Public Comment Invited on Kissimmee Chain Management Plans

Area boaters and fishers using the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes east of Lake Wales may wish to speak up as plans are made for the future management of the public waters. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is seeking public input on their draft Lake Management Plans for the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes.

The plans cover management activities within the FWC's jurisdiction, including habitat protection, restoration and enhancement, fish management, and invasive plant management, among others.

The plans are also cited as the basis of recommendations to partner agencies on items outside of that jurisdiction, such as water levels and water quality and are "designed to ensure management of fish and wildlife for their long-term well-being and the benefit of people," according to a statement issued by FWC.

The FWC held two public meetings last month for each of these draft management plans. Neither of those meetings were convenient for local residents, but public commenting is still open. The recordings of the in-person meetings are available on the Lake Management Plans web page.

For questions related to the management plans, interested parties are invited to contact Ben Shepherd at [email protected] or 407-971-8850.

Those interested can email comments relevant to Kissimmee Chain management by Dec. 16 to: [email protected].

For general waterbody information, fishing forecasts, virtual tours, plant control operation schedules and annual workplans, boat ramp information, and more, visit the What's Happening on My Lake website.