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Five Sarasota County projects expected to reach more than 7,000 people were awarded Community Education Grants from the Southwest Florida Water Management District. These grants provide up to $5,000 to help fund projects that provide communities an opportunity to learn about water resources.This year the District awarded 38 grants Districtwide for a total of $136,598. This is the 11th year Community Education Grants have been available.The overall goal of the Community…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s (District) Governing Board voted to decrease property taxes by adopting a proposed rolled-back millage rate of 0.1909 mill for the fiscal year 2025 budget.The millage rate is 6.6% lower than the current fiscal year adopted millage rate of 0.2043 mill, a savings to taxpayers of approximately $9.5 million.For the owner of a $150,000 home with a $50,000 homestead exemption, the District tax would be $19.09 a year, or…

District staff, Governing Board members and Hillsborough River Basin Board members recently welcomed the first wave of warm weather with a canoe trip down the upper Hillsborough River. The outing was an opportunity to see firsthand a highly protected natural river in its upper reaches, which ultimately provides water supplies to the City of Tampa and freshwater flows to Tampa Bay. “The upper Hillsborough River is in excellent ecological condition, with good water…

Who:Hillsborough County Extension Service staff, homeowners and gardenersWhat:A Water-Wise workshop to teach interested homeowners about Florida-friendly landscaping practices, including proper irrigation techniques.Pre-registration is required for this free workshop. Participants will receive a micro-irrigation kit at the conclusion. Call 813-744-5519, ext. 145 to register.The workshop is part of “Hillsborough River Watershed Awareness Week,” which is sponsored by the…

Left: The group toured the tailwater recovery system at Strawberry Red Ranch. Top right:Bill Orendorff, FARMS Program manager, describes the tailwater recovery project to the group. Bottom right: Glenn Harrell of Harrell’s Nursery, right, speaks with Bruce Wirth, District deputy executive director. District Governing Board and staff members got a firsthand look at ways to reduce the use of groundwater for freeze protection during a recent tour of agricultural…

Website Enhancement The District recently launched two new WaterMatters.org microsites featuring information on the Alafia River watershed and the Florida Water StarSM program. Alafia River Watershed Excursion WaterMatters.org/alafia takes you on a virtual journey…

The "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/ is gathering information to improve identification of flooding risks for three Marion County watersheds.This information is being developed as part of the *Withlacoochee River*, *Withlacoochee River 2* and *Withlacoochee Region* watershed management plans. The plans were cooperatively funded by the Southwest Florida Water Management District and Marion County.The District is…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board Tuesday approved a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Polk County for the Lake Hancock Lake Level Modification Project. Polk County is scheduled to consider the MOA on Aug. 9.The MOA outlines what each party is responsible for and addresses the county’s North Central landfill. The county’s North Central landfill is located near the Lake Hancock Project. It was originally permitted in 1974…

Gov. Charlie Crist recently appointed a new member to the Governing Board of the Southwest Florida Water Management District.Henry Paul Senft of Haines City was appointed to a newly created seat. The Governing Board was previously made up of 11 seats. Last year the State Legislature added two new seats for a total of 13.His term began March 7 and ends March 1, 2011. Senft is the owner of Townsend-Senft Consulting and Insurance Inc. He will also be appointed by the…

According to the National Weather Service, parts of the Tampa Bay area may see freezing temperatures during early morning hours on Friday. This has prompted the "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":http://watermatters.org to advise residents who live near Plant City and Dover to switch off the pumps on their wells Thursday night and leave the pumps off until the temperatures warm up in the morning. Temperatures are…

At its July 25 meeting, the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Manasota Basin Board adopted a fiscal year 2008 (FY2008) millage rate of 0.1484 mill, which is .0116 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 Gov.…

The "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/ is inviting the public to comment on proposed "minimum flows and levels(Minimum Flows and Levels)":/mfl (MFLs) for the upper and middle Withlacoochee River at a public workshop on Wednesday, Nov. 3. The workshop will be held from 6:30 to approximately 9 p.m. at the "District's headquarters(Google map)":http://maps.google.com/maps?oi=map&q=2379+Broad+Street,+Brooksville,+FL+…

A Citrus County builder, landscaper and irrigation contractor are being recognized for incorporating water conservation and water-wise landscaping into a model home’s design with the county’s first Water-Wise Landscape Award.Rusaw Homes, The Greenery Landscaping and Coast to Coast Irrigation took first place for the Oakdale Anniversary model in the Citrus County Fall Parade of Homes. The Parade of Homes is being held through Oct. 28, 10 a.m. 5 p.m. weekdays and…

At its June 6 meeting, the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Coastal Rivers Basin Board adopted a proposed fiscal year 2007 (FY2007) millage rate of 0.205 mill, which is .03 mill below the FY2006 rate of .235 mill. This reduction was based on the estimated increase in property values for FY2007.FY2007 will run from Oct. 1, 2006, through Sept. 30, 2007.The Coastal Rivers Basin Board covers portions of Citrus, Hernando and Pasco counties. For the owner of a…

According to the National Weather Service, parts of the Tampa Bay area are expected to have below freezing temperatures Wednesday morning. This has prompted the…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is seeking public input about proposed minimum and guidance levels for selected Pasco County lakes.A public workshop will be held to discuss proposed levels for King Lake, King Lake (East) and Lake Linda. The meeting will be held Wednesday, Nov. 14, 6:30 p.m. at the Land O’ Lakes Community Center, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Boulevard (U.S. Highway 41), Land O’ Lakes.A minimum flow or level (MFL) is the limit at which…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District has recently signed agreements with Hernando County to develop comprehensive watershed management plans for several watersheds within the county.The plans will be used to determine feasible drainage alternatives that may be constructed to enhance and restore water quality and natural systems, or for flood relief. The plan will also assist local governments with their land management responsibilities and further the goals.Plans…

In accordance with a new law passed during the 2014 state legislative session, all lobbyists will be required to register with the Southwest Florida Water Management District. Senate Bill 846, recently signed by Governor Rick Scott, goes into effect July 1 and requires Florida's five water management districts to develop a lobbyist registration process. A separate registration form must be submitted to each water management district that a person will be lobbying. Starting…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is seeking public input about proposed minimum and guidance levels for Citrus County lakes.A public workshop will be held to discuss proposed levels for Fort Cooper Lake and the Floral City, Hernando and Inverness pools of Tsala Apopka Lake in Citrus County. The meeting will be held Tuesday, Oct. 17, at the Citrus County Auditorium, 3610 South Florida Avenue (U.S. Highway 41), Inverness. The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m.A…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is seeking public input about proposed minimum flows and levels (MFL) for Lake Panasoffkee in Sumter County.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 a balance between meeting human water needs and those of Florida’s natural systems. Minimum lake levels…