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District, Bay County celebrate ribbon cutting at Porter Landing site

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YOUNGSTOWN – The Governing Board of the Northwest Florida Water Management District joined with Bay County commissioners Friday to celebrate a property exchange that will provide further protection for Econfina Creek while also expanding public access and recreational opportunities for visitors to the creek.

The District’s Governing Board had previously approved the exchange, which calls for the District to acquire 22.396 acres from a private landowner that fronts Econfina Creek and is bisected by Highway 388 in Bay County. In return, the District will exchange a parcel of land equal in value that already borders the landowner’s property.

The Governing Board also previously approved the District’s request to lease to Bay County the newly acquired land north of Highway 388 and west of Econfina Creek for the creation of a county park.

Bay County Commissioners Keith Baker and William Dozier joined Jeff Porter, representing the Porter family, and District Governing Board members George Roberts and Nick Patronis for a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday at the site.

“The District has a proven track record of stabilizing shorelines, protecting water resources, and enhancing public access,” said George Roberts, Chairman of the District’s Governing Board.

The parcel of land the District acquired is adjacent to the county’s right-of-way for Highway 388 that has become a popular takeout point for canoeists and kayakers. But the property has never been properly developed for that type of activity and years of use have resulted in erosion and sediment impacts to Econfina Creek.

“The Gainer family has deep roots in Econfina Creek,” said State Sen. George Gainer, who represents Bay County. “So it’s great to see the County, District, and Porter family work together to preserve this landing and provide safe public access.”

The area has also seen vehicles parked along the highway in, at times, an unsafe manner. The creation of a county park will help stabilize the shoreline and provide adequate parking for users.

“Econfina Creek is the lifeblood of Bay County,” said State Rep. Jay Trumbull, who represents Bay County. “As a lover of our natural treasures here in northwest Florida, I am excited to be a part of its preservation through the creation of Porter Landing.”

District names Dr. Graham Lewis 2019 ‘River and Bay Champion’

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EASPOINT – Dr. Graham Lewis was named the 2019 winner of the “River and Bay Champion” award on Thursday by the Governing Board of the Northwest Florida Water Management District.

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

“Graham Lewis has been and continues to be a champion for the protection of the Apalachicola River and Bay as well as other rivers and bays across northwest Florida,” said George Roberts, Chairman of the Governing Board of the Northwest Florida Water Management District. “Graham’s knowledge of the Apalachicola River and Bay system was invaluable in helping the state of Florida in its case against Georgia before the Supreme Court.”

Dr. Lewis recently retired as a Senior Environmental Scientist following a 25-year career with the Northwest Florida Water Management District.

“Graham dedicated a quarter century of his career toward the understanding and restoration of these priceless natural systems, so I can’t think of a more deserving recipient,” said Brett Cyphers, Executive Director of the Northwest Florida Water Management District.

Among the highlights of Dr. Lewis’ career at the District:

  • Helped establish the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Comprehensive Study
  • Coordinated restoration efforts in Tates Hell State Forest
  • Created a hydrodynamic model for Apalachicola Bay
  • Helped launch the Minimum Flows and Minimum Levels program

“I appreciate this recognition, but I also realize so many others who I worked with at the District played a valuable role in our work to help restore and protect the rivers and bays in northwest Florida,” Lewis said. “It is satisfying to see how others have taken the torch and continue working to protect the natural resources in our District.”

Dr. Lewis was presented with a “River and Bay Champion” bowl with a permanent nameplate memorializing his selection as the 2019 winner. The bowl will remain on display at the Northwest Florida Water Management District’s headquarters. He also received a plaque in recognition of the award.

The District previously honored Senator Bill Montford with the 2018 River and Bay Champion award.

Arbor Day Foundation names District a finalist for national award

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HAVANA – The Arbor Day Foundation named the Northwest Florida Water Management District a finalist for its Headwaters award, given annually to celebrate innovative programs that support the improvement of water quality and quantity through forestry activities.

The Arbor Day Foundation also named Friends of the Rappahannock (Fredericksburg, Va.) and Team Williamette (Portland, Ore.) as finalists for the Headwaters award.

The winner will be announced prior to National Arbor Day on April 26.

“It is certainly nice to see our reforestation efforts recognized at the national level because we take a lot of pride in knowing how planting trees protects the water resources for residents in our District,” said John Alter, Secretary of the District’s Governing Board. “The Arbor Day Foundation’s partnership has allowed us to expand our planting program in recent years and we appreciate that relationship.”

