The Task Force originally formed to deal with Valdosta wastewater is meeting next Wednesday to decide on a resolution opposing WFNF and prefering desalination.

MEETING NOTICE

MIDDLE AND LOWER SUWANNEE RIVER
AND WITHLACOOCHEE RIVER
TASK FORCE

There will be a meeting of the Middle and Lower Suwannee River and Withlacoochee River Task Force on March 18, 2026. The meeting will be held virtually via communications media technology at 10:00 a.m.

DIAL IN NUMBER: Toll Free 1.888.585.9008

CONFERENCE CODE: 568 124 316

Dozen Florida Counties Task Force Resolution against WFNF and for Desalination 2026-03-18

The resolution:

RESOLUTION NO. 2026-01

A RESOLUTION OF THE MIDDLE AND LOWER SUWANNEE RIVER AND WITHLACOOCHEE RIVER TASK FORCE OPPOSING THE WATER FIRST NORTH FLORIDA AQUIFER RECHARGE PROJECT AND RECOMMENDING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ALTERNATIVE WATER DESALINIZATION PROJECT

WHEREAS, the North Central Florida Regional Planning Council has appointed the Middle and Lower Suwannee River and Withlacoochee River Task Force, hereinafter referred to as the Task Force, whose membership is comprised of a county commissioner from each of the 12 counties within the north central Florida region; and

WHEREAS, the water quality of the freshwater springs, rivers and the Floridan Aquifer is critical to the economic vitality of eco-tourism, agriculture and recreation in the north central Florida region; and

WHEREAS, the lowering of the potentiometric surface of the Floridan Aquifer by water users located outside of the north central Florida region has contributed to lower flows and levels in the Lower Santa Fe River Basin and Ichetucknee River Basin; and

WHEREAS, the Task Force recognizes the importance of achieving minimum flows and levels in the Lower Santa Fe River Basin and Ichetucknee River Basin as necessary to protect north central Florida region natural resources and the Task Force’s interest in maintaining a high quality of life for its citizens and enjoyment of the area for residents and visitors; and

WHEREAS, the State of Florida local water sources first policy suggests that water users located outside of the north central Florida region should develop alternative water supplies, such as desalinization; and

WHEREAS, the Water First North Florida Aquifer Recharge Project would discharge 40 million gallons per day of treated wastewater from outside the north central Florida region into the Floridan Aquifer in either Baker County, Bradford County, Columbia County, Hamilton County or Union County in the north central Florida region.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, BE IT RESOLVED by the Middle and Lower Suwannee River and Withlacoochee River Task Force that:

1. The Task Force opposes the Water First North Florida Aquifer Recharge Project.
2. The Task Force recommends the Florida Legislature, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the Suwannee River Water Management District and the St. Johns River Water Management District re-evaluate the alternative local water sources first desalinization project for water users located outside of the north central Florida region as a means to contribute towards achieving minimum flows and levels in the Lower Santa Fe River Basin and Ichetucknee River Basin.

RESOLVED this 18th day of March 2026, by the Middle and Lower Suwannee River and Withlacoochee River Task Force in special session.

RESOLUTION NO. 2026-01 OPPOSING THE WATER FIRST NORTH FLORIDA AQUIFER RECHARGE PROJECT AND RECOMMENDING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ALTERNATIVE WATER DESALINIZATION PROJECT
PDF

RESOLVED this 18th day of March 2026
PDF

Below are images of the rest of the pages of the packet, omitting the blank pages.

 -jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®

You can help with clean, swimmable, fishable, drinkable, water in the 10,000-square-mile Suwannee River Basin in Florida and Georgia by becoming a WWALS member today!
https://wwals.net/donations/

River-Task-Force-Meeting-Packet-03.18.26

MEETING NOTICE, Virtual Public Meeting
PDF

Agenda, Virtual Public Meeting March 18, 2026
PDF

Minutes-2020-05-20

Minutes 2020-05-20
PDF

VI. Report on Activities
PDF

Next Steps (None) and Citizens Comments (None)
PDF

Res-2026-01

Water First North Florida Aquifer Recharge Project Resolution No. 2026-01
PDF

WFNFM

Water First North Florida Aquifer Recharge Project – Community Meeting
PDF

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