For Immediate Release

Friday, October 10, 2014

Contact
Sarah Bascom, sarah@bascomllc.com, 850.294.6636
Kristen Bridges, kristen@bascomllc.com, 850.545.1917

AIF Holds 5
th
Annual Florida Water Forum
Florida Lawmakers, Business Leaders & Environmental Experts
Come Together to Address Floridas Water Crisis

Tallahassee, Fla. The Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) today held its 5
th
Annual Florida Water
Forum, where Florida lawmakers, business leaders and environmental experts gathered to address
critical issues related to Floridas water crisis and held discussions regarding agricultural water supply,
permitting, alternative water supply projects, Numeric Nutrient Criteria, Everglades legislation, and the
Environmental Protection Agencys proposed rules relating to the Waters of the United States, as well as
a preview into the 2015 Legislative Session.

This years 5
th
Annual Florida Water Forum brought together lawmakers, business leaders and
environmental experts from across the state to address the important water crisis happening right here in
our backyards, said AIF President & CEO Tom Feeney.

Speaking at the forum in order of appearance were Senator Wilton Simpson (R-New Port Richey);
Representative Ben Albritton (R-Bartow); Allison DeFoor, Floridas Water and Land Legacy; Senator
Joe Negron (R-Palm City); Representative Matt Caldwell (R-Lehigh Acres); Senator Jack Latvala (R-
Clearwater); Representative Dana Young (R-Tampa); Senator Bill Montford (D-Tallahassee); Rich
Budell, Florida Department of Agriculture, Office of Agricultural Water Use; and Greg Munson,
Gunster Law Firm.

With water sure to be a major topic of the upcoming 2015 Legislative Session, we were pleased to have
the opportunity to hold discussions that will be pertinent to addressing Floridas water quality and
quantity issues in the coming year, said Feeney.

From the Future of Reclaimed Water in Florida, impacts of Amendment 1 and the status of the Indian
River Lagoon to the impacts of the EPAs proposed WOTUS rule and discussions on the overall water
challenges faced in all corners of the state, the forum provided an excellent platform for state
lawmakers, business and community leaders, regional and local government officials and members of
the public to come together and voice their concerns in regards to our states water issues.

For more information on AIF and its annual water forum, please visit FlaWaterForum.com.

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