R-98-0995•
CITY OF CLERMONT
RESOLUTION
No. 995
•
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF CLERMONT, LAKE
COUNTY, FLORIDA, FOR THE PURPOSE OF OPPOSING
THE DIVERSION OF WATER FROM LAKE LOWERY
TOWARD THE SOUTH.
WHEREAS, the Lake Lowery Basin Surface Water Management Study (May, 1987) of
the St. Johns River Water Management District states that the general movement of surface
water in the Lake Lowery Basin is north from Lake Lowery into the Palatlakaha and
Withlacoochee River basins; and
WHEREAS, Lake Lowery is the headwater of the Palatlakaha River, and supplies
• surface water flow northward to the Green Swarnp Area of Critical State Concern and the
Clermont Chain of Lakes, an Outstanding Florida Water; and
WHEREAS, the Palatlakaha River and its extensive associated wetlands are critical
components of Lake County's fresh water resources, providing water supply, recreational
opportunity, and wildlife habitat; and
WHEREAS, Polk County has requested permits from the St. Johns River Water
Management District and the Southwest Florida Water Management District to divert the flow
from Lake Lowery toward the south, away from the Green Swamp Area of Critical State
Concern and the Palatlakaha River Basin, and maintain Lake Lowery at an artificially low
level; and
WHEREAS, such action is likely to affect the wetland ecosystem surrounding and to
the north of Lake Lowery, reduce surface water flows into the Green Swamp, lower the
normal range of water level fluctuations, and reduce the natural hydroperiod in the 24,580
acres of wetlands surrounding Lake Lowery; and
WHEREAS, the proposed diversion would represent an inter-basin transfer of water,
reducing flow into the Palatlakaha/Ocklawaha River Basin and increasing flow into the Peace
River Basin; and
WHEREAS, both the St. Johns River Water Management District and the Southwest
Florida Water Management District have previously denied permits for a similar proposal to
divert water from Lake Lowery;
• •
•
CITY OF CLERMONT
RESOLUTION
No. 995
Page 2
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of
Lake County, Florida that:
Section 1. The continued flow of high-quality surface water from Lake Lowery to the
Green Swamp and the Palatlakaha River Basin is critical to the protection of Lake County's
vital water resources, upon which much of our quality of life, recreational opportunity,
economic vitality, wildlife habitat, and natural beauty depend.
Section 2. The Governing Boards of the St. Johns River Water Management District
and the Southwest Florida Water Management Districts are requested to deny any requests to
disrupt the historical flow of water from Lake Lowery to the Green Swamp and the
Palatlakaha River Basin.
Section 3. A copy of this Resolution shall be included in the minutes of this meeting,
and a copy sent to the Governing Boards of the St. Johns River Water Management District.
DONE AND RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CLERMONT, LAKE COUNTY, FLORIDA THIS 24TH DAY OF MARCH, 1998.
Robert A. ool, Mayor
Attest:
~_
seph E. Van ' e, City Clerk