(1) The department shall authorize the governing board of a water management district to implement a program for the issuance of permits for the location, construction, repair, and abandonment of water wells. Upon authorization from the department, issuance of well permits will be the sole responsibility of the water management district, delegated local government, or local county health department. Other local governmental entities may not impose additional or duplicate requirements or fees or establish a separate program for the permitting of the location, abandonment, boring, or other activities reasonably associated with the installation and abandonment of a groundwater well.

(2) The department shall authorize the governing board of a water management district to exercise any power authorized to be exercised by the department under ss. 373.309, 373.313, 373.316, 373.319, 373.323, 373.329, and 373.333 and shall encourage the district to fully exercise such powers as soon as practicable.

(3) Delegations pursuant to subsections (1) and (2) and ss. 373.323 and 373.333 may be rescinded only if the secretary determines that such delegations are not being carried out in accordance with the rules of the department.

(4) Notwithstanding the provision in this section for delegation of authority to a water management district, the department may prescribe minimum standards for the location, construction, repair, and abandonment of water wells throughout all or parts of the state, as may be determined by the department.

History.—s. 2, ch. 79-160; s. 76, ch. 83-310; s. 11, ch. 88-242; s. 12, ch. 2013-92.