CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 1 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S A bill to be entitled 1 An act relating to environmental protection; amending 2 s. 163.3177, F.S.; revising the required components of 3 a local government comprehensive plan capital 4 improvements element and general sanitary sewer, solid 5 waste, drainage, potable water, and natural 6 groundwater aquifer r echarge element; making technical 7 changes; requiring the update of comprehensive plans 8 by a specified date; providing applicability; amending 9 s. 253.025, F.S.; revising the real property purchase 10 agreements that must be submitted to and approved by 11 the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement 12 Trust Fund; increasing the estimated threshold that a 13 parcel to be acquired must meet before additional 14 appraisals are required; amending s. 259.032, F.S.; 15 authorizing the board to acquire interests in lands 16 that complete certain linkages within the Florida 17 wildlife corridor; conforming a provision to changes 18 made by the act; making technical changes; creating s. 19 373.469, F.S.; providing legislative findings and 20 intent; defining terms; providing the components of 21 the Indian River Lagoon Protection Program; requiring 22 the department to evaluate and update the basin 23 management action plans within the program at 24 specified intervals; requiring the department, in 25 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 2 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S coordination with specified entities, to identify and 26 prioritize strategies and projects to achieve certain 27 water quality standards and total maximum daily loads; 28 requiring the department, in coordination with 29 specified entities, to implement the Indian River 30 Lagoon Watershed Research and Water Quality Monitoring 31 Program for specified purposes; prohibiting the 32 installation of new onsite sewage treatment and 33 disposal systems beginning on a specified date under 34 certain circumstances; requiring that commercial or 35 residential properties with existing onsite sewage 36 treatment and disposal systems be connected to central 37 sewer or be upgraded to a certain system by a 38 specified date; providing construction; authorizing 39 the department and the governing boards of the St. 40 Johns River Water Management District and the South 41 Florida Water Management District to adopt rules; 42 amending s. 373.501, F.S.; requiring, rather than 43 authorizing, the department to transfer appropriated 44 funds to the water management districts for specified 45 purposes; requiring the districts to annually report 46 to the department on the use of such funds; amending 47 s. 373.802, F.S.; defining the term "enhanced 48 nutrient-reducing onsite sewage treatment and disposal 49 system"; amending s. 373.807, F.S.; conforming a 50 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 3 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S cross-reference; revising requirements for onsite 51 sewage treatment and disposal system remediation plans 52 for springs; amending s. 373.811, F.S.; prohibiting 53 new onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems 54 within basin management action plans in effect for 55 Outstanding Florida Springs under certain 56 circumstances; authorizing the installation of 57 enhanced or alternative systems for certain lots; 58 amending s. 381.0065, F.S.; defining the term 59 "enhanced nutrient-reducing onsite sewage treatment 60 and disposal system"; amending s. 381.00655, F.S.; 61 encouraging local go vernmental agencies that receive 62 funding for connecting onsite sewage treatment and 63 disposal systems to central sewer facilities to 64 provide notice of the funding availability to certain 65 owners of onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems 66 and to maintain a website with certain information 67 regarding the funding; reordering and amending s. 68 403.031, F.S.; defining and revising terms; amending 69 s. 403.067, F.S.; revising requirements for new or 70 revised basin management action plans; requiring that 71 basin management action plans include 5 -year 72 milestones for implementation; requiring certain 73 entities to identify projects or strategies to meet 74 such milestones; prohibiting the installation of new 75 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 4 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems within 76 specified areas under certain circumstances; requiring 77 the installation of enhanced or alternative systems 78 for certain lots; revising requirements for a basin 79 management action plan's cooperative agricultural 80 regional water quality improvement element; amending 81 s. 403.0673, F.S.; renaming the wastewater grant 82 program as the water quality improvement grant 83 program; revising the purposes of the grant program; 84 specifying the projects for which the department may 85 provide grants under the program; requiring the 86 department to prioritize certain projects; requiring 87 the department to coordinate with each water 88 management district to annually identify projects; 89 requiring the department to coordinate with specified 90 entities to identify projects; revising reporting 91 requirements; amendi ng s. 403.086, F.S.; revising the 92 waters that sewage disposal facilities are prohibited 93 from disposing wastes into; amending ss. 201.15, 94 259.105, 373.019, 373.4132, 373.414, 373.4142, 95 373.430, 373.4592, 403.890, 403.892, 403.9301, and 96 403.9302, F.S.; confo rming cross-references and 97 provisions to changes made by the act; reenacting s. 98 259.045(6), F.S., relating to the purchase of lands in 99 areas of critical state concern, to incorporate the 100 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 5 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S amendment made to s. 259.032, F.S., in a reference 101 thereto; providing a declaration of important state 102 interest; providing an effective date. 103 104 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 105 106 Section 1. Paragraph (a) of subsection (3) and paragraph 107 (c) of subsection (6) of section 163.3177, Florida Statute s, are 108 amended to read: 109 163.3177 Required and optional elements of comprehensive 110 plan; studies and surveys. — 111 (3)(a) The comprehensive plan must shall contain a capital 112 improvements element designed to consider the need for and the 113 location of public fa cilities in order to encourage the 114 efficient use of such facilities and set forth all of the 115 following: 116 1. A component that outlines principles for construction, 117 extension, or increase in capacity of public facilities, as well 118 as a component that outline s principles for correcting existing 119 public facility deficiencies, which are necessary to implement 120 the comprehensive plan. The components must shall cover at least 121 a 5-year period. 122 2. Estimated public facility costs, including a 123 delineation of when faci lities will be needed, the general 124 location of the facilities, and projected revenue sources to 125 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 6 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S fund the facilities. 126 3. Standards to ensure the availability of public 127 facilities and the adequacy of those facilities to meet 128 established acceptable levels o f service. 129 4. A schedule of capital improvements which includes any 130 publicly funded projects of federal, state, or local government, 131 and which may include privately funded projects for which the 132 local government has no fiscal responsibility. Projects 133 necessary to ensure that any adopted level -of-service standards 134 are achieved and maintained for the 5 -year period must be 135 identified as either funded or unfunded and given a level of 136 priority for funding. 137 5. The schedule must: 138 a. Include transportation im provements included in the 139 applicable metropolitan planning organization's transportation 140 improvement program adopted pursuant to s. 339.175(8) to the 141 extent that such improvements are relied upon to ensure 142 concurrency and financial feasibility ;. 143 b. Where applicable, include a list of projects necessary 144 to achieve the pollutant load reductions attributable to the 145 local government, as established in a basin management action 146 plan pursuant to s. 403.067(7); and 147 c. The schedule must Be coordinated with the applicable 148 metropolitan planning organization's long -range transportation 149 plan adopted pursuant to s. 339.175(7). 150 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 7 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S (6) In addition to the requirements of subsections (1) -151 (5), the comprehensive plan shall include the following 152 elements: 153 (c) A general sanitary sewer, solid waste, drainage, 154 potable water, and natural groundwater aquifer recharge element 155 correlated to principles and guidelines for future land use, 156 indicating ways to provide for future potable water, drainage, 157 sanitary sewer, solid waste, and aquifer recharge protection 158 requirements for the area. The element may be a detailed 159 engineering plan including a topographic map depicting areas of 160 prime groundwater recharge. 161 1. Each local government shall address in the data and 162 analyses required by this section those facilities that provide 163 service within the local government's jurisdiction. Local 164 governments that provide facilities to serve areas within other 165 local government jurisdictions shall also address those 166 facilities in the data and analy ses required by this section, 167 using data from the comprehensive plan for those areas for the 168 purpose of projecting facility needs as required in this 169 subsection. For shared facilities, each local government shall 170 indicate the proportional capacity of the s ystems allocated to 171 serve its jurisdiction. 172 2. The element must shall describe the problems and needs 173 and the general facilities that will be required for solution of 174 the problems and needs, including correcting existing facility 175 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 8 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S deficiencies. The elemen t must shall address coordinating the 176 extension of, or increase in the capacity of, or upgrade in 177 treatment of facilities to meet future needs ; prioritizing 178 advanced waste treatment while maximizing the use of existing 179 facilities and discouraging urban spr awl; conserving potable 180 water resources; and protecting the functions of natural 181 groundwater recharge areas and natural drainage features. 182 3. Within the local government's jurisdiction, for any 183 development of more than 50 residential lots, whether built or 184 unbuilt, with more than one onsite sewage treatment and disposal 185 system per 1 acre, the element must consider the feasibility of 186 providing sanitary sewer services within a 10 -year planning 187 horizon and must identify the name and location of the 188 wastewater facility that could receive sanitary sewer flows 189 after connection; the capacity of the facility and any 190 associated transmission facilities; the projected wastewater 191 flow at that facility for the next 20 years, including expected 192 future new construction a nd connections of onsite sewage 193 treatment and disposal systems to sanitary sewer; and a timeline 194 for the construction of the sanitary sewer system. An onsite 195 sewage treatment and disposal system is presumed to exist on a 196 parcel if sanitary sewer services a re not available at or 197 adjacent to the parcel boundary. Each comprehensive plan must be 198 updated to include this element by July 1, 2024, and as needed 199 thereafter to account for future applicable developments. This 200 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 9 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S subparagraph does not apply to a local gov ernment designated as 201 a rural area of opportunity under s. 288.0656. 202 4. Within 18 months after the governing board approves an 203 updated regional water supply plan, the element must incorporate 204 the alternative water supply project or projects selected by the 205 local government from those identified in the regional water 206 supply plan pursuant to s. 373.709(2)(a) or proposed by the 207 local government under s. 373.709(8)(b). If a local government 208 is located within two water management districts, the local 209 government must shall adopt its comprehensive plan amendment 210 within 18 months aft er the later updated regional water supply 211 plan. The element must identify such alternative water supply 212 projects and traditional water supply projects and conservation 213 and reuse necessary to meet the water needs identified in s. 214 373.709(2)(a) within the l ocal government's jurisdiction and 215 include a work plan, covering at least a 10 -year planning 216 period, for building public, private, and regional water supply 217 facilities, including development of alternative water supplies, 218 which are identified in the elemen t as necessary to serve 219 existing and new development. The work plan must shall be 220 updated, at a minimum, every 5 years within 18 months after the 221 governing board of a water management district approves an 222 updated regional water supply plan. Local governmen ts, public 223 and private utilities, regional water supply authorities, 224 special districts, and water management districts are encouraged 225 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 10 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S to cooperatively plan for the development of multijurisdictional 226 water supply facilities that are sufficient to meet proje cted 227 demands for established planning periods, including the 228 development of alternative water sources to supplement 229 traditional sources of groundwater and surface water supplies. 230 5.4. A local government that does not own, operate, or 231 maintain its own wat er supply facilities, including, but not 232 limited to, wells, treatment facilities, and distribution 233 infrastructure, and is served by a public water utility with a 234 permitted allocation of greater than 300 million gallons per day 235 is not required to amend its comprehensive plan in response to 236 an updated regional water supply plan or to maintain a work plan 237 if any such local government's usage of water constitutes less 238 than 1 percent of the public water utility's total permitted 239 allocation. However, any such loc al government shall is required 240 to cooperate with, and provide relevant data to, any local 241 government or utility provider that provides service within its 242 jurisdiction, and shall to keep its general sanitary sewer, 243 solid waste, potable water, and natural g roundwater aquifer 244 recharge element updated in accordance with s. 163.3191. 245 Section 2. Subsection (4) and paragraph (b) of subsection 246 (8) of section 253.025, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 247 253.025 Acquisition of state lands. — 248 (4) An agreement to acquire real property for the purposes 249 described in this chapter, chapter 259, chapter 260, or chapter 250 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 11 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S 375, title to which will vest in the board of trustees, may not 251 bind the state before the agreement is reviewed and approved by 252 the Department of Environmental Protection as complying with 253 this section and any rules adopted pursuant to this section. If 254 any of the following conditions exist, the agreement must shall 255 be submitted to and approved by the board of trustees: 256 (a) The purchase price agreed to by the seller exceeds the 257 value as established pursuant to the rules of the board of 258 trustees.; 259 (b) The contract price agreed to by the seller and the 260 acquiring agency exceeds $5 $1 million.; 261 (c) The acquisition is the initial purchase in a Florida 262 Forever project; or 263 (d) Other conditions that the board of trustees may adopt 264 by rule. Such conditions may include, but are not limited to, 265 Florida Forever projects when title to the property being 266 acquired is considered nonmarketable or is encumbered i n such a 267 way as to significantly affect its management. 