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Sarasota News Leader March 1, 2013 Kinsman noted the forecast continues to show below-normal rainfall and above-normal temperatures for the next two months. And he said some data used by long-range forecasters indicates the below-normal pattern for rainfall and higher-than-normal temperatures could last through October. Page 70 MacArthur Tract to develop it into a surface water supply, but the water was so substandard it required the same degree of treatment as saltwater. However, the four neighboring counties came together to form the Peace River Authority, which allows each of them to connect with By comparison with the rest of the water each other. If Manatee were to develop a probmanagement district, the circumstances in lem, the Authority would open the appropriLehman���s four-county area looked positive- ate valves. ly rosy. Bradenton���s Bill Evers Reservoir, the Peace River���s 6 billion gallons in a mile-square All of this was not cheap to achieve. In the man-made lake, and Manatee County���s reser- past decade, the Authority spent more than voir on the Manatee River ��� all healthy and $340 million to insure its water future. Of that full ��� make the water future of the authority total, $190 million was bonded. The remainder came from the four counties, the water look good. management district and the state and federal That was not true 20 years ago, when Saraso- governments. ta County was utterly dependent on Manatee County for water supplies. At substantial ex- The City of Sarasota has its own independent pense, Sarasota County bought the so-called water supply from wells. % QUICK TIP For the best viewing experience on a computer click the menubar to zoom to fullscreen mode. icon in the QUICK TIP Share stories by clicking the icon in the menubar and choosing to share via e-mail, post to Facebook or Twitter, or many other sharing options.