Published on: 11622072. The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) gives notice that it is developing rules, as part of a statewide effort headed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and joined by all five water management districts (WMDs), to increase consistency in the consumptive use permitting (CUP), minimum flows and levels, and water supply related programs of the WMDs. Procedural issues will also be addressed. This rule development is proposed to be coordinated with similar rule development by the other WMDs throughout Florida. SFWMD anticipates potential amendments to Chapters 40E-0, 40E-1, 40E-2, 40E-3, 40E-5, 40E-8, 40E-10, 40E-20, 40E-21, 40E-22, 40E-24, and the Basis of Review for Water Use Permit Applications within the South Florida Water Management District. These changes will address the goals of the DEP and the WMDs for this rulemaking, including: 1) making the consumptive use permitting program less confusing for applicants, particularly those who work in more than one District; 2) treating applicants equitably statewide; 3) providing consistent protection of the environment; 4) streamlining the permitting process; and, 5) incentivizing behavior that protects water resources, including conservation. Additional information about the statewide CUP consistency initiative and this rule development effort is available at DEP's website at: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/water/waterpolicy/cupcon.htm.