The Department of Environmental Protection gives notice of the availability of the preliminary final draft document entitled “Canal Recharge: A Report to the Governor and Legislature,” dated December 2006. The report is required pursuant to Chapter 2004-381, Laws of Florida, to summarize the department’s investigation into “the feasibility of discharging reclaimed water (highly treated wastewater) into canals and the aquifer system as an environmentally acceptable means of augmenting groundwater supplies, enhancing natural systems and conveying reuse water within enclosed conduits within the canal right-of-way in Southeast Florida.” The law requires the department to publish the preliminary report, including draft findings and recommendations, for public comment. Upon closure of the public comment period, the department will provide the final report, including any public comments received, to the Governor, the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Canal Recharge: A Report to the Governor and Legislature,” dated December 2006, is available for review or downloading online at: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/water/wqssp/canals.htm

A copy may also be obtained by contacting: Stacey Feken, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Water Resource Management, 2600 Blair Stone Road, MS 3560, Tallahassee, FL 32399-2400, (850)245-8421, or by email at Stacey.feken@dep.state.fl.us. Written comments may be submitted to that same address. Comments must be received within 21 days of the date of this publication to be included with the report to the Governor and Legislature.