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District hosts veterans for Operation Outdoor Freedom Hunt

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HAVANA – The Northwest Florida Water Management District played host this past weekend to six hunters selected through Operation Outdoor Freedom for a weekend deer-hunting experience.  These hunts are open to wounded veterans of all branches the United States military.

The hunt included six veterans representing the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps and took place during the weekend of February 3-5 in the Econfina Creek Water Management Area in Bay and Washington counties. It was hosted with support from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Florida Forest Service, Friends of Florida State Forests, and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

“This is the fifth year the District has hosted an Operation Outdoor Freedom Hunt, and it is one of the most rewarding events we participate in each year,” said Brett Cyphers, Executive Director of the Northwest Florida Water Management District. “Our staff members are honored to host these veterans and provide them a chance to get outdoors and enjoy the natural resources here in northwest Florida.”

Chairman George Roberts echoes that sentiment.  “The veterans of our military services have put their lives on the line to protect the freedoms that we enjoy. They have dedicated their lives to our country and deserve to be recognized for their commitment.”

Hunters arrived at the Econfina Creek Water Management Area on Friday afternoon to set up their tents, sight their rifles, and attend a safety briefing. District staff provided meals and snacks throughout the weekend, highlighted by a steak cookout Saturday evening sponsored by the Florida Cattleman’s Association.

Operation Outdoor Freedom is an endeavor of the Florida Forest Service that offers recreational opportunities, including hunting and fishing, to wounded veterans on state forests and other public and private lands. Through the program, designated areas are equipped to accommodate the special needs of wounded veterans, providing an opportunity for recreation and rehabilitation that is not available through any other state program.

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District announces new agricultural cost-share funding to protect Jackson Blue Spring

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The Northwest Florida Water Management District is launching a cost-share program designed to help agricultural producers improve water quality and reduce water use demands in and around Jackson Blue Spring.

The District’s 2016-2017 budget includes $316,000 to help agricultural producers implement a conservation crop rotation program that includes planting grass such as bahia or bermuda as part of the rotation.

This grass rotation, or sod-based rotation, has been implemented and studied by University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences at its research stations in Greenwood and Quincy for more than a decade. Research shows that land under the grass rotation produces higher yields while using less fertilizer and irrigation. Benefits of grass rotation are highest when cattle grazing is included as part of the program.

“The District appreciates the vision and leadership shown by Governor Scott, the Florida Legislature and the Department of Environmental Protection for allowing us to continue this program,” said John Alter, Governing Board member for the Northwest Florida Water Management District. “Grass rotation is a proven conservation measure and it provides another way of improving the health of Jackson Blue Spring.”

This new grant program will provide cost-share funding to four agricultural producers for: the cost of converting a portion of the enrolled property to grass; equipment and facilities required for inclusion of cattle, such as fencing, gates, handling pens, and troughs; machinery to maintain and work the property in grass; as well as other equipment and tools to reduce fertilizer and pesticide use and improve water use efficiency – protecting both water quantity and quality.

Under the program, the District will reimburse each producer to convert up to 160 acres to grass. The conversion can be done in up to four phases but the grass must be maintained in place for two years to obtain the benefits of the practice. The District will also reimburse for fencing and 75 percent of the cost of other qualifying equipment and tools.

“We look forward to working with producers to determine the best way to integrate this practice into their individual operation,” said District hydrogeologist Angela Chelette, who also serves as the District’s agriculture liaison. “We know many of them are eager to take part in this program, and our primary goal is to provide technical and financial support that will ensure their success.”

Contracts are expected to last for approximately four years so that grass is established for two years on each portion of the enrolled property. While including cattle is encouraged, it is not required and producers can chose among numerous options to implement grass rotation on their farm. Awarded grant amounts will vary depending on the measures selected by each producer.

The District is currently accepting applications from agricultural producers within the Jackson Blue Spring and Merritts Mill Pond groundwater contribution area. Applications are due March 3, 2017. Preference will be given to producers who include higher acreage, who enroll parcels closer to Jackson Blue Spring, and who include cattle grazing in the rotation.

To be eligible, producers must be:

  • Operating within the Jackson Blue Spring and Merritts Mill Pond Groundwater Contribution Area;
  • Enrolled in the appropriate Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Best Management Practice (BMP) program; and
  • In regulatory compliance with applicable District permits and rules.

Application forms can be found on the District website at nwfwp.sgssys.info. Producers can contact Angela Chelette (850-539-2650) with questions about the grant program.

Producers who are interested in obtaining funding can expedite their application by enrolling or updating their enrollment in the FDACS BMP program as soon as possible by contacting Tom Batey, FDACS Field Representative at (850-693-5430) or visiting the FDACS website at www.freshfromflorida.com.

The District recommends that producers who want to upgrade irrigation equipment contact Mark Miles of the Northwest Florida Mobile Irrigation Lab (MIL) at (850-482-0388) to schedule an irrigation system evaluation. Having these two items complete will allow an application to move forward more quickly.

