CONSERVATION

F.S. Ch. 369
in effect

F.S. 369.20 Florida Aquatic Weed Control Act.

(1) This act shall be known as the “Florida Aquatic Weed Control Act.” (2) The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission shall direct the control, eradication, and regulation of noxious aquatic weeds and direct the research and planning related to these activities, as provided in this section, so as to protect human health, safety, and recreation and, to the greatest degree practicable, prevent injury to plant and animal life and property. (3) It shall be the duty of the commission to guide and coordinate the activities of all public bodies, authorities, agencies, and special districts charged with the control or eradication of aquatic weeds and plants. It may delegate all or part of such functions to any appropriate state agency, special district, unit of local or county government, commission, authority, or other public body. (4) The commission shall also promote, develop, and support research activities directed toward the more effective and efficient control of aquatic plants. In the furtherance of this purpose, the commission may: (a) Accept donations and grants of funds and services from both public and private sources; (b) Contract or enter into agreements with public or private agencies or corporations for research and development of aquatic plant control methods or for the performance of aquatic plant control activities. The commission may enter into an agreement with the Department of Environmental Protection to ensure that pesticides applied to the waters of the state are regulated uniformly, including provisions for the coordination of agency staff and resources, through the implementation of permitting, compliance, and enforcement activities under ss. 403.088 and 403.0885; (c) Construct, acquire, operate, and maintain facilities and equipment; and (d) Enter upon, or authorize the entry upon, private property for purposes of making surveys and examinations and to engage in aquatic plant control activities; and such entry shall not be deemed a trespass. (5) The commission may disburse funds to any special district or other local authority charged with the responsibility of controlling or eradicating aquatic plants, upon: (a) Approval by the commission of the control techniques to be used by the district or authority; and (b) Review and approval of the program of the district or authority by the commission. (6) The commission shall adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement provisions of this section conferring powers or duties upon it and perform any other acts necessary for the proper administration, enforcement, or interpretation of this section, including creating general permits and exemptions and adopting rules and forms governing reports. (7) No person or public agency shall control, eradicate, remove, or otherwise alter any aquatic weeds or plants in waters of the state unless a permit for such activity has been issued by the commission unless the activity or waters are expressly exempted by commission rule. The commission shall develop standards by rule which shall address, at a minimum, chemical, biological, and mechanical control activities; an evaluation of the benefits of such activities to the public; specific criteria recognizing the differences between natural and artificially created waters; and the different amount and quality of littoral vegetation on various waters. Applications for a permit to engage in aquatic plant control activities, including applications to engage in control activities on sovereign submerged lands, shall be made to the commission. In reviewing such applications, the commission shall consider the criteria set forth in subsection (2) and, in accordance with applicable rules, take final agency action on permit applications for the use of aquatic plant control activities on sovereign submerged lands. (8) As an exemption to all permitting requirements in this section and ss. 369.22 and 369.25, in all freshwater bodies, except aquatic preserves designated under chapter 258 and Outstanding Florida Waters designated under chapter 403, a riparian owner may physically or mechanically remove herbaceous aquatic plants and semiwoody herbaceous plants, such as shrub species and willow, within an area delimited by up to 50 percent of the property owner’s frontage or 50 feet, whichever is less, and by a sufficient length waterward from, and perpendicular to, the riparian owner’s shoreline to create a corridor to allow access for a boat or swimmer to reach open water. All unvegetated areas shall be cumulatively considered when determining the width of the exempt corridor. Physical or mechanical removal does not include the use of any chemicals or any activity that requires a permit pursuant to part IV of chapter 373. (9) The application of herbicides to waters of the state for the control of aquatic plants, algae, or invasive exotic plants is exempt from the requirement to obtain a water pollution operation permit except as provided in ss. 403.088 and 403.0885. (10) Notwithstanding s. 369.25, the commission may collect aquatic plants to be used for habitat enhancement, research, education, and for other purposes as necessary to implement the provisions of this section. (11) The commission may quarantine or confiscate noxious aquatic plant material incidentally adhering to a boat or boat trailer. (12) The commission may conduct a public information program, including, but not limited to, erection of road signs, in order to inform the public and interested parties of this section and its associated rules and of the dangers of noxious aquatic plant introductions. (13) The commission has the power to enforce this section in the same manner and to the same extent as provided in ss. 379.501-379.504. (14) Activities that are exempt from permitting pursuant to s. 403.813(1)(r) are granted a mixing zone for turbidity for a distance not to exceed 150 meters downstream in flowing streams or 150 meters in radius in other water bodies as measured from the cutterhead, return flow discharge, or other points of generation of turbidity.

F.S. 369.22 Aquatic plant management.

