Bill Text: FL S0978 | 2013 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Springs Revival Act

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Failed) 2013-05-03 - Died in Environmental Preservation and Conservation [S0978 Detail]

Download: Florida-2013-S0978-Introduced.html

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       Florida Senate - 2013                                     SB 978
       
       
       
       By Senator Soto
       
       
       
       
       14-00957-13                                            2013978__
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to the Springs Revival Act; creating
    3         s. 373.198, F.S.; requiring water management districts
    4         to identify certain springs, develop certain plans,
    5         and submit certain reports to the Governor and the
    6         Legislature; authorizing the districts to adopt rules
    7         and issue orders; providing an effective date.
    8  
    9         WHEREAS, Florida’s springs are natural treasures that
   10  provide world-class recreation and ecotourism, and
   11         WHEREAS, Florida’s springs are integral to our water supply
   12  and essential to our quality of life, and
   13         WHEREAS, according to the Howard T. Odum Florida Springs
   14  Institute, Florida’s springs have been declining in magnitude
   15  for the past 50 years, and
   16         WHEREAS, strong measures must be taken to ensure the
   17  survival of Florida’s springs for future generations, NOW,
   18  THEREFORE,
   19  
   20  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   21  
   22         Section 1. Section 373.198, Florida Statutes, is created to
   23  read:
   24         373.198 Springs Revival Act.—
   25         (1) By October 1, 2013, each water management district,
   26  with technical support provided by the Florida Geological Survey
   27  or another appropriate state or federal agency, shall identify
   28  the first and second magnitude springs within the district that
   29  are in decline based upon historic average water quality and
   30  flow levels that are not identified in the department’s rule for
   31  impaired water bodies.
   32         (2) By July 1, 2014, each water management district shall
   33  develop a 5-year plan to restore historic average water quality
   34  and flow levels to the springs identified pursuant to subsection
   35  (1) and in the department’s impaired water bodies rule. The plan
   36  may use or include existing plans and studies.
   37         (3) Each water management district may adopt rules or issue
   38  orders as necessary to implement this section.
   39         (4) Beginning January 1, 2014, and quarterly thereafter,
   40  each water management district shall submit a report on the
   41  progress of the restoration efforts required by this section to
   42  the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of
   43  the House of Representatives.
   44         Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2013.