The "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/ is gathering information to improve identification of flooding risks for three Marion County watersheds.
This information is being developed as part of the *Withlacoochee River*, *Withlacoochee River 2* and *Withlacoochee Region* watershed management plans. The plans were cooperatively funded by the Southwest Florida Water Management District and Marion County.
The District is holding an open house in Marion County to present preliminary floodplain information and explain the basis behind the findings. This information will be used to identify areas of flood risk, which are based on watershed boundaries.
An open house for residents living in the Withlacoochee River, Withlacoochee River 2 and Withlacoochee Region watersheds will be held *Oct. 6*, beginning at *5 p.m.* at *Dunnellon High School*. The school is located at 10055 W. 180th Ave. Rd. in Dunnellon. District representatives will be available to meet with residents anytime between *5 and 7 p.m.*
Residents affected by changes have received letters advising them of the need to contact the District and attend the open house. Future open houses will be scheduled for additional watersheds as preliminary models are completed.
During the meeting, preliminary models and floodplain information will be presented to the public for review and comment. After addressing the comments, floodplain information will be finalized and presented to the District's Governing Board.
The floodplain information will be used by the county and the District for land use and zoning decisions, to help manage development in and around floodplains and wetlands, reduce flood risks, preserve land and water resources, and planning for emergencies. It will also provide valuable information to the public for decisions about purchasing and protecting property, and can be used by the "Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)(Federal Emergency Management Agency)":http://www.fema.gov for updates to the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps.
For more information or to find out which watershed you live in, please visit "WaterMatters.org/floodrisk/(Federal Flood Map Updates)":/floodrisk. You can also call the District at (352) 796-7211, ext. 4297.
This information is being developed as part of the *Withlacoochee River*, *Withlacoochee River 2* and *Withlacoochee Region* watershed management plans. The plans were cooperatively funded by the Southwest Florida Water Management District and Marion County.
The District is holding an open house in Marion County to present preliminary floodplain information and explain the basis behind the findings. This information will be used to identify areas of flood risk, which are based on watershed boundaries.
An open house for residents living in the Withlacoochee River, Withlacoochee River 2 and Withlacoochee Region watersheds will be held *Oct. 6*, beginning at *5 p.m.* at *Dunnellon High School*. The school is located at 10055 W. 180th Ave. Rd. in Dunnellon. District representatives will be available to meet with residents anytime between *5 and 7 p.m.*
Residents affected by changes have received letters advising them of the need to contact the District and attend the open house. Future open houses will be scheduled for additional watersheds as preliminary models are completed.
During the meeting, preliminary models and floodplain information will be presented to the public for review and comment. After addressing the comments, floodplain information will be finalized and presented to the District's Governing Board.
The floodplain information will be used by the county and the District for land use and zoning decisions, to help manage development in and around floodplains and wetlands, reduce flood risks, preserve land and water resources, and planning for emergencies. It will also provide valuable information to the public for decisions about purchasing and protecting property, and can be used by the "Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)(Federal Emergency Management Agency)":http://www.fema.gov for updates to the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps.
For more information or to find out which watershed you live in, please visit "WaterMatters.org/floodrisk/(Federal Flood Map Updates)":/floodrisk. You can also call the District at (352) 796-7211, ext. 4297.