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Frequently Asked Questions
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About the District
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The Suwannee River Water Management District is one of five water management districts established by the Florida Legislature by the enactment of Chapter 373, the "Florida Water Resources Act of 1972." The District provides services to a 15 county area in north central Florida. |
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The District provides services in the areas of water supply, water quality, flood control, and natural systems as prescribed by Chapter 373, Florida Statutes. Further details are available in the District’s strategic plan and work plan and budget. |
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The ground waters of the State of Florida are considered the property of all the state and therefore not owned by individual land owners. The ad valorem taxes that are levied by the District are not charges for the use of water, which is a state resource, but are charges to support the ongoing management activities of the District. |
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The District provides a millage rate to the tax collector. The tax collector applies the millage to your property value, which is established by the property appraiser. |
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The taxes paid to the Suwannee River Water Management District are calculated on the basis of the millage rate established by the District and the property valuation established by your county Property Appraiser. The District has not increased its millage since 1994. |
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For all practical purposes, staff reports to the relevant District governing board and the governing boards report to the Governor. Additionally, Chapter 373, Florida Statutes, gives the Florida Department of Environmental Protection(DEP) "general supervisory authority" over the state's five water management districts and directs DEP to delegate water resources programs to them where possible. |
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The District is governed by a nine member Governing Board, which is appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. Governing Board members are volunteers and serve without compensation. The Governing Board employs an executive director, legal counsel, and an independent auditor. The Executive Director employs staff to carry out District responsibilities. |
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Chapter 373, Florida Statutes, instructs the District to provide for the management of water and land-related resources. Management activities are focused on water supply, water quality, flood protection and natural systems. The District in turn adopts budgets, rules, policies, programs, projects, and activities in order to carry out the above legislative mandates. |
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The Suwannee River Partnership was formed in 1999 as a coalition of state, federal and regional agencies, local governments, and private industry representatives working together to reduce nitrate levels in surface waters and groundwater. |
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Yes, the Suwannee River Partnership(SRP) administers several cost share programs available for farmers. Please contact Darrell Smith, SRP Coordinator, at 386.362.1001 for details. |
District Lands
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With the exception of a few areas used for local utilities, all of the District’s 160,000 acres are available for non-motorized use. Certain roads are closed to vehicles due to concerns over safety, sensitive natural features, vandalism, trash dumping, or the cost of upkeep. Often, a special use authorization can be obtained for vehicle access to particular areas by calling the District at 386.362.1001 or 800.226.1066 (Florida only) or by emailing recreation@srwmd.org. |
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To offer property to the District, you need to submit a completed Property Offer Form to the Director of Land Acquisition and Management. Land acquisition coordinators will work with you to obtain any other information needed. |
General
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Your local utility company. The District is not a water utility company. |
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Please contact your local Department of Health for information on water testing. |
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The Florida Department of Environmental Protection at 386.362.0417 or 904.807.3300. |
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Contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and/or the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. |
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Please contact Debbie Davidson by email at DAD@srwmd.org or by phone at 386.362.1001. |
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As in most of Florida, sinkholes are a common occurrence in the District. Our sinkhole brochure provides information on the formation of sinkholes, including common signs of sinkhole development. |
Minimum Flows and Levels
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Setting MFLs is part of the District’s planning for adequate water supplies while also protecting water resources from significant harm resulting from permitted water withdrawals. For more information see the MFL Fact Sheet. |
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The District is required to provide an MFL priority list and establishment schedule to the Department of Environmental Protection annually. See the list for the current year. |
Permitting
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A floodway is the channel of a river and a portion of the adjacent flood plain that is reserved to discharge the 100-year (one percent annual chance) flood such that there will be a limited increase in the 100-year flood height. For the regulatory definition of the floodway, please see Rule 40B-4.1020, Florida Administrative Code. |
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You need a General Works of the District permit to build a residential structure within the floodway of the Suwannee, Santa Fe, Alapaha, Withlacoochee, and Aucilla rivers. |
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No construction may take place within 75 feet of the top of the river bank. For a definition of this requirement, please see Rule 40B-4.3030, Florida Administrative Code. |
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The District requires permits prior to clearing river property. Local governments may require permits also. There are three impact zones on river lots: 1. For property located within a floodway and within the first 75 feet adjacent to the normally recognized bank of water, clearing is limited to that necessary to provide reasonable pedestrian access or to remove diseased or dead vegetation. 2. For property located within a floodway but outside of the 75 foot setback, clearing is allowed for the construction of structures, associated water supply, waste water disposal, and private driveway access facilities. Removal of diseased and dead vegetation is also authorized. 3. Property outside of the floodway is regulated by local government. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection requires permits for any wetland clearing in this zone. |
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You need an Environmental Resource Permit to dig a pond. District staff will assist you in locating the pond in an area that will not impact wetlands. |
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A wetland is an area that often holds water and contains soils that support water-loving vegetation. For the regulatory definition of wetlands, please see Section 373.019 of the Florida Statutes. |
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You need an Environmental Resource Permit for construction of commercial buildings, parking areas, and roads. Projects with less than a quarter acre of impervious area may qualify for a simple permit (a noticed general permit). |
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You need a permit for any use of water other than household (domestic) use, water for fire fighting, and temporary construction dewatering. |
