1997). Work on MFL development for lentic systems is less extensive. Further complicating

MFL development is the need to account for both natural systems and cultural values during

development. Cultural factors, such as aesthetic and scenic attributes, are difficult to quantify

and like many natural systems values, are related to and affected by numerous other factors, such

as water quality.

 While all Hyve water management districts seek, through MFLs, to prevent significant harm

to the natural systems in their region, those that have initiated the process are employing

different approaches (Ch. 40C-8, 40D-8 and 40E-8, F.A.C.). While this process has not yielded

a uniform methodology, it may be appropriate for each WMD to establish its own methods since

each faces different challenges; some need to protect water resources that are not highly

influenced by consumptive uses, while others must develop MFLs for water resources that are

severely impacted by withdrawals. As of 2002, three of the Hyve WMDs have established MFLs

on a total of 132 lakes, 9 rivers and streams, 46 wetlands, 20 aquifers, and 2 estuaries (DEP

2003c).

 One of the greatest strengths of the 1997 law has been tying compliance with MFLs to

water planning, funding of water resource development and regulatory oversight of consumptive

use. In the SWFWMD, this interaction between MFLs, planning, funding and water-use

permitting is evident. Regional, public-supply wellfields in the Northern Tampa Bay area are

believed partially responsible for reducing water levels in some area water bodies. To meet

MFLs in the region, an agreement calling for a combination of permit reductions, water supply

development, and funding assistance was entered into by the SWFWMD, the regional water

supply authority (Tampa Bay Water), and its member governments. Specifically, the agreement

required ground water withdrawals at 11 regional wellfields to be reduced, in stages, from 158