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Governor Charlie Crist recently appointed Kelly S. Rice to the Withlacoochee River Basin Board of the Southwest Florida Water Management District.Rice was appointed to succeed Paul M. Mazak. He lives in Webster and is president of the Rice Cattle Company. His term began Feb. 9 and ends March 1, 2011.The Withlacoochee River Basin includes portions of Citrus, Hernando, Marion, Pasco, Levy and Sumter counties.The District has seven regional Basin Boards that provide guidance…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board Tuesday renewed and modified a water use permit (WUP) for Bartow.The modified permit increases the permitted quantities for the city. The previous annual average permitted quantity was 4,445,800 gallons of water per day (gpd.) The new permitted quantity is 7,900,000 gpd, which is an increase of 3,454,200 gpd.The quantity was increased to meet current and future water demands for the residential and commercial…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board Tuesday renewed and modified a water use permit (WUP) for the Floral City Water Association.The modified permit increases the permitted quantities. The previous annual average permitted quantity was 460,000 gallons of water per day (gpd.) The new permitted quantity is 545,000 gpd, which is an increase of 85,000 gpd.The increase in quantity is based on an estimated increase in population. The permitted quantity…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board Tuesday renewed and modified a water use permit (WUP) for the City of Wauchula, which is located in Hardee County.The modified permit increases the permitted quantities. The previous annual average permitted quantity was 1,110,000 gallons of water per day (gpd.) The new permitted quantity is 1,236,500 gpd, which is an increase of 126,500 gpd.The increase in quantity is based on an estimated increase in…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District was recognized by the Pasco-Hernando Jobs and Education Partnership Regional Board, Inc. as one of the best places to work in the area.This is the first year the partnership has spotlighted local businesses who exhibit extraordinary focus and investment in their employees.The District was named the best place to work in Hernando County among employers with more than 125 employees. One winner was chosen in each county size…

Setting prescribed fires in controlled settings can reduce the risk of wildfires burning out of control, as many Floridians witnessed during the state's wildfire emergency last spring. That's why the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will be conducting prescribed burns March through September 2018 on the Lake Panasoffkee property in Sumter County. The Lake Panasoffkee property is located near Interstate 75 and State Road 44. Approximately 500 acres…

A project funded by the Southwest Florida Management District and the city of Belleair Beach will reduce flooding and improve water quality.The project will upgrade the city’s stormwater management system near 12th Street. The roadways and stormwater infrastructure in the area were built before current water quality programs so the area experiences heavy sediment and pollution loading from Gulf Boulevard. The sediment-laden runoff flows directly into an outfall pipe…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District recently approved funding for a project that will extend reclaimed water service to Lemon Bay High School.The Englewood Lemon Bay High School Reuse Extension project consists of the construction of approximately 7,000 linear feet of 6-inch reclaimed water transmission line to connect Lemon Bay High School and the Charlotte County Oyster Bay Park to the Englewood Water District’s reclaimed water system.This project will…

Southwest Florida Water Management District Executive Director David L. Moore issued an emergency order for all areas within the District that were impacted by Hurricane Frances.The District’s emergency order allows staff and District equipment to be available to carry out emergency operations for Division of Emergency Management and any other government agency in managing any emergency resulting from Hurricane Frances.The emergency order also allows field…

The Tampa Bay Estuary Program recently announced the winners of the 2014 Tampa Bay Environmental Restoration Fund. Nearly $625,000 was awarded to nine agencies or organizations for important restoration, research and education projects in Tampa Bay watersheds.  The 2014 fund is financed with contributions from the District; The Mosaic Company Foundation through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation; Manatee County; Pinellas County; TECO Energy; the Florida…

Setting prescribed fires in controlled settings can reduce the risk of wildfires burning out of control, as many Floridians witnessed during the state's recent drought. That's why the Land Management Section of the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will be conducting prescribed burns during the months of July, August, and September on the Upper Hillsborough property in Polk County. The Upper Hillsborough property is in the area of Chancy Rd. and S.R…

“Betty Blade,” portrayed by Roberta Koutney, is featured in the District’s Florida-friendly landscaping campaign. An “adoring fan” gives her a kiss at the Green Trends show at the Southeast Building Conference. The beautiful blade of green grass that “starred” in the District’s “Florida-Friendly Landscaping — Grow Smart” campaign was a hit at a recent builders conference in Orlando. “Betty Blade,” portrayed by Roberta Koutney, attracted attendees to the…

Visitors will find it easier to navigate some of their favorite trails thanks to new features at some of the Southwest Florida Water Management District's properties.The District created new trail maps and other information at kiosks on site to enrich the experience when exploring properties. The new trail maps were created for 16 of the District's most popular properties using detailed information including global positioning coordinates. The properties with the new maps…

The public comment period on the 2015 "Regional Water Supply Plan ":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/documents/plans/RWSP/ (RWSP) has been extended to Aug. 17, 2015. The time extension will provide additional opportunity for the public to review and comment on the documents. The District's Regional Water Supply Plan assesses the projected water demands and potential sources of water to meet demands over a 20-year period. The Plan is updated every five years, in accordance with…

At its August 12 meeting, the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Manasota Basin Board adopted a fiscal year 2010 (FY2010) millage rate of 0.1484 mill, which is the same as the current fiscal year. The Manasota Basin Board area includes Manatee and Sarasota counties.This millage rate, combined with a reduction in taxable property values as certified by the county property appraisers, will result in an estimated 11.31 percent decrease in ad valorem property…

Who: Approximately 100 children from the Boys & Girls Club of Hernando County and Southwest Florida Water Management District staffWhat: The District is coordinating a field trip at the Weekiwachee Preserve for children who attend the Boys & Girls Club of Hernando County. The youth will learn about land management techniques by seeing staff demonstrate a variety of equipment they use in the field.They will also participate in a guided hike, a watershed education…

Setting prescribed fires in controlled settings can reduce the risk of wildfires burning out of control, as many Floridians witnessed during the state’s wildfire emergency in 2017. That’s why the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will be conducting prescribed burns February and March at Weekiwachee Preserve in Pasco County. Weekiwachee Preserve is located north of Hudson, west of U.S. Highway 19 and includes the Aripeka Sandhills (Aripeka Road) tract…

In an effort to promote increased water conservation during the ongoing drought, the Southwest Florida Water Management District will bring its water-conserving restroom to several area festivals and events.The first event will be this weekend’s Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival, which is being held at Al Lopez Park in Tampa.“The District encourages year-round water conservation,” said Melissa Roe, project manager for the District. “But as the region…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District and the City of Crystal River recently signed an agreement for another project that will improve water quality within Kings Bay.The project will construct a stormwater treatment system for runoff from Crystal Center, a large commercial center located just west of the intersection of U.S. 19 and S.E. 5th Terrace. Untreated stormwater runoff from the center currently enters a canal that discharges directly into Kings Bay, which…