Title XXVIII, Natural Resources; Conservation, Reclamation, and Use

The states of Alabama, Florida and Georgia and the United States of America hereby agree to the following compact which shall become effective upon enactment of concurrent legislation by each respective state legislature and the Congress of the United States.SHORT TITLEThis Act s…

It is declared to be the policy of the Legislature:(1) To promote the availability of sufficient water for all existing and future reasonable-beneficial uses and natural systems.(2)(a) Because water constitutes a public resource benefiting the entire state, it is the policy of th…

In the performance of, and in conjunction with, its other powers and duties, the governing board of a water management district existing pursuant to this chapter:(1) Shall engage in planning to assist counties, municipalities, special districts, publicly owned and privately owned…

(1) The Legislature finds that:(a) The proper role of the water management districts in water supply is primarily planning and water resource development, but this does not preclude them from providing assistance with water supply development.(b) The proper role of local governme…

(1) The purpose of this section is to encourage cooperation in the development of water supplies and to provide for alternative water supply development.(a) Demands on natural supplies of fresh water to meet the needs of a rapidly growing population and the needs of the environme…

(1) The governing board of each water management district shall conduct water supply planning for a water supply planning region within the district identified in the appropriate district water supply plan under s. 373.036, where it determines that existing sources of water are n…

The water management districts shall assist local governments in the development and future revision of local government comprehensive plan elements or public facilities report as required by s. 189.08, related to water resource issues.History.—s. 82, ch. 2010-102; ss. 1, 28, 49,…

(1) By interlocal agreement between counties, municipalities, or special districts, as applicable, pursuant to the Florida Interlocal Cooperation Act of 1969, s. 163.01, and upon the approval of the Secretary of Environmental Protection to ensure that such agreement will be in th…

(1) It is the intent of the Legislature to authorize the implementation of changes in governance recommended by the West Coast Regional Water Supply Authority in its reports to the Legislature dated February 1, 1997, and January 5, 1998. The authority and its member governments m…

(1) The Legislature finds that springs are a unique part of this state’s scenic beauty. Springs provide critical habitat for plants and animals, including many endangered or threatened species. Springs also provide immeasurable natural, recreational, economic, and inherent value.…

As used in this part, the term:(1) “Department” means the Department of Environmental Protection, which includes the Florida Geological Survey or its successor agencies.(2) “Enhanced nutrient-reducing onsite sewage treatment and disposal system” means an onsite sewage treatment a…

Using the best data available from the water management districts and other credible sources, the department, in coordination with the water management districts, shall delineate priority focus areas for each Outstanding Florida Spring or group of springs that contains one or mor…

(1) At the time a minimum flow or minimum water level is adopted pursuant to s. 373.042 for an Outstanding Florida Spring, if the spring is below or is projected within 20 years to fall below the minimum flow or minimum water level, a water management district or the department s…

By July 1, 2016, the department shall initiate assessment, pursuant to s. 403.067(3), of Outstanding Florida Springs or spring systems for which an impairment determination has not been made under the numeric nutrient standards in effect for spring vents. Assessments must be comp…

The following activities are prohibited within a basin management action plan in effect for an Outstanding Florida Spring:(1) New domestic wastewater disposal facilities, including rapid infiltration basins, with permitted capacities of 100,000 gallons per day or more, except for…

(1) The department shall adopt rules to improve water quantity and water quality to administer this part, as applicable.(2)(a) The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is the lead agency coordinating the reduction of agricultural nonpoint sources of pollution for the p…

(1) The Legislature hereby recognizes the continuing need for inland navigation districts to undertake programs necessary to accomplish the purposes of construction, maintenance, and operation of Florida’s inland waterways pursuant to s. 107 of the federal River and Harbor Act of…

(1) Each inland navigation district is empowered and authorized to undertake programs intended to alleviate the problems associated with its waterway or waterways, including, but not limited to, the following:(a) The district may act as a local interest sponsor for any project de…

The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission shall assume the responsibility for posting and maintaining regulatory markers for manatee protection speed zones as posted by the inland navigation districts pursuant to a rule adopted by the commission under s. 379.2431(2). The Fish…

Members of inland navigation districts shall be reimbursed for per diem and travel expenses as provided in s. 112.061.History.—s. 3, ch. 85-200.

(1) It is the intent of the Legislature to consolidate and codify in this part all current and applicable laws or acts relating to the Florida Inland Navigation District and to locate these provisions within this chapter. It is the further intent of the Legislature that all prior…

This part may be cited as the “Florida Inland Navigation District Law.”History.—s. 2, ch. 96-425.

