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District grant helps increase water supply for Fairpoint Regional Utility System

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HAVANA – A grant from the Northwest Florida Water Management District helped the Fairpoint Regional Utility System develop plans to increase water supply capacity while also reducing water withdrawals from the coastal Floridan aquifer.

The District’s grant of $87,505 helped pay for the planning, design, surveying, and permitting for the development of a new potable water supply well and 13,800 feet of 12-inch transmission line.

“Having a safe and reliable source of clean water in Santa Rosa County is absolutely essential, and we are happy to be part of this effort,” State Sen. Doug Broxson said. “This $87,505 grant will help achieve this critical need for our area.  I appreciate the hard work of local leaders and the water management district to collaborate and fund this project.”

The Fairpoint Regional Utility System serves residents in Santa Rosa County.

“The design work for this water supply well is the first step to providing a new source of safe and reliable water for the residents of Santa Rosa County,” Rep. Frank White said. “I appreciate the effort by the water management district and its Governing Board to bring this phase of the project to completion.”

The new well and transmission line are intended to provide water from the Sand-and-Gravel aquifer and reduce the amount of water withdrawn from the Floridan aquifer – a primary source of potable water in northwest Florida.

“It is satisfying to see how our efforts in the Legislature to provide funding for water supply are making a difference in our local communities,” Rep. Jayer Williamson said. “I appreciate the water management district and its Governing Board for making the funding of these types of projects a priority.”

Once the design and permitting phases of the project are completed, construction is expected to begin immediately on the installation of the new well and transmission line.

“The District takes tremendous pride in working with our neighbors throughout northwest Florida on projects like these,” District Governing Board member Gus Andrews said. “The ability to provide a source for more potable water while decreasing the withdrawals from the Floridan aquifer shows our commitment to protecting this area’s precious natural resources.”

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 https://nwfwp.sgssys.info//Water-Resources/Funding-Programs/Water-Supply-Grants.

District plants its 15 millionth longleaf pine tree

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WASHINGTON COUNTY – A turnout of state and local government leaders celebrated a milestone Friday as the Northwest Florida Water Management District planted its 15 millionth longleaf pine tree on public lands.

The planting ceremony took place within the Econfina Creek Water Management Area and featured Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Noah Valenstein as well as county commissioners from Washington County and several other key stakeholders.

“Planting trees and restoring forests are something we take a lot of pride in here in northwest Florida,” said George Roberts, Chairman of the District’s Governing Board. “We understand the significant role the longleaf pine habitat plays in protecting water resources for the residents in our District.”

Once other plantings are completed this month, the District will have planted nearly 15.1 million longleaf pines since 1993. In that same 25-year period, the District has also planted an additional 1.6 million other trees, including cypress and other hardwoods, to bring the overall total tree plantings to nearly 17 million.

“It’s an honor to join the District on Florida Arbor Day to celebrate 15 million longleaf pine trees,” Valenstein said. “The Department is committed to continuing to work with the District and our local partners to restore natural habitat and protect our state’s prized properties in northwest Florida and statewide.”

The District has also planted more than 6.6 million wiregrass tubelings – a key component to a healthy longleaf ecosystem.

The longleaf pine is a critical piece of northern Florida ecosystems. The tree’s presence helps improve plant species diversity and provides wildlife habitat for animal and insect species. It also provides erosion control and natural fuel for effective prescribed burns.

Current funding for the planting project of 478,434 trees came largely from state support and through the District’s timber sales and was complemented by an additional $54,612 from the Arbor Day Foundation and $15,000 from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

“The Arbor Day Foundation salutes the Northwest Florida Water Management District for their strong commitment to protecting and preserving Florida watersheds,” said Brad Brandt, Manager of Forest Operations for the Arbor Day Foundation. “Their commitment to tree planting serves as an example to others in the industry to the possibilities that tree plantings bring to their projects.”

Through the years, the District has also received funding for other plantings from the Longleaf Stewardship Fund, a partnership between The Nature Conservancy in Florida, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Gulf Power and Southern Company, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Department of Defense, and Natural Resources Conservation Service.

“The Northwest Florida Water Management District should be congratulated for reaching such a significant milestone in protecting water resources and restoring the longleaf ecosystem,” said Vernon Compton, the Longleaf Alliance’s Director of the Gulf Coastal Plain Ecosystem Partnership. “The LLA values the partnership we have with the District and admires the impressive restoration work that it has accomplished.”

District office in Crestview is closed today (Jan. 17)

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The District’s office in Crestview is closed today (Jan. 17) because of the weather. Local government offices in Okaloosa County are also closed because of dangerous road conditions. The District’s Headquarters in Midway is open and can be reached at (850) 539-5999.

District releases updated SWIM Plans for 7 watersheds

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HAVANA – The Northwest Florida Water Management District recently released its final Surface Water Improvement and Management plans for seven priority watersheds across the Florida Panhandle.

The SWIM plans were developed by the District to protect and restore watershed resources across northwest Florida. The plans help identify watershed needs and challenges and also help estimate funding needs and alternatives.

“These updated SWIM plans will help the District continue its mission of protecting the precious natural resources of northwest Florida,” said George Roberts, Chairman of the District’s Governing Board.

“Though District staff led development of these plans, our efforts were supported with feedback from state and federal agencies, local governments, non-governmental organizations, and private citizens. We are appreciative of all who helped review these plans and provided comments that helped us finalize our work. We especially appreciate the grant funding and support provided by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.”

The SWIM plans were developed for the following watersheds:

These comprise all of the major riverine and estuarine watersheds of northwest Florida.

