A Springs Protection Initiative for NE Florida: Reversing the Fate of Florida's Iconic Springs via Science, Projects and Enlightened Management

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1 A Springs Protection Initiative for NE Florida: Reversing the Fate of Florida's Iconic Springs via Science, Projects and Enlightened Management AWRA Annual Conference November 2016 Casey Fitzgerald Director, Springs Protection Initiative SJRWMD

2 Florida Springs Presentation Outline I. Springs Challenge II. SJRWMD Springs Protection Initiative A. Overview B. Restoration Projects III. SRWMD Springs Restoration Efforts IV. Conclusions V. Questions 2

3 Florida Springs (More than 700 named in FGS database) Outstanding Florida Springs First Mags plus: DeLeon Gemini Peacock Poe Rock Wekiwa

4 Changes in Florida Springs Weeki Wachee Spring 1951 Weeki Wachee Spring 2006

5 The Problems Ecological structure and function have changed in many springs. High nitrate concentrations Less native aquatic vegetation Blooms of attached algae Lower fish abundance Impaired ecosystem metabolism The springs are indicators of the state of the aquifer. 5

6 Challenges Protect/Improve water quality Protect/Recover flows 6

7 Wekiva Basin Nitrogen Loads Source: MACTEC (Final Report Wekiva River Basin Nitrate Sourcing Study 2010) 7

8 Florida Springs Presentation Outline I. Springs Challenge II. SJRWMD Springs Protection Initiative A. Overview B. Restoration Projects III. SRWMD Springs Restoration Efforts IV. Conclusions V. Questions 8

9 Springs Protection Initiative Regulation CUP ERP MFLs Outreach Applied Science Formulate cost-effective solutions and support regulatory programs Springs Protection Initiative Water Supply Planning Projects Identify and help fund cost-effective projects 9

10 Florida Springs Presentation Outline I. Springs Challenge Overview II. SJRWMD Springs Protection Initiative A. Overview B. Restoration Projects III. SRWMD Springs Restoration Efforts IV. Conclusions V. Questions 10

11 Springs Restoration Projects DEP BMAP Process (Collaboration with Stakeholders) SJRWMD Springs Protection Initiative (Data and Science) Funding and Projects Local Governments, Utilities, Ag Capital Improvement Plans (Primary action agents) 11

12 Springs in SJRWMD 148 springs identified Four first-magnitude (> 100 cfs) o Volusia Blue, Silver, Alexander, Silver Glen Sixteen second-magnitude (>10 cfs) 12

13 Springs in SJRWMD Silver Springs Volusia Blue Spring Wekiva Springs System 13

14 SJRWMD Springs Projects Projects funded primarily for Wekiva River / Spring System, Volusia Blue Spring, Silver Springs and Lower Santa Fe River Springs General project types Water conservation Reclaimed water system enhancements Alternative water supply development Water quality improvements o Wastewater treatment plant upgrades, septic tank conversions and stormwater treatment Innovative technologies o Potable reuse, biologically active media in RIBs, etc. 14

15 SJRWMD Springs Cost-Share By Contributor (Fiscal Years 13/14 16/17) $72,719,736 Local Governments, Utilities and Ag $20,981,954 State/DEP $34,943,060 SJRWMD Total investment ~$129 million 15

16 SJRWMD Project Metrics thru FY projects 29 partners/cooperators Total Nitrogen load reduction 0.97 million lbs/yr (540 metric tons/yr) Total groundwater withdrawal offsets 71 million gallons per day (mgd) 16

17 Featured "Turn Dirt Project Solutions Silver Springs City of Ocala Septic Tank and Well Elimination Project Volusia Blue Springs City of DeLand Rapid Infiltration Basin (RIB) Retrofit / Pilot Project 17

18 City of Ocala Septic Tank and Well Elimination Program (FY15) Silver Springs in Marion County 850 Septic Tanks Up to 5 package plants Elimination of ~ 150 private wells $10,000,000 total investment 18

19 City of DeLand Rapid Infiltration Basin (RIB) Retrofit / Pilot project Install Biologically Active Media (BAM) in half of existing RIB Install lysimeters in both control and experimental cells 19

20 Volusia Prevention and Recovery Strategy Blue Spring and Multiple Lakes

21 Volusia Blue Spring Minimum Flow and Level Driving force/goal: Restoration of sufficient spring flow to provide adequate warm water refuge for rapidly increasing St. Johns River manatee population. 21

