Formed by Florida State Legislature in 1949, the Central and Southern Florida Flood Control District (FCD), the predecessor of the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), resulted from the need to respond to drought and flood conditions in south Florida. The main responsibility of the FCD through 1972 was to act as local sponsor for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers construction project.
In accordance with Florida's changing demand for, and perception of, water resources management, the Florida State Legislature enacted the Water Resources Act in 1972. This Act divided the state into five regional districts defined along natural river basin boundaries. This Act (Chapter 373) also greatly expanded the responsibilities of the FCD. Further definition of water management roles were established as a result of a legislative amendment resulting in the establishment of two basin boards within the newly named South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD). The basins were named the Okeechobee Basin and the Big Cypress Basin.
The Big Cypress Basin was officially created on January 1, 1977. As required by 1976 legislation, a SFWMD Governing Board member was named ex-officio chairman of the new Big Cypress Basin Board. Then-Governor Reubin Askew named five Basin residents as members of the new board.
Soon after its organization in 1977, the Basin Board determined that the proper maintenance of the water control structures in the major drainage system would address the broad objectives of conservation, preservation and enhancement of the water resources of the region. In 1979, an agreement was entered into between Collier County, SFWMD and the Basin Board which transferred operation and maintenance responsibilities of 20 water control structures to the Basin. Between 1979 and 1986, six additional water control structures were adopted as "works of the Basin." An agreement in 1986 extended the Basin's role to cover the entire primary drainage system in the County. In accordance with this agreement, 106 miles of primary canal segments were adopted in phases as "works of the Basin."
In 1990, the Collier County Board of County Commissioners and the Big Cypress Basin Board (Basin Board) jointly agreed to redefine the primary system of canals and water control structures in order to optimize stormwater management capital improvements, and operation and maintenance functions between Collier County and the Basin Board. Some of the "works" adopted under the 1979 and 1986 agreements were redistributed. This agreement also provided for adoption of another 27 miles of primary canals and three water control structures. An amendment to the February 1991 agreement was made on June 1, 1993 added control, operation and maintenance of another 30 miles of canals and one water control structure. The Basin Board presently has responsibility for operation, maintenance, and providing planning and capital improvements to 162 miles of primary canals and 46 water control structures.
Big Cypress Basin
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