Surface Water Quality Standards
U.S. EPA Actions Regarding Numeric Nutrient Criteria for Florida
On November 30, 2012, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency formally
approved the Department’s numeric nutrient standards pertaining to streams,
spring vents, lakes, and south Florida estuaries. At the same time,
EPA proposed numeric nutrient criteria for waters not covered under the
Department’s rules.
EPA’s proposed numeric nutrient criteria
Note: Appendices A – C are provided in the Technical
Support Documents above for Estuaries, Coastal Waters, and South Florida
Inland Flowing Waters
Numeric Nutrient Criteria for Florida Panhandle Estuaries
On November 13, 2012, the Florida Environmental Regulation Commission
approved the Department’s proposed numeric nutrient criteria for Panhandle
estuaries. These criteria will be submitted to the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency for approval before the end of 2012.
Final Rule Language
Technical Support Documents
Briefings for the Florida Environmental Regulation Commission, October
18, 2012, Tallahassee, FL
Numeric Nutrient Criteria (NNC)
The Department has developed a
Numeric Nutrient Criteria web page, and has conducted several public workshops. To view further information or
get materials from the public workshops… see our
Numeric Nutrient Criteria Highlights page.
Triennial Review of State Surface Water Quality Standards
The Department has prepared a
Triennial Review Factsheet
and has conducted three public workshops. To view further information or
get materials from the public workshops… see our
Triennial Review web page.
 With
over 50,000 miles of rivers and streams, 7800 lakes, and 4000 square miles
of estuaries, Florida has an abundance of surface waters that are used for a
variety of purposes by the people who live and work here, by those who are
visiting, and by the fish and wildlife that depend on these waters.
The federal Clean Water Act provides the statutory basis for state water quality standards programs. The regulatory requirements governing these programs (Water Quality Standards Regulation) are published in
40 CFR 131. States are responsible for reviewing, establishing, and revising water quality standards. Florida’s surface water quality standards system is published in
62-302 (and
62-302.530) of the Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.). The components of this system include:
classifications, criteria,
including site specific criteria, an
anti-degradation policy, and special protection of certain waters
(Outstanding Florida Waters).
In response to recent initiatives put forth by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Florida has been working to develop
biological criteria and
numeric nutrient criteria for fresh waters
and estuaries.
Standards & Assessment
Program
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
2600 Blair Stone Road - M.S. 6511
Tallahassee, FL 32399
850-245-8064
Contact Us |
2012 State of Florida