Senate Bill sb2316
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Florida Senate - 2003 SB 2316
By Senator Atwater
25-1337-03 See HB 1459
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to water supplies; providing
3 legislative findings and intent; providing for
4 the development of a water conservation
5 guidance manual by the Department of
6 Environmental Protection; providing for purpose
7 and contents of the manual and requirements
8 with respect thereto; requiring water
9 management districts to adopt the manual in
10 their rules by a specified date; requiring
11 public water supply utilities to develop water
12 conservation programs based upon options
13 contained in the manual; amending s. 373.023,
14 F.S.; revising scope and applicability of the
15 Florida Water Resources Act of 1972 to exclude
16 from regulation under the act water produced by
17 domestic wastewater treatment facilities;
18 amending s. 373.0361, F.S.; providing
19 additional components of regional water supply
20 plans; providing that a district water
21 management plan may not be used as criteria for
22 the review of permits for consumptive uses of
23 water unless the plan or applicable portion
24 thereof has been adopted by rule; amending s.
25 373.0831, F.S.; revising the criteria by which
26 water supply development projects may receive
27 priority consideration for funding assistance;
28 providing for permitting and funding of a
29 proposed alternative water supply project
30 identified in the relevant approved regional
31 water supply plan; amending s. 373.1961, F.S.;
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Florida Senate - 2003 SB 2316
25-1337-03 See HB 1459
1 encouraging water management district governing
2 boards to establish revolving loan trust funds
3 for specified purposes; amending s. 373.223,
4 F.S.; including certain utilities within
5 provisions which require the consideration of
6 specified factors and conditions by a water
7 management governing board or the Department of
8 Environmental Protection prior to approval of a
9 water use permit; amending s. 373.236, F.S.;
10 providing for consumptive use permits of
11 extended duration where specified conservation
12 measures are in effect; amending s. 373.246,
13 F.S.; providing requirements of a permittee
14 with respect to compliance with a water
15 shortage order; amending s. 373.250, F.S.;
16 providing construction with respect to
17 provisions governing reuse of reclaimed water;
18 amending s. 378.212, F.S.; authorizing the
19 granting of a variance from pt. IV of ch. 378,
20 F.S., the Resource Extraction Reclamation Act,
21 and from ch. 373, F.S., the Florida Water
22 Resources Act of 1972, under specified
23 circumstances; providing an additional
24 circumstance for which a variance may be
25 granted; amending s. 403.064, F.S.; providing
26 that conclusions of described reuse feasibility
27 studies shall govern specified permitting
28 decisions and the feasibility of providing
29 reclaimed water for reuse purposes; amending s.
30 403.1835, F.S.; authorizing the Department of
31 Environmental Protection to make specified
2
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Florida Senate - 2003 SB 2316
25-1337-03 See HB 1459
1 deposits for the purpose of enabling
2 below-market interest rate loans for treatment
3 of polluted water; amending s. 259.03, F.S.;
4 revising the definition of "water resource
5 development project"; providing for a study of
6 the feasibility of discharging reclaimed
7 wastewater into canals in a specified area as
8 an environmentally acceptable means of
9 accomplishing described objectives; requiring
10 reports; providing an effective date.
11
12 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
13
14 Section 1. (1) The Legislature recognizes that the
15 proper conservation of water is an important means of
16 achieving the economic and efficient utilization of water
17 necessary to constitute a reasonable and beneficial use. The
18 Legislature encourages the development and use of water
19 conservation measures that are effective, flexible, and
20 affordable. In the context of the use of water for public
21 supply provided by a water utility, the Legislature intends
22 for a variety of conservation measures to be available and
23 used to encourage efficient water use. The Legislature finds
24 that the social, economic, and cultural conditions of this
25 state relating to the use of public water supply vary by
26 geographic region, and thus water utilities must have the
27 flexibility to tailor water conservation measures to best suit
28 their individual circumstances.
