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| Sandspur (Republican until January 6, 2021. After that insurrection, "No Party Affiliation" ) EVergaraPhotoArt@gmail.com |
Emilio 'Sonny' Vergara's Leadership in Florida
Water Management
Emilio Vergara has had a distinguished career in water resource
management in Florida, serving in executive leadership roles at multiple water
management districts and authorities across the state.1 His extensive
involvement highlights his deep understanding of the complexities of water
allocation, environmental stewardship, and regional cooperation in a state with
unique hydrological challenges.
Florida's approach to
water management is structured around five regional water management districts,
each responsible for ensuring the sustainable quantities and protection of
water resources within their respective jurisdictions.6
Vergara's leadership work in Florida water management includes
serving as the executive director for the following organizations:
●
St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD): 1979 to 1984
●
Peace River / Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority
(PR/MRWSA): Approximately 1985 to
1997
●
Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD): 1997 to 2003
His tenures at these key organizations involved addressing critical water supply issues, navigating complex regional political dynamics, and implementing strategies for environmental protection. Born in Tampa on October 13, 1942, Vergara's path to water management was preceded by his military service as a U.S. Marine Corps Officer and pilot7 including a 13-month tour of duty in the Vietnam War. In Vietnam, he piloted H-46 helicopters for the USMC surviving over 200 combat missions and earning the Air Medal with a gold star. He was also a Forward Air Controller for the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, calling in air support for his unit when under fire. He has qualified and held licenses as a commercial pilot with instrument ratings for multi engine fixed and rotary-wing aircraft. His ratings are currently expired.
He entered the field of water management with the Southwest Florida Water Management District.5 after graduating from California State University, Fullerton, with a BA in Communications and Journalism.
Leadership at the St. Johns River Water Management
District (1979-1984)
Vergara's tenure as the Executive Director of the St. Johns River Water Management District
(SJRWMD) from 1979 to 1984 marked a significant period for the district, which
was still relatively young, having been established in 1972.2 Upon his arrival in
1979, Vergara encountered an organization facing considerable organizational
and administrative hurdles.8 In a 2008 interview,
Vergara described SJRWMD as "a dysfunctional, nonfunctioning
organization" with a large staff and budget that was not being effectively
utilized.8 He noted that the
district's operations were scattered across different locations in Palatka,
with no central office, and a regulatory program that was in disarray.8
As a result, Vergara spearheaded several key initiatives. A
major accomplishment during Vergara's leadership at the SJRWMD was the redesign
of the Upper
St. Johns River Basin Management Plan.9 This ambitious, long-term flood control project, undertaken in
collaboration with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) starting in 1977,
aimed to change the USACE’s original plan involving ditching and diking, to complete
revitalization of the 2,000-square-mile headwaters basin of the St. Johns
River.6 The project focused on purchasing
(using Save
Our Rivers funding) and reclaiming drained marshlands, creating reservoirs
for flood storage and irrigation supply, reconfiguring existing canals to reduce
freshwater losses to the Indian River Lagoon, improve water quality, and
restore and enhance wetland habitat.9
During Vergara's time as Executive Director, the SJRWMD also
undertook the significant task of implementing a common set of rules regulating
public water use and flood control, as directed by the Florida Legislature and
Governor Bob Graham in Florida Law Chapter 373.13 The
Florida Water Resources Act, Chapter 373, Florida Statutes, established
that all water in Florida is a public resource managed by the state and the
five water management districts.1
In response to a development boom in Florida during the late
1970s and early 1980s, the SJRWMD under Vergara's leadership, adopted rules regarding
large consumptive uses of water, dredge and fill activities, and flooding.13 One primary goal was to
ensure that new development would not negatively impact surrounding existing
properties by managing stormwater runoff.13 This involved implementation of a permitting program to ensure
that drainage systems were adequate to handle severe weather and that
construction activities would not adversely affect an area's natural drainage
features.15 These actions aligned
with the broader objectives of Chapter 373 to manage water resources for
purposes including flood control and to prevent damage from excessive drainage.16 Governor Bob Graham,
who served from 1979 to 1987, championed environmental protection initiatives
including those mandated by the Warren S. Henderson 1984
Wetlands Protection Act of 19846, a state-level commitment consistent
with the principles outlined in Chapter 373.
Vergara also focused on consolidating the district's operations.
He oversaw the completion of a new facility at the Palatka airport to
centralize staff and improve coordination between planning and regulatory
functions.8 This move created a more cohesive organization for effectively
managing the water resources of the 19-county St. Johns River Water Management
District.8
In comparing his experiences at SJRWMD and SWFWMD in the
interview, Vergara noted that SJRWMD was in its early stages and grappling with
significant organizational problems, whereas SWFWMD was a more established
entity with considerable public recognition.8
Tenure at the Peace River/Manasota Regional Water
Supply Authority (c. 1985-1997)
Following his term at SJRWMD, Vergara served as the Executive
Director of the Peace River/Manasota
Regional Water Supply Authority (PR/MRWSA) from approximately 1985 to 1997.17 During his leadership,
PR/MRWSA focused on securing and expanding water supplies for its member
governments in the face of growing demand.24
A key initiative under Vergara's direction was planning for the acquisition
and expansion of the Peace River facility to meet the future needs of the
4-county Regional Water Supply Authority. The goal was to increase its capacity
from 12 to 18 million gallons per day (MGD). This expansion would involve
significant infrastructure development, including upgrades to the treatment
plant, the construction of 14 Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) wells for
off-stream storage, and the installation of an 80-mile transmission pipeline. Completed
later by his successor, these efforts would enhance the reliability and reach
of the water supply system serving Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, and DeSoto
counties.
