Bill Text: FL H1109 | 2010 | Regular Session | Engrossed


Bill Title: Water Supply

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Failed) 2010-04-30 - Died in Messages, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/CS/CS/SB 550 (Ch. 2010-205) [H1109 Detail]

Download: Florida-2010-H1109-Engrossed.html
CS/HB 1109
1
A bill to be entitled
2An act relating to water supply; creating part VII of ch.
3373, F.S., relating to water supply policy, planning,
4production, and funding; providing a declaration of
5policy; providing for the powers and duties of water
6management district governing boards; requiring the
7Department of Environmental Protection to develop the
8Florida water supply plan; providing components of the
9plan; requiring water management district governing boards
10to develop water supply plans for their respective
11regions; providing components of district water supply
12plans; providing legislative findings and intent with
13respect to water resource development and water supply
14development; requiring water management districts to fund
15and implement water resource development; specifying water
16supply development projects that are eligible to receive
17priority consideration for state or water management
18district funding assistance; encouraging cooperation in
19the development of water supplies; providing for
20alternative water supply development; encouraging
21municipalities, counties, and special districts to create
22regional water supply authorities; establishing the
23primary roles of the water management districts in
24alternative water supply development; establishing the
25primary roles of local governments, regional water supply
26authorities, special districts, and publicly owned and
27privately owned water utilities in alternative water
28supply development; requiring the water management
29districts to detail the specific allocations to be used
30for alternative water supply development in their annual
31budget submission; requiring that the water management
32districts include the amount needed to implement the water
33supply development projects in each annual budget;
34establishing general funding criteria for funding
35assistance to the state or water management districts;
36establishing economic incentives for alternative water
37supply development; providing a funding formula for the
38distribution of state funds to the water management
39districts for alternative water supply development;
40requiring that funding assistance for alternative water
41supply development be limited to a percentage of the total
42capital costs of an approved project; establishing a
43selection process and criteria; providing for cost
44recovery from the Public Service Commission; requiring a
45water management district governing board to conduct water
46supply planning for each region identified in the district
47water supply plan; providing procedures and requirements
48with respect to regional water supply plans; providing for
49joint development of a specified water supply development
50component of a regional water supply plan within the
51boundaries of the Southwest Florida Water Management
52District; providing that approval of a regional water
53supply plan is not subject to the rulemaking requirements
54of the Administrative Procedure Act; requiring the
55department to submit annual reports on the status of
56regional water supply planning in each district; providing
57construction with respect to the water supply development
58component of a regional water supply plan; requiring water
59management districts to present to certain entities the
60relevant portions of a regional water supply plan;
61requiring certain entities to provide written notification
62to water management districts as to the implementation of
63water supply project options; requiring water management
64districts to notify local governments of the need for
65alternative water supply projects; requiring water
66management districts to assist local governments in the
67development and future revision of local government
68comprehensive plan elements or public facilities reports
69related to water resource issues; providing for the
70creation of regional water supply authorities; providing
71purpose of such authorities; specifying considerations
72with respect to the creation of a proposed authority;
73specifying authority of a regional water supply authority;
74providing authority of specified entities to convey title,
75dedicate land, or grant land-use rights to a regional
76water supply authority for specified purposes; providing
77preferential rights of counties and municipalities to
78purchase water from regional water supply authorities;
79providing exemption for specified water supply authorities
80from consideration of certain factors and submissions;
81providing applicability of such exemptions; authorizing
82the West Coast Regional Water Supply Authority and its
83member governments to reconstitute the authority's
84governance and rename the authority under a voluntary
85interlocal agreement; providing compliance requirements
86with respect to the interlocal agreement; providing for
87supersession of conflicting general or special laws;
88providing requirements with respect to annual budgets;
89specifying the annual millage for the authority;
90authorizing the authority to request the governing board
91of the district to levy ad valorem taxes within the
92boundaries of the authority to finance authority
93functions; providing requirements and procedures with
94respect to the collection of such taxes; amending ss.
95120.52, 163.3167, 163.3177, 163.3191, 189.404, 189.4155,
96189.4156, 367.021, 373.019, 373.036, 373.0363, 373.0421,
97373.0695, 373.223, 373.2234, 373.229, 373.236, 373.536,
98373.59, 378.212, 378.404, 403.0891, 403.890, 403.891, and
99682.02, F.S.; conforming cross-references and removing
100obsolete provisions; renumbering s. 373.71, F.S., relating
101to the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin
102Compact, to clarify retention of the section in part VI of
103ch. 373, F.S.; repealing s. 373.0361, F.S., relating to
104regional water supply planning; repealing s. 373.0391,
105F.S., relating to technical assistance to local
106governments; repealing s. 373.0831, F.S., relating to
107water resource and water supply development; repealing s.
108373.196, F.S., relating to alternative water supply
109development; repealing s. 373.1961, F.S., relating to
110water production and related powers and duties of water
111management districts; repealing s. 373.1962, F.S.,
112relating to regional water supply authorities; repealing
113s. 373.1963, F.S., relating to assistance to the West
114Coast Regional Water Supply Authority; providing
115legislative intent with regard to the reorganization of
116ch. 373, F.S.; providing an effective date.
117
118Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
119
120 Section 1. Part VII of chapter 373, Florida Statutes,
121consisting of sections 373.701, 373.703, 373.705, 373.707,
122373.709, 373.711, 373.713, and 373.715, is created to read:
123
PART VII
124
WATER SUPPLY POLICY, PLANNING, PRODUCTION, AND FUNDING
125 373.701 Declaration of policy.-It is declared to be the
126policy of the Legislature:
127 (1) To promote the availability of sufficient water for
128all existing and future reasonable-beneficial uses and natural
129systems.
130 (2)(a) Because water constitutes a public resource
131benefiting the entire state, it is the policy of the Legislature
132that the waters in the state be managed on a state and regional
133basis. Consistent with this directive, the Legislature
134recognizes the need to allocate water throughout the state so as
135to meet all reasonable-beneficial uses. However, the Legislature
136acknowledges that such allocations have in the past adversely
137affected the water resources of certain areas in this state. To
138protect such water resources and to meet the current and future
139needs of those areas with abundant water, the Legislature
140directs the department and the water management districts to
141encourage the use of water from sources nearest the area of use
142or application whenever practicable. Such sources shall include
143all naturally occurring water sources and all alternative water
144sources, including, but not limited to, desalination,
145conservation, reuse of nonpotable reclaimed water and
146stormwater, and aquifer storage and recovery. Reuse of potable
147reclaimed water and stormwater shall not be subject to the
148evaluation described in s. 373.223(3)(a)-(g). However, this
149directive to encourage the use of water, whenever practicable,
150from sources nearest the area of use or application shall not
151apply to the transport and direct and indirect use of water
152within the area encompassed by the Central and Southern Florida
153Flood Control Project, nor shall it apply anywhere in the state
154to the transport and use of water supplied exclusively for
155bottled water as defined in s. 500.03(1)(d), nor shall it apply
156to the transport and use of reclaimed water for electrical power
157production by an electric utility as defined in s. 366.02(2).
158 (b) In establishing the policy outlined in paragraph (a),
159the Legislature realizes that under certain circumstances the
160need to transport water from distant sources may be necessary
161for environmental, technical, or economic reasons.
162 (3) Cooperative efforts between municipalities, counties,
163water management districts, and the department are mandatory in
164order to meet the water needs of rapidly urbanizing areas in a
165manner that will supply adequate and dependable supplies of
166water where needed without resulting in adverse effects upon the
167areas from which such water is withdrawn. Such efforts should
168use all practical means of obtaining water, including, but not
169limited to, withdrawals of surface water and groundwater, reuse,
170and desalination and will necessitate not only cooperation but
171also well-coordinated activities. Municipalities, counties, and
172special districts are encouraged to create regional water supply
173authorities as authorized in s. 373.713 or multijurisdictional
174water supply entities.
175 373.703 Water production; powers and duties.-In the
176performance of, and in conjunction with, its other powers and
177duties, the governing board of a water management district
178existing pursuant to this chapter:
179 (1) Shall engage in planning to assist counties,
180municipalities, special districts, publicly owned and privately
181owned water utilities, multijurisdictional water supply
182entities, or regional water supply authorities in meeting water
183supply needs in such manner as will give priority to encouraging
184conservation and reducing adverse environmental effects of
185improper or excessive withdrawals of water from concentrated
186areas. As used in this section and s. 373.707, regional water
187supply authorities are regional water authorities created under
188s. 373.713 or other laws of this state.
189 (2) Shall assist counties, municipalities, special
190districts, publicly owned or privately owned water utilities,
191multijurisdictional water supply entities, or regional water
192supply authorities in meeting water supply needs in such manner
193as will give priority to encouraging conservation and reducing
194adverse environmental effects of improper or excessive
195withdrawals of water from concentrated areas.
196 (3) May establish, design, construct, operate, and
197maintain water production and transmission facilities for the
198purpose of supplying water to counties, municipalities, special
199districts, publicly owned and privately owned water utilities,
200multijurisdictional water supply entities, or regional water
201supply authorities. The permit required by part II of this
202chapter for a water management district engaged in water
203production and transmission shall be granted, denied, or granted
204with conditions by the department.
205 (4) Shall not engage in local water supply distribution.
206 (5) Shall not deprive, directly or indirectly, any county
207wherein water is withdrawn of the prior right to the reasonable
208and beneficial use of water which is required to supply
209adequately the reasonable and beneficial needs of the county or
210any of the inhabitants or property owners therein.
211 (6) May provide water and financial assistance to regional
212water supply authorities, but may not provide water to counties
213and municipalities which are located within the area of such
214authority without the specific approval of the authority or, in
215the event of the authority's disapproval, the approval of the
216Governor and Cabinet sitting as the Land and Water Adjudicatory
217Commission. The district may supply water at rates and upon
218terms mutually agreed to by the parties or, if they do not
219agree, as set by the governing board and specifically approved
220by the Governor and Cabinet sitting as the Land and Water
221Adjudicatory Commission.
222 (7) May acquire title to such interest as is necessary in
223real property, by purchase, gift, devise, lease, eminent domain,
224or otherwise, for water production and transmission consistent
225with this section and s. 373.707. However, the district shall
226not use any of the eminent domain powers herein granted to
227acquire water and water rights already devoted to reasonable and
228beneficial use or any water production or transmission
229facilities owned by any county, municipality, or regional water
230supply authority. The district may exercise eminent domain
231powers outside of its district boundaries for the acquisition of
232pumpage facilities, storage areas, transmission facilities, and
233the normal appurtenances thereto, provided that at least 45 days
234prior to the exercise of eminent domain, the district notifies
235the district where the property is located after public notice
236and the district where the property is located does not object
237within 45 days after notification of such exercise of eminent
238domain authority.
239 (8) In addition to the power to issue revenue bonds
240pursuant to s. 373.584, may issue revenue bonds for the purposes
241of paying the costs and expenses incurred in carrying out the
242purposes of this chapter or refunding obligations of the
243district issued pursuant to this section. Such revenue bonds
244shall be secured by, and be payable from, revenues derived from
245the operation, lease, or use of its water production and
246transmission facilities and other water-related facilities and
247from the sale of water or services relating thereto. Such
248revenue bonds may not be secured by, or be payable from, moneys
249derived by the district from the Water Management Lands Trust
250Fund or from ad valorem taxes received by the district. All
251provisions of s. 373.584 relating to the issuance of revenue
252bonds which are not inconsistent with this section shall apply
253to the issuance of revenue bonds pursuant to this section. The
254district may also issue bond anticipation notes in accordance
255with the provisions of s. 373.584.
256 (9) May join with one or more other water management
257districts, counties, municipalities, special districts, publicly
258owned or privately owned water utilities, multijurisdictional
259water supply entities, or regional water supply authorities for
260the purpose of carrying out any of its powers, and may contract
261with such other entities to finance acquisitions, construction,
262operation, and maintenance. The contract may provide for
263contributions to be made by each party thereto, for the division
264and apportionment of the expenses of acquisitions, construction,
265operation, and maintenance, and for the division and
266apportionment of the benefits, services, and products therefrom.
267The contracts may contain other covenants and agreements
268necessary and appropriate to accomplish their purposes.
269 373.705 Water resource development; water supply
270development.-
271 (1) The Legislature finds that:
272 (a) The proper role of the water management districts in
273water supply is primarily planning and water resource
274development, but this does not preclude them from providing
275assistance with water supply development.
276 (b) The proper role of local government, regional water
277supply authorities, and government-owned and privately owned
278water utilities in water supply is primarily water supply
279development, but this does not preclude them from providing
280assistance with water resource development.
281 (c) Water resource development and water supply
282development must receive priority attention, where needed, to
283increase the availability of sufficient water for all existing
284and future reasonable-beneficial uses and natural systems.
285 (2) It is the intent of the Legislature that:
286 (a) Sufficient water be available for all existing and
287future reasonable-beneficial uses and the natural systems, and
288that the adverse effects of competition for water supplies be
289avoided.