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You need a permit for well construction. Any well larger than two inches casing diameter must be constructed by a licensed water well contractor. Please contact District staff for a list of licensed contractors. |
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The District does not regulate septic tank/drain field systems. Please contact your county health department office for these permits. |
Recreation
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The depth of the Suwannee River varies a great deal, depending on current rain conditions. The District does not evaluate boating conditions on a daily basis. We do maintain river levels (level above mean sea level). Therefore, contact a local outfitter for specific information about boating conditions. For a list of outfitters, visit, www.suwanneeriver.com. |
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The District publishes a boat ramp/canoe launch map and a springs brochure. These publications are available by calling the District at 386.362.1001, 800.226.1066 or via email at recreation@srwmd.org. Printable versions are also available on the recreation pages of our website. |
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Local vendors can provide vessel rental as well as transportation and trip information. Information on vendors can be obtained from the local chambers of commerce or by contacting the State of Florida’s Nature and Heritage Tourism Center in White Springs by phone at 386.397.4461 or visit the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail Website. |
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The District and Florida State Parks have developed camping facilities on the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail. For more information on these facilities, contact the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail at 800.868.9914 or visit www.suwanneeriver.com. Elsewhere, canoe and boat camping are allowed on District lands along the Suwannee and other rivers by special use authorization(SUA). And SUA can be obtained at no charge by calling the District at 386.362.1001, 800.226.1066 or emailing recreation@srwmd.org. |
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Drive-in camping by individuals is allowed at Goose Pasture in Jefferson County. Group camping in designated areas on District lands, and canoe and boat camping along the rivers on District lands are allowed by special use authorization (SUA). An SUA can be obtained at no charge by calling the District 386.362.1001, 800.226.1066 (Florida only) or via email at recreation@srwmd.org. |
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Suwannee River Wilderness Trail is a system of public and private recreation and visitor facilities focused on paddling the Suwannee River from White Springs to the coastal town of Suwannee. For more information, call 800.868.9914 or visit Suwannee River Wilderness Trail. |
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These areas are managed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Recreation and Parks. Reservations for river camps are made through the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail at 800.868.9914 or visit www.suwanneeriver.com. Reservations for cabins are made through Reserve America (800.326.3521 or 866 I CAMP FL). |
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Due to rocks and shoals in the middle and upper Suwannee River, most motor boats stay downriver from Troy Springs in Lafayette County. Because of less boat traffic, paddlers may prefer the upper and middle Suwannee River areas. |
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Fuel can be obtained from local marinas in the town of Suwannee; it is a short walk to gas stations from the boat ramps in Fanning Springs (CR 340 at Rock Bluff) and Branford. No fuel is available on the upper reaches of the Suwannee. Fuel is available on the Steinhatchee River in the town of Steinhatchee. |
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The District does not have the authority to establish no-wake zones. Counties may establish them by ordinance; the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission may declare no-wake zones during times of flooding. |
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The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 386.758.0525. |
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The Gulf sturgeon is a protected species of fish that is found in the Suwannee River and its tributaries. Swimming in the water with them is not dangerous. However, they do jump out of the water and serious injuries to boaters have occurred. |
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The land surrounding a spring may be either publicly or privately owned. In most cases, disturbances and littering may be reported to the local sheriff’s office. On District-owned property, you may call 386.362.1001, 800.226.1066 (Florida only) or by emailing recreation@srwmd.org. |
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ATVs are allowed on designated roads at Mallory Swamp in Lafayette County. An ATV trail is open on this tract from the weekend after spring turkey season and closes the weekend before the opening of muzzle-loading season (generally from mid-April to early September). For safety and resource protection reasons, ATV use is prohibited elsewhere on District lands. |
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The best bicycling opportunities are on the White Springs, Gar Pond, and Big Shoals tracts and at the Anderson Springs tract on Twin Rivers State Forest. The best horseback riding opportunities are at R.O. Ranch near Mayo and the Mattair Springs tract near Live Oak. More information on Best Recreational Opportunities is available on the District’s website. |
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The District has 90,000 acres open for public hunting. All hunting on District lands is managed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission under their Wildlife Management Area program. There are no lease agreements with individuals or hunt clubs. |
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All hunting on District lands is managed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission under their Wildlife Management Area program. Species hunted vary by wildlife management area (WMA). |
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Call the District at 386.362.1001 or 800.226.1066 (Florida only) or email recreation@srwmd.org. Self-issued SUAs for ATV users are available at the Mallory Swamp parking area; self-issued SUAs for equestrians are available at the R.O. Ranch trailhead. |
River and Lake Levels
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River flood stages are determined by the National Weather Service. A flood stage is the point at which some type of physical or economic hardship starts to take place at a specified location (or station) on the river. It does not necessarily mean that water is over the banks of the river. |
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The key to knowing is to know your river. If you’ve never experienced the river at or near flood stage, you may not have all the information you will need to help you guesstimate. For more information, see the "When will rising water reach your home? PDF. |
Water Conditions
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When in effect, mandatory restrictions are posted in the News Flash area on the District’s home page. However, the District encourages all citizens to voluntarily conserve and to eliminate unnecessary water use. |
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Many access roads become impassable before rivers reach flood stage. Contact your local emergency management coordinator about road flooding. |
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Please contact Debbie Davidson by email at DAD@srwmd.org or by phone at 386.362.1001 for more information. |
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Foaming generally occurs during periods of high flow or high agitation of water. In most cases foaming is not caused by pollution. “Natural” foaming results from a variety of naturally occurring organic compounds in the water. As wind or currents stir the water foam is produced. |
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In most cases agricultural irrigation wells will have little to no effect on your residential well. Before the District issues a permit for any agricultural irrigation water use an evaluation is made to determine that no harm will be done to other existing and legal water users. |
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