Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board Report

Statewide Year-Round Conservation Measures

At the April 2008 Governing Board meeting, the board members approved initiation of rulemaking to amend 40D-22, Florida Administrative Code Year-Round Water Conservation Measures, in accordance with a statewide consistency initiative. Due to drought-related coordination efforts between Florida’s water management districts, the districts are seeking statewide consistency in year-round water conservation measures, especially in lawn and landscape measures. Conservation measures that are among discussion topics between the South, Southwest and St. Johns Water Management Districts are hours and number of days per week allowed for irrigation, clarification of plant establishment irrigation and other exemptions, and efficient use of reclaimed water.

Public input received during the water management districts required rule development process will help refine rule language.

Public workshops for the Southwest Water Management District are scheduled for the following dates:

• May 12 - Brooksville Headquarters - 10:00 a.m.
• May 14 - Tampa Service Office - 1:30 p.m.
• May 15 - Bartow Service Office - 1:30 p.m.
• May 16 - Sarasota Service Office - 10:00 a.m.

The water management districts would like to revise year-round conservation measures for implementation when the current drought subsides enough to no longer require water shortage restrictions.

Expanding Delegation of Authority to the Executive Director for Issuance Of Environmental Resource and Water Use Permits

The board initiated rulemaking to expand delegation of authority to the executive director for issuance of Environmental Resource Permits (ERPs) and Water Use Permits (WUPs).

Currently, the ERP and WUP rules contain thresholds which determine which projects must be approved by the governing board and which projects may be issued by the executive director or his designee (staff). The governing board currently votes on individual ERPs and WUPs, lake augmentation WUPs, and ERPs which have been determined to be of heightened public concern. Also, permits recommended for denial are acted upon by the board. Permits issued by staff include noticed general and general ERPs and small general and general WUPs.

Statistics from the past 10 years show that the District issues approximately 3,500 ERPs and 600 WUPs per year. Under the current delegation thresholds, the board acted on four percent on new ERPs issued, comprising more than 40 percent of project acreage permitted and nearly 70 percent of total wetland and waters acreage affected by regulated activities. The board has acted upon approximately five percent of all WUPs, comprising of approximately 72 percent of all permitted quantities.

Amended thresholds will be taken to advisory committees for input.

Polk County Comprehensive Water Supply Plan Update

Polk County has growing demands for groundwater and is part of the Central Florida Coordination Area and Southern Water Use Caution Area that requires water use permit holders to be under more stringent regulation requirements. Due to increased growth, Polk County and the Southwest Florida and South Florida Water Management Districts are participating in a more detailed analysis of available groundwater and alternative water supplies within the county.

The Polk County Comprehensive Water Supply Plan will identify viable, potable water supply sources and conservation measures to meet future potable and non-potable water demands of various public water utility systems in Polk County. The process will include investigation of multiple water resources including conservation, reclaimed water, storm water, surface water and ground water. The plan will address the technical, economic, environmental, jurisdictional and regulatory factors associated with the development of these potential new sources.

Polk County has estimated the cost to prepare the plan at $955,318 and is requesting the Southwest Water Management District to fund half or $477,659. Since approval of the project in January 2008, South Florida Water Management District has agreed to participate in the project by providing 10 percent of the total project cost.

Polk County has identified several initiatives to investigate water supply options. One option is the potential for additional groundwater in southeast Polk County. The county is working with South Florida Water Management District to investigate this potential source. The County is also coordinating with St. Cloud, Tohopekaliga Water Authority, Orange County, Osceola County, and Reddy Creek Improvement District along with South Florida Water Management District regarding the potential for water supply from the Kissimmee River. Polk County will also be evaluating the opportunity for water supply from the Upper Peace River. Another option that is being explored is coordination with Tampa Bay Water to determine if there is the opportunity for water supply associated with the Alafia River.

Water Shortage Actions

The District remains in a Phase II Severe Water Shortage for the entire sixteen county area. The most current rainfall data for the northern, central and southern regions of the District are reported below.

2008 Rainfall (in inches)

Farm Bureau Welcomes New Governing Board Members

Judith Whitehead was reassigned to represent Hernando and Marion counties. Her term ends March 1, 2012. She has served on the board since March 2003, serving as chair since 2007.

Whitehead is a native Floridian and graduated from Hernando High School in 1962. She attended the Business University of Tampa and is a state certified real estate appraiser in the state of Florida. Whitehead is the owner of Residential Appraisal Service located in Brooksville.

Whitehead serves as chair ex officio of the Coastal Rivers Basin Board.

Bryan Beswick was appointed to the Governing Board in April 2008 and expires March 1, 2012.

Beswick is a native of Polk County and graduated from Lakeland Senior High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree in citrus production with a minor in business administration from Florida Southern College in Lakeland. Beswick resides in Arcadia and is the grove manager of Blue Goose Growers LLC. He holds a Florida real estate license and is also a sales associate for Blue Goose Realty.

Beswick serves as chair ex officio of the Peace River Basin Board.

Hugh Gramling was appointed to the Governing Board in April 2008 and expires March 1, 2012.

Gramling is a native of Hillsborough County and earned a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from the University of Florida. Gramling is the executive director of the Tampa Bay Wholesale Growers, a trade association representing wholesale production nurseries. Previously, he was the owner and manager of two successful wholesale plant nurseries in Florida.

Gramling previously served as secretary on the Hillsborough River Basin Board and now serves as chair ex officio.