(1) This section shall be known as the “Florida Aquatic Plant Management Act.” (2) For the purpose of this section, the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings: (a) “Commission” means the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. (b) “Aquatic plant” is any plant growing in, or closely associated with, the aquatic environment and includes “floating,” “emersed,” “submersed,” and “ditch bank” species. (c) A “maintenance program” is a method for the management of aquatic plants in which control techniques are utilized in a coordinated manner as determined by the commission. (d) An “eradication program” is a method for the management of aquatic plants in which control techniques are utilized in a coordinated manner in an attempt to kill all the aquatic plants on a permanent basis in a given geographical area. (e) A “complaint spray program” is a method for the management of aquatic plants in which weeds are allowed to grow unhindered to a given level of undesirability, at which point eradication techniques are applied in an effort to restore the area in question to a relatively low level of infestation. (f) “Waters” means rivers, streams, lakes, navigable waters and associated tributaries, canals, meandered lakes, enclosed water systems, and any other bodies of water. (g) “Districts” means the six water management districts created by law and named, respectively, the Northwest Florida Water Management District, the Suwannee River Water Management District, the St. Johns River Water Management District, the Southwest Florida Water Management District, the Central and Southern Florida Flood Control District, and the Ridge and Lower Gulf Coast Water Management District; and on July 1, 1975, shall mean the five water management districts created by chapter 73-190, Laws of Florida, and named, respectively, the Northwest Florida Water Management District, the Suwannee River Water Management District, the St. Johns River Water Management District, the Southwest Florida Water Management District, and the South Florida Water Management District. (3) The Legislature recognizes that the uncontrolled growth of aquatic plants in the waters of Florida poses a variety of environmental, health, safety, and economic problems. The Legislature acknowledges the responsibility of the state to cope with the uncontrolled and seemingly never-ending growth of aquatic plants in the waters throughout Florida. It is, therefore, the intent of the Legislature that the state policy for the management of aquatic plants in waters of state responsibility be carried out under the general supervision and control of the commission. It is the intent of the Legislature that the management of aquatic plants be carried out primarily by means of maintenance programs, rather than eradication or complaint spray programs, for the purpose of achieving more effective management at a lower long-range cost. It is also the intent of the Legislature that the commission guide, review, approve, and coordinate all aquatic plant management programs within each of the water management districts as defined in paragraph (2)(g). It is the intent of the Legislature to account for the costs of aquatic plant management programs by watershed for comparison purposes. (4) The commission shall supervise and direct all management programs for aquatic plants, as provided in this section, so as to protect human health, safety, and recreation and, to the greatest degree practicable, prevent injury to plant, fish, and animal life and to property. (5) When state funds are involved, or when waters of state responsibility are involved, it is the duty of the commission to guide, review, approve, and coordinate the activities of all public bodies, authorities, state agencies, units of local or county government, commissions, districts, and special districts engaged in operations to manage or eradicate aquatic plants. The commission may delegate all or part of such functions to any appropriate state agency, special district, unit of local or county government, commission, authority, or other public body. However, special attention shall be given to the keeping of accounting and cost data in order to prepare the annual fiscal report required in subsection (7). (6) The commission may disburse funds to any district, special district, or other local authority for the purpose of operating a program for managing aquatic plants in the waters of state responsibility upon: (a) Approval by the commission of the management techniques to be used by the district or authority; and (b) Review and approval of the program of the district or authority by the commission. (7) The commission shall prepare an annual report on the status of the aquatic plant management program which shall be posted on the commission’s Internet website. (8) The commission shall have the authority to cooperate with the United States and to enter into such cooperative agreements or commitments as the commission may determine necessary to carry out the control or eradication of water hyacinths, alligator weed, and other noxious aquatic plant growths from the waters of the state and to enter into contracts with the United States obligating the state to indemnify and save harmless the United States from any and all claims and liability arising out of the initiation and prosecution of any project undertaken under this section. However, any claim or claims required to be paid under this section shall be paid from money appropriated to the aquatic plant management program. (9) The commission may delegate various aquatic plant management functions to any appropriate state agency, special district, unit of local or county government, commission, authority, or other public body. The recipient of such delegation shall, in accepting commitments to engage in aquatic plant management activities, be subject to the rules of the commission. In addition, the recipient shall render technical and other assistance to the commission in order to carry out most effectively the purposes of s. 369.20. (10) The commission is directed to use biological agents for the management of aquatic plants when determined to be appropriate by the commission. (11) The commission shall adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement the provisions of this section conferring powers or duties upon it and perform any other acts necessary for the proper administration, enforcement, or interpretation of this section, including adopting rules and forms governing reports. (12) No person or public agency shall control, eradicate, remove, or otherwise alter any aquatic plants in waters of the state unless a permit for such activity has been issued by the commission, or unless the activity or waters are expressly exempted by commission rule. The commission shall develop standards by rule which shall address, at a minimum, chemical, biological, and mechanical control activities; an evaluation of the benefits of such activities to the public; specific criteria recognizing the differences between natural and artificially created waters; and the different amount and quality of littoral vegetation on various waters. Applications for a permit to engage in aquatic plant management activities, including applications to engage in management activities on sovereign submerged lands, shall be made to the commission. In reviewing such applications, the commission shall consider the criteria set forth in subsection (4) and, in accordance with applicable rules, shall take final agency action on permit applications for the use of aquatic plant activities on sovereign submerged lands. (13) The commission has the power to enforce this section in the same manner and to the same extent as provided in ss. 379.501-379.504. (14) Activities that are exempt from permitting pursuant to s. 403.813(1)(r) are granted a mixing zone for turbidity for a distance not to exceed 150 meters downstream in flowing streams or 150 meters in radius in other water bodies as measured from the cutterhead, return flow discharge, or other points of generation of turbidity.

F.S. 369.25 Aquatic plants; definitions; permits; powers of department; penalties.

(1) As used in this section, the term: (a) “Aquatic plant” means any plant, including a floating, emersed, submersed, or ditch bank species, growing in, or closely associated with, an aquatic environment and includes any part or seed of such plant. (b) “Department” means the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. (c) “Nonnursery cultivation” means the tending of aquatic plant species for harvest in the natural environment. (d) “Noxious aquatic plant” means any part, including, but not limited to, seeds or reproductive parts, of an aquatic plant which has the potential to hinder the growth of beneficial plants, interfere with irrigation or navigation, or adversely affect the public welfare or the natural resources of this state. (e) “Person” includes a natural person, a public or private corporation, a governmental entity, or any other kind of entity. (2) No person shall engage in any business involving the importation, transportation, cultivation, collection, sale, or possession of any aquatic plant species without a permit issued by the department. No person shall import, transport, cultivate, collect, sell, or possess any noxious aquatic plant listed on the prohibited aquatic plant list established by the department without a permit issued by the department. No permit shall be issued until the department determines that the proposed activity poses no threat or danger to the waters, wildlife, natural resources, or environment of the state. (3) The department has the following powers: (a) To make such rules governing the importation, transportation, nonnursery cultivation, collection, and possession of aquatic plants as may be necessary for the eradication, control, or prevention of the dissemination of noxious aquatic plants that are not inconsistent with rules of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. (b) To establish by rule lists of aquatic plant species regulated under this section, including those exempted from such regulation, provided the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approves such lists prior to the lists becoming effective. (c) To evaluate an aquatic plant species through research or other means to determine whether such species poses a threat or danger to the waters, wildlife, natural resources, or environment of the state. (d) To declare a quarantine against aquatic plants, including the vats, pools, or other containers or bodies of water in which such plants are growing, to prevent the dissemination of any noxious aquatic plant. (e) To make rules governing the application for, issuance of, suspension of, and revocation of permits under this section. (f) To enter into cooperative agreements with any person as necessary or desirable to carry out and enforce the provisions of this section. (g) To purchase all necessary supplies, material, facilities, and equipment and accept all grants and donations useful in the implementation and enforcement of the provisions of this section. (h) To enter upon and inspect any facility or place where aquatic plants are cultivated, held, packaged, shipped, stored, or sold, or any vehicle of conveyance of aquatic plants, to ascertain whether the provisions of this section and department regulations are being complied with, and to seize and destroy, without compensation, any aquatic plants imported, transported, cultivated, collected, or otherwise possessed in violation of this section or department regulations. (i) To adopt rules requiring the revegetation of a site on sovereignty lands where excessive collection has occurred. (j) To enforce this section and s. 369.251 in the same manner and to the same extent as provided in s. 581.211. (4) The department shall adopt rules that limit the sanctions available for violations under this act to quarantine and confiscation: (a) If the prohibited activity apparently results from natural dispersion; or (b) If a small amount of noxious aquatic plant material incidentally adheres to a boat or boat trailer operated by a person who is not involved in any phase of the aquatic plant business and if that person is not knowingly violating this act. (5)(a) Any person who violates the provisions of this section commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. (b) All law enforcement officers of the state and its agencies with power to make arrests for violations of state law shall enforce the provisions of this section.

