The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) invites the public to a virtual workshop Tuesday, April 9, at 5:30 p.m. to collect public comment on the proposed minimum levels for Lake Tulane and Lake Verona in Highlands County.
Members of the public may join the meeting via Microsoft Teams at https://bit.ly/minimumlevels. The Google Chrome browser is recommended for best compatibility with Microsoft Teams. For telephone-only participation, dial 1-786-749-6127 and when prompted enter the conference ID: 906 393 601#.
During the workshop, District staff will review the technical basis for the recommended minimum levels for Lake Tulane and Lake Verona. Recommended minimum levels for Lake Tulane and Lake Verona were summarized in draft reports and are available for review at WaterMatters.org/documents-and-reports.
All public comments are summarized and shared with the District’s Governing Board for its consideration. District staff anticipates presenting the recommended minimum levels for Lake Tulane and Lake Verona at the May Governing Board meeting. Governing Board meetings are open to the public, and brief oral comments are permitted on meeting agenda items.
The Florida Legislature requires the District to set minimum flows and levels (MFLs) for priority water bodies within the District. Minimum flows are established to prevent significant harm to streams and rivers from impacts associated with groundwater and surface water withdrawals, while minimum levels are established to prevent significant harm to lakes and wetlands. The District’s scientists use numerous tools to collect, develop and analyze data before recommending a minimum flow or level. Minimum flows and levels serve as guidelines for the District’s permitting programs and for development of water resource projects.
For more information regarding the recommended minimum levels, please contact T.J. Venning, Staff Environmental Scientist with the District’s Natural Systems and Restoration Bureau at (352) 269-5980. Written comments regarding the minimum levels are also welcome and can be submitted via mail or email no later than April 16, to T.J. Venning, Staff Environmental Scientist at 2379 Broad Street, Brooksville, FL 34604 or TJ.Venning@watermatters.org.