Wekiva Parkway and Protection Act (Florida Statutes: Title XXVIII Natural Resources; Conservation, Reclamation, and Use; Chapter 369 Conservation; Part III; ss. 369.314-369.324)

History.—s. 1, ch. 90-81. PART III WEKIVA PARKWAY AND PROTECTION ACT 369.314 Short title. 369.315 Intent. 369.316 Wekiva Study Area. 369.317 Wekiva Parkway. 369.318 Studies. 369.319 Master stormwater management plan. 369.320 Wastewater facility plan. 369.321 Comprehensive plan amendments. 369.322 Coordination of land use and water supply within the Wekiva Study Area. 369.323 Compliance. 369.324 Wekiva River Basin Commission. 369.314 Short title.—This act may be cited as the “Wekiva Parkway Protection Act.” History.—s. 1, ch. 2004-384. 369.315 Intent.— (1) The Legislature finds that, in general, Florida springs whether found in urban or rural se�ings, public parks, or private lands, are threatened by actual and potential flow reductions and declining water quality. As a result of climate pa�erns and population changes, over the past 30 years, many of Florida’s springs have begun to exhibit signals of distress, including increasing nutrient loading and lowered water flow. The groundwater that feeds springs is recharged by seepage from the surface and through direct conduits such as sinkholes. (2) The Legislature further finds that springs and groundwater once damaged by overuse can be restored through good stewardship, including effective planning strategies and best management practices to preserve and protect the spring and its springshed. Prudent land use planning decisions can protect and improve quality and quantity, as well as upland resources of a springshed. Managing land use types and their allowable densities and intensities of development, followed by specific site planning to further minimize impacts, rank as an important goal. (3) It is the intent of the Legislature that the recommendations of the Wekiva River Basin Coordinating Commi�ee as stated in its final report dated March 16, 2004, be taken and implemented as a whole to achieve the objective of improving and assuring protection of surface water and groundwater resources. Coordination of comprehensive plans and the Regional Water Supply Plan is important for protection of water resources and to promote the continuity of effective planning and development. (4) It is not the intent of the Legislature to place an undue burden on local governments within the Wekiva Study Area. Any required Wekiva Study Area comprehensive plan amendments may be adopted in conjunction with other amendments not required by this part. History.—s. 1, ch. 2004-384. 369.316 Wekiva Study Area.—The Wekiva Study Area is defined to include the following land: Begin at the northwest corner of Section 6, Township 18 South, Range 28 East, Lake County, Florida, said corner lying on the north line of Township 18 South; thence Easterly along said north line of Township 18 South to the northeast corner of Section 5, Township 18 South, Range 29 East; thence Southerly along the east line of said Section 5 to the northeast corner of Section 8, Township 18 South, Range 29 East; thence Southerly along the east line of said Section 8 to the northeast corner of Section 17, Township 18 South, Range 29 East; thence Southerly along the east line of said Section 17 to the northeast corner of Section 20, Township 18 South, Range 29 East; thence Southerly along the east line of said Section 20 to the northeast corner of Section 29, Township 18 South, Range 29 East; thence Southerly along the east line of said Section 29 to the northeast corner of Section 32, Township 18 South, Range 29 East; thence Southerly along the https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2018/Chapter369/PART III/ east line of said Section 32 to the southeast corner thereof, said corner lying on the south line of Township 18 South; thence Easterly along the south line of said Township 18 South to an intersection with the east line of Range 29 East; thence Southerly along the east line of said Range 29 East to the southeast corner of Section 24, Township 21 South, Range 29 East; thence Westerly along the south line of said Section 24 to the southeast corner of Section 23, Township 21 South, Range 29 East; thence Westerly along the south line of said Section 23, to an intersection with the centerline of Interstate Highway No. 4; thence generally Southerly along the centerline of Interstate Highway No. 4 to an intersection with the south line of Section 13, Township 22 South, Range 29 East; thence Westerly along the south line of said Section 13 to the southeast corner of Section 14, Township 22 South, Range 29 East; thence Westerly along the south line of said Section 14 to the southeast corner of Section 15, Township 22 South, Range 29 