15440, 40D-8.041 - Florida Administrative Rules, Law, Code, Register

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Florida Department of State and Division of Library and Information Services

Notice: 15440

Notice of Proposed Rule

Department:

WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICTS

Division:

Southwest Florida Water Management District

Chapter:

WATER LEVELS AND RATES OF FLOW

Overview

RULE:

40D-8.041

Minimum Flows

PURPOSE:

To amend Rule 40D-8.041, F.A.C., to establish minimum flows and levels for the freshwater segment of the Alafia River pursuant to Section 373.042, Florida Statutes (F.S.).

SUMMARY:

The District has identified seasonal low, medium and high flow periods for the Alafia River. Short-term minimum flow compliance standards were developed for each of these periods using a “building block” approach. Two standards are flow-based and applied continuously regardless of season. The first is a Minimum Low Flow threshold of 59 cubic feet per second (cfs) at the Lithia Gage. The second is a Minimum High Flow threshold of 375 cfs at the Lithia Gage. The Minimum Low Flow for the river during the low flow period (April 20 through June 24) is based on fish passage depth and wetted perimeter inflection points.
For the high flow period of the year (which runs from June 25 to October 27), a Minimum High Flow of 374 cfs is established. 
For the medium flow period (October 28 to April 19) it was determined that inundation of woody habitat would define the Minimum Flow. Using these limiting factors, the Minimum Medium Flow is the flow minus 19 percent at the Lithia Gage site, with the exception that the flows cannot go below 59 cfs at the Lithia Gage site and that minimum flows above 374 cfs need to be limited to an 8 percent reduction of the flows over 374 cfs.
Five and ten year means and medians are proposed as long-term compliance standards.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY:

373.044, 373.113, 373.171 FS.

LAW:

373.036, 373.0361, 373.0395, 373.042, 373.0421 FS.

PRINT PUBLISH DATE:

1/6/2006 Vol. 32/01

COMMENTS:

From 1/6/2006 To 1/27/2006 (21 Days)
The public comment period for this notice has already expired.

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

No reference(s).

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