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The Southwest Florida Water Management District is hosting a virtual public meeting to present the Cape Haze Ecosystem Restoration Project and receive public comments. This restoration effort will enhance natural water flow, improve ecological resiliency, and support native wildlife within Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park. Construction is scheduled for spring 2026 with an…

At its Aug. 11 meeting, the "Southwest Florida Water Management District's(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us Manasota Basin Board adopted a fiscal year 2011 (FY2011) millage rate of 0.1484 mill, which is the same as the current fiscal year. The "Manasota Basin Board(Manasota Basin Board)":/about/basinboards/manasota.php area includes Manatee and Sarasota counties.This millage rate, combined with a reduction in taxable property values…

At its Aug. 12 meeting, the "Southwest Florida Water Management District's(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us Coastal Rivers Basin Board adopted a fiscal year 2011 (FY2011) millage rate of 0.1885 mill, which is the same as the current fiscal year. The "Coastal Rivers Basin Board(Coastal Rivers Basin Board)":/about/basinboards/coastal.php covers portions of Citrus, Hernando and Pasco counties.This millage rate, combined with a…

The "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/ "Governing Board(Governing Board)":/about/governingboard today directed its executive director to move forward with organizational restructuring that will increase efficiencies, reduce operational costs and meet the District's Core Mission responsibilities in the areas of water supply, flood protection, water quality and natural systems. The plan includes staffing reductions and…

Bell Barnett, of Winter Haven, is a former educator and community advocate.Bell Barnett was appointed to the Governing Board in December 2020 and was reappointed in August 2023 to a four-year term ending March 1, 2027. A fifth-generation Floridian, Bell Barnett earned her bachelor’s degree from Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida, and her Master of Public Administration from the University of South Florida.Bell Barnett serves in a variety of capacities at…

The "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us is gathering input needed to improve identification of flooding risks in five of Hardee County's watersheds.The District is serving as a cooperating technical partner for the "Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)(Federal Emergency Management Agency)":http://www.fema.gov on its national effort to "update and modernize the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate…

The "Southwest Florida Water Management District's(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/ "Pinellas-Anclote River Basin Board(Pinellas-Anclote River Basin Board)":/about/basinboards/pinellas-anclote.php voted Oct. 6 to fund three projects to help reduce flooding in East Lake's Tarpon Woods subdivision.The cost of the $1.9 million in projects will be funded equally by the Pinellas-Anclote River Basin Board and "Pinellas County(Pinellas County Goverment)":http://www.…

According to the National Weather Service, parts of the Tampa Bay area are expected to have near to below-freezing temperatures Thursday evening and Friday morning. There is a chance the area also could experience below-freezing temperatures Sunday evening and Monday morning so residents should continue to monitor local weather reports.The Southwest Florida Water Management District advises residents who live near Plant City…

Jack Bispham of Myakka City is the owner and operator of Red Bluff Plantation.Bispham was appointed to the Governing Board for a term beginning Nov. 5, 2019. He was reappointed in May 2021 and again in August 2025. His term ends March 1, 2029.He earned a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture from the University of Florida.Bispham has more than 40 years’ experience in various types of agricultural operations, including dairy farming, timber and turf production. He is the owner of…

This property contains relatively unaltered natural land. The dominant natural communities are pine flatwoods, scrubby flatwoods, scrub, freshwater marsh and hardwood hammocks. The pine overstory in the flatwoods was logged by prior owners, but a high diversity of natural understory species remain. The northern portion of the tract has a higher elevation and drains into the Manatee River. The southern portion contains the freshwater marsh that gives the tract its name. The…

The "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/ is gathering input needed to improve identification of flooding risks in North Port.The District is serving as a cooperating technical partner for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on its national effort to update and modernize the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). The current FIRMs are 30 years old and are outdated because natural and physical changes caused…

The "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/ is gathering input needed to improve identification of flooding risks in Citrus County's Cardinal Lane watershed.The District is serving as a cooperating technical partner for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on its national effort to update and modernize the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). Most of the current FIRMs are 10 to 30 years old and are outdated…

At its Aug. 12 meeting, the Southwest "Southwest Florida Water Management District's(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us Withlacoochee River Basin Board adopted a fiscal year 2011 (FY2011) millage rate of 0.23 mill, which is the same as the current fiscal year. The "Withlacoochee River Basin Board(Withlacoochee River Basin Board)":/about/basinboards/withlacoochee.php area covers portions of Citrus, Hernando, Levy, Marion, Pasco and…

h2. Effort Increases Efficiency, Reduces Costs and Retains Major ProgramsThe "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/ this week completed its organizational restructuring which is expected to reduce District expenses by more than $15 million a year. The reorganization increases efficiencies, reduces operational costs and meets the District's core mission responsibilities in the areas of water supply, flood protection, water…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) invites the public to a virtual workshop Wednesday, Nov. 3, at 5:30 p.m. The purpose of the virtual workshop is to allow for public comment on recommended minimum flows for Lower Shell Creek in Charlotte County. Members of the public may join the meeting via Microsoft Teams through this link https://bit.ly/3arKI1S. The Google Chrome browser is…

 The Flatford Swamp tract encompasses nearly all of the Flatford Swamp wetland ecosystem and is the primary surface water feature in the Upper Myakka River watershed. These wetlands are a part of the headwaters of the Myakka River and have a major influence on the water flow and quality of the river, Upper Myakka Lake and the waters within Myakka River State Park. The upper…

The "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us is gathering input needed to improve identification of flooding risks in DeSoto County's *Deep Creek Gully watershed*.The District is serving as a cooperating technical partner for the "Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)(Federal Emergency Management Agency)":http://www.fema.gov on its national effort to "update and modernize the FEMA Flood…

The "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/ is gathering input needed to improve identification of flooding risks in the Polk City watershed.The District is serving as a cooperating technical partner for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on its national effort to update and modernize the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). Most of the current FIRMs are 10 to 30 years old and are outdated because of natural…

This property lies along the southern bank of the Withlacoochee River at the northern end of the Tsala Apopka Lake system. The Withlacoochee River is designated as an Outstanding Florida Water, which makes the river highly suitable for recreation, fishing and wildlife. This location on the river is very attractive to recreation users seeking to experience a serene canoe ride or pleasurable hike along the riverbank. Purchased jointly by the state of Florida and the…

 The 8,083-acre Lake Marion Creek Management Area is located on the Polk-Osceola county line east of Haines City off CR 580. Polk County, South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) and the District acquired the lands within the area, which protect important headwater areas of Lake Marion and Reedy creeks. Water from these creeks is an important source of fresh water for the Kissimmee River, the Everglades and Florida Bay. The…