Transcript Management of Freshwater Resources in Florida: A History of Development

Management of Freshwater Resources
in Florida: A History of
Environmental Change and Economic
Development
History of Water Management in South
Florida
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1845: Florida officially becomes the 27th state
1850: U.S. Congress passes the “Swamp and Overflowed Lands Act” with
state ownership of these areas implemented with intentions of reclaiming the
land with support from sale to private interests
1862: President Lincoln creates the Natural Resources Conservation Service
located within the U.S. Department of Agriculture
1879: United States Geological Survey created by Congress. Studies nation’s
groundwater resources and is involved in research and monitoring associated
with water quality in aquatic ecosystems
History
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1905: The State Legislature turns over previously acquired lands to the newly
formed board of Drainage Commissioners. Authority, “to establish drainage
districts and to fix the boundaries thereof in the State of Florida". They were
... "to establish a system of canals, levees, drains, dikes, and reservoirs...to
drain and reclaim the swamp and overflowed lands within the State of
Florida”
1930’s: Atlantic Inter- coastal waterway constructed
1937: The Okeechobee Waterway completed providing a connection to the
Gulf Coast Inter- coastal Waterway
1948: The Central and Southern Florida Flood Control Project
authorized by Congress. A multi- purpose project aimed at providing
flood control, municipal, agricultural, and industrial water supply, and
protection of wildlife resources.
History & Environmental law
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1961: Southwest Florida Water Management District created in in association with the “Four
River Basins, Flood Project” following impacts of Hurricane Donna. Major flood control
program involving the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers who constructed flood control structures
and water detention areas.
1969: NEPA, National Environmental Policy Act established the broad national framework for
environmental protection
1972: Clean Water Act, establishes the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into
waters of the U.S. and regulating quality standards for surface waters
1972: Water Resource Act established to manage and protect water and related natural resources.
Also broadened priorities of the district from strictly flood control to include resource
management and public service sectors.
1972: The Florida Environmental Land and Water Management Act established Areas of Critical
State Concern in order to protect highly sensitive geographic areas
1974: Safe Drinking Water Act established to protect the quality of waters actually or potentially
designated for drinking use in the U.S., authorizes the EPA to establish minimum standards
1994: SWFWMD Comprehensive Watershed Initiative Program established to employ a
watershed based approach to water and related natural resource management
History: Important federal agencies which implement
resource management and environmental protection efforts
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Environmental Protection Agency
National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (D.O.C.)
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (D.O.D.)
Federal Emergency Management Agency: Implements National Flood
Insurance Program (NFIP) and provides disaster relief assistance to coastal
states and local governments (Homeland Security)
U.S. Fish and Wildlife (D.O.I.)
U.S. Geological Survey (D.O.I.)
National Weather Service
State and regional agencies responsible for
water management in Southwest Florida
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Department of Environmental Protection
Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Public Service Commission
Department of Health
Department of Community Affairs
Water Management Districts
Regional Planning Councils
Water Supply Authorities
Special Districts
Five Water Management Districts in Florida
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Florida Statutes require each district to prepare and update a District Water
Management Plan every five years
Consistency maintained among the
separate districts by focusing
planning on four resource- based
areas of responsibility:
water supply, water quality
management, natural systems,
and flood protection
SWFWMD is divided into nine
basins and is the only district which
implements the Basin Boards governing
system which addresses water- related
issues through approved state programs
Environment & Climate of the Southwest
Florida Water Management District
• Floridan Aquifer System & Karst topograpgy:
• 11 Watersheds and 13 major rivers
identified in the district
• Surface water & groundwater features
• Terrestrial & Aquatic/ freshwater ecosystems
• Humid sub- tropical climate with average
rainfall of ~ 53inches for the district
Science & Technology
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Ecological and biological professionals are involved in the process of freshwater
resource management and associated environmental/ social concerns.
Hydrology and climatology are important aspects of science applicable to freshwater
water resources. (Flow and discharge rates, flooding, drought, etc.)
Ecosystem studies and research focusing on effects of human modification of
freshwater systems and mitigation efforts. Limnology & wetland ecology.
Natural, undisturbed ecosystems structure and function versus those altered by human
activities.
Essential Scientific Concepts
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Aquatic ecosystems : Rivers, lakes, swamps, wet prairies,
sloughs, estuaries.
Landscape ecology & heterogeneity
Biological communities
Ecological Connectivity
Hydrologic cycle & Watershed Management Approach
Regional Management
& the Watershed Approach
• “Regions are geographic areas that share
common issues of public policy, administration,
resource management, pollution control,
economic development, or other social,
political, or environmental concerns for which
no govermental body exists” (CZM, 2002).