268 269 If approval of the board of trustees is required pursuant to 270 this subsection, the acquiring agency must provide a 271 justification as to why it is in the public's interest to 272 acquire the parcel or Flori da Forever project. Approval of the 273 board of trustees is also required for Florida Forever projects 274 the department recommends acquiring pursuant to subsections (11) 275 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 12 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S and (22). Review and approval of agreements for acquisitions for 276 Florida Greenways and Trai ls Program properties pursuant to 277 chapter 260 may be waived by the department in any contract with 278 nonprofit corporations that have agreed to assist the department 279 with this program. If the contribution of the acquiring agency 280 exceeds $100 million in any o ne fiscal year, the agreement must 281 shall be submitted to and approved by the Legislative Budget 282 Commission. 283 (8) Before approval by the board of trustees, or, when 284 applicable, the Department of Environmental Protection, of any 285 agreement to purchase land p ursuant to this chapter, chapter 286 259, chapter 260, or chapter 375, and before negotiations with 287 the parcel owner to purchase any other land, title to which will 288 vest in the board of trustees, an appraisal of the parcel shall 289 be required as follows: 290 (b) Each parcel to be acquired must shall have at least 291 one appraisal. Two appraisals are required when the estimated 292 value of the parcel exceeds $5 $1 million. However, if both 293 appraisals exceed $5 $1 million and differ significantly, a 294 third appraisal may be obtained. If a parcel is estimated to be 295 worth $100,000 or less and the director of the Division of State 296 Lands finds that the cost of an outside appraisal is not 297 justified, a comparable sales analysis, an appraisal prepared by 298 the division, or other reaso nably prudent procedures may be used 299 by the division to estimate the value of the parcel, provided 300 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 13 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S the public's interest is reasonably protected. The state is not 301 required to appraise the value of lands and appurtenances that 302 are being donated to the state . 303 304 Notwithstanding this subsection, on behalf of the board of 305 trustees and before the appraisal of parcels approved for 306 purchase under this chapter or chapter 259, the Secretary of 307 Environmental Protection or the director of the Division of 308 State Lands may enter into option contracts to buy such parcels. 309 Any such option contract shall state that the final purchase 310 price is subject to approval by the board of trustees or, if 311 applicable, the Secretary of Environmental Protection, and that 312 the final purchase p rice may not exceed the maximum offer 313 allowed by law. Any such option contract presented to the board 314 of trustees for final purchase price approval shall explicitly 315 state that payment of the final purchase price is subject to an 316 appropriation from the Legi slature. The consideration for such 317 an option may not exceed $1,000 or 0.01 percent of the estimate 318 by the department of the value of the parcel, whichever amount 319 is greater. 320 Section 3. Subsections (2) and (7), paragraph (b) of 321 subsection (8), and para graph (d) of subsection (9) of section 322 259.032, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 323 259.032 Conservation and recreation lands. — 324 (2) The Governor and Cabinet, sitting as the Board of 325 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 14 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund, may expend 326 moneys appropriated by the Legislature to acquire the fee or any 327 lesser interest in lands for any of the following public 328 purposes: 329 (a) To conserve and protect environmentally unique and 330 irreplaceable lands that contain native, relatively unaltered 331 flora and fauna representing a natural area unique to, or scarce 332 within, a region of this state or a larger geographic area .; 333 (b) To conserve and protect lands within designated areas 334 of critical state concern, if the proposed acquisition relates 335 to the natural resource protection purposes of the designation .; 336 (c) To conserve and protect native species habitat or 337 endangered or threatened species, emphasizing long -term 338 protection for endangered or threatened species designated G -1 339 or G-2 by the Florida Natural Are as Inventory, and especially 340 those areas that are special locations for breeding and 341 reproduction.; 342 (d) To conserve, protect, manage, or restore important 343 ecosystems, landscapes, and forests, if the protection and 344 conservation of such lands is necessary to enhance or protect 345 significant surface water, groundwater, coastal, recreational, 346 timber, or fish or wildlife resources which cannot otherwise be 347 accomplished through local and state regulatory programs .; 348 (e) To promote water resource development that benefits 349 natural systems and citizens of the state .; 350 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 15 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S (f) To facilitate the restoration and subsequent health 351 and vitality of the Florida Everglades .; 352 (g) To provide areas, including recreational trails, for 353 natural resource-based recreation and other outdoor recreation 354 on any part of any site compatible with conservation purposes .; 355 (h) To preserve significant archaeological or historic 356 sites.; 357 (i) To conserve urban open spaces suitable for greenways 358 or outdoor recreation which are compatible with c onservation 359 purposes.; or 360 (j) To preserve agricultural lands under threat of 361 conversion to development through less -than-fee acquisitions. 362 (k) To complete critical linkages that will help preserve 363 and protect this state's green infrastructure and vital habitat 364 for wide-ranging wildlife, such as the Florida panther, within 365 the Florida wildlife corridor. 366 (7)(a) All lands managed under this chapter and s. 253.034 367 must shall be: 368 1.(a) Managed in a manner that will provide the greatest 369 combination of benefits to the public and to the resources. 370 2.(b) Managed for public outdoor recreation which is 371 compatible with the conservation and protection of public lands. 372 Such management may include, but not be limited to, the 373 following public recreational uses: fi shing, hunting, camping, 374 bicycling, hiking, nature study, swimming, boating, canoeing, 375 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 16 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S horseback riding, diving, model hobbyist activities, birding, 376 sailing, jogging, and other related outdoor activities. 377 (b)(c) Concurrent with its adoption of the annual list of 378 acquisition projects pursuant to s. 259.035, the board shall 379 adopt a management prospectus for each project. The management 380 prospectus shall delineate: 381 1. The management goals for the property; 382 2. The conditions that will affect the intensity of 383 management; 384 3. An estimate of the revenue -generating potential of the 385 property, if appropriate; 386 4. A timetable for implementing the various stages of 387 management and for providing access to the public, if 388 applicable; 389 5. A description of potential m ultiple-use activities as 390 described in this section and s. 253.034; 391 6. Provisions for protecting existing infrastructure and 392 for ensuring the security of the project upon acquisition; 393 7. The anticipated costs of management and projected 394 sources of revenue, including legislative appropriations, to 395 fund management needs; and 396 8. Recommendations as to how many employees will be needed 397 to manage the property, and recommendations as to whether local 398 governments, volunteer groups, the former landowner, or ot her 399 interested parties can be involved in the management. 400 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 17 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S (c)(d) Concurrent with the approval of the acquisition 401 contract pursuant to s. 253.025(4) s. 253.025(4)(c) For any 402 interest in lands except those lands acquired pursuant to s. 403 259.1052, the board shall designate an agency or agencies to 404 manage such lands. The board shall evaluate and amend, as 405 appropriate, the management policy statement for the project as 406 provided by s. 259.035 to ensure that the policy statement is 407 compatible with conservation, recreation, or both. For any fee 408 simple acquisition of a parcel which is or will be leased back 409 for agricultural purposes, or any acquisition of a less than fee 410 interest in land that is or will be used for agricultural 411 purposes, the board shall first consider having a soil and water 412 conservation district, created pursuant to chapter 582, manage 413 and monitor such interests. 414 (d)(e) State agencies designated to manage lan ds acquired 415 under this chapter or with funds deposited into the Land 416 Acquisition Trust Fund, except those lands acquired under s. 417 259.1052, may contract with local governments and soil and water 418 conservation districts to assist in management activities, 419 including the responsibility of being the lead land manager. 420 Such land management contracts may include a provision for the 421 transfer of management funding to the local government or soil 422 and water conservation district from the land acquisition trust 423 fund of the lead land managing agency in an amount adequate for 424 the local government or soil and water conservation district to 425 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 18 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S perform its contractual land management responsibilities and 426 proportionate to its responsibilities, and which otherwise would 427 have been expended by the state agency to manage the property. 428 (e)(f) Immediately following the acquisition of any 429 interest in conservation and recreation lands, the department, 430 acting on behalf of the board, may issue to the lead managing 431 entity an interim assig nment letter to be effective until the 432 execution of a formal lease. 433 (8) 434 (b) Individual management plans required by s. 253.034(5), 435 for parcels over 160 acres, shall be developed with input from 436 an advisory group. Members of this advisory group shall inc lude, 437 at a minimum, representatives of the lead land managing agency, 438 comanaging entities, local private property owners, the 439 appropriate soil and water conservation district, a local 440 conservation organization, and a local elected official. If 441 habitat or potentially restorable habitat for imperiled species 442 is located on state lands, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation 443 Commission and the Department of Agriculture and Consumer 444 Services shall be included on any advisory group required under 445 chapter 253, and the short-term and long-term management goals 446 required under chapter 253 must advance the goals and objectives 447 of imperiled species management without restricting other uses 448 identified in the management plan. The advisory group shall 449 conduct at least one publ ic hearing within the county in which 450 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 19 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S the parcel or project is located. For those parcels or projects 451 that are within more than one county, at least one areawide 452 public hearing shall be acceptable and the lead managing agency 453 shall invite a local elected o fficial from each county. The 454 areawide public hearing shall be held in the county in which the 455 core parcels are located. Notice of such public hearing shall be 456 posted on the parcel or project designated for management, 457 advertised in a paper of general circ ulation, and announced at a 458 scheduled meeting of the local governing body before the actual 459 public hearing. The management prospectus required pursuant to 460 paragraph (7)(b) (7)(c) shall be available to the public for a 461 period of 30 days before the public he aring. 462 463 By July 1 of each year, each governmental agency and each 464 private entity designated to manage lands shall report to the 465 Secretary of Environmental Protection on the progress of 466 funding, staffing, and resource management of every project for 467 which the agency or entity is responsible. 468 (9) 469 (d) Up to one-fifth of the funds appropriated for the 470 purposes identified in paragraph (b) shall be reserved by the 471 board for interim management of acquisitions and for associated 472 contractual services, to ensure t he conservation and protection 473 of natural resources on project sites and to allow limited 474 public recreational use of lands. Interim management activities 475 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 20 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S may include, but not be limited to, resource assessments, 476 control of invasive, nonnative species, habi tat restoration, 477 fencing, law enforcement, controlled burning, and public access 478 consistent with preliminary determinations made pursuant to 479 paragraph (7)(e) (7)(f). The board shall make these interim 480 funds available immediately upon purchase. 481 Section 4. Section 373.469, Florida Statutes, is created 482 to read: 483 373.469 Indian River Lagoon Protection Program. — 484 (1) FINDINGS AND INTENT. — 485 (a) The Legislature finds that: 486 1. The Indian River Lagoon is a critical water resource of 487 this state which provides many economic, natural habitat, and 488 biodiversity functions that benefit the public interest, 489 including fishing, navigation, recreation, and habitat to 490 endangered and threatened species and other flora and fauna. 491 2. Among other causes, land use c hanges, onsite sewage 492 treatment and disposal systems, aging infrastructure, stormwater 493 runoff, agriculture, and residential fertilizer have resulted in 494 excess nutrients entering the Indian River Lagoon and adversely 495 impacting the lagoon's water quality. 496 3. Improvement to the hydrology, water quality, and 497 associated aquatic habitats within the Indian River Lagoon is 498 essential to the protection of the resource. 499 4. It is imperative for the state, local governments, and 500 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 21 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S agricultural and environmental commun ities to commit to 501 restoring and protecting the surface water resources of the 502 Indian River Lagoon, and a holistic approach to address these 503 issues must be developed and implemented immediately. 504 5. The expeditious implementation of the Banana River 505 Lagoon Basin Management Action Plan, Central Indian River Lagoon 506 Basin Management Action Plan, North Indian River Lagoon Basin 507 Management Action Plan, and Mosquito Lagoon Reasonable Assurance 508 Plan are necessary to improve the quality of water in the Indian 509 River Lagoon ecosystem and to provide a reasonable means of 510 achieving the total maximum daily load requirements and 511 achieving and maintaining compliance with state water quality 512 standards. 513 6. The implementation of the programs contained in this 514 section will benefit the public health, safety, and welfare and 515 is in the public interest. 516 (b) The Legislature intends for this state to protect and 517 restore surface water resources and achieve and maintain 518 compliance with water quality standards in the Indian River 519 Lagoon through the phased, comprehensive, and innovative 520 protection program set forth in this section, including long -521 term solutions based upon the total maximum daily loads 522 established in accordance with s. 403.067. This program is 523 watershed-based, provides for the consideration of all water 524 quality issues needed to meet the total maximum daily load, and 525 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 22 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S includes research and monitoring, development and implementation 526 of best management practices, refinement of existing 527 regulations, and structural and nonst ructural projects, 528 including public works. 