Improving Water Quality, Chapter 298 allows the District to: - PDF document

6/17/2014 Chapter 298 Special District Improving Water Quality, Chapter 298 allows the District to: � Develop, operate and maintain drainage infrastructure Storage and Infrastructure � Assess non ad ‐ valorem taxes to pay for the work Under Chapter 298, the District must: � Amend its water control plan at least every five years � Outline all existing and future changes to their system with a proven benefit to the land before the improvements can be built Creation and Governance ECWCD Board Of Commissioners • On May 5, 1958, Lehigh Corporation created the political sub ‐ division of the State of Florida, under Chapter 298, known as East County Water Control District (ECWCD). • ECWCD’s five ‐ member Board of Commissioners are popularly elected during general election cycles popularly elected during general election cycles. Mike Bonacolta, Chairman J. Nathan Stout, Vice ‐ Chairman Ken Thompson, Treasurer • ECWCD’s current operating budget is $5.5 million a year Michael Welch, Secretary David Deetscreek,Commissioner EAST COUNTY WATER CONTROL DISTRICT Funding Acre Lot: How are we funded? � 311 miles of canals $105.15 • Independent Special Tax District � 20 lakes • Collection of an acreage tax; � 360 culvert crossings • Whether you live on a canal or not, Half Acre: � 22 bridges everyone pays the same flat rate. everyone pays the same flat rate $52.58 � 66 water control Why tax? structures • To provide the necessary drainage and flood � 1298 preserve acres, • Control protection to local residents. ¼ Acre: including the 598 $26.29 acres Harns Marsh. 1

6/17/2014 2007 Water Control Plan Recommended Comprehensive 100 –yr Storage Needed for Full Build Out Watershed Management Orange River Basin Plan • Expand Harns Marsh improving Hickeys storage, base flows and water quality Creek Basin • Greenbriar Wetland Rehydration • Greenbriar Wetland Rehydration and base flow restoration • Maintain higher canal elevation in Southwest Lehigh • Restore Flows south of SR 82 Estero and Imperial River Basins Overview of ECWCD’s Recent and Future Overview of Potential Projects Projects • In -Hou ouse se Culv lver ert t Replacement P placement Proj ojects ts • Mi Mirr rror Lake Lakes/ Hal Halfwa way Pond Pond • West West Mars Marsh • Stat State Road Road 82 82 Widenin Widening • South South Southwest Lehigh Southwest Lehigh Lehigh Weirs Lehigh Weirs Weirs Weirs • Hend Hendry Exten Extensio ion Canal Canal Widenin Widening • Hi Hick ckey’s Cree Creek Cana Canal Wi Widen dening • Home Homestead Road Road Wideni Widening and and Struct Structure • Sect Sectio ion 10 10 • Carlos Wa rlos Waterway/C rway/C43 R Reservoi rvoir Understanding Culverts and Our System A culvert is a drain or a pipe that allows water to flow under a road, In ‐ House Culvert generally to connect to flowing canals. Replacement Projects • More than 370 culverts in our system • Culverts rated • Mostly Corrugated Metal Mostly Corrugated Metal annually annually • In place since the 1960’s and 1970’s ‐ • In ‐ house now deteriorating/failing replacement project in its fifth year • When a culvert totally fails, there is a potential for flooding, property damage, injuries or loss of life 2

6/17/2014 In House Culverts Mirror Lakes/Halfway By conducting special projects in house, during the dry season, ECWCD is able to Pond Moving Water provide: South • Cost savings to tax payers ‐ nearly Location: South Lehigh, $50,000 saved per culvert just North of SR 82, east of Sunshine Blvd. Orange S hi Bl d O • Innovative techniques allow for River Basin minimal disturbances Storage Capacity: • Timely improvements to deteriorating Phase 1 : 1,000 acre ‐ feet infrastructure Phase 2: an additional 500 acre ‐ feet • Increase the productivity of our system Phase 3: an additional 2,000 acre ‐ feet • Further protect our resources Moving Water South Phase I: Halfway Pond Pump Station Engineer: RHT Engineering Contractor: JP Murphy, Inc Moving Water South Phase I: Moving Water South Phase I: Halfway Pond Pump Station Halfway Pond Pump Station Engineer: RHT Engineering Engineer: RHT Engineering Contractor: JP Murphy, Inc Contractor: JP Murphy, Inc 3

