Sandhill Lakes Region Recognized by Audubon of Florida as a “Special Place”!

The Sandhill Lakes region has been recognized by Audubon of Florida as the first in a series of weekly designations that cast public attention on the unique assemblage of plants, water, and wildlife that define “special places” throughout the state.

Second Revised Water Use Permit Filed

On July 19, 2011, the Northwest Florida Water Management District gave notice of a second amendment to the terms of the proposed Bay County Consumptive Use Permit originally issued March 26 of last year. In this revision to the proposed permit, a new environmental monitoring plan is incorporated into the permit conditions. The monitoring sites can be seen on this map. The revision also incorporates an additional rationale for the permit, expressing that Deer Point Reservoir is threatened by potential fuel and chemical spills from rail and highway traffic. Please review the new proposed permit for additional details. The Bay County computer model that simulated the drawdowns of groundwater anticipated to be caused by the wells has also been reworked yet again by Bay County. Scientists working on behalf of the Coalition received a final report on the impact of the wells in February. These simulations are being evaluated by scientists working for the Coalition, but a complete evaluation will not be possible because, in part, the Water Management District model impact simulations did not include private wells in the sand hill lakes region, the Anheuser Busch well in Ebro, or the Washington Correctional facility groundwater wells. Based on the very limited information in these documents, we still have cause for concern regarding the potential impact the water drawdowns would have on wetlands and other environmentally sensitive habitats in the area and on potential sinkhole formation. The impact simulations that have been provided do not include other users, so there is no cumulative impact analysis. For instance, the simulation at 5 MGD does not include the residential wells at Crystal Lake or residential wells around any other populated lake in the sand hill lakes region.

Issue Overview

If your neighbor started pumping millions of gallons of water a day out from under your property would you be alarmed? We are. The neighbor is Bay County, and they want to start pulling water out from under our beautiful Sand Hill Lakes. Surprised? You’re not alone. Neighboring property owners were never notified of Bay County’s plans for a new water wellfield located right up against the Bay/Washington County line. Perhaps they thought we wouldn’t care. They were wrong. The permit was on a fast track for approval by the Northwest Florida Water Management District (NWFWMD) on April 22nd, and the district was unwilling to delay the decision to allow time for further study and public input. The permit decision is now on hold pending the outcome of formal challenges filed by concerned citizens. We think there are a whole lot of questions that must be answered before any permit is issued and we hope you will join us in demanding careful review and a voice in the process.

Why here?

The location of the proposed wellfield assures Washington County residents will bear the majority of the impacts, without any benefits. Ten wells pumping 10 million gallons a day from the aquifer (triple that amount in some conditions) will affect residents throughout the Sand Hill lakes region. According to the Water Management District’s own data, the initial pumping limit of 10 million gallons a day could cause water levels in wells and lakes to drop anywhere from half a foot to two feet. They characterize that as “minimal” impact. We think “devastating” is a more accurate description of the impacts these wells would have on water supplies and the ecosystems of our beautiful karst lakes.

Why now?

Bay County doesn’t have an urgent need for our water. Far from it. The county is only using about 50% of allowed pumping capacity from the Deer Point Lake Reservoir, so they have more than enough to meet the needs of current and future residents, businesses and the new airport. What’s the rush? And perhaps more importantly, why the secrecy? The vote on this permit was set without any notice to affected neighbors and landowners. The NWFWMD scheduled the hearing quickly and quietly and plans to hold it over two hours away in Midway, near Havana. Our community should have a say in decisions that affect us. We need you to get involved today. The situation could not be more urgent.