Happy to see our taxes used for concrete improvements.
If we are not ecstatic over the numbers listed below it is because they are a little low. Two projects costing $184,738 and $242,170 will get a combined total of 70 pounds of nitrogen eliminated from the Upper Floridan Aquifer per year. Water scientist Dr. Robert Knight writes: “.. The Floridan Aquifer will need to rid itself of almost 11,000 tons annually for at least 43 years to clear all of the existing nitrate out of the Floridan Aquifer underlying the Florida Springs Region.”
That’s 70 pounds versus 22 million pounds.
Well, a little short but it’s a start.
We wonder if the employee who thought up the cute & clever acronym RIVER (for Regional Initiative Valuing Environmental Resources) got a bonus?
Clever acronyms are a plus side of Governmentese.
All sarcasm aside, we understand our water management district must labor under the current Tallahassee system which is controlled by lobbyists and politicians who have no regard for protecting our springs and rivers.
Changing politicians does no good, let’s change the system by amending our Florida Constitution. Check out floridarighttocleanwater.org.
Comments by OSFR historian Jim Tatum.
jim.tatum@oursantaferiver.org
– A river is like a life: once taken,
it cannot be brought back © Jim Tatum
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Communications Office | Suwannee River Water Management District |
386.362.1001 or 800.226.1066 (FL) | SRWMDCommunications@SRWMD.org | www.MySuwanneeRiver.com
SRWMD Board Approves $865,803 in Water Resource Funding For Five Local Projects
LIVE OAK, FLA, AUGUST 9, 2022 – The Suwannee River Water Management District (District) Governing Board on Tuesday approved funding for five projects that will benefit water resources across North Florida.
The Board approved $865,803 for the projects through the upcoming Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Regional Initiative Valuing Environmental Resources (RIVER) cost share program and Alternative Water Supply program. This funding is available to local governments, regional water supply authorities, and water utilities for projects that enhance or address the District’s water supply, water quality, flood protection, and/or natural systems core missions.
RIVER funding supports Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) communities who often are less able to support such projects on their own. Non-REDI communities are required to submit a 50 percent project match while REDI communities do not.
The projects include:
• Houston Avenue Drainage Well Replacement (City of Live Oak, Suwannee County) – This $184,738 project will assist in flood protection, nutrient reduction, and recharge to the Upper Floridan Aquifer. The drainage well replacement will also reduce total nitrogen by an estimated 25 pounds per year.
• Irvin Avenue Drainage Well Replacement (City of Live Oak, Suwannee County) – This $242,170 project will assist in flood protection, nutrient reduction, and recharge to the Upper Floridan Aquifer. The drainage well replacement will reduce an estimated 45 pounds of total nitrogen per year.
• Oakmont Reclaimed Water Extension Phase 5b (Gainesville Regional Utilities, Alachua County) – This $83,375 project will assist with water conservation and recharge to the Upper Floridan Aquifer. This project will extend reclaimed lines to offset 0.051 million gallons per day of groundwater pumping.
• Greenville Water System Filter Project (Town of Greenville, Madison County) – This $150,520 project will assist with water conservation to the Upper Floridan Aquifer. The funds will be used to assist the town with their match requirement if awarded a State Revolving Fund loan through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The project will replace the town’s filter system, which will increase the system’s efficiency and reduce groundwater withdrawals.
• Ellisville/Town of Fort White Meter Replacement Program (Columbia County) – This $205,000 project will assist with water conservation and recharge to the Upper Floridan Aquifer. This project will replace aging infrastructure to reduce water loss and provide long-term accountability.
With the addition of these proposed projects, the District has funded 85 projects through the RIVER program since 2013, which have reduced an estimated 8,000 pounds of nutrients, conserved 1.44 million gallons of water, protected more than 50,000 acres from flooding, and restored five acres of natural systems.
“To accommodate future growth, small communities need solid, stable infrastructure, and we are thankful that our Board saw the need to fund these requests,” said Hugh Thomas, executive director of the District. “These projects not only support the ability for growth, but also help in protecting our vital natural resources.”
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, Twitter and Instagram, search @SRWMD.
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