The proposed changes to Environmental Resource Permit rules would make water conservation an element of the initial planning of development activities that involve irrigation to ensure that projects are constructed in a manner that will accommodate water conservation practices.

Streamlining rule changes are proposed to Consumptive Use Permits, and those proposed changes would affect permit modifications, procedures and fees, limiting conditions, water use types, rule references, water use reporting, drought frequency, use of models, permit transfers, monitoring requirements and water conservation plan requirements.

Details about all of the proposed rule changes and the time and location of the meetings can be found on the District’s website.

Jeff Cole, Director
Office of Communications and Governmental Affairs
St. Johns River Water Management District
PO Box 1429
Palatka, FL 32178
(386) 329-4497
E-mail: jcole@sjrwmd.com
Website: floridaswater.com

Irrigation and Landscape professionals within the SJRWMD are encouraged to participate at the upcoming public workshops. These are designed to obtain industry feedback and are a forum where your opinion will be heard.

Sept. 16, 1 p.m., East Central Florida Regional Planning Council, 309 Cranes Roost Blvd., Altamonte Springs, FL

Sept. 17, 1 p.m., Florida Department of Environmental Protection, 7825 Baymeadows Way, Jacksonville, FL

A summary of the rule is as follows:

Goal of Rule – Limit the design/installation and use of high-volume, in-ground irrigation systems for residential landscape irrigation.

Proposed Provisions – Rule would set design and use limits on residential high-volume, in-ground irrigation systems. Specifically, the rule would limit the design and use of in-ground irrigation of residential landscape as follows:
* No more than 60% of the landscapeable portion of a lot (up to a maximum of 1/2 acre) shall be irrigated via an in-ground irrigation system.
* No more than 60% of the irrigated portion of a lot shall be irrigated using high-volume irrigation.
* All irrigation systems shall be built to achieve 70% Distribution Uniformity.

Analysis (SJRWMD) – A significant portion of the use of water associated with public water supply utilities is for the irrigation of urban landscape, particularly landscape associated with residential development. In many cases, this use of water amounts to more than 50% of water use by residential users. The use of high volume in-ground irrigation systems has been identified as a major factor associated with large-scale landscape irrigation water use due to the fact that they often cover most of a residential lot, are often improperly designed and installed, and that they operate in a largely automated manner that, if improperly set, over-irrigates. In order to limit the amount of water needed for residential landscape irrigation, the rule would set limits on the amount of landscape that can be irrigated using high-volume, in-ground irrigation systems and would require appropriate irrigation head spacing uniformity.

I have presented an opposing opinion and written statement with alternative recommendations to SJRWMD pertaining to the proposed rule. Further, discussions with FIS state board members indicate that the Society is supportive of an alternative of WATER ALLOCATIONS or BUDGETS in lieu of such a prescriptive approach to landscape and irrigation.

The Governing Board has requested comments be submitted to the District for review and consideration and should be clearly identified as submitted to Dwight Jenkins, djenkins@sjrwmd.com by December 23, 2009.

If you would like to discuss additional information or comments directly, please feel free to contact me via phone or email. 407/760-7817 or jb@clearwaterpsi.com . I hope that you will support our efforts in impacting this proposed rule which could severely restrict our industry.

Submitted by: Judy Benson, Clear Water Products & Services, Inc.
Irrigation Specialist, CIC, CID, CLIA, Master Gardener, Florida Water Star Certifier & Quality Assurance Provider, EPA Water Sense Partner