FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  December 23, 2003
CONTACT: Linda Long, (850) 245-2112

DEP Releases Guidelines for Florida Friendly Landscaping

--Communities encouraged to protect and conserve water--

TALLAHASSEE- The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is encouraging local communities to protect and conserve water resources with the introduction of Guidelines for Model Ordinance Language for Protection of Water Quality and Quantity. The model ordinance was produced by a public-private partnership to guide local governments considering the adoption of water conservation practices.

“Every drop of water conserved is a step toward ensuring a safe and reliable source of drinking water for our future,” said DEP’s Director of Water Resource Management Mimi Drew. “These guidelines help local communities make important decisions to prevent pollution, protect waterways and make a lasting commitment to their region’s water resources.”

Unlike ordinances that address only water conservation, the new guidelines also focus on preventing erosion, preserving natural landscapes and improving water quality in Florida’s rivers, lakes and coastal waters. Together with best management practices for builders and homeowners, provisions can be used to reduce surface water and ground water pollution that occurs when rainfall washes pollutants from roads, lawns and landscapes into waterways.

By establishing best management practices, opportunities for continuing education and incentives to improve water quality and conserve water, the guidelines provide a statewide set of uniform, voluntary practices while offering local governments the flexibility to meet the needs of their communities.