Fla. Stat. 373.4599
Water storage north of Lake Okeechobee

(1)

DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term:“Corps” means the United States Army Corps of Engineers.“District” means the South Florida Water Management District.“Lake Okeechobee Watershed Restoration Project” or “LOWRP” means the recommended plan contained within the Lake Okeechobee Watershed Restoration Project Final Integrated Project Implementation Report and Environmental Impact Statement dated August 2020 or as amended by the district and corps.

(a)

“Corps” means the United States Army Corps of Engineers.

(b)

“District” means the South Florida Water Management District.

(c)

“Lake Okeechobee Watershed Restoration Project” or “LOWRP” means the recommended plan contained within the Lake Okeechobee Watershed Restoration Project Final Integrated Project Implementation Report and Environmental Impact Statement dated August 2020 or as amended by the district and corps.

(2)

PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION REPORT.—Upon June 2, 2021, the district shall request that the corps seek congressional approval of a project implementation report for the LOWRP before passage of the Water Resources Development Act of 2022.

(3)

AGREEMENTS.—Immediately following congressional approval of the LOWRP, the district shall seek to execute with the corps a project partnership agreement for the LOWRP. The project partnership agreement must be consistent with this section.

(4)

PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION.—Projects, locations, or structures.—Projects, locations, or structures referred to in this subsection shall mean those described in the Lake Okeechobee Watershed Restoration Project Final Integrated Project Implementation Report and Environmental Impact Statement dated August 2020 or as amended by the district and the corps.Aquifer storage and recovery.—
Expedition of the LOWRP.—The district, in partnership with the corps, shall expedite the development and implementation of the LOWRP aquifer storage and recovery wells. Implementation of this subsection must comply with all applicable federal and state laws and rules, including the department’s underground injection control program.
Investigation and monitoring.—The district shall perform any necessary scientific investigation and monitoring concurrently with the implementation of the LOWRP aquifer storage and recovery wells. To ensure public health and safety, technical feasibility, and achievement of environmental benefits, implementation of the LOWRP aquifer storage and recovery wells must use a phased approach that confirms feasibility and site suitability and addresses uncertainties identified in the aquifer storage and recovery science plan developed by the district and the corps.
Aquifer storage and recovery science plan.—The district shall expedite implementation of the aquifer storage and recovery science plan developed by the district and the corps.
LOWRP watershed aquifer storage and recovery wells.—
For the Kissimmee River Basin site with the existing Kissimmee River Aquifer Storage and Recovery Pilot Project system, the district shall, by January 30, 2022, reactivate the existing aquifer storage and recovery system on the site, including any necessary testing. By March 30, 2027, the district shall ensure that all other feasible aquifer storage and recovery wells on the site are operational.
For all remaining feasible cluster sites in the Kissimmee River Basin and Taylor Creek/Nubbin Slough Basin, the district shall, by August 1, 2021, construct or execute contracts for any necessary exploratory and monitoring wells on each site, in addition to any other necessary evaluations, to evaluate or confirm site suitability for well clusters. By March 30, 2027, the district shall ensure that all feasible aquifer storage and recovery wells on those sites with suitable locations are operational.
For all other feasible currently or subsequently proposed LOWRP watershed aquifer storage and recovery cluster sites not colocated with the wetland attenuation feature, the district shall, by December 31, 2022, execute contracts for the construction of any necessary exploratory and monitoring wells on each site, in addition to any other necessary evaluations, to evaluate site suitability for well clusters. By March 30, 2027, the district shall ensure that all feasible aquifer storage and recovery wells on those sites with suitable locations are operational.
Wetland restoration.—The district, in partnership with the corps, shall pursue expeditious implementation of the Paradise Run wetland restoration project and the Kissimmee River Center wetland restoration project.

(a)

Projects, locations, or structures.—Projects, locations, or structures referred to in this subsection shall mean those described in the Lake Okeechobee Watershed Restoration Project Final Integrated Project Implementation Report and Environmental Impact Statement dated August 2020 or as amended by the district and the corps.

