text: UFDC Home | Help | RSS Title: A Guide to the SWFWMD CITATION THUMBNAILS PAGE IMAGE ZOOMABLE Full Citation STANDARD VIEW MARC VIEW Permanent Link: http://ufdc.ufl.edu/WL00002766/00001 Material Information Title: A Guide to the SWFWMD Physical Description: Book Language: English Publisher: SWFWMD Subjects Spatial Coverage: North America -- United States of America -- Florida Notes Abstract: A Guide to the SWFWMD General Note: Box 11, Folder 2 ( 17th Annual Water Management Seminar - 1998 ), Item 3 Funding: Digitized by the Legal Technology Institute in the Levin College of Law at the University of Florida. Record Information Bibliographic ID: WL00002766 Volume ID: VID00001 Source Institution: Levin College of Law, University of Florida Holding Location: Levin College of Law, University of Florida Rights Management: All rights reserved by the source institution and holding location. Full Text A Guide to the Southwest Florida Water SManagement District 0 printed on recycled paper I_ i Table of Contents Chapter 1 District Overview ........... ............................ 1-1 1-7 Chapter 2 The Water Resource .............. .... ............2-1 2-10 Chapter 3 Resourceanag ent.............. .... .... Chapter 4 Flood Protection...........................................41 4-6 Chapters Natural Systems ........................................ 5-1 56 Chapter 6 Water Quality...............................................6-1 -6-6 Chapter 7 Water Supply ...................................... ...... 7-1 -7-10 Chapter 8 Fluid Relationships ..........................................8-1 -8-2 Chapter 9 Education............. ..........,,..................... 9-1 9-3 Chapter 10 Organization and Management...................... 10-1 -10-13 Chapter 11 District Financial Information ......................11-1 -11-3 Chapter 12 Basin Boards.....................................12-1 -12-14 Key Terms.............. .............. ................. Key Terms 1-4 Acronyms........ ..... ... .......... ................... Acronyms -1-6 Index ................................... ...... ............... Index 1 Issue Papers..................................................... Appendix Statement From The Executive Director The Southwest Florida Water Management District is charged by Florida statutes with protecting the water and water-related resources of west central Florida. We hope this Guide will provide the reader with basic information about who we are and how we carry out our responsibilities, which are varied and complex. The District's responsibilities include, for example, ensuring an adequate quantity and quality water resource for millions of people living across approximately 10,000 square miles. But we must also preserve a balance between the needs of a rapidly growing population and the sensitive environmental systems that also need water now and in the future. Our duties require us to coordinate efforts with more than a hundred government organizations, from the smallest municipalities to state and federal agencies. We frequently deal with highly technical issues involving both policy and science. Our task is made even more complex by the many competing points of view toward how the resource should be managed. This Guide was designed to provide a basic introduction to the District, while guiding readers to additional District information that may prove helpful. For the most part, it has been written free of jargon and acronyms that often present barriers to genuine understanding. Its streamlined contents will hopefully save you many hours searching through volumes of information elsewhere to find what you need to know about the Southwest Florida Water Management District. Should you need additional information, please call our Public Communications Department, (800) 423-1476, ext. 4757. We will provide you information in as complete and timely a manner as possible, or, if we can't answer your questions, we'll refer you to those who can. v Soterm t Fb Sincerely, Protecting Yr Water Resources E.D. "Sonny" Vergara Executive Director Mission Statement "The mission of the Southwest Florida Water Management District is to manage the water-related resources for the people through regulatory and other programs Central to he mission is maintaining the balance between the water needs of the current and future residents, while protecting and maintaining the natural systems." *1P ?j- r The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) does not discriminate upon the basis of any individual's disability Statis.This nondiscrimination policy involves every aspect of the District's functions including one's access to, participation, employment, or treatment in its programs or activities. Anyone requiring reasonable accommodation as provided for in the Americans With Disabilities Act, should contact 1-800-423-1476 (Florida only), extension 4757; TDD no. only: 1-800-231-6103 (Florida only); fax (352) 754-6883, Suncom 628-4150, Suncom fax 663-6883 or view our Web Site on the World Wide Web at http://www.dep.state.fl.us/swfwmd. (1 _ District Overview Florida seems awash in water. The Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico surround the peninsula. Florida also sits atop another huge body of water, the Floridan aquifer, containing trillions of gallons of fresh water, yet despite that seeming abundance, unrelenting pumping has had devastating environmental impacts. For all water's benefits, man has not always regarded Florida's water kindly. When Florida became a state in 1845, two-thirds of it was wetlands much of it considered a nuisance to be drained and filled so property beneath the water could be used for agriculture and other development. In 1960, heavy seasonal rains, followed by Hurricane Donna, caused massive flood damage to southwest Florida, prompting the state Legislature to create the Southwest Florida Water Management District. The District, which encompasses all or part of 16 west central Florida counties, extends north to Levy County and south to Charlotte County. It also stretches from the Gulf east to Polk and Highlands counties. The region the District serves is diverse and includes some of the state's most productive agricultural lands. It also contains some of the state's most densely populated land, including fast growing urban areas along the Gulf Coast. Within the District are some of the nation's largest phosphate mining operations. It also encompasses the Green Swamp, headwaters for the Peace, Hillsborough, Withlacoochee, Kissimmee and Oklawaha rivers, and numerous lakes, springs, and streams. IN BRIEF About The District An or part of 16 counties in west central Florida Charlotte, Ctus, DeSoto Hardee, Hemno H~hands, Hllsborough, Lake. Levy, Manatee Marion, Pasco, Pinelas, Polk, Sarasota and Sumter 10,000 square miles Population in 1996:3.6 million (about one-quarter of state's population) Projected population in 2010-4.6 million Nine watershed basins, including the Green Swamp which forms the headwaters for the Peace, Hisfborough. Withacoochee Kissimmee and Oidawaha rivers 19 major surface water drainage basins or watersheds which are separated by divides (high areas of land) Originally a flood control agency When created, the District was to serve as a flood control agency and local sponsor of the "Four River Basins, Florida Project," a plan developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to reduce flooding in the Tampa Bay area through dam building and construction of water retention areas. The Souhwest Forida Water Managment District Compries Al or Part of 16Countis hi West Cetral Flori Currently, the District operates 73 water control structures, including basic water management and flood control structures. The District's award-winning Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition program includes an early- warning system that provides constant monitoring of the water levels at control structures and other key locations. Since the creation of the District in 1961, Florida has experienced massive population growth, changing rainfall patterns and dramatically increased demand for fresh water. Fortunately, man's awareness of the complexity and interrelationship of ecosystems has also expanded. District's responsibilities expand Today the responsibilities of the District have grown to include management of the water supply, water quality and the protection of natural systems related to the water supply. The Legislature has given the water districts the authority to develop water policies, and to create and implement water management plans. The District also issues permits for underground water well construction, and it regulates activities affecting surface water and the use of water. The District has the authority to limit how much water is taken from the aquifer. Long-range planning and coordination with other agencies have become a primary focus of the District's efforts to accomplish its mission, which requires it to manage the resource for current and future users, while still protecting the environment. In 1990, the population of the District had grown to 3.3 million people, up from 2.5 million in 1980. By 2010, 4.6 million people are expected to be living within the District. All those people need fresh water. In 1994, an average of about 1.468 billion gallons was used each day in the District for 0 ic;~*r,~~~~~~~u~~i,~-ra*~u~n~~~wh~h agriculture, public supply, industry, recreation and other purposes. That demand is expected to increase to about 1.821 billion gallons a day in 2020, up 24 percent. Careful management of the supply and safe, creative alternatives will be needed. In 1990, 80 percent of the fresh water consumed here came from underground water supplies. When more water is withdrawn from an area than is replaced by rainfall, the underground water IN BRIEF supply becomes stressed. As pumping Dstrict has increased, a clear REPOsgIiIJti trend of lower water levels in wells and Develop water police nearby surface waters has been documented in Create and implernt management plans various parts of the ma District. Lakes and Issue permit for gou wetlands have dried, construction causing trees and plants to die and Regulate activities a~e putting the water water andAth seea supply and water quality in jeopardy. Three such areas in the District are designated Water Use Caution Areas. The District has established, or is in the process of establishing, special rules or management plans for these areas, including using the District's permitting authority to regulate how much water can be taken. Developing alternative sources of water With substantial demand increases projected and an already-stressed water supply, the District has undertaken comprehensive programs to encourage development of alternative sources of supply. A program called the New Water Sources Initiative (NWSI) provides local governments 50 percent of the money needed to develop alternative sources of water. Additionally, federal funds have been allocated for five of the NWSI projects. New sources include reuse, S repurification, rehydration and desalination. Most importantly, the use of alternative supplies will mean the District and its water users will no longer water well be held hostage to rainfall. One of the greatest challenges facing the surface District is to enlist Residents and businesses as partners in the management and protection of water resources. A key aspect of that effort is to educate the public, business and industry about the limits of the water supply and the complexities of water supply management. This can be accomplished by using educational programs in coordination with public school systems, local governments and private industry. The educational efforts focus heavily on the h K Cr Il * I a: I 1 q.1-1 r.',-. -.. .....- --: -,-* U .. - benefits of conservation because conservation is the fastest, cheapest way to extend the drinkable water supply. Comprehensive long-range planning It seems ironic that the District, which was created to alleviate the problems caused by too much water, now struggles with problems caused by too little. A central part of the District's mission today is to manage the resource so there is enough water for all who may need it, without damaging the ecosystems that protect the supply. To help achieve these goals, the District has increasingly emphasized comprehensive long-range planning and communication with other government agencies. The District Water Plan is a 20-year program to develop and implement strategies which will provide an ample and stable supply of fresh water for all appropriate users. The plan also includes protection of ecosystems, restored water quality in water bodies, and a partnership between the District and other appropriate agencies in efforts to deal with natural disasters. Among the most significant difficulties is that neither the population nor the existing water supply is distributed uniformly throughout the approximately 10,000 square miles which fall under the District's jurisdiction. Further, the majority of the people served by the District are concentrated along the Gulf Coast, removed from the bulk of the existing fresh water supply. Much of that supply comes from wellfields in rural areas which is pumped to densely populated coastal communities. As demand for fresh water rose with supply of fresh population, increased pumping at those wellfields and below-normal rainfall antainaned; from May 1988-May 1994 began to adversely affect natural the available supply and s that affect the environment. Battles over water between sparsely populated "have" proecio and densely populated "have not" counties ensued. Local Sources First As part of its aggressive plan to help ensure safe and secure water supplies, the District has adopted a "Local Sources First" policy. The policy specifies that local sources of water will be developed to the greatest reasonable extent before water is imported from a distant source. This IN BRIEF Goals * Maintain an adequate water * Ensure water quality is enhance it where poss * Preserve and restore n environmental system freshwater supply SProvide region flood IN BRIEF Timeline * 1961 SWFWMD created by Legislature asflood control agency and ocal sponsorof the"Four River Basins, Florida Projecta plandeveloped by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to alleviate flooding in the Tampa Bay area. * Mid to late 1960sThe District began regulating wellfields, where hugepumps draw substantial amounts of water from the aquier.Thee significant trendks:creased awareness of the Iportance of natural systems, soaringpopuition, and federal pressureto improvewater quality and control pollution. * 1970s Transition to broad-based management of the water *1972: Legislature passed the Water Resources Act as a result of severe drought and.the need fora more comprehensive approach to water managementThe act divided the state nto six water management districts, changed to five in 1976. Overall supervisory authority at the state level was vested in the Florida Department of Natural Resources. * 1975: The Environmental organization Act transferred supervisory authority over the water management distrits to the Department of Pollution ControlThat authority is now vested in the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). * "t198 Responsibilities expanded to include water conservationwater quality Improvement and protection of wedands through a variety of programs. *1981: Save Our Rivers pogragm.Offcially the Water Management LandsTrust Fundllthis statute provides moneyfor the acruImstonmaitenance and management of lanfor water supply prection.The fund is administered statewideby OEP and obtains money from documentary stamptaxes on real estate. The money is distributed among1he five water management districts. common-sense approach ensures that as a community uses water, it is aware of the source of the water. Further, it encourages communities that are heavy water users to conserve and develop new, alternative supply sources. District employees work within this atmosphere to meet the District's goals to protect the public's water resource. District staff members possess skills and training of wide diversity, including engineers, planners, mechanics, hydrologists, environmental scientists, computer professionals, secretaries, surveyors, graphic artists, attorneys, auditors, land planners, economists, educators and many more. District organization The District is organized into four management areas: Executive, Resource Regulation, Resource Management and Management Services. U sa a r.. a -- -- -- -- O IN BRIEF I Timeline * 1984 The Warren G.enderson Wetands Act authorized the District to protect underground water quality by regulating agricultural water systems, including their discharge. By putting the District in charge of issuing or denying permits for agricultural water systems, the District assumed greater responsibility in protecting sensitive wetlands and other natua resources. * 1987: SurfaceWater provement and Management Act (SWM established fund the cleanup and restoration of pouted lakes, steams, rivers and estuaries. DEP delegated responsibility for implementing the program to the water management districts.Within the District one of themost challenging SWIM project has been the cotiuing and significantly successful efforts to retoreTamnp Bay's water quatlty. The executive branch oversees the other three. District policy is set by an 11-person Governing Board. Board members are District residents appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate to serve four-year terms. They are unpaid, citizen volunteers. The board's responsibilities focus on those issues that are Districtwide in nature. The board also appoints the executive director, who conducts the business of the District, hires staff, and manages day to day operations. * 1990 Legislature adopted the Florida Preservon 2000 Act known as Pz200,which expanded the Disdcts land acquisition efforts. Under the act, 30 percent of a fund administered by the Department of Environmental Protection is distributed among the five water districts to purchase land that otherwise could not be acquired under the Save Our Rver orsnimar progms.The act established no specic long-term funding source, and funding must be designated annualyby the Legislatureunds available for Preservation 2000 purchase can fluctuate Msubstantriy. * 1997: More than 268,000 acres of public land were under Disrict managementhaving been acquired through Preservation 2000, Save Our Rivers and similar prrams.The vast majority ofthat land open to the pubifor variousforms of receatmkn The executive branch also administers the District's budget. In 1997, the District budget stands at approximately $150 million. Of that, 24 percent comes from intergovernmental sources: the Save Our Rivers and Preservation 2000 land acquisition and management programs. Most of the budget, 57.7 percent, comes from ad valorem taxes on real estate. That taxing ability was set by the Legislature in 1976 following a statewide voter referendum which approved ad valorem taxing I S powers for water management districts. The Legislature established a limit of one dollar for each thousand dollars of assessed value. Fifty cents of each of those dollars can be used by the District to fund regulatory activities and projects of regional significance. The other 50 cents can be used by the Basin Boards (see below) to support projects that directly benefit the basin where the money was collected. Historically, the actual tax rates levied have been far less than the maximum permitted. Basin Boards Each of the District's eight basins is administered by a Basin Board whose boundaries are based upon the natural flow of water, watershed areas, rather than county lines. Another basin, the Green Swamp, is administered directly by the Governing Board. Basin Board members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate, and like Governing Board members they serve as unpaid citizen volunteers. Each of the eight boards must include one representative from each county within the basin and have at least three members. The chairman of each Basin Board also is one of the 11 members of the District's Governing Board. Basin Board members serve staggered three-year volunteer terms. The Basin Boards provide local perspective to water management and focus on water-related issues and projects within their basins. They support planning and projects specific to their local basins. Further, the Basin Boards are essential partners with the District in the New Water Sources Initiative, one of the most important programs the District sponsors. The Basin Boards work with local governments to complete projects that have direct and measurable impact in local communities. Together, the District and the Basin Boards provide 50 percent of the funds for these programs. Southwest Florida Water Management District Protecting Your Water Resources --.- --r- ts- -i-i*-r The Water Resource The District identifies two broad sources of fresh water: traditional and alternative. Traditional sources include underground water and surface water and are the subjects of this section. Alternative sources include conservation, reuse, repurification, rehydration and desalination and will be described in this Guide's Water Supply section. In several of the areas of the District, demand is projected to exceed what can be safely taken from conventional sources without damage to the environment. The District promotes aggressive use of alternative sources to supplement the traditional supply. However, underground water is now and will remain the mainstay of the freshwater supply in west central Florida. It includes only water beneath the surface of the earth. More than 80 percent of all water used within the District comes from this source. It provides a dependable year- round supply and is available throughout much of the District, but it has increasingly been recognized as a limited resource. These limitations mean that the only way to maintain this resource is to withdraw no more than what is needed, helping to sustain our fragile ecosystem. This is known as sustainability. Rainfall is the sole source of natural replenishment of the aquifer or underground water resource. Aquifers There are three aquifers within the District, generally layered upon one another. The deepest - the Floridan aquifer provides 10 times the water as the other two aquifers combined. In the coastal areas of the District, a zone of "transition" from fresh to salt water exists. Under the southwestern part of the District, the Floridan aquifer has moderate to relatively high concentrations of sulfate, which limit its use. Toward the coast, concentrations of sulfate and chloride approach that of seawater. The Floridan aquifer is made up largely of porous limestone and dolomite rocks saturated with water. It includes two main sections, the upper and lower Floridan aquifers, which are separated by a layer of dense material. The middle layer and the lower aquifer contain water with a SAND CLAY 0 IN BRIEF Aquifer * Definitio: Porous rock which stores arge quantities of water underground * lhree in District: F rmddMa Iemad Surfidal * Floridam Deepest of three; provides 10 times as much as other w combined;thickess ranges from 500 feet to 1,400 * Itermedhatme Thicness 50 feet to 400 Chariote and Sarasota ae the two counties which rely heavily on this aquier, howeverWManate DeSote Hardee, Pok and Hibrough cmuties asotake water from the Intermediate source. significant amount of chlorides and sulfates and are not usable sources of fresh water. But the upper Floridan aquifer generally is fresh, and varies in thickness from less than 500 feet in Levy County to about 1,400 feet in southern Manatee County. In the northern part of the District, the upper Floridan aquifer comes very close to the surface and is readily replenished by rainfall. That also makes the aquifer in this area very susceptible to contamination. However, the geology begins to change beginning around Hillsborough County. At the DeSoto and Charlotte county line it begins approximately 600 feet below the surface. The space between the Floridan aquifer and the surface is filled by two aquifers, the largest of which is the SSurfcida Closes to the surface; thickness 25 feet to 250 feet; limited as dependable supply of water except in the southern part ofthe District Surfdcal aqufer supplies Venice, Englewood, and Rotunda service areas. *The closer to the surface the more asiy the aquifer is replenished, but t's also more susceptible to pottiton * Threatsfrom overpumping: water quality deteriorate saltwater intrusion reduced flow of fresh water springs; wetlanndand lake levels; impacts to ecosystems. Intermediate aquifer system, made up of permeable, water-bearing material between semi- permeable layers of clay. Because the Floridan aquifer in the south is much farther below the surface and separated from the surface clay, it is much more difficult for rainfall or surface water to seep through the ground and replenish the underground water. This is especially true along the Gulf coast. The Intermediate aquifer is about 50 feet thick in central Hillsborough and Polk counties. The thickness generally increases toward the south, becoming about 400 feet in Charlotte County. Five counties in the southern part of the District Polk, Sarasota, Highlands, Hardee and DeSoto rely on the Intermediate aquifer for public supply, private domestic supply and agricultural use. In coastal Charlotte and Sarasota counties, there is brackish water, which is treated by reverse osmosis before it is used for public supply. In other areas, the water receives only minimal treatment before being distributed for use. In the southern part of the District, the Surficial aquifer rests above the Intermediate aquifer. The two are separated by dense clays. In some areas, the Surficial system rests directly upon the upper Floridan aquifer. The Surficial system is generally quartz sand, clay sand, shell, and other materials saturated with water. It extends to the land surface, but it also varies considerably in thickness, from about 25 feet near the coast and low-lying areas to about 250 feet in Highlands County. Because it is so close to the surface, it is highly susceptible to contamination. Hydrogeo The Surficial system is limited as a dependable NWC F water supply, except in the O southwestern part and along the central ridge, which is I high land running through the eastern portions of Polk and Highlands counties. Along the central ridge the T sand is thick, so the Intermediate aquifer there is better able to serve as a source for water. Taken as a whole, all the variations in geology form three large underground water basins within the District: the northern, central and southern. All three come together at a geological junction in northern Polk County. (see graphic below) Effects of pumping The differences in geology in the three basins alter how pumping from the underground water supply affects the quality of the underground water and the nearby surface water sources. Underground water can be pumped so much that the surface water levels drop. Like putting a straw in a drink, as you drink the liquid down, the beverage exposes the ice. Likewise, as the aquifer is drawn down, lakes and streams on the surface can go dry. Declining water levels cause numerous adverse effects, including deterioration of water logic Cross Section of the SWFWMD quality, especially along the coast in the southern groundwater basin, and surface water decline in Northern Tampa Bay and the Highlands Ridge. Florida's aquifer system is surrounded by seawater, and permanently lowering water levels can cause that salty water to creep into areas that previously held fresh water. In areas not directly threatened by saltwater intrusion, excessive pumping of underground water can reduce the flow of freshwater springs and lower wetland and lake levels. This also has occurred, and has been documented in parts of the central groundwater basin. As the population in the District grew, demand on the underground water supply increased. By 1989, the District recognized distinct areas in which water resources were stressed due to groundwater withdrawals. Those areas are known by two names. Water Use Caution Areas, commonly referred to as WUCAs, is the designation adopted in 1989 when the District began establishing them. However, the District gradually is changing over to Water Resource Caution Area WRCA as the areas are known in State Water Policy documents. The change is being made in the interest of statewide consistency. Because the areas are widely known by the public as WUCAs, the change is being made carefully to avoid confusion. All of the southern part of the District now falls within the boundaries of one WUCA or another, and some of the central and northern parts of the District receive the same designation. We will provide extensive information on these areas in the Water Supply section of this Guide, but for now suffice it to say are urre used that special rules and d water suppl management plans for water w Rimw consumption have been atee River Peace : m established in the areas. akkahatchee Surface water osymMs habitat Rivers, lakes, estuaries w reductions as a and wetlands are all surface water resources. They are t a uure among Florida's most nof-,domestc valuable resources, not only nd treatment for their obvious aesthetic y indury; and ecological values, but OtmosphMe. also for their significant economic contributions to tourism, sport and commercial fishing, and quality of life. Currently, surface water has a significant role as a public water supply source. And rivers are regarded as a significant source of water in the IN BRIEF * Se enrivrsend crks for miuncdpa or industry -tdhV flbmioroughf * Mar t s to river e floodplainandshoretine destruction;poluttion;1io result f withdrawal * vew watr qu litylwe and urban stonwar ru waste from sepdc tanks a iants;efruentfrro hemw depositfalling from the b ,:(- t 98.,~,r il~~ rlan- em b.