The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) invites the public to a workshop on Thursday, Feb. 25 at 4 p.m. at the Marion Oaks Community Center, located at 294 Marion Oaks Lane in Ocala. The purpose of the workshop is to allow for public comment on the proposed minimum flows for Gum Slough Spring Run in Marion and Sumter Counties.
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 Gum Slough Spring Run in Marion and Sumter Counties. 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 Gum Slough Spring Run. 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 Gum Slough Spring Run at the March 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 Kym Rouse Holzwart at 1-800-423-1476, ext. 4295.
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 Gum Slough Spring Run in Marion and Sumter Counties. 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 Gum Slough Spring Run. 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 Gum Slough Spring Run at the March 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 Kym Rouse Holzwart at 1-800-423-1476, ext. 4295.