Revisions to the DEP QA Rule (62-160, F.A.C.)
 

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is revising the DEP Quality Assurance Rule, 62-160, F.A.C.

Revisions are also being made to the documents incorporated into the Quality Assurance Rule, including the DEP SOPs, “DEP Standard Operating Procedures for Field Activities” (DEP-SOP-001/01) and “DEP Standard Operating Procedures for Laboratory Activities” (DEP-SOP-002/01); the data usability document, “DEP Process for Assessing Data Usability” (DEP-EA-001/07); and, the new and alternative methods document, “New and Alternative Analytical Laboratory Methods” (DEP-QA-001/01).

View drafts of the revised documents.

Summary of Proposed Revisions

In summary, the proposed revisions are intended to address routine updates and enhancements to the above incorporated documents, and will generally provide for clarification and improved flexibility. Minor revisions will also clarify when laboratory certification is not required, clarify requirements for approval of new, modified and alternative field and lab procedures, clarify documentation requirements for research activities and address other miscellaneous, minor revisions to the DEP SOPs and to various QA rules within 62-160, based on stakeholder input. View drafts of the revised documents.

Public Workshops

October 2011 QA Rule Workshop Presentations

• Proposed QA Rule Revisions
• Proposed Changes to DEP SOPs

Submit Your Comments

We value your input! Interested persons may submit comments concerning revisions to the QA Rule, the DEP SOPs or the other incorporated documents listed above by visiting the QA Rule comments page. Use of the entry form on the QA Rule comments page ensures that your comments are automatically accepted and cataloged for review by DEP staff.

Included is a drop-down list of example SOP forms, should you have any comments about these forms. Please note, however, that the use of example forms is not required by the QA Rule or the DEP SOPs.

The security code to submit comments via the QA Rule comments page is published in the Quality of Science eNewsletter.

Note about SOPs for Biological Procedures

DEP SOP subparts associated with the BioRecon, Stream Condition Index, and Lake Vegetation Index were reorganized and revised in association with Numeric Nutrient Criteria  (NNC) rulemaking, and finalized on 10/24/11. These SOPs are incorporated by reference into Rules 62-302 and 62-303, F.A.C. They will also be incorporated by references in the QA Rule (62-160, F.A.C.) once its revisions are finalized.  View the final documents.

BioRecon: Rapid Bioassessment Method

The following SOP sections are now located in DEP-SOP-003/11 BRN 1000:
FA 4310, FA 5710, Appendix FA 1000 (training), FD 5325, FS 7410, LD 7110, LQ 7400, LQ 7420, LT 7100

Stream Condition Index (current SOPs affected by the proposed revisions)

The following SOP sections are now located in DEP-SOP-003/11 SCI 1000:
FA 4310, FA 5710, Appendix FA 1000 (training), FD 5326, FS 7420, LD 7120, LQ 7400, LQ 7410, LQ 7420, LT 7200, Table LT 7900-1

Lake Vegetation Index (current SOPs affected by the proposed revisions)

The following SOP sections are now located in DEP-SOP-003/11 LVI 1000:
FA 4330, FD 5324, FS 7310, LD 7140, LQ 7300, LT 7500

Stay Informed!

Visit this page often for updates and announcements.

As they become available, we will notify you via the Quality of Science eNewsletter when we publish drafts of proposed revisions to the QA Rule, DEP SOPs and the other incorporated documents on our webpage. We’ll also send you additional information as needed to keep you informed. If you’re not already signed up to receive the newsletter, do it now!