-~rrr i~-i~~ 0 r n*Sl-c-r i *e i a. ll sea - - -. -'; future, but withdrawals need to be carefully managed to avoid environmental damage. The District's rivers are very different in geologic settings, origin, water quality and ecology. The flows of the rivers are very different also, in large measure because of the great range of combinations of underground water and surface water runoff that contribute to each river. The relative contribution of underground water affects flow, water chemistry, and the plants and animals of each system. The effects of underground water flow, tides, and the transition from temperate to subtropical climates create a rich diversity of habitats associated with river systems within the District. Major threats to river ecosystems include habitat destruction in floodplains and along shorelines, pollution, and flow reductions as a result of withdrawals. Water quality generally is regarded as good throughout the District's rivers, although some sections need improvement. Water quality threats include agricultural and urban stormwater runoff, domestic waste from septic tanks and treatment plants, effluent from heavy industry, and deposits falling from the atmosphere. Lakes This District has lots of lakes. The shape and size of lakes within the District are tremendously diverse, varying from shallow wet-weather ponds to very deep lakes formed by sinkholes. They range in size from small ponds to several in excess of 4,000 acres such as Crooked Lake and Lake Hancock, both in Polk County, 5,538 acres and N BRIEF Lakes S1800 lakes, 10 acres or larger,in the District represent 23 percent of lakes in state SPolk County has the greatest number of lakes in the District; ranked fourth among all counties in the state Limited u as publc water supply. Lakes are very suspectible to fluctuations in level based on rainfall Also, n evaluating lakes, one technicalcriterion requires that aumulative withdrawals not remove more than one foot of volume from the lake per year.Based on this, only a few rnural lakes in the District would be able to supply more than 3 mgd, and then only during wet yeas. Lakes are used for a numberof domestic small agricultural and recirculating industrial uses. 4,519 acres, respectively, and Lake Panasoffkee in Sumter County, 4,460 acres Actually, the number and variety of lakes may deceive the casual observer interested in them as a source of water. The District limits the amount of water that can be withdrawn from a lake. Only a few lakes, excluding reservoirs, could supply millions of gallons per day during wet years and stay within safe environmental standards. Though lakes are used for domestic, small agricultural and recirculating industrial purposes, their value as a 0 significant source of public supply is extremely limited. Nevertheless, the District is responsible for ensuring that lakes within its boundaries remain healthy. Established in the mid-1970s, the District's Lake Level program incorporates substantial citizen participation and provides enhancement of public awareness on the roles B and values of these water bodies. The Lake Levels Annual Report provides CEm v an updated listing of De&io- o lakes in the District with wh an open co adopted levels. fresh water (spri The Surface Water with salt water. Improvement and Management program Three-quartrs of sp has designated the species in the uf estuaries at some p following lakes as priority waterbodies: 80 percent of conm catch comes from e * Lake Panasoffkee in species Sumter County * Lake Tarpon in Pinellas County * Lake Thonotasassa in Hillsborough County * Winter Haven Chain of Lakes in Polk County. This designation means a special emphasis is placed on protecting the lake's quality and environment. Estuaries Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay and Charlotte Harbor are the largest estuaries in the District. Like other estuaries, they are transitional zones and are especially valuable because of their role in marine fisheries production. Estuaries often serve as a hatchery for juvenile fish which move into deeper water as they mature. If the quality or quantity of estuaries is degraded, the d water bodies, ability of certain species to n to the sea, where reproduce can be seriously rasstream mixes damaged. The cycle of fresh water flowing into estuaries is a and commercial fish primary concern in axico depend on Wo depend on managing their health. The in their lives timing and volume of fresh a and creational water coming into estuaries ryependent are probably the most important factors controlling the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of these water bodies. Among other things, the fresh water establishes circulation patterns, regulates salinity levels and delivers nutrients and sediments to the estuaries and their dependent species. Many species that depend on estuaries use them primarily during immature larval or juvenile stages. These early life stages require the lower salinity created by the fresh water mixing with salty seawater. The immature creatures are thus lose ctio ort IfM point edn *Act a a .;. p t~ii--~ *t~i= ~B- c.,,ri : *nFiir r-n. it-i-i.~( .-ii as .-- a~ e ~m 0 IN BRIEF Wetlands * Defiition: Water resource that supports aquatic and transitional vegetation and species. SExamples Swamps, marshes, bayhead bogs, cypress domes and stands, sloughs, wet prairies, riverines, swamps and marshes,hydric seepage slopes, tidal marshes, mangrove swamps. * 1.2 nmlon aces, approximately 18. percent of District Wetland hardwood forests are the primary category. In the 1780s, Florida had an estimated 203 million acres of wetlands, covering about 54 percent of the state. n the mld-1970s,there were an estimated 11.2 million acres of wetands in the state. By the mid-1980s, It was esthted that Florda had 11 million acres of wetlands, covering 30 percent of able to take advantage of the rich food sources found in low and moderately salty water. Therefore, a direct ecological link exists between fresh water flowing into an estuary and fishery production. Fresh water that flows into an estuary often originates many miles away. For that reason, managing the water quality in an estuary involves management of the entire watershed that drains into it. There are 11 watershed management areas comprising the District. Ten of them ultimately drain into the Gulf or an estuary feeding the Gulf. Approximately 2,200 square miles, or 24 percent of the state, a loss of about 260,000 acres to agriculture, urban and other development since 10 years earlier. The 1980sfigure represents a loss of 93 million acres statewide, or a 46 percent decrease, compared to the 1780s estimate. Florida has 20 percent of the remaining wetlands in the US. * Senitts -Serves as filtering system; -Stores water to reduce flood potential -Provides critical habitat forfish and wildlife; -Acts as shoreline storm buffer; -Recharges underground water; -Produces aesthetic values lands in the District drain into Tampa Bay. Therefore, integrated watershed management is an important initiative for priority estuaries in the District. Integrated management is implemented through the planning and programs of the National Estuary Program (NEP) and the Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) program. The NEP was established in 1987 through the Federal Water Quality Act, which authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency to develop management plans for estuaries of national significance that are threatened by pollution, development or overuse. Tampa Bay, e0 Sarasota Bay and Charlotte Harbor are included in the National Estuary Program, as is the coastal area between the Weekiwachee and Withlacoochee rivers. Wetlands Wetlands comprise nearly one-fifth of the District. What is a wetland, and what is not, can be a subject of great controversy because use of wetlands is regulated and limited by statute. Generally, the District defines wetlands as areas that are inundated or saturated by surface water or underground water at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and under normal circumstances do support, vegetation typically adapted for life in wet soils. The ecological and economic values of wetlands include: Water quality protection Wetlands filter sediments, nutrients and other materials from surface runoff into water bodies. Floodwater storage, lessening the risks and degree of flooding Wetlands act as water storage and flood detention areas. They are natural reservoir systems. Fish and wildlife habitat Wetlands serve as critical habitat for a variety of important game species, such as waterfowl, as well as many other species of wildlife. They also serve as nursery habitat for a variety of commercially and recreationally important fish species, and as a critical habitat for a number of wildlife species with protected status, such as gopher frogs, white Ibis, wood storks, sandhill cranes, gopher tortoises, long-tailed weasels and Eastern Indigo snakes, among others. Shoreline storm buffering Coastal wetlands mitigate damage to inland areas from hurricanes and other large storms. Moreover, coastal marshes damaged by a hurricane repair themselves at no cost, whereas waterfront development usually must be repaired at great cost. 0 IN BRIEF The Green Swamp * Location Polk, Hillsborough, Pasco, Sumter, and Lake Counties * Sie: More than 500,000 acres SPublic Ownersilp The District, about 100,000 acres. Other public agencies, about 64,000 acres in the District area Natural value: * Flood Protecdti Extensive wetlands store storm/food waters.Through District management, over 90,000 acres of land with surface water storage capacity have been protected. * Water Quaty improvement. Wetlands vegetation filters sediments and other unwanted Underground water recharge Certain types of wetlands fulfill important underground water recharge functions. Because wetlands store or slow the movement of water, the water has more time to percolate into the ground and refill the surficial aquifer. Aesthetic benefits -Wetlands have a number of intrinsic, aesthetic values including scenery and passive recreational opportunities, like hiking and photography. elements from water before it flows downstream in rivers or recharges into aquifer. * Recharge. Since water isstoredin the vast wetlands, more water has more time to percolate into the aquifer. * Prsure. The Green Swamp provides the pressure" for the aquifer system, forcing water to flow outward toward the population centers that depend on groundwater. * Headwaters for five river: the Hilsborough, Oklawaha, Peace, Wthlacoochee and Kissimmee rivers Kissimmee River Is in the South Florida Water Management District). * Threats Imminent land development Wetlands can be damaged by significant changes in either surface water or underground water systems that supply water to them. Inappropriate dredge and fill projects are one common way that adverse changes are made in the surface water supply to wetlands. When this occurs, water that normally would flow to a wetland is routed elsewhere. Or the wetland itself is filled with soil, raising its elevation so that water no longer flows to it. Underground water supplies to wetlands can be reduced by excessive pumping from the aquifer under or near wetlands. 0 -~Cer'-i r^- ~I -;-nirrxY-~~ll*LrrUiYer~i When this occurs, the underground water level is lowered so much that underground water can no longer reach and seep into the wetland. Protecting wetlands means taking into account all of the functions of wetlands and their benefits. Protection does not consist just of preventing wetlands destruction by development, or requiring mitigation by developers for wetlands that are lost. It also must include protection of those periods in the wetlands natural cycle when they should be wet in order to preserve their structure and function. It could also include providing water of suitable quality to wetlands during periods of drought. The District maintains wetland information for all the counties within its boundaries. This data is available to local governments, which use it when evaluating proposed developments. The District also uses the information as part of its evaluation of property proposed for public purchase. The underground water/surface water relationship Nature provides conventional water supplies in two forms, and at first glance underground water and surface water may appear to be distinctly separate. However, in many areas a strong relationship exists between the two, and the complexity of the relationship is such that reductions in underground water can affect surface water levels and quality several miles away. For instance, lake levels often are a direct reflection of underground water levels. If the level of the underground water drops, because of overpumping or other reasons, water levels in nearby lakes may drop also because the higher underground water level was supporting the lake level. It is important to remember that lakes fluctuate naturally. Not all low lake levels are due to overpumping, though some clearly are. Also, underground water provides the base flow of streams from springs. If reductions in underground water lower spring flow, that will cut back stream flow. This can have many negative effects. Reduced stream flow can raise the salinity in estuaries many miles from the area where the underground water level dropped, causing the estuary to be less habitable for wildlife. Southwest Florida WaterManagement District Protecting Your Water Resources .~lrl~C~--i-_1C~~ _L -.. .----- Ir-L, 'tF' -Uj: .;;i-u d.i* (lri-Lli.rr.rr; l P n ll""' x'YrIrrr~rl1-il~y ~~-_ II__-- - Resource Management 0 In the 1960s, the challenge was "simply" to control flooding no small task in an area approximately the size of New Jersey that is frequently buffeted by major tropical storms. That responsibility was a small fraction of those confronted by the District today. Now, the District also must ensure there is enough water for current and future users. It must make sure that the quality of water is adequate to meet the needs of the user and the environment. And it must protect the natural systems that protect the water supply. Some of those challenges conflict with each other. For instance, it might be possible to supply adequate water for current users simply by pumping all that is needed from the aquifers, but that would cause such damage to the natural systems that it simply isn't acceptable. Making the job even more complex is that it must be accomplished across a vast region of varying geography with nine distinct hydrologic basins. It must take into account the needs of a population of almost 3.6 million, represented by 98 local governments. This growing population is expected to reach 4.5 million people by 2010. As the population grows, so does the demand for water, from 419 mgd in 1990 to 655 mgd in 2010 - a 56 percent increase in 20 years. Clearly, careful planning and coordination are vital. The District in conjunction with private citizens, other state agencies and local governments embarked in January 1992 upon an effort to develop a comprehensive plan to manage the resource. After a careful process including public and governmental workshops, The District Water Plan was published in March of 1995. The District Water Plan outlines the District's goals in the areas of flood protection, water quality, water supply, and natural systems management. All of the areas of responsibility are related and affect each other; and as the District's responsibilities have grown, so has understanding of the relationships between the responsibilities. The District Water Plan represents the District's increasing attempt to treat the natural systems in a comprehensive way. The District Water Plan also outlines the statutory requirements the District must fulfill, while at the same time pointing out the limits of the District's authority that sometimes make it difficult to accomplish the mission. And The District Water Plan identifies a host of issues that affect the District's resource management efforts, proposes strategies for dealing with those issues and establishes a schedule extending 20 years to implement those strategies. Southwest Florida WaterManagement District Protecting Your Water Resources 0 Flood Protection Goal: To minimize potential damage from floods by protecting and restoring Water Management the natural water storage and Structures transportation functions of flood-prone LEVY and Facilities areas. The District will give preference, in the Southwest Florida -MRI ON wherever possible, to non-structural j Water Management District surface water management methods.- CITRUS ,. A Salinity Barriers ---- SU 1 La Tearpon S 3 hweG 'G 2 OsnelA 4 Alpaow Cr. o Flood Protection Structures 10 10 " 5 S-3 1 S-159 o1 S-fB a S-5561 11 S-162 LAK 7 S-155 12 8-160 PASCO a S-163 3[ Water Management Structures 3 FairfSSmk 33 WC-3 53 LCanrl 1; so 14 MVanas 34 S-1M 54 LEW*ne 7 : * 15 Brogen Bndg 35 WC-2 55 WhI Trout L 1[" . 16 BegdeCn DQ r 36 CYpBSS 56 IToutr. POLK 17 ByanWiSlough 37 Antll Park 57 FInlCr.. PINELLS A L.LL '.LSBOROUGH is GolfCourse 38 CrescenIL 58 MedardRes 19 FWialCiy 39 Istnd Fard L 59 Sagrss L 20 LConsuell 40 KeystoneL so0 L Gton 21 LBlufrey 41 LPeitly 61 L Paf r 22 OangeSSate 42 LKaII 62 SCOf L. 23 LesleelHBer 43 L Kene#2 e3 banana L. ANATE E 24 S-10 44 KeeneL#1 64 LHancocd HAFR DEE 25 S-13 45 L HMana e LAriet HIGHLAND 26 S-11 46 Keene L e6 LLena 27 S-12 47 LStemnper 67 LSmart - 28 W-4 48 LChlart 68 LFmnie i:. :..' 29 S-18 49 SaddslebadL 69 LHeny 30 WC-7 so L Magd*ne 70 L Hamilton SA O D 31 W;6 51 BayL 71 G-90 32 WC-5 52 L EBn-Lpsey 72 Moccasin Sloug-- CHARLOTTE -- ._ ...... Protection against floods comes in two forms: build structures (ditch, dam and dike) to control water, and avoid developing land that floods, also known as "structural" and "non-structural" approaches, respectively. by th LEVY Southwest Florid .RN... Water Managemen 10 0 10 20 .. .. ...----- Ibala Apopka HERNANDO M#ykfown LAKE PASCO Lake Taipen Outfall Canal Tampa N o E -i AEL : Byss Cana l kHILLSBOROUAH ^ MANATEE H:D: EE SARAS A.............. ... .. .. 4;. SARASOT \ i OT": d e a it oDESOTO CHARLOTTEE E Traditionally, people have opted for a structural approach. However, modern methods - and District policy favor non-structural methods. The structural approach involves building ditches, canals, dams and control structures to ensure that formerly flood-prone areas are reasonably safe from flooding. This is often a long, costly process with significant environmental impacts, including changing, and sometimes destroying, natural aquatic and land-based habitats. Flood control structures The District presently operates and/or maintains 73 surface water management structures; however, only 10 of them are designed for flood protection. Of the other structures, 60 manage lake levels for environmental purposes and three act as salinity barriers. Though often mistaken as flood control structures, they provide very limited flood protection. The largest flood control project undertaken in the District was also the first. The Four River Basins, Florida Project (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers), was designed in response to flood damage by Hurricane Donna in 1960. If fully implemented, it would have included canals, retention areas, pumps and other water control structures that would have moved billions of gallons of water during floods. Most of the flood control facilities owned, operated and/or maintained by the District originated with this project. 0 Although significant portions of the Four River Basins Project were completed, most notably the Tampa Bypass Canal and associated works, the project was scaled back considerably as negative environmental impacts became obvious. Those that were completed are still used to divert flood water from the Hillsborough River. Excess water from the river is sent through canals into McKay Bay, sparing large areas of Tampa and Temple Terrace from potentially disastrous flooding. Designed and built mostly in the 1960s and 1970s, the Bypass Canal also protects the Rowlett Dam and reservoir on the Hillsborough River, which provides drinking water for the City of Tampa. Other District flood control facilities include the Lake Tarpon Outfall Canal in Pinellas County, the Masaryktown Canal in Pasco and Hernando counties, and Structure 353 on the Tsala Apopka system in Citrus County. There are 10 of these structures altogether. Water management structures Water management structures maintain water levels in lakes, and their ability to reduce flooding is quickly exceeded during storms because of limitations of ditches and canals external to the structure. Most of these structures were built years ago by other governmental agencies before continued development increased water flow to them. The District operates only the structures. Typically, local governments are responsible for maintenance of local area drainage systems. If they are not maintained, flooding can occur even when the structure is fully open. These devices typically are small stop-log or hand-operated gate devices. Their primary function is to control the level of a lake or other upstream body of water for environmental purposes. Water control structures are sometimes Found in residential neighborhoods. But their capability of controlling the lake level is limited to one or two feet. Many people mistakenly believe these structures were designed for flood protection rather than to maintain lake levels. This belief prompts people to think the District should be able to better manage flooding in areas where these structures exist. The three salinity barriers in the District are also frequently confused with flood control structures. They are designed to prevent saltwater from flowing into freshwater channels. The gates on them automatically rise with the tide. Two are on channels in western Hillsborough County; the third is on Alligator Creek in Charlotte County. L b n a, a s n- m a i i n .