Welcome to the Southwest Florida Water Management District

Governor Ron DeSantis appointed Brian Aungst Jr. to the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board. Aungst represents Pinellas County. 

Aungst, of Clearwater, is an attorney and shareholder at Macfarlane Ferguson and McMullen, P.A. Aungst earned his bachelor’s degree in political science and telecommunications and his juris doctor from the University of Florida. Aungst is appointed to a term ending March 2026.

The appointment is subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

Setting prescribed fires in controlled settings can reduce the risk of wildfires burning out of control. That’s why the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will be conducting prescribed burns now through March at the Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve, which includes the Green Swamp East Tract in Polk, Sumter and Lake counties; the Hampton Tract in Polk County; and the Green Swamp West Tract in Pasco County.

Setting prescribed fires in controlled settings can reduce the risk of wildfires burning out of control. That’s why the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will be conducting prescribed burns now through March on Starkey Wilderness Preserve and Conner Preserve.

Starkey Wilderness Preserve is located east of New Port Richey, west of the Suncoast Parkway, north of State Road 54 and south of State Road 52. Approximately 500 acres will be burned in small, manageable units.