Lake County Water Authority Responses to Harris Restoration Council Questions. March 3, 2017 Michael Perry Lake County Water Authority

Transcription

1 Lake County Water Authority Responses to Harris Restoration Council Questions March 3, 2017 Michael Perry Lake County Water Authority

2 Issue 1: North Shore Restoration Area (NSRA) Reconnection The Council strongly recommends a study for reconnecting Lake Apopka to the North Shore Restoration Area (NSRA). The Florida Legislature appointed the SJRWMD as the agency responsible for implementing the farm buy-out program. The plan for restoration after the buy-out focused on re-flooding the farm fields and elimination or breaching of the levees that separated the fields from the main body of the lake, allowing Lake Apopka to return to its historic size. (See p. 2 from the report entitled "Final Lake Apopka Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration Plan," dated 6/2004). SJRWMD now seems intent on creating a bird sanctuary by placing infrastructure on former farmlands, which may prevent reconnection. Request: Council requests SJRWMD and pertinent Council technical advisory group (TAG) agencies (FWCC, FDEP, LCWA) to provide scientific data in a presentation to the Council that allows the NSRA to be connected or not connected to Lake Apopka. The presentation should include required steps, cost, and time line to reconnect.

3 Issue 1: North Shore Restoration Area (NSRA) Reconnection LCWA Response: Lake Apopka s NSRA has become a premier eco-tourism site through the efforts of the District, Lake and Orange counties, and several conservation organizations, Florida Audubon Society and Friends of Lake Apopka being the most prominent. The 11 mile Wildlife/Birding drive that is patterned after the drive at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is very popular with many groups coming to view the NSRA birds and wildlife. The Lake Apopka Loop Trail joins the West Orange Trail at Magnolia Park and continues around the lake to the Green Mountain Overlook, attracting many bikers and hikers to enjoy the Lake Apopka trail and the wildlife drive. The efforts of the govt. agencies and private citizens to establish and keep the NSRA a wildlife refuge for eco-tourism, are most important in economic development in this area. The Harris Chain of Lakes provides many more opportunities for fishing in its system than just Lake Apopka. The current Lake County Water Authority Board defers to the St. Johns River Water Management District regarding the reconnection.

4 Issue 2: Dredging SJRWMD is essentially building a flat sawgrass marsh to try to restore the marsh to its original condition. Alternatively, soil could be mounded to provide wind breaks, small islands of sawgrass, and deep holes, much like a marsh that would be developed by Ducks Unlimited. Deeper channels will allow boats to migrate through the NSRA for bird watching and fishing. Dredging could be used to provide soil for the NSRA. Request: Council requests pertinent TAG agencies to provide a plan to accomplish the above statements.

5 Issue 2: Dredging LCWA Response: The property is owned and managed by the St. Johns River Water Management District and much of the NSRA is in Orange County. The current Lake County Water Authority Board defers to the St. Johns River Water Management District regarding the configuration of the NSRA.

6 Issue 3: Aquatic Vegetation While SJRWMD has made reductions in phosphorus and chlorophyll (algae) and improved water clarity slightly, fisheries habitat (i.e., aquatic plants) have not increased significantly. Request: Provide to the Council a proposal for establishing more aquatic plants, e.g. continued plantings, use of geotubes, or other types of barriers to facilitate aquatic vegetation establishment. These barriers will reduce wave action along the shore and form a substrate for rooting or the use of geotubes could create islands to protect shore lines with newly planted vegetation. Agencies should consider an approach similar to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to create islands similar to Fox Lake in Illinois.

7 Issue 3: Aquatic Vegetation LCWA Response: The current Lake County Water Authority Board agrees with the Council that establishing more aquatic plants on the lake would be beneficial and is a critical indicator of restoration success. Several attempts have been made to establish aquatic vegetation in the lake but have been unsuccessful due to the soft and unstable sediment characteristics in Lake Apopka. The current Lake County Water Authority Board has no direct experience with using geotubes, however has observed that the fabric tubes degrade quickly in the sun and birds will peck at the fabric further accelerating the degradation. The Water Authority is willing to work with other agencies and entities to enhance aquatic plants in the lake and to explore in-lake methods for sediment disposal.

