June 19, 1981
TO: Gary Kuhl, Director, Regulatory Division
FROM: William D. Courser, Chief, Environmental Section
SUBJECT: Establishment of Minimum Flows on the Alafia River/Bullfrog Creek.
As indicated in Florida Statutes (373.042) and our rules (40D-1.601), one of
the functions of the District is to establish minimum flows and levels. We
currently have a program to set minimum levels on lakes, but have not yet
begun a program to set minimum flows on rivers and streams.
The attached reports were recently completed for the Southwest Florida Water
Management District. These reports, along with other supporting data, now
give us enough information to set minimum flows on the Alafia River and Bull-
Setting minimum flows on these two surface water bodies would allow us to:
A. Begin implementation of the laws and rules requiring establishment
of minimum flows.
B. Be consistent with the proposed State Water Policy.
C. Provide information for permitting activities in the basin.
D. Protect the water resources and ecology of the river and estuary.
E. Allow us to determine harvestable quantities of water from the Alafia
F. Provide staff experience in establishing minimum flows prior to
tackling the more complex systems such as Charlotte Harbor.
It is recommended that, along with the legal staff, we:
1. Draft and adopt any rules that might be needed to set minimum flows.
2. Establish the staff recommended minimum flows.
3. Advertise and hold the necessary hearings to set the levels.
cc: 4.4-M. BTaf
B. M. Parker
W. T. Allee
J. T. Ahern
J. E. Curren