that an Order Granting Variance under Section 120.542(2), Florida Statutes, (Order 2012-042-DAO-WU) was issued on April 2, 2012 to the Okeechobee Utility Authority (OUA), whose service area covers Okeechobee and Glades Counties. The Petition for ...

 

WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICTS
South Florida Water Management District

 

The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) hereby gives notice that an Order Granting Variance under Section 120.542(2), Florida Statutes, (Order 2012-042-DAO- WU) was issued on April 2, 2012, to the Okeechobee Utility Authority (OUA), whose service area covers Okeechobee and Glades Counties. The Petition for Variance (Application 110902-1) was received by the SFWMD on September 2, 2011. Notice of receipt of the Petition was published in the Florida Administrative Weekly, Vol. 37, Number 37, September 16, 2011. The particular criterion from which the variance is sought is found at Section 3.2.1.G(4) of the Basis of Review for Water Use Permit Applications within the South Florida Water Management District. This criterion states that allocations of water from the Lake Okeechobee Waterbody for public water supply uses in excess of the project’s base condition water use are incompatible with the supply source. The order sets forth the basis of the SFWMD decision to grant the variance, as follows: 1) the variance is necessary to prevent a substantial economic hardship on OUA customers who reside in an area that has been designated a Rural Economic Development Initiative Rural Area of Critical Economic Concern community; and 2) the purpose of the underlying rule has been achieved by other means.

A copy of the Order or additional information may be obtained by contacting: Regulation Division during the normal business hours of 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except legal holidays, 3301 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406; [phone]; by e-mail: [e-mail] or by accessing the District’s website (www.sfwmd.gov) using the Application/Permit Search on the ePermitting page.