Bill > S0918

This bill enacts several provisions related to environmental resources and water management in Florida. It requires the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to create and maintain an online database of conservation lands accessible to the public, including details on recreational opportunities and access points, and to develop a mobile application for locating these lands. The bill also establishes the Florida Shared-Use Nonmotorized Trail Network, a statewide system of trails for nonmotorized vehicles and pedestrians, and mandates an annual allocation of at least $50 million for its development and maintenance. Furthermore, it revises the definition of "water resource development" to include technical assistance to self-suppliers (individuals or entities that supply their own water) under certain conditions, and clarifies the authority of the South Florida Water Management District to allocate and prioritize water use within its jurisdiction. The bill also introduces new regulations for Outstanding Florida Springs, including the delineation of priority focus areas, the establishment of minimum flows and levels with associated recovery strategies, and the development of basin management action plans to reduce nutrient pollution. It also creates a pilot program for alternative water supply development in restricted allocation areas and establishes a Florida Water Resources Advisory Council to evaluate and recommend water resource projects for state funding. Finally, the bill mandates the creation of a web-based map displaying various water resource data and projects, and requires progress reports on the implementation of water quality and quantity improvement plans.