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As part of a phased approach, the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will reopen all campgrounds throughout its 16-county region Wednesday, June 3. Reopening of District campgrounds is consistent with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s reopening of camping at many Florida State Parks. To help protect staff and visitors from the spread of COVID-19, the following guidelines will be in place at all District campgrounds:

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The "Southwest Florida Water Management District's(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/ "Governing Board(Governing Board)":/about/governingboard will hold its monthly meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 20, at 9 a.m. at the Lake Eva Banquet Hall, 799 Johns Avenue, Haines City.The Governing Board holds some of its regular monthly meetings away from District service offices to encourage participation from local citizens.To view the meeting agenda, visit "WaterMatters.org(… Read more

Governor Rick Scott appointed two new board members to the District’s Governing Board and also re-appointed a board member. Mark Taylor and Michelle Williamson were appointed to the board. Taylor represents Hernando and Marion counties and Williamson represents Hillsborough County. Taylor, 57, of Brooksville, is the president of TTG Properties Inc. Taylor received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida. He is appointed for a term from Aug. 26, 2016… Read more

Judith C. Judy Whitehead was unanimously elected Tuesday by her peers to serve as Governing Board chair of the Southwest Florida Water Management District.Other Governing Board officers selected today include C.A. “Neil” Combee, Jr., vice chair; Todd Pressman, secretary; and Jennifer E. Closshey, treasurer.Chair Judy WhiteheadWhitehead of Brooksville was first appointed to the Governing Board in March 2003, and was elected the Boards Secretary in May 2004. Whitehead served… Read more

The "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/ will be treating hydrilla on the Rainbow River during the week of March 7–10.District workers will treat scattered infestations on the river from upstream of KP Hole Park to the CR 484 bridge.Workers will apply the aquatic herbicide Aquathol Super K and post warning signs in the treatment areas noting treatment dates and water use restrictions. Treated river water should not be… Read more

David W. Dunbar recently was appointed to the District’s Governing Board by Gov. Rick Scott. Dunbar, of Palm Harbor, is a commercial banker and chairman of Synovus Bank of Florida. He was appointed to succeed Jennifer Closshey and his term ends March 1, 2017. The Governing Board position represents both Pinellas and Hillsborough counties.  The 61-year-old describes himself as an avid coastal fisherman with an understanding of water issues and the impact on the… Read more

The District is reevaluating the established minimum flow for the Homosassa river/spring system. Minimum flows are established to help protect the system from significant harm caused by ground and surface water withdrawals. Overview Minimum flows and levels are limits established by the District Governing Board for surface waters and groundwater that are intended to prevent significant harm to the water resources or ecology of an area that may be caused by water… Read more

The District is reevaluating the established minimum flow for the Chassahowitzka river/spring system. Minimum flows are established to help protect the system from significant harm caused by ground and surface water withdrawals. Overview Minimum flows and levels are limits established by the District Governing Board for surface waters and groundwater that are intended to prevent significant harm to the water resources or ecology of an area that may be caused by… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District, St. Johns River Water Management District and South Florida Water Management District have scheduled a joint public workshop to solicit stakeholder input on each District’s annual update of their priority list and schedule for the establishment of minimum flows and water levels as well as water reservations. This workshop is being held to promote consistent water resource planning in the Central Florida Water Initiative (… Read more

The "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/ will be treating water lettuce on the Rainbow River during the week of Jan. 10–14.District workers will treat scattered infestations on the river from the head spring to the Withlacoochee River.Workers will apply the aquatic herbicide Knockout and post warning signs in the treatment areas noting treatment dates and water use restrictions. Treated river water should not be used… Read more

The District recently hosted wounded veterans on its Lake Hancock property for an alligator hunt.  The event was facilitated by Operation Outdoor Freedom and the Wounded Warriors Program. Operation Outdoor Freedom is an endeavor that provides recreational opportunities to wounded veterans. Designated state and agricultural lands throughout Florida grant participating veterans unique opportunities for recreation and rehabilitation.  Ten wounded veterans… Read more

table(webalert). |Who:|Teams entered so far include Cornerstone Solutions Group, the Industry Team, the Luke Brothers, Pay it Forward Farm, Raymow, Tampa Bay Landscaping, Wildrose Lawncare and the "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":http://watermatters.org.Station leaders include Gary England from the University of Florida at the Right Plant Right Place station, Chris Hayes from BioWorks at the Pest Management station,… Read more

The "Southwest Florida Water Management District's(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/ "Governing Board(Governing Board)":/about/governingboard will hold its monthly meeting on Tuesday, March 29 at 9 a.m. at the District's "Sarasota Service Office(Google map)":http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&ll=27.338377,-82.438509&spn=0.013915,0.017059&t=h&z=16&msid=103529447060954840677.000475bfec6f069f6d1b2, 6750 Fruitville Road,… Read more

The area's first Landscape Challenge competition, scheduled to take place from 9:30 a.m. to noon on March 12, has been postponed due to forecasts for heavy rain. The event has been rescheduled for April 16. The competition at the "Pay it Forward Farm(Pay it Forward Farm, Spring Hill)":http://www.payitforwardfarm.org in Spring Hill will allow landscape professionals to compete for the title of Ruling Water Champions. A media alert will be issued as the April 16 event… Read more

The Citrus County Task Force is inviting the public to a stakeholders conference to discuss Citrus County water resources.The conference is being held Saturday, May 19, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Citrus Springs Community Center, located at 1570 W. Citrus Springs Blvd. in Citrus Springs.During the conference representatives from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Department of Transportation, Citrus… Read more

A study of the fish and invertebrates in the Weeki Wachee River estuary will help the Southwest Florida Water Management District in establishing minimum flows for the Weeki Wachee River.Aimed at determining the freshwater needs of biological communities associated with the river, the study is being conducted by the University of South Florida’s College of Marine Science.Researchers have been collecting fish and invertebrates, such as pink shrimp and blue crab, on a… Read more

Dozens of paddlers recently joined the Florida Wildlife Corridor Expedition team on their excursion along the Rainbow River.  The District recently hosted the Rainbow River Paddle trail mixer in partnership with the expedition at Rainbow Springs State Park. Despite some chilly temperatures, more than 50 people came out to paddle in the event.  Before people launched their canoes and kayaks, they had a chance to meet the expedition team and some of the… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District's (District) Governing Board approved the purchase of the Southworth Tract, a 589-acre parcel of land located within the Weekiwachee Preserve. This important property purchase will allow the District to substantially complete the Weekiwachee Preserve Project by connecting seven District-owned parcels. This acquisition meets all four of the District’s Areas of Responsibility, which are water supply, water quality,… Read more

Governor Rick Scott appointed Joel Schleicher and Rebecca Smith to the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board. Schleicher represents Charlotte and Sarasota counties and Smith represents Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. Schleicher, 65, of Sarasota, is the founder and executive chairman of Focal Point Data Risk, LLC. Schleicher received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota. He is appointed for a term beginning May 12, 2017, and… Read more

Today, the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) Governing Board approved the purchase of a perpetual conservation easement of more than 1,088 acres of Triangle Ranch in Manatee County, in the upper Myakka River watershed. This action will prevent future development on this property by securing $2 million toward the purchase of the conservation agreement, and is a key part in the permanent protection of this important piece of land. "The Board's action today… Read more