Cotton Landing to close for restoration project

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The Northwest Florida Water Management District will close the Cotton Landing recreation site within the Choctawhatchee and Holmes Creek Management Area beginning January 9th for a restoration project.

Cotton Landing is located northeast of Vernon along Holmes Creek. Vehicles will not be able to access Cotton Landing Road, and the immediate area around the construction site at Cotton Landing on Holmes Creek will be closed to the public. The remainder of the surrounding area north of Highway 277 will remain open by pedestrian access for hunting and other allowable recreational activities.

The restoration project will stabilize approximately 125 linear feet of shoreline to help reduce erosion as well as provide stormwater treatment. Boardwalks and access points will be installed to prevent future impacts on water quality and habitat while also improving public access and public parking.

For more information on the Cotton Landing restoration project, please contact the District’s Communications office at 850-539-5999.

Northwest Florida Water Management District to host public workshops for Surface Water Improvement and Management plan updates

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The Northwest Florida Water Management District will host six public outreach workshops on the Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) plan updates. These plans are being developed by the District to build on past and ongoing efforts to protect and restore watershed resources.  The workshops will provide an overview of watershed conditions and proposed implementation strategies and projects. The public is invited to attend these workshops to review information and to provide input as well as identify actions to address any identified challenges.

The workshops will each address one watershed in that particular area, and will be held on these dates:

Perdido River and Bay SWIM Plan

Tuesday, January 10, 2017; 5:30 PM (CT)

Escambia County Commission Chambers, 221 S. Palafox Pl., Pensacola, FL 32502

Pensacola Bay System SWIM Plan

Wednesday, January 11, 2017; 5:30 PM (CT)

ECUA Board Room, 9255 Sturdevant Street, Ellyson Industrial Park, Pensacola, FL 32514

St. Marks River and Apalachee Bay Watershed SWIM Plan

Thursday, January 26, 2017; 5:30 PM (ET)

Wakulla County Community Center, 318 Shadeville Rd, Crawfordville, FL 32327

Choctawhatchee River and Bay SWIM Plan

Tuesday, January 31, 2017, 5:30 PM (CT)

Freeport Community Center, 16040 Business 331, Freeport, FL 32439

St. Andrew Bay SWIM Plan Public Workshop

Monday, February 6, 2017; 5:30 PM (CT)

Bay County Government Center Room 1030, 840 W. 11th Street, Panama City, FL 32401

Ochlockonee River and Bay SWIM Plan Public Workshop

Wednesday, February 15, 2017; 5:30 PM (ET)

Northwest Florida Water Management District – 81 Water Management Dr., Havana, FL 32333

More information and supporting documentation can be found on the District website at: http://nwfwp.sgssys.info/water-resources/surface-water-improvement-and-management/swim-plan-updates/.

SWIM Plan updates

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 The District is developing updates to its Surface Water Improvement and Management plans to support cooperative efforts to protect and restore surface water resources. Please click here to see updated schedules for technical meetings and workshops in the following areas: Perdido River and Bay; Pensacola Bay; St. Marks River and Apalachee Bay; Choctawhatchee River and Bay; St. Andrew and St. Joe bays; and Ochlockonee River and Bay.

District grant allows city of Cottondale to upgrade water system

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HAVANA – Nearly $300,000 in grant funding from the Northwest Florida Water Management District helped the city of Cottondale to replace and upgrade three waterlines that are part of the city’s central water system.

The funding, part of the District’s Water Supply Development Grant program, allowed the city to make significant upgrades on Front Street, Railroad Avenue, and Dogwood Avenue. Total cost of the three projects, which were completed ahead of schedule, is $284,500.

Cottondale is located in Jackson County, just north of Interstate 10 on U.S. Highway 231.

“The District is proud to partner with local governments to help fund projects like these that make such a positive impact in smaller communities,” District Governing Board member John Alter said. “Our Water Supply Development Grant program is a wonderful tool for communities throughout northwest Florida to upgrade aging water systems as well as address water quality issues.”

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.

“The District continues to commit as many resources as possible toward helping our communities, especially the smaller ones,” said Brett Cyphers, Executive Director of the Northwest Florida Water Management District. “We take great pride in working with local governments to see projects like these come to fruition.”

The District’s funding allowed the city of Cottondale to replace a pre-1960s cast-iron water main along Railroad Avenue. The city also replaced an outdated water line along Dogwood Avenue and replaced and upgraded approximately 2,500 feet of waterline along Front Street. The new water lines will reduce water losses within the city’s system.

For more information on the District’s Water Supply Development Grant program, please visit https://nwfwp.sgssys.info//Water-Resources/Funding-Programs/Water-Supply-Grants.

District updates 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 2016-2017 adopted budget. The priorities are:

  • Springs Protection and Restoration: Protect and restore water quality and flows within the major spring systems of northwest Florida.
  • Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin: Protect Apalachicola River and Bay water quality and freshwater inflow.
  • Minimum Flows and Minimum Water Levels (MFLs): Develop and implement science-based MFLs that protect water resources and associated natural systems.
  • Water Supply: Ensure sufficient water is available for all existing and future reasonable-beneficial uses and natural systems.
  • 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.