An independent special taxing district to be known as the “Florida Inland Navigation District” is hereby created. The territorial boundaries of the district shall be the counties of Nassau, Duval, St. Johns, Flagler, Volusia, Brevard, St. Lucie, Martin, Indian River, Palm Beach, …

(1) A governing body of the district is hereby created, and shall be known as and designated as the “Board of Commissioners of the Florida Inland Navigation District,” and shall be composed of 12 members who shall be qualified electors residing in said district, no 2 of whom shal…

It is the purpose and intent of this act that the board perform and do all things which shall be requisite and necessary to comply with the requirements and conditions imposed upon a “local interest” by the Congress of the United States in the several acts authorizing and directi…

(1) The property appraiser, tax collector, and board of county commissioners of each and every county in said district, shall, when requested by the board, prepare from their official records and deliver any and all information that may be from time to time requested from him or …

(1) The funds of the district shall be paid out only upon warrant signed by any two of the following board officers: the treasurer, the chair, or the vice chair. No warrant shall be drawn or issued against funds of said district except for a purpose authorized by this act, and no…

The enactment of this act shall not affect the taxing authority granted to the district or any contract or obligation of such district entered into prior to July 1, 1996. The district shall continue to exercise the taxing power previously authorized by the Laws of Florida, until …

It is intended that the provisions of chapter 96-425, Laws of Florida, shall be liberally construed for accomplishing the work authorized and provided for or intended to be authorized and provided for by chapter 96-425, and where strict construction would result in the defeat of …

This act may be known and cited as the “Outdoor Recreation and Conservation Act of 1963.”History.—s. 1, ch. 63-36.

(1) The department is given the responsibility, authority, and power to develop and execute a comprehensive multipurpose outdoor recreation plan for this state with the cooperation of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Department of Transportation, the Fish …

(1) The department is empowered and authorized to identify for acquisition lands, water areas, and related resources and to perform all other activities necessary or incident to improving, maintaining, selling, leasing, or disposing of land, water areas, and related resources, an…

No land shall be purchased under this act or any funds expended for any project unless a finding is made that recreation is the prime purpose of the purchase or of the project.History.—s. 6, ch. 67-351.

(1) There is created a Land Acquisition Trust Fund within the Department of Environmental Protection. The Land Acquisition Trust Fund is designated by s. 28, Art. X of the State Constitution for receipt of certain documentary stamp tax revenue for the uses prescribed therein. The…

(1) The Department of Environmental Protection shall submit to the Legislature a 10-year comprehensive budget request for the Land Acquisition Trust Fund.(2) The legislative budget request shall be submitted to the Executive Office of the Governor and the Legislature in conjuncti…

The acquisition of lands, water areas, and related resources by the department under this act is a public purpose for which revenue bonds may be issued when and only when there has been granted in the State Constitution specific authorization for the department to issue revenue b…

The provisions of this act shall be liberally construed in a manner to accomplish the purposes thereof.History.—s. 6, ch. 63-36.

(1) The Department of Environmental Protection is authorized, within the limits of appropriations available to the department for such purposes, to utilize any one or more of the following procedures in establishing and operating a program of financial assistance to local governm…

(1) The Department of Environmental Protection is authorized to establish the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program to provide grants, subject to legislative appropriation, to qualified local governmental entities to acquire or develop land for public outdoor recreati…

(1) The purpose of this section is to encourage persons to make land, water areas, and park areas available to the public for outdoor recreational purposes by limiting their liability to persons using these areas and to third persons who may be damaged by the acts or omissions of…

To protect and manage Florida’s wildlife environment on lands conveyed for recreational purposes by private owners and public custodians, the Legislature hereby intends that the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission shall regulate motor vehicle access and traffic control on F…

As used in this act, unless the context requires otherwise:(1) “Motor vehicle” means any self-propelled vehicle, including every device in, upon, or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn, except devices moved by human or animal power or used exclusivel…

The commission shall:(1) Regulate or prohibit, when necessary, the use of motor vehicles on the public lands of the state in order to prevent damage or destruction to said lands.(2) Adopt and promulgate such reasonable rules as deemed necessary to administer the provisions of ss.…

(1) Whoever damages public lands by the use of a motor vehicle is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083 or by restitution.(2) For the purpose of this section, damage shall include, but is not limited to, injury to or dest…

Sections 376.011-376.21 shall be known as the “Pollutant Discharge Prevention and Control Act.”History.—s. 1, ch. 70-244; s. 1, ch. 74-336; s. 79, ch. 83-310; s. 4, ch. 92-113; s. 25, ch. 2011-4; s. 79, ch. 2014-17.

(1) The Legislature finds and declares that the highest and best use of the seacoast of the state is as a source of public and private recreation.(2) The Legislature further finds and declares that the preservation of this use is a matter of the highest urgency and priority, and …