While at the PR/MRWSA, Vergara also championed the exploration
of alternative water sources with a focus on Aquifer Storage and Recovery
projects for the region. His involvement as the executive director and manager
for such underground storage initiatives was considered a forward-thinking
approach to diversifying the region’s water supply portfolio while reducing
reliance on traditional sources.
Tenure at the Southwest Florida Water Management
District (1997-2003)
Vergara served as the Executive Director of the Southwest Florida Water Management
District (SWFWMD) from 1997 to 2003.4 His arrival at the District coincided with a critical juncture
in the decades-long "water wars" with the West Coast Regional Water
Supply Authority (WCRWSA) and its member governments, which later became Tampa Bay Water.4 Vergara stepped into
the midst of ongoing litigation, initiating as well as guiding the intense
negotiations that eventually brought about resolution of a protracted 30-year intergovernmental
dispute,4 and a regional plan for meeting the water
supply needs for the Tampa Bay area for decades into the future.
Vergara aggressively fostered the adoption of a more
collaborative approach between the regulatory responsibilities of SWFWMD and
the water supply obligations of the WCRWSA to its member governments. He
believed the dollar and political costs of continuing the ongoing legal battles
required a more collaborative approach. This change in tactics involved seeking
mutually acceptable solutions through dialogue and compromise, rather than
relying solely on regulatory actions and court mandates. Vergara emphasized the
potential for long-term positive effects resulting from this new collaborative
spirit.
Vergara's leadership was instrumental in successfully guiding
the negotiations towards a final settlement culminating in the landmark Partnership
Agreement of 1998. This agreement represented a comprehensive resolution to
the Tampa Bay "water wars" and fundamentally reshaped the water
supply landscape of the Tampa Bay region.
Key elements of the 1998 Partnership Agreement included the
transformation of WCRWSA into Tampa Bay Water, a unified regional utility
responsible for wholesale water provision to Pinellas County, Hillsborough
County, Pasco County, as well as the Cities of Tampa, St. Petersburg,
Clearwater, and others – some 2 million residents in all. The agreement also
involved a commitment from SWFWMD to provide significant funding, up to $183
million for the development of alternative water sources including $85 million
for a 25-million-gallon-per-day Seawater Desalination
Plant, and consolidation of permits for 11 regional wellfields. SWFWMD also
granted the use of 1,100 acres it purchased for about $24 million for construction
of the C.
W. Bill Young Regional Reservoir, a new 15.5-billion-gallon water supply reservoir
in eastern Hillsborough County. In return, Tampa Bay Water and its members
agreed to a phased reduction in groundwater pumping from the regional
wellfields, addressing significant environmental problems the pumping had
caused throughout northwest Hillsborough and western Pasco counties. Over time,
Tampa Bay Water agreed to reduce its permitted pumping by some 100 million
gallons per day.
Vergara highlighted the long-term significance of the
Partnership Agreement, stating that it would "have positive effects for
decades, if not centuries" and would continue to provide an adequate and
environmentally sensitive water supply for the Tampa Bay area. The agreement
fostered a more stable and cooperative framework for water management,
diversified the region's water sources, and laid the foundation for a
sustainable water supply strategy for the rapidly growing Tampa Bay Region.
Summary of Key Projects and Initiatives Under
Vergara's Leadership
Emilio 'Sonny' Vergara's leadership across three major water
management entities in Florida was characterized by his involvement in
significant projects and initiatives aimed at ensuring sustainable water
resources. At SJRWMD, he addressed critical organizational challenges and led
the redesign of the Upper St. Johns River Basin management plan, a major flood
control and wetland restoration project. He also oversaw the development and
implementation of rules for large consumptive water uses and flood control as
mandated by Florida Statute Chapter 373 and Governor Bob Graham.
During his time at PR/MRWSA, he spearheaded the acquisition of
the Peace River Water Treatment Facility
from General Development Corporation for over $70 million, as well as the planning
for its expansion. Meanwhile, he actively pursued alternative water sources such
as Aquifer
Storage and Recovery while assuring withdrawals from the Peace River would
not have negative impacts upon the Charlotte Harbor National Estuary.
His most notable achievement at SWFWMD was his pivotal role in
resolving the long-standing "water wars" between Tampa Bay’s local
governments and SWFWMD’s regulatory responsibilities by forging the 1998
Partnership Agreement which has had lasting positive effects on water security
and regional cooperation in the Tampa Bay area.
Vergara's career in Florida water management demonstrates a deep
and enduring commitment to safeguarding the state's vital water resources.4 His leadership across
different regions and authorities showcases his ability to tackle diverse
challenges, from resolving complex inter-agency disputes to implementing
critical infrastructure projects and promoting environmental stewardship. His
legacy is marked by a significant contribution to ensuring sustainable water
supplies for Florida's growing population while protecting its unique natural
environment.
Currently, Vergara is engaged in other pursuits, including authoring books and pursuing his passion for photography, often focusing on birds of Florida and natural landscapes.1 He also authors the blog SWFWMDmatters, also known as Thoughts from the Periphery, where he shares his perspectives on photography, American politics, and Florida's environment. His prior experience in water management clearly informs his artistic work and his commentary on environmental issues.2
Works cited
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