Governor reappoints Bournique to third term on Governing Board

“I am pleased to know the district will continue to benefit from Mr. Bournique’s wealth of knowledge and experience,” said St. Johns River Water Management District Executive Director Dr. Ann Shortelle. “Mr. Bournique’s far-reaching knowledge on water resources issues, especially as they pertain to the agricultural community and the Indian River Lagoon, have been an asset to the District.”

Bournique, who represents the Northern Coastal and Indian River Lagoon basins, was first appointed to the board in 2008 and reappointed in 2011.

“Having grown up along Florida’s east coast lagoon system and the Upper St. Johns River Basin, protecting our water resources is personal for me,” Bournique said. “I look forward to continuing to help shape decisions that affect our waterways for the better.”

Bournique is executive vice president of the Indian River Citrus League where he has served on committees for both the St. Johns River and South Florida water management districts, including the St. Johns District’s Agricultural Advisory Committee. He was recognized by both districts for commitment and leadership in the protection of the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program. Bournique worked closely with former SJRWMD Executive Director Henry Dean on crafting the template for the highly successful Upper St. John’s Basin Project.

As a district board member, Bournique has supported many projects benefitting the lagoon, most recently the Wheeler Stormwater Park and Canal 1/Sawgrass Lake projects in Brevard County. Both projects are designed to reduce stormwater pollutant loadings in the 156-mile-long estuary. He is also an advocate of the district’s dispersed water management projects which, once online, will store nutrient-laden storm water that now flows to the lagoon.

Among his numerous affiliations, Bournique is currently a member of the Florida Agriculture Water Policy Group, Indian River Area Citrus Best Management Practices (BMP) Implementation Committee, South Florida Water Management District Water Resource Advisory Committee and the St. Lucie River Issues Team. He served for over 20 years on the USDA Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Fruits and Vegetables, which is appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. He also served on the Federal Reserve Bank Agriculture Advisory Council.

Bournique has a bachelor’s degree in geology from Whittier College and attended San Diego State, Florida Atlantic University and Scripps Institute of Oceanography.

Bournique is reappointed for a term beginning July 29, 2016, and ending March 1, 2020.

The appointment is subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.