290 (b) Water management districts take the lead in
291identifying and implementing water resource development
292projects, and be responsible for securing necessary funding for
293regionally significant water resource development projects.
294 (c) Local governments, regional water supply authorities,
295and government-owned and privately owned water utilities take
296the lead in securing funds for and implementing water supply
297development projects. Generally, direct beneficiaries of water
298supply development projects should pay the costs of the projects
299from which they benefit, and water supply development projects
300should continue to be paid for through local funding sources.
301 (d) Water supply development be conducted in coordination
302with water management district regional water supply planning
303and water resource development.
304 (3) The water management districts shall fund and
305implement water resource development as defined in s. 373.019.
306The water management districts are encouraged to implement water
307resource development as expeditiously as possible in areas
308subject to regional water supply plans. Each governing board
309shall include in its annual budget the amount needed for the
310fiscal year to implement water resource development projects, as
311prioritized in its regional water supply plans.
312 (4)(a) Water supply development projects which are
313consistent with the relevant regional water supply plans and
314which meet one or more of the following criteria shall receive
315priority consideration for state or water management district
316funding assistance:
317 1. The project supports establishment of a dependable,
318sustainable supply of water which is not otherwise financially
319feasible;
320 2. The project provides substantial environmental benefits
321by preventing or limiting adverse water resource impacts, but
322requires funding assistance to be economically competitive with
323other options; or
324 3. The project significantly implements reuse, storage,
325recharge, or conservation of water in a manner that contributes
326to the sustainability of regional water sources.
327 (b) Water supply development projects that meet the
328criteria in paragraph (a) and that meet one or more of the
329following additional criteria shall be given first consideration
330for state or water management district funding assistance:
331 1. The project brings about replacement of existing
332sources in order to help implement a minimum flow or level; or
333 2. The project implements reuse that assists in the
334elimination of domestic wastewater ocean outfalls as provided in
335s. 403.086(9).
336 373.707 Alternative water supply development.-
337 (1) The purpose of this section is to encourage
338cooperation in the development of water supplies and to provide
339for alternative water supply development.
340 (a) Demands on natural supplies of fresh water to meet the
341needs of a rapidly growing population and the needs of the
342environment, agriculture, industry, and mining will continue to
343increase.
344 (b) There is a need for the development of alternative
345water supplies for Florida to sustain its economic growth,
346economic viability, and natural resources.
347 (c) Cooperative efforts between municipalities, counties,
348special districts, water management districts, and the
349Department of Environmental Protection are mandatory in order to
350meet the water needs of rapidly urbanizing areas in a manner
351that will supply adequate and dependable supplies of water where
352needed without resulting in adverse effects upon the areas from
353which such water is withdrawn. Such efforts should use all
354practical means of obtaining water, including, but not limited
355to, withdrawals of surface water and groundwater, reuse, and
356desalinization, and will necessitate not only cooperation but
357also well-coordinated activities. Municipalities, counties, and
358special districts are encouraged to create regional water supply
359authorities as authorized in s. 373.713 or multijurisdictional
360water supply entities.
361 (d) Alternative water supply development must receive
362priority funding attention to increase the available supplies of
363water to meet all existing and future reasonable-beneficial uses
364and to benefit the natural systems.
365 (e) Cooperation between counties, municipalities, regional
366water supply authorities, multijurisdictional water supply
367entities, special districts, and publicly owned and privately
368owned water utilities in the development of countywide and
369multicountywide alternative water supply projects will allow for
370necessary economies of scale and efficiencies to be achieved in
371order to accelerate the development of new, dependable, and
372sustainable alternative water supplies.
373 (f) It is in the public interest that county, municipal,
374industrial, agricultural, and other public and private water
375users, the Department of Environmental Protection, and the water
376management districts cooperate and work together in the
377development of alternative water supplies to avoid the adverse
378effects of competition for limited supplies of water. Public
379moneys or services provided to private entities for alternative
380water supply development may constitute public purposes that
381also are in the public interest.
382 (2)(a) Sufficient water must be available for all existing
383and future reasonable-beneficial uses and the natural systems,
384and the adverse effects of competition for water supplies must
385be avoided.
386 (b) Water supply development and alternative water supply
387development must be conducted in coordination with water
388management district regional water supply planning.
389 (c) Funding for the development of alternative water
390supplies shall be a shared responsibility of water suppliers and
391users, the State of Florida, and the water management districts,
392with water suppliers and users having the primary responsibility
393and the State of Florida and the water management districts
394being responsible for providing funding assistance.
395 (3) The primary roles of the water management districts in
396water resource development as it relates to supporting
397alternative water supply development are:
398 (a) The formulation and implementation of regional water
399resource management strategies that support alternative water
400supply development;
401 (b) The collection and evaluation of surface water and
402groundwater data to be used for a planning level assessment of
403the feasibility of alternative water supply development
404projects;
405 (c) The construction, operation, and maintenance of major
406public works facilities for flood control, surface and
407underground water storage, and groundwater recharge augmentation
408to support alternative water supply development;
409 (d) Planning for alternative water supply development as
410provided in regional water supply plans in coordination with
411local governments, regional water supply authorities,
412multijurisdictional water supply entities, special districts,
413and publicly owned and privately owned water utilities and self-
414suppliers;
415 (e) The formulation and implementation of structural and
416nonstructural programs to protect and manage water resources in
417support of alternative water supply projects; and
418 (f) The provision of technical and financial assistance to
419local governments and publicly owned and privately owned water
420utilities for alternative water supply projects.
421 (4) The primary roles of local government, regional water
422supply authorities, multijurisdictional water supply entities,
423special districts, and publicly owned and privately owned water
424utilities in alternative water supply development shall be:
425 (a) The planning, design, construction, operation, and
426maintenance of alternative water supply development projects;
427 (b) The formulation and implementation of alternative
428water supply development strategies and programs;
429 (c) The planning, design, construction, operation, and
430maintenance of facilities to collect, divert, produce, treat,
431transmit, and distribute water for sale, resale, or end use; and
432 (d) The coordination of alternative water supply
433development activities with the appropriate water management
434district having jurisdiction over the activity.
435 (5) Nothing in this section shall be construed to preclude
436the various special districts, municipalities, and counties from
437continuing to operate existing water production and transmission
438facilities or to enter into cooperative agreements with other
439special districts, municipalities, and counties for the purpose
440of meeting their respective needs for dependable and adequate
441supplies of water; however, the obtaining of water through such
442operations shall not be done in a manner that results in adverse
443effects upon the areas from which such water is withdrawn.
444 (6)(a) The statewide funds provided pursuant to the Water
445Protection and Sustainability Program serve to supplement
446existing water management district or basin board funding for
447alternative water supply development assistance and should not
448result in a reduction of such funding. Therefore, the water
449management districts shall include in the annual tentative and
450adopted budget submittals required under this chapter the amount
451of funds allocated for water resource development that supports
452alternative water supply development and the funds allocated for
453alternative water supply projects selected for inclusion in the
454Water Protection and Sustainability Program. It shall be the
455goal of each water management district and basin boards that the
456combined funds allocated annually for these purposes be, at a
457minimum, the equivalent of 100 percent of the state funding
458provided to the water management district for alternative water
459supply development. If this goal is not achieved, the water
460management district shall provide in the budget submittal an
461explanation of the reasons or constraints that prevent this goal
462from being met, an explanation of how the goal will be met in
463future years, and affirmation of match is required during the
464budget review process as established under s. 373.536(5). The
465Suwannee River Water Management District and the Northwest
466Florida Water Management District shall not be required to meet
467the match requirements of this paragraph; however, they shall
468try to achieve the match requirement to the greatest extent
469practicable.
470 (b) State funds from the Water Protection and
471Sustainability Program created in s. 403.890 shall be made
472available for financial assistance for the project construction
473costs of alternative water supply development projects selected
474by a water management district governing board for inclusion in
475the program.
476 (7) The water management district shall implement its
477responsibilities as expeditiously as possible in areas subject
478to regional water supply plans. Each district's governing board
479shall include in its annual budget the amount needed for the
480fiscal year to assist in implementing alternative water supply
481development projects.
482 (8)(a) The water management districts and the state shall
483share a percentage of revenues with water providers and users,
484including local governments, water, wastewater, and reuse
485utilities, municipal, special district, industrial, and
486agricultural water users, and other public and private water
487users, to be used to supplement other funding sources in the
488development of alternative water supplies.
489 (b) Beginning in fiscal year 2005-2006, the state shall
490annually provide a portion of those revenues deposited into the
491Water Protection and Sustainability Program Trust Fund for the
492purpose of providing funding assistance for the development of
493alternative water supplies pursuant to the Water Protection and
494Sustainability Program. At the beginning of each fiscal year,
495beginning with fiscal year 2005-2006, such revenues shall be
496distributed by the department into the alternative water supply
497trust fund accounts created by each district for the purpose of
498alternative water supply development under the following funding
499formula:
500 1. Thirty percent to the South Florida Water Management
501District;
502 2. Twenty-five percent to the Southwest Florida Water
503Management District;
504 3. Twenty-five percent to the St. Johns River Water
505Management District;
506 4. Ten percent to the Suwannee River Water Management
507District; and
508 5. Ten percent to the Northwest Florida Water Management
509District.
510 (c) The financial assistance for alternative water supply
511projects allocated in each district's budget as required in
512subsection (6) shall be combined with the state funds and used
513to assist in funding the project construction costs of
514alternative water supply projects selected by the governing
515board. If the district has not completed any regional water
516supply plan, or the regional water supply plan does not identify
517the need for any alternative water supply projects, funds
518deposited in that district's trust fund may be used for water
519resource development projects, including, but not limited to,
520springs protection.
521 (d) All projects submitted to the governing board for
522consideration shall reflect the total capital cost for
523implementation. The costs shall be segregated pursuant to the
524categories described in the definition of capital costs.
525 (e) Applicants for projects that may receive funding
526assistance pursuant to the Water Protection and Sustainability
527Program shall, at a minimum, be required to pay 60 percent of
528the project's construction costs. The water management districts
529may, at their discretion, totally or partially waive this
530requirement for projects sponsored by financially disadvantaged
531small local governments as defined in former s. 403.885(5). The
532water management districts or basin boards may, at their
533discretion, use ad valorem or federal revenues to assist a
534project applicant in meeting the requirements of this paragraph.
535 (f) The governing boards shall determine those projects
536that will be selected for financial assistance. The governing
537boards may establish factors to determine project funding;
538however, significant weight shall be given to the following
539factors:
540 1. Whether the project provides substantial environmental
541benefits by preventing or limiting adverse water resource
542impacts.
543 2. Whether the project reduces competition for water
544supplies.
545 3. Whether the project brings about replacement of
546traditional sources in order to help implement a minimum flow or
547level or a reservation.
548 4. Whether the project will be implemented by a
549consumptive use permittee that has achieved the targets
550contained in a goal-based water conservation program approved
551pursuant to s. 373.227.
552 5. The quantity of water supplied by the project as
553compared to its cost.
554 6. Projects in which the construction and delivery to end
555users of reuse water is a major component.
556 7. Whether the project will be implemented by a
557multijurisdictional water supply entity or regional water supply
558authority.
559 8. Whether the project implements reuse that assists in
560the elimination of domestic wastewater ocean outfalls as
561provided in s. 403.086(9).
562 (g) Additional factors to be considered in determining
563project funding shall include:
564 1. Whether the project is part of a plan to implement two
565or more alternative water supply projects, all of which will be
566operated to produce water at a uniform rate for the participants
567in a multijurisdictional water supply entity or regional water
568supply authority.
569 2. The percentage of project costs to be funded by the
570water supplier or water user.
571 3. Whether the project proposal includes sufficient
572preliminary planning and engineering to demonstrate that the
573project can reasonably be implemented within the timeframes
574provided in the regional water supply plan.
575 4. Whether the project is a subsequent phase of an
576alternative water supply project that is underway.
577 5. Whether and in what percentage a local government or
578local government utility is transferring water supply system
579revenues to the local government general fund in excess of
580reimbursements for services received from the general fund,
581including direct and indirect costs and legitimate payments in
582lieu of taxes.
583 (h) After conducting one or more meetings to solicit
584public input on eligible projects, including input from those
585entities identified pursuant to s. 373.709(2)(a)3.d. for
586implementation of alternative water supply projects, the
587governing board of each water management district shall select
588projects for funding assistance based upon the criteria set
589forth in paragraphs (f) and (g). The governing board may select
590a project identified or listed as an alternative water supply
591development project in the regional water supply plan, or
592allocate up to 20 percent of the funding for alternative water
593supply projects that are not identified or listed in the
594regional water supply plan but are consistent with the goals of
595the plan.
