The Southwest Florida Water Management District is seeking public input about proposed minimum flows and levels (MFL) for Lake Annie, Lake Bonnie, Dinner Lake, Lake Lee, Lake Mabel, Lake Starr and Venus Lake in Polk County.
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. Minimum lake levels are used as guidelines in District permitting programs, for development of water resource projects and as information for development bordering lakes.
A public workshop on proposed MFL for the lakes mentioned above will be held Wednesday, Oct. 10 at the City of Lake Wales Municipal Building, 201 Central Avenue West, Lake Wales. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. in the Commission Chambers.
This meeting will provide an important opportunity for local governments, residents and others to be part of the development of minimum flows and levels for area lakes.
Public comment gathered at the meeting will be summarized and presented to the Governing Board when staff presents the recommended MFL at the District’s October 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 brief oral 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 Oct. 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 on the District’s web site, WaterMatters.org/documents/. For more information, please contact Doug Leeper at 352- 796-7211, ext. 4272, or 800-423-1476, ext 4272.