STORAGE NAME: h1169.NRD
DATE: 3/28/2025
1
FLORIDA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
BILL ANALYSIS
This bill analysis was prepared by nonpartisan committee staff and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.
BILL #: HB 1169
TITLE: Water Management Districts
SPONSOR(S): Conerly
COMPANION BILL: SB 7002
LINKED BILLS: None
RELATED BILLS: None
Committee References
Natural Resources &
Disasters
Ways & Means
Budget
State Affairs
SUMMARY
Effect of the Bill:
The bill revises various provisions related to water management district (WMD) planning, funding, budgeting,
reporting, and business practices. Specifically, the bill:
Revises quorum and meeting requirements for WMD governing boards.
Prohibits WMD officials and employees from accepting an expenditure from a lobbyist.
Authorizes a WMD to levy ad valorem taxes for certain capital improvement projects via referendum.
Requires WMDs to give preference to bids that include performance bonds for certain contracts.
Removes the ability for a WMD to receive a grant through the Statewide Flooding and Sea Level Rise
Resilience Plan and instead creates a revolving loan program, which is funded with revenues from the
Seminole Gaming Compact, to fund WMD projects included in the plan.
Requires WMDs to submit additional information on capital improvement projects in their preliminary and
tentative budgets, and requires the South Florida WMD (SFWMD) to include additional information related
to the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan in its budgets.
Allows the Legislative Budget Commission to review certain projects in WMD budgets.
Requires the Integrated Delivery Schedule for Everglades restoration projects to be developed to maximize
restoration efforts at the earliest possible time.
Fiscal or Economic Impact:
The bill appropriates funds from the General Revenue Fund and the Land Acquisition Trust Fund for various
Everglades restoration projects.
JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
ANALYSIS
EFFECT OF THE BILL:
Water Management District Operations
Governing Board Meetings
The bill requires a quorum for a water management district (WMD) governing board to conduct official business
and specifies that a majority of the members of the governing board, including both appointed members and
vacancies, constitutes a quorum. A board member’s appearance at a board meeting, whether it is in person or
through the use of communications media technology, must be counted for the determination of a quorum. Except
where otherwise provided by law, action may be taken by the governing board only upon affirmative vote of a
majority of the members of the governing board. (Section 2)
Contracts
The bill requires a WMD that has requested bids for a contract for the design, engineering, or construction of
capital improvement projects costing $1 million or more to give preference to the lowest responsible and JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
2
responsive bid, proposal, or reply that includes a 10-year construction bond or that provides proof of a comparable
financial assurance mechanism that has been defined by a WMD in rule. The bill specifies the purpose of the 10-
year construction bond or a comparable financial assurance mechanism is to ensure that the capital improvement
project functions as it was designed to function for at least 10 years. For purposes of the competitive selection
process, the WMD must consider whether a firm has included in its bid, proposal, or reply a 10-year construction
bond or proof of a comparable financial assurance mechanism. (Section 8)
Lobbying
The bill prohibits a lobbyist or principal from making, directly or indirectly, and a WMD governing board member,
executive director, or any WMD employee that qualifies as a local officer
1 from knowingly accepting, directly or
indirectly, any expenditure. (Section 1)
The bill requires the Commission on Ethics to investigate a lobbyist or principal who has made a prohibited
expenditure to a WMD. (Section 1)
Water Management District Funding
Millage
The bill authorizes a WMD to, by resolution adopted by a majority vote of the governing board, levy ad valorem
taxes within the WMD. (Section 5)
The bill authorizes a WMD to, by referendum, levy a separate ad valorem tax on property within the WMD or basin
for the purposes of the construction of capital improvement projects. The bill defines “capital improvement
projects” to mean projects related to:
Water supply, including alternative water supply and water resource development projects identified in
the WMD’s regional water supply plans;
Water quality;
Flood protection and floodplain management; and
Natural systems. (Section 5)
A WMD that chooses to levy separate ad valorem taxes for this purpose must adopt a resolution to be approved by
a majority vote of the electors in the WMD or basin voting in a referendum held at a general election. The bill
requires the referendum to include the following:
The millage to be levied;
A description of the capital improvement projects;
Such projects’ expected dates of completion; and
The date when the millage levied for the capital improvement project expires.
The bill prohibits any millage from being levied beyond the date of the project’s expected date of completion. Any
millage raised for capital improvement projects, when combined with the ad valorem millage raised for properties
within the WMD, cannot exceed the maximum total millage rate established for a WMD in s. 373.503(3)(b), F.S. A
resolution must take effect on the January 1 immediately succeeding approval. The bill requires the referendum to
be conducted consistent with the laws governing bond referenda. (Section 5)
The bill specifies that the statutory limits that apply to the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD)
regarding the percent of the millage that may be assessed for district purposes (60 percent) and basin purposes
(40 percent) do not apply to the millage raised for capital improvement programs pursuant to the referendum
process outlined above. (Section 5)
1
“Local officer” means every person elected to office in any political subdivision of the state, and every person appointed to fill
a vacancy and any person appointed to certain boards, councils, commissions, authorities, or other bodies of any county,
municipality, school district, independent special district, or other political subdivision of the state. Section 112.3145(1)(a),
F.S. JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
3
Preliminary Budgets
The bill requires a WMD to include a section in its preliminary budget that includes the WMD’s capital
improvement plan for the current fiscal year and the next fiscal year, which will be incorporated as part of the
WMD’s five-year capital improvement plan. The bill requires the following information to be included for each
project contained in the capital improvement plan:
Estimated beginning and end dates.
Current status, such as planning, construction, or operations.
Funding distribution, broken down by federal, state, local, or other.
Total cost of the project.
Whether the project is funded from reserves.
Total expenditures made to date, by fiscal year.
Current year estimated expenditures.
Annual budget, including future budget requests, until project completion, by funding source.
Project description.
State program code, such as operations and maintenance or ecosystem restoration. (Section 6)
In addition to the above information, the bill requires the SFWMD to include a separate section in its preliminary
budget for all projects within the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP). The information for the
separate section must be provided on a project-by-project basis and include the source of funds. For each project,
the bill requires all of the following information to be included:
The project title and a brief description.
The total estimated cost, broken down by federal and nonfederal sponsor obligations. The local sponsor
obligations must be further broken down by state and WMD obligations.
The timeline for the project.
The total expenditures to date and estimate of remaining expenditures needed for project completion.