The District was nominated for the award following the planting of its 15 millionth longleaf pine tree on public lands last winter. The District began planting longleaf pines and other native species in 1993 and will put another 1.4 million trees in the ground in 2019.

The longleaf, loblolly, and slash pines as well as natural hardwoods are critical pieces of northern Florida ecosystems. The trees’ presence helps improve plant species diversity and provides wildlife habitat for animal and insect species. They also provide erosion control and natural fuel for effective prescribed burns.

“A healthy forest means healthy water,” said Ted Everett, a member of the District’s Governing Board who represents Washington County. “We live in an area that saw thousands and thousands and thousands of trees destroyed by Hurricane Michael, so it’s even more important to replant trees this year to try to offset some of that devastation.”

Once this year’s plantings are completed, the District’s reforestation efforts break down like this:

  • 16.5 million longleaf pine trees
  • 1.6 million other trees (including 695,489 cypress and other hardwoods)
  • 6.6 million wiregrass tublings
  • 30,784 total acres with plantings

Funding for the forest restoration program comes largely from state support and through the District’s timber sales as well as other grants, including from the Arbor Day Foundation and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

In the last five years, the Arbor Day Foundation has contributed $312,020 which has bought more than 2.2 million longleaf tublings.

District launches online tools to assist with Hurricane Michael assessment, recovery

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HAVANA – The Northwest Florida Water Management District launched a web application to help the public view the agency’s damage assessment from Hurricane Michael.

The interactive application features an adjustable Google Earth view map showing the impacted areas from Hurricane Michael, including aerial photographs of impacted rivers, streams, and roadways. It also shows updated graphs of selected rivers that illustrate changes in water levels associated with debris from the storm.

“We live firsthand with the damages inflicted by Hurricane Michael each and every day and with challenges that lie ahead for northwest Florida,” District Governing Board chairman George Roberts said. “That is why I am so pleased to see the launch of this important tool to help us grapple with the scope of the ongoing impacts, as well as track our path to recovery and normalcy.”

Users can adjust the map to view before and after photos of impacted lands with layers available to focus on agricultural lands, the District’s recreation sites, or trails and roads. The District will update the map to show progress on recovery efforts.

A photo submission tool is also available to report flooding issues related to Hurricane Michael and rain events following the storm. The public is encouraged to upload photographs to help show the storm-related flooding issues in northwest Florida.

The link for the Mapping Tool is located here: https://nwfwmd.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=7666fbd775264133a16deebeeafab87b.

The link for the Photo Submission Tool is located here: https://arcg.is/1rzbTW

Schedule update: Florida Forever Work Plan public hearing moved to Feb. 28 at 1:06 p.m.

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The public hearing for the Florida Forever Water Management District Work Plan has been rescheduled for February 28, 2019 at 1:06 p.m. Eastern Time at the Headquarters for the Northwest Florida Water Management District (81 Water Management Drive; Havana, Florida 32333.)

District updates access information to recreation areas impacted by Michael

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Hurricane Michael severely impacted several District-owned water management areas and their associated recreation areas.

Access to non-improved areas in the hurricane-impacted Econfina Creek, Chipola River and Apalachicola River Water Management Areas (including the Fitzhugh Carter Area, Beaverdam Creek Wildlife Management Area, and the District portions of the Apalachicola Wildlife Management Area and the Apalachicola River Wildlife and Environmental Area) is currently allowed for hunting, hiking, fishing, birdwatching and nature appreciation, in accordance with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Wildlife Management Area rules for these areas (available at http://myfwc.com/hunting/wma-brochures).

Vehicle access may be limited in many areas by closed gates. All roads behind closed gates are designated as closed to motor vehicle traffic.

Day use sites remain closed in these areas. Camping is not allowed within the Econfina Creek WMA, Chipola River WMA, or in the designated (reservation permit required) campsites at the Florida River Island campground in the Apalachicola WMA.

Disbursed (backcountry) camping is allowed in the District-owned portions of the Apalachicola WMA and the Apalachicola River Wildlife and Environmental Area, except in areas posted as “No Camping.”

District issues Emergency Order to assist permitting needs during Michael recovery

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The Northwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board has issued the following Emergency Order to assist and expedite the recovery efforts from Hurricane Michael. The Emergency Order addresses the needs of those seeking permits from the District as well as those with questions or issues related to existing permits. You can view the Emergency Order by clicking here.

