HB 1459 2003
1	CHAMBER ACTION
2
3
4
5
6	The Committee on Natural Resources recommends the following:
7
8	Committee Substitute
9	Remove the entire bill and insert:
10
11	A bill to be entitled
12	An act relating to water supplies; creating s. 373.227,
13	F.S.; providing for the development of a water
14	conservation guidance manual by the Department of
15	Environmental Protection; providing for purpose and
16	contents of the manual and requirements with respect
17	thereto; requiring the Department of Environmental
18	Protection to adopt the manual by rule by a specified
19	date; providing program requirements for public water
20	supply utilities that choose to design a comprehensive
21	water conservation program based on the water conservation
22	guidance manual; amending s. 373.0361, F.S.; providing
23	additional components of regional water supply plans;
24	providing that a district water management plan may not be
25	used as criteria for the review of permits for consumptive
26	uses of water unless the plan or applicable portion
27	thereof has been adopted by rule; providing construction;
28	amending s. 373.0831, F.S.; revising the criteria by which
29	water supply development projects may receive priority
30	consideration for funding assistance; providing for
31	permitting and funding of a proposed alternative water
32	supply project identified in the relevant approved
33	regional water supply plan; amending s. 373.1961, F.S.;
34	encouraging water management district governing boards to
35	establish revolving loan trust funds for specified
36	purposes; amending s. 373.250, F.S.; authorizing water
37	management districts to require the use of reclaimed water
38	in lieu of surface or groundwater when the use of
39	uncommitted reclaimed water is environmentally,
40	economically, and technically feasible; providing
41	construction with respect to such authority; amending
42	373.536, F.S.; expanding requirements of the 5-year water
43	resource development work program for water management
44	districts; amending s. 378.212, F.S.; authorizing the
45	granting of a variance from pt. IV of ch. 378, F.S., the
46	Resource Extraction Reclamation Act, under specified
47	circumstances; providing an additional circumstance for
48	which a variance may be granted or renewed; providing that
49	a variance may be granted from the requirements of parts
50	III or IV of chapter 378, or part IV of chapter 373, when
51	a project provides an improvement in water availability in
52	a basin and does not cause adverse impacts to water
53	resources in the basin; amending s. 378.404, F.S.;
54	authorizing the department to grant variances from the
55	provisions of part IV of chapter 378 to accommodate
56	reclamation that provides for water supply development or
57	water resource development under specified circumstances;
58	amending s. 403.064, F.S.; providing that the conclusions
59	of a reuse feasibility study required of an applicant for
60	a permit to construct or operate a specified domestic
61	wastewater treatment facility shall be given significant
62	consideration in an analysis of the feasibility of
63	providing reclaimed water for reuse under part II of
64	chapter 373; amending s. 403.1835, F.S.; authorizing the
65	Department of Environmental Protection to make specified
66	deposits for the purpose of enabling below-market interest
67	rate loans for treatment of polluted water; amending s.
68	403.1837, F.S.; eliminating certain restrictions on the
69	issuance of bonds by the Florida Water Pollution Control
70	Financing Corporation; deleting obsolete provisions;
71	providing for a study of the feasibility of discharging
72	reclaimed wastewater into canals and the aquifer system in
73	a specified area as an environmentally acceptable means of
74	accomplishing described objectives; requiring reports;
75	providing an effective date.
76
77	Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
78
79	Section 1. Section 373.227, Florida Statutes, is created
80	to read:
81	373.227 Water Conservation Guidance Manual.--
82	(1) The Legislature recognizes that the proper
83	conservation of water is an important means of achieving the
84	economic and efficient utilization of water necessary to
85	constitute a reasonable-beneficial use. The Legislature
86	encourages the development and use of water conservation
87	measures that are effective, flexible, and affordable. In the
88	context of the use of water for public supply provided by a
89	water utility, the Legislature intends for a variety of
90	conservation measures to be available and used to encourage
91	efficient water use. The Legislature finds that the social,
92	economic, and cultural conditions of this state relating to the
93	use of public water supply vary by geographic region, and thus
94	water utilities must have the flexibility to tailor water
95	conservation measures to best suit individual circumstances.
96	For purposes of this section, the term “public water supply
97	utility” shall include both publicly owned and privately owned
98	public water supply utilities.