The estimate of expenditures for the current year.
The estimate of expenditures for the next fiscal year. (Section 6)
The bill requires the SFWMD to indicate which fiscal year the appropriation is from for expenditures funded by
state appropriations. When estimating expenditures for the next fiscal year, the SFWMD may only incorporate
state revenues in an amount up to the amount of funds specifically provided for in the Land Acquisition Trust Fund
(LATF), unless the SFWMD commits its own revenues on a dollar-for-dollar basis for any amount over such amount
specifically provided. (Section 6)
Tentative Budgets
The bill authorizes the Legislative Budget Commission (LBC) to reject certain WMD budget proposals unless they
were specifically appropriated by the Legislature. In addition to the projects LBC can currently reject, the bill
authorizes the LBC to reject any individual portion of a WMD’s tentative budget funded with state appropriations,
and any individual project within the WMD’s five-year capital improvement plan. (Section 7)
The bill requires a WMD’s capital improvement plan for the current fiscal year and next fiscal year to be included in
the tentative budget in the same format as required in the preliminary budget. (Section 7)
The SFWMD is required to specify the amount of state revenues appropriated for costs associated with the
Everglades Construction Project and the CERP in the separate document it prepares as part of its tentative budget.
(Section 7)
Statewide Flooding and Sea Level Rise Resilience Plan
The bill revises requirements related to the Statewide Flooding and Sea Level Rise Resilience Plan (Statewide Plan)
by removing the ability for WMDs to receive grants through the plan and instead creates a revolving loan program
to fund projects submitted by WMDs. The loan program authorizes DEP to issue 20-year interest-free loans
through a promissory note or other form of written agreement evidencing an obligation to repay the borrowed
funds to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). (Section 9)
JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
4
The bill authorizes a WMD to borrow funds made available through the loan program and pledge any revenues or
other adequate security available to it, other than state revenues, to repay the funds that were borrowed. The loans
must be repaid in equal installments over a period not to exceed 20 years, commencing within 12 months after the
execution of the loan agreement. The bill authorizes DEP to engage in rulemaking to administer the revolving loan
program. (Section 9)
The bill authorizes DEP to impose a penalty on WMDs for delinquent loan payments of six percent of the amount
due, in addition to charging the cost to handle and process the debt. The penalty interest accrues on any amount
due and payable beginning on the 30th day after the date that the payment was due. If a WMD defaults under the
terms of its loan agreement, no additional state loans or grants may be issued to that WMD until the default has
been remedied. (Section 9)
The bill requires DEP to create and maintain a separate account in the Resilient Florida Trust Fund for funds
appropriated from the 2021 Seminole Gaming Compact between the Seminole Tribe of Florida and the state. The
funds must be used to administer the revolving loan program, and all repayments must be returned to the
revolving loan program. Notwithstanding the mandatory reversion requirements of s. 216.301, F.S., the funds
appropriated for the loan program are not subject to reversion. (Section 10)
The bill specifies that the 26.042 percent or $100 million, whichever is less, that is distributed to the Resilient
Florida Trust Fund from the 2021 Seminole Gaming Compact funds are for the revolving loan program. (Section
11)
The bill requires DEP to rank all eligible projects submitted for the Statewide Plan by a WMD on a separate list
from other projects in the plan. (Section 9)
Local Match
The bill prohibits a WMD from using state funds as a local match for any state grant program unless those funds
have been specifically appropriated to the WMD for that purpose. (Section 4)
Everglades Restoration
The bill requires the SFWMD to include in its annual progress report on the comprehensive plan for the Central
and Southern Florida Project Comprehensive Review Study the total estimated remaining cost to implement the
comprehensive plan. The report must include applicable performance indicators for all project components. The
bill requires the project components to be subdivided into the following categories based on the project’s status:
A planning and design phase.
A construction phase, which must include performance indicators including, but not limited to, whether the
project is on time and on budget based on a schedule performance index.
An operational phase, which must include performance indicators including, but not limited to, whether the
project is operating in accordance with the draft operating manual included in the project implementation
report, and an explanation of any significant modification to the final project operating manual.
A pending project phase, which includes project components that have not yet entered the planning or
design phase. (Section 3)
The bill requires the Integrated Delivery Schedule (IDS) to be developed to maximize the achievement of the goals
and purposes of the comprehensive plan at the earliest possible time to the extent practical given funding,
engineering, and other contractual constraints to ensure accountability in the planning process. As such, the bill
prohibits state and local members of the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force from including
assumptions of a future availability of state funding from the LATF per fiscal year in their recommendations for any
update to the IDS. (Section 3)
State Funding for Everglades Restoration Projects
For the 2025-2026 Fiscal Year, the bill appropriates $236,665,971 in nonrecurring funds from the General
Revenue Fund and $64 million in recurring funds and $328,684,029 in nonrecurring funds from the LATF to DEP.
DEP must distribute the funds to the SFWMD for planning, design, engineering, and construction of the JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
5
Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP). The funds must be allocated in the following fixed capital
outlay appropriation categories for restoration projects:
Nonrecurring funds from the General Revenue Fund:
o C-111 South Dade - $69,473,191.
o Indian River Lagoon South - $65,905,639.
o Central Everglades Planning Project South - $15,330,142.
o Central Everglades Planning Project North - $27,572,071.
o Loxahatchee River Watershed Restoration Project - $24,430,721.
o Western Everglades Restoration Project - $25,756,289.
o CERP Planning and Design - $8,197,918.
Nonrecurring funds from the LATF:
o Indian River Lagoon South - $30,110,627.
o Caloosahatchee River C-43 West Basin Storage - $95,530,738.
o Central Everglades Planning Project North - $123,542,359.
o Central Everglades Planning Project EAA Reservoir - $79,500,305.
Recurring funds of $64 million in the Everglades Restoration appropriation category from the LATF are to
be transferred to the Everglades Trust Fund within the SFWMD. (Section 12)
Additionally, for the 2025-2026 Fiscal Year, the bill appropriates $39,876,213 in recurring funds and $33,151,846
in nonrecurring funds from the LATF to DEP. The bill requires these funds to be used for the Northern Everglades
and Estuaries Protection Program. (Section 13)
For the 2025-2026 Fiscal Year, the bill appropriates $50 million in recurring funds from the LATF in the Fixed
Capital Outlay Lake Okeechobee Watershed Restoration Project ASR Wells appropriation category for Everglades
Restoration. (Section 14)
RULEMAKING:
DEP is the agency responsible for administering the Resilient Florida Trust Fund and overseeing the Statewide
Plan. The bill authorizes DEP to adopt rules to administer loans to WMDs for projects under the Statewide Plan.
