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District Notes&News Established 1923 Winter 2013 SUPERVISORS Manager of Operations Annual Report (October 2012-September 2013) Michael Danchuk The District’s landowners understand the importance of President structure is generally the District having access in the event of a defined by its person- storm in order to remove any debris that Tom Rice nel and management, could create a blockage in the system. The Vice-President the maintenance and Canal 3 extension project at Riverbend Park improvement of the was a collaboration of local agencies and Stephen Hinkle works of the District governments working together to provide and our interrelations better stormwater runoff management for Thomas H. Powell with outside agencies the residents who are affected in this area. and governments, as With a cooperative effort by Palm Beach Michael Dillon Michael Ryan well as with the County Parks and Recreation, South landowners who live in the District. Florida Water Management District, Town STAFF of Jupiter, Archeological and Historical Maintaining this structural coherence is Conservancy Inc., The Seminole Nation, Michael A. Dillon always a work in progress. This was evident Construction Technology Inc., and District this past year with our canal projects: the staff, we were able to install larger culverts Manager of Operations Canal 6 clearing project and the Canal 3 at the east end of C-3 in order to decrease extension project, both in Jupiter Farms; the headloss during heavy rainfall events. Holly Rigsby the canal restoration project in Egret Office Administrator Landing, and the canal maintenance project In Egret Landing, we worked together in Jupiter Park of Commerce. with North Palm Beach Heights Water Control District to restore the banks along Earlier this year, the District removed the Leslie Street Canal that divides The approximately two miles of trees and Heights and Egret Landing. Also, coopera- vegetation along the Canal 6 right-of-way. tion from the landowners was vital to DISTRICT OFFICE These areas were impassable, therefore accomplish the removal of trees and vege- 15600 Jupiter Farms Road limiting our ability to perform mowing and tation along the easement to provide access Jupiter, FL 33478 canal cleaning operations. By working with and make necessary repairs. the landowners, we were allowed access (561) 747-0550 through properties in order to reach and In Jupiter Park of Commerce, shrubs remove the heavily-vegetated areas. These were removed along the Canal J right-of- www.sirwcd.org way to provide crews and [email protected] equipment access to perform mowing operations and Office Hours: maintenance. In the past, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. crews had to mow the canal banks by hand, which created Monday-Friday safety issues and poor time management. What took eight The Board of Supervisors meets hours with three men now takes less than two hours with the third Thursday of each equipment. This utilizes our month at Jupiter High School time and resources more at 7:30 p.m. effectively and minimizes the safety risks to the operators. Contact the District Office for an agenda. For the benefit of new landowners in the District, the following is a brief overview Canal 3 Extension in Jupiter Farms reduces headloss and provides better stormwater runoff management for the area (continued on pg. 2) Manager of Operations Report standards of installation as District drain- In addition to the Safety Council, the (continued from pg. 1) age culverts. Each homeowner is respon- District participates as committee members sible to ensure their driveway culverts are on several agencies including Florida of our function as a special taxing District. clear of sediment and debris to provide Association of Special Districts, Loxahatch- The District provides both water control maximum flow. ee River Management Coordinating and road maintenance services for land- Council, Loxahatchee River Preservation owners and operates under limitations Within the 12,000 acre service area of Initiative, and North County Land Man- imposed by Chapter 298 of the Florida the District, there are 60 miles of canals, agers Council. We also coordinate with Statutes. On-going services include road and 370 miles of roadside swales that are Palm Beach County Road and Bridge, grading, swale and canal maintenance, and maintained on a regular basis. Our mow- South Florida Water Management District, aquatic weed control in our canal and ing operation is perhaps the most challeng- Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, and outfall systems. Assessments are levied in ing of all maintenance services we provide, Solid Waste Authority on various issues the amount necessary to provide these especially between the months of June and projects. These agencies have the services and are closely monitored with through October. During these months the potential for major impact on District monthly reports and annual audits to number of calls for mowing