The following statement of general water resource
implementation policy shall guide Department review of water management
programs, rules, and plans. Water management programs, rules and plans, where
economically and environmentally feasible, not contrary to the public interest,
and consistent with Florida law, shall seek to:
(1) Water Supply.
(a) Promote the availability of sufficient
water for natural systems, and sufficient and affordable water for all existing
and future reasonable-beneficial uses. Uses of water authorized by a permit
shall be limited to reasonable-beneficial uses.
(b) Promote water resource development and
water supply development pursuant to Sections
373.0361 and
373.0831, F.S.
(c) Reserve, by rule, water from use by
permit applicants, in such locations and quantities, and for such seasons of
the year, as in the judgment of the District or Department, may be required for
the protection of fish and wildlife, or the public health and safety. Such
reservations shall be subject to periodic review and revision in light of
changed conditions. However, all presently existing legal uses of water shall
be protected so long as such use is not contrary to the public
interest.
(d) Champion and develop
sound water conservation practices and public information programs.
(e) Advocate and direct the reuse of
reclaimed water as an integral part of water and wastewater management
programs, rules, and plans consistent with protection of the public health and
surface and ground water quality.
(f) Improve the efficiency and effectiveness
of reuse of reclaimed water by encouraging those uses that increase potable
quality water offsets or recharge fractions, where consistent with water
quality protection.
(g) Encourage
the use of water of the lowest acceptable quality for the purpose
intended.
(h) Encourage the
development of local and regional surface and ground water supplies within
districts rather than transfer water across District boundaries.
(i) Encourage the use of water from sources
nearest the area of use or application whenever practical, in accordance with
and subject to the limitations of Sections
373.016(4)(a) and
(b), and
373.1962(9),
373.1963,
373.223(3),
373.229(3),
F.S.
(j) Encourage demand
management and the development of alternative water supplies, including water
conservation, reuse of reclaimed water, desalination, stormwater and industrial
wastewater recycling, recharge, and aquifer storage and recovery.
(k) Protect aquifers and surface waters from
depletion through water conservation, use of alternative water supplies,
implementation of water shortage plans, and preservation of the functions of
high recharge areas.
(2)
Water Quality Protection and Management.
(a)
Restore and protect the quality of ground and surface water by solving current
problems and ensuring high quality treatment for stormwater and
wastewater.
(b) Identify existing
and future public water supply areas and protect them from
contamination.
(3) Flood
Protection and Floodplain Protection.
(a)
Encourage nonstructural solutions to water resource problems and consider
nonstructural alternatives whenever structural works are proposed.
(b) Manage the construction and operation of
facilities that dam, divert, or otherwise alter the flow of surface waters to
minimize damage from flooding, soil erosion or excessive drainage.
(c) Encourage the management of floodplains
and other flood hazard areas to prevent or reduce flood damage, consistent with
establishment and maintenance of desirable hydrologic characteristics and
associated natural systems.
(d)
Encourage the development and implementation of a strict floodplain management
program by state, regional, and local governments designed to preserve
floodplain functions and associated natural systems.
(e) Avoid the expenditure of public funds
that encourage or subsidize incompatible new development or significant
expansion of existing development in high-hazard flood areas.
(f) Minimize flood-related emergencies, human
disasters, loss of property, and other associated impacts.
(4) Natural Systems Protection and
Management.
(a) Establish minimum flows and
levels to protect water resources and the environmental values associated with
marine, estuarine, freshwater, and wetlands ecology.
(b) Mitigate adverse impacts resulting from
prior alteration of natural hydrologic patterns and fluctuations in surface and
ground water levels.
(c) Utilize,
preserve, restore, and enhance natural water management systems and discourage
the channelization or other alteration of natural rivers, streams and
lakes.
(5) Management
Policies.
(a) Protect the water storage and
water quality enhancement functions of wetlands, floodplains, and aquifer
recharge areas through acquisition, enforcement of laws, and the application of
land and water management practices that provide for compatible uses.
(b) Emphasize the prevention of pollution and
other water resource problems.
(c)
Develop interstate agreements and undertake cooperative programs with Alabama
and Georgia to provide for coordinated management of surface and ground
waters.
