Florida Forever Work Plan Annual Update

Transcription

1 St. Johns River Water Management District 2008 Consolidated Annual Report Florida Forever Work Plan Annual Update Florida Forever Annual Update

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3 Florida Forever Work Plan Annual Update Table of Contents Figures Figure 5-1. Projected expenditures by program during the planning period Figure 5-2. Projected FF program lifetime expenditures by District program Tables Table 5-1. Florida Forever annual WMD funding distribution Table 5-2. Past and projected expenditures through FY Table 5-3. FF eligible projects by program, projects during the planning period Table Florida Forever acquisition priority list Table 5-5. FY acquisition activity Table 5-6. Parcels under contract as of September 30, Table 5-7. Surplus parcels during FY Table 5-8. Land management status of District lands by basin Table 5-9. Inventory of leases Table Inventory of special use authorizations Table FY District programs and projects funded by FF Funds Table FY District programs and projects funded by WMLTF Table FY FTEs, budget, and expenditures for programs funded by WMLTF Table History of Florida Forever expenditures by project Table 5-15: History of land acquisitions funded by Florida Forever

4 2008 SJRWMD Consolidated Annual Report This is the seventh annual update of the 2001 Florida Forever Work Plan. Its presents projects eligible for funding under the Florida Forever Act (Section , Florida Statutes (F.S.)) and reports on progress and changes since the initial July 2001 submission. In addition to a summary of the proposed Florida Forever (FF) funding and projects during the planning period, the report presents project status, modifications and additions to the 2001 Plan and consists of water resource development, restoration, and land acquisition subsections. Other required information for this report includes land acquisitions that were completed and District lands that were surplused during FY Finally, land management activities conducted by the District and budget and expenditure information for the FF fund and the Water Management Land Trust Fund (WMLTF) can also be found in this report. The District presently projects to use $ million of FF funding to support various land acquisition activities, seven water resource development projects, and 11 restoration projects during the five-year planning period from FY through FY The allocation among three major programs during the planning period is $20.45 million for WRD, $40.15 million for Restoration, and $71.86 million for Land Acquisition. Combined with the previous expenditure of $ million through FY , the District is projected to fully utilize its total allocation of $ million of FF funding by FY Due to recent depressed real estate market, there is a greater opportunity to acquire lands for public conservation purposes at lower costs than previous years. Therefore, the District will focus a large portion of the Florida Forever expenditure ($51.28 million) in FY to acquire land. The shares of projected lifetime expenditures will be 16.4% for Water Resource Development, 19.8% for Restoration projects, and 63.8% for Land Acquisition when the FF program concludes in

5 Florida Forever Work Plan Annual Update As required by Section (7), F.S., the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD or District) has completed the sixth annual update of the 2001 Florida Forever Work Plan. Its purpose is to present projects eligible for funding under the Florida Forever Act (Section , F.S.), and to report on progress and changes since the initial July 2001 submission. In past years, the District was required to submit the annual report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. A new legislation passed in 2005 (Section (7), F.S.) now requires the annual update be presented as a separate chapter in the Consolidated Annual Report. The Florida Forever Act provides for the issuance of up to $3 billion in bonds over a 10-year period, to be used for land acquisition, water resource development, stormwater management, water body restoration, recreational facility construction, public access improvements, invasive plant control, and related projects. An annual appropriation of up to $300 million is divided among programs administered by several state agencies and the five water management districts (WMDs). The five WMDs together annually receive up to $105 million (minus administrative costs), allocated as shown in Table 5-1 below. Table 5-1. Florida Forever annual WMD funding distribution WMD % Allocation Amount South Florida 35.0% $36,750,000 St. Johns River 25.0% $26,250,000 Southwest Florida 25.0% $26,250,000 Suwannee River 7.5% $7,875,000 Northwest Florida 7.5% $7,875,000 Total 100.0% $105,000,000 Based on the allocation formula, SJRWMD is projected to receive up to $26.25 million a year for eligible projects that fall into three broad categories including land acquisition, water resource development, and restoration. Over the life of the program, at least 50 percent of the funds must be spent on land acquisition and the balance may be used on water resource development and restoration projects. The District s goal initially was to spend the remaining 50 percent on Water Resource Development (WRD) projects and Restoration projects equally. However, due to the recent flattening of the real estate market, there is a greater opportunity to acquire lands for public conservation purposes. The District now intends to utilize Florida Forever funds in excess of the 50 percent requirement for land acquisition. Land acquisition is a key tool utilized by the District to accomplish its goals. Lands are acquired to build water resource development and restoration projects and to conserve natural resources, including floodplains and recharge areas. In the area of conservation acquisitions, SJRWMD emphasizes partnerships with other public agencies, primarily FDEP. The annual update has seven sections. This section provides background information on the annual update. The next section provides a summary of the proposed Florida Forever (FF) funding and projects during the planning period. The third section presents project status, 5-3

