December 24, 2007

ISSUE 1198

DISTRICTS GIVE FINAL APPROVAL TO CENTRAL FLORIDA COORDINATION AREA RULES

At their respective December Governing Board meetings, the St. Johns River Water Management District, the South Florida Water Management District, and the Southwest Florida Water Management District each gave final approval to new water use rules for the designated Central Florida Coordination Area (CFCA).

The CFCA rules will require water use applicants in the identified region who apply for long-term permits with quantities that increase beyond their demonstrated 2013 demand to provide those additional quantities through the development of alternative water supplies.

While these rules target public supply utilities, other water user groups will be affected if they propose long-term permits with quantity increases that will occur after 2013.

FFVA believes the net affect of the rules will be positive for agriculture as the demand for groundwater is reduced.