6/17/2014 Moving Water South Phase I: Moving Water South Phase I: Halfway Pond Pump Station Halfway Pond Pump Station Engineer: RHT Engineering Engineer: RHT Engineering Contractor: JP Murphy, Inc Contractor: JP Murphy, Inc Harns Marsh – West Marsh Project West Marsh Opportunities Location: Adjacent (west) to Harns Marsh; Orange River Basin Storage Capacity: Estimated 640 • Reduce freshwater discharges to the Caloosahatchee +/ ‐ acre feet River C Current Status: Currently under S C l d • Reduce flooding to the Orange River final design. To be completed Spring 2014. • Improve water quality Water Quality: 248 TP kg/y; 914 • Public Recreational Facility and Restoration Activities TN kg/yr • Cooperative effort with Lee County 20/20 Issues: Need storage; Need funding • Ability to provide base flows to the Caloosahatchee River during dry season at higher water quality Cost: $5 million (ECWCD 2011 CIP) or $7,812 per acre ‐ foot West marsh 4

6/17/2014 Project Benefits and Status • FDOT needs to discharge excess stormwater to SR82 Widening retention pond system or ECWCD’s system – the Location: SR82 from Hendry latter of which will have greater mutual benefits County to Lee Blvd. Outside of ECWCD”s boundaries Project: FDOT Widening 7 • Draft agreement in process to determine terms and miles of roadway to 6 and 4 lanes. fees Issue: FDOT needs to discharge excess stormwater • ECWCD will build 27 Southwest Lehigh Weirs creating 754 acre ‐ feet of storage • SR82 Widening needs less than 100 acre ‐ feet • FDOT will widen Hendry Ext. Canal from 80 feet to 280 feet wide for seven miles. Southwest Lehigh Weirs Location: South of Lee Blvd & West of Gunnery, Orange River Basin Storage Capacity: Estimated 754 +/ ‐ acre feet Current Status: Design & Current Status: Design & Permitting Complete. Awarded $1.224 million FDEP TMDL Grant. Water Quality: 87 TP kg/yr; 896 TN kg/yr Issues: Finish JUPA agreement with FDOT and SR82 widening Cost: Estimated $2.4 million Southwest Lehigh Structure Project Opportunities • Reduce freshwater discharge to the Caloosahatchee River • Recharge groundwater supply • Improve water quality • Reduce flooding on the Orange River • Possible FDOT funding source available • Improved access for life & safety services (Police, Fire, EMT) 5

6/17/2014 Hickeys Creek Widening Project Hickeys Creek Canal Widening Opportunities Location: 3 miles of canal North of Lee Blvd, East of Sunshine; Hickey Creek Basin • Reduce freshwater discharges in wet season as well as Storage Capacity: Estimated improve and manage base flows to the Caloosahatchee p g 420 +/ acre feet 420 +/ ‐ acre feet River in dry season Current Status: Design & • Improved appearance and habitat through canal Permitting Complete features and littoral shelves. Water Quality: TBD • Improve water quality Issues: District is short on • Would produce good fill dirt for other large project e.g. water storage. In need a of partner for fill and funding. SR 82 Widening. Possible FDOT funding source Cost: TBD available Hendry Canal Widening Project Hendry Canal Widening Location: 7 miles of canal at Opportunities Hendry/Lee County line south of Able Canal; Carlos Waterway Basin • Reduce freshwater discharges in wet season as well as Storage Capacity: Estimated 600 +/ ‐ acre feet improve and manage base flows to the Caloosahatchee improve and manage base flows to the Caloosahatchee Current Status: Design & River in dry season Partial Permitting Complete. • Improved appearance and habitat through canal Water Quality: TBD features and littoral shelves. Issues: Need additional storage; Need funding for • Improve water quality construction; Potential Partner in FDOT for excavated fill under JUPA • Would produce good fill dirt for other large project e.g. agreements SR 82 Widening. Cost: $6.1 million • Probable FDOT funding source available 6

6/17/2014 Homestead Rd. Widening – Water Storage Homestead Widening Location: Homestead Rd. • LDOT is willing to pay for structure rehab at 57—6A from Leeland Heights Blvd. to beyond Sunrise Blvd. Inside of District Boundaries • LDOT will be converting Live Oak Canal to storage Project: Road widening basin and will assume maintenance basin and will assume maintenance from two to four lanes. from two to four lanes Issue: Additional need for stormwater storage. • Will prevent LDOT from consuming large parcels along Homestead Rd. for storage ponds. • Draft agreement in process to determine terms and fees Homestead Rd. Widening Section 10 Location: Northern Lehigh; Hickey Creek Basin Storage Capacity: 1200 acre feet C Current Status: Exploratory S E l Water Quality: 900 pounds per year TP Issues: Need funding/land purchase Cost: $6.5 million or $5400 per acre foot 7