Lake Panasoffkee SWIM Plan - Southwest Florida Water ...

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