F.S. 369.251 Invasive nonnative plants; prohibitions; study; removal; rules.

(1) A person may not sell, transport, collect, cultivate, or possess any plant, including any part or seed, of the species Melaleuca quinquenervia , Schinus terebinthifolius , Casuarina equisetifolia , Casuarina glauca , or Mimosa pigra without a permit from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Any person who violates this section commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable by fine only, as provided in s. 775.083. (2) The department, in coordination with the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, shall study methods of control of plants of the species Melaleuca quinquenervia , Schinus terebinthifolius , Casuarina equisetifolia , Casuarina glauca , and Mimosa pigra . The South Florida Water Management District shall undertake programs to remove such plants from conservation area I, conservation area II, and conservation area III of the district. (3) The department has authority to adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement the provisions of this section. Possession or transportation resulting from natural dispersion, mulching operations, control and disposal, or use in herbaria or other educational or research institutions, or for other reasons determined by the department to be consistent with this section and where there is neither the danger of, nor intent to, further disperse any plant species prohibited by this section, is not subject to the permit or penalty provisions of this section.

F.S. 369.252 Invasive plant control on public lands.

The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission shall establish a program to: (1) Achieve eradication or maintenance control of invasive exotic plants on public lands when the scientific data indicate that they are detrimental to the state’s natural environment or when the Commissioner of Agriculture finds that such plants or specific populations thereof are a threat to the agricultural productivity of the state; (2) Assist state and local government agencies in the development and implementation of coordinated management plans for the eradication or maintenance control of invasive exotic plant species on public lands; (3) Contract, or enter into agreements, with entities in the State University System or other governmental or private sector entities for research concerning control agents; production and growth of biological control agents; and development of workable methods for the eradication or maintenance control of invasive exotic plants on public lands; and (4) Use funds in the Invasive Plant Control Trust Fund as authorized by the Legislature for carrying out activities under this section on public lands. A minimum of 20 percent of the amount appropriated by the Legislature for invasive plant control from the Land Acquisition Trust Fund shall be used for the purpose of controlling nonnative, upland, invasive plant species on public lands.

F.S. 369.255 Green utility ordinances for funding greenspace management and exotic plant control.

(1) The Legislature finds that the proper management of greenspace areas, including, without limitation, the urban forest, greenways, private and public forest preserves, wetlands, and aquatic zones, is essential to the state’s environment and economy and to the health and safety of its residents and visitors. The Legislature also finds that the limitation and control of nonindigenous plants and tree replacement and maintenance are vital to achieving the natural systems and recreational lands goals and policies of the state pursuant to s. 187.201(9), the State Comprehensive Plan. It is the intent of this section to enable local governments to establish a mechanism to provide dedicated funding for the aforementioned activities, when deemed necessary by a county or municipality. (2) In addition to any other funding mechanisms legally available to counties and municipalities to control invasive, nonindigenous aquatic or upland plants and manage urban forest resources, a county or municipality may create one or more green utilities or adopt fees sufficient to plan, restore, and manage urban forest resources, greenways, forest preserves, wetlands, and other aquatic zones and create a stewardship grant program for private natural areas. Counties or municipalities may create, alone or in cooperation with other counties or municipalities pursuant to the Florida Interlocal Cooperation Act of 1969, s. 163.01, one or more greenspace management districts to fund the planning, management, operation, and administration of a greenspace management program. The fees shall be collected on a voluntary basis as set forth by the county or municipality and calculated to generate sufficient funds to plan, manage, operate, and administer a greenspace management program. Private natural areas assessed according to s. 193.501 would qualify for stewardship grants. (3) This section shall only apply to counties with a population of 500,000 or more and municipalities with a population of 200,000 or more. (4) Nothing in this section shall authorize counties or municipalities to require any nongovernmental entity to collect the fee described in subsection (2) on their behalf.

F.S. 369.301 Short title.

This part may be cited as the “Wekiva River Protection Act.”

F.S. 369.303 Definitions.

As used in this part: (1) “Council” means the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council. (2) “Counties” means Orange, Seminole, and Lake Counties. (3) “Department” means the Department of Commerce. (4) “Development of regional impact” means a development that is subject to s. 380.06. (5) “Land development regulation” means a regulation covered by the definition in s. 163.3164 and any of the types of regulations described in s. 163.3202. (6) “Local comprehensive plan” means a comprehensive plan adopted pursuant to ss. 163.3164-163.3215. (7) “Revised comprehensive plan” means a comprehensive plan prepared pursuant to ss. 163.3164-163.3215 which has been revised pursuant to chapters 85-55, 86-191, and 87-338, Laws of Florida, and subsequent laws amending said sections. (8) “Wekiva River development permit” means any zoning permit, subdivision approval, rezoning, special exception, variance, site plan approval, or other official action of local government having the effect of permitting the development of land in the Wekiva River Protection Area. “Wekiva River development permit” shall not include a building permit, certificate of occupancy, or other permit relating to the compliance of a development with applicable electrical, plumbing, or other building codes. (9) “Wekiva River Protection Area” means the lands within: Township 18 south range 28 east; Township 18 south range 29 east; Township 19 south range 28 east, less those lands lying west of a line formed by County Road 437, State Road 46, and County Road 435; Township 19 south range 29 east; Township 20 south range 28 east, less all lands lying west of County Road 435; and Township 20 south range 29 east, less all those lands east of Markham Woods Road. (10) “Wekiva River System” means the Wekiva River, the Little Wekiva River, Black Water Creek, Rock Springs Run, Sulphur Run, and Seminole Creek.

