NORTHWEST NEWS

NORTHWEST FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT

January 2013 VOL. 5, NO. 1

District Continues Focus on Water Quality and Supply

Governing Board Meeting Schedule 2013

Beginning in January 2013, the Northwest Florida Water Management District will hold its monthly Governing Board meeting on the second Thursday of each month. Meeting earlier in the month, closer to when the other four water management districts meet, will allow the District to better meet budgeting timelines, avoid conflicts with holidays and allow better coordination with the other districts. The 2013 meeting dates are listed below. Meetings will begin at 1 p.m. ET at District Headquarters unless otherwise stated.
January 10 February 14 March 14 April 11 May 9 June 13 July 11 August 8 September 12

A stormwater treatment pond in the Gap Creek Basin in Okaloosa County will be expanded to improve water quality in Cinco Bayou and Choctawhatchee Bay. (Linda Chaisson photo)

In late 2012, the Districts Governing Board approved two activities that will allow the District to continue to focus on improving water quality and ensuring a reliable supply of water for the people and environment of northwest Florida.

St. Andrew Bay will benefit from new stormwater treatment. (David Clayton photo of
District shoreline restoration at Lynn Haven.)

The Board approved a revenue contract with the Florida Department of Governing Board Meeting at 4 p.m. ET Environmental Protection under which the Budget Public Hearing 5:05 p.m. ET District will receive more than $200,000 in September 26 funding to provide engineering design, Budget Public Hearing 5:05 p.m. ET permit preparation and some construction administration services for four October 10 stormwater projects near Fort Walton November 14 Beach and Panama City. All four projects December 12 are part of the recently announced $10 million settlement agreement between the State of Florida and MOEX, a company The fourth project, located in Panama invested in the well involved in the City, includes design and construction of Deepwater Horizon oil spill. a new stormwater facility to provide treatment to help improve water quality to Three of the projects are located in the Lake Caroline, which flows directly into Gap Creek Basin in Fort Walton Beach St. Andrew Bay. and Okaloosa County, which drains to Cinco Bayou and ultimately to In a separate item, the Governing Board Choctawhatchee Bay. The retrofit approved a grant of up to $106,000 to the projects include improvements or updates City of Port St. Joe to replace the diesel to three existing stormwater facilities to engine that powers the citys primary provide additional storage and treatment water supply pump. This will allow Port for urban stormwater runoff. This will St. Joe to maintain two operational improve the quality of water flowing into pumps at the Chipola Pump Station and both the bayou and bay. provide a reliable drinking water supply for residents.

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NORTHWEST NEWS

The turf-less home in Seagrove is built on piers and uses pavers to help absorb stormwater runoff. (Ron Joly photo)

The back porch is surrounded by native plants, reducing the need for irrigation. (Jamie Conley photo)

District Congratulates First Water Star Home in Western Panhandle

A Walton County home was certified as Florida Water Star Gold by the Florida Green Building Coalition the first home to receive the status in the western Panhandle. Built by Arbor Homes of Seagrove, the homes owners earned the certification through indoor and outdoor water conservation measures that include installing water efficient faucets, dualflush toilets and an on-demand, tankless hot water heater, as well as waterconserving and energy efficient appliances. The homes landscaping includes no grass to water; instead, it features native plants and edible fruits and herbs. Only 15 percent of the landscape requires irrigation, which is provided using microdrip technology from a community nonpotable, shallow well. Florida Water Star is a certification program used throughout Florida to encourage water savings in new and existing homes and commercial buildings by installing water-efficient appliances, plumbing fixtures, irrigation systems and landscapes. Achieving the Florida Water Star designation can save money on homeowners' utility bills while protecting the state's shared water resources. Visit http://floridaswater.com/ floridawaterstar/ for more information.

NWFWMD Staff Spreads Holiday Cheer

Over the holidays, District staff held voluntary food drive and toy collection events. Throughout November and December, staff collected two large boxes of toys to donate to the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Campaign, which collects and distributes toys to provide Christmas gifts to children in need. Staff also collected more than 1,000 nonperishable food items for Americas Second Harvest of the Big Bend food bank. In December, District staff presented two large boxes of Toys for Tots to the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves. (Faith Eidse photo)

Invasive Species Education Events Continue

Volunteers are invited to learn to identify and eradicate Coral ardisia and other exotic invasive plants in the second in a series of events sponsored by the Florida Trail Association and Florida Native Plant Society. Expert volunteers will provide hands-on education and instruction on identification and removal at Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park, on land the District owns and manages in cooperation with the City of Tallahassee. Some tools and lunch will be provided, but volunteers are encouraged to bring water, gloves and clippers or shovels if they have them. The event will take place Saturday, January 12 at 9:30 a.m. at Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park, 4000 N. Meridian Road in Tallahassee.
NORTHWEST FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT 81 Water Management Dr., Havana, FL 32333 Phone: 850-539-5999 , Fax: 850-539-2777 Public.Information@nwfwmd.state.fl.us www.nwfwmd.state.fl.us