The Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) has submitted a water use permit application to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to use up to 3.9 mgd of water from Morris Bridge Sink for diversion through the Tampa Bypass Canal to the base of the dam on the Hillsborough River. The DEP has issued its notice of intent to permit the project. The project also includes design and construction of a permanent pump station at the Morris Bridge Sinkhole. The City of Tampa and the SWFWMD contend that this water supply is needed to meet the minimum flow requirement on the Lower Hillsborough River. Opponents of the project contend that adequate water is available from other sources and that withdrawals from Morris Bridge Sink could damage wetlands and other natural resources.
Project Documents
FDEP Notice of Intent to Issue Permit 12/4/15
River Board Letter of Opposition
Friends of the River Letter of Opposition
City of Temple Terrace Letter of Opposition
Environmental Protection Commission Letter of Opposition
Lower Hillsborough River Minimum Flows Recovery Strategy Report, Dr. Flannery, SWFWMD (Retired)
“Environmentalists oppose pumping plan at Morris Bridge Sink,” Tampa Tribune, December 15, 2015
Tampa Tribune Editorial, December 8, 2015
Tampa Bay Times Editorial, December 3, 2015
“Tampa Supports Pumping Water From Morris Bridge Sink,” WMNF, January 7, 2016
“Foes drop challenge of plan to pump more water…,” Tampa Tribune, January 11, 2016
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