The Florida Department of Environmental Protection gives notice that the final order for the adoption of nutrient Water Quality Based Effluent Limitations (WQBELs) for discharges to Sweetwater Branch, which constitute site-specific numeric interpretations of the narrative nutrient criterion pursuant to paragraph 62-302.531(2)(a), Florida Administrative Code was issued on April 7, 2023.
From 2013 through 2016, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection conducted a comprehensive assessment of South Florida canals and the aquatic life associated with the canals. The objectives of the South Florida Canal Aquatic Life Study included:
For many decades Florida has had a narrative nutrient water quality criterion in place to protect Florida’s waters against nutrient over-enrichment. In 2009, the department initiated rulemaking and, by 2011, adopted what would be the first set of statewide numeric nutrient standards for Florida’s waters. By 2015, almost all of the remaining waters in Florida have numeric nutrient standards.
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