529 (2) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term: 530 (a) "Best management practice" means a practice or 531 combination of practices determined by the coordinating 532 agencies, based on research, field -testing, and expert review, 533 to be the most effective and practicable on -location means, 534 including economic and technological considerations, for 535 improving water quality in agricultural and urban discharges. 536 Best management practices for agricultural discharges must 537 reflect a balance between water quality improvements and 538 agricultural productivity. 539 (b) "Enhanced nutrient -reducing onsite sewage treatment 540 and disposal system" means an onsite sewage treatment and 541 disposal system approved by the department as capable of meeting 542 or exceeding a 50 percent total nitrogen reduction before 543 disposal of wastewater in the drainfield, or at least 65 percent 544 total nitrogen reduction combined from onsite sewage tank or 545 tanks and drainfield. 546 (c) "Total maximum daily load" means the sum of the 547 individual wasteload allocations for point sources and the load 548 allocations for nonpoint sources and natural background adopted 549 pursuant to s. 403.067. Before determining individual wasteload 550 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 23 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S allocations and load allocations, the maximum amount of a 551 pollutant that a waterbody or water segment can assimilate from 552 all sources without exceeding water quality standards must first 553 be calculated. 554 (3) THE INDIAN RIVER LAGOON PROTECTION PROGRAM. —The Indian 555 River Lagoon Protection Program consists of t he Banana River 556 Lagoon Basin Management Action Plan, Central Indian River Lagoon 557 Basin Management Action Plan, North Indian River Lagoon Basin 558 Management Action Plan, and Mosquito Lagoon Reasonable Assurance 559 Plan, and such plans are the components of the I ndian River 560 Lagoon Protection Program which achieve phosphorous and nitrogen 561 load reductions for the Indian River Lagoon. 562 (a) Evaluation.—Every 5 years, the department shall 563 evaluate and update the Banana River Lagoon Basin Management 564 Action Plan, Central Indian River Lagoon Basin Management Action 565 Plan, and North Indian River Lagoon Basin Management Action Plan 566 and identify any further load reductions necessary to achieve 567 compliance with the relevant total maximum daily loads 568 established pursuant to s. 4 03.067. As provided in s. 569 403.067(7)(a)6., such plans must include 5 -year milestones for 570 implementation and water quality improvement and a water quality 571 monitoring component sufficient to evaluate whether reasonable 572 progress in pollutant load reductions i s being achieved over 573 time. 574 (b) Water quality standards and total maximum daily 575 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 24 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S loads.—The department, in coordination with the St. Johns River 576 Water Management District, South Florida Water Management 577 District, local governments, the Indian River Lagoon National 578 Estuary Program, and other stakeholders, shall identify and 579 prioritize strategies and projects necessary to achieve water 580 quality standards within the Indian River Lagoon watershed and 581 meet the total maximum daily loads. Projects identified from 582 this evaluation must be incorporated into the Banana River 583 Lagoon Basin Management Action Plan, Central Indian River Lagoon 584 Basin Management Action Plan, North Indian River Lagoon Basin 585 Management Action Plan, and Mosquito Lagoon Reasonable Assurance 586 Plan, as appropriate. 587 (c) Indian River Lagoon Watershed Research and Water 588 Quality Monitoring Program. —The department, in coordination with 589 the St. Johns River Water Management District, the South Florida 590 Water Management District, and the Indian River Lagoon National 591 Estuary Program, shall implement the Indian River Lagoon 592 Watershed Research and Water Quality Monitoring Program to 593 establish a comprehensive water quality monitoring network 594 throughout the Indian River Lagoon and fund research pertaining 595 to water quality, ecosystem restoration, and seagrass impacts 596 and restoration. The department shall use the results from the 597 program to prioritize projects and to make modifications to the 598 Banana River Lagoon Basin Management Action Plan, Central Indian 599 River Lagoon Basin Management Action Plan, North Indian River 600 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 25 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S Lagoon Basin Management Action Plan, and Mosquito Lagoon 601 Reasonable Assurance Plan, as appropriate. 602 (d) Onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems. — 603 1. Beginning on January 1, 2024, unless previous ly 604 permitted, the installation of new onsite sewage treatment and 605 disposal systems is prohibited within the Banana River Lagoon 606 Basin Management Action Plan, Central Indian River Lagoon Basin 607 Management Action Plan, North Indian River Lagoon Basin 608 Management Action Plan, and Mosquito Lagoon Reasonable Assurance 609 Plan areas where a publicly owned or investor -owned sewerage 610 system is available as defined in s. 381.0065(2)(a). Where 611 central sewerage is not available, only enhanced nutrient -612 reducing onsite sewag e treatment and disposal systems or other 613 wastewater treatment systems that achieve at least 50 percent 614 nutrient reduction compared to a standard onsite sewage 615 treatment and disposal system are authorized. 616 2. By July 1, 2030, any commercial or residentia l property 617 with an existing onsite sewage treatment and disposal system 618 located within the Banana River Lagoon Basin Management Action 619 Plan, Central Indian River Lagoon Basin Management Action Plan, 620 North Indian River Lagoon Basin Management Action Plan, a nd 621 Mosquito Lagoon Reasonable Assurance Plan areas must connect to 622 central sewer if available or upgrade to an enhanced nutrient -623 reducing onsite sewage treatment and disposal system or other 624 wastewater treatment system that achieves at least 50 percent 625 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 26 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S nutrient reduction compared to a standard onsite sewage 626 treatment and disposal system. 627 (4) RELATIONSHIP TO STATE WATER QUALITY STANDARDS. —This 628 section may not be construed to modify any existing state water 629 quality standard or to modify s. 403.067(6) and (7 )(a). 630 (5) PRESERVATION OF AUTHORITY. —This section may not be 631 construed to restrict the authority otherwise granted to 632 agencies pursuant to this chapter and chapter 403, and this 633 section is supplemental to the authority granted to agencies 634 pursuant to this chapter and chapter 403. 635 (6) RULES.—The department and governing boards of the St. 636 Johns River Water Management District and South Florida Water 637 Management District may adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) 638 and 120.54 to implement this section. 639 Section 5. Subsection (1) of section 373.501, Florida 640 Statutes, is amended to read: 641 373.501 Appropriation of funds to water management 642 districts.— 643 (1) The department shall transfer may allocate to the 644 water management districts , from funds appropriated t o the 645 districts through the department in, such sums as may be deemed 646 necessary to defray the costs of the administrative, regulatory, 647 and other operational activities of the districts. The governing 648 boards shall submit annual budget requests for such purp oses to 649 the department, and the department shall consider such budgets 650 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 27 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S in preparing its budget request for the Legislature. The 651 districts shall annually report to the department on the use of 652 the funds. 653 Section 6. Present subsections (2) through (8) of section 654 373.802, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as subsections (3) 655 through (9), respectively, and a new subsection (2) is added to 656 that section, to read: 657 373.802 Definitions. —As used in this part, the term: 658 (2) "Enhanced nutrient -reducing onsite sewage treatment 659 and disposal system" means an onsite sewage treatment and 660 disposal system approved by the department as capable of meeting 661 or exceeding a 50 percent total nitrogen reduction before 662 disposal of wastewater in the drainfield, or at least 65 p ercent 663 total nitrogen reduction combined from onsite sewage tank or 664 tanks and drainfield. 665 Section 7. Subsections (2) and (3) of section 373.807, 666 Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 667 373.807 Protection of water quality in Outstanding Florida 668 Springs.—By July 1, 2016, the department shall initiate 669 assessment, pursuant to s. 403.067(3), of Outstanding Florida 670 Springs or spring systems for which an impairment determination 671 has not been made under the numeric nutrient standards in effect 672 for spring vents. Assessments must be completed by July 1, 2018. 673 (2) By July 1, 2017, each local government, as defined in 674 s. 373.802(3) s. 373.802(2), that has not adopted an ordinance 675 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 28 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S pursuant to s. 403.9337, shall develop, enact, and implement an 676 ordinance pursuant to that section. It is the intent of the 677 Legislature that ordinances required to be adopted under this 678 subsection reflect the latest scientific information, 679 advancements, and technological improvements in the industry. 680 (3) As part of a basin management a ction plan that 681 includes an Outstanding Florida Spring, the department, relevant 682 local governments, and relevant local public and private 683 wastewater utilities shall develop an onsite sewage treatment 684 and disposal system remediation plan for a spring if the 685 department determines onsite sewage treatment and disposal 686 systems within a basin management action plan priority focus 687 area contribute at least 20 percent of nonpoint source nitrogen 688 pollution or if the department determines remediation is 689 necessary to achieve the total maximum daily load. The plan must 690 shall identify cost-effective and financially feasible projects 691 necessary to reduce the nutrient impacts from onsite sewage 692 treatment and disposal systems and shall be completed and 693 adopted as part of the basin management action plan no later 694 than the first 5-year milestone required by subparagraph 695 (1)(b)8. The department is the lead agency in coordinating the 696 preparation of and the adoption of the plan. The department 697 shall: 698 (a) Collect and evaluate cred ible scientific information 699 on the effect of nutrients, particularly forms of nitrogen, on 700 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 29 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S springs and springs systems; and 701 (b) Develop a public education plan to provide area 702 residents with reliable, understandable information about onsite 703 sewage treatment and disposal systems and springs. 704 705 In addition to the requirements in s. 403.067, the plan must 706 shall include options for repair, upgrade, replacement, 707 drainfield modification, addition of effective nitrogen reducing 708 features, connection to a central s ewerage system, or other 709 action for an onsite sewage treatment and disposal system or 710 group of systems within a basin management action plan priority 711 focus area that contribute at least 20 percent of nonpoint 712 source nitrogen pollution or if the department determines 713 remediation is necessary to achieve a total maximum daily load. 714 For these systems, the department shall include in the plan a 715 priority ranking for each system or group of systems that 716 requires remediation and shall award funds to implement the 717 remediation projects contingent on an appropriation in the 718 General Appropriations Act, which may include all or part of the 719 costs necessary for repair, upgrade, replacement, drainfield 720 modification, addition of effective nitrogen reducing features, 721 initial connection to a central sewerage system, or other 722 action. In awarding funds, the department may consider expected 723 nutrient reduction benefit per unit cost, size and scope of 724 project, relative local financial contribution to the project, 725 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 30 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S and the financial impact on property owners and the community. 726 The department may waive matching funding requirements for 727 proposed projects within an area designated as a rural area of 728 opportunity under s. 288.0656. 729 Section 8. Section 373.811, Florida Statutes, is amende d 730 to read: 731 373.811 Prohibited activities within a basin management 732 action plan priority focus area.—The following activities are 733 prohibited within a basin management action plan priority focus 734 area in effect for an Outstanding Florida Spring: 735 (1) New domestic wastewater disposal facilities, including 736 rapid infiltration basins, with permitted capacities of 100,000 737 gallons per day or more, except for those facilities that meet 738 an advanced wastewater treatment standard of no more than 3 mg/l 739 total nitrogen, expressed as N, on an annual permitted basis, or 740 a more stringent treatment standard if the department determines 741 the more stringent standard is necessary to attain a total 742 maximum daily load for the Outstanding Florida Spring. 743 (2) New onsite sewage tr eatment and disposal systems where 744 connection to a publicly owned or investor -owned sewerage system 745 is available as defined in s. 381.0065(2)(a). On lots of 1 acre 746 or less, if a publicly owned or investor -owned sewerage system 747 is not available, only the in stallation of enhanced nutrient -748 reducing onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems or other 749 wastewater treatment systems that achieve at least 50 percent 750 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 31 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S nutrient reduction compared to a standard onsite sewage 751 treatment and disposal system are authorize d on lots of less 752 than 1 acre, if the addition of the specific systems conflicts 753 with an onsite treatment and disposal system remediation plan 754 incorporated into a basin management action plan in accordance 755 with s. 373.807(3). 756 (3) New facilities for the d isposal of hazardous waste. 757 (4) The land application of Class A or Class B domestic 758 wastewater biosolids not in accordance with a department 759 approved nutrient management plan establishing the rate at which 760 all biosolids, soil amendments, and sources of n utrients at the 761 land application site can be applied to the land for crop 762 production while minimizing the amount of pollutants and 763 nutrients discharged to groundwater or waters of the state. 764 (5) New agriculture operations that do not implement best 765 management practices, measures necessary to achieve pollution 766 reduction levels established by the department, or groundwater 767 monitoring plans approved by a water management district or the 768 department. 769 Section 9. Present paragraphs (f) through (r) of 770 subsection (2) of section 381.0065, Florida Statutes, are 771 redesignated as paragraphs (g) through (s), respectively, a new 772 paragraph (f) is added to that subsection, and paragraph (n) of 773 subsection (4) of that section is amended, to read: 774 381.0065 Onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems; 775 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 32 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S regulation.— 776 (2) DEFINITIONS.