(b)

Aquifer storage and recovery.—Expedition of the LOWRP.—The district, in partnership with the corps, shall expedite the development and implementation of the LOWRP aquifer storage and recovery wells. Implementation of this subsection must comply with all applicable federal and state laws and rules, including the department’s underground injection control program.Investigation and monitoring.—The district shall perform any necessary scientific investigation and monitoring concurrently with the implementation of the LOWRP aquifer storage and recovery wells. To ensure public health and safety, technical feasibility, and achievement of environmental benefits, implementation of the LOWRP aquifer storage and recovery wells must use a phased approach that confirms feasibility and site suitability and addresses uncertainties identified in the aquifer storage and recovery science plan developed by the district and the corps.Aquifer storage and recovery science plan.—The district shall expedite implementation of the aquifer storage and recovery science plan developed by the district and the corps.LOWRP watershed aquifer storage and recovery wells.—
For the Kissimmee River Basin site with the existing Kissimmee River Aquifer Storage and Recovery Pilot Project system, the district shall, by January 30, 2022, reactivate the existing aquifer storage and recovery system on the site, including any necessary testing. By March 30, 2027, the district shall ensure that all other feasible aquifer storage and recovery wells on the site are operational.
For all remaining feasible cluster sites in the Kissimmee River Basin and Taylor Creek/Nubbin Slough Basin, the district shall, by August 1, 2021, construct or execute contracts for any necessary exploratory and monitoring wells on each site, in addition to any other necessary evaluations, to evaluate or confirm site suitability for well clusters. By March 30, 2027, the district shall ensure that all feasible aquifer storage and recovery wells on those sites with suitable locations are operational.
For all other feasible currently or subsequently proposed LOWRP watershed aquifer storage and recovery cluster sites not colocated with the wetland attenuation feature, the district shall, by December 31, 2022, execute contracts for the construction of any necessary exploratory and monitoring wells on each site, in addition to any other necessary evaluations, to evaluate site suitability for well clusters. By March 30, 2027, the district shall ensure that all feasible aquifer storage and recovery wells on those sites with suitable locations are operational.
1. Expedition of the LOWRP.—The district, in partnership with the corps, shall expedite the development and implementation of the LOWRP aquifer storage and recovery wells. Implementation of this subsection must comply with all applicable federal and state laws and rules, including the department’s underground injection control program.
2. Investigation and monitoring.—The district shall perform any necessary scientific investigation and monitoring concurrently with the implementation of the LOWRP aquifer storage and recovery wells. To ensure public health and safety, technical feasibility, and achievement of environmental benefits, implementation of the LOWRP aquifer storage and recovery wells must use a phased approach that confirms feasibility and site suitability and addresses uncertainties identified in the aquifer storage and recovery science plan developed by the district and the corps.
3. Aquifer storage and recovery science plan.—The district shall expedite implementation of the aquifer storage and recovery science plan developed by the district and the corps.
4. LOWRP watershed aquifer storage and recovery wells.—a. For the Kissimmee River Basin site with the existing Kissimmee River Aquifer Storage and Recovery Pilot Project system, the district shall, by January 30, 2022, reactivate the existing aquifer storage and recovery system on the site, including any necessary testing. By March 30, 2027, the district shall ensure that all other feasible aquifer storage and recovery wells on the site are operational.b. For all remaining feasible cluster sites in the Kissimmee River Basin and Taylor Creek/Nubbin Slough Basin, the district shall, by August 1, 2021, construct or execute contracts for any necessary exploratory and monitoring wells on each site, in addition to any other necessary evaluations, to evaluate or confirm site suitability for well clusters. By March 30, 2027, the district shall ensure that all feasible aquifer storage and recovery wells on those sites with suitable locations are operational.c. For all other feasible currently or subsequently proposed LOWRP watershed aquifer storage and recovery cluster sites not colocated with the wetland attenuation feature, the district shall, by December 31, 2022, execute contracts for the construction of any necessary exploratory and monitoring wells on each site, in addition to any other necessary evaluations, to evaluate site suitability for well clusters. By March 30, 2027, the district shall ensure that all feasible aquifer storage and recovery wells on those sites with suitable locations are operational.
a. For the Kissimmee River Basin site with the existing Kissimmee River Aquifer Storage and Recovery Pilot Project system, the district shall, by January 30, 2022, reactivate the existing aquifer storage and recovery system on the site, including any necessary testing. By March 30, 2027, the district shall ensure that all other feasible aquifer storage and recovery wells on the site are operational.
b. For all remaining feasible cluster sites in the Kissimmee River Basin and Taylor Creek/Nubbin Slough Basin, the district shall, by August 1, 2021, construct or execute contracts for any necessary exploratory and monitoring wells on each site, in addition to any other necessary evaluations, to evaluate or confirm site suitability for well clusters. By March 30, 2027, the district shall ensure that all feasible aquifer storage and recovery wells on those sites with suitable locations are operational.
c. For all other feasible currently or subsequently proposed LOWRP watershed aquifer storage and recovery cluster sites not colocated with the wetland attenuation feature, the district shall, by December 31, 2022, execute contracts for the construction of any necessary exploratory and monitoring wells on each site, in addition to any other necessary evaluations, to evaluate site suitability for well clusters. By March 30, 2027, the district shall ensure that all feasible aquifer storage and recovery wells on those sites with suitable locations are operational.