East; thence Westerly along the south line of said Section 15 to the northeast corner of Section 21, Township 22 South, Range 29 East; thence Southerly along the east line of said Section 21 to an intersection with the centerline of State Road No. 50; thence Westerly along the centerline of said State Road No. 50 to the northeast corner of Section 30, Township 22 South, Range 28 East; thence Southerly along the east line of said Section 30 to the northeast corner of Section 31, Township 22 South, Range 28 East; thence Southerly along the east line of said Section 31 to the southeast corner thereof, said corner lying on the south line of Township 22 South; thence Westerly along said south line of Township 22 South to the northeast corner of Section 2, Township 23 South, Range 27 East; thence Southerly along the east line of said Section 2 to the northeast corner of Section 11, Township 23 South, Range 27 East; thence Southerly along the east line of said Section 11 to the southeast corner thereof; thence Westerly along the south line of said Section 11 to the southeast corner of Section 10, Township 23 South, Range 27 East; thence Westerly along the south line of said Section 10 to the southeast corner of Section 9, Township 23 South, Range 27 East; thence Westerly along the south line of said Section 9 to the southeast corner of Section 8, Township 23 South, Range 27 East; thence Westerly along the south line of said Section 8 to the southeast corner of Section 7, Township 23 South, Range 27 East; thence Westerly along the south line of said Section 7 to the southwest corner thereof, said corner lying on the line of demarcation between Orange County and Lake County; thence generally Northerly and along said county line to the northeast corner of Section 12, Township 20 South, Range 26 East, said corner lying on the east line of Range 26 East; thence generally Northerly and along said east line of Range 26 East to the southeast corner of Section 24, Township 19 South, Range 26 East; thence Westerly along the south line of said Section 24 to the southeast corner of Section 23, Township 19 South, Range 26 East; thence Westerly along the south line of said Section 23 to the southwest corner thereof; thence Northerly along the west line of said Section 23 to the southwest corner of Section 14, Township 19 South, Range 26 East; thence Northerly along the west line of said Section 14 to the southwest corner of Section 11, Township 19 South, Range 26 East; thence generally Northeasterly to the southwest corner of Section 1, Township 19 South, Range 26 East; thence generally Northeasterly to the southwest corner of Section 31, Township 18 South, Range 27 East; thence generally Northeasterly to the southwest corner of Section 29, Township 18 South, Range 27 East; thence generally Northeasterly to the northwest corner of Section 28, Township 18 South, Range 27 East; thence Easterly along the north line of said Section 28 to the northwest corner of Section 27, Township 18 South, Range 27 East; thence Easterly along the north line of said Section 27 to the northwest corner of Section 26, Township 18 South, Range 27 East; thence Easterly along the north line of said Section 26 to the northwest corner of Section 25, Township 18 South, Range 27 East; thence Easterly along the north line of said Section 25 to an intersection with the west line of Range 28 East; thence Northerly along the west line of said Range 28 East, to the northwest corner of Section 6, Township 18 South, Range 28 East, and the Point of Beginning. History.—s. 1, ch. 2004-384. 369.317 Wekiva Parkway.— (1) The “Wekiva Parkway” means any limited access highway or expressway constructed between State Road 429 and Interstate 4 specifically incorporating the corridor alignment recommended by Recommendation 2 of the Wekiva River Basin Area Task Force final report dated January 15, 2003, and the recommendations of the SR 429 Working Group that were adopted January 16, 2004. (2) The Wekiva Parkway and related transportation facilities shall follow the design criteria contained in the recommendations of the Wekiva River Basin Area Task Force adopted by reference by the Wekiva River Basin Coordinating Commi�ee in its final report of March 16, 2004, and the recommendations of the Wekiva Coordinating Commi�ee contained in its final report of March 16, 2004, subject to reasonable environmental, economic, and engineering considerations. For those activities associated with the Wekiva Parkway and related transportation facilities which require authorization pursuant to part IV of chapter 373, the Department of Environmental Protection is the exclusive permi�ing authority. (3) With the exception of the road commonly referred to as the Apopka Bypass, the construction of any