6 2008 SJRWMD Consolidated Annual Report modifications, and additions to the 2001 Plan and consists of water resource development, restoration, and land acquisition subsections. The restoration subsection is divided into four major surface water basins that plan to use FF funds. Section 4 includes all land acquisitions completed during FY The information on District lands that were surplused during FY is presented in Section 5. Section 6 summarizes various land management activities conducted by the District. Section 7 consists of budget and expenditure information on the FF fund and the Water Management Land Trust Fund (WMLTF). Finally, several appendices are provided for additional information pertaining to this report. 5-4

7 Florida Forever Work Plan Annual Update During the planning period from FY through FY , the District projects to use $ million of FF funding to fund seven water resource development projects, 11 restoration projects, and various land acquisition activities. Figure 5-1 below shows the projected FF expenditure by program through FY The proposed FF funding includes $71.86 million for Land Acquisition, $20.45 million for Water Resource Development projects, and $40.15 million for Restoration projects. Figure 5-1. Projected expenditures by program during the planning period It should be noted that the projected FF expenditures for the planning period ($ million) are $53.71 million more than the total amount that the District would receive during the same period ($78.75 million). This reflects the District s prior year Florida Forever appropriations that have not been fully expended due to long-term commitments for cooperative funding projects under the Water Resource Development program and capital improvement projects under the Restoration program. Table 5-2 on the next page shows the past expenditures (FY through FY ) and projected expenditures in FF funds (FY through FY ). Combined with actual expenditures of $ million through FY , the District anticipates to fully utilizing its total allocation of $ million of FF funding by FY Figure 5-2 on the next page shows the shares of projected lifetime expenditures will be 16.4% for Water Resource Development, 19.8% for Restoration projects, and 63.8% for Land Acquisition when the FF program concludes in Table 5-3 on pages 5-7 provides the projections by program and project during the planning period. Individual Water Resource Development and Restoration projects are listed with projected FF funding. 5-5

8 2008 SJRWMD Consolidated Annual Report Table 5-2. Past and projected expenditures through FY (in $millions) Expenditure Category FY WRD Restoration Land Combined Total Cumulative Expenditure Past 6-years Actual Current Budget Future Projections Current Budget + Projection FF Lifetime Expenditure Figure 5-2. Projected FF program lifetime expenditures by District program 5-6

9 Table 5-3. FF eligible projects by program, projects during the planning period (in $millions) Florida Forever Work Plan Annual Update Expenditure Budget 2-Year Projections Planning Life of Program/Project through FY FY FY FY Period Total Project Expenditure Water Resource Development Aquifer Storage and Recovery Central Florida Aquifer Recharge Enhancement - CFARE Projects - Phase I CFARE Projects - Phase III Regional Aquifer Management Project Lower Lake Louise Water Control Structure WRD Components of WSP Projects - St. Johns River/Taylor Creek Reservoir WSP Water Supply Development Assistance Fellsmere Farms Restoration Abandoned Artesian Well Plugging Water Resource Development Total Restoration Lower St. Johns River Basin Water Quality BMPs Mill Cove Improvements Upper St. Johns River Basin Internal Improvement to Three Forks MCA Jane Green Detention Improvements BCWMA Water Quality Berm Western SJMCA Canal Plugs Ocklawaha River Basin Lake Apopka NSRA Restoration Soil Amendment Application & Wetland Restoration Stormwater Management Fish Landing Access Ocklawaha River Basin Emeralda Marsh Restoration - Chemical Treatments to Bind Phosphorus Restoration at Emeralda s 2, 3, 4,5, 6, Harris Bayou Sunnyhill Restoration Indian River Lagoon Stormwater Management Town of Fellsmere Indian River Farms WCD Sebastian River Stormwater Park Sotille Canal Stormwater Park Wetland Restoration Rehabilitation Wetland Restoration Dike Removal/Ditch Line Work Sebastian River Dredging Eau Gallie River Dredging C-1 Rediversion Sawgrass Lake WMA Turkey Creek Dredging/BV 52 Site Clean Up Fellsmere Farms Restoration Restoration Total Land Acquisition Total All SJRWMD FF Utilization Total Note: No shading indicates projects that were on the last year's list and are still active. Green shading indicates projects that are new to this year's list. Gray shading indicates projects that were on the last year's list but have been canceled or proceeded without FF funds. Blue shading indicates projects that have since been completed. 5-7