29 (2) In furtherance of the findings in subsection (1),
30 the Department of Environmental Protection shall develop a
31 water conservation guidance manual containing a menu of water
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Florida Senate - 2003 SB 2316
25-1337-03 See HB 1459
1 conservation measures from which public water supply utilities
2 may select in the development of a water conservation program
3 tailored for their individual service areas that is effective
4 and does not impose undue costs or burdens on customers. The
5 water conservation guidance manual may contain measures such
6 as billing notices informing customers of the need to conserve
7 water; ordinances requiring low-flow plumbing; rebate programs
8 for the installation of water-saving plumbing or appliances;
9 general water conservation educational programs; and water
10 conservation or drought rate structures that encourage
11 customers to conserve water through appropriate price
12 signals. If the water conservation guidance manual includes
13 the option of adopting water conservation or drought rate
14 structures, the department shall specifically set forth in the
15 manual that it is the responsibility of the appropriate
16 utility to determine the rates it will charge its customers
17 and that the role of the department or water management
18 district is confined to the review of those rate structures to
19 determine whether they encourage water conservation. The
20 department shall also set forth in the water conservation
21 guidance manual that a utility need not adopt a water
22 conservation or drought rate structure if the utility employs
23 other measures that are equally effective or more effective.
24 (3) The Department of Environmental Protection shall
25 develop the water conservation guidance manual no later than
26 November 15, 2003. The department shall develop the manual in
27 consultation with representatives from the water management
28 districts, public water supply utilities, domestic wastewater
29 utilities, environmental and community organizations, business
30 organizations, and municipalities and counties. The water
31 management districts shall, by March 15, 2004, adopt the water
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Florida Senate - 2003 SB 2316
25-1337-03 See HB 1459
1 conservation guidance manual by reference in their rules
2 governing the review of applications for permits under part II
3 of chapter 373, Florida Statutes. Once the water conservation
4 guidance manual is adopted by rule, a public water supply
5 utility shall develop a water conservation program from the
6 options contained in the manual. The program shall be used to
7 satisfy water conservation requirements imposed as a condition
8 to obtaining a permit under part II of chapter 373, Florida
9 Statutes. The department, in consultation with the
10 aforementioned entities, may periodically amend or revise the
11 water conservation guidance manual as appropriate to reflect
12 changed circumstances or new technologies or ideas. The
13 findings and provisions in this section shall not be construed
14 to apply to uses of water other than potable water supply.
15 Section 2. Subsection (1) of section 373.023, Florida
16 Statutes, is amended to read:
17 373.023 Scope and application.--
18 (1) All waters in the state, except water produced by
19 domestic wastewater treatment facilities subject to regulation
20 under s. 403.064, are subject to regulation under the
21 provisions of this chapter unless specifically exempted by
22 general or special law.
23 Section 3. Subsections (2) and (6) of section
24 373.0361, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
25 373.0361 Regional water supply planning.--
26 (2) Each regional water supply plan shall be based on
27 at least a 20-year planning period and shall include, but not
28 be limited to:
29 (a) A water supply development component that
30 includes:
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Florida Senate - 2003 SB 2316
25-1337-03 See HB 1459
1 1. A quantification of the water supply needs for all
2 existing and reasonably projected future uses within the
3 planning horizon. The level-of-certainty planning goal
4 associated with identifying the water supply needs of existing
5 and future reasonable-beneficial uses shall be based upon
6 meeting those needs for a 1-in-10-year drought event.
7 2. A list of water source options for water supply
8 development, including traditional and alternative sources,
9 from which local government, government-owned and privately
10 owned utilities, self-suppliers, and others may choose, which
11 will exceed the needs identified in subparagraph 1.
12 3. For each option listed in subparagraph 2., the
13 estimated amount of water available for use and the estimated
14 costs of and potential sources of funding for water supply
15 development.
16 4. A list of water supply development projects that
17 meet the criteria in s. 373.0831(4).
18 (b) A water resource development component that
19 includes:
20 1. A listing of those water resource development
21 projects that support water supply development.
22 2. For each water resource development project listed:
23 a. An estimate of the amount of water to become
24 available through the project.
25 b. The timetable for implementing or constructing the
26 project and the estimated costs for implementing, operating,
27 and maintaining the project.
28 c. Sources of funding and funding needs.
29 d. Who will implement the project and how it will be
30 implemented.
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Florida Senate - 2003 SB 2316
25-1337-03 See HB 1459
1 (c) The recovery and prevention strategy described in
2 s. 373.0421(2).
3 (d) A funding strategy for water resource development
4 projects, which shall be reasonable and sufficient to pay the
5 cost of constructing or implementing all of the listed
6 projects.
7 (e) Consideration of how the options addressed in
8 paragraphs (a) and (b) serve the public interest or save costs
9 overall by preventing the loss of natural resources or
10 avoiding greater future expenditures for water resource
11 development or water supply development. However, unless
12 adopted by rule, these considerations do not constitute final
13 agency action.
14 (f) The technical data and information applicable to
15 the planning region which are contained in the district water
16 management plan and are necessary to support the regional
17 water supply plan.