8 Issue 4: Water Quality Water quality improvements have stagnated due to the lack of rainfall and flushing of the lake. Request: Determine the best practice the agencies would use to remove fluid flocculent on the bottom of Lake Apopka in order to allow plant growth on the bottom of the lake to survive. Include a possibility of strategic dredging in certain parts of the lake.

9 Issue 4: Water Quality LCWA Response: Since the majority of Lake Apopka and its drainage basin are located in Orange County, the current Lake County Water Authority Board has focused its efforts on improving the water exiting Lake Apopka.

10 Issue 5: Gizzard Shad The Council does not support gizzard shad harvesting by SJRWMD. Request: Council requests SJRWMD to review gizzard shad harvesting as to benefits and costs. The review should also include an assessment of whether shad harvesting should be done in the rest of the Harris Chain.

11 Issue 5: Gizzard Shad LCWA Response: The Water Authority has funded rough fish harvesting in the past and has collaborated with the SJRWMD to harvest rough fish from lakes the Harris Chain. While the harvesting removed a lot of fish, it was determined that the harvesting was not intensive enough, there were conflicts with recreational fishers and boaters and the potential for by-catch of gamefish may be a problem. Funding priorities for the Water Authority changed when the Nutrient Reduction Facility (NuRF) was proposed. The current Lake County Water Authority Board defers to the SJRWMD regarding the continuation of rough fish harvesting in Lake Apopka.

12 Issue 6: Attract Anglers Aquatic vegetation will improve the establishment of sportfish populations. The Council recommends stocking adult bass when vegetation is limited. FWCC prefers advanced fingerlings, but have had limited success. Request: Council requests recommendations by the TAG agencies on methods to attract anglers to Lake Apopka.

13 Issue 6: Attract Anglers LCWA Response: The current Lake County Water Authority Board defers to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to take the lead on this issue but is willing to collaborate where able.

14 Issue 7: Hydrilla As vegetation enters the lake, hydrilla will colonize. Request: Council requests information on approaches for managing this plant, as it could have benefits for the largemouth bass fishery.

15 Issue 7: Hydrilla LCWA Response: The FWC is responsible for control of the invasive exotic plant hydrilla. The Water Authority has reviewed this topic several times and has received considerable public comment as well. The current Lake County Water Authority Board s position on hydrilla is to support the current state approach to managing hydrilla and defers to the Lake County Mosquito and Aquatic Plant Management, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the SJRWMD and FWC to implement a surveillance-based, early detection/rapid response management program for hydrilla in the Upper Ocklawaha River basin. Hydrilla is a fast growing invasive, exotic plant that is difficult at best to confine to a specific geographic area. It would also be a considerably more expensive use of tax dollars to do so, than the current treatments to remove hydrilla when is found.

16 Issue 8: Phosphorus The Council recommends deemphasizing the importance of phosphate levels as science has shown that phosphate is not the major cause of the lake problems. Aquatic vegetation is the primary problem (too much or too little). Agencies need to collaborate on how vegetation should be managed and include MFL s in the study. Request: SJRWMD and LCWA to report to the Council the need for the NuRF facility to continue to treat water coming from Lake Apopka and discharging to the Harris Chain. Should SJRWMD prioritize water for the marsh or downstream users if the marsh is not reconnected?

17 Issue 8: Phosphorus LCWA Response: For the foreseeable future, the Water Authority will continue to operate the Nutrient Reduction Facility (NuRF) on the Apopka Beauclair Canal. The SJRWMD goal for Lake Apopka is 55 ppb of phosphorus. The State s Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for the Harris Chain of Lakes is 32 ppb of phosphorus. Even if the SJRWMD achieves the 55 ppb of phosphorus goal, additional treatment will still be required to achieve the TMDL in the remainder of the Harris Chain. Furthermore, the NuRF is an integral part of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection s Basin Management Plan (BMP) for the Harris Chain to achieve and maintain the State s Class III designation.

