DEP is coordinating with local stakeholders and we began water quality monitoring of Port Manatee on March 30, 2021. This data will enable us to protect public health and safety, evaluate any environmental impacts and support the department's full enforcement against HRK for any damages to our state’s resources.
The core function of the Watershed Assessment Section is to use the best available information to identify waterbodies and water segments (WBIDs) that are not meeting the applicable water quality standards and designated uses based on the Impaired Waters Rule Chapters 62-303 and 62-302, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.).
How often are WBIDs assessed?
DEP’s watershed management approach is an established five-year cycle that rotates through 29 basins throughout the state over a five-year period (all WBIDs will be assessed once every five years).
Implementation of a Statewide Biennial Assessment
(February 18, 2021)
Making Changes to Existing Projects & Emphasis on Fill in the Blanks
Navigating the Project Types Table
DEP works statewide to encourage local stakeholders to develop Alternative Restoration Plans (4b or 4e plans) at the earliest practical time. Early implementation of restoration activities is more cost effective and may allow DEP to forgo certain regulatory steps - most notably, the development of Total Maximum Loads (TMDLs) and Basin Management Action Plans (BMAPs) - thereby focusing limited local and state resources directly on measures that will improve water quality.
The DEP Laboratory administers the Statewide Biological Database (SBIO). The SBIO database was developed in the early 1990's in response to the need for centralization of biological data collected by DEP and its predecessor agencies.
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