18 (g) The minimum flows and levels established for water
19 resources within the planning region.
20 (h) Reservations of water adopted by rule pursuant to
21 s. 373.223(4).
22 (i) An analysis, developed in cooperation with the
23 department, of areas or instances in which the variance
24 provisions of s. 378.212(1)(g) may be used to create water
25 supply development or water resource development projects.
26 (6) Nothing contained in the water supply development
27 component of the district water management plan shall be
28 construed to require local governments, government-owned or
29 privately owned water utilities, self-suppliers, or other
30 water suppliers to select a water supply development option
31 identified in the component merely because it is identified in
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Florida Senate - 2003 SB 2316
25-1337-03 See HB 1459
1 the plan, nor may the plan be used as criteria for the review
2 of permits under part II unless the plan, or applicable
3 portion thereof, has been adopted by rule. However, this
4 subsection shall not be construed to limit the authority of
5 the department or governing board under part II.
6 Section 4. Subsections (3) and (4) of section
7 373.0831, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
8 373.0831 Water resource development; water supply
9 development.--
10 (3) The water management districts shall fund and
11 implement water resource development as defined in s. 373.019.
12 The water management districts are encouraged to implement
13 water resource development as expeditiously as possible in
14 areas subject to regional water supply plans. Each governing
15 board shall include in its annual budget the amount needed for
16 the fiscal year to implement water resource development
17 projects, as prioritized in its regional water supply plans.
18 When submitting its annual budget to the Governor s office for
19 review under s. 373.536, the governing board shall explain how
20 each water resource development project will produce
21 additional water available for consumptive uses and estimate
22 the quantity of water to be produced.
23 (4)(a) Water supply development projects which are
24 consistent with the relevant regional water supply plans and
25 which meet at least one or more of the following criteria
26 shall receive priority consideration for state or water
27 management district funding assistance:
28 1. The project supports establishment of a dependable,
29 sustainable supply of water which is not otherwise financially
30 feasible;
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Florida Senate - 2003 SB 2316
25-1337-03 See HB 1459
1 2. The project provides substantial environmental
2 benefits by preventing or limiting adverse water resource
3 impacts, but requires funding assistance to be economically
4 competitive with other options; or
5 3. The project significantly implements reuse,
6 storage, recharge, or conservation of water in a manner that
7 contributes to the efficient use and sustainability of
8 regional water supply sources.
9 (b) Water supply development projects which meet the
10 criteria in paragraph (a) and also bring about replacement of
11 existing sources in order to help implement a minimum flow or
12 level shall be given first consideration for state or water
13 management district funding assistance.
14 (c) If a proposed alternative water supply project is
15 identified in the relevant approved regional water supply
16 plan, the project shall receive:
17 1. A 20-year consumptive use permit, if it otherwise
18 meets the permit requirements under ss. 373.223 and 373.236
19 and rules adopted thereunder.
20 2. Priority funding pursuant to s. 373.1961(2) with
21 the implementation of the water resource development component
22 of the proposed project.
23 Section 5. Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section
24 373.1961, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
25 373.1961 Water production.--
26 (2) The Legislature finds that, due to a combination
27 of factors, vastly increased demands have been placed on
28 natural supplies of fresh water, and that, absent increased
29 development of alternative water supplies, such demands may
30 increase in the future. The Legislature also finds that
31 potential exists in the state for the production of
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Florida Senate - 2003 SB 2316
25-1337-03 See HB 1459
1 significant quantities of alternative water supplies,
2 including reclaimed water, and that water production includes
3 the development of alternative water supplies, including
4 reclaimed water, for appropriate uses. It is the intent of the
5 Legislature that utilities develop reclaimed water systems,
6 where reclaimed water is the most appropriate alternative
7 water supply option, to deliver reclaimed water to as many
8 users as possible through the most cost-effective means, and
9 to construct reclaimed water system infrastructure to their
10 owned or operated properties and facilities where they have
11 reclamation capability. It is also the intent of the
12 Legislature that the water management districts which levy ad
13 valorem taxes for water management purposes should share a
14 percentage of those tax revenues with water providers and
15 users, including local governments, water, wastewater, and
16 reuse utilities, municipal, industrial, and agricultural water
17 users, and other public and private water users, to be used to
18 supplement other funding sources in the development of
19 alternative water supplies. The Legislature finds that public
20 moneys or services provided to private entities for such uses
21 constitute public purposes which are in the public interest.
