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District re-opens most of its recreation sites

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HAVANA – The Northwest Florida Water Management District is re-opening most of its day-use recreation sites beginning today (Monday, May 4).

The sites had been closed in accordance with Executive Order 20-91 issued by Gov. Ron DeSantis last month.

Visitors to the day-use recreation sites must adhere to CDC guidelines on social distancing and group size.

Recreation facilities at the Pitt/Sylvan and Williford spring sites along Econfina Creek and Cypress Spring along Holmes Creek will remain closed.

The Pipes and Fillingim landings along the Perdido River will have limited parking available, but paddlecraft launches will be open.

For a complete list of site openings and closures, please visit: https://www.nwfwp.sgssys.info/Lands/Recreation/Recreation-Site-Closures.

COVID-19 update: District closes all recreation sites with managed facilities

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In accordance with Executive Order 20-91 issued by Gov. Ron DeSantis, the Northwest Florida Water Management District is closing all recreation sites with managed facilities until at least April 30, 2020.

Previously, the District closed each of its reservation campsites and developed recreation areas beginning Monday, March 23, 2020, for 60 days. This includes picnic areas, swimming areas, and other developed recreation sites.

The Executive Order closes sites with managed, or shared, facilities such as picnic tables, pavilions, restrooms, etc.

For a complete list of sites closed by the Executive Order, please visit: https://nwfwp.sgssys.info/Lands/Recreation/Recreation-Site-Closures.

Please note: The Blue Spring Recreation Area on Econfina Creek and Econfina Creek Canoe Launch are both active construction sites. No trespassing is allowed.

COVID-19 update: District closes 4 rec sites, advises staff to work remotely

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The Northwest Florida Water Management District has instructed its staff to work remotely as much as possible to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Beginning Tuesday, March 17, District offices in Midway and DeFuniak Springs will be closed to the public. District staff will be available by telephone or email.

In light of guidelines issued by the federal government and the State of Florida regarding the gathering of large crowds, the District has also closed the following recreation sites until further notice: Pitt/Sylvan springs, Williford Spring, The Pipes recreation site, and Fillingim Landing.

For a list of the status of all recreation sites in the District, please visit: https://nwfwp.sgssys.info/Lands/Recreation/Recreation-Site-Closures

If you need to reach the District, but don’t know who to ask for please email public.information@yopmail.com.

Appeal process opens in Gulf County for preliminary flood maps

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HAVANA – The 90-day appeal and comment period concludes May 12, 2020 for Gulf County property owners and business owners wishing to challenge the preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map and Flood Insurance Study reports issued last fall by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Preliminary copies of the revised Florida Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) and Flood Insurance Study (FIS) were provided to Gulf County on May 2, 2016. The FIRM and FIS were revised August 9, 2019.

Digital copies of the revised FIRM and FIS report materials are available at http://portal.nwfwmdfloodmaps.com.

These reports include proposed flood hazard information for certain locations in the unincorporated areas of Gulf County as well as the addition or modification of Special Flood Hazard Areas, the areas that would be inundated by the base (1-percent-annual-chance) flood; base flood elevations or depths; zone designations; or regulatory floodways.

Appeals are formal objections to proposed base flood elevations or flood depths. They can also be made to Special Flood Hazard Areas boundaries and zones or floodways. Appeals must be based on technical data showing proposed maps to be scientifically incorrect. Anyone making an appeal must include the method, data, and analysis used to support the claim.

Comments are objections to a base map feature change such as labels, incorrect roads, or jurisdictional boundaries.

The public can send comments and appeals to Lee Collinsworth, Gulf County Planner/Floodplain Manager, at  lcollinsworth@gulfcounty-fl.gov, or contact via phone at 850- 227-9562.  All information received will then be forwarded to FEMA for final resolution.

District hires Darryl Boudreau as Resource Planning Program Manager

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HAVANA – The Northwest Florida Water Management District announced the hiring of Darryl Boudreau as Resource Planning Program Manager.

Boudreau joins the District after working the past eight years as a Watershed Coordinator with The Nature Conservancy. In that role, he focused on the creation of estuary programs in northwest Florida and facilitating coordination between local, state, and federal agencies.

“Darryl has a long history of working closely with local governments and other stakeholders throughout northwest Florida and his relationships in those communities make him an ideal fit for our District,” said Brett Cyphers, Executive Director of the Northwest Florida Water Management District.

Boudreau’s new responsibilities will see him engaging with community leaders, state and local governments, environmental groups, and other stakeholders to identify strategies, programs, and projects which protect the water resources in northwest Florida.

Prior to his work at The Nature Conservancy, Boudreau served as the Assistant Director of the Department of Environmental Protection’s Northwest District for seven years, where he managed the District’s Ecosystem Restoration Section and Ombudsman functions. He also served as the State On-Scene Coordinator on the Deepwater Horizon’s Unified Command.

