FL H1073

Establishes a 15-member Water Oversight and Planning Board to address statewide water supply planning, water quality, flood protection, and natural systems restoration.

Board membership includes 2 Governor-appointed members, representatives from 5 state agencies/organizations (Department of Agriculture, Department of Environmental Protection, Sierra Club Florida, Florida Home Builders Association, Florida Chamber of Commerce, Associated Industries of Florida), 1 House member, 1 Senate member, and 1 representative from each of the 5 water management districts.

Board members serve 4-year terms without compensation but receive reimbursement for per diem and travel expenses; Department of Environmental Protection provides staff support; board must meet at least quarterly in different state locations.

Board shall develop 5-year, 10-year, and 20-year water forecasting plans; inventory potable water sources; investigate water conservation techniques and education; review alternative water projects; assess underground activity impacts on aquifers; and develop recommendations for beach management, Everglades restoration, and wetland protection.

Board submits annual long-range plans by September 1 to the Department of Environmental Protection and water management districts, which must amend their regional water supply plans if projects differ; board submits biennial findings and recommendations to Legislature beginning September 1, 2016.