FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 14, 2013

CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850.245.2112, DEPNews@dep.state.fl.us

STATEMENT FROM DEP SECRETARY HERSCHEL T. VINYARD JR. ON SIGNING OF SB 364 RELATED TO CONSUMPTIVE USE PERMITS

TALLAHASSEE –Today, DEP Secretary Herschel T. Vinyard Jr. issued a statement on the signing of SB 364 related to consumptive use permits:

"The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is pleased to see this Legislation signed, and congratulate Senator Hays, Representative Young and Representative Pilon for their support on SB 364.  

Governor Scott and the Florida Legislature understand that a stable water supply is a key part of protecting the environment, supporting growing families, attracting new businesses to Florida, and keeping existing businesses.

Today’s signing of the bill helps ensure a long-term stable water supply by easing the problems that local governments face in the financing of large and sometimes expensive alternative water supply projects.

These Alternative Water Supply projects will make Florida less dependent on traditional groundwater pumping and, along with conservation, are a necessary part of ensuring that Florida has enough water to meet its long term needs.

About the Florida Department of Environmental Protection

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is the state’s principal environmental agency, created to protect, conserve and manage Florida’s environment and natural resources. The Department enforces federal and state environmental laws, protects Florida’s air and water quality, cleans up pollution, regulates solid waste management, promotes pollution prevention and acquires environmentally-sensitive lands for preservation. The agency also maintains a statewide system of parks, trails and aquatic preserves. To view the Department’s website log on to www.dep.state.fl.us.

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLDEP/bulletins/7f7823