The Southwest Florida Water Management District is inviting the public to comment on proposed minimum levels for Bonable, Tiger and Little Bonable lakes in Marion County at a public workshop on Thursday, September 27th. The workshop will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Dunnellon Public Library, 20351 Robinson Road, Dunnellon, Florida 34431.
The state Legislature requires the District to set " minimum flows and levels":http://www.WaterMatters.org/mfl (MFLs) for priority water bodies within the District. A minimum flow or level is the limit at which further water withdrawals will cause significant harm to the water resources and/or environment.
Minimum levels are established to protect lakes from impacts associated with groundwater and surface water withdrawals. Guidance levels are developed as advisory information on expected water level fluctuations within lake basins. Minimum and guidance levels serve as guidelines for the District's permitting programs and for development of water resource projects.
During the workshop, District staff will review the technical basis for the proposed levels. The workshop will also provide an opportunity for local governments, residents and others to be part of the development of the proposed levels for these three Marion County lakes
Information obtained at the workshop will be summarized and made available to the District's Governing Board. District staff anticipates presenting the proposed levels for Bonable, Tiger and Little Bonable lakes at the October 2012 Governing Board meeting, where the Governing Board may choose to recommend adoption of the minimum and guidance levels into District rules. Governing Board meetings are open to the public and brief oral comments are permitted on meeting agenda items.
Written comments also are welcome and can be submitted via mail or email to Keith Kolasa, senior environmental scientist, no later than October 11. The addresses are 2379 Broad Street, Brooksville, FL 34604-6899 or Keith.Kolasa@watermatters.org.
A draft report containing information on the development of MFLs for Bonable, Tiger, and Little Bonable lakes will be posted on the District's website approximately one week before the meeting. To locate the report, visit "WaterMatters.org/mfl":http://www.WaterMatters.org/mfl and click on the "Documents and Publications" link, followed by the Minimum Flows and Levels Documents and Reports tab. For more information, please contact Keith Kolasa at 1-800-423-1476, ext. 4236.
The state Legislature requires the District to set " minimum flows and levels":http://www.WaterMatters.org/mfl (MFLs) for priority water bodies within the District. A minimum flow or level is the limit at which further water withdrawals will cause significant harm to the water resources and/or environment.
Minimum levels are established to protect lakes from impacts associated with groundwater and surface water withdrawals. Guidance levels are developed as advisory information on expected water level fluctuations within lake basins. Minimum and guidance levels serve as guidelines for the District's permitting programs and for development of water resource projects.
During the workshop, District staff will review the technical basis for the proposed levels. The workshop will also provide an opportunity for local governments, residents and others to be part of the development of the proposed levels for these three Marion County lakes
Information obtained at the workshop will be summarized and made available to the District's Governing Board. District staff anticipates presenting the proposed levels for Bonable, Tiger and Little Bonable lakes at the October 2012 Governing Board meeting, where the Governing Board may choose to recommend adoption of the minimum and guidance levels into District rules. Governing Board meetings are open to the public and brief oral comments are permitted on meeting agenda items.
Written comments also are welcome and can be submitted via mail or email to Keith Kolasa, senior environmental scientist, no later than October 11. The addresses are 2379 Broad Street, Brooksville, FL 34604-6899 or Keith.Kolasa@watermatters.org.
A draft report containing information on the development of MFLs for Bonable, Tiger, and Little Bonable lakes will be posted on the District's website approximately one week before the meeting. To locate the report, visit "WaterMatters.org/mfl":http://www.WaterMatters.org/mfl and click on the "Documents and Publications" link, followed by the Minimum Flows and Levels Documents and Reports tab. For more information, please contact Keith Kolasa at 1-800-423-1476, ext. 4236.