CS/CS/CS/SB 550 (Constantine) is a comprehensive bill addressing a variety of water quality and water quantity issues. CS/CS/CS/SB 550 includes a non-substantive restructuring of Chapter 373, Florida Statutes to create a new Part VII relating to water supply policy, planning, production and funding. CS/CS/CS/SB 550 also partially repeals language passed during the 2009 Session regarding a water management district governing board’s power to delegate authority.

Specifically, the bill revises language allowing water management district governing boards to delegate permit authority for environmental resource permits but not for consumptive use permits. The bill also clarifies that water management district board members are prohibited from intervening during staff’s review of any application. The consumptive use permit review period is extended from 5 years to 10 years. The bill includes language supported by the League that requires wastewater utilities, reuse utilities and the DEP to coordinate and cooperate with regard to water reuse planning.

The bill provides legislative findings regarding numeric nutrient criteria. Specifically it declares that Florida’s existing Total Maximum Daily Load Program (TMDL) is the appropriate mechanism for dealing with nutrients in Florida’s water bodies and that the federal numeric nutrient criteria will impose severe economic consequences on Florida. The bill requires every septic system to be inspected once every 5 years and creates a grant program to assist low income persons repair or replace faulty septic systems.

The bill encourages public-private partnerships in order to promote water resource development, flood control and land conservation. The bill provides for expedited permitting of certain renewable energy projects. It clarifies an existing prohibition on damaging or obstructing public drainage canals. The bill includes tax credits for Brownfield redevelopment activities. It authorizes the Florida Water Pollution Control Financing Corporation to access Drinking Water Revolving Trust Fund for water projects. (Dudley)