- 'l"i"---"' ~ .'" "~-"; -" -`"'8 Award-winning SCADA system Many of the physical structures are linked through an award-winning and technologically innovative telemetry system that collects data and provides early warning of rising water levels. The Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system is the primary reason that the District's ability to collect flood control information has improved greatly in the past several years. Seventy-two data collections stations have instruments that automatically and immediately provide water levels for surface water and well levels to District staff. If preset high- water levels are reached, a 24-hour computerized telephone list is activated to notify District staff, allowing staff the time to act to open structures to lower water levels and make room for the additional water. This system allows flood problems to be anticipated by watching water level and rainfall trends. SCADA includes fail-safe systems to keep operating during major storms when normal communications may be disrupted. The District also uses permitting rules as a tool to protect against flooding. Environmental Resource Permits regulate construction and operation of surface water management systems associated with new development. Campbell Scientific ET site SCADA well site Handar well site SCADA surface water site Handar surface water site Southwest Florida Water Management District Supervisory Control and Data Acquistion (SCADA) sites i * SCADA structure site O Remote gate control structure site * Radio repeater tower U Base station V Service office 0 HI MAUR A ION 9-- A . CRuS V U, Emergency Operations For years the District had an Emergency Operations Manual that outlined specific actions to be taken in the event or threat-ofa flood. The manual, however, was primarily aimed at protocols for operating District flood control and water management structures. Following Hurricane Andrew in 1992, District staff helped the South Florida Water Management District in their recovery operations. Following that, the Southwest District launched an effort to prepare a more comprehensive emergency plan. The plan is updated annually. The District also helps prepare stormwater plans that deal with the more routine events. Known as Stormwater Management Master Plans, they typically are developed at the request of, and in cooperation with, local governments. They include hydrologic models and detailed flood maps for 10-, 25- and 100-year floods for the entire study area, which is usually a drainage basin experiencing local area flooding. Non-structural flood protection methods Though the District's origin was rooted in structural flood protection, our emphasis has shifted to planning for the future using non- structural methods. Areas that flood naturally provide a host of water management functions that have only been recognized in the last 10 years. These benefits include water storage, which helps limit flooding in other areas, and improvements in water quality, for example, by naturally filtering water to reduce pollutants. They also serve as important natural habitats. Much of the growth and development in southwest Florida occurred in coastal areas or adjacent to rivers, streams, and lakes. Indeed, it has been attraction to the water that has spurred much of the development. The damage to those developments caused by sporadic flooding prompted construction of many of the flood control structures existing today. We now understand better the importance of flood-prone areas and how development in them can cause harm in many ways. However, it is important to note that local governments, not the District, control land use planning and development. The District can provide advice and information to local governments to aid them in their land-use development decisions. District permitting rules are designed to minimize the impact that development can have on flooding. Comprehensive Surface Water Management The District currently has several efforts under way to identify, protect and restore the natural functions of flood-prone areas. The most significant is the Comprehensive Surface Water Management (CSWM) program. Still in development, this program will identify and rank by importance the existing and potential surface water issues of west central Florida within the context of the District's primary areas of responsibility: water supply, flood protection, water quality management and natural systems protection. Identified problems will be addressed in an integrated fashion. For instance, information collected in the Withlacoochee River watershed is used by a work group established to study flooding problems in Sumter and Lake counties. This program is designed to become more proactive and comprehensive in addressing surface water issues, providing the chance to anticipate problems and take preventive actions, rather than reacting to situations as they occur. It also recognizes connections with other issues. Flood problems, for example, should no longer be resolved by channeling runoff more efficiently into the nearest water body without consideration of its effect on water quality, the loss of potential water supplies, and the effect on natural aquatic systems. Floodplain analysis Aerial mapping The Aerial Mapping Program supports the mapping of land surface elevations throughout the District. The program began in the early 1970s and has been funded primarily by Basin Boards. About 7,800 square miles of the District's 9,700- square-mile land mass was mapped as of 1995. The program is the primary source of information for floodplain analysis and the stormwater master plans, which also play a role in minimizing flood damage due to development. The District aerial mapping program is a cooperative effort with local governments. Aerial mapping is now funded through cooperative funding with the Basin Boards. Other efforts It is essential to know floodplain boundaries to minimize flood damage. The District is involved in floodplain identification, along with the National Flood Insurance Program. Almost all major rivers, streams, and lakes in the District were analyzed in the 1970s and 1980s, and flood levels were identified for various flood probabilities, such as the 10-, 25- and 100-year floods. Currently, the District works with local governments on cooperatively funded stormwater management master plans, aerial mapping and floodplain analysis projects all of which lead to floodplain identification. The District provides floodplain information to local governments for planning purposes. Five other District initiatives affect the non- structural flood protection program, but in each case their primary function is more directly related to other elements of the District's goals. They include the Stormwater Management Master Plans, Management and Storage of Surface Southwst Flonda Waters Permitting, the VbterMa& ment Lake Levels Program, Local Government Planning Assistance, and land acquisition programs. Protecting Your Water Resources 0 Natural Systems Goal: To preserve, protect and restore natural systems in order to support their natural hydrologic and ecologic functions. If people or communities damage or destroy the delicate natural systems that protect the water supply, it's obvious that the supply suffers. What is obvious now was not known and understood for many years. Consequently, for many years development policies in Florida did not take environmental impact into account. In 1972, the passage of the federal Clean Water Act began the change in philosophy and evolution of legislation which has led to today's efforts to ensure comprehensive land and water management. At the District, management of natural systems is focused in two broad efforts. One is the preservation, protection and restoration of natural Florida ecosystems, referred to as ecosystems management. The other is the establishment of minimum water flows in rivers and streams, and minimum water levels in lakes and aquifers. Ecosystem management Ecosystem management is a method of protecting environmental resources. The Department of Environmental Protection is required by the Environmental Protection Act of 1993 to develop and implement measures to "protect the functions of entire ecological systems through enhanced coordination of public land acquisition, regulatory and planning programs." The goal is to restore and protect the environment and its natural systems for present and future generations. The District encompasses a wide variety of land and water ecosystems that all depend to some degree upon fresh water. Ecosystems are complex and dynamic living systems. Land acquisition One significant way the District protects whole ecosystems is through land acquisition. Two statewide programs guide the District's land acquisition: the Water Management Lands Trust Fund (commonly known as Save Our Rivers, or SOR), and Preservation 2000 (P2000). These programs target the protection of natural resources at the local and regional level. Lands of importance to water resources and water management are acquired along with lands of unique environmental value S a fl S S e e, aa twa hint a. w a n f aminin .W - endangered by development. The District protects more than 265,000 acres of public land, most bought through SOR or P2000. Ninety-five percent of this land is open for public recreation. Both P2000 and SOR lands are widely used for recreational purposes. The District has produced a Recreational Guide for the public that describes 24 areas open for activities like biking, hiking, camping, bird watching, and so on. Five-year plan Each year the District, like all the water management districts, is required to file a five-year plan of acquisition for SOR and P2000 property with the Legislature and the Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The 1997 Five-Year Plan identified more than 600,000 acres for potential purchase. Once a site is identified, the proposed purchase passes through various stages of review until it is either approved for purchase by the Governing Board and appropriate Basin Board or is rejected. If the property is purchased, a management plan is developed and implemented, and the District's SOR/P2000 Five-Year Plan is amended. Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) Another significant program to preserve and protect natural systems is the Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) program. Created in 1987 by the Legislature, this program IN BRIEF Surface Water Improvement & Management (SWIM) The Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) program, created in 1987 by the Legislature, addresses a waterbody's health as a system of connected resources, rather than as an isolated natural system Working as a part of the water management districts, the program restores and preserves our water resources. Below are the priority water bodies designated by the SWFWMD's SWIM program. PriorityWlater Bodies *Tampa Bay watershed Rainbow River Crystal River Lake Pansoffkee Charlotte Harbor watershed Lake Tarpon LakeThonotosassa Winter Haven chain of lakes Sarasota Bay watershed SBanana Lake addresses a waterbody's health as a system of connected resources, rather than as an isolated natural system. The state's five water districts and the Department of Environmental Protection are directly responsible for SWIM, but they work with many other agencies, local governments and private citizens to develop plans for at-risk waterbodies. 0 0 programs, such as SOR, to help make land-buying decisions, and by local government to help make land-use management decisions. Funding for SWIM has fluctuated. Initially (1987), the state pledged $15 million annually, to * Tampa Bay in Hillsborough County SRainbow River/Blue Run in Marion County SCrystal River/Kings Bay in Citrus County SLake Panasoffkee in Sumter County * Charlotte Harbor in Charlotte County O Lake Tarpon in Pinellas County SLakeThonotasassa in Hillsborough County Q Winter Haven Chain of Lakes in Polk County O Sarasota Bay in Sarasota County G Banana Lake in Polk County be matched by the water management districts, from the general fund. Since then, the water management districts have had to increase their share of dollars to continue the program. In the Those plans generally direct the work needed to restore damaged ecosystems, prevent pollution from runoff and other sources, and educate the public. SWIM plans also are used by other state District, the basin boards have provided solid funding support for SWIM and related programs for several years. In fiscal year 1996, the Legislature did not fund SWIM. Instead, it authorized the water management districts to fund SWIM projects using Save Our Rivers funds. Priority waterbodies The District has ten SWIM priority waterbodies. Tampa Bay has been central to the District's SWIM efforts. Many local governments, agencies and citizens have worked to identify the bay's problems and solutions for its restoration. SWIM activities in Tampa Bay focus on restoring habitat and reducing the effects of stormwater runoff. Restoring the bay will take " ;. ~'Y"i km S C earn m mew a as e c'. as ec e a am a .""~ considerable time and work by a lot of people, but the efforts are already beginning to show positive results. Water quality is improving, and sea grasses are making a comeback. A 1990 survey showed 500 more acres of sea grass in Tampa Bay than the IN BRIEF previous 1988 survey. By 1992, an additional 730 Minimum F acres had returned. The other eight and Levels priority water bodies m The minimum flow or le initially included in the which further water wit SWIM program are: significant harm to the * Rainbow River/Blue ecoogy.The District is i Run in Marion County setting these limits. * Crystal River/Kings Bay Rivem in Citrus County in Citrus County All 14 rivers n the Dist * Lake Panasoffkee * Lake Panasoflkee flow studies complete in Sumter County * Charlotte Harbor Minimum flows establ * Lake Tarpon Little Manatee, Manate in Pinellas County * Lake Thonotasassa Minimum flow evaluat part of water use perm in Hillsborough County Hillsbou. atee Hiltsborough, Manatee * Winter Haven Chain and Shell Creek. of Lakes in Polk County * Sarasota Bay in Sarasota County. * Banana Lake in Polk County. Banana Lake was once identified as the most polluted lake in the state. During the lake's restoration, more than 800,000 cubic yards of sludge was dredged from the lake's bottom and pumped into former phosphate pits along the northern edge of the lake. The lake now supports a healthy sport fishery. Nothing more is proposed to be done to Banana Lake. It is expected that as waterbodies are successfully restored by the SWIM program that they may be removed from the list and other sites added. 'S Minimum flows and levels el is the limit at rawals will cause District management of ter resources and natural systems also includes possible for the establishment of minimum water flows and levels for rivers, lakes and .e m m aquifers. The minimum flow t have minimum r er way. or level is the limit at which or under way. further water withdrawals ied by permit for will cause significant harm to and Peace rivers. the water resources and ecology. Lakes and aquifers n under way as have minimum levels. for the Braden, St B Minimum flows are set for nd Peace rivers rivers and streams. The District uses this information when determining how much water an applicant may be allowed to withdraw from the water body. Ecological minimum flow studies have been completed on 13 of the 14 named rivers in the District, with a study under way on the 14th river. Minimum flows have been established through permits on three rivers: Little Manatee, Manatee and Peace. 0 Id wa es rk d< de isi to lit a 0 0 When a minimum flow is established through a permit, withdrawals from that river cannot cause the river's flow to drop below the specific flow rate. Minimum flow levels are based on studies of downstream requirements for aquatic plants and animals. Based on minimum flow studies, four rivers the Anclote, N BREF Chassahowitzka, Homosassa and MMiWMmcwl f Pithlachascotee are not Led Lvh considered sources of drinking water because La their flows are too low to Snce 1977, lake level regulatory eels fr allow withdrawals. percent in Dlitrict). The District also establishes management 150 lakes identified f levels for lakes. The object of this program is to Aqudfs identify a series of levels SWUCA rules establs levels for Floridan aq representing a healthy for permitdngregtultfion fluctuation range for each le lake. As ofAugust 1997, levels had been adopted In northern Tampa Ba on nearly 400 lakes (about aqufer levis are bei 70 percent in the withdeadIlies pro District), with 150 lakes state tis um &d and Water Adjudicato identified for future (rheWG orand h studies. The Southern Water Use Caution Area (SWUCA) Management Plan includes rules and water use permitting regulations to establish a minimum level for the Floridan aquifer in the southern half of the District. (See Water Use pr e h is y, ty tI Caution Areas section of Water Supply chapter.) Here, pumping from any one area of the southern Floridan aquifer affects the level across the region, which is why one minimum level can be applied to the aquifer in that region. The SWUCA rules were challenged, resulting in a nine-month hearing. A decision in March 1997 upheld portions of the rule 5 but invalidated others. The decision is currently under appeal. The hydrogeology of the 9ram hasset Floridan aquifer changes at arty 400o akes (70 its central and northern sections, where clay layers future studies separating the Floridan, intermediate aquifer and surface lakes and wetlands minimum aquifer have many holes, making it an a "leaky" system. The to reach those aquifer also becomes more compartmentalized, minimum resembling more a series of set in keeping pockets than a continuous d bythe body of water. The leaky Soa Lnd nature of the Floridan in the SCommission Ci ssn north means pumping from that aquifer readily affects surface waters, causing lowered lake levels and dry wetlands around the areas of withdrawal. The compartmentalized nature of the aquifer makes it difficult to apply one minimum aquifer level across the entire region as is done in the south. The 1996 Legislature directed the District to set minimum flows and levels for priority water bodies in the northern Tampa Bay area by Oct. 1, 1997. The Governor and the Cabinet, meeting as the Florida Land and Water Adjudicatory Commission (FLAWAC), had earlier that year provided the same deadline for setting the levels, while acknowledging that the Southwest District was further along than the other water management districts in completing this statutory responsibility. At the time of this Guide's publication, District staff has spent hundreds of hours issue of determining an environmentally safe pumping level. To refocus the hearing on the main issue, the District removed the Environmental Protection Standards from the permits and reconsidered the applications. Without EPS, the permits would have continued environmental damage. State law prohibits the District from granting a permit that will cause adverse environmental impacts, so the District denied the four permits. The District had never before denied a public supply permit renewal application. The administrative law judge ruled working on the complex task on setting the minimum flows and levels by the Legislature's deadline. Pumping tied to aquifer level In December 1995, the District developed Environmental Protection Standards (EPS) on four permits Southwest Foida WaterManagement Distdar Protecting Your Water Resources on May 30, 1997 that pumping from well fields in the northern Tampa Bay area is the main cause of adverse environmental impacts there. However, the judge's Recommended Order fell short of requiring the restoration of the environment damaged by the pumping. The judge recommended that no involving the Central System Wellfield in the northern Tampa Bay area. The standards were developed after the District completed an eight-year study called the Northern Tampa Bay Water Resources Assessment Project. Two of the permit applicants St. Petersburg and West Coast Regional Water Supply Authority - along with Pinellas County, immediately challenged the EPS restrictions. In July 1996, as the administrative hearing date on the permit challenges approached, the petitioners attempted to expand the scope of the hearings beyond the core new quantities be allowed and that unused quantities be cut. Beyond that, the Hearing Officer recommended additional conditions be included within the permits, adding more extensive environmental monitoring and an expansion of St. Petersburg's reuse program. The District had originally proposed phased- down permit quantities to address environmental impacts while still meeting the applicants' water needs. However, the applicants insisted on renewal of their permits at full quantity. 0 *i~-l'"lw-"e~-uurii_nrrrr~u*prunr~--ru Water Quality Goal: To protect water quality by preventing further degradation of the water resource and enhancing water quality where possible. The District's efforts to ensure water quality and manage natural systems share a common theme: overcoming the ignorance of the past. Ignorance leading to water quality degradation include: the discharge of untreated stormwater runoff, direct contamination of water bodies, and over-pumping of underground water. For management purposes, the District divides its efforts to improve and protect water quality into two areas: surface water and underground water. However, hydrologically, the two are very closely related, especially in the northern half of the District where underground water rises, breaks the surface and is not protected by layers of clay. A shared responsibility The District shares responsibility for water quality protection with eight other federal, state, and regional agencies, plus a host of local governments. However, the District's involvement in water quality management is relatively recent. In 1984, the state delegated to the water management districts the responsibility for stormwater quality regulations. These regulations are intended to reduce non-point pollution associated with stormwater runoff. In 1987, passage of the Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) program greatly expanded the District's role in water quality efforts, and it continues to do so by several means, including restoring wetlands and other coastal habitats, stormwater improvement or retrofit projects, and extensive monitoring of prioritized water bodies. For Tampa Bay, SWIM's number one priority waterbody, SWIM has 24 habitat restoration projects, covering 111 acres, with 26 additional projects under development, and 12 completed stormwater retrofit projects, with nine more under design. Between 1990-1991, all of Banana Lake in Polk County was dredged, the first lake in the state to have this technique used as a restoration strategy. In Charlotte Harbor, SWIM has several diagnostic and monitoring projects completed and ongoing which are leading to a better understanding of the present health and trends of water quality in the harbor. A trend of increasing nitrates in spring discharges to coastal rivers was discovered that would not have been seen without SWIM's monitoring. The still-developing Comprehensive Surface Water Management (CSWM) program, launched by the Governing Board in 1994, will attempt to identify where surface and groundwater problems exist and to determine their nature, i.e. flooding, point and non-point pollutants, etc. The program also will develop a method to anticipate problems for preventive action. / 0 IN BRIEF Comprehensive Surface Water Management (CSWM) * Definition: The District's Comprehensive Surface Water Management (CSWM) program takes a watershed approach to surface water management and is the District's response to the federal and state ecosystem management focus. CSWM watersheds coincide with the Ecosystem Management Areas (EMA) of the Department of Environmental Protection's program.The pilot watershed area chosen to evaluate the CSWM approach is the Hitsborough River Basin because all types of surface water systems are present: rivers, lakes, estuaries, wetlands; and all types of water users are present: industrial, public, agricultural, recreational. Also, the DEP has designated the Htilsborough River watershed as one of its EMAs. Threats from stormwater runoff One of the greatest threats to surface water quality is untreated stormwater runoff. A comprehensive strategy to manage stormwater runoff and its quality has repeatedly emerged as a major means to accomplish a host of District goals. The Comprehensive Surface Water Management program will address the entire watershed ecosystem, including water quality, flood protection, natural system protection, water supply protection and the connection between surface and underground water systems. Goals * Identify and prioritize existing and potential surface water issues within the District relating to water quality, flooding, water supply and natural systems * Develop strategies for restoring and protecting systems based on the issues identified * Develop strategies for 13 major watersheds within the District * Implement the strategies and monitor their effectiveness. Strategies! * Identify problem areas * Prioritize watersheds * Identify and prioritize water bodies * Re-evaluate management goals for watersheds Further, Florida Water Policy requires that all water management districts develop goals for watersheds that are consistent with the state SWIM program and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System program. The District encompasses 11 different major watersheds, and the District has established goals for water quality, water supply, flood protection and natural systems management in each. The District's CSWM program reflects EPA's watershed planning approach and the state Department of Environmental Protection's Ecosystem Management initiative. 0 IN BRIEF Comprehensive Surface Water Management (CSWM) OutcoMes * Management plans forth top five watersheds have been, or are cunetly beingdeveloped. Those five watersheds arethe Hsbomugk Peace and Withiacochee rivers,Tampa Bay/Andce River and Sarasota Bay. * In the HIsborough River watershed. Basin Board cooperative funding support is focused on projects In that wteshedinks have been etabshed with other agents and orgaizatons, such as the Hilsborough County Environmental Protection Commission,the Tampa Bay National Estuary Program and the Hisborough River Greenways Task Force. * Infom on aocoiectdin the Wlthacoochee River watershed will be used by a work group to study flooding problems in Sunter and Lake counties. District staff has formulated three specific goals for the program: * Identify and prioritize existing and potential surface water issues within each major watershed in the District relating to water quality, flooding, water supply and natural systems. * Develop strategies for corrective or protective actions to address the issues identified. * Implement the strategies and monitor their effectiveness. Outstanding orda Waters in the District: * Chassahowitzka River n Citrus County * Crooked Lake in Polk County SCrystal River / Kings Bay n Citrus County * Upper Hihsborough River in Hisborough County * Homosassa River in Citrus County * Lemon Bay estuary in Sarasota County * little Manatee River n Manatee County * Lnwer Myakka River in Sarasota County * Rainbow River in Marion County * Saasota Bay in Sarasota County * Withiacoochee River, including the Tsala Apopka chain of lakes and Lake Panasoffkee in Citrus, Marion and Surter counties Working with National Estuaries Program The Comprehensive Surface Water Manage- ment initiative also supports the District's activities with the National Estuaries Program (NEP). Established in 1987, NEP authorized development of comprehensive plans for estuaries of national significance that are threatened by pollution, development or overuse. Sarasota Bay was added to the program in June 1989, Tampa Bay in April 1990 and Charlotte Harbor in July 1995. District Surface Water Improvement and II ~ ~~~ I IIIII i II1IIIII S f i~, 0.