Bill Text: FL S0568 | 2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

Florida Senate Bill 568 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Florida Springs Protection Act [EPSC]

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Failed) 2010-04-30 - Died in Committee on Environmental Preservation and Conservation [S0568 Detail]

Download: Florida-2010-S0568-Introduced.html

 
Florida Senate - 2010                                     SB 568 
 
By Senator Constantine 
22-00583-10                                            2010568__ 
1                        A bill to be entitled 
2         An act relating to the protection of springs; creating 
3         part IV of ch. 369, F.S.; providing a short title; 
4         providing legislative findings and intent with respect 
5         to the need to protect and restore springs and ground 
6         water; providing an effective date. 
7 
8  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 
9 
10         Section 1. Part IV of chapter 369, Florida Statutes, 
11  consisting of sections 369.401 and 369.402, is created to read: 
12         369.401 Short title.—This part may be cited as the “Florida 
13  Springs Protection Act.” 
14         369.402 Legislative findings and intent.—The Legislature 
15  finds that: 
16         (1) Florida’s springs are a precious and fragile natural 
17  resource that must be protected. Springs provide recreational 
18  opportunities for swimmers, canoeists, wildlife watchers, cave 
19  divers, and others. Because of the recreational opportunities 
20  and accompanying tourism, many of the state’s springs greatly 
21  benefit state and local economies. In addition, springs provide 
22  critical habitat for plants and animals, including many 
23  endangered or threatened species, and serve as indicators of 
24  groundwater and surface water quality. 
25         (2) In general, Florida’s springs, whether found in urban 
26  or rural settings, or on public or private lands, are threatened 
27  by actual, or potential, flow reductions and declining water 
28  quality. Many of Florida’s springs show signs of ecological 
29  imbalance, increased nutrient loading, and lowered water flow. 
30  The groundwater sources of spring discharges are recharged by 
31  seepage from the surface and through direct conduits such as 
32  sinkholes and can be adversely affected by polluted runoff from 
33  urban and agricultural lands and discharges resulting from poor 
34  wastewater management practices. 
35         (3) Springs and ground water can be restored through good 
36  stewardship, including effective planning strategies, best 
37  management practices, and appropriate regulatory programs that 
38  preserve and protect the springs and their springsheds. 
39         Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2010.