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Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Southwest Florida Water Management District

Campgrounds reopen to reduced capacity

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As part of a phased approach, the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) has reopened all campgrounds throughout its 16-county region, as of June 3. The reopening of SFWMD campgrounds is consistent with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s reopening of camping at many Florida State Parks.

To help protect staff and visitors from the spread of COVID-19, the following guidelines will be in place at all SFWMD campgrounds:

  • Campgrounds will be limited to 50% capacity.
  • Groups of more than 10 campers will not be allowed.
  • There will be a required minimum of 25 feet between campsites.
  • Campers should continue to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidance on social distancing and the use of face coverings.

District staff will coordinate with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and other local officials to ensure campers are enjoying the lands safely and responsibly.

For questions and information, call (800) 423-1476, or visit WaterMatters.org/Recreation.

Published June 17, 2020

Zephyrhills purchases land for airport runway extension

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The City of Zephyrhills has taken another step forward in its quest to expand the capabilities of the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport.

The Zephyrhills City Council on April 13 unanimously approved the purchase of 1.29 acres of vacant land from Chancey Properties LLC  for $122,657.22 — to make way for the airport runway 1-19 extension project.

The runway is being extended by 1,500 feet south to create a total length of 6,500 feet, to accommodate larger passenger and corporate aircraft, and encourage aviation and industrial development. The extension project currently is under design and engineering phases.

The purchased industrial land — addressed as Lot 11 on Park Place Center in Zephyrhills — is needed to facilitate the project’s required runway protection zone. That zone is a trapezoidal area off the end of the runway that serves to enhance the protection of people and property on the ground — in the event an aircraft lands or crashes beyond the end of the runway.

The city budgeted $120,000 for the land purchase, so the additional $2,657 will be absorbed within the city’s airport capital outlay budget.

The closing costs go into effect May 1.

Zephyrhills last year received $5.9 million in state appropriations for the entire runway extension project, and to construct a 3,000-foot service road to access infield site development and runway connectivity on the west side of the airport.

The airport also is set to receive an upgraded fuel farm, as well as airfield beacons and lighting improvements.

On a related note, city council appointed Stephen Gartner to the seven-member Airport Authority Board.

Gartner fills the vacancy created by the resignation of David Ruffell, who had one year remaining on a three-year term.

Gartner has been an aircraft maintenance technician for more than 45 years, and is a retired inspection foreman with Delta Air Lines. He currently restores and renovates vintage aircraft at the municipal airport. He lives just outside city limits.

In other action, the council:

  • Adopted a second reading ordinance rezoning 172.73 acres of land from the residential estate district to the residential suburban district, on the west side of Dean Dairy Road and continuing north and east over to Simons Road. The future land use reclassification makes way for the Cottages at Silver Oaks neighborhood development.
  • Approved a task assignment not to exceed $134,120 to consultant Jones Edmunds & Associates Inc., for engineering services related to a new reclaimed water line for the Zephyr Lakes development. The $1.42 million water line project will run approximately 11,000 feet of 12-inch reclaimed water pipe to the Wire Road/Otis Allen intersection. The project cost is being split between the city and Southwest Florida Water Management District.
  • Approved and executed a $7.41 million agreement with Florida Design Contractors Inc., for advanced wastewater treatment plant construction upgrades. The project is being funded through a $2.5 million state grant and state revolving fund loans.

Elsewhere, the city tabled the construction of a new K9 kennel building for the Zephyrhills Police Department.

The city rejected all three construction bids it received, as each exceeded a $75,000 budget limit allocated for this fiscal year. The lowest bid came in at $103,832.

In its request for proposal, the city sought a concrete building with a standard seam metal roof that would include four separate kennel areas and a bathing area for police dogs.

Published April 22, 2020

Plantation Palms celebrates North Canal project completion

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Plantation Palms had a ribbon cutting last week to celebrate the completion of a project to address an erosion problem in the community.

