Urge your Representative to vote NO
HB 7003 Water Resources by Rep. Caldwell will go to the floor for second reading the afternoon of Wednesday, March 4. It will probably get its final vote on Thursday in the 2 pm House session.
Please call your Representative before 3:30 in the afternoon Wednesday to urge a NO vote on the bill. This wide ranging bill was given only two committee meetings and no amendments are being accepted. Legislator contact information is below - Phone calls are best, but if you send an email to your Representative be sure to let them know you are a constituent - put your address or zip code in your email.
Areas of concern in the bill:
- Minimum Flows and Levels should be set at the point where further reductions in water flow or water level begins to harm the water resource or its surrounding ecology.
- The efficacy of Best Management Practices (BMPs) to achieve water quality standards must be verified; inadequate BMPs must be updated, and DEP, WMD, and local buffer zones or setbacks should be increased where necessary.
- Water conservation should be the first strategy for water supply and prevention should be the first strategy for water quality
- DEP and WMDs should remain responsible for water quality and water supply
- Allows continued pollution from sewage sludge, new septic systems, wastewater treatment facilities, and animal feedlots in springhseds of Priority Florida Springs
- Weakens and delays cleanup of Lake Okeechobee and the Caloosahatchee watershed by setting aside the Works of the District Rule in favor of a weaker and ineffective BMAP.
Minimum Flows and Levels (MFLs).
MFLs should be set at the level at which further reduction in either the flow (of a moving body of water like a spring or river) or the level (such as a lake or groundwater) would be harmful to the water resource and the ecology of the area. The current “significantly harmful” standard ensures that the MFL will always be set somewhere in harmful territory. Legal users (holders of consumptive use permits (CUPs)) are protected from negative consequences and natural systems should be as well.
Same old same old
Polluters in Florida have learned how to divert or delay best management practices (BMPs), Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs), and Basin Management Action Plans (BMAPS) and HB 7003 leaves these tools vulnerable to their tricks. As a result we still have thousands of impaired water body segments!
BMPs must be targeted to meet specific water quality standards. Their efficacy must be monitored and verified and, if inadequate, upgraded. Surface water bodies, groundwater, and sensitive areas should be protected by appropriate buffer zones and setbacks that are developed and strictly enforced by DEP, water management districts, and local governments. Similarly, there have to be solid and meaningful deadlines for meeting water quality standards.
Failure to protect and restore Florida’s waters can only damage our tourism and water-based recreational and commercial industries. No one visits Florida because of our roads.
Water Conservation
Water conservation should be the first strategy employed with respect to water supply. HB 7003 hardly mentions conservation at all, even though it is the lowest hanging fruit. There should be incentives for low flow fixtures (faucets and toilets) that would have a long term impact on the amount of water used in the state. Consumptive Use Permits should include a requirement for a water conservation plan that will be followed by the permitee, and a fee should be charged for all withdrawn water (with a reduction in cost for permitees who further reduce their use voluntarily to incentivize conservation.)
HB 7003 looks at water supply as a matter of responding to all demands for water as an inescapable mandate to develop more water supply, regardless of the cost to taxpayers. Consumptive use permit applicants should be required to tailor their requests for water to what is available, or to obtain their water from alternative sources.
Similarly, prevention is the best cure for water quality. Keep pollutants out of the water to begin with to safeguard health, save tax dollars, and maintain a welcoming business climate.
DEP and WMDs should retain authority over water quality and water quantity
There is an inherent conflict of interest between DACS promoting agriculture and being responsible for ensuring water quality. This conflict is shown explicitly in this quote from the HB 7003 Committee Substitute 1
on lines 2190-2194:
373.809 Agricultural best management practices for springs protection.—
(1) Best management practices for agricultural discharges shall reflect a balance between water quality improvements in Priority Florida Springs and agricultural productivity.
BMPs should be designed to protect and restore water quality in Priority Florida Springs first and foremost.
The primary responsibility for water quality protection and supply should lie with DEP and the WMDs. They should be required to enforce the laws and regulations on the books and funded sufficiently to do it effectively.
THANK YOU FOR HELPING TO PRESERVE AND RESTORE FLORIDA'S WATERS. WE'LL CONTINUE TO WORK TO IMPROVE THE RESULT OF ANY COMPROMISE BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND SENATE.