(c)

Wetland restoration.—The district, in partnership with the corps, shall pursue expeditious implementation of the Paradise Run wetland restoration project and the Kissimmee River Center wetland restoration project.

(5)

REPORT.—By November 1, 2021, the district shall submit to the Legislature a report describing the district’s compliance with this section, including steps taken and any plans necessary for ongoing compliance. The report must include updates on congressional approval for the LOWRP project implementation report; the aquifer storage and recovery science plan; any scientific investigations; and designs, construction, and operations.

Source: Section 373.4599 — Water storage north of Lake Okeechobee, https://www.­flsenate.­gov/Laws/Statutes/2024/0373.­4599 (accessed Aug. 7, 2025).

373.403
Definitions 373.406
Exemptions 373.407
Determination of qualification for an agricultural-related exemption 373.409
Headgates, valves, and measuring devices 373.413
Permits for construction or alteration 373.414
Additional criteria for activities in surface waters and wetlands 373.415
Protection zones 373.416
Permits for maintenance or operation 373.417
Citation of rule 373.418
Rulemaking 373.419
Completion report 373.421
Delineation methods 373.422
Applications for activities on state sovereignty lands or other state lands 373.423
Inspection 373.426
Abandonment 373.427
Concurrent permit review 373.428
Federal consistency 373.429
Revocation and modification of permits 373.430
Prohibitions, violation, penalty, intent 373.433
Abatement 373.436
Remedial measures 373.439
Emergency measures 373.441
Role of counties, municipalities, and local pollution control programs in permit processing 373.443
Immunity from liability 373.451
Short title 373.453
Surface water improvement and management plans and programs 373.459
Funds for surface water improvement and management 373.461
Lake Apopka improvement and management 373.462
Legislative findings and intent 373.463
Heartland headwaters annual report 373.468
The Harris Chain of Lakes restoration program 373.469
Indian River Lagoon Protection Program 373.4131
Statewide environmental resource permitting rules 373.4132
Dry storage facility permitting 373.4133
Port conceptual permits 373.4134
Water quality enhancement areas 373.4135
Mitigation banks and offsite regional mitigation 373.4136
Establishment and operation of mitigation banks 373.4137
Mitigation requirements for specified transportation projects 373.4138
High Speed Rail Project 373.4139
Local government transportation infrastructure mitigation requirements 373.4141
Permits 373.4142
Water quality within stormwater treatment systems 373.4143
Declaration of policy 373.4144
Federal environmental permitting 373.4145
Part IV permitting program within the geographical jurisdiction of the Northwest Florida Water Management District 373.4146
State assumption of the federal Clean Water Act, section 404 dredge and fill permitting program 373.4149
Miami-Dade County Lake Belt Plan 373.4185
List of flocculants permitted 373.4211
Ratification of chapter 17-340, Florida Administrative Code, on the delineation of the landward extent of wetlands and surface waters 373.4271
Conduct of challenge to consolidated environmental resource permit or associated variance or sovereign submerged lands authorization issued in connection with deepwater ports 373.4275
Review of consolidated orders 373.4415
Role of Miami-Dade County in processing permits for limerock mining in Miami-Dade County Lake Belt 373.4591
Improvements on private agricultural lands 373.4592
Everglades improvement and management 373.4593
Florida Bay Restoration 373.4595
Northern Everglades and Estuaries Protection Program 373.4596
State compliance with stormwater management programs 373.4597
The Geneva Freshwater Lens Protection Act 373.4598
Water storage reservoirs 373.4599
Water storage north of Lake Okeechobee 373.41365
Adoption and modification of rules to ensure financial assurances for long-term management of mitigation under ss 373.41492
Miami-Dade County Lake Belt Mitigation Plan 373.41495
Lake Belt Mitigation Trust Fund 373.45922
South Florida Water Management District 373.45924
South Florida Water Management District 373.45926
Everglades Trust Fund 373.45931
Alligator Alley tolls

Current through Fall 2025

§ 373.4599. Water storage north of Lake Okeechobee's source at flsenate​.gov