FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 28, 2016
DEP
CELEBRATES COMPLETION OF
ICHETUCKNEE SPRINGS WATER-QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
~Project helps reduce nutrients and recharge aquifer~
 Pictured
from left: Mary Catherine Gallagher, Special Assistant, Office of U.S. Senator
Rubio; Tonya Shays, Legislative Assistant, Office of Florida Senator Bradley;
Bill Nelson, U.S. Senator; Ted Yoho, U.S. Representative; Elizabeth Porter,
Florida Representative; Noah Valenstein, Executive Director, Suwannee River
Water Management District; Grayson Cason, Lake City Assistant City Manager;
Eugene Jefferson, Lake City Councilmember; Scarlet Frisina, Columbia County
Commissioner; Bucky Nash, Columbia County Commissioner; Bob Soderholm, Park
Manager, Ichetucknee State Park.
LAKE CITY, Fla. – Today, the Florida
Department of Environmental Protection joined the Suwannee River Water
Management District (SRWMD), Lake City, Columbia County representatives and local community
leaders for a completion ceremony for the Ichetucknee Springshed Water-Quality
Improvement project at Lake City's newly-constructed treated wetlands site.
"We are pleased to see important springs
projects like this come to fruition," said Trina Vielhauer, director
of the Division of Water Restoration Assistance. "The health of our
springs and rivers is paramount and we will continue our progress to
restore these vital resources."
The SRWMD was awarded $5.4 million as part of the 2013-14 "Florida Families
First" budget allocations for Florida springs projects. Almost $4
million
was allocated to help complete the Ichetucknee Springshed Water-Quality
Improvement project, converting a portion of Lake City's
wastewater treatment plant spray fields into treatment wetlands. This
project reduces nutrients entering the Ichetucknee
River by up to 77,000 pounds annually and provides an estimated 1.58
million gallons of beneficial recharge to the Upper Floridan aquifer per day.
The second project being completed with this funding is the Middle Suwannee River project. More than $1.5
million
was allocated to increase spring flows
to the Suwannee River and add to the groundwater supplies in Lafayette and
Dixie counties. The project re-establishes natural drainage patterns by
constructing and modifying conveyance structures along the
southeastern margin of Mallory Swamp. This will optimize available surface
water for wetland hydration and groundwater recharge, which will enhance
springs restoration.
“This project would not have been possible without the
partnership between the District, Governor Scott and the Legislature and our
local partners,” said Noah Valenstein, executive director for the Suwannee
River Water Management District. “Because of our collaboration, this project
will provide 25 percent of the water needed to restore and protect the Ichetucknee
River and its springs, while supporting the local economy and its citizens.”
Continuing the state’s ongoing commitment
to springs restoration,
DEP and four Florida Water Management Districts
have identified 35 springs projects to receive more than $56.6
million included in the 2016-17 “Florida First” budget, the highest
amount ever provided for Florida’s springs. Along with $33.1 million in
matching funds at the state and local levels, the total investment in springs
projects will be $89.7 million for this new fiscal year. Governor Scott has provided historic funding during the past four years, which when leveraged with local funding, totals more than $275 million that directly benefits springs water quality and quantity.
Click here to
see the complete story map of 2016-17 springs projects.
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