The $2.99 million project — approximately 1,700 feet long — involved stabilizing the community’s North Canal. The work included installing Gabion baskets along the ditch sides, and a rip-rap lining the bottom, according to a Pasco County document.

A project to address erosion concerns has been completed in the Plantation Palms community in Land O’ Lakes. (B.C. Manion)

The community worked with the county to establish the Municipal Service Benefits Unit to pay for the project. The construction costs will be covered through annual payments on property tax bills of the residences of the 821 members of Plantation Palms Homeowners Association Inc.

The homeowners association owns the ditch, but needed the county’s help to fund the project.

At the ribbon cutting, Jim Hammond, president of the Plantation Palms Homeowners Association, said “I’m proud of the fact that in the last three years, the golf course is open, we’ve solved an enormous problem in the North Canal — and both of these were huge projects, that had a major impact on our community.”

“Both these success stories improved our safety, financial well-being and property values.

The project “saved our community substantial future costs and liability,” Hammond said.

“Both of these were collaborative efforts,” Hammond said. “We accomplished what’s best for 821 homeowners.

“We’ll forever be grateful to Pasco County, who partnered with us to make all of this happen,” Hammond added.

A celebration was held in Plantation Palms to mark the completion of a $2.99 million project aimed at improving safety and reducing potential liability. The project was done through a partnership between the community and Pasco County.

He also expressed gratitude to Bio-Mass Tech, the construction company; Coastal Design Engineering; the Southwest Florida Water Management District; the Plantation Palms Homeowner Association’s board; the association’s attorney; and county staff for their efforts in bringing the North Canal project to fruition.

Hammond handed out a number of awards, too.

In one case, he declared Amanda Haulk, the Plantation Palms Homeowner of the Year. She lives adjacent to the improvement project.

“She had a ringside seat for all of the construction,” Hammond said.

“Right now, it looks all cleaned up. For those that were here during the construction, this whole area was mounded with dirt and stone, and trucks all over the place.

“She had some challenges. They cut off the water multiple times. They cut off the electricity multiple times. They cut off the cable box a couple of times. And, you can’t see it now, but most of her pool pump and gear alongside the garage were hanging over the side of the construction site.

“And yet, she stuck it out. She was a real champ,” Hammond said.

Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore also was among the award recipients.

Hammond said: “Commissioner Moore was instrumental in getting our golf club open. We went to him when we needed Collier Parkway resurfaced. He was there when we needed the MSBU approved. He was there again when we needed construction contracts awarded. He’s been there for us.”

Moore said Hammond should be receiving an award.

“Jim, you’ve just been instrumental in everything that happens here at Plantation Palms,” Moore said.

The commission chairman also complimented Bill Place, for the progress that’s been made at Plantation Palms Golf Course.

“I know the golf course (reopening) was obviously a big part in helping the property values out,” Moore said.

Plantation Palms closed in 2014 as MJS Golf Group – the previous owner – struggled to survive recurring financial losses and debts.

A “Bring Back Our Course” campaign, led by Hammond, sought to save the course, but struggled to find a potential buyer with a viable financial plan.

Place, and his wife Su Lee, bought the course in May 2016 in a short sale approved by the federal government.

Describing Plantation Palms as an “amazing community,” Moore said he’s pleased to see it continue to progress.

Pasco Commissioner Jack Mariano also was there to celebrate the completion of the canal project. He, too, offered complimentary remarks about the golf course.

Published December 11, 2019

Protection for freshwater springs makes progress

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Gov. Ron DeSantis proclaimed April as Springs Protection Awareness Month, recognizing springs as a natural resource unique to Florida.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) celebrated the month in recognition of the environmental, recreational and economic importance of Florida’s 900 iconic freshwater springs.

“Springs are vital to the environment, economy, citizens and visitors of the state,” said Brian Armstrong, executive director of the Southwest Florida Water Management District, in a release.

