The District is conducting a 400-acre prescribed fire Wednesday at Fort Drum Marsh Conservation Area in Indian River County. The purpose of the controlled burn is for marsh management and fuel reduction.

The District is reopening portions of the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive for regular operating hours Dec. 22.

Scientists and engineers with the St. Johns River Water Management District and University of Florida have completed a collaborative multi-year science investigation into the health of priority spring systems. The partnership was launched in 2014 to develop an enhanced scientific foundation to help identify the most effective projects and strategies to protect or restore the District’s Outstanding Florida Springs.

While 12-month rainfall totals are still above average throughout the District’s 18-county service area, December rainfall was below average, especially through the southeastern corridor from southern Lake County through Orlando to Daytona. A full report outlining hydrological conditions was presented at the District’s January Governing Board meeting Tuesday.

The District’s Governing Board on Tuesday entered a Final Order adopting an administrative law judge’s recommended order to issue a consumptive use permit modification to Sleepy Creek Lands LLC.

The District is conducting a 3,000-acre prescribed fire today on the Lake Apopka North Shore. The purpose of the controlled burn is for marsh management, burning hardwoods and cattails and to promote the expansion of native marsh grasses. The fire was set by aerial ignition.

The District is currently accepting applications through Feb. 16, 2018, from farmers and ranchers interested in participating in the Districtwide Agricultural Cost-share Program funding for agricultural projects that promote water conservation and reduction of nutrient runoff.

The District is reopening seven and a half miles of additional trails, including the western end of the Loop Trail on Feb. 2.

Ever wonder how clean that water in a nearby lake, stream or spring is? The District is now making it easier than ever before to get those answers. Data from more than 400 monitoring stations has been compiled into an interactive web page to help the public understand what’s going on with water quality in their area

January brought above-average rainfall to north and east-central Florida counties, and Silver Springs in Marion County and Volusia Blue Spring continue to experience flow increases corresponding with greater rainfall received over the past several months. A full report outlining hydrological conditions was presented Tuesday at the District’s February Governing Board meeting.

A land management update and the Upper St. Johns River Basin project are among the items to be discussed Feb. 22 during the District's Southern Recreational Public Meeting. The southern recreational area includes District properties in Brevard and Indian River counties. The public will have an opportunity at this meeting to provide input on recreational topics involving District lands.

Gov. Rick Scott has appointed Allan Roberts of St. Augustine to the St. Johns River Water Management District Governing Board, filling a vacant seat that represents the St. Johns River below the Ocklawaha River and the coastal area between the St. Johns River and Ponce Inlet. The appointment takes effect immediately and runs through March 1, 2020.

The reconnection of Lake Griffin to Emeralda Marsh Conservation Area in Lake County was a cause for celebration today for the District and its partners, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and Lake County.

The District will begin regrading the roads of the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive beginning Monday, March 5, 2018. Weekend access will not be affected by the regrading project, which will take place Monday through Thursday each week.