596 (i) Without diminishing amounts available through other
597means described in this paragraph, the governing boards are
598encouraged to consider establishing revolving loan funds to
599expand the total funds available to accomplish the objectives of
600this section. A revolving loan fund created under this paragraph
601must be a nonlapsing fund from which the water management
602district may make loans with interest rates below prevailing
603market rates to public or private entities for the purposes
604described in this section. The governing board may adopt
605resolutions to establish revolving loan funds which must specify
606the details of the administration of the fund, the procedures
607for applying for loans from the fund, the criteria for awarding
608loans from the fund, the initial capitalization of the fund, and
609the goals for future capitalization of the fund in subsequent
610budget years. Revolving loan funds created under this paragraph
611must be used to expand the total sums and sources of cooperative
612funding available for the development of alternative water
613supplies. The Legislature does not intend for the creation of
614revolving loan funds to supplant or otherwise reduce existing
615sources or amounts of funds currently available through other
616means.
617 (j) For each utility that receives financial assistance
618from the state or a water management district for an alternative
619water supply project, the water management district shall
620require the appropriate rate-setting authority to develop rate
621structures for water customers in the service area of the funded
622utility that will:
623 1. Promote the conservation of water; and
624 2. Promote the use of water from alternative water
625supplies.
626 (k) The governing boards shall establish a process for the
627disbursal of revenues pursuant to this subsection.
628 (l) All revenues made available pursuant to this
629subsection must be encumbered annually by the governing board
630when it approves projects sufficient to expend the available
631revenues.
632 (m) This subsection is not subject to the rulemaking
633requirements of chapter 120.
634 (n) By March 1 of each year, as part of the consolidated
635annual report required by s. 373.036(7), each water management
636district shall submit a report on the disbursal of all budgeted
637amounts pursuant to this section. Such report shall describe all
638alternative water supply projects funded as well as the quantity
639of new water to be created as a result of such projects and
640shall account separately for any other moneys provided through
641grants, matching grants, revolving loans, and the use of
642district lands or facilities to implement regional water supply
643plans.
644 (o) The Florida Public Service Commission shall allow
645entities under its jurisdiction constructing or participating in
646constructing facilities that provide alternative water supplies
647to recover their full, prudently incurred cost of constructing
648such facilities through their rate structure. If construction of
649a facility or participation in construction is pursuant to or in
650furtherance of a regional water supply plan, the cost shall be
651deemed to be prudently incurred. Every component of an
652alternative water supply facility constructed by an investor-
653owned utility shall be recovered in current rates. Any state or
654water management district cost-share is not subject to the
655recovery provisions allowed in this paragraph.
656 (9) Funding assistance provided by the water management
657districts for a water reuse system may include the following
658conditions for that project if a water management district
659determines that such conditions will encourage water use
660efficiency:
661 (a) Metering of reclaimed water use for residential
662irrigation, agricultural irrigation, industrial uses, except for
663electric utilities as defined in s. 366.02(2), landscape
664irrigation, golf course irrigation, irrigation of other public
665access areas, commercial and institutional uses such as toilet
666flushing, and transfers to other reclaimed water utilities;
667 (b) Implementation of reclaimed water rate structures
668based on actual use of reclaimed water for the reuse activities
669listed in paragraph (a);
670 (c) Implementation of education programs to inform the
671public about water issues, water conservation, and the
672importance and proper use of reclaimed water; or
673 (d) Development of location data for key reuse facilities.
674 373.709 Regional water supply planning.-
675 (1) The governing board of each water management district
676shall conduct water supply planning for any water supply
677planning region within the district identified in the
678appropriate district water supply plan under s. 373.036, where
679it determines that existing sources of water are not adequate to
680supply water for all existing and future reasonable-beneficial
681uses and to sustain the water resources and related natural
682systems for the planning period. The planning must be conducted
683in an open public process, in coordination and cooperation with
684local governments, regional water supply authorities,
685government-owned and privately owned water utilities,
686multijurisdictional water supply entities, self-suppliers, and
687other affected and interested parties. The districts shall
688actively engage in public education and outreach to all affected
689local entities and their officials, as well as members of the
690public, in the planning process and in seeking input. During
691preparation, but prior to completion of the regional water
692supply plan, the district must conduct at least one public
693workshop to discuss the technical data and modeling tools
694anticipated to be used to support the regional water supply
695plan. The district shall also hold several public meetings to
696communicate the status, overall conceptual intent, and impacts
697of the plan on existing and future reasonable-beneficial uses
698and related natural systems. During the planning process, a
699local government may choose to prepare its own water supply
700assessment to determine if existing water sources are adequate
701to meet existing and projected reasonable-beneficial needs of
702the local government while sustaining water resources and
703related natural systems. The local government shall submit such
704assessment, including the data and methodology used, to the
705district. The district shall consider the local government's
706assessment during the formation of the plan. A determination by
707the governing board that initiation of a regional water supply
708plan for a specific planning region is not needed pursuant to
709this section shall be subject to s. 120.569. The governing board
710shall reevaluate such a determination at least once every 5
711years and shall initiate a regional water supply plan, if
712needed, pursuant to this subsection.
713 (2) Each regional water supply plan shall be based on at
714least a 20-year planning period and shall include, but need not
715be limited to:
716 (a) A water supply development component for each water
717supply planning region identified by the district which
718includes:
719 1. A quantification of the water supply needs for all
720existing and future reasonable-beneficial uses within the
721planning horizon. The level-of-certainty planning goal
722associated with identifying the water supply needs of existing
723and future reasonable-beneficial uses shall be based upon
724meeting those needs for a 1-in-10-year drought event. Population
725projections used for determining public water supply needs must
726be based upon the best available data. In determining the best
727available data, the district shall consider the University of
728Florida's Bureau of Economic and Business Research (BEBR) medium
729population projections and any population projection data and
730analysis submitted by a local government pursuant to the public
731workshop described in subsection (1) if the data and analysis
732support the local government's comprehensive plan. Any
733adjustment of or deviation from the BEBR projections must be
734fully described, and the original BEBR data must be presented
735along with the adjusted data.
736 2. A list of water supply development project options,
737including traditional and alternative water supply project
738options, from which local government, government-owned and
739privately owned utilities, regional water supply authorities,
740multijurisdictional water supply entities, self-suppliers, and
741others may choose for water supply development. In addition to
742projects listed by the district, such users may propose specific
743projects for inclusion in the list of alternative water supply
744projects. If such users propose a project to be listed as an
745alternative water supply project, the district shall determine
746whether it meets the goals of the plan, and, if so, it shall be
747included in the list. The total capacity of the projects
748included in the plan shall exceed the needs identified in
749subparagraph 1. and shall take into account water conservation
750and other demand management measures, as well as water resources
751constraints, including adopted minimum flows and levels and
752water reservations. Where the district determines it is
753appropriate, the plan should specifically identify the need for
754multijurisdictional approaches to project options that, based on
755planning level analysis, are appropriate to supply the intended
756uses and that, based on such analysis, appear to be permittable
757and financially and technically feasible. The list of water
758supply development options must contain provisions that
759recognize that alternative water supply options for agricultural
760self-suppliers are limited.
761 3. For each project option identified in subparagraph 2.,
762the following shall be provided:
763 a. An estimate of the amount of water to become available
764through the project.
765 b. The timeframe in which the project option should be
766implemented and the estimated planning-level costs for capital
767investment and operating and maintaining the project.
768 c. An analysis of funding needs and sources of possible
769funding options. For alternative water supply projects the water
770management districts shall provide funding assistance in
771accordance with s. 373.707(8).
772 d. Identification of the entity that should implement each
773project option and the current status of project implementation.
774 (b) A water resource development component that includes:
775 1. A listing of those water resource development projects
776that support water supply development.
777 2. For each water resource development project listed:
778 a. An estimate of the amount of water to become available
779through the project.
780 b. The timeframe in which the project option should be
781implemented and the estimated planning-level costs for capital
782investment and for operating and maintaining the project.
783 c. An analysis of funding needs and sources of possible
784funding options.
785 d. Identification of the entity that should implement each
786project option and the current status of project implementation.
787 (c) The recovery and prevention strategy described in s.
788373.0421(2).
789 (d) A funding strategy for water resource development
790projects, which shall be reasonable and sufficient to pay the
791cost of constructing or implementing all of the listed projects.
792 (e) Consideration of how the project options addressed in
793paragraph (a) serve the public interest or save costs overall by
794preventing the loss of natural resources or avoiding greater
795future expenditures for water resource development or water
796supply development. However, unless adopted by rule, these
797considerations do not constitute final agency action.
798 (f) The technical data and information applicable to each
799planning region which are necessary to support the regional
800water supply plan.
801 (g) The minimum flows and levels established for water
802resources within each planning region.
803 (h) Reservations of water adopted by rule pursuant to s.
804373.223(4) within each planning region.
805 (i) Identification of surface waters or aquifers for which
806minimum flows and levels are scheduled to be adopted.
807 (j) An analysis, developed in cooperation with the
808department, of areas or instances in which the variance
809provisions of s. 378.212(1)(g) or s. 378.404(9) may be used to
810create water supply development or water resource development
811projects.
812 (3) The water supply development component of a regional
813water supply plan which deals with or affects public utilities
814and public water supply for those areas served by a regional
815water supply authority and its member governments within the
816boundary of the Southwest Florida Water Management District
817shall be developed jointly by the authority and the district. In
818areas not served by regional water supply authorities, or other
819multijurisdictional water supply entities, and where
820opportunities exist to meet water supply needs more efficiently
821through multijurisdictional projects identified pursuant to
822paragraph (2)(a), water management districts are directed to
823assist in developing multijurisdictional approaches to water
824supply project development jointly with affected water
825utilities, special districts, and local governments.
826 (4) The South Florida Water Management District shall
827include in its regional water supply plan water resource and
828water supply development projects that promote the elimination
829of wastewater ocean outfalls as provided in s. 403.086(9).
830 (5) Governing board approval of a regional water supply
831plan shall not be subject to the rulemaking requirements of
832chapter 120. However, any portion of an approved regional water
833supply plan which affects the substantial interests of a party
834shall be subject to s. 120.569.
835 (6) Annually and in conjunction with the reporting
836requirements of s. 373.536(6)(a)4., the department shall submit
837to the Governor and the Legislature a report on the status of
838regional water supply planning in each district. The report
839shall include:
840 (a) A compilation of the estimated costs of and potential
841sources of funding for water resource development and water
842supply development projects as identified in the water
843management district regional water supply plans.
844 (b) The percentage and amount, by district, of district ad
845valorem tax revenues or other district funds made available to
846develop alternative water supplies.
847 (c) A description of each district's progress toward
848achieving its water resource development objectives, including
849the district's implementation of its 5-year water resource
850development work program.
851 (d) An assessment of the specific progress being made to
852implement each alternative water supply project option chosen by
853the entities and identified for implementation in the plan.
854 (e) An overall assessment of the progress being made to
855develop water supply in each district, including, but not
856limited to, an explanation of how each project, either
857alternative or traditional, will produce, contribute to, or
858account for additional water being made available for
859consumptive uses, an estimate of the quantity of water to be
860produced by each project, and an assessment of the contribution
861of the district's regional water supply plan in providing
862sufficient water to meet the needs of existing and future
863reasonable-beneficial uses for a 1-in-10 year drought event, as
864well as the needs of the natural systems.
865 (7) Nothing contained in the water supply development
866component of a regional water supply plan shall be construed to
867require local governments, government-owned or privately owned
868water utilities, special districts, self-suppliers, regional
869water supply authorities, multijurisdictional water supply
870entities, or other water suppliers to select a water supply
871development project identified in the component merely because
872it is identified in the plan. Except as provided in s.
873373.223(3) and (5), the plan may not be used in the review of
874permits under part II of this chapter unless the plan or an
875applicable portion thereof has been adopted by rule. However,
876this subsection does not prohibit a water management district
877from employing the data or other information used to establish
878the plan in reviewing permits under part II, nor does it limit
879the authority of the department or governing board under part
880II.
881 (8) Where the water supply component of a water supply
882planning region shows the need for one or more alternative water
883supply projects, the district shall notify the affected local
884governments and make every reasonable effort to educate and
885involve local public officials in working toward solutions in
886conjunction with the districts and, where appropriate, other
887local and regional water supply entities.
888 (a) Within 6 months following approval or amendment of its
889regional water supply plan, each water management district shall
890notify by certified mail each entity identified in sub-
891subparagraph (2)(a)3.d. of that portion of the plan relevant to
892the entity. Upon request of such an entity, the water management
893district shall appear before and present its findings and
894recommendations to the entity.
895 (b) Within 1 year after the notification by a water
896management district pursuant to paragraph (a), each entity
897identified in sub-subparagraph (2)(a)3.d. shall provide to the
898water management district written notification of the following:
899the alternative water supply projects or options identified in
900paragraph (2)(a) which it has developed or intends to develop,
901if any; an estimate of the quantity of water to be produced by
902each project; and the status of project implementation,
903including development of the financial plan, facilities master
904planning, permitting, and efforts in coordinating
905multijurisdictional projects, if applicable. The information
906provided in the notification shall be updated annually, and a
907progress report shall be provided by November 15 of each year to
908the water management district. If an entity does not intend to
909develop one or more of the alternative water supply project
910options identified in the regional water supply plan, the entity
911shall propose, within 1 year after notification by a water
912management district pursuant to paragraph (a), another
913alternative water supply project option sufficient to address
914the needs identified in paragraph (2)(a) within the entity's
915jurisdiction and shall provide an estimate of the quantity of
916water to be produced by the project and the status of project
917implementation as described in this paragraph. The entity may
918request that the water management district consider the other
919project for inclusion in the regional water supply plan.
