SWFWMD to hold virtual public workshop, Aug. 23, on ranking water bodies
The Southwest Florida Water Management District (water district) is seeking public input to determine the priority of minimum flows and levels (MFLs) establishment for lakes, wetlands, rivers, streams and aquifers in the water district, along with the establishment of water reservations. Legislation requires the water district to review and, if necessary, revise this schedule, each year.
The water district will hold a virtual public meeting on Aug. 23 at 5:30 p.m. Members of the public can join the meeting via Microsoft Teams. Use of the Chrome browser is recommended for best compatibility. Join the meeting via Microsoft Teams at this link:
https://teams.microsoft.com/dl/launcher/launcher.html?url=%2F_%23%2Fl%2Fmeetup-join%2F19%3Ameeting_ZWI1MDc4NzktOGMyMC00NDhiLTgwZDktNmMxZDRlOWFjMmNk%40thread.v2%2F0%3Fcontext%3D%257b%2522Tid%2522%253a%25227d508ec0-09f9-4402-8304-3a93bd40a972%2522%252c%2522Oid%2522%253a%25224df5e295-84da-43eb-a6f9-f053183d9029%2522%257d%26anon%3Dtrue&type=meetup-join&deeplinkId=050d9c98-1df5-44a3-b40e-ad74a38299ec&directDl=true&msLaunch=true&enableMobilePage=true&suppressPrompt=true. To join the meeting by telephone only, dial (786) 749-6127 and when prompted enter the conference ID: 121-548-175#.
A minimum flow or level is the limit at which further water withdrawals will cause significant harm to the water resources or environment. A water reservation defines a quantity of water, set aside from the water use permitting process, for the protection of fish and wildlife or public health and safety. The water district’s Governing Board establishes MFLs and reservations as part of achieving the balance between meeting water needs and sustaining Florida’s natural systems.
The adopted minimum flows and levels priority list and schedule for 2022 is available on the District’s website here. The draft 2023 list will be published on the site, following the Governing Board’s Aug. 22 meeting. and will be considered for approval at the Board’s October meeting.
Written comments on the draft priority list and schedule may be submitted to Doug Leeper, MFLs Program Lead, by email at doug.leeper@watermatters.org or sent by regular mail to 2379 Broad Street, Brooksville, FL, 34604, no later than Sept. 7, 2023.
For more information, please contact Doug Leeper at (352) 269-5863.