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The "Southwest Florida Water Management District's Governing Board ":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/about/governingboard/ will hold its monthly meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 26, at 10:00 a.m. at the Sarasota Service Office, located at 6750 Fruitville Road. Please note, the 10:00 a.m. start time is an hour later than regularly scheduled 9:00 a.m. meetings.To view the Governing Board meeting online, visit "WaterMatters.org":http://www.Watermatters.org and click on the "Live Video… Read more

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… Read more

Emergency Operations Center at Level 2 activationSouthwest Florida Water Management District (District) officials are monitoring Invest 97L and raised the activation level of the District’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to Level 2 at 8 a.m. this morning. The EOC provides direction regarding District activities before, during, and after an emergency weather event.Invest 97L has the potential to bring significant rainfall to our area throughout the District’s 16-… Read more

Setting prescribed fires in controlled settings can reduce the risk of wildfires burning out of control. That’s why the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will be conducting prescribed burns January through March on the Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve in Hillsborough County. The Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve is located south of Cross Creek Boulevard between U.S.… Read more

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… Read more

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… Read more

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… Read more

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… Read more

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… Read more

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… Read more

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… Read more

“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… Read more

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… Read more

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… Read more

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… Read more

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… Read more

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… Read more

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… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) awarded $108,937 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… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) awarded $108,937 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… Read more