Boudreau begins his work at the District on March 2. His email address will be Darryl.Boudreau@yopmail.com and his phone number will be 850-539-5999.

Williford Spring re-opened following completion of hurricane repairs

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The Northwest Florida Water Management District has re-opened Williford Spring Recreation Area after the completion of repairs stemming from Hurricane Michael.

The recreation site has resumed normal operating hours (sunrise to sunset, seven days a week).

District re-opens all recreation, camping sites closed by recent storm

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The Northwest Florida Water Management District re-opened all recreation sites and camp sites closed because of last week’s tropical storm.

The Williford Spring recreation area remains closed for the next phase of repairs stemming from Hurricane Michael.

District names Wakulla Springs Alliance its 2019 Springs Champion

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HAVANA – The Governing Board of the Northwest Florida Water Management District named the Wakulla Springs Alliance the 2019 recipient of the “Springs Champion” award.

The award is presented annually to recognize individuals or groups who make significant contributions toward the restoration and protection of the springs in northwest Florida.

“The Wakulla Springs Alliance focuses its efforts on shining a light on one of the most beautiful springs in the world,” said George Roberts, Chairman of the Governing Board of the Northwest Florida Water Management District. “I appreciate the meaningful partnership that has been developed between the District and the Alliance as we all do our part to follow the vision and leadership of Governor DeSantis, the Florida legislature, and DEP Secretary Valenstein to protect and preserve Wakulla Spring. The Alliance’s enormous efforts to build community support for restoration and protection efforts within the Wakulla Spring watershed cannot be understated.”

The Alliance is comprised of scientists and other community leaders with expertise in local hydrology, land use planning, local government, water use, and education. Members of the group have conducted dye-trace studies and collected other data to learn more about water flow in and out of Wakulla Spring.

Staff members from the District regularly attend Alliance meetings and are periodically invited to provide updates on projects impacting Wakulla Spring.

“This is a great honor, which I accept for the Wakulla Springs Alliance, to be recognized as a Springs Champion for protecting the biggest, deepest, and most mysterious spring in the world, Wakulla Spring,” Wakulla Springs Alliance chair Sean McGlynn said. “May she flow forever.”

The Wakulla Springs Alliance was presented with a “Springs Champion” bowl with a permanent nameplate memorializing its selection as the 2019 winner. The bowl will remain on display at the Northwest Florida Water Management District’s headquarters.

Former State Representative Halsey Beshears was named the inaugural Springs Champion in 2018.

Recent award winners

Springs Champion Award: Representative Halsey Beshears (2018); Wakulla Springs Alliance (2019)
River and Bay Champion Senator Bill Montford (2018); Dr. Graham Lewis (2019)
Partner of the Year: Craig Bishop/Bishop Farms (2018); The Nature Conservancy in Florida (2019)

District grant helps Walnut Hill, Bratt-Davisville Water Systems

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HAVANA – A grant from the Northwest Florida Water Management District helped connect two water systems in a rural area of northern Escambia County to provide better service for approximately 5,000 customers.

The District’s grant of $82,229 helped pay to construct more than two miles of 6-inch water main, which allows for the interconnection of Walnut Hill Water Works and the Bratt-Davisville Water System. Both systems are part of the Escambia River Electric Cooperative.

“The District’s Water Supply Development Grant program has provided millions of dollars in much-needed support for communities all across northwest Florida as they address their water supply needs,” said Jerry Pate, Vice-Chairman of the District’s Governing Board who represents Escambia County. “Many of these communities are small and would otherwise have trouble securing funding for projects like this.”

The District’s grant also helped pay for the addition of six bores, 20 valves, and seven fire hydrants to the interconnection, which stretches along Highway 99 from Gobbler Road to Well #1 at Water Tank Road South.

“We can’t take lightly the importance of providing a safe and reliable source of clean water to residents in northwest Florida,” said State Senator Doug Broxson, who represents Escambia County. “I appreciate the cooperation between the Escambia River Electric Cooperative and the water management district to serve the residents in northern Escambia County.”

The completed project also increases water pressure and fire safety for both water systems.

“This project may appear to be small to some people, but its impact is huge for these residents,” said State Representative Mike Hill, who represents Escambia County. “Providing clean water, increasing water pressure, upgrading fire safety – these are things that make a positive impact on everyone in this area. I appreciate the work by all involved to complete this project.”

The Escambia River Electric Cooperative provided match funding in the amount of $82,229 for construction crews and material supplies for the project.

The funding is part of the District’s Water Supply Development Grant program, which launched in 2013 and has awarded funding for 70 projects totaling more than $21.6 million. These projects have helped local governments and utilities make potable water distribution system improvements, replace aging infrastructure, evaluate and develop alternative water supply projects, and address local drinking water quality issues. Two-thirds of the projects are in rural or financially disadvantaged communities.

For more information on projects funded under this program, please visit http://www.nwfwp.sgssys.info/Water-Resources/Funding-Programs/Water-Supply-Grants.