Clay County TDC backs up to $140,000 for Lake Geneva restoration to prepare for Black Creek recharge pipeline

The Clay County Tourist Development Council on March 4 approved up to $140,000 from TDC reserves to support the Lake Geneva restoration project, which removes upland trees and vegetation that would die and create navigation hazards when a new Black Creek recharge pipeline refills the lake.

County Engineer Richard Smith and Save Our Lakes representatives described the restoration as a permitted, safety‑driven harvest: the project will cut and remove trees (merchantable trees over 4 inches diameter and smaller vegetation) from five designated areas so that, when the St. Johns River Water Management District begins pumping up to 10 million gallons per day from the Black Creek recharge pipeline, the returning water will not strand submerged stumps or floating hazards. Smith said the permitted work is limited to tree removal and surface access repairs; chips and debris must be hauled off site per permit conditions.

Funding and bidding
Purchasing Director Karen Smith said the full restoration bid package totals about $524,500. The county has committed $200,000 and secured a $250,000 legislative line item; the City of Keystone has pledged $41,000, for about $445,467 in committed funds. Staff asked TDC for up to $140,000 to cover alternates and disposal options if on‑site burning or other lower‑cost methods are unavailable. The county said it will use other committed funds first and draw TDC funds only as needed; any unspent TDC allocation would remain in the tourism fund.

Why the timing matters
Save Our Lakes President Scott Slater and other speakers emphasized that clearing now — while the lake bed is dry — avoids underwater stumps and dead timber that would create hazards and expensive remediation later. Officials said the Black Creek pipeline is operable pending adequate creek levels and that recharging could occur within a year or two once rain events permit pump activation.

Board decision and next steps
After discussion about tourism potential, safety and the appropriate use of reserves, the council voted to approve up to $140,000 in TDC funds for the restoration work; staff said procurement is underway and pre‑construction coordination is scheduled. County staff also agreed to bring proposals for better strategic planning of TDC reserves to a future meeting.

Speakers quoted in this story are identified as they appear in the meeting record.