other limited-access highway or expressway that is identified by the Final Recommendations of the State Road 429 Working Group adopted January 16, 2004, within the Wekiva Study Area shall adhere to transportation and conservation principles identified within the Final Report of the Wekiva River Basin Coordinating Commi�ee dated March 16, 2004. If any other limited-access highway or expressway is considered within the Wekiva Study Area, then such a project shall adhere to the extent practicable with transportation and conservation principles identified within the Final Report of the Wekiva River Basin Coordinating Commi�ee dated March 16, 2004. (4) Access to properties adjacent to SR 46 shall be maintained through appropriate neighborhood streets or frontage roads integrated into the parkway design. (5) In Seminole County, the Department of Transportation shall locate the precise corridor and interchanges for the Wekiva Parkway consistent with the legislative intent expressed in this act and other provisions of this act. (6) The Central Florida Expressway Authority is hereby granted the authority to act as a third-party acquisition agent, pursuant to s. 253.025 on behalf of the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund or chapter 373 on behalf of the governing board of the St. Johns River Water Management District, for the acquisition of all necessary lands, property and all interests in property identified herein, including fee simple or less than fee simple interests. The lands subject to this authority are identified in paragraph 10.a., State of Florida, Office of the Governor, Executive Order 03-112 of July 1, 2003, and in Recommendation 16 of the Wekiva Basin Area Task Force created by Executive Order 2002-259, such lands otherwise known as Neighborhood Lakes, a 1,587+/-acre parcel located in Orange and Lake Counties within Sections 27, 28, 33, and 34 of Township 19 South, Range 28 East, and Sections 3, 4, 5, and 9 of Township 20 South, Range 28 East; Seminole Woods/Swamp, a 5,353+/-acre parcel located in Lake County within Section 37, Township 19 South, Range 28 East; New Garden Coal; a 1,605+/-acre parcel in Lake County within Sections 23, 25, 26, 35, and 36, Township 19 South, Range 28 East; Pine Plantation, a 617+/-acre tract consisting of eight individual parcels within the Apopka City limits. The Department of Transportation, the Department of Environmental Protection, the St. Johns River Water Management District, and other land acquisition entities shall participate and cooperate in providing information and support to the third-party acquisition agent. The land acquisition process authorized by this paragraph shall begin no later than December 31, 2004. Acquisition of the properties identified as Neighborhood Lakes, Pine Plantation, and New Garden Coal, or approval as a mitigation bank shall be concluded no later than December 31, 2010. Department of Transportation and Central Florida Expressway Authority funds expended to purchase an interest in those lands identified in this subsection shall be eligible as environmental mitigation for road construction related impacts in the Wekiva Study Area. If any of the lands identified in this subsection are used as environmental mitigation for road-construction-related impacts incurred by the Department of Transportation or Central Florida Expressway Authority, or for other impacts incurred by other entities, within the Wekiva Study Area or within the Wekiva parkway alignment corridor, and if the mitigation offsets these impacts, the St. Johns River Water Management District and the Department of Environmental Protection shall consider the activity regulated under part IV of chapter 373 to meet the cumulative impact requirements of s. 373.414(8)(a). (a) Acquisition of the land described in this section is required to provide right-of-way for the Wekiva Parkway, a limited access roadway linking State Road 429 to Interstate 4, an essential component in meeting regional transportation needs to provide regional connectivity, improve safety, accommodate projected population and economic growth, and satisfy critical transportation requirements caused by increased traffic volume growth and travel demands. (b) Acquisition of the lands described in this section is also required to protect the surface water and groundwater resources of Lake, Orange, and Seminole counties, otherwise known as the Wekiva Study Area, including recharge within the springshed that provides for the Wekiva River system. Protection of this area is crucial to the long term viability of the Wekiva River and springs and the central Florida region’s water supply. Acquisition of the lands described in this section is also necessary to alleviate pressure from growth and development affecting