—As used in ss. 381.0065 -381.0067, the 777 term: 778 (f) "Enhanced nutrient -reducing onsite sewage treatment 779 and disposal system" means an onsite sewage treatment and 780 disposal system approved by the department as capable of meeting 781 or exceeding a 50 percent total nitrogen reduction before 782 disposal of wastewater in the drainfield, or at least 65 percent 783 total nitrogen reduction combined from onsite sewage tank or 784 tanks and drainfield. 785 (4) PERMITS; INSTALLATION; CONDITIONS. —A person may not 786 construct, repair, modify, abandon, or operate an onsite sewage 787 treatment and disposal system without first obtaining a permit 788 approved by the department. The department may issue permits to 789 carry out this section, except that the issuance of a permit for 790 work seaward of the coastal construction control line 791 established under s. 161.053 is shall be contingent upon receipt 792 of any required coastal construction control line permit from 793 the department. A construction per mit is valid for 18 months 794 after the date of issuance and may be extended by the department 795 for one 90-day period under rules adopted by the department. A 796 repair permit is valid for 90 days after the date of issuance. 797 An operating permit must be obtained b efore the use of any 798 aerobic treatment unit or if the establishment generates 799 commercial waste. Buildings or establishments that use an 800 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 33 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S aerobic treatment unit or generate commercial waste shall be 801 inspected by the department at least annually to assure 802 compliance with the terms of the operating permit. The operating 803 permit for a commercial wastewater system is valid for 1 year 804 after the date of issuance and must be renewed annually. The 805 operating permit for an aerobic treatment unit is valid for 2 806 years after the date of issuance and must be renewed every 2 807 years. If all information pertaining to the siting, location, 808 and installation conditions or repair of an onsite sewage 809 treatment and disposal system remains the same, a construction 810 or repair permit for the onsite sewage treatment and disposal 811 system may be transferred to another person, if the transferee 812 files, within 60 days after the transfer of ownership, an 813 amended application providing all corrected information and 814 proof of ownership of the property . A fee is not associated with 815 the processing of this supplemental information. A person may 816 not contract to construct, modify, alter, repair, service, 817 abandon, or maintain any portion of an onsite sewage treatment 818 and disposal system without being registe red under part III of 819 chapter 489. A property owner who personally performs 820 construction, maintenance, or repairs to a system serving his or 821 her own owner-occupied single-family residence is exempt from 822 registration requirements for performing such constru ction, 823 maintenance, or repairs on that residence, but is subject to all 824 permitting requirements. A municipality or political subdivision 825 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 34 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S of the state may not issue a building or plumbing permit for any 826 building that requires the use of an onsite sewage tre atment and 827 disposal system unless the owner or builder has received a 828 construction permit for such system from the department. A 829 building or structure may not be occupied and a municipality, 830 political subdivision, or any state or federal agency may not 831 authorize occupancy until the department approves the final 832 installation of the onsite sewage treatment and disposal system. 833 A municipality or political subdivision of the state may not 834 approve any change in occupancy or tenancy of a building that 835 uses an onsite sewage treatment and disposal system until the 836 department has reviewed the use of the system with the proposed 837 change, approved the change, and amended the operating permit. 838 (n) Evaluations for determining the seasonal high -water 839 table elevations or the suitability of soils for the use of a 840 new onsite sewage treatment and disposal system shall be 841 performed by department personnel, professional engineers 842 registered in the state, or such other persons with expertise, 843 as defined by rule, in making such e valuations. Evaluations for 844 determining mean annual flood lines shall be performed by those 845 persons identified in paragraph (2)(l) (2)(k). The department 846 shall accept evaluations submitted by professional engineers and 847 such other persons as meet the expert ise established by this 848 section or by rule unless the department has a reasonable 849 scientific basis for questioning the accuracy or completeness of 850 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 35 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S the evaluation. 851 Section 10. Subsection (3) is added to section 381.00655, 852 Florida Statutes, to read: 853 381.00655 Connection of existing onsite sewage treatment 854 and disposal systems to central sewerage system; requirements. — 855 (3) Local governmental agencies, as defined in s. 856 403.1835(2), that receive grants or loans from the department to 857 offset the cost of connecting onsite sewage treatment and 858 disposal systems to publicly owned or investor -owned sewerage 859 systems are encouraged to do all of the following while such 860 funds remain available: 861 (a) Identify the owners of onsite sewage treatment and 862 disposal systems within the jurisdiction of the respective local 863 governmental agency who are eligible to apply for the grant or 864 loan funds and notify such owners of the funding availability. 865 (b) Maintain a publicly available website with information 866 relating to the availability of the grant or loan funds, 867 including the amount of funds available and information on how 868 the owner of an onsite sewage treatment and disposal system may 869 apply for such funds. 870 Section 11. Section 403.031, Florida Statutes, is 871 reordered and amended to read: 872 403.031 Definitions. —In construing this chapter, or rules 873 and regulations adopted pursuant hereto, the following words, 874 phrases, or terms, unless the context otherwise indicates, have 875 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 36 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S the following meanings: 876 (1) "Contaminant" is any substance which is harmful to 877 plant, animal, or human life. 878 (2) "Department" means the Department of Environmental 879 Protection. 880 (3) "Effluent limitations" means any restriction 881 established by the department on quantities, rates, or 882 concentrations of che mical, physical, biological, or other 883 constituents which are discharged from sources into waters of 884 the state. 885 (5) "Enhanced nutrient -reducing onsite sewage treatment 886 and disposal system" means an onsite sewage treatment and 887 disposal system approved by t he department as capable of meeting 888 or exceeding a 50 percent total nitrogen reduction before 889 disposal of wastewater in the drainfield, or at least 65 percent 890 total nitrogen reduction combined from onsite sewage tank or 891 tanks and drainfield. 892 (6)(4) "Installation" means is any structure, equipment, 893 or facility, or appurtenances thereto, or operation which may 894 emit air or water contaminants in quantities prohibited by rules 895 of the department. 896 (7) "Nutrient or nutrient -related standards" means water 897 quality standards and criteria established for total nitrogen 898 and total phosphorous, or their organic or inorganic forms; 899 biological variables, such as chlorophyll -a, biomass, or the 900 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 37 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S structure of the phytoplankton, periphyton, or vascular plant 901 community, that respond to nutrient load or concentration in a 902 predictable and measurable manner; or dissolved oxygen if it is 903 demonstrated for the waterbody that dissolved oxygen conditions 904 result in a biological imbalance and the dissolved oxygen 905 responds to a nutrient l oad or concentration in a predictable 906 and measurable manner. 907 (8) "Onsite sewage treatment and disposal system" means a 908 system that contains a standard subsurface, filled, or mound 909 drainfield system; an aerobic treatment unit; a graywater system 910 tank; a laundry wastewater system tank; a septic tank; a grease 911 interceptor; a pump tank; a solids or effluent pump; a 912 waterless, incinerating, or organic waste -composting toilet; or 913 a sanitary pit privy that is installed or proposed to be 914 installed beyond the buil ding sewer on land of the owner or on 915 other land to which the owner has the legal right to install a 916 system. The term includes any item placed within, or intended to 917 be used as a part of or in conjunction with, the system. The 918 term does not include package sewage treatment facilities and 919 other treatment works regulated under chapter 403. 920 (9)(5) "Person" means the state or any agency or 921 institution thereof, the United States or any agency or 922 institution thereof, or any municipality, political subdivision, 923 public or private corporation, individual, partnership, 924 association, or other entity and includes any officer or 925 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 38 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S governing or managing body of the state, the United States, any 926 agency, any municipality, political subdivision, or public or 927 private corporation. 928 (10)(6) "Plant" is any unit operation, complex, area, or 929 multiple of unit operations that produce, process, or cause to 930 be processed any materials, the processing of which can, or may, 931 cause air or water pollution. 932 (11)(7) "Pollution" is the presen ce in the outdoor 933 atmosphere or waters of the state of any substances, 934 contaminants, noise, or manmade or human -induced impairment of 935 air or waters or alteration of the chemical, physical, 936 biological, or radiological integrity of air or water in 937 quantities or at levels which are or may be potentially harmful 938 or injurious to human health or welfare, animal or plant life, 939 or property or which unreasonably interfere with the enjoyment 940 of life or property, including outdoor recreation unless 941 authorized by applicable law. 942 (12)(8) "Pollution prevention" means the steps taken by a 943 potential generator of contamination or pollution to eliminate 944 or reduce the contamination or pollution before it is discharged 945 into the environment. The term includes nonmandatory step s taken 946 to use alternative forms of energy, conserve or reduce the use 947 of energy, substitute nontoxic materials for toxic materials, 948 conserve or reduce the use of toxic materials and raw materials, 949 reformulate products, modify manufacturing or other proces ses, 950 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 39 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S improve in-plant maintenance and operations, implement 951 environmental planning before expanding a facility, and recycle 952 toxic or other raw materials. 953 (14)(9) "Sewerage system" means pipelines or conduits, 954 pumping stations, and force mains and all oth er structures, 955 devices, appurtenances, and facilities used for collecting or 956 conducting wastes to an ultimate point for treatment or 957 disposal. 958 (15)(10) "Source" means is any and all points of origin of 959 a contaminant the item defined in subsection (1) , whether 960 privately or publicly owned or operated. 961 (21)(11) "Treatment works" and "disposal systems" mean any 962 plant or other works used for the purpose of treating, 963 stabilizing, or holding wastes. 964 (22)(12) "Wastes" means sewage, industrial wastes, and all 965 other liquid, gaseous, solid, radioactive, or other substances 966 which may pollute or tend to pollute any waters of the state. 967 (23)(13) "Waters" include, but are not limited to, rivers, 968 lakes, streams, springs, impoundments, wetlands, and all other 969 waters or bodies of water, including fresh, brackish, saline, 970 tidal, surface, or underground waters. Waters owned entirely by 971 one person other than the state are included only in regard to 972 possible discharge on other property or water. Underground 973 waters include, but are not limited to, all underground waters 974 passing through pores of rock or soils or flowing through in 975 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 40 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S channels, whether manmade or natural. Solely for purposes of s. 976 403.0885, waters of the state a lso include navigable waters or 977 waters of the contiguous zone as used in s. 502 of the Clean 978 Water Act, as amended, 33 U.S.C. ss. 1251 et seq., as in 979 existence on January 1, 1993, except for those navigable waters 980 seaward of the boundaries of the state set forth in s. 1, Art. 981 II of the State Constitution. Solely for purposes of this 982 chapter, waters of the state also include the area bounded by 983 the following: 984 (a) Commence at the intersection of State Road (SRD) 5 985 (U.S. 1) and the county line dividing Miami -Dade and Monroe 986 Counties, said point also being the mean high -water line of 987 Florida Bay, located in section 4, township 60 south, range 39 988 east of the Tallahassee Meridian for the point of beginning. 989 From said point of beginning, thence run northwesterly along 990 said SRD 5 to an intersection with the north line of section 18, 991 township 58 south, range 39 east; thence run westerly to a point 992 marking the southeast corner of section 12, township 58 south, 993 range 37 east, said point also lying on the east boundary of the 994 Everglades National Park; thence run north along the east 995 boundary of the aforementioned Everglades National Park to a 996 point marking the northeast corner of section 1, township 58 997 south, range 37 east; thence run west along said park to a point 998 marking the northwest corner of said section 1; thence run 999 northerly along said park to a point marking the northwest 1000 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 41 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S corner of section 24, township 57 south, range 37 east; thence 1001 run westerly along the south lines of sections 14, 15, and 16 to 1002 the southwest corner of section 16; thence leaving the 1003 Everglades National Park boundary run northerly along the west 1004 line of section 16 to the northwest corner of section 16; thence 1005 east along the northerly line of section 16 to a point at the 1006 intersection of the east one-half and west one-half of section 1007 9; thence northerly along the line separating the east one -half 1008 and the west one-half of sections 9, 4, 33, and 28; thence run 1009 easterly along the north line of section 28 to the northeast 1010 corner of section 28; thence run northerly along the west line 1011 of section 22 to the northwest corner of section 22; thence 1012 easterly along the north line of section 22 to a point at the 1013 intersection of the east one -half and west one-half of section 1014 15; thence run northerly along said l ine to the point of 1015 intersection with the north line of section 15; thence easterly 1016 along the north line of section 15 to the northeast corner of 1017 section 15; thence run northerly along the west lines of 1018 sections 11 and 2 to the northwest corner of section 2; thence 1019 run easterly along the north lines of sections 2 and 1 to the 1020 northeast corner of section 1, township 56 south, range 37 east; 1021 thence run north along the east line of section 36, township 55 1022 south, range 37 east to the northeast corner of section 36; 1023 thence run west along the north line of section 36 to the 1024 northwest corner of section 36; thence run north along the west 1025 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 42 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S line of section 25 to the northwest corner of section 25; thence 1026 run west