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

The District will hold a public meeting Aug. 25 at 5:30 p.m. at the Tampa Service Office, located at 7601 U.S. Highway 301 North. Members of the public can also join the meeting virtually via Microsoft Teams. To join the meeting via Teams, please click here. You can also use this URL to join the meeting: https://bit.ly/3zJqfjn. Use of the Chrome browser is recommended for best compatibility with Teams.

To join the meeting by telephone only, dial 1-786-749-6127 and when prompted enter the conference ID: 909-560-596#.

A minimum flow or level is the limit at which further water withdrawals will cause significant harm to the water resources or environment. The District’s Governing Board sets these limits 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 2020 is available on the District’s website here. The draft 2021 list will be published on the site following the Governing Board’s August meeting. The revised schedule will be considered for approval at the Board’s October meeting.

Written comments on the draft priority list and schedule may be submitted to Doug Leeper, MFLs Program Lead, at doug.leeper@watermatters.org or to 2379 Broad Street, Brooksville, FL, 34604 no later than Sept. 7.

For more information, please contact Doug Leeper at 1-800-423-1476, ext. 4272.

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will close all District-managed campgrounds and properties to include trails and day use areas throughout its 16-county region at 3 p.m. in anticipation of impacts from Tropical Depression Fred.

For the most updated information, please visit the District’s website at WaterMatters.org.

As a reminder, you can follow along for immediate updates on social media at Twitter.com/SWFWMD.

Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) officials have raised the activation level of the District’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to Level 1 as they monitor Tropical Depression Fred. The EOC provides direction regarding District activities during an emergency weather event.

The District is evaluating potential impacts from the tropical depression that could occur throughout its 16-county region. District staff are operating structures in anticipation of additional rainfall from Tropical Depression Fred.

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.

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) announced changes for public access at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park and Weekiwachee Preserve in Hernando County, which adjoins the Weeki Wachee River. The Governing Board recently approved updates to Rule 40D-9.111, Florida Administrative Code, Access to and Closure of District Lands, which outlines public access to District lands.

According to the updated rule, Weeki Wachee Springs State Park and Weekiwachee Preserve may not be accessed from any adjacent waterway or waterbody at any point, unless otherwise posted. This means visitors on the Weeki Wachee River cannot access the preserve property from the river.

The District also encourages people on the river to stay in their vessels and off shorelines when possible, to reduce environmental impacts. To learn more ways to protect the Weeki Wachee River visit WaterMatters.org/ProtectWeeki.

The public can still access Weeki Wachee Springs State Park and Weekiwachee Preserve through the designated land entrances. To find out more about these sites and what recreational opportunities are available there, visit WaterMatters.org/Recreation.

The Southwest Florida Water Management District's Governing Board will hold its monthly meeting Tuesday, July 27, at 9 a.m. at District Headquarters, located at 2379 Broad Street in Brooksville. The meeting is open to the public. Based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) regarding fully vaccinated people, wearing masks and social distancing will be optional at the meeting.

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 “Go to District Calendar.”