Released on = February 15, 2007, 2:45 pm

Press Release Author = Jesus Rodriguez

Industry = Environment

Press Release Summary = The Governing Board of the South Florida Water Management
District (SFWMD) has authorized the adoption of a rule that would limit water supply
demands from the Everglades and Loxahatchee River Watershed over levels that existed
prior to April 2006. The rule would affect water suppliers in urban areas along the
District's lower east coast, including Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach
Counties.

Press Release Body = West Palm Beach, FL - The Governing Board of the South Florida
Water Management District (SFWMD) has authorized the adoption of a rule that would
limit water supply demands from the Everglades and Loxahatchee River Watershed over
levels that existed prior to April 2006. The rule would affect water suppliers in
urban areas along the District's lower east coast, including Monroe, Miami-Dade,
Broward and Palm Beach Counties.

During the dry season, Lower East Coast water suppliers currently depend on an
estimated 500 million gallons of water per day from the Everglades to sustain their
primary drinking water source, the Biscayne Aquifer. In turn, low dry season water
levels have disturbed the Everglades ecosystem, and the State of Florida has
committed billions of dollars to reversing these impacts by restoring natural flows
and levels.

Over the past six years since the state and federal governments approved the
Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), the SFWMD has imposed limitations
on permits for Everglades water to address environmental concerns on the assumption
that CERP would be implemented as scheduled.


In October 2004, acknowledging early delays, the SFWMD announced Acceler8, a
far-reaching initiative to expedite the funding, design and construction of a series
of critical Everglades restoration projects that will restore 100,000 acres of
wetlands, expand water treatment areas, and provide 428,000 acre-feet of additional
water storage a decade ahead of schedule.

However, due to unprecedented growth and ongoing delays in federal funding for
Everglades restoration, the District is now compelled to impose stricter limitations
on the use of Everglades water if it is to protect this natural resource.

As a result of today's rule, cities needing additional water supplies will be
required to seek sources that are not dependent upon the Everglades for recharge.
These alternative water supply

solutions include recycling water, using reclaimed water to recharge the Biscayne
Aquifer, or

drawing water from the deeper Floridan Aquifer, which also would require treatment
before being deemed safe to drink.

"This is a big win for the environment and a bold action by our Governing Board amid
apprehensions from several local governments and utilities," said SFWMD Governing
Board Chairman Kevin McCarty. "Our water resources are not unlimited; and this rule
will ensure that local governments manage growth more responsibly, promote sensible
water conservation, and preserve our water resources for future generations to use
and enjoy."

A key provision of the rule is that existing consumptive water use permits will not
be affected. The rule only will apply when existing permits are scheduled to
expire, requiring renewal by the District. The rule also provides a "grace" period
during which temporary increases in dependence on Everglades water will be allowed
while alternative supplies are being developed. This will prevent immediate
shortfalls in water necessary to continue meeting public drinking water needs as
concrete steps are taken by water suppliers to implement other sources.

"The regional water availability rule is essential for protecting the water left in
the Everglades for restoration," added SFWMD Executive Director Carol Ann Wehle.
"It represents a strong and very clear policy statement from our board that the
South Florida Water Management District will protect water for the environment."

"This rule is an important first step to ensuring the water needed to restore the
environment is reserved," said David Anderson, Executive Director of Audubon of
Florida.

Several state and federal laws regarding implementation of CERP require the SFWMD to
protect water necessary for the restoration of the Everglades.

In April 2006, the SFWMD governing board authorized District staff to initiate the
development of a rule to limit increased reliance on the Everglades system and
dependent groundwater as "sources of limited availability". The District
subsequently held five rounds of workshops and issued five rule drafts in response
to comments from stakeholders, prior to developing and publishing today's final
draft. Rule adoption could be prevented if a legal challenge is filed against it.

# # #

The South Florida Water Management District is a regional, governmental agency that
oversees the water resources in the southern half of the state - 16 counties from
Orlando to the Keys. It is the oldest and largest of the state's five water
management districts. The agency mission is to manage and protect water resources of
the region by balancing and improving water quality, flood control, natural systems
and water supply. A key initiative is cleanup and restoration of the Everglades.



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Contact Details = Jesus Rodriguez

South Florida Water Management District

Office: (561) 682-6060 Cellular: (561) 568-8025