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Habitats are thriving at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa thanks to a District project aimed at restoring natural systems and improving water quality for Tampa Bay.  District staff completed the third and final phase of a restoration project at MacDill last fall, along the southern tip of Tampa’s Interbay Peninsula near the base’s golf course. Workers dug and expanded water channels, removed non-native plants and planted native species in an effort to improve…

District Approves Budget The Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board recently adopted its fiscal year 2012–13 (FY2012–13) millage rate and budget. The Governing Board adopted a FY2012–13 millage rate of 0.3928 mill, which is the same as the current fiscal year. FY2012–13 will run from Oct. 1, 2012, through Sept. 30, 2013. With taxable property values declining by 2.9 percent, this rate will result in a $3 million reduction in ad valorem property tax…

A multimillion-dollar cooperative project among three government entities is cleaning up a watershed that eventually empties into Tampa Bay. The creation of McIntosh Park began when Hillsborough County purchased the 400-acre plot through its Environmental Lands Acquisition and Protection Program (ELAPP) for Plant City. The land is adjacent to the downstream segment of the Eastside Canal, which was built in the late 1930s to drain the 6,000-acre Eastside Canal…

Kendra Antoine and Sylvia Durell, senior communications coordinators, with their Crystal Awards. Kendra Antoine and Sylvia Durell, senior communications coordinators, received top honors from the Florida Government Communicators Association. Two District communications projects were recognized at the annual Florida Government Communicators Association (FGCA) Awards Banquet. The Crystal Awards recognize businesses, community groups, individuals and agencies…

The Southwest Florida Management District recently signed an agreement with Polk County to move forward on a project that will help reduce flooding associated with heavy rains in the Saddlebag Lake Watershed.The Saddlebag Lake Watershed spans approximately 9.5 miles in southeast Polk County. Water levels in Saddlebag Lake and Lake Thomas rose dramatically after three hurricanes and four years of above average rainfall. More than 300 homes in the area were flooded and roads…

A project aimed at restoring the Weeki Wachee headsprings and river is moving into its second phase.The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s project involves removing sediment and re-planting native aquatic plants to improve the water quality and habitat within the headsprings and river.The Weeki Wachee headspring and the upper reaches of the river have an accumulation of sand, silt, muck and litter in the headspring, which also spreads downstream. Excessive…

Florida native and citrus grower Ronald E. Oakley took his oath of office during the July Board meeting to serve on the Governing Board. Gov. Charlie Crist appointed the Zephyrhills resident to succeed Talmadge G. “Jerry” Rice. Oakley’s term ends March 1, 2011. Oakley is the executive vice president of Oakley Groves, Inc. in Lake Wales. He believes his experience as a citrus grower and rancher will give him insight into managing the District’s water resources,…

A Polk County Builders Association (PCBA) program aimed at teaching residents about Florida-friendly landscaping was recognized as a finalist in the nonprofit best practice category of the 2009 Sustainable Florida Best Practice Awards. The “Polk Is Florida-Friendly” program, which received funding from the District’s Alafia River, Hillsborough River and Peace River basin boards, promotes widespread adoption of Florida-Friendly Landscaping® best management practices…

At its August 4 meeting, the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Peace River Basin Board adopted a fiscal year 2007 (FY2007) millage rate of 0.195 mill, which is the same as the current fiscal year.The budget for FY2007 is $15,976,982, which is an increase of $2,655,463 from the approved FY2006 budget. The increase is primarily due to an increase in property values. FY2007 will run from Oct. 1, 2006, through Sept. 30, 2007.The Peace River Basin Board area…

According to the National Weather Service, parts of the Tampa Bay area may see freezing temperatures during early morning hours on Sunday. This has prompted the Southwest Florida Water Management District to advise residents who live near Plant City and Dover to switch off the pumps on their wells Saturday night and leave the pumps off until the temperatures warm up in the morning. Temperatures are expected to drop below 34 degrees for several hours early Sunday morning.…

h2. District Seeking Public Input on Proposals for Four PropertiesThe "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/ recently completed an evaluation of eight District-managed lands to determine if additional hunting opportunities are available. Draft proposals for four of these lands will be presented at a public meeting on Monday, Dec. 5. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. and will be held at the Hillsborough Community College…

Hurricane season started and that means people should be stocked up on batteries and bottled watered for the storm season. But people also should be thinking about preparing their yards. Not only does it protect homes and people, it could also reduce water pollution caused by stormwater runoff. Here are some ways to prepare your landscaping for a hurricane: 

• Choose wind-resistant trees. Some trees are more wind-resistant than others so do…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is gathering information to improve identification of flood prone areas in Polk County. The District will provide a virtual public comment period now through March 5 at WaterMatters.org/Floodplain…

Some Areas Show Significant Gains Scientists with the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) completed the latest round of seagrass mapping along Florida’s Springs Coast. The results of the aerial imagery collected show 586,511 acres of mapped seagrass habitat along the Springs Coast, up slightly from the previous total of 577,920 acres in 2016. The open water nature of the area and the largely undeveloped and expansive coastal wetlands…

At its August 12 meeting, the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Manasota Basin Board adopted a 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 certified by the county property appraisers, will result in an estimated 11.31 percent decrease in ad valorem property…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board today celebrated two District projects that received an Award of Excellence at the Hillsborough County Planning Commission 26th Annual Community Design Awards. The Community Design Awards recognize projects that contribute to the quality of life in Hillsborough County.Both projects were managed by the Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) Program.Newman Branch Creek Habitat Restoration…

Gov. Charlie Crist recently reassigned one member and appointed two new members to the Governing Board of the Southwest Florida Water Management District.

• Judy Whitehead of Brooksville was reassigned to succeed Patsy C. Symons. Last year the state legislature reassigned Symons’ seat to represent Hernando and Marion counties and added two new seats to the Governing Board for a total of 13 members. Whitehead, the owner of Residential Appraisal Service, was first…

Volunteers Remove Invasive Plants Volunteers from the Tampa Bay Sea Aquarium, University of Tampa, and Sexton and 74th Street elementary schools picked air potatoes during a recent cleanup event at the park. Twenty-nine volunteers recently plucked potatoes at Sawgrass Lake Park, but these aren’t the spuds you’ll find on your dinner table. Volunteers from the Tampa Bay Sea Aquarium, University of Tampa, and Sexton and 74th Street elementary schools picked…

A scientific review panel endorses the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s approach to setting minimum flows and levels (MFLs) for the Middle Peace River.“This was an important endorsement because the methodologies and science used to develop minimum flows and levels on the Middle Peace River are the same that will be applied to freshwater river segments throughout the District,” said Martin Kelly, manager of the District’s Ecological Evaluation section.A minimum…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District will be removing vegetation near a portion of the "Flatwoods Park Trail":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/recreation/areas/lh-flatwoods.html starting Dec. 11.The work, which involves some tree removal, is required to put the Lower Hillsborough Levee in compliance with requirements of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Failure to meet the requirements would mean a loss of possible federal funding in an emergency.Vegetation…