Objective 3.2.2. - Surface and Ground Water.

Maintain or enhance the quality and transparency of surface waters and protect groundwater quality through natural resource and land use programs to:

• Contribute to continued cleanup and pollution reduction goals of Tampa Bay and Sarasota Bay;

• Ensure clean water for passive recreation;

• Maintain water quality for potable wells;

• Enhance natural aquatic habitat; and

• Ensure that adequate water supplies meet population demand for a least a ten-year planning period, considering the Southwest Florida Regional Water Supply Plan, and Manatee County Water Supply Facilities Work Plan.

Policy 3.2.2.1. Require all projects that are adjacent to any perennial lake or stream, meet the requirements of the Land Development Code and, if applicable, Chapter 2-20 of the Code of Ordinances (The Manatee County Phosphate Mining Code) to ensure that project impacts on these waterbodies are identified and minimized.

Implementation Mechanism:

(a)

Maintain regulations in the Land Development Code and the Manatee County Phosphate Mining Code to implement this policy.

Policy 3.2.2.2. Continue to coordinate with appropriate regulatory agencies to share data on the quality of existing and future public groundwater supply resources and to develop appropriate management strategies to prevent violation of minimum potable water standards.

Implementation Mechanism(s):

(a)

Require the location of all active and inactive groundwater wells to be shown on final development plans submitted to the County, and require that development orders contain a condition requiring the proper abandonment of unused water wells.

(b)

Coordination with SWFWMD and the Florida Department of Health to ensure policy compliance.

Policy 3.2.2.3. Prohibit new development for which groundwater well pumpage would induce further salt water intrusion or which will cause other adverse hydrological effects.

Implementation Mechanism(s):

(a)

Continued coordination with the SWFWMD to ensure policy compliance.

(b)

Implementation of the policies under Objective 9.1.5 of the Public Facilities element.

Policy 3.2.2.4. Encourage construction of water recharge wells, and water irrigation and circulation systems for mitigation of activities which cause a lowering of groundwater levels and to offset groundwater withdrawal impacts, except where such recharge causes the interchange of water between any two (2) confined aquifers resulting in adverse impacts on groundwater quality.

Implementation Mechanism(s):

(a)

Coordinated with the SWFWMD the review of all development requests for activities which require the use of groundwater wells whenever adverse groundwater withdrawal impacts have been identified through water quality monitoring activities or other acceptable data sources.

(b)

Implementation of reclaimed water lines as described in the Public Facilities element [See Objective 9.1.5].

(c)

Use of stormwater retention areas as sources of water for irrigation as required in the Public Facilities element.

Policy 3.2.2.5. Continue coordination with the Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, and Charlotte Harbor Estuary Programs to achieve acceptable water quality for in flowing watercourses and bay transparency. [See Objective 4.1.4]

Implementation Mechanism:

(a)

Continue participation in the implementation of Comprehensive Conservation Management Plans for Charlotte Harbor, Tampa Bay, and Sarasota Bay Estuary Programs.

Policy 3.2.2.6. Operate the Lake Manatee Reservoir in a manner which preserves the environmental quality of the downstream river and estuary.

Implementation Mechanism:

(a)

Continue to comply with the SWFWMD reservoir regulation schedule which provides for safe consumptive use and estuarine health.

Policy 3.2.2.7. Review all proposed development applications to assess projected water needs and sources, to ensure adequate supply for a ten-year planning period.

Implementation Mechanism:

(a)

Coordinate water supply facilities planning, considering the Southwest Florida Regional Water Supply Plan, and Manatee County Water Supply Facilities Work Plan.

(Ord. No. 18-04 , § 7(Exh. E), 8-23-18)