22 In order to further the development and use of alternative
23 water supply systems, including reclaimed water systems, the
24 Legislature provides the following:
25 (a) The governing boards of the water management
26 districts where water resource caution areas have been
27 designated shall include in their annual budgets an amount for
28 the development of alternative water supply systems, including
29 reclaimed water systems, pursuant to the requirements of this
30 subsection. Beginning in 1996, such amounts shall be made
31 available to water providers and users no later than December
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Florida Senate - 2003 SB 2316
25-1337-03 See HB 1459
1 31 of each year, through grants, matching grants, revolving
2 loans, or the use of district lands or facilities pursuant to
3 the requirements of this subsection and guidelines established
4 by the districts. Without diminishing amounts available
5 through other means described in this paragraph, the governing
6 boards are encouraged to consider establishing revolving loan
7 funds to expand the total funds available to accomplish the
8 objectives of this section. A revolving loan fund created
9 pursuant to this paragraph shall be a nonlapsing fund from
10 which the water management district may make loans with
11 interest rates below prevailing market rates to public or
12 private entities for the purposes described in this section.
13 The governing boards may adopt resolutions to establish
14 revolving loan funds which shall specify the details of the
15 administration of the fund, the procedures for applying for
16 loans from the fund, the criteria for awarding loans from the
17 fund, the initial capitalization of the fund, and the goals
18 for future capitalization of the fund in subsequent budget
19 years. Revolving loan funds created pursuant to this
20 paragraph shall be used to expand the total sums and sources
21 of cooperative funding available for the development of
22 alternative water supplies. The Legislature does not intend
23 for the creation of revolving loan trust funds to supplant or
24 otherwise reduce existing sources or amounts of funds
25 currently available through other means.
26 Section 6. Subsection (3) of section 373.223, Florida
27 Statutes, is amended to read:
28 373.223 Conditions for a permit.--
29 (3) Except for the transport and use of water supplied
30 by the Central and Southern Florida Flood Control Project, and
31 anywhere in the state when the transport and use of water is
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Florida Senate - 2003 SB 2316
25-1337-03 See HB 1459
1 supplied exclusively for bottled water as defined in s.
2 500.03(1)(d), any water use permit applications pending as of
3 April 1, 1998, with the Northwest Florida Water Management
4 District, and self-suppliers of water for which the proposed
5 water source and area of use or application are located on
6 contiguous private properties, utilities implementing one or
7 more options of an approved regional water supply plan
8 prepared pursuant to ss. 373.036 and 373.0361, utilities
9 implementing interconnections, and utilities owning or
10 operating facilities located in more than one county, when
11 evaluating whether a potential transport and use of ground or
12 surface water across county boundaries is consistent with the
13 public interest, pursuant to paragraph (1)(c), the governing
14 board or department shall consider:
15 (a) The proximity of the proposed water source to the
16 area of use or application.
17 (b) All impoundments, streams, groundwater sources, or
18 watercourses that are geographically closer to the area of use
19 or application than the proposed source, and that are
20 technically and economically feasible for the proposed
21 transport and use.
22 (c) All economically and technically feasible
23 alternatives to the proposed source, including, but not
24 limited to, desalination, conservation, reuse of nonpotable
25 reclaimed water and stormwater, and aquifer storage and
26 recovery.
27 (d) The potential environmental impacts that may
28 result from the transport and use of water from the proposed
29 source, and the potential environmental impacts that may
30 result from use of the other water sources identified in
31 paragraphs (b) and (c).
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Florida Senate - 2003 SB 2316
25-1337-03 See HB 1459
1 (e) Whether existing and reasonably anticipated
2 sources of water and conservation efforts are adequate to
3 supply water for existing legal uses and reasonably
4 anticipated future needs of the water supply planning region
5 in which the proposed water source is located.
6 (f) Consultations with local governments affected by
7 the proposed transport and use.
8 (g) The value of the existing capital investment in
9 water-related infrastructure made by the applicant.
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11 Where districtwide water supply assessments and regional water
12 supply plans have been prepared pursuant to ss. 373.036 and
13 373.0361, the governing board or the department shall use the
14 applicable plans and assessments as the basis for its
15 consideration of the applicable factors in this subsection.
