’Tis the Season for Preparations and Plywood
Hurricane Season Approaches
Fire in the Swamp Serves Two Purposes
The Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve in Polk County was recently ablaze with activity.
Early Lessons Form Core Values for New Chair
She couldn’t help it; volunteering is in her blood.
District’s Hálpata Tastanaki Preserve Closed for Hog Hunts Jan. 28-30
The Southwest Florida Water Management District's (District) Hálpata Tastanaki Preserve in Marion County will be temporarily closed to the public for feral hog hunts Jan. 28-30.
Only permitted hunters will be allowed on the property during these dates. All permits for these hunts have been sold.
Hálpata Tastanaki Preserve is located at 15430 SW CR 484 in Dunnellon.
This activity is one of a series of feral hog hunts being held on District lands to control the damage being caused to the natural habitats.
The District only allows hogs to be controlled through hunts when the damage they cause exceeds unacceptable levels, and damage is occurring more frequently and with increasing severity.
Feral hogs live throughout Florida in various habitats, but prefer moist forests and swamps, as well as pine flatwoods. They are omnivorous and feed by rooting with their broad snouts, which can cause extensive damage to the natural habitats. In fact, they can leave an area looking like a plowed field.
Feral hogs are not native to Florida and are believed to have been introduced by explorer Hernando DeSoto as early as 1539. They can weigh more than 300 pounds and travel in herds of several females and their offspring.
For more information, please call the District’s Land Management section at 1-800-423-1476 or (352) 796-7211, ext. 4466 or visit WaterMatters.org/HogHunts.
Subject
Nature & Land
Water Management Experts Come Together for Training
Staff from four water management districts across the state recently attended a week-long training at District headquarters to learn more about a software program that facilitates environmental flow assessments through instream habitat analysis.
Eastern Hillsborough County Homeowners with Wells Should be Prepared for Freezing Temperatures Tomorrow
According to the National Weather Service, parts of the Tampa Bay area are expected to have below freezing temperatures Wednesday morning.
This has prompted the Southwest Florida Water Management District to advise residents who live near Plant City and Dover who have well pumps without automatic cutoff switches to turn off the pumps before temperatures dip.
During a freeze or near-freezing temperatures, water is pumped to protect crops and fish farms, causing aquifer levels to temporarily drop. Once aquifer levels fall below a well’s pump level, the pump can burn out if it is not shut off manually or automatically by a low-pressure shut-off device. An electrical switch located on or near the well can turn off most pumps.
Residents should wait until the temperatures warm up and water levels begin to recover before turning their pumps back on. Residents should consult their local well contractor for questions about restarting their pumps.
To report a dry well, visit WaterMatters.org or contact the District’s Tampa Regulation Department at (813) 985-7481 or 1-800-836-0797.
Subject
Water Management