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Chito Has Riders Champing At The Bit

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By SUSAN M. GREEN, The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 5, 2007

LITHIA - They'll have to wait a little longer for happy trails, and then they'll have only a small patch of 4,400 acres to horse around in.

But the promise of having stomping grounds in their back yard was enough to make some horse owners smile last week as they offered input into a 10-year management plan being developed for state-owned Chito Branch Reserve.

'I think the immediate area will be thrilled,' said Pam Prysner, who lives in Lithia Ranch off Browning Road, near a proposed entrance to the reserve.

The Southwest Florida Water Management District, which bought the 5,500-acre tract in 2001 to accommodate Tampa Bay Water's 1,100-acre reservoir, is drafting a management plan for land surrounding the big lake. District representatives met with about 20 residents of Lithia, Wimauma, Valrico, Brandon and Tampa at Pinecrest Elementary School to discuss preliminary plans for the reserve.

Officials were directed to seek public feedback after a survey last year showed people want compatible recreational opportunities on land bought for water resource development and conservation, said Will Miller, the district's land-use protection manager.

Once district officials have collected public comment, the plans will be tweaked and presented to regional basin boards, where people will have another opportunity to offer feedback, Miller said. The Chito Branch plan will be presented to the Alafia River Basin Board, probably in the fall, and go to the district's governing board by early next year, officials said.

Miller noted that the district didn't buy the tract for recreational use, but some activities, such as hiking, bicycling, bird-watching, horseback-riding and possibly primitive camping, might co-exist with district objectives for protecting water recharge areas and providing wildlife habitat.

'It's a beneficial consequence of our buying the land,' he said.

Miller told residents to direct all questions about the reservoir and other possible drinking water supply projects to Tampa Bay Water.

'If you're here about the reservoir, you're in the wrong meeting,' he said. 'We're dealing with the 4,000 acres around the reservoir.'

Miller said after the meeting that land managers know there have been suggestions of a second reservoir to be built on the property. Because there is no formal request from Tampa Bay Water, the draft management plans do not reflect that possibility, he said.

In drafting the plan, officials tried to consider the surrounding community and the types of activities most people would want, said Gina Sowders, a district land-use specialist. She noted that most of the land sprawls southeast from Hillsborough County's designated urban service area, where population growth is encouraged. About 5 percent of the tract - its northwestern corner - overlaps the urban service boundary.

The reserve has more than 1,000 acres of enhanced or artificial wetlands created to offset the marshes and swamps destroyed to build the existing reservoir. Recreational activities must steer clear of those areas, officials said.

'You still have a potential for a beautiful, natural Florida experience on this site,' Sowders said.

Besides Chito Branch, three creeks traverse the district property: Long Flat Creek, Doe Branch and Carlton Branch. Trails that include creek crossings will have to be carefully planned to avoid environmental damage, Sowders said. Initially, trails are expected to be limited to about 5 miles and shared by hikers, bikers and horseback-riders.

'I'd cover that in about an hour,' said Vicki Lawry of Brandon, president of the Sunshine State Horse Council.

'I'll take it,' said Susan Vaisey, who owns horses and lives in Lithia Ranch. She said most of her neighbors keep horses and would welcome an opportunity to go riding without the hassle of loading horses into trailers.

The public will not be allowed to take motorized vehicles into the reserve, Sowders said.

The district is taking comments on the plan through Sept. 12. To submit written comments, write to Sowders at the Southwest Florida Water Management District, 2379 Broad St., Brooksville 34604. For information, call 1-800-423-1476, Ext. 4464.

Reporter Susan M. Green can be reached at (813) 865-1566 or sgreen@tampatrib.com.

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