Winter Haven Hopes to Prevent, Reverse Damage to Water

The city of Winter Haven is trying to change the way it manages its lakes and ponds, streams, storm water and aquifer. Supervisors say the changes will make for a better environment. City commissioners last month unanimously approved the new and ambitious 75-page water resource management plan.

Natural Resources Division Director Mike Britt said the city is on the verge of celebrating its 100th birthday, and considerable damage to the city's water resources has been done since 1911. He said the first goal is to stop any more damage and the second is to reverse some of the damage already done. It took Britt a few years to carefully write the plan. "It's a results-oriented plan that attempts to address several problems at the same time," Britt said. ...