The Suwannee River Water Management District (District) gives notice that it is initiating rulemaking to develop rules 40B-8.071, 40B-8.081, and 40B-8.091 to implement new minimum flows and levels for the Econfina, Aucilla and Wacissa Rivers and ...

 

WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICTS

Suwannee River Water Management District

RULE NOS.:RULE TITLES:

40B-8.071Minimum Surface Water Levels and Flows for the Econfina River.

40B-8.081Minimum Surface Water Levels and Flows for the Aucilla River and Nutall Rise.

40B-8.091Minimum Surface Water Levels and Flows for the Wacissa River and Wacissa River Priority Springs.

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The Suwannee River Water Management District (District) gives notice that it is initiating rulemaking to develop rules 40B-8.071, 40B-8.081, and 40B-8.091 to implement new minimum flows and levels for the Econfina, Aucilla and Wacissa Rivers and associated priority springs. The effect of the rule will be to provide protection for these areas from significant harm resulting from uses of ground and surface water.

SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: This proposed rule development will establish minimum flows and levels for Econfina, Aucilla and Wacissa Rivers and associated priority springs, in accordance with Rule 62-40.473, F.A.C., and Sections 373.042 and 373.0421, F.S.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 373.044, 373.113 FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 373.042, 373.0421, 373.103 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 REGISTER.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT AND A COPY OF THE PRELIMINARY DRAFT, IF AVAILABLE, IS: Clay Coarsey, Professional Engineer, Suwannee River Water Management District, 9225 CR 49, Live Oak, Florida 32060, [phone] or 1(800)226-1066 (FL only)

 

THE PRELIMINARY TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT IS:

 

40B-8.071 Minimum Surface Water Levels and Flows for the Econfina River.

The Governing Board hereby establishes the following minimum surfacewater flows. The Governing Board finds that the following minimum surfacewater flows are the limit at which further withdrawals would be significantly harmful to the water resources or ecology.

(1) The minimum surfacewater flow for the Econfina River Near Perry, FL gage is an allowable reduction of 23 percent when flow is below 211 cubic feet per second (cfs) and 8.6 percent when flow is greater than or equal 211 cfs.

Specific Authority 373.044, 373.113 FS. Law Implemented 373.042, 373.0421, 373.103 FS. History–New_______.

 

40B-8.081 Minimum Surface Water Levels and Flows for the Aucilla River and Nutall Rise.

The Governing Board hereby establishes the following minimum surfacewater flows. The Governing Board finds that the following minimum surfacewater flows are the limit at which further withdrawals would be significantly harmful to the water resources or ecology.

(1) The minimum surfacewater flow for the Aucilla River At Lamont, FL gage is an allowable reduction of 6.5 percent when flow is less than or equal to 355 cubic feet per second (cfs), 13 percent when flow is greater than 355 cfs and is less than or equal to 558 cfs, and 17 percent when flow is greater than 558 cfs. 

(2) The minimum surface water flow for Nutall Rise is established as a percent reduction from the median flow contribution to the Aucilla River.  The allowable reduction in flow of Nutall Rise is 6.5 percent from the median flow.

Specific Authority 373.044, 373.113 FS. Law Implemented 373.042, 373.0421, 373.103 FS. History–New_____.

 

40B-8.091 Minimum Surface Water Levels and Flows for the Wacissa River and Wacissa River Priority Springs.

The Governing Board hereby establishes the following minimum surfacewater flows. The Governing Board finds that the following minimum surfacewater flows are the limit at which further withdrawals would be significantly harmful to the water resources or ecology.

(1) The minimum surfacewater flow for the Wacissa River Near Wacissa, FL gage is an allowable reduction in flow of 5.1 percent when flow is less than or equal to 376 cubic feet per second (cfs) and 7.3 percent when flow is greater than or equal to 376 cfs.

(2) The minimum surface water flows for the Wacissa River Priority Springs are established as the following percent reductions from the median flow contribution to the Wacissa River:

(a) Big Blue Spring: 6.5 percent;

(b) Buzzard Log Spring: 6.5 percent;

(c) Cassidy Spring: 6.5 percent;

(d) Garner Spring: 6.5 percent;

(e) JEF63991: 6.5 percent;

(f) JEF63992: 6.5 percent;

(g) JEF63993: 6.5 percent;

(h) Jefferson Blue Spring: 6.5 percent;

(i) Little Blue Spring: 6.5 percent;

(j) Log Spring: 6.5 percent;

(k) Minnow Spring: 6.5 percent;

(l) Thomas Spring: 6.5 percent;

(m) Wacissa Headspring: 6.5 percent.

Specific Authority 373.044, 373.113 FS. Law Implemented 373.042, 373.0421, 373.103 FS. History–New _____.