18 Issue 8: Phosphorus

19 Issue 8: Phosphorus

20 Issue 8: Phosphorus LCWA Response (continued): The NuRF is, however, only able to treat water that is being released from Lake Apopka. Under the current regulatory approach, flows are restricted or abated until the lake level is at or above the regulatory schedule. The Water Authority feels that a minimum discharge should be continuous. It is difficult to manage the NuRF in a start and stop environment. The Water Authority is closely monitoring the MFL process and any future changes to the regulatory schedules being proposed for the Harris Chain. The current Lake County Water Authority Board feels that this is one of the most significant issues that would affect the lakes downstream and feels that the Council needs to pay close attention to this issue as well.

21 SJRWMD Operation Schedule and Current Minimum Flow June 2012 Interim Changes

22 Issue 9: Toxicology The Council is not certain organochlorines are responsible for the bird deaths at the NSRA. The Florida Department of Health (DOH) needs to provide threshold action levels for the organochlorines (bans and health advisories). Request: Council requests DOH initiate toxicology studies on ducks and fish collected on the NSRA to determine if they are edible to remove the prohibition from hunting and fishing if the NSRA is reconnected to Lake Apopka. SJRWMD must not make this determination.

23 Issue 9: Toxicology LCWA Response: The current Water Authority Board has no role in this issue and defers to the Florida Department of Health in assessing organochlorines threshold levels, health advisories and bans on the human ingestion of fish and wildlife captured or killed on the NSRA.

24 Issue 10: Aquatic Vegetation in Downstream Lakes Aquatic vegetation is important for fish and other aquatic life. Request 1: Council requests TAG agencies to determine present existing vegetation in Harris Chain and make recommendations as to how much vegetation is best for the health of the lakes. Include recommendations as to most efficient and cost effective way to improve aquatic vegetation in the lakes. Request 2: Council requests TAG agencies to make recommendations as to the best way to keep canals and narrow boat passage ways where homes exist open.

25 Issue 10: Aquatic Vegetation in Downstream Lakes LCWA Response: The FWC and the SJRWMD are involved with the monitoring and mapping of existing vegetation. The current Lake County Water Authority Board agrees that both submergent and emergent vegetation are critical to the long-term health of the lake and its fish and wildlife. The effort must be focused on encouraging and managing for desirable native species and not to encourage exotic invasive species to become established and to flourish. The current Lake County Water Authority Board supports and defers to the FWC, SJRWMD and Lake County Mosquito & Aquatic Plant Management Division s efforts to manage hydrilla at the lowest feasible level in lakes in the Upper Ocklawaha River Basin. As water transparency increases, hydrilla infestation is increasingly likely. Control of hydrilla lessens competition with native and noninvasive submersed plants.

26 Issue 11: Fisheries in Downstream Lakes The fisheries success rate has gone up and down over the last few decades. Request: Council requests a determination as to when fish stocking is advantageous and an estimate of the economic costs for doing nothing.

27 Issue 11: Fisheries in Downstream Lakes LCWA Response: The current Lake County Water Authority Board defers to FWC to take the lead on this issue.

28 Issue 12: Dredging in Downstream Lakes Dredging is needed in the downstream lakes to remove mud. Request: Council requests agency plans, if any, on downstream dredging

29 Issue 12: Dredging in Downstream Lakes LCWA Response: The current Lake County Water Authority Board has no plans at this time for dredging projects in other lakes in the Upper Ocklawaha River Basin.

30 Annual Report and Five Year Plan The Lake County Water Authority attached its Annual Report and Five Year Plan that is submitted to the legislature. It lists any proposed expenditure over the next five years. Note that this document is a planning tool and priorities may change as issues and opportunities emerge.