F.S. 369.305 Review of local comprehensive plans, land development regulations, Wekiva River development permits, and amendments.

(1) It is the intent of the Legislature that Orange, Lake, and Seminole Counties emphasize the Wekiva River Protection Area in their planning and regulation efforts. Therefore, each county’s local comprehensive plan and land development regulations applicable to the Wekiva River Protection Area must meet the following criteria: (a) Each county’s local comprehensive plan must contain goals, policies, and objectives that result in the protection of the: 1. Water quantity, water quality, and hydrology of the Wekiva River System; 2. Wetlands associated with the Wekiva River System; 3. Aquatic and wetland-dependent wildlife species associated with the Wekiva River System; 4. Habitat within the Wekiva River Protection Area of species designated pursuant to rules 39-27.003, 39-27.004, and 39-27.005, Florida Administrative Code; and 5. Native vegetation within the Wekiva River Protection Area. (b) The various land uses and densities and intensities of development permitted by the local comprehensive plan shall protect the resources enumerated in paragraph (a) and the rural character of the Wekiva River Protection Area. The plan must also include: 1. Provisions that ensure the preservation of sufficient habitat for feeding, nesting, roosting, and resting so as to maintain viable populations of species designated pursuant to rules 39-27.003, 39-27.004, and 39-27.005, Florida Administrative Code, within the Wekiva River Protection Area. 2. Restrictions on the clearing of native vegetation within the 100-year flood plain. 3. Prohibition of development that is not low-density residential in nature, unless the development has less effect on natural resources than low-density residential development. 4. Provisions for setbacks along the Wekiva River for areas that do not fall within the protection zones established pursuant to s. 373.415. 5. Restrictions on intensity of development adjacent to publicly owned lands to prevent adverse impacts to such lands. 6. Restrictions on filling and alteration of wetlands in the Wekiva River Protection Area. 7. Provisions encouraging clustering of residential development if it promotes protection of environmentally sensitive areas and ensures that residential development in the aggregate is rural in density and character. (c) The local comprehensive plan must require that the density or intensity of development permitted on parcels of property adjacent to the Wekiva River System be concentrated on those portions of the parcels which are the farthest from the surface waters and wetlands of the Wekiva River System. (d) The local comprehensive plan must require that parcels of land adjacent to the surface waters and watercourses of the Wekiva River System not be subdivided so as to interfere with the implementation of protection zones as established pursuant to s. 373.415, any applicable setbacks from the surface waters in the Wekiva River System which are established by local governments, or the policy established in paragraph (c) of concentrating development in the Wekiva River Protection Area as far from the surface waters and wetlands of the Wekiva River System as practicable. (e) The local land development regulations must implement the provisions of paragraphs (a), (b), (c), and (d) and must include restrictions on the location of septic tanks and drainfields in the 100-year flood plain and discharges of stormwater to the Wekiva River System. (2) Each county shall, within 10 days of adopting any necessary amendments to its local comprehensive plan and land development regulations or new land development regulations pursuant to subsection (1), submit them to the department, which shall, within 90 days, review the amendments and any new land development regulations and make a determination. (3) If the department determines that the local comprehensive plan and land development regulations as amended or supplemented comply with the provisions of subsection (1), the department shall petition the Governor and Cabinet to confirm its determination. If the department determines that the amendments and any new land development regulations that a county has adopted do not meet the criteria established in subsection (1), or the department receives no amendments or new land development regulations and determines that the county’s existing local comprehensive plan and land development regulations do not comply with the provisions of subsection (1), the department shall petition the Governor and Cabinet to order the county to adopt such amendments to its local comprehensive plan or land development regulations or such new land development regulations as it deems necessary to meet the criteria in subsection (1). A determination or petition made by the department pursuant to this subsection shall not be final agency action. (4) The Governor and Cabinet, sitting as the Land and Water Adjudicatory Commission, shall render an order on the petition. Any local government comprehensive plan amendments directly related to the requirements of this subsection and subsections (1), (2), and (3) may be initiated by a local planning agency and considered by the local governing body without regard to statutory or local ordinance limitations on the frequency of consideration of amendments to local comprehensive plans. (5) In its review of revised comprehensive plans, and in its review of comprehensive plan amendments, the department shall review the local comprehensive plans, and any amendments, which are applicable to portions of the Wekiva River Protection Area for compliance with the provisions of subsection (1) in addition to its review of local comprehensive plans and amendments for compliance as defined in s. 163.3184; and all the procedures and penalties described in s. 163.3184 shall be applicable to this review. (6) The department may adopt reasonable rules and orders to implement the provisions of this section.

F.S. 369.307 Developments of regional impact in the Wekiva River Protection Area; land acquisition.

(1) Notwithstanding s. 380.06(4), the counties shall consider and issue the development permits applicable to a proposed development of regional impact which is located partially or wholly within the Wekiva River Protection Area at the same time as the development order approving, approving with conditions, or denying a development of regional impact. (2) Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 380.0651 or any other provisions of chapter 380, the numerical standards and guidelines provided in chapter 28-24, Florida Administrative Code, shall be reduced by 50 percent as applied to proposed developments entirely or partially located within the Wekiva River Protection Area. (3) The Wekiva River Protection Area is hereby declared to be a natural resource of state and regional importance. The East Central Florida Regional Planning Council shall adopt policies as part of its strategic regional policy plan and regional issues list which will protect the water quantity, water quality, hydrology, wetlands, aquatic and wetland-dependent wildlife species, habitat of species designated pursuant to rules 39-27.003, 39-27.004, and 39-27.005, Florida Administrative Code, and native vegetation in the Wekiva River Protection Area. The council shall also cooperate with the department in the department’s implementation of the provisions of s. 369.305. (4) The provisions of s. 369.305 of this act shall be inapplicable to developments of regional impact in the Wekiva River Protection Area if an application for development approval was filed prior to June 1, 1988, and in the event that a development order is issued pursuant to such application on or before April 1, 1989. (5) The Department of Environmental Protection is directed to proceed to negotiate for acquisition of conservation and recreation lands projects within the Wekiva River Protection Area provided that such projects have been deemed qualified under statutory and rule criteria for purchase and have been placed on the priority list for acquisition by the advisory council created in s. 259.035 or its successor.

