Water Quality Enhancement Area Rulemaking
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Rulemaking for Water Quality Enhancement Areas (WQEAs) was initiated by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection in 2023 as directed by Chapter 2022-215, Laws of Florida, and later amended by Chapter 2024-144 and Chapter 2026-60, Laws of Florida, which was codified in Section 373.4134, Florida Statutes. The creation of Chapter 62-332, F.A.C., authorizes the creation of WQEAs as an environmental resource permit under Part IV of Chapter 373, Florida Statutes. This rule chapter sets forth the use of enhancement credits for specified regulatory purposes and establishes requirements for permit applications, service areas, perpetual preservation of the WQEA property, credit ledgers, monitoring, financial responsibility, compliance and enforcement mechanisms, and the surrender or transfer of permits. Amendments are proposed for Rule 62-4.050, F.A.C., to establish application processing fees for the Water Quality Enhancement Area Environmental Resource Permit and seven rule amendments within Chapter 62-330, F.A.C., to include Water Quality Enhancement Areas in the permit application and as a permit type, as well as updates to the Environmental Resource Permit Applicant’s Handbook Volume I.
Current Rulemaking Efforts for WQEA
A Notice of Change for Chapter 62-330, F.A.C., was published on Sept. 9, 2026. Note: For changes made to documents incorporated by reference, please see the, “Drafts and Documents,” section for links to the September 2026 documents that accompany the description of changes in this Notice of Change.
A Notice of Change for Chapter 62-332, F.A.C., was published on Sept. 9, 2026. Note: For changes made to documents incorporated by reference, please see the, “Drafts and Documents,” section for links to the September 2026 documents that accompany the description of changes in this Notice of Change.
Workshops/Hearings
| FAR notice | Agenda | Presentation | Webinar Recording |
|---|---|---|---|
| Workshop One November 8th, 2023 | Nov 8, 2023 Agenda | Available upon request | Available upon request |
| Workshop Two March 21st, 2024 | Mar 21, 2024 Agenda | Available upon request | Available upon request |
| Workshop Three July 31st, 2024 | July 31st, 2024 Agenda | Available upon request | Available upon request |
| Workshop Four May 20th, 2026 | May 20th, 2026 Agenda | May 20th, 2026 PowerPoint | Available upon request |
Aug 3, 2026 Notice of Purposed Rules, and Public Hearing Aug 25th, 2026 | Aug 25th, 2026 Agenda | Aug 25th, 2026 PowerPoint | Available upon request |
Public Comments
Please send all comments and questions to WQEA_2023@FloridaDEP.gov
Rule Development Comments (2023-2024).
Post Publication of Notice of Rule Development Comments (May 2026).
Notice of Proposed Rule Comments (August 2026).