Category: Uncategorized

FEMA, District to share updated preliminary flood maps for Okaloosa County

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Staff from FEMA and the Northwest Florida Water Management District will host an open house to share updated preliminary flood maps for Okaloosa County on June 28 and 29. The meetings are open to the public.

The June 28 meeting will take place from 4-7 p.m. (Central) in the Okaloosa County Commission meeting room (1250 Eglin Parkway, Shalimar). The June 29 meeting will take place from 4-7 p.m. (Central) at Warriors Hall (201 Stillwell Blvd., Crestview).

To access flood information, visit http://portal.nwfwmdfloodmaps.com and select the county and type in the street address.

Proclamation Designates May 15-21 as Water Reuse Week

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HAVANA-The Governing Board of the Northwest Florida Water Management District today approved a proclamation designating May 15-21 as Water Reuse Week.

“The District has taken an active role in promoting the use of reclaimed water throughout northwest Florida through a grant funding program that provides financial assistance for water reuse programs,” District Governing Board Chairman George Roberts said. “We encourage the efficient and effective use of reclaimed water not just during the third week of May but throughout the year.”

To learn more about water reuse within the Northwest Florida Water Management District, visit the District’s conservation website.

Sneak Peek of Williford Spring Recreation Area May 14th

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HAVANA–The Northwest Florida Water Management District will hold a sneak peek of the Williford Spring Recreation Area this Saturday, May 14. All are welcome to attend this educational event to learn more about the District’s restoration effort to improve Williford Spring’s water quality and clarity as well as its shoreline protection. The public will also get a sneak peek at some of the enhancements made for public access to the spring.

When:  Saturday, May 14 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. CT

Where:  Williford Spring Recreation Area

Directions:  Williford Spring is located in the Econfina Creek Water Management Area on State Road 20 between SR 77 and U.S. 231. The entrance to the spring is accessed on Herman Strickland/Porter Pond Road. Signs with directional arrows to the event will be visible from the roadways.

e-Permitting Webinar April 4th

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District staff will provide an overview of the new features and enhancements to e-Permitting, the District’s online permitting system on Monday, April 4th at 11:00 am ET. To register, click here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1850389382390210049.

NFWMD announces new cycle of agricultural cost-share funding to protect Jackson Blue Springs

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MARIANNA – The Northwest Florida Water Management District is launching the third cycle of 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 2015-2016 budget includes $1 million in funding for eligible agricultural best management practices (BMPs) as part of the Jackson Blue Spring Agricultural Best Management Practice Cost-Share Program. The District previously funded more than $1.6 million total during the 2013-14 and 2014-15 cycles of the program.

The cost-share program is funded as part of the state of Florida’s more than $100 million investment in springs restoration and protection the past two years.

“The District applauds the vision and leadership shown by Governor Scott, the Florida Legislature and the Department of Environmental Protection for allowing us to continue this successful program,” said Brett Cyphers, Executive Director of the Northwest Florida Water Management District. “The program is helping us make great strides toward improving the health of Jackson Blue Spring.”

This grant program provides cost-share funding to agricultural producers for irrigation system improvements and equipment and tools to reduce fertilizer and pesticide use and improve water use efficiency. Under the program, the District will fund 75 percent of qualifying BMPs (up to a maximum of $56,250 for each producer), with the producers funding the remaining 25 percent.

Projects that have been funded through the program include subsurface drip irrigation, variable rate fertilizer applicators, fertigation equipment, irrigation system retrofits, and remote control and zone management tools for irrigation systems.

The District is currently accepting applications from agricultural producers within the Jackson Blue Spring and Merritt’s Mill Pond contribution area. Applications for the first award cycle are due March 25, 2016.

Applications will continue to be accepted after that date for the next award cycle. Producers who have not previously received funding from the District will be given priority.

To be eligible, producers must be:

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

A full list of funded measures and an application form can be found on the District website at nwfwp.sgssys.info. Producers can contact Angela Chelette (850-539-2650) with any questions about the funding 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 quicker.

Producers may also be eligible for BMP funding from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (contact Tom Batey, 850-693-5430) or the Natural Resource Conservation Service (contact Mary Jane Nelson, 850-526-2610 ext. 127).

NWFWMD plants nearly 1 million longleaf pines

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HAVANA – Nearly one million longleaf pines will now take root in the Florida Panhandle thanks to a recent planting effort by the Northwest Florida Water Management District.

The District planted 830,600 longleaf pine tubelings – or young, seedling trees – during the month of January. Workers spread the tubelings across 1,198 acres of District lands in the Econfina Creek and Chipola River Water Management Areas in Bay, Jackson, and Washington counties.

This marks the 23rd consecutive year the District has planted native species on its Water Management Area lands. In total, the District has planted more than 14 million longleaf pines, nearly 825,000 other pine species, almost 700,000 cypress trees and 6.35 million native grass (wiregrass and toothache grass) tubelings since 1993.

A year ago, more than one million longleaf pine and wiregrass tubelings and native hardwoods were planted in Bay, Escambia, Holmes, Jackson, Walton and Washington counties.

“The magnitude of these plantings clearly demonstrates this District’s commitment to restoring native species to public lands throughout the Panhandle,” NWFWMD executive director Brett Cyphers said. “Our Governing Board and staff understand the significant role the longleaf pine habitat plays in northwest Florida and we take great pride in our annual planting efforts.”

