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The Suwannee River Water Management District (District) is working cooperatively with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the City of Starke to restore a portion of Alligator Creek in Bradford County. As part of the project, a sediment control structure will be constructed in the creek to capture and prevent sediment from entering Lake Rowell and to help restore the wetlands and floodplain by redirecting water into remnant creek channels on property owned by the City of Starke. The Alligator Creek Restoration project will restore and enhance the hydrology and aquatic habitat of 31 acres of remnant floodplain wetlands and prevent 169 tons of sediment per year—the equivalent of 10 dump truck loads—from entering Lake Rowell,” said Brian Kauffman, District senior professional engineer. The City of Starke has agreed for the sediment control structure to be constructed on City property and to operate and maintain the structure after completion. The City has contributed $25,000 toward the project, the FWC is providing $250,000, and the District plans to contribute up to $325,000, pending approval of the proposed Fiscal Year 2012-13 budget. The Federal Emergency Management Agency will conduct a flood study on Alligator Creek that will be used in construction plans. The project supports the District’s core mission goals to protect water quality, provide flood control, and protect natural systems. It is one of five major water quality improvement projects, in which the District has set aside $2.9 million to implement during Fiscal Year 2012-13.