside and enjoying the natural places they pay to support and protect.”

To make a campsite reservation, visitors must first register for a free online account. Once this is done, visitors can then reserve a site up to 11 months in advance for up to seven days. Two non-consecutive reservations are allowed at one time for each account.

New signs designating “Camping By Reservation Only” have been placed at the newly added campsites. Day-use is still available at those recreation areas where signs are posted and is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

To view the full list of District campsites available to reserve, visit nwfwp.sgssys.info and then click on “Recreation.”

District plans prescribed burn at Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park

Posted on

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 17, 2015
CONTACT: NWFWMD Public Information Office (850) 539-2663 or Jim.Lamar@yopmail.com  or Allyson.McKee@yopmail.com

District plans prescribed burn at Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park

HAVANA – The Northwest Florida Water Management District will conduct prescribed burns at Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park in Tallahassee within the next few weeks, weather permitting.

Phipps Park is located between North Meridian Road and Lake Jackson, south of Miller Landing Road. Signs will be posted at the park to notify visitors and neighbors of burning in progress. The District’s burn-certified land managers will conduct the burns.

Although every effort will be made to ensure smoke will not affect roadways, drivers should exercise caution in case smoke does lead to reduced visibility on the area’s roads.

Prescribed fire is an effective and efficient land management tool used to restore and protect water and natural resources. Prescribed fires, which mimic naturally occurring fires, reduce wildfire risk, enhance native vegetation and improve wildlife habitat.

The District owns and manages more than 200,000 acres to conserve and protect water and natural resources throughout northwest Florida. Phipps Park is jointly owned and managed by the District and the City of Tallahassee. The District purchased its 516 acres in 1992 to protect the Lake Jackson watershed.

District hosts Governor Scott at Williford Spring

Posted on

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 10, 2015
CONTACT: NWFWMD Public Information Office (850) 539-2663 or Jim.Lamar@yopmail.com  or Allyson.McKee@yopmail.com

District hosts Governor Scott at Williford Spring

YOUNGSTOWN – The Northwest Florida Water Management District welcomed Florida Governor Rick Scott to the site of one of its springs restoration projects today.

Governor Scott joined Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Jon Steverson, FWC Executive Director Nick Wiley, District Executive Director Brett Cyphers and members of the District’s Governing Board on a tour of the Williford Spring Restoration Project.

The group toured Williford Spring and its surrounding recreational area, the site of the District’s $1.66 million restoration project to improve water quality and clarity, improve shoreline protection and enhance protective public access to the spring.

“The Williford Spring project is more proof that we are committed to restoring Florida’s springs and providing families and our visitors with beautiful places to visit,” Governor Scott said. “I would like to thank everyone involved in bringing this important project together and for helping Florida build on our success in protecting our natural resources and continuing to make Florida the best place in the country to live.”

Funding for the project includes more than $377,000 from the nearly $37 million in springs funding approved by Governor Scott during the 2013-2014 Fiscal Year. The project also includes nearly $70,000 in funding from FWC.

“This project is a perfect example of one of the 37 important restoration and water quality improvement projects we’ve been able to fund over the past two years, thanks to the support of Governor Scott and the Florida Legislature,” said DEP Secretary Jon Steverson. “The health of our springs is vital to our state’s future, and I look forward to working with the Governor, Legislature and our restoration partners to continue to protect them.”

Over the last two years, Governor Scott championed record funding for Florida’s springs, partnering with local communities to leverage $35 million in grants into $106 million in springs projects.

The Governor’s proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2014-2015 includes $50 million in Fiscal Year 2015-2016, and more than $1.6 billion over 20 years for springs restoration.

“The Williford Spring project, like similar projects at Pitt and Sylvan springs, would not have happened without support from Governor Scott and the Florida Legislature,” said George Roberts, Chair of the District’s Governing Board. “We take great pride in this restoration effort and we will continue to find more ways to preserve and protect the water resources in northwest Florida.”

“The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is proud to partner with DEP and the NWFWMD to restore these special places for the benefit of all Floridians,” said FWC Executive Director Nick Wiley. “We applaud the Governor and the Legislature for supporting a true win-win project that helps people enjoy beautiful springs while protecting important habitat for fish and wildlife.”

Through the Williford Spring restoration project, the District will improve the water quality and clarity of the spring by removing sediment from the spring pool, restoring native vegetation along the springbank that will help catch run-off and sediment, and constructing areas to capture and treat stormwater to improve water quality before it enters the spring.

The restoration project will expand on the District’s continued protection of various springs along Econfina Creek, including the recently completed project to restore and enhance Pitt and Sylvan springs.

NWFWMD Approves Water Quality Projects for St. Andrew Bay

Posted on

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 13, 2014

CONTACT: NWFWMD Communications (850) 539-2663 or Lauren.Engel@nwfwmd.state.fl.us 

NWFWMD Approves Water Quality Projects for St. Andrew Bay

HAVANA – The Northwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board today approved nearly $1.8 million in combined funding for two stormwater retrofit projects that will improve water quality in the St. Andrew Bay watershed.

Under the first project, the District will provide more than $1 million to the City of Parker to install a stormwater treatment system within Parker Bayou, which is part of the St. Andrew Bay system.

“The District is committed to protecting and improving water quality for the communities and natural resources of Northwest Florida,” said District Governing Board Member Nick Patronis. “We look forward to continuing to partner with local governments, state agencies and other stakeholders to improve water quality within the St. Andrews Bay and other waterbodies of the panhandle.”

The proposed treatment system includes construction of stormwater drainage improvements and a stormwater retention facility to capture and treat stormwater, as well as the installation of a baffle box, which will remove pollutants and nutrients from stormwater before it discharges to the Bayou. The project encompasses an 810-acre urban watershed that currently has no stormwater treatment facilities.

“The Department and Water Management Districts are committed to spending taxpayer dollars on tangible projects that improve water quality,” said Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Herschel T. Vinyard Jr. “These projects will upgrade stormwater treatment, which will be a big win for the environment.”

The Governing Board also approved more than $705,000 in District funding to the City of Callaway for the development of a new stormwater management system facility.

The proposed facility includes three interconnected stormwater treatment ponds and associated drainage systems, along with a drainage outlet which will replace the existing outlet along Lake Drive.  The system will both improve water runoff quality and provide flood attenuation for the area.

Protection of the St. Andrew Bay system remains a high priority for the District under its Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) program. The District’s Fiscal Year 2013-2014 budget includes $3.9 million for the St. Andrew Bay watershed protection, including the restoration of spring bank and riparian habitat associated with Williford Springs and Econfina Creek. It also includes grant funding assistance to local governments for stormwater and other projects to improve water quality and aquatic habitat within the Bay.