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The "Southwest Florida Water Management District ":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/ (District) is gathering information to improve identification of flood prone areas in Levy County. Residents living in the Town of Bronson watershed are invited to attend an open house on Thursday, Oct. 8 beginning at 4:00 p.m. The meeting will take place at the Dogan Cobb Building, located at 660 E. Hathaway Ave. in Bronson. District representatives will present preliminary flood prone area…

Scientists with the "Southwest Florida Water Management District's Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) Program(SWIM)":/projects/swim/ recorded an 11 percent increase in seagrass growth in "Tampa Bay(SWIM Priority Water Body: Tampa Bay)":/projects/swim/tampabay.php since 2008, the largest increase in seagrass growth since the District began the seagrass mapping program. The "District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/ study also shows gains in St.…

Scientists with the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) Program continue to see an increase in seagrass growth in Tampa Bay, St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor but caution that the results may be due to the drought.According to the District’s 2008 seagrass mapping study, seagrass acreage in Tampa Bay has increased nearly 1,300 acres since 2006. District studies show that since 2004 Tampa Bay continues…

Slight decline documented in Charlotte HarborScientists with the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) Program continue to see an increase in seagrass growth in Sarasota Bay and Lemon Bay.According to the District’s 2008 seagrass mapping study, seagrass acreage in Sarasota Bay has increased nearly 2,786 acres since 2006, a 28 percent increase. This increase follows a seven percent increase seen between 2004…

Whether students are testing water quality, building a water-conserving garden or studying an estuary, Splash! grants enhance water education in public schools. The District’s Splash! school grant program provides up to $3,000 per public school to enhance student  knowledge of freshwater resources issues. The deadline to apply for the 2014-15 school year is Aug. 29. “The grant provides students a chance to learn in a hands-on way,” said Denise Dawson, a…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District will observe National Tourism Week May 12-20 by promoting the award-winning Water Conservation Hotel And Motel Program (Water C.H.A.M.P.) to the hospitality industry. The goal is to show that by implementing the Water C.H.A.M.P. program, the savings can really add up for local businesses.Water C.H.A.M.P. is the District’s linens and towel reuse program.According to VISIT FLORIDA, the states official tourism marketing…

The "Southwest Florida Water Management District":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/ (District) is gathering information to improve identification of flood prone areas in Hernando and Pasco Counties' Squirrel Prairie and Pithlachascotee River Headwaters watersheds. Most of the currently available floodplain information is 10 to 30 years old and is outdated because of natural and physical changes caused by land use, development and erosion.Residents living in the Squirrel Prairie…

The public is invited to learn more about the Central Florida Water Initiative (CFWI) at a public workshop Thursday. The Southwest Florida, South Florida and St. Johns River water management districts are hosting a regional water supply plan public workshop. These districts are working together along with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and regional utilities to address short- and long-term water…

Above-normal rainfall during the summer rainy season has brought significant improvement to water resources not seen in more than seven years in the Southwest Florida Water Management District's region.Many of the District's lakes, rivers and aquifers have recovered after a four-year drought which started in 2005. Rainfall totals from the four-month rainy season show above normal averages across the District."This summer was a drought breaker for us," said Granville Kinsman…

The "Southwest Florida Water Management District":http://www.watermatters.org is encouraging residents to fix leaks and install inexpensive water-saving devices in conjunction with Water Conservation Month.The District is kicking off its "Fix It for Less" campaign that encourages homeowners to make changes in three areas of the home – the bathroom, kitchen and laundry room – to save water and money.The campaign features a new website at "WaterMatters.org/FixItForLess/":http…

A Highlands County project expected to reach up to 5,000 people was recently awarded a Community Education Grant from the "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/. The overall goal of the Community Education Grant program is to actively engage adults in water-related issues including conservation, protection and preservation. Funded by the "District's Basin Boards(Basin Boards)":/about/basinboards/, the program is intended…

A Hernando County project expected to reach up to 150 people was recently awarded a Community Education Grant from the "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/. This year the District approved 29 grants Districtwide for a total of $120,471. This is the 14th year "Community Education Grants(Community Education Grant program)":/business/communitygrants have been available. These grants offer reimbursement up to $5,000 to help…

A Levy County project expected to reach up to 40,000 people was awarded a $5,000 Community Education Grant from the "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/ to educate residents on the importance of salt marshes.This year the District approved 29 grants Districtwide for a total of $120,471. This is the 14th year "Community Education Grants(Community Education Grant program)":/business/communitygrants have been available.…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) awarded $108,304 in grants to 51 educators within the District as part of the Splash! school grant program. The program provides up to $3,000 per school to enhance student knowledge of freshwater resources in grades K-12.Splash! grants encourage hands-on student learning through STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) activities as well as engagement of the greater school community through awareness…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is urging residents to skip their next watering day if they’ve received at least a half-inch to three-quarters of an inch of rain today.Outdoor water use can account for up to fifty percent of residential water use and skipping a week of irrigation will help conserve our limited drinking water supplies.All 16 counties within the District are feeling the effects of the three-year drought.“Even if it is your assigned…

Southwest Florida Water Management District staff members are reaching out to community groups to answer questions about the ongoing drought, the tightened watering restrictions in the Tampa Bay area, and how residents can help.“The District is making every effort to make the public aware of the serious situation we are in,” said Robyn Felix, media relations manager. “We are urging everyone to do their part to conserve water.”After two years of…

Governing Board urges water conservationDespite normal rainfall in April, west-central Florida remains abnormally dry. The Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board is urging residents to continue conserving the water resources.Since January 2006, the District has accumulated more than a 15-inch rainfall deficit. As a result, lake levels are below their annual low levels and rivers are flowing below normal ranges.Last month, the Governing Board declared…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Hampton Tract, which is part of the Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve, will be reserved Nov. 18-20 for an event that allows disabled hunters the opportunity to experience the outdoors. The property will be closed to the public during this time.The Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve’s Polk County entrance is at the intersection of Rockridge Road and Deen Still Road.The hunt is a joint effort between the District and…

Groups and individuals interested in applying for a Southwest Florida Water Management District community education grant are invited to attend a grant advisory session for residents who live in the area represented by the District’s Manasota Basin Board. The area includes Manatee and Sarasota counties.The advisory session will be held Thursday, Aug. 26, from 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. at the District’s Sarasota Service Office, in the Governing Board Room. The Service…

h2. *_Charlotte Harbor Shows Rebound After 2008 Decline_*Scientists with the "Southwest Florida Water Management District's Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) Program(SWIM)":/projects/swim/ have recorded increases in seagrass presence in Lemon Bay, Sarasota Bay and Charlotte Harbor over the past two years.According to the "District's(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/ 2010 seagrass mapping study, seagrass acreage in the three water bodies has…