For each of these priorities, the Strategic Water Management Plan outlines accomplishments, funding sources, deliverables, and milestones on a five-year horizon.

In addition to the strategic plan itself, the public is encouraged to participate in the development of other functional components of the plan which include regional water supply plans, the Florida Forever Land Acquisition Work Plan, surface water improvement and management plans, and District rules.

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

CHOCTAWHATCHEE RIVER WATER LEVEL UPDATE

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Water levels along the Choctawhatchee River are elevated. The floodwaters may overrun onto access roads as well as recreation areas, including Lost Lake Campsite and Dead River Landing.  Visitors should keep a close eye on water levels and exercise caution. Driving through floodwaters can be dangerous and is strongly discouraged.

RECREATION AREA CLOSURES

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Pitt, Williford and Econfina Creek Canoe Launch will be closed today, December 7th due to high water. Walsingham Bridge Road at the bridge is also closed with no access to Walsingham Park, Longleaf, Seashell, and Devil’s Hole. The District anticipates reopening these areas tomorrow, December 8th.

District awards nearly $1 million for water supply projects

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HAVANA – The Northwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board approved more than $974,000 in grant funding for water supply development projects across northwest Florida.

This funding was awarded as part of a competitive grant program to help local governments and non-profit utilities address local water supply challenges and meet regional water supply protection and management needs.

Since 2013, the District has awarded approximately $20.6 million in grant funding to boost the infrastructure, economic, and public health needs of northwest Florida communities by addressing regional water resource and supply development priorities.

“We are grateful to be able to put taxpayer dollars back to work in this region,” Governing Board Chairman George Roberts said. “And this program allows us to play an active part in contributing to the health and well-being of our communities.”

Projects eligible for grant funding include traditional water supply development projects, alternative water supply projects, such as reuse projects, and conservation projects that result in quantifiable groundwater savings.

It is expected that District funds will help communities leverage state and local funding resources, as well as federal funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development and the Community Development Block Grant program.

The District will continue to work with grant recipients to finalize project details and execute funding agreements in the coming weeks and months.

“An important part of the District’s mission is to ensure a safe and reliable supply of water for the people of this region, especially in those communities that face significant challenges in finding funding for these types of projects,” said Brett Cyphers, the District’s Executive Director. “I applaud the Board’s commitment to that mission and to the people of northwest Florida.”

The full list of projects that were awarded $974,355 in funding include (by county):

City of Lynn Haven (Bay County) The District will provide $49,825 to the City of Lynn Haven for distribution system/pipe improvements, which includes replacing aging cast iron pipes and associated infrastructures.

City of Blountstown (Calhoun County)The District will provide $82,142 to the City of Blountstown for distribution system/pipe improvements, which includes replacing aging water lines with upgraded water main and associated infrastructures.

Escambia River Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Escambia County) The District will provide $159,559 to Escambia River Electric Cooperative, Inc. for distribution system/pipe improvements, which includes replacing aging water line and interconnect Walnut Hill Water Works with Bratt-Davisville Water System.

City of Gretna (Gadsden County) The District will provide $92,850 to the City of Gretna for reuse/alternative water supply, which includes construction of a reclaimed water pumping station to offset portable water needs at the wastewater treatment facility.

City of Port St. Joe (Gulf County) The District will provide $80,000 to the City of Port St. Joe for distribution system/pipe improvements, which includes replacing aging water lines with upgraded water main and associated infrastructures.

Town of Noma (Holmes County) The District will provide $46,960 to the Town of Noma for distribution system/pipe improvements, which includes replacing aging water lines with upgraded water main and associated infrastructures.

City of Marianna (Jackson County) The District will provide $50,000 to the City of Marianna for a feasibility study/engineering, which includes completing a leak detection survey and creating a GIS database of drinking water infrastructure to reduce system water loss.

City of Laurel Hill (Okaloosa County) The District will provide $134,863 to the City of Laurel Hill for distribution system/pipe improvements, which includes replacing aging water lines with upgraded water main and associated infrastructures. including looping the system for increased reliability.

Berrydale Water System (Santa Rosa County) The District will provide $35,000 to Berrydale Water System for a feasibility study/engineering, which includes completing an analysis and evaluation of drinking water system improvements, including existing facilities, alternatives, costs, and recommendations.

City of DeFuniak Springs (Walton County) The District will provide $53,155 to the City of DeFuniak Springs for distribution system/pipe improvements, which includes replacing aging water lines with upgraded water main and associated infrastructures, including looping the system for increased reliability.

City of Freeport (Walton County) The District will provide $50,000 to the City of Freeport for a feasibility study/engineering, which includes completing engineering, hydraulic modeling, and surveying of major water system improvements needed along US 331.

City of Caryville (Washington County) The District will provide $140,000 to the City of Caryville for distribution/pipe improvements, which includes replacing water storage facility, associated water line replacement, and associated infrastructures.