Search Content

Displaying results 3601 - 3620 of 3926
Decision-Makers Gather for State of the Water Resources Workshop »
Governing Board Chair Neil Combee (second from right) joined former Governing Board chairs Joe Davis, Jim Allen, Mike Zagorac, Judy Whitehead, Tom Dabney, Heidi McCree and Jerry Rice on a discussion panel at the State of the Water Resources conference. The state of the District’s water resources was the focus of a one-day workshop that brought together decision-makers from across the region and the state. The November workshop provided attendees an update on… Read more
Educators ‘Wet’ Their Appetite for Learning »
 Photo left: Monica Dorken is ready with a bucket as Susan Harris, Hill-Gustat Middle School seventh- and eighth-grade teacher, holds a puffer fish she captured during their wading tour as Liz Abell, Sun ’n Lake Elementary fourth-grade teacher, looks on. Photo right: Monica Dorken, Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center educator/program coordinator, checks to see what Dorothea Strickland, K–12 science resource teacher, caught in her net. Highlands County… Read more
Cypress Creek Preserve: Natural, Peaceful and Nearby »
An expanse of peaceful campgrounds, wooded trails and cypress and hardwoods rise to pine flatwoods nestled in Pasco County’s Land O’ Lakes. The District’s Cypress Creek Preserve is an oasis of natural systems that stretches north from SR 54 between US 41 and I-75. Cypress Creek’s floodplain helps filter nutrients in runoff waters. The property was purchased to preserve Cypress Creek Swamp, provide flood protection, protect and improve water quality and serve as a… Read more
Land Inventory Being Evaluated »
Parcels With No Water Resource Benefits May Be Offered for Sale The District is hoping to increase efficiencies and save taxpayer dollars by returning surplus parcels of land to the private sector. The Governing Board asked staff members to assess the District’s land holdings, looking for properties that may not be needed. The District protects more than 436,000 acres of land within its boundaries. District lands include natural floodplains, aquifer recharge areas… Read more
Splash! Grants Enhance Classroom Lessons »
From building water-conserving gardens to visiting a local estuary, District Splash! grants provide students the opportunity to learn about water resources in a hands-on way. The Splash! school grant program provides up to $3,000 per school to enhance student knowledge of freshwater resources. The grants help teachers build on existing classroom lessons by providing hands-on activities. “Splash! grants are a great way to support activities that empower students to… Read more
District Responds to Hurricane Irma »
While the winds and rain of Hurricane Irma could be felt across the District for three days, the preparation and response went far beyond that time frame for District staff. As part of the District’s core mission of flood protection, staff immediately jumped into action to meet the needs of the community in a variety of ways. The District’s Emergency Operations Center was activated Sept. 5, days before the history-making storm would make landfall in Florida.… Read more
Coastal Rivers Basin Board approves millage rate and budget »
At its August 13 meeting, the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Coastal Rivers Basin Board adopted a fiscal year 2010 (FY2010) millage rate of 0.1885 mill, which is the same as the current fiscal year. The Coastal Rivers Basin Board covers portions of Citrus, Hernando and Pasco counties.This millage rate, combined with a reduction in taxable property values as certified by the county property appraisers, will result in an estimated 10.91 percent decrease… Read more
Alafia River Basin Board approves millage rate and budget »
At its August 6 meeting, the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Alafia River Basin Board adopted a 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 millage rate combined with a reduction in taxable property values as certified by the county property appraisers will result in… Read more
Experts Discuss Water Quality at Workshop »
Whether you were a scientist, diver or photographer, water quality was the hot topic at the recent Your Water, Your World workshop held in Brooksville.  The event, organized by the Hernando County Groundwater Guardian Committee, brought together community leaders such as District Governing Board members Tommy Bronson and George Mann to discuss issues affecting area water quality and ways to restore and protect local water resources. Presenters from various… Read more
Program will make reclaimed water available to more new developments »
The Southwest Florida Water Management District is expanding the availability of reclaimed water to new residential developments through a new grant program aimed at builders and developers.The goal of the Grants for Reclaimed Irrigation Projects (GRIP) program, which was developed from a recommendation by the District’s Reclaimed Water Task Force, is to help offset the cost of installing reclaimed water distribution lines in new residential developments. Transmission… Read more