F.S. 369.309 Airboats prohibited; exceptions; penalties.

(1) The operation of an airboat on the Wekiva River System shall be prohibited. For the purposes of this section, an airboat is any boat, sled, skiff, or swamp vessel that is pushed, pulled, or propelled by air power generated by a nondetachable motor of more than 10 horsepower. (2) The provisions of this section shall not apply in the case of an emergency or to any employee of a municipal, county, state, or federal agency or their agents on official government business. (3) Persons convicted for violation of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

F.S. 369.314 Short title.

This act may be cited as the “Wekiva Parkway Protection Act.”

F.S. 369.315 Intent.

(1) The Legislature finds that, in general, Florida springs whether found in urban or rural settings, public parks, or private lands, are threatened by actual and potential flow reductions and declining water quality. As a result of climate patterns and population changes, over the past 30 years, many of Florida’s springs have begun to exhibit signals of distress, including increasing nutrient loading and lowered water flow. The groundwater that feeds springs is recharged by seepage from the surface and through direct conduits such as sinkholes. (2) The Legislature further finds that springs and groundwater once damaged by overuse can be restored through good stewardship, including effective planning strategies and best management practices to preserve and protect the spring and its springshed. Prudent land use planning decisions can protect and improve quality and quantity, as well as upland resources of a springshed. Managing land use types and their allowable densities and intensities of development, followed by specific site planning to further minimize impacts, rank as an important goal. (3) It is the intent of the Legislature that the recommendations of the Wekiva River Basin Coordinating Committee as stated in its final report dated March 16, 2004, be taken and implemented as a whole to achieve the objective of improving and assuring protection of surface water and groundwater resources. Coordination of comprehensive plans and the Regional Water Supply Plan is important for protection of water resources and to promote the continuity of effective planning and development. (4) It is not the intent of the Legislature to place an undue burden on local governments within the Wekiva Study Area. Any required Wekiva Study Area comprehensive plan amendments may be adopted in conjunction with other amendments not required by this part.

F.S. 369.316 Wekiva Study Area.

The Wekiva Study Area is defined to include the following land: Begin at the northwest corner of Section 6, Township 18 South, Range 28 East, Lake County, Florida, said corner lying on the north line of Township 18 South; thence Easterly along said north line of Township 18 South to the northeast corner of Section 5, Township 18 South, Range 29 East; thence Southerly along the east line of said Section 5 to the northeast corner of Section 8, Township 18 South, Range 29 East; thence Southerly along the east line of said Section 8 to the northeast corner of Section 17, Township 18 South, Range 29 East; thence Southerly along the east line of said Section 17 to the northeast corner of Section 20, Township 18 South, Range 29 East; thence Southerly along the east line of said Section 20 to the northeast corner of Section 29, Township 18 South, Range 29 East; thence Southerly along the east line of said Section 29 to the northeast corner of Section 32, Township 18 South, Range 29 East; thence Southerly along the east line of said Section 32 to the southeast corner thereof, said corner lying on the south line of Township 18 South; thence Easterly along the south line of said Township 18 South to an intersection with the east line of Range 29 East; thence Southerly along the east line of said Range 29 East to the southeast corner of Section 24, Township 21 South, Range 29 East; thence Westerly along the south line of said Section 24 to the southeast corner of Section 23, Township 21 South, Range 29 East; thence Westerly along the south line of said Section 23, to an intersection with the centerline of Interstate Highway No. 4; thence generally Southerly along the centerline of Interstate Highway No. 4 to an intersection with the south line of Section 13, Township 22 South, Range 29 East; thence Westerly along the south line of said Section 13 to the southeast corner of Section 14, Township 22 South, Range 29 East; thence Westerly along the south line of said Section 14 to the southeast corner of Section 15, Township 22 South, Range 29 East; thence Westerly along the south line of said Section 15 to the northeast corner of Section 21, Township 22 South, Range 29 East; thence Southerly along the east line of said Section 21 to an intersection with the centerline of State Road No. 50; thence Westerly along the centerline of said State Road No. 50 to the northeast corner of Section 30, Township 22 South, Range 28 East; thence Southerly along the east line of said Section 30 to the northeast corner of Section 31, Township 22 South, Range 28 East; thence Southerly along the east line of said Section 31 to the southeast corner thereof, said corner lying on the south line of Township 22 South; thence Westerly along said south line of Township 22 South to the northeast corner of Section 2, Township 23 South, Range 27 East; thence Southerly along the east line of said Section 2 to the northeast corner of Section 11, Township 23 South, Range 27 East; thence Southerly along the east line of said Section 11 to the southeast corner thereof; thence Westerly along the south line of said Section 11 to the southeast corner of Section 10, Township 23 South, Range 27 East; thence Westerly along the south line of said Section 10 to the southeast corner of Section 9, Township 23 South, Range 27 East; thence Westerly along the south line of said Section 9 to the southeast corner of Section 8, Township 23 South, Range 27 East; thence Westerly along the south line of said Section 8 to the southeast corner of Section 7, Township 23 South, Range 27 East; thence Westerly along the south line of said Section 7 to the southwest corner thereof, said corner lying on the line of demarcation between Orange County and Lake County; thence generally Northerly and along said county line to the northeast corner of Section 12, Township 20 South, Range 26 East, said corner lying on the east line of Range 26 East; thence generally Northerly and along said east line of Range 26 East to the southeast corner of Section 24, Township 19 South, Range 26 East; thence Westerly along the south line of said Section 24 to the southeast corner of Section 23, Township 19 South, Range 26 East; thence Westerly along the south line of said Section 23 to the southwest corner thereof; thence Northerly along the west line of said Section 23 to the southwest corner of Section 14, Township 19 South, Range 26 East; thence Northerly along the west line of said Section 14 to the southwest corner of Section 11, Township 19 South, Range 26 East; thence generally Northeasterly to the southwest corner of Section 1, Township 19 South, Range 26 East; thence generally Northeasterly to the southwest corner of Section 31, Township 18 South, Range 27 East; thence generally Northeasterly to the southwest corner of Section 29, Township 18 South, Range 27 East; thence generally Northeasterly to the northwest corner of Section 28, Township 18 South, Range 27 East; thence Easterly along the north line of said Section 28 to the northwest corner of Section 27, Township 18 South, Range 27 East; thence Easterly along the north line of said Section 27 to the northwest corner of Section 26, Township 18 South, Range 27 East; thence Easterly along the north line of said Section 26 to the northwest corner of Section 25, Township 18 South, Range 27 East; thence Easterly along the north line of said Section 25 to an intersection with the west line of Range 28 East; thence Northerly along the west line of said Range 28 East, to the northwest corner of Section 6, Township 18 South, Range 28 East, and the Point of Beginning.

