Hernando County schedules public hearing on groundwater code amendments

A legal notice posted Jan. 9 set a special meeting of the Hernando County Board of County Commissioners for Jan. 13 at 5:01 p.m. in Room 160 of the Hernando County Government Center. The meeting will serve as the first public hearing on proposed amendments to Chapter 28 of the Hernando County Code, the chapter that governs groundwater protection and siting.

The county invited public attendance and directed residents to the county’s online Legistar/calendar to view the meeting agenda. The notice also listed the County Administrator’s office phone number for questions. With the hearing scheduled three days after the notice, residents and stakeholders have a narrow window to review proposed changes and plan participation.

Chapter 28 focuses on rules intended to protect groundwater resources and to guide where certain facilities and activities may be located. Changes to that section of the county code can affect a range of local interests: private well owners, businesses and developers that require permits, agricultural operations reliant on aquifer supplies, and environmental groups concerned with springs and natural habitats. Because groundwater is a fundamental source of drinking water and ecological support across Hernando County, revisions to siting and protection rules can shift permitting practices and operational requirements.

The Jan. 13 hearing is the first formal opportunity for public comment on the draft amendments. As a first public hearing, it marks an early step in the county’s formal review process; any recommendations or decisions following this meeting will shape subsequent hearings, revisions and potential adoption. Residents who want to follow the agenda or submit questions should consult the county’s Legistar/calendar and use the County Administrator’s office contact provided in the notice.

Local decisions on groundwater policy resonate beyond municipal borders. Water management has become an area of growing attention at state, national and international levels as communities confront pressure on shared aquifers and competing land uses. For Hernando County, the coming hearing will be a crucial moment for neighbors, property owners and local officials to shape how the county balances development, public health and long-term water security.