10 2008 SJRWMD Consolidated Annual Report The WRD program was mandated in 1997 by Section , F.S. which requires WMDs to complete specific water supply planning activities and initiate resource development and water supply projects. The legislation defines water resource development to differentiate it from water supply development and states the WMDs primary responsibilities are water supply planning and water resource development. All water resource development projects are identified in the District s annual Water Resource Development Work Program (WRDWP) as required by Section (6)(a)4., F.S. The WRDWP is updated annually in October, reviewed by FDEP, and finalized for inclusion in the annual consolidated report In last year s update, the WRD program projected to use $27.72 million of FF funds to fund five projects through FY The new projected total FF funding for the planning period is $20.45 million for seven projects. The estimate includes several projects, such as Aquifer Storage and Recovery, Regional Aquifer Management Project, and Central Florida Aquifer Recharge Enhancement, whose estimated expenses in FY did not occur and have been carried over into FY In addition, the estimate continues to reflect a change in program focus and funding sources from Water Resource Development projects funded by FF funds to Alternative Water Supply (AWS) development projects funded by the Water Protection and Sustainability (WP&S) program. In FY , the District will receive $12 million from the WP&S trust fund and anticipates continued funding to support AWS projects. WRD projects have expended $22.58 million in FF funds from FY through FY The District expects to spend an additional $20.45 million in FF funds during the planning period. This brings the total anticipated spending on the program by FY to $43.04 million, accounting for 16.4% of the total estimated FF expenditures by the District. Seven WRD projects and sub-projects are identified for FF funding during the planning period. The status of these projects is summarized below. Aquifer Storage and Recovery: Aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) construction and testing is necessary to assure that ASR can be used successfully at specific sites. SJRWMD is pursuing ASR construction and testing projects with water treated to primary and secondary drinking water standards cooperatively with local governments to evaluate the feasibility of this technique as a means of managing the availability of water. The results of this project are critical to the development of ASR systems associated with future water supply development projects. ASR testing by SJRWMD is performed only with water treated to primary and secondary drinking water standards. Ownership of completed ASR projects will be transferred to cooperators for their operational phase after construction. A cooperator then may operate the ASR facility with water treated to primary and secondary drinking water standards or with reclaimed water treated to reclaimed water standards. Both of these types of ASR uses can be permitted under current 5-8

11 Florida Forever Work Plan Annual Update regulations. No special legislation or rule variances will be necessary to implement these projects. Currently, the final design and FDEP permitting were initiated for two of the projects in FY 2005 and both begun construction in FY 2006, with cycle testing planned for FY Final design and permitting were initiated in FY 2006 for four other projects and construction is anticipated to begin in FY Effective ASR systems could make it economically feasible to use surface water sources that may yield significant additional quantities of water supply. Each potential cooperator has an immediate need for ASR in a location where SJRWMD is constructing and testing ASR wells. The District proposes to use up to $19.61 million in FF funds to support the construction and testing of these ASR wells and project related land acquisition. Projects will be accomplished with SJRWMD ad valorem, FF funds, and cooperator funding in the form of significant in-kind services. For the FY planning period, $9.53 million in FF funds will be utilized for this project for construction activities. An additional $0.17 million in FF funds will be needed for FY to complete this project. Central Florida Aquifer Recharge Enhancement: SJRWMD performed a preliminary assessment of the aquifer recharge characteristics of existing recharge wells in central Florida. However, the major issue preventing additional use of direct recharge wells is the potential for bacterial and other contamination of the aquifer using lake water or stormwater as the source of recharge. The Central Florida Aquifer Recharge Enhancement (CFARE) project includes three major components: CFARE Projects - Phase I (Complete): The project demonstrates the use of recharge wells for net aquifer improvement, which may include increasing recharge volume without increasing aquifer contamination or decreasing aquifer contamination while preserving existing recharge rates. This work was completed in September 2006 and the total FF expenditure was $0.13 million. CFARE Projects - Phase II (Complete). The project investigates other opportunities to improve recharge quantity or quality. This Phase has been completed and did not use FF Funds. The results of Phase II are being used in Phase III to select and prioritize projects for funding support. CFARE Projects - Phase III: Phase III consist of implementation of projects identified in Phase II. Projects were identified from both the Orange County and Seminole County efforts with cooperation from both those counties and the cities of Lake Mary, Sanford, Apopka and Winter Garden. Phase III projects include drainage well restoration and reclaimed water storage and recharge projects. Changes in priorities and the creation of new funding programs have led to changes in project scopes and/or schedules. The District proposes to utilize up to $1.36 million in FF funds during FY With $1.38 million in FF expenditures through FY , the total project lifetime expenditures is expected to be $2.74 million. 5-9

