Update Rock Bluff Management Plan, renew Woods Ferry River Camp lease agreement @ SRWMD 2025-04-08

On the SRWMD Board Agenda for April 8, 2025, related to the Lands Committee proposal to convey three spring parks to Suwannee County, SRWMD hasn’t even finished its planned work on Telford Spring, and Falmouth Springs is still closed due to hurricane damage. See page 48 in the Land Management Update Report.

Telford Spring: In July, the District opened Telford Spring to the public. EUTAW, Inc has completed a conceptual plan to improve parking and public access. The initial phase to develop the parking lot is planned.

Storm Facility Repairs: Hurricane Debby and Hurricane Helene have damaged public use areas to varying degrees. Eight sites are currently undergoing plans for assessment and construction costs to repair. The sites under assessment are Suwannee Springs, Falmouth Springs, Owen Springs, Steinhatchee Falls, Blue Sink, Atsena Otie Key, and Lukens. FEMA conducted site inspections for 3 of the damaged facilities. Falmouth Springs remains closed due to damage to the boardwalk.

[Collage, SRWMD Board Package 2025-04-08]
Collage, SRWMD Board Package 2025-04-08

Perhaps the most interesting items in the Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD) Governing Board agenda for April 8, 2025, are these two items under “5. Consideration of the following Items Collectively by Consent:”

  • Agenda Item No. 20 – Amendment to Agreement 18/19-050 with the Alachua Conservation Trust
    “to update the Rock Bluff Management Plan.”
  • Agenda Item No. 21 – Extension to Agreement 04/05-269 with the Department of Environmental Protection and the Division of Recreation and Parks
    “Authorize the twenty-year extension of the lease agreement between the District, Department of Environmental Protection, and the Division of Recreation and Parks for the Woods Ferry River Camp property.”

They’re also approving a water use permit for Tomoka Hills Gold in Alachua County, various Alternative Water Supply Grant Funds.

Plus “15. Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Agreements with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Local Cooperative Entities to Receive Springs Grant Funds” for which they list

  • for $2,158,878 “Purchase a conservation easement on the 1,834- acre Ladson Tract to be held by Tall Timbers. The project will protect surface waters critical to Nuttall Rise, a first-magnitude spring, and 1.8 and 2.4 miles of the Wacissa and Aucilla Rivers.”
  • for $9,900,000 “This project converts Lake City’s Steedley Sprayfield to 50-60 acres of treatment wetlands and recharge features to improve water quality and enhance groundwater flows in the Ichetucknee PFA.”

Funds for each are split between FDEP Grant Amount and “Other Funds”.

SUWANNEE RIVER WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT

MEMORANDUM

TO: Governing Board

FROM: Lorna Radcliff, Chief, Office of Land Management

THRU: Katelyn Potter, Director, Division of Outreach and Operations

DATE: March 14, 2025

RE: Amendment to Agreement 18/19-050 with the Alachua Conservation Trust

RECOMMENDATION

Authorize an amendment to Agreement Number 18/19-050 between the District and Alachua Conservation Trust to update the Rock Bluff Management Plan.

BACKGROUND

In 2019, the District and Alachua Conservation Trust entered into Agreement Number 18/19-050 for Cooperative Management of J.H. Anderson, JR., Memorial Park – Rock Bluff Springs Tract, including a management plan.

In 2021, the District and Alachua Conservation Trust amended the agreement to include an updated management plan.

The District and Alachua Conservation Trust continue to cooperatively manage Rock Bluff and again desire to update the management plan with current activities.

Staff requests the Governing Board authorize an amendment to the Agreement, updating the Management Plan between the District and Alachua Conservation Trust for the J.H. Anderson, JR., Memorial Park – Rock Bluff Springs Tract.

KCP/ao

OPS 15

SUWANNEE RIVER WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT

MEMORANDUM

TO: Governing Board

FROM: Lorna Radcliff, Chief, Office of Land Management

THRU: Katelyn Potter, Director, Division of Outreach and Operations

DATE: March 14, 2025

RE: Extension to Agreement 04/05-269 with the Department of Environmental Protection and the Division of Recreation and Parks

RECOMMENDATION

Authorize the twenty-year extension of the lease agreement between the District, Department of Environmental Protection, and the Division of Recreation and Parks for the Woods Ferry River Camp property.

BACKGROUND

In 2005, the District, Department of Environmental Protection, and the Division of Recreation and Parks entered into Contract Number 04/05-269 for lease of the Woods Ferry River Camp property.

In March 2025, the District, Department of Environmental Protection, and the Division of Recreation and Parks expressed interest in exercising the contract’s clause to extend the lease agreement for an additional twenty (20) years.

Staff requests the Governing Board authorize the twenty-year extension of the lease agreement between the District, Department of Environmental Protection, and the Division of Recreation and Parks for the Woods Ferry River Camp property.

LLR/ao

OPS 16

A copy of this board packet is on the WWALS website.

Images of each page are below.