along the north line of section 26 to the northwest 1027 corner of section 26; thence run north along the west line of 1028 section 23 to the northwest corner of section 23; thence run 1029 easterly along the north line of section 23 to the northeast 1030 corner of section 23; thence run north along the west line of 1031 section 13 to the northwest corner of section 13; thence run 1032 east along the north line of section 13 to a point of 1033 intersection with the west line of the southeast one -quarter of 1034 section 12; thence run north along the west line of the 1035 southeast one-quarter of section 1 2 to the northwest corner of 1036 the southeast one-quarter of section 12; thence run east along 1037 the north line of the southeast one -quarter of section 12 to the 1038 point of intersection with the east line of section 12; thence 1039 run east along the south line of the northwest one-quarter of 1040 section 7 to the southeast corner of the northwest one -quarter 1041 of section 7; thence run north along the east line of the 1042 northwest one-quarter of section 7 to the point of intersection 1043 with the north line of section 7; thence run northerly along the 1044 west line of the southeast one -quarter of section 6 to the 1045 northwest corner of the southeast one -quarter of section 6; 1046 thence run east along the north lines of the southeast one -1047 quarter of section 6 and the southwest one -quarter of section 5 1048 to the northeast corner of the southwest one -quarter of section 1049 5; thence run northerly along the east line of the northwest 1050 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 43 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S one-quarter of section 5 to the point of intersection with the 1051 north line of section 5; thence run northerly along the line 1052 dividing the east one -half and the west one -half of Lot 5 to a 1053 point intersecting the north line of Lot 5; thence run east 1054 along the north line of Lot 5 to the northeast corner of Lot 5, 1055 township 54 1/2 south, range 38 east; thence run north along the 1056 west line of section 33, township 54 south, range 38 east to a 1057 point intersecting the northwest corner of the southwest one -1058 quarter of section 33; thence run easterly along the north line 1059 of the southwest one -quarter of section 33 to the northeast 1060 corner of the southwest one-quarter of section 33; thence run 1061 north along the west line of the northeast one -quarter of 1062 section 33 to a point intersecting the north line of section 33; 1063 thence run easterly along the north line of section 33 to the 1064 northeast corner of se ction 33; thence run northerly along the 1065 west line of section 27 to a point intersecting the northwest 1066 corner of the southwest one -quarter of section 27; thence run 1067 easterly to the northeast corner of the southwest one -quarter of 1068 section 27; thence run nor therly along the west line of the 1069 northeast one-quarter of section 27 to a point intersecting the 1070 north line of section 27; thence run west along the north line 1071 of section 27 to the northwest corner of section 27; thence run 1072 north along the west lines of s ections 22 and 15 to the 1073 northwest corner of section 15; thence run easterly along the 1074 north lines of sections 15 and 14 to the point of intersection 1075 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 44 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S with the L-31N Levee, said intersection located near the 1076 southeast corner of section 11, township 54 south , range 38 1077 east; thence run northerly along Levee L -31N crossing SRD 90 1078 (U.S. 41 Tamiami Trail) to an intersection common to Levees L -1079 31N, L-29, and L-30, said intersection located near the 1080 southeast corner of section 2, township 54 south, range 38 east; 1081 thence run northeasterly, northerly, and northeasterly along 1082 Levee L-30 to a point of intersection with the Miami -1083 Dade/Broward Levee, said intersection located near the northeast 1084 corner of section 17, township 52 south, range 39 east; thence 1085 run due east to a point of intersection with SRD 27 (Krome 1086 Ave.); thence run northeasterly along SRD 27 to an intersection 1087 with SRD 25 (U.S. 27), said intersection located in section 3, 1088 township 52 south, range 39 east; thence run northerly along 1089 said SRD 25, entering in to Broward County, to an intersection 1090 with SRD 84 at Andytown; thence run southeasterly along the 1091 aforementioned SRD 84 to an intersection with the southwesterly 1092 prolongation of Levee L -35A, said intersection being located in 1093 the northeast one-quarter of section 5, township 50 south, range 1094 40 east; thence run northeasterly along Levee L -35A to an 1095 intersection of Levee L -36, said intersection located near the 1096 southeast corner of section 12, township 49 south, range 40 1097 east; thence run northerly along Levee L -36, entering into Palm 1098 Beach County, to an intersection common to said Levees L -36, L-1099 39, and L-40, said intersection located near the west quarter 1100 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 45 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S corner of section 19, township 47 south, range 41 east; thence 1101 run northeasterly, easterly, and northerly a long Levee L-40, 1102 said Levee L-40 being the easterly boundary of the Loxahatchee 1103 National Wildlife Refuge, to an intersection with SRD 80 (U.S. 1104 441), said intersection located near the southeast corner of 1105 section 32, township 43 south, range 40 east; thence run 1106 westerly along the aforementioned SRD 80 to a point marking the 1107 intersection of said road and the northeasterly prolongation of 1108 Levee L-7, said Levee L-7 being the westerly boundary of the 1109 Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge; thence run southwesterly 1110 and southerly along said Levee L -7 to an intersection common to 1111 Levees L-7, L-15 (Hillsborough Canal), and L -6; thence run 1112 southwesterly along Levee L -6 to an intersection common to Levee 1113 L-6, SRD 25 (U.S. 27), and Levee L -5, said intersection being 1114 located near the northwest corner of section 27, township 47 1115 south, range 38 east; thence run westerly along the 1116 aforementioned Levee L -5 to a point intersecting the east line 1117 of range 36 east; thence run northerly along said range line to 1118 a point marking the n ortheast corner of section 1, township 47 1119 south, range 36 east; thence run westerly along the north line 1120 of township 47 south, to an intersection with Levee L -23/24 1121 (Miami Canal); thence run northwesterly along the Miami Canal 1122 Levee to a point intersecting the north line of section 22, 1123 township 46 south, range 35 east; thence run westerly to a point 1124 marking the northwest corner of section 21, township 46 south, 1125 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 46 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S range 35 east; thence run southerly to the southwest corner of 1126 said section 21; thence run wester ly to a point marking the 1127 northwest corner of section 30, township 46 south, range 35 1128 east, said point also being on the line dividing Palm Beach and 1129 Hendry Counties; from said point, thence run southerly along 1130 said county line to a point marking the inter section of Broward, 1131 Hendry, and Collier Counties, said point also being the 1132 northeast corner of section 1, township 49 south, range 34 east; 1133 thence run westerly along the line dividing Hendry and Collier 1134 Counties and continuing along the prolongation there of to a 1135 point marking the southwest corner of section 36, township 48 1136 south, range 29 east; thence run southerly to a point marking 1137 the southwest corner of section 12, township 49 south, range 29 1138 east; thence run westerly to a point marking the southwest 1139 corner of section 10, township 49 south, range 29 east; thence 1140 run southerly to a point marking the southwest corner of section 1141 15, township 49 south, range 29 east; thence run westerly to a 1142 point marking the northwest corner of section 24, township 49 1143 south, range 28 east, said point lying on the west boundary of 1144 the Big Cypress Area of Critical State Concern as described in 1145 rule 28-25.001, Florida Administrative Code; thence run 1146 southerly along said boundary crossing SRD 84 (Alligator Alley) 1147 to a point marking the southwest corner of section 24, township 1148 50 south, range 28 east; thence leaving the aforementioned west 1149 boundary of the Big Cypress Area of Critical State Concern run 1150 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 47 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S easterly to a point marking the northeast corner of section 25, 1151 township 50 south, range 28 east; thence run southerly along the 1152 east line of range 28 east to a point lying approximately 0.15 1153 miles south of the northeast corner of section 1, township 52 1154 south, range 28 east; thence run southwesterly 2.4 miles more or 1155 less to an intersection with SRD 90 (U.S. 41 Tamiami Trail), 1156 said intersection lying 1.1 miles more or less west of the east 1157 line of range 28 east; thence run northwesterly and westerly 1158 along SRD 90 to an intersection with the west line of section 1159 10, township 52 south, r ange 28 east; thence leaving SRD 90 run 1160 southerly to a point marking the southwest corner of section 15, 1161 township 52 south, range 28 east; thence run westerly crossing 1162 the Faka Union Canal 0.6 miles more or less to a point; thence 1163 run southerly and paralle l to the Faka Union Canal to a point 1164 located on the mean high -water line of Faka Union Bay; thence 1165 run southeasterly along the mean high -water line of the various 1166 bays, rivers, inlets, and streams to the point of beginning. 1167 (b) The area bounded by the li ne described in paragraph 1168 (a) generally includes those waters to be known as waters of the 1169 state. The landward extent of these waters shall be determined 1170 by the delineation methodology ratified in s. 373.4211. Any 1171 waters which are outside the general bound ary line described in 1172 paragraph (a) but which are contiguous thereto by virtue of the 1173 presence of a wetland, watercourse, or other surface water, as 1174 determined by the delineation methodology ratified in s. 1175 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 48 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S 373.4211, shall be a part of this waterbody water body. Any 1176 areas within the line described in paragraph (a) which are 1177 neither a wetland nor surface water, as determined by the 1178 delineation methodology ratified in s. 373.4211, shall be 1179 excluded therefrom. If the Florida Environmental Regulation 1180 Commission designates the waters within the boundaries an 1181 Outstanding Florida Water, waters outside the boundaries may 1182 shall not be included as part of such designation unless a 1183 hearing is held pursuant to notice in each appropriate county 1184 and the boundaries of such lands are specifically considered and 1185 described for such designation. 1186 (16)(14) "State water resource implementation rule" means 1187 the rule authorized by s. 373.036, which sets forth goals, 1188 objectives, and guidance for the development and review of 1189 programs, rules, and plans relating to water resources, based on 1190 statutory policies and directives. The waters of the state are 1191 among its most basic resources. Such waters should be managed to 1192 conserve and protect water resources and to realize the full 1193 beneficial use of these resources. 1194 (17)(15) "Stormwater management program" means the 1195 institutional strategy for stormwater management, including 1196 urban, agricultural, and other stormwater. 1197 (18)(16) "Stormwater management system" means a system 1198 which is designed and constructed or implemented to control 1199 discharges that which are necessitated by rainfall events, 1200 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 49 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S incorporating methods to collect, convey, store, absorb, 1201 inhibit, treat, use, or reuse water to prevent or reduce 1202 flooding, overdrainage, environmental deg radation and water 1203 pollution or otherwise affect the quantity and quality of 1204 discharges from the system. 1205 (19)(17) "Stormwater utility" means the funding of a 1206 stormwater management program by assessing the cost of the 1207 program to the beneficiaries based on their relative 1208 contribution to its need. It is operated as a typical utility 1209 which bills services regularly, similar to water and wastewater 1210 services. 1211 (24)(18) "Watershed" means the land area that which 1212 contributes to the flow of water into a receiving body of water. 1213 (13)(19) "Regulated air pollutant" means any pollutant 1214 regulated under the federal Clean Air Act. 1215 (4)(20) "Electrical power plant" means, for purposes of 1216 this part of this chapter, any electrical generating facility 1217 that uses any process or fuel and that is owned or operated by 1218 an electric utility, as defined in s. 403.503(14), and includes 1219 any associated facility that directly supports the operation of 1220 the electrical power plant. 1221 (20)(21) "Total maximum daily load" is defined as the su m 1222 of the individual wasteload allocations for point sources and 1223 the load allocations for nonpoint sources and natural 1224 background. Prior to determining individual wasteload 1225 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 50 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S allocations and load allocations, the maximum amount of a 1226 pollutant that a waterbody water body or water segment can 1227 assimilate from all sources without exceeding water quality 1228 standards must first be calculated. 1229 Section 12. Paragraphs (a) and (e) of subsection (7) of 1230 section 403.067, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 1231 403.067 Establishment and implementation of total maximum 1232 daily loads.— 1233 (7) DEVELOPMENT OF BASIN MANAGEMENT PLANS AND 1234 IMPLEMENTATION OF TOTAL MAXIMUM DAILY LOADS. — 1235 (a) Basin management action plans. — 1236 1. In developing and implementing the total maximum daily 1237 load for a waterbody water body, the department, or the 1238 department in conjunction with a water management district, may 1239 develop a basin management action plan that addresses some or 1240 all of the watersheds and basins tributary to the waterbody 1241 water body. Such plan must integrate the appropriate management 1242 strategies available to the state through existing water quality 1243 protection programs to achieve the total maximum daily loads and 1244 may provide for phased implementation of these management 1245 strategies to promote timely, cost -effective actions as provided 1246 for in s. 403.151. The plan must establish a schedule 1247 implementing the management strategies, establish a basis for 1248 evaluating the plan's effectivenes s, and identify feasible 1249 funding strategies for implementing the plan's management 1250 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 51 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S strategies. The management strategies may include regional 1251 treatment systems or other public works, when appropriate, and 1252 voluntary trading of water quality credits to achie ve the needed 1253 pollutant load reductions. 1254 2. A basin management action plan must equitably allocate, 1255 pursuant to paragraph (6)(b), pollutant reductions to individual 1256 basins, as a whole to all basins, or to each identified point 1257 source or category of nonpo int sources, as appropriate. For 1258 nonpoint sources for which best management practices have been 1259 adopted, the initial requirement specified by the plan must be 1260 those practices developed pursuant to paragraph (c). When 1261 appropriate, the plan may take into acc ount the benefits of 1262 pollutant load reduction achieved by point or nonpoint sources 1263 that have implemented management strategies to reduce pollutant 1264 loads, including best management practices, before the 1265 development of the basin management action plan. The plan must 1266 also identify the mechanisms that will address potential future 1267 increases in pollutant loading. 