the surface and groundwater resources within the recharge area. (c) Lands acquired pursuant to this section that are needed for transportation facilities for the Wekiva Parkway shall be determined not necessary for conservation purposes pursuant to ss. 253.0341 and 373.089(5) and shall be transferred to or retained by the Central Florida Expressway Authority or the Department of Transportation upon reimbursement of the full purchase price and acquisition costs. (7) The Department of Transportation, the Department of Environmental Protection, the St. Johns River Water Management District, Central Florida Expressway Authority, and other land acquisition entities shall cooperate and establish funding responsibilities and partnerships by agreement to the extent funds are available to the various entities. Properties acquired with Florida Forever funds shall be in accordance with s. 253.025 or chapter 373. The Central Florida Expressway Authority shall acquire land in accordance with this section to the extent funds are available from the various funding partners; however, the authority is not required or assumed to fund the land acquisition beyond the agreement and funding provided by the various land acquisition entities. (8) The Department of Environmental Protection and the St. Johns River Water Management District shall give the highest priority to the acquisition of the lands described and identified in subsection (6) for Florida Forever purchases. History.—s. 1, ch. 2004-384; s. 44, ch. 2010-205; s. 35, ch. 2010-225; s. 23, ch. 2011-4; s. 39, ch. 2012-128; s. 104, ch. 2012-174; s. 18, ch. 2014-171; s. 37, ch. 2016-233. 369.318 Studies.— (1) The Department of Environmental Protection shall study the efficacy and applicability of water quality and wastewater treatment standards needed to achieve nitrogen reductions protective of surface and groundwater quality within the Wekiva Study Area and report to the Governor and the Department of Economic Opportunity. The Department of Environmental Protection may adopt rules to implement the specific recommendations set forth in sections C.2. and C.4. of its report entitled “A Strategy for Water Quality Protection: Wastewater Treatment in the Wekiva Study Area,” dated December 2004, in order to achieve nitrogen reductions protective of surface and groundwater quality in the Wekiva Study Area and implement Recommendation 8 of the Wekiva River Basin Coordinating Commi�ee’s final report dated March 16, 2004. The rules shall provide an opportunity for relief from such specific recommendations upon affirmative demonstration by the permi�ee or permit applicant, based on water quality data, physical circumstances, or other credible information, that the discharge of treated wastewater is protective of surface water and groundwater quality with respect to nitrate nitrogen as set forth in section C.1. of the referenced December 2004 report. (2) The Department of Health, in coordination with the Department of Environmental Protection, shall study the efficacy and applicability of onsite disposal system standards needed to achieve nitrogen reductions protective of groundwater quality within the Wekiva Study Area including publicly owned lands and report to the Governor and the Department of Community Affairs no later than December 1, 2004. Based on the December 2004 report, the Department of Health shall, if appropriate, by March 1, 2005, initiate rulemaking to achieve nitrogen reductions protective of water quality or recommend legislation for any additional statutory authority needed to implement the report recommendations. The study shall consider: (a) For new developments within the Wekiva Study Area and any existing development within the Wekiva River Protection Area using onsite disposal systems, a more stringent level of wastewater treatment, including, but not limited to, the use of multiple tanks to combine aerobic and anaerobic treatment to reduce the level of nitrates. (b) The implementation of a septic tank maintenance and inspection program which includes upgrading certain onsite disposal systems permi�ed prior to 1982 to meet minimum Department of Health standards; replacement of failing systems and systems not meeting current standards; and providing funding mechanisms for supporting a septic tank inspection and maintenance program. (3) The St. Johns River Water Management District shall initiate rulemaking to: (a) Amend the recharge criteria in rule 40C-41.063(3), Florida Administrative Code, to apply to all recharge lands within the Wekiva Study Area. (b) Adopt a consolidated environmental resources permit/consumptive use permit for projects that require both an environmental resource permit and a consumptive use permit that involve irrigation of urban landscape, golf