PALATKA, Fla., Feb. 9, 2016 -- The St. Johns River Water Management District Governing Board today approved moving forward with a public-private partnership project in Putnam County that will help meet future water demands and offset impacts from domestic self-supply wells in north Florida. The project calls for moving the Grandin Sand Plant's groundwater withdrawals from the Upper Floridan aquifer to the Lower Floridan aquifer.

PALATKA, Fla., Feb. 9, 2016 --The St. Johns River Water Management District Governing Board today approved the ranking of projects that will share in $5 million in cost-share funds to benefit water resources in Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) communities and for projects that use innovative technology to provide data supporting future permitting and full-scale implementation of alternative water supplies.

PALATKA, Fla., Feb. 9, 2016 -- The St. Johns River Water Management District is continuing the 114-acre prescribed burn begun yesterday at the Lochloosa Wildlife Conservation Area in Alachua County. The purpose of the burn is to reduce hazardous fuels and maintain fire-dependent ecosystems.

PALATKA, Fla., Feb. 10, 2016 -- Brevard County rancher and chair of the St. Johns River Water Management District's Agricultural Advisory Committee Billy Kempfer is now officially a member of the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony took place Tuesday evening. Below is a copy of the letter sent by District Executive Director Dr. Ann Shortelle commending Kempfer's service.

MAITLAND, Fla., Feb. 10, 2016 -- The St. Johns River Water Management District Governing Board this week approved the rankings of projects that will share $2.9 million in agricultural cost-share funds to assist farmers, growers and ranchers in water conservation and reduction of nutrient run-off.

PALATKA, Fla., Feb.10,2016 -- Project partners today celebrated the completion of an innovative project in Clay County to protect drinking water supplies and to reduce wastewater discharges to the St. Johns River and Black Creek. At a ribbon-cutting ceremony held at a 22-acre site in Green Cove Springs, Clay County Utility Authority (CCUA) and the St. Johns River Water Management District formally launched the operation of nine rapid infiltration basins (RIBs) at CCUA's Mid-Clay Wastewater Treatment Facility.

PALATKA, Fla., Feb. 12, 2016 -- The St. Johns River Water Management District is conducting a 77-acre prescribed burn today at the Pellicer Creek Conservation Area in Flagler County, east of I-95. The purpose of the burn is to prepare the site for groundcover restoration planting.

PALATKA, Fla., Feb. 12, 2016 -- The St. Johns River Water Management District is conducting a 548-acre prescribed burn today at the Heart Island Conservation Area in Volusia County. The fire was set by aerial ignition. The purpose of the burn is ecological enhancement and hazardous fuel reduction.

MAITLAND, Fla., Feb. 12, 2016 -- Schools will close on Presidents Day, but the St. Johns River Water Management District's popular Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive is open for the federal holiday, which falls on Monday, Feb. 15. The wildlife drive provides visitors of all ages the opportunity to explore the area's diverse wildlife habitat.

PALATKA, Fla., Feb. 13, 2016 -- The St. Johns River Water Management District is conducting a 508-acre prescribed burn today at the Lochloosa Wildlife Conservation Area in Alachua County. The fire was set by aerial ignition.

PALATKA, Fla., Feb. 15, 2016 -- The St. Johns River Water Management District is holding a Splash into Science Night on Feb. 18 for students, parents and teachers at Interlachen Elementary School.

MAITLAND, Fla., Feb. 15, 2016 -- The St. Johns River Water Management District is conducting a 138-acre prescribed burn today at the Sunnyhill Restoration Area in Marion County. The purpose of the burn is to reduce hazardous fuel accumulations and the maintenance of fire-dependent ecosystems.

PALATKA, Fla., Feb. 15, 2016 -- The stakeholder advisory committee of the North Florida Regional Water Supply Partnership will meet Feb. 22 at Florida Gateway College, 149 S.E. College Place, Lake City.

MAITLAND, Fla., Feb. 16, 2016 -- Visitors to the popular St. Johns River Water Management District's Lake Apopka Loop Trail should expect larger-than-usual crowds this weekend. The district-owned property is part of the mapped run for the 12th Annual Orlando Xtreme Half Marathon and 5k.

PALATKA, Fla., Feb. 17, 2016 -- The St. Johns River Water Management District is conducting an 80-acre prescribed burn today at Heart Island Conservation Area in Volusia County. The burn site is south of State Road 40 and west of Bee Road. The burn's purpose is to reduce hazardous fuel loads.