1268 3. The basin management action planning process is 1269 intended to involve the broadest possible range of interested 1270 parties, with the objective of enco uraging the greatest amount 1271 of cooperation and consensus possible. In developing a basin 1272 management action plan, the department shall assure that key 1273 stakeholders, including, but not limited to, applicable local 1274 governments, water management districts, the Department of 1275 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 52 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S Agriculture and Consumer Services, other appropriate state 1276 agencies, local soil and water conservation districts, 1277 environmental groups, regulated interests, and affected 1278 pollution sources, are invited to participate in the process. 1279 The department shall hold at least one public meeting in the 1280 vicinity of the watershed or basin to discuss and receive 1281 comments during the planning process and shall otherwise 1282 encourage public participation to the greatest practicable 1283 extent. Notice of the public m eeting must be published in a 1284 newspaper of general circulation in each county in which the 1285 watershed or basin lies at least 5 days, but not more than 15 1286 days, before the public meeting. A basin management action plan 1287 does not supplant or otherwise alter an y assessment made under 1288 subsection (3) or subsection (4) or any calculation or initial 1289 allocation. 1290 4. Each new or revised basin management action plan must 1291 shall include all of the following : 1292 a. The appropriate management strategies available through 1293 existing water quality protection programs to achieve total 1294 maximum daily loads, which may provide for phased implementation 1295 to promote timely, cost -effective actions as provided for in s. 1296 403.151.; 1297 b. A description of best management practices adopted by 1298 rule.; 1299 c. For the applicable 5 -year implementation milestone, a 1300 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 53 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S list of projects that will achieve the pollutant load reductions 1301 needed to meet the total maximum daily load or the load 1302 allocations established pursuant to subsection (6). Each project 1303 must include a planning -level cost estimate and an estimated 1304 date of completion. A list of projects in priority ranking with 1305 a planning-level cost estimate and estimated date of completion 1306 for each listed project; 1307 d. A list of projects developed pursuant to paragraph (e), 1308 if applicable. 1309 e.d. The source and amount of financial assistance to be 1310 made available by the department, a water management district, 1311 or other entity for each listed project, if applicable .; and 1312 f.e. A planning-level estimate of each l isted project's 1313 expected load reduction, if applicable. 1314 5. The department shall adopt all or any part of a basin 1315 management action plan and any amendment to such plan by 1316 secretarial order pursuant to chapter 120 to implement this 1317 section. 1318 6. The basin management action plan must include 5-year 1319 milestones for implementation and water quality improvement, and 1320 an associated water quality monitoring component sufficient to 1321 evaluate whether reasonable progress in pollutant load 1322 reductions is being achieved o ver time. An assessment of 1323 progress toward these milestones shall be conducted every 5 1324 years, and revisions to the plan shall be made as appropriate. 1325 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 54 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S Any entity with a specific pollutant load reduction requirement 1326 established in a basin management action p lan shall identify the 1327 projects or strategies that such entity will undertake to meet 1328 current 5-year pollution reduction milestones, beginning with 1329 the first 5-year milestone for new basin management action 1330 plans, and submit such projects to the department for inclusion 1331 in the appropriate basin management action plan. Each project 1332 identified must include an estimated amount of nutrient 1333 reduction that is reasonably expected to be achieved based on 1334 the best scientific information available. Revisions to the 1335 basin management action plan shall be made by the department in 1336 cooperation with basin stakeholders. Revisions to the management 1337 strategies required for nonpoint sources must follow the 1338 procedures in subparagraph (c)4. Revised basin management action 1339 plans must be adopted pursuant to subparagraph 5. 1340 7. In accordance with procedures adopted by rule under 1341 paragraph (9)(c), basin management action plans, and other 1342 pollution control programs under local, state, or federal 1343 authority as provided in subsection (4 ), may allow point or 1344 nonpoint sources that will achieve greater pollutant reductions 1345 than required by an adopted total maximum daily load or 1346 wasteload allocation to generate, register, and trade water 1347 quality credits for the excess reductions to enable ot her 1348 sources to achieve their allocation; however, the generation of 1349 water quality credits does not remove the obligation of a source 1350 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 55 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S or activity to meet applicable technology requirements or 1351 adopted best management practices. Such plans must allow trading 1352 between NPDES permittees, and trading that may or may not 1353 involve NPDES permittees, where the generation or use of the 1354 credits involve an entity or activity not subject to department 1355 water discharge permits whose owner voluntarily elects to obtain 1356 department authorization for the generation and sale of credits. 1357 8. The department's rule relating to the equitable 1358 abatement of pollutants into surface waters do not apply to 1359 water bodies or waterbody water body segments for which a basin 1360 management plan that t akes into account future new or expanded 1361 activities or discharges has been adopted under this section. 1362 9. In order to promote resilient wastewater utilities, if 1363 the department identifies domestic wastewater treatment 1364 facilities or onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems as 1365 contributors of at least 20 percent of point source or nonpoint 1366 source nutrient pollution or if the department determines 1367 remediation is necessary to achieve the total maximum daily 1368 load, a basin management action plan for a nutrie nt total 1369 maximum daily load must include the following: 1370 a. A wastewater treatment plan developed by each local 1371 government, in cooperation with the department, the water 1372 management district, and the public and private domestic 1373 wastewater treatment facilit ies within the jurisdiction of the 1374 local government, that addresses domestic wastewater. The 1375 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 56 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S wastewater treatment plan must: 1376 (I) Provide for construction, expansion, or upgrades 1377 necessary to achieve the total maximum daily load requirements 1378 applicable to the domestic wastewater treatment facility. 1379 (II) Include the permitted capacity in average annual 1380 gallons per day for the domestic wastewater treatment facility; 1381 the average nutrient concentration and the estimated average 1382 nutrient load of the domestic wastewater; a projected timeline 1383 of the dates by which the construction of any facility 1384 improvements will begin and be completed and the date by which 1385 operations of the improved facility will begin; the estimated 1386 cost of the improvements; and the identity of responsible 1387 parties. 1388 1389 The wastewater treatment plan must be adopted as part of the 1390 basin management action plan no later than July 1, 2025. A local 1391 government that does not have a domestic wastewater treatment 1392 facility in its jurisdiction is not require d to develop a 1393 wastewater treatment plan unless there is a demonstrated need to 1394 establish a domestic wastewater treatment facility within its 1395 jurisdiction to improve water quality necessary to achieve a 1396 total maximum daily load. A local government is not r esponsible 1397 for a private domestic wastewater facility's compliance with a 1398 basin management action plan unless such facility is operated 1399 through a public-private partnership to which the local 1400 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 57 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S government is a party. 1401 b. An onsite sewage treatment and disposal system 1402 remediation plan developed by each local government in 1403 cooperation with the department, the Department of Health, water 1404 management districts, and public and private domestic wastewater 1405 treatment facilities. 1406 (I) The onsite sewage treatment and disposal system 1407 remediation plan must identify cost -effective and financially 1408 feasible projects necessary to achieve the nutrient load 1409 reductions required for onsite sewage treatment and disposal 1410 systems. To identify cost -effective and financially fea sible 1411 projects for remediation of onsite sewage treatment and disposal 1412 systems, the local government shall: 1413 (A) Include an inventory of onsite sewage treatment and 1414 disposal systems based on the best information available; 1415 (B) Identify onsite sewage tre atment and disposal systems 1416 that would be eliminated through connection to existing or 1417 future central domestic wastewater infrastructure in the 1418 jurisdiction or domestic wastewater service area of the local 1419 government, that would be replaced with or upgrade d to enhanced 1420 nutrient-reducing onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems, 1421 or that would remain on conventional onsite sewage treatment and 1422 disposal systems; 1423 (C) Estimate the costs of potential onsite sewage 1424 treatment and disposal system connections, upgrades, or 1425 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 58 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S replacements; and 1426 (D) Identify deadlines and interim milestones for the 1427 planning, design, and construction of projects. 1428 (II) The department shall adopt the onsite sewage 1429 treatment and disposal system remediation plan as part of the 1430 basin management action plan no later than July 1, 2025, or as 1431 required for Outstanding Florida Springs under s. 373.807. 1432 10. The installation of new onsite sewage treatment and 1433 disposal systems constructed within a basin management action 1434 plan area adopted un der this section, a reasonable assurance 1435 plan, or a pollution reduction plan is prohibited where 1436 connection to a publicly owned or investor -owned sewerage system 1437 is available as defined in s. 381.0065(2)(a). On lots of 1 acre 1438 or less within a basin managem ent action plan adopted under this 1439 section, a reasonable assurance plan, or a pollution reduction 1440 plan where a publicly owned or investor -owned sewerage system is 1441 not available, the installation of enhanced nutrient -reducing 1442 onsite sewage treatment and dis posal systems or other wastewater 1443 treatment systems that achieve at least 50 percent nutrient 1444 reduction compared to a standard onsite sewage treatment and 1445 disposal system is required. 1446 11.10. When identifying wastewater projects in a basin 1447 management action plan, the department may not require the 1448 higher cost option if it achieves the same nutrient load 1449 reduction as a lower cost option. A regulated entity may choose 1450 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 59 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S a different cost option if it complies with the pollutant 1451 reduction requirements of an adop ted total maximum daily load 1452 and meets or exceeds the pollution reduction requirement of the 1453 original project. 1454 12. Annually, local governments subject to a basin 1455 management action plan or located within the basin of a 1456 waterbody not attaining nutrient or nutrient-related standards 1457 must provide to the department an update on the status of 1458 construction of sanitary sewers to serve such areas, in a manner 1459 prescribed by the department. 1460 (e) Cooperative agricultural regional water quality 1461 improvement element. — 1462 1. The department and, the Department of Agriculture and 1463 Consumer Services, in cooperation with and owners of 1464 agricultural operations in the basin , shall develop a 1465 cooperative agricultural regional water quality improvement 1466 element as part of a basin man agement action plan where only if: 1467 a. Agricultural measures have been adopted by the 1468 Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services pursuant to 1469 subparagraph (c)2. and have been implemented and the water body 1470 remains impaired; 1471 b. Agricultural nonpoint sources contribute to at least 20 1472 percent of nonpoint source nutrient discharges; or and 1473 b.c. The department determines that additional measures, 1474 in combination with state -sponsored regional projects and other 1475 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 60 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S management strategies included in the basin management action 1476 plan, are necessary to achieve the total maximum daily load. 1477 2. The element will be implemented through the use of 1478 cost-effective and technically and financially practical 1479 regional agricultural nutrient reduction cost-sharing projects 1480 and. The element must include a list of such projects submitted 1481 to the department by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer 1482 Services which, in combination with the best management 1483 practices, additional measures, and other management strategies, 1484 will achieve the needed pollutant load reductions established 1485 for agricultural nonpoint sources cost-effective and technically 1486 and financially practical cooperative regional agricultural 1487 nutrient reduction projects that can be implemented on private 1488 properties on a site-specific, cooperative basis . Such 1489 cooperative regional agricultural nutrient reduction projects 1490 may include, but are not limited to, land acquisition in fee or 1491 conservation easements on the lands of willing sellers and site -1492 specific water quality im provement or dispersed water management 1493 projects. The list of regional projects included in the 1494 cooperative agricultural regional water quality improvement 1495 element must include a planning -level cost estimate of each 1496 project along with the estimated amount of nutrient reduction 1497 that such project will achieve on the lands of project 1498 participants. 1499 3. To qualify for participation in the cooperative 1500 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 61 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S agricultural regional water quality improvement element, the 1501 participant must have already implemented and be in compliance 1502 with best management practices or other measures adopted by the 1503 Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services pursuant to 1504 subparagraph (c)2. The element must may be included in the basin 1505 management action plan as a part of the next 5 -year assessment 1506 under subparagraph (a)6. 1507 4. The department or the Department of Agriculture and 1508 Consumer Services may submit a legislative budget request to 1509 fund projects developed pursuant to this paragraph. In 1510 allocating funds for projects funded pursuant to this paragraph, 1511 the department shall provide at least 20 percent of its annual 1512 appropriation for projects in subbasins with the highest 1513 nutrient concentrations within a basin management action plan. 1514 Projects submitted pursuant to this paragraph are eligible for 1515 funding in accordance with s. 403.0673. 