*.S t.t 0,, S ,,,no. em,..sl pa 6* ,: ***. r. . IN BRIEF Groundwater protection programs * Ambet Ground WAn t leSQ ters w y ing Pmgram (AWQMPb A cooperative program between the five water management districts and the Department of Environmental Ptection to characterize the quality of ground water in the major aquifers in Florida.Accomplshed through the analysis of groundwater samples obtained from an extensive network of monitor wells. * Regional Observadon and enitor WeFlPrognm (ROMP): A District program to accurately define the aquifers and confining beds in the District, determine the hydroogic characteristics of the aquifers and the freshwatr/satwater interface Accomplished through a network of monitor wels that record water levels and quality. Management staff are involved in the programs to ensure close coordination, planning and implementation. Stormwater runoffis a major contributor to surface water pollution. Urban and agricultural development can increase runoff and pollution into rivers, lakes and streams if adequate treatment is not provided. Increased awareness of stormwater problems and new legislation have created a demand for reliable local stormwater data. The District conducts considerable research as part of a statewide coordinated effort to find effective and cost-efficient treatments for stormwater runoff. * Water Resource Assessment Proects(WRAPs) A regional study that focuses on the cause and effect relationships among gmundwater w raal aquier water evel dedirnederiorating werand and lae environmental quality, and saltwater intrusion.The detailed study includes data analysis, mansion of the data base,modeling of existing conditions and predictive modeling Each elementof the study is designed to better understand the dynamicsof te hydrologic system with emphasis on the major resource concems. * WA UsCautin Areas (WUCAs. A geographic region withie Distct which has resource problem or is predicted to have resource problems, and for which special regulations are enacted bythe Governing Board.in order to use the same terminology as DEP,the Districtwll be changing the termWater Use Caution Aa"or WUCA'to the termWater Resource Caution Areseor'WRCA. These studies also identify and quantify the freshwater requirements of natural systems. Monitoring water quality At least eight District programs monitor, protect or improve the quality of underground water, the primary source of drinking water here. Underground water contamination can be caused by a number of things, including: nitrates from crop fertilizer or other sources, injection wells, drainage wells, underground storage tanks, pesticides, septic tanks, landfills, industrial waste sites, lawn and 0 e 0 IN BRIEF Groundwater protection programs S ter Use Permit (W tA permit issued by the District authorigthe ue of wt eromman underground or surface soue. Fora permit to be issued it must meet there criteria reasonable and benefidal use; in the public interest; not interfere wth other exting ega users Wer CostrKtinPIermit A District permit obtained prorto construction,repainodikcadon or abandonment ofany water wel *Q Nof W-elr mpmrwamme.ag.m ._~aP A District program designedtaresee hydrologic landscape maintenance, polluted surface waters, and chemical spills. Drought and overpumping can cause surface water to be pulled down into the underground water system, sometimes doing harm to water quality there. Reductions in underground freshwater levels can lead to saltwater intrusion, adversely affecting water quality. The primary sources of information about underground water are the Ambient Ground Water Quality Monitoring Program, the Regional Observation and Monitor Well Program and permit data. Several local governments in the District collect their own underground water data as conditions of water use permits. conditions altered by impropery constructed or deteriorated well casings.is wll prevent or reduce rteraqufer contaminaon of potable water, degradation of surface water qualtyfam the uncoroed discharge of artesIanwa and chemical contmintion. One wa the program accomplishes this is by reim rising well owners part of th cost to plug abandoned wets a* Wdl~ Protecio Local government are encouraged to develop and implement welhead protection odiances to protect dwwater quality in the area that contribtes to therechrge ofa potable welThe District is provdin funding asstancetolocigovernments through the CooperatiwvFnding program to hire a ydrologic constantto determinethe welhead pmtection areas. n particulate Dstrict has piovidedfunding to+temando and Polk counties. The Ambient Ground Water Quality Monitoring Program is a cooperative effort of the DEP and the five water management districts. In the Southwest District, the program determines the quality of underground water in the major aquifers through the use of four networks of wells that monitor different underground water factors. The Regional Observation Monitor Well Program increased the density of the underground water monitoring network by constructing additional monitor wells. The data from these sites are used to evaluate seasonal and long-term changes to the underground water system, and the interaction and connectivity with surface water bodies. 4a4m~.a~,~i *.5$~*w~nrSi~.me#sfiM.~ Saltwater intrusion Monitoring has detected a significant and growing problem in water quality: saltwater intrusion into the aquifers. High pumping rates in low recharge areas along the coast, especially in the southern part of the District, allow salt water to creep inland, contaminating fresh water. Saltwater intrusion has been identified in southern Hillsborough, Manatee and northern Sarasota counties. Impacts to the surface environment and saltwater intrusion have also been identified in Pinellas County and other parts of the Tampa Bay area. Another issue of underground water quality is recharge protection: ensuring an adequate quantity of good quality water is available to recharge when and where aquifers need it. A principal method by which the District achieves regional recharge protection is through Environmental Resource Permits. These permits regulate how development impacts the water supply in a variety of ways. Abandoned wells Contamination from deep, abandoned wells also is a problem. These wells, many constructed prior to current standards, often do not have adequate casing and allow contaminants to move from one aquifer to another, and from area to area. The Quality of Water Improvement Program (QWIP) has plugged 800 abandoned wells to date and identified 627 more that need to be plugged. Plugging the wells prevents contaminated runoff on the surface from moving directly to the aquifers, allowing the water to be cleansed by filtering through the soils. Prior to 1994, District staff looked for wells that needed to be plugged, resulting in about 50 wells per year being plugged. In January 1994, QWIP was restructured into a funding assistance program that reimburses owners for plugging the abandoned artesian wells, in which the water rises naturally above the top of the well. Most of this occurs in the southern half of the District where pressure differences exist between aquifer layers, creating the artesian effect, which occurs when hydrologic pressure from underground forces water to the surface. The shift to funding assistance resulted in well contractors contacting more owners about the program, increasing the annual number of wells being identified for plugging to 400. This program is voluntary, and these wells cannot be plugged without owner cooperation. Underground water protection is also accomplished through wellhead protection ordinances, thereby preventing contaminants from entering the water near the well. Additionally, well construction permits and rules require wells to be located, constructed, maintained, used and abandoned in a manner that protects the water resource. 0 0 0 Water Supply Goal: To ensure an adequate supply of the water resource for all reasonable and beneficial uses, now and in the future, while protecting and maintaining water and related resources. The more people in an area, the more water they will need. That is the core of the water supply problem in west central Florida. Anticipated population growth clearly shows that demand for water will outstrip the traditional supply. In some areas it already has. Estimates are that by 2010, the District's population will grow to 4.6 million, a 39 percent increase since 1990. Currently, more than 80 percent S of the fresh water used in the District is underground water, mostly drawn from the Floridan aquifer. The balance of what is used today comes from surface water mainly from rivers reclaimed water (for irrigation), and small, brackish water desalination facilities. All of those sources, as well as repurified or recycled water, and rehydration, are expected to play a role in the future water supply, but underground water will remain the primary source. Surface water use will probably expand, but that is limited. The reuse of treated wastewater will grow. Desalination could become a major new source of supply. But the fastest, cheapest way to accommodate increasing demand is through conservation. Again, unfortunately, in some areas demand has already exceeded what nature can provide without sustaining environmental damage. Underground water supplies For years, water delivery systems have been constructed based on the belief that underground aquifers provide a virtually inexhaustible supply. Today, pumping from well fields is coming under intense scrutiny. In the Northern Tampa Bay area alone, seven well fields operated by the West Coast Regional Water Supply Authority and its member governments Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco counties, and the cities of St. Petersburg, Tampa and New Port Richey - produce approximately 110 million gallons per day. Three of them, Cross Bar in north central Pasco, Cypress Creek in central Pasco, and Eldridge-Wilde in north Pinellas and Hillsborough, each produce between 25 mgd and 30 mgd. In the southern part of the District, large well fields do not play nearly as large a role in meeting the needs for public supply. Smaller, dispersed well fields Verna, Venice, Englewood and Rotunda - tap the intermediate aquifer. In coastal Charlotte and Sarasota counties, the intermediate aquifer contains some salt, and water from the Venice and IN BRIEF Water Supply Sources * Ground water, (underground water) which is water pumped through underground aquifers, accounts for 76 percent of water supply. SSurface water, obtained from rivers, streams, creeks, springs and canals, accounts for 24 percent of water supply. * Conservation Using water-saving technology and educating for behavior which saves water. * Altenative Water Soures currently in development include: - Reaimedwater treated water that has received at least secondary treatment and is reused after flowing out of a domestic treatment plant - Reue: The deliberate application of reclaimed water, in compliance with Department of Environmental Protection and District rules, for a beneficial purpose. - RepurificatnWastewater that has undergone six to seven treatment processes befoe being introduced into a drinking water systemnThe wastewater undergoes tertiaryadvanced treatment and disinfection, then receives additional or supplemental treatment It is then blended with river water.The river water then undergoes treatment prior to going into the municipal drinking water system. This practice is verycommon.Think of all the cities and towns along the Mississppi and Colorado rivers: one town takes water from the riveruses t,treats the wastewater and puts it back into the river; the city downstream does the same; and it happens all the way down the river. - Rehyrltlons Increasing the amount of water in the aquifer by applying stormwater or reclaimed waterto the surface of welfield areas or to wetlands and letting that water filter downto the aquifer, being cleansed naturaly. - DesaBnanii Treating saltwater to remove minerals and other dissolved solid Water may vary in satlnity from slightly more than drinking water to sea water.Two major methods of desa are distitation and membrane process. In the U.S., the two most common membrane processes are reverse osmosis (O) and electrdialysis. n Florida and Caifornia, RO is rnostcommon.In this Districtthereare 18 desalination plants Englewood well fields is treated by reverse osmosis region, the vast majority of this pumping is used before being used for public supply. for agriculture. Though the well fields in the southern part of Desalination currently plays only a minor role the District are fewer and smaller than in the in water supply in the District. Though 18 central section, pumping from scattered privately desalination plants exist in the District, their owned wells is extensive. While these wells provide combined production capacity is only water for household use in the inland, largely rural approximately 20 mgd. 0) J-.- -L IN BRIEF Surface watr use * Definitioe Rivers and creeks that augment the water supply. * How many: Six currently provide a significant source of water for the water supply. They are: * The Hilsborough River. Supplies Tampa from a 328-acre reservoir 10 miles upstream from the river mouth.The District permits the city to withdraw an average of 82 mgd. * The Peace Rie, which will provide up to 32.7 mgd for the Peace River/Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority. Current and proposed water recipients include Sarasota, DeSoto and Charlotte The plants, locations and capacity (mgd) are as follows. * Sarasota County; Sarasota; 12.0 * City of Dunedin; Dunedin; 7.5 * City of Sarasota; Sarasota; 4.5 * City of Venice; Venice; 4.0 mgd * Englewood Water District RO Plant; Englewood; 2.5 * Venice Gardens Utility Corp.; Venice; 1.0 * City ofWauchula; Wauchula; 0.95 * Englewood Water District; Sarasota; 0.5 * Rotunda West Utilities; Rotunda West; 0.5 * The Plantation; Venice; 0.5 * Charlotte Harbor Water Assoc.; Harbor Heights; 0.45 counties and the Ciy of North Port. * The MBant Rivr. A dam created Lake Manatee, which supplies waterto more that 200,000 people in Manatee and Sarasota counties. Annual average withdrawal of 34.9 mgd s permitted * The Bnden River. A da-created reservoiwhich supplies water for Bradenton.The city is allowed to withdraw an annual average of 5.5 mgd. * Shall Creek A dam built on this creek created a reservoir that supplies Punta Gorda about 3 mgd. * The Myak&uhatdcheeC rekg Sough drainage Pstn. This canal system is tapped for an annual average of 2.2 mgd to supply potable water for the City of North Port. * Southern States/Burnt Store Utilities; Port Charlotte; 0.36 * Sorrento Utilities; Nokomis; 0.25 * Southbay Utilities; Sarasota; 0.25 * Gasparilla Pines; Englewood; 0.2 * Sun 'n Fun Resort, Inc.; Sarasota; 0.127 * Camelot Lakes; Sarasota; 0.1 * Spanish Lakes MHP; Nokomis; 0.1 Surface water Another significant source of fresh water in the District is surface water. Six creeks and rivers within the District are used for municipal water supplies, serving Tampa, Bradenton, Punta Gorda, * **. ; *I.. . m$~La. a~i,~. a a a fl,~,,,~,,, *;.. aet a a a ,; .,,. ,. uU1,,~,g,,,w wa ~i C ~ ~ ~ ;'" ~ *'';ii"' `~ SW V *** O IN BRIEF Reclaimed water * Definition: Taking water from a wastewater treatment facfity and reclaiming it by treating it so that it can be used for a variety of purposes.This water is not treated to ful drinking water standards. Common Uses * Landscape irrigation for golf courses, parks, highway medians, playgrounds, residential properties and other purposes * Agricultural irrigation, nduding for edible crops SAesthetic uses, such as decorative ponds, pools, and fountains Port Charlotte, North Port, and Manatee and Sarasota counties. Following are the surface water sources, area served, and permitted mgd for each: * Hillsborough River; City of Tampa; 62 mgd * Manatee River, Manatee County; 34.9 mgd * Peace River; Charlotte, DeSoto, Sarasota counties, City of North Port; 32.7 mgd * Braden River; City of Bradenton; 5.6 mgd * Shell Creek; Punta Gorda; 4.2 mgd * Myakkahatchee / Big Slough; City of North Port; 2.1 mgd Reuse and conservation The District strongly advocates reuse, and it has programs in place to encourage development of it. There are a variety of regulations designed to * Underground water recharge Industrial uses * Environmental enhancement, such as wetland restoration * Other uses * Volume-Currenty, approximately 200 mgd is produced SBenefits Offsets the need to use drinkable water for less important purposes t.owest quality water for the use) Cheaper than full water treatment Cheaper for users than drinking water promote large water consumers to adopt reuse, recycling and conservation practices. The District's Cooperative Funding program and the New Water Sources Initiative provide financial assistance for the development of reuse facilities. Easily, the largest system of reclaimed water in the District is the City of St. Petersburg. The 26 mgd system, in operation since 1977, provides for residential and other irrigation, and accounts for more than 25 percent of the reuse consumption in the District. Even though it's the largest reclaimed system, St. Petersburg cannot keep up with the dry season demands which exceed the city's available supply of reclaimed water. One option will be for the city to develop a system to store excess water during the rainy season to be later used in the drier months. 0 The District also encourages a variety of conservation methods to augment the water supply. Significant programs are under way to educate the public, business and industrial communities about ways to conserve. Conservation efforts also include requiring agricultural users of more than 100,000 gallons per day to install flow meters in much of the District. The flow meters monitor water used and encourage efficiency. All of these sources help meet current needs. But current demands and withdrawals have already stressed the supply in some areas. Water Use Caution Areas (WUCAs) The Floridan aquifer in the southern part of the District is much farther below the land surface and is shielded from the surface by layers of clay. Rainfall doesn't quickly replenish what people pump out. Indeed, previous pumping already has lowered the aquifer more than 60 feet in some parts of the District. As a result, the District has created special Water Use Nort Caution Areas (the state refers to these Tamp areas as Water Resource Caution Areas, or WRCAs). Initially, there were three such areas established in the District. The northern Tampa Bay WUCA includes northern Hillsborough, Pinellas and southwestern Pasco counties, where underground water levels have dropped due to the increased demand from public water supply. The Highlands Ridge WUCA, including portions of Highlands and Polk counties, was established because of lowering lake levels over the past 20 years. And the Eastern Tampa Bay WUCA encompasses southern Hillsborough, most of Manatee and the northern portion of Sarasota counties. There, saltwater intrusion into the aquifer is a problem due to lowering of underground water levels and increased demand for water. Another WUCA was subsequently established because of the severe lowering of underground water levels. The Southern Water Use Caution Area, or SWUCA, merged all of the Highlands hern a Bay Eastern npa Bay * 6 .0 Mo.. b 0 * U I -. ** ** . 0 IN BRIEF Water Demands Dis t-wide Demand Expected increase from 1,468.4 mgd in 1994 to 1,820.7 mgd by 2020,a net increase of 3523 mgd or 24 percent Largest demand increase is expected in the southern portion of the District. Demand increase by County by Year 2020 DeSoto ________6--63.9 mgd Pinelas -16.5 mgd Polk .--40.8 mgd Manatee-- .....15.1 mgd Sarasota -__.....35 mgd Citrus 13.4 mgd Pasco -....._....._.-_...32.5 mgd Hemando- -......-.--.-.--8.7 mgd Charlotte ---- -32.1 mgd Marion ----.--..8 mgd Hillsborough ... .. 31.9 mgd Levy mgd Highlands _.--....--25.3 mgd Sumter -- ,--- ---- ---.0.7 mgd Hardee- ....23A mgd Lake. .(0.2} mgd decrase Demand grease by Water Supply J sdktonal Areas by Yar 2020 Peace River/Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority.. .-.. 146.1 mgd (38.7 percent increase) West Coast Regional Water Supply Authority --.9 mgd (16.9 percent increase) Withlacoochee River Water Supply Authority --- .__356 mgd (23J percent increase) Ridge and Eastern Tampa Bay WUCAs, plus the balance of the southern part of the District. The District has developed special management programs for these areas to reduce demand on the water supply. Water Use Permit rules are one of the District's primary resource protection tools, accounting for how much water is being used, and.addressing a variety of other water protection concerns. The District currently has approximately 8,000 water use permits in effect. The changes in the rules covering the Southern Water Use Caution Area add conservation requirements, agricultural flow meters, the investigation of alternative water sources (including reuse), and targeted per capital water use. Another significant step was the designation of a Most Impacted Area (MIA). In this area, no new permits have been issued since early 1992. The implementation of the SWUCA Management Plan awaits a recommended order from an administrative hearing officer. Various parties filed petitions against the proposed SWUCA rules. In March, an administrative judge's ruling upheld several portions of SWUCA's rules, but 0 IN BRIEF Water Demands Demand lncreaum Nen-Water Supply Authorit Jursdictonal Areas Hardee, Highlands and Pol counties -89.7 mgd (19.5 percent nrease) District Wate Public Supply Rural Agriculture Industrial Mining Recreational Totals DemOadt tals by Usage 1994 398.3* 83.7 684.8 973 139.4 64.9 1,468.4 200 5603 75.1 847.3 126.1 115 96.9 1.820.7 % Chane 41 (10) dlec e 24 30 (17) decrease 49 24 Figures are gin as mi ongk ons per day aveges invalidated others. At press time, the ruling was under appeal. Water demand Compounding the existing water supply problem is the fact that the demand for water is growing. The District uses a variety of statistical and research methods to calculate projected demand for water. Population projections are a major - but not the only factor used. Demand estimates have been developed for each type of use - agriculture, industrial, public supply and recreational through the year 2020, as part of the Water Use Demand Estimates & Projections 1996-2020 study. The total estimated average daily demand for water is expected to increase from 1,468.4 million gallons daily (mgd) in 1994 to 1,820.7 mgd by 2020, a net increase of 352.3 mgd, or 24 percent. The largest increase in demand occurs in counties in the southern portion of the District. So where will all this water come from? The answer depends largely upon which part of the District is being discussed. North of Interstate 4, the Floridan aquifer is expected to supply nearly all future needs at least through the year 2020. South of 1-4, surface water and conservation are expected to meet some future needs, but alternative sources will likely play a significant role. SNew Water Sources Initiative Projects -- Location Map 10 0 10 2 UMTER (Ditit-wide) .REAN* RDO users could cut consumption from 1990 levels by 15 percent, that would provide an additional 243.8 mgd. In the southern part of the District, data indicate that more than 137 mgd could be made available as the result of agricultural conservation measures. Those measures generally take the form of better management of irrigation systems or conversion to more efficient systems, such as drip . %P 0 P.NELA.A ' In the southern part of the District, the Needs and Sources 1990-2020 study identifies two primary sources of additional water. One source is surface water, mainly the Peace River. The study notes that some smaller streams could be Tampa Water Re Sectio Manasota Basin Reglol Agricultural Wa P. Manatee Agricult Manatee Reclaim Stora Tampa N Stora Central Hillsborou P Northwest Hill North Center Punta Gord source Recovery n21 Rehydration O nal Reuse System 0 ter Use Efficiency .ace River Option rural Reuse Supply ed Water Aquifer age and Recovery Plant Cty Reuse northwest Aquifer age and Recovery 0 gh County Reuse leace CreekCanal sborough/Tampa Interconnect lest Hillsborough County Reuse W al Sarasota Reuse a Aquifer Storage and Recovery W irrigation. The study also looks at the anticipated needs of the rest of the District and proposes alternative plans to help meet those needs. Alternative sources Since the study was published, the District has embarked on an expanded effort to encourage the production of what are called alternative, or non-traditional, sources of water. Conservation is one alternative source. Reuse is another, and is expected to grow to 300 mgd by 2005. But another major alternative source is desalination. (See New developed for water supply if it were economically feasible. The other source of additional water in the southern part of the District is conservation. Throughout the District, conservation represents a tremendous potential resource. If all Water Sources Initiative Section). Desalination, as it currently exists in the District, mainly converts brackish (slightly salty) water (from underground) into drinking quality water. 0 'ni~~~~~L" PASCO Z. 