Search Content

Who:Southwest Florida Water Management District staff, National Wild Turkey Federation/Wheelin’ Sportsmen representatives, disabled hunters and volunteer guidesWhat:The District has partnered with the National Wild Turkey Federation/Wheelin’ Sportsmen to organize this quail hunt, which allows disabled men, women and young adults to experience the outdoors.When:Saturday, Feb. 10, 11 a.m.Where:The hunt will be…

Conservation and enforcement of watering restrictions neededThe Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board recently gave its executive director authority to declare a water shortage prior to the January 2007 Board meeting if hydrologic conditions continue to worsen.The Board acted because of current dry conditions and the time span between the Nov. 30-Dec. 1 meetings and the next planned meeting on January 30.“We may need to act before…

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 joined the state Legislature, Tampa Bay Water and dozens of local governments in an effort to call attention to the need for water conservation.Because April is part of Florida’s dry season, it is a good time to focus on water and how we can conserve more of what we have…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Hampton Tract, which is part of the Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve, will be closed to the public April 19-21. The District is limiting access to the property for an event that allows disabled hunters the opportunity to experience the outdoors for a spring turkey hunt.The Hampton Tract is located in Polk County, at the intersection of Rockridge Road and Deen Still Road.The event is organized by Outdoors Without Limits…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Alston Tract, which is part of the Upper Hillsborough property, will be closed to the public Jan. 9-11. The District is limiting access to the property for an event that allows disabled hunters the opportunity to experience the outdoors during a muzzleloader gun hunt.The Alston Tract is located east of Zephyrhills in Pasco and Polk counties. The entrance is off S.R. 39.The event is organized by Outdoors Without Limits…

Two Southwest Florida Water Management District projects will help two Hardee County citrus groves reduce groundwater pumping.The first project involves installing two soil moisture sensors and a weather station at the Groves of Peace River, Inc. and the second project involves installing four soil moisture sensors and two weather stations at Las Lomas Holdings, Inc.Soil moisture sensors increase irrigation efficiency by only irrigating when water is needed. Weather…

This summer a group of international visitors spent time learning about the District and sharing ideas with District staff. Ed Hobin, outreach projects coordinator for the District and a Rotarian, hosted a group of New Zealanders. Henry Davies, a member of the Wellington North Rotary Club, led the group. Davies is a banker specializing in online services. Accompanying Davies on the tour were a clinical psychologist, a police officer and two hospitality and tourism…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Hampton Tract will be closed to the public March 24-26. The District is limiting access to the property to prepare for an event that allows disabled hunters the opportunity to experience the outdoors.The hunt, which is organized by the National Wild Turkey Federation/Wheelin’ Sportsmen, is one of more than 24 events the group holds throughout Florida each year. Other outings include fishing events, recreational…

Agricultural permit holders can now utilize a new element of the District’s Water Management Information System (WMIS). The WMIS is being designed to centralize information from the District’s well construction permitting, resource data, water use permitting and environmental resource permitting databases, making it easily accessible for both the staff and the public. Upon completion, the WMIS will increase the amount of information online, facilitate online…

School Tackles Water Issues The Tri-County Water School is now open for registration. The school, held Sept. 11–12, tackles critical water issues facing Pinellas, Pasco and Hillsborough counties. The school is run by the University of Florida IFAS Extension along with the District and the three county governments. Courses are designed to educate community leaders, natural resource managers and decision makers about current issues and future concerns regarding water…

An innovative project in Hillsborough County could lead to a water reuse revolution! The cooperatively funded effort between the District’s Hillsborough River Basin Board and Tampa Bay Fisheries won the 2005 WateReuse Award for facilities generating less than 1 million gallons of reuse water per day. Robert Paterson, president and CEO of Tampa Bay Fisheries (Fisheries), accepted the award during the annual WateReuse Symposium in September. The project is providing…

 At the FARMS program presentation are (from left to right) Paul Samuels, Peace River Basin Board member; Mac Carraway, Manasota Basin Board member; Senator Mike Bennett; Representative Nancy Detert; Patsy Symons, Governing Board secretary; Tom Dabney, Governing Board member; Frank Strelec, Manasota Basin Board member; and Ken Harrison, Peace River Basin Board member. Members of the District’s Governing Board and the Manasota and Peace River basin boards…

Housekeeper proudly displays Water C.H.A.M.P. materials at the Holiday Inn Express. The District’s award-winning Water Conservation Hotel And Motel Program (Water C.H.A.M.P.) reached a major milestone in July when the Holiday Inn Express Hotel &Suites on North Dale Mabry Highway in Tampa signed up as its 300th hotel. Water C.H.A.M.P. is the District’s linens and towels reuse program, which began in September 2002 as a pilot project in the Pinellas- Anclote…

Basin Board: Manasota Basin Board Term: First appointed March 26, 2001. Currently in her third term, which expires March 1, 2010 Occupation: Land Planner Current residence: Manatee County Hometown: Saginaw, Michigan Reason you applied to be a Basin Board member: Opportunity to get involved in one of the most important planning issues…

  Basin Board: Alafia River Basin Board Term: March 5, 2002 to March 1, 2008 Occupation: Real estate broker Town of Residence: Brandon Hometown: Tampa Reason you applied to be a Basin Board member: Having been a Hillsborough County commissioner for two terms, I am aware of the importance of balancing a finite quantity of water…

Justin Torre is a shining example of how hard work, loyalty and patience can pay dividends. He started with the District in 2000 as an administrative officer in the Information Resources Department. It was a convenient job while he studied for his bachelor’s degree in management information systems at the University of South Florida. After only a couple of months, however, Torre got his first break and began working in IT as a student intern.…

More than 90 tons of debris removed from area sinkholesThe Southwest Florida Water Management District has completed a three-year project to improve water quality in the District’s springs by removing debris from sinkholes and areas with high aquifer permeability.Over the three-year period, 90.77 tons of debris were removed from 18 sinkholes and other karst features in Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties. Some of the items removed from the sinkholes included shopping…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is seeking public input about the order in which minimum flows and levels (MFLs) for lakes, rivers, streams and aquifers in the District will be determined.A minimum flow or level is the limit at which further water withdrawals will cause significant harm to the water resources and/or environment. The District Governing Board sets these limits as part of achieving the delicate balance between meeting human water needs and…

Homeowners and gardening enthusiasts are invited to “play in the dirt” at the third annual Florida Yard Fandango March 8-9 at the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI.)The goal of the Fandango is to promote Florida-friendly landscaping and lawn maintenance because it is beautiful and saves water, time and energy.This year the gardening event has grown to two days. The first day features gardening classes and a plant auction. Participants have the opportunity to…

Who: Southwest Florida Water Management District staff, National Wild Turkey Federation/Wheelin’ Sportsmen representatives, disabled hunters and volunteer guidesWhat: The District has partnered with the National Wild Turkey Federation/Wheelin’ Sportsmen to organize this hog hunt, which allows disabled men, women and young adults to experience the outdoors.When: Saturday, Feb. 3, 11 a.m.Where: The hunt will…