increases and landowners and participation remains vital ensure accountability of available funds. we usually respond to these requests within to ensure that our best interests are 2 days. Under normal operations, it takes 6 considered. This year the rainy season came early to 8 weeks to complete the District mow- and often, as we received a record 29.31 ing schedule, although unforeseen circum- Additionally, the District continues to inches of rain at the District work center stances, such as weather and mechanical or work with the Sheriff’s Wild Land Task between May and July! Equipment personnel issues, can alter that schedule at Force in regards to the illegal and reckless Foreman Greg Gell and his crew did an any time. use of ATVs and dirt bikes on roadways excellent job in keeping the roads passable and public right-of-ways such as canals and for the landowners and responding quickly Ten of the District’s twelve employees other restricted areas. Property damage, to any drainage issues that developed. are responsible for operating motor injuries, and even fatalities have occurred Roads were re-contoured to provide max- graders, backhoes, and mowers necessary as a result of this behavior. These machines imum stormwater runoff and minimize to the maintenance program. Our are illegal on public roadways and canal standing water. In some cases, material was employees have a combined 115 years of berms and are subject to Palm Beach brought in to repair roads due to weather experience with the District. Last year, County Sheriff’s office citations and or man-made related issues. Equipment Foreman Greg Gell completed confiscation. 20 years of service, and this year, equip- Backhoe operators were very busy as ment operators David Duckett and Arie Landscape debris that is deposited on well, and we took advantage of the rainy Raz will have completed 15 years of service roadsides must be correctly cut and placed conditions, pinpointing areas where to the District. These employees represent between the edge of the road and drainage improvements could be made. Culvert the values of commitment, faithful service swales before Solid Waste Authority will replacement and recontouring of the road- and work ethics that are encouraged in all remove it. The debris must be in front of side swales provided increased stormwater our employees. They form the essential your property. Solid Waste will not pick up runoff storage in many areas of the District. backbone of the program and provide debris from in front of a vacant lot. Also, In all, we replaced 1240 linear feet of excellent role models that contribute to the they will not remove tree stumps. And drainage culverts at various street intersec- availability of a future high-quality work remember, it is illegal to dump any type of tions and canal outfalls, followed by the force. trash on right-of-ways or easements in the installation of rip-rap headwalls and sod to District. reduce erosion and sediment build up. Safety is always a priority at the This allows the culverts to drain to their District. In fact, South Indian River is a The District continues to apply regulat- full capacity. And though the respon- member of the Safety Council of Palm ed and permitted herbicides in the canal sibility of the homeowners, driveway Beach County. They offer training classes and outfall systems for the control of culverts, which allow ingress/egress onto on equipment maintenance, CPR, and first aquatic weeds. In order to keep our canals private property, need to meet the same aid. This training is then implemented into clean of hazardous materials, please be our day-to-day operations, which maximizes vigilant for any type of dumping or illicit the safety of life and pro- discharge into the District’s drainage perty. Regularly scheduled system. This activity is illegal and should safety meetings are conduct- be reported immediately to the District ed jointly by the District office at 561-747-0550 so corrective safety committee and staff action can be promptly taken. to discuss concerns and resolve any in-house issues. The District’s office is open and Our operators are trained to available to any interested landowners from be aware of their surround- Monday through Friday between the hours ings and they realize that of 8:00 am and 4:30 pm. You are invited the equipment may be a to stop by and make us aware of any source of interest, especially problems or concerns with which we can to children. Therefore, we assist you within the scope of our ask that all landowners keep responsibility and authority. You can also a safe distance from the access detailed information about the machines while they are District on our website at www.sirwcd.org. operating in the area. Canal 2 culverts and riprap installation at Jupiter Farms Road 2 District Engineer’s Annual Report (October 2012-September 2013) South Indian River projects that could enhance the works of Supervisors by implementing their policies Water Control the District.

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