12 2008 SJRWMD Consolidated Annual Report Regional Aquifer Management Project: Projected groundwater withdrawals for public supply in Volusia County, if implemented, would result in unacceptable impacts to the water resources and related natural systems in the area. The Regional Aquifer Management Project (RAMP) is proposed as a means of maximizing the quantity of sustainable groundwater yield while protecting the water resources and related natural systems. The project consists of four tasks including plan development, feasibility assessments and demonstration projects, design and construction, and operation and maintenance. The RAMP plan was developed by the Water Authority of Volusia (WAV). Implementation of specific program elements is underway. Several higher priority RAMP elements including finished water interconnections and reclaimed water storage/artificial recharge facilities are currently either in construction, design or permitting. WAV completed its Master Facilities Plan (MFP) in The MFP recommended implementation of all elements in the RAMP plan. The District has budgeted $1.80 million in FF funds for completion of RAMP projects that have already begun. FF expenditures for this project through FY total $4.95 million. Total project life expenditure funded with FF funds will be $6.75 million. Lower Lake Louise Water Control Structure (New): SJRWMD and Volusia County are working cooperatively on a project near Baker Pond, in Seville, Florida. The project entitled Lower Lake Louise Water Control Structure Project is being undertaken as an element of the recovery strategy for Lower Lake Louise, which is not meeting its established Minimum Flow and Levels. Specifically, the Minimum Average Level is not being met primarily due to a pre-existing outlet canal. SJRWMD proposes to work cooperatively with the Volusia County Council to design and construct an operable weir that will slightly raise the water level of the lake so that the Minimum Average Level will be met. Additionally, once the project is complete, it is anticipated that up to mgd of irrigation water will be available for use to consumptive use permittees that withdraw water from this system. The District anticipates using $0.13 million in FF funds to complete this project in FY Water Resource Development Components of Water Supply Projects: The District has recognized the increasing importance of developing alternative water supplies to supplement conventional groundwater supplies. Many of the water supply projects identified in the DWSP 2005 will include construction and land acquisition components that may be eligible for funding pursuant to the Florida Forever Act. There are three sub-projects under this project and their descriptions are presented below: St. Johns River/Taylor Creek Reservoir WSP: The District budgeted $200,000 in FF funds in FY for construction of facilities needed to implement the St. Johns River/Taylor Creek Reservoir WSP (Water Supply Project). This project was formerly called the Taylor Creek Reservoir Expansion Project. The District budgeted $0.20 million in FF funding in FY for this project to provide improvements to the outlet works at the Taylor Creek Reservoir structure to meet minimum flows and levels. Proposed improvements have not yet occurred and the budgeted funding for FY has been re-budgeted into FY This project is still ongoing and the 5-10

13 Florida Forever Work Plan Annual Update budgeted FF funds will be expended as project develops from the design phase to the construction phase Water Supply Development Assistance (New): This project intends to provide cooperative funding to local governments or private water utilities to jointly undertake water supply development projects identified in the 2005 District Water Supply Plan. The District budgeted $1.84 million in FF funds for FY to assist cooperators in implementation of these projects. The $1.84 million was not expended and has been re-budgeted into FY with several cooperators moving forward during FY Eligible cooperative projects include surface water intake facilities, storage reservoirs, ASR facilities, recharge facilities, and land acquisitions. Fellsmere Farms Restoration (Complete): This project initially entailed the construction of a 4,000-acre reservoir in Indian River County for the storage, treatment and reuse of agricultural runoff to improve the quality of freshwater in the St. Johns Water Management (WMA), Three Forks Marsh Conservation (MCA) and ultimately, the St. Johns River. This project will help to protect the quality of wetlands in the Three Forks MCA and reduce the frequency of freshwater discharges to the IRL from the USJRB Project. In addition to water quality improvement, this project will also achieve significant wetland habitat restoration and water supply benefits. In July 2001, the District purchased the two properties required for the project for $9.10 million. The District has contracted with design consultants for the detailed design of the project. The District purchased another 6,020 acres to expand the project area from 4,000 acres to 10,000 acres. Although the total project cost is estimated to be over $82 million, the total FF funding for this project is approximately $67.61 million, for land acquisition. Because a portion of the project will be for water resource development, a total of $5.00 million in FF expenditures for land acquisition was allocated under this project in FY For the purpose of FF, this project is deemed complete. Abandoned Artesian Well Plugging: The goal of this program is to assure the continued availability of groundwater resources by detecting, evaluating, and controlling abandoned artesian wells. SJRWMD has plugged or repaired an average of 100 abandoned artesian wells per year since the current program was established in Abandoned wells in Priority Water Resource Caution s are given the highest priority for plugging. However, the program is also tasked with locating abandoned artesian wells not already in the inventory. Additional abandoned wells are detected each year and added to the inventory. Funds to support this program historically have come from several sources including state, ad valorem, individual well owners, and participating counties.. The project will require continued FF funding through the planning horizon in order to plug or repair newly inventoried wells. It is projected that $0.40 million in FF funds per year will be required through FY FF expenditures for this project through FY total $0.94 million. 5-11

