40D-2.381. Standard Permit Conditions

(1) WUPs shall be conditioned, as necessary, to ensure that the permitted withdrawal continues to meet the conditions for issuance in Rule 40D-2.301, F.A.C. There are two categories of permit conditions that will be applied to WUPs. Standard conditions contain general information and operational constraints that generally apply to all water uses unless waived or modified by the District upon a determination that the conditions are inapplicable to the use authorized by the WUP. Special conditions vary among use classes, source classes, and geographic locations, and may be project-specific.

(2) Every permit acquired under this Chapter shall include standard terms which describe the following information:

(a) Permittee’s name and address,

(b) Permit number,

(c) Date permit application filed,

(d) Date permit granted,

(e) Permit expiration date,

(f) Water source classification,

(g) Water use classification,

(h) Property location,

(i) Quantity permitted, and

(j) Withdrawal locations.

(3) Every WUP acquired under this chapter shall include the following standard conditions which impose certain limitations on the permitted water withdrawal:

(a) All withdrawals authorized by this WUP shall be implemented as conditioned by this permit, including any documents submitted as part of the permit application incorporated by reference in a permit condition. This permit is subject to review and modification, enforcement action, or revocation, in whole or in part, pursuant to Section 373.136 or 373.243, F.S.

(b) This permit is issued based on information provided by the Permittee demonstrating that the use of water is reasonable and beneficial, consistent with the public interest, and will not interfere with any existing legal use of water. If, during the term of the permit, it is determined by the District that a statement in the application and in the supporting data is found to be materially false or inaccurate, the use is not reasonable and beneficial, in the public interest, or does impact an existing legal use of water, the Governing Board shall modify this permit or shall revoke this permit following notice and hearing, pursuant to Section 373.136 or 373.243, F.S. The Permittee shall immediately notify the District in writing of any previously submitted information that is later discovered to be inaccurate.

(c) A Permittee may seek modification of any term of an unexpired permit. The Permittee is advised that Section 373.239, F.S., and Rule 40D-2.331, F.A.C., are applicable to permit modifications.

(d) Nothing in this permit should be construed to limit the authority of the District to declare a water shortage and issue orders pursuant to Chapter 373, F.S. In the event of a declared water shortage, the Permittee must adhere to the water shortage restrictions, as specified by the District. The Permittee is advised that during a water shortage, reports shall be submitted as required by District rule or order.

(e) With advance notice to the Permittee, District staff with proper identification shall have permission to enter, inspect, collect samples, take measurements, observe permitted and related facilities, and collect and document any information deemed necessary to determine compliance with the approved plans, specifications and conditions of this permit. The Permittee shall either accompany District staff onto the property or make provision for access onto the property.

(f) This permit does not convey to the Permittee any property rights or privileges other than those specified herein, nor relieve the permittee from complying with any applicable local government, state, or federal law, rule, or ordinance.

(g) The Permittee shall cease or reduce surface water withdrawal as directed by the District if water levels in lakes fall below the applicable minimum water level established in Chapter 40D-8, F.A.C., or rates of flow in streams fall below the minimum levels established in Chapter 40D-8, F.A.C.

(h) The Permittee shall cease or reduce withdrawal as directed by the District if water levels in aquifers fall below the minimum levels established by the Governing Board.

(i) The Permittee shall practice water conservation to increase the efficiency of transport, application, and use, as well as to decrease waste and to minimize runoff from the property. At such time as the Governing Board adopts specific conservation requirements for the Permittee’s water use classification, this permit shall be subject to those requirements upon notice and after a reasonable period for compliance.

(j) The District may establish special regulations for Water-Use Caution Areas. At such time as the Governing Board adopts such provisions, this permit shall be subject to them upon notice and after a reasonable period for compliance.

(k) The Permittee shall mitigate any adverse impact to existing legal uses caused by withdrawals. When adverse impacts occur or are imminent, the District may require the Permittee to mitigate the impacts. Adverse impacts include:

1. A reduction in water levels which impairs the ability of a well to produce water;

2. Significant reduction in levels or flows in water bodies such as lakes, impoundments, wetlands, springs, streams or other watercourses; or

3. Significant inducement of natural or manmade contaminants into a water supply or into a usable portion of an aquifer or water body.

(l) The Permittee shall mitigate any adverse impact to environmental features or offsite land uses as a result of withdrawals. When adverse impacts occur or are imminent, the District shall require the Permittee to mitigate the impacts. Examples of adverse impacts include the following:

1. Significant reduction in levels or flows in water bodies such as lakes, impoundments, wetlands, springs, streams, or other watercourses;

2. Damage to crops and other vegetation causing financial harm to the owner.

3. Damage to the habitat of endangered or threatened species.

(m) When necessary to analyze impacts to the water resource or existing users, the District shall require the Permittee to install flow metering or other measuring devices to record withdrawal quantities and submit the data to the District.

(n) A District identification tag shall be prominently displayed at each withdrawal point that is required by the District to be metered or for which withdrawal quantities are required to be reported to the District, by permanently affixing the tag to the withdrawal facility.

(o) Permittee shall notify the District in writing within 30 days of any sale, transfer, or conveyance of ownership or any other loss of permitted legal control of the Project and/or related facilities from which the permitted withdrawal is made. Where Permittee’s control of the land subject to the permit was demonstrated through a lease, the Permittee must either submit documentation showing that it continues to have legal control or transfer control of the permitted system/project to the new landowner or new lessee. All transfers of ownership are subject to the requirements of Rule 40D-1.6105, F.A.C. Alternatively, the Permittee may surrender the WUP to the District, thereby relinquishing the right to conduct any activities under the permit.

(p) All permits are contingent upon continued ownership or legal control of all property on which pumps, wells, diversions or other water withdrawal facilities are located.

(q) Within the Southern Water Use Caution Area, if the District determines that significant water quantity or quality changes, impacts to existing legal uses, or adverse environmental impacts are occurring, the District, upon reasonable notice to the permittee, including a statement of facts upon which the District based its determination, may reconsider the quantities permitted or other conditions of the permit as appropriate to address the change or impact, but only after an opportunity for the permittee to resolve or mitigate the change or impact or to request a hearing.

Rulemaking Authority 373.044, 373.113, 373.171 FS. Law Implemented 373.079(4)(a), 373.083(5), 373.219, 373.223, 373.244 FS. History–New 6-7-78, Amended 9-9-80, 10-21-80, Formerly 16J-2.112, Amended 10-1-89, 2-10-93, 5-2-93, 4-14-02, 1-1-03, 10-19-05, 7-20-08, 11-2-09, 6-16-11, 5-19-14.