St. Johns River Water Management District: $21.3 Million for 43 Projects

Forty-three projects will share in approximately $21.3 million from the St. Johns River Water Management District for construction of water supply and water conservation, water quality improvement, flood protection and natural systems restoration projects.

The district’s governing board earlier this week approved the project ranking for the fiscal year 2017-2018 Districtwide Annual Cost-share Program.

More than 55 people representing 22 entities attended the meeting to express appreciation for the partnership opportunity, the district said in its release.

“By partnering with local governments and water suppliers, we are stretching taxpayer dollars further for construction projects that will produce real results in water resource protection,” said St. Johns River Water Management District Executive Director, Dr. Ann Shortelle.

“These cost-share funds will help develop more than 7 million gallons of alternative water supplies, reduce nutrient loading to our waterways and springs, protect thousands of acres from flooding and create additional aquifer recharge opportunities.”

Highlights of the approved project list include:

• The removal of 261,000 cubic yards of muck from 121 acres of 13 residential canals in Brevard County, which will result in an estimated removal of 55,495 pounds per year of total nitrogen and 34,000 pounds per year of total phosphorus from the Indian River Lagoon;
• Four flood protection projects, estimated to protect 2,875 acres;
• Two natural systems restoration projects, estimated to provide 3-5 mgd of aquifer recharge, etc.

Projects must begin during fiscal year 2018 and be completed within two years, the district said.