The Southwest Florida Water Management District is seeking public input about proposed minimum flows for the upper segment of the Braden River. The Upper Braden River is the portion of the river from Linger Lodge to Lorraine Road.
A minimum flow or level is the limit at which further water withdrawals will cause significant harm to the water resources and/or environment. The District Governing Board sets these limits as part of achieving a balance between meeting human water needs and those of Florida’s natural systems.
A public workshop on proposed minimum flows for the Upper Braden River will be held Friday, Oct. 12, at the District’s Sarasota Service Office, 6750 Fruitville Road, Sarasota. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. in the boardroom.
This meeting will provide an important opportunity for local governments, citizens and others to be part of the development of minimum flows and levels.
Public comment gathered at the meeting will be summarized and presented to the Governing Board when staff presents the recommended minimum flows at a future Governing Board meeting. Governing Board meetings are open to the public where brief oral comments are permitted on meeting agenda items.
Written comments are also welcome and can be submitted via mail or email to Jonathan Morales, environmental scientist. The addresses are 2379 Broad Street, Brooksville, FL 34604-6899 or Jonathan.Morales@WaterMatters.org.
Draft reports containing information on the development of MFLs are available under the Minimum Flows and Levels heading on the Documents and Publications page of the District’s web site, WaterMatters.org. For more information, please contact Jonathan Morales at 352-796-7211, ext. 4273, or 800-423-1476, ext 4273.