14 2008 SJRWMD Consolidated Annual Report In the last annual update report, the Restoration program planned to use $61.07 million to fund 14 projects through the planning period. The new projected FF funding for restoration projects during the planning period from FY to FY is $40.15 million for 11 projects. The District is primarily focusing on a few major restoration projects in the Upper St. Johns River Basin and the Indian River Lagoon Basin whose potential costs may exceed previous estimates. Most existing projects have been modified either in scope or in budget. The status of these projects is summarized in following pages by surface water basin. The environmental restoration activities that are described in this work plan annual update effectuate the goals of Section (4), F.S., by: (1) increasing the protection of Florida's biodiversity at the species, natural community, and landscape levels by restoring natural conditions that are conducive to fish and wildlife (Section (4)(b), F.S.); (2) protecting and maintaining the quality and natural functions of land, water and wetland systems by restoring natural hydrology and biological conditions that are conducive to the improvement of water quality and other ecological benefits (Section (4)(c), F.S.); (3) ensuring that sufficient quantities of water are available to meet the current and future needs of natural systems and the citizens of the state by improving water quality and water storage in natural systems (Sections (4)(d), F.S.); and (4), F.S.) increasing natural resource-based public recreational and educational opportunities by restoring natural ecological conditions (Section (4)(d), F.S.). As a component of the Restoration Pprojects, the District will consider opportunities with local governments to purchase land for stormwater and water quality improvement projects that will contribute to enhanced water quality and/or water storage capacity of the natural systems in the Restoration Project areas. 5-12

15 Florida Forever Work Plan Annual Update Lower St. Johns River Basin The Lower St. Johns River Basin (LSJRB) is the drainage area for the portion of the St. Johns River extending from the confluence of the St. Johns and Ocklawaha rivers near Welaka to the mouth of the St. Johns River at Mayport. Excessive nutrients that feed algal blooms are a major problem for the lower St. Johns River and other water bodies in the basin. The primary sources of these nutrients include discharges from numerous domestic wastewater treatment plants upstream from and in the basin, and stormwater runoff from developed and agricultural areas in the basin. Industrial discharges have introduced potentially toxic contaminants into river sediments. Urban development, combined with poor water quality, has caused a loss in both the extent and quality of habitats in the basin critical to fish and wildlife. LSJRB was designated in the 1987 SWIM Act as a priority water body in need of restoration and special protection. The District subsequently adopted a SWIM plan that addresses actions needed for the restoration of the LSJRB. In recent years, a River Agenda was developed (1997) for the lower St. Johns River. In 2003, a St. Johns River Summit was conducted by the District and representatives from local governments and environmental groups within LSJRB. Combined they provide a blue print for restoration activities of LRSRB. The near-term priorities are the siting, construction and operation of regional stormwater treatment facilities in Jacksonville, Clay County, and the Tri- County Agricultural (TCAA) as well as the implementation of agricultural BMPs in the TCAA that will reduce nutrient loading from farms to receiving water bodies. Water Quality BMPs (Complete): The Restoration Plan and River Agenda that were developed in 1997 for the lower St. Johns River required the use of RSTs in conjunction with the use of agricultural BMPs by local farmers. Implementation of BMPs is an essential starting point to meet the proposed TMDLs for the fresh water portion of the lower basin. The TCAA target goal is 90.00% adoption of BMPs by area farmers to be consistent with FDEP s TMDL allocation strategy. The District has cost-shared with many farmers for these BMP projects that provide for restoration of the lower St. Johns River by reducing nutrient loads and thereby improving both water quality and aquatic habitat. However, this is the only BMP project that has FF funding component for a budgeted total of $0.11 million (encumbered during FY ). The FF funds have been used for capital improvements associated with this project, including water control structures and observation wells. These structures allow the farmer to better manage irrigation and stormwater levels, which reduce the discharge of nutrients and turbidity to the river. The FF component of this project was completed during FY with a total FF expenditure of $108,694. Mill Cove Improvements (Complete): The Mill Cove Flow Improvement Channel is one component of the Mill Cove Restoration Project. The Flow Improvement Channel has been completed and was undertaken as a joint project between the District and the USCOE, Jacksonville District. The channel construction was funded by a Special Legislative Appropriation of $1.00 million and $0.28 million in FF funds. The project was completed during FY and the actual FF expenditure was $122,

