Sleepy Creek permit application withdrawn from Board agenda

PALATKA, Fla., Jan. 9, 2017 — Due to a legal challenge, the St. Johns River Water Management District Governing Board will not consider Consumptive Use Permit 91926-4 for applicant Sleepy Creek Land, LLC at the January 10 Governing Board meeting.

Petitions for a formal administrative hearing have been filed by multiple parties objecting to the staff recommendation for approval of the application. The permit application is a modification of an existing permit and allocates additional 1.22 million gallons per day (mgd) for a total of 2.68 mgd from 2017 through 2023, requiring a nearly 50 percent reduction for years 2024 through 2034.

The district has referred the petition to the Division of Administrative Hearings, where an administrative law judge will conduct a hearing regarding the permit and submit a recommended order to the district. After receiving the order, the Governing Board will then consider the judge’s recommendation and vote to approve or deny the permit application.

More information about the permit can be found online at https://www.sjrwmd.com/facts/.