“The District, in partnership with DEP, the governor and the Legislature, is committed to implementing projects to conserve and restore the ecological balance of our spring systems, supporting the regional economies and quality of life,” Armstrong added.

Brett Cyphers, executive director of the Northwest Florida Water Management District, pointed out that under Gov. DeSantis and DEP Secretary Noah Valenstein, northwest Florida is making real transformative progress with springs restoration and water quality improvement.

And, Hugh Thomas, executive director of the Suwannee River Water Management District, said “Florida is entering a remarkable era for environmental protection” under the leadership of DeSantis and Valenstein.

As per the proclamation, the Bold Vision for a Brighter Future budget recommends $50 million in funding to restore the state’s world-renowned springs, and safeguard these natural resources through nationally recognized water quality assessment and restoration programs.

In celebration of Springs Protection Awareness Month, DEP partnered with Florida’s water management districts to continue the statewide public education initiative, “My Home. My Springs.”

The initiative highlights the uniqueness and importance of the state’s springs, as well as the restoration efforts and the expertise behind them.

Residents can access informative resources, such as fact sheets, videos, educator resources, a springs locator tool and more by visiting MyHomeMySprings.org.

Published May 01, 2019

Ridge Road project to open in 2020?

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A portion of the Ridge Road Extension — a project Pasco County officials have wanted for 20 years — could open in time for the beginning of the 2020 school year.

The Pasco County Commission heard an update on the project during its April 8 meeting in Dade City.

The proposed Ridge Road Extension spans  7.6 miles, reaching from Moon Road to U.S. 41, in Land O’ Lakes.

Margaret Smith, the county’s engineering services director, told commissioners that county staff, and representatives from the Florida Turnpike Enterprise and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have been meeting weekly. The Turnpike is a co-applicant on the project with the county.

“We get together and talk about the issues of this project, just to make sure we keep it moving forward, just because it is an essential addition to our east-west grid in Pasco County.

“Just recently, we had the biological assessment and Fish and Wildlife both agreed that there was no issues with the permit,” Smith said.

Sam Beneck, the county’s project manager for the Ridge Road Extension, outlined a potential timeline for the project.

“We anticipate that by July 15, we’ll have completion of the Fish and Wildlife Service consultation. That represents the largest single task, in terms of time commitment, that remains on this project. It’s obviously outside of the county’s, the Turnpike’s and the Army Corps’ hands. It  really depends on the Fish and Wildlife Service.

“Beyond that, we’re looking at the start of September, an environmental assessment and statement of findings to be completed by the Army Corps. We anticipate that they will be working on that before the Fish and Wildlife consultation is done, so hopefully the consultation completes, they can complete their statement of findings and then we’re really looking forward to a Sept. 23 permit decision.

“This is based on our best available information,” Beneck said.”

Assuming that the permit is issued, the county is proposing a bidding approach that would reward early completion by $15,000 a day and charge $15,000 a day for every day the project is late. That approach will be brought back to the board for formal approval, he said.

“We’ve distilled that to three milestones,” Beneck said. “The contractor will not earn or lose their entire incentive based on one day. It will run incrementally, and we’re using that same $15,000 per day.

“Our first milestone, as an example, would be completion of four lanes of Ridge Road, between Moon Lake Road and Town Center Boulevard.

“That would provide a second entrance and exit to that (River Ridge Middle and River Ridge High) school facility. That is a major challenge in the afternoon. That would be completed by Aug. 10, 2020,” Beneck said, noting that is the first day of school.

“If they complete it on Aug. 10, then there’s zero dollars, between the contractor and the county based on that.

“For every day in advance, they’ll earn incentive and for every day after, they’ll lose that disincentive, that $15,000 a day.

“So, if they come in 13 days early, they’ll get a full $195,000 incentive; and if they’re 13 days late, they’ll be charged that disincentive,” Beneck said.

The next milestone is a two-lane opening that would allow two-way traffic between Moon Lake and the Suncoast Parkway by May 31, 2021, which would be prior to the 2021 Hurricane Season.

