Florida

Water Quality Standards for the State of Florida's Lakes and Flowing Waters; Supplemental Notice of Data Availability and Request for Comment

EPA has published a supplemental notice of data availability and a request for comment related to EPA’s January 26, 2010 notice of proposed rulemaking, “Water Quality Standards for the State of Florida’s Lakes and Flowing Waters” (75 FR 4173). This notice reflects a review of comments and new information received by EPA as part of the public comment process after the January 2010 proposed rule. EPA is requesting further comment on possible revisions and new information related to specific approaches and issues identified in the January 26, 2010 proposal. EPA is publishing this supplemental notice to ensure that the public has full access to the information the Agency is considering as it prepares the final rule for signature on October 15, 2010.

You will need Adobe Reader to view some of the files on this page. See EPA's PDF page to learn more.

Fact sheet | PDF Version (2 pp, 40K) (July 2010)
Federal Register Notice | PDF Version (5 pp, 69K) (August 3, 2010)

Proposed Water Quality Standards for the State of Florida's Lakes and Flowing Waters

Overview

EPA has proposed numeric nutrient water quality standards for lakes and flowing waters, including canals, within the State of Florida and has proposed regulations to establish a framework for Florida to develop “restoration standards” for impaired waters. EPA issued this proposed rule pursuant to a determination that EPA made on January 14, 2009, under section 303(c)(4)(B) of the Clean Water Act. The determination states that numeric nutrient water quality standards for lakes and flowing waters and for estuaries and coastal waters are necessary for the State of Florida to meet the requirements of Clean Water Act section 303(c). EPA signed the proposed rule addressing lakes and flowing waters on January 14, 2010, per the terms of a consent decree. This proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on January 26, 2010.

Press Release (January 15, 2010)
Fact sheet (January 2010)
Federal Register Notice | PDF Version (54 pp, 541K)
Docket Folder containing Technical Support Documents

If you have questions about the proposed rule contact Danielle Salvaterra (salvaterra.danielle@epa.gov) at 202-564-1649.

Providing Input on the Proposed Rulemaking

Comment Period Extended

EPA extended the public comment period for the proposed rule for an additional 30 days. The extended public comment period closed on April 28, 2010.

Federal Register Notice | PDF Version (2 pp, 52K) (March 10, 2010)
Press Release (March 4, 2010)

If you have questions about the proposed rule contact Danielle Salvaterra (salvaterra.danielle@epa.gov) at 202-564-1649.

Public Hearings

EPA’s public hearings in Florida afforded an opportunity for the public to provide oral and/or written comments on EPA's proposed rule. EPA held public hearings in Tallahassee, Orlando and West Palm Beach on February 16, 17 and 18, 2010, respectively. EPA held additional public hearings in Fort Myers, Tampa and Jacksonville on April 13, 14, and 15, 2010, respectively. Below are the transcripts and attendee lists for each of the sessions held in those cities.

Public Hearings Held in April 2010
HEARING DATE	TRANSCRIPT	ATTENDEES LIST
April 13 in Fort Myers	FL Hearing Afternoon (PDF) (83 pp, 185K) FL Hearing Evening (PDF) (51 pp, 115K)	Attendee List Afternoon (PDF) (11 pp, 152K) Attendee List Evening (PDF) (5 pp, 140K)
April 14 in Tampa	FL Hearing Afternoon (PDF) (104 pp, 210K) FL Hearing Evening (PDF) (62 pp, 128K)	Attendee List Afternoon (PDF) (16 pp, 171K) Attendee List Evening (PDF) (3 pp, 133K)
April 15 in Jacksonville	FL Hearing Afternoon (PDF) (82 pp, 170K) FL Hearing Evening (PDF) (19 pp, 41K)	Attendee List Afternoon (PDF) (9 pp, 152K) Attendee List Evening (PDF) (2 pp, 119K)

Public Hearings Held in February 2010
HEARING DATE	TRANSCRIPT	ATTENDEES LIST
February 16 in Tallahassee	FL Hearing Morning FL Hearing Afternoon FL Hearing Evening	Attendee List Morning (PDF) (10 pp, 159K) Attendee List Afternoon (PDF) (11 pp, 169K) Attendee List Evening (PDF) (4 pp, 148K)
February 17 in Orlando	FL Hearing Afternoon Volume 1 FL Hearing Afternoon Volume 2 FL Hearing Evening	Attendee List Afternoon (PDF) (26 pp, 203K) Attendee List Evening (PDF) (7 pp, 157K)
February 18 in West Palm Beach	FL Hearing Afternoon FL Hearing Evening	Attendee List Afternoon (PDF) (18 pp, 185K) Attendee List Evening (PDF) (4 pp, 146K)

Models | TMDLs | Permits | Water Quality Criteria | Monitoring