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Show FLORIDA 209 surveys, research, and investigations into all aspects of water use and quality; may assist other State agencies, water management districts, and units of local government in carrying out their water resource responsibilities; may identify and continue to study prob- lems of saltwater intrusion; may conduct programs of research and experimentation in weather modification; and, in general, may co- operate with any appropriate State or Federal agency in any pro- gram designed to advance the purposes of the act.29 In particular, the department is authorized to enter into interagency agreements with other State agencies exercising powers "related to or affecting" water resources, and these agreements may be broad enough to re- arrange substantially the statutory functions of the agencies, since such State agencies are "authorized to delegate such authority" to the department, to the extent that it would be "beneficial to the public interest."30 The agencies may likewise delegate appropriate authority to water management districts, but this would seem to be permissible only by virtue of an agreement between the department and the agency delegating the authority to the district. Perhaps the most pertinent authority of the department is that of exercising "general supervisory authority over all water management districts." More specifically: The department may exercise any power herein authorized to be exercised by a water management district. The department shall review, and may rescind, modify, or approve, any policy, rule, regulation, or order of a water manage- ment district, except those policies, rules, or regulations which involve only the internal management of the district, to insure compliance with the pro- visions and purposes of this chapter.81 The department, subject to confirmation by the legislature, is em- powered to approve or disapprove "on behalf of the State" any Federal water project; and shall act on behalf of the State in nego- tiating and consummating interstate water compacts, again subject to confirmation by the legislature.32 A very interesting feature of the act is an express provision for an annual conference on "water resources developmental pro- grams." 33 Each agency, commission, district, municipality, or poli- tical subdivision having water resource responsibilities "shall" at- tend and present its "programs and projects and the needs thereof." The statute also requires that "adequate opportunity" be afforded members of the general public for their "participation" in the con- ference. Following the conference, the department is directed to select the most meritorious projects and include them within a pro- gram of public works for presentation to "appropriate committees and agencies of the Federal Government," requesting an authoriza- tion of funds for "each" project.34 (£) State Water Use Plan As will be seen, the State water use plan must be distinguished from the State water plan. The department is directed to "proceed as rapidly as possible" with a rather exhaustive study of water re- sold. *> 373.046 (1972 supp.). 81 Sec. 373.026(7) (1972 supp.). as Sec. 373.026(8) (1972 supp.). 83 373.026(9) (1972 supp.). 84 Id. |
