District Seeks Input On Highlands County Lake Levels

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is seeking public input about proposed minimum and guidance levels for selected Highlands County lakes.

A minimum flow or level (MFL) 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 are used as guidelines in district permitting programs, for development of water resource projects and as information for development bordering lakes.

These workshops will allow local governments, citizens and others to be part of the development of minimum levels for area lakes.

Public comment gathered at the workshops will be summarized and presented to the Governing Board upon request, when staff presents the recommended minimum levels at the district's Dec. 18 Governing Board meeting. At that time, the Governing Board may choose to adopt the proposed levels into district rules. Governing Board meetings are open to the public and comments are permitted.

Written comments are also welcome and can be submitted via mail or e-mail to Doug Leeper, chief environmental scientist, no later than Dec. 17. The addresses are 2379 Broad Street, Brooksville, FL 34604-6899 or Doug.Leeper@WaterMatters.org.

Draft reports containing information on the development of the MFL for these lakes will be available under the Proposed Minimum and Guidance Levels heading on the Documents & Publications page of the District's web site, WaterMatters.org. For more information, contact Doug Leeper at 1-800-423-1476, ext 4272.