FL S7062

Ratifies Florida Administrative Code rules 62-41.300 through 62-41.305 relating to the Central Florida Water Initiative Area as required by statute.

Requires the Department of Environmental Protection to adopt uniform rules for the Central Florida Water Initiative Area including a drought allocation for agricultural supplemental irrigation based on 2-in-10-year or 5-in-10-year rainfall conditions.

Establishes an annual process for water management districts to examine agricultural users' supplemental irrigation water use against their actual needs, allowing permit modifications if 5-year moving average use exceeds drought-based needs for reasons other than below-average rainfall.

Creates a Central Florida Water Initiative grant program within the Department of Environmental Protection to fund projects promoting alternative water supplies and groundwater protection, with priority given to reclaimed water, surface water storage, groundwater recharge, and conservation initiatives.

Adds projects implementing water supply plans that reduce reliance on the Floridan Aquifer to the priority system for drinking water state revolving loans.