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Home | Agencies & Departments | Public Works | Natural Resources | Lakes Management | Interagency Coordination
Administration Building - Lakes Management
 
Hours
M - F: 8am - 5pm
 
Phone
(407) 742-0662
 
Address
1 Courthouse Square,
Suite 3100
Kissimmee, FL 34741
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Interagency Coordination

Interagency Coordination

The County does not act alone in lakes management. The lakes in Osceola County are considered "Waters of the State"; therefore coordination among numerous government agencies is necessary to ensure the success of lake management responsibilities and activities. Partners include:

  • South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD)
  • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE)
  • Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)
  • Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
  • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)

The goals of the Lakes Management Program include hydrologic management, habitat preservation and enhancement, aquatic plant management, water quality improvement, and recreation and public use. The following list outlines the responsibilities of each agency as it relates to management of the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes in Osceola County.

 

South Florida Water Management District

The SFWMD manages and protects water resources of the South Florida region by balancing and improving water quality, flood control, natural systems, and water supply.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

While the SFWMD physically manages the water levels in the lakes by opening or closing the water control structures, the Water Management Section of the ACOE monitors and manages the multi-purpose operations of spillways, locks, pump stations, culverts, canals, reservoirs, and water conservation areas.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

USFWS develops mitigation plans that avoid, minimize, or compensate for impact to wetlands and ensure that fish and wildlife resources receive equal consideration in water resource planning activities.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

FWC manages aquatic plants, especially invasive aquatic plants, to conserve the various combined uses and functions of public lakes within the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes management area.

Florida Department of Environmental Protection

DEP maintains water quality monitoring activities, develops total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) for verified impaired water bodies, and develops Basin Management Action Plans (BMAPs) that will include management measures expected to restore water quality. DEP also oversees the NPDES program in Florida.