Hot Topic: Mosaic New Wales Sinkhole and Water Loss Incident
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An application was received by the department on July 8, 2015, from Kanter Real Estate LLC to drill an exploratory oil and gas well in Broward County.
The department issued a Request for Additional Information on Aug. 6, 2015.
The department's Solid Waste Program sets guidelines for management of solid waste in the state. Regulations cover landfills, construction and demolition debris disposal facilities, waste-to-energy ash, solid waste beneficial use, compost, yard waste, waste tires and financial assurance. The Solid Waste Program also provides guidance and assistance regarding conflict resolution to promote statewide consistency in the implementation of solid waste rules.
The Hazardous Waste Program issues permits to facilities that treat, store or dispose of hazardous waste.
DEP is responsible for implementing the hazardous waste regulatory portion of the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act in lieu of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency throughout Florida.
In 2015, Florida recycled 13.8 million tons of municipal solid waste, helping to increase the statewide overall recycling rate to 54 percent. In order for Florida to reach 75 percent recycling by 2020, a goal established by the Florida Legislature in 2008, the department is urging all sectors, especially the commercial sector, to actively increase recycling efforts.
How does recycling protect the environment?
The Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection manages more than 4 million acres of submerged lands and coastal uplands. The office oversees 41 aquatic preserves and the Florida Coastal Management Program. Also, in coordination with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, RCP manages three national estuarine research reserves, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and the Coral Reef Conservation Program.
A basin management action plan, or BMAP, is a comprehensive set of site-specific strategies to reduce or eliminate pollutant loadings and restore particular waterbodies to health.
Each BMAP is designed to achieve one or more total maximum daily loads (TMDLs), each of which establishes a target for the maximum amount of a specific pollutant that may be present while ensuring the functionality and health of the affected waterbody.
Water quality standards define the protection goals for surface waters by establishing designated uses (the public and aquatic life uses of the waterbodies), criteria by which to measure attainment of those uses and other policies to protect waterbodies from the impact of pollutants.
Florida has six surface water classifications reflecting designated uses:
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