FL H0095

Authorizes the South Florida Water Management District to negotiate for acquisition of any portion of the C-51 reservoir project site not already committed to utilities, and to enter into public-private partnerships for Phase II

Requires the district to operate the reservoir to maximize reduction of high-volume Lake Okeechobee regulatory releases to the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee estuaries, in addition to reducing harmful discharges to Lake Worth Lagoon

Mandates that water made available by the reservoir project must be used for natural systems, in addition to any permitted amounts for water supply

Adds direct appropriation as a funding option for Phase II, alongside the water storage facility revolving loan fund, CERP project component funding, and Florida Forever Trust Fund

Effective date: July 1, 2019