The District is required by section 373.042(2)(a), F.S., to adopt a minimum flow or minimum water level (MFL) for Silver Springs (an Outstanding Florida Spring) by July 1, 2017. Based on the best available information, all three recommended minimum flows and levels in proposed 40C-8.031(7), F.A.C., are currently being achieved; however, the recommended minimum frequent low flow and level for Silver Springs would not be met under projected water use demands through the 20-year planning horizon. Thus, in accordance with section 373.0421(2), F.S., the District has concurrently approved an MFL prevention strategy to prevent the existing flows and levels from falling below the established minimum flows and levels. That strategy includes a regulatory component, consisting of new rules to prevent the existing flows and levels from falling below the minimum flows and levels for Silver Springs. To ensure that the District meets its statutory requirement under section 373.0421(2), F.S., to adopt the regulatory component of the MFL prevention strategy in proposed 40C-2.101, F.A.C., by July 1, 2017, to prevent the existing flows and levels from falling below the proposed minimum flows and levels for Silver Springs, the District is adopting this emergency rule. The basis for this finding of an immediate danger to the public health, safety, or welfare also includes section 373.042(2)(c), F.S., which provides as follows: The Legislature finds as provided in s. 373.801(3)(b) that the adoption of minimum flows and minimum water levels or recovery or prevention strategies for Outstanding Florida Springs requires immediate action. The department and the districts are authorized, and all conditions are deemed to be met, to use emergency rulemaking provisions pursuant to s. 120.54(4) to adopt minimum flows and minimum water levels pursuant to this subsection and to adopt recovery or prevention strategies concurrently with a minimum flow or minimum water level pursuant to s. 373.805(2). The emergency rules shall remain in effect during the pendency of procedures to adopt rules addressing the subject of the emergency rules.