2006 Accomplishments
Good things are happening in the Ichetucknee Springs Basin.

Working Group

• Steering Committee formed and provided recommendations.
• Mission Statement developed.
• Web Site created. www.ichetucknee.info
• Quarterly meetings conducted February 8, May 10 and Oct. 11.

Best Management Practices

• Columbia County Toxic Waste Roundup conducted.
• Department of Agriculture initiating Ichetucknee Basin Agricultural Best Management Practices Demonstration Area.
• Four Rivers Audubon and Rotary Downtown have adopted Alligator Lake.
• Sink clean-up (tires/gas tanks) by Lake City Utilities, Columbia County, and DEP

Stormwater Management

• Dept. of Transportation constructed the Rose Sink Stormwater Retention Pond.
• SRWMD/Lake City 50/50 match for city stormwater utility.
• SRWMD and Columbia County Interlocal Agreement provides $1 million each per year for 5 years for stormwater management.
• SRWMD Cannon Creek Stormwater Management Study due in July.
• SRWMD provided $1.5 million for FEMA updated county flood zone maps.
• Lake City installed stormwater structure at Alligator Lake.
• SRWMD/County partnership providing $600,000 for stormwater management in Alligator Lake Watershed.

Wastewater Management

• SRWMD providing $3 million over 5 years to Lake City for Public Access Reuse.
• Lake City stopped annual application of 56 tons of fertilizer on the sprayfield.
• Division of Recreation and Parks has eliminated three septic tanks and will install one nitrogen removing system in the north state park service area.

Research and Monitoring

• Sixteen research and monitoring projects are being conducted in the basin by nine agencies at a cost of approximately $300,000. Some of the projects are designed to assist with development of Minimum Flows and Levels designation. Some of the projects will be used to justify placing the Ichetucknee on the Impaired Waters list leading to Total Maximum Daily Load designation.
• Night snorkel survey of spring run crayfish and loggerhead musk turtles conducted.
• The cave in McCormick Sink has been explored 1,880’ and mapped.

Regulations

• County approved an ordinance to regulate land application of domestic sludge.
• The Environmental Regulation Commission approved the extension of the Ichetucknee Outstanding Florida Water designation to include Rose Sink.
• SRWMD consultants are developing an MFL for the Santa Fe/Ichetucknee system.

Education

• 1st annual Baptism Sunday was conducted Oct. 1, by Lake City churches.
• 2nd annual Ichetucknee Springs Appreciation Day was conducted April 8.
• 10th annual Ichetucknee Old Timers Day conducted April 1.
• Evening event with John Moran, “Hope for the Sacred River” presented April 18.
• Lake City Community College produced a video/DVD of the basin field trip.
• Basin field trips provided to TNC workshop, Ft White High School teachers, DCA planners and the leaders of Florida’s major environmental organizations.
• 3 canoe trips on the Ichetucknee for DEP regulatory officials, DEP scientists, and the Press.
• Programs were given to homeowners in Three Rivers Estates and to Downtown Rotary Club, and National Geographic web site.
• Florida Public Radio aired a two part series on Ichetucknee.
• News articles by Gainesville Sun, High Springs Herald, Lake City Reporter and St Pete Times.
• Educational signs have been installed at creeks on state and county roads: “Clayhole/Cannon/Rose Creeks Drain to Ichetucknee Springs”.
• Lake City Reporter published several basin related articles and Editorials.
• Three Rivers Trust funded school year transportation to Ichetucknee for Ft White High School students.
• Ichetucknee Basin poster displayed in Lake City businesses and public buildings was designed by SRWMD, and printed by Hunter the Printing Co.
• SRWMD provided basin maps for Ft White High School classrooms.
• Boy Scouts stenciled 100 stormdrains in the Alligator Lake Watershed.
• Bronze plaque of Ichetucknee quotes by writers Archie Carr and Al Burt dedicated at the headspring overlook.
• Ichetucknee Promise: Lake City businessman and Rotarian has implemented a project to initiate homeowner action to protect the Ichetucknee combined with a $50 donation to Rotary International program to develop drinking water wells in third world countries.
• New web site www.ichetuckneeviews.com for Three Rivers Estates community.
• Ichetucknee Springs Ambassador sponsored by Three Rivers Trust.

Land Acquisition

• Tracts in the Ichetucknee Trace have been identified for possible acquisition.
• The Ichetucknee Trace project has been upgraded to the Florida Forever “A” list which raises priority for acquisition.

Management

• Volunteer water lettuce removal projects being conducted on the river.
• Headspring restoration continues to reestablish the original contour and depth.

Springs Champions

• Loye Barnard received the Florida Springs Protection Award.
• Lake City Reporter received the Florida Springs Journalism Award.
• Ft White High School received the Florida Springs Champion Award.
• Wes Skiles received Florida Springs Champion Award.

 

12/31/06