“This is our largest incentive, that $1.5 million,” Beneck said. “ Again, it’s not make or break on one day. If they’re a little bit late, they’ll be charged for being late, and if they’re early, they’ll start to earn that incentive.”

The third milestone is the overall completion of the project, which would be by May 31, 2022, the beginning of the 2022 Hurricane Season. Again, incentives and disincentives would be used. The maximum incentive/disincentive for this milestone would be $705,000.

Beneck told commissioners: “We started working very closely with the attorney’s office, with the purchasing office, to make sure that everything that we’re doing is defensible. Once that review is complete, we anticipate bringing the package to the board, as its own item, discuss it with you all, make sure you understand it and concur with the strategy.”

Another idea is to delegate authority to County Administrator Dan Biles, so he can sign the contract and issue the notice to proceed.

County Commissioner Mike Moore told Biles, “Dan, I like your idea of incentivizing being ahead of schedule and disincentivizing being behind schedule.”

He thinks the county should consider the same approach when it proceeds with the Interstate 75/Overpass Road interchange project.

County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey praised the effort to get the road opened in the vicinity of River Ridge Middle and River Ridge high schools.

“My kids all went to River Ridge Middle and High School. And, I can tell you, on the middle school dance, middle school prom, whatever, that traffic backs up way down Ridge Road. It takes a couple hours to get in to pick up your kid and drop them off. It’s a nightmare. So, this is going to be so wonderful for that high school and middle school.”

Starkey also wants to be sure the county pursues the opportunity to have a trailhead at the Suncoast Expressway.

“There is land there that is not part of Serenova that is land that was used by the Department of Transportation to build their borrow pits. They carved it out and then they gave it back to SWFMD (Southwest Florida Water Management District). We were told by SWFMD years ago that we could use that as a trailhead. It’s high and dry.”

Beneck told Starkey: “Yes, we are coordinating with the water management district on that, as well as a lot of other opportunities.”

Biles noted the trailhead is not part of the current set of construction documents.

Beneck said that’s correct, but the discussions are “laying the groundwork for those facilities in the future.”

Mariano praised the county’s staff for the progress it is making toward making the Ridge Road Extension a reality, singling out Biles for his contributions.

Biles told commissioners: “We’re cautiously optimistic that we’ll be moving forward on this, late this summer.”

Ridge Road Extension, projected schedule
July 15: Fish and wildlife service consultation complete
Sept. 9: Environmental assessment and findings
Sept. 23: Permit decision and construction notice to proceed
October: Construction celebration ceremony

Potential construction schedule
August 10, 2020: Completion of four lanes between Moon Lake Road and Town Center Boulevard
May 31, 2021: Two lanes between Town Center Boulevard and Interchange, and four lanes through Interchange area to end of project
May 31, 2022: Phase 1 project completion

Published April 17, 2019

Glimpse Florida’s ancient past at the Green Swamp

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Living on Florida’s densely populated coast, it’s almost impossible to believe that a 37,350-acre wilderness exists just an hour or so inland.

Giant, old oaks line the main hiking trail in the Green Swamp West Tract, just 5 miles from downtown Dade City. (Karen Haymon Long)

Known as the West Tract of the 110,000-acre Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve, this environmentally protected land offers glimpses of what Florida used to look like, and, hopefully, will look like way into the future.

This important natural treasure is a vital recharge area for the Florida Aquifer and contains the headwaters of four Florida rivers – the Hillsborough, Withlacoochee, Peace and a fraction of the Ocklawaha. It reaches into not only Pasco, but Polk, Lake, Sumter and Hernando counties.

Just 5 miles from downtown Dade City, the swamp’s West Tract offers 65 miles of trails for hikers, bikers and horseback riders.

On our recent visit on a Monday, we walked a half-hour from the parking lot on an unpaved service road just to get to the hiking trailhead that leads into the woods. This stretch, a section of the Florida National Scenic Trail, winds through dense woods overshadowed by giant old oaks, soaring slash and longleaf pines and mature magnolias.

