Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) Program
 

News & Announcements

The public is invited to a February 3rd, 2017 public hearing on the Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) rules, and their allocations, for certain waters impaired for nutrients in the Ochlockonee River Basin (62-304.305) and Ocklawaha River Basin (62-304.500), specifically, nutrient TMDLs for Lake Talquin, Lake Tallavana, Lake Denham, Lake Weir, and Marshall Lake. Furthermore, in accordance with paragraph 62-302.531(2)(a), F.A.C., the nutrient TMDLs will constitute a site specific numeric interpretations of the narrative nutrient criterion set forth in paragraph 62-302.530(48)(b), F.A.C., that will supersede the otherwise applicable numeric nutrient criteria in subsection 62-302.531(2), F.A.C., for these surface water segments. Written comments should be directed to: Erin Rasnake, Program Administrator, Water Quality Evaluation and TMDL Program, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Mail Station #3555, 2600 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400, via post or email: Erin.Rasnake@dep.state.fl.us.

 The public is invited to attend a workshop for Sanibel Slough that will be held at the Sanibel Public Library, Sanibel, Florida on February 17, 2017 at 9:30 a.m.  The Workshop is to receive public comments on draft nutrient total maximum daily load (TMDL) reports for impaired waters in the Charlotte Harbor Basin, to be adopted in Rule 62-304.805, F.A.C. These nutrient TMDLs, if adopted, will constitute site-specific numeric interpretations of the narrative nutrient criterion set forth in paragraph 62-302.530(90)(b), F.A.C., that would replace the otherwise applicable numeric nutrient criteria in subsection 62-302.531(2) for these particular waters. The TMDLs to be presented at the public workshop include TMDLs for Sanibel Slough West (WBID 2092F1) and Sanibel Slough East (WBID 2092F2). Written comments will be accepted through March 3, 2017 and should be directed to: Ansel Bubel, Environmental Administrator, Watershed Evaluation and TMDL Section, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Mail Station 3555, 2600 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400 or via email: ansel.bubel@dep.state.fl.us

The public is invited to attend a public meeting on the development of nutrient total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) for waterbodies within Charlotte, Lee, Hendry and Glades Counties in the Caloosahatchee River Basin. The workshop will provide an opportunity for the department to present the final calibrated watershed and receiving water models, status of the nutrient impaired waters, the approach to be used for development of nutrient TMDLs, and results from modeling scenarios completed. The time and location of this meeting is listed in the following table. The department also requests that you review the final model calibration report prior to the meeting. The ftp site has been updated with the final report. The department is requesting that all comments on the final calibration report be received by February 10, 2017. Written comments on the models or TMDL approach should be directed to: Erin Rasnake, Program Administrator, Water Quality Evaluation and TMDL Program, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Mail Station #3555, 2600 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400, or via email: Erin.Rasnake@dep.state.fl.us

What is a TMDL?

A TMDL is a scientific determination of the maximum amount of a given pollutant that a surface water can absorb and still meet the water quality standards that protect human health and aquatic life. Water bodies that do not meet water quality standards are identified as "impaired" for the particular pollutants of concern--nutrients, bacteria, mercury, etc., and TMDLs must be developed, adopted and implemented for those pollutants to reduce pollutants and clean up the water body.

The threshold limits on pollutants in surface waters--Florida's surface water quality standards on which TMDLs are based--are set forth primarily in rule 62-302, Florida Administrative Code, and the associated table of water quality criteria.

What are the basic steps in the TMDL program? How does it work?

1. Assess the quality of surface waters--are they meeting water quality standards? (Surface Water Quality Standards - Chapter 62-302)
2. Determine which waters are impaired--that is, which ones are not meeting water quality standards for a particular pollutant or pollutants.  (Impaired Waters Rule (IWR) - Chapter 62-303)
3. Establish and adopt, by rule, a TMDL for each impaired water for the pollutants of concern--the ones causing the water quality problems. (TMDLs - Chapter 62-304)
4. Develop, with extensive local stakeholder input, Basin Management Action Plans (BMAPs) that....
5. Implement the strategies and actions in the BMAP
6. Measure the effectiveness of the BMAP, both continuously at the local level and through a formal re-evaluation every five years.
7. Adapt--change the plan and change the actions if things aren't working
8. Reassess the quality of surface waters continuously

We are working on a more comprehensive approach to protecting Florida water quality involving basin-wide assessments and the application of a full range of regulatory and non-regulatory strategies to reduce pollution.  The Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) is the heart of this comprehensive approach.

Locations of the Department's Adopted TMDLs

For locations of TMDLs in Florida, please see our State of Florida Adopted TMDLs and Status of TMDLs in Florida documents (State Rule 62-304, Florida Administrative Code F.A.C.). Additionally, you can view our interactive TMDL map.

Please help us improve our service by providing feedback on what you think of our Adopted TMDL document, whether it is useful, and how could we make it better. Please contact Jonathan Turner (Jonathan.Turner@dep.state.fl.us), (850) 245-8438 or Janis Morrow (Janis.Morrow@dep.state.fl.us), (850) 245-8543.

For more information on the development of water quality restoration goals (TMDLs), send e-mail to Erin Rasnake.

Water Quality Evaluation & TMDL Program
2600 Blair Stone Road - Mail Station 3555
 Tallahassee, FL, 32399-2400
Phone: (850) 245-8338

For information on TMDL grants, Section 319 (nonpoint source) grants, and other financial assistance for water infrastructure projects or implementation of urban or agricultural best management practices, please see our financial assistance webpage to determine what opportunities might be right for your project.