IRLNews:2020/12/19/St Johns River Water Management District Governing Board Meeting December 2020
Mr. Donnangelo made an informative presentation about the solicitation process, and the 40 IRL projects that have been reviewed, accepted, and are awaiting funding.
IRL Project Presentation
Governing Board Speaks on the IRL
During discussion, former Florida Senator Rob Bradley asked about the District's authority to ensure that the IRL projects were properly managed, efficient, and used by constituents.
The Board called on Mary Ellen Winkler, SJRWMD General Council, to define the District's authority over local projects. Apparently, no policy is in place that would give the District the authority to regulate local projects.
Boardmember comments included:
- Mr. Oliver: "I thank the state and the governor for the $25 million dollars here, but it is really a drop in the bucket to what needs to be addressed. We as a board, I think, are going to have to take some hard steps that are going to require more than just looking to the state for funding."
- Dr. Ann Shortelle, SJRWMD Executive Director, stated that through the years the District has learned how to apply some regulatory power through contractual relationships. Dr. Shortelle thanked the General Counsel for clarifying what powers the District does and does not have, and concluded with "I am very happy to hear this discussion today."
- Sen. Bradley: "I think it is time to check all the tools we have in the toolbox to make sure that we are effectuating that changes that need to occur."
- Gen. Douglas Burnett, Board Chairman: "Sooner or later major organizations like this have to fish or cut bait. You have got to say 'OK, we have moved the deck chairs on the Titanic and it is still sinking.' Its time to do something to shore up the loss."
At Sen. Bradley's encouragement, the Governing Board dropped the expenditure approval until January, in order to give the staff time to investigate the District's authority to regulate the local IRL projects.
SJRWMD Governing Board Discussion Video
A Monumental Decision
While an inconvenience for waiting projects, the board's minor decision to delay funding may be a major step forward in the state taking the lead on Indian River Lagoon water quality.
A Florida government entity is investigating methods to regulate, enforce and penalize IRL local governments that do not adhere to the state's water quality policies!
In 2020 the Florida Legislature voted to double DEP penalties on local governments that pollute the estuary, maybe this year they will make a milestone decision to give Florida's Water Districts and the Department of Environmental Protection some real teeth.
