Surface Water Improvement Plans

This project involved the consolidation and update of seven outdated SWIM Plans and the development of detailed work plans. The projects that will be implemented over the next 15 years will make significant contributions to the restoration and protection of water and biological resources in two critically important coastal river basins in Florida.

Consolidating the original SWIM Plans, ESA compiled extensive information for the Suwannee River Basin and the Coastal Rivers Basin, then conducted detailed status and trends analysis for land use/cover; water quality; water quantity and flows; and biological resources.

Because the project was funded by a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the scope of work included the development of a work plan with specific priority projects and an associated funding request to be submitted to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission as part of its Restoration Strategy document. The scope of work also included an extensive stakeholder outreach program involving the facilitation of six public meetings.

A total of 73 projects were identified, with the goal of increasing aquifer recharge; decreasing excessive runoff and evapotranspiration; and reducing nitrogen sources. These projects included agricultural BMPs; hydrologic restoration of over-drained lands; and water reuse/conservation.