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The "Southwest Florida Water Management District's Alston Tract(Upper Hillsborough Preserve Alston Tract)":/recreation/areas/uh-alston_tract.html, which is part of the "Upper Hillsborough Preserve(Upper Hillsborough Preserve)":/recreation/areas/upper_hillsborough_preserve.html, will be temporarily closed to the public for hog hunts Jan. 11–13.Only permitted hunters will be allowed on the property during these dates. All of the permits for these hunts have been sold.The "…

On Tuesday, the Southwest Florida Water Management District's (District) Governing Board adopted a $183.5 million budget for fiscal year (FY) 2021, including more than $65.7 million for the Cooperative Funding Initiative and District grants for water resources projects. The budget reflects the District’s commitment to protect Florida’s water resources and to improve Florida’s economic vitality. Some of the key initiatives in the District’s FY2021 budget include:…

With spring break season approaching, the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District), along with other local and state partners, wants to remind Chassahowitzka 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. Also…

Bartow, Fla., July 11, 2017 — Drilling more than half a mile below ground to find new sources of water in the Lower Florida aquifer (LFA). Finding new ways to reuse reclaimed water. Combining stormwater and reclaimed water to build a sustainable supply. These are some of the innovative projects the Central Florida Water Initiative (CFWI) is developing to meet the growing water needs of the five-county Central Florida region while also…

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.  An 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 trampled…

New Leadership Look up “energy” in the dictionary and more than likely there’ll be a picture of David Moore. Sightings of the District’s new executive director have been reported in every District department and in multiple cities, often simultaneously. Moore is seemingly everywhere, sharing an endless enthusiasm and boundless energy that he uses to address every task, big and small. “Life is too short and time too precious to waste,” Moore said. Moore’s energy…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s (District) Governing Board approved the purchase of the Mattaniah Property, in partnership with Hillsborough County, in the Alafia River Watershed. This 629-acre parcel of land adjoins the Alafia River Reserve, which is in existing District ownership and managed by Polk County, and contains portions of English Creek, Thirty-mile Creek, and the North Prong of the Alafia River in Hillsborough County.This is the first joint…

Due to unfavorable weather conditions, the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) has rescheduled the treating of the invasive aquatic plant hydrilla on the Rainbow River in Marion County to the week of Feb. 22.District workers will treat scattered infestations on the river from the Rainbow River State Park boundary downstream to the Withlacoochee River.The aquatic herbicide Aquathol Super K will be applied and informational signs will be posted in the…

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 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:…

"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/…

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…

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:…

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…

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 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…