Home > Committees > Committee Publications > Community Budget Issue Requests

Senate Committee Publications

CBIRS Request 383

Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #383

Orange Creek Basin Initiative, FY 2005-2006

Requester:

Kirby Green

Organization:

St. Johns River Water Management District

Project Title:

Orange Creek Basin Initiative, FY 2005-2006

Date Submitted

1/14/2005 1:26:03 PM

Sponsors:

Rod Smith

Statewide Interest:

This project addresses improving water quality and acquatic and wetland habitats. This basin has been designated by the Governing Board of the St. Johns River Water Management District as a priority watershed under the SWIM Act of 1987. Orange Lake, Lochloosa Lake, and Paynes Prairie are designated as Outstanding Florida Waters. Paynes Prairie is also a National Natural Landmark.

Recipient:

St. Johns River Water Management District

Contact:

Michael Slayton

PO Box 1429

Contact Phone:

(321) 508-0801

Palatka 32178-1429

Contact email:

mslayton@sjrwmd.com

Counties:

Alachua, Marion

Gov't Entity:

Yes

Private Organization (Profit/Not for Profit):

Project Description:

The Orange Creek Basin initiative is an ongoing effort to protect and enhance Newnan, Orange, and Lochloosa Lakes and Paynes Prairie and their tributaries. Funding through this initiative will enhance water quality and aquatic and wetland habitats in these water bodies and the prairie. Examples of subprojects that could be funded through this request follow. The list is in alphabetical order and is not a complete listing. - Newnans Lake Public Access Pier at Palm Point - Paynes Prairie Sheetflow Restoration - Pollutant Load Reduction Goal Development - Sweetwater Branch/Paynes Prairie Pollutant Treatment Wetland -Urban Creek Cleanup

Is this a project related to 2004 hurricane damage?

Measurable Outcome Anticipated:

Stormwater treatment/management facilities; improved water quality in the watershed (e.g., less pollutants); amount of dikes removed and ditches filled in Paynes Prairie; number of residences connected to sanitary sewer lines.

Amount requested from the State for this project this year:

$1,500,000

Total cost of the project:

$1,575,000

Request has been made to fund:

Construction

What type of match exists for this project?

Local

Cash Amount

$1,000,000

In-kind Amount

$500,000

Was this project previously funded by the state?

Yes

Fiscal Year:

2004-2005

Amount:

$450,000

Is future-year funding likely to be requested?

Yes

Amount:

$1,500,000

To Fund:

Construction

Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request?

Yes

Agency

Environmental Protection, Department Of

Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget?

Yes

Is there a documented need for this project?

Yes

Documentation:

Orange Creek Basin Surface Water Mgmt Plan (SWIM Plan for the basin),Gville Stormwater master plan

Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)?

Yes

Hearing Body:

Alachua County Legislative Delegation

Hearing Meeting Date:

01/20/2005

Is this a water project as described in Section 403.885, Laws of Florida?

Yes

Has the project been submitted to the Department of Environmental Protection?

Yes

DEP identifying number:

SWR 2003 2014

Is this project eligible under section 403.885(5) F.S.?

Yes

Is your project addressed in a state, regional or local plan (such as a SWIM plan, Comprehensive Plan, local master plan, etc.)?

Yes

Name the plan and cite the pages on which the project is described:

Orange Creek Basi Initiative, FY 2005-2006, approved Dec. 7, 2004, p 6-8; Orange Creek Basin SWIM Plan, 1996; Gainesville Stormwater Master Plan for Sweetwater Branch, 1993, p. 3-11 and Appendix A, pages 1-15; Conceptual Design of the Sweetwater Branch Stormwater Treatment Wetland, 2003, p. 1-95.

If you are requesting funding for a stormwater or surface water restoration project:

Which Water Management District has the jurisdiction of your project?

St. Johns River Water Management District

Have you provided at least 50% match?

Yes

Match Amount:

1500000

Match Source:

ad valorem and local funding

Will this project reduce pollutant loadings to a water management district designated 'priority' surface water body?

Yes

Name of water body:

Alachua Sink in Paynes Prairie via Sweetwater

Describe how it will reduce loadings, identify anticipated load reductions for total suspended solids, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and other contaminants, and specify the practices that will be used to reduce loadings:

A 50-acre treatment wetland will be constructed to remove pollutants from Sweetwater Branch before it flows into Paynes Prairie State Park. Sweetwater Branch ends at Alachua sink (an impaired water body on the FDEP list), a direct conduit to the Florida acquifer. The treatment wetland is expected to remove 58% of the nitrates, 43% of the total nitrogen, 18% of the total phosphorus.

If you are requesting funding for a wastewater project:

Does your project qualify for funding from DEP's 'Small Community Wastewater Treatment Grant Program' under section 403.1838 F.S.?

Other wastewater projects:

Have you received previous legislative funding for this project?

Is the project under construction?

Have you provided at least a 25% local match?