Environmental groups still opposed to DEP water-use rules

By Bruce Ritchie

Environmental groups are continuing to raise concerns with proposed Florida Department of Environmental Protection water-use rule changes that are the subject of a department hearing on Wednesday.

The rules are intended to increase consistency in water-use permitting among the state's five water management districts. DEP says the rules will encourage water conservation and increased used of treated wastewater as directed by HB 639 in 2012.

The environmental groups, though, are questioning DEP's legal authority and say they remain concerned that the rules will tie the hands of water management districts as they restrict overuse of water.

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