SFWMD Governing Board Approves Two New Projects to Expedite Progress to Send More Clean Water South
Sending more clean water south remains a top priority for the South Florida Water Management District (District). On Dec. 12, the District’s Governing Board unanimously approved two projects to expedite progress to send more clean water south.
The District will take over construction of a critical feature of the Central Everglades Planning Project (CEPP) South at the request of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This feature is known as the S-355 West structure, and it paves the way for the Blue Shanty Flow way, which will help restore the balance of water flows between the Central Everglades, Everglades National Park and Florida Bay. The District will be able to begin construction of this project in 2025 and have the project completed earlier than currently planned.
In addition, to mitigate for Everglades restoration delays associated with management of the critically endangered Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow, the District is supporting an interagency effort to implement a conservation breeding program to help with the recovery of this species, while we continue to expedite Everglades restoration.
The pilot project by the Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida entails building enclosures and other necessary structures for the propagation and continued managed care of the Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow for reintroduction and wild population augmentation.
“Governor DeSantis charged us with the task of expediting Everglades restoration projects, and this is another key step forward,” said Chauncey Goss, Chairman of the South Florida Water Management District Governing Board. “Thanks to the Governor’s strong leadership, a suite of Everglades restoration projects are underway in South Florida to allow more water to be directed south to the Central Everglades into Everglades National Park and Florida Bay. We are expediting these projects and continue to take actions that will restore the natural flow of water south.”
SFWMD Celebrates the Completion of a New Northern Everglades Water Quality Project in Osceola County
On Dec. 16, the South Florida Water Management District joined the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Garcia Land Management, LLC, and many other local, state and federal partners to celebrate the completion of a new dispersed water management project in Osceola County.
The El Maximo Ranch Northern Everglades Water Quality Project is a regional water quality improvement effort intended to reduce nutrients flowing into Lake Okeechobee. The project diverts water from the Kissimmee River and Blanket Bay Slough for treatment on approximately 7,000 acres of privately owned land and is expected to remove over two metric tons of total phosphorus and seven metric tons of total nitrogen per year. The project consists of four pump stations, 19 water control structures and more than 27 miles of berms.
“This project is a big win for the Northern Everglades, Lake Okeechobee and the entire ecosystem of Central and Southern Florida,” said Charlette Roman, South Florida Water Management District Governing Board Member. “Under the leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis, the South Florida Water Management District continues to prioritize public-private partnerships as part of our effort to do more now for Florida’s environment. We continue to use every tool in our toolbox to expedite progress. Thank you, Garcia Land Management, LLC, for providing important water storage and treatment north of Lake Okeechobee to help protect our water resources and the environment.”
North Florida Land Trust Receives Donation of Nearly 400 Acres on Amelia Island
North Florida Land Trust (NFLT) scored a big win for conservation on Amelia Island, thanks to a generous donation from the Thornton Family. The family donated approximately 396 acres to the nonprofit land conservation organization to ensure it would remain in its natural state forever. The property is adjacent to Ft. Clinch State Park and runs about two miles between the state park and Egan’s Creek. It is within the Ft. Clinch Optimum Boundary, and protecting the land protects the state park. It is also in NFLT’s Salt Marsh and Coastal Resilience Priority Preservation Area.
“This is a huge deal for Amelia Island, and we are so grateful to the Thornton family for contacting us and donating this beautiful piece of property,” said Allison DeFoor, president and CEO of NFLT. “By saving this land, we are saving an essential piece of Amelia Island. When you visit Fort Clinch or just drive down Atlantic Ave. and see the green and open space, you will know the beautiful landscape next door will remain that way forever. The marshes will never be filled in, and bulldozers will never be seen here. It is a great day for conservation.” The property was named Thornton’s Family Preserve for the family, who ensured this place was preserved by donating it to NFLT. It is a mix of salt marsh, mixed scrub-shrub wetlands, and maritime hammock habitats. While assessing the property, NFLT staff have seen many native species, including white-tail deer, American alligators, bottlenose dolphins, roseate spoonbills, wood storks, snowy egrets, great blue herons, great egrets, anhingas and fiddler crabs.
