LIVE OAK, FLA., Oct. 30, 2018 – The Suwannee River Water Management District (District) is gearing up to accept new project proposals for the District’s 2019 community cost-share program.
In advance of the 2019 project submittal deadline, the District is providing dates for interested cooperators to meet with the District’s Project Review Team to discuss their potential projects and to ask questions prior to actual submittal.
Meetings are by appointment only and are scheduled for November 1, 8, and 15 from 1:00 to 5:00 PM. Please call Kelly Wooley at 386-362-1001 or email her at Kelly.Wooley@srwmd.org to schedule an appointment if interested. Appointments are reserved based on a first come first serve basis.
Though not a requirement, local governments are highly encouraged to attend a meeting in advance of a project submittal to best understand the submission requirements and evaluation criteria, discuss project details and ask questions of District staff. At the meeting, staff can also discuss with which funding opportunity the project best fits (described below).
The Regional Initiative Valuing Environmental Resources (RIVER) local government cost-share program was developed to provide county governments, municipalities, water supply authorities, and other interested units of local government with an opportunity to obtain cost-share funding for projects that enhance or address the District's core mission of managing water supply, water quality, flood protection, and natural systems. Projects that are eligible for cost-share funds are those that:
• conserve our water supply,
• protect springs,
• develop alternative water supplies,
• advance aquifer recharge,
• improve water quality,
• enhance or restore natural systems, or
• provide improved flood protection.
The District is also accepting project proposals for state springs grants. Funds may be used for land acquisition or capital improvement projects that protect the quality and quantity of water that flows from springs. Eligible projects include but are not limited to:
• agricultural best management practices,
• water conservation,
• hydrologic restoration,
• land acquisition,
• reuse,
• wastewater collection and treatment,
• stormwater,
• other water quality, or
• other water quantity.
This list is not intended to be exhaustive. Eligible projects, however, do not include feasibility studies or other types of analysis, data collection, or environmental review.
NOTE: All new or previously submitted projects must be resubmitted to the District this funding cycle using our revised projects portal. The portal is currently being updated and information will be provided once it is ready for projects to be added.
If you plan to submit an application this year, all final project proposals for 2019 grant opportunities should be submitted through the District’s online project portal no later than January 16, 2019. You will receive further emails on when the portal will be ready to accept new project proposals. Please do not submit at this time.
Any questions regarding the program should be directed to Patrick Webster at by calling 386.362.1001 or or via email at Patrick.Webster@srwmd.org.
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 and Twitter, search @SRWMD.