This one-day conference is sponsored by Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program and the Southwest Florida Water Management District, in cooperation with the Lakes Education/Action Drive, Polk County, Cities of Winter Haven and Lakeland and the Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center. It is a cooperative effort organized by members of the Peace River Environmental Education Network (PREEN).

When: October 5, 2006

Where: Bob Crawford Bldg, 605 E. Main Street in Bartow

Who: All those who manage or are concerned with the health of the Peace River watershed.

Why: To provide the opportunity to exchange information between agencies most concerned about the management of the river.

A conference promotional brochure (PDF file) is available as is a final report.

Agenda

The presentation slides used by each speaker are available by clicking on the title of each talk. If you don't have PowerPoint software, you can download the free software PowerPoint Viewer. (Follow the link then search for "Powerpoint Viewer 2003.") A report documenting the information presented and discussions that ensued is also available.

8:30-8:40 Welcome

8:40 - 9:40 Water Quantity

8:40-9:00 Minimum Flows and Levels for the Peace River: Marty Kelly, SWFWMD

9:00-9:20 Peace River Cumulative Impact Study & Management Plan: Rick Cantrell, FDEP

9:20-9:40 Upper Peace River Watershed Management Program: Dawn Turner, SWFWMD

9:40 – 9:50 – Break

9:50-10:50 Water Quality

9:50 – 10:10 Water Quality in the River: Tony Janicki -- cancelled

10:10-10:30 Florida’s TMDL Program: protecting & restoring water quality in the Peace River Basin: Tom Singleton, FDEP

10:30-10:50 Agricultural BMP’s and Cost Share Programs: Lynda Garvin, DACS

10:50 – 11:50 Projects along the Peace River

10:50 – 11:10 Bridgewater Wetland: Michelle Harmeling, FDEP

11:10 -11:30 NPDES Stormwater & Water Quality Projects in the Lake Hancock Watershed: Bob Kollinger, Polk County Natural Resource Division

11:30-11:50 The Status & Future of the Integrated Habitat Network: Kevin Claridge, FDEP

11:50-12:45 Lunch

12:45 – 1:05 Projects along the Peace River (continued)

12:45-1:05 Shell Creek & Prairie Creek Watersheds Management Plan: Eric DeHaven, SWFWMD

1:05-1:40 Wildlife/Fisheries Management/Recreation

1:05-1:20 Current status and future concerns for fish communities in the Peace River: Tom Champeau, FFWCC

1:20-1:40 Recreational opportunities in the upper Peace River: Derek Harpe, Polk County Leisure Service Division

1:40 – 2:20 Local Land Management/Development in the watershed/ Land Purchase/Management

1:40-2:00 Polk County’s Environmental Lands Acquisition and Management Program: Gaye Sharpe, Polk County

2:00-2:20 Regional Land Management Plans: Pat Steed, Regional Planning Council

2:20 – 2:40 Watershed Management

2:20-2:40 Peace River Education Efforts: Kendra Antoine SWFWMD

2:40- 3:00 CHNEP and the Peace River: Lisa Beever, CHNEP

3:00-3:15 Break

3:15 – 5:00 Panel Discussion: Answer the Questions (as well as questions from audience):

• What are we presently doing to protect/manage the Peace River?

• What are the future plans for managing the Peace River?

• What is needed/required in order to insure the future health of the Peace River?

Funding for this conference from Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program, Southwest Florida Water Management District and the Lakes Education/Action Drive.