920 (9) For any regional water supply plan that is scheduled
921to be updated before December 31, 2005, the deadline for such
922update shall be extended by 1 year.
923 373.711 Technical assistance to local governments.-
924 (1) The water management districts shall assist local
925governments in the development and future revision of local
926government comprehensive plan elements or public facilities
927report as required by s. 189.415, related to water resource
928issues.
929 (2) By July 1, 1991, each water management district shall
930prepare and provide information and data to assist local
931governments in the preparation and implementation of their local
932government comprehensive plans or public facilities report as
933required by s. 189.415, whichever is applicable. Such
934information and data shall include, but not be limited to:
935 (a) All information and data required in a public
936facilities report pursuant to s. 189.415.
937 (b) A description of regulations, programs, and schedules
938implemented by the district.
939 (c) Identification of regulations, programs, and schedules
940undertaken or proposed by the district to further the State
941Comprehensive Plan.
942 (d) A description of surface water basins, including
943regulatory jurisdictions, flood-prone areas, existing and
944projected water quality in water management district operated
945facilities, as well as surface water runoff characteristics and
946topography regarding flood plains, wetlands, and recharge areas.
947 (e) A description of groundwater characteristics,
948including existing and planned wellfield sites, existing and
949anticipated cones of influence, highly productive groundwater
950areas, aquifer recharge areas, deep well injection zones,
951contaminated areas, an assessment of regional water resource
952needs and sources for the next 20 years, and water quality.
953 (f) The identification of existing and potential water
954management district land acquisitions.
955 (g) Information reflecting the minimum flows for surface
956watercourses to avoid harm to water resources or the ecosystem
957and information reflecting the minimum water levels for aquifers
958to avoid harm to water resources or the ecosystem.
959 373.713 Regional water supply authorities.-
960 (1) By interlocal agreement between counties,
961municipalities, or special districts, as applicable, pursuant to
962the Florida Interlocal Cooperation Act of 1969, s. 163.01, and
963upon the approval of the Secretary of Environmental Protection
964to ensure that such agreement will be in the public interest and
965complies with the intent and purposes of this act, regional
966water supply authorities may be created for the purpose of
967developing, recovering, storing, and supplying water for county
968or municipal purposes in such a manner as will give priority to
969reducing adverse environmental effects of excessive or improper
970withdrawals of water from concentrated areas. In approving said
971agreement the Secretary of Environmental Protection shall
972consider, but not be limited to, the following:
973 (a) Whether the geographic territory of the proposed
974authority is of sufficient size and character to reduce the
975environmental effects of improper or excessive withdrawals of
976water from concentrated areas.
977 (b) The maximization of economic development of the water
978resources within the territory of the proposed authority.
979 (c) The availability of a dependable and adequate water
980supply.
981 (d) The ability of any proposed authority to design,
982construct, operate, and maintain water supply facilities in the
983locations, and at the times necessary, to ensure that an
984adequate water supply will be available to all citizens within
985the authority.
986 (e) The effect or impact of any proposed authority on any
987municipality, county, or existing authority or authorities.
988 (f) The existing needs of the water users within the area
989of the authority.
990 (2) In addition to other powers and duties agreed upon,
991and notwithstanding the provisions of s. 163.01, such authority
992may:
993 (a) Upon approval of the electors residing in each county
994or municipality within the territory to be included in any
995authority, levy ad valorem taxes, not to exceed 0.5 mill,
996pursuant to s. 9(b), Art. VII of the State Constitution. No tax
997authorized by this paragraph shall be levied in any county or
998municipality without an affirmative vote of the electors
999residing in such county or municipality.
1000 (b) Acquire water and water rights; develop, store, and
1001transport water; provide, sell, and deliver water for county or
1002municipal uses and purposes; and provide for the furnishing of
1003such water and water service upon terms and conditions and at
1004rates which will apportion to parties and nonparties an
1005equitable share of the capital cost and operating expense of the
1006authority's work to the purchaser.
1007 (c) Collect, treat, and recover wastewater.
1008 (d) Not engage in local distribution.
1009 (e) Exercise the power of eminent domain in the manner
1010provided by law for the condemnation of private property for
1011public use to acquire title to such interest in real property as
1012is necessary to the exercise of the powers herein granted,
1013except water and water rights already devoted to reasonable and
1014beneficial use or any water production or transmission
1015facilities owned by any county or municipality.
1016 (f) Issue revenue bonds in the manner prescribed by the
1017Revenue Bond Act of 1953, as amended, part I, chapter 159, to be
1018payable solely from funds derived from the sale of water by the
1019authority to any county or municipality. Such bonds may be
1020additionally secured by the full faith and credit of any county
1021or municipality, as provided by s. 159.16 or by a pledge of
1022excise taxes, as provided by s. 159.19. For the purpose of
1023issuing revenue bonds, an authority shall be considered a "unit"
1024as defined in s. 159.02(2) and as that term is used in the
1025Revenue Bond Act of 1953, as amended. Such bonds may be issued
1026to finance the cost of acquiring properties and facilities for
1027the production and transmission of water by the authority to any
1028county or municipality, which cost shall include the acquisition
1029of real property and easements therein for such purposes. Such
1030bonds may be in the form of refunding bonds to take up any
1031outstanding bonds of the authority or of any county or
1032municipality where such outstanding bonds are secured by
1033properties and facilities for production and transmission of
1034water, which properties and facilities are being acquired by the
1035authority. Refunding bonds may be issued to take up and refund
1036all outstanding bonds of said authority that are subject to call
1037and termination, and all bonds of said authority that are not
1038subject to call or redemption, when the surrender of said bonds
1039can be procured from the holder thereof at prices satisfactory
1040to the authority. Such refunding bonds may be issued at any time
1041when, in the judgment of the authority, it will be to the best
1042interest of the authority financially or economically by
1043securing a lower rate of interest on said bonds or by extending
1044the time of maturity of said bonds or, for any other reason, in
1045the judgment of the authority, advantageous to said authority.
1046 (g) Sue and be sued in its own name.
1047 (h) Borrow money and incur indebtedness and issue bonds or
1048other evidence of such indebtedness.
1049 (i) Join with one or more other public corporations for
1050the purpose of carrying out any of its powers and for that
1051purpose to contract with such other public corporation or
1052corporations for the purpose of financing such acquisitions,
1053construction, and operations. Such contracts may provide for
1054contributions to be made by each party thereto, for the division
1055and apportionment of the expenses of such acquisitions and
1056operations, and for the division and apportionment of the
1057benefits, services, and products therefrom. Such contract may
1058contain such other and further covenants and agreements as may
1059be necessary and convenient to accomplish the purposes hereof.
1060 (3) A regional water supply authority is authorized to
1061develop, construct, operate, maintain, or contract for
1062alternative sources of potable water, including desalinated
1063water, and pipelines to interconnect authority sources and
1064facilities, either by itself or jointly with a water management
1065district; however, such alternative potable water sources,
1066facilities, and pipelines may also be privately developed,
1067constructed, owned, operated, and maintained, in which event an
1068authority and a water management district are authorized to
1069pledge and contribute their funds to reduce the wholesale cost
1070of water from such alternative sources of potable water supplied
1071by an authority to its member governments.
1072 (4) When it is found to be in the public interest, for the
1073public convenience and welfare, for a public benefit, and
1074necessary for carrying out the purpose of any regional water
1075supply authority, any state agency, county, water control
1076district existing pursuant to chapter 298, water management
1077district existing pursuant to this chapter, municipality,
1078governmental agency, or public corporation in this state holding
1079title to any interest in land is hereby authorized, in its
1080discretion, to convey the title to or dedicate land, title to
1081which is in such entity, including tax-reverted land, or to
1082grant use-rights therein, to any regional water supply authority
1083created pursuant to this section. Land granted or conveyed to
1084such authority shall be for the public purposes of such
1085authority and may be made subject to the condition that in the
1086event said land is not so used, or if used and subsequently its
1087use for said purpose is abandoned, the interest granted shall
1088cease as to such authority and shall automatically revert to the
1089granting entity.
1090 (5) Each county, special district, or municipality that is
1091a party to an agreement pursuant to subsection (1) shall have a
1092preferential right to purchase water from the regional water
1093supply authority for use by such county, special district, or
1094municipality.
1095 (6) In carrying out the provisions of this section, any
1096county wherein water is withdrawn by the authority shall not be
1097deprived, directly or indirectly, of the prior right to the
1098reasonable and beneficial use of water which is required
1099adequately to supply the reasonable and beneficial needs of the
1100county or any of the inhabitants or property owners therein.
1101 (7) Upon a resolution adopted by the governing body of any
1102county or municipality, the authority may, subject to a majority
1103vote of its voting members, include such county or municipality
1104in its regional water supply authority upon such terms and
1105conditions as may be prescribed.
1106 (8) The authority shall design, construct, operate, and
1107maintain facilities in the locations and at the times necessary
1108to ensure that an adequate water supply will be available to all
1109citizens within the authority.
1110 (9) Where a water supply authority exists pursuant to this
1111section or s. 373.715 under a voluntary interlocal agreement
1112that is consistent with requirements in s. 373.715(1)(b) and
1113receives or maintains consumptive use permits under this
1114voluntary agreement consistent with the water supply plan, if
1115any, adopted by the governing board, such authority shall be
1116exempt from consideration by the governing board or department
1117of the factors specified in s. 373.223(3)(a)-(g) and the
1118submissions required by s. 373.229(3). Such exemptions shall
1119apply only to water sources within the jurisdictional areas of
1120such voluntary water supply interlocal agreements.
1121 373.715 Assistance to West Coast Regional Water Supply
1122Authority.-
1123 (1) It is the intent of the Legislature to authorize the
1124implementation of changes in governance recommended by the West
1125Coast Regional Water Supply Authority in its reports to the
1126Legislature dated February 1, 1997, and January 5, 1998. The
1127authority and its member governments may reconstitute the
1128authority's governance and rename the authority under a
1129voluntary interlocal agreement with a term of not less than 20
1130years. The interlocal agreement must comply with this subsection
1131as follows:
1132 (a) The authority and its member governments agree that
1133cooperative efforts are mandatory to meet their water needs in a
1134manner that will provide adequate and dependable supplies of
1135water where needed without resulting in adverse environmental
1136effects upon the areas from which the water is withdrawn or
1137otherwise produced.
1138 (b) In accordance with s. 4, Art. VIII of the State
1139Constitution and notwithstanding s. 163.01, the interlocal
1140agreement may include the following terms, which are considered
1141approved by the parties without a vote of their electors, upon
1142execution of the interlocal agreement by all member governments
1143and upon satisfaction of all conditions precedent in the
1144interlocal agreement:
1145 1. All member governments shall relinquish to the
1146authority their individual rights to develop potable water
1147supply sources, except as otherwise provided in the interlocal
1148agreement;
1149 2. The authority shall be the sole and exclusive wholesale
1150potable water supplier for all member governments; and
1151 3. The authority shall have the absolute and unequivocal
1152obligation to meet the wholesale needs of the member governments
1153for potable water.
1154 4. A member government may not restrict or prohibit the
1155use of land within a member's jurisdictional boundaries by the
1156authority for water supply purposes through use of zoning, land
1157use, comprehensive planning, or other form of regulation.
1158 5. A member government may not impose any tax, fee, or
1159charge upon the authority in conjunction with the production or
1160supply of water not otherwise provided for in the interlocal
1161agreement.
1162 6. The authority may use the powers provided in part II of
1163chapter 159 for financing and refinancing water treatment,
1164production, or transmission facilities, including, but not
1165limited to, desalinization facilities. All such water treatment,
1166production, or transmission facilities are considered a
1167"manufacturing plant" for purposes of s. 159.27(5) and serve a
1168paramount public purpose by providing water to citizens of the
1169state.
1170 7. A member government and any governmental or quasi-
1171judicial board or commission established by local ordinance or
1172general or special law where the governing membership of such
1173board or commission is shared, in whole or in part, or appointed
1174by a member government agreeing to be bound by the interlocal
1175agreement shall be limited to the procedures set forth therein
1176regarding actions that directly or indirectly restrict or
1177prohibit the use of lands or other activities related to the
1178production or supply of water.
1179 (c) The authority shall acquire full or lesser interests
1180in all regionally significant member government wholesale water
1181supply facilities and tangible assets and each member government
1182shall convey such interests in the facilities and assets to the
1183authority, at an agreed value.
1184 (d) The authority shall charge a uniform per gallon
1185wholesale rate to member governments for the wholesale supply of
1186potable water. All capital, operation, maintenance, and
1187administrative costs for existing facilities and acquired
1188facilities, authority master water plan facilities, and other
1189future projects must be allocated to member governments based on
1190water usage at the uniform per gallon wholesale rate.
