The District is scheduled to adopt minimum flows for the Little Manatee River. Minimum flows are established to help protect the system from significant harm caused by ground and surface water withdrawals.
Overview
Minimum flows and levels (MFLs) are limits established by the District’s Governing Board for surface waters and groundwater that are intended to prevent significant harm to the water resources or ecology of an area that may be caused by water withdrawals. The District is scheduled to adopt minimum flows for the Little Manatee River, which includes both the freshwater and estuarine portions of the river.
The minimum flows adoption process includes writing the draft report, which is reviewed by an independent scientific peer panel, and then the District considers the peer review comments and may revise the draft report or conduct additional technical analyses. A public workshop will be held and all technical analyses, peer review findings and comments are presented to the Governing Board before deciding to initiate rulemaking to adopt the minimum flows.
Independent Scientific Peer Review Panel Meetings and Public Input
An independent scientific peer review panel met and reviewed the findings and recommendations in the draft report. The meetings are listed on the District’s calendar and included opportunities for public comment on the review process. Details about the peer review panel’s work is accessible through the web forum.
Public comments can be submitted during the peer review panel meetings, public workshop, or through the virtual comment card, which will be open September 16 – October 6, 2023.
Tentative Schedule
- Fall 2021 – Summer 2023: Independent Scientific Peer Review Panel Review of Draft Report
- Summer 2023: Revised Draft Report Completed and Posted
- September 16, 2023 – October 6, 2023: Virtual Public Comment Period Open
- September 27, 2023: Virtual Public Workshop
- November/December 2023: Present Recommended Minimum Flows to the District Governing Board for Approval