The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) invites the public to a virtual workshop Wednesday, Sept. 27, at 5:30 p.m. The purpose of the virtual workshop is to allow for public comment on recommended minimum flows for Little Manatee River in Hillsborough County. These are the first minimum flows being established for this river system and will include both the upper (freshwater) and lower (estuarine) portions of the river.

Members of the public may join the meeting via Microsoft Teams through this link https://bit.ly/LMRMeeting. 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: 827 298 974#.

Minimum flows are limits established by the District’s Governing Board, and required by state law, to protect flowing water bodies from significant harm caused by ground and surface water withdrawals. The District’s scientists use numerous tools to collect, develop and analyze data before recommending a minimum flow. Their work is then evaluated by an independent peer review panel. 

During the workshop, District staff will review the technical basis for the recommended minimum flows for Little Manatee River. A draft report for the recommended minimum flows for Little Manatee River is available for review and is posted at WaterMatters.org/documents-and-reports. Visit the Minimum Flows for the Little Manatee River webpage for more information and a timeline about the process. 

Also on the webpage, a virtual public comment card will be open now through Oct. 6, 2023, for the public to submit comments to the District. District staff anticipates presenting the recommended minimum flows for Little Manatee River for Governing Board approval this fall.

For more information regarding the recommended minimum flows, please contact Kym Holzwart, Lead Ecologist with the District’s Environmental Flows and Assessments Section at (352) 269-5946. Written comments regarding the minimum flows are also welcome. They can be submitted via mail or email no later than Oct. 6, 2023, to Kym Holzwart, at 2379 Broad Street, Brooksville, FL 34604-6899 or kym.holzwart@watermatters.org. 

Campgrounds will Reopen to the Public Tomorrow

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) has returned to normal operations after Hurricane Idalia and will lower the activation level of its Emergency Operations Center to a Level 3 at 7 a.m. Friday, Sept. 1. Level 3 activation is a general state of monitoring during the hurricane season. 

District lands have reopened to the public; however, campgrounds will open tomorrow at 3 p.m. 

The Oak Ridge Equestrian Area will remain closed due to wet conditions.

All Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) offices will be open Thursday, Aug. 31, as the District begins to return to normal operations after Hurricane Idalia.

The District will lower the activation level of its Emergency Operations Center to a Level 2 at 7 a.m. Thursday morning. Level 2 activation is a partial activation, and the EOC will:

• Mobilize appropriate District emergency personnel to participate in emergency operations.
• Monitor water levels and operate water control structures on water bodies throughout the District’s 16-county area as needed.
• Present daily (or as-needed) situation reports to the state EOC and maintain direct communications with the state and affected county EOCs.
• Ensure current event information is distributed to all District staff.

All District-managed campgrounds and properties, to include trails and day use areas throughout its 16-county region, remain closed as land staff assess the safety of these properties.

Emergency Operations Center at Level 1 Activation

Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) officials have raised the activation level of the District’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to Level 1 as of 7 a.m., as they continue to monitor Hurricane Idalia. The EOC provides direction regarding District activities during an emergency weather event. 

Level 1 activation is utilized when a specific weather situation has developed into an emergency. Level 1 is full activation, and the EOC will:

• Mobilize appropriate District emergency personnel to participate in emergency operations.
• Suspend normal departmental functions throughout the District that might interfere with emergency operations — all others continue.
• Monitor water levels and operate water control structures on water bodies throughout the District’s 16-county area as needed.
• Present daily (or as-needed) situation reports to the state EOC and maintain direct communications with the state and affected county EOCs.
• Ensure current event information is distributed to all District staff.

The EOC also directs District field crews, responds to requests from the state EOC, and provides water resource updates to state and local emergency management agencies, the media and the general public. The District EOC will expand to include additional emergency personnel as the situation demands.

Information concerning District-related meeting cancellations and office closures will also be provided to the media and made available on the District’s website at WaterMatters.org.