News in Brief

Scott Reappoints Three to Governing Board

Gov. Rick Scott recently reappointed Albert Joerger, H. Paul Senft and Doug Tharp to the District’s Governing Board.

Joerger is from Sarasota and is the founder and president of The Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast. His new term ends March 1, 2015. Joerger is also Governing Board treasurer.

Senft is from Haines City and is a self-employed business and insurance consultant. His new term ends March 1, 2015. Senft is also Governing Board chair.

Tharp is from The Villages and is a retired industrial engineer. His new term ends March 1, 2015. Tharp is also Governing Board secretary.

Governing Board members are unpaid, citizen volunteers who are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Florida Senate. The Governing Board sets policy for the District, whose mission is to manage the water and related resources of west-central Florida to meet the needs of current and future water users while protecting the environment.

Lost River Preserve Restoration Converts Fish Farm

A former tropical fish farm has been converted to upland hammocks and tidal marshes with the completion of the Lost River Preserve Habitat Restoration Project. Funded by the Alafia River Basin Board, the Surface Water Improvement and Management Program, and the nonprofit Ecosphere Restoration Institute, Inc., the $1 million project focused on creating a connection to Cockroach Bay and providing conditions for the growth of juvenile fish species.

The 43-acre parcel is owned and managed by Hillsborough County’s Environmental Lands Acquisition and Protection Program. The Ecosphere Restoration Institute (ERI) received funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Gulf of Mexico Alliance, which is a partnership of the states of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. ERI will continue to monitor the health of the new habitat over the next year.

Watch the Weather, Wait to Water During the Summer

The District is encouraging residents who irrigate their lawns to “watch the weather, wait to water” during the summer months of June, July, August and September. Lawns need no more than three-quarters of an inch of water every two to three days during the summer months. If your lawn is receiving enough water from rainfall, you can operate your irrigation system manually and wait to turn it on as needed.

In addition to watching the weather, install a rain sensor that will turn off your irrigation system during rainfall. Make sure the rain sensor is located away from overhead obstructions, with a clear view of the sky, and at least five feet away from air conditioning units or pool heaters.

Periodically check to see that your rain sensor and irrigation system are working properly. Proper maintenance and simply “watching the weather and waiting to water” can conserve water, save money and benefit your yard.

For more information, visit the District’s website at WaterMatters.org/WatchTheWeather/.