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Whether students are testing water quality, building a water-conserving garden or studying an estuary, Splash! grants enhance water education in public schools. The District’s Splash! school grant program provides up to $3,000 per public school to enhance student  knowledge of freshwater resources issues. The deadline to apply for the 2014-15 school year is Aug. 29. “The grant provides students a chance to learn in a hands-on way,” said Denise Dawson, a…

At its July 26 meeting, the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Hillsborough River Basin Board adopted a fiscal year 2008 (FY2008) millage rate of 0.2547 mill, which is .0303 less than the current fiscal year. This reduction is in accordance with the tax reduction mandated by the Florida Legislature.The FY2008 millage rate has been set equal to 97 percent of the rolled-back rate in compliance with House Bill 1B, the tax reform legislation signed into law by…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board approved an agreement today to provide the necessary easements so the Peace River/ Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority can move forward with constructing a reservoir on the RV Griffin Reserve.The six-billion-gallon reservoir will be used to store surface water drawn from the Peace River, which will reduce the region’s dependency on groundwater. Together with the existing 625-million-gallon…

With the rainy season upon us, now is a great time to think about adding a rain barrel to your yard.Harvesting rainwater with a rain barrel helps supplement irrigation for a small cost. Storing rainwater also helps reduce stormwater runoff, which can lead to reduced levels of pesticides and fertilizers in our water. Many people make rain barrels out of inexpensive 50-gallon food-grade drums that were used to carry juices, olives, pickles, etc. Often you can find barrels…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) invites the public to a workshop onMonday, April 17 at 5:30 p.m. at the Lutz Branch Library, located at 101 W. Lutz Lake Fern Road in Lutz. The purpose of the workshop is to allow for public comment on the proposed minimum and guidance levels for Deer Lake in Hillsborough County.The Florida Legislature requires the District to set minimum flows and levels (MFLs) for priority water bodies within the District. A…

At its June 10 meeting, the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Manasota Basin Board adopted a proposed fiscal year 2010 (FY2010) millage rate of 0.1484 mill, which is the same as the current fiscal year. The Manasota Basin Board area includes Manatee and Sarasota counties.This millage rate, combined with a reduction in taxable property values as estimated by the county property appraisers, will result in an estimated 11.19 percent decrease in ad valorem…

At its June 4 meeting, the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Alafia River Basin Board adopted a proposed fiscal year 2010 (FY2010) millage rate of 0.2163 mill, which is the same as the current fiscal year. The Alafia River Basin Board area covers the southern portion of Hillsborough County and the southwestern portion of Polk County.This proposed millage rate combined with a reduction in taxable property values as estimated by the county property…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board Tuesday learned of the District’s recent recognition for its contribution to the promotion and advancement of the American Water Resources Association (AWRA).The association’s mission is to promote water resources education through technical presentations. The association also provides grants to K-12 teachers for water resources education programs and grants as well as scholarships to…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) invites the public to a workshop onTuesday, Nov. 29, at 5:30 p.m. at the Jack Stroup Civic Center, located at 355 W. Center Ave. in Sebring. The purpose of the workshop is to allow for public comment on the proposed minimum and guidance levels for Lakes Jackson and Little Jackson in Highlands County.The Florida Legislature requires the District to set minimum flows and levels (MFLs) for priority water bodies within…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) invites the public to a workshop on Wednesday, Nov. 16, at 5:30 p.m. at the Jack Stroup Civic Center, located at 355 W. Center Ave. in Sebring. The purpose of the workshop is to allow for public comment on the proposed minimum and guidance levels for Lakes Letta and Lotela in Highlands County.The Florida Legislature requires the District to set minimum flows and levels (MFLs) for priority water bodies within the…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) invites the public to a workshop on Wednesday, Oct. 5, at 5:30 p.m. at the Frostproof City Hall located at 111 West First Street in Frostproof. The purpose of the workshop is to allow for public comment on the proposed minimum and guidance levels for Crooked Lake in Polk County.The Florida Legislature requires the District to set minimum flows and levels (MFLs) for priority water bodies within the District. A minimum…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) invites the public to a workshop onWednesday, Sept. 7, at 5:30 p.m. at the Jimmie B. Keel Regional Public Library located at 2902 W. Bearss Ave. in Tampa. The purpose of the workshop is to allow for public comment on the proposed minimum and guidance levels for Lake Merrywater in Hillsborough County.The Florida Legislature requires the District to set minimum flows and levels (MFLs) for priority water bodies within…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) invites the public to a workshop on Wednesday, August 17, at 5:30 p.m. at the Upper Tampa Bay Regional Public Library, located at 11211 Countryway Blvd in Tampa. The purpose of the workshop is to allow for public comment on the proposed minimum and guidance levels for Lakes Horse, Juanita, Little Moon and Rainbow in Hillsborough County.The Florida Legislature requires the District to set minimum flows and levels (…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) has activated the Tampa Bypass Canal system in response to heavy rains in the Tampa Bay area. Boat barriers were put in place where I-75 crosses the river, restricting navigation in that area. The District has been in contact with Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation, the City of Tampa, Tampa Bay Water and the City of Temple Terrace to notify them of this action. As a result, Trout Creek Park and Nature’s…

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 will recognize REAL Building's Darren Brinkley for earning a Florida Water Star GoldSM (FWSG) certification on a home in northeast St. Petersburg where he and his family now live. Susan Douglas, FWSG program coordinator, will present a plaque to Brinkley on Tuesday, Aug. 18 at 9 a.m. at the home.FWSG is a voluntary certification program for builders. It encourages water efficiency in household appliances, plumbing…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) invites the public to a workshop on *Wednesday, December 2 at 5:30 p.m.* at the Land O' Lakes Community Center located 5401 Land O' Lakes Boulevard (U.S. Highway 41) in Land O' Lakes. The purpose of the workshop is to allow for public comment on proposed Minimum and Guidance Levels for Crews Lake.The Florida Legislature requires the District to set minimum flows and levels (MFLs) for priority water bodies within the…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) invites the public to a workshop on Monday, Nov. 23 at 5:30 p.m. at the Land O' Lakes Community Center located 5401 Land O' Lakes Boulevard (U.S. Highway 41) in Land O' Lakes. The purpose of the workshop is to allow for public comment on proposed Minimum and Guidance Levels for Crews Lake.The Florida Legislature requires the District to set minimum flows and levels (MFLs) for priority water bodies within the District…

According to the National Weather Service, parts of the Tampa Bay area are expected to see freezing temperatures during Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings.This has prompted the "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/ to advise residents who live near Plant City and Dover who have well pumps without automatic cutoff switches to turn off the pumps each night.During a freeze or near-freezing temperatures, water is…

According to the National Weather Service, parts of the Tampa Bay area may see freezing temperatures during Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings.This has prompted the "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/ to advise residents who live near Plant City and Dover who have well pumps without automatic cutoff switches to turn off the pumps each night.During a freeze or near-freezing temperatures, water is pumped to protect…