The Southwest Florida Water Management District is asking for the public’s input on creating a land use and management plan for the Chito Branch Reserve in eastern Hillsborough County.
A workshop will be held at Pinecrest Elementary School on Wednesday, Aug. 29 from 6:30 until 8 p.m. in the school cafeteria. The school is located at 7950 Lithia-Pinecrest Road in Lithia.
The Chito Branch Reserve encompasses more than 4,100 acres of land, which was purchased by the District in 2001, in cooperation with Tampa Bay Water. The primary purpose of this acquisition was to build the 16-billion-gallon C.W. “Bill” Young Reservoir to collect and store drinking water. The property also consists of a variety of habitats.
The management plan for the preserve describes the type and condition of the natural resources and evaluates the site for potential compatible resource-based recreation opportunities. As part of the plan, the District will be responsible for managing the reserve’s natural resources and for accommodating recreational usage.
Public usage of District-owned lands emphasizes recreational uses that are compatible with the natural resources of a site. Recreational opportunities being considered for the property include hiking, horseback riding, bicycling, wildlife observation, nature study, outdoor nature photography and picnicking.
For more information about the management plan or attending the workshop, please call Gina Sowders in the District’s Land Resources Department at 1-800-423-1476, ext. 4464.