The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board Tuesday approved a land management plan for the Chito Branch Reserve in southeastern Hillsborough County that will provide a variety of recreational opportunities for the public.
The District purchased the 5,515-acre reserve in 2001, in cooperation with Tampa Bay Water for the primary purpose of building the 16-billion-gallon C.W. “Bill” Young Reservoir to collect and store drinking water. The reservoir is built on 1,100 acres. The remaining property consists of a variety of habitats, including wetlands, pine and scrubby flatwoods, scrub, freshwater marshes and improved pasture.
The District’s 10-year land use and management plan meets the District’s objectives to balance Tampa Bay Water’s operation of the reservoir, protection of natural resources and public recreational use of the reserve. The District has determined that hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, primitive camping, wildlife observation, interpretive uses, nature study, outdoor nature photography, picnicking and trail running are recreational opportunities compatible with these objectives. However, the District must finish constructing the parking area, marking trails and completing the other infrastructure needs to accommodate recreation. This work is expected to be completed next spring.
As part of the plan, the District will be responsible for managing the reserve’s natural resources and for accommodating recreational usage. Tampa Bay Water will continue to manage the operations of the reservoir.