The "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/ is inviting the public to comment on proposed "minimum flows and levels(Minimum Flows and Levels)":/mfl (MFLs) for the Chassahowitzka River at a public workshop on Wednesday, Oct. 6. The workshop will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at the "District's headquarters(Google map)":http://maps.google.com/maps?oi=map&q=2379+Broad+Street,+Brooksville,+FL…, 2379 Broad Street in Brooksville.
The state Legislature requires the District to set 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, citizens and others to be part of the development of minimum flows and levels for the river.
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 Mike Heyl, chief environmental scientist, no later than Nov. 5. The addresses are 7601 US 301 North, Tampa, FL 33637-6759 or Mike.Heyl@watermatters.org.
A draft report containing information on the development of MFLs for the Chassahowitzka River System is available on the District's web site. To locate the report, visit "WaterMatters.org/projects/mfl/":/projects/mfl/ and click on the "MFL documents and reports" link. For more information, please contact Mike Heyl at 1-800-836-0797, ext. 2211.
The state Legislature requires the District to set 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, citizens and others to be part of the development of minimum flows and levels for the river.
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 Mike Heyl, chief environmental scientist, no later than Nov. 5. The addresses are 7601 US 301 North, Tampa, FL 33637-6759 or Mike.Heyl@watermatters.org.
A draft report containing information on the development of MFLs for the Chassahowitzka River System is available on the District's web site. To locate the report, visit "WaterMatters.org/projects/mfl/":/projects/mfl/ and click on the "MFL documents and reports" link. For more information, please contact Mike Heyl at 1-800-836-0797, ext. 2211.