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