99	(2) In furtherance of the findings in subsection (1), the
100	Department of Environmental Protection shall develop a water
101	conservation guidance manual containing a menu of water
102	conservation measures from which public water supply utilities
103	may select in the development of a comprehensive, goal-based
104	water conservation program tailored for their individual service
105	areas that is effective and does not impose undue costs or
106	burdens on customers. The water conservation guidance manual
107	shall promote statewide consistency in the approach to utility
108	conservation while maintaining appropriate flexibility. The
109	manual may contain measures such as water conservation audits;
110	informative billing practices to educate customers as to their
111	patterns of water use, the costs of water, and ways to conserve
112	water; ordinances requiring low-flow plumbing fixtures or
113	efficient landscape irrigation; rebate programs for the
114	installation of water-saving plumbing or appliances; general
115	water conservation educational programs, including bill inserts;
116	measures to promote the more effective and efficient reuse of
117	reclaimed water; water conservation or drought rate structures
118	that encourage customers to conserve water through appropriate
119	price signals; and programs to apply utility profits generated
120	through conservation and drought rates to additional water
121	conservation programs or water supply development. The manual
122	shall specifically set forth that it is the responsibility of
123	the appropriate utility to determine the specific rates it will
124	charge its customers and that the role of the department or
125	water management district is confined to the review of those
126	rate structures to determine whether they encourage water
127	conservation. The water conservation guidance manual shall also
128	set forth that a utility need not adopt a water conservation or
129	drought rate structure if the utility employs other measures
130	that are equally or more effective. The manual shall provide
131	for different levels of complexity and expected levels of effort
132	in conservation programs depending on the size of the utility.
133	However, all utilities shall be expected to have at least basic
134	programs in each of the following areas:
135	(a) Individual metering, to the extent feasible as
136	determined by the utility.
137	(b) Water accounting and loss control.
138	(c) Cost-of-service accounting and metered rates for
139	water.
140	(d) Information programs on water conservation.
141	(e) Landscaping water efficiency programs.
142	(3) The water conservation guidance manual shall be
143	developed no later than June 15, 2004. The department shall
144	develop the manual in consultation with interested parties,
145	which, at a minimum shall include representatives from the water
146	management districts, three utilities that are members of the
147	American Water Works Association, two utilities that are members
148	of the Florida Water Environment Association, a representative
149	of the Florida Chamber of Commerce, representatives of counties
150	and municipalities, and representatives of environmental
151	organizations. The department shall, by December 15, 2004, adopt
152	the water conservation guidance manual by rule. Once the
153	department adopts the water conservation guidance manual by
154	rule, the water management districts may apply the manual in the
155	review of water conservation requirements for obtaining a permit
156	pursuant to part II of chapter 373 without the need to adopt the
157	manual pursuant to s. 120.54. Once the water conservation
158	guidance manual is adopted by rule, a public water supply
159	utility may choose to comply with the standard water
160	conservation requirements adopted by the appropriate water
161	management district for obtaining a consumptive use permit from
162	that district or may choose to develop a comprehensive, goal-
163	based water conservation program from the options contained in
164	the manual. If the utility chooses to design a comprehensive
165	water conservation program based on the water conservation
166	guidance manual, the proposed program must include the
167	following:
168	(a) An inventory of water system characteristics and
169	conservation opportunities.
170	(b) Demand forecasts.
171	(c) An explanation of the proposed program.
172	(d) Specific numeric water conservation targets for the
173	utility as a whole and for appropriate customer classes, with a
174	justification of the appropriateness of the numeric targets,
175	based on that utility’s particular customer characteristics and
176	conservation opportunities.
177	(e) A demonstration that the program will promote
178	effective water conservation at least as well as standard water
179	use conservation requirements adopted by the appropriate water
180	management district.
181	(f) A timetable for the utility and the water management
182	district to evaluate progress in meeting the water conservation
183	targets and making needed program modifications.
184	(4) If the utility provides reasonable assurance that the
185	proposed conservation program is consistent with the water
186	conservation guidance manual and contains the elements above,
187	then the water management district shall approve the proposed
188	program and the program shall satisfy water conservation
189	requirements imposed as a condition to obtaining a permit under
190	part II of chapter 373. The department, in consultation with the
191	aforementioned entities, may periodically amend or revise the
192	water conservation guidance manual rule as appropriate to
193	reflect changed circumstances or new technologies or approaches.
