Category: Uncategorized

Everett, Pate reappointed to District’s Governing Board

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Governor Rick Scott announced the reappointments of Jerry Pate and Ted Everett to the Governing Board of the Northwest Florida Water Management District.

Pate, 63, of Pensacola, is the owner and chief executive officer of Jerry Pate Turf & Irrigation, Inc. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama. Pate is reappointed for a term beginning July 17, 2017, and ending March 1, 2021.

Everett, 57, of Chipley, is the executive director for the Washington County Chamber of Commerce. He received his bachelor’s degree from Augusta State University. Everett is reappointed for a term beginning July 17, 2017, and ending March 1, 2021.

The appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

District releases draft SWIM plans for Ochlockonee, St. Marks watersheds

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The Northwest Florida Water Management District has released its draft Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) plans for the Ochlockonee River and Bay watershed and the St. Marks River and Apalachee Bay watershed. 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 Ochlockonee River and Bay and St. Marks River and Apalachee Bay 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 is August 21, 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.

Update: District re-opens recreation sites on Econfina Creek

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Though the water is still high along parts of Econfina Creek, the Northwest Florida Water Management District re-opened its recreation facilities at Williford Spring and Pitt/Sylvan Spring on Friday (June 23). The sites were closed for one day because of to allow the creek to recede after recent heavy rains.

High-water conditions along the Perdido and Escambia rivers will likely affect a number of District recreation sites in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, especially Cotton Lake, Bluff Springs, and Williams Lake. Access roads to other sites may be difficult or impossible to traverse. Please use extreme caution when traveling near areas that may be impacted by floodwaters.

After heavy rains recently fell across much of northwest Florida, readers can access real-time updates on water levels at monitoring stations within the Northwest Florida Water Management District.

Any other closures on District lands will be announced on the District’s web site.

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/

Gov. Scott reappoints Costello, Spring to Governing Board

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TALLAHASSEE — Governor Rick Scott announced the reappointment of Bo Spring and Jon Costello to the Northwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board on Thursday. The reappointments follow the Florida Senate’s failure to consider them for confirmation by adjournment of the 2017 regular legislative session.

Spring, 41, of Port St. Joe, is the managing member of Big Fish Construction LLC. He is reappointed for a term beginning May 25, 2017, and ending March 1, 2020. He was first appointed to the Governing Board Nov. 7, 2012.

Costello, 36, of Tallahassee, is a governmental consultant with Rutledge Ecenia P.A. and an adjunct professor at Florida State University. Costello is reappointed for a term beginning May 25, 2017, and ending March 1, 2020. He was first appointed to the Governing Board Sept. 17, 2012.

The reappointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

Deadline nears for Okaloosa County property owners to file appeals on flood map changes

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HAVANA – More than 100 residents took part in town hall meetings Monday at the Emerald Coast Convention Center. The meetings, organized by Okaloosa County Commissioners Chairman Carolyn Ketchel, allowed residents the chance to ask questions about proposed changes to the flood maps and guided them through the appeals process.

“This is essential information for every property owner on the Gulf Coast,” Chairman Ketchel said. “Please go to the link provided to find your property and decide on the appeal process by the deadline on May 23. Once your statement from your insurance company arrives, it will be too late to appeal.”

Proposed changes to the flood maps will not become official until every appeal is reviewed and resolved. Appeals do not have to be resolved by May 23; they simply have to be filed by that deadline to be reviewed.

In addition to contacting their local city floodplain administrator, residents can also direct questions about the appeals process to John Crowe from the Northwest Florida Water Management District at john.crowe@yopmail.com.

“We appreciate Commissioner Ketchel putting together these town hall meetings,” said Brett Cyphers, Executive Director of the Northwest Florida Water Management District. “We look forward to continuing our work together to serve her constituents in Okaloosa County. We want these maps to be as accurate as possible, and input from the community is vital to making that happen.”

The proposed maps are available by visiting the Flood Information link located on the Okaloosa County website at www.co.okaloosa.fl.us or by visiting http://portal.nwfwmdfloodmaps.com.

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Okaloosa County hosts Town Hall to discuss flood maps

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The Northwest Florida Water Management District will join Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Chairman Carolyn Ketchel for a town hall meeting to discuss proposed changes to the Flood Insurance Rate Maps for Okaloosa County.

Presentations begin promptly at 6 p.m. on Monday, April 24, 2017, and will be held in Emerald Ballroom IV of the Emerald Coast Convention Center located at 1250 Miracle Strip Parkway (Highway 98) on Okaloosa Island. An insurance consultant will be on hand to provide information regarding potential insurance changes.

The public is invited to attend this meeting to obtain information about the proposed changes to the federal flood insurance program in Okaloosa County. The proposed maps are available by visiting the Flood Information link located on the County webpage at www.co.okaloosa.fl.us or by visiting http://portal.nwfwmdfloodmaps.com.

Okaloosa County adheres to the Americans with Disabilities Act and will make reasonable modifications for access to this public meeting upon request. Requests may be made to Patrick Rigney at 850-609-3800 or via email at prigney@co.okaloosa.fl.us. Persons using a TDD may contact him through the Florida Relay Service, 711.  Requests must be made at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting in order to provide the requested service.

