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May 22, 2013

Governing Board members appointed

Governor Rick Scott has appointed Douglas Burnett of St. Augustine and reappointed Maryam Ghyabi of Ormond Beach to the St. Johns River Water Management District’s Governing Board.

Mr. Burnett is a retired Major General in the United States Air Force Florida Air National Guard. Ms. Ghyabi is the president of Ghyabi and Associates and she currently serves as the Board Treasurer.

Hurricane season preparation tips, storm contacts, flood information available in one location

Hurricane season officially begins June 1 and the District has added valuable information to its website to assist the public and local governments access resources before, during and after severe storm events.

The web pages (floridaswater.com/storm) include links to flood statements and warnings, river stage and flooding data, and local government emergency contacts. Also included are links to the National Weather Service, Florida Division of Emergency Management and the U.S. Geological Survey’s interactive map of current conditions in the state.

Florida’s many waterways and extensive coastline make the state especially vulnerable to floods. When hurricanes and other storms bring high volumes of rain in short periods of time, flooding can result.

The District works closely with local governments year-round to develop improved flood management plans, and to help communities establish and implement strategies to deal with floods once they occur. Local governments are the primary entities responsible for implementing state-of-emergency declarations, evacuations and rescue efforts during flood-related disasters.

Partnerships between the public and government entities are necessary to minimize flooding impacts, protect personal property and assist flood victims during and after storms.

In the event of a tropical storm or hurricane, the District assists local governments by issuing emergency orders that allow for the pumping of water to alleviate flooding when public health and safety are at risk. The District also issues emergency orders to authorize repair, replacement or restoration of public and private property.

To prepare for hurricane season, which officially runs from June 1 through Nov. 30, the public can protect themselves and their property by:

• Keeping debris out of storm drains and ditches
• Reporting clogged ditches to local governments
• Cleaning out gutters and extending downspouts at least four feet from the home
• Building up the ground around the home to promote drainage away from the foundation
• Obtaining flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program

May 17, 2013

Update on Adena Springs Ranch permit application

St. Johns River Water Management District staff on May 17, 2013, sent a Request for Additional Information (RAI) to Adena Springs Ranch regarding its consumptive use permit application to withdraw 5.3 million gallons of water per day in Marion County. After reviewing the applicant’s most recent submittal of information, District staff determined that additional technical information is needed regarding the application.

The applicant has until Sept. 16, 2013, to respond to the RAI or to request an extension to the response time frame.

When the application is considered complete, District staff will determine if the requested allocation of water meets District permitting criteria.

Additional information about the permit application is available on the District’s Adena Springs CUP application web page.