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
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
Permits, Alternative Water Supply, Springs Grants, Land Acquisition, etc.
PDF
Executive Office & Governing Board Comments
PDF
Workshop Agenda: Coastal Rivers Surface Water Improvement and Management Plan
PDF
SRWMD Board Minutes 2025-03-11
Attendance and Consent Agenda
PDF
No. 19 – Conveyance of District-Owned Country Club Road Lots to Columbia County. No. 21 – Acquisition of a Perpetual Conservation Easement over Property Owned by John and Melissa Taylor in Gilchrist County.
PDF
SRWMD Lands Committee Minutes 2025-03-11
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.
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….
PDF
Cash Report, February 2025
PDF
Statement of Sources and Uses of Funds For the Month ending February 28, 2025
PDF
Permitting Summary Report
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.
PDF
Authorization Statement: The permittee is authorized to withdraw a maximum of 0.2536 mgd of groundwater for recreational use to irrigate 94 acres of golf course turf. The permittee is authorized to withdraw an additional maximum of 0.1160 mgd of groundwater for grow-in and establishment of golf course turf for 3 months following turf plantings in years 2025 and 2026.
PDF
Permit Expiration: 5-year permit duration, consistent with the Lower Santa Fe and Ichetucknee River MFL regulatory strategy.
PDF
With advance notice to the permittee, District staff with proper identification shall have
PDF
17. The District reserves the right to open this permit, following notice to the permittee, to include a
PDF
Agriculture and Environmental Projects Monthly Report
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.
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.
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
PDF
February Photo Highlight: The District took part in a mural dedication on February 8 in White Springs. The 10-foot by 30- foot mural was designed to bring aware awareness to this section of the Florida Wildlife Corridor, as well promote the need to protect and preserve the unique natural resources of our region.
PDF
Land Acquisition and Disposition Activity Report
Authorized for Surplus & Approved for Detailed Assessment
PDF
Approved for Acquisition & Approved for Negotiations: Ellaville Tract for Riverview Farms
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.
PDF
Land Management Update Report
Natural Communities Management: The following tables represent activities that support overall natural community restoration and management across District lands.
PDF
Timber Harvests, Sales, & Restoration;
PDF
Land Management: The following tables represent tract and land management activities on the District’s fee and less-than-fee owned properties.
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.
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.
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/
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