Lawmaking is a legislative power; however, the Legislature may delegate a portion of such power to executive
branch agencies to create rules that have the force of law. To exercise this delegated power, an agency must
have a grant of rulemaking authority and a law to implement.
FISCAL OR ECONOMIC IMPACT:
STATE GOVERNMENT:
The bill appropriates funds from the General Revenue Fund and the LATF for various Everglades restoration
projects.
RELEVANT INFORMATION
SUBJECT OVERVIEW:
Water Management Districts
Florida’s WMDs are responsible for administering water resources at a regional level.
2 The state is divided into five
WMDs, including the Northwest WMD, the Suwannee River WMD, the St. Johns River WMD, the Southwest Florida
WMD, and the SFWMD.
3 The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) exercises general supervisory
2
DEP, Water Management Districts, https://floridadep.gov/owper/water-policy/content/water-management-districts (last
visited Mar. 11, 2025); Section 373.069, F.S.
3
DEP, Water Management Districts, https://floridadep.gov/owper/water-policy/content/water-management-districts (last
visited Mar. 11, 2025). JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
6
authority over the WMDs through a cooperative working relationship and guidance memos.
4 The core focus of
WMDs is on water supply, water quality, flood protection and floodplain management, and natural systems.
5
Governing Boards
Each WMD is directed by a governing board.
6 Each board includes nine members who reside in the WMD, except
the Southwest Florida WMD board, which includes 13 members who reside in the WMD.
7 The Governor is tasked
with appointing board members, subject to Senate confirmation.
8 Vacancies in governing boards prior to the
expiration of the affected term must be filled for that term.
9 A governing board is required to meet at least once a
month and upon the call of the chair.
10 The governing boards may conduct meetings by means of communications
media technology.
11
Currently, the governing board for only one district – the St. Johns River WMD – has no vacancies.
12 The Northwest
Florida, Suwannee River, and South Florida WMDs have eight out of nine possible members.
13 The Southwest WMD
has 12 out of 13 possible members.
14
Lobbying
Prior to lobbying before a WMD, a lobbyist
15 must register with the WMD he or she intends to lobby.
16 To register,
a lobbyist must provide a statement signed by the principal
17 or principal’s representative stating that the lobbyist
is authorized to represent the principal. The principal must also identify its main business on the authorization
statement.
18 The registration form requires each lobbyist to disclose certain information.
19
The Commission on Ethics
20 is required to investigate a lobbyist or principal if it receives any allegation that the
lobbyist or principal has failed to register with a WMD or has knowingly submitted false information in a report or
registration.
21 The Commission on Ethics must provide the Governor with a report of its findings and
4
Id.
5
Id.; Water supply includes alternative water supply and the water resource development projects identified in a district’s
regional water supply plans. Section 373.535(1)(a)2., F.S.
6
Section 373.073, F.S.
7
Section 373.073(1)(a), F.S.
8
Id.
9
Section 373.076, F.S.
10
Section 373.079(7), F.S.; There is no statutory language defining a quorum for district governing board purposes. See section
373.079, F.S.
11
Section 373.079(7), F.S.; “Communications media technology” means the electronic transmission of printed matter, audio,
full-motion video, freeze-frame video, compressed video, and digital video by any method available.” Section 120.54(5)(b)2.,
F.S.
12
St. Johns River WMD, Governing Board, https://www.sjrwmd.com/governingboard/ (last visited Mar. 11, 2025).
13
Northwest Florida WMD, Governing Board, https://nwfwater.com/about/governing-board/ (last visited Mar. 11, 2025);
Suwannee River WMD, Current Governing Board Members, https://www.mysuwanneeriver.com/134/Current-Board-Members
(last visited Mar. 11, 2025); South Florida WMD, Governing Board, https://www.sfwmd.gov/who-we-are/governing-board
(last visited Mar. 11, 2025).
14
Southwest Florida WMD, Governing Board, https://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/about/about-the-district/governing-board (last
visited Mar. 11, 2025).
15
“Lobbyist” means a person who is employed and receives payment for lobbying, or a person who is principally employed for
governmental affairs by another person or governmental entity to lobby on behalf of that other person or governmental entity.
Section 112.3215(1)(h), F.S.
16
Section 112.3261(2), F.S.
17
“Principal” means the person, firm, corporation, or other entity that employs or retains a lobbyist. Section 112.3215(1)(i),
F.S.
18
Section 112.3261(2), F.S.
19
Section 112.3261(2)(a)-(d), F.S.
20
The Commission on Ethics was created in statute to serve as guardian of the standards of conduct for the officers and
employees of the state, and of a county, city, or other political subdivision of the state. Section 112.320, F.S.
21
Section 112.3261(7), F.S. JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
7
recommendations from an investigation into a lobbyist or principal.
22 The governor may enforce the Commission
on Ethics findings and recommendations.
23
Contracts
WMDs are authorized to purchase commodities and contractual services that have been procured pursuant to
competitive bid, request for proposal, request for qualification, competitive selection, or competitive negotiation.
24
This authorization does not extend to the purchase of commodities and contractual services that require an agency
to publicly announce each occasion when professional services are needed, as required by s. 287.055, F.S.
25
Professional services are defined in the Consultants’ Competitive Negotiation Act
26 (CCNA) to include services
within the scope of the practice of architecture, professional engineering, landscape architecture, or registered
surveying and mapping.
27 The CCNA requires a WMD to publicly announce when such professional services must
be purchased for projects that meet certain threshold amounts.
28 For each proposed project, the WMD must select,
in order of preference, at least three firms that are the most highly qualified to perform the required services.
29 To
do this, the WMD must consider factors including, but not limited to, the ability level of the professional personnel,
whether a firm is a certified minority business enterprise, past performance, and willingness to meet time and
budget requirements.
30
Preliminary Budgets
The WMD fiscal year begins on October 1st and ends on September 30th of the following year.
31 On January 15th of
each year, the WMDs must submit a preliminary budget for the next fiscal year for legislative review.
