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Why Does the District Buy Lands? »
Every year about 2.5 million people visit public conservation lands obtained by the Southwest Florida Water Management District and its partners to protect Florida’s water resources.Balancing water needs.Protecting the environment. The District was created in 1961 by the Florida Legislature to protect the water resources of the region. The District includes roughly 10,000 square miles in all or part of 16 counties in west-central Florida that were home to a population…
Withlacoochee River Basin Board approves millage rate and budget »
At its August 13 meeting, the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Withlacoochee River Basin Board adopted a fiscal year 2010 (FY2010) millage rate of 0.2308 mill, which is the same as the current fiscal year. The Withlacoochee River Basin Board area covers portions of Citrus, Hernando, Levy, Marion, Pasco and Sumter counties.This millage rate, combined with a reduction in taxable property values as certified by the county property appraisers, will result in…
District Projects Reduce Pollution Entering Two Polk Lakes »
Top: The finished baffle boxes at Lake Eva. Above: The Lake Menzie outfall before and after the restoration project. Stormwater runoff from urban areas flowing into Lake Eva in Haines City and Lake Menzie in Dundee is 60 to 80 percent less polluted thanks to projects cooperatively funded by the District. The two Polk County lakes were suffering from polluted runoff that flowed unchecked from urban areas. Since the local governments didn’t have the resources to…
Program Urges Homebuilders to Go for “Gold” »
Homebuilders in the District will soon have an edge over their competitors through a new certification program that will bring “gold” to “green” homebuilding practices. The District’s Florida Water Star℠ Gold (FWSG) certification program, launching this January, will certify and recognize builders who incorporate water-saving efforts into new homes. The program is a points-based certification that addresses indoor, irrigation and landscape conservation components…
Governing Board chair elected »
Talmadge G. Jerry Rice Tuesday was unanimously elected by his peers to serve as Governing Board chair of the Southwest Florida Water Management District.Other Board officers selected include Judith C. Judy Whitehead, vice chair; Jennifer E. Closshey, treasurer; and C.A. “Neil” Combee, Jr., secretary.Chair Jerry RiceRice of Dade City was appointed to the Governing Board in March 2003. He was elected the Boards Treasurer in May 2004. Rice is also…
Project will help reduce groundwater pumping in Highlands County »
A Southwest Florida Water Management District project will help a Highlands County citrus grower reduce groundwater pumping.The project involves installing an integrated irrigation system that includes soil moisture sensors connected to automated value controllers at Alpine Grove, which is owned by Running W Citrus, Limited Partnership.Soil moisture sensors increase irrigation efficiency by only irrigating when water is needed.According to the Alpine Grove water use permit,…
Water shortage authority delegated »
Conservation and enforcement of watering restrictions neededThe Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board recently gave its executive director authority to declare a water shortage prior to the January 2007 Board meeting if hydrologic conditions continue to worsen.The Board acted because of current dry conditions and the time span between the Nov. 30-Dec. 1 meetings and the next planned meeting on January 30.“We may need to act before…
Reclaimed Water Project to Serve County, other Major Customers »
An agreement signed by the Southwest Florida Water Management District and Charlotte County will bring reclaimed water to several Charlotte County Schools and many other customers in Port Charlotte.The Charlotte County Regional Reclaimed Water Expansion project consists of constructing approximately 58,500 linear feet reclaimed water transmission line to transport reclaimed water from Charlotte County East Port Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF), west through Port…
Water C.H.A.M.P. Good for Hotels, Motels and the Environment »
Hotels and motels in Manatee and Sarasota counties now have the opportunity to participate in a successful water conservation program known as Water Conservation Hotel and Motel Program (Water C.H.A.M.P.)As part of the program, the Southwest Florida Water Management District invites hotel and motel owners, operators and management to participate in a “linens and towels reuse program.” The District supplies printed materials for guest rooms and educational…
Media Alert: Ground Water Institute for Teachers »
Who:Southwest Florida Water Management District staff, United States Geological Survey, the American Ground Water Trust and middle and high school teachers from Charlotte, DeSoto, Hardee, Manatee and Polk countiesWhat:The goal of this free, two-and-a-half-day workshop for teachers is to increase water awareness among teachers and students so that they are empowered to play an active role in protecting water resources.When:Thursday night through Saturday, June 19-21. Media…
District approves millage rates and lower budget »
The Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board Tuesday adopted its Fiscal Year 2009 (FY2009) millage rates and a budget that is less than the current fiscal year. FY2009 runs from Oct. 1, 2008, through Sept. 30, 2009.The District’s total FY2009 budget is $376.5 million. That is 4.7 percent lower than the adopted budget for FY2008, which was $395 million. The $18.5 million decrease in the budget is primarily due to the $21.4 million reduction in ad…
District's Little Manatee River Southfork Tract Closed for Hog Hunts Nov. 6-8 »
The Southwest Florida Water Management District's "Little Manatee River Southfork Tract":http://www2.swfwmd.state.fl.us/hoghunt/littlemanatee.php will be temporarily closed to the public for wild hog hunts Nov. 6-8.Only permitted hunters will be allowed on the property during these dates. All of the permits for these hunts have been sold."Little Manatee River Southfork Tract":http://www2.swfwmd.state.fl.us/hoghunt/littlemanatee.php is located at 29400 SR 62, Duette in…
Lake Thonotosassa »
 Highlights
  • Largest natural lake in Hillsborough County with a surface area of greater than 800 acres
  • Popular for recreational use as it is one of the few natural lakes in the area with public access
  • Discharges into the Hillsborough River which is used for municipal water supply for the City of Tampa
ChallengesFour main challenges exist in the Lake Thonotosassa watershed:
  • Nutrient loadings from the watershed have caused extreme…
Governing Board elects new officers »
Ronald E. Oakley was elected today by his peers to serve as Governing Board chair of the "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us.Other "Governing Board(Governing Board)":/about/governingboard officers selected today include Hugh M. Gramling, vice chair; H. Paul Senft Jr., secretary, and Douglas B. Tharp, treasurer."Chair Ronald E. Oakley(Ronald E. Oakley)":/about/governingboard/profiles/…
Residents Learn to Guard the Health of Springs During Awareness Week »
Top: Volunteers install aquatic plants at Dunnellon’s Blue Run Park. Second from top: Master Gardeners Chet Olshewsky, left, and JoEllen Allen staff an Ask-An-Expert Booth in Inverness. Third from top: Boy Scouts from Troop 452 mark storm drains in Dunnellon. Fourth from top: Water Quality Monitoring Program staff lead a tour of Kings Bay. Bottom: Dave DeWitt, District senior geologist/engineer, center, takes a tour group into Dames Caves. Educational events held…