22 Volusia Blue Spring Manatee Use 22

23 Volusia Prevention/ Recovery Strategy Projects St. Johns River Water Management District

24 Volusia Blue Spring Springs Protection Projects 24

25 Volusia Blue Spring Flow Recovery Target recovery for Volusia Blue Spring: Increase flow by ~16 CFS by 2030 Total capital cost: ~$155 million P&R plan implementation by West Volusia Water Suppliers and other stakeholders will achieve: Aquifer levels sufficient to meet Volusia Blue Spring and lake MFLs Projected future water demands A healthy manatee population

26 SJRWMD Cost-Share Opportunities Agricultural Ongoing, submittal deadline 9/9/16 Innovative/REDI ~ Mid-September to ~ November 1 General ~ Mid-March to May 1 Website: 26

27 Florida Springs Presentation Outline I. Springs Challenge II. SJRWMD Springs Protection Initiative A. Overview B. Restoration Projects III. SRWMD Springs Restoration Efforts IV. Conclusions V. Questions 27

28 SRWMD Springs Heartland The SRWMD has the densest concentration of freshwater springs in Florida. 21 of 33 firstmagnitude springs 20 springs in State Parks or Recreational Areas (6 are first-magnitude) SRWMD springs discharge 7 billion gallons a day. 72% of the annual flow of the Suwannee River System.

29 SRWMD Springs Projects Springs along the Suwannee, Santa Fe, Ichetucknee, Steinhatchee, Wacissa, Waccasassa, Withlacoochee and Alapaha Rivers Project types Water use efficiency o Agriculture (nutrient leaching) o Urban Water quality o Wastewater Septic tanks Improved WWTP treatment o Agriculture Pivot retrofits and fertigation Dairy wastewater Tailwater recovery/reuse Treatment technology

30 SRWMD Springs Cost-Share By Contributor (FY 2013/ /16) DEP SRWMD Local $20,352,366 $26,533,960 $9,206,838 Total investment ~$56.1 million

31 SRWMD Featured Project Mallory Swamp Recharge Recharge: 10 MGD Restoration: 4K acres of wetlands Mallory Swamp High Recharge Drainage Canals

32 Conclusions Restoring Florida s springs to ecological health is an immense challenge. Substantial, ongoing efforts have been underway since 2013 to reverse long-term water quality and spring flow trends legislation and Amendment 1 funding will significantly expedite restoration efforts. A deeper scientific understanding is critical to identify the truly most cost-effective, long-term springs restoration project investments and to inform enlightened future management strategies. 32

33 Questions? 33

34 2016 Legislative Action for Outstanding Florida Springs Senate Bill 522 Minimum flows and levels (MFL) deadlines July 1, 2017 Most springs July 1, 2026 NWFWMD springs Basin Management Action Plan (BMAP) deadlines Septic tank remediation plan requirement Local fertilizer ordinance adoption requirement Prohibitions New WWTPs > 100K GPD unless AWT New septic tanks on < 1 acre New Ag operations without BMPs New hazardous waste facilities

35 2016 Legislative Action for Outstanding Florida Springs Legacy Florida ACT The Legacy Florida Act commits $50 million per year of Amendment 1 dollars annually for the next 20 years for springs restoration.

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37 NORTHWEST FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT Springs within the NWFWMD Gator Hole Spring Pitt Spring Gainer Spring Group Cypress Spring Jack Paul Spring Over 250 springs districtwide 5 first-magnitude springs Wakulla Spring St. Marks River Rise Jackson Blue Spring Gainer Springs Group Spring Creek Springs Group (submarine)

38 NORTHWEST FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT Springs Restoration and Protection NWFWMD Springs Cost-Share by Contributor (Fiscal Years through ) $15,500,045 $1,955,595 $35,793,892 FDEP/State NWFWMD Partner and local contribution Total $53.2 million 38

39 NORTHWEST FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT Wakulla Spring Restoration and Protection Project Metrics (FY 13/14 through FY 16/17) 5 Partners/Cooperators 2,546 septic tank conversions to central sewer More than 58,676 lbs/year reduction in nitrogen Wakulla Spring 39

40 NORTHWEST FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT Wakulla Spring An Emerging Success? Wakulla Spring 40