16 Section 7. Subsection (4) is added to section 373.236,
17 Florida Statutes, to read:
18 373.236 Duration of permits; compliance reports.--
19 (4) The department or the water management district
20 shall issue permits of longer duration than specified in
21 subsection (1), subsection (2), or subsection (3) to
22 applicants who implement and provide reasonable assurances of
23 effective and efficient conservation measures that exceed the
24 average for the industry or type of water use, and where
25 sufficient data exists to provide reasonable assurance that
26 the conditions for the issuance of an extended-duration permit
27 will be met for the duration of the permit. Permits issued
28 for a duration of 10 years or longer pursuant to this
29 subsection shall be subject to the provisions of subsection
30 (3).
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Florida Senate - 2003 SB 2316
25-1337-03 See HB 1459
1 Section 8. Subsection (6) of section 373.246, Florida
2 Statutes, is amended to read:
3 373.246 Declaration of water shortage or emergency.--
4 (6) The governing board or the department shall notify
5 each permittee in the district by regular mail of any change
6 in the condition of his or her permit or any suspension of his
7 or her permit or of any other restriction on the permittee's
8 use of water for the duration of the water shortage. The
9 permittee shall comply with such orders, subject to the right
10 to challenge such orders as provided herein. However, an
11 applicant for a permit under this part shall not be required
12 to demonstrate the ability to comply with future potential
13 orders issued under this section as a condition to obtaining
14 the permit.
15 Section 9. Subsection (4) of section 373.250, Florida
16 Statutes, is amended to read:
17 373.250 Reuse of reclaimed water.--
18 (4) Nothing in this section shall impair a water
19 management district's authority to plan for and regulate
20 consumptive uses of water under this chapter. However, neither
21 this section nor this part shall be construed to grant the
22 water management districts the authority to require a utility
23 to provide reclaimed water, the provision of which shall be
24 solely governed by s. 403.064.
25 Section 10. Subsection (1) of section 378.212, Florida
26 Statutes, is amended to read:
27 378.212 Variances.--
28 (1) Upon application, the secretary may grant a
29 variance from the provisions of this part, part IV, and
30 chapter 373, or the rules adopted pursuant thereto. Variances
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Florida Senate - 2003 SB 2316
25-1337-03 See HB 1459
1 and renewals thereof may be granted for any one of the
2 following reasons:
3 (a) There is no practicable means known or available
4 to comply with the provisions of this part or the rules
5 adopted pursuant thereto.
6 (b) Compliance with a particular requirement or
7 requirements from which a variance is sought will necessitate
8 the taking of measures which must be spread over a
9 considerable period of time. A variance granted for this
10 reason shall prescribe a timetable for the taking of the
11 measures required.
12 (c) To relieve or prevent hardship, including economic
13 hardship, of a kind other than those provided for in
14 paragraphs (a) and (b).
15 (d) To accommodate specific phosphate mining,
16 processing or chemical plant uses that otherwise would be
17 inconsistent with the requirements of this part.
18 (e) To provide for an experimental technique that
19 would advance the knowledge of reclamation and restoration
20 methods.
21 (f) To accommodate projects, including those proposing
22 offsite mitigation, that provide a significant regional
23 benefit for wildlife and the environment.
24 (g) To accommodate reclamation that provides water
25 supply development or water resource development consistent
26 with the applicable regional water supply plan approved
27 pursuant to s. 373.0361, provided that regional water
28 resources are not adversely affected.
29 Section 11. Subsections (1), (4), and (6) of section
30 403.064, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
31 403.064 Reuse of reclaimed water.--
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Florida Senate - 2003 SB 2316
25-1337-03 See HB 1459
1 (1) The encouragement and promotion of water
2 conservation, and reuse of reclaimed water, as defined by the
3 department, are state objectives and are considered to be in
4 the public interest. The Legislature finds that the reuse of
5 reclaimed water is a critical component of meeting the state's
6 existing and future water supply needs while sustaining
7 natural systems. The Legislature further finds that for those
8 wastewater treatment plants permitted and operated under an
9 approved reuse program by the department, the reclaimed water
10 shall be considered environmentally acceptable and not a
11 threat to public health and safety. The Legislature encourages
12 the development of incentive-based programs for reuse
13 implementation.
14 (4) The study required under subsection (2) shall be
15 performed by the applicant, and, if the study shows that the
16 reuse is feasible, the applicant must give significant
17 consideration to its implementation if the study complies with
18 the requirements of subsections (2) and (3). The conclusions
19 of the study shall govern permitting decisions under this part
20 and part II of chapter 373.
21 (6) A reuse feasibility study prepared under
22 subsection (2) satisfies a water management district
23 requirement to conduct a reuse feasibility study imposed on a
24 local government or utility that has responsibility for
25 wastewater management, and the conclusions of the study shall
26 determine the feasibility of providing reclaimed water for
27 reuse under part II of chapter 373.
