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At today’s meeting, the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Withlacoochee River Basin Board adopted a fiscal year 2006 (FY2006) millage rate of 0.265 mill, which is the same as the current fiscal year.The budget for FY2006 is $8,656,121, which is a decrease of $2,656,217 from the approved FY2005 budget. The main reason for the decrease is a reduction in the state appropriation for the Lake Panasoffkee Restoration Project from $4.3 million in FY2005 to…

At its June 4 meeting, the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Alafia River Basin Board adopted a proposed fiscal year 2010 (FY2010) millage rate of 0.2163 mill, which is the same as the current fiscal year. The Alafia River Basin Board area covers the southern portion of Hillsborough County and the southwestern portion of Polk County.This proposed millage rate combined with a reduction in taxable property values as estimated by the county property…

Most District Basin Boards Propose Lower FY2011 Budgets At their June meetings, the District’s Basin Boards proposed FY2011 millage rates that are equal to or lower than the FY2010 rates, resulting in ad valorem revenue of $58.5 million, $9.7 million lower than FY2010. The Pinellas-Anclote River and Hillsborough River basin boards reduced their proposed millage rates for FY2011, while the remaining Basin Boards left millage rates unchanged. With the…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District will be conducting “controlled, prescribed burns” during the months of February through April on the District’s Myakka River Project property. The property is located between I-75 and U.S. Hwy. 41 and between Myakka River and North Port. The scheduled, managed burns are a part of routine maintenance of lands managed by the District.There is the potential to burn approximately 2,000 acres of land in small,…

A cooperative project between the Southwest Florida Water Management District and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection will treat stormwater runoff in the Hillsborough River State Park.Located in Hillsborough County, the well-known park was built in 1936 by the Civilian Conservation Corp. The park opened in 1938 and was one of Florida’s first state parks.The goal of this multi-phased project is to treat stormwater runoff from several parking lots before…

The Green Swamp is recognized by the state of Florida for its ecological and hydrological importance. There are several unique characteristics of the area. The Green Swamp can store surface water and slow the flow of floodwaters while sustaining rivers and streams. Its relatively high elevation, together with a shallow depth to the aquifer, keeps water levels high. The water table for much of the year stands above the potentiometric surface of the Floridan aquifer, providing…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District will be treating water hyacinth and water lettuce on portions of the Manatee River May 29 through May 31. The treatment areas are located south of State Road 64 in Manatee County.Treatment involves the spot application of the aquatic herbicide Aquastar to scattered infestations. River water within the treated area should not be used for drinking purposes. The drinking restriction does not apply to tap or well water.…

Southwest Florida Water Management District land managers plan to hold a series of hog hunts on District land this fall and winter to help reduce the wild hog population. Beginning at 9 a.m. Monday, Oct. 8, prospective hunters can purchase permits for these hunts on the District's website at "HogHunts.WaterMatters.org":http://HogHunts.WaterMatters.org. Permits will be available on a first-come, first-served basis through 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19, or until they are sold out.…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District's (District) Governing Board has approved a contract for the purchase of a significant portion of the eastern bank of the Rainbow River. The parcel proposed for acquisition consists of nearly 115 acres and includes nearly a half mile of river frontage. The contract also contains provisions to protect an additional 620 feet of shoreline associated with existing private landholdings.Rainbow Springs is the largest first magnitude…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is inviting the public to comment on proposed minimum flows and levels (MFLs) for the Anclote River at a public workshop on Monday, Oct. 12. The workshop will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at the District’s Tampa Service Office, 7601 U.S. Hwy. 301 N. in Tampa.The state Legislature requires the District to set MFLs for all water bodies within the District. A minimum flow or level is the limit at which further water…

At its August 16 meeting, the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Withlacoochee River Basin Board adopted a fiscal year 2005 (FY2005) millage rate of 0.265 mill, which is the same as the current fiscal year.The budget forFY2005 is $11,312,338, which is an increase of $6,769,805 over the approvedFY2004 budget. The main reason for this major budget increase is because the District will receive a $4.3 million state appropriation and anticipates receiving $1…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) has activated the Tampa Bypass Canal system in response to heavy rains in the Tampa Bay area. This action closes the Hillsborough River to boaters. Boat barriers were put in place at approximately 8 p.m. The Hillsborough River has reached an elevation of 25 feet above sea level, which triggers the Army Corps of Engineers activation level of the Lower Hillsborough Flood Detention Area (LHFDA). This involves stopping…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District will be conducting "controlled, prescribed burns" during September on the Myakka River – Schewe Tract in Sarasota County.Myakka River – Schewe Tract is located both north and south of Interstate 75. Approximately 507 acres of land will be burned in small, manageable units. The scheduled, managed burns are a part of routine maintenance of lands managed by the District.According to Land Management Supervisor Will VanGelder, burns…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District will be conducting "controlled, prescribed burns" during August on the Myakka River – Schewe Tract in Sarasota County.Myakka River – Schewe Tract is located both north and south of Interstate 75. Approximately 507 acres of land will be burned in small, manageable units. The scheduled, managed burns are a part of routine maintenance of lands managed by the District.According to Land Management Supervisor Will VanGelder, burns…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District will be conducting "controlled, prescribed burns" during July on the Myakka River – Schewe Tract in Sarasota County.Myakka River – Schewe Tract is located both north and south of Interstate 75. Approximately 507 acres of land will be burned in small, manageable units. The scheduled, managed burns are a part of routine maintenance of lands managed by the District.According to Land Management Supervisor Will VanGelder, burns are…

The Land Management Section of the "Southwest Florida Water Management District ":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/ (District) will be conducting prescribed burns during the months of July, August, and September at Conner Preserve and the Upper Hillsborough Wildlife Management Area in Pasco County. These properties are located near Land-O-Lakes and the City of Zephyrhills, respectively. Approximately 1,500 acres are scheduled to be burned in small, manageable units. According…

At its June 15 meeting, the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Withlacoochee River Basin Board adopted a proposed fiscal year 2007 (FY2007) millage rate of 0.265 mill, which is the same as the current fiscal year.The proposed budget for FY2007 is $8,592,868, which is a decrease of $63,253 from the approved FY2006 budget. FY2007 will run from Oct. 1, 2006, through Sept. 30, 2007.The Withlacoochee River Basin Board area covers portions of Pasco, Hernando,…

At its June 6 meeting, the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Coastal Rivers Basin Board adopted a proposed fiscal year 2007 (FY2007) millage rate of 0.205 mill, which is .03 mill below the FY2006 rate of .235 mill. This reduction was based on the estimated increase in property values for FY2007.FY2007 will run from Oct. 1, 2006, through Sept. 30, 2007.The Coastal Rivers Basin Board covers portions of Citrus, Hernando and Pasco counties. For the owner of a…

Governor Charlie Crist recently reappointed one member and appointed a new member to the Coastal Rivers Basin Board of the Southwest Florida Water Management District. The Coastal Rivers Basin Board area includes the coastal regions of Citrus, Hernando and Pasco counties.Randy Maggard of Zephyrhills has been reappointed. His term ends March 1, 2010. Maggard is vice president of Sonny’s Discount Appliances.John Nicolette of Dade City has been appointed to succeed…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District will be treating hydrilla in several canals off of the Weeki Wachee River July 11-15.Treatment will occur on the Weeki Wachee Shores and the Weeki Wachee Retreats canal systems. Bear Trial borders the canals on the west and East Richard Drive borders the canals on the east.Treatment involves the application of the aquatic herbicide Aquathol Super K. Treatment areas will be posted with warning signs displaying treatment dates…