Media Alert:Newman Branch Creek volunteer planting and dedication »
Who:Representatives from the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Alafia River Basin Board, the District’s Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) program, Tampa Electric Company, Protecting the Environment through Ecological Research (PEER,) the Pinellas County Environmental Fund and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)What:Volunteers will participate in planting 6,000 marsh grass and upland plants before a tree planting… Read more
Media Alert: District, The Pier Aquarium dedicates Education Station »
Who: Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing and Basin Board members and Executive Director David L. Moore; St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker; The Pier Aquarium Board of Director’s President Lari JohnsonWhat: The District and The Pier Aquarium are celebrating the dedication of an education station in honor of Roy G. Harrell, Jr., who served on the District’s Governing Board from Nov. 1985 until Feb. 1998.The education station, located at The Pier… Read more
Restoration project slated for J.B. Starkey Wilderness Preserve »
The Southwest Florida Water Management District is about to begin a three-year restoration project at J.B. Starkey Wilderness Preserve. The project will restore 951 acres of uplands, including degraded scrub and sand hill communities.Sand pine has taken over much of the area due to the lack of fire, which naturally maintains the quality of a habitat. In addition, decades of vegetative debris has built up, leaving the area at risk for uncontrollable wildfires.This… Read more
Media Alert:Bayport Park reopens after renovations »
Who: Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing and Basin Board members and staff, Hernando County commissioners and Parks and Recreation Department staff, the Sensitive Lands CommitteeWhat: The District, County and the Sensitive Lands Committee are celebrating the rededication of Bayport Park.Bayport Park was originally developed in the 1950s with boat launch facilities and a fishing pier. The 1.5-acre historic park site, located… Read more
Two District projects recognized with Community Design Awards »
The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board today celebrated two District projects that received an Award of Excellence at the Hillsborough County Planning Commission 26th Annual Community Design Awards. The Community Design Awards recognize projects that contribute to the quality of life in Hillsborough County.Both projects were managed by the Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) Program.Newman Branch Creek Habitat Restoration… Read more
Governing Board extends water restrictions »
The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board voted Tuesday to extend the currentWater Shortage Order, which restricts lawn watering throughout the District to one-day-per-week, until Sept. 30.The originaldeclaration of water shortage, which was… Read more
District Approves Proposed Millage Rate »
The "Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/about/governingboard/ Tuesday adopted its proposed fiscal year 2012-13 (FY2012-13) millage rate.The Governing Board adopted a proposed FY2012-13 millage rate of 0.3928 mill, which is the same as the current fiscal year. FY2012-13 will run from Oct. 1, 2012, through Sept. 30, 2013. With taxable property values declining by 2.9 percent, this rate will result in a $3 million… Read more
Dry Conditions Continue, Lake Levels Remain Low »
*_District urges conservation during moderate drought_*This year's drier than normal conditions following last year's below average rainfall have caused low water levels throughout the Southwest Florida Water Management District."We are currently in a moderate drought District-wide, with our northern region more heavily affected," said Granville Kinsman, District Hydrologic Data manager. "Dry conditions are expected to last until June, so further declines are anticipated."… Read more
Pinellas County to Benefit From Four Community Education Grants »
Projects expected to inform nearly 300,000 people in Pinellas County about water conservation and water quality issues were recently awarded Community Education Grants from the "Southwest Florida Water Management District":http://www.watermatters.org. This year the District awarded 12 grants Districtwide for a total of $50,319. This is the 15th year "Community Education Grants":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/business/communitygrants/ have been available. These grants… Read more
Public Invited to Workshops on Regional Water Supply Plan »
The "Southwest Florida Water Management District ":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/ (District) will hold three public workshops about the draft 2015 Regional Water Supply Plan (RWSP) and one public workshop for agricultural stakeholders. The plan presents the projected water demands across the District and all water use sectors for a 20-year planning period as well as identifies water supply sources and potential water supply project options. Most workshops will be accessible… Read more