32 Each
preliminary budget must include the following information:
A section clearly identifying and justifying each proposed expenditure relating to salaries and benefits,
expenses, operating capital outlay, the number of authorized positions, and other personal services for
public outreach activities, lobbying, management, and administration. It must also identify the source of
funds for each proposed expenditure.
A section identifying the justification for proposed expenditures by the core mission area of responsibility
and the source of funds needed for activities related to water supply, water quality, flood protection and
floodplain management, and natural systems.
A section reviewing the adopted and proposed budget allocations by program area and the performance
metrics of the prior year.
An analysis based on the core mission areas of responsibility of each preliminary budget to determine the
adequacy of fiscal resources available to the WMD and the adequacy of proposed WMD expenditures
relating to its core mission areas.
33
If applicable, the preliminary budget must specify that a WMD’s first obligation for payment is the debt service on
bonds and certificates of participation.
34
22
Id.
23
Id.
24
Section 373.6075, F.S. WMDs may purchase commodities and contractual services from the purchasing contracts of special
districts, municipalities, counties, other political subdivisions, educational institutions, other states, nonprofit entities,
purchasing cooperatives, or the federal government. Id.
25
Id.
26
Section 287.055, F.S.
27
Section 287.055(2)(a), F.S.
28
Section 287.055(3)(a)1., F.S. Threshold amounts for purchasing categories are as follows: Category 1 is $20,000, Category 2
is $35,000, Category 3 is $65,000, Category 4 is $195,000, and Category 5 is $325,000. Section 287.017, F.S.
29
Section 287.055(4)(b), F.S.
30
Id.
31
Section 373.536(1), F.S.
32
Section 373.535(1)(a), F.S. The preliminary budget must be submitted to the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the
House of Representatives, and the chairs of each legislative committee and subcommittee having substantive or fiscal
jurisdiction over WMDS, as applicable. Id.
33
Section 373.535(1)(a), F.S.
34
Section 373.535(1)(b), F.S. JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
8
The Legislature may review each preliminary budget by March 1st and submit comments to the WMDs.
35 Any
WMD that receives comments must respond in writing to the Legislature and the Governor by March 15th.
36
Following the review of the preliminary budget, if the Legislature takes no action
37 by July 1st, a WMD may proceed
with the budget process.
38
Tentative Budgets
By July 15th each year, the budget officer of each WMD must develop a tentative budget and submit it for review
and adoption by the governing board.
39 By August 1st, the tentative budget must also be submitted for review to
the Legislature, the Governor, the chairs of all legislative committees and subcommittees that have substantive or
fiscal jurisdiction over WMDs, the Secretary of DEP, and the governing body of each county over which the WMD
has jurisdiction or from which it derives any funds for WMD operations.
40 The tentative budget must be based on
the preliminary budget.
41
The tentative budget must include, at a minimum, the following information for the preceding fiscal year and the
current fiscal year, and the proposed amounts for the upcoming fiscal year:
The estimated amount of funds remaining at the beginning of the fiscal year that have been obligated for
the payment of outstanding commitments that are not completed.
The estimated amount of unobligated funds or net cash balance on hand at the beginning of the fiscal year,
as well as an accounting of the source, balance, and projected future use of the unobligated funds and the
estimated amount of funds that the WMD will raise through taxes or receive from other sources to meet the
requirements of the WMD.
The millage rates and the percentage increase above the rolled-back rate, an explanation of the necessity of
the increase, and the percentage increase in taxable value from new construction in the WMD.
The salaries and benefits, expenses, operating capital outlay, number of authorized positions, other
personal services, and estimated amounts in the WMD budget for certain enumerated program areas.
The total estimated amount in the WMD budget for each program area and for water resource, water
supply, and alternative water supply development projects identified in the WMD’s regional water supply
plan.
A description of each new, expanded, reduced, or eliminated program.
The funding sources, including, but not limited to, ad valorem taxes, Surface Water Improvement and
Management Program funds, other state funds, federal funds, and user and permit fees for each program
area.
42
In addition to other program areas, the SFWMD must also include separate sections on costs associated with the
Everglades Construction Project and the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP).
43
By September 5th, the chairs of each legislative committee and subcommittee may submit comments and
objections to the WMDs.
44 Each WMD’s governing board must include its response in the record of the meeting
where the final budget is adopted.
45 The record must be transmitted to the Governor, the chairs of the legislative
appropriations committees, and DEP. Then, by December 15th, the Executive Office of the Governor must file with
35
Section 373.535(2)(a), (b), F.S.
36
Section 373.535(2)(b), F.S.
37
The Legislature is required to annually review districts’ preliminary budgets to ensure that taxes authorized by chapter 373,
F.S., continue to be in proportion to the benefits derived by the parcels of real estate within the districts. Based on the review,
the Legislature can set the authorized maximum millage rate or the maximum amount of property tax revenue to be raised by
each district in the next fiscal year from the taxes levied. Section 373.503(4), F.S.
38
Section 373.535(2)(c), F.S.
39
Section 373.536(2), F.S.
40
Id.
41
Section 373.536(5)(e), F.S.
42
Section 373.536(5)(e), F.S.
43
Id.
44
Section 373.536(5)(f), F.S.
45
Id. JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
9
the Legislature a report that summarizes its review of the tentative budget.
46 The Executive Office of the Governor
may approve or disapprove all or part of the budget of each WMD.
47
The Legislative Budget Commission
48 may also reject the following WMD budget proposals:
A single purchase of land over $10 million, except for land exchanges.
Any cumulative purchase of land during a single fiscal year over $50 million.
Any issuance of debt on or after July 1, 2012.
Program expenditures relating to salaries and benefits, expenses, operating capital outlay, number of
authorized positions, and other personal services for public outreach activities, lobbying, management, and
administration
49 in excess of 15 percent of a WMD’s total annual budget.
Any individual variances in the tentative budget over 25 percent from the preliminary budget.
50
Written disapproval of any provision in the tentative budget must be received by the WMD at least five business
days before the final WMD budget adoption hearing.
51
After the final budget adoption hearing, each WMD must submit copies of the following documents to the
Governor, the Legislature, the chairs of all legislative committees and subcommittees with substantive or fiscal
jurisdiction over the districts, the Secretary of DEP, and the governing board of each county over which the WMD
has jurisdiction or from which it derives any funds for the operation of the WMD:
The adopted budget;
A financial audit of the district’s accounts and records;
A five-year capital improvement plan, which will be included in the consolidated annual report
52 and which
must include expected sources of revenue for planned improvement; and
A five-year water resource development work program.
