HB 1045

1	House Resolution
2	A resolution recognizing March 31, 2004, as "Local Water
3	Sources First Day," supporting the continued inclusion of
4	the local water sources first policy in chapter 373,
5	Florida Statutes, and opposing any amendment to the
6	state's water resource policy which allows, encourages, or
7	promotes water transfers.
8
9	WHEREAS, Florida's water resources are a natural resource
10	and not a commodity to be sold or transferred to the highest
11	bidder, and
12	WHEREAS, the Florida House of Representatives supports the
13	local water sources first policy currently in state law, and
14	WHEREAS, the Florida House of Representatives recognizes
15	that the continued retention of the local water sources first
16	policy is integral to protecting the state's water resources,
17	advancing long-term sustainable water resource development and
18	supply systems, and preserving the rights and opportunities of
19	local residents to secure and sustain their future prosperity
20	and quality of life through the use and enjoyment of local water
21	resources, and
22	WHEREAS, the Florida House of Representatives supports the
23	fundamental principles of the Florida Water Resources Act of
24	1972 which require that a proposed use of water be reasonable
25	and beneficial, not interfere with an existing legal use of
26	water, and be consistent with the public interest, and
27	WHEREAS, the Florida House of Representatives opposes
28	legislation that shifts water supply allocation from a publicly
29	regulated process to a market-driven process, and
30	WHEREAS, the Florida House of Representatives opposes
31	legislation that undermines a fundamental principle of water
32	resources law which establishes a right of use rather than a
33	right of ownership, and
34	WHEREAS, the Florida House of Representatives recently
35	learned that the Florida Council of 100 intends to request a
36	repeal or modification of chapter 373, Florida Statutes, to
37	eliminate provisions that establish a policy for using local
38	water sources first, and
39	WHEREAS, the Florida House of Representatives wishes to go
40	on record that such a proposal is ill-considered and will put
41	the state's surface waters and aquifers at risk of irreparable
42	harm for irresponsible short-term gain by limited special
43	interest groups, and
44	WHEREAS, the Florida House of Representatives believes that
45	any discussion of regional water transfer, before using local
46	water sources or alternatives, is premature until minimum flows
47	and levels have been established for all of the state's water
48	resources, NOW, THEREFORE,
49
50	Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of
51	Florida:
52
53	That the Florida House of Representatives recognizes March
54	31, 2004, as "Local Water Sources First Day," opposes any
55	modification to chapter 373, Florida Statutes, as it relates to
56	the current local water sources first policy, and encourages its
57	legislative colleagues and the Governor to oppose a change in
58	this policy.

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.