Cost-share project applications accepted now through Oct. 18

In a recent round of funding, the city of Umatilla received district cost-share funds for sanitary sewer and lift station upgrades.

PALATKA, Fla., Sept. 5, 2018 — The St. Johns River Water Management District is accepting applications through Oct. 18 for Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) communities and innovative projects to share in cost-share funding that supports the agency’s water resource protection mission.

Project proposals considered for FY 2018–2019 funding should benefit water supply (including water conservation, alternative water supplies, and maintenance and enhancement of REDI community water distribution systems and water resource development), improve water quality, provide flood protection, or protect or enhance natural systems.

Project criteria, application instructions and additional information about the program are available on the district’s website at www.sjrwmd.com/localgovernments/funding.

A REDI community is economically disadvantaged with an employment base dominated by traditional agriculture or resource-based industries and a population of 25,000 or less. REDI-designated communities within the district are Baker, Flagler, Nassau, Putnam and Okeechobee counties, all communities within those counties and the communities of Astatula, Fellsmere, Hawthorne, Mascotte, Pierson and Umatilla.

Innovative projects include those that use emerging or proven technology in a unique way to provide alternative water supply quantities or to expand available quantities to offset groundwater withdrawal, or to otherwise improve the water resources of the district in support of the core missions. Examples of innovative technologies include indirect or direct potable reuse, rainwater harvesting for residential or commercial uses, and stormwater harvesting for aquifer recharge benefits.

District staff will evaluate each project proposal to determine which provide the most beneficial water resource results and can be constructed in a timely and efficient manner. Staff will then prepare a recommended list for board funding consideration in December 2018.