40D-8.041: Minimum Flows
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The amendment will add a minus sign that was dropped from the formula used to convert well data when calculating minimum flows for the Weeki Wachee River System.
SUMMARY: Minimum flows for the Weeki Wachee River System became effective in 2009. Since then, staff found a typographical error in the formula used to convert well data to flow. A minus sign was dropped from the formula. The Joint Administrative Procedures Committee is requiring that the typographical error be corrected through a rule amendment. The proposed amendment will add the minus sign in the formula.
SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS: No Statement of Estimated Regulatory Cost was prepared.
Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: 373.044, 373.113, 373.171 FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 373.036, 373.0361, 373.042, 373.0421 FS.
IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE SCHEDULED AND ANNOUNCED IN FAW.
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Dianne Lee, Office of General Counsel, 2379 Broad Street, Brooksville, FL 34604-6899, (352)796-7211, ext. 4657 (OGC#20100020)
THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:
40D-8.041 Minimum Flows.
(1) through (11) No change.
(12) Minimum Flows for Weeki Wachee River System located within Hernando County, Florida.
(a) through (c) No change.
(d) Because climatic variation can influence river flow regimes, five and ten year mean and median standards have been developed and are set forth in Table 8-18 (Means and Medians) as a tool to assess whether compliance with the Minimum Flow maintains 90% of the natural flow of the Weeki Wachee River System. The Means and Medians are hydrologic statistics that represent flows expected to occur during long-term periods when the Minimum Flows are being met. The Means and Medians are generated from flow records that are representative of a period devoid of significant anthropogenic impacts. The District will periodically evaluate the Means and Medians. These are evaluated as the mean and medians of annual means and medians, evaluated from January 1 through December 31 of each year. The evaluation is for both the flow at the Brooksville Gage and at the USGS Weeki Wachee Well No. 283201082315601. The flow at the Brooksville Gage is evaluated directly against Table 8-18. The well data is converted to flow with the relation Q (cfs) = -47.487 + 12.38 Q (cfs) = 47.487 + 12.38 (well level) (ft) and then evaluated against Table 8-18. The Means and Medians were developed using the Minimum Flow and the presumed historic flow records. Therefore, it is expected that the Means and Medians will be met if compliance with the Minimum Flow is maintained. However, since future structural alterations could potentially affect surface water or groundwater flow characteristics within the watershed and additional information pertaining to Minimum Flows development may become available, the District is committed to periodic review and revision of the Minimum Flows, as necessary.
(e) No change.
Table 8-18 No change.
Rulemaking Authority 373.044, 373.113, 373.171 FS. Law Implemented 373.036, 373.0361, 373.042, 373.0421 FS. History Readopted 10-5-74, Amended 12-31-74, Formerly 16J-0.15, 40D-1.601, Amended 10-1-84, 8-7-00, 2-6-06, 4-6-06, 1-1-07, 11-25-07, 2-18-08, 3-2-08, 5-12-08, 5-10-09, 3-23-10, 3-28-10, ________.