The Green Swamp West Tract is open to hikers, campers, bikers and horseback riders who want to escape into the wilderness.

I’ve hiked all over the country, in many state and national parks, and have never seen so many ancient oaks in one place. For the next hour, we were alone in the peaceful woods, often with ponds and grassy waters on both sides of us.

The Green Swamp is known for its wildlife – white-tailed deer, hogs, bobcats, turtles, turkeys, raccoons, gray squirrels, alligators and all sorts of wading birds, but on our visit, we saw just birds – little blue herons, white ibis, a great blue heron and osprey. We did see evidence of hogs in one stretch of trail, where they had foraged in the muck.

Part of the trail we took is a section of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail, and, on just about the whole length of our hike, we heard a chorus of birds calling back and forth.

The trail was easy to follow — thanks to orange paint slashes on trees along the way — so we never got lost. Twice, we had to climb over or walk around huge trees that had fallen across our path.

While I called the trail “wild,” my husband described it as “primitive,’’ but we both liked it that way.

The Green Swamp’s West Tract has picnic tables where visitors can enjoy a picnic lunch on the edge of the vast wilderness. The tract has no concessions, so come prepared.

We saw cypress domes ghosting from water.

Vast swaths of brown grasses swayed in the breeze.

We watched for snakes in clumps of brilliant green saw palmettos, and admired stately cabbage palms, Florida’s state tree.

And, just around every turn, we saw ponds or pools of water, some of it green, but some tea colored, too.

The Green Swamp is technically not a swamp, but “a mosaic of several different ecosystems,” according to the story anthology, “Rivers of the Green Swamp.”

One of Florida’s two largest wetlands – along with the Everglades – the Green Swamp is managed by the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD). Much of it is considered an environmentally sensitive habitat, and visitors are urged to stay on designated trails.

A map available at the tract entrance and online left much to be desired, with some roads bisecting the trail not marked or named and no trail lengths. We figured since the Florida Legislature long ago designated the Green Swamp “an area of critical state concern,” the state may not want hordes hiking in the area, so purposely makes maps vague.

Orange paint slashes on tree trunks lead the way through the main hiking trail in the Green Swamp’s West Tract. The trail is part of the Florida National Scenic Trail.

If that’s true, that’s fine with us. The fewer hikers the better to enjoy the solace of a good, long walk.

By chance, the trail we took was dry the day we went and closed to hog hunters. Dates when it is opened for hunting are posted at the main gate next to the parking lot and on SWFWMD’s website. (See Tips for the Trip).

We had read online that trails are sometimes too boggy to take, and, in the summertime, mosquitoes can be lethal. So we chose a dry, cool day to walk, and we were glad we did.

It was amazing how few people we saw – just one other hiker, two men on bikes, one with a dog on a leash, and a few men in pickup trucks driving on the service roads. We didn’t see anyone on horses. They are not rented out there, but horse owners are welcomed to bring them in if they stay on designated trails and carry proof of their horses’ current negative Coggins test.

The West Tract also has equestrian and primitive campsites, with pit and portable toilets, picnic tables and grills. Free permits are required, and campers are given the front gate lock combination so they can drive their gear into the campgrounds. There are no concession stands, so visitors should go prepared.

We don’t know if we would go back to camp there, but we’d like to return, maybe next time with our bikes.

Even now, I think of the quiet, of the watery beauty, and of those magnificent oaks — some older than our own state of Florida.

This map of the Green Swamp’s West Tract is more detailed than the ones online or available at the tract’s entrance. This one is posted near the tract picnic area.

Tips for the Trip
The Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve West Tract is at 13347 Ranch Road (off the U.S. 98 Bypass) about 5 miles from downtown Dade City, in East Pasco County.

