Bill Summary

by State Affairs Committee, Caldwell Co Sponsors: Ahern, Campbell, Mayfield, Rouson, Van Zant, Metz CS Sponsors: Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee

Environmental Resources: Provides for conservation lands database; provides assistance to self-suppliers of water; authorizes pilot projects for certain water management districts (WMDs); requires adoption of minimum flows & levels for Outstanding Florida Springs; requires concurrent adoption of recovery or prevention strategies & minimum flows & levels; provides for Central Florida Water Initiative Area; authorizes allocation of water by SFWMD; requires monitoring of consumptive use permits; provides for certain preferred water supply sources; prohibits modification of permitted water allocations; provides priority consideration to certain public-private partnerships for water storage, groundwater recharge, & water quality improvements on private agricultural lands; revises Northern Everglades & Estuaries Protection Program; revises membership qualifications for Harris Chain of Lakes Restoration Council; requires certain funding plans in water resource development work program; authorizes private landowners to assist WMDs; requires promotion of certain cost-share criteria; creates the Florida Springs & Aquifer Protection Act; authorizes funding for nutrient & sediment reduction & conservation pilot projects; revises requirements for basin management action plans; provides treated potable water supply as designated use of surface waters; requires DEP & DACS to assess water resources & conservation lands. Effective Date: July 1, 2016

   H Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee