LIVE OAK, FLA., Aug. 07,
2017 – The Suwannee River Water Management District (District) will receive
additional funding to fight for the future and sustainability of springs. Almost
one-third of the state’s legislative funding for springs restoration and
protection will go to the District for spring restoration and protection.
Under the leadership of
Governor Rick Scott, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP)
announced a suite of 40 projects that will receive nearly $50 million from the
Fighting for Florida’s Future budget to improve water quality, reduce nutrient
loading, recharge water supply and protect habitat in Florida’s iconic spring
systems. This includes a state investment of more than $16 million to protect
springs within the District, including Ichetucknee, White, Blue Sink, Madison
Blue, Hornsby, Poe and Santa Fe springsheds. Combined with match funding from
the District, four other water management districts and local partners, the
investment in springs projects statewide will total more than $100.7 million
during the 2017-18 fiscal year.
“Thanks to the continued
commitment of Governor Scott and the Florida Legislature in securing a dedicated
funding source for springs restoration and protection, we can continue to focus
on completing strategic acquisitions and projects that will produce real
benefits for our spring systems,” said DEP Secretary Noah Valenstein. “I look
forward to continuing to work with the Governor and Legislature, the water
management districts and partners in the environmental, agricultural and local
communities to conserve and protect Florida’s iconic springs.”
“As the District with the
highest concentration of freshwater springs in Florida, the health and
preservation of our springs and other water resources is our top priority,” said
District Executive Director Hugh Thomas. “We are grateful for a Governor who
shares this priority. This funding makes it possible for us to carry forth our
mission to protect north Florida’s water through several highly impactful
projects.”
The project development
process is a collaborative effort among the department, water management
districts, community leaders and local stakeholders. Projects are selected based
on pollutant reduction, water conservation, cost effectiveness and available
matching dollars.
The following highlighted
projects are three of the eight selected projects within the District,
benefiting Ichetucknee, White and Blue Sink springs.
- Ichetucknee Springs - I-75/SR 47 Cannon Creek Sink Public Wastewater Improvement Project (Phase 1): A total of $3.4 million in collaborative funding will be used to eliminate septic tanks from 30 businesses and five residences in the area. Future phases, if completed, will eliminate up to 900 septic tanks and reduce up to 64,600 pounds of nutrient loading per year within the Santa Fe basin management action plan area (BMAP).
- White, Blue Sink - I-75/CR-136 Wastewater Improvement, Septic Elimination: A total of $3.3 million in collaborative funding will be used to construct a new wastewater treatment plant with wetland treatment/aquifer recharge for effluent disposal, eliminating 32 existing commercial septic tanks. It is estimated that this project will result in a nutrient reduction benefit of 39,785 pounds of total nitrogen per year, and 109 pounds of total phosphorus per year in the proposed Suwannee BMAP area.
- Precision Agriculture: A total of $2.5 million in collaborative funding will be used to provide cost-share funds to agricultural producers within FDEP BMAP. The cost share program will help producers implement precision agricultural management technology to allow for increased efficiency and conservation of nutrients, impacting many springsheds across the district, with priority given to Florida Outstanding Springs areas. It is estimated that this project will result in a nutrient reduction benefit of 7.5 million pounds of total nitrogen per year.
A complete list of the
springs protection projects funded by the Fighting for Florida’s Future budget
can be found HERE. These projects
will be considered by the water management district Governing Boards as part of
their upcoming budget hearings. More information is also available on
springs projects funded during the FY
16-17 year and FY
15-16 year.
The mission of thscience-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 and Twitter, search @SRWMD.
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