Florida Administrative Code › 40 - WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICTS › 40B - Suwannee River Water Management District › Chapter 40B-21 - WATER SHORTAGE PLAN › Section 40B-21.001 - Purpose and Policy

Current through Reg. 50, No. 138; July 16, 2024
(1) Chapter 373,
				Florida Statutes (F.S.), provides for the conservation, protection, management,
				and control of the waters of the state by the water management districts.
				Section  373.246, F.S., specifies that
				each water management district shall formulate a plan for implementation during
				periods of water shortage.
(2) The
				procedures in this plan comprise the Suwannee River Water Management District's
				(District) water shortage plan required under Section
				 373.246(1),
				F.S. The purposes of the plan are to protect the water resources of the
				District from serious harm; to assure equitable distribution of available water
				resources among all water users during times of shortage (consistent with the
				goals of minimizing adverse economic, social, and health related impacts); to
				provide advance knowledge of the means by which water apportionments and
				reductions will be made during times of shortage; and to promote greater
				security for water users.
(3) This
				chapter and any implementation of it during a water shortage or water shortage
				emergency, shall not divest the Governing Board and Executive Director of the
				authority to declare a water shortage or water shortage emergency pursuant to
				Section  373.175, F.S.
(4) These procedures apply to all water
				users, including those exempted from Chapter 40B-2, F.A.C., permitting
				requirements.
(5) It is the policy
				of the Governing Board that:
(a) Water users
				and the general public will be supplied frequent and accurate information
				regarding the status of water resources, methods of water conservation, and
				means for efficient water use.
(b)
				This plan will only be implemented in times of water shortage as determined by
				comparing current hydrologic monitoring data, historical trends, and
				anticipated demand by users.
(c)
				Artificial water shortages will not be created by the over-allocation of
				available supplies in the administration and implementation of Chapter 40B-2,
				F.A.C., Permitting of Water Use.
(d) The specific means and methods for water
				use reduction that are found in Part V of this chapter will recognize the
				relative efficiency of similarly classified users.
(e) The specific means and methods for water
				use reduction that are found in Part V of this chapter will represent a
				guideline for specific restrictions to be imposed on users who transfer water
				across basin boundaries-interbasin transfers.
(f) During times of declared water shortage,
				the cooperation of local government officials, local law enforcement officials,
				and the public will be actively encouraged.
(g) The District will seek the cooperation
				and assistance of state, county, and municipal governmental officials, law
				enforcement officials, and police officers in the enforcement of the water
				shortage plan or any water shortage order issued pursuant thereto.
(h) Use of reclaimed water (wastewater or
				stormwater) will not be restricted in this chapter in order to promote the use
				of reclaimed water as an alternative source. The District shall evaluate this
				policy no later than five years following the effective date of this chapter
				and make appropriate modifications as necessary.