The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s (District) Governing Board approved the purchase of Kirkland Ranch in Pasco County. This 940-acre parcel is located in Wesley Chapel and has been primarily used for cattle grazing and tree farming. The Kirkland family has owned this property since 1956. 

The Kirkland Ranch property is approximately 59% uplands and 41% wetlands. The areas surrounding the property are predominately residential single-family homes and are being developed around the west and south of the property as part of Epperson Ranch and Watergrass developments. This acquisition meets all four of the District’s Areas of Responsibility, which are water supply, water quality, flood protection and natural systems and is consistent with the District’s Florida Forever Workplan.

The parcel is being purchased for approximately $30.8 million, with money appropriated from the Florida Legislature to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The state funds are being provided to the District by DEP for the purpose of acquiring the property.

“We appreciate Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature’s commitment to preserving this conservation land in one of the fastest growing areas in Pasco County,” said Brian Armstrong, the District’s executive director. “This important purchase will help preserve the region’s lands and water resources for future generations.”

Kirkland Ranch is located east of Curley Road and just south of Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation in Wesley Chapel.

Governor Ron DeSantis appointed James “Jim” Turner and reappointed Paul “Jack” Bispham, John Hall, and Nancy Watkins to the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board. Turner represents Charlotte and Sarasota counties, Bispham represents Manatee County, Hall represents Polk County and Watkins represents Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.

Turner, of Sarasota, is Senior Counsel at Williams Parker Law Firm. Turner earned his bachelor’s degree in management science and accounting from Duke University and his juris doctor from the University of Florida. Turner is appointed to a term ending March 1, 2027.

Bispham, of Myakka City, is the owner and operator of Red Bluff Plantation and Paul’s Parrish. Bispham earned his bachelor’s degree in agriculture from the University of Florida. Bispham was appointed in November 2019, reappointed in May 2021 and is reappointed to a four-year term ending March 1, 2029.

Hall, of Auburndale, is a cattle rancher and the owner of Polk Community Association Management. He was previously elected as a Polk County Commissioner. He earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Saint Leo University. Hall was appointed in May 2021 and is reappointed to a four-year term ending March 1, 2029.

Watkins, of Tampa, is a certified public accountant at Robert Watkins & Company, P.A. She earned her associate degree from Hillsborough Community College and her bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida. Watkins was appointed in August 2023 and is reappointed to a four-year term ending March 1, 2029.

The appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

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.

The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board will hold its monthly meeting Tuesday, Aug. 26 at 9 a.m. at District Headquarters, located at 2379 Broad Street in Brooksville. 

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.” 

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is seeking public input to determine the priority of minimum flows and levels (MFLs) establishment for lakes, wetlands, rivers, streams and aquifers in the District as well as the establishment of water reservations. Legislation requires the District to review and, if necessary, revise this schedule each year.

The District will hold a virtual public workshop at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 28. Members of the public can join the meeting via Microsoft Teams. To join the meeting, please click on this link to register https://bit.ly/MFLList2025. Use of the Chrome browser is recommended for best compatibility with Teams.

To join the meeting by telephone only, dial (786) 749-6127 and when prompted enter the conference ID: 551 553 56#. 

A minimum flow or level is the limit at which further water withdrawals will cause significant harm to the water resources or environment. A water reservation defines a quantity of water set aside from the water use permitting process for the protection of fish and wildlife or public health and safety. The District’s Governing Board establishes MFLs and reservations as part of achieving the balance between meeting water needs and sustaining Florida’s natural systems.

The adopted minimum flows and levels priority list and schedule for 2024 is available on the District’s website here. The draft 2025 list will be published on the site following the Governing Board’s Aug. 26 meeting and will be considered for approval at the Board’s Oct. 22 meeting.

Written comments on the draft priority list and schedule may be submitted to Gabe Herrick, Chief Environmental Scientist, at gabe.herrick@watermatters.org or to 2379 Broad Street, Brooksville, FL, 34604, no later than Sept. 7. 

The 40-acre Chassahowitzka River Campground, which was purchased as part of a much larger conservation area, has been a popular recreation area for many years but has not been used for conservation purposes.

The Campground sustained extensive damage during the 2024 hurricane season. The front deck and campground store were severely damaged and present a risk to public safety. The cost to restore the campground and continue operating it, along with other considered repairs, is not an effective way to utilize taxpayer dollars.

As a result, the District has made the decision to close the campground effective Oct. 1 to complete the assessment of damages. While no final decisions have been made, the evaluation may result in a staff recommendation to the District’s Governing Board to place the campground for sale as surplus. Any recommendation to sell the campground would involve opportunities for public input and be subject to the Governing Board's final approval.

If approved, proceeds from the sale of the Campground would be used for the purchase of conservation lands to protect critical ecosystems.

The District will continue to own and manage the 5,700 acres of the Chassahowitzka River and Coastal Swamps, which meets the District’s conservation objectives by protecting the river ecosystem and wildlife resources. The District owns 34,994 acres in Citrus County and 98% is available for public recreation.

Citrus County will continue to operate the parking area and boat ramp, ensuring the public’s continued recreational access to the river.