HB 31

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