Judge: Seminole County can use St. John’s River water

Jan 13, 2009 1 min read

SANFORD (AP) – A judge has recommended that state water authorities grant Seminole County’s request to take water from the St. Johns River.

Administrative Law Judge Lawrence Johnston’s decision Monday ended a yearlong legal review.

Seminole County, in east central Florida, wants to withdraw 5.5 million gallons of river water daily. But environmentalists and government officials from north Florida oppose the idea. The ultimate decision rests with the St. Johns River Water Management District, which hasn’t set a date for voting on the request.

Opponents may challenge Seminole County at the state appeals court, said Neil Armingeon, a leader of the St. Johns Riverkeeper group.