'ILLOROUH*" .A.R-E IN BRIEF New Water Sources Initiative * Deaftlom A programfunded jointly by the District local governments, regional water supply authorities, the federal government and private entities, to provide alternative sources of water. Curret projects indude * Agricutural irrigation BEiH ncy Eviuation. Program provides on-site water audits and expert advice to high-end water users, over-pumping permittees and other voktary cooperators. * CMenta H -tiaboarugh Couaty RMIM. Connects waste-water treatment plants and moves treated waste waterto high demand areas in Valrico. Water provided: 4 mgd (million gallons daily). * Central SarI County Reuse project. Connects three utlities to create regional reuse There are 18 brackish water desalination plants in west central Florida. Combined, they are capable of producing approximately 20 mgd. But the Gulf of Mexico could provide a virtually unlimited source of fresh water if the facilities existed to process the sea water. In conjunction with the Electric Power Research Institute, the District worked for three years with the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to find solutions to concerns about disposal of the highly concentrated brine which would produced by a major desalination facility. District-sponsored research has demonstrated that the highly system.Water provided: 2.8 mgd. * Northwest Hitsbornugh Ree System. This two-phase 15-year plan wil connect reuse systems of four wastewater treatment plantsWater provided: 13.2 mgd. * MW nasm Basin Regional Re.se Systm mThis perfect wil connect the MARS system with the City of Bradenton and the City of Palmetto reuse systems.The project will also provide a reclaied water interconnect between the City of Sarasota and Sarasota County. Water provided: 63 mgd. l* ManateAgclktural Reuse Supply MWARS) Project. Connects three waste-water treatment plants in Manatee County and provides reclaimed water to agricultural users. Water provided: TO mgd. * Manatee Rteuse Aqdur Storage mnd Recaery Project. WI store reclaimed water from the ManateeAgricultural Reuse Supply project Water provided up to 3,6 mgd. concentrated salt water can be diluted and returned to the Gulf without causing environmental harm. It would make no sense to trade overpumping of the aquifer for another type of negative environmental impact. Right now, water costs less than one-half cent per gallon. Even with desalination, the costs would still be less than one-half cent, though it would be more expensive than current costs. The average household of 2.4 people uses 8,000 gallons a month. One expert estimates that a desalination plant would raise the monthly cost of water to that home by about $4 per month. Desalination is the safest, highest quality water available in the world today. r a Sfl fu E a. C e inwim Sc Cu ass a S U C 59 I* SF .c * 0 *1 IN BRIEF New Water Sources Initiative SPeace Creek Canal. Develops and implements a storm-water management plan and flood control project for the Peace Creek Canal area in Polk County. * Peace MverOpti. Expands Peace iv water treatment plant from 12 mgd to 18 mgd and builds 14 new aquifer storage and recovery wells; builds 30 miles of pipeline to connect water utilities in three counties.Water provided:6 mgd. * Plant City Reuse. Builds reclaimed water transmission line from water pollution control facility to nearby users. Water provided 4 mgd. * Punta Gorda/Shell Creek Aquifer Storage and Recovery. Builds aquifer storage and recovery well to pump water from Shell Creek into the Floridan aquifer.Water provided:4 mgd. New Water Sources Initiative The District is making other efforts to find new sources of water, and many of them are in the New Water Sources Initiative (NWSI) program. Projects funded by the initiative are a cooperative effort with the District's governing and basin boards, local governments and the local water supply authorities. The Governing Board has allocated $10 million per year toward the program since adopting NWSI as part of its fiscal year 1994 budget. Basin Boards have contributed matching funds to NWSI beginning with their fiscal year 1995 budgets. NWSI projects generally receive 25 percent funding from the Governing Board, 25 percent from the appropriate * Seawater Desaination. Builds a desalination plant to provide drinking water from sea water. Water provided to be determined. SSection 21 Wehel lRehydrtlon Piot. Tests whether stressed wetlands and lakes in or near this wellfield can be rehydrated with storm water or reclaimed water.Water provided: up to 4 mgd. * Thrampa Norlwest Aquifer Steorage&Recovery. Builds and tests an aquifer storage and recovery well at Rom Avenue Park in Tampa.Water provided: upto 10 mgd. * Tana Watr Resource RecoveryProject. Repurifies recycled wastewater before it is returned tothe Hilsborough River orTampa Bypass Cana Wae provided: up to 50 mgd. N-orzrthmtl nfflbwhafaiwm -taM_-fl Connects Tampa and Hillsbough County's water supply systems so that the county asly can use excess water from the Htsborough River Reservoik.Water provided: 12 mgd. S Basin Board(s) and the remaining 50 percent from the local cooperators. Federal funds have been secured for some of the projects, reducing the percentage of the District's contributions. NWSI projects must have regional water resource benefits. When fully implemented, the 16 currently funded projects may provide at least 150 million gallons per day of water of water to meet current and future water needs. The 16 projects will also reduce underground water withdrawals, rehydrate stressed lakes and wetlands, increase underground water recharge, enhance wildlife habitat, and improve flood control. Tbtal costs for the projects are estimated to exceed $300 million. 0 IIIM I I Fluid Relationships The District has statutory, regulatory, cooperative or financial relationships with agencies at the international, federal, state, regional and local levels. It also has regulatory, cooperative, service or contractual relationships with many private concerns. The federal Clean Water Act involves drinking water studies, stormwater concerns m -w and the sampling of streams, lakes and estuaries to determine Intff@ the quality of surface water. The EPA and water. The EPA and The District works toward the District also are these both involved in the National Estuary 98 loca qowve ents, counties and anuaracKiti Program that monitors erwa, SMrsoa. Be and attempts to *More than 260 publicna improve water quality and protect natural At east 1 2stMae andWfd systems in Tampa Bay, Five megiona planning a Sarasota Bay and -7n sat urotherwa Charlotte Harbor. ThrI, ,, ,wa The U.S. Army -he s Corps of Engineers works with District staff on flood protection and aquatic plant management. Other federal agencies whose areas of responsibility intersect with the District's include the United States Geological Survey, the Natural Resource Conservation Service (formerly the Soil Conservation Service), the Federal Emergency Management Administration, the National Weather Service and the National Hurricane Center. A close relationship At the state level, the Department of Environmental Protection and the District have a close relationship. First, the DEP has supervisory authority over all the water districts. A lot of that is outlined in State Water Policy. The department also establishes statewide water quality standards. The District and the Department work together on ctie coordinon with ecosystem management through SWIM, ng al or part of 16 environmental, and rpa, StPetersburg onan diakeland. land resources programs. dvate water utilities. The Department ageflcwS. of Community Affairs dis. (DCA) also plays a maage t districts, significant ratL k. coordinating role with District responsibilities. DCA is the agency responsible for certifying the comprehensive plans of local governments. The District plays a role in the development of those plans by advising local governments regarding water resource considerations, rules and regulations the plans must consider. The District also works with the Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, Water Resource Coordination, Department of Health, Public HI' eol s:Ta dpe otp m t-i 0 Service Commission, Office of the Governor, and the Legislature, among others. Water management districts' rules and policies sometimes differ, but for technical reasons where the geology and hydrology are different. Efforts are made to coordinate among districts to exchange water management information and IN BRIEF education materials, and seek consistency IM gVr ii-mm in operations where #reltio i ps possible. The District works toward ef Regional and local al these groups relationships Numerous special districts boards and numerous floo Within the SErnironmental organization Southwest District there are three water *Trade associations in indus supply authorities, chambers of commerce. While the District State Legisature and local regulates pumping U.S.Congress. from water-producing well fields and surface Internationai gyptMoroc waterbodies, it is World Bank water supply authorities, local governments and public and private utilities that actually take the water, transport it, treat it, deliver it and charge for the service. The primary role of the water supply authorities is that of a water wholesaler (develop, treat and supply water to wholesale customers at the cheapest price). The three water supply authorities are the and the West Coast Regional. The latter is by far the largest, meeting much of the public supply demand in the Tampa Bay area of Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties. Another group of regional agencies that have responsibilities in which the District has an interest are the regional planning councils. The District provides these agencies with technical assistance and also views contact with them as an opportunity to further the District's mission of protecting resources through effective planning. The District regularly shares the cost of water-related projects with local governments, works cooperatively on SWIM 0 Projects, provides aerial Smaps of watersheds and floodplains, and provides planning documents and model ordinances. The District works with counties and cities to develop water management plans and projects, and helps local governments on local water resource related issues. The District also works with various county school districts to enhance water resource education through the in-school education Peace River/Manasota, the Withlacoochee Regional program. 0 ital fective coordination with including 16 school d control districts. ns. try,agriculture and legislative delegations. co Central America, U .a^-a^hdl^^''*^-i'i^BnaWs".*.ftt^i^^ Education The District's broad and aggressive education program is needed because the long-term water supply problem is complex, and it cannot be solved without public understanding and support. Florida's unique environment disguises water resource problems. With seemingly plentiful rivers, lakes and the Gulf of Mexico, people find it difficult to believe that water is a limited resource. Educating the public is made more difficult because Florida has new, permanent residents every day. Millions more people come to the state each year as seasonal residents or occasional visitors. The District's educational efforts, coordinated by the Public Communications Department, include public education, in-school education, and public information programs. Public education includes initiatives such as "Do Your Part. Irrigate Smart," "Xeriscape. It's Growing Like Crazy" and "Water Conservation at Work." They are meant to provide the public with practical, how-to information to help them conserve the water resource. In-school education efforts include curriculum but go beyond traditional classroom activities, encouraging cooperative projects with local governments, museums, community groups, organizations, extension services and others to provide alternative, hands-on educational experiences. The hands-on approach gives students practical experience with the water resource and environment, and helps them to make their own decisions about water resource protection. The District also promotes environmental education and research on its lands through programs and recreation that don't disturb the natural system. The District's educational efforts include the following: Specific Education Efforts * Do Your Part. Irrigate Smart. Includes several communications programs that run concurrently. One focuses on private wells (Northwest HiUsborough, Alafia River and Hillsborough River basins), a second on urban water conservation (irrigation). * New Water Sources Initiative. A comprehensive program to explain the technologies, public policy and role of alternative water sources in creating safe, sustainable water supplies while protecting the environment. It will include a CD-ROM interactive program for students and animated graphics of project technologies. * Your Water Rights & Responsibilities. Includes the District's newsletter, speaker's package, a newspaper tabloid and brochure to explain the role and goal of the District and the reasonable expectations of the applicants in water use permitting. * Florida Water Magazine. A semi-annual water-issue magazine produced in cooperation with Florida's four other water management districts. Cooperatively funded programs * The Florida House (Manasota Basin Board in cooperation with the Sarasota County Extension Service). Permanent educational facility to demonstrate the use of environmentally efficient design, construction and landscaping methods for Florida homes. * MOSI Bioworks (Governing Board and the Alafia River, Hillsborough River and Northwest Hillsborough basin boards). This innovative wastewater treatment plant is an exhibit and a working system. Water going through the plant will be purified through an engineered ecosystem. * The Florida Aquarium (Governing Board). An environmentally sensitive parking area that demonstrates innovative stormwater management systems was designed and constructed. In 1996, the Aquarium completed stormwater research stations and was developing a stormwater education curriculum. In-school projects * Basin-Based Education Program. In 1996, the District, for the first time, is developing a basic in-school program, tailored to local water bodies and linked directly to the science and social studies objectives of the local school board. Funded by local basins. * Water Watcher. Twenty-four hands-on activities for students in kindergarten through third grade that focus on water chemistry, use, sources and conservation. * Water From The Ground Up. Unit on water resources designed for grades 4-6. Emphasizes the importance of water, our water supply, efficient water use and conservation. * Water Saved Is Water Shared and Water: More or Less. District-produced videos for middle and high school classrooms that explore individual responsibility and water supply issues. A teacher's guide and suggested project activities accompany the video. * Field Trips. These provide students with on-site learning activities. * Teacher Training. One- and two-day workshops in which we provide information, materials, curriculum, and strategies to help teachers learn about local water issues. * Florida Waters Project Water Matters. Emphasizing participation, the District is encouraging field trips to local, county, or district government meetings where students can see water issues being debated and decided. Curriculum is provided to help students understand that water management is complex, and that they have a voice in decisions that will affect their futures. 0 .~rw~i~~uur~ul--- ---------- . * Mini-Grants. Enable teachers and students to do projects that enhance knowledge about basin geography and ecosystem management, water conservation, alternative sources, and/or water quality. * Newsletter. Combines science, civics, economics, social studies, and vocational components. Offered in class sets to high school classrooms. Public-private partnership programs * Water Wise Week. Ajoint project with The Tampa Tribune's Newspapers In Education Program. More than 200,000 elementary students participate. Includes production of a tabloid newspaper covering the basics of water resources, a teacher's guide, and a classroom set of 10 newspapers each day for five days. * Xeriscape. It's Growing Like Crazy. The District and the Pinellas-Anclote River Basin Board developed demonstration sites along the interstate highway system in St. Petersburg and Pinellas County to promote the use of water conserving landscapes. Public information * Speakers Bureau/Outreach Program. The District will actively solicit speaking engagements and prepare speakers packages. * Journalist's Guide to the Southwest Florida Water Management District. This journal is designed to aid busy journalists by providing basic information at their desks, saving staff time by providing background information to new journalists or those who cover the District only occasionally. * Internet (http://www/dep.state.fl.us/swfwmd) A Home Page on the World Wide Web. Contains information on regulations, rules and meetings, as well as general conservation and other education materials. * Media/Public Inquiries. The District works with more than 150 daily and weekly newspapers, magazines, radio and television stations on coverage of District activities, as well as answering questions from individual members of the public. For a list of our current education programs for adults and children, please call 800-423-1476, ext. 4759. Southwest Florida WaterManagement District Protecting Your Water Resources Organization and Management Goal: To ensure staff seeks continuous improvement to effectively and efficiently contribute to the realization of the District's mission to manage and protect water and related resources. The District's Water Management Plan is unique in that it identifies management support as a fifth area of responsibility. This decision was made because during the development of the plan, District staff identified a large number of Districtwide issues that are administrative. The roles and functions of management support departments are considerable and diverse. Goals, plans and strategies are identified for various departments. This section of the Journalist's Guide will outline the management organization of the District, and present the pertinent information about each of the departments. The District is organized into four major areas: Executive, Resource Regulation, Resource Management, and Management Services. Each major area consists of a series of departments, which are subdivided into sections according to responsibilities. Governing Board Basin Boards Executive Director Office of Inspector General Office of General Counsel Assistant Executive Director Boards & Executive Support Department Planning Department Public Communications Department I Deputy Executive Director Management Services SRisk Management & Safety - Information Resources Department Human Resources Department Finance Department Operations Department General Services Department I Deputy Executive Director Resource Management I - Community Affairs Department Resource Data Department Resource Projects Department Land Resources Department I Deputy Executive Director Resource Regulation Technical Services Department Records and Data Department Bartow Regulation Department Brooksville Regulation Department Tampa Regulation Department SVenice Regulation Department f EXECUTIVE The Executive organization consists of the Governing Board, Basin Boards, Executive Director, Assistant Executive Director and three Deputy Executive Directors. In addition, the Office of Inspector General, Office of General Counsel, Boards & Executive Support, Planning and Public Communications departments complete the Executive organization. The Governing Board consists of 11 members appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the state Senate. Board members serve four-year terms without compensation and must live within the District. Profiles are included later in this section. The Governing Board's responsibilities focus on those issues that are Districtwide in nature, such as: Regulatory functions. Resource studies. Data collection. Lake level programs. Surface Water Improvement and Management programs. Equipment resources. Geographic Information System. Save Our Rivers acquisition and management. Education and Information Land management. The Governing Board appoints the executive director, who conducts the business of the District, hires staff, manages operations and is responsible for all other administrative functions. The function of the Basin Boards is explained in the Basin Boards section. The Office of Inspector General is responsible for assisting the Governing Board and Executive Director in assuring the District's assets are adequately secure and the internal operating policies, procedures and control systems promote efficient and effective business practice. The Office of General Counsel provides legal services to the Governing Board, Executive Director and District staff, including oversight and enforcement of contracts, regulations, permits; interpretation of case law; providing legal advice about labor law, documents, statutes and rules, and a host of other legal matters. The Boards and Executive Support Department serves as liaison to the 55 board members and provides administrative support to the Governing Board, Basin Boards and Executive staff. This includes scheduling, noticing and recording Governing and Basin Board meetings. The Planning Department's responsibilities include long-range planning, coordination with local governments to integrate the District's water management activities with the growth management activities and comprehensive plans of local governments, and land-use planning for District-owned lands. The Public Communications Department is responsible for a broad range of activities that support the District mission, the Governing Board, Basin Boards, and District departments. This includes providing information to various groups, developing public and in-school educational programs, and providing graphic support. The Communications Section produces publications, public and in- school education programs, and provides information to the media. The Visual Communications Section conceives, designs and produces complex visual graphics and displays, and illustrates data and maps for staff reports. It also provides video recording, production and editing. RESOURCE REGULATION Resource Regulation consists of six departments. The District's water use and environment resource permitting and well construction permitting are administered regionally through regulation departments located in Brooksville and three service offices in Tampa, Bartow and Venice. Each of these departments consists of the following sections: Surface Water Regulation is responsible for issuing environmental resource permits for storm water and surface water, Works of the District permits, pre-application meetings, construction compliance inspections, and enforcement. Water Use Regulation is responsible for evaluating water use permit applications, the renewal process, pre-application meetings, aquifer testing programs to support water use permit applications, enforcement and other matters related to water conservation, mitigation requirements, metering, and monitoring. Environmental Science responsibilities include duties related primarily to environmental use permits and enforcement matters related to wetlands, dredge and fill, and other environmental issues. The Administration Section provides clerical, records management, and other administrative support to the Department's sections. 0 0 Records and Data Department: This department provides administrative and computer support for all Resource Regulation departments. * Processing & Records completes the administrative process for permit applications and performs various other recording-keeping functions. * Permit Data enters and tracks permit conditions requiring any type of reporting, sends delinquency notices related to water use and surface water and coordinates enforcement activities with other departments. * The Administration Section provides regulatory support, including managing the Water Shortage Coordination unit, which responds to questions from the public, encourages local government to restrict water consumption and ( D deals with requests for variances from District restrictions. It also manages the Regulatory Database, the repository for all regulation information. Technical Services Department: Technical Services provides technical and scientific expertise and training related to environmental, hydrogeologic, engineering, enforcement matters and rulemaking. It also provides an official interpretation of existing rules for any technical discrepancies. Well Construction Permitting maintains records of well construction permits, completion reports, adminstrates the licensing exam for well contractors and provides support to well contractors and the general public. RESOURCE MANAGEMENT The Community Affairs Department primarily coordinates and communicates with 98 local governments within the District, as well as state, federal and international agencies. Also, a Governmental Affairs Coordinator is in the Bartow, Inverness, Tampa and Venice offices to provide help to local governments, civic organizations, agencies, schools, and the general public. The department also manages federal and state legislative issues, and administers the Cooperative Funding program. Land Resources Department: The Land Acquisition Section is primarily involved in acquisition of lands under Florida's Save Our Rivers (SOR) and Preservation 2000 (P2000) programs. * The Land Management Section manages and protects natural and cultural resources on SOR and P2000 acquisitions, including forest management, prescribed burning, and protection of land and water-related resources. * The Land Use & Security Section reviews requests for use of SOR and P2000 acquisitions and the sale of surplus lands. * The Survey Section provides surveying services for District construction projects, acquisitions, mapping and studies. Resource Data Department: * The Hydrologic Data Section ensures that water and weather data are collected and stored in the District database. * The Geohydrologic Data Section manages the Regional Observation Monitor Well Program and the Quality of Water Improvement Program. The Mapping and Geographic Information System Section develops and maintains the Geographic Information System and manages the Aerial Mapping Program. The AGWQMP Section is responsible for the Ambient Ground-Water Quality Monitoring Program. Resource Projects Department: The Engineering Section provides water flow and hydrologic analyses for District water resource projects, manages cooperative projects with local governments, oversees design and construction of structural works built by the District, and conducts research and development of the District's stormwater rule criteria. The Resource Evaluation Section provides hydrologic and hydrogeologic analyses; researches and distributes water resource information through underground I r- water inventory reports; and manages cooperative projects with local governments. The Chemistry Laboratory Section conducts chemical and biological analyses on surface water and underground water. * The Environmental Section manages the Lake Levels Project and the Minimum Flows Project, and several lake and estuary water quality studies. The section also helps with water use permitting reviews, the Water Resource Assessment Projects, and other duties. * The Conservation Projects Section conducts agricultural water-use metering programs, public supply water use analysis, the Leak Detection Program, and manages cooperative funding projects with local governments including reuse, plumbing retrofit, and Xeriscape. * The Surface Water Improvement & Management Section administers the District's role in implementing the SWIM program, described in the Natural Systems section of this Guide. MANAGEMENT SERVICES Finance Department: * The Budget Section coordinates development of the annual Districtwide and eight basin budgets, produces monthly and legislatively required reports of expenses and revenues, performs long-range forecasting and monitors and helps other departments with budget control decision making. * The Financial Systems Section develops and manages the direct access automated financial management systems. * The Payroll Section pays the employees and makes appropriate withholding for federal, state and local benefits and tax reporting. * The Accounting & Financial Reporting Section maintains w accounting records, prepares annual financial reports, receives all District revenue and administers the District's investments. * The Accounts Payable Section pays debts in accordance with law, policies and procedures. The comprehensive annual financial report and annual financial audits are coordinated by this section. * The Purchasing Section buys equipment, materials and services but not land. * The Contracts Section manages preparation, development and monitoring of contracts. * The Fixed Assets Section manages and monitors the fixed assets of the District. A General Services Department: The Administrative Services Section includes the Inventory Center, Library, Records Management, and Office Support elements. It performs diverse management support functions, including forms design and control, microfilming, etc. The Construction Administration Section develops plans, bids and contracts for renovation and modifications to new and existing Districtwide facilities. The Facilities & Fleet Maintenance Section plans use of District space, provides security, grounds upkeep, purchase and maintenance of vehicles and heavy and light equipment. Human Resources Department: The Administration Section provides daily consultation on diversified personnel-relations matters to staff at all levels and manages a host of issues, including personnel policies and procedures, personnel records, disciplinary issues and a variety of other federally and state-mandated employee requirements, such as the Americans With Disabilities Act, Equal Employment Opportunity, etc. * The Benefits Section coordinates a wide range of employee benefits. * The Classification Section develops and maintains job class specifications and position descriptions and fulfills other job classification duties. It maintains the District's pay plan. * The Employee Relations Section performs salary administration activities in compliance with rules, policies and guidelines; provides an employee performance appraisal system, provides counseling and discipline, etc. * The Human Resources Information Systems Section produces reports on employee/position data. * The Recruitment Section coordinates filling vacancies. * The Special Projects Section provides intra-departmental assistance, including criminal history checks, forms revisions, and safety and disaster preparedness. * The Training and Staff Development Section develops and delivers in-house programs for staff and management and coordinates both technical and non-technical external training offerings. 