From March 13, 2008

Environment

The House Utilities and Telecommunications Committee heard presentations by water utilities on long term water supply issues.  Chairman Dave Murzin (R-Pensacola) has made water a priority issue for this committee.  Because of the importance of this issue, Chairman Murzin has reached out to the House Democrats and asked for them to designate one of their members as lead on water issues.  He announced today that Representative Bill Heller (D-St. Petersburg) will be that person.

Doug Mann representing the American Water Works Association (AWWA) was the first presenter.  Mann talked about how AWWA has created a “Water Vision – 2030” so that those in the industry can come together and solve the water problem we have facing Florida today and in the future.  Florida has been in drought conditions for the past several years and we need to look to alternative water supply projects to meet the needs of our residents and visitors.

Mann believes that it will take both strong water conservation efforts and the development of new alternative water supply programs to plan properly.  Once funding is available, it takes anywhere from 5 to 7 years for these projects to go from the drawing board to up and running.  He also announced that the Governor has asked the Century Commission to hold a water summit in September in Orlando.

Keyna Cory, Chief Lobbyist for AIF, was the last presenter.  She informed the committee on how important water is to AIF and its members.  AIF is actively participating in the Florida Water Alliance, a mixed group of local governments, water management districts, environmental organizations and the business community, who all see funding of the water programs as a necessity.  She told them about the Economic Stimulus Package that Barney Bishop, President and CEO of Associated Industries of Florida, has testified on in other committees and that infrastructure, including alternative water supply programs, was critical in the plan to get Florida’s economy moving again as well as planning for the future.    

Representative Stan Jordan (R-Jacksonville) was concerned about taking water from one area of the state and moving it to another.  Cory told him in her testimony that water is a state resource and we need to learn to share.  Representative Jordan was quick to state that, “If we need to share, then we need to share fair.”  She agreed.

AIF thanks Chairman Murzin for bringing this important issue before his committee.  Water is important to the businesses and residents who are here today.  Water is also important for our future growth and AIF believes in responsible growth.  You can not build roads, schools, hospitals without water; so we need to plan today (through alternative water supply programs and other conservation measures) so that we have dependable access to potable water for years to come.