(Lack of centralized regulatory planning/
management agency)
• A watershed approach to management
incorporates important
relationships between interconnected terrestrial
uplands and lowland aquatic ecosystems
and complex ecological and hydrological
Systems
• Employed by the E.P.A. to help in the
management of environmental resources
through application of ecological risk
assessment principles
Argument
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The management of freshwater resources in
Southwest Florida should not degrade the
structure and function of native ecosystems and
the species which occupy them.
Technology &
water resources
• Four main drivers of human alterations
or change that affect ecological systems.
• Human demography
• Social organization
• Technological development
• Resource uses
Disturbances in natural ecosystems
resulting from human activities
• Patterns of land use change/ alteration
•Use of land in the district is a strong indicator of water needs
• Urbanization/ construction development
• Industrial, agricultural, commercial,
and residential
• Agricultural land use accounts
for the greatest percentage,
~ 31%.
• Urban/ build up ~ 20%
Technology & Population
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The human population in South Florida has increased progressively as a result of various
technological developments utilized by humans.
As a result of improved transportation (roads & bridges) and construction methods, urbanization
has impacted native ecosystems, especially those characterized by the presence of freshwater.
Control of water resources is made more effective through the implementation of specific
technologies
 Anthropogenic disturbance: a human- mediated
event or activity that is virtually unknown in
natural systems in terms of type, frequency,
intensity, duration, spatial extent, or predictability
over the last century .
Technologies: Historical Trends in Water Use
 Three categories of human activities present the
greatest threat to aquatic ecosystems and others
 Flow control measures: Canals,
dams, levees.
 Land- cover changes
 Water withdrawals: Pumping stations, transport
Water use permits
• A water use permit is a state license to use ground or surface water resources
-Water use is divided into five use types
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Public supply
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Agriculture
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Recreation or aesthetic
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Industrial or commercial
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Mining
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An environmental resource permit (ERP) is required before beginning any
construction activity that would affect wetlands, alter surface water flows, or
contribute to water pollution.
A Well Construction Permit is required prior to installation of a water well
within the District. The permits ensure that wells are constructed by qualified
contractors and meet specific safety and durability standards.
Society & Culture: Environmental relations
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Cultural ecology is concerned with human socio- cultural
features and the use of technologies in relation to the
environment
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Conflicting interests associated with water resources
management are heavily influenced by the application of science
and technology through different cultural, social, political and
historical perspectives
Future Implications
• Sustainable water resource systems are those designed and managed
to fully contribute to the objectives of society, now and in the future,
while maintaining their ecological, environmental, and hydrological
integrity" (ASCE, 1998).
• Conflicting and competing interests of development & conservation
• Need to integrate science with society to solve environmental problems
Ecosystem Management:
• Complexity of ecological processes
• Change in the environment
• Scale of different ecosystems
• Uncertainty in nature
• Humans as part of the ecosystem
Eco- hydrological concept
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Alternative approach to the management of freshwater
resources for human usage.
Eco- hydrology: Integration and quantification of
biological and hydrological processes at the basin scale
The enhancement of basin ecosystem absorbing
capacity against human impact
Use of ecosystems & properties as a management tool.
Adaptive Management
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A resource management approach that focuses
on “learning by doing” through the use of the
most efficient procedures from a political, social,
and scientific point of view.
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Living resources are to be protected and restored
Projects are to be viewed as experiments
Management action is overdue and can not wait until scientific
information becomes available
Information has value as the product of an action
Even though protection measures may be limited, management
is forever
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References
American Society of Civil Engineers (1998). Sustainability Criteria for Water Resource Systems. Reston, VA: Library of Congress
The Florida Council of 100. (2003). Improving Florida's Water Supply Management Structure: Ensuring and Sustaining Environmentally
Sound Water Supplies and Resources to Meet Current and Future Needs. Russ Kramer Creative, Inc. Rinaldi Printing. Tampa, FL
Naiman, R.J., Decamps, H., McClain, M.E. (2005) Riparia: Ecology, Conservation, and Management of Streamside Communities.
Burlington, MA: Elsevier Academic Press
Zalewski, M. (2002). Ecohydrology- the use of ecological and hydrological processes for sustainable management of water
resources. Hydrological Sciences, 47 (5), 823- 832.
Alden, P., & Cech, R., & Nelson, G. (1998). National Audubon Society Field Guide to Florida. New York: Chanticleer Press, Inc.
Falkenmark, M., & Rockstrom, J. (2004). Balancing Water for Humans and Nature: The New Approach in Ecohydrology. Trowbridge,
Wiltshire: Cromwell Press
Lindenmayer, D.B., & Fischer, J. (2006). Habitat Fragmentation and Landscape Change: An Ecological and Conservation Synthesis.
Washinton, D.C. : Island Press
Zalewski, M. (2002). Ecohydrology- the use of ecological and hydrological processes for sustainable management of water
resources. Hydrological Sciences, 47 (5), 823- 832.
www.swfwmd.com
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