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February 25, 2003
Mr.
Ray Judah, Chairman
Lee
Board of
County
Commissioners
P.O. Box
398
Fort Myers
,
FL
33902
Dear
Commissioner Judah,
Members of the
Southwest Florida
Watershed Council
have reviewed
Lee
County
’s draft position on the Regional Water Budget concept.
We are very encouraged that
Lee
County
has developed this position statement. Implementation
of a water budget that integrates the many demands for water in our area into a
comprehensive management plan will enable policy makers and resource managers to
better coordinate and collaborate on regulatory, management and water supply
issues.
The water budget
concept is also important because it recognizes
Lee
County
’s role in a regional allocation system where it is becoming increasingly
obvious that competition for available water will increase in the future.
Furthermore, we feel that quantifying water needs and uses will enable
Lee
County
to be much more effective in developing a “Smart Growth” strategy where
water will play a crucial role in defining a vision for our community in the
years ahead.
We appreciate and
support the forward thinking and smart growth planning involved with this water
budget concept and hope that
Lee
County
will implement a water budget in the near future.
If we can be of any assistance on any matter dealing with water resources
in the Caloosahatchee or Big Cypress Watersheds, please let us know.
Sincerely,
Michael
R. Bauer, J.D., Ph.D.
Chairman
Copy:
Mr. Roland Ottolini, Mr. Wayne Daltry
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