FL S0882

Water management district governing boards must develop a list of critical wetlands for acquisition using Land Acquisition Trust Fund, in cooperation with local governments.

Governing boards shall consider ecological value, water quality and flood mitigation effects, ecosystem restoration value, and susceptibility to development when designating wetlands for the list.

Property owners must be notified before their wetlands are included on the critical wetlands list and may request removal by certified mail; the governing board must approve removal requests that meet requirements at its next regularly scheduled meeting.

Strategic plans may now include a critical wetlands acquisition list as an addendum, in addition to existing requirements for 5-year priorities, goals, strategies, funding sources, and annual work plan reports.

Effective date is July 1, 2022.