The advisory board voted to direct staff to seek a briefing from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection on the process and feasibility of pursuing Outstanding Florida Water (OFW) designation for individual coastal dune lakes.

Staff explained the current rules and trade-offs. Melinda said lakes wholly within state parks are automatically OFW and listed lakes that already have OFW status in part ("Lake Powell is already an Outstanding Florida waterway," 00:32:49). She noted the designation brings a buffer and permitting differences but often is not more stringent than existing county rules; OFW status requires a process that generally needs nearly unanimous agreement by affected property owners, which can make designations difficult for lakes with many private owners. "To get 100% of everybody signing off ... probably makes it the most complicated," Melinda said (00:36:50).

Board members raised both potential benefits (reputational value, tourism) and concerns (possible restrictions on rebuilding existing docks if a catastrophic event occurs). After discussion, the board made a motion and approved it by voice vote to invite DEP to present the OFW process and options to the board and to explore next steps.

Why it matters: OFW designation can change permitting thresholds and public recognition for sensitive lakes, but it may not automatically increase technical protections beyond existing local code. The board sought DEP input to evaluate whether pursuing OFW status is feasible and useful for specific dune lakes.

Board action: Motion to request DEP briefing and to evaluate OFW feasibility passed by voice vote.