28-26.003. Principles for Guiding Development

(1) Objectives to Be Achieved

(a) Minimize the adverse impacts of development on resources of the Floridan Aquifer, wetlands, and flood-detention areas.

(b) Protect the normal quantity, quality and flow of ground water and surface water which are necessary for the protection of resources of state and regional concern.

(c) Protect the water available for aquifer recharge.

(d) Protect the functions of the Green Swamp Potentiometric High of the Floridan Aquifer.

(e) Protect the normal supply of ground and surface water.

(f) Prevent further salt-water intrusion into the Floridan Aquifer.

(g) Protect or improve existing ground and surface-water quality.

(h) Protect the water-retention capabilities of wetlands.

(i) Protect the biological-filtering capabilities of wetlands.

(j) Protect the natural flow regime of drainage basins.

(k) Protect the design capacity of flood-detention areas and the water-management objectives of these areas through the maintenance of hydrologic characteristics of drainage basins.

	(2) Elements
	Requiring		Regulatory
	Regulation		Guidelines
	(a) Site Platting		The platting of land should be permitted only when such platting commits development to a pattern which will not result in the alteration of the natural surface water flow regime and which will not reduce the natural recharge rate of the platted site.
	(b) Site Alteration		Site alteration should be permitted only when such alteration will not adversely affect the natural surface-water flow regime or natural recharge capabilities of the site. Site alteration should be permitted only when such alteration will not cause siltation of wetlands or reduce the natural retention and filtering capabilities of wetlands. All site alteration activities should provide for water retention and settling facilities; should maintain an overall site runoff equivalent to the natural flow regime prior to alteration and should maintain a runoff rate which does not cause erosion.
	(c) Soils		All soil exposed as a result of site alteration or development activities should be located and stabilized in a manner to prevent the alteration of the natural flow regime. All soil exposed as a result of site alteration or development activities should be restored with suitable vegetation.
	(d) Ground Water		Ground water withdrawal should not exceed the safe yield per acre as determined by the Southwest Florida Water Management District, or its successor agency.
	(e) Storm-Water		Storm-water runoff should be released into the wetlands in a manner approximating the natural flow regime.
	(f) Solid Waste		Solid waste disposal facilities should be located in areas and operated in a manner that will not adversely affect the ground-water system.
	(g) Structures		Structures should be placed in a manner that will not adversely affect the natural flow regime and which will not reduce the recharge capabilities. Placement of structures should be consistent with sound flood plain management practices such as compliance with the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973.

Rulemaking Authority 380.05(1) FS. Law Implemented 380.05 FS. History–New 7-25-74, Formerly 22F-5.03, 27F-5.03, 27F-5.003.