As part of my continuing series on Public-Private Partnerships as a way to creatively solve environmental and economic problems, I wanted to show you a picture of one in action! Storing water on ranches likes this one in Highlands County benefits both the ecosystem and the economy.
Also, if you haven't signed up to follow the South Florida Water Management District on Twitter, I highly recommend you do so: @SFWMD.
To expand the effort following the pilot Florida Ranchlands Environmental Services Project (FRESP), the District issued a solicitation in January 2011 aimed at ranch owners in the Northern Everglades region. A total of 14 proposals were evaluated and ranked in response to the competitive solicitation. The eight approved projects were determined through a Governing Board-approved negotiation process.
The selected ranchers will receive financial assistance in making the best use of existing infrastructure and/or developing new, simple infrastructure that will increase water and nutrient retention capabilities. All projects will be monitored under an agreement with the World Wildlife Fund to document that the contracts, known as Payment for Environmental Services (PES), are meeting the water retention goals.
“The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida, a supporter and contributor to the Northern Everglades – Payment for Environmental Services (NE- PES) initiative from the beginning, is excited and proud to be a part of one of the nation’s largest market-based payment for environmental services programs,” said Carlos Suarez, state conservationist for the United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). “We anticipate that the NE-PES program will contribute toward sustaining cattle ranching as an important industry throughout the region, maintaining important wildlife habitats, improving wetlands and keeping working lands working.”
The Dispersed Water Management Program Northern Everglades – Payment for Environmental Services is being implemented in coordination with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and the NRCS, World Wildlife Fund and UF/IFAS.
The benefits of public-private partnerships for both entities, and above all else the environment, are clear. These are some summary facts for the PPP projects that the District has done. Quite impressive!
Reduces excess water flowing into Lake Okeechobee during the wet season
Reduces the amount of water discharged to the coastal estuaries for flood protection
Provides valuable groundwater recharge for water supply
Improves water quality and rehydration of drained systems
Enhances plant and wildlife habitat
Helps sustain the local economy
By the numbers:
Through a combination of public and private projects, 131,500 acre-feet of water retention/storage has been made available to date
To date, the District has collaborated with more than 100 participating landowners
The ultimate goal for the program is to provide 450,000 acre-feet of retention/storage throughout the Northern Everglades watershed
450,000 acre-feet of additional storage equates to approximately 1 foot of water off of Lake Okeechobee
The projects in Okeechobee, Highlands and Polk counties, along with the amount of water able to be retained, include:
Alderman-Deloney Ranch: 147 acre-feet
Buck Island Ranch: 1,573 acre-feet
Dixie Ranch: 856 acre-feet
Dixie West: 315 acre-feet
Lightsey Cattle Company: 887 acre-feet
Lost Oak Ranch: 374 acre-feet
Triple A Ranch: 397 acre-feet
Willaway Cattle & Sod: 229 acre-feet
Dispersed Water Management Program
According to the SFWMD press release, since the start of its Dispersed Water Management Program in 2005, the District has collaborated with a coalition of agencies, environmental organizations, ranchers and researchers to enhance opportunities for storing excess surface water on private, public and tribal lands. In addition to utilizing regional public projects, the program encourages property owners to retain water on their land rather than drain it and to accept and detain regional runoff.
“Storing large volumes of water north and south of Lake Okeechobee is one of the most significant water management challenges facing South Florida,” said SFWMD Executive Director Melissa Meeker. “Assembling a collection of shallow, on-site retention projects— that work in conjunction with planned regional reservoirs — sustains local economies and helps to meet the State’s Everglades restoration goals.”
With a $7 million investment over 10 years, the eight contracts will provide 4,800 acre- feet of water retention in the Northern Everglades to assist with meeting the storage and water quality improvement goals for the watershed. Within six months, all of the projects will be fully operational and demonstrating these cost-effective water retention services.
“It is imperative that we work to get the water right in South Florida, which includes both ensuring an adequate water supply and improving water quality,” said Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Herschel T. Vinyard Jr. “The projects approved by the South Florida Water Management District Governing Board will allow the district to collaborate with property owners to retain excess water on public, private and tribal lands to ensure a more reliable water supply for Florida’s future generations.”
The pics below show just how important and effective water storage measures can be...
(Top) In early 2009, the Nine Gems property sat mostly dry. (Bottom) The District, in cooperation with Martin County, has since restored the land’s hydrology to add 2,000 acre-feet of regional water storage.
Last week, the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) Governing Board approved eight cost-effective projects to increase water storage on ranches north of Lake Okeechobee while improving water quality for the Everglades as well as for the lake and coastal estuaries.
This blog series will explore the history behind the program, give some more details about the individual projects and
“The future of water storage north of Lake Okeechobee relies on innovative public- private partnerships and marks a milestone in our collective efforts to preserve both the Northern Everglades and our working landscapes for future generations,” said Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam. “This program is a progressive way of achieving our shared goals of environmental restoration and a healthy and sustainable agricultural economy.”
(Top Picture) In early 2009, the Nine Gems property sat mostly dry. (Bottom) The District, in cooperation with Martin County, has since restored the land’s hydrology to add 2,000 acre-feet of regional water storage.
Project schedule
Construction on the northern STA and pump station is ongoing, with completion planned for March 2012.
The estimated investment in the initial construction is $31 million.
Construction of the southern STA and related pump station is
contingent on additional funding, with cost estimated at $42 million.
Lake Okeechobee water quality will be improved.
A preserve area at the STA will protect wildlife and cultural resources.
More detail about the Lake Okeechobee Watershed Construction Project
Phase II Technical Plan is online at: www.sfwmd.gov/northerneverglades. >
Another benefit is that the Lakeside Ranch STA is capable of recirculating water from Lake Okeechobee for additional phosphorus removal due to the type of lock structure shown below. Very impressive in person.
