January 25, 2016

Youth volunteers plant 500 trees at Gourd Island Conservation Area

PALATKA, Fla., Jan. 25, 2016 -- A dozen teens and three mentors joined St. Johns River Water ManagementDistrict staff at the Gourd Island Conservation Area in St.Johns County on a chilly January afternoon to hand plant500 longleaf pines.
January 25, 2016

Brown tide identified in portions of Indian River Lagoon

PALM BAY, Fla., Jan. 25, 2016 --St. Johns River Water Management District scientists are monitoring a "brown tide" in portions of the Indian River Lagoon. "Brown tide has become prominent in most of Banana River Lagoon and in the Indian River Lagoon from Cocoa south to near Rockledge," said Dr. Charles Jacoby, a supervising environmental scientist with the district. "In addition, chlorophyll levels remain high in Mosquito Lagoon due to a mixture of single-celled algae, including the organism responsible for brown tides."
February 2, 2016

District Governing Board to meet in Palm Bay

PALM BAY, Fla., Feb. 2, 2016 -- The St. Johns River Water Management District's Governing Board is holding its monthly meeting off site Feb. 9 at the Palm Bay City Council Chambers. One day prior, on Feb. 8, the board will hold a workshop at the district's Palm Bay Service Center. The board will discuss the functions of the district's inspector general and a resolution of the Central Florida Water Initiative.
February 2, 2016

Controlled burn today at Lake George Conservation Area in Putnam and Volusia counties

PALATKA, Fla., Feb. 2, 2016 -- The St. Johns River Water Management District is conducting a 229-acre prescribed burn today at the Lake George Conservation Area, between Aces and Otter roads, in Putnam and Volusia counties. The purpose of the burn is ecological enhancement and maintenance of fire-dependent natural communities.
February 2, 2016

Controlled burn today at Lochloosa Wildlife Conservation Area in Alachua County

PALATKA, Fla., Feb. 2, 2016 -- The St. Johns River Water Management District is conducting a 160-acre prescribed burn today at the Lochloosa Wildlife Conservation Area in Alachua County. The purpose of the burn is ecological enhancement and maintenance of fire-dependent natural communities.
February 2, 2016

Controlled burn at Hal Scott Regional Preserve and Park in Orange County

MAITLAND, Fla., Feb. 2, 2016 -- The St. Johns River Water Management District is conducting a 450-acre prescribed burn today at the Hal Scott Regional Preserve and Park in Orange County. The purpose of the burn is ecological enhancement and maintenance of fire-dependent natural communities and enhancement of redcockaded woodpecker habitat.
February 2, 2016

Controlled burn today at Thomas Creek Conservation Area in Duval County

PALATKA, Fla., Feb. 2, 2016 -- The St. Johns River Water Management District is conducting a 500-acre prescribed burn today at the Ogilvie Betz parcel of the Thomas Creek Conservation Area in Duval County. The fire was set by aerial ignition. The purpose of the burn is ecological enhancement and maintenance of fire-dependent natural communities.
February 2, 2016

Online database helps homeowners plan for upcoming planting season

PALATKA, Fla., Feb. 2, 2016 --With a mild, wet winter in progress and the start of springtime gardening just around the corner, the St. Johns River Water Management District's waterwise plant database can help landscapers and do-it-yourselfers start researching the right plants for their yards' specific growing conditions.
February 3, 2016

Controlled burn at Hal Scott Regional Preserve and Park in Orange County

MAITLAND, Fla., Feb. 3, 2016 -- The St. Johns River Water Management District is conducting a 305-acre prescribed burn today at the Hal Scott Regional Preserve and Park in Orange County. The purpose of the burn is to reduce hazardous fuels, ecological enhancement and maintenance of fire-dependent natural communities and enhancement of red-cockaded woodpecker habitat.
February 4, 2016

Portion of Emeralda Marsh Conservation Area closes for improvement projects

MAITLAND, Fla., Feb. 4, 2016 -- Needed improvement projects are coming to one of the district's most visited properties, which means visitors are encouraged to explore other public lands until the work is complete. The wildlife drive within the St. Johns River Water Management District's Emeralda Marsh Conservation Area in Lake County will remain closed throughout the 2016 season.
February 4, 2016

District recognized for excellence in customer service, collaboration and electronic permitting

PALATKA, Fla., Feb. 4, 2016 --For the second time in four years, the St. Johns River Water Management District's permitting program is being recognized for excellence by the Economic Development Commission (EDC) of Florida's Space Coast in Brevard County.
February 5, 2016

District hosts Splash Night at Middleton-Burney Elementary in Crescent City

PALATKA, Fla., Feb. 5, 2016 -- The St. Johns River Water Management District is holding a Splash into Science Night on Feb. 11 for students, parents and teachers at Middleton-Burney Elementary School in Crescent City. The event uses interactive activities to teach students about water supply and natural systems with a focus on science, technology, engineering and math learning.
February 7, 2016

Authorizations for single-family docks

The proposed construction of a single-family dock within a subdivision or development permitted by the district is subject to Chapter 62-330, F.A.C. (Environmental Resource Permit). Often these docks qualify for an exemption or a General Permit and require a separate authorization under Chapter 18-21, F.A.C. (Sovereign Submerged Lands). Although these two authorizations are not linked and may be issued separately, they must approve the same design or one form of authorization may need to be revised. To ensure all required documents are submitted and the appropriate criteria are met, the district recommends that a pre-application meeting be arranged with the […]
February 8, 2016

District, partners celebrate project aimed at cleaner Indian River Lagoon

PALM BAY, Fla., Feb. 8, 2016 -- A new stormwater park in south Brevard County is being heralded for its benefits to the Indian River Lagoon. Today, St. Johns River Water Management District and its partners celebrated the near-completion of Wheeler Stormwater Park, a manmade oasis that captures pollutants from a 21,000-acre watershed before they can reach the lagoon.
February 8, 2016

Controlled burn tonight at Lochloosa Wildlife Conservation Area in Alachua County

PALATKA, Fla., Feb. 8, 2016 -- The St. Johns River Water Management District is conducting a 114-acre prescribed burn tonight at the Lochloosa Wildlife Conservation Area in Alachua County. The purpose of the burn is to reduce hazardous fuels and maintain fire-dependent ecosystems.