Dec. 12, 2023
The 2023 North Florida Regional Water Supply Plan (NFRWSP) was approved by the District’s Governing Board. Collaboratively developed by the District and the Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD), this update builds upon the foundation established in the 2017 plan. The 2023 NFRWSP has been a joint planning effort involving the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, SRWMD, local governments, public supply utilities, environmental advocates, business organizations, agricultural commodity groups and other stakeholders. This collaborative initiative assesses existing and future water demands, recognizing potential impacts on the region’s water resources.
Nov. 15, 2023
The District’s Governing Board re-elected Sen. Rob Bradley of Fleming Island to serve as its chair for a third year. The Board also elected Maryam Ghyabi-White of Ormond Beach to serve as vice chair; Cole Oliver of Merritt Island as treasurer; and J. Chris Peterson of Winter Park as secretary.
Oct. 13, 2023
The District awarded nearly $40,000 in grants to 20 schools within its 18-county region through its Blue School Grants program. Since its inception eight years ago, the program has funded nearly 100 projects and educated over 12,000 students about Florida’s water resources and natural ecosystems. Blue School Grants promote practical learning through STEM activities (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and foster engagement within the broader school community.
Oct. 10, 2023
Caravelle Ranch Wildlife Management Area (CRWMA) in Putnam County is expanding through a purchase approved by the District’s Governing Board. The purchase adds to a vast network of public conversation lands between the Ocklawaha and St. Johns rivers. The expansion bolsters floodplain, watershed and water quality protection for the Ocklawaha and St. Johns rivers, public recreation and provides critical habitat for a diverse range of native wildlife species.
Sept. 26, 2023
The Governing Board unanimously approved its fiscal year 2023‒2024 budget, marking the 11th consecutive year of reduced millage rates. This decision ensures low taxes while providing substantial funding for vital water resource protection and cost-share projects. The millage rate reduction of about 9.17 percent continues the District’s tradition of easing the tax burden on its constituents since FY 2013–14.
Sept. 13, 2023
The Governing Board approved the execution of six contracts that will provide local growers with nearly $470,000 in cost-share funds. Together, these projects will reduce water use by 25 million gallons per year and significantly reduce the amount of harmful nutrients entering nearby water bodies, including the St. Johns River. The approved projects encompass a range of initiatives aimed at improving water efficiencies and reducing nutrient runoff.
July 10, 2023
The District gathered with local and regional partners, residents, and other interested stakeholders to celebrate several projects that will help further restoration efforts in the Indian River Lagoon (IRL). Participants celebrated the nearly $40 million awarded by the District for projects in Indian River Lagoon communities, leveraging a total of $81 million in public dollars when combined with local matching funds and state funds from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The celebration recognized Moorhen Marsh, Ponce Inlet Septic-to-Sewer project and the groundbreaking of the Crane Creek / M-1 Canal flow restoration project.
May 11, 2023
The District launched its new podcast, WATERSPOUT, as a way to let the public hear directly from the agency about Florida’s water resources. In podcast episodes, listeners hear from District staff members about the work they do each day, how that work benefits our shared water resources and delves into important topics affecting our region’s water. The podcast became available on YouTube, the District’s website and numerous podcast platforms.
March 17, 2023
The District launched a new homepage on its official website, adding conveniences for visitors of a live social media feed, interactive District map with linking pages showcasing the District’s work in each county within its boundaries and a series of quick links for popular areas within the website.
March 17, 2023
The District began another round of restoration and maintenance work at its popular Lake Apopka North Shore and wildlife drive. Work began to re-deck Bailey bridges at County Road 448A and Welland Road.
March 3, 2023
As part of its ongoing core missions work, the District repaired the L-77W levee that forms the western border of the Blue Cypress Water Management Area West after it experienced significant erosion from a variety of factors, including wave action from boat traffic. The next phase of the maintenance project began with planting of native wetland plants to form a living shoreline help protect the levee from wave action and assist in stabilizing the soil by establishing rooted plants, with secondary benefits of enhanced wetland habitat and recreational enjoyment for the public.
Jan. 10, 2023
The District’s Governing Board voted to approve the execution of a $19.5 million contract to begin construction of the Crane Creek M-1 Canal Flow Restoration Project – a project that will significantly reduce the flow of nutrients into the Indian River Lagoon (IRL). More than 100 years ago, the canal was originally developed to redirect stormwater from 5,300 acres near the St. Johns River to the IRL. Along with the millions of gallons of water came thousands of pounds of nutrients, including nitrogen and phosphorus – two nutrients known to contribute to algal blooms. Once complete, the project will restore the natural flow of the stormwater from the IRL back west, where the water will be treated in a stormwater treatment area prior to reaching the St. Johns River. The primary goal of the project is to reduce nutrient loading to the IRL, but it has the secondary benefit of restoring 7 million gallons of freshwater flow per day to the St. Johns River.