31 Budget The Water Authority s budget for FY includes the following projects for Lake Apopka and the Upper Ocklawaha: Project Budgeted Amount Apopka Beauclair Canal Nutrient Evaluation $ 50,000 Nutrient Source Evaluations Lakes Yale and Trout Nutrient Evaluation $ 30,000 Carlton Nutrient Evaluation $ 93,000 Project Design $ 200,000 Nutrient Source Reduction Projects Construction $ 850,000 Aquatic Plant Harvesting $ 30,000 Waterway Tree Removal $ 20,000 Harris Chain Restoration Council Other Contractual Services $ 5,000 FFWCC Bass Tracking Telemetry Equipment $ 10,000 NuRF Maintenance $ 55,000 NuRF Alum $ 2,000,000 NuRF Polymer $ 100,000 NuRF Tank Replacement $ 35, Stormwater Retrofit Grants $ 900,000

32 Expenditures Major expenditures by the Water Authority for the Harris Chain of Lakes from FY through FY were as follows: Project Amount Expended Lake Griffin Canal Dredging (Design and Construction) $ 7,200,000 NuRF (Design and Construction) $ 7,800,000 NuRF Operation/Maintenance (through FY ) $ 3,727,732 Beauclair Dredging (Design and Construction) $ 9,784,998 Aquatic Plant Harvesting $ 100,000 Bass Stocking (Water Authority Share) $ 206,700 Bass Stocking (Council Share) $ 337,500 Artificial Reefs (Council Share) $ 185,000 Aquatic Plant Harvester $ 25,000 Waterway Tree Removal $ 75,000 Stormwater Retrofit Grants (LCWA Share) $ 7,316,884 Stormwater Retrofit Grants (Cooperator Share) $ 18,104,638 Direct Harris Chain Restoration Council Support $ 79,715

33 Expenditures Expenditures by the Water Authority for the Harris Chain of Lakes from FY through FY : LCWA HCRC SJRWMD LCWA FY Budgeted Expenses Funds Funds $40,000 $14,684 $ 9,095 $ 5, $40,000 $30,435 $ 9,004 $ 21, $40,000 $26,162 $ 8,971 $ 17, $40,000 $24,331 $ 6,517 $ 17, $40,000 $24,656 $ 6,967 $ 17, $40,000 $10, $40,000

34 Legislative Funding Project Task 2005 Legislative Funding % 2006 Legislative Funding % Total Revegetation and Habitat Restoration $ 37, % $ 147, % $ 185,300 Stocking of Largemouth Bass $ 187, % $ 147, % $ 335,300 Control of Exotic and Invasive Vegetation $ 56, % $ 73, % $ 130,150 Planting of Cypress Trees $ 18, % $ 18,750 $ 300, % $ 369, % $ 669,500

35 Legislative Funding Expenditures FY Date Paid or Encumbered Paid To Description Amount Encumbered Amount Expended Amount Rec'd from SJRWMD Balance of Unencumbered Funds 05/06 Revenue Rec'd 300, , /06 10/6/2006 University of Florida Harvestor 25, , /06 10/20/2006 University of Florida Griffin Bass Stocking 40, , /07 Revenue Rec'd 369, , /07 6/15/2007 University of Florida Griffin Bass Stocking 93, , /07 9/7/2007 University of Florida Griffin Bass Stocking 53, , /08 4/18/2008 University of Florida Bass Stocking 99, , /08 10/17/2008 University of Florida Bass Stocking 50, , /10 10/1/2009 University of Florida Bass Stocking 112, , /10 1/15/2010 University of Florida Artificial Reefs 185, , /10 9/30/2010 University of Florida Artificial Reefs (61,666.64) 61, , /10 9/30/2010 University of Florida Bass Stocking (112,000.00) 112, , /11 10/28/2011 University of Florida Artificial Reefs (92,499.96) 92, , /12 8/17/2012 University of Florida Reefs & Nuphar (final pay) (30,833.40) 30, , , , , Revenue Budgeted Revenue Rec'd FY , ,000 FY , ,500 deposited 3/12/ , ,500

36 Summary For the foreseeable future, the Water Authority will continue to operate the Nutrient Reduction Facility (NuRF) on the Apopka Beauclair Canal. Water quality issues in Lake Yale, Trout Lake, Lake Denham and the Apopka Beauclair Canal downstream of the NuRF are being evaluated for future projects. The Water Authority is willing to work with other agencies and entities to enhance aquatic vegetation and attract anglers as long as it remains within the stated legislative purposes.

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