NWFWMD Awarded for Econfina Springs Complex Project

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 16, 2014
CONTACT: NWFWMD Communications, (850) 539-2663 or Public.Information@yopmail.com

NWFWMD Awarded for Econfina Springs Complex Project

HAVANA – The Northwest Florida Water Management District (NWFWMD) recently accepted an award from the American Public Works Association’s (APWA) Florida Chapter. The APWA recognized the District’s efforts to restore and protect Pitt and Sylvan Springs within the Econfina Creek Springs Complex by awarding the NWFWMD with a Public Works Project of the Year Award.

“The District is honored to receive this award in recognition of the positive impact our project has on the nearby community,” said William O. “Bill” Cleckley,  the District’s Director of Land Management and Acquisition, who accepted the award.  “Through this project, we’ve improved water quality, restored native vegetation and improved natural habitat, while at the same time adding recreational access designed to minimize disturbance of the springs and protect this natural area for future generations.”

The Pitt and Sylvan Springs restoration and protection project was completed in May 2012, at a total project cost of $1.71 million. The project included numerous water quality improvements, including restoring and protecting the Pitt springbank and several sections of the Econfina Creek streambank suffering from erosion and unauthorized access; and the creation of stormwater facilities to prevent stormwater runoff and erosion.

The project also included recreational amenities designed to improve public access to the popular spring, while also protecting the natural setting from human impacts. Features include an ADA-compliant aluminum stair system design to control access to the spring pool; a floating dock system on Econfina Creek to accommodate canoes and kayaks; and a tube launch for kids while protecting the spring run, spring pool and Creek bank from impacts.

A new award, the APWA Public Works Project of the Year Award for agencies from cities or counties with a population of 75,000 or less, was established to promote excellence in demonstrating creativity, ingenuity, and efficiency in the delivery of Public Works projects that have a profound impact on the community.  The Econfina Springs Complex, Pitt and Sylvan Springs project was selected as the best project under the APWA’s Environmental category for projects costing less than $5 million dollars.

The District is committed to working with state and local agencies to ensure the long-term protection of springs and springs-related sites across Northwest Florida. The District recently broke ground on the Williford Springs Restoration Project, which is also part of the Econfina Creek Spring Complex, Phase II and will expand on the District’s protection and restoration efforts at Williford Spring.