The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board will hold its monthly meeting Tuesday, April 23 at 9 a.m. at the Tampa Service Office, located at 7601 U.S. Highway 301 North. 

To view the Governing Board meeting online, click on the live video stream link. The video stream link becomes active and the live video feed begins approximately 15 minutes before the scheduled meeting time.

Public comment will be taken only at the meeting location. Public input for issues not listed on the published agenda will be heard shortly after the meeting begins.

The meeting agenda and materials are posted one week before the meeting and can be found online at WaterMatters.org by clicking on the “Meeting & Events Calendar.” 

Setting prescribed fires in controlled settings can reduce the risk of wildfires burning out of control. That’s why the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will be conducting prescribed burns April through June on the Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve.

The Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve is located south of Cross Creek Boulevard between U.S. Highway 301 and Bruce B. Downs Boulevard near Thonotosassa. Approximately 200 acres will be burned in small, manageable units. 

Some major benefits of prescribed fire include:

• Reducing overgrown plants, which decreases the risk of catastrophic wildfires. 
• Promoting the growth of new, diverse plants.
• Maintaining the character and condition of wildlife habitat.
• Maintaining access for public recreation.

The District conducts prescribed fires on approximately 30,000 acres each year. 

Click here to see aerial footage from a prescribed fire in the Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve where District land management staff burned 320 acres.

Setting prescribed fires in controlled settings can reduce the risk of wildfires burning out of control. That’s why the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will be conducting prescribed burns April through June on Starkey Wilderness Preserve and Cypress Creek Preserve.

Starkey Wilderness Preserve is located east of New Port Richey, west of the Suncoast Parkway, north of State Road 54 and south of State Road 52. Approximately 300 acres will be burned in small, manageable units. 

Cypress Creek Preserve is located east of Ehren Cutoff, one mile south of State Road 52. Approximately 100 acres will be burned in small, manageable units.

Some major benefits of prescribed fire include:

• Reducing overgrown plants, which decreases the risk of catastrophic wildfires. 
• Promoting the growth of new, diverse plants.
• Maintaining the character and condition of wildlife habitat.
• Maintaining access for public recreation.

The District conducts prescribed fires on approximately 30,000 acres each year. 

Click here to see aerial footage from a prescribed fire in the Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve where District land management staff burned 320 acres.

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) invites the public to a virtual workshop Tuesday, April 9, at 5:30 p.m. to collect public comment on the proposed minimum levels for Lake Tulane and Lake Verona in Highlands County.

Members of the public may join the meeting via Microsoft Teams at https://bit.ly/minimumlevels. The Google Chrome browser is recommended for best compatibility with Microsoft Teams. For telephone-only participation, dial 1-786-749-6127 and when prompted enter the conference ID: 906 393 601#.

During the workshop, District staff will review the technical basis for the recommended minimum levels for Lake Tulane and Lake Verona. Recommended minimum levels for Lake Tulane and Lake Verona were summarized in draft reports and are available for review at WaterMatters.org/documents-and-reports.

All public comments are summarized and shared with the District’s Governing Board for its consideration. District staff anticipates presenting the recommended minimum levels for Lake Tulane and Lake Verona at the May Governing Board meeting. Governing Board meetings are open to the public, and brief oral comments are permitted on meeting agenda items.

The Florida Legislature requires the District to set minimum flows and levels (MFLs) for priority water bodies within the District. Minimum flows are established to prevent significant harm to streams and rivers from impacts associated with groundwater and surface water withdrawals, while minimum levels are established to prevent significant harm to lakes and wetlands. The District’s scientists use numerous tools to collect, develop and analyze data before recommending a minimum flow or level. Minimum flows and levels serve as guidelines for the District’s permitting programs and for development of water resource projects.

For more information regarding the recommended minimum levels, please contact T.J. Venning, Staff Environmental Scientist with the District’s Natural Systems and Restoration Bureau at (352) 269-5980. Written comments regarding the minimum levels are also welcome and can be submitted via mail or email no later than April 16, to T.J. Venning, Staff Environmental Scientist at 2379 Broad Street, Brooksville, FL 34604 or TJ.Venning@watermatters.org.

Leaks are the biggest water waster, both inside and outside of your home. You can use your water meter to check for leaks. Turn off all faucets and water-using appliances and make sure no one uses water during the testing period. Wait for the hot water heater and ice cube makers to refill and for regeneration of water softeners. Go to your water meter and record the current reading. Wait 30 minutes. (Remember, no water should be used during this period.) Read the meter again. If the reading has changed, you have a leak.

For more information about water conservation, please visit the District's website at WaterMatters.org/Water101.

***The District’s Surplus Lands Committee has been canceled. 

The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board will hold its monthly meeting Tuesday, March 26 at 9 a.m. at the Tampa Service Office, located at 7601 U.S. Highway 301 North. 

At 10:30 a.m. or immediately following the Governing Board meeting, the District’s Surplus Lands Committee will meet. The Committee will hold a series of meetings to evaluate 44,672 acres of District land for potential surplus opportunities. District staff will present appropriate information for selected properties as requested by the Committee. The evaluation will follow applicable state law and Governing Board policies, with a significant emphasis to be placed on the District’s four areas of responsibility and public recreation opportunities.

To view the Governing Board meeting online, click on the live video stream link. The video stream link becomes active and the live video feed begins approximately 15 minutes before the scheduled meeting time. The Surplus Lands Committee meeting is open to the public; however, it will not be live streamed.

Public comment will be taken only at the meeting location. Public input for issues not listed on the published agenda will be heard shortly after the meeting begins.

The meeting agenda and materials are posted one week before the meeting and can be found online at WaterMatters.org by clicking on the “Meeting & Events Calendar.”