The "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/ is inviting the public to comment on proposed minimum flows and levels (MFLs) for Gum Slough Spring Run and associated springs in northwestern Sumter County and southwestern Marion County at a public workshop on *Thursday, Nov. 17.* The workshop will be held from *6 to approximately 8:30 p.m.* at the *Marion Oaks Community Center,* 294 Marion Oaks Lane, Ocala.
The state 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.
During the workshop, District staff will review the regulatory framework and the technical basis for the proposed MFLs. The workshop will also provide an opportunity for local governments, residents and others to be part of the development of minimum flows and levels for the spring system.
Public comment gathered at the workshop will be summarized and presented to the Governing Board when staff submits the results of an ongoing independent peer review in the coming months. Following consideration of the comments and peer review report, the Governing Board may choose to adopt the MFLs 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 Jason Hood, environmental scientist, no later than Dec. 17. The addresses are 2379 Broad Street, Brooksville, FL 34604-6899 or Jason.Hood@watermatters.org.
A draft report containing information on the development of MFLs for Gum Slough will be posted on the District's website approximately one week before the meeting. To locate the report, visit "WaterMatters.org/mfl":/projects/mfl and click on the "MFL documents and reports" link. For more information, please contact Jason Hood at 1-800-423-1476, ext. 4192.
The state 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.
During the workshop, District staff will review the regulatory framework and the technical basis for the proposed MFLs. The workshop will also provide an opportunity for local governments, residents and others to be part of the development of minimum flows and levels for the spring system.
Public comment gathered at the workshop will be summarized and presented to the Governing Board when staff submits the results of an ongoing independent peer review in the coming months. Following consideration of the comments and peer review report, the Governing Board may choose to adopt the MFLs 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 Jason Hood, environmental scientist, no later than Dec. 17. The addresses are 2379 Broad Street, Brooksville, FL 34604-6899 or Jason.Hood@watermatters.org.
A draft report containing information on the development of MFLs for Gum Slough will be posted on the District's website approximately one week before the meeting. To locate the report, visit "WaterMatters.org/mfl":/projects/mfl and click on the "MFL documents and reports" link. For more information, please contact Jason Hood at 1-800-423-1476, ext. 4192.