0 0 Information Resources Department: This department is responsible for the District's computer hardware and software infrastructure. rr - * The Application Systems Section maintains the mainframe computer software. . The Technical Support Section provides a variety of technical computer services, including operating system analysis, planning and programming support, system security, etc. The Computer Operations Section provides round-the-clock support for computer and data communications operation for two mainframe computer systems. The Information Center and its Help Desk provide software training, user support, and the design and programming of PC-based software systems. The Communications Support Section manages the telephones and related equipment, planning and analysis. It provides installation, maintenance and a variety of other services for personal computers, peripherals, and ancillary equipment. Operations Department: The Administration Section provides administrative and secretarial support for departmental management, budgeting and supervision. The Field Maintenance Section is Responsible for fencing, mowing, and erosion control as well as road and bridge construction and repair for all District lands. The Aquatic Plant Management Section is responsible for aquatic plant control in designated bodies of water maintained and/or owned by the District. It also conducts exotic plant management activities on District- managed lands. The Structure Operations Section monitors, regulates, maintains and repairs all 78 water control, flood protection structures and salinity barriers. The section also is responsible for the District Hurricane and Flood Emergency Operations Plan and its implementation in the event of an emergency. Risk Management Section: This section handles the District's insurance and risk management needs, including loss prevention and loss control. The Risk Management program includes administration of the property-casualty insurance program, the self- funded Workers' Compensation Program, health and dental insurance, including wellness activities and the District's safety program. PROFILES Governing Board: Roy G. Harrell, a St. Petersburg attorney, was appointed in November 1985, served as treasurer and vice-chairman, and was elected chairman in April 1996. He is counsel to the law firm Carlton, Fields, Ward, Emmanuel, Smith and Cutler, P.A. He is past president of the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce, the United Way of Pinellas County, Leadership St. Petersburg Alumni Association and the United Way of Tampa Bay Task Force. He is a member of a host of other civic and volunteer organizations. As the board's chairman, he is ex officio member of all the board's standing committees. Term expires: March 1998 Joe L. Davis, Jr., a Realtor and agri-businessman from Wauchula, was appointed in March 1991. He is a former Board chairman and was elected vice chairman in April 1996. Davis holds business and law degrees from the University of Florida and is a member of the Florida Bar Association. He has been a strong leader in supporting development of alternative water sources. He is a member of the Highlands Council of 100 and is director and past president of the Wauchula Board of Realtors. He is a member of Florida Citrus Mutual and chaired the Hardee County Industrial Development Authority from 1984 to 1993. Term expires: March 2000 Curtis L. Law, a former Pasco County Commission member, was appointed in March 1991 and brings a wealth of water resource management experience to the District. Law was a member of the Pasco County Commission from 1974 to 1990, and served as Pasco's representative on the West Coast Regional Water Supply Authority for 12 years. Law has lived in Land O'Lakes all his life and has been in the citrus business since his youth. Law is vice-chairman of the Regulation Committee and is a member of the Land and Resource Management Committee. ' Term expires: March 1999 Sally Thompson was appointed in July 1990. A graduate of Hollins College in Virginia, she received her masters in Public Administration Av from the University of South Florida Sin December 1995. Thompson is grants coordinator for the City of Tampa's Planning Department, and belongs to the American Society for Public Administration. She was appointed to the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council's Agency on Bay Management in 1985 and to the Site Selection Committee of the Hillsborough County Environmental Lands Acquisition and Protection Program in 1987. She has served on the boards of a variety of civic organizations, including the Hillsborough Environmental Coalition, Tampa Audubon Society, and the Florida Consumer Action Network. ) I Thompson was secretary of the Governing Board until being elected treasurer in April 1996. Term expires: March 2001 James L. Allen HI, a Sumter County resident, was appointed in March 1995. A Florida native, Allen holds a bachelor of arts degree in public administration from Central Florida University. He is Construction and Maintenance Specialist for the Sumter County School District, and former chairman of the Sumter County Commission, Sumter County Planning and Zoning Board and the Withlacoochee Regional Planning Council. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Central Florida Area Health Education Center, Inc., and the Sumter County Library. He is a longtime member of the Bushnell Kiwanis Club, having served as president and treasurer. He is a state certified building contractor. He serves on the Board's Finanace and Administration, Planning, and the Human Resource and Diversity committees. He is co-chair of the Governing/Basin Board Planning committee. Term expires: March 1999 Ray F. Campo, a lifelong Tampa resident, was appointed in March 1991. He served on the Hillsborough County Commission from 1969 to 1971. Campo holds a general contractor's license and for more than 15 years owned and operated a water and sewer utility serving more than 30,000 Hillsborough County residents. He studied hydraulic engineering for four years and has 33 years of experience as a water well drilling and water utility system contractor. Campo owned and operated firms involved in investments, banking, citrus, contracting and land development until he retired in 1990. While he was active in the citrus industry, the wells that irrigated his groves were among the first agricultural wells to be voluntarily metered. He is active in Florida Citrus Mutual, the Florida Home Builders Association, and the Brandon Chamber of Commerce. He is a member of the YMCA executive committee. Tr Campo chairs the Board's Regulation Committee, co-chairs the S Human Resource and Diversity, and is a member of the Finance and j Administration Committee. Term expires: March 2000 Rebecca M. Eger was appointed in August 1992. She is a former vice chairman of the environmental advocacy group Manasota '88. She has served on the boards of the SafePlace Rape Crisis Center, Planned Parenthood and the Sarasota Taxpayers Association. She has held appointed positions as Sarasota Tax Collector and a member of the 12th Judicial Circuit Court Nominating Commission from 1986- 1990. She is a member and former president of the League of Women Voters of Sarasota and the advisory committee of the New College 6 rr~m Environmental Studies Program. Eger serves on the Board's Regulation, Land and Resource Management, and the Human Resource and Diversity committees. Term expires: March 2000 Ronald Craig Johnson of Lake Wales, an attorney and businessman, was appointed in February 1997. Johnson attended Vanderbilt University and received bachelor of science and juris doctor degrees from the University of Tulsa. He is vice president and general counsel for E.R. Jahna Industries, Inc. The company mines sand j and rock. The company is also involved with citrus, cattle, trucking and ready-mix concrete activities. Johnson is a member of the Florida Bar Association. Prior to joining E.R. Jahna Industries Inc., he was a member of the Peterson and Meyers law firm in Polk County. Term expires: March 2001 John Pope Harllee IV was appointed to the Governing Board in March 1996. Harllee, a resident of Bradenton, is the owner and president of Harllee Fruit and Vegetable, Inc. He is a member of the Florida Farm Bureau, the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association, the Florida Tomato Committee and the Florida Tomato Growers Exchange. Harllee is a 1988 graduate of Florida State University with a bachelor of science degree in economics. He is a member of the Regulation and the Land and Resource Management committees. Term expires: March 2001 James E. Martin, an educator from St. Petersburg, was appointed in March 1991. He has been involved in education and social work in Florida for more than 20 years. Since 1979, Martin has directed the Oasis Program, Inc., a social service and educational venture that focuses on dropout prevention. It is now administered by the University of South Florida at St. Petersburg. Martin taught in T Pinellas County schools from 1969 to 1979, and earned certification as a behavioral therapist in 1975 from the University of Kentucky. Martin, a Florida resident since 1969, is a devoted camper, canoeist S and outdoorsman. He is the former S treasurer of the Governing Board. Term expires: March 1998 Brenda Menendez was appointed to the Governing Board in July 1997. A Tampa native, Menendez is the Community Relations Manager at Cargill Fertilizer in Riverview, where she is responsible for government, media and community relations. She has been employed there since 1989. Prior to joining Cargill Fertilizer, Menendez worked with Tampa Electric Co. 0 She serves on the Board of Governors of the Tampa Chamber of Commerce and vice-chairs the Chamber's Governmental Affairs Committee. In addition, she is Chairperson of the Legislative Affairs Committee for the Agency on Bay Management, board member of the Florida Conservation Association Tampa Chapter, member of the University of Florida/Hillsborough County Cooperative Extension Office's Water Issues Coalition Committee and a member of the Tampa Water Resource Recovery Project's Public Working Committee. Menendez received a bachelor of arts degree in mass communications from the University of South Florida. She is currently pursuing a masters degree in business administration. Term expires: March 1998 PROFILES Executive Staff Executive Director E. D. "Sonny" Vergara began his career at the District as an administrative assistant in 1972 and worked his way up to Director of the Department of Interagency Coordination before leaving the District in 1979 to become special assistant to the Secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Regulation. Vergara then served as executive director of the St. Johns River Water Management District for five years before taking over as executive director of the Peace River/Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority in 1984. In January 1997 the Governing Board selected Vergara from among 140 applicants to be the District's new executive director. He was born in Tampa and raised in Brooksville before spending five years in the U.S. Marine Corps, including a 13-month tour of duty in Vietnam and an award of the Air Medal with 10 stars representing 200 combat missions. He received a bachelor's degree in Mass Communications from California State in Fullerton, CA. Assistant Executive Director* T Edward B. Helvenston currently serves as the interim assistant Executive director. His usual position is general counsel for the District. S He joined the District's legal staff in a 1987. He has served as General i Counsel since 1992. He was previously an Assistant County Attorney for Pasco County and an Assistant State Attorney for Seminole County. Helvenston has also served as interim executive director and interim assistant executive director for the District. In 1976 he received a bachelor of arts degree in economics from Harvard University, and he holds a juris doctor degree from the University of Florida College of Law. *Because of the interim nature of this post, call us at 1-800-423-1476, ext. 4770, to ensure that this information is up-to-date. 10-127 Deputy Executive Directors Richard V. McLean began his career with the District in 1976 as a water resource planner in the planning department. He has held several positions in the District before becoming Deputy Executive Director for Resource Regulation in 1988. He received a bachelor of science degree in marine biology from the University of West Florida and holds a master of science degree in environmental engineering sciences from the University of Florida. He is responsible for the records and data, technical services \E and resource regulation departments. David L. Moore has been Deputy Executive Director for Resource Management at the District since 1992. He joined the District in 1984 as a hydrologist. He has a bachelor of science degree in geology from The College of Charleston in Charleston, S.C. He earned a master of science degree in f s geology from the University of South Florida and is a Registered ELL 'S- Professional Geologist. ' He oversees the resource data, resource projects, land resources, community affairs, and Surface Water Improvement and Management departments. Eugene A. Schiller has been Deputy Executive Director for Management Services at the District since 1992. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in urban sociology from Bates College in Lewiston, Maine and a master's degree in public administration from the University of Hartford in Hartford, Conn. Prior to coming to the District, he served as Sarasota County's first Financial Management Director and has extensive state and city manager experience. He oversees the information resources, finance, human resources, operations, general services departments, and risk management section. BROOKSVILLE REGULATION DEPT. @ 2379 Broad St Brooksville, Florida 34609-6899 ADA Representative: Rosemare Scharlau snow Phone (352) 796-7211 Toll Free 1-800-423-1476* SUNCOM 628-4150 TAMPA REGULATION DEPT. D 7601 U.S. Hwy. 301 Tampa, Florida 33637-6759 .~ s S ADA Representative: Eileen Rorabacher Phone (813) 985-7481 Bo Toll Free 1-800-836-0797* SUNCOM 578-2070 BARTOW REGULATION DEPT. 170 Century Blvd. Bartow, Florida 33830-7700 S' -, l ADA Representative: Sandra McDonald Phone (941) 534-1448 Toll Free 1-800-492-7862' TowFn 1 SUNCOM 572-6200 r, I hll VENICE REGULATION DEPT. [ 115 Corporation Way Venice, Florida 34292-3524 ADA Representative: Bonnie Kasper Phone (941) 486-1212 Toll Free 1-800-320-3503' SUNCOM 526-6900 Service Office Only: INVERNESS SERVICE OFFICE 2303 Highway 44W Inverness, Florida 34453-3809 Phone (352) 637-1360 10h377-7 District Financial Information District funding comes primarily from two sources: other governments and ad valorem taxes. Relatively small amounts come from permit fees, interest and other sources. The Fiscal Year 1997 budget totals $150 million, up $9 million from 1996. Ad valorem taxes, as a percentage of the budget, have remained relatively stable during the past 25 years, usually constituting between 50 and 60 percent of the budget. At $84.2 million in 1997, these taxes, split between the Governing Board and local Basin Boards, are expected to produce 56 percent of the District's revenue. Another significant budget trend has emerged, however. The most noticeable is the large increase in the Intergovernmental category between 1980 and 1985, which reflects expanding revenues in the state-funded Save Our Rivers program. This period was characterized by a tremendous boom in population and property values throughout the District. Those changes directly affected the money flowing into that program because it is funded by documentary stamp taxes. Focus on quality service In preparing the annual budgets, the District's general philosophy is to focus on quality service while becoming more efficient in the way it accomplishes program objectives. Grant-funded programs are subjected to the same level of scrutiny as programs funded through ad valorem taxes. It is also important to relate spending to achieving objectives of the District Water Management Plan. A three-step approach is used to reduce or reallocate resources: * First, all recurring operating costs are examined by line-item and reduced where appropriate. * Second, non-recurring costs are examined and limited to items of highest priority as they relate to the District Water Management Plan. * Third, preliminary program budget issues are identified by Executive, Planning and Finance staffs. Ad valorem taxes Though Intergovernmental revenue has grown significantly since 1980, ad valorem taxes are expected to remain the District's primary funding source. Florida law authorizes water management districts to levy ad valorem taxes to carry out their responsibilities. However, the law limits the amount the districts can impose to no more than 0.5 of a mill districtwide. The Governing Board can use this money to fund regulatory activities, projects of regional significance, and Green Swamp Basin projects due to the hydrologic importance of the area to the - entiregio. region. PF The statute also allows the eight Basin Boards to each levy an ad valorem tax up to 0.5 of a mill to support projects undertaken within, or directly affecting, their individual hydrologic areas. These funds, which amount to a maximum of $.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value, may be spent only on efforts which directly benefit the basin where the money is collected. The Districtwide millage has routinely been less than the maximum allowed, and in 1997 was unchanged at 0.422 of a mill. Basin Board millage rates also routinely fall below the maximum. In 1997, they ranged from 0.181 to 0.401 of a mill, BU DG I depending upon the needs of the individual Basin Board. See the Basin Boards section for each basin's millage rate. Accountability El mI In legal form, M the water management districts are multi-county special taxing districts that are operated by an appointed board. This combination has led to some publicly voiced concerns that the District practices "taxation without representation," however, that is fundamentally false. In fact, it is the non-political nature of the system that produces sound public water resource protection. And there are many safeguards to protect the public's financial interest: Safeguards * The state Department of Banking monitors the District for compliance with the ad valorem tax limits and reports to the Governor and Legislature each year. The District budget is developed along state Truth In Millage requirements. Tentative District budgets are submitted to the Department of Environmental Protection, the Governor's Office, and the chairmen of the Appropriations Committees of the Legislature. Comments from *those individuals and responses from the District are exchanged, and a final report from the Department of SEnvironmental Protection is submitted to the Governor and the Legislature. * The Executive Office of the Governor must approve the budgets of all five water management districts five days prior to the final public hearing on the annual budget. mm I * The District is required to submit five-year capital improvement plans and fiscal reports to the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House and the Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection within 45 days of the adoption of the annual budget. * There is an annual third-party financial audit conducted for each District by an independent auditor appointed by the Governing Board, and a compliance audit every three years conducted by the Florida Inspector General. * State law requires the Governing Board to employ an inspector general, who reports directly to the Board. * Strict state laws control fund investments and bonding by the water management districts. * The Governor or the Legislature can order special audits of the water management districts by the Florida Inspector General. * The District is subject to legislative committee review, and all the water management districts generally conform to state purchasing and contracting requirements and guidelines. * The District is required to hold monthly meetings of the Governing Board and follow state open meeting laws. At those meetings, the public can ask questions and voice concerns and opinions. All District records are open to the public in accordance with state law. Southwest Florida Water Manaement District Protecting Your Water Resources Basin Boards One way the District is distinguished from the other four water management districts in Florida is by its Basin Boards. These boards provide guidance for local programs that are specific to the watershed basins they protect. The District has nine hydrologic basins. Eight of them have Basin Boards. LEVY The ninth basin is the Green Swamp, headwaters of four major MAR rivers. Because of its hydrologic significance for a large portion of the District, the Green Swamp basin is administered directly by the Governing Board. The Basin Boards _i offer a local perspective e B .. to water management projects and programs. They focus on water-related issues and projects, and they provide I E A programs and budgets to address these concerns. They finance their programs in part through ad valorem taxes. The one-mill taxing capability of the District is divided evenly between the Basin Boards and the District. " Clearly, the Basin Boards are important to efficient water resource management. They allow planning to take place for each basin, which conforms to trends being established by state and federal agencies. And they also provide a vehicle to enhance environmental protection efforts that look at entire watersheds, including the land, water, and plants and animals within them. One way the Basin Boards fulfill their responsibilities is through their role in the District's Cooperative Funding Program. Through this program one of the District's most important Basin Boards work with local governments and other entities on water resource projects that have an impact in local communities. Half the money for these projects comes from the Basin Boards. The other half comes from the local government or local cooperator. / M Basin Board members are unpaid citizen volunteers appointed by the governor and confirmed by the S"E Senate. They serve three-year terms. Each of the Basin Boards includes one person from each county within the POL basin, and there must be at least three members on each board. Each Basin Board has at least one of ARDEE the 11 members of the District's Governing Board that serves as ... the Basin Board's chair -ex officio. CHARRLO.TTE There are 44 Basin Board seats on the eight boards, excluding the Governing Board representatives. 