SWFWMD Sets Public Meeting to Present Frost/Freeze Management Plan

The Southwest Florida Water Management District will present its frost/freeze management plan and associated draft rules to the public 6:30 p.m. Sept. 14 at the Hillsborough Community College Trinkle Center, 1206 N. Park Road, Plant City.

During the 11-day January 2010 freeze event, the combined pumping by Dover/Plant City area farmers dropped the aquifer level 60 feet in some locations, causing 140 sinkholes and impacts to more than 750 wells. As a result, the District held a public meeting and a series of technical work sessions to receive input from local governments, residents, the agricultural community and others on ways to manage future severe freeze events.

The District has developed a management strategy that includes incentives to reduce groundwater use over time, expansion of well construction standards and regulatory limitations on groundwater use in the area.