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Robert Stern of Tampa is a partner and attorney for Trenam Law.Stern was appointed to the Governing Board in February 2023, and his term expires March 1, 2026.Stern has served on a wide variety of local and state civic, charitable, governmental and community organizations. He was previously appointed and served on the University of Florida board of trustees and has served on the University of Florida National Alumni Association for nearly three decades, including serving as…
Water Quality Basics
Water quality is a description of the condition of water, similar to how we refer to our health to describe the condition of the human body. Water quality can refer to the chemical, physical and biological condition of water. It also includes evaluating whether water is safe to be used for a specific purpose like drinking, recreation or to support wildlife.
You can’t tell much about the quality of water simply by looking at it. In…
The District’s Governing Board voted Tuesday for the latest slate of officers for the 2026-2027 term.Governing Board members are unpaid, citizen volunteers who are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Florida Senate. The Governing Board sets policy for the District, whose mission is to protect water resources, minimize flood risks and ensure the public’s water needs are met. The new officers are:…
Privacy Policy Under Florida law, email addresses are public records. If you do not want your email address released in response to a public-records request, do not send electronic mail to any Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) email address. Instead, contact this office…
Peace River Challenges and RestorationNatural factors, such as the geology of the region and rainfall, contribute to the amount of water recharging the Upper Floridan aquifer and surface water bodies in the area as do human influences, such as groundwater use. There have also been substantial changes to the Peace River watershed over the past 150-200 years, including the clearing, draining and re-contouring of lands for phosphate mining, agriculture and urban…
All grants are required to have a primary focus on one or more of the key topics below.Topic 1: Water Cycle BasicsLearning Concepts:
- Water exists in three different states – liquid, solid and gas.
- Water is constantly in motion through a process called the water cycle.
- The major parts of the water cycle include solar energy, evaporation, transpiration, condensation, precipitation, and percolation.
- The water cycle plays an…
Highlights
- Homosassa Springs is the headwaters of the Homosassa River and is known as the Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park
- The park serves as a rehabilitation center and refuge for orphaned or injured manatees.
- Located in Citrus County
- 270-square-mile springshed
The management of the Green Swamp involves the coordinated efforts of many different agencies and organizations. The District is the lead agency responsible for regulating, protecting, preserving, restoring and making available for public use the water resources and lands of the Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve.In many instances, public land in the Green Swamp is managed cooperatively by more than one agency, with assistance from volunteers and the private sector. The Fish…
A Water Use Permit (WUP) allows withdrawal of a specified amount of water, either from the ground or from a lake or river.A Water Use Permit (WUP) authorizes the consumptive use of particular quantities of ground or surface water. The Florida Statutes (Chapters 120 and …
This project improved water quality in the Weeki Wachee River.Project OverviewThe Southwest Florida Water Management District and Hernando County made enhancements to stormwater management at Rogers Park. The park is owned by the County and located on the Weeki Wachee River. These improvements benefit the river by reducing the amount of sediments and nutrients entering the river. Project DetailsThis project uses Low Impact Development (LID) techniques to…
Manatees »
Springs are the most important wintering site for threatened manatees on Florida’s West Coast, as they provide thermal refuge when the Gulf of America’s temperature drops below 68 degrees. The springs in Kings Bay remain at a constant 72 degrees year-round. At colder temperatures, manatees may suffer from cold stress or hypothermia as they do not have a thick layer of blubber for protection. If cold weather persists, manatees may not leave the warmth of the springs for days…
James Holton of St. Petersburg is the president and owner of JWH Properties, Inc., MHH Enterprises, Inc. and James W. Holton, P.A.Holton was appointed to the Governing Board in February 2023, and his term expires March 1, 2026.Holton is Of Counsel at Hall Booth Smith, PC in St. Petersburg, Florida. He is the President and Owner of Holton Companies, which develops and invests in real estate projects throughout the state of Florida. He is also an attorney and fundraiser for…
In recent years the number of people living in the Alafia River watershed has increased dramatically. An increase in population causes a greater demand on water resources and a reduction in the amount of wildlife habitat. Efforts have been made to meet the increased demands for water and to restore and protect natural ecosystems within the watershed.
Reservoir
The C.W. “Bill” Young Regional Reservoir is located in the Alafia River watershed. It can store 15 billion…
Michelle Williamson of Dover is operations manager of G&F Farms.Williamson was appointed to the Governing Board in August 2016 and reappointed in December 2020 and August 2024. Her term expires March 1, 2028.As operations manager of G&F Farms in Dover, Williamson oversees the Food Safety and Regulatory Compliance programs and manages the Human Resources Department.Williamson has served as a board member for the Florida Strawberry Growers Association, Florida…
As you venture into the Springs Coast Watershed, you will notice the numerous plants and animals that have made this watershed their home, and the many parks and wildlife refuges that have been established to protect these unique areas. The Springs Coast is home to the second largest seagrass area in the continental United States. Some of these areas provide critical habitat for manatees during the winter months. But something is missing! If you are looking for the…
Highlights
- Designated an “Estuary of National Significance” in 1987
- Surface area of approximately 52 square miles
- Includes Manatee and Sarasota counties
- 150-square-mile watershed
Dustin Rowland of Dade City is President and Owner of Rowland Truck Lines, Inc., Rowland Cattle Company, LLC, and Dustin Rowland, LLC.Rowland was appointed to the Governing Board in February 2023, and his term expires March 1, 2027.Born in Lakeland, FL, Rowland graduated from Zephyrhills High School in 1994.Rowland represents several business interests in a vast array of industries such as transportation and logistics, commercial real estate, farming, ranching, residential…
As bureau chief for the Regulatory Support Bureau, Buddy Wood is responsible for overseeing the Regulatory Business Development, Field Services and Regulatory Support Services sections within the Regulation Division and plays a key role in the District’s regulatory strategy, execution of tactical plans, permitting, compliance and leadership functions.Wood joined the District in 2003 as a student intern and worked progressively through engineering positions in the…
Brian J. Aungst Jr. of Clearwater is an attorney and shareholder at Macfarlane Ferguson & McMullen.Aungst was appointed to the Governing Board in January 2026 and reappointed in March 2026. His term expires March 1, 2030.Aungst has extensive experience representing health care systems and medical providers as well as community institutions and governmental entities.In addition to the District’s Governing Board, Aungst was appointed by the governor to serve on the…
Project OverviewAs part of the community effort to restore Kings Bay, the Southwest Florida Water Management District conducted a pilot project to restore eelgrass in Hunters Cove, a 10-acre area surrounding Hunter Springs. Eelgrass, once abundant in Kings Bay, is a native aquatic plant critical to improving water quality and sustaining beneficial fish and wildlife habitat.BackgroundA characteristic of most Florida springs is dense submerged aquatic…