0 Alafia River Basin Board This board has five members. Sally Thompson is the chair ex-officio representative from the Governing Board. Its FY 1997 budget is $1.7 million, up from $1.4 million in 1996. The estimated ad valorem tax millage rate for 1997 was 0.240 mill per thousand dollars of assessed value, the same as 1996. In 1997, spending for basin initiative programs totals $570,372. New Water Sources Initiative spending totals $418,750. Significant programs in 1997 include spending of $100,523 for the Hillsborough Toilet Rebate 2 program, which provides rebates to encourage volunteer replacement of high volume toilets with ultra-low volume type toilets, and $55,125 for a Tampa Toilet Rebate Program. Board member profiles Lois C. Bowers, a Tampa resident, was appointed in June 1992. She has been a Hillsborough County Schools educator and is currently the principal of Progress Village Elementary School. She has a bachelor of arts from Dillard University and a master of arts from the University of South Florida. She is a member of the Hillsborough County Association of School Administrators, Jack & Jill of America, Inc., Progress Village Civic Council and Progress Village Foundation, Inc. Term expires: March 1998 Earl A. Haugabook, a Brandon resident, was appointed in September 1995. He is Director of Employee Relations for Tampa Electric Co. He holds a bachelor of arts from St. Leo College. He retired from the U.S. Air Force as Chief Master Sergeant. He is a member of numerous civic organizations, including the Shriners, the Hillsborough County Industrial Development Authority, the NAACP, and the American Legion. Term expires: March 1999 Dorothea J. Helmen, a Sun City Center T resident, was appointed in June 1992. She is retired from the position of A service coordinator for Children's S Hospital in St. Paul, Minn. She holds a bachelor of arts in biology from Indiana University and a master's degree in botany. She is a registered lobbyist for the National Organization for Women, and a member of the Sierra Club and the National Audubon Society. Term expires: March 1998 Julian B. "Jay" Lane, Jr., a resident of Tampa, is managing partner of Lane Cattle/Dairy and president of Lane Groves, Inc. He is licensed as a mortgage broker and a real estate broker. He holds a bachelor of arts in finance from the University of South Florida. He is a member of the 13E Grievance Committee/Florida Bar; the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, and the Kiwanis Club of Tampa. Term expires: March 1997 Daniel Rutenberg, a Riverview LEV resident, was appointed in May 1993. | He is a retired professor of - higher education for the University of South Florida. He received his bachelor of arts and masters degrees from the University of Chicago. He holds a doctorate from the University of Florida. He is a member of the i . Hillsborough County Environmental " Protection Commission Citizens Environmental Advisory Committee. Term expires: March 2000 Coastal Rivers Basin Board This board has five members. Curtis L. Law is the chairman ex officio member representing the Governing Board. Its FY 1997 budget is $3.2 million, up from $2.8 million in 1996. The estimated ad valorem tax millage rate for 1997 is 0.235 mill per thousand dollars of assessed value, the same rate as 1996. It is funding $467,428 in basin initiatives. The basin plans $725,912 for two New Water Sources Initiative programs. Significant projects for 1997 include: $963,800 for a project to reclaim 400,000 gallons per day of water from the Pasco County Shady Hills wastewater treatment plant. $101,551 for the Florida Water Services S Water Conservation Program to include distribution of plumbing retrofit kits to save an estimated 400 million gallons of water per year. Board member profiles Kingdon "King" Helie of New Port Richey was appointed January 16, 1992. He owns King Helie .L Planning Group, Inc. He received a bachelor's degree in Landscape architecture A..RE ..... from the University of Florida and a master's S.... in city planning from IOTA OEBOTO the Georgia Institute of Technology. CHARLO TE He is a member of the Pasco County Land Development Regulation and Economic Development Commissions. He received a real estate broker license in 1980. ( He belongs to the West Pasco Chamber of Commerce, the American Planning Association, the Human Development Center of Pasco County, the Concourse Council, Inc., and the Seven Springs Rotary Club. Term expires: March 2000 Evelyn C. Henderson of Brooksville was appointed in November 1993. She is a retired communications manager for GTE of Florida. She received an associate of arts degree from Hillsborough Community College, a masters of science from the University of South Florida and a masters of business in business and finance studies from the University of South Florida. She was a 1992 Leadership Tampa Program member, and she belongs to Zonta International, Tampa Organization for Black Affairs, Tampa Urban League Commerce and Industry Council. Term expires: March 1997 Alfred W. Torrence, Jr., a New Port Richey resident, was appointed in November 1993. He is owner of Thornton, Torrence, Klimis & Gonzales, P.A., a law firm. He received a bachelor of science from the University of South Florida and a juris doctor from Florida State University. He is a member of the West Pasco Bar Association, the United Way of Pasco, the North Suncoast Estate Planning group, and the Pasco Public Schools Foundation. Term expires: March 1998 Leonard F. Tria Jr. ofWeeki Wachee was appointed in March 1997. He is vice president of HDR Engineering, Inc., a general engineering firm. He earned a certificate in private security management at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y. and an associate of business degree from Tampa College. He is a former Hernando County Commissioner and a member of the Knights T of Columbus, A.S.I.S. and Retired Detectives. Term expires: March 1999 Margaret "Peggy" C. West of Crystal River was appointed in March 1997. She is retired and works as a part-time beauty consultant. She was employed as a manager of environmental safety and health for Raytheon Services. She also worked as an environmental specialist and safety engineer for Holmes and Narver, an engineering firm. She earned a bachelor of science degree in metallurgical engineering and a master of science degree in civil engineering at the University of Texas at El Paso. She also attended the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. She is a member of the Association of Energy, Environmental Engineers. Term expires: March 1999 Hillsborough River Basin Board This board has six members. Ramon F. Campo John P. "Jack" Griffin, a Tampa resident, is the chairman ex officio member representing the was appointed in January 1992. He was a Florida Governing Board. The estimated ad circuit judge until 1991, when he retired. He valorem tax millage rate for 1997 is 0.285 received his bachelor of arts degree from the mill per thousand dollars of assessed \ University of Florida and his juris doctor value, the same rate as 1996. The degree from Stetson College of Law. 1997 fiscal year budget totals $6 I He has lived on the Hillsborough River for million, up from the $5.8 million 1996 \ most of his life and was on the first board budget. Of the budget, $1.6 million ever established locally to help protect it goes to basin ? ..... (1947). He is a member of the Florida Bar initiatives. NWSI Association, the American Bar projects receive $2.3 Association, the Florida Audubon million. Society and the Nature Conservancy. S, Term expires: March 2000 Significant other efforts include: * $642,084 on the Plant City Reuse System which will provide up to 2 million gallons per day of reclaimed water from Plant City's Water Pollution control Facility. * $218,750 for the Central Hillsborough County Reuse System to interconnect the Falkenburg and Valrico Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plants to save 14.25 million gallons per day of high quality ground water and surface water withdrawals. * $100,373 for the Hillsborough Toilet Rebate 2 program to replace high volume toilets with ultra-low volume models. S. Lois J. Gaston, a Valrico resident, was appointed in P May 1996. She is the vice President of the Ybor Campus of Hillsborough E Community College. HARDEE S She holds a --- bachelor of arts degree SDO from Marycrest College, a master's from Bradley S|- University and a doctorate ARLOTE degree from Illinois State SUniversity. Gaston is a member of the Ybor City Development Corporation, the Advisory Committee of the Children's Board, and the Chamber of Commerce and Kiwanis Club ofYbor City. Term expires: March 1999 0 ~;irrllujrrra~.r)*~*I~*r.;luX~~(UV~v~nR Board member profiles Julie A. Baker of Lutz was appointed in November 1993. She has held various positions with the University of South Florida and the City of Tampa. She has a degree in computer engineering from the University of South Florida. She is a member of the Florida Engineering Society and Tau Beta Pi engineering honor society. Term expires: March 1998 Calvin A. Kuenzel of Land O'Lakes was appointed in November 1993. He has been in Florida since 1958. He is a member of the faculty at the .-- Stetson University College of Law. He received his undergraduate ' and juris doctor - degrees from , the University of Iowa and his doctor of the science of law degree from the University of Illinois. He served in the U.S. Army and Navy and U.S. Army Reserve, retiring as infantry colonel. His memberships include Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity and Lawyers of America. Term expires: March 1999 Ardis L. MacKinnon of Tampa was appointed in July 1995. She has been in Florida since 1982. She is owner/vice president of Yale Industrial Trucks. She also is a free-lance reporter for the Brandon News. She received the Key Citizen of Brandon award in 1993 as well as the Alice B. Pompkins Community Service Award in 1993. Her memberships include the Brandon Women's Service League and the Centerplace Fine Arts and Civic Association. \ Term expires: March 1997 This board has five members. Rebecca M. Eger and John P Harllee -IV are the co-chair ex officios representing the Governing Board. The Fiscal Year 1997 budget totals .C -C $5.9 million, up from 1996's S n $5.2 million budget. The 1 estimated ad valorem tax Smillage rate for 1997 is 0.181 mill per thousand dollars of assessed value, the same rate as 1996. The board has BH,G.,,DL designated $540,515 for basin initiatives. New Water Sources Initiative spending totals about $2.7 million. Of CHARLOTTE that approximately $1.6 million is destined for the Peace River Option. The project will develop surface water and aquifer storage and recovery systems to allow more water to be used from the Peace River. Some of the significant projects in 1997 include: * $451,838 for the Phillippi Creek Regional Storm- water project, a cooperative funding effort with Sarasota County to build a 260-acre regional storm-water facility. * $300,103 for a city of North Port plant to store reclaimed water and to build transmission mains for the water. * $261,500 for the Venice East Golf Course Reuse Line to provide reclaimed water from the Sarasota County's Venice Gardens Wastewater Treatment Plant to the Venice East Golf Course. Board member profiles B.T. "Buster" Longino, a Sarasota resident, was appointed in October 1993. He has been president and manager of Longino Ranch for more than 30 years. He holds a bachelor of science degree in forestry from the University of Florida. He served on the District's Governing Board from 1978 to 1982; was a Sarasota County commissioner, from 1989-90; and previously served on the Basin Board from 1983-1987. He is a former member of the Florida Forestry Council and the Sarasota Soil and Water Conservation District. He is a member of the Florida Association of Conservation Districts, Florida Forestry Association and the Sarasota Cattlemen's Association. Term expires: March 1999 Charles E. Williams, a resident of Sarasota, is an attorney with the law firm of Scott and Williams, PA. He holds a bachelor of arts degree from Howard University and a juris doctor degree from the University of Florida School of Law. Williams is also commissioner of the Sarasota Housing Authority and a member of the Florida Bar Grievance Committee. s Term expires: March 1999 Judith L. Jones, a Sarasota resident, was appointed in October 1992. She is a senior associate planner for Land Resource S Strategies, Inc. She received a bachelor of science degree in sociology from Florida State University and a master of science in regional planning from FSU. She is a member of the Audubon Society, the Committee of 100 Office Space Committee, the American Planning Association, and the Child Development Center. Term expires: March 1998 Robert N. Spencer IV, a Bradenton resident, was appointed in November 1989. He is employed as the Director of Marketing for West Coast Tomato. He received a bachelor of science degree in business from Bob Jones University and a Jurum Northwest Hillsborough Basin Board Doctor from Georgia State University. He is a member of the Florida and Georgia Bar This board has five members. The 1997 Fiscal associations, the former director of the Farmers Year budget totals almost $3.2 million, nearly and Ranchers of Manatee County, and a identical to the 1996 budget. member of the Manatee County Extension The 1996 ad valorem tax millage is 0.268 Office Advisory Board and the Kiwanis Club of \ per $1,000 of assessed value, the same as Bradenton. in 1996. Term expires: March 1998 John T. Hamner, a retired newspaper editor from Bradenton, was appointed in March 1996 and is a former Governing Board member. As an editorial writer for the Bradenton A j edition of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune ! from 1975 until his retirement in 1990, he was a keen observer of the District's activities. Growth management and environmental issues are still special concerns for him. He was twice nominated for the Pulitzer Prize, served as an adjunct professor of journalism at Manatee Community College from 1962 to 1965, and was Associate Dean of the Hall School of Journalism at Troy State University in Alabama from 1972 to 1975. Term expires: March 1999 S ... I Basin initiatives in 1997 total $333,288, while New Water Sources Initiatives total slightly more than 1 $1.5 million. Of that, approximately $728,850 will go for expansion of the .ER.NA. Northwest Hillsborough reuse facilities. .. New programs in 1997 I in this basin include the ] South Tampa/Westshore Area Reuse Project PO.. which will save up to ) 1.7 million gallons of S.drinking water per M.NATEE day. The basin's H .ARDEE portion of the feasibility phase for this project is SARASOTA DESOTO $102,712. Also S ---T continuing will be C\- \ ROTT the Hillsborough Toilet Rebate 2 program, for which $100,373 is budgeted. This program offers rebates to encourage replacement of 11,000 toilets in single family homes with modern, ultra- low volume models, resulting in potential water savings of 75 million gallons per year. Board member profiles Michael M. English of Tampa was appointed in July 1995. He has been a Florida resident since 1952. He is president of The English Company, which does urban planning and consulting, and also is an adjunct professor at the University of South Florida Architecture School. He holds a bachelor of science degree in business administration from the University of South Florida and a master of arts in anthropology, also from USF. He is a member of the American Planning Association and a fellow in the Society for Applied Anthropology. Term expires: March 1998 Jonathan D. Kaplan of Tampa was appointed in September 1992. He has lived in Florida since 1981. He is an attorney in private practice. He holds a bachelor of arts degree in history from the University of Illinois and received his juris doctorate from the University of Miami. He is a member of the Greater Town n' Country Chamber of Commerce. Term expires: March 1998 Barbara B. Romano of Tampa was appointed in July 1995. She is president of International Travel. She received her bachelor of arts degree from Randolph-Macon Women's College. She is active in the Athena Society, the Junior League of Tampa, Kappa Delta Sorority, ASTA, and the Merchants Association of Tampa. Term expires: March 2000 Gwendolyn S. Tillotson of Odessa was appointed in September 1992. She has lived in Florida since 1974. She has held various positions, including administrative assistant for Metro Medical, Inc. and receptionist for Tampa Preparatory School. She is a graduate of Plant High School. She is an active member of the Hillsborough County Fair Authority, Hillsborough County T Extension Homemakers and the S Keystone Civic Association. Term expires: March 1999 Janette "Meredith" Wester of i Lutz was appointed in July 1995. L She has lived in Florida since 1966. SShe is an attorney and holds a bachelor of arts degree from the University of South Florida and a degree in law from Stetson University. She is treasurer and a founder of the Coalition of Lake Associations. Term expires: March 1999 Peace River Basin Board This board has six members. Joe L. Davis, Jr. and Ronald C. Johnson are the chairmen ex officios representing the Governing Board. The 1997 Fiscal Year budget of $4.9 million compares to $4.3 million in 1996. The current 0 0 0 .' .-,j millage rate remains unchanged at 0.195 mill per $1,000 of assessed property value. New Water Sources Initiative projects will receive $516,784 and basin initiatives will get $946,105. Notable new projects include: LV * $566,727 for phase one of the Lake Wales Reuse Project which will include construction of a 1.9 million . gallon per day pumping station - and 14,000 feet of transmission H I line. _- -- * $207,944 for the Peace __ Creek Canal/Wahneta Drainage System Project to H B | restore Lake Gwyn and L improve water flow from / the Winter Haven chain of lakes. MANATEE * $236,129 for the Charlotte Urban Aerial Photography project which will help define flood prone areas to aid Charlotte County in making better-informed decisions about construction in those areas. Board member profiles Robert H. Barben of Avon Park was appointed in January 1992. He has lived in Florida since 1950. He is vice president of R.J. Barben Inc. and president of Barben Harvesting Inc. He holds bachelor of science and bachelor of arts degrees from the University of Florida. He has been active in the Florida Citrus Showcase, the Highlands Citrus Growers Association and the Avon Park Chamber of Commerce. Term expires: March 2000 Thomas "Chris" Hencher of Punta Gorda was appointed in July S r 1995. He has lived in a in Florida since 1963. He is groves manager for Seminole Citrus Ltd. He holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from Florida Atlantic University. He has served on the Charlotte County Planning and Zoning Board and the Charlotte County Board of Zoning Appeals. STerm expires: March 1997 William Keith Davis of Wauchula was appointed in January 1992. He is vice president of Florida Fertilizer Co., Inc. He holds a bachelor of science degree in agriculture and agriculture economics from the University of Florida. Term expires: March 1999 12-10 Nancy N. Furland of Lake Wales was appointed in February 1993. She has a bachelor of science degree in physical therapy from the University of Florida. She was the initial organizer of a group called "Save the Wales," which sought solutions to the problem of low lake levels in lakes in Lake Wales. She also has been a member of the L" y Florida Lakes Management Society and Florida Lake Watch. Term expires: March 1998 Doris Moore-Bailey of Lakeland was HER RHE. appointed in July i 1995. She has been a Florida resident since 1982. She is director of membership and marketing for the Heart of Florida' Girl Scout Council. / She earned a bachelor of science -, degree from Texas College. She is MAN active in the League of Women Voters, -- the Polk County Democratic Women's Club, the NAACP of Lakeland and Alpha .*. Kappa Alpha Sorority. Term expires: March 2000 William A. Hackney Jr. of Arcadia was appointed in October 1995. He has been a Florida resident since 1973. He is a certified public accountant/partner with Hackney and Manley, CPAs. He has a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Florida and has completed studies in accounting. He is a member of the American and Florida Institutes of CPAs, the DeSoto Bulldog Boosters, the Memorial Elementary School Advisory Committee, and the Community Health Purchasing Alliance. He also is a member of the Arcadia Housing Authority. Term expires: March 1998 S Pinellas-Anclote River Basin Board ( SUMMER SThis board has six members. Roy I G G. Harrell, Jr. and James E. Martin are co-chairmen ex-officio members representing the Governing Board. The 1997 Fiscal Year S budget is $21,685,531, up from almost $19 million in 1996. The current millage rate remains unchanged E HAREE from 1996 at 0.401 mill HHN per $1,000 of assessed property value. ES..OTO The basin has budgeted $5.4 million for rHA.LOTTE restoration projects on lakes Maggiore and Seminole. New Water Sources Initiative projects will receive nearly $4 million and basin initiatives will get more than $1.3 million. iirr~ -YIL~~'--'-illYY`~~T~LLCP-^--LIIIII^- .~ 112-11 Notable projects include: * $2,429,343 for the Clearwater Reclaimed Water System to be constructed over five years and provide 800,000 gallons of reclaimed water per day to residents. * $1,633,653 for the Pinellas County North/South Beach reclaimed water system. * $1,660,845 for the construction of a 10 million gallon storage tank and pump station at the Largo wastewater treatment plant for a reclaimed water project. * $985,705 for the Pinellas Park Reuse - project to add 26,000 feet of reclaimed water transmission main. Board member profiles Patsy Y. Baynard of St. Petersburg N E was appointed in March 1995. She has lived in Florida since 1975. She received a bachelor of science degree from the University of Central Arkansas, a doctorate of philosophy from the University of Arkansas, and a masters of business administration from the Florida Institute of Technology. She also holds a doctorate in chemistry. Baynard has been active in Leadership Tampa Bay, the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce, the All Children's Hospital Foundation and the St. Petersburg Junior League. Term expires: March 1999 Sandra S. Brooks of St. Petersburg was appointed in July 1995. She has lived in Florida since 1988. She is retired from the state of California. The last position she held was assistant bureau chief of industrial relations. She attended Fresno State University. She is active with Trinity United Methodist Church and the American Red Cross. She previously was president of the Placido Bayou Neighborhood Homeowners Association. Term expires: March 1998 Sp Adelle L. Spigelman of Holiday was appointed in March 1995. She has lived in Florida since 1971. She is retired from Nielsen Media k Research. She attended Ohio University. She is president of the Jewish Community Center of West Pasco and also served on the Democratic Executive Committee. Term expires: March 1999 Jay B. Trey Starkey III of New Port Richey was appointed in September 1996. He is involved in cattle ranching and real estate and is part owner of the family ranch Starkey Ranch. Mr. Starkey holds a Bachelor of Science and Arts from Florida State University. He also has a real estate license. He is a member of the Building Industry Association and the Seven Springs Rotary Club. Term expires: March 1999 1 12 Ramona M. Updegraff of Redington Beach was appointed in June 1992 and was reappointed in March 1995. She has been an ophthalmologist office manager for Ambrose G. Updegraff, M.D. medical practice. She has a degree in nursing from Charity Hospital School of Nursing in New Orleans. She was mayor of Redington Beach from 1986-1990. She is a member of the League of Women Voters, the Pinellas County Medical Auxiliary, the Sierra Club, the American Red Cross and the National __ Convention of Christians and Jews. I Term expires: March 2000 David T. Welch of St. Petersburg is a finance officer for the Pinellas County School Board and owner of Welch Accounting Service. He is a former St. Petersburg City Council member. He holds bachelor of science degrees in accounting and administration from SA Florida A&M University. He has been a member of the National and Florida Accounting Associations, Phi Delta Kappa, the NAACP, the Pinellas Sports Authority, the United Way and several other organizations. Term expires: March 1997 Withlacoochee River Basin Board This board has six members. James Allen is chairman ex officio representing the Governing Board. The 1997 Fiscal Year budget of $2.8 million is nearly identical to the 1996 budget. The current millage rate remains unchanged at 0.298 mill per $1,000 of assessed property value. Basin initiatives will receive nearly $1 million. Notable projects include: [* $217,129 for the Marion E County Floodplain Analysis to determine Sflood-prone areas. O $54,914 for the Tsala Apopka Stormwater Retrofit project to improve the water HARDEE i quality in the chain of lakes. >TA DESOT| S H.RLO. Board member profiles A. Wayne Lee of Wildwood was appointed in April 1993. He is a self-employed rancher. He has served on the Sumter County Board of Adjustments, the Florida Farm Bureau, the ~rrri~~ rresr Sumter Vocational Advisory Council and the Sumter County Cattlemen's Association. Term expires: March 1999 Eleanor P. "Pat" Dixon of Inverness was appointed in November 1993. She has worked as a broker-salesman for ERAAmerican Realty and Investments. She has a degree in business administration from Vincennes University in Indiana. She is a member of the Florida Association of Realtors, the Citrus County Board of Realtors, Hospice of Citrus County, Rails to Trails of the Withlacoochee, the U.S. Tennis Association and the Florida Medical Auxiliary Association. Term expires: March 1998 John T. Vogel of San Antonio was first appointed in March 1992. He is president of Natural Resource Planning Services, Inc., a forestry consulting business. He has a bachelor of science degree in forestry from the University of Florida. He is a member of the Florida Forestry Association, the Society of American Foresters and the Florida 4-H Foundation. In 1985, he received the C. Huxley Coulter Society of American Foresters Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Profession of Forestry in Florida. Term expires: March 2000 Raymond F. Popejoy of Ocala was appointed in June 1992. He has lived in Florida since 1980. He retired from E.J. & E. Rainway after 38 years of employment. He is a member of the Elks Lodge, the Kiwanis Club, the Marion County Democrat Executive Committee and the Live Oak Village Condominium Association. Term expires: March 1998 James F. "Jim" Griffin Jr. of Brooksville was appointed in November 1993. He is retired from the University of South Florida, where he was senior assistant director of the physical plant. He has bachelor's and master's degrees in agriculture from the University of Florida. He has been active in the Florida Agricultural Council, the Florida Nurserymen and Growers Association and the Northeast Hillsborough Sertoma Club. In 1964 he was named Man of the Year in Agriculture by the Miami/Dade Chamber of Commerce, the Florida County Agents Association, the Future Farmers of America and the Florida Agricultural Council. Term expires: March 1998 Julia H. Haile of Chiefland was appointed in November 1993. She was a teacher for the Levy County School Board until her retirement in 1988. She holds a degree in home economics and general science from Florida A&M University and a master's degree from Nova University. She was recently elected to the Levy School Board. She is active with the Levy County School Board Foundation, the Area Agency on Aging and the Zeta Phi Beta Society. Term expires: March 1999 r~n * w^-'i -w '** Key Terms Here are some additional terms you may hear or see when working on water issues. As always, if you have any questions, please call 800-423-1476. * Alternative Water Sources Also non-traditional sources, include conservation, reuse, aquifer storage and recovery, and desalination. * Appointive Board versus Elective Board Appointing governing board members helps to ensure the broad representation of interests necessary to achieve a public interest consensus.The issue of"appointed versus elected"governing board members was specifically reviewed by the staff of the Senate Natural Resources Committee in January 1988.The report concluded that appointed boards be retained, noting that appointment was favored because"...members are not swayed by constituent pressure, that more time can be devoted to resource management and less to political careers, and that the backgrounds of those chosen can be more carefully weighed to achieve a balance of views on the boards." In 1995 the Water Management District Review Commission reached the same conclusion. * Area of Critical State Concern Areas designated by state law for the purpose of conserving and protecting key natural, economic and public resources. * Attenuation A controlled release of water to a pre-determined rate. * Augmentation Transferring water from one source to another to maintain or raise water levels. * Base Flow The groundwater contribution to runoff that comes from springs or seepage into a stream channel. * Basis of Review A document that provides threshold design, administrative and technical criteria for permit applicants. * CARL Conservation and Recreation Lands; a statewide program to buy lands for environmental protection. * Compensation Measures to offset adverse impacts to wetlands, including mitigation, protection of exempt wetlands, restoration of wetlands that have been previously affected, and other measures. g0 9 A ~----------~-~-----------uur~i~iw Key Terms 1 7 Key Terms * Emergency Water Shortage Order On June 30,1994, the District took the extraordinary step of enacting an order to slow the effects of pumping in wellfields managed by the West Coast Regional Water Supply Authority on behalf of Pinellas County, St. Petersburg and other member governments.The Authority, Pinellas and St. Petersburg filed a lawsuit.The Emergency Water Shortage Order was later rescinded as part of a settlement agreement between the District and West Coast, Pinellas County and the City of St. Petersburg.The three permitees withdrew their legal challenge, agreed to continue observing a 116 million gallons per day cap set by the order, and to pursue development and interconnection of additional water sources. Hydrologic Basin Equivalent to a watershed; the area where all the water drains. Land and Water Planning Linkage To promote closer ties between plans for water and land use, the Governor's Task Force on Land Use and Water Planning was created.This group had the responsibility of recommending the most appropriate legal means of linking land and water planning. Strengthening the link between land and water planning and the ties between local government, water management districts, regional planning councils and state government will help ensure the protection of land and water resources to support present and future need, and a vibrant economy. Leak Detection Program Leak detection is the systematic search for leaks within a utility's distribution system.While many leaks are detected when utility personnel or citizens see water flowing out of the ground, an effective leak detection program uses electronic equipment to identify leak sounds and to pinpoint the leak location. Because leaks can develop at any time, detection must be an ongoing program. Between June 1990 and May 1995, the District's leak detection program found 551 leaks.Subsequent repairs are estimated to have saved more than 5.8 millions of gallons of fresh water a year through leak surveys across the District. * Millage/Mill The tax rate or real property based on $1 per $1,000 of assessed property value. * Minimum Flow and Level The limit at which further withdrawals would cause significant harm to the water resource or the ecology. * Mitigation Action to offset adverse impacts of proposed permits.Without mitigation, applicants would fail to meet the criteria necessary to get a permit. Mitigation usually consists of restoration, enhancement, creation, preservation or a combination of them. A______ Key Terms 0 * Outstanding Florida Waters Waterbodies designated by the state, which exhibit unique character, in terms of quality and value, for additional protection from further pollution and degradation. * Peace River Option A plan to tap the Peace River for taking water when flows are high, and treating and storing it for times when flows are low.The plan utilizes off-stream reservoir storage and aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) technology. * Reverse Osmosis A process operated by applying pressure to saline water to force water through a membrane. A portion of the water passes through the membrane as fresh water and the remaining water concentrated with salts is discharged. * Saltwater Intrusion The phenomenon which occurs when saline water moves inland from the seacoast or up from the bottom of the aquifer to replace fresher water in an aquifer or surface water body. * Sinkhole A depression in the land surface formed either by collapse of the roof of an underground cavern or channel or by dissolution of limestones or similar rocks near the surface. Sinkhole are a natural occurrence, taking thousands of years to form. Although they vary in size and depth, a sinkhole starts as an underground cavity. If the weight of the surface land is too great, it caves in, forming a sinkhole. Sinkhole occur throughout the District, but generally are less likely to occur in the southern part of the District.This is because the limestone layer or aquifer is covered by sand and clay layers that get thicker further south. Repairs of sinkholes are the responsibility of the property owner.The Water Management District is responsible for protecting the water and water-related resources. As part of its mission the District maintains a list of sinkhole occurrences. If a sinkhole opens all the way to the aquifer, surface pollutants can contaminate the underground water supply. Sinkholes which form in lakes can drain portions of the lake and cause environmental impacts to wildlife. * Special District A local unit of special purpose, as opposed to general purpose, government within a limited boundary created by general law, special act, local ordinance or by rule of the Governor and Cabinet. * Stop Log A removable 6"x 6"x 6'log (6 inches by 6 inches by 6 foot) that is in a structure to impede the flow of water. * State Water Policy The state water policy is embodied in the Florida Administrative Code and Florida Statutes and helps delineate policy guidance to the Department of Environmental Protection, the water management districts and other agents of the state in developing and implementing a comprehensive, coordinated water management program throughout the state.The Florida Water Plan references state water policy and is compiled from the five District Water Management Plans.These policy documents state water policy,the Florida Water Plan, and each District Water Management Plan are coordinated to resolve key water issues. Key Terms * Statewide Pipeline This concept envisions moving water from water-rich areas of the state to densely populated areas that need more water. It would have several negative effects. Studies show that taking water from one place and moving it to another can have a permanent negative effect on the environment.Water rich areas often oppose the idea on grounds that they will need the water as development continues in their areas. It is expensive, with estimates for the pipeline alone of $1 million per mile or more. (See Local Sources First policy.) Sustainability Meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. * Water Management District Review Commission To ensure that water management districts coordinate efforts to protect the resource, the Legislature established a 21-member commission with a mandate to study pertinent issues and produce a statewide report by Sept. 1,1995. * Watershed The geographic area from which water in a particular stream, lake or estuary originates. All lands in the watershed drain toward the stream, lake or bay and contribute pollutants to these waters.The District has approximately 13 major watersheds within its jurisdiction. * Water Shortage Restrictions During the late 1980s and early 1990s, west central Florida endured a number of years of below-average rainfall. As a result, underground water levels were extremely stressed and the District imposed water shortage restrictions designed to encourage citizens to cut back on their water use, demonstrate the importance of conservation, and protect the water resources. SWater Use Permitting Permission to use the public's water resource for a specific purpose, for a limited period of time, with specific conditions.The statutory test for a water use permit requires the use to be beneficial, in the public interest, and not a harm to existing legal users. SWell Plugging/Abandonment A process of stopping the flow of water into, or out of, a formation through a bore hole or well penetrating that formation. I Key Te Acronyms The following is a list of acronyms commonly used by the District. A ACSC ...................................... Area of Critical State Concern ADA ..................................... ..Americans With Disability Act AFS .......................................... American Fisheries Society AGWQMP .................................... Ambient Ground Water Quality Monitoring Program AIM ....................................... Agricultural Irrigation Monitoring ASCE....................................... American Society of Civil Engineers AWRA ..................................... American Water Resources Association AWWA ...................................... American Water Works Association B BC/BS ...................................... Blue Cross/Blue Shield BMP ........................................ Best Management Practices BOCC ...................................... Board of County Commissioners BOR ............. ........................ Basis of Review C CARL ..................................... Conservation and Recreation Lands CAFR ......................................... Comprehensive Annual Financial Report CCMP ........................................ Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan CDBG ........................................ Community Development Block Grant CFRPC ....................................... Central Florida Regional Planning Council CHNEP ..................................... Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program COE ......................... ................ Corps of Engineers CSWM ...................................... Comprehensive Surface Water Management D D-BUG .......................................Data Base Users Group DACS ...................................... Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services DCA ....................................... Department of Community Affairs DEP....................................... Department of Environmental Protection DOA ........................................ Department of the Army DOAH ..................................... Department of Administrative Hearings DOT ......................................... Department of Transportation r~4~~*"iirr I Acronyms- Acronyms D DRI ........................................ Development of Regional Impact DWMP ....................................... District Water Management Plan E ECFRPC ........................................ East-Central Florida Regional Planning Council ECO ....................................... Environmental Careers Organization ECOSWF ..................................... Environmental Confederation of Southwest Florida EIS ......................................... Economic Impact Statement EMP ....................................... Emergency Management Plan EPA ......................... .................. Environmental Protection Agency EPC ....................................... Environmental Protection Commission ERC ........................................Environmental Regulation Commission ERP .................................. ....... Environmental Resource Permit ETBWUCA ......... ................... ...... Eastern Tampa Bay Water Use Caution Area F FAC .................................................. Florida Administrative Code FASU........................................ Florida Association of Stormwater Utilities FAW ........................................ Florida Administrative Weekly FDCA ........................... ............... Florida Department of Community Affairs FDEP......... .......... ....... ....... Florida Department of Environmental Protection FDOT ...................................... Florida Department of Transportation FEMA ...................................... Federal Emergency Management Agency FES .........................................Florida Engineering Society FFAA ......... ........... ....... ....... Florida Fertilizer and Agriculture Association FF&VGA ....................................... Florida Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association FG&FWFC ...................................... Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission FGWA ..................................... Florida Ground Water Association FIPR ....................................... Florida Institute of Phosphate Resouces FMCA ...................................... Florida Mosquito Control Association FN&GA......................................... Florida Nurserymen and Growers Association FPC ....................................... Florida Phosphate Council FP&L .......................... ................. Florida Power and Light FRCA .................................. ...... Florida Regional Councils Association FRS .................................. ....... Florida Retirement System I Acronyms-27 Acronyms F FS ........................................... Florida Statute(s) FSU ........................................ Florida State University FTE ........................................ Full Time Equivalent FWWA ....................................... Florida Water Well Association FY ......................................... FiscalYear G GFOA ...................................... Government Finance Officers Association GICIA ...................................... Gasparilla Island Conservation & Improvement Association GIS ........................................ Geographic Information System gpd ....................................... gallons per day gpm .......................................gallons per minute GPS ........................................ Global Positioning System GSLA ......................................Green Swamp Land Authority H HRGTF ....................................... Hillsborough River Greenways Task Force HRWUCA .................................... Highlands Ridge Water Use Caution Area I ICMA ...................... ................ International City/County Management Association ICWP....................................... Interstate Council on Water Policy IFAS ..................................... Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences IOP ........................................nternal Operating Procedure IRD ........................................Information Resources Department J JAPC ........... ......................... Joint Administrative Procedures Committee L LAMP ...................................... Land Acquisition and Management Plan LEPC ........................................ Local Emergency Planning Committee '-- ~~w; I Acon Acronyms M mgd ....................................... million gallons per day MIA .........................................Most Impacted Area MLM .......................................Minimum Low Management MOSI ...................................... Museum of Science and Industry MSSW ....................................... Management and Storage of Surface Waters N NALMS.................................... North American Lake Management Society NEP .......................................National Estuary Program NGVD ......................... ................ National Geodetic Vertical Datum NOV .......................................Noticeof Violation NRC....................... ..................National Research Council NRCS ......................................Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA) NTBWUCA ............................ ...... Northern Tampa Bay Water Use Caution Area NWFWMD ........................ ............. Northwest Florida Water Management District NWPP......................... ................ National Water Policy Project NWRA ....................................... National Water Resources Association NWSI ...................................... New Water Sources Initiative 0 O&M ......... ................ ........... Operation and Maintenance OFW .......................................Outstanding Florida Waters OGC ........................................ Office of General Counsel OIG ......................................... Office of Inspector General OPPAGA .................................... Office of Program Policy Analysis & Government Accountability P P-2000 .......................................Preservation 2000 PE ......................................... Professional Engineer PG ........................................... Professional Geologist PR/MRWSA ............................... Peace River/Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority PSC ....................................... Public Service Commission Arcrnymis-4 Acronyms Q QWIP ....................................... Quality Water Improvement Program R REDI ......................................... Rural Economic Development Initiative ROMP ........................................ Regional Observation Monitor Well Program ROSA ........................................ Reverse Osmosis Survey and Analysis RPC .......................................... Regional Planning Council S SBNEP ........................................ Sarasota Bay National Estuary Program SCADA .......................................Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition SCS .......................................... Soil Conservation Service, USDA SEDA ........................................ Southeast Desalting Association SFWMD ..................................... South Florida Water Management District SHWL ....................................... Seasonal High Water Level SHWT ........................................ Seasonal High Water Table SJRWMD .................................... St.Johns River Water Management District SOR ......................o.................... Save Our Rivers SRWMD ...................................... Suwannee River Water Management District SSU .......................................... Southern States Utilities SWFRPC...................................... Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council SWFWMD ......................................... Southwest Florida Water Management District SWIM ....................................... Surface Water Improvement and Management SWM .......................................... Storm Water Management SWP .......................................... Surface Water Permitting SWUCA ...................................... Southern Water Use Caution Area T TAC ........................................... Technical Advisory Committee TECO ........................................ Tampa Electric Company TBNEP ....................................... Tampa Bay National Estuary Program TBRPC ....................................... Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council TOO FAR ................................... Taxpayers Outraged Organization for Accountable Representation I Acromnym^^ Acronyms U UF ......................................... University of Florida UF-IFAS ................................... UF-Institute of Food & Agricultural Sciences USDA ....................................... U.Department of Agriculture USF ....................................... University of South Florida USGS ...................................... United States Geological Survey W WAR .......................................WithlacoocheeArea Residents WCRWSA .................................... West Coast Regional Water Supply Authority WMDs ....................................... Water Management District WMDRC ...................................... .Water Management District Review Commission WMLTF ......................................Water Management Lands Trust Fund WOD.......................................Work(s) of the District WRAP .................................... Water Resource Assessment Project WRCA ...................................... Water Resource Caution Area WRCC .......................................Water Resources Coordination Commission WRPC .....................................Withlacoochee Regional Planning Council WRWSA ......... ...............................Withlacoochee Regional Water Supply Authority WUCA .......................................Water Use Caution Area (state term:Water Resource Caution Area WRCA) WUP ....................................... Water Use Permit A ~GL~,?Ca~ - -L-- Index Accountability ............................................... 11-2,11-3 Ad valorem taxes..................................... 11-1,11-2 Alternative Water Sources ............................... 7-2,7-8 Ambient Ground Water Quality Monitoring Program ........................................................... 6-4, 6-5 Aauifers ....................................................... Basin Boards ................. .......... ............... 12-1, 12-4 Clean Water Act...................................... 5-1 Comprehensive Surface Water Management (CSWM) ................... 4-5,6-2,6-3 Conservation ................................ ...... 7-2,7-4,7-5 Desalination ................................... 7-1,7-2,7-3,7-8,7-9 District goals ...............................................1......... 1-4 District responsibilities ......... .............................. 1-3 District timeline ....................................... ......... 1-5,1-6 Environmental Protection Act................................ 5-1 Environmental Resource Permits.................... 4-4,6-6 Estuaries .................................. ....... 2-6 Flood control structures ......................................... 4-2 Floodplain, analysis.............................................. 4-6 Flood protection, non-structural ........................... 4-5 Four River Basins, Florida Project...................... 1-1,4-2 Governing Board ..................................................... 10-2 Governing Board, profiles .............. 10-9,10-10,10-11 Green Swamp........................................................... 2-9 Intergovernmental relationships...................... 8-1,8-2 Lakes ........................................................................... 2-5 Local Sources First ............................................... 1-4 Minimum Flows and Levels ...................... 5-4,5-5,5-6 National Estuary Program ............................... 2-7,6-3 New Water Sources Initiative (NWSI) ...................................... 1-3,7-8, 7-9,7-10,9-1 Preservation 2000 .............. .................... 1-6,5-1,5-2 Pumping, effects................................... 2-3,2-10,5-6 Quality Water Improvement Program .............. 6-5,6-6 Reclaimed water ........................................... 7-2,7-4 Regional Observation and Monitor Well Program ................................ 6-4, 6-5 Rehydration ......................................................... 7-2 Repurification ...................................... ........... 7-2 Reuse ........ .................................................... 7-2, 7-4 Rivers ................................................................ 2-4 Saltwater intrusion ................................................... 6-6 Save Our Rivers......................................... 1-6,5-1,5-2 Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA)................... ........ 1-2,4-4 Surface Water Improvement and Management .....2-7,5-2,5-3,5-4,6-1,6-2,6-3,6-4 Surface water use ............................................... 7-3 Water demand ............................................. 7-6, 7-7 Water management structures .............................. 4-3 Water Plan ..................................................... 1-4, 3-1 Water Resource Assessment Projects .................... 6-4 Water Supply Authority ......................................... 8-2 Water supply sources ............................................. 7-2 Water Use Caution Area.............. 1-3,2-4,6-4,7-6,7-7 Water Use Permitting ............................................... 6-5 Well Construction Permitting ................................. 6-5 Wellhead protection .............................................. 6-5 Wetlands ........ .......................... 2-7, 2-8 A .... 2-1, 2-2 ~s0B A Contact Us | Permissions | Preferences | Technical Aspects | Statistics | Internal | Privacy Policy © 2004 - 2010 University of Florida George A. 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