course, or recreational areas. (4) By March 1, 2005, the St. Johns River Water Management District in conjunction with the Department of Environmental Protection, shall initiate rulemaking to amend the recharge criteria in rule 40C-41.063(3), Florida Administrative Code, to provide that the postdevelopment recharge volume conditions within the Wekiva Study Area approximate predevelopment recharge volume conditions. The district shall study and undertake this rulemaking to accomplish this standard on a development-specific basis. The rule shall permit the utilization of existing permi�ed municipal master stormwater systems with adequate capacity to meet the new standards in lieu of onsite retention and shall provide applicants with the ability to submit appropriate geotechnical information demonstrating that a specific site is not within a most effective recharge area of the Wekiva springshed. (5) The St. Johns River Water Management District shall complete an assessment of the significance of water uses below the current consumptive use permit thresholds in the Wekiva Study Area to determine if rulemaking should be initiated to lower consumptive use permit thresholds. (6) The St. Johns River Water Management District shall conduct an analysis of the impact of redevelopment projects in the Wekiva River basin upon aquifer recharge and shall consider whether to adopt a rule amendment to require those redevelopment projects exceeding a specified threshold to meet the Wekiva Basin recharge criteria. The effect of redevelopment upon aquifer recharge shall be analyzed, and then the costs of regulation shall be analyzed. (7) By December 1, 2007, the St. Johns River Water Management District shall update the minimum flows and levels standards for Rock Springs and Wekiva Springs. Further, the district shall revise the consumptive use permit thresholds in the Wekiva Study Area to address proposed water withdrawals above 50,000 gallons per day. Revisions to the consumptive use thresholds shall provide for a general permit, if possible, and include a transition period that allows continued access to water supply for users that were not previously subject to the permi�ing process. (8) By December 1, 2005, the St. Johns River Water Management District shall establish pollution load reduction goals for the Wekiva Study Area to assist the Department of Environmental Protection in adopting total maximum daily loads for impaired waters within the Wekiva Study Area by December 1, 2006. (9) The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services shall be the lead agency in coordinating the reduction of agricultural nonpoint sources of pollution. The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services shall study, and if necessary, initiate rulemaking to implement new or revised best management practices for improving and protecting water bodies, including those basins with impaired water bodies addressed by the Total Maximum Daily Loads Program. History.—s. 1, ch. 2004-384; s. 1, ch. 2005-106; s. 243, ch. 2011-142. 369.319 Master stormwater management plan.—Each local government within the Wekiva Study Area shall develop a master stormwater management plan that: assesses existing problems and deficiencies in the community; identifies projects to meet long-range needs; establishes priorities to address existing deficiencies; establishes measures to address redevelopment; establishes a schedule to complete needed improvements; evaluates the feasibility of stormwater reuse; and includes requirements for inspection and maintenance of facilities. The plan shall also identify a funding source, such as a stormwater utility fee, to fund implementation of the plan and maintenance program. In addition, the local government shall establish a water reuse and irrigation program that allows for reuse of stormwater on a site basis for development over a size threshold to be determined by the local government or on a jurisdiction wide basis to minimize pumpage of groundwater for nonpotable usage. For those local governments located partially within the Wekiva Study Area, this section applies only to that portion located within the Wekiva Study Area. History.—s. 1, ch. 2004-384; s. 2, ch. 2005-106. 369.320 Wastewater facility plan.