Rule Development

Year-Round Landscape Rules

The South Florida Water Management District is currently in the rulemaking process to amend Chapter 40E-24, F.A.C., Mandatory Year-Round Landscape Irrigation Measures for Lee, Collier and Charlotte Counties, and to implement the rule amendments District-wide. The Rulemaking process aims to amend the year-round landscape irrigation measures and to implement more comprehensive, conservation-driven, irrigation rules District-wide. The purpose of these mandatory measures is to provide a framework for consistent implementation, ensure the long-term sustainability of the water resources of the region, increase water use efficiency and curtail or prevent wasteful water use practices through the adoption of ordinances that would include these measures, variance and enforcement provisions.

Water Reservation for Picayune Strand

New Rule Chapter 40E-10, F.A.C., and amendments to Chapters 40E-2 and 40E-2, F.A.C., and the "Basis of Review for Water Use Permit Applications within the South Florida Water Management District" will take effect July 2, 2009, establishing a Water Reservation for the Picayune Strand/Fakahatchee Estuary. This new rule chapter defines the quantity, location and seasons of the year for which waters are reserved from allocation for the protection of fish and wildlife pursuant to Section 373.223(4), F.S. These reservations are based on information contained in the peer reviewed report entitled Technical Document to Support a Water Reservation Rule for Picayune Strand and Downstream Estuaries, which documents the linkages between the water proposed to be reserved and the protection of fish and wildlife. Applicants for consumptive use permits must provide reasonable assurances that criteria contained in the rules governing issuance of individual and general water use permits are met. It also sets forth that presently existing legal uses for the duration of the permit existing on [effective date] are determined to be not contrary to the public interest. This new rule chapter also contains Figures showing the location of the reserved water and the volume probability curves which identifies the surface water inflows that are reserved from allocation by this Chapter.

Kissimmee River Water Reservations

As a result of the Kissimmee River Restoration Project authorized by Congress in the 1992 Water Resources Development Act, the Governing Board of the SFWMD directed staff to develop a reservation of water for the portions of the Kissimmee River upstream of S-65E, Floodplain and Upper Chain of Lakes in volumes, locations and seasons of the year as is necessary for the protection of fish and wildlife. A Scientific peer review panel was convened to review the technical information used to quantify and reserve water needed for the protection of fish and wildlife. Members of the public are invited to participate in public workshops on the peer review process and associated rule development. This web site has been established to provide information to the public regarding the water reservation rule development. The site will contain information on public/stakeholder meetings both upcoming and past, information links to technical supporting documentation used in support of the rule development, information regarding the independent scientific peer review of the technical information and analysis used in support of the rule development, drafts of the rule language as it evolves, and information regarding Governing Board and WRAC meetings when the rule development will be discussed or acted on.

Water Reservations St. Lucie Estuary

The Governing Board of the SFWMD directed staff to develop a water reservation of water to advance the Indian River Lagoon-South Project to fulfill commitments made for CERP implementation in Water Resource Development Act of 2000.The purpose of protection water is to ensure that each CERP project provides the intended benefits of the natural system. A scientific peer review panel has been convened to review the technical information used to quantify and reserve water needed for the protection of fish and wildlife. Member of the public are invited to participate in public workshops on the peer review process and associated rule development; see Water Reservations tab for workshop dates.