28 Section 12. Paragraph (b) of subsection (3) of section
29 403.1835, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
30 403.1835 Water pollution control financial
31 assistance.--
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Florida Senate - 2003 SB 2316
25-1337-03 See HB 1459
1 (3) The department may provide financial assistance
2 through any program authorized under s. 603 of the Federal
3 Water Pollution Control Act (Clean Water Act), Pub. L. No.
4 92-500, as amended, including, but not limited to, making
5 grants and loans, providing loan guarantees, purchasing loan
6 insurance or other credit enhancements, and buying or
7 refinancing local debt. This financial assistance must be
8 administered in accordance with this section and applicable
9 federal authorities. The department shall administer all
10 programs operated from funds secured through the activities of
11 the Florida Water Pollution Control Financing Corporation
12 under s. 403.1837, to fulfill the purposes of this section.
13 (b) The department may make or request the corporation
14 to make loans, grants, and deposits to other entities eligible
15 to participate in the financial assistance programs authorized
16 under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, or as a result
17 of other federal action, which entities may pledge any revenue
18 available to them to repay any funds borrowed. Notwithstanding
19 s. 18.10, the department may make deposits to financial
20 institutions that earn less than the prevailing rate for
21 United States Treasury securities with corresponding
22 maturities for the purpose of enabling such financial
23 institutions to make below-market interest rate loans to
24 entities qualified to receive loans under this section and the
25 rules of the department.
26 Section 13. Subsection (6) of section 259.03, Florida
27 Statutes, is amended to read:
28 259.03 Definitions.--The following terms and phrases
29 when used in this chapter shall have the meanings ascribed to
30 them in this section, except where the context clearly
31 indicates a different meaning:
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Florida Senate - 2003 SB 2316
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1 (6) "Water resource development project" means a
2 project eligible for funding pursuant to s. 259.105 that
3 increases the amount of water available to meet the needs of
4 natural systems and the citizens of the state by enhancing or
5 restoring aquifer recharge, facilitating the capture and
6 storage of excess flows in surface waters, or promoting reuse.
7 The implementation of eligible projects under s. 259.105
8 includes land acquisition, land and water body restoration,
9 aquifer storage and recovery facilities, surface water
10 reservoirs, and other capital improvements. The term does not
11 include construction of potable water treatment, transmission,
12 or distribution facilities.
13 Section 14. The Legislature finds that, within the
14 area identified in the Lower East Coast Regional Water Supply
15 Plan approved by the South Florida Water Management District
16 pursuant to section 373.0361, Florida Statutes, the
17 groundwater levels can benefit from augmentation. The
18 Legislature finds that the discharge of reclaimed water into
19 canals for transport and subsequent reuse may provide an
20 environmentally acceptable means to augment water supplies and
21 enhance natural systems; however, the Legislature also
22 recognizes that there are water quality and water quantity
23 issues that must be better understood and resolved. In
24 addition, there are cost savings possible by collocating
25 enclosed conduits for conveyance of water for reuse in this
26 area within canal rights-of-way that should be investigated.
27 Toward that end, the Department of Environmental Protection,
28 in consultation with the South Florida Water Management
29 District, Southeast Florida utilities, affected local
30 governments, including local governments with principal
31 responsibility for the operation and maintenance of a water
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Florida Senate - 2003 SB 2316
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1 control system capable of conveying reclaimed wastewater for
2 reuse, representatives of the environmental and engineering
3 communities, public health professionals, and individuals
4 having expertise in water quality, shall conduct a study to
5 investigate the feasibility of discharging reclaimed
6 wastewater into canals as an environmentally acceptable means
7 of augmenting groundwater supplies, enhancing natural systems,
8 and conveying reuse water within enclosed conduits within the
9 canal right-of-way. The study shall include an assessment of
10 the water quality, water supply, public health, technical, and
11 legal implications related to the canal discharge and
12 collocation concepts. The department shall issue a preliminary
13 written report containing draft findings and recommendations
14 for public comment by November 1, 2003. The department shall
15 provide a written report on the results of its study to the
16 Governor and the substantive committees of the House of
17 Representatives and the Senate by January 31, 2004. Nothing in
18 this section shall be used to alter the purpose of the
19 Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan or the
20 implementation of the Water Resources Development Act of 2000.
21 Section 15. This act shall take effect upon becoming a
22 law.
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