Orange Creek Basin Lakes Public Meeting

Transcription

1 Orange Creek Basin Lakes Public Meeting September 25, 2014 Grand Lake RV and Golf Resort Citra, Florida Meeting is hosted by the Orange Creek Basin Interagency Working Group

2 Meeting Purpose Provide community with an overview of the role of government agencies within the basin. Solicit input from the community on your concerns for Orange Lake, Lochloosa Lake, Newnans Lake, and Paynes Prairie: Watershed (land that drains water to lake) problems that are affecting the water quality and natural resources of these lakes. Lake management problems. Access problems affecting your use of the resources. Propose a process for stakeholders to participate in the basin s natural resource management.

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4 Orange Creek Basin Interagency Working Group Includes Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), Alachua County, Marion County, Gainesville, with participation from St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD), Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), Florida Department of Agricultural and Consumer Services (FDACS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Group meets periodically to exchange information and discuss ideas on lake management. Improves communication between agencies. This is not a decision making group! Actions taken by an individual agency are still required to go through the appropriate noticing and public comment requirements.

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6 Florida Department of Environmental Protection The Department protects, conserves, and manages Florida's natural resources and enforces the State's environmental laws. Regulatory Programs: Wastewater and stormwater management programs, air program, drinking water programs (public water supply). Manage hazardous waste and clean-ups, solid waste management Oversee beach restoration, protection of wetlands Land Management and Recreation: Florida Forever Program land purchases. Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park. Water Policy and Ecosystem Restoration. Assessment and restoration of waterbodies with poor water quality.

7 Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration (DEAR) 1. Set water quality standards or expectations for a waterbody. 2. Monitor and assess waterbodies. 3. Identify waterbodies with water quality problems. 4. Develop water quality targets specific to problem. 5. Develop load reductions needed to meet water quality targets. Basin Management Action Plan (Restoration Plan) Develop strategies to achieve reductions & Implement via permits & nonpoint source management

8 Orange Creek Basin Management Action Plan (BMAP) Water quality plan for Orange Creek Basin s large lakes. To restore water quality, need to remove or reduce nutrient sources. Collaborative effort with local community, business interests, and other government agencies. FDEP and local governments and community identify solutions and take action. Members of the Interagency Group represent some of FDEP s BMAP partners.

9 St. Johns River Water Management District Ensure the sustainable use and protection of water resources for the benefit of the people of the District and the state of Florida. Core missions of the SJRWMD: Water supply. Flood protection. Water quality. Natural systems.

10 SJRWMD Activities Consumptive Use Permit (CUP) - Allows water to be withdrawn from groundwater or surface water for reasonable beneficial uses. Environmental Resource Permit (ERP) - Authorizes new development or construction activities to occur in a manner that will prevent adverse flooding, manage surface water, and protect water quality, wetlands, and other surface waters. Water quality monitoring and assessment. Land management. North Florida Water Initiative and Springs Protection Initiative.

11 Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services To safeguard the public and support Florida s agriculture economy. Florida Forest Service manages state forests and assists landowners with the implementation of best management practices (BMPs) for silviculture. Office of Agriculture Water Policy works with producers to implement BMPs for commodities other than silviculture. FDACS has adopted the following BMP manuals relevant to the key agricultural land uses in this basin: 1. Equine 4. Row Crop 2. Cow/Calf 5. Silviculture 3. Specialty Fruit and Nuts

12 Florida Department of Transportation The Department will provide a safe transportation system that ensures the mobility of people and goods, enhances economic prosperity, and preserves the quality of our environment and community. Manage roadways and the stormwater runoff generated from those roads so it does not impact the lakes.

13 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Manage fish and wildlife resources for their long-term well-being and the benefit of people.

14 FWC Activities in the Orange Creek Basin Manage native and nonnative plant populations to promote habitat diversity and provide access for recreational users. Manage fish and wildlife populations. Provide natural resource law enforcement.

15 Marion County Activities Supports public access to Orange Lake. Supports the larger landscape view of management of this lake: Interconnectivity of ground water flows to Silver Springs, which is currently in the BMAP process for nitrates. Natural fluctuations of the lake promoting a healthy ecosystem. Currently partnering with FWC on the Heagy- Burry Boat Ramp Improvement project: New facilities are a part of Marion County s goals of boosting the region s outdoor recreation industry. Estimated time of construction is three months.

16 Alachua County Environmental Protection Department Protect and improve the water quality, biological health, and natural hydrologic character and function of the surface waters and wetlands in the Orange Creek Basin. Enacted through Alachua County Comprehensive Plan and Alachua County Unified Land Development Code.

17 Alachua County Environmental Protection Department Activities Coordinate and collaborate with other regulatory and managing agencies on activities in the Orange Creek Basin. Limit adverse impacts to the wetlands, surface waters, and associated buffers through proper review and approval of activities. Enforce county regulations, coordinate permitting activities, and provide guidance to citizens and stakeholders within the basin.

18 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Mission of USACE s Regulatory Program is to protect the nation s aquatic resources while allowing reasonable development through fair, flexible, and balanced permit decisions. USACE evaluates permit applications for all construction activities that take place in the nation s waters, including wetlands. USACE also issues permits for any work, including construction and dredging, in the nation s navigable waters.

19 USACE Jurisdiction in Fresh Waters

20 Questions on Agency Roles?

21 Goal: Why Are We Here? Provide a process by which stakeholders are able to share their ideas and concerns with governmental agencies and continue to stay informed of the progress being made on addressing the issues in the Orange Creek Basin.

22 Basin Management Action Plan (BMAP) Process Public Meeting Community Working Groups Appropriate agency will lead/facilitate Work on issues within a theme Develop management plans? Orange Gather Creek data and information? Basin Report on feasibility and costs of Stakeholder projects? Engagement Stakeholder involvement Provide updates through BMAP process Process Stakeholder Input Identify Issues Interagency Working Group Identify Themes Interagency Working Group Project Development

23 Tonight s Meeting Purpose: Collect stakeholder input. Identify issues in the Orange Creek Basin. Process: Sign in sheets: Identify interested stakeholders. Collect contact information if you would like to stay informed. Issue stations: Record comments and concerns. Identify issues. Not for solving issues or in-depth conversations. Group session: General basic questions. Will not answer complex questions tonight. Exit surveys: Help us to make future meetings better. Please complete prior to leaving.

24 Questions?