53
Ad Valorem Taxes
General regulatory and administrative functions of WMDs benefit all of the people of the state and therefore those
functions may be financed by general appropriations. Water resources programs of the WMDs that are of
particular benefit to limited groups of people should be financed by the people who are most directly benefited.
54
Because of this policy, WMDs may finance their activities in part through ad valorem taxes.
55
Millage
The Florida Constitution sets maximum millage rates for water management purposes.
56 The constitutional
maximum millage rate is 0.05 mill for the northwest portion of the state and 1.0 mill for the rest of the state.
57 This
millage may only be levied by the WMDs.
58
WMDs, if appropriate, separate the taxes they levy into a millage necessary for the purposes of the WMD and a
millage necessary for financing basin functions.
59 Notwithstanding any other law, and subject to annual legislative
46
Section 373.536(5)(g), F.S.
47
Section 373.536(5)(a), F.S.
48
The Legislative Budget Commission is a constitutionally created body consisting of seven members of the Senate, appointed
by the President of the Senate, and seven members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House of
Representatives. Art. III, s. 19 Fla. Const.; Section 11.90(1), F.S.
49
These expenditures are listed in s. 373.536(5)(e)4.e. and f., F.S.
50
Section 373.536(5)(c), F.S.
51
Section 373.536(5), F.S.
52
The consolidated annual report is required under the Florida Water Plan in s. 373.036(7), F.S.
53
Section 373.536(6)(a), F.S.
54
Section 373.503(1), F.S.
55
Id. “Ad valorem tax” means a tax imposed on the assessed value of property. Section 192.001(1), F.S.
56
Article VII, s. 9(b), Fla. Const.
57
Id.
58
Section 373.503(2)(a), F.S.
59
Section 373.503(3), F.S. Basin functions include: preparing engineering plans for water resources development and holding
related public hearings, developing and preparing the overall basin plan for secondary water control facilities, budgeting, JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
10
review in the preliminary budgets of each WMD, the maximum total millage rates for WMD and basin purposes are
as follows:
Northwest Florida WMD: 0.05 mill.
Suwannee River WMD: 0.75 mill.
St. Johns River WMD: 0.60 mill.
Southwest Florida WMD: 1.0 mill.
60 In the Southwest Florida WMD, the maximum millage assessed for
WMD purposes may not exceed 50 percent of the total authorized millage if there are one or more basins in
the WMD, and the maximum millage assessed for basin purposes may not exceed 50 percent of the total
authorized millage.
61
SFWMD: 0.80 mill.
62 The apportionment of taxes raised by the SFWMD is a maximum of 40 percent for
WMD purposes and a maximum of 60 percent for basin purposes.
63
South Florida Water Management District
The SFWMD was created in 1949 and is the oldest and largest of Florida’s WMDs.
64 The SFWMD covers 16 counties
and stretches from Orlando at its northernmost point to the Florida Keys at its southernmost point. It is
responsible for managing the water resources for nine million residents by balancing and improving flood control,
water supply, water quality, and natural systems.
65
Pursuant to its mission, the SFWMD manages the Central and Southern Florida (C&SF) Project.
66 The C&SF Project
was authorized in 1948 to provide flood control, water supply, saltwater intrusion prevention, fish and wildlife
preservation, recreation, and navigation in Central and South Florida.
67 The C&SF Project includes over 2,100 miles
of canals and levees, 918 water control structures, and 89 pump stations.
68 Much of this infrastructure is over 60
years old and the SFWMD has determined that it will need repair or replacement to address the risk of more
frequent and significant flooding.
69
Statewide Flooding and Sea Level Rise Resilience Plan
The Statewide Flooding and Sea Level Rise Resilience Plan (Statewide Plan) is a plan with a three-year planning
horizon that consists of ranked projects that address risks of flooding and sea level rise to coastal and inland
communities in the state.
70 Local governments and certain local districts may submit projects for funding.
71 WMDs
may also submit projects for inclusion in the Statewide Plan.
72
Each project included in the Statewide Plan must have a minimum 50 percent cost share unless the project assists
a community eligible for a reduced cost share or is located within a community eligible for a reduced cost share.
73
considering and approval of final construction plans for works that will be constructed within the basin, managing basin
affairs, and planning for and providing water supply and transmission facilities for water supply. Section 373.0695(1), F.S.
60
Section 373.503(3)(a), F.S.
61
Section 373.503(3)(c), F.S.
62
Section 373.503(3)(a), F.S.
63
Section 373.503(3)(b), F.S.
64
SFWMD, Who We Are, https://www.sfwmd.gov/who-we-are (last visited Mar. 11, 2025).
65
Id.
66
SFWMD, 2024 Consolidated Annual Report on Flood Resiliency, 2 (Oct. 2024), available at
https://www.sfwmd.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Flood_Resiliency_SFWMD_2024_Consolidated_Annual_Report.pdf.
(last visited Mar. 11, 2025).
67
SFWMD and United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), C&SF Project Comprehensive Review Study Final Integrated
Feasibility Report and Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement, i, 1-1 (April 1999), available at
https://www.sfwmd.gov/sites/default/files/documents/CENTRAL_AND_SOUTHERN_FLORIDA_PROJECT_COMPREHENSIVE_
REVIEW_STUDY.pdf.
68
SFWMD, 2024 Consolidated Annual Report on Flood Resiliency, 2 (Oct. 2024), available at
https://www.sfwmd.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Flood_Resiliency_SFWMD_2024_Consolidated_Annual_Report.pdf.
(last visited Mar. 11, 2025).
69
Id.
70
Section 380.093(5)(a), F.S.
71
Section 380.093(5)(d)1., F.S.
72
Section 380.093(5)(d)2., F.S.
73
Section 380.093(5)(e), F.S. JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
11
The total amount of funding proposed for each year of the plan may not be less than $100 million.
74 Upon review
and subject to an appropriation, the Legislature must approve funding for the projects within the Statewide Plan.
75
The Resilient Florida Trust Fund is a source of funding for the Statewide Plan, including costs to operate the grant
program, to develop the plan, and to provide grants to regional resilience coalitions.
76 The Resilient Florida Trust
Fund is scheduled to be terminated on July 1, 2025, unless saved from repeal.
