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Built on the concept of collaboration, the Central Florida Water Initiative (CFWI) works with the area's 83 utilities to scale water conservation efforts and promote alternative water supplies for a growing population. "The CFWI is focused on regional, multijurisdictional solutions that serve more than one utility, and by extension more residents, businesses, the agricultural community and other water users in the region," said St. Johns River Water Management District… Read more

h2. Recruitment for New Executive Director to Begin ImmediatelyThe "Southwest Florida Water Management District's(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/ "Governing Board(Governing Board)":/about/governingboard accepted the resignation of Executive Director "David L. Moore(David L. Moore bio)":/about/staff/moore.php today and appointed the District's General Counsel "William S. Bilenky(William S. Bilenky bio)":/about/staff/bilenky.html to serve as interim executive… Read more

Jerry Rice, chair; Judy Whitehead, vice chair; Jennifer Closshey, treasurer; and Neil Combee, secretary, were all elected to their positions in May. A unanimous vote at the May Governing Board meeting elected Talmadge G. “Jerry” Rice as Governing Board chair of the Southwest Florida Water Management District. “I have had the privilege to serve under four very dynamic and effective chairs, Ronnie Duncan, Tom Dabney, Watson Haynes and Heidi McCree,” said Rice. “… Read more

More than 350 west-central Florida hotels are part of Water CHAMPSM. Stay with a participating property — and save our precious water resources.Choose a county to view participants:Charlotte »   Citrus »   DeSoto »   Hardee »   … Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District will be treating hydrilla on the Rainbow River in Marion County during the week of March 4-7.District workers will treat scattered infestations on the river from upstream of K.P. Hole Park to the Withlacoochee River.Workers will apply the aquatic herbicide Aquathol Super K and post informational signs in the treatment areas noting treatment dates and applicable water use restrictions.There are no restrictions on the use of… Read more

The "Southwest Florida Water Management District":http://www.watermatters.org will be treating hydrilla on the Rainbow River during the week of April 2-5.District workers will treat scattered infestations on the river from upstream of KP Hole Park to the Withlacoochee River.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 used for… Read more

The District’s 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. Executive Director Brian Armstrong said the purchase increases the… Read more

On Tuesday, May 24, Heidi B. McCree was selected by unanimous vote as the first female Governing Board chair in the 44-year history of the Southwest Florida Water Management District.“I want to thank the Board for this honor and look forward to carrying on an important legacy,” McCree said. “We have achieved great things in west-central Florida, but there are many challenges yet to face to ensure an environmentally sustainable water resource. The keys will be maintaining our… Read more

Pinellas County residents will soon be participating in an irrigation study aimed at determining the potential irrigation water savings of soil moisture sensors.Residential lawn and landscape irrigation can account for more than 50 percent of a home’s total water use and according to recent research, many Florida homeowners water their lawns too much. One way to prevent over-irrigation is to add a soil moisture sensor to a time clock controlled irrigation system. These… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District agreed to continue funding this year for the Hillsborough County Lake and Stream Monitoring Program.The program is a cooperatively funded effort between Hillsborough County and the District’s Alafia River, Hillsborough River, and Northwest Hillsborough basin boards. The District’s Alafia River Basin Board is contributing $39,664, the Hillsborough River Basin Board is contributing $66,047, and the Northwest… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District will be treating hydrilla on the Rainbow River from the Withlacoochee River to upstream of the Rainbow Springs State Park Campground during the week of November 2-6.Treatment involves the spot application of the aquatic herbicide Aquathol Super K to scattered infestations. Treatment areas will be posted with warning signs displaying treatment dates and applicable water use restrictions. Treated river water should not be used… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District will be treating infestations of hydrilla on the Rainbow River in Marion County Nov. 12-14. The section of the river to be treated is the upper portion of the river from the Blue Cove area to just upstream of KP Hole ParkTreatment involves the application of the aquatic herbicide Aquathol Super K. Treatment areas will be posted with warning signs displaying treatment dates and applicable restrictions. Water from the treated… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District will be treating infestations of hydrilla on the Rainbow River in Marion County Oct. 27-31. The section of the river to be treated is from upstream of KP Hole Park to where the Rainbow River meets the Withlacoochee River.Treatment involves the application of the aquatic herbicide Aquathol Super K. Treatment areas will be posted with warning signs displaying treatment dates and applicable restrictions. Water from the treated… Read more

The Sierra Club’s Florida Chapter presented the Osprey Award to Fritz Musselmann, land resources director for the Southwest Florida Water Management District, today at the District’s Governing Board meeting.The Osprey Award recognizes extraordinary efforts to promote or effect changes in policy or practice to protect or preserve Florida’s environment and is given annually to a government employee.Musselmann was recognized for his role in the acquisition of… Read more

The "Central Florida Water Initiative's":http://cfwiwater.com/ (CFWI) Steering Committee has released two draft documents for public review and comment that will set a path forward for meeting water supply needs in central Florida for the next 20 years.At upcoming meetings, the public will have an opportunity to learn about and comment on the draft 2035 Water Resources Protection and Water Supply Strategies Plan (Solutions Plan) and minor changes to the draft 2015 Regional… Read more

Who:Southwest Florida Water Management District staff, Keep Hillsborough County Beautiful staff and volunteersWhat:A volunteer river cleanup is being coordinated at Hillsborough River State Park. Volunteers will be provided with canoes, gloves, garbage bags and trash pickers to collect trash along the river. If there are enough participants, volunteers will also collect trash along the park’s trails and parking areas.The river cleanup is part of “Hillsborough… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is reminding residents who irrigate their lawns to “Skip a Week” or more of watering during the cooler months of January and February.According to research by the University of Florida, grass doesn’t need to be watered as often during the cooler months. One-half to three-quarters of an inch of water every 10–14 days is sufficient. In fact, if your lawn has received any significant rainfall, then you can turn off your… 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.  Thirteen wounded veterans… Read more

The District’s Governing Board voted in a new slate of officers Tuesday for the 2019-2020 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… Read more

A Lakeland business saved thousands of gallons of water and paid a smaller utility bill in its first year by constructing its new headquarters to "Florida Water StarSM(Florida Water Star)":/conservation/florida_water_star standards.Kyra InfoTech, an information technology consulting, project outsourcing and staffing organization headquartered in Lakeland, used 70 percent of the water a comparable business in the area used, according to Ruffin Gray, environmental coordinator… Read more