The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will hold a virtual public meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 26, to discuss updates to several of the District’s land management plans. The purpose of this meeting is to inform the public about updates to these plans, to solicit input from stakeholders, and to incorporate feedback from the public and stakeholders into the development of the new 10-year plans.

The land management plans to be updated include:

• Chito Branch Reserve in Hillsborough County
• Deep Creek Preserve in DeSoto County
• Edward W. Chance Reserve – Coker Prairie Tract and Gilley Creek Tract in Manatee County
• Little Manatee River – Southfork Tract in Manatee County
• Potts Preserve in Citrus County

Members of the public may participate in the meeting via Microsoft Teams at https://bit.ly/DistrictLands.

More information and virtual comment submission is available at WaterMatters.org/UpdatedLandPlans. All proposed plans will be posted one week before the public meeting.

The District adopts land management plans to ensure its public conservation lands are being managed in ways that are consistent with Florida Statutes and the District’s mission. District lands are acquired to preserve and protect water resources and natural systems while also providing public access for recreation.

District policy requires management plans for District-owned conservation lands be reviewed and updated every 10 years, unless otherwise directed by the District’s Governing Board. District lands are open to the public and community input is vital in determining how these lands are managed and used. 

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