District provides funding for Monticello water system upgrades

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HAVANA – The Northwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board approved funding to help the city of Monticello replace and upgrade three waterlines that are part of the city’s central water system. The approval came Thursday during the Governing Board’s monthly meeting.

“I represent 10 counties, and all but one of them are filled with smaller communities like Monticello,” State Representative Halsey Beshears said. “Support for projects like this is invaluable for the folks I represent, and I appreciate the efforts of everyone who helped make this happen.”

Funding for the project came from the Florida Legislature and is part of the District’s Water Supply Development Program. The $426,794 cost will pay for the replacement and upgrade of nearly 2,500 linear feet of pipe and connections along East Pearl Street, West Palmer Road, and North Olive Street. The upgrades are expected to save as much as 500,000 gallons of water per month.

“This is the type of project that makes positive and tangible impacts in cities like Monticello,” District Governing Board member Marc Dunbar said. “That’s why the District takes such pride in working with smaller communities throughout northwest Florida to help them upgrade aging water systems when we can.”

“This is a project that will save the city a lot of money in repairs and maintenance but will also help conserve more than 500,000 gallons of potable water each month,” said Steve Wingate, Monticello’s city manager. “The City of Monticello is grateful for the support of Representative Beshears, the Florida Legislature, and the Northwest Florida Water Management District.”

The District’s Water Supply Development Grant program was launched in 2013 and has awarded funding for 70 projects totaling more than $21.5 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 the District’s Water Supply Development Grant program, please visit https://nwfwater.com/Water-Resources/Funding-Programs/Water-Supply-Grants

District celebrates ‘Springs Awareness’ at Capitol

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TALLAHASSEE – Representatives from several of Florida’s water management districts, including the Northwest Florida Water Management District, participated in a special “Springs Awareness” event at the Florida Capitol on Thursday afternoon.

Jon Costello, a Governing Board member for the Northwest Florida Water Management District, represented the District at the event.

“On behalf of the District and its 256 springs, I applaud the commitment that continues to be shown by Governor Rick Scott, the Florida Legislature, and Secretary Matthews to protecting and restoring springs throughout the entire state,” Costello said. “We are proud to stand with our friends from the other water management districts, DEP, and northwest Florida communities as we all continue to work toward the preservation of these precious natural resources.”

Since the beginning of Fiscal Year 2014-2015, the District has provided nearly $51.3 million for springs projects, which include restoration activities, acquisitions, septic-to-sewer projects, and Best Management Practices for agricultural producers.

“Not only do we appreciate the support from Governor Scott, the Florida Legislature and Secretary Matthews, but we take great pride in working closely with our local governments and communities to develop projects that make positive impacts on the springs in northwest Florida,” said Marc Dunbar, Governing Board member for the Northwest Florida Water Management District.

In the last three fiscal years, the District has provided $30.1 million in funding for projects benefitting Wakulla Springs. Those projects have put Wakulla Springs on schedule to meet state and federal water quality standards.

The District has also provided funding for projects for Jackson Blue Spring ($11.19 million the last three fiscal years), Econfina Creek ($8.58 million), and Holmes Creek ($1.42 million).

For more information on springs within the Northwest Florida Water Management District, please visit https://nwfwp.sgssys.info//Water-Resources/Springs.

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District plans prescribed burn at Garcon Point Water Management Area

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HAVANA – The Northwest Florida Water Management District plans to conduct a prescribed burn this week, possibly as early as Tuesday, within the Garcon Point Water Management Area in Santa Rosa County if favorable weather conditions permit.

The prescribed burn will improve the overall health of the Garcon Point Water Management Area, which consists of 3,245 acres on the Garcon Point peninsula between Escambia and Blackwater bays. By preserving the estuarine tidal marsh, wet prairie and wet flatwood habitats of this area, the District is also protecting at least 13 threatened and endangered plant and animal species.

“Prescribed burns are an important part of the District’s land management operations that help us restore natural communities and better protect our area’s natural resources,” said Brett Cyphers, Executive Director of the Northwest Florida Water Management District. “Prescribed burns are also a safe, efficient, and effective way to reduce wildfire risk.”

Although every effort will be made to ensure smoke has a minimal impact, drivers should exercise caution in case smoke does lead to reduced visibility on the area’s roadways.

The burn will be conducted by the District’s certified prescribed burn managers from the Milton office, with assistance from the Gulf Coastal Plain Ecosystem Partnership. The final decision to burn is made daily, after reviewing the Predicted Fire Weather forecast for that particular day and after obtaining a burn authorization from the Florida Forest Service.

The Gulf Coastal Plain Ecosystem Partnership (GCPEP) is a public/private voluntary landowner partnership that collectively manages more than 1 million acres in northwest Florida and south Alabama. The 11 partners include the Department of Defense (Naval Air Station and Eglin Air Force Base), the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the Florida Forestry Service, the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Longleaf Alliance, the National Park Service, the Northwest Florida Water Management District, National Forests in Alabama, the Nature Conservancy, Nokuse Plantation, and Westervelt Ecological Services.

District plans prescribed burn at Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park

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Havana – The Northwest Florida Water Management District will conduct prescribed burns at Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park in Tallahassee today, February 13, weather permitting.

Elinor Klapp-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 owned by the District and managed in cooperation with the City of Tallahassee. The District purchased its 516 acres in 1992 to protect the Lake Jackson watershed.