The Governing Board hereby establishes the following minimum flow. The Governing Board finds that the following minimum flow is the limit at which further withdrawals would be significantly harmful to the water resources or ecology of the area.

The minimum Middle Econfina Creek Average Flow, inclusive of Gainer Spring, Williford Spring, and Sylvan Spring Groups, is 486 cubic feet per second. The minimum flow of 486 cubic feet per second represents an allowable flow reduction of 9.5%, or 51 cubic feet per second, from the Middle Econfina Creek Average Baseline Flow of 537 cubic feet per second.

The District will evaluate the minimum flow for the Middle Econfina Creek every five years as part of the regional water supply planning process to determine the extent to which the Middle Econfina Creek Average Flow has been reduced due to withdrawals as of the date of each evaluation. Each evaluation will include a review of:

1. (1) Flow data;
2. (2) Water withdrawals;
3. (3) Aquifer water levels; and

4. (4) Rainfall data.

   Each evaluation is independent from and not a determination of water use permit compliance or environmental resource permit compliance. Permit compliance is a regulatory function that is not within the scope of this subsection.

Rulemaking Authority 373.044, 373.113 FS. Law Implemented 373.042, 373.0421, 373.103 FS. History-New 6-29-25.