During a recent government meeting, citizen Diane Bedard raised significant concerns regarding water supply and land use in Florida. She highlighted the potential implications of a proposed development plan that would allow for the construction of 21 homes on a 215-acre parcel of land. Bedard calculated that this development would result in an estimated water usage of approximately 784,750 gallons per year, a figure she noted is substantially lower than the water demands of a golf course, which can reach into the hundreds of millions of gallons annually.

Bedard referenced a recent report from Florida Tax Watch, which indicated that while the state's water supply remains relatively stable, the demand is projected to surpass supply, leading to potential water shortages. She emphasized her concern about the environmental impact of such developments, particularly the risk of creating a \"cone of depression\" in the groundwater. This phenomenon occurs when groundwater is depleted, necessitating deeper wells for adjacent properties and increasing the risk of sinkholes.

Bedard's comments underscore the ongoing challenges Florida faces regarding water management and land development, raising critical questions about sustainable growth and resource allocation in the state.