“Florida’s iconic natural resources are the foundation of our economy and our way of life, and our diverse water resources are our hallmark” said DEP Secretary Noah Valenstein. “DEP is committed to continuing our partnership with Florida’s water management districts and local governments to identify and implement projects needed to protect and restore Florida’s springs, rivers, and waterways so these resources can be enjoyed for generations to come.”

The District’s SWIM plan updates were completed with grant funding assistance from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Gulf Environmental Benefit Fund (GEBF). Associated with this effort, the GEBF has also funded SWIM plan updates for the Suwannee River Water Management District, an evaluation of barriers to seagrass recovery in the Gulf of Mexico conducted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, and an overall GEBF restoration strategy being developed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission in cooperation with numerous stakeholders.

The SWIM program is implemented by the District, working cooperatively with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, other state and federal agencies, local governments, and private stakeholders to accomplish watershed protection and restoration objectives.

“The Nature Conservancy is extremely pleased with the updates to the District’s SWIM plans and would like to thank District staff for their tireless efforts to update the plans and incorporate community input,” said Darryl Boudreau, Watershed Coordinator at The Nature Conservancy. “This level of integration and cooperation between private and public entities to identify and solve the most important problems facing our watersheds is critical to ensuring that the limited funds available for environmental protection have the greatest impact on our Panhandle communities. This is the way TNC operates and we are proud to be part of this exciting process.”

Publicly noticed meetings took place at locations within each watershed to encourage public involvement in the SWIM plan process. Drafts of each SWIM plan were distributed for review and the District accepted comments on each plan before final publishing.

“While I didn’t have the opportunity to attend all of the District’s public meetings regarding the development of the multiple watershed SWIM plan updates, I did attend enough to see that many other citizens felt the same levels of concern and hope for the future of these waterways. And they spoke up and were heard,” said George Willson, a conservationist and former District Governing Board member. “I’d recommend these SWIM documents be included in school science programs for water resource study.”

The plans were developed under the Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) Act enacted in 1987 by the Florida Legislature to improve and manage the water quality and natural systems of the state’s surface waters, which include lakes, rivers, streams, estuaries, springs, and wetlands.

The plans incorporate comprehensive strategies to both restore and to protect watershed resources. Implementation is accomplished through a variety of activities, such as retrofitting stormwater management systems to improve water quality and flood protection; restoring wetland and aquatic habitats; supporting enhanced wastewater management and treatment; evaluating resource conditions and freshwater needs; protecting and restoring springs; and providing public outreach and awareness.

The SWIM program also supports coordination of state and federal grants and implementation of cooperative projects with local governments.

To learn more about the updated SWIM plans, please visit https://nwfwp.sgssys.info/Water-Resources/SWIM

Nate update: District re-opens all recreation sites

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The District has re-opened all of its recreation sites that were closed after Hurricane Nate.

Day-use and overnight camping is now open at all sites within the Escambia River, Perdido River, Yellow River, Garcon Point, and Blackwater River Water Management Areas.

District releases draft SWIM plans for Apalachicola, St. Andrew bays

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The Northwest Florida Water Management District has released its draft Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) plans for the Apalachicola River and Bay and St. Andrew Bay watersheds. These draft plans were prepared in accordance with section 373.453, F.S., and with funding assistance from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

The draft plans for Apalachicola River and Bay and St. Andrew Bay watersheds as well as updates on other SWIM plans can be found at https://nwfwp.sgssys.info/Water-Resources/Surface-Water-Improvement-and-Management/SWIM-Plan-Updates

SWIM plans are prepared to support protection and restoration of surface water quality and associated natural resources and public benefits. The plans support development and implementation of projects that address water resource issues from a watershed perspective.

It is requested that any comments be sent to SWIM@yopmail.com. The deadline for receipt of comments on these three draft SWIM plans is October 18, 2017.

If you have any difficulty accessing the plan, or if you have any questions, please contact Karen Kebart at Karen.Kebart@yopmail.com or (850) 539-5999.

Governing Board approves updated Strategic Water Management Plan

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HAVANA – The Governing Board of the Northwest Florida Water Management District on Thursday approved the annual update to the District’s Strategic Water Management Plan.

The plan maintains the District’s priorities identified last year and is consistent with the District’s Fiscal Year 2017-2018 adopted budget. The priorities are:

Springs Protection and Restoration: Protect and restore water quality and flows within the major spring systems of northwest Florida.

Minimum Flows and Minimum Water Levels (MFLs): Develop and implement science-based MFLs that protect water resources and associated natural systems.

Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin: Protect Apalachicola River and Bay water quality and freshwater inflow.

Water Supply: Plan and facilitate sustainable water supplies for future reasonable and beneficial uses.

Watershed Protection and Restoration: Protect and restore watershed resources and functions.

Flood Protection and Floodplain Management: Maintain natural floodplain functions and minimize harm from flooding.

The District’s updated Strategic Water Management Plan can be viewed here.

District’s Tallahassee field office relocates to Midway

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The Northwest Florida Water Management District’s Tallahassee field office has relocated to the District’s Headquarters in Midway.

The Tallahassee office housed part of the District’s Environmental Resource Permitting (ERP) program services. Beginning Monday, those services previously run out of the Tallahassee office will now be handled by the same staff at District Headquarters. There was no interruption of District services with the move.

The mailing address and phone number for District Headquarters is:

152 Water Management Drive
Havana, FL 32333-4712
(850) 539-5999

District recreation, camp sites now open

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The Northwest Florida Water Management District has re-opened each of its recreation sites. Camp sites have also re-opened. Users can now log in to the camping reservation system to reserve sites.

Any changes to the District’s recreation site availability will be posted online and on the District’s social media accounts.