The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) invites the public to a workshop on Tuesday, July 9, at 5:45 p.m. at the Lutz Branch Library, located at 101 W. Lutz Lake Fern Road in Lutz. The purpose of the workshop is to allow for public comment on the proposed minimum and guidance levels for Lake Linda in Pasco County.

During the workshop, District staff will present the technical basis for the proposed minimum levels for Lake Linda. Minimum levels are established to protect lakes and wetlands and the minimum level is the limit at which further water withdrawals will cause significant harm to the water resources and/or environment.

The workshop is an opportunity for local government, citizens, and others to provide input regarding the proposed minimum and guidance levels. Information will be summarized and made available to the District’s Governing Board. At the Board’s August meeting, Board members will choose whether to recommend adoption of the minimum levels into District rules. 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 protect streams and rivers from impacts associated with ground water and surface water withdrawals, while minimum levels are established to protect lakes and wetlands. Minimum flows and levels serve as guidelines for the District’s permitting programs and for development of water resource projects.

A draft report summarizing the proposed minimum levels for Lake Linda will be posted before the meeting on the District’s website at WaterMatters.org/MFLreports. For more information regarding the proposed minimum levels, please contact David Carr at 1-800-423-1476, ext. 4246.

Written comments can be submitted via mail or email to David Carr, Staff Environmental Scientist, Water Resources Bureau, at 2379 Broad Street, Brooksville, FL 34604 or david.carr@watermatters.org.

The Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board voted Tuesday to elect a new slate of officers for the 2019-2020 term.

Mark Taylor was elected chair of the Governing Board. Taylor represents Hernando and Marion counties and is president of TTG Properties, Inc., a real estate management, investment and development firm. Taylor was appointed to the Governing Board in August 2016.

Michelle Williamson was elected vice chair of the Governing Board. Williamson represents Hillsborough County and is manager of G&F Farms in Dover. Williamson was appointed to the Governing Board in August 2016.

Joel Schleicher was elected secretary of the Governing Board. Schleicher represents Charlotte and Sarasota counties and has used his vast knowledge as a successful entrepreneur to challenge the status quo while giving back to the community via various organizations. Schleicher was appointed to the Governing Board in May 2017.

Kelly S. Rice was elected as treasurer of the Governing Board. Rice represents Citrus, Lake, Levy and Sumter counties and is a small business owner involved in real estate, agriculture and health care. Rice was appointed to the Governing Board in September 2015.

The new officers will serve a one-year term beginning 24 hours before the next Governing Board meeting.

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 protect water resources, minimize flood risks, and ensure the public’s water needs are met.

The Southwest Florida Water Management District's Governing Board will hold its monthly meeting Tuesday, June 25, at 9 a.m. at Tampa Bay Water, located at 2575 Enterprise Road in Clearwater.

To view the Governing Board meeting online, visit WaterMatters.org and 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 meeting agenda and meeting materials are posted one week before the meeting, and can be found online at WaterMatters.org by clicking on the “Meetings & Events Calendar” link.

Setting prescribed fires in controlled settings can reduce the risk of wildfires burning out of control, as many Floridians witnessed during the state’s wildfire emergency in 2017. That’s why the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will be conducting prescribed burns June through August at Annuteliga Hammock and Weekiwachee Preserve in Hernando County.

Annuteliga Hammock is located east of U.S. Highway 19, north of Centralia Road and south of the county line. Approximately 400 acres will be burned in small, manageable units.

Weekiwachee Preserve is located west of U.S. Highway 19 between Spring Hill and Hernando Beach. Approximately 400 acres will be burned in small, manageable units. Some trails may be temporarily closed during prescribed burn events.

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 learn more about why igniting prescribed burns now prepares lands for the next wildfire season.

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is encouraging residents who irrigate their lawns to take advantage of the summer rainy season and “watch the weather, wait to water.”

During the summer months of June, July, August and September, yards need no more than ½ to ¾ inch of water every two to three days. If your lawn has received enough water from rainfall, turn off the irrigation system and turn it back on when needed.

The simplest way to determine if your yard needs water is to look for these visual clues:

• Grass blades are folded in half lengthwise on at least one-third of your yard.
• Grass blades appear blue-gray.
• Grass blades do not spring back, leaving footprints on the lawn for several minutes after walking on it.

Follow these tips when you “watch the weather, wait to water”:

• If your yard is showing signs that it needs water, check your local forecast to see if rain is on the way.
• Use a rain gauge to determine how much rain your yard has received.
• If you have a rain sensor, make sure that it is working properly.
• Take full advantage of the rain. Make sure gutter downspouts are directed into landscaped areas or lawn.
• Install a rain barrel to capture excess rainwater.

For additional information, visit WaterMatters.org/WatchTheWeather.

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will hold a public workshop Tuesday, June 11, to share information about the proposed minimum flow reevaluations for the Chassahowitzka and Homosassa River Systems. The meeting will take place at the College of Central Florida, Citrus Campus, Citrus Conference Center Building C4, located at 3800 S. Lecanto Highway in Lecanto.

The workshop will begin at 5 p.m. with an open-house style allowing the public to arrive at their convenience to view posters and talk with staff about the reevaluations. Staff will give a presentation about the proposed minimum flows at 5:30 p.m. followed by public comment. Attendees are welcome to submit a comment card during the meeting to provide written feedback.

Minimum flows and levels are limits established by the District Governing Board, and required by state law, to protect water bodies from harm caused by ground and surface water withdrawals. Minimum flows for these systems were adopted in 2013 and scheduled for reevaluation in 2019 to allow the District to use updated data and improved models.

Draft reports summarizing the proposed minimum flow reevaluations are available for review and are posted on the District’s website at WaterMatters.org. For more information, please contact Gabe Herrick, Ph.D., senior environmental scientist with the District’s Springs & Environmental Flows Section at 1-800-423-1476, ext. 4275.

Written comments regarding the minimum flows are welcome and can be submitted via mail or email to Gabe Herrick, at 2379 Broad Street, Brooksville, FL 34604-6899 or Gabe.Herrick@WaterMatters.org.