  • Admission is free and trails are open daily, except when hunting is permitted. Before going, be sure to check on those hunting dates at tinyurl.com/y6m2wtsa.
  • Hours are sunrise to sunset. Maps are on the above website and at the tract entrance.
  • Picnic tables, portable toilets and campsites are also in the West Tract. Kayakers and boaters can put into a stretch of the Withlacoochee River, just down the road from the West Tract entrance.
  • For tract details, see tinyurl.com/y6m2wtsa, or call (352) 796-7211, ext. 4470.
  • Another place to visit the Green Swamp is Colt Creek State Park, at 16000 State Road 471 in Lakeland. For details, see FloridaStateParks.org.

For details on campgrounds, call 1-800-423-1476 (toll-free, Florida only) or (352) 796-7211, ext. 4470, or email .

By Karen Haymon Long

February 20, 2019

Plantation Palms drainage project approved

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Plantation Palms and Pasco County have agreed to a deal that will result in a $2.99 million drainage project — which will be paid for by residents in the Central Pasco community through the creation of a Municipal Service Benefit Unit (MSBU).

As part of the deal, the county will stabilize the north ditch, with a project that’s approximately 1,700 feet long.

Plans have been prepared by the county’s consultant — Coastal Design Consultants — at the county’s expense, and the estimated cost for the project, including a 10 percent contingency, is $2,986,000.

The construction costs will be covered through annual payments on property tax bills of the residences of the 821 members of Plantation Palms Homeowners Association Inc.

The project will be paid for over a period of 30 years, with an interest rate set at 3 percent, which results in an annual payment per member of $195.32, according to county documents.

However, the document also notes that the assessments will be finalized before September 2019.

The county also notes that Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano has said his office will waive the normal 2 percent administrative cost for projects of this type.

The homeowners association owns the ditch, but needs the county’s help to fund the project.

The bids are already out, advertised and will be closed on Dec. 14.

The county attempted to obtain funding from the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFMD) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency for the project, but was unsuccessful.

Jim Hammond, president of the Plantation Palms Homeowners Association, said “The HOA board unanimously supports an MSBU being formed, as do a majority of our homeowners.”

Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore was pleased to see the issue resolved.

He praised the county’s staff and the HOA for working out a solution.

Moore said the county should continue to seek assistance on costs form SWFMD.

Commissioner Jack Mariano agreed: “I think we should continue to go after that SWFMD funding, or FEMA funding, whatever it would be.”

The board voted 5-0 to support the project and the creation of the MSBU to pay for construction.

Published December 5, 2018

Water district officials discuss proposed Pierce Lake guidelines

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The Southwest Florida Water Management District is proposing new minimum levels for Pierce Lake, and held a meeting in Land O’ Lakes recently to explain the changes and accept public comment.

Minimum levels are established to protect lakes and wetlands, according to district experts. The minimum level is the limit at which further water withdrawals will cause significant harm to the water resources, and/or the environment.

Environmentalist scientist David Carr explained proposed guidelines for Pierce Lake during a Sept. 28 presentation at Connerton Elementary School, in Land O’ Lakes. (Brian Fernandes)

Pierce Lake is southwest of the intersection, between State Road 52 and U.S. 41. It lies within the Gowers Corner Slough basin.

Pierce Lake has no significant inflow other than overland flow, and at stages above 72.6 feet, it discharges through a ditch at its southern end across a field, according to materials prepared by the water management district.

Both outflows enter the same wetland to the lake’s southwest, the technical report says. It also notes that the topography is flat, and flows are often negligible.

Pierce Lake was selected for reevaluation based on development of modeling tools used to simulate nature water level fluctuations in lake basins that were not available when the current minimum lake levels for the lake were developed, the report adds.

“The review process does take a very holistic look the way this lake’s levels interact with all various different uses and indicators,” Joel Brown, government affairs manager for the water management district, told those gathered.

Such factors taken into consideration include acreage, species in or around the lake, recreational activities and water quality.

