The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) and Hernando County will hold a public workshop Wednesday, Feb. 5, at 5:30 p.m. to share the results of the Weeki Wachee Natural System Carrying Capacity Study. The meeting will take place at the Coast Guard Auxiliary Meeting Hall, located at 4340 Calienta St. in Hernando Beach.

This ecologically-based study evaluated how recreational use affects the river. During the workshop, staff from the District, Hernando County and members of the independent third-party consultant group who conducted the study will be available to explain how the data was collected and present the results of the study.

The study shows that activities in the water and on the banks are causing significant impacts to the river system. The study also provides a menu of policy and management options for governing agencies with jurisdiction and authority to consider implementing to reduce recreational impacts on the river. However, the results of the study do not set a specific limit to recreation or address public safety but provide the science to governing agencies with authority to make future management decisions.

The study was managed by the District and co-funded by the District and Hernando County, with in-kind support from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

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