1191 (e) The interlocal agreement may include procedures for
1192resolving the parties' differences regarding water management
1193district proposed agency action in the water use permitting
1194process within the authority. Such procedures should minimize
1195the potential for litigation and include alternative dispute
1196resolution. Any governmental or quasi-judicial board or
1197commission established by local ordinance or general or special
1198law where the governing members of such board or commission is
1199shared, in whole or in part, or appointed by a member
1200government, may agree to be bound by the dispute resolution
1201procedures set forth in the interlocal agreement.
1202 (f) Upon execution of the voluntary interlocal agreement
1203provided for herein, the authority shall jointly develop with
1204the Southwest Florida Water Management District alternative
1205sources of potable water and transmission pipelines to
1206interconnect regionally significant water supply sources and
1207facilities of the authority in amounts sufficient to meet the
1208needs of all member governments for a period of at least 20
1209years and for natural systems. Nothing herein, however, shall
1210preclude the authority and its member governments from
1211developing traditional water sources pursuant to the voluntary
1212interlocal agreement. Development and construction costs for
1213alternative source facilities, which may include a desalination
1214facility and significant regional interconnects, must be borne
1215as mutually agreed to by both the authority and the Southwest
1216Florida Water Management District. Nothing herein shall preclude
1217authority or district cost sharing with private entities for the
1218construction or ownership of alternative source facilities. By
1219December 31, 1997, the authority and the Southwest Florida Water
1220Management District shall enter into a mutually acceptable
1221agreement detailing the development and implementation of
1222directives contained in this paragraph. Nothing in this section
1223shall be construed to modify the rights or responsibilities of
1224the authority or its member governments, except as otherwise
1225provided herein, or of the Southwest Florida Water Management
1226District or the department pursuant to this chapter or chapter
1227403 and as otherwise set forth by statutes.
1228 (g) Unless otherwise provided in the interlocal agreement,
1229the authority shall be governed by a board of commissioners
1230consisting of nine voting members, all of whom must be elected
1231officers, as follows:
1232 1. Three members from Hillsborough County who must be
1233selected by the county commission; provided, however, that one
1234member shall be selected by the Mayor of Tampa in the event that
1235the City of Tampa elects to be a member of the authority;
1236 2. Three members from Pasco County, two of whom must be
1237selected by the county commission and one of whom must be
1238selected by the City Council of New Port Richey;
1239 3. Three members from Pinellas County, two of whom must be
1240selected by the county commission and one of whom must be
1241selected by the City Council of St. Petersburg.
1242
1243Except as otherwise provided in this section or in the voluntary
1244interlocal agreement between the member governments, a majority
1245vote shall bind the authority and its member governments in all
1246matters relating to the funding of wholesale water supply,
1247production, delivery, and related activities.
1248 (2) The provisions of this section supersede any
1249conflicting provisions contained in all other general or special
1250laws or provisions thereof as they may apply directly or
1251indirectly to the exclusivity of water supply or withdrawal of
1252water, including provisions relating to the environmental
1253effects, if any, in conjunction with the production and supply
1254of potable water, and the provisions of this section are
1255intended to be a complete revision of all laws related to a
1256regional water supply authority created under s. 373.713 and
1257this section.
1258 (3) In lieu of the provisions in s. 373.713(2)(a), the
1259Southwest Florida Water Management District shall assist the
1260West Coast Regional Water Supply Authority for a period of 5
1261years, terminating December 31, 1981, by levying an ad valorem
1262tax, upon request of the authority, of not more than 0.05 mill
1263on all taxable property within the limits of the authority.
1264During such period the corresponding basin board ad valorem tax
1265levies shall be reduced accordingly.
1266 (4) The authority shall prepare its annual budget in the
1267same manner as prescribed for the preparation of basin budgets,
1268but such authority budget shall not be subject to review by the
1269respective basin boards or by the governing board of the
1270district.
1271 (5) The annual millage for the authority shall be the
1272amount required to raise the amount called for by the annual
1273budget when applied to the total assessment on all taxable
1274property within the limits of the authority, as determined for
1275county taxing purposes.
1276 (6) The authority may, by resolution, request the
1277governing board of the district to levy ad valorem taxes within
1278the boundaries of the authority. Upon receipt of such request,
1279together with formal certification of the adoption of its annual
1280budget and of the required tax levy, the authority tax levy
1281shall be made by the governing board of the district to finance
1282authority functions.
1283 (7) The taxes provided for in this section shall be
1284extended by the property appraiser on the county tax roll in
1285each county within, or partly within, the authority boundaries
1286and shall be collected by the tax collector in the same manner
1287and time as county taxes, and the proceeds therefrom paid to the
1288district which shall forthwith pay them over to the authority.
1289Until paid, such taxes shall be a lien on the property against
1290which assessed and enforceable in like manner as county taxes.
1291The property appraisers, tax collectors, and clerks of the
1292circuit court of the respective counties shall be entitled to
1293compensation for services performed in connection with such
1294taxes at the same rates as apply to county taxes.
1295 (8) The governing board of the district shall not be
1296responsible for any actions or lack of actions by the authority.
1297 Section 2. Subsection (13) of section 120.52, Florida
1298Statutes, is amended to read:
1299 120.52 Definitions.-As used in this act:
1300 (13) "Party" means:
1301 (a) Specifically named persons whose substantial interests
1302are being determined in the proceeding.
1303 (b) Any other person who, as a matter of constitutional
1304right, provision of statute, or provision of agency regulation,
1305is entitled to participate in whole or in part in the
1306proceeding, or whose substantial interests will be affected by
1307proposed agency action, and who makes an appearance as a party.
1308 (c) Any other person, including an agency staff member,
1309allowed by the agency to intervene or participate in the
1310proceeding as a party. An agency may by rule authorize limited
1311forms of participation in agency proceedings for persons who are
1312not eligible to become parties.
1313 (d) Any county representative, agency, department, or unit
1314funded and authorized by state statute or county ordinance to
1315represent the interests of the consumers of a county, when the
1316proceeding involves the substantial interests of a significant
1317number of residents of the county and the board of county
1318commissioners has, by resolution, authorized the representative,
1319agency, department, or unit to represent the class of interested
1320persons. The authorizing resolution shall apply to a specific
1321proceeding and to appeals and ancillary proceedings thereto, and
1322it shall not be required to state the names of the persons whose
1323interests are to be represented.
1324
1325The term "party" does not include a member government of a
1326regional water supply authority or a governmental or quasi-
1327judicial board or commission established by local ordinance or
1328special or general law where the governing membership of such
1329board or commission is shared with, in whole or in part, or
1330appointed by a member government of a regional water supply
1331authority in proceedings under s. 120.569, s. 120.57, or s.
1332120.68, to the extent that an interlocal agreement under ss.
1333163.01 and 373.713 373.1962 exists in which the member
1334government has agreed that its substantial interests are not
1335affected by the proceedings or that it is to be bound by
1336alternative dispute resolution in lieu of participating in the
1337proceedings. This exclusion applies only to those particular
1338types of disputes or controversies, if any, identified in an
1339interlocal agreement.
1340 Section 3. Subsection (13) of section 163.3167, Florida
1341Statutes, is amended to read:
1342 163.3167 Scope of act.-
1343 (13) Each local government shall address in its
1344comprehensive plan, as enumerated in this chapter, the water
1345supply sources necessary to meet and achieve the existing and
1346projected water use demand for the established planning period,
1347considering the applicable plan developed pursuant to s. 373.709
1348373.0361.
1349 Section 4. Paragraph (a) of subsection (4) and paragraphs
1350(c), (d), and (h) of subsection (6) of section 163.3177, Florida
1351Statutes, are amended to read:
1352 163.3177 Required and optional elements of comprehensive
1353plan; studies and surveys.-
1354 (4)(a) Coordination of the local comprehensive plan with
1355the comprehensive plans of adjacent municipalities, the county,
1356adjacent counties, or the region; with the appropriate water
1357management district's regional water supply plans approved
1358pursuant to s. 373.709 373.0361; with adopted rules pertaining
1359to designated areas of critical state concern; and with the
1360state comprehensive plan shall be a major objective of the local
1361comprehensive planning process. To that end, in the preparation
1362of a comprehensive plan or element thereof, and in the
1363comprehensive plan or element as adopted, the governing body
1364shall include a specific policy statement indicating the
1365relationship of the proposed development of the area to the
1366comprehensive plans of adjacent municipalities, the county,
1367adjacent counties, or the region and to the state comprehensive
1368plan, as the case may require and as such adopted plans or plans
1369in preparation may exist.
1370 (6) In addition to the requirements of subsections (1)-(5)
1371and (12), the comprehensive plan shall include the following
1372elements:
1373 (c) A general sanitary sewer, solid waste, drainage,
1374potable water, and natural groundwater aquifer recharge element
1375correlated to principles and guidelines for future land use,
1376indicating ways to provide for future potable water, drainage,
1377sanitary sewer, solid waste, and aquifer recharge protection
1378requirements for the area. The element may be a detailed
1379engineering plan including a topographic map depicting areas of
1380prime groundwater recharge. The element shall describe the
1381problems and needs and the general facilities that will be
1382required for solution of the problems and needs. The element
1383shall also include a topographic map depicting any areas adopted
1384by a regional water management district as prime groundwater
1385recharge areas for the Floridan or Biscayne aquifers. These
1386areas shall be given special consideration when the local
1387government is engaged in zoning or considering future land use
1388for said designated areas. For areas served by septic tanks,
1389soil surveys shall be provided which indicate the suitability of
1390soils for septic tanks. Within 18 months after the governing
1391board approves an updated regional water supply plan, the
1392element must incorporate the alternative water supply project or
1393projects selected by the local government from those identified
1394in the regional water supply plan pursuant to s. 373.709(2)(a)
1395373.0361(2)(a) or proposed by the local government under s.
1396373.709(8)(b) 373.0361(8)(b). If a local government is located
1397within two water management districts, the local government
1398shall adopt its comprehensive plan amendment within 18 months
1399after the later updated regional water supply plan. The element
1400must identify such alternative water supply projects and
1401traditional water supply projects and conservation and reuse
1402necessary to meet the water needs identified in s. 373.709(2)(a)
1403373.0361(2)(a) within the local government's jurisdiction and
1404include a work plan, covering at least a 10 year planning
1405period, for building public, private, and regional water supply
1406facilities, including development of alternative water supplies,
1407which are identified in the element as necessary to serve
1408existing and new development. The work plan shall be updated, at
1409a minimum, every 5 years within 18 months after the governing
1410board of a water management district approves an updated
1411regional water supply plan. Amendments to incorporate the work
1412plan do not count toward the limitation on the frequency of
1413adoption of amendments to the comprehensive plan. Local
1414governments, public and private utilities, regional water supply
1415authorities, special districts, and water management districts
1416are encouraged to cooperatively plan for the development of
1417multijurisdictional water supply facilities that are sufficient
1418to meet projected demands for established planning periods,
1419including the development of alternative water sources to
1420supplement traditional sources of groundwater and surface water
1421supplies.
1422 (d) A conservation element for the conservation, use, and
1423protection of natural resources in the area, including air,
1424water, water recharge areas, wetlands, waterwells, estuarine
1425marshes, soils, beaches, shores, flood plains, rivers, bays,
1426lakes, harbors, forests, fisheries and wildlife, marine habitat,
1427minerals, and other natural and environmental resources,
1428including factors that affect energy conservation. Local
1429governments shall assess their current, as well as projected,
1430water needs and sources for at least a 10-year period,
1431considering the appropriate regional water supply plan approved
1432pursuant to s. 373.709 373.0361, or, in the absence of an
1433approved regional water supply plan, the district water
1434management plan approved pursuant to s. 373.036(2). This
1435information shall be submitted to the appropriate agencies. The
1436land use map or map series contained in the future land use
1437element shall generally identify and depict the following:
1438 1. Existing and planned waterwells and cones of influence
1439where applicable.
1440 2. Beaches and shores, including estuarine systems.
1441 3. Rivers, bays, lakes, flood plains, and harbors.
1442 4. Wetlands.
1443 5. Minerals and soils.
1444 6. Energy conservation.
1445
1446The land uses identified on such maps shall be consistent with
1447applicable state law and rules.
1448 (h)1. An intergovernmental coordination element showing
1449relationships and stating principles and guidelines to be used
1450in the accomplishment of coordination of the adopted
1451comprehensive plan with the plans of school boards, regional
1452water supply authorities, and other units of local government
1453providing services but not having regulatory authority over the
1454use of land, with the comprehensive plans of adjacent
1455municipalities, the county, adjacent counties, or the region,
1456with the state comprehensive plan and with the applicable
1457regional water supply plan approved pursuant to s. 373.709
1458373.0361, as the case may require and as such adopted plans or
1459plans in preparation may exist. This element of the local
1460comprehensive plan shall demonstrate consideration of the
1461particular effects of the local plan, when adopted, upon the
1462development of adjacent municipalities, the county, adjacent
1463counties, or the region, or upon the state comprehensive plan,
1464as the case may require.