F.S. 369.317 Wekiva Parkway.

(1) The “Wekiva Parkway” means any limited access highway or expressway constructed between State Road 429 and Interstate 4 specifically incorporating the corridor alignment recommended by Recommendation 2 of the Wekiva River Basin Area Task Force final report dated January 15, 2003, and the recommendations of the SR 429 Working Group that were adopted January 16, 2004. (2) The Wekiva Parkway and related transportation facilities shall follow the design criteria contained in the recommendations of the Wekiva River Basin Area Task Force adopted by reference by the Wekiva River Basin Coordinating Committee in its final report of March 16, 2004, and the recommendations of the Wekiva Coordinating Committee contained in its final report of March 16, 2004, subject to reasonable environmental, economic, and engineering considerations. For those activities associated with the Wekiva Parkway and related transportation facilities which require authorization pursuant to part IV of chapter 373, the Department of Environmental Protection is the exclusive permitting authority. (3) With the exception of the road commonly referred to as the Apopka Bypass, the construction of any other limited-access highway or expressway that is identified by the Final Recommendations of the State Road 429 Working Group adopted January 16, 2004, within the Wekiva Study Area shall adhere to transportation and conservation principles identified within the Final Report of the Wekiva River Basin Coordinating Committee dated March 16, 2004. If any other limited-access highway or expressway is considered within the Wekiva Study Area, then such a project shall adhere to the extent practicable with transportation and conservation principles identified within the Final Report of the Wekiva River Basin Coordinating Committee dated March 16, 2004. (4) Access to properties adjacent to SR 46 shall be maintained through appropriate neighborhood streets or frontage roads integrated into the parkway design. (5) In Seminole County, the Department of Transportation shall locate the precise corridor and interchanges for the Wekiva Parkway consistent with the legislative intent expressed in this act and other provisions of this act. (6) The Central Florida Expressway Authority is hereby granted the authority to act as a third-party acquisition agent, pursuant to s. 253.025 on behalf of the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund or chapter 373 on behalf of the governing board of the St. Johns River Water Management District, for the acquisition of all necessary lands, property and all interests in property identified herein, including fee simple or less than fee simple interests. The lands subject to this authority are identified in paragraph 10.a., State of Florida, Office of the Governor, Executive Order 03-112 of July 1, 2003, and in Recommendation 16 of the Wekiva Basin Area Task Force created by Executive Order 2002-259, such lands otherwise known as Neighborhood Lakes, a 1,587+/-acre parcel located in Orange and Lake Counties within Sections 27, 28, 33, and 34 of Township 19 South, Range 28 East, and Sections 3, 4, 5, and 9 of Township 20 South, Range 28 East; Seminole Woods/Swamp, a 5,353+/-acre parcel located in Lake County within Section 37, Township 19 South, Range 28 East; New Garden Coal; a 1,605+/-acre parcel in Lake County within Sections 23, 25, 26, 35, and 36, Township 19 South, Range 28 East; Pine Plantation, a 617+/-acre tract consisting of eight individual parcels within the Apopka City limits. The Department of Transportation, the Department of Environmental Protection, the St. Johns River Water Management District, and other land acquisition entities shall participate and cooperate in providing information and support to the third-party acquisition agent. The land acquisition process authorized by this paragraph shall begin no later than December 31, 2004. Acquisition of the properties identified as Neighborhood Lakes, Pine Plantation, and New Garden Coal, or approval as a mitigation bank shall be concluded no later than December 31, 2010. Department of Transportation and Central Florida Expressway Authority funds expended to purchase an interest in those lands identified in this subsection shall be eligible as environmental mitigation for road construction related impacts in the Wekiva Study Area. If any of the lands identified in this subsection are used as environmental mitigation for road-construction-related impacts incurred by the Department of Transportation or Central Florida Expressway Authority, or for other impacts incurred by other entities, within the Wekiva Study Area or within the Wekiva parkway alignment corridor, and if the mitigation offsets these impacts, the St. Johns River Water Management District and the Department of Environmental Protection shall consider the activity regulated under part IV of chapter 373 to meet the cumulative impact requirements of s. 373.414(8)(a). (a) Acquisition of the land described in this section is required to provide right-of-way for the Wekiva Parkway, a limited access roadway linking State Road 429 to Interstate 4, an essential component in meeting regional transportation needs to provide regional connectivity, improve safety, accommodate projected population and economic growth, and satisfy critical transportation requirements caused by increased traffic volume growth and travel demands. (b) Acquisition of the lands described in this section is also required to protect the surface water and groundwater resources of Lake, Orange, and Seminole counties, otherwise known as the Wekiva Study Area, including recharge within the springshed that provides for the Wekiva River system. Protection of this area is crucial to the long term viability of the Wekiva River and springs and the central Florida region’s water supply. Acquisition of the lands described in this section is also necessary to alleviate pressure from growth and development affecting the surface and groundwater resources within the recharge area. (c) Lands acquired pursuant to this section that are needed for transportation facilities for the Wekiva Parkway shall be determined not necessary for conservation purposes pursuant to ss. 253.0341 and 373.089(5) and shall be transferred to or retained by the Central Florida Expressway Authority or the Department of Transportation upon reimbursement of the full purchase price and acquisition costs. (7) The Department of Transportation, the Department of Environmental Protection, the St. Johns River Water Management District, Central Florida Expressway Authority, and other land acquisition entities shall cooperate and establish funding responsibilities and partnerships by agreement to the extent funds are available to the various entities. Properties acquired with Florida Forever funds shall be in accordance with s. 253.025 or chapter 373. The Central Florida Expressway Authority shall acquire land in accordance with this section to the extent funds are available from the various funding partners; however, the authority is not required or assumed to fund the land acquisition beyond the agreement and funding provided by the various land acquisition entities. (8) The Department of Environmental Protection and the St. Johns River Water Management District shall give the highest priority to the acquisition of the lands described and identified in subsection (6) for Florida Forever purchases.

F.S. 369.318 Studies.