Contact your Representative by consulting the chart below, or find them here:
Florida House of Representatives - 2015
HD 11 Rep. Janet Adkins 850-717-5011 janet.adkins@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 66 Rep. Larry Ahern 850-717-5066 larry.ahern@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 56 Rep. Ben Albritton 850-717-5056 ben.albritton@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 46 Rep. Bruce Antone 850-717-5046 bruce.antone@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 118 Rep. Frank Artiles 850-717-5118 frank.artiles@myfloridahouse.gov
HD111 Rep. Bryan Avila 850-717-5111 bryan.avila@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 23 Rep. Dennis Baxley 850-717-5023 dennis.baxley@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 90 Rep. Lori Berman 850-717-5090 lori.berman@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 7 Rep. Halsey Beshears 850-717-5007 halsey.beshears@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 115 Rep. Michael Bileca 850-717-5115 michael.bileca@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 71 Rep. Jim Boyd 850-717-5071 jim.boyd@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 45 Rep. Randolph Bracy 850-717-5045 randolph.bracy@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 28 Rep. Jason Brodeur 850-717-5028 jason.brodeur@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 3 Rep. Doug Broxson 850-717-5003 doug.broxson@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 38 Rep. Danny Burgess 850-717-5038 danny.burgess@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 40 Rep. Colleen Burton 850-717-5040 colleen.burton@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 79 Rep. Matt Caldwell 850-717-5079 matt.caldwell@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 108 Rep. Daphne Campbell 850-717-5108 daphne.campbell@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 92 Rep. Gwyndolen Clarke-Reed 850-717-5092 gwyn.clarke-reed@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 39 Rep. Neil Combee 850-717-5039 neil.combee@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 37 Rep. Richard Corcoran 850-717-5037 richard.corcoran@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 43 Rep. John Cortes 850-717-5043 john.cortes@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 30 Rep. Robert Cortes 850-717-5030 bob.cortes@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 25 Rep. Fred Costello 850-717-5025 fred.costello@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 51 Rep. Steve Crisafulli 850-717-5051 steve.crisafulli@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 62 Rep. Janet Cruz 850-717-5062 janet.cruz@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 18 Rep. Travis Cummings 850-717-5018 travis.cummings@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 116 Rep. José Diaz 850-717-5116 jose.diaz@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 103 Rep. Manny Diaz 850-717-5103 manny.diaz@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 5 Rep. Brad Drake 850-717-5005 brad.drake@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 94 Rep. Bobby DuBose 850-717-5094 bobby.dubose@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 68 Rep. Dwight Dudley 850-717-5068 dwight.dudley@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 77 Rep. Dane Eagle 850-717-5077 dane.eagle@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 98 Rep. Katie Edwards 850-717-5098 katie.edwards@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 44 Rep. Eric Eisnaugle 850-717-5044 eric.eisnaugle@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 15 Rep. Jay Fant 850-717-5015 jay.fant@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 78 Rep. Heather Fitzenhagen 850-717-5078 heather.fitzenhagen@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 114 Rep. Erik Fresen 850-717-5114 erik.fresen@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 4 Rep. Matt Gaetz 850-717-5004 matt.gaetz@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 100 Rep. Joseph Geller 850-717-5100 joe.geller@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 74 Rep. Julio Gonzalez 850-717-5074 julio.gonzalez@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 50 Rep. Tom Goodson 850-717-5050 tom.goodson@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 89 Rep. Bill Hager 850-717-5089 bill.hager@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 83 Rep. Gayle Harrell 850-717-5083 gayle.harrell@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 63 Rep. Shawn Harrison 850-717-5063 shawn.harrison@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 2 Rep. Walter Bryan 'Mike' Hill 850-717-5002 mike.hill@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 80 Rep. Matt Hudson 850-717-5080 matt.hudson@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 24 Rep. Travis Hutson 850-717-5024 travis.hutson@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 35 Rep. Blaise Ingoglia 850-717-5035 blaise.ingoglia@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 1 Rep. Clay Ingram 850-717-5001 clay.ingram@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 96 Rep. Kristin Jacobs 850-717-5096 kristin.jacobs@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 99 Rep. Evan Jenne 850-717-5099 evan.jenne@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 14 Rep. Mia Jones 850-717-5014 mia.jones@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 101 Rep. Shevrin D. 'Shev' Jones 850-717-5101 shevrin.jones@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 87 Rep. Dave Kerner 850-717-5087 dave.kerner@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 42 Rep. Mike La Rosa 850-717-5042 mike.larosa@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 67 Rep. Chris Latvala 850-717-5067 chris.latvala@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 84 Rep. Larry Lee 850-717-5084 larry.lee@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 82 Rep. MaryLynn Magar 850-717-5082 marylynn.magar@myflorida.gov