1516 Section 13. Section 403.0673, Florida Statutes, is amended 1517 to read: 1518 403.0673 Water quality improvement Wastewater grant 1519 program.—A wastewater grant program is established within the 1520 Department of Environmental Protection to address wastewater, 1521 stormwater, and agricultural sources of nutrient loading to 1522 surface water or groundwater . 1523 (1) The purpose of the grant program is to fund projects 1524 that will improve the quality of waterbodies that: 1525 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 62 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S (a) Are not attaining nutrient or nutrient -related 1526 standards; 1527 (b) Have an established total maximum daily load; or 1528 (c) Are located Subject to the appropriation of funds by 1529 the Legislature, the department may provide grants for the 1530 following projects within a basin management action plan area, a 1531 reasonable assurance plan area an alternative restoration plan 1532 adopted by final order, an accepted alternative restoration plan 1533 area, or a rural area of opportunity under s. 288.0656 . 1534 (2) The department may provide grants for all of the 1535 following types of projects that reduce the amount of nutrients 1536 entering those waterbodies iden tified in subsection (1): 1537 (a) Connecting onsite sewage treatment and disposal 1538 systems to central sewer facilities. 1539 (b) Upgrading domestic wastewater treatment facilities to 1540 advanced waste treatment or greater. 1541 (c) Repairing, upgrading, expanding, or constructing 1542 stormwater treatment facilities that result in improvements to 1543 surface water or groundwater quality. 1544 (d) Repairing, upgrading, expanding, or constructing 1545 domestic wastewater treatment facilities that result in 1546 improvements to surface water o r groundwater quality, including 1547 domestic wastewater reuse and collection systems. 1548 (e) Projects identified pursuant to s. 403.067(7)(a) or 1549 (7)(e). 1550 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 63 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S (f) Projects identified in a wastewater treatment plan or 1551 an onsite sewage treatment and disposal system remediation plan 1552 developed pursuant to s. 403.067(7)(a)9.a. and b. 1553 (g) Projects listed in a city or county capital 1554 improvement element pursuant to s. 163.3177(3)(a)4.b. 1555 (h) Retrofitting onsite sewage treatment and disposal 1556 systems to upgrade such syste ms to enhanced nutrient -reducing 1557 onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems where central 1558 sewerage is unavailable which will individually or collectively 1559 reduce excess nutrient pollution: 1560 (a) Projects to retrofit onsite sewage treatment and 1561 disposal systems to upgrade such systems to enhanced nutrient -1562 reducing onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems. 1563 (b) Projects to construct, upgrade, or expand facilities 1564 to provide advanced waste treatment, as defined in s. 1565 403.086(4). 1566 (c) Projects to conne ct onsite sewage treatment and 1567 disposal systems to central sewer facilities . 1568 (3)(2) In allocating such funds, priority must be given to 1569 projects that subsidize the connection of onsite sewage 1570 treatment and disposal systems to wastewater treatment 1571 facilities. First priority must be given to subsidize the 1572 connection of onsite sewage tr eatment and disposal systems to 1573 existing infrastructure. Second priority must be given to any 1574 expansion of a collection or transmission system that promotes 1575 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 64 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S efficiency by planning the installation of wastewater 1576 transmission facilities to be constructed con currently with 1577 other construction projects occurring within or along a 1578 transportation facility right -of-way. Third priority must be 1579 given to all other connections of onsite sewage treatment and 1580 disposal systems to wastewater treatment facilities. The 1581 department shall consider and prioritize those projects that: 1582 (a) Have the maximum estimated reduction in nutrient load 1583 per project; 1584 (b) Demonstrate project readiness; 1585 (c) Are cost-effective; 1586 (d) Have a cost share identified by the applicant, except 1587 for rural areas of opportunity; 1588 (e) Have previous state commitment and involvement in the 1589 project, considering previously funded phases, the total amount 1590 of previous state funding, and previous partial appropriations 1591 for the proposed project; or 1592 (f) Are in a the cost-effectiveness of the project; the 1593 overall environmental benefit of a project; the location where 1594 reductions are needed most to attain the water quality standards 1595 of a waterbody not attaining nutrient or nutrient -related 1596 standards. 1597 1598 Any project that does not result in reducing nutrient loading to 1599 a waterbody identified in subsection (1) is not eligible for 1600 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 65 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S funding under this section of a project; the availability of 1601 local matching funds; and projected water savings or quantity 1602 improvements associated with a project . 1603 (3) Each grant for a project described in subsection (1) 1604 must require a minimum of a 50 -percent local match of funds. 1605 However, the department may, at its discretion, waive, in whole 1606 or in part, this consideration of the local contri bution for 1607 proposed projects within an area designated as a rural area of 1608 opportunity under s. 288.0656. 1609 (4) The department shall coordinate annually with each 1610 water management district , as necessary, to identify potential 1611 projects grant recipients in each district. 1612 (5) The department shall coordinate with local governments 1613 and stakeholders to identify the most effective and beneficial 1614 water quality improvement projects. 1615 (6) Beginning January 15, 2024 1, 2021, and each January 1616 15 1 thereafter, the department shall submit a report regarding 1617 the projects funded pursuant to this section to the Governor, 1618 the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of 1619 Representatives. The report must include a list of those 1620 projects receiving funding and the f ollowing information for 1621 each project: 1622 (a) A description of the project; 1623 (b) The cost of the project; 1624 (c) The estimated nutrient load reduction of the project; 1625 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 66 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S (d) The location of the project; 1626 (e) The waterbody or waterbodies where the project wi ll 1627 reduce nutrients; and 1628 (f) The total cost share being provided for the project. 1629 Section 14. Paragraph (c) of subsection (1) of section 1630 403.086, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 1631 403.086 Sewage disposal facilities; advanced and secondary 1632 waste treatment.— 1633 (1) 1634 (c)1. Notwithstanding this chapter or chapter 373, sewage 1635 disposal facilities may not dispose of any wastes into the 1636 following waters without providing advanced waste treatment, as 1637 defined in subsection (4), as approved by the departmen t or a 1638 more stringent treatment standard if the department determines 1639 the more stringent standard is necessary to achieve the total 1640 maximum daily load or applicable water quality criteria: 1641 a. Old Tampa Bay, Tampa Bay, Hillsborough Bay, Boca Ciega 1642 Bay, St. Joseph Sound, Clearwater Bay, Sarasota Bay, Little 1643 Sarasota Bay, Roberts Bay, Lemon Bay, Charlotte Harbor Bay, 1644 Biscayne Bay, or any river, stream, channel, canal, bay, bayou, 1645 sound, or other water tributary thereto. , 1646 b. Beginning July 1, 2025, Indian River Lagoon, or into 1647 any river, stream, channel, canal, bay, bayou, sound, or other 1648 water tributary thereto . 1649 c. By January 1, 2033, waterbodies that are currently not 1650 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 67 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S attaining nutrient or nutrient -related standards or t hat are 1651 subject to a nutrient or nutrient -related basin management 1652 action plan adopted pursuant to s. 403.067 or adopted reasonable 1653 assurance plan. 1654 2. For any waterbody determined not to be attaining 1655 nutrient or nutrient -related standards after July 1, 2 023, or 1656 subject to a nutrient or nutrient -related basin management 1657 action plan adopted pursuant to s. 403.067 or adopted reasonable 1658 assurance plan after July 1, 2023, sewage disposal facilities 1659 are prohibited from disposing any wastes into such waters 1660 without providing advanced waste treatment, as defined in 1661 subsection (4), as approved by the department within 10 years 1662 after such determination or adoption , without providing advanced 1663 waste treatment, as defined in subsection (4), approved by the 1664 department. This paragraph does not apply to facilities which 1665 were permitted by February 1, 1987, and which discharge 1666 secondary treated effluent, followed by water hyacinth 1667 treatment, to tributaries of tributaries of the named waters; or 1668 to facilities permitted to dis charge to the nontidally 1669 influenced portions of the Peace River. 1670 Section 15. Paragraph (h) of subsection (4) of section 1671 201.15, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 1672 201.15 Distribution of taxes collected. —All taxes 1673 collected under this chapter are h ereby pledged and shall be 1674 first made available to make payments when due on bonds issued 1675 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 68 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S pursuant to s. 215.618 or s. 215.619, or any other bonds 1676 authorized to be issued on a parity basis with such bonds. Such 1677 pledge and availability for the payment of th ese bonds shall 1678 have priority over any requirement for the payment of service 1679 charges or costs of collection and enforcement under this 1680 section. All taxes collected under this chapter, except taxes 1681 distributed to the Land Acquisition Trust Fund pursuant to 1682 subsections (1) and (2), are subject to the service charge 1683 imposed in s. 215.20(1). Before distribution pursuant to this 1684 section, the Department of Revenue shall deduct amounts 1685 necessary to pay the costs of the collection and enforcement of 1686 the tax levied by this chapter. The costs and service charge may 1687 not be levied against any portion of taxes pledged to debt 1688 service on bonds to the extent that the costs and service charge 1689 are required to pay any amounts relating to the bonds. All of 1690 the costs of the collection and enforcement of the tax levied by 1691 this chapter and the service charge shall be available and 1692 transferred to the extent necessary to pay debt service and any 1693 other amounts payable with respect to bonds authorized before 1694 January 1, 2017, secured by revenues distributed pursuant to 1695 this section. All taxes remaining after deduction of costs shall 1696 be distributed as follows: 1697 (4) After the required distributions to the Land 1698 Acquisition Trust Fund pursuant to subsections (1) and (2) and 1699 deduction of the service charge imposed pursuant to s. 1700 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 69 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S 215.20(1), the remainder shall be distributed as follows: 1701 (h) An amount equaling 5.4175 percent of the remainder 1702 shall be paid into the Water Protection and Sustainability 1703 Program Trust Fund to be used to fund water quality improvement 1704 wastewater grants as specified in s. 403.0673. 1705 Section 16. Paragraph (l) of subsection (3), paragraph (a) 1706 of subsection (5), and paragraph (i) of subsection (15) of 1707 section 259.105, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 1708 259.105 The Florida Forever Act. — 1709 (3) Less the costs of issuing and the costs of funding 1710 reserve accounts and other costs associated with bonds, the 1711 proceeds of cash payments or bonds issued pursuant to this 1712 section shall be deposited into the Florida Forever Trust Fund 1713 created by s. 259.1051. The proceeds shall be distributed by the 1714 Department of Environmental Protection in the following manner: 1715 (l) For the purposes of paragraphs (e), (f), (g), and (h), 1716 the agencies that receive the funds shall develop their 1717 individual acquisition or restoration lists in accordance with 1718 specific criteria and numeric performance measures developed 1719 pursuant to s. 259.035(4). Proposed additions may be acquired if 1720 they are identified within the original project boundary, the 1721 management plan required pursuant to s. 253.034(5), or the 1722 management prospectus required pursuant to s. 259.032(7)(b) s. 1723 259.032(7)(c). Proposed additions not meeting the requirements 1724 of this paragraph shall be submitted to the council for 1725 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 70 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S approval. The council may only approve the proposed addition if 1726 it meets two or more of the following criteria: serves as a link 1727 or corridor to other publicly owned property; enhances the 1728 protection or management of the property; would add a desirable 1729 resource to the propert y; would create a more manageable 1730 boundary configuration; has a high resource value that otherwise 1731 would be unprotected; or can be acquired at less than fair 1732 market value. 1733 (5)(a) All lands acquired pursuant to this section shall 1734 be managed for multiple -use purposes, where compatible with the 1735 resource values of and management objectives for such lands. As 1736 used in this section, "multiple -use" includes, but is not 1737 limited to, outdoor recreational activities as described in ss. 1738 253.034 and 259.032(7)(a)2. ss. 253.034 and 259.032(7)(b) , water 1739 resource development projects, sustainable forestry management, 1740 carbon sequestration, carbon mitigation, or carbon offsets. 1741 (15) The council shall submit to the board, with its list 1742 of projects, a report that includes, b ut need not be limited to, 1743 the following information for each project listed: 1744 (i) A management policy statement for the project and a 1745 management prospectus pursuant to s. 259.032(7)(b) s. 1746 259.032(7)(c). 1747 Section 17. Subsection (17) of section 373.019 , Florida 1748 Statutes, is amended to read: 1749 373.019 Definitions. —When appearing in this chapter or in 1750 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 71 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S any rule, regulation, or order adopted pursuant thereto, the 1751 term: 1752 (17) "Reclaimed water" means water that has received at 1753 least secondary treatment and b asic disinfection and is reused 1754 after flowing out of a domestic wastewater treatment facility. 1755 Reclaimed water is not subject to regulation pursuant to s. 1756 373.175 or part II of this chapter until it has been discharged 1757 into waters as defined in s. 403.031 s. 403.031(13). 1758 Section 18. Section 373.4132, Florida Statutes, is amended 1759 to read: 1760 373.4132 Dry storage facility permitting. —The governing 1761 board or the department shall require a permit under this part, 1762 including s. 373.4145, for the construction, alteration, 1763 operation, maintenance, abandonment, or removal of a dry storage 1764 facility for 10 or more vessels that is functionally associated 1765 with a boat launching area. As part of an applicant's 1766 demonstration that such a facility will not be harmful to the 1767 water resources and will not be inconsistent with the overall 1768 objectives of the district, the governing board or department 1769 shall require the applicant to provide reasonable assurance that 1770 the secondary impacts from the facility will not cause adverse 1771 impacts to the functions of wetlands and surface waters, 1772 including violations of state water quality standards applicable 1773 to waters as defined in s. 403.031 s. 403.031(13), and will meet 1774 the public interest test of s. 373.414(1)(a), including the 1775 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 72 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S potential adverse impacts to manatees. Nothing in this section 1776 shall affect the authority of the gover ning board or the 1777 department to regulate such secondary impacts under this part 1778 for other regulated activities. 