(1) The Department of Environmental Protection shall study the efficacy and applicability of water quality and wastewater treatment standards needed to achieve nitrogen reductions protective of surface and groundwater quality within the Wekiva Study Area and report to the Governor and the Department of Commerce. The Department of Environmental Protection may adopt rules to implement the specific recommendations set forth in sections C.2. and C.4. of its report entitled “A Strategy for Water Quality Protection: Wastewater Treatment in the Wekiva Study Area,” dated December 2004, in order to achieve nitrogen reductions protective of surface and groundwater quality in the Wekiva Study Area and implement Recommendation 8 of the Wekiva River Basin Coordinating Committee’s final report dated March 16, 2004. The rules shall provide an opportunity for relief from such specific recommendations upon affirmative demonstration by the permittee or permit applicant, based on water quality data, physical circumstances, or other credible information, that the discharge of treated wastewater is protective of surface water and groundwater quality with respect to nitrate nitrogen as set forth in section C.1. of the referenced December 2004 report. (2) The Department of Health, in coordination with the Department of Environmental Protection, shall study the efficacy and applicability of onsite disposal system standards needed to achieve nitrogen reductions protective of groundwater quality within the Wekiva Study Area including publicly owned lands and report to the Governor and the Department of Community Affairs no later than December 1, 2004. Based on the December 2004 report, the Department of Health shall, if appropriate, by March 1, 2005, initiate rulemaking to achieve nitrogen reductions protective of water quality or recommend legislation for any additional statutory authority needed to implement the report recommendations. The study shall consider: (a) For new developments within the Wekiva Study Area and any existing development within the Wekiva River Protection Area using onsite disposal systems, a more stringent level of wastewater treatment, including, but not limited to, the use of multiple tanks to combine aerobic and anaerobic treatment to reduce the level of nitrates. (b) The implementation of a septic tank maintenance and inspection program which includes upgrading certain onsite disposal systems permitted prior to 1982 to meet minimum Department of Health standards; replacement of failing systems and systems not meeting current standards; and providing funding mechanisms for supporting a septic tank inspection and maintenance program. (3) The St. Johns River Water Management District shall initiate rulemaking to: (a) Amend the recharge criteria in rule 40C-41.063(3), Florida Administrative Code, to apply to all recharge lands within the Wekiva Study Area. (b) Adopt a consolidated environmental resources permit/consumptive use permit for projects that require both an environmental resource permit and a consumptive use permit that involve irrigation of urban landscape, golf course, or recreational areas. (4) By March 1, 2005, the St. Johns River Water Management District in conjunction with the Department of Environmental Protection, shall initiate rulemaking to amend the recharge criteria in rule 40C-41.063(3), Florida Administrative Code, to provide that the postdevelopment recharge volume conditions within the Wekiva Study Area approximate predevelopment recharge volume conditions. The district shall study and undertake this rulemaking to accomplish this standard on a development-specific basis. The rule shall permit the utilization of existing permitted municipal master stormwater systems with adequate capacity to meet the new standards in lieu of onsite retention and shall provide applicants with the ability to submit appropriate geotechnical information demonstrating that a specific site is not within a most effective recharge area of the Wekiva springshed. (5) The St. Johns River Water Management District shall complete an assessment of the significance of water uses below the current consumptive use permit thresholds in the Wekiva Study Area to determine if rulemaking should be initiated to lower consumptive use permit thresholds. (6) The St. Johns River Water Management District shall conduct an analysis of the impact of redevelopment projects in the Wekiva River basin upon aquifer recharge and shall consider whether to adopt a rule amendment to require those redevelopment projects exceeding a specified threshold to meet the Wekiva Basin recharge criteria. The effect of redevelopment upon aquifer recharge shall be analyzed, and then the costs of regulation shall be analyzed. (7) By December 1, 2007, the St. Johns River Water Management District shall update the minimum flows and levels standards for Rock Springs and Wekiva Springs. Further, the district shall revise the consumptive use permit thresholds in the Wekiva Study Area to address proposed water withdrawals above 50,000 gallons per day. Revisions to the consumptive use thresholds shall provide for a general permit, if possible, and include a transition period that allows continued access to water supply for users that were not previously subject to the permitting process. (8) By December 1, 2005, the St. Johns River Water Management District shall establish pollution load reduction goals for the Wekiva Study Area to assist the Department of Environmental Protection in adopting total maximum daily loads for impaired waters within the Wekiva Study Area by December 1, 2006. (9) The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services shall be the lead agency in coordinating the reduction of agricultural nonpoint sources of pollution. The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services shall study, and if necessary, initiate rulemaking to implement new or revised best management practices for improving and protecting water bodies, including those basins with impaired water bodies addressed by the Total Maximum Daily Loads Program.

F.S. 369.319 Master stormwater management plan.

Each local government within the Wekiva Study Area shall develop a master stormwater management plan that: assesses existing problems and deficiencies in the community; identifies projects to meet long-range needs; establishes priorities to address existing deficiencies; establishes measures to address redevelopment; establishes a schedule to complete needed improvements; evaluates the feasibility of stormwater reuse; and includes requirements for inspection and maintenance of facilities. The plan shall also identify a funding source, such as a stormwater utility fee, to fund implementation of the plan and maintenance program. In addition, the local government shall establish a water reuse and irrigation program that allows for reuse of stormwater on a site basis for development over a size threshold to be determined by the local government or on a jurisdiction-wide basis to minimize pumpage of groundwater for nonpotable usage. For those local governments located partially within the Wekiva Study Area, this section applies only to that portion located within the Wekiva Study Area.

F.S. 369.320 Wastewater facility plan.

(1) Local governments within the Wekiva Study Area shall develop a wastewater facility plan for joint planning areas and utility service areas where central wastewater systems are not readily available. The facility plan shall include: the delineation of areas within the utility service area that are to be served by central facilities within 5 years; a financially feasible schedule of improvements; an infrastructure work plan to build the facilities needed to implement the facility plan, including those needed to meet enhanced treatment standards adopted by the Department of Environmental Protection; and a phase-out of existing onsite septic tank systems where central facilities are available. The term available shall be interpreted consistent with the definition of s. 381.0065(2)(a). The facility plan shall also include a long-range component addressing service of the joint planning area or utility service area. In addition, local governments shall establish a water reuse program that allows for reuse of reclaimed water on a site-by-site basis for development over a size threshold to be determined by the local government or on a jurisdiction-wide basis to minimize pumpage of groundwater for nonpotable usage. (2) Local governments shall update their wastewater facility plans required in subsection (1) where the Total Maximum Daily Loads Program requires reductions in point source pollutants for a basin or as required by legislation for enhanced treatment standards. (3) For those local governments located partially within the Wekiva Study Area, this section applies only to that portion located within the Wekiva Study Area.

