Field Operations Program

Bureau biologists survey Florida's public waterways each year to determine the abundance of
invasive aquatic plant species such as water hyacinth (center photo) and hydrilla (right photo)
as well as other aquatic plant species.
 

Bureau Services:
 

• Need a DEP aquatic plant permit?
   
• Need to contact a DEP bureau regional biologist about an aquatic plant problem?
   

About the Program

Aquatic vegetation plays an important role in maintaining and protecting water quality, providing shoreline stabilization and ensuring balanced fish and wildlife populations. Therefore, Florida law (F.S. 369.20, 369.25, 369.251) requires all persons intending to control, remove, collect, sell or possess aquatic plants for business purposes, to obtain a permit from the Department unless an exemption for the activity has been provided in statute or rule (Chapters 62C-20, 62C-52, F.A.C.).



The Bureau’s Field Operations Section maintains offices strategically placed throughout the state. Bureau staff in these offices provide the following functions:

• Provide extension/education services concerning aquatic plant management
• Annually survey the aquatic plant communities in approximately 450 public water bodies comprising 1.25 million acres
• Direct, review and monitor the control of non-native aquatic plants by contractors of the Department
• Assist and coordinate with federal, state and local governments on issues related to aquatic plant management
• Regulate aquatic plant management activities through 2 permitting programs
• Perform compliance/enforcement activities related to aquatic plant management

   

  For questions or more more information about the bureau's field operations program, please contact
  Mr. Bill Caton at Bill.caton@dep.state.fl.us or 850-245-2809