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The Southwest Florida Water Management District, St. Johns River Water Management District and South Florida Water Management District have scheduled a virtual joint public meeting Sept. 1 at 10 a.m. 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. To join the virtual meeting, please pre-register at the following link:…

The "Southwest Florida Water Management District's(Southwest Florida Water Management District)" "Hampton Tract,(Hampton Tract)":/recreation/hoghunt/hampton.php which is part of the "Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve,(Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve)":/recreation/areas/greenswamp.html will be temporarily closed to the public for hog hunts Dec. 13–15.Only permitted hunters will be allowed on the Hampton Tract during these dates. All of the permits for these hunts have been…

The "Southwest Florida Water Management District's Hálpata Tastanaki Preserve(Hálpata Tastanaki Preserve)":/recreation/areas/halpata.html will be temporarily closed to the public for hog hunts Feb. 22–24.Only permitted hunters will be allowed on the property during these dates. All of the permits for these hunts have been sold."Hálpata Tastanaki Preserve(Hálpata Tastanaki Preserve)":/recreation/areas/halpata.html is approximately six miles east of Dunnellon, south of the…

The District recently was recognized for its support of wounded veterans by hosting events on District lands. Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam thanked the District by letter for its participation in events coordinated by Operation Outdoor Freedom. The program started by Putnam in 2011 and run by the Florida Forest Service supports wounded veterans in the state by offering them recreational opportunities. The District hosted two alligator hunts and most…

The District’s Governing Board voted Tuesday for the latest slate of officers for the 2022-2023 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:…

Who: Representatives from the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Land Resources Department, Springs Coast Environmental Education Center, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida Division of Forestry, Hernando County Planning Department, Hernando County Audubon Society and volunteersWhat: As part of the 16th Annual National Public Lands Day, the District’s Land Resources Department is promoting a volunteer work day at the Springs…

"H. Paul Senft Jr.(H. Paul Senft Jr.)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/about/governingboard/profiles/paul_senft.html was elected unanimously today by his peers to serve as "Governing Board(Governing Board)":/about/governingboard chair of the "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/.Other Governing Board officers selected today include "Hugh M. Gramling(Hugh M. Gramling)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/about/governingboard/…

 A variety of plant communities occur on the property, including floodplain swamp and oak scrub along the Withlacoochee River and longleaf pine turkey oak sandhills occurring in upland areas. Recovering stands of oak scrub scattered amid the sandhill support the threatened Florida scrub-jay.In addition to natural resources, the property supported a rich historical past. The preserve is named after Seminole leader H‏álpata Tastanaki (Chief Alligator) who, along with…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board voted unanimously today to approve an agreement that will further pave the way for Weeki Wachee Springs to become a state park.The Governing Board approved the settlement agreement between Weeki Wachee Springs and the District that will end four years of litigation between the two parties. The agreement calls for Weeki Wachee Springs to become at state park on Nov. 1, 2008. However, under the terms of the…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board Tuesday approved a temporary water use permit that will allow Polk County’s Northeast Regional Utility Service Area (NERUSA) to pump more water.The temporary permit allows the county to increase its permitted Annual Average Daily quantities from 6,054,600 gallons per day (gpd) to 6,304,600 gpd.The county requested a temporary permit while the permit renewal application is being evaluated. The county…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board Tuesday approved the purchase of a 20-acre parcel of land located within the District’s Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve. This acquisition will be added to the 142,000 acres protected by the District through ownership or conservation easements within the preserve.The property, which is located in Polk County on the west side of Rock Ridge Road, is surrounded on three sides by District-owned land.The parcel…

With spring break season approaching, the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District), along with other local and state partners, wants to remind Weeki Wachee River visitors about the recreational best practices that will help protect the river and reduce ecological impacts.  A recent ecologically based study found direct links between recreational use on the river and environmental damage. For example, visitors leaving kayaks while on the river have…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District will be treating water hyacinth and water lettuce on portions of the Withlaccochee River July 10-13.Two sections of the river will be treated. The first site is located between State Road 44 and County Road 581 in Citrus and Sumter counties. The second site is located between State Road 48 and the Panasoffkee Outlet in Citrus and Sumter counties.Treatment involves the spot application of the aquatic herbicide Reward to…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District), along with other local and state partners, launched the Chassahowitzka River Education Campaign to inform river visitors about the recreational best practices that will help protect the river and reduce ecological impacts.  Recreational activities can have a direct impact on the health of the river. For example, visitors leaving kayaks while on the river have trampled vegetation and eroded riverbanks.…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District will be treating water hyacinths and water lettuce on portions of the Withlaccochee River May 16-19.Two sections of the river will be treated. The first site is located between State Road 41 to Citrus County Road 581 in Citrus, Marion and Sumter counties. The second site is located from Silver Lake to County Road 476 in Citrus, Hernando and Sumter counties.Treatment involves the spot application of the aquatic herbicide…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District will be treating water hyacinths and water lettuce on portions of the Withlaccochee River May 9-12.Two sections of the river will be treated. The first site is located between State Road 41 and State Road 200 in Citrus, Marion and Sumter counties. The second site is located between County Road 476 and County Road 48 in Citrus, Hernando and Sumter counties.Treatment involves the spot application of the aquatic herbicide Reward…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board Tuesday declared April “Water Conservation Month.”By proclaiming April to be Water Conservation Month, the District has joined 31 other local governments and Tampa Bay Water in an effort to call attention to the need for water conservation. Local governments participating include Charlotte, Hernando, Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas and Sarasota counties and the cities of New Port Richey, Tampa…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will be treating water lettuce on the Rainbow River in Marion County during the period of Jan. 19-21.District workers will apply the aquatic herbicide Tribune to treat small, scattered infestations of water lettuce throughout the river from the Rainbow Springs State Park to the Withlacoochee River.Informational signs will be posted in the treated areas noting treatment dates and applicable water use restrictions.…

C.A. “Neil” Combee, Jr., was unanimously elected Tuesday by his peers to serve as Governing Board chair of the Southwest Florida Water Management District.Other Governing Board officers selected today include Todd Pressman, vice chair; Jennifer E. Closshey, secretary; and Ronald E. Oakley, treasurer.Chair Neil CombeeCombee of Lakeland was appointed to the Governing Board in April 2005. He is also co-chair ex officio of the District’s Peace…

Ronald E. Oakley was elected today by his peers to serve as Governing Board chair of the "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us.Other "Governing Board(Governing Board)":/about/governingboard officers selected today include Hugh M. Gramling, vice chair; H. Paul Senft Jr., secretary, and Douglas B. Tharp, treasurer."Chair Ronald E. Oakley(Ronald E. Oakley)":/about/governingboard/profiles/…