F.S. 369.321 Comprehensive plan amendments.

Except as otherwise expressly provided, by January 1, 2006, each local government within the Wekiva Study Area shall amend its local government comprehensive plan to include the following: (1) Within 1 year after the establishment of the interchange locations, local governments hosting an interchange on the Wekiva Parkway shall adopt an interchange land use plan into their comprehensive plans. Each interchange land use plan shall address: appropriate land uses and compatible development; secondary road access; access management; right-of-way protection; vegetation protection and water conserving landscaping; and the height and appearance of structures and signage. Local governments within which the Wekiva Parkway is planned shall amend their local government comprehensive plan to include the Wekiva Parkway. Interchanges located on Interstate 4 are exempt from this subsection. (2) Local governments shall amend the appropriate elements of the comprehensive plan, including the capital improvements element, to ensure implementation of the master stormwater management plan. (3) Local governments shall amend their comprehensive plans to establish land use strategies that optimize open space and promote a pattern of development on a jurisdiction-wide basis that protects the most effective recharge areas, karst features, and sensitive natural habitats including Longleaf Pine, Sand Hill, Sand Pine, and Xeric Oak Scrub. Such strategies shall recognize property rights and the varying circumstances within the Wekiva Study Area, including rural and urban land use patterns. Local comprehensive plans shall map, using best available data from the St. Johns River Water Management District and the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, recharge areas and sensitive upland habitats for this purpose. Local governments shall have flexibility to achieve this objective through comprehensive plan strategies that may include, but are not limited to: (a) Coordinated greenway plans; (b) Dedication of conservation easements; (c) Land acquisition; (d) Clustering of development; (e) Density credits and density incentives which result in permanent protection of open space; and (f) Low to very low density development. (4) By December 1, 2006, an up-to-date 10-year water supply facility work plan for building potable water facilities necessary to serve existing and new development and for which the local government is responsible as required by s. 163.3177(6)(c). (5) Comprehensive plans and comprehensive plan amendments adopted by the local governments to implement this section shall be reviewed by the Department of Commerce pursuant to s. 163.3184. (6) Implementing land development regulations shall be adopted no later than January 1, 2007. (7) During the period prior to the adoption of the comprehensive plan amendments required by this act, any local comprehensive plan amendment adopted by a city or county that applies to land located within the Wekiva Study Area shall protect surface and groundwater resources and be reviewed by the Department of Commerce using best available data, including the information presented to the Wekiva River Basin Coordinating Committee.

F.S. 369.322 Coordination of land use and water supply within the Wekiva Study Area.

(1) In their review of local government comprehensive plan amendments for property located within the Wekiva Study Area pursuant to s. 163.3184, the Department of Commerce and the St. Johns River Water Management District shall assure that amendments that increase development potential demonstrate that adequate potable water consumptive use permit capacity is available. (2) Local governments located within the Wekiva Study Area shall coordinate with the St. Johns River Water Management District and other public and private utilities, on a countywide or multicounty basis, to implement cooperative solutions for development of alternative water sources necessary to supplement groundwater supplies consistent with the St. Johns River Water Management District Regional Water Supply Plan. (3) In recognition of the need to balance resource protection, existing infrastructure and improvements planned or committed as part of approved development, consistent with existing municipal or county comprehensive plans and economic development opportunities, planned community development initiatives that assure protection of surface and groundwater resources while promoting compact, ecologically and economically sustainable growth should be encouraged. Small area studies, sector plans, or similar planning tools should support these community development initiatives. In addition, the Department of Commerce may make available best practice guides that demonstrate how to balance resource protection and economic development opportunities.

F.S. 369.323 Compliance.

Comprehensive plans and plan amendments adopted by the local governments within the Wekiva Study Area to implement this act shall be reviewed for compliance by the Department of Commerce.

F.S. 369.324 Wekiva River Basin Commission.

(1) The Wekiva River Basin Commission is created to monitor and ensure the implementation of the recommendations of the Wekiva River Basin Coordinating Committee for the Wekiva Study Area. The East Central Florida Regional Planning Council shall provide staff support to the commission with funding assistance from the Department of Commerce. The commission shall be comprised of a total of 18 members appointed by the Governor, 9 of whom shall be voting members and 9 shall be ad hoc nonvoting members. The voting members shall include: (a) One member of each of the Boards of County Commissioners for Lake, Orange, and Seminole Counties. (b) One municipal elected official to serve as a representative of the municipalities located within the Wekiva Study Area of Lake County. (c) One municipal elected official to serve as a representative of the municipalities located within the Wekiva Study Area of Orange County. (d) One municipal elected official to serve as a representative of the municipalities located within the Wekiva Study Area of Seminole County. (e) One citizen representing an environmental or conservation organization, one citizen representing a local property owner, a land developer, or an agricultural entity, and one at-large citizen who shall serve as chair of the council. (f) The ad hoc nonvoting members shall include one representative from each of the following entities: 1. St. Johns River Management District. 2. Department of Commerce. 3. Department of Environmental Protection. 4. Department of Health. 5. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. 6. Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. 7. Department of Transportation. 8. MetroPlan Orlando. 9. Central Florida Expressway Authority. (2) Voting members shall serve 3-year, staggered terms, and shall serve without compensation but shall serve at the expense of the entity they represent. (3) Meetings of the commission shall be held in Lake, Orange, or Seminole county at the call of the chair, but shall meet at least twice a year. (4) To assist the commission in its mission, the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council, in coordination with the applicable regional and state agencies, shall serve as a clearinghouse of baseline or specialized studies through modeling and simulation, including collecting and disseminating data on the demographics, economics, and the environment of the Wekiva Study Area including the changing conditions of the Wekiva River surface and groundwater basin and associated influence on the Wekiva River and the Wekiva Springs. (5) The commission shall report annually, no later than December 31 of each year, to the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Department of Commerce on implementation progress.
Source: FL Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/Chapter369/AllFetched: 7/8/2026