The Southwest Florida Water Management District amended its agreements with the cities of Sebring and Avon Park to include annexed land into each city’s comprehensive watershed management plan.
The plans will be used to determine feasible drainage alternatives that may be constructed to enhance and restore water quality and natural systems, or for flood protection. The plan will also assist local governments with their land management responsibilities and further the local government land planning goals.
Work began on watershed management plans for both cities in 2004. However, since then both cities have experienced rapid growth through the annexation of land. The District and each city has agreed to amend the plans to include the annexed land.
Untreated stormwater runoff is a problem in both watersheds. Stormwater is water that flows over land during and immediately after a rainstorm. The Environmental Protection Agency has identified stormwater runoff as Florida’s most serious water quality problem today. Pollutants associated with stormwater runoff include sediment, nutrients, heavy metals, oils, greases, pesticides and bacteria. Without proper treatment in developed areas, these pollutants adversely impact the quality of the receiving water.
Both plans are expected to be complete September 2008.
Sebring
The Sebring watershed is approximately 20-square miles and is located in northwest Highlands County. Untreated stormwater runoff within the watershed drains into Lake Jackson, contributing to poor water quality.
This portion of the project is expected to cost $150,000 and the city has submitted this project for Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) consideration. REDI funds are available to communities with demonstrated economic disadvantages. Traditional cooperative funding projects are a 50/50 cost share. REDI projects are a 25/75 cost share. Because this is a REDI project, the District has agreed to fund approximately $120,000. The city will fund the remaining $30,000.
Avon Park
The Avon Park watershed is approximately 12 square-miles and is located in northwest Highlands County. Untreated stormwater runoff drains into lakes Isis, Verona, Leila, and Lotela, contributing to poor water quality.
“This is an example of how the water management district can work with municipal governments to benefit the public and local governments,” said Barbarba Stewart, Highlands County commissioner. Stewarts District includes all of the City of Avon Park.
This portion of the project is expected to cost $98,000 and the city has submitted this project for Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) consideration. REDI funds are available to communities with demonstrated economic disadvantages. Traditional cooperative funding projects are a 50/50 cost share. REDI projects are a 25/75 cost share. Because this is a REDI project, the District has agreed to fund approximately $73,500. The city will fund the remaining $24,500.
A watershed management plan is a process that identifies, prioritizes and addresses water resources issues within a watershed. The plan has five stages:
- The collection of detailed information such as land elevation, drainage ditches, culverts, and other features that affect how water moves within the watershed;
- The evaluation of the collected data to identify flooding or water quality problems;
- The identification of potential projects, or best management practices, that will resolve the water resource problems;
- The implementation of best management practices to resolve problems;
- The regular updating of data to ensure that decisions are being made based on the best available information.
The current projects encompass the first three stages.