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St. Johns River
Background
The St. Johns River, 310 miles in length, is the longest
river in Florida. Among its many distinct characteristics, the St.
Johns is one of few major rivers in the nation that flow north. The
St. Johns River and its tributaries drain about one-sixth of the state of
Florida, or about 8,700 square miles. The river flows from its headwaters
in marshes southwest of Cape Canaveral, evolving into a series of lakes,
finally maturing into a river averaging two miles in width for its final
one hundred miles into Jacksonville, and the Atlantic Ocean.
Action Plan
The St. Johns River is divided into three basins: upper,
middle, and lower. Issues facing the different regions are broad and
diverse. The Upper Basin Restoration Project is a joint effort between
the St. Johns River Water Management District and the Army Corps of
Engineers to restore thousands of acres of wetlands that were once
diked and drained. The effort will create more natural flood storage
and wetlands habitat. Residents in the Upper Basin are also working
to improve recreational access and address sedimentation issues in the
Sebastian River. There are a number of projects in the Middle Basin
at Lake Jesup and Little Wekiva as well as an active ecosystem
management effort in Lake George. There is also significant interest
in waterfront redevelopment in Palatka, Welaka, Sanford, and Crescent
City. In addition, Volusia County has developed a blueway and greenway
plan that links environmental, historic, and cultural sites that will be
used as a model for other areas along the river.
In December 1997, a River Summit was held to address water quality issues
in the Lower Basin of the St. Johns. Goals and strategies were put in
place to reduce both point and nonpoint source pollution, reduce bacteria
in the tributaries, restore degraded aquatic habitat, increase water
quality compliance and enforcement, and increase public awareness of river
issues. The State of Florida legislature has allocated more than $30
million since 1998 to address these areas of concern. The Lower Basin
Executive Committee meets quarterly to monitor progress on river projects.
Jacksonville, the largest city on the banks of the St. Johns, is working
to address a number of water quality issues that affect the river's lower
basin. A task force has been working for several months to map areas of
sanitary nuisance due to failing septic tanks, and a plan is expected in
the near future to mandate hook-up where sewer lines are available.
In addition, Mayor John Delaney of Jacksonville recently kicked off a major
conservation plan called the Preservation Project. The plan leverages
more than $300 million in local, state, and federal funds for land
acquisition. The plan aims to control growth, preserve and enhance
natural resources, and increase passive recreation opportunities for residents.
River Navigator
Anne E. Keller
701 San Marco Blvd.
Suite 7W
Jacksonville, FL 32207
Phone: 904-396-9141
cell: 561-818-6119
FAX: 904-396-4085
keller.anne@epa.gov
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