Southwest Florida Water Management District Report

Florida Department of Environmental Protection Reclassification of the Alafia River

In January 2008, Tampa Bay Water filed a petition with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for the reclassification of the Alafia River and the Tampa Bay Bypass Canal from a Class III to a Class I. Class III water bodies are designated for recreation, propagation and maintenance of a healthy, well-balanced population of fish and wildlife. Class I water bodies are designated for potable water supplies and have the most stringent water quality criteria. For a reclassification to be adopted, after public notice and public hearing, the Environmental Regulation Commission must find that:

• The proposed reclassification will establish the present and future most beneficial use of the waters.
• The reclassification must clearly be in the public interest.
• The Environmental Regulation Commission must find that the proposed more stringent classification and designated use is attainable upon consideration of environmental, technological, social, economic and institutional factors.

Florida Farm Bureau will continue to monitor this issue.

Water Shortage Actions

As of January 2008, SWFWMD has not strengthened regional water restrictions. However, below-normal rainfall in the southeastern portion of the District remains a concern. The District will remain 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)

Interagency Agreement Regarding Uniform Year-Round Water Conservation and Water Shortage Measures for Marion County

Marion County is divided into two water management districts with western Marion County located in the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) and eastern Marion County located in the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD). Both Districts have been collaborating on an effort which will result in the same lawn and landscape irrigation measures, both for year-round water conservation measures and for water shortage restrictions for all of the unincorporated Marion County. The effort is being viewed as a pilot for all five water management districts in areas where similar situations apply. The current draft agreement will allow all of Marion County to follow the year-round water conservation measures adopted by SJRWMD. During a drought, the agreement will allow SWFWMD to declare water shortage measures for all of Marion County. The initial agreement has an initial term of one year, where the Districts will have the opportunity to enter into rulemaking for the process of developing more consistent lawn and landscape irrigation measures. The governing board authorized the executive director to finalize and approve the interagency agreement and after the agreement is executed, to modify the current Water Shortage Order to expand to the eastern portion of Marion County.

Polk County Comprehensive Water Supply Plan

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 this, Polk County has requested the District to participate 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 District to fund half or $477,659. The District has had recent discussions with South Florida Water Management District and they have indicated that they will participate in the project and contribute funding. At the January 2008 governing board meeting, the governing board authorized the executive director to enter into an agreement with Polk County for the Comprehensive Water Supply Plan with the Districts’ funding share divided between the governing board and the Peace River Basin Board, contingent upon the Basin Board’s approval.