LIVE OAK, FLA., Feb. 25, 2020 – Local communities have the opportunity to make essential updates through the Suwannee River Water Management District’s (District) Regional Initiative Valuing Environmental Resources (RIVER) cost-share program which is now accepting applications. The RIVER cost-share program focuses on enhancing or addressing the District’s core mission of protecting Florida’s water supply, improving water quality, providing flood protection, and restoring natural systems.
“The RIVER cost-share program is an opportunity for local governments to address water resource concerns in their area with funding support from the District,” said Hugh Thomas, executive director of the District. “Since the program was established in 2013, 60 projects have been completed, and 15 projects are in progress and will be completed in the upcoming years.”
The completed and current project submissions are estimated to conserve 1.5 million gallons per day and reduce 8,111 pounds per year of total nitrate. County governments, municipalities, water supply authorities and other interested units of local governments are all encouraged to apply. RIVER applications must be submitted to the District by 5:00 p.m. on April 16, 2020.
Eligible projects include advanced aquifer recharge, water supply conservation, developing alternative water supplies, enhancing or restoring natural systems, improving water quality, protecting springs, and providing improved flood protection.
The District is committed to assisting its stakeholders in developing successful projects by providing several dates for interested cooperators to meet with the District’s Project Team to discuss potential projects. The meetings will occur in February and March to assist developing priorities, review Basin Management Action Plan (BMAP) projects, review water usage, the North Florida Regional Water Supply Planning Projects, and to ask questions.
More information about the RIVER program is found on the District’s RIVER Cost-Share Program page online. Interested applicants can also contact the Projects Team at Projects@SRWMD.org or 386-362-1001.
The mission of the Suwannee River Water Management District is to protect and manage water resources using science-based solutions to support natural systems and the needs of the public. The District holds true to the belief of water for nature, water for people. Headquartered in Live Oak, Florida, the District serves 15 surrounding north-central Florida counties.
For more information about the District, visit www.MySuwanneeRiver.com, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, search @SRWMD.
###