77
Everglades Restoration
At one time, the Everglades system covered well over seven million acres of South Florida.
78 Water flowed
uninterrupted from the Kissimmee River to Lake Okeechobee through the “River of Grass” that was the Everglades
and then on to the Biscayne Bay estuaries, the Ten Thousand Islands, and Florida Bay.
79 By the early 1900s, land in
the Everglades was being drained to make room for agriculture and development, with little concern for the
increasingly damaged ecosystem.
80
Early conservationists, scientists, and other advocates, however, were concerned about environmental degradation
and with their support, the Everglades National Park was created in 1947.
81 The following year, Congress
authorized the C&SF Project.
82 It addressed flood control, regional water supply, prevention of saltwater intrusion,
water supply to Everglades National Park, wildlife preservation, recreation, and navigation.
83 The C&SF Project
initially focused on the construction of levees and canals, water control structures, pump stations, and other
projects.
84
In spite of its stated purpose, the construction and operation of the C&SF Project had unintended adverse effects on
the Everglades system.
85 Some of these included extreme fluctuations in the water levels of Lake Okeechobee,
extreme fluctuations in the salinity levels of the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie estuaries caused by major changes in
freshwater discharges, detrimental changes in hydrologic conditions in freshwater wetland habitats, and
fluctuations in the salinity levels of Florida and Biscayne Bays caused by unsuitable freshwater flows. Wading bird
populations are indicative of ecosystem health and by 1999, those populations had decreased by 85 to 90 percent
and were steadily declining.
86 Further, the C&SF Project created water supply shortages in Central and South
Florida during dry periods because the canals drained water off the land too quickly without allowing for storage.
87
In 1994, in response to litigation over water quality issues in the Everglades, the state adopted the Everglades
Forever Act.
88 The state also began to implement the Everglades Construction Project, which focused on the
74
Section 380.093(5)(h), F.S.
75
Id.
76
Section 380.0935(2), F.S.
77
Section 380.0935(3), F.S.; HB 1313 and SB 1320 were filed during the 2025 session to re-create the Resilient Florida Trust
Fund and save it from repeal.
78
SFWMD, Everglades, https://www.sfwmd.gov/our-work/everglades (last visited Feb. 14, 2025).
79
Id.; National Park Service, Everglades, https://www.nps.gov/ever/learn/historyculture/index.htm (last visited Mar. 11,
2025).
80
Id.
81
Id.
82
The Flood Control Act of 1948. Pub. L. No. 858, s. 203, 62 Stat. 1176.
83
SFWMD and USACE, C&SF Project Comprehensive Review Study Final Integrated Feasibility Report and Programmatic
Environmental Impact Statement, i, 1-1 (April 1999), available at
https://www.sfwmd.gov/sites/default/files/documents/CENTRAL_AND_SOUTHERN_FLORIDA_PROJECT_COMPREHENSIVE_
REVIEW_STUDY.pdf.
84
Id.; SFWMD, 2024 Consolidated Annual Report on Flood Resiliency, 2 (Oct. 2024), available at
https://www.sfwmd.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Flood_Resiliency_SFWMD_2024_Consolidated_Annual_Report.pdf.
(last visited Mar. 11, 2025).
85
Id. at iii.
86
Id.
87
Id.
88
Ch. 1994-115, s. 1, L.O.F.; DEP, Everglades Forever Act, https://floridadep.gov/owper/eco-restoration/content/everglades-
forever-act-efa (last visited Mar. 11, 2025); Keith W. Rizzardi, Alligators and Litigators: A Recent History of Everglades
Regulation and Litigation, The Florida Bar, vol. 75, no. 3, 18 (March 2001), https://www.floridabar.org/the-florida-bar-
journal/alligators-and-litigators-a-recent-history-of-everglades-regulation-and-litigation/ (last visited Mar. 11, 2025). JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
12
construction of stormwater treatment areas and the implementation of best management practices to improve
water quality flowing south.
89
The federal government was increasingly concerned about the environmental consequences of the C&SF Project
and in 1992 and 1996, Congress authorized the Comprehensive Review Study (Restudy).
90 The Restudy
reexamined the C&SF Project to evaluate modifications that would help restore the Everglades ecosystem.
Following the reexamination of the C&SF Project, the Restudy recommended a comprehensive plan that included
structural and operational changes to the project in 1999.
91
In response to the Restudy, Congress authorized the CERP in the Water Resources Development Act of 2000.
92 The
CERP is a framework for modifications and operational changes to the C&SF Project that are necessary to restore,
preserve, and protect the South Florida ecosystem, while providing for other water-related needs of the region,
including water supply and flood protection.
93 The CERP contains over 68 individual components comprising more
than 50 projects,
94 and the CERP covers around 18,000 square miles, including all or part of 18 counties in central
and southern Florida.
95
The federal legislation provides the framework for the CERP as a 50/50 cost-share program between the state and
federal government.
96 The Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is the federal sponsor for the partnership and the
SFWMD is the lead non-federal sponsor.
97 The agencies track the cost-sharing based on their total respective
spending on the CERP initiatives. In 2009, USACE and the SFWMD executed a Master Agreement, an umbrella
agreement for CERP projects that established conditions for cost-sharing and for project partnership agreements.
98
Project partnership agreements establish project-specific responsibilities for the implementing agencies and
provide project-specific credit to the SFWMD for its land acquisition and project construction efforts completed
prior to the agreement.
99 At the time of the agreement, the state and the SFWMD had invested approximately $2.4
billion for the CERP, including approximately $300 million for construction.
100
South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force
Congress established the intergovernmental South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force (task force) in
1996.
101 The task force brings together federal, state, Tribal, and local agencies involved in Everglades
89
Section 373.4592(4)(a), F.S.
90
SFWMD and USACE, C&SF Project Comprehensive Review Study Final Integrated Feasibility Report and Programmatic
Environmental Impact Statement, i, 1-3 (April 1999), available at
https://www.sfwmd.gov/sites/default/files/documents/CENTRAL_AND_SOUTHERN_FLORIDA_PROJECT_COMPREHENSIVE_
REVIEW_STUDY.pdf.
91
Id. at vii.
92
Water Resources Development Act of 2000, Pub. L. No. 106-541, s. 601, 114 Stat. 2680 (2000); USACE, Central & Southern
Florida (C&SF) Project, https://www.saj.usace.army.mil/About/Congressional-Fact-Sheets-2024/C-SF-Project-C/ (last visited
Mar. 11, 2025).
