develop alternative water resources to offset withdrawal reductions. Thus far, Florida has

responded to these challenges.

 Conclusions

 In keeping with the 1972 vision of regional water management, the 1997 legislation

retained flexibility for each of the water management districts to address regional water resource

issues. The 1997 legislative changes have directly impacted state water management by

mandating the development of MFLs and assuring that they are met by tying them to water

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

Planning has helped quantify the future needs and focus water supply development on cost-

effective solutions. The Water Management Districts' commitment to water supply planning is

evident in the district budgets, which demonstrate a steady increase in funding for water supply

proj ects. Floridians have had the resourcefulness to ask, "How much water is there"? This

means that water will no longer be a limited resource in some abstract or theoretical future, but

will have real limitations defined for its use.