The Southwest Florida Water Management District's Governing Board voted on Tuesday to expand hunting opportunities at two District-managed lands.
Hunting opportunities will be expanded on these District properties:
* Areas of the Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve located west of CR 471 in Pasco County that are not already designated as wildlife management areas will be developed to provide hunting opportunities for youths and the disabled.
* The Lower Hillsborough Flood Detention Area in Hillsborough County will offer 18 days of hunting opportunities for youths and families.
The Cypress Creek Preserve and parts of the Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve located east of CR 471, including the Hampton Tract, were also considered; however, no expansion was approved in those areas.
The District initially evaluated eight District-managed properties for additional hunting opportunities, in cooperation with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The District gathered input from the public through its land use stakeholders group and at two meetings held in Plant City, as well as through the District's website.
The staff recommendations for the four remaining properties that are also part of the initial evaluation will be presented at a public meeting on Jan. 5 at the Lecanto Government Building in Citrus County. Those District properties are Chassahowitzka River and Coastal Swamps in Citrus County; lands on the District's Lake Panasoffkee property, located in Sumter County, that are not already wildlife management areas; Hálpata Tastanaki Preserve in Marion County; and Weekiwachee Preserve in Hernando County.
This evaluation began after a request was presented by residents at the District's land use stakeholders group, which is made up of citizens and representatives from various interest groups and other agencies, to discuss land use.
For more information on the hunt evaluation or the upcoming meetings, visit the District's website at WaterMatters.org/HuntEvaluation or call the District's Land Use Section at 1-800-423-1476, ext. 4456.
Hunting opportunities will be expanded on these District properties:
* Areas of the Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve located west of CR 471 in Pasco County that are not already designated as wildlife management areas will be developed to provide hunting opportunities for youths and the disabled.
* The Lower Hillsborough Flood Detention Area in Hillsborough County will offer 18 days of hunting opportunities for youths and families.
The Cypress Creek Preserve and parts of the Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve located east of CR 471, including the Hampton Tract, were also considered; however, no expansion was approved in those areas.
The District initially evaluated eight District-managed properties for additional hunting opportunities, in cooperation with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The District gathered input from the public through its land use stakeholders group and at two meetings held in Plant City, as well as through the District's website.
The staff recommendations for the four remaining properties that are also part of the initial evaluation will be presented at a public meeting on Jan. 5 at the Lecanto Government Building in Citrus County. Those District properties are Chassahowitzka River and Coastal Swamps in Citrus County; lands on the District's Lake Panasoffkee property, located in Sumter County, that are not already wildlife management areas; Hálpata Tastanaki Preserve in Marion County; and Weekiwachee Preserve in Hernando County.
This evaluation began after a request was presented by residents at the District's land use stakeholders group, which is made up of citizens and representatives from various interest groups and other agencies, to discuss land use.
For more information on the hunt evaluation or the upcoming meetings, visit the District's website at WaterMatters.org/HuntEvaluation or call the District's Land Use Section at 1-800-423-1476, ext. 4456.