93
National Park Service, Everglades: Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP),
https://www.nps.gov/ever/learn/nature/cerp.htm (last visited Mar. 11, 2025).
94
USACE, Central & Southern Florida (C&SF) Project, https://www.saj.usace.army.mil/About/Congressional-Fact-Sheets-
2024/C-SF-Project-C/ (last visited Mar. 11, 2025).
95
Id.
96
Water Resources Development Act of 2000, Pub. L. No. 106-541, s. 601(e), 114 Stat. 2684 (2000).
97
USACE, Central & Southern Florida (C&SF) Project, https://www.saj.usace.army.mil/About/Congressional-Fact-Sheets-
2024/C-SF-Project-C/ (last visited Mar. 11, 2025).
98
See USACE, South Florida Ecosystem Restoration (SFER) Overview (C),
https://www.saj.usace.army.mil/About/Congressional-Fact-Sheets-2024/South-Florida-Ecosystem-Restoration-SFER-
Overview-C-/ (last visited Mar. 11, 2025).
99
Id.
100
See SFWMD, News Release: Momentum for Everglades Restoration Continues with Historic State-Federal Agreements (Aug. 13,
2009), available at https://www.sfwmd.gov/sites/default/files/documents/nr_2009_0813_master_agreement.pdf. (last
visited Mar. 11, 2025).
101
Office of Everglades Restoration Initiatives, The South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force: About Us,
https://www.evergladesrestoration.gov/overview (last visited Mar. 12, 2025). JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
13
restoration.
102 There are 15 members of the task force, including seven federal, two Tribal, and six state and local
government representatives at the senior leadership level.
103 The task force’s role is to coordinate the
conservation, restoration, and research efforts for the Everglades ecosystem.
104 To coordinate restoration projects,
the task force compiles the Integrated Delivery Schedule.
105
The Integrated Delivery Schedule lists Everglades restoration projects to reflect upcoming design and program
schedules and programmatic costs.
106 The Integrated Delivery Schedule does not include the funding needed for
completed work or land acquisition,
107 does not require agency action, and is not a decision document.
108 The
Integrated Delivery Schedule serves the purpose of the Master Implementation Sequencing Plan described in the
original CERP plan.
109 The CERP requires USACE and the SFWMD, in consultation with other federal, state, Tribal,
and local agencies, to develop the Master Implementation Sequencing Plan, which provides sequencing and
scheduling for the implementation of all included projects based on the best scientific, technical, funding,
contracting, and other information available. USACE and the SFWMD must also consult with the task force in
preparing the Master Implementation Sequencing Plan.
110
2021 Seminole Gaming Compact
In 2024, the Legislature created a formula for the distribution of the funds from the 2021 gaming compact between
the Seminole Tribe of Florida and the state.
111 These funds are distributed, in part, to the Resilient Florida Trust
Fund for the Statewide Plan.
112 Specifically, the lesser of 26.042 percent or $100 million each fiscal year is
deposited into the Resilient Florida Trust Fund for the plan.
113 The Resilient Florida Trust Fund is funded by a
percentage of documentary stamp tax revenues.
114 These funds may be used for planning and project grants.
115
State Funding for Everglades Restoration Projects
Everglades restoration projects receive funding from the state through general appropriations and through the
LATF within DEP.
116 The LATF is designated in the Florida Constitution to receive certain documentary stamp tax
revenues.
117 For fiscal year 2023-2024, $1.1 billion was deposited into the LATF from documentary stamp tax
102
Task Force, 2022 Biennial Report, i (Dec. 2022), available at
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5d5179e7e42ca1000117872f/t/63a493a62905c4171d028c83/1671730088082/Dec
ember+2022+Final+Biennial+Report.pdf (last visited Mar. 12, 2025).
103
Department of the Interior, South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force Charter, 2-3 (Sept. 2023), available at
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5d5179e7e42ca1000117872f/t/651d6ab2891e7229053fdde4/1696426676989/Cha
rter.pdf (last visited Mar. 12, 2025).
104
Task Force, 2022 Biennial Report, i (Dec. 2022), available at
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5d5179e7e42ca1000117872f/t/63a493a62905c4171d028c83/1671730088082/Dec
ember+2022+Final+Biennial+Report.pdf (last visited Mar. 12, 2025).
105
Id. at 2.
106
Id.; Task Force, Integrated Delivery Schedule 2024 Update, 1 (2024), available at
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5d5179e7e42ca1000117872f/t/6759afacafb52e728f61dd9d/1733930924242/IDS_2
024.pdf (last visited Mar. 12, 2025).
107
USACE, Integrated Delivery Schedule, https://www.saj.usace.army.mil/Missions/Environmental/Ecosystem-
Restoration/Integrated-Delivery-Schedule/ (last visited Mar. 12, 2025).
108
Id.; Task Force, Integrated Delivery Schedule 2024 Update, 1 (2024), available at
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5d5179e7e42ca1000117872f/t/6759afacafb52e728f61dd9d/1733930924242/IDS_2
024.pdf (last visited Mar. 12, 2025).
109
Task Force, Integrated Delivery Schedule 2024 Update, 1 (2024), available at
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5d5179e7e42ca1000117872f/t/6759afacafb52e728f61dd9d/1733930924242/IDS_2
024.pdf (last visited Mar. 12, 2025).
110
33 CFR §385.30 (2025).
111
Chapter 2024-58, L.O.F.
112
Section 380.095(2)(c), F.S.;
113
Id.
114
Section 201.15(4)(g), F.S.
115
Id.
116
Section 375.041, F.S.
117
Section 375.041(1), F.S. JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
14
revenues.
118 Funds distributed into the LATF must be applied first to pay debt service or to fund debt service
reserve funds, rebate obligations, or other amounts payable with respect to Florida Forever bonds.
119 Of the funds
remaining, but before funds may be appropriated, pledged, or dedicated for other uses, a minimum of the lesser of
25 percent of the funds remaining after the payment of debt service or $200 million must be appropriated annually
for Everglades projects that implement the CERP, the Long-Term Plan, or the Northern Everglades and Estuaries
Protection Program, with priority given to Everglades restoration projects that reduce harmful discharges of water
from Lake Okeechobee to the St. Lucie or Caloosahatchee estuaries in a timely manner.
