The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) invites the public to a workshop on Tuesday, July 19 at 5:30 p.m. at the Upper Tampa Bay Regional Public Library, located at 11211 Countryway Blvd in Tampa. The purpose of the workshop is to allow for public comment on the proposed minimum and guidance levels for Sunset Lake and Lake Dan in Hillsborough County.
The Florida Legislature requires the District to set minimum flows and levels (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 flows are established to protect streams and rivers from impacts associated with ground water and surface water withdrawals. Minimum flows 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 minimum flows for Sunset Lake and Lake Dan in Hillsborough County.
The workshop will also provide an opportunity for local government, citizens, and others to be part of the development of the proposed minimum flows for Sunset Lake and Lake Dan. Information obtained at the workshop will be summarized and made available to the District's Governing Board. District staff anticipates presenting the proposed minimum flows for Sunset Lake and Lake Dan at the August Governing Board meeting, where the Governing Board may choose to recommend adoption of the minimum flows into District rules. Governing Board meetings are open to the public, and brief oral comments are permitted on meeting agenda items.
Draft reports summarizing the proposed minimum flows are available for review and are posted on the District's Internet site at WaterMatters.org under the River Systems & Springs tab in the Minimum Flows and Levels (Environmental Flows) Documents and Reports section. In addition, digital copies of the draft reports will be made available at the workshop. For more information regarding the proposed minimum flows, please contact David Carr at 1-800-423-1476, ext. 4246.
Written comments regarding the minimum flows are also welcome. They can be submitted via mail or email to David Carr, Staff Environmental Scientist, Water Resource Bureau, at 2379 Broad Street, Brooksville, FL 34604-6899 or david.carr@watermatters.org
The Florida Legislature requires the District to set minimum flows and levels (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 flows are established to protect streams and rivers from impacts associated with ground water and surface water withdrawals. Minimum flows 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 minimum flows for Sunset Lake and Lake Dan in Hillsborough County.
The workshop will also provide an opportunity for local government, citizens, and others to be part of the development of the proposed minimum flows for Sunset Lake and Lake Dan. Information obtained at the workshop will be summarized and made available to the District's Governing Board. District staff anticipates presenting the proposed minimum flows for Sunset Lake and Lake Dan at the August Governing Board meeting, where the Governing Board may choose to recommend adoption of the minimum flows into District rules. Governing Board meetings are open to the public, and brief oral comments are permitted on meeting agenda items.
Draft reports summarizing the proposed minimum flows are available for review and are posted on the District's Internet site at WaterMatters.org under the River Systems & Springs tab in the Minimum Flows and Levels (Environmental Flows) Documents and Reports section. In addition, digital copies of the draft reports will be made available at the workshop. For more information regarding the proposed minimum flows, please contact David Carr at 1-800-423-1476, ext. 4246.
Written comments regarding the minimum flows are also welcome. They can be submitted via mail or email to David Carr, Staff Environmental Scientist, Water Resource Bureau, at 2379 Broad Street, Brooksville, FL 34604-6899 or david.carr@watermatters.org