08-1892 Opposing Moratorium on Consumptive Use Permits for Withdrawals from St. Johns River

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WHEREAS, the District also provides input through the District Water Supply Plan and grant funding ef- forts as to the ability of local governments to obtain future CUPS or the expansion of the yield permitted by a CUP; and WHEREAS, this input is critical to local government and provides the basis for local governments to plan for new water plants or the expansion of existing facilities to meet consumer demands, a process that can take years and is very costly; and WHEREAS, the process employed by the District in issuing CUPs, developing water supply plans and ap- proving alternative water supply grants is based on scientific data and principles rather than bureaucratic osmosis, and panic -driven hyperbole; and WHEREAS, some residents and commercial interests, especially in the Lower St. Johns River Basin, have become concerned about the issuance of CUPS for the withdrawal of water from the St. Johns River; and WHEREAS, these same groups of residents and commercial interests have raised concerns that the District is issuing "assurances" that are being relied upon by local government and which are not permitted by law; and WHEREAS, there is a belief by some members of these groups that the District is potentially allowing too much water to be withdrawn from the Upper and Middle St. Johns River Basins and this will ultimately have a negative effect on the environment and the economy of the Lower St. Johns River Basin; and WHEREAS, the City of Casselberry recognizes that the District has previously set minimum flows and levels ("MFLs") at numerous locations to protect the water levels within the St. Johns River, and that these MFLs are based on scientific data and principles rather than unsubstantiated fears; and WHEREAS, the City of Casselberry finds that, notwithstanding the concerns of various interests, the proc- ess by which MFLs have been set, input given, and CUPS issued, modified, or monitored, is rigorous and protective of the water resources and natural environment of the St. Johns River; and WHEREAS, Seminole County has proposed obtaining a CUP for the withdrawal of 5.5 MGD for re- claimed water augmentation and public water supply, and may ultimately look to withdraw an additional 80 MGD from the St. Johns River for public water supply; and WHEREAS, the Seminole County CUP and future water supply plans have stimulated two groups of in- terests based in the Lower St. Johns River Basin, including the St. Johns Riverkeeper, Inc. ("Riverkeeper") and The