120
Restoration Projects
The Northern Everglades and Estuaries Protection Program (NEEPP) is a phased and comprehensive protection
program that involves the creation of watershed protection plans to improve the quality, quantity, timing, and
distribution of water in the northern Everglades ecosystem.
121 The NEEPP includes the Lake Okeechobee, St. Lucie,
and Caloosahatchee watershed protection plans. The plan for each watershed requires research and monitoring,
best management practices implementation, refinement of current regulations, and structural and nonstructural
projects.
122
The Western Everglades Restoration Project is a plan to use a series of water management and water quality
features to make alterations to existing canals and levees to improve the quantity, timing, quality, and distribution
of water in the western Everglades.
123 The project aims to restore the flow of water and sediment across the Big
Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation and into Big Cypress National Park, provide flood protection on Seminole
Tribal lands, and ensure that the water is meeting water quality standards.
124
The C-111 South Dade Project is a CERP project that aims to restore hydrologic conditions in Taylor Slough and the
eastern panhandle of Everglades National Park, while also providing flood protection in southern Dade County.
125
The project includes the construction of a hydraulic ridge to prevent groundwater from seeping out of Everglades
National Park, which will allow additional water to flow south into Florida Bay.
126
The Indian River Lagoon-South Restoration Project is projected to reverse the damaging effects of pollution and
large freshwater discharges into the Indian River Lagoon.
127 The project will feature an aboveground storage
reservoir, stormwater treatment areas, restored wetlands, and muck removal.
128
The goal of the Central Everglades Planning Project is to increase storage, treatment, and conveyance of water
south of Lake Okeechobee, remove canals and levees in the Everglades, and retain water in Everglades National
Park to prevent flooding.
129 Due to the size and complexity of the project, it has been divided into three
implementation phases, two of which are “North” and “South.” The North Phase includes project features in the
northern Water Conservation Area 3A and the South Phase includes project features in the southern Water
118
Office of Economic and Demographic Research, Conference Results: Documentary Stamp Tax Collections and Distributions, 1
(Aug. 2024), available at https://edr.state.fl.us/Content/conferences/docstamp/docstampresults.pdf. (last visited Mar. 12,
2025).
119
Section 375.041(3)(a), F.S.
120
Section 375.041(3)(b)1., F.S.
121
Section 375.4595, F.S.; SFWMD, Northern Everglades Watershed Protection Plans (WPPs), https://www.sfwmd.gov/our-
work/wpps (last visited Mar. 12, 2025).
122
Id.
123
USACE, Western Everglades Restoration Project, https://www.saj.usace.army.mil/WERP/ (last visited Mar. 12, 2025).
124
Id.
125
USACE, C-111 South Dade Project, https://www.saj.usace.army.mil/C111SouthDade/ (last visited Mar. 12, 2025).
126
Id.
127
USACE, Indian River Lagoon-South: Facts and Information, 1 (Nov. 2022), available at
https://usace.contentdm.oclc.org/utils/getfile/collection/p16021coll11/id/5921 (last visited Mar. 12, 2025).
128
Id.
129
USACE, Central Everglades Planning Project, https://www.saj.usace.army.mil/Missions/Environmental/Ecosystem-
Restoration/Central-Everglades-Planning-Project/ (last visited Mar. 12, 2025). JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
15
Conservation Areas 3A and 3B, as well as Everglades National Park.
130 The project also includes construction of the
240,000 acre-foot
131 Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir and a 6,500 acre-foot stormwater treatment area.
132
The Loxahatchee River Watershed Restoration Project is a CERP project that aims to restore and sustain the
overall quantity, quality, timing, and distribution of fresh water to the federally designated “National Wild and
Scenic” Northwest Fork of the Loxahatchee River.
133 It will also reconnect the wetlands and watersheds that make
up the Loxahatchee River headwaters. The project area includes approximately 753 square miles in central and
northern Palm Beach County and southern Martin County.
134
The Caloosahatchee River C-43 West Basin Storage Reservoir is a CERP project that has been designed to store
approximately 170,000 acre-feet of stormwater runoff and releases from Lake Okeechobee.
135 The added storage
will reduce the volume of discharges from Lake Okeechobee to the Caloosahatchee Estuary during the wet season
and will provide added flow to the estuary during the dry season.
136
The Lake Okeechobee Watershed Restoration Project includes the installation of up to 55 aquifer storage and
recovery wells in northern Everglades watersheds that will reduce harmful discharges from Lake Okeechobee to
the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie estuaries.
137 The project is designed to increase water storage capacity in the
watershed, resulting in improved Lake Okeechobee water levels, improved quantity, timing, and distribution of
water to the northern estuaries; to improve water supply for existing legal Lake Okeechobee Service Area users;
and to restore wetlands within the project area.
138
BILL HISTORY
COMMITTEE REFERENCE ACTION DATE
STAFF
DIRECTOR/
POLICY CHIEF
ANALYSIS
PREPARED BY
Natural Resources & Disasters
Subcommittee
Moore Gawin
Ways & Means Committee
Budget Committee
State Affairs Committee
130
USACE, Central Everglades Planning Project South, https://www.saj.usace.army.mil/CEPPSouth/ (last visited Mar. 12,
2025).
131
An acre-foot is a unit of volume used to measure large-scale water projects.
132
USACE, Central Everglades Planning Project – Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Reservoir,
https://www.saj.usace.army.mil/CEPPEAA/ (last visited Mar. 12, 2025).
133
USACE, Loxahatchee River Watershed Restoration Project,
https://www.saj.usace.army.mil/Missions/Environmental/Ecosystem-Restoration/Loxahatchee-River-Watershed-
Restoration-Project/ (last visited Mar. 12, 2025).
134
Id.
135
SFWMD, C-43 West Basin Storage Reservoir Water Quality Component Working Group, https://www.sfwmd.gov/our-
work/c43waterqualitystudy (last visited Mar. 12, 2025).
136
Id.
137
SFWMD, 2024 South Florida Environmental Report, 8A-25 - 8A-26, available at
https://apps.sfwmd.gov/sfwmd/SFER/2025_sfer_final/v1/chapters/v1_ch8a.pdf (last visited Mar. 12, 2025).
138
USACE, Integrated Project Implementation Report and Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement,
https://www.saj.usace.army.mil/LOWRP/ (last visited Mar. 12, 2025). JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
16