194	When the guidance manual is modified, the water management
195	districts shall approve the changes within 6 months after the
196	modifications. The findings and provisions in this section shall
197	not be construed to apply to users of water other than public
198	water supply utilities.
199	Section 2. Paragraphs (h) and (i) are added to subsection
200	(2) of section 373.0631, Florida Statutes, and subsection (6) of
201	said section is amended, to read:
202	373.0361 Regional water supply planning.--
203	(2) Each regional water supply plan shall be based on at
204	least a 20-year planning period and shall include, but not be
205	limited to:
206	(h) Reservations of water adopted by rule pursuant to s.
207	373.223(4).
208	(i) An analysis, developed in cooperation with the
209	department, of areas or instances in which the variance
210	provisions of s. 378.212(1)(g) may be used to create water
211	supply development or water resource development projects.
212	(6) Nothing contained in the water supply development
213	component of the district water management plan shall be
214	construed to require local governments, government-owned or
215	privately owned water utilities, self-suppliers, or other water
216	suppliers to select a water supply development option identified
217	in the component merely because it is identified in the plan,
218	nor may the plan be used in the review of permits under part II
219	unless the plan, or applicable portion thereof, has been adopted
220	by rule. However, this subsection does not prohibit a water
221	management district from employing the data or other information
222	used to establish the plan in reviewing permits under part II,
223	nor shall itnotbe construed to limit the authority of the
224	department or governing board under part II.
225	Section 3. Subsection (3) of section 373.0831, Florida
226	Statutes, is amended, and paragraph (c) is added to subsection
227	(4) of said section, to read:
228	373.0831 Water resource development; water supply
229	development.--
230	(3) The water management districts shall fund and
231	implement water resource development as defined in s. 373.019.
232	The water management districts are encouraged to implement water
233	resource development as expeditiously as possible in areas
234	subject to regional water supply plans.Each governing board
235	shall include in its annual budget the amount needed for the
236	fiscal year to implement water resource development projects, as
237	prioritized in its regional water supply plans.
238	(4)
239	(c) If a proposed alternative water supply development
240	project is identified in the relevant approved regional water
241	supply plan, the project shall receive:
242	1. A 20-year consumptive use permit, if it otherwise meets
243	the permit requirements under ss. 373.223 and 373.236 and rules
244	adopted thereunder.
245	2. Priority funding pursuant to s. 373.1961(2) with the
246	implementation of the water resource development component of
247	the proposed project.
248	Section 4. Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section
249	373.1961, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
250	373.1961 Water production.--
251	(2) The Legislature finds that, due to a combination of
252	factors, vastly increased demands have been placed on natural
253	supplies of fresh water, and that, absent increased development
254	of alternative water supplies, such demands may increase in the
255	future. The Legislature also finds that potential exists in the
256	state for the production of significant quantities of
257	alternative water supplies, including reclaimed water, and that
258	water production includes the development of alternative water
259	supplies, including reclaimed water, for appropriate uses. It is
260	the intent of the Legislature that utilities develop reclaimed
261	water systems, where reclaimed water is the most appropriate
262	alternative water supply option, to deliver reclaimed water to
263	as many users as possible through the most cost-effective means,
264	and to construct reclaimed water system infrastructure to their
265	owned or operated properties and facilities where they have
266	reclamation capability. It is also the intent of the Legislature
267	that the water management districts which levy ad valorem taxes
268	for water management purposes should share a percentage of those
269	tax revenues with water providers and users, including local
270	governments, water, wastewater, and reuse utilities, municipal,
271	industrial, and agricultural water users, and other public and
272	private water users, to be used to supplement other funding
273	sources in the development of alternative water supplies. The
274	Legislature finds that public moneys or services provided to
275	private entities for such uses constitute public purposes which
276	are in the public interest. In order to further the development
277	and use of alternative water supply systems, including reclaimed
278	water systems, the Legislature provides the following:
279	(a) The governing boards of the water management districts
280	where water resource caution areas have been designated shall
281	include in their annual budgets an amount for the development of
282	alternative water supply systems, including reclaimed water
283	systems, pursuant to the requirements of this subsection.
284	Beginning in 1996, such amounts shall be made available to water
285	providers and users no later than December 31 of each year,
286	through grants, matching grants, revolving loans, or the use of
287	district lands or facilities pursuant to the requirements of
288	this subsection and guidelines established by the districts.
