Lake Panasoffkee SWIM Plan - Southwest Florida Water ...
Lake Panasoffkee SWIM Plan - Southwest Florida Water ...
Lake Panasoffkee SWIM Plan - Southwest Florida Water ...
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Fish Community Survey: Analysis of Fish Community Structure - Although creel censuses<br />
have been conducted on the lake a number of times, such data does no€ give complete insight<br />
into fish populations in the lake, especially non-game species. Electrofishing does provide<br />
additional information; however, other techniques could provide more complete information<br />
relative to fish abundance (such as number of fish per surface acre). Unfortunately<br />
techniques such as block netting are not often nor routinely applied due to the considerable<br />
man power and other resources required. Given that much of the restoration effort is directed<br />
at fish habitat improvement and given the economic resources requested, it will be incumbent<br />
upon the agencies involved to demonstrate the expected improvement in the lake's sport<br />
fishery and overall fish community structure that result from the proposed restoration activities.<br />
It is expected that such data would include not only standing crop estimates (e.g., pounds per<br />
acre), but data on the age structure.<br />
Linkage to Other <strong>Water</strong> Resource Management Activities<br />
In addition to the projects that are initiated by <strong>SWIM</strong>, the <strong>SWIM</strong> Program is able to accomplish<br />
its objectives more effectively and efficiently by coordinating internally with other District<br />
programs and externally through partnerships with local governments and other State and<br />
fed e ra I agencies.<br />
Internal Linkages<br />
The District has many tools available to implement the legislative intent of the <strong>SWIM</strong> Program,<br />
including but not limited to, integrated planning and coordination, regulatory authority, land<br />
acquisition programs and the <strong>SWIM</strong> program itself. Each of these areas provides<br />
opportunities to assist in the management of <strong>Lake</strong> <strong>Panasoffkee</strong>, one of the more prominent<br />
lakes within the District.<br />
The SWFWMD's <strong>Water</strong> Management <strong>Plan</strong> -As required in Chapter 373, <strong>Florida</strong> Statutes, the<br />
District prepared its <strong>Water</strong> Management <strong>Plan</strong> (DWMP). Within this plan the District organized<br />
its mission into four areas of responsibilities; water supply, flood protection, water quality<br />
management and natural systems management. The DWMP recognizes that the integration<br />
of all these areas is essential to effective planning and management of the resource. The<br />
DWMP has policies that relate to the restoration, protection and management of <strong>Lake</strong><br />
PanasofFkee<br />
Comwehensive <strong>Water</strong>shed Management - The District has recognized the need to take a<br />
more aggressive and unified approach to surface water management and has created an<br />
initiative which would prioritize resource management needs by watershed throughout the<br />
District. It is intended to combine water quantity (i.e., flood) management with water quality<br />
and natural systems objectives, as well as water supply when applicable. Ultimately<br />
regulation, land acquisition, facilities and land use controls would be combined into a<br />
comprehensive surface water management strategy including appropriate policies, on a<br />
watershed specific basis. This effort is the District's embodiment of the EPAs watershed<br />
planning approach and the FDEP's Ecosystem Management initiative.<br />
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