Blog Archive - 2016
December 2016
Experts Educate on Water Reuse
December 8, 2016: In its ongoing effort to educate on the benefits of alternative water supplies, the District recently hosted a workshop on water reuse, which is when reclaimed water is used for a direct beneficial purpose.
“…
Public Affairs Staff Take on Leadership Roles Across the State
December 7, 2016: Several staff members in the Public Affairs Bureau (PAB) are using the leadership skills they’ve built at the District to now direct public relations professionals across the state.
Three PAB employees have…
November 2016
Tour the New Wetland Treatment Project
November 30, 2016: Visitors can get a free look at the restoration of the Three Sisters Springs property this Saturday at an open house. The Friends of Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Inc. has partnered with the…
District Restored Eroded Shoreline Around Springs
November 29, 2016: Editor’s note: Read in tomorrow’s blog how you can visit Three Sisters Springs for free this weekend.
The District recently completed the Three Sisters Springs Bank Stabilization Project in Crystal River,…
Florida DEP Awards Millions for Projects to Protect Springs
November 3, 2016: The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has awarded more than $7.5 million in grants for water-quality enhancement projects in Citrus County to protect the health of Kings Bay and Crystal…
District Scientists Set Up Wetland Monitoring Sites
November 3, 2016: District scientists have been working in conjunction with staff at the St. Johns River and South Florida water management districts to set up wetland monitoring sites as part of a regional monitoring program…
FL DEP Awards Millions for Projects to Protect Springs
November 2, 2016: The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has awarded more than $7.5 million in grants for water-quality enhancement projects in Citrus County to protect the health of Kings Bay and Crystal…
September 2016
Staff Members Help Hernando County Resident
September 15, 2016: Two weeks ago, Spring Hill resident Beverly Patton went to the Weeki Wachee Preserve to rest and read her Bible, but the August afternoon sun soon started to wear on her.
“I walked in and I was fine,” she…
District Staff Respond to Hurricane Hermine
September 12, 2016: As Hermine descended on Florida’s west coast earlier this month, District staff sprang into action to help respond to and prevent flooding from the first hurricane to hit the state since Wilma in 2005. …
August 2016
Governing Board Votes to Fund Triangle Ranch Conservation Easement in Manatee County
August 30, 2016: The District’s Governing Board approved the purchase of a perpetual conservation easement of more than 1,088 acres of Triangle Ranch in Manatee County, in the upper Myakka River watershed. This action will…
Governor Announces Appointments to District's Governing Board
August 29, 2016: Governor Rick Scott appointed two new board members to the District’s Governing Board and also re-appointed a board member.
Mark Taylor and Michelle Williamson were appointed to the board. Taylor represents…
Project Update: Get the Latest Look at the Three Sisters Springs Bank Stabilization Project
August 26, 2016: Surrounding the crystal waters of Three Sisters Springs, visitors could easily spot exposed tree roots and an eroded shoreline. The erosion has caused sediments to enter spring vents and trees to collapse. It…
Citizens Snatch Up Free 'Rock Star' Grass
August 11, 2016: Citrus County residents recently benefited from a grass giveaway.
About 50 people left with more than 1,000 peat pots of eelgrass grown as part of the District’s Hunters Cove Revegetation Project.
The…
District Employee Pursues Passion for Paranormal in Print
August 11, 2016:
At 16 years old, Sandie Will, geohydrologic data manager, set out to pen her first work of fiction – a haunted house story based on her love of horror flicks. Years later, her passion for the…
July 2016
A Conversation With Governing Board Chair Randy Maggard
July 11, 2016:
The District’s new Governing Board Chair Randy Maggard sat down to chat about how his personal and professional experiences have influenced his decisions. He also discussed his priorities as Chair…
Build Your Own Rain Barrel
July 7, 2016: With the rainy season upon us, now is a great time to think about adding a rain barrel to your yard.
Harvesting rainwater with a rain barrel helps supplement irrigation for a small cost. Storing rainwater…
June 2016
Governing Board Appoints Brian Armstrong as Executive Director
June 28, 2016: The Governing Board appointed Brian Armstrong as executive director at today’s monthly Board meeting. Robert Beltran, who announced his resignation earlier this month, will stay on temporarily to assist in the…
Project Update: District Restoring Eroded Shoreline Around Springs
June 23, 2016:
Surrounding the crystal waters of Three Sisters Springs, visitors could easily spot exposed tree roots and an eroded shoreline. The erosion has caused sediments to enter spring vents and trees to collapse.…
Homeless Teen Builds New Life at District
June 22, 2016: For Zakk Simpkins, a tradesworker in the Operations & Land Management Bureau, life hasn’t been easy.
He grew up in a rough neighborhood in Lake Panasoffkee, FL and was abandoned by his dad at a young age…
Summer Season: Watch the Weather, Wait to Water
June 13, 2016: The District encourages residents who irrigate their lawns to take advantage of the summer rains and “watch the weather, wait to water.”