1465 a. The intergovernmental coordination element shall
1466provide procedures to identify and implement joint planning
1467areas, especially for the purpose of annexation, municipal
1468incorporation, and joint infrastructure service areas.
1469 b. The intergovernmental coordination element shall
1470provide for recognition of campus master plans prepared pursuant
1471to s. 1013.30 and airport master plans under paragraph(k).
1472 c. The intergovernmental coordination element shall
1473provide for a dispute resolution process as established pursuant
1474to s. 186.509 for bringing to closure in a timely manner
1475intergovernmental disputes.
1476 d. The intergovernmental coordination element shall
1477provide for interlocal agreements as established pursuant to s.
1478333.03(1)(b).
1479 2. The intergovernmental coordination element shall
1480further state principles and guidelines to be used in the
1481accomplishment of coordination of the adopted comprehensive plan
1482with the plans of school boards and other units of local
1483government providing facilities and services but not having
1484regulatory authority over the use of land. In addition, the
1485intergovernmental coordination element shall describe joint
1486processes for collaborative planning and decisionmaking on
1487population projections and public school siting, the location
1488and extension of public facilities subject to concurrency, and
1489siting facilities with countywide significance, including
1490locally unwanted land uses whose nature and identity are
1491established in an agreement. Within 1 year of adopting their
1492intergovernmental coordination elements, each county, all the
1493municipalities within that county, the district school board,
1494and any unit of local government service providers in that
1495county shall establish by interlocal or other formal agreement
1496executed by all affected entities, the joint processes described
1497in this subparagraph consistent with their adopted
1498intergovernmental coordination elements.
1499 3. To foster coordination between special districts and
1500local general-purpose governments as local general-purpose
1501governments implement local comprehensive plans, each
1502independent special district must submit a public facilities
1503report to the appropriate local government as required by s.
1504189.415.
1505 4.a. Local governments shall execute an interlocal
1506agreement with the district school board, the county, and
1507nonexempt municipalities pursuant to s. 163.31777. The local
1508government shall amend the intergovernmental coordination
1509element to provide that coordination between the local
1510government and school board is pursuant to the agreement and
1511shall state the obligations of the local government under the
1512agreement.
1513 b. Plan amendments that comply with this subparagraph are
1514exempt from the provisions of s. 163.3187(1).
1515 5. The state land planning agency shall establish a
1516schedule for phased completion and transmittal of plan
1517amendments to implement subparagraphs 1., 2., and 3. from all
1518jurisdictions so as to accomplish their adoption by December 31,
15191999. A local government may complete and transmit its plan
1520amendments to carry out these provisions prior to the scheduled
1521date established by the state land planning agency. The plan
1522amendments are exempt from the provisions of s. 163.3187(1).
1523 6. By January 1, 2004, any county having a population
1524greater than 100,000, and the municipalities and special
1525districts within that county, shall submit a report to the
1526Department of Community Affairs which:
1527 a. Identifies all existing or proposed interlocal service
1528delivery agreements regarding the following: education; sanitary
1529sewer; public safety; solid waste; drainage; potable water;
1530parks and recreation; and transportation facilities.
1531 b. Identifies any deficits or duplication in the provision
1532of services within its jurisdiction, whether capital or
1533operational. Upon request, the Department of Community Affairs
1534shall provide technical assistance to the local governments in
1535identifying deficits or duplication.
1536 7. Within 6 months after submission of the report, the
1537Department of Community Affairs shall, through the appropriate
1538regional planning council, coordinate a meeting of all local
1539governments within the regional planning area to discuss the
1540reports and potential strategies to remedy any identified
1541deficiencies or duplications.
1542 8. Each local government shall update its
1543intergovernmental coordination element based upon the findings
1544in the report submitted pursuant to subparagraph 6. The report
1545may be used as supporting data and analysis for the
1546intergovernmental coordination element.
1547 Section 5. Paragraph (l) of subsection (2) of section
1548163.3191, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
1549 163.3191 Evaluation and appraisal of comprehensive plan.-
1550 (2) The report shall present an evaluation and assessment
1551of the comprehensive plan and shall contain appropriate
1552statements to update the comprehensive plan, including, but not
1553limited to, words, maps, illustrations, or other media, related
1554to:
1555 (l) The extent to which the local government has been
1556successful in identifying alternative water supply projects and
1557traditional water supply projects, including conservation and
1558reuse, necessary to meet the water needs identified in s.
1559373.709(2)(a) 373.0361(2)(a) within the local government's
1560jurisdiction. The report must evaluate the degree to which the
1561local government has implemented the work plan for building
1562public, private, and regional water supply facilities, including
1563development of alternative water supplies, identified in the
1564element as necessary to serve existing and new development.
1565 Section 6. Paragraphs (c) and (d) of subsection (4) of
1566section 189.404, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
1567 189.404 Legislative intent for the creation of independent
1568special districts; special act prohibitions; model elements and
1569other requirements; general-purpose local government/Governor
1570and Cabinet creation authorizations.-
1571 (4) LOCAL GOVERNMENT/GOVERNOR AND CABINET CREATION
1572AUTHORIZATIONS.-Except as otherwise authorized by general law,
1573only the Legislature may create independent special districts.
1574 (c) The Governor and Cabinet may create an independent
1575special district which shall be established by rule in
1576accordance with s. 190.005 or as otherwise authorized in general
1577law. The Governor and Cabinet may also approve the establishment
1578of a charter for the creation of an independent special district
1579which shall be in accordance with s. 373.713 373.1962, or as
1580otherwise authorized in general law.
1581 (d)1. Any combination of two or more counties may create a
1582regional special district which shall be established in
1583accordance with s. 950.001, or as otherwise authorized in
1584general law.
1585 2. Any combination of two or more counties or
1586municipalities may create a regional special district which
1587shall be established in accordance with s. 373.713 373.1962, or
1588as otherwise authorized by general law.
1589 3. Any combination of two or more counties,
1590municipalities, or other political subdivisions may create a
1591regional special district in accordance with s. 163.567, or as
1592otherwise authorized in general law.
1593 Section 7. Subsection (3) of section 189.4155, Florida
1594Statutes, is amended to read:
1595 189.4155 Activities of special districts; local government
1596comprehensive planning.-
1597 (3) The provisions of this section shall not apply to
1598water management districts created pursuant to s. 373.069, to
1599regional water supply authorities created pursuant to s. 373.713
1600373.1962, or to spoil disposal sites owned or used by the
1601Federal Government.
1602 Section 8. Section 189.4156, Florida Statutes, is amended
1603to read:
1604 189.4156 Water management district technical assistance;
1605local government comprehensive planning.-Water management
1606districts shall assist local governments in the development of
1607local government comprehensive plan elements related to water
1608resource issues as required by s. 373.711 373.0391.
1609 Section 9. Subsection (7) of section 367.021, Florida
1610Statutes, is amended to read:
1611 367.021 Definitions.-As used in this chapter, the
1612following words or terms shall have the meanings indicated:
1613 (7) "Governmental authority" means a political
1614subdivision, as defined by s. 1.01(8), a regional water supply
1615authority created pursuant to s. 373.713 373.1962, or a
1616nonprofit corporation formed for the purpose of acting on behalf
1617of a political subdivision with respect to a water or wastewater
1618facility.
1619 Section 10. Subsection (17) of section 373.019, Florida
1620Statutes, is amended to read:
1621 373.019 Definitions.-When appearing in this chapter or in
1622any rule, regulation, or order adopted pursuant thereto, the
1623term:
1624 (17) "Regional water supply plan" means a detailed water
1625supply plan developed by a governing board under s. 373.709
1626373.0361.
1627 Section 11. Paragraph (b) of subsection (2) and paragraph
1628(b) of subsection (7) of section 373.036, Florida Statutes, are
1629amended to read:
1630 373.036 Florida water plan; district water management
1631plans.-
1632 (2) DISTRICT WATER MANAGEMENT PLANS.-
1633 (b) The district water management plan shall include, but
1634not be limited to:
1635 1. The scientific methodologies for establishing minimum
1636flows and levels under s. 373.042, and all established minimum
1637flows and levels.
1638 2. Identification of one or more water supply planning
1639regions that singly or together encompass the entire district.
1640 3. Technical data and information prepared under s.
1641373.711 373.0391.
1642 4. A districtwide water supply assessment, to be completed
1643no later than July 1, 1998, which determines for each water
1644supply planning region:
1645 a. Existing legal uses, reasonably anticipated future
1646needs, and existing and reasonably anticipated sources of water
1647and conservation efforts; and
1648 b. Whether existing and reasonably anticipated sources of
1649water and conservation efforts are adequate to supply water for
1650all existing legal uses and reasonably anticipated future needs
1651and to sustain the water resources and related natural systems.
1652 5. Any completed regional water supply plans.
1653 (7) CONSOLIDATED WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT ANNUAL REPORT.-
1654 (b) The consolidated annual report shall contain the
1655following elements, as appropriate to that water management
1656district:
1657 1. A district water management plan annual report or the
1658annual work plan report allowed in subparagraph (2)(e)4.
1659 2. The department-approved minimum flows and levels annual
1660priority list and schedule required by s. 373.042(2).
1661 3. The annual 5-year capital improvements plan required by
1662s. 373.536(6)(a)3.
1663 4. The alternative water supplies annual report required
1664by s. 373.707(8)(n) 373.1961(3)(n).
1665 5. The final annual 5-year water resource development work
1666program required by s. 373.536(6)(a)4.
1667 6. The Florida Forever Water Management District Work Plan
1668annual report required by s. 373.199(7).
1669 7. The mitigation donation annual report required by s.
1670373.414(1)(b)2.
1671 Section 12. Paragraphs (a) and (e) of subsection (4) of
1672section 373.0363, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
1673 373.0363 Southern Water Use Caution Area Recovery
1674Strategy.-
1675 (4) The West-Central Florida Water Restoration Action Plan
1676includes:
1677 (a) The Central West Coast Surface Water Enhancement
1678Initiative. The purpose of this initiative is to make additional
1679surface waters available for public supply through restoration
1680of surface waters, natural water flows, and freshwater wetland
1681communities. This initiative is designed to allow limits on
1682groundwater withdrawals in order to slow the rate of saltwater
1683intrusion. The initiative shall be an ongoing program in
1684cooperation with the Peace River-Manasota Regional Water Supply
1685Authority created under s. 373.713 373.1962.
1686 (e) The Central Florida Water Resource Development
1687Initiative. The purpose of this initiative is to create and
1688implement a long-term plan that takes a comprehensive approach
1689to limit ground water withdrawals in the Southern Water Use
1690Caution Area and to identify and develop alternative water
1691supplies for Polk County. The project components developed
1692pursuant to this initiative are eligible for state and regional
1693funding under s. 373.707 373.196 as an alternative water supply,
1694as defined in s. 373.019, or as a supplemental water supply
1695under the rules of the Southwest Florida Water Management
1696District or the South Florida Water Management District. The
1697initiative shall be implemented by the district as an ongoing
1698program in cooperation with Polk County and the South Florida
1699Water Management District.
1700 Section 13. Subsection (2) of section 373.0421, Florida
1701Statutes, is amended to read:
1702 373.0421 Establishment and implementation of minimum flows
1703and levels.-
1704 (2) If the existing flow or level in a water body is
1705below, or is projected to fall within 20 years below, the
1706applicable minimum flow or level established pursuant to s.
1707373.042, the department or governing board, as part of the
1708regional water supply plan described in s. 373.709 373.0361,
1709shall expeditiously implement a recovery or prevention
1710which includes the development of additional water
1711other actions, consistent with the authority
1712chapter, to:
1713 (a) Achieve recovery to the established minimum flow or
1714level as soon as practicable; or
1715 (b) Prevent the existing flow or level from falling below
1716the established minimum flow or level.
1717
1718The recovery or prevention strategy shall include phasing or a
1719timetable which will allow for the provision of sufficient water
1720supplies for all existing and projected reasonable-beneficial
1721uses, including development of additional water supplies and
1722implementation of conservation and other efficiency measures
1723concurrent with, to the extent practical, and to offset,
1724reductions in permitted withdrawals, consistent with the
1725provisions of this chapter.
1726 Section 14. Subsection (4) of section 373.0695, Florida
1727Statutes, is amended to read:
1728 373.0695 Duties of basin boards; authorized expenditures.-
1729 (4) In the exercise of the duties and powers granted
1730herein, the basin boards shall be subject to all the limitations
1731and restrictions imposed on the water management districts in s.
1732373.703 373.1961.
1733 Section 15. Subsections (3) and (5) of section 373.223,
1734Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
1735 373.223 Conditions for a permit.-
1736 (3) Except for the transport and use of water supplied by
1737the Central and Southern Florida Flood Control Project, and
1738anywhere in the state when the transport and use of water is
1739supplied exclusively for bottled water as defined in s.
