The Northern Everglades and Estuaries Protection Program (NEEPP) is a phased, comprehensive and innovative protection program being implemented by three Coordinating Agencies―Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), and South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) with the intent to improve water quality and water deliveries to Lake Okeechobee, the Caloosahatchee Estuary and the St. Lucie Estuary. 

In 2000, the Lake Okeechobee Protection Act (LOPA; Section 373.4595, Florida Statutes [F.S.]) was passed. Under LOPA, the Florida Legislature mandated DEP, SFWMD and FDACS to establish a restoration and protection program for Lake Okeechobee. In 2007, the Florida legislature amended LOPA to the Northern Everglades and Estuaries Protection Program (NEEPP) to expand the program to include the entire Northern Everglades watersheds, adding the St. Lucie River Watershed and Caloosahatchee River Watershed and associated estuaries. 

OWPER is the lead office responsible for implementation of DEP’s permitting responsibilities under NEEPP, in accordance with Section 373.4595, F.S.


Related Links

Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration (DEAR) NEEPP Basin Management Action Plans (BMAPs)

SFWMD NEEPP Watershed Protection Plans

Last Modified: Friday, Oct 02, 2026 - 10:30am