1779 Section 19. Subsection (1) of section 373.414, Florida 1780 Statutes, is amended to read: 1781 373.414 Additional criteria for activities in surface 1782 waters and wetlands. — 1783 (1) As part of an applicant's demonstration that an 1784 activity regulated under this part will not be harmful to the 1785 water resources or will not be inconsistent with the overall 1786 objectives of the district, the governing board or the 1787 department shall require the applicant to provide reasonable 1788 assurance that state water quality standards applicable to 1789 waters as defined in s. 403.031 s. 403.031(13) will not be 1790 violated and reasonable assurance that such activity in, on, or 1791 over surface waters or wetlands, as delineated in s. 373.421(1), 1792 is not contrary to the public interest. However, if such an 1793 activity significantly degrades or is within an Outstanding 1794 Florida Water, as provided by department rule, the applicant 1795 must provide reasonable assurance that the proposed activity 1796 will be clearly in the public interest. 1797 (a) In determining whether an activity, which is in, on, 1798 or over surface waters or wetlands, as delineated in s. 1799 373.421(1), and is regulated under this part, is not contrary to 1800 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 73 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S the public interest or is clearly in the public interest, the 1801 governing board or the department shall consider and balance the 1802 following criteria: 1803 1. Whether the activity will adversely affect the public 1804 health, safety, or welfare or the property of oth ers; 1805 2. Whether the activity will adversely affect the 1806 conservation of fish and wildlife, including endangered or 1807 threatened species, or their habitats; 1808 3. Whether the activity will adversely affect navigation 1809 or the flow of water or cause harmful eros ion or shoaling; 1810 4. Whether the activity will adversely affect the fishing 1811 or recreational values or marine productivity in the vicinity of 1812 the activity; 1813 5. Whether the activity will be of a temporary or 1814 permanent nature; 1815 6. Whether the activity will adversely affect or will 1816 enhance significant historical and archaeological resources 1817 under the provisions of s. 267.061; and 1818 7. The current condition and relative value of functions 1819 being performed by areas affected by the proposed activity. 1820 (b) If the applicant is unable to otherwise meet the 1821 criteria set forth in this subsection, the governing board or 1822 the department, in deciding to grant or deny a permit, must 1823 shall consider measures proposed by or acceptable to the 1824 applicant to mitigate adverse eff ects that may be caused by the 1825 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 74 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S regulated activity. Such measures may include, but are not 1826 limited to, onsite mitigation, offsite mitigation, offsite 1827 regional mitigation, and the purchase of mitigation credits from 1828 mitigation banks permitted under s. 373.41 36. It is shall be the 1829 responsibility of the applicant to choose the form of 1830 mitigation. The mitigation must offset the adverse effects 1831 caused by the regulated activity. 1832 1. The department or water management districts may accept 1833 the donation of money as mitigation only where the donation is 1834 specified for use in a duly noticed environmental creation, 1835 preservation, enhancement, or restoration project, endorsed by 1836 the department or the governing board of the water management 1837 district, which offsets the impac ts of the activity permitted 1838 under this part. However, the provisions of this subsection does 1839 shall not apply to projects undertaken pursuant to s. 373.4137 1840 or chapter 378. Where a permit is required under this part to 1841 implement any project endorsed by the department or a water 1842 management district, all necessary permits must have been issued 1843 prior to the acceptance of any cash donation. After the 1844 effective date of this act, when money is donated to either the 1845 department or a water management district to off set impacts 1846 authorized by a permit under this part, the department or the 1847 water management district shall accept only a donation that 1848 represents the full cost to the department or water management 1849 district of undertaking the project that is intended to mit igate 1850 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 75 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S the adverse impacts. The full cost shall include all direct and 1851 indirect costs, as applicable, such as those for land 1852 acquisition, land restoration or enhancement, perpetual land 1853 management, and general overhead consisting of costs such as 1854 staff time, building, and vehicles. The department or the water 1855 management district may use a multiplier or percentage to add to 1856 other direct or indirect costs to estimate general overhead. 1857 Mitigation credit for such a donation may shall be given only to 1858 the extent that the donation covers the full cost to the agency 1859 of undertaking the project that is intended to mitigate the 1860 adverse impacts. However, nothing herein may shall be construed 1861 to prevent the department or a water management district from 1862 accepting a donation representing a portion of a larger project, 1863 provided that the donation covers the full cost of that portion 1864 and mitigation credit is given only for that portion. The 1865 department or water management district may deviate from the 1866 full cost requirements of this subparagraph to resolve a 1867 proceeding brought pursuant to chapter 70 or a claim for inverse 1868 condemnation. Nothing in this section may shall be construed to 1869 require the owner of a private mitigation bank, permitted under 1870 s. 373.4136, to include the ful l cost of a mitigation credit in 1871 the price of the credit to a purchaser of said credit. 1872 2. The department and each water management district shall 1873 report by March 1 of each year, as part of the consolidated 1874 annual report required by s. 373.036(7), all ca sh donations 1875 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 76 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S accepted under subparagraph 1. during the preceding water 1876 management district fiscal year for wetland mitigation purposes. 1877 The report must shall exclude those contributions pursuant to s. 1878 373.4137. The report must shall include a description o f the 1879 endorsed mitigation projects and, except for projects governed 1880 by s. 373.4135(6), must shall address, as applicable, success 1881 criteria, project implementation status and timeframe, 1882 monitoring, long-term management, provisions for preservation, 1883 and full cost accounting. 1884 3. If the applicant is unable to meet water quality 1885 standards because existing ambient water quality does not meet 1886 standards, the governing board or the department must shall 1887 consider mitigation measures proposed by or acceptable to the 1888 applicant that cause net improvement of the water quality in the 1889 receiving body of water for those parameters which do not meet 1890 standards. 1891 4. If mitigation requirements imposed by a local 1892 government for surface water and wetland impacts of an activity 1893 regulated under this part cannot be reconciled with mitigation 1894 requirements approved under a permit for the same activity 1895 issued under this part, including application of the uniform 1896 wetland mitigation assessment method adopted pursuant to 1897 subsection (18), the mitigation requirements for surface water 1898 and wetland impacts are shall be controlled by the permit issued 1899 under this part. 1900 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 77 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S (c) Where activities for a single project regulated under 1901 this part occur in more than one local government jurisdiction, 1902 and where permit conditions or regulatory requirements are 1903 imposed by a local government for these activities which cannot 1904 be reconciled with those imposed by a permit under this part for 1905 the same activities, the permit conditions or regulatory 1906 requirements are shall be controlled by the permit issued under 1907 this part. 1908 Section 20. Section 373.4142, Florida Statutes, is amended 1909 to read: 1910 373.4142 Water quality within stormwater treatment 1911 systems.—State surface water quality standards applicable to 1912 waters of the state, as defined in s. 403.031 s. 403.031(13), do 1913 shall not apply within a stormwater management system which is 1914 designed, constructed, operated, and maintained for stormwater 1915 treatment in accordance with a valid permit or noticed exemption 1916 issued pursuant to chapter 62 -25, Florida Administrative Code; a 1917 valid permit or exemption under s. 373.4145 within the Northwest 1918 Florida Water Management District; a valid permit issued on or 1919 subsequent to April 1, 1986, within the Suwannee River Water 1920 Management District or the St. Johns River Water Management 1921 District pursuant to this part; a valid permit issued on or 1922 subsequent to March 1, 1988, within the Southwest Florida Water 1923 Management District pu rsuant to this part; or a valid permit 1924 issued on or subsequent to January 6, 1982, within the South 1925 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 78 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S Florida Water Management District pursuant to this part. Such 1926 inapplicability of state water quality standards shall be 1927 limited to that part of the stormwat er management system located 1928 upstream of a manmade water control structure permitted, or 1929 approved under a noticed exemption, to retain or detain 1930 stormwater runoff in order to provide treatment of the 1931 stormwater. The additional use of such a stormwater mana gement 1932 system for flood attenuation or irrigation does shall not divest 1933 the system of the benefits of this exemption. This section does 1934 shall not affect the authority of the department and water 1935 management districts to require reasonable assurance that the 1936 water quality within such stormwater management systems will not 1937 adversely impact public health, fish and wildlife, or adjacent 1938 waters. 1939 Section 21. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section 1940 373.430, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 1941 373.430 Prohibitions, violation, penalty, intent. — 1942 (1) It shall be a violation of this part, and it shall be 1943 prohibited for any person: 1944 (a) To cause pollution, as defined in s. 403.031 s. 1945 403.031(7), except as otherwise provided in this part, so as to 1946 harm or injure human health or welfare, animal, plant, or 1947 aquatic life or property. 1948 Section 22. Paragraph (n) of subsection (2) of section 1949 373.4592, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 1950 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 79 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S 373.4592 Everglades improvement and management. — 1951 (2) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section: 1952 (n) "Stormwater management program" shall have the meaning 1953 set forth in s. 403.031 s. 403.031(15). 1954 Section 23. Paragraph (c) of subsection (1) of section 1955 403.890, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 1956 403.890 Water Protection and Sustainability Program. — 1957 (1) Revenues deposited into or appropriated to the Water 1958 Protection and Sustainability Program Trust Fund shall be 1959 distributed by the Department of Environmental Protection for 1960 the following purposes: 1961 (c) The water quality improvement wastewater grant program 1962 as provided in s. 403.0673. 1963 Section 24. Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section 1964 403.892, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 1965 403.892 Incentives for the use of graywater technologies. — 1966 (1) As used in this secti on, the term: 1967 (b) "Graywater" has the same meaning as in s. 381.0065(2) 1968 s. 381.0065(2)(f). 1969 Section 25. Paragraphs (c) and (d) of subsection (2) of 1970 section 403.9301, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 1971 403.9301 Wastewater services projections. — 1972 (2) As used in this section, the term: 1973 (c) "Treatment works" has the same meaning as provided in 1974 s. 403.031 s. 403.031(11). 1975 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 80 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S (d) "Wastewater services" means service to a sewerage 1976 system, as defined in s. 403.031 s. 403.031(9), or service to 1977 domestic wastewater treatment works. 1978 Section 26. Paragraphs (b) and (c) of subsection (2) of 1979 section 403.9302, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 1980 403.9302 Stormwater management projections. — 1981 (2) As used in this section, the term: 1982 (b) "Stormwater managem ent program" has the same meaning 1983 as provided in s. 403.031 s. 403.031(15). 1984 (c) "Stormwater management system" has the same meaning as 1985 provided in s. 403.031 s. 403.031(16). 1986 Section 27. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 1987 made by this act to section 259.032, Florida Statutes, in a 1988 reference thereto, subsection (6) of section 259.045, Florida 1989 Statutes, is reenacted to read: 1990 259.045 Purchase of lands in areas of critical state 1991 concern; recommendations by department and land authorities. —1992 Within 45 days after the Administration Commission designates an 1993 area as an area of critical state concern under s. 380.05, and 1994 annually thereafter, the Department of Environmental Protection 1995 shall consider the recommendations of the state land planning 1996 agency pursuant to s. 380.05(1)(a) relating to purchase of lands 1997 within an area of critical state concern or lands outside an 1998 area of critical state concern that directly impact an area of 1999 critical state concern, which may include lands used to preserve 2000 CS/HB 1379 2023 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1379-01-c1 Page 81 of 81 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S and protect water supply, and shall make recommendations to the 2001 board with respect to the purchase of the fee or any lesser 2002 interest in any such lands that are: 2003 (6) Lands used to prevent or satisfy private property 2004 rights claims resulting from limitations impos ed by the 2005 designation of an area of critical state concern if the 2006 acquisition of such lands fulfills a public purpose listed in s. 2007 259.032(2) or if the parcel is wholly or partially, at the time 2008 of acquisition, on one of the board's approved acquisition li sts 2009 established pursuant to this chapter. For the purposes of this 2010 subsection, if a parcel is estimated to be worth $500,000 or 2011 less and the director of the Division of State Lands finds that 2012 the cost of an outside appraisal is not justified, a comparable 2013 sales analysis, an appraisal prepared by the Division of State 2014 Lands, or other reasonably prudent procedures may be used by the 2015 Division of State Lands to estimate the value of the parcel, 2016 provided the public's interest is reasonably protected. 2017 2018 The department, a local government, a special district, or a 2019 land authority within an area of critical state concern may make 2020 recommendations with respect to additional purchases which were 2021 not included in the state land planning agency recommendations. 2022 Section 28. The Legislature determines and declares that 2023 this act fulfills an important state interest. 2024 Section 29. This act shall take effect July 1, 2023. 2025