16 2008 SJRWMD Consolidated Annual Report Upper St. Johns River Basin The Upper St. Johns River Basin (USJRB), extending from the headwaters of the St. Johns River in Indian River and Okeechobee counties to the confluence of the St. Johns and Econlockhatchee rivers in Seminole County, originally contained over 400,000 acres of floodplain marsh. By the early 1970s, 62 percent of the marsh had been drained for agricultural and flood control purposes. Canals were constructed to divert floodwaters from the basin to the IRL. Impacts included a loss of water storage areas, diminished water quality, excessive freshwater going into the IRL, and significant decreases in fish and wildlife populations. The marsh that remained was further degraded by hydrologic alterations and nutrients in agricultural runoff. In response to flooding problems in the basin, a highly structural federal flood control project was started in the 1960s but was halted because of potential environmental harm. During the 1980s, this project was transformed into the USJRB Project, co-sponsored by SJRWMD and USACE. The USJRB Project is a semi-structural system of water management area (WMAs), marsh conservation areas (MCAs) and marsh restoration areas covering approximately 166,500 acres in Indian River and Brevard counties. The system is designed to reduce damage from floods, improve water quality, reduce freshwater discharges to the IRL, provide water supplies, and restore or enhance wetland habitat. Initiated in 1988, the project s flood control portion is nearing completion. The District is now focusing on several restoration activities that will provide water quality benefits to USJRB. Two of them will be funded by FF ($0.75 million) during the planning period. A brief project description and update of these projects is presented below. Jane Green Detention Improvements: The Jane Green Detention (JGDA) is located in eastern Osceola County south of US 192. This project feature was intended to be an upland storage reservoir as part of the original C&SF flood control project and was comprised of the L- 73 levee and the S-161 structure. After the C&SF project was halted and sponsorship turned over to the SJRWMD, the original storage capacity within JGDA was no longer required. In 1990, a new discharge structure for the JGDA (S-161A) was constructed that allowed water levels to be regulated at a lower stage than proposed in the original C&ASF Plan. Subsequently, structure S-161 was deactivated. Recent analysis of water level data indicates that the original environmental hydrologic criteria have been consistently violated by longer than recommended hydroperiods. Part of these long hydroperiods are the result of the design of S-161A which has a main weir crest elevation 3 feet higher than the adjacent ground elevation. When water levels are below the crest of the weir, water is discharged through two small box culverts located in the sides of the structure. These culverts alone appear to be insufficient to completely dry out the JGDA, in part because inadequate drainage to the box culverts. Field studies in 2000 indicated that there has been substantial ecological damage to the plant communities as a result of long inundation frequencies and high water. In addition, a decrease in tree canopy cover has led to an increase in dense herbaceous vegetation that has further impeded drainage to the box culverts. The US Army Corps of Engineers is modifying the S-161 structure to allow water to drain to a lower elevation in an effort to correct the hydroperiod. A thick 5-14

17 Florida Forever Work Plan Annual Update vegetation mat within the historic Jane Green Creek that has developed because of the extended hydroperiod, however, is impeding water flow to the modified structure. This project will remove the thick vegetation mat in an effort to restore water flow within the Jane Green Creek. The District proposes to use $0.25 million in FF funds during FY for this project and complete the project in late Blue Cypress Water Management -Water Quality Berm (Complete): The Blue Cypress Water Management (BCWMA) is a 4,920-acre impoundment located immediately north of SR 60 in Indian River County. This impoundment is an integral part of the Upper St. Johns River Basin project and receives drainage from Fort Drum Marsh Conservation, St. Johns Water Control District and areas south of the Florida Turnpike outside the St. Johns Water Management District via the C-52 flowway. Significant portions of the eastern side of BCWMA-W have converted to cattails because of nutrient input from the C-52. This project will entail the construction of approximately 1.5 miles of berm along the east side of the C-52 flowway that will separate BCWMA from the C-52 discharge, halt this habitat degradation, and allow for the restoration of areas from cattail to more diverse plant communities. The total budgeted cost of this project was $400,000 with $100,000 funded by Florida Forever. The project was completed during FY and the actual FF expenditure was only $21,190. Western St. Johns Marsh Conservation Canal Plug (New): During low water periods, agricultural canals that were excavated as a source of borrow material for levees channel water away from the marsh causing a condition of overdrainage. This overdrainage has resulted is an adverse shift in the vegetation from typical wetland species to more woody invasive species. During low water periods, remnant agricultural drainage canals, such as the Outside Mormon Canal located along the western boundary of the St. Johns Marsh Conservation, overdrain the natural marsh causing an adverse shift in the vegetation. Hydrologic modeling shows that plugging/filling of these canals to the surrounding natural grade helps to restore the dry period hydrology without impacting flood control. Previous projects involving the degrading of the farm levees back into the canal has proved successful in restoring the topography and reducing the overdrainage in areas immediate adjacent to the project as well as areas upstream. This project involves the filling a portion of Outside Mormon Canal toward to lower portion of the St. Johns Marsh. The cost of this project is estimated to be $0.50 million in FF funds during FY The project will be completed in

