notebook - Southwest Florida Water Management District

Item 13
Consent Agenda
October 30, 2012
Resource Management Committee
Minimum Flows and Levels Priority List and Schedule Update
Purpose
To approve the Minimum Flows and Levels Priority List and Schedule for submission to the
Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
Background/History
Pursuant to Sections 373.036(7) and 373.042(2), Florida Statutes (F.S.), the District is required
to annually update its priority list and schedule for the establishment of minimum flows and
levels (MFLs), submit the approved list to DEP for approval, and include the approved list in the
District's Consolidated Annual Report.
Staff presented a draft "Proposed Southwest Florida Water Management District Fiscal Year
2013 (October 2012 – September 2013) Minimum Flows and Levels Priority List and Schedule"
to the Governing Board at the September 25, 2012 meeting. Comment on the draft priority list
was received at a public workshop held at the Tampa Service Office on October 1, 2012.
The public workshop was attended by seven stakeholders. A stakeholder suggested that MFLs
be adopted for lakes Raleigh, Rogers and Starvation in Hillsborough County as soon as
possible to avoid potential adverse impacts that may result from increased groundwater
pumping from Northern Tampa Bay regional wellfields in response to planned repairs to the
C.W. Bill Young Regional Reservoir. Staff notes that adoption of MFLs for the three lakes is
proposed for fiscal year (FY) 2013. A representative from Pasco County requested that Crews
Lake in Pasco County be added to the priority list. Staff notes that Crews Lake was previously
included on the priority list, but was removed pending delays associated with completion of
floodplain mapping for the lake watershed. Staff expects to recommend reinstatement of the
lake on the priority list once that work is completed. A representative from Marion County
requested that MFLs for Rainbow River and Springs be adopted in FY2013 rather than as
proposed in FY2014. Staff does not recommend an accelerated schedule for adoption of MFLs
for Rainbow River and Springs, noting that data analysis for the system will continue through
FY2013 while staff continues to work on MFLs adoption for other priority water bodies that are
further along in the establishment process.
Based on consideration of stakeholder input, no further additions to the priority list or
rescheduling of water bodies other than those discussed at the September 2012 Board meeting
are proposed. However, based on review of budgetary and staffing requirements for other
priority water bodies, staff recommends that Myakkahatchee Creek be removed from the priority
list. This water body was previously identified by staff for MFLs adoption in FY2016.
Benefits/Costs
The draft priority list and schedule for FY2013 includes all significant river segments and first
magnitude spring systems within the District. It is anticipated that MFLs for all listed water
bodies will be adopted by 2016.
Staff Recommendation:
See Exhibit
Approve the Minimum Flows and Levels Priority List and Schedule for submission to DEP for
review and approval as required by Chapter 373, F.S.
Presenter:
Douglas A. Leeper, Chief Environmental Scientist, Water Resources Bureau
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