289	Without diminishing amounts available through other means
290	described in this paragraph, the governing boards are encouraged
291	to consider establishing revolving loan funds to expand the
292	total funds available to accomplish the objectives of this
293	section. A revolving loan fund created pursuant to this
294	paragraph shall be a nonlapsing fund from which the water
295	management district may make loans with interest rates below
296	prevailing market rates to public or private entities for the
297	purposes described in this section. The governing board may
298	adopt resolutions to establish revolving loan funds which shall
299	specify the details of the administration of the fund, the
300	procedures for applying for loans from the fund, the criteria
301	for awarding loans from the fund, the initial capitalization of
302	the fund, and the goals for future capitalization of the fund in
303	subsequent budget years. Revolving loan funds created pursuant
304	to this paragraph shall be used to expand the total sums and
305	sources of cooperative funding available for the development of
306	alternative water supplies. The Legislature does not intend for
307	the creation of revolving loan trust funds to supplant or
308	otherwise reduce existing sources or amounts of funds currently
309	available through other means.
310	Section 5. Paragraph (c) is added to subsection (2) of
311	section 373.250, Florida Statutes, to read:
312	373.250 Reuse of reclaimed water.--
313	(2)(a) For purposes of this section, "uncommitted" means
314	the average amount of reclaimed water produced during the three
315	lowest-flow months minus the amount of reclaimed water that a
316	reclaimed water provider is contractually obligated to provide
317	to a customer or user.
318	(b) Reclaimed water may be presumed available to a
319	consumptive use permit applicant when a utility exists which
320	provides reclaimed water, which has uncommitted reclaimed water
321	capacity, and which has distribution facilities, which are
322	initially provided by the utility at its cost, to the site of
323	the affected applicant's proposed use.
324	(c) A water management district may require the use of
325	reclaimed water in lieu of surface or groundwater when the use
326	of uncommitted reclaimed water is environmentally, economically,
327	and technically feasible. However, nothing in this paragraph
328	shall be construed to give a water management district the
329	authority to require a provider of reclaimed water to redirect
330	reclaimed water from one user to another, or to provide
331	uncommitted water to a specific user if such water is
332	anticipated to be used by the provider, or a different user
333	selected by the provider, within a reasonable amount of time.
334	Section 6. Subsection (6) of section 373.536, Florida
335	Statutes, is amended to read:
336	373.536 District budget and hearing thereon.--
337	(6) FINAL BUDGET; ANNUAL AUDIT; CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PLAN;
338	WATER RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT WORK PROGRAM.--
339	(a) Each district must, by the date specified for each
340	item, furnish copies of the following documents to the Governor,
341	the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of
342	Representatives, the chairs of all legislative committees and
343	subcommittees having substantive or fiscal jurisdiction over the
344	districts, as determined by the President of the Senate or the
345	Speaker of the House of Representatives as applicable, the
346	secretary of the department, and the governing board of each
347	county in which the district has jurisdiction or derives any
348	funds for the operations of the district:
349	1. The adopted budget, to be furnished within 10 days
350	after its adoption.
351	2. A financial audit of its accounts and records, to be
352	furnished within 10 days after its acceptance by the governing
353	board. The audit must be conducted in accordance with the
354	provisions of s. 11.45 and the rules adopted thereunder. In
355	addition to the entities named above, the district must provide
356	a copy of the audit to the Auditor General within 10 days after
357	its acceptance by the governing board.
358	3. A 5-year capital improvements plan, to be furnished
359	within 45 days after the adoption of the final budget. The plan
360	must include expected sources of revenue for planned
361	improvements and must be prepared in a manner comparable to the
362	fixed capital outlay format set forth in s. 216.043.
363	4. A 5-year water resource development work program to be
364	furnished within 45 days after the adoption of the final budget.
365	The program must describe the district's implementation strategy
366	for the water resource development component of each approved
367	regional water supply plan developed or revised under s.