 -jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®

You can help with clean, swimmable, fishable, drinkable, water in the 10,000-square-mile Suwannee River Basin in Florida and Georgia by becoming a WWALS member today!
https://wwals.net/donations/

SRWMD Board Agenda 2025-04-08

[Consent agenda]
Consent agenda
PDF

SRWMD Board Minutes 2025-03-11

[Attendance and Consent Agenda]
Attendance and Consent Agenda
PDF

SRWMD Lands Committee Minutes 2025-03-11

[Attendance & Ellaville Tract - Riverview Exchange, Madison County]
Attendance & Ellaville Tract – Riverview Exchange, Madison County
PDF

SRWMD Workshop/Farm Tour Munites 2025-03-11

[Bob Hochmuth, NFREC Assistant Center Director, and staff provide a trolley tour of the IFAS Farm.]
Bob Hochmuth, NFREC Assistant Center Director, and staff provide a trolley tour of the IFAS Farm.
PDF

February 2025 Financial Report, March 28, 2025

[Section 373.553(1), Florida Statutes (F.S.), authorizes the delegation of authority by the Governing Board to the Executive Director to disburse District funds....]
Section 373.553(1), Florida Statutes (F.S.), authorizes the delegation of authority by the Governing Board to the Executive Director to disburse District funds….
PDF

Permitting Summary Report

[ERPs]
ERPs
PDF

Water Use Permit 2-001-218914-3, Tomoka Hills Golf, Alachua County

[Groundwater from two proposed wells (Station IDs 157272 and 157273) will be used to supplement an irrigation holding pond from which a surface water pump (Station ID 157275) will irrigate golf turf through multiple sprinklers. Potable water supplied from the City of Alachua Utilities is used to provide the water needs of the clubhouse, employees, and cart washing.]
Groundwater from two proposed wells (Station IDs 157272 and 157273) will be used to supplement an irrigation holding pond from which a surface water pump (Station ID 157275) will irrigate golf turf through multiple sprinklers. Potable water supplied from the City of Alachua Utilities is used to provide the water needs of the clubhouse, employees, and cart washing.
PDF

Agriculture and Environmental Projects Monthly Report

[Page 27]
Page 27
PDF

Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Agreements with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Local Cooperative Entities to Receive Alternative Water Supply Grant Funds

[FDEP has allocated $55,000,000 in AWS funding to fourteen projects across the state. The total AWS funding awarded to the District and cooperators includes $5,705,000 for two District projects and one local cooperator project administered by the District.]
FDEP has allocated $55,000,000 in AWS funding to fourteen projects across the state. The total AWS funding awarded to the District and cooperators includes $5,705,000 for two District projects and one local cooperator project administered by the District.
PDF

Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Agreements with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Local Cooperative Entities to Receive Springs Grant Funds

[Within the District, $5,416,000 in projects were funded. The Springs Grant Funding includes one project for $1,616,000 and one project for $3,800,000 that will be directly funded from FDEP to the local cooperative entities.]
Within the District, $5,416,000 in projects were funded. The Springs Grant Funding includes one project for $1,616,000 and one project for $3,800,000 that will be directly funded from FDEP to the local cooperative entities.
PDF

Outreach and Communications Activity Summary for the month of February 2025

[Facebook, X, Instagram, Press Releases, Media Inquiry/Responses, Meetings with Vendors/Consultants/Public]
Facebook, X, Instagram, Press Releases, Media Inquiry/Responses, Meetings with Vendors/Consultants/Public
PDF

Land Acquisition and Disposition Activity Report

[Page 37]
Page 37
PDF

Resolution 2025-04, Conveyance of District-Owned Newberry Wellfield to City of Newberry.

[In 2018, the City of Newberry requested that the District convey the remaining 60.66 +/- acres to assume control of the wellfield and provide additional passive recreation opportunities to their community.]
In 2018, the City of Newberry requested that the District convey the remaining 60.66 +/- acres to assume control of the wellfield and provide additional passive recreation opportunities to their community.
PDF

Land Management Update Report

[Natural Communities Management: The following tables represent activities that support overall natural community restoration and management across District lands.]
Natural Communities Management: The following tables represent activities that support overall natural community restoration and management across District lands.
PDF

Amendment to Agreement 18/19-050 with the Alachua Conservation Trust

[Authorize an amendment to Agreement Number 18/19-050 between the District and Alachua Conservation Trust to update the Rock Bluff Management Plan.]
Authorize an amendment to Agreement Number 18/19-050 between the District and Alachua Conservation Trust to update the Rock Bluff Management Plan.
PDF

Extension to Agreement 04/05-269 with the Department of Environmental

[Authorize the twenty-year extension of the lease agreement between the District, Department of Environmental Protection, and the Division of Recreation and Parks for the Woods Ferry River Camp property.]
Authorize the twenty-year extension of the lease agreement between the District, Department of Environmental Protection, and the Division of Recreation and Parks for the Woods Ferry River Camp property.
PDF

 -jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®

You can help with clean, swimmable, fishable, drinkable, water in the 10,000-square-mile Suwannee River Basin in Florida and Georgia by becoming a WWALS member today!
https://wwals.net/donations/

One thought on “Update Rock Bluff Management Plan, renew Woods Ferry River Camp lease agreement @ SRWMD 2025-04-08”

  1. Pingback: SRWMD exchange back of Ellaville Tract for Riverview Farms Withlacoochee River land? 2025-03-29 | WWALS Watershed Coalition (WWALS) is Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®

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