For any questions related to existing permits or permit applications, contact the District’s Regulatory Services division at (850) 539-5999.

District compiles storm, water-level monitoring updates

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As Florida braces for impacts from Michael, readers can access real-time updates on water levels at monitoring stations within the Northwest Florida Water Management District.

Here are other helpful links to help track storm conditions:

Southeast River Forecast Center: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/serfc/

National Hurricane Center: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

Florida Department of Emergency Management: http://www.floridadisaster.org/index.asp

National Weather Service: http://www.weather.gov/

District joins Washington County, Nestlé Waters North America to protect Cypress Spring

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HAVANA – One of the Panhandle’s most picturesque springs will now be protected by a partnership between the Northwest Florida Water Management District, Washington County Commissioners, and Nestlé Waters North America, Inc.

The District, Washington County, and Nestlé Waters North America (NWNA) will provide for the long-term protection of Cypress Spring and its surrounding property through a conservation easement. The acquisition covers approximately 300 acres, more than 1,000 linear feet of shoreline along Holmes Creek, and Cypress Spring – a second magnitude spring located in Washington County.

“As a lifelong resident of northwest Florida, I look at the long-term protection of Cypress Spring as one of the more satisfying projects we have undertaken at the District,” said George Roberts, Chairman of the District’s Governing Board. “This is one of the area’s natural treasures and we would not have made this happen without unwavering support from the Governor, the Legislature, DEP, and Nestlé Waters North America.”

After two separate appraisals and an appraisal review, the District agreed to purchase the conservation easement for $812,700, or $2,700 per acre. NWNA will donate the money back to the District to help pay for shoreline restoration projects and to offset ongoing land management costs.

“The residents of Washington County will be thrilled to learn about the long-term protection plan for Cypress Spring,” said Ted Everett, a Washington County resident and member of the District’s Governing Board. “The District, the County, and Nestlé Waters North America are committed to making sure the spring can be enjoyed by visitors for generations to come.”

Funding for the conservation easement comes from Florida’s Springs Restoration and Protection program, administered by the Department of Environmental Protection and water management districts.

“My great-great-grandfather marched through this area with Andrew Jackson in the 1800s,” said State Sen. George Gainer, who represents Washington County. “He fell in love with springs and decided to move his family here. These springs will always be so special to me, which is why I am so appreciative of the work put in by everyone involved in this process.

“When the public and private sectors work together, wonderful results follow – and this is a perfect example of that.”

Cypress Spring has long been one of northwest Florida’s most beautiful springs. Canoeists, kayakers, boaters, swimmers, and nature enthusiasts all make frequent stops at the spring, located roughly a mile east of Highway 79.

“Anyone who has visited Cypress Spring knows it really is one of the most beautiful places in all of Florida,” said State Rep. Brad Drake, who represents Washington County. “The spring itself has already been protected pretty well through the years but now we are making sure it will always be protected so everyone can enjoy its beauty.”

The spring features an average recorded discharge rate of 89.47 cubic feet per second and the main vent measures 26 feet deep.

“This conservation easement is a success for everyone who believes in the importance of protecting the environment, supporting wildlife, and providing recreational opportunities at Florida’s springs,” said Kent Koptiuch, Natural Resource Manager for Nestlé Waters North America. “We are committed to supporting the sustainability of Florida’s resources so we can all enjoy them for years to come.”

The District has already completed shoreline restoration projects at Burnt Sock Landing and Cotton Landing – two recreation areas upstream of Cypress Spring.

“In addition to their recreational value, and being economic drivers for our communities, springs are also the window into the health of our groundwater, the source of 90 percent of drinking water for Floridians,” said Drew Bartlett, DEP deputy secretary for ecosystem restoration. “That is why DEP and the water management districts are committed to ensuring springs protection will remain a priority so that Florida’s future generations will continue to enjoy these unique natural treasures.”

District’s Governing Board approves Strategic Water Management Plan.

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The Northwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board on Thursday approved an updated Strategic Water Management Plan.

The District is required to update its plan every five years to define the responsibilities of the District as well as the agency’s objectives, strategies, and success criteria. The 2018-2019 plan includes the following strategic priorities for 2019-2023: Springs Restoration and Protection, Minimum Flows and Minimum Water Levels, Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin, Water Supply, Watershed Restoration and Protection, and Flood Protection and Floodplain Management.

The updated Strategic Water Management Plan can be found by clicking here.