Florida's water permits row

In Florida board members at the state's water-management districts grant permits for water consumption. One of the provisions of a new bill, signed into law by the State's governor, now strips appointed board members at the state's water-management districts of significant authority over permits for water consumption and wetland destruction.

The boards are composed of citizens appointment by the governor. Coupled with their ability to vote on water and wetlands permits are the public hearings they hold to consider controversial projects. The Bill is seen as a gift to developers and as a gag on environmentalists and citizens. The bill removes from public input the decisions of water management district boards on surface water and consumptive use permits. Environmentalists had urged Governor Crist to veto the Bill, arguing that by allowing those decisions to be made by the water management districts executive director, instead of the elected board, they will be shielded from public input and debate.

They also warned that the bill carves out special exemptions for certain large land holders to get 50-year permits to use Florida water with no public review.