HB 31

1	A bill to be entitled
2	An act relating to springs protection; creating part IV of
3	ch. 369, F.S., entitled "Springs Protection"; providing a
4	short title; providing legislative findings and intent;
5	providing definitions; establishing the Florida Springs
6	Stewardship Task Force; providing for task force
7	membership and duties; requiring a report to the Governor
8	and Legislature; providing for assistance and cooperation
9	from state agencies and local governments; providing for
10	expiration of the task force; providing an effective date.
11
12	Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
13
14	Section 1.  Part IV of chapter 369, Florida Statutes,
15	consisting of sections 369.401, 369.402, 369.403, and 369.404,
16	is created to read:
17	Part IV
18	SPRINGS PROTECTION
19	369.401  Short title.--This part may be cited as the
20	"Florida Springs Stewardship Act."
21	369.402  Legislative findings and intent.--The Legislature
22	finds that:
23	(1)  Florida's springs are valuable resources that provide
24	recreational and tourism opportunities and are a great financial
25	benefit to local economies and that Florida's springs provide
26	critical habitat for endangered or threatened species of plants
27	and animals.
28	(2)  The flow and water quality of Florida's springs are
29	direct reflections of the aquifer systems in Florida and
30	consequently are indicators of the condition of a significant
31	portion of the state's water resources.
32	(3)  Cooperative efforts can best develop the mechanisms to
33	identify best management practices for the protection,
34	restoration, and preservation of Florida's water resources,
35	including springs.
36	(4)  The citizens of Florida desire to be good stewards of
37	the state's resources and that through educational awareness
38	programs will voluntarily implement best management practices
39	into their daily activities.
40	369.403  Definitions.--For purposes of this part, the term:
41	(1)  "Seep" means a place where the water table aquifer
42	intersects the land surface and flows onto the land.
43	(2)  "Spring" means a point where groundwater is discharged
44	onto the earth's surface, including under any surface water of
45	the state, and excluding seeps.
46	(3)  "Zone of influence" means the geographic area that
47	contributes most directly to the water quantity and quality of a
48	spring.
49	369.404  Florida Springs Stewardship Task Force.--
50	(1)  The Florida Springs Stewardship Task Force is hereby
51	created and shall consist of nine members as follows:
52	(a)  One representative from the Department of
53	Environmental Protection to be appointed by the Secretary of
54	Environmental Protection.
55	(b)  One representative from the Department of Agriculture
56	and Consumer Services to be appointed by the Commissioner of
57	Agriculture.
58	(c)  One representative from the Department of Community
59	Affairs to be appointed by the Secretary of Community Affairs.
60	(d)  One representative from the water management district
61	with the greatest number of first magnitude springs within its
62	jurisdiction to be appointed by the executive director of that
63	water management district.
64	(e)  Two members appointed by the President of the Senate,
65	one of whom shall be a representative of the development
66	community and one of whom shall be a representative of a local
67	chamber of commerce.
68	(f)  Two members appointed by the Speaker of the House of
69	Representatives, one of whom shall be a locally elected county
70	or municipal official and one of whom shall be a representative
71	of the environmental community.
72	(g)  One member appointed by the Commissioner of
73	Agriculture who shall be a representative of the agricultural
74	community.
75	(2)  Task force members shall be appointed no later than
76	August 1, 2008. Members shall choose a chair and vice chair from
77	the membership of the task force.
78	(3)  The task force shall:
79	(a)  Collect and inventory all existing data identifying
80	zones of influence for each of Florida's 33 known first
81	magnitude springs and identifying land uses in these areas.
82	(b)  Identify and compile a list of existing best
83	management practices for identified land uses and other water
84	pollutant controls.
85	(c)  Identify any and all existing and reasonably expected
86	funding sources available to implement best management practices
87	and other water pollutant controls that protect Florida's first
88	magnitude springs and propose a priority list of projects for
89	the funding.
90	(d)  Take public input and testimony regarding issues
91	related to spring protection, restoration, and preservation.
92	(e)  Propose a program of increased emphasis on education
93	and outreach that encourages the implementation of best
94	management practices for agricultural and nonagricultural land
95	uses and other water pollutant controls, including specific
96	provisions for cost-share assistance with the implementation of
97	best management practices as well as recognition of agricultural
98	and nonagricultural landowners who participate in the best
99	management practices program.
100	(4)  The task force shall submit a report summarizing the
101	data collected, public input and testimony, and the findings and
102	proposals of the task force to the President of the Senate and
103	the Speaker of the House of Representatives no later than
104	January 31, 2009.
105	(5)  All state agencies are directed, and all other
106	agencies and local governments are requested, to render
107	assistance to and cooperate with the task force.
108	(6)  The task force shall expire on January 31, 2009.
109	Section 2.  This act shall take effect July 1, 2008.

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