Minimum and guidance levels for Pierce were first approved in November 2006 and later implemented in 2008.

These levels are categorized into four parts, each providing a guideline for what healthy water elevation should look like for any given lake.

Environmental scientist David Carr and hydrogeologist Cortney Cameron provided a presentation, detailing how Pierce Lake’s lake levels have varied since 1981.

Cameron, who has studied the lake site for reevaluation, explained how Pierce Lake’s level has varied over decades, plus what it would look like without regional ground pumping.

“Pierce can fluctuate quite a bit,” she said, during her presentation. “Our records show that it’s fluctuated 8 feet in about two years.”

This two-year window occurred from 1998, when records showed elevation at its highest, to 2000, when it was at its lowest. Since then, levels have not varied significantly.

The North Pasco well field was Pierce’s closest water source until it was discontinued earlier this year. The nearest well field is now at Cross Bar Ranch, running at 12,500 acres in North-Central Pasco.

From 1981 to 2003, it was steadily pumping about 25 million gallons of water a day. In the past 15 years, it has cut down to 12 million gallons.

Studies show the correlation between a decline in pumping and the gradual rise of Pierce Lake’s elevation.

Attendees at the workshop did not express major concerns.

The scientists also noted that the elevation growth has not been substantial.

“It’s not the highest it’s ever been and not the highest it’s ever going to be,” Carr said.

The proposed level guidelines for Pierce are not substantially different from the ones adopted in 2008.

The recommended high guidance level is 72.7 feet, which is the same as the previously adopted level.

The recommended high minimum lake level is 71.9 feet, which is slightly less than the previously adopted level of 72.2 feet.

The recommended minimum lake level is 69.8 feet, which is slightly less than the previously adopted level of 70.5 feet.

The recommended low guidance level is 68.5 feet, which is slightly less than the previously adopted 68.9 feet.

The water management district’s governing board is set to make its ruling in November.

A draft report for Pierce Lake’s minimum levels can be found at WaterMatters.org/mflreports.

For additional information, contact David Carr at (800) 423-1476, ext. 4246, or at .

Published October 10, 2018

Public workshop scheduled regarding Pierce Lake

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The Southwest Florida Water Management District is holding a public workshop on Sept. 28 at 5:30 p.m., regarding minimum and guidance levels for Pierce Lake, according to a news release from the water management district.

The workshop will be at Connerton Elementary School, 9300 Flourish Drive, in Land O’ Lakes.

The purpose of the workshop is to allow for public comment on the proposed minimum and guidance levels for Pierce Lake in Pasco County.

Water management staff will provide information regarding the technical basis for the proposed minimum levels for Pierce Lake.

Minimum levels are established to protect lakes and wetlands, and the minimum level is the limit at which further water withdrawals will cause significant harm to the water resources and/or environment, according to the news release.

The workshop allows local government, citizens and others to provide input regarding the proposed minimum and guidance levels. Information will be summarized and made available to the water management district’s governing board.

At the governing board’s meeting in November, the board will decide whether to recommend adoption of the minimum levels into water management district rules.

The governing board meetings are open to the public, and brief oral comments are permitted on meeting agenda items.

The Florida Legislature requires the water management district to set minimum flows and levels for priority water bodies within the district.

Minimum flows are established to protect streams and rivers from impacts associated with ground water and surface water withdrawals, while minimum levels are established to protect lakes and wetlands. Minimum flows and levels serve as guidelines for the district’s permitting programs and for development of water resource projects.

A draft report summarizing the proposed minimum levels for Pierce Lake will be posted before the meeting on the District’s website at WaterMatters.org/MFLreports.

For more information regarding the proposed minimum levels, call David Carr at (800) 423-1476, ext. 4246.

Written comments can be submitted via mail or email to David Carr, staff environmental scientist, Water Resources Bureau, at 2379 Broad Street, Brooksville, FL 34604 or .

