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Posted on August 3, 2010
Governing Board retains millage rate and reduces
budget for FY 2010–2011
The Governing Board of the St. Johns River Water Management District (District) has reduced the agency’s budget for the fourth consecutive year, with a tentative $247.4 million budget that maintains the current 0.4158 millage rate for Fiscal Year (FY) 2010–2011 that begins Oct. 1. The tentative budget is 21 percent, or $65.8 million, less than the current FY 2009–2010 amended budget.
Budget highlights include the following:
- Providing cooperative funding to local governments and utilities to implement water conservation projects
- Working with local governments on the exploration and development of alternative water supply projects
- Completing the St. Johns River Water Supply Impact Study to evaluate the potential environmental effects of St. Johns River water withdrawals
- Continuing surface water restoration capital projects, including the Fellsmere Water Management Area, C-1 Rediversion Project and Lake Apopka North Shore Restoration
The Governing Board is scheduled to receive an update on the FY 2010–2011 budget and work plan at its Aug. 10 meeting in Palatka. Public hearings on the tentative budget will be held at 5:05 p.m. on Sept. 14 and 28. Final budget adoption will occur at the Sept. 28 Board meeting.
Algal bloom and fish kill update
Northeast Florida’s section of the St. Johns River has received much attention in recent months due to the occurrence of dense algal blooms and the deaths of several hundred red drum and other fish. Sightings of hundreds of dead fish in Duval, St. Johns and Putnam counties were reported to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) in June and July. The predominance of adult red drum is unusual, and scientists at FWC are investigating possible links between the dead fish and the algal blooms. In response, Jacksonville City Council President Jack Webb convened a panel in July that included state agencies, the District, Sen. John Thrasher, Jacksonville Mayor John Peyton and other leaders to discuss these and related issues. The panel members have agreed to continue working together on identifying causes and long-term solutions.
District scientists are monitoring algal growth in the river and routinely collect samples of water and algae, particularly during periods when conditions are right for rapid algal growth. Results of this monitoring are provided to other agencies including the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), FWC and the Florida Department of Health, which is responsible for sharing the information with county health units and issuing health advisories to the public. The extremely concentrated bloom of late May was dominated by Aphanizomenon flos-aquae, a species not typically seen at this density. As the bloom expanded and aged, a second species appeared, Microcystis aeruginosa, which is known for the potential to produce toxins.
By mid-June, this bloom died and disappeared, lowering dissolved oxygen in some areas.
An accumulation of foam in some areas of the river in northeast Florida in July has also received attention, with tests being performed by several agencies. While there has been no conclusive cause of the foam found, some scientists believe there is a connection between the algae decomposition and the formation of the foam.
To alert the District about an algal bloom, e-mail a name, phone number and e-mail address, as well as any available information about the location of the bloom, to algae@sjrwmd.com.
Fish kills can be reported to the FWC Fish Kill Hotline at (800) 636-0511.
Northeast Florida reuse and treatment initiatives
The improvement of surface water quality, including the reduction and frequency of significant algal blooms, is a major goal of the District’s Lower St. Johns River Basin (LSJRB) program in northeast Florida. To achieve program goals, the District has assisted local governments fund numerous wastewater treatment, reuse and other projects to help assure the sustainable health of the LSJRB.
On August 10, the District Governing Board will consider approving nearly $6 million in cost-share funding for projects in St. Johns and Clay counties, which would represent a District investment of $59 million since 2006. The St. Johns County Utility Department (SJCUD) is proposing to construct a new, state-of-the art advanced wastewater treatment plant beginning in FY 2011. The facility would be designed to provide 3 million gallons per day of reclaimed water and the project would help the SJCUD achieve its “zero-effluent discharge” goal from its northwest facility.
The Clay County project involves the District continuing to assist Clay County Utility Authority (CCUA) fund construction of an interconnection of CCUA’s northern reclaimed water service area to its southern service area. The project would meet the current reclaimed water demand of 0.75 to 1 million gallons per day and would support reclaimed water demand within CCUA’s southern service area.
Review of the Middle St. Johns River Basin Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) program
On August 9 at 5 p.m., the Governing Board’s Projects and Land Committee is scheduled to receive a briefing on the goals, objectives, time lines, status and trends associated with the District’s Middle St. Johns River Basin (MSJRB) SWIM program.
The MSJRB in central Florida encompasses the watersheds of five major sources to the St. Johns River: the Wekiva and Econlockhatchee rivers, Lake Jesup, Lake Monroe and Deep Creek. The basin extends more than 1,200 square miles from the Econlockhatchee River in Osceola, Orange and Seminole counties northward into Lake and Volusia counties. The MSJRB is in a densely populated area of the District with multiple impaired water bodies (not meeting state water quality standards). This District’s MSJRB program is implementing numerous programs to address the water quality issues.
St. Johns River Summit
The St. Johns River Alliance’s 2010 St. Johns River Summit, scheduled for Sept. 15–16, 2010, at the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center in Jacksonville, will provide a forum for county and local elected officials, business leaders, academics and the public to discuss the protection, restoration and enhancement of the river. The discussion will encompass the St. Johns River from its headwaters in Indian River County through its lakes in central Florida to its mouth in northern Duval County.
The 12 county governments in the St. Johns River watershed will share lessons learned and river-related success stories, with discussions also focusing on various topics including springs, dredging, water conservation, water supply, and siltation and funding for river programs.
Opportunities for local governments in
imperiled species conservation
FWC has scheduled a series of regional workshops for local government personnel. The workshops will include an overview of the FWC Gopher Tortoise Management Plan and permitting guidelines, plus other FWC programs such as the Florida Wildlife Conservation Guide. Participants will learn about potential opportunities to coordinate with FWC to further the conservation of gopher tortoises and other imperiled species. The workshops are free.
For additional information, contact Tera Meeks at Tera.Meeks@MyFWC.com or (850) 410-0656, ext. 17326.
Florida Rural Water Association 2010 annual conference
The 2010 Florida Rural Water Association’s (FRWA) Annual Technical and Training Conference is scheduled for Aug. 30–Sept. 1 at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville-Riverfront.
This year’s conference will include more than 90 exhibitors demonstrating the latest in technology in the water and wastewater industry. For more information, visit the FRWA website or call (850) 668-2746.
Florida League of Cities 84th annual conference
The 2010 Florida League of Cities (FLC) Conference is scheduled for Aug. 19–21 at the Westin Diplomat in Hollywood, Fla. More than 1,000 city officials from across Florida are expected to attend this meeting to share ideas, attend educational workshops and sessions, discuss strategies for Florida’s future, determine League policies and visit the Municipal Marketplace. For information, visit the FLC website.
The 2010 North American Surface Water Quality
conference and exposition
StormCon 2010, the North American Surface Water Quality conference and exposition, is scheduled for Aug. 1–5 at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa, San Antonio, Texas.
StormCon offers expertise from the nation’s leading engineering consultants and the opportunity to learn from case studies presented by municipal professionals, engineering consultants, contractors, researchers, and others on the frontlines of implementing stormwater programs, best management practices (BMPs), sediment and erosion control techniques, low-impact development approaches, research and testing of BMPs, and water-quality monitoring programs.
