Laserfiche WebLink
IRNA Statement to BCC <br /> July 14, 2015 Meeting <br /> Regarding Commissioner Solari's request for a discussion of the water withdrawl by <br /> Florida Power and Light's gas plant. <br /> IRNA recommends that your Board request that the St Johns River Water Management District <br /> be asked to send a representative to a meeting of your board to provide information about the <br /> application of Florida Power and Light's gas plant to withdraw approximately 9 million gallons <br /> of water per day. Because this is a very large amount of water to be pumped from the same <br /> aquifer upon which our county depends for its potable water, we suggest that there is a direct <br /> need for your Board to be fully informed about this project. <br /> The District will be reviewing and handling the issues of water withdrawal as part of the plant's <br /> application to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. While the District will not <br /> be the determining agency regarding FPL's application, it is the agency that will be <br /> recommending to DEP their recommendations regarding approval or disapproval for the <br /> withdrawal of water. Approval would include guidelines, conditions, and compliance <br /> requirements for the withdrawal. <br /> Questions which we suggest that your Board ask of a District representative: <br /> (1) IRC would like an explanation of the review and approval process that will be used to <br /> consider FPL's application to withdraw and use between 9 and 11 million gallons of water per <br /> day. <br /> (2)How can IRC be assured that the FPL plant's pumping from the Upper Floridan Aquifer not <br /> negatively impact that resource for our use? <br /> IRNA is concerned about the proposed withdrawal of such large quantities of water by one <br /> institutional entity. The public needs to be informed, and our county needs to make sure its <br /> interests are protected. <br />