Welcome to the Southwest Florida Water Management District

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will hold a public workshop at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 10, to review and solicit public feedback on the draft 2025 Sarasota Bay Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) plan. The meeting will take place at the Bay Preserve Carriage House, located at 353 Palmetto Ave. in Osprey.

The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s (District) Governing Board approved the purchase of Kirkland Ranch in Pasco County. This 940-acre parcel is located in Wesley Chapel and has been primarily used for cattle grazing and tree farming. The Kirkland family has owned this property since 1956. 

Governor Ron DeSantis appointed James “Jim” Turner and reappointed Paul “Jack” Bispham, John Hall, and Nancy Watkins to the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board. Turner represents Charlotte and Sarasota counties, Bispham represents Manatee County, Hall represents Polk County and Watkins represents Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.