Water-Related News

SWFWMD to hold Aug. 23rd MFL workshop for Lake Eva in Haines City

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) invites the public to a workshop on Tuesday, August 23, at 5:30 p.m. at the Lake Eva Community Center located at 555 Ledwith Ave. in Haines City. The purpose of the workshop is to allow for public comment on the proposed minimum and guidance levels for Lake Eva in Haines City.

The Florida Legislature requires the District to set minimum flows and levels (MFLs) for priority water bodies within the District. A minimum flow or level is the limit at which further water withdrawals will cause significant harm to the water resources and/or environment. Minimum flows are established to protect streams and rivers from impacts associated with ground water and surface water withdrawals. Minimum flows serve as guidelines for the District’s permitting programs and for development of water resource projects.

During the workshop, District staff will present the technical basis for the proposed minimum levels for Lake Eva.

The workshop will also provide an opportunity for local government, citizens, and others to be part of the development of the proposed minimum levels for Lake Eva. Information obtained at the workshop will be summarized and made available to the District’s Governing Board. District staff anticipates presenting the proposed minimum levels for Lake Eva at the September Governing Board meeting, where the Governing Board may choose to recommend adoption of the minimum levels into District rules. Governing Board meetings are open to the public, and brief oral comments are permitted on meeting agenda items.

Draft reports summarizing the proposed minimum levels are available for review and are posted on the District’s Internet site at WaterMatters.org under the Proposed Minimum and Guidance Lake Levels tab in the Documents and Reports section. In addition, digital copies of the draft report will be made available at the workshop. For more information regarding the proposed minimum levels, please contact Mark Hurst at 1-800-423-1476, ext. 4721.

Written comments regarding the minimum levels are also welcome. They can be submitted via mail or email to Mark Hurst, Senior Environmental Scientist, Water Resources Bureau, at 2379 Broad Street, Brooksville, FL 34604-6899 or mark.hurst@watermatters.org.