TALLAHASSEE - Florida's five water management districts have submitted tentative budgets that would slash their spending by more than $700 million, or 40 percent.

Gov. Rick Scott had made cutting water management spending a top priority upon taking office in January. He said Wednesday the pending reductions "are just the first steps in ensuring that Florida's precious water resources are protected and managed in the most fiscally responsible way possible."

Reaction from environmentalists was split.