TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — The Florida House passed a bill that supporters say will help clean and protect the state's waterways while planning for increased water demand in the future.
The bill passed Thursday on a 106-9 vote. Critics, however, say it doesn't go far enough to address the state's water issues.
The 94-page bill was the first bill passed by the House during the 60-day session that began Tuesday.
It seeks to reduce algae-causing nutrients entering into and flowing out of Lake Okeechobee, as well as Florida's springs. It also addresses water use on Florida's farms in effort to keep phosphorous out of waterways.
It also seeks to protect water flow levels in Florida springs.
But critics said it doesn't provide the accountability measures needed to achieve its goals.
