Florida Senate - 2010                                     SB 568
       
       
       
       By Senator Constantine
       
       
       
       
       22-00583-10                                            2010568__
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to the protection of springs; creating
    3         part IV of ch. 369, F.S.; providing a short title;
    4         providing legislative findings and intent with respect
    5         to the need to protect and restore springs and ground
    6         water; providing an effective date.
    7  
    8  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
    9  
   10         Section 1. Part IV of chapter 369, Florida Statutes,
   11  consisting of sections 369.401 and 369.402, is created to read:
   12         369.401 Short title.—This part may be cited as the “Florida
   13  Springs Protection Act.”
   14         369.402 Legislative findings and intent.—The Legislature
   15  finds that:
   16         (1) Florida’s springs are a precious and fragile natural
   17  resource that must be protected. Springs provide recreational
   18  opportunities for swimmers, canoeists, wildlife watchers, cave
   19  divers, and others. Because of the recreational opportunities
   20  and accompanying tourism, many of the state’s springs greatly
   21  benefit state and local economies. In addition, springs provide
   22  critical habitat for plants and animals, including many
   23  endangered or threatened species, and serve as indicators of
   24  groundwater and surface water quality.
   25         (2) In general, Florida’s springs, whether found in urban
   26  or rural settings, or on public or private lands, are threatened
   27  by actual, or potential, flow reductions and declining water
   28  quality. Many of Florida’s springs show signs of ecological
   29  imbalance, increased nutrient loading, and lowered water flow.
   30  The groundwater sources of spring discharges are recharged by
   31  seepage from the surface and through direct conduits such as
   32  sinkholes and can be adversely affected by polluted runoff from
   33  urban and agricultural lands and discharges resulting from poor
   34  wastewater management practices.
   35         (3) Springs and ground water can be restored through good
   36  stewardship, including effective planning strategies, best
   37  management practices, and appropriate regulatory programs that
   38  preserve and protect the springs and their springsheds.
   39         Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2010.