18 2008 SJRWMD Consolidated Annual Report Ocklawaha River Basin Lake Apopka Lake Apopka has a history of more than 100 years of human alteration, beginning with construction of the Apopka-Beauclair Canal in In 1941, a levee was built along the north shore to drain 20,000 acres of shallow marsh for farming. The discharge of water rich in nutrients from agricultural and other sources produced conditions that created a chronic algal bloom and resulted in loss of the lake's recreational value and game fish populations. Legislation passed in 1985 and 1987 mandated that SJRWMD develop and implement plans to restore Lake Apopka to Class III water quality. Planning, diagnostic, and feasibility studies for the lake began under the 1985 Lake Apopka Restoration Act. The 1987 SWIM Act included the lake as a priority water body in need of restoration. The 1996 Lake Apopka Improvement and Management Act included authorization for SJRWMD to set a criterion to be used in limiting phosphorous discharges to the lake and provided funding to initiate a mandated buyout of the muck farms on the north shore of the lake. The District adopted a phosphorous criterion by rule in 1996 and completed its buyout of the muck farms in The restoration phase of Lake Apopka is expected to continue for at least 20 years. It involves filtration of lake water through a marsh flow-way and annual harvests of gizzard shad to reduce the phosphorous concentration in the lake, adoption and implementation of a waste allocation rule to control phosphorous concentration in the lake, planting of native emergent plants to stabilize sediments and improve shoreline habitat, and restoration of the former muck farms to aquatic and wetland habitats. The District currently plans to budget $3.0 million in FF funds for this program during the planning period. A brief project description and update for existing projects is provided below. North Shore Restoration Restoration: This project is the result of a draft restoration plan prepared by the District for the North Shore Restoration (NSRA) that addresses remediation of contaminated soils and provides for restoration of the former muck farms to aquatic and wetland habitat. The restoration will bring about further reductions in nutrient discharges to Lake Apopka and downstream lakes as well as provide habitat benefits for fish and wildlife. The plan will be modified based on development and implementation of a final restoration plan. A significant portion of the former muck farms require some degree of remediation to protect wildlife during restoration efforts. Upgrading the levee and canal infrastructure is necessary for implementation of the restoration activities. Implementation of the final restoration plan will begin after any remediation activities needed to address pesticide residues in the NSRA are completed. Several activities are included in this project; soil remediation, soil amendment application and stormwater management. The District entered two cost-share agreements with NRCS in 2007 for funding to complete infrastructure improvements in the NSRA. The descriptions and status of these activities are summarized below. Soil Amendment Application and Wetland Restoration: All currently identified soil amendment application has been completed with a total expenditure of $515,473 in FF funds. The actual amount needed for additional remediation depends largely on the 5-16

19 Florida Forever Work Plan Annual Update results from the pesticide investigation. The cost of remediation depends on the remedial technologies selected. Remediation projects will minimize organochlorine pesticide exposure risk to wildlife, and they are included in the SWIM Plan for Lake Apopka (Project # LA M, Priority 1, SWIM Plan July 2003). The subsequent wetland restoration will result in reduced nutrient loading to Lake Apopka and reduced downstream discharges and provide habitat for fish and wildlife. The previous total expenditure for this project was $515,473 by the end of FY The District plans to use an additional 1.0 million in FF funds in FY and $2.0 million in FY for wetland restoration work. Stormwater Management (Complete): The stormwater management activity is an interim water level management for 8,800 acres of the NSRA that requires periodic discharge of stormwater into Lake Apopka. The existing pump stations are retrofitted with alum treatment systems to reduce the amount of phosphorus discharged to the lake during pumping operations. It also should be noted that this activity was listed in the previous report as an individual project under the Lake Apopka basin program. The project spent $75,337 in FF funds for the pump station retrofit in the past but does not plan to use FF funds in the future. The project is deemed complete for the purpose of FF funding. Fish Landing Access (Complete): The project constructed a permanent facility to support the harvesting of gizzard shad. The fish landing was designed for commercial boats to off-load catches of shad for transport to a processing facility in refrigerated trucks. The new fish landing increases the efficiency of the operation and allows the harvests to proceed at lower lake elevations. The project was completed during FY for $199,680 in FF funds. Upper Ocklawaha River Basin The Upper Ocklawaha River Basin (UORB) encompasses the Harris Chain of Lakes north of Lake Apopka and the upper Ocklawaha River to the confluence of the Silver River near State Road 40 in Marion County. Water quality and aquatic and wetland habitats in the basin declined dramatically over the last century. The Ocklawaha River was dredged for navigation and 15 miles of the upper river channel were abandoned, 15,000 acres of floodplain wetlands were drained for agriculture, three dams stabilized lake water levels, and urban growth became a major factor in the basin. Pollutants from upstream Lake Apopka and from stormwater and wastewater discharges promoted algae growth in the lakes, leading to eutrophication in lakes throughout the basin. Valuable aquatic plant habitat was lost as murky waters prevented sunlight from penetrating into the water. Fish populations shifted from large numbers of sport fish to rough fish, dominated by gizzard shad. Stabilized water levels and reduced flows contributed to further degradation of water quality by limiting once-normal flushing of nutrients and sediments. In 1988, the UORB was designated by the District as a SWIM priority water body in need of restoration. Restoration efforts focus on reducing nutrients and other pollutants loading to basin water bodies, reestablishing more-natural water level fluctuations and flows, and restoring aquatic and wetland habitats at former muck farms. Progress toward achieving the program goal through implementation of the UORB SWIM Plan has accelerated in recent years due to substantial program budget support from several cooperative partners and legislative appropriations. The United States Department of 5-17

