The Southwest Florida Water Management District is seeking public input about proposed minimum and guidance levels for selected Pasco County lakes.
A public workshop will be held to discuss proposed levels for Crews Lake, Lake Iola, Jessamine Lake, Pasco Lake, Pierce Lake, and Unnamed Lake Number 22, known as Loyce Lake. The meeting will be held Tuesday, Nov. 21, 7 p.m., at the Land O’ Lakes Community Center, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. (U.S. Highway 41), Land O’ Lakes.
A minimum flow or level (MFL) 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. Minimum lake levels are used as guidelines in District permitting programs, for development of water resource projects and as information for development bordering lakes.
Draft reports describing development of the currently proposed levels will be available by Nov. 21 on the District’s web site on the Documents and Publications page at: http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/documents .
This meeting will afford an important opportunity for local governments, citizens and others to be part of the development of minimum levels for area lakes.
Public comment gathered at the meeting will be summarized and presented to the Governing Board upon request, when staff presents the recommended MFL at the District’s Nov. 30 Governing Board meeting. At that time, the Governing Board may choose to adopt the MFL into District rules. Governing Board meetings are open to the public where comments are permitted on meeting agenda items.
Written comments are also welcome and can be submitted via mail or email to Doug Leeper, senior environmental scientist, no later than Nov. 29. The addresses are 2379 Broad Street, Brooksville, FL 34604-6899 or Doug.Leeper@watermatters.org.
Draft reports containing information on the development of MFL for the lakes 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 Doug Leeper at (352) 796-7211, ext. 4272, or 1-800-423-1476, ext 4272.