October 11, 2016

Board approves emergency order, permit deadlines extended

PALATKA, Fla., Oct. 11, 2016 -- In support of post-hurricane recovery efforts, the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) has authorized certain flood relief measures for local governments and property owners who need to pump or divert floodwaters. The Governing Board today approved an emergency order that also gives permit holders additional time to comply with permit conditions that will come due after Oct. 5. The board's action extends the duration of permits that expire between Oct. 5 and Nov. 2.
October 12, 2016

Teams of district staff partnering with local governments on damage assessments

PALATKA, Fla., Oct. 12, 2016 -- Fifteen staff members from the St. Johns River Water Management District partnered with local government staff to canvas four north Florida counties this week to survey damage from Hurricane Matthew.
October 13, 2016

Upper Basin Project performed flawlessly during Hurricane Matthew

PALM BAY, Fla., Oct. 13, 2016 -- One of the largest flood control and marsh restoration projects in the world proved itself once again during Hurricane Matthew.
October 13, 2016

Southern recreational public meeting Oct. 20 in Viera

PALM BAY, Fla., Oct. 13, 2016 -- A land management update, the Upper St. Johns River Basin project and the Fellsmere Water Management Area Recreation Plan are among the items to be discussed Oct. 20 during the St. Johns River Water Management District's southern recreational area public meeting.
October 14, 2016

One week after Matthew, SJRWMD looks back at impacts, forward to recovery

PALATKA, Fla., Oct. 14, 2016 -- Only a week ago, Hurricane Matthew skirted the east coast of Florida, causing severe flooding and damage from strong winds. Since then, the St. Johns River Water Management District has been working with local governments and other stakeholders in their recovery efforts by providing pumps and personnel to lower floodwaters and assess damage from the storm.
October 17, 2016

Public workshops Oct. 25 and Nov. 3 on draft North Florida Regional Water Supply Plan

PALATKA, Fla., Oct. 17, 2016 -- The St. Johns River and Suwannee River water management districts are conducting two public workshops to discuss the draft North Florida Regional Water Supply Plan and to take public comment.
October 19, 2016

Additional $1.5 million to benefit Indian River Lagoon

PALM BAY, Fla., Oct. 19, 2016 -- An additional $1.5 million for restoration work is set to benefit the Indian River Lagoon. The Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND) is allocating the funding through its cooperative assistance program for the dredging of muck from the Eau Gallie River. This additional money raises the total FIND contribution to $3.9 million. Other funding partners include DEP, which is providing $20 million approved by the Legislature in 2014 and 2015, and the city of Melbourne, which contributed $50,000 for the initial feasibility study.
October 20, 2016

New trails open on the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive

MAITLAND, Fla., Oct. 20, 2016 -- The St. Johns River Water Management District is opening 2.5 miles of new trails on the popular district-owned Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive. The new segments will help alleviate traffic bottlenecks.
October 24, 2016

Scientists install water monitors in Upper St. Johns River Basin

PALM BAY, Fla., Oct. 24, 2016 -- St. Johns River Water Management District scientists have installed four water quality monitors in the headwaters of the St. Johns River to help the district best manage the black water systems and marshes of the waterway.
October 27, 2016

Media Advisory: North Florida Regional Water Supply Partnership to hold final meeting Nov. 2

PALATKA, Fla., Oct. 27, 2016 -- The stakeholder advisory committee of the North Florida Regional Water Supply Partnership is holding its final meeting Wednesday, Nov. 2. The agenda includes a proposed consensus recommendation in support of the draft North Florida Regional Water Supply Plan, which was recently released for public review and comment. The committee will also consider a motion to dissolve itself, having completed the tasks for which it was created.
October 31, 2016

District’s new Blue School Grant Program accepting applications through Nov. 30

PALATKA, Fla., Oct. 31, 2016 -- The St. Johns River Water Management District is launching a new educational grant program to enhance student development in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) related topics. The Blue School Grant Program offers financial support for teachers working to promote water resource protection through hands-on learning opportunities.
November 1, 2016

Watering restrictions change Nov. 6

MAITLAND, Fla., Nov. 1, 2016 -- Reset your sprinklers when you reset your clocks to mark the end of daylight saving time at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 6. The change coincides with a shift in watering restrictions across the St. Johns River Water Management District, designed to ensure the efficient use of water for landscape irrigation.
November 4, 2016

North Florida Regional Water Supply Plan headed for Governing Board consideration

PALATKA, Fla., Nov. 4, 2016 -- The stakeholder advisory committee of the North Florida Regional Water Supply Partnership Wednesday unanimously voted to support and recommend approval of the draft regional water supply plan for north Florida to the governing boards of the St. Johns River and Suwannee River water management districts. The committee has served as an advisory body since June 2012 to offer viewpoints from stakeholder groups to the St. Johns River and Suwannee River water management districts and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to help address the region's water supply challenges. As its final action, the committee then voted to dissolve itself, having completed the tasks for which it was created.
November 7, 2016

Media Advisory – Public workshop Nov. 9 on DeLeon Springs and Lake Cowpen MFLs

PALATKA, Fla., Nov. 7, 2016 -- The St. Johns River Water Management District is holding a rule development workshop to provide information and receive public comments on proposed rule amendments to adopt minimum flows for DeLeon Springs in Volusia County and amend minimum water levels for Lake Cowpen in Putnam County.
November 7, 2016

Media Advisory – Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive open on Veterans Day

MAITLAND, Fla., Nov. 7, 2016 -- The St. Johns River Water Management District's popular wildlife drive at Lake Apopka is open on Veterans Day, Friday, Nov. 11.