The Southwest Florida Water Management District is seeking public input about proposed minimum flows for the upper segment of the Myakka River. The Upper Myakka River is the portion of the river from Myakka city to S.R. 72.
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 Myakka River will be held Monday, Nov. 7, at the District’s Sarasota Service Office, 6750 Fruitville Road, Sarasota. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. and will be held in the boardroom.
This meeting will afford 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 the District’s Nov. 30 Governing Board meeting. At that time, the Governing Board may choose to adopt the minimum flows 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 Marty Kelly, manager Ecologic Evaluation Section. The addresses are 2379 Broad Street, Brooksville, FL 34604-6899 or marty.kelly@swfwmd.state.fl.us.
Draft reports containing information on the development of MFL 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 Marty Kelly at (352) 796-7211, ext. 4235, or 1-800-423-1476, ext 4235.