Title - Issues & Public Policy

Issues & Public Policy : Water & Natural Resources


Reports
May 22, 2013

SWFWMD MFL Being Challenged

Florida law (Chapter 373.042, Florida Statutes) requires the state water management districts or the Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to establish minimum flows and levels (MFLs) for aquifers, and surface water bodies to identify the limit at which further withdrawals would be significantly harmful to the water resources or ecology of the area.  Rivers, streams, estuaries and springs require minimum flows, and lakes, wetlands, and aquifers require minimum levels.

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Oct 11, 2012

South Florida Water Management District FY 2013 Budget Approved

At a public hearing on September 25th, South Florida Water Management Governing Board approved a budget and millage rates for Fiscal Year 2013 (Oct. 1, 2012 – Sept. 30, 2013) keeping taxing rates at the same level as last year. According to a District press release, the FY 2013 budget allows the District to move forward with the agency’s core responsibilities and key priorities:



  • Provide flood control and hurricane response

  • Improve water quality and restore the Everglades
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Jul 19, 2012

South Florida Water Management District Tax Rates to Dip Slightly

South Florida Water Management Governing Board approved FY13 proposed millage rates that continue to provide some tax relief to property owners while continuing to focus on the District core mission of flood control, water supply and environmental restoration. 

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Drought

Water Issue Links

DEP’s site offers an overview of the drought currently affecting the state
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/drought/

Drought portal for South Florida Water Management District
http://my.sfwmd.gov/portal/page?_pageid= 1874,9496104,1874_19616129&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL

Southwest Florida Water Management District’s drought information
http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/drought/

St. Johns River drought information
http://sjr.state.fl.us/irrigationrule/droughtreports.html

Suwannee River Water Management District drought information
http://www.srwmd.state.fl.us/realtimeriverlevels/realtimeriverlevels.asp

Northwest Florida Water Management District drought information
http://www.nwfwmd.state.fl.us/hydrology/drought/NWFWMD-Drought-Report-Nov27_07.pdf