December 2, 2005

SWFWMD Selects ATM for Weeki Wachee River Manatee Project

Engineering and consulting firm to provide thermal modeling services

Gainesville, Fla. – The Southwest Florida Water Management District has chosen Applied Technology & Management, Inc., to determine the effects of water withdrawals on the thermal refuge for manatees in the Weeki Wachee River. According to the District, ATM’s task is to provide a “defensible estimate of the reduction in flow from the Weeki Wachee Spring that would jeopardize the thermal refuge for manatees.”

The District is developing methods and rules for the establishment and implementation of minimum flows and levels (MFLs) for certain priority water bodies such as the Weeki Wachee.

Located in Hernando County on the west coast of Florida, the Weeki Wachee River runs approximately 7 km from the headwaters at Weeki Wachee Springs to the Gulf Mexico and is joined by the Mud River approximately 1.4 km from the Gulf. The spring-fed Weeki Wachee provides a natural thermal refuge to the West Indian Manatee, an endangered species.

ATM was chosen due to its extensive experience with environmental, ecological, and coastal issues in Florida. The firm will team with Janicki Environmental, Inc., to provide thermal modeling services.

About ATM

Applied Technology & Management, Inc. (www.appliedtm.com), is a marine, coastal, environmental, and water resources engineering firm that specializes in marina and waterfront development, coastal engineering, beach restoration and renourishment, management of large-scale developments, environmental permitting, hydrological modeling, wetland permitting and management, and corporate financial and information technology management. It serves public and private clients throughout the United States and international locations including the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe, and the Middle East.

Founded in 1984, ATM is dedicated to solving water resources problems through innovative planning, engineering, and management solutions. ATM is headquartered in Gainesville, Florida, and has additional offices in Cocoa Beach, Jacksonville, Tallahassee, and West Palm Beach; Savannah, Ga.; Charleston and Hilton Head, S.C.; and Newport, R.I.

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