The Suwannee River Water Management District governing board voted on Thursday to cancel a Phase II Water Shortage Advisory that would have required mandatory water restrictions to begin on May 14.

The board did, however, reinstitute a Phase I Advisory calling for voluntary water restrictions district wide, and urged all water users to conserve and eliminate wasteful or inefficient water use.

Water users who plan to implement long-range conservation measures are asked to speed implementation to the greatest extent practical.

The board’s decision was based on staff recommendations, hydrologic conditions reports, national drought indices, and long-term climate predictions which show no apparent trend toward below-normal precipitation through June.

Although groundwater and surfacewater levels continue to fluctuate throughout the District, with some areas experiencing below-normal levels, District officials expect conditions to improve as the traditional rainy season approaches.
To address ongoing water-supply concerns, the District is drafting a year-round water conservation rule for residential lawn and landscape irrigation. It is expected the rule will limit lawn watering to two days per week, with watering prohibited between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when water loss due to evaporation is greatest.

The rule is being developed in cooperation with the St. Johns and Southwest Florida water management districts, which share jurisdiction of various counties. The three districts hope that by developing a consistent, rather than conflicting set of rules, they can craft a more effective regional water-conservation message and eliminate confusion on the part of the general public.

The District also is revising a separate rule that regulates water use for other categories including agricultural, commercial, industrial, and golf courses.

View the latest hydrologic conditions report.

Community leaders in Lake City and Columbia County have joined forces to tackle local water quality issues with renewed vigor, focus and coordination through a newly-formed coalition, The Ichetucknee Partnership (TIP).

The Lake City-Columbia County Chamber of Commerce presided over the official launch of TIP at a celebration held on April 24 at the Hampton Inn and Suites in Lake City.

An estimated 60 invited guests attended the event, where they learned of TIP’s mission to promote the environmental and economic well being of the Ichetucknee Springshed through locally-led, voluntary, incentive-based programs.

Following a viewing of "The Springs Heartland," an inspiring short film about North Florida’s springs produced by Wes Skiles and Karst Productions, Chamber President Georgia Jones presented an overview of TIP’s purpose and plans.

"Rapid development in Columbia County has created a need for more local coordination and leadership in protecting the water resources within the Ichetucknee springshed," Jones explained.

Praising the Ichetucknee Springs Working Group and others whose hard work has laid the foundation for springs protection, Jones said local leaders believe the best way now to move forward is to coordinate the available financial, scientific, human and political resources under one locally-led partnership.

The Columbia County Board of Commissioners, Lake City City Council, Lake City Rotary, Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD), Suwannee River Partnership, and Fort White Town Council have joined the Chamber in signing a memorandum of agreement in support of TIP. Other agencies and interest groups will be invited and encouraged to sign similar agreements.

As Chamber president, Jones will serve as chairperson for TIP’s executive committee, which will set the course for the group and develop a three-year action plan. Jones also serves on the SRWMD governing board.

Other executive committee members at present are Dale Williams, Columbia County administrator; Scott Reynolds, Lake City city manager; John Wheeler, Lake City Rotary’s Ichetucknee Promise coordinator; David Still, Suwannee River Water Management District executive director; and Larry Arrington, Suwannee River Partnership chair.

Initial funding for the TIP program will be provided by the SRWMD, which has pledged a total of up to $750,000 for approved projects during the first three years.

TIP is working closely with Florida Yards and Neighborhoods (FYN) to promote springs-friendly landscaping practices in Columbia and Suwannee counties. FYN is a program of the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences (IFAS). The SRWMD has provided a $35,000 grant to FYN to help with its local efforts.

Subcommittees on education and outreach, research and monitoring, and best management practices will help develop specific plans and make recommendations on ways to increase public awareness of the effect of human activities on water quality; to improve management of nutrients from animal waste, septic tanks and fertilizers; and to improve research and monitoring activities.

The Ichetucknee River and springs are world-renowned for their unparalleled beauty and recreational opportunities. Ichetucknee Springs State Park draws nearly a quarter-million visitors each year, and the total estimated economic benefits generated by the river and springs exceed $23 million annually.

Back row, left to right: David Flagg, SRWMD Governing Board; Kirk Webster, SRWMD Deputy Director; Louis Shiver, Chair, SRWMD Governing Board; Jim Poole, Executive Director, Lake City-Columbia County Chamber of Commerce; Stephen Bailey, Columbia County Commissioner; David Still, Executive Director, SRWMD; John Wheeler, Lake City Rotary; Darrell Smith, Suwannee River Partnership Coordinator

Front row, left to right: O.J. Lake, SRWMD Governing Board; Gina Reynolds, Asst. E.D., Lake City-Columbia County Chamber of Commerce; Elizabeth Porter, Columbia County Commissioner; Dewey Weaver, Chairman, Columbia County Board of Commissioners; Georgia Jones, Chair, Ichetucknee Partnership and President, Lake City-Columbia County Chamber of Commerce; Mayor Stephen Witt, Lake City; Cindy Johnson, Ichetucknee Partnership Coordinator; Dale Williams, County Administrator

Absent from Photo: Scott Reynolds, City Manager, Lake City