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Watershed Evaluation and Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) Section

News and Announcements

New! The department announces a public meeting to present and receive public comments on the revised draft fecal indicator bacteria Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for impaired surface waters in the Everglades West Coast Basin, to be adopted in Rule 62-304.810, F.A.C. The meeting is scheduled for April 4, 2024, 2 p.m. both in-person meeting and virtually.

The draft TMDL document and supporting data files for these impaired waters is available on the department’s TMDL website, and will be provided upon request to interested parties by mail or via email distribution.The Everglades West Coast Basin TMDLs serve as a pilot for documenting bacteria TMDLs throughout the state in reports using a basin or other regional approach. The department will accept written comments on the draft TMDLs, as well as the establishment of these bacteria TMDLs based on the generally applicable criteria in subsection 62-302.530(6), F.A.C., through April 19, 2024.

Written comments should be directed to: kevin.odonnell@floridadep.gov, Mail Station #3555, 2600 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400.                 

Meeting Information

Location

Registration

Revised Draft Fecal Indicator Bacteria TMDL 

April 4, 2024, 2 p.m.
Meeting Agenda

Collaboratory  
2031 Jackson Street 
Fort Myers, Florida 33901

Or via webinar.

 

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. Waterbodies 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 to reduce those pollutants and clean up the waterbody.

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:
  • Implement the strategies and actions in the BMAP.
  • Measure the effectiveness of the BMAP, both continuously at the local level and through a formal re-evaluation every five years.
  • Adapt-change the plan and change the actions if things aren't working.
  • 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 is the heart of this comprehensive approach.


Locations of the DEP's Adopted TMDLs

Last Modified:
March 20, 2024 - 12:32pm

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