41 NORTHWEST FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT Wakulla Spring What s been spent historically? Where are we now? BMAP Completed Current/Ongoing Total Wakulla $319,993,780 $46,353,148 $366,346,928 Wakulla Spring Nitrate Trend 0.35 mg/l TMDL for Nitrate 41

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43 Applied Science CRISPS Collaborative Research Initiative on Sustainability and Protection of Springs 43

44 Applied Science Approach Pursuant to RFP solicitation, SJRWMD/UF* entered into a 3-year, $3 million contract in Assemble an integrated SJRWMD / University of Florida scientific team organized into work groups. Conduct an interdisciplinary study involving multiple spring systems. Identify key processes and data necessary to evaluate strategic management options. * Water Institute, IFAS, School of Natural Resources...

45 Springs Protection Initiative Science Questions and Objectives Question 1: Where and when is it most feasible and costeffective to reduce nitrate loading to the springs? Objective: Improve the scientific foundation for management of nitrate loadings to spring ecosystems. Question 2: Will nitrate reduction alone be sufficient to reduce algal abundance in springs? Objective: Determine the need for management of environmental factors other than nitrate loading in order to reduce algal abundance in springs. Question 3: What are the relative influences and manageabilities of nitrate and non-nitrate causes of excess algae in springs? Objective: Determine what other environmental factors might costeffectively be managed to reduce algal abundance in springs. 45

46 Objective: Improve the scientific foundation for management of nitrate loadings to spring ecosystems. Springshed High Water Conveyance Rate Low N Loss Rate High N Source Rate Cost-effective management of nitrate loads: Will focus on areas of the springshed with high N source rates, low N loss rates, and high N conveyance rates. 46

47 Objective: Evaluate the need for management of drivers other than nitrate loading in order to control benthic algal abundance in spring ecosystems. Nitrate Nitrate Nitrate Invert. Grazers Aquatic Plants Other nutrients Attached Algae Recreation Invert. Grazers Dissolved Oxygen Vert. Grazers Sloughing Current Speed Connectivity 47

48 Objective: Determine what other environmental factors might costeffectively be managed to reduce algal abundance in springs. Sub-objective: Management should focus on factors that are both influential and controllable. Climate Ecological Influence Discharge/ Velocity Biological Interactions Water quality Feasibility of Control (Controllability) Note: The scalings shown here are illustrative only. They do not represent scientific conclusions. 48

49 Scientific Team Organized into Work Groups Springs Protection Initiative Science (SPIS) Surface Water Hydrology Groundwater Hydrology Nitrogen Biogeochemistry Hydrodynamics and Hydrology Physicochemistry Biology Springshed Supergroup Spring Ecosystem Supergroup

50 Work groups, workflow, outputs Work group Outputs Surface Water Hydrology Spring flow GW Biogeochemistry Water Budget Groundwater Hydrology N Biogeochemistry Nutrient Loading Nutrient Inputs H&H Nutrient budget Nutrient Outputs Biology Physicochem -ical Status Biological Structure and Function Physicochemistry

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52 Springs within the SWFWMD Over 150 springs districtwide 5 first-magnitude groups Discharge nearly 1 billion gallons/day Springs Coast 2nd largest seagrass area in U.S. Over 400,000 mapped acres

53 Springs Coast Steering Committee Mission To build inter-agency partnerships to protect, manage and restore springs To develop comprehensive plans for five firstmagnitude systems Steering Committee Management Committee Technical Working Group 53

54 Projects and Initiatives Crystal River/Kings Bay WATER QUALITY WATER QUANTITY Ongoing: 20 Priority Proposed: 15 Potential: 23 Ongoing: 26 Priority Proposed: 8 Potential: 18 Ongoing Projects 64 Priority Proposed Projects 38 Potential Projects 58 Total 160 NATURAL SYSTEMS Ongoing: 18 Priority Proposed: 15 Potential: 17 Conceptual Budget $ 97.5 million ($35 million Ongoing Projects)

55 FDEP Funded Projects FY13/14 FY15/16 FDEP SWFWMD Local Match [CELLRANGE ] [CELLRANGE ] [CELLRANGE ] Total Funding $ 37.4 million

56 Kings Bay Revegetation Project

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58 Kings Bay Revegetation Project October 2015 February 2016