Update on the Spring Council’s challenge of DEP’s Harm Rule

A message from our friends at the Florida Springs Council:

Springs Harm Rule

On Dec. 10, following FSC’s lawsuit, FDEP finally proposed a “Springs Harm Rule” for adoption, an important and necessary step towards the agency actually adopting rules that protect Outstanding Florida Springs from harmful water use permits. Now, FDEP must actually adopt the rules to fulfill the requirements of law.

FDEP proposed the same permitting rules and definition of “harmful to the water resources” that we opposed in previous weak drafts of the rules. These rules will not protect Outstanding Florida Springs from harmful groundwater withdrawals and do not meet the statutory requirements of 373.219(3), F.S.

Over 420 advocates have joined us in calling on FDEP to revise the proposed springs harm rules to meet the requirements of law and give springs the protections they need.

Springs advocates from across the state and members of Sierra Club Florida, CLEO Institute, genCLEO FSU and League of Women Voters or Florida joined us in Tallahassee on Monday, January 6 to ask FDEP questions and comment on the proposed springs harm rules. Unfortunately, FDEP was unwilling to answer questions or engage in discussion about the proposed rules. Instead, the agency extended the online public comment period to Friday, January 10.  

Our legal advocacy to ensure FDEP follows the law will continue until a valid rule is adopted.

Image by Michelle J.