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 The Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve (LHWP) contains one of the largest premier contiguous recreation areas in Hillsborough County. Within the LHWP are park sites managed by the Hillsborough County Conservation and Environmental Lands Management Department: Dead River Park, Flatwoods Park,…

The "Southwest Florida Water Management District's Governing Board ":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/about/governingboard/ voted today to declare a Phase II Water Shortage and implement one-day-per-week watering restrictions in the Tampa Bay area, due to reduced river levels and increasing water supply concerns.The Governing Board enacted Phase II restrictions for lawn watering throughout Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties. The tighter restrictions begin December 26 and…

Due to below normal rainfall, reduced river levels and increasing water supply concerns, the Southwest Florida Water Management District's "Governing Board":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/about/governingboard/ voted today to increase "water restrictions":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/conservation/restrictions/TBphase3.php in the Tampa Bay area. Even though December rainfall was near normal for our region, rainfall in January and February was 3.5 inches below normal.The…

The District is scheduled to adopt new minimum levels for Lake Angelo and Lake Denton, which are located in northern Highlands County. Minimum Flows and Levels are a protective measure used by the District for water use permitting, water supply planning and environmental resource permitting. This meeting is open to the public and the purpose is to share the proposed new minimum lake levels and accept public comments for consideration. More information and draft reports…

A Sarasota home was certified on Aug. 16 as "Florida Water StarSM Gold(Florida Water Star Gold)":/conservation/florida_water_star_gold by the "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/.The home, built by Michael K. Walker & Associates, is located in Sarasota's Harbor Acres subdivision. It is equipped with water efficient appliances and fixtures, and no high volume irrigation system. "Florida-Friendly Landscaping™(Florida-…

Pinellas County students at 12 schools will study the issues surrounding our freshwater resources thanks to "Splash! school grants":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/education/schoolgrants/ from the Southwest Florida Water Management District.The Pinellas County awardees are:* Irene Seybold, *Cross Bayou Elementary*, was awarded $3,000. On a field trip to Fort De Soto Park, students will learn about water quality while discovering how water drains across a watershed and picks up…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board Tuesday approved the renewal and modification of a water use permit (WUP) for Polk County’s Northeast Regional Utility Service Area (NERUSA) to meet the projected population growth through 2013.Polk County’s NERUSA is a high-growth area that extends north and south of the intersection of U.S. Highway 27 and Interstate 4 in northeast Polk County.The renewed WUP combines two permits, increases the…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is expanding the availability of reclaimed water to new residential developments through a new grant program aimed at builders and developers.The goal of the Grants for Reclaimed Irrigation Projects (GRIP) program, which was developed from a recommendation by the District’s Reclaimed Water Task Force, is to help offset the cost of installing reclaimed water distribution lines in new residential developments. Transmission…

State Sen. Michael Bennett and Rep. Nancy Detert recently presented a $1 million check to the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) in support of the Facilitating Agricultural Resource Management Systems (FARMS) program.The FARMS program is a cost-share reimbursement program that conserves water and protects water quality.Through accurate and efficient irrigation utilizing the latest technology, farmers are able to save water and fuel, said David Brown,…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District honored two outstanding Sarasota County projects that focus on water resources education. A total of 27 projects were recognized during the “Partners in Watershed Education Conference” at the Lake Mirror Complex in Lakeland.Here are the Sarasota County recipients. Sarasota County is in the District’s Manasota Basin, which also includes Manatee County.Myriam Springuel, with the Science and Environment Council…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District has completed a draft of an updated Regional Water Supply Plan that assesses projected water demands and identifies potential sources of water to meet those demands through the year 2025.The updated plan also addresses the need to sustain water resources and the related natural systems, and includes estimated costs for potential projects. The current plan was developed in 2001.The challenge will be meeting growing water supply…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District has completed a draft of an updated Regional Water Supply Plan that assesses projected water demands and identifies potential sources of water to meet those demands through the year 2025.The updated plan also addresses the need to sustain water resources and the related natural systems, and includes estimated costs for potential projects. The current plan was developed in 2001.The challenge will be meeting growing water supply…

Two Charlotte County teachers and one private school teacher are among the educators who were awarded Splash! school grants through the "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/.This year 206 "Splash! grants(Splash! School Grants)":/education/schoolgrants were awarded to educators across "the District's 16-county region":/data/map.Mary Margaret Hull, lead communications coordinator, attributes the effectiveness of the grant…

Starkey Ranch in Pasco County is home to the state’s first community welcome center to be certified Florida Water Star℠. The welcome center is a visitor’s first stop to get information on the new 2,400-acre master-planned community. Being certified Florida Water Star℠ means it features a water-efficient landscape, irrigation, appliances and plumbing fixtures.  For example, the welcome center has low-flow toilets, high-efficiency faucets and an ENERGY STAR…

The "Southwest Florida Water Management District's(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/ "Governing Board(Governing Board)":/about/governingboard voted to renew Tampa Bay Water's 90 million-gallon-per-day northern Tampa Bay consolidated water use permit for 10 years while continuing extensive environmental monitoring.Tampa Bay Water's consolidated permit was first issued in December 1998 and is made up of 11 wellfield facilities in Pasco County as well as northern…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District today declared a water shortage emergency for the city of Tampa’s main water supply. Drought conditions have caused an acute water shortage within the Hillsborough River Reservoir so emergency actions are necessary to protect public health, safety and welfare.The emergency order authorizes Tampa Bay Water, the region’s wholesale water…

Flooding during a storm eventNeed assistance? Contact your local emergency management center by calling the number listed below. Charlotte County: (941) 833-4000Citrus County:…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District honored two Marion and Levy county projects during the “Partners in Watershed Education Conference” at the Crowne Plaza Tampa East Hotel. A total of 26 projects were recognized Wednesday.

• Gail Mowry with the Marion County Clean Water Program was recognized for her work with the Clean Farms Initiative. This initiative addresses the issue of water quality that comes with the management of manure from…

The "Southwest Florida Water Management District's(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us "Peace River Basin Board(Peace River Basin Board)":/about/basinboards/peace.php has partnered with the "Highlands Soil and Water Conservation District(Highlands Soil and Water Conservation District)":http://www.highlandsswcd.org/ to help homeowners improve the efficiency of their irrigation systems.The pilot project involves bringing a "mobile…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District has completed a draft of an updated Regional Water Supply Plan that assesses projected water demands and identifies potential sources of water to meet those demands through the year 2025.The updated plan also addresses the need to sustain water resources and the related natural systems, and includes estimated costs for potential projects. The current plan was developed in 2001.The challenge will be meeting growing water supply…