Published September 26, 2018

Despite neighbors’ concerns, commissioners OK subdivision

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The Pasco County Commission has approved a 145-home subdivision on the west side of Fort King Road, south of State Road 52 and north of Roberts Road, despite opposition by neighbors.

Attorney Barbara Wilhite, representing the applicant, Dade City Fifty LLC, noted that the county’s future land use designation allows a potential of 284 units on the 50-acre property.

Wilhite also noted that flooding historically has been an issue in the area, and that this project will actually help improve drainage.

Neighbors expressed concerns about flooding back in 2005 when the property originally was rezoned to allow 100 homes, Wilhite said.

“The board heard these neighbors’ concerns and put stricter requirements,” Wilhite said, noting that a study of Tank Lake was done and the board adopted a Drainage Basin of Special Concern ordinance in the summer of 2005.

“So, as we come forward now in 2018, this project has to comply with those (stricter) standards,” Wilhite said.

Jeremy Couch, with Tampa Civil Design in Lutz, said he understands neighbors’ concerns.

“We’re higher than them, their fear is that we’re going to dump more water on them.

“We’re going to keep it (the water) there. We’re not going to let it go downstream,” Couch said.

Twenty-nine percent of the property is going to be used for ponds and drainage, Wilhite said.

“One 50-acre project is not going to fix the flooding that happens downstream. But, we are going to do our little part,” Couch said. “And, our little part is to put in infrastructure, trap the water and keep the volume. We are not going to slow-release. We’re just going to hold it.”

Still, neighbors were skeptical.

Once the retention pond fills up, the water will flow downhill, they said.

“What they’re going to do — I can guarantee you, is not going to hold all that,” said Betty Jean Perez, of 12431 Fort King Road. “When that water comes down, off those hills, it comes down like a river — a rushing, rushing river.”

Kathleen Schrimpf, of 12457 Fort King Road, also weighed in: “I understand they’re not responsible for the entire flooding issue in this area, however, I’m not confident that what they’re doing isn’t going to at least exacerbate the problem.”

Marie McLeod, 12524 Green Oak Lane, who said she’s been a flooding victim twice, urged board members to protect the neighbors.

“I would like to place my trust in you, that you will keep us safe and dry,” McLeod told commissioners.

Eddie Schultz, 12510 Fort King Road, noted: “I do think the engineers have done a good job of trying to come up with a solution.”

However, Schultz added, “there is a real concern about the ability of the water to actually be absorbed. The question is, how fast can it be absorbed?”

Cheryl Musgrove, speaking on behalf of her mother, Martha Damron, of 12231 Fort King Road, said there’s standing water on her mother’s property now — just from normal rains.

“Flooding plans are nice, but if they don’t work, real people’s lives and older homes are at risk of flood damage and loss,” Musgrove told commissioners.

Sheila Tomlinson, 12649 Green Oak Lane, said adding more homes will increase the potential for flooding.

“That’s a lot of roof, that’s a lot of cement, that’s a lot of driveways, that’s a lot of sidewalk,” she said.

Tomlinson said she was unaware of the area’s flooding problem when she moved into her home in 2004.

“Within two months, we had hurricanes come in.

“I was the mother of twin daughters. Every day I had to walk with my children on my shoulders in waist-deep water, so we could go to school and work every day for over a month,” Tomlinson said.

Jeff Richey, 12509 Green Oak Lane, cited concerns about increased traffic.

There are no sidewalks in the area, he said.

Plus, “at the wrong time of the day, it’s hard enough to get out of our neighborhood,” Richey added.

Wilhite said the applicant hired a traffic consultant to analyze the situation and that there will be no degradation of traffic standards, even with the project’s traffic.

Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley, former chairman of the board for the Southwest Florida Water Management District, said the area has been plagued by drainage problems and efforts have been underway for years — and still continue — to address the issue.

Meanwhile, Oakley said, “I appreciate this development taking care of as much water as they can going across their property.”

Commissioners approved the rezoning, 5-0.

Published September 12, 2018