— (1) Local governments within the Wekiva Study Area shall develop a wastewater facility plan for joint planning areas and utility service areas where central wastewater systems are not readily available. The facility plan shall include: the delineation of areas within the utility service area that are to be served by central facilities within 5 years; a financially feasible schedule of improvements; an infrastructure work plan to build the facilities needed to implement the facility plan, including those needed to meet enhanced treatment standards adopted by the Department of Environmental Protection; and a phase-out of existing onsite septic tank systems where central facilities are available. The term available shall be interpreted consistent with the definition of s. 381.0065(2)(a). The facility plan shall also include a long-range component addressing service of the joint planning area or utility service area. In addition, local governments shall establish a water reuse program that allows for reuse of reclaimed water on a site-by-site basis for development over a size threshold to be determined by the local government or on a jurisdiction-wide basis to minimize pumpage of groundwater for nonpotable usage. (2) Local governments shall update their wastewater facility plans required in subsection (1) where the Total Maximum Daily Loads Program requires reductions in point source pollutants for a basin or as required by legislation for enhanced treatment standards. (3) For those local governments located partially within the Wekiva Study Area, this section applies only to that portion located within the Wekiva Study Area. History.—s. 1, ch. 2004-384; s. 3, ch. 2005-106. 369.321 Comprehensive plan amendments.—Except as otherwise expressly provided, by January 1, 2006, each local government within the Wekiva Study Area shall amend its local government comprehensive plan to include the following: (1) Within 1 year after the establishment of the interchange locations, local governments hosting an interchange on the Wekiva Parkway shall adopt an interchange land use plan into their comprehensive plans. Each interchange land use plan shall address: appropriate land uses and compatible development; secondary road access; access management; right-of-way protection; vegetation protection and water conserving landscaping; and the height and appearance of structures and signage. Local governments within which the Wekiva Parkway is planned shall amend their local government comprehensive plan to include the Wekiva Parkway. Interchanges located on Interstate 4 are exempt from this subsection. (2) Local governments shall amend the appropriate elements of the comprehensive plan, including the capital improvements element, to ensure implementation of the master stormwater management plan. (3) Local governments shall amend their comprehensive plans to establish land use strategies that optimize open space and promote a pa�ern of development on a jurisdiction-wide basis that protects the most effective recharge areas, karst features, and sensitive natural habitats including Longleaf Pine, Sand Hill, Sand Pine, and Xeric Oak Scrub. Such strategies shall recognize property rights and the varying circumstances within the Wekiva Study Area, including rural and urban land use pa�erns. Local comprehensive plans shall map, using best available data from the St. Johns River Water Management District and the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, recharge areas and sensitive upland habitats for this purpose. Local governments shall have flexibility to achieve this objective through comprehensive plan strategies that may include, but are not limited to: (a) Coordinated greenway plans; (b) Dedication of conservation easements; (c) Land acquisition; (d) Clustering of development; (e) Density credits and density incentives which result in permanent protection of open space; and (f) Low to very low density development. (4) By December 1, 2006, an up-to-date 10-year water supply facility work plan for building potable water facilities necessary to serve existing and new development and for which the local government is responsible as required by s. 163.3177(6)(c). (5) Comprehensive plans and comprehensive plan amendments adopted by the local governments to implement this section shall be reviewed by the Department of Economic Opportunity pursuant to s. 163.3184. (6) Implementing land development regulations shall be adopted no later than January 1, 2007. (7) During the period prior to the adoption of the comprehensive plan amendments required by this act, any local comprehensive plan amendment adopted by a city or county that applies to land located within the Wekiva Study Area shall protect surface and groundwater resources and be reviewed by the Department of Economic Opportunity using best available data, including the information presented to the Wekiva River Basin Coordinating Commi�ee. History.—s. 1, ch. 2004-384; s. 4, ch. 2005-106; s. 51, ch. 2011-139; s. 244, ch. 2011-142. 369.322 Coordination of land use and water supply within the Wekiva Study Area.