During the summer months of June, July, August and September, yards…
May 2016
New Officers Selected for Governing Board
May 24, 2016: The District’s Governing Board elected new officers to the board.
Randall S. Maggard was elected chair of
the Governing Board. Maggard represents Pasco County and is vice president of Sonny’s Discount…
District Springs Team Helps Clean Rainbow River
May 18, 2016: Sometimes someone’s trash can be a treasure.
Members of the District’s Springs Team came up winners by finding an orange couch cushion while participating in a cleanup Saturday at the Rainbow River. About 175…
District Reports Gains in Seagrass Coverage in Charlotte Harbor
May 10, 2016: Charlotte Harbor has about 985 acres of seagrass beds, according to the 2014 seagrass mapping study by the District’s Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) program.
The District’s study results show…
April 2016
Tampa Development Earns Florida Water Star℠ Certification
April 26, 2016: Tampa residents have new living options that offer water efficiency and affordability.
District leaders celebrated Earth Day last week by awarding Florida Water Star℠ Community certification to the latest…
District Dedicates Largest Coastal Restoration Project in Tampa Bay
April 13, 2016: Atop Hillsborough County’s newest “mountain,” visitors got a glimpse of the largest coastal restoration project ever performed for Tampa Bay.
Community leaders helped the District dedicate the Rock Ponds…
Citrus Wins for Best Tasting Drinking Water
April 4, 2016: Citrus County Utilities earned this year’s bragging rights for having the tastiest tap water in West Central Florida.
The utility won the annual Best Tasting Drinking Water Contest for Florida Section…
District to Restore Eroded Shoreline Around Springs
April 4, 2016:
Surrounding the crystal waters of Three Sisters Springs, visitors can easily spot exposed tree roots and an eroded shoreline. The erosion has caused sediments to enter spring vents and trees to…
Celebrate Water Conservation Month
April 1, 2016:
Outdoor water use typically accounts for up to 50 percent of water consumed by households. You can reduce your outdoor water consumption by taking a few simple steps.
While the District advocates water…
March 2016
Governing Board Recognizes Springs Coast Steering Committee
March 29, 2016: The Governing Board declared April Springs Protection Awareness Month at today’s Governing Board meeting. The move is part of the District’s ongoing effort to restore and protect area springs and encourage…
Reservoir Provides Increased Storage of Reclaimed Water
March 24, 2016: Ships may be christened with bottles of champagne, but reclaimed reservoirs are christened with shots of tap water.
At least that was the good luck ceremony performed at the recent celebration for the Boyette…
Check Those Timers When Springing Forward
March 8, 2016: When you reset those clocks this weekend for the start of Daylight Saving Time, don’t forget to check the timers on your irrigation system controllers.
Sunday is when we reset the clocks forward one hour. The…
District Staff Help Facilitate Environmental Competitions
March 7, 2016: They tackled topics like aquatics and invasive species.
Hundreds of students from several counties recently participated in the 2016 Tampa Bay and Nature Coast regional envirothons.
The competition is a…
Pilot Project Brings Benefits to Hunters Cove
March 3, 2016:
District scientists already are seeing benefits from the Hunters Cove Revegetation Pilot Project after just a couple months.
Senior environmental scientists from the District, with assistance from the…
February 2016
Residents Volunteer Time to Plant Trees
February 25, 2016: About 50 volunteers recently came out to Conner Preserve in Pasco County to plant 2,000 longleaf pine seedlings over 5 acres of restored sandhill.
Volunteers were members of Lutz Boy Scout Troop 12, the…
Weather Awareness Week Reminds Residents to Stay Safe During Flooding
February 23, 2016:
This is Severe Weather Awareness Week and while Florida residents are familiar with tropical storms and hurricanes, it doesn’t take a named storm to cause flooding.
Florida is vulnerable to flooding at…
Documentary Highlights District's Work With Springs
February 12, 2016: The District’s work with springs is receiving worldwide attention as a Paris production crew recently documented some of the District’s projects.
One Planet Productions, based in France, writes and produces…
Program Assists Farmers
February 9, 2016:
Area farmers are seeing big benefits from joining the District’s FARMS program.
Farmers recently shared their success stories in a new District video on the Facilitating Agricultural Resource…
College Students Visit District
February 3, 2016: About 20 Eckerd College students recently got an up-close look at one of the structures that helps protect the Tampa area from flooding.
The students toured Structure 161 on the Harney Canal. They also met…
January 2016
First Community Welcome Center Certified Florida Water Star℠
January 26, 2016:
Starkey Ranch in Pasco County is home to the state’s first community welcome center to be certified Florida Water Star℠.
The welcome center is a visitor’s first stop to get information on the new…
District Upgrading Vertical Datum
January 19, 2016: The District is nearing completion of its effort to upgrade the datum, or starting point, used to record water level elevation. The upgrade will improve accuracy of water elevation, which is measured in feet…