368	373.0361. The work program must address all the elements of the
369	water resource development component in the district's approved
370	regional water supply plans, and must identify which projects in
371	the work program will provide water, explain how each water
372	resource development project will produce additional water
373	available for consumptive uses, estimate the quantity of water
374	to be produced by each project, and provide an assessment of the
375	contribution of the district’s regional water supply plans in
376	providing sufficient water to meet the water supply needs of
377	existing and future reasonable beneficial uses for a 1-in-10-
378	year drought event. Within 45 days after its submittal, the
379	department shall review the proposed work program and submit its
380	findings, questions, and comments to the district. The review
381	must include a written evaluation of the program's consistency
382	with the furtherance of the district's approved regional water
383	supply plans, and the adequacy of proposed expenditures. As part
384	of the review, the department shall give interested parties the
385	opportunity to provide written comments on each district's
386	proposed work program. Within 60 days after receipt of the
387	department's evaluation, the governing board shall state in
388	writing to the department which changes recommended in the
389	evaluation it will incorporate into its work program or specify
390	the reasons for not incorporating the changes. The department
391	shall include the district's responses in a final evaluation
392	report and shall submit a copy of the report to the Governor,
393	the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of
394	Representatives.
395	(b) If any entity listed in paragraph (a) provides written
396	comments to the district regarding any document furnished under
397	this subsection, the district must respond to the comments in
398	writing and furnish copies of the comments and written responses
399	to the other entities.
400	Section 7. Subsection (1) of section 378.212, Florida
401	Statutes, is amended to read:
402	378.212 Variances.--
403	(1) Upon application, the secretary may grant a variance
404	from the provisions of this part, part IV,or the rules adopted
405	pursuant thereto. Variances and renewals thereof may be granted
406	for any one of the following reasons:
407	(a) There is no practicable means known or available to
408	comply with the provisions of this part or the rules adopted
409	pursuant thereto.
410	(b) Compliance with a particular requirement or
411	requirements from which a variance is sought will necessitate
412	the taking of measures which must be spread over a considerable
413	period of time. A variance granted for this reason shall
414	prescribe a timetable for the taking of the measures required.
415	(c) To relieve or prevent hardship, including economic
416	hardship, of a kind other than those provided for in paragraphs
417	(a) and (b).
418	(d) To accommodate specific phosphate mining, processing
419	or chemical plant uses that otherwise would be inconsistent with
420	the requirements of this part.
421	(e) To provide for an experimental technique that would
422	advance the knowledge of reclamation and restoration methods.
423	(f) To accommodate projects, including those proposing
424	offsite mitigation, that provide a significant regional benefit
425	for wildlife and the environment.
426	(g) To accommodate reclamation that provides water supply
427	development or water resource development consistent with the
428	applicable regional water supply plan approved pursuant to s.
429	373.0361. A variance may be granted from the requirements of
430	this part, part IV, or part IV of chapter 373, or the rules
431	adopted pursuant thereto, when a project provides an improvement
432	in water availability in the basin and does not cause adverse
433	impacts to water resources in the basin.
434	Section 8. Subsection (9) is added to section 378.404,
435	Florida Statutes, to read:
436	378.404 Department of Environmental Protection; powers and
437	duties.--The department shall have the following powers and
438	duties:
439	(9) To grant variances from the provisions of this part to
440	accommodate reclamation that provides for water supply
441	development or water resource development, consistent with the
442	applicable regional water supply plan approved pursuant to s.
443	373.0361, appropriate stormwater management, wildlife habitat,
444	or recreation, provided regional water resources and public
445	health and safety are not adversely affected.
446	Section 9. Subsections (1) and (6) of section 403.064,
447	Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
448	403.064 Reuse of reclaimed water.--
449	(1) The encouragement and promotion of water conservation,
450	and reuse of reclaimed water, as defined by the department, are
451	state objectives and are considered to be in the public
452	interest. The Legislature finds that the reuse of reclaimed
453	water is a critical component of meeting the state's existing
454	and future water supply needs while sustaining natural systems.
455	The Legislature further finds that for those wastewater
456	treatment plants permitted and operated under an approved reuse
457	program by the department, the reclaimed water shall be
458	considered environmentally acceptable and not a threat to public
459	health and safety. The Legislature encourages the development
460	of incentive-based programs for reuse implementation.
461	(6) A reuse feasibility study prepared under subsection
462	(2) satisfies a water management district requirement to conduct
463	a reuse feasibility study imposed on a local government or
464	utility that has responsibility for wastewater management, and
465	the conclusions of the study shall be given significant
466	consideration in an analysis of the feasibility of providing
467	reclaimed water for reuse under part II of chapter 373.