1740500.03(1)(d), any water use permit applications pending as of
1741April 1, 1998, with the Northwest Florida Water Management
1742District and self-suppliers of water for which the proposed
1743water source and area of use or application are located on
1744contiguous private properties, when evaluating whether a
1745potential transport and use of ground or surface water across
1746county boundaries is consistent with the public interest,
1747pursuant to paragraph (1)(c), the governing board or department
1748shall consider:
1749 (a) The proximity of the proposed water source to the area
1750of use or application.
1751 (b) All impoundments, streams, groundwater sources, or
1752watercourses that are geographically closer to the area of use
1753or application than the proposed source, and that are
1754technically and economically feasible for the proposed transport
1755and use.
1756 (c) All economically and technically feasible alternatives
1757to the proposed source, including, but not limited to,
1758desalination, conservation, reuse of nonpotable reclaimed water
1759and stormwater, and aquifer storage and recovery.
1760 (d) The potential environmental impacts that may result
1761from the transport and use of water from the proposed source,
1762and the potential environmental impacts that may result from use
1763of the other water sources identified in paragraphs (b) and (c).
1764 (e) Whether existing and reasonably anticipated sources of
1765water and conservation efforts are adequate to supply water for
1766existing legal uses and reasonably anticipated future needs of
1767the water supply planning region in which the proposed water
1768source is located.
1769 (f) Consultations with local governments affected by the
1770proposed transport and use.
1771 (g) The value of the existing capital investment in water-
1772related infrastructure made by the applicant.
1773
1774Where districtwide water supply assessments and regional water
1775supply plans have been prepared pursuant to ss. 373.036 and
1776373.709 373.0361, the governing board or the department shall
1777use the applicable plans and assessments as the basis for its
1778consideration of the applicable factors in this subsection.
1779 (5) In evaluating an application for consumptive use of
1780water which proposes the use of an alternative water supply
1781project as described in the regional water supply plan and
1782provides reasonable assurances of the applicant's capability to
1783design, construct, operate, and maintain the project, the
1784governing board or department shall presume that the alternative
1785water supply use is consistent with the public interest under
1786paragraph (1)(c). However, where the governing board identifies
1787the need for a multijurisdictional water supply entity or
1788regional water supply authority to develop the alternative water
1789supply project pursuant to s. 373.709(2)(a)2. 373.0361(2)(a)2.,
1790the presumption shall be accorded only to that use proposed by
1791such entity or authority. This subsection does not effect
1792evaluation of the use pursuant to the provisions of paragraphs
1793(1)(a) and (b), subsections (2) and (3), and ss. 373.2295 and
1794373.233.
1795 Section 16. Section 373.2234, Florida Statutes, is amended
1796to read:
1797 373.2234 Preferred water supply sources.-The governing
1798board of a water management district is authorized to adopt
1799rules that identify preferred water supply sources for
1800consumptive uses for which there is sufficient data to establish
1801that a preferred source will provide a substantial new water
1802supply to meet the existing and projected reasonable-beneficial
1803uses of a water supply planning region identified pursuant to s.
1804373.709(1) 373.0361(1), while sustaining existing water
1805resources and natural systems. At a minimum, such rules must
1806contain a description of the preferred water supply source and
1807an assessment of the water the preferred source is projected to
1808produce. If an applicant proposes to use a preferred water
1809supply source, that applicant's proposed water use is subject to
1810s. 373.223(1), except that the proposed use of a preferred water
1811supply source must be considered by a water management district
1812when determining whether a permit applicant's proposed use of
1813water is consistent with the public interest pursuant to s.
1814373.223(1)(c). A consumptive use permit issued for the use of a
1815preferred water supply source must be granted, when requested by
1816the applicant, for at least a 20-year period and may be subject
1817to the compliance reporting provisions of s. 373.236(4). Nothing
1818in this section shall be construed to exempt the use of
1819preferred water supply sources from the provisions of ss.
1820373.016(4) and 373.223(2) and (3), or be construed to provide
1821that permits issued for the use of a nonpreferred water supply
1822source must be issued for a duration of less than 20 years or
1823that the use of a nonpreferred water supply source is not
1824consistent with the public interest. Additionally, nothing in
1825this section shall be interpreted to require the use of a
1826preferred water supply source or to restrict or prohibit the use
1827of a nonpreferred water supply source. Rules adopted by the
1828governing board of a water management district to implement this
1829section shall specify that the use of a preferred water supply
1830source is not required and that the use of a nonpreferred water
1831supply source is not restricted or prohibited.
1832 Section 17. Subsection (3) of section 373.229, Florida
1833Statutes, is amended to read:
1834 373.229 Application for permit.-
1835 (3) In addition to the information required in subsection
1836(1), all permit applications filed with the governing board or
1837the department which propose the transport and use of water
1838across county boundaries shall include information pertaining to
1839factors to be considered, pursuant to s. 373.223(3), unless
1840exempt under s. 373.713(9) 373.1962(9).
1841 Section 18. Paragraph (a) of subsection (6) of section
1842373.236, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
1843 373.236 Duration of permits; compliance reports.-
1844 (6)(a) The Legislature finds that the need for alternative
1845water supply development projects to meet anticipated public
1846water supply demands of the state is so important that it is
1847essential to encourage participation in and contribution to
1848these projects by private-rural-land owners who
1849characteristically have relatively modest near-term water
1850demands but substantially increasing demands after the 20-year
1851planning period in s. 373.709 373.0361. Therefore, where such
1852landowners make extraordinary contributions of lands or
1853construction funding to enable the expeditious implementation of
1854such projects, water management districts and the department may
1855grant permits for such projects for a period of up to 50 years
1856to municipalities, counties, special districts, regional water
1857supply authorities, multijurisdictional water supply entities,
1858and publicly or privately owned utilities, with the exception of
1859any publicly or privately owned utilities created for or by a
1860private landowner after April 1, 2008, which have entered into
1861an agreement with the private landowner for the purpose of more
1862efficiently pursuing alternative public water supply development
1863projects identified in a district's regional water supply plan
1864and meeting water demands of both the applicant and the
1865landowner.
1866 Section 19. Paragraph (a) of subsection (6) of section
1867373.536, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
1868 373.536 District budget and hearing thereon.-
1869 (6) FINAL BUDGET; ANNUAL AUDIT; CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PLAN;
1870WATER RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT WORK PROGRAM.-
1871 (a) Each district must, by the date specified for each
1872item, furnish copies of the following documents to the Governor,
1873the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of
1874Representatives, the chairs of all legislative committees and
1875subcommittees having substantive or fiscal jurisdiction over the
1876districts, as determined by the President of the Senate or the
1877Speaker of the House of Representatives as applicable, the
1878secretary of the department, and the governing board of each
1879county in which the district has jurisdiction or derives any
1880funds for the operations of the district:
1881 1. The adopted budget, to be furnished within 10 days
1882after its adoption.
1883 2. A financial audit of its accounts and records, to be
1884furnished within 10 days after its acceptance by the governing
1885board. The audit must be conducted in accordance with the
1886provisions of s. 11.45 and the rules adopted thereunder. In
1887addition to the entities named above, the district must provide
1888a copy of the audit to the Auditor General within 10 days after
1889its acceptance by the governing board.
1890 3. A 5-year capital improvements plan, to be included in
1891the consolidated annual report required by s. 373.036(7). The
1892plan must include expected sources of revenue for planned
1893improvements and must be prepared in a manner comparable to the
1894fixed capital outlay format set forth in s. 216.043.
1895 4. A 5-year water resource development work program to be
1896furnished within 30 days after the adoption of the final budget.
1897The program must describe the district's implementation strategy
1898for the water resource development component of each approved
1899regional water supply plan developed or revised under s. 373.709
1900373.0361. The work program must address all the elements of the
1901water resource development component in the district's approved
1902regional water supply plans and must identify which projects in
1903the work program will provide water, explain how each water
1904resource development project will produce additional water
1905available for consumptive uses, estimate the quantity of water
1906to be produced by each project, and provide an assessment of the
1907contribution of the district's regional water supply plans in
1908providing sufficient water to meet the water supply needs of
1909existing and future reasonable-beneficial uses for a 1-in-10-
1910year drought event. Within 30 days after its submittal, the
1911department shall review the proposed work program and submit its
1912findings, questions, and comments to the district. The review
1913must include a written evaluation of the program's consistency
1914with the furtherance of the district's approved regional water
1915supply plans, and the adequacy of proposed expenditures. As part
1916of the review, the department shall give interested parties the
1917opportunity to provide written comments on each district's
1918proposed work program. Within 45 days after receipt of the
1919department's evaluation, the governing board shall state in
1920writing to the department which changes recommended in the
1921evaluation it will incorporate into its work program submitted
1922as part of the March 1 consolidated annual report required by s.
1923373.036(7) or specify the reasons for not incorporating the
1924changes. The department shall include the district's responses
1925in a final evaluation report and shall submit a copy of the
1926report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the
1927Speaker of the House of Representatives.
1928 Section 20. Subsection (11) of section 373.59, Florida
1929Statutes, is amended to read:
1930 373.59 Water Management Lands Trust Fund.-
1931 (11) Notwithstanding any provision of this section to the
1932contrary, the governing board of a water management district may
1933request, and the Secretary of Environmental Protection shall
1934release upon such request, moneys allocated to the districts
1935pursuant to subsection (8) for purposes consistent with the
1936provisions of s. 373.709 373.0361, s. 373.705 373.0831, s.
1937373.139, or ss. 373.451-373.4595 and for legislatively
1938authorized land acquisition and water restoration initiatives.
1939No funds may be used pursuant to this subsection until necessary
1940debt service obligations, requirements for payments in lieu of
1941taxes, and land management obligations that may be required by
1942this chapter are provided for.
1943 Section 21. Paragraph (g) of subsection (1) of section
1944378.212, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
1945 378.212 Variances.-
1946 (1) Upon application, the secretary may grant a variance
1947from the provisions of this part or the rules adopted pursuant
1948thereto. Variances and renewals thereof may be granted for any
1949one of the following reasons:
1950 (g) To accommodate reclamation that provides water supply
1951development or water resource development not inconsistent with
1952the applicable regional water supply plan approved pursuant to
1953s. 373.709 373.0361, provided adverse impacts are not caused to
1954the water resources in the basin. A variance may also be granted
1955from the requirements of part IV of chapter 373, or the rules
1956adopted thereunder, when a project provides an improvement in
1957water availability in the basin and does not cause adverse
1958impacts to water resources in the basin.
1959 Section 22. Subsection (9) of section 378.404, Florida
1960Statutes, is amended to read:
1961 378.404 Department of Environmental Protection; powers and
1962duties.-The department shall have the following powers and
1963duties:
1964 (9) To grant variances from the provisions of this part to
1965accommodate reclamation that provides for water supply
1966development or water resource development not inconsistent with
1967the applicable regional water supply plan approved pursuant to
1968s. 373.709 373.0361, appropriate stormwater management, improved
1969wildlife habitat, recreation, or a mixture thereof, provided
1970adverse impacts are not caused to the water resources in the
1971basin and public health and safety are not adversely affected.
1972 Section 23. Paragraph (a) of subsection (3) of section
1973403.0891, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
1974 403.0891 State, regional, and local stormwater management
1975plans and programs.-The department, the water management
1976districts, and local governments shall have the responsibility
1977for the development of mutually compatible stormwater management
1978programs.
1979 (3)(a) Each local government required by chapter 163 to
1980submit a comprehensive plan, whose plan is submitted after July
19811, 1992, and the others when updated after July 1, 1992, in the
1982development of its stormwater management program described by
1983elements within its comprehensive plan shall consider the water
1984resource implementation rule, district stormwater management
1985goals, plans approved pursuant to the Surface Water Improvement
1986and Management Act, ss. 373.451-373.4595, and technical
1987assistance information provided by the water management
1988districts pursuant to s. 373.711 373.0391.
1989 Section 24. Section 403.890, Florida Statutes, is amended
1990to read:
1991 403.890 Water Protection and Sustainability Program;
1992intent; goals; purposes.-
1993 (1) Effective July 1, 2006, revenues transferred from the
1994Department of Revenue pursuant to s. 201.15(1)(c)2. shall be
1995deposited into the Water Protection and Sustainability Program
1996Trust Fund in the Department of Environmental Protection. These
1997revenues and any other additional revenues deposited into or
1998appropriated to the Water Protection and Sustainability Program
1999Trust Fund shall be distributed by the Department of
2000Environmental Protection in the following manner:
2001 (a) Sixty percent to the Department of Environmental
2002Protection for the implementation of an alternative water supply
2003program as provided in s. 373.1961.
2004 (b) Twenty percent for the implementation of best
2005management practices and capital project expenditures necessary
2006for the implementation of the goals of the total maximum daily
2007load program established in s. 403.067. Of these funds, 85
2008percent shall be transferred to the credit of the Department of
2009Environmental Protection Water Quality Assurance Trust Fund to
2010address water quality impacts associated with nonagricultural
2011nonpoint sources. Fifteen percent of these funds shall be
2012transferred to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer
2013Services General Inspection Trust Fund to address water quality
2014impacts associated with agricultural nonpoint sources. These
2015funds shall be used for research, development, demonstration,
2016and implementation of the total maximum daily load program under
2017s. 403.067, suitable best management practices or other measures
2018used to achieve water quality standards in surface waters and
2019water segments identified pursuant to s. 303(d) of the Clean
2020Water Act, Pub. L. No. 92-500, 33 U.S.C. ss. 1251 et seq.
