In January 2010, farmers in the Dover/Plant City area pumped large quantities of groundwater to protect their crops. This combined pumping dropped the aquifer level 60 feet and caused more than 750 temporarily dry wells for neighboring homeowners. ...

WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICTS
Southwest Florida Water Management District

Rule No.: RULE TITLE
40D-1.659: Forms and Instructions
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: In January 2010, farmers in the Dover/Plant City area pumped large quantities of groundwater to protect their crops. This combined pumping dropped the aquifer level 60 feet and caused more than 750 temporarily dry wells for neighboring homeowners. Pumping groundwater for freeze protection is a best management practice for strawberry, citrus, and other industries and is authorized by water use permits. However, the farmers were responsible for fixing hundreds of the dry wells. Amendments to Chapter 40D-1, F.A.C., are being made as part of a rulemaking package, which will also include amendments to Chapters 40D-2, 40D-8, and 40D-80, F.A.C., to prevent a similar situation. Particularly, amendments to Chapter 40D-1, F.A.C., will add new forms and list updated forms as it relates to water use permitting in the Dover/Plant City Water Use Caution Area being proposed in companion proposed amendments to Chapter 40D-2, F.A.C.
SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: Updating and adding water use permitting forms and instructions for use by applicants requesting withdrawals of frost/freeze quantities affecting the aquifer within the proposed Dover/Plant City Water Use Caution Area.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: 373.044, 373.113, 373.149, 373.171, 373.337 FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 373.083, 373.0831(3), 373.083(5), 373.116, 373.196(1), 373.1961(3), 373.206, 373.207, 373.209, 373.216, 373.219, 373.229, 373.239, 373.306, 373.308, 373.309, 373.313, 373.323, 373.324, 373.413, 373.414, 373.416, 373.419, 373.421, 668.50 FS.
IF REQUESTED IN WRITING AND NOT DEEMED UNNECESSARY BY THE AGENCY HEAD, A RULE DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP WILL BE NOTICED IN THE NEXT AVAILABLE FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE WEEKLY.
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT AND A COPY OF THE PRELIMINARY DRAFT, IF AVAILABLE, IS: Pamela Gifford, Certified Legal Assistant, Office of General Counsel, 2379 Broad Street, Brooksville, FL 34604-6899, [phone], extension 4156 (OGC#2010010)

THE PRELIMINARY TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT IS AVAILABLE AT NO CHARGE FROM THE CONTACT PERSON LISTED ABOVE.