The department will continue to focus TMDL development efforts on waters with verified water quality impairments. One important part of the TMDL priority setting effort is a focus on waters where the TMDL/BMAP approach is the best of the available options for restoration. The department's resultant list of priorities are therefore best interpreted as "those impaired waters where the department expects to develop a TMDL."

DEP has developed a new prioritization framework, “Prioritization 2.0” which will guide TMDL development beginning in late 2022 when the prior workplan is completed. Under Prioritization 2.0, DEP will lay out the procedures for prioritizing TMDL development for the 10 year period from 2022 through 2032. DEP will use these procedures to develop TMDL work plans on a biennial basis. DEP's goals for Prioritization 2.0 will be to select a set of waterbodies where TMDLs are the best tool to guide ecosystem restoration and support community objectives for those waters.

Calling these waters "priorities" comes from the language contained in the EPA 303(d) long term vision and associated guidance. It does not mean that the waters on the list are the only department priorities for restoration. Other impaired waters may be good candidates for alternative restoration plans, such as a reasonable assurance plan or pollutant reductions plan. Other waters may have improving water quality trends or additional source identification information, suggesting naturally high levels of the given pollutant. Therefore, waters labeled a priority by this exercise, are simply those that are favorable for TMDL development.

 

Updated Information

The Department of Environmental Protection is in the process of developing the 2026 - 2028 TMDL Priority List of Waters for the total maximum daily load (TMDL) two-year work plan. The proposed two-year work plan is guided by the TMDL Prioritization Framework. The department will accept public comments on the 2026 - 2028 Priority and Draft List of Waters until September 30, 2026.  All comments on the TMDL development two-year work plan and the specific list of waters proposed for TMDL development should be submitted by email to Eric.Simpson@FloridaDEP.Gov or by mail to:

Florida Department of Environmental Protection 
Attn: Eric Simpson 
Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration 
2600 Blair Stone Road, MS 3555 
Tallahassee, FL 32399-2400  

Following the comment period, DEP will carefully review and consider all comments received before finalizing the 2026 - 2028 TMDL Priority List of Waters. The final TMDL Two-Year Work Plan and Priority List will be submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency as part of the 303(d) Vision Metric Priorities for the 2026 -2028 cycle.

Supporting Documents

DocumentDescription
Framework Document for Florida TMDL Prioritization 2.0DEP is initiating the development of a second long term TMDL prioritization, termed ‘Prioritization 2.0’. This document outlines a set of procedures that will be used for prioritizing TMDL development for the 10-year period from 2022 through 2032. This document is a revised version as of October 2024.
2026-2028 TMDL Priority List

TMDL Priority waters for 2026-2028; please note this excel workbook contains six tabs:

  1. Ongoing Projects
  2. 2026 - 2028 Draft Priority List
  3. 2026 - 2028 Draft List
  4. Copper Draft List
  5. Bacteria Priority List
  6. ARPs in Development
2026-2028 TMDL Priority Screening Metrics and Rankings

This excel workbook shows the screening metrics and numerical rankings used to select priority waters for TMDL development. Please note that this workbook contains four tabs:

  1. Lakes
  2. Springs
  3. Streams
  4. Estuaries (nutrients)
  5. Estuaries - Not in an Estuary Nutrient Region (ENR)

 

Past Meetings and Materials 

TMDL Prioritization 2.0 Public Workshop: December 8, 2022

TMDL Prioritization 2.0 Public Workshop: May 24, 2022

TMDL Development Two Year Work Plan for 2024-2026 

Last Modified: Friday, Sep 11, 2026 - 09:53am