HD 54 Rep. Debbie Mayfield 850-717-5054 debbie.mayfield@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 16 Rep. Charles McBurney 850-717-5016 charles.mcburney@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 117 Rep. Kionne McGhee 850-717-5117 kionne.mcghee@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 32 Rep. Larry Metz 850-717-5032 larry.metz@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 47 Rep. Mike Miller 850-717-5047 mike.miller@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 93 Rep. George Moraitis 850-717-5093 george.moraitis@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 97 Rep. Jared Evan Moskowitz 850-717-5097 jared.moskowitz@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 36 Rep. Amanda Murphy 850-717-5036 amanda.murphy@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 61 Rep. Edwin Narain 850-717-5061 edwin.narain@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 119 Rep. Jeanette Nuñez 850-717-5119 jeanette.nunez@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 110 Rep. José R. Oliva 850-717-5110 jose.oliva@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 33 Rep. Marlene O'Toole 850-717-5033 marlene.otoole@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 86 Rep. Mark Pafford 850-717-5086 mark.pafford@myfloridahouse.gov
HD106 Rep. Kathleen Passidomo 850-717-5106 kathleen.passidomo@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 21 Rep. W. Keith Perry 850-717-5021 keith.perry@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 69 Rep. Kathleen M. Peters 850-717-5069 kathleen.peters@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 55 Rep. Cary Pigman 850-717-5055 cary.pigman@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 72 Rep. Ray Pilon 850-717-5072 ray.pilon@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 29 Rep. Scott Plakon 850-717-5029 scott.plakon@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 49 Rep. Rene Plasencia 850-717-5049 rene.plasencia@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 10 Rep. Elizabeth Porter 850-717-5010 elizabeth.porter@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 88 Rep. Bobby Powell 850-717-5088 bobby.powell@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 102 Rep. Sharon Pritchett 850-717-5102 sharon.pritchett@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 57 Rep. Jake Raburn 850-717-5057 jake.raburn@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 81 Rep. Kevin Rader 850-717-5081 kevin.rader@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 120 Rep. Holly Raschein 850-717-5120 holly.raschein@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 58 Rep. Daniel Raulerson 850-717-5058 dan.raulerson@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 12 Rep. Lake Ray 850-717-5012 lake.ray@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 9 Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda 850-717-5009 michelle.rehwinkel@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 17 Rep. Ronald Renuart 850-717-5017 ronald.renuart@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 113 Rep. David Richardson 850-717-5113 david.richardson@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 75 Rep. Ken Roberson 850-717-5075 ken.roberson@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 76 Rep. Ray Rodrigues 850-717-5076 ray.rodrigues@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 112 Rep. José Rodríguez 850-717-5112 jose.rodriguez@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 95 Rep. Hazelle Rogers 850-717-5095 hazelle.rogers@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 85 Rep. Patrick Rooney 850-717-5085 pat.rooney@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 70 Rep. Darryl Rouson 850-717-5070 darryl.rouson@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 27 Rep. David Santiago 850-717-5027 david.santiago@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 91 Rep. Irving Slosberg 850-717-5091 irving.slosberg@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 34 Rep. Jimmie Smith 850-717-5034 jimmie.smith@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 59 Rep. Ross Spano 850-717-5059 ross.spano@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 65 Rep. Chris Sprowls 850-717-5065 chris.sprowls@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 109 Rep. Cynthia Stafford 850-717-5109 cynthia.stafford@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 104 Rep. Richard Stark 850-717-5104 richard.stark@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 73 Rep. Greg Steube 850-717-5073 greg.steube@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 22 Rep. Charlie Stone 850-717-5022 charlie.stone@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 31 Rep. Jennifer Sullivan 850-717-5031 jennifer.sullivan@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 26 Rep. Dwayne Taylor 850-717-5026 dwayne.taylor@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 53 Rep. John Tobia 850-717-5053 john.tobia@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 48 Rep. Victor Torres 850-717-5048 victor.torres@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 105 Rep. Carlos Trujillo 850-717-5105 carlos.trujillo@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 6 Rep. Jay Trumbull 850-717-5006 jay.trumbull@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 19 Rep. Charles Van Zant 850-717-5019 charles.vanzant@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 107 Rep. Barbara Watson 850-717-5107 barbara.watson@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 20 Rep. Clovis Watson 850-717-5020 clovis.watson@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 8 Rep. Alan Williams 850-717-5008 alan.williams@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 41 Rep. John Wood 850-717-5041 john.wood@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 52 Rep. Ritch Workman 850-717-5052 ritch.workman@myfloridahouse.gov
HD 60 Rep. Dana Young 850-717-5060 dana.young@myfloridahouse.gov
