Florida Senate - 2020                                     SB 384
       
       
        
       By Senator Baxley
       
       
       
       
       
       12-00668-20                                            2020384__
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to the Harris Chain of Lakes;
    3         repealing s. 373.467, F.S., relating to the Harris
    4         Chain of Lakes Restoration Council; amending s.
    5         373.468, F.S.; conforming provisions to changes made
    6         by the act; providing an effective date.
    7          
    8  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
    9  
   10         Section 1. Section 373.467, Florida Statutes, is repealed.
   11         Section 2. Subsections (1) and (2) of section 373.468,
   12  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
   13         373.468 The Harris Chain of Lakes restoration program.—
   14         (1) The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the
   15  St. Johns River Water Management District, in conjunction with
   16  the Department of Environmental Protection and, pertinent local
   17  governments, and the Harris Chain of Lakes Restoration Council,
   18  shall review existing restoration proposals to determine which
   19  ones are the most environmentally sound and economically
   20  feasible methods of improving the fish and wildlife habitat and
   21  natural systems of the Harris Chain of Lakes.
   22         (2) To initiate the Harris Chain of Lakes restoration
   23  program recommended by the Harris Chain of Lakes Restoration
   24  Council, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, with
   25  assistance from the St. Johns River Water Management District
   26  and in consultation and by agreement with the Department of
   27  Environmental Protection and pertinent local governments, shall
   28  develop tasks to be undertaken by those entities for the
   29  enhancement of fish and wildlife habitat. These agencies shall:
   30         (a) evaluate different methodologies for removing the
   31  extensive tussocks and buildup of organic matter along the
   32  shoreline and of the aquatic vegetation in the lake.
   33         (b) Conduct any additional studies as recommended by the
   34  Harris Chain of Lakes Restoration Council.
   35         Section 3. This act shall take effect July 1, 2020.