The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) gives notice that is is developing as part of a statewide effort headed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and joined by all five water management districts (WMDs), to increase consistency in the consumptive use permitting (CUP) programs of the WMDs. This rule development is proposed to be coordinated with similar rule development by the other WMDs throughout Florida. This rule development will make appropriate rule amendments to SFWMD's Chapters 40E-1, 40E-2, 40E-20, 40E-21, 40E-22, 40E-8, and the Basis of Review for Water Use Permit Applications within the South Florida Water Management District, to address the following goals of the DEP and the WMDs for this rulemaking: (1) making the CUP rules less confusing for applicants; (2) treating applicants equitably statewide; (3) providing consistent protection of the environment; (4) streamlining the application and permitting process; and (5) incentivizing behavior that protects water resources, including water conservation. Additional information about the statewide CUP consistency initiative is available at DEP's website at: www.dep.state.fl.us/waterpolicy/cupcon.htm.