2021Implementation of best management practices and other measures
2022may include cost-share grants, technical assistance,
2023implementation tracking, and conservation leases or other
2024agreements for water quality improvement. The Department of
2025Environmental Protection and the Department of Agriculture and
2026Consumer Services may adopt rules governing the distribution of
2027funds for implementation of capital projects, best management
2028practices, and other measures. These funds shall not be used to
2029abrogate the financial responsibility of those point and
2030nonpoint sources that have contributed to the degradation of
2031water or land areas. Increased priority shall be given by the
2032department and the water management district governing boards to
2033those projects that have secured a cost-sharing agreement
2034allocating responsibility for the cleanup of point and nonpoint
2035sources.
2036 (c) Ten percent shall be disbursed for the purposes of
2037funding projects pursuant to ss. 373.451-373.459 or surface
2038water restoration activities in water-management-district-
2039designated priority water bodies. The Secretary of Environmental
2040Protection shall ensure that each water management district
2041receives the following percentage of funds annually:
2042 1. Thirty-five percent to the South Florida Water
2043Management District;
2044 2. Twenty-five percent to the Southwest Florida Water
2045Management District;
2046 3. Twenty-five percent to the St. Johns River Water
2047Management District;
2048 4. Seven and one-half percent to the Suwannee River Water
2049Management District; and
2050 5. Seven and one-half percent to the Northwest Florida
2051Water Management District.
2052 (d) Ten percent to the Department of Environmental
2053Protection for the Disadvantaged Small Community Wastewater
2054Grant Program as provided in s. 403.1838.
2055 (2) Applicable beginning in the 2007-2008 fiscal year,
2056revenues transferred from the Department of Revenue pursuant to
2057s. 201.15(1)(c)2. shall be deposited into the Water Protection
2058and Sustainability Program Trust Fund in the Department of
2059Environmental Protection. These revenues and any other
2060additional Revenues deposited into or appropriated to the Water
2061Protection and Sustainability Program Trust Fund shall be
2062distributed by the Department of Environmental Protection in the
2063following manner:
2064 (1)(a) Sixty-five percent to the Department of
2065Environmental Protection for the implementation of an
2066alternative water supply program as provided in s. 373.707
2067373.1961.
2068 (2)(b) Twenty-two and five-tenths percent for the
2069implementation of best management practices and capital project
2070expenditures necessary for the implementation of the goals of
2071the total maximum daily load program established in s. 403.067.
2072Of these funds, 83.33 percent shall be transferred to the credit
2073of the Department of Environmental Protection Water Quality
2074Assurance Trust Fund to address water quality impacts associated
2075with nonagricultural nonpoint sources. Sixteen and sixty-seven
2076hundredths percent of these funds shall be transferred to the
2077Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services General
2078Inspection Trust Fund to address water quality impacts
2079associated with agricultural nonpoint sources. These funds shall
2080be used for research, development, demonstration, and
2081implementation of the total maximum daily load program under s.
2082403.067, suitable best management practices or other measures
2083used to achieve water quality standards in surface waters and
2084water segments identified pursuant to s. 303(d) of the Clean
2085Water Act, Pub. L. No. 92-500, 33 U.S.C. ss. 1251 et seq.
2086Implementation of best management practices and other measures
2087may include cost-share grants, technical assistance,
2088implementation tracking, and conservation leases or other
2089agreements for water quality improvement. The Department of
2090Environmental Protection and the Department of Agriculture and
2091Consumer Services may adopt rules governing the distribution of
2092funds for implementation of capital projects, best management
2093practices, and other measures. These funds shall not be used to
2094abrogate the financial responsibility of those point and
2095nonpoint sources that have contributed to the degradation of
2096water or land areas. Increased priority shall be given by the
2097department and the water management district governing boards to
2098those projects that have secured a cost-sharing agreement
2099allocating responsibility for the cleanup of point and nonpoint
2100sources.
2101 (3)(c) Twelve and five-tenths percent to the Department of
2102Environmental Protection for the Disadvantaged Small Community
2103Wastewater Grant Program as provided in s. 403.1838.
2104 (4)(d) On June 30, 2009, and every 24 months thereafter,
2105the Department of Environmental Protection shall request the
2106return of all unencumbered funds distributed pursuant to this
2107section. These funds shall be deposited into the Water
2108Protection and Sustainability Program Trust Fund and
2109redistributed pursuant to the provisions of this section.
2110 (3) For the 2008-2009 fiscal year only, moneys in the
2111Water Protection and Sustainability Program Trust Fund shall be
2112transferred to the Ecosystem Management and Restoration Trust
2113Fund for grants and aids to local governments for water projects
2114as provided in the General Appropriations Act. This subsection
2115expires July 1, 2009.
2116 (4) For fiscal year 2005-2006, funds deposited or
2117appropriated into the Water Protection and Sustainability
2118Program Trust Fund shall be distributed as follows:
2119 (a) One hundred million dollars to the Department of
2120Environmental Protection for the implementation of an
2121alternative water supply program as provided in s. 373.1961.
2122 (b) Funds remaining after the distribution provided for in
2123subsection (1) shall be distributed as follows:
2124 1. Fifty percent for the implementation of best management
2125practices and capital project expenditures necessary for the
2126implementation of the goals of the total maximum daily load
2127program established in s. 403.067. Of these funds, 85 percent
2128shall be transferred to the credit of the Department of
2129Environmental Protection Water Quality Assurance Trust Fund to
2130address water quality impacts associated with nonagricultural
2131nonpoint sources. Fifteen percent of these funds shall be
2132transferred to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer
2133Services General Inspection Trust Fund to address water quality
2134impacts associated with agricultural nonpoint sources. These
2135funds shall be used for research, development, demonstration,
2136and implementation of suitable best management practices or
2137other measures used to achieve water quality standards in
2138surface waters and water segments identified pursuant to s.
2139303(d) of the Clean Water Act, Pub. L. No. 92-500, 33 U.S.C. ss.
21401251 et seq. Implementation of best management practices and
2141other measures may include cost-share grants, technical
2142assistance, implementation tracking, and conservation leases or
2143other agreements for water quality improvement. The Department
2144of Environmental Protection and the Department of Agriculture
2145and Consumer Services may adopt rules governing the distribution
2146of funds for implementation of best management practices. These
2147funds shall not be used to abrogate the financial responsibility
2148of those point and nonpoint sources that have contributed to the
2149degradation of water or land areas. Increased priority shall be
2150given by the department and the water management district
2151governing boards to those projects that have secured a cost-
2152sharing agreement allocating responsibility for the cleanup of
2153point and nonpoint sources.
2154 2. Twenty-five percent for the purposes of funding
2155projects pursuant to ss. 373.451-373.459 or surface water
2156restoration activities in water-management-district-designated
2157priority water bodies. The Secretary of Environmental Protection
2158shall ensure that each water management district receives the
2159following percentage of funds annually:
2160 a. Thirty-five percent to the South Florida Water
2161Management District;
2162 b. Twenty-five percent to the Southwest Florida Water
2163Management District;
2164 c. Twenty-five percent to the St. Johns River Water
2165Management District;
2166 d. Seven and one-half percent to the Suwannee River Water
2167Management District; and
2168 e. Seven and one-half percent to the Northwest Florida
2169Water Management District.
2170 3. Twenty-five percent to the Department of Environmental
2171Protection for the Disadvantaged Small Community Wastewater
2172Grant Program as provided in s. 403.1838.
2173
2174Prior to the end of the 2008 Regular Session, the Legislature
2175must review the distribution of funds under the Water Protection
2176and Sustainability Program to determine if revisions to the
2177funding formula are required. At the discretion of the President
2178of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives,
2179the appropriate substantive committees of the Legislature may
2180conduct an interim project to review the Water Protection and
2181Sustainability Program and the funding formula and make written
2182recommendations to the Legislature proposing necessary changes,
2183if any.
2184 (5) For the 2009-2010 fiscal year only, funds shall be
2185distributed as follows:
2186 (a) Thirty-one and twenty-one hundredths percent to the
2187Department of Environmental Protection for the implementation of
2188an alternative water supply program as provided in s. 373.1961.
2189 (b) Twenty-six and eighty-seven hundredths percent for the
2190implementation of best management practices and capital project
2191expenditures necessary for the implementation of the goals of
2192the total maximum daily load program established in s. 403.067.
2193Of these funds, 86 percent shall be transferred to the credit of
2194the Water Quality Assurance Trust Fund of the Department of
2195Environmental Protection to address water quality impacts
2196associated with nonagricultural nonpoint sources. Fourteen
2197percent of these funds shall be transferred to the General
2198Inspection Trust Fund of the Department of Agriculture and
2199Consumer Services to address water quality impacts associated
2200with agricultural nonpoint sources. These funds shall be used
2201for research, development, demonstration, and implementation of
2202the total maximum daily load program under s. 403.067, suitable
2203best management practices, or other measures used to achieve
2204water quality standards in surface waters and water segments
2205identified pursuant to s. 303(d) of the Clean Water Act, Pub. L.
2206No. 92-500, 33 U.S.C. ss. 1251 et seq. Implementation of best
2207management practices and other measures may include cost-share
2208grants, technical assistance, implementation tracking, and
2209conservation leases or other agreements for water quality
2210improvement. The Department of Environmental Protection and the
2211Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services may adopt rules
2212governing the distribution of funds for implementation of
2213capital projects, best management practices, and other measures.
2214These funds may not be used to abrogate the financial
2215responsibility of those point and nonpoint sources that have
2216contributed to the degradation of water or land areas. Increased
2217priority shall be given by the department and the water
2218management district governing boards to those projects that have
2219secured a cost-sharing agreement that allocates responsibility
2220for the cleanup of point and nonpoint sources.
2221 (c) Forty-one and ninety-two hundredths percent to the
2222Department of Environmental Protection for the Disadvantaged
2223Small Community Wastewater Grant Program as provided in s.
2224403.1838.
2225
2226This subsection expires July 1, 2010.
2227 Section 25. Subsection (1) of section 403.891, Florida
2228Statutes, is amended to read:
2229 403.891 Water Protection and Sustainability Program Trust
2230Fund of the Department of Environmental Protection.-
2231 (1) The Water Protection and Sustainability Program Trust
2232Fund is created within the Department of Environmental
2233Protection. The purpose of the trust fund is to receive funds
2234pursuant to s. 201.15(1)(c)2., funds from other sources provided
2235for in law and the General Appropriations Act, and funds
2236received by the department in order to implement the provisions
2237of the Water Sustainability and Protection Program created in s.
2238403.890.
2239 Section 26. Section 682.02, Florida Statutes, is amended
2240to read:
2241 682.02 Arbitration agreements made valid, irrevocable, and
2242enforceable; scope.-Two or more parties may agree in writing to
2243submit to arbitration any controversy existing between them at
2244the time of the agreement, or they may include in a written
2245contract a provision for the settlement by arbitration of any
2246controversy thereafter arising between them relating to such
2247contract or the failure or refusal to perform the whole or any
2248part thereof. This section also applies to written interlocal
2249agreements under ss. 163.01 and 373.713 373.1962 in which two or
2250more parties agree to submit to arbitration any controversy
2251between them concerning water use permit applications and other
2252matters, regardless of whether or not the water management
2253district with jurisdiction over the subject application is a
2254party to the interlocal agreement or a participant in the
2255arbitration. Such agreement or provision shall be valid,
2256enforceable, and irrevocable without regard to the justiciable
2257character of the controversy; provided that this act shall not
2258apply to any such agreement or provision to arbitrate in which
2259it is stipulated that this law shall not apply or to any
2260arbitration or award thereunder.
2261 Section 27. Section 373.71, Florida Statutes, is
2262renumbered as section 373.69, Florida Statutes.
2263 Section 28. Sections 373.0361, 373.0391, 373.0831,
2264373.196, 373.1961, 373.1962, and 373.1963, Florida Statutes, are
2265repealed.
2266 Section 29. It is the intent of the Legislature that the
2267creation of part VII of chapter 373, Florida Statutes, is to
2268reorganize certain existing provisions of part I of chapter 373,
2269Florida Statutes, and does not make any substantive changes to
2270existing law or judicial interpretation thereof. It is further
2271the intent of the Legislature that any legislation enacted
2272during the 2010 Regular Session and any extension thereof
2273affecting ss. 373.0361, 373.0391, 373.0831, 373.196, 373.1961,
2274373.1962, and 373.1963, Florida Statutes, either before or after
2275this act becomes law, be given full force and effect
2276substantively and that such new substantive provisions of law
2277shall be integrated into ss. 373.703, 373.705, 373.707, 373.709,
2278373.711, 373.713, and 373.715, Florida Statutes, as created by
2279this act.
2280 Section 30. This act shall take effect July 1, 2010.
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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