20 2008 SJRWMD Consolidated Annual Report Agriculture-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), USACE, FDEP, and the Lake County Water Authority have contributed important financial support to several projects. FF funding has also played a major role in implementing several restoration projects. Recent data indicate a dramatic and sustained improvement in water quality in Lake Griffin after a period of drought combined with reduction of external nutrient loading and harvesting of 1.7 million pounds of gizzard shad from the lake. The water quality improvement achieved by these restoration projects has greatly benefited all residents in UORB. In order to fully implement the SWIM plan, the District plans to use $1.70 million in FF funds to support three restoration projects during the planning period. A brief project description and update of these projects is presented below Emeralda Marsh Restoration: This project includes several sub-projects that are described below: Chemical Treatments To Bind Phosphorus (Complete): From 1991 to 1993, the District purchased 6,500 acres of former muck farms in the Emeralda Marsh Conservation that ended farming and greatly reduced discharges of nutrient-laden farm water. During wetland restoration efforts, nutrient release from the former farm soils continued to be a source of loading to the wetlands and adjacent water bodies. This project provides for application of chemical amendments to bind nutrients in former farm soils at Districtowned restoration sites in the Emeralda Marsh properties. These applications are generally needed one time to bind sediment phosphorus, although a second treatment may be necessary in certain areas because of extremely high initial phosphorus concentrations. Initial treatment done in several areas in the past has successfully lowered phosphorus to suitable levels with the first treatment. In previous years, less than $20,000 in FF funds was used in these applications to supplement other funding sources. The District budgeted $0.25 million in FF funds in FY and later decided to use other funds to complete this sub-project. Therefore, this project is deemed complete for the purpose of FF funding. Restoration at Emeralda s 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7: The 6,500-acre Emeralda Marsh Conservation consists of seven former farms on muck soils once dominated by sawgrass marsh. District restoration efforts focus on fluctuating water levels and vegetation management to promote establishment of a variety of wetland habitat, ranging from shallow marsh to deeper open-water areas. This project will improve or remove farm levees, install gated culverts, manage wetland vegetation, and create internal earthworks for interim wetland restoration needs in these areas. The long-term goal remains reconnecting the restored wetlands to Lake Griffin. The amount of time required to achieve the reconnection may be five to seven years. Since FY , the District has completed several capital improvement activities associated with this restoration project, including installation of pumps and tree planting with a total expenditure of $487,655 in FF funds. The project is currently on hold and the District anticipates the needs to use FF funds for the construction of levees, culverts, and pump stations in 2009 and However, the cost estimates for the construction was not available when the plan was being updated. 5-18

21 Florida Forever Work Plan Annual Update Harris Bayou: This project involves construction to establish an important hydrologic connection between Lake Harris and Lake Griffin through the Lake Harris Conservation. The project will also restore about 450 acres of wetland habitat. This project also provides for application of chemical amendments to bind nutrients in former farm soils prior to operation of the system. It is designed to offset a potential increase in flooding impacts in upstream lakes, due to maintenance of increased water levels, which will result from implementation of the environmentally beneficial Lake Level Fluctuation Program, by diverting water flowing at a rate of up to 1,000 cubic feet per second from Lake Harris directly to Lake Griffin. The District budgeted $1.70 million in FF for FY for the construction of the inlet and outlet structures, channels, and the remaining portion of the conveyance system. It should be noted that the District has already expended $3.13 million in FF funds for this project. When completed in 2008, the total project cost will be close to $4.83 million in FF funds. Sunnyhill Restoration: Early in the 1900s, over 9 miles of the historic Ocklawaha River were abandoned between Starkes Ferry and Moss Bluff and large wetland areas along the River were drained for agriculture. The Sunnyhill Wetland Restoration project includes re-establishment 2,800 acres of floodplain wetlands. Construction includes an inlet structure at the south end of the property to divert water from the C-231 Canal, removal of internal ditches and levees, a waterlevel control structure at the north end of the property, a downstream final discharge structure, and modifications to the skimmer gates at the Moss Bluff structure. Due to lack of federal funding, the District has terminated Project Cooperation Agreement with the USACE to complete the construction phase of this project through the Section 1135 Program. The project has been downsized and redesigned to allow most of the same wetland restoration benefits but has lost most of the flood control benefits from the previous version. The District expended $Although there is currently no FF funds budgeted for this project, the District may need to amend the budget to use $0.275 million in FF fund during FY for restoration activities associated with the project. The project is expected to be completed in