Category: Uncategorized

HAVANA – Today, Governor Rick Scott and the Cabinet members agreed to purchase the 11,027-acre Horn Spring property, located within Leon and Jefferson counties. The property is a major wildlife corridor, connecting St. Marks River Preserve State Park, Fanlew Preserve, Aucilla Wildlife Management Area and Natural Bridge Battlefield Historic State Park. The project will protect water resources, with 10 known springs on the property, protect 12 known historic sites, and provide a variety of public recreational and educational opportunities.

“Acquiring the Horn Spring property is a prime example of efforts to focus taxpayer resources on projects that provide a direct benefit to the environment and local communities,” said DEP Secretary Jon Steverson. “This is the largest Florida Forever acquisition since 2006, and it will provide numerous benefits to our springs while offering recreation for Floridians and visitors.”

The property is located within the Upper St. Marks River Corridor Florida Forever Project, ranked number 9 in the Florida Forever Critical Natural Lands project category, and the St. Joe Timberland – St. Marks Springs site Florida Forever project, ranked number 3 in the Florida Forever Climate Change Lands project category. The ranking was approved by the Board of Trustees on April 26, 2016. The property will be purchased from Natural Bridge Timberlands, LLC, a subsidiary of AgReserves, Inc.

“As farmers and ranchers, we look to the long term in everything we do,” said Don Sleight, CEO, AgReserves, Inc. “That this land will be preserved in perpetuity for future generations to enjoy is especially gratifying for us. We are glad to see the ecological treasures on this property come under the ownership and care of Florida Forever.”

The southern portion of Horn Spring will be added to the existing Natural Bridge Battlefield Historic State Park and will be managed by the Florida Park Service. The northern portion of Horn Spring will be managed by the Northwest Florida Water Management District in coordination with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

“The District appreciates the efforts by Governor Scott and DEP to further protect and preserve special places like this in northwest Florida,” said Brett Cyphers, Executive Director of the Northwest Florida Water Management District. “We look forward to working with DEP and FWC for the long-term preservation of this vital natural resource.”

“This acquisition presents an unparalleled opportunity to assist in the protection of the tremendous natural resources of the St. Marks River ecosystem,” said Greg Knecht, Director of Land Protection for the Florida Chapter of The Nature Conservancy. “I applaud the state for their work to protect wildlife habitat and preserve water quality in this vital area of northwest Florida.”

“Natural Bridge is among Florida’s most valuable conservation lands. We commend the state’s efforts to protect the river and springs for the benefit of people and wildlife,” said Eric Draper, Executive Director of Audubon Florida.

“The board and staff of Tall Timbers Research Station and Land Conservancy support this project,” said George Willson, Tall Timbers Research Station and Land Conservancy board member. “It is a remarkable water resource and river habitat conservation action by DEP and the private landowner which preserves a regionally significant hydrologic corridor from the Red Hills of Tallahassee to tidewater.”

PANAMA CITY – The Northwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board on Sept. 22 adopted a $62.2 million budget for Fiscal Year 2016-17, which begins Oct. 1. The budget represents an increase of $6.5 million from Fiscal Year 2015-16.

More than half of the District’s budget – $31.5 million – is directed to restoring and protecting springs throughout northwest Florida. The budget also includes funding for water supply and water development assistance to local communities, and improving the water quality in the Apalachicola River and Bay system.

While the District funds many of its operations through the collection of ad valorem taxes and timber sales, the state also provides significant operational support and funding for projects that protect the region’s water resources.

“Thanks to the support of Secretary Steverson and DEP, Governor Scott, and the Legislature, the District is able to make significant strides toward completing projects that will make the greatest positive impact on the region’s natural resources,” said Governing Board Chairman George Roberts.

Included in the newly adopted budget are the following highlights:

* $31.5 million for springs projects. This funding will enable the District to implement springs restoration projects for Wakulla Spring, Jackson Blue Spring, and springs associated with the Holmes and Econfina creek systems.

* $9.5 million for water supply and water resource development assistance to continue support for cooperative grant projects across northwest Florida. This funding also supports the collaborative efforts with Bay County, Gulf Power, and Panama City to expand reclaimed water use in Bay County.

* $2 million for monitoring and technical assessments to develop Minimum Flows and Levels for the St. Marks River Rise, Wakulla Spring, Sally Ward Spring, Jackson Blue Spring, the Floridan aquifer in coastal Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, and Walton counties, and the Lower Yellow and Shoal River system.

* $2 million for watershed restoration. This funding will facilitate continued efforts to protect and restore water quality and estuarine habitats in the Apalachicola River and Bay system through the implementation of cooperative stormwater retrofit projects and other best management practices. This funding will also support focused project planning to benefit watersheds across northwest Florida.