CS/HB 7003 - Water Resources Summary

• Revises definition of "water resource development" to include self-suppliers and expands technical assistance available to them from water management districts.

• Requires Department of Environmental Protection and water management districts to implement recovery or prevention strategies concurrent with adoption of minimum flows and levels for water bodies.

• Creates Central Florida Water Initiative requiring an interagency agreement among DEP, three water management districts, and Department of Agriculture to develop a unified multi-district regional water supply plan for Central Florida by December 31, 2015.

• Establishes Part VIII of Chapter 373 creating the Florida Springs and Aquifer Act to protect Priority Florida Springs through recovery strategies, water quality assessments, total maximum daily loads, and basin management action plans by December 1, 2018.

• Requires agricultural operators within basin management action plan areas encompassing Priority Florida Springs to implement best management practices or conduct water quality monitoring, with notification deadlines of December 31, 2015 or within 180 days of plan establishment.

• Takes effect July 1, 2015.