468	Section 10. Paragraph (b) of subsection (3) of section
469	403.1835, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
470	403.1835 Water pollution control financial assistance.--
471	(3) The department may provide financial assistance
472	through any program authorized under s. 603 of the Federal Water
473	Pollution Control Act (Clean Water Act), Pub. L. No. 92-500, as
474	amended, including, but not limited to, making grants and loans,
475	providing loan guarantees, purchasing loan insurance or other
476	credit enhancements, and buying or refinancing local debt. This
477	financial assistance must be administered in accordance with
478	this section and applicable federal authorities. The department
479	shall administer all programs operated from funds secured
480	through the activities of the Florida Water Pollution Control
481	Financing Corporation under s. 403.1837, to fulfill the purposes
482	of this section.
483	(b) The department may make or request the corporation to
484	make loans, grants, and deposits to other entities eligible to
485	participate in the financial assistance programs authorized
486	under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, or as a result of
487	other federal action, which entities may pledge any revenue
488	available to them to repay any funds borrowed. Notwithstanding
489	s. 18.10, the department may make deposits to financial
490	institutions that earn less than the prevailing rate for United
491	States Treasury securities with corresponding maturities for the
492	purpose of enabling such financial institutions to make below-
493	market interest rate loans to entities qualified to receive
494	loans under this section and the rules of the department.
495	Section 11. Subsection (6) of section 403.1837, Florida
496	Statutes, is amended to read:
497	403.1837 Florida Water Pollution Control Financing
498	Corporation.--
499	(6) The corporation may issue and incur notes, bonds,
500	certificates of indebtedness, or other obligations or evidences
501	of indebtedness payable from and secured by amounts received
502	from payment of loans and other moneys received by the
503	corporation, including, but not limited to, amounts payable to
504	the corporation by the department under a service contract
505	entered into under subsection (5). The corporation may not issue
506	bonds in excess of an amount authorized by general law or an
507	appropriations act except to refund previously issued bonds. The
508	corporation may issue bonds in amounts not exceeding $50 million
509	in fiscal year 2000-2001, $75 million in fiscal year 2001-2002,
510	and $100 million in fiscal year 2002-2003.The proceeds of the
511	bonds may be used for the purpose of providing funds for
512	projects and activities provided for in subsection (1) or for
513	refunding bonds previously issued by the corporation. The
514	corporation may select a financing team and issue obligations
515	through competitive bidding or negotiated contracts, whichever
516	is most cost-effective. Any such indebtedness of the corporation
517	does not constitute a debt or obligation of the state or a
518	pledge of the faith and credit or taxing power of the state.
519	Section 12. The Legislature finds that, within the area
520	identified in the Lower East Coast Regional Water Supply Plan
521	approved by the South Florida Water Management District pursuant
522	to s. 373.0361, Florida Statutes, the groundwater levels can
523	benefit from augmentation. The Legislature finds that the
524	direct or indirect discharge of reclaimed water into canals and
525	the aquifer system for transport and subsequent reuse may
526	provide an environmentally acceptable means to augment water
527	supplies and enhance natural systems; however, the Legislature
528	also recognizes that there are water quality and water quantity
529	issues that must be better understood and resolved. In
530	addition, there are cost savings possible by collocating
531	enclosed conduits for conveyance of water for reuse in this area
532	within canal rights-of-way that should be investigated. Toward
533	that end, the Department of Environmental Protection, in
534	consultation with the South Florida Water Management District,
535	Southeast Florida utilities, affected local governments,
536	including local governments with principal responsibility for
537	the operation and maintenance of a water control system capable
538	of conveying reclaimed wastewater for reuse, representatives of
539	the environmental and engineering communities, public health
540	professionals, and individuals having expertise in water
541	quality, shall conduct a study to investigate the feasibility of
542	discharging reclaimed wastewater into canals and the aquifer
543	system as an environmentally acceptable means of augmenting
544	groundwater supplies, enhancing natural systems, and conveying
545	reuse water within enclosed conduits within the canal right-of-
546	way. The study shall include an assessment of the water
547	quality, water supply, public health, technical, and legal
548	implications related to the canal discharge and collocation
549	concepts. The department shall issue a preliminary written
550	report containing draft findings and recommendations for public
551	comment by November 1, 2003. The department shall provide a
552	written report on the results of its study to the Governor and
553	the relevant substantive committees of the House of
554	Representatives and the Senate by January 31, 2004. Nothing in
555	this section shall be used to alter the purpose of the
556	Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan or the implementation
557	of the Water Resources Development Act of 2000.
558	Section 13. This act shall take effect upon becoming a
559	law.