— (1) In their review of local government comprehensive plan amendments for property located within the Wekiva Study Area pursuant to s. 163.3184, the Department of Economic Opportunity and the St. Johns River Water Management District shall assure that amendments that increase development potential demonstrate that adequate potable water consumptive use permit capacity is available. (2) Local governments located within the Wekiva Study Area shall coordinate with the St. Johns River Water Management District and other public and private utilities, on a countywide or multicounty basis, to implement cooperative solutions for development of alternative water sources necessary to supplement groundwater supplies consistent with the St. Johns River Water Management District Regional Water Supply Plan. (3) In recognition of the need to balance resource protection, existing infrastructure and improvements planned or commi�ed as part of approved development, consistent with existing municipal or county comprehensive plans and economic development opportunities, planned community development initiatives that assure protection of surface and groundwater resources while promoting compact, ecologically and economically sustainable growth should be encouraged. Small area studies, sector plans, or similar planning tools should support these community development initiatives. In addition, the Department of Economic Opportunity may make available best practice guides that demonstrate how to balance resource protection and economic development opportunities. History.—s. 1, ch. 2004-384; s. 245, ch. 2011-142. 369.323 Compliance.—Comprehensive plans and plan amendments adopted by the local governments within the Wekiva Study Area to implement this act shall be reviewed for compliance by the Department of Economic Opportunity. History.—s. 1, ch. 2004-384; s. 246, ch. 2011-142. 369.324 Wekiva River Basin Commission.— (1) The Wekiva River Basin Commission is created to monitor and ensure the implementation of the recommendations of the Wekiva River Basin Coordinating Commi�ee for the Wekiva Study Area. The East Central Florida Regional Planning Council shall provide staff support to the commission with funding assistance from the Department of Economic Opportunity. The commission shall be comprised of a total of 18 members appointed by the Governor, 9 of whom shall be voting members and 9 shall be ad hoc nonvoting members. The voting members shall include: (a) One member of each of the Boards of County Commissioners for Lake, Orange, and Seminole Counties. (b) One municipal elected official to serve as a representative of the municipalities located within the Wekiva Study Area of Lake County. (c) One municipal elected official to serve as a representative of the municipalities located within the Wekiva Study Area of Orange County. (d) One municipal elected official to serve as a representative of the municipalities located within the Wekiva Study Area of Seminole County. (e) One citizen representing an environmental or conservation organization, one citizen representing a local property owner, a land developer, or an agricultural entity, and one at-large citizen who shall serve as chair of the council. (f) The ad hoc nonvoting members shall include one representative from each of the following entities: 1. St. Johns River Management District. 2. Department of Economic Opportunity. 3. Department of Environmental Protection. 4. Department of Health. 5. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. 6. Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. 7. Department of Transportation. 8. MetroPlan Orlando. 9. Central Florida Expressway Authority. (2) Voting members shall serve 3-year, staggered terms, and shall serve without compensation but shall serve at the expense of the entity they represent. (3) Meetings of the commission shall be held in Lake, Orange, or Seminole county at the call of the chair, but shall meet at least twice a year. (4) To assist the commission in its mission, the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council, in coordination with the applicable regional and state agencies, shall serve as a clearinghouse of baseline or specialized studies through modeling and simulation, including collecting and disseminating data on the demographics, economics, and the environment of the Wekiva Study Area including the changing conditions of the Wekiva River surface and groundwater basin and associated influence on the Wekiva River and the Wekiva Springs. (5) The commission shall report annually, no later than December 31 of each year, to the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Department of Economic Opportunity on implementation progress. History.—s. 1, ch. 2004-384; s. 1, ch. 2005-4; s. 5, ch. 2005-106; s. 247, ch. 2011-142; s. 19, ch. 2014-171. Disclaimer: The information on this system is unverified. 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