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.

Funding for the planting project came largely from revenue collected through the District’s timber sales and was complemented by an additional $12,750 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.

NWFWMD hosts Operation Outdoor Freedom for wounded veterans

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HAVANA – The Northwest Florida Water Management District recently played host to Operation Outdoor Freedom, a weekend deer-hunting experience for wounded veterans of the United States military.

The hunt included six veterans representing the U.S. Army and U.S. Marines and took place during the weekend of Feb. 5-7 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.

“Operation Outdoor Freedom Hunt is one of the most rewarding experiences we participate in each year,” said Brett Cyphers, Executive Director of the Northwest Florida Water Management District. “We are honored to host these veterans and provide them a chance to get outdoors and enjoy the natural resources here in northwest Florida.”

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

This year’s Hunt was also made possible through donations from Prime Meridian Bank, Tractor Supply Co., Bass Pro Shops, Academy Sports and 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 agricultural 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.

Prescribed burn scheduled for Perdido River Water Management Area

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Media advisory: Feb. 25, 2016
Contact: NWFWMD Public Information Office (850) 539-2663 or public.information@yopmail.com    

HAVANA –  The Northwest Florida Water Management District will conduct a prescribed burn in southwest Escambia County on Friday, Feb. 26, 2016, weather permitting. Crews will burn approximately 512 acres within the Perdido River Water Management Area between Saufley Field and Perdido Bay.

The District’s burn-certified land managers will conduct the burns, with help from the Gulf Coastal Plain Ecosystem Partnership and other local, state, and federal agencies. Although every effort will be made to ensure that 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 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 13 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 and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Longleaf Alliance, the National Park Service, the Northwest Florida Water Management District, Gulf Power, National Forests in Alabama, the Nature Conservancy, Nokuse Plantation, Westervelt Ecological Services, and Escambia County.

The District owns and manages more than 200,000 acres to conserve and protect water and natural resources throughout northwest Florida. The Perdido River Water Management Area consists of more than 6,000 acres along the Perdido River and Bay, which helps protect wetlands and forested uplands within the Perdido watershed.

District web sites to undergo maintenance

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MEDIA ADVISORY: Feb. 19, 2016
CONTACT: NWFWMD Public Information Office (850) 539-2663 or Jim.Lamar@yopmail.com  or Allyson.McKee@yopmail.com

Northwest Florida Water Management District web sites undergo maintenance

HAVANA – The web sites serving the Northwest Florida Water Management District will undergo maintenance beginning Monday, Feb. 22.

Visitors to the sites may experience navigation issues as the District launches improvements to nwfwp.sgssys.info and nwfwmdwetlands.com, including a new, more user-friendly camping reservation system.

Once the free registration is complete for the new camping reservation system, visitors will have 24-hour access to make reservations from home or their mobile device. Campers will also be able to view the availability of each of the District’s 88 campsites within 28 recreation areas. A more mobile-friendly experience is also part of the new registration system.

The District expects each of its web sites to be fully functional by Wednesday, Feb. 24.

For questions or to request more information, please email public.information@yopmail.com or call 850-539-5999.

Senate confirms 5 Governing Board members

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 18, 2016
CONTACT: NWFWMD Public Information Office (850) 539-2663 or Jim.Lamar@yopmail.com  or Allyson.McKee@yopmail.com

Florida Senate confirms appointments of five NWFWMD Governing Board members; confirms Cyphers as Executive Director

TALLAHASSEE – Today, the Florida Senate confirmed the appointments of five members to the Governing Board for the Northwest Florida Water Management District as well as the appointment of Brett J. Cyphers as the District’s Executive Director.

Cyphers has served as the Executive Director since December, 2014.

The five members of the Governing Board who were confirmed Thursday:

John Alter, 78, of Malone, owns and manages Alter-Bevis Farms LLC. He currently serves as a member of the Florida Forestry Association Board of Directors and previously served as a member of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Alter received his bachelor’s degree from Ohio University. He is reappointed for a term beginning June 12, 2015, and ending March 1, 2019.

Angus “Gus” Andrews, 59, of DeFuniak Springs, is the owner of Andrews Companies, Andrews & Arnsdoff Realty and Southern Beach Management. Andrews received his bachelor’s degree from Florida State University. He is reappointed for a term beginning March 13, 2015, and ending March 1, 2019.

Marc Dunbar, 44, of Tallahassee, is a partner with Jones Walker LLP and an adjunct professor at the Florida State University College of Law. Dunbar received his bachelor’s degree from Florida State University, and his law degree from the Florida State University College of Law. He is appointed for a term beginning June 12, 2015, and ending March 1, 2018.

Ted Everett, 55, of Chipley, is the executive director of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce and the owner and operator of Hard Labor Creek Hunting Plantation and Hard Labor Creek Off Road Park. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Augusta College and an associate’s degree in forestry with a minor in wildlife management from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. Everett is appointed for a term beginning July 31, 2015, and ending March 1, 2017.

Nicholas “Nick” Patronis, 48, of Panama City Beach, is the owner of Captain Anderson’s restaurant. He currently serves as a member of the Life Management Center of Northwest Florida Inc. Board of Directors, the Florida Restaurant Association, and the National Restaurant Association. Patronis attended Gulf Coast Community College. He is reappointed for a term beginning March 13, 2015, and ending March 1, 2019.