HB 1107 Summary

• Declares state policy to encourage robust water quality credit trading programs that can achieve environmental benefits at reduced costs through public-private partnerships.

• Establishes water quality credit trading pilot programs limited to four basins: Lower St. Johns River Basin, Caloosahatchee Basin, St. Lucie Basin, and Lake Okeechobee Basin.

• Requires South Florida Water Management District to coordinate with Department of Environmental Protection to develop water quality enhancement projects and trading programs in the three South Florida basins.

• Allows sources achieving greater pollutant reductions than required to generate and trade water quality credits to other sources, while maintaining compliance with technology requirements and best management practices.

• Requires the department to amend rules under chapter 62-306, Florida Administrative Code, and submit a report to the Governor and Legislature within 24 months of Lower St. Johns River Basin plan adoption evaluating pilot program effectiveness and recommending expansion to other areas.

• Becomes effective July 1, 2012.