News & Announcements The Department announces the adoption of the latest lists of impaired surface waters for the Group 1 Basins. DEP Secretary Michael Sole has signed an Order that adopts the lists of verified impaired surface waters for the following watersheds in Florida: St. Marks / Ochlockonee, Suwannee/Santa Fe, Tampa Bay, Ocklawaha, Lake Okeechobee, and Everglades West Coast. The verified list of impaired waters for the Group 5 Florida Keys was also adopted as part of this action. Full FAW Notice Complete Adoption Order The Department has completed draft total maximum daily load reports for several waterbodies in the Everglades West Coast Basin, the Suwannee River/Santa Fe River Basins, the St Marks River/Ochlockonee River Basins, and the Springs Coast Basin.   The Department gives Notice of a Final Order adopting the Orange Creek Basin Management Action Plan (BMAP). The Orange Creek BMAP addresses the following surface waters: Newnans Lake; Orange Lake; Alachua Sink; Lake Wauberg; Tumblin Creek; Hogtown Creek; and Sweetwater Branch. The waterbodies covered by the Orange Creek BMAP are located within Alachua County and northern Marion County. The Final Order has been assigned OGC Case No. 08-0731. Additional information about the Orange Creek Basin can be found in the Support Document for the Orange Creek BMAP.

Florida’s rivers, streams and lakes are spectacularly beautiful.  More than that, they are essential natural resources, supplying the water necessary for public consumption, recreation, industry, agriculture and aquatic life. The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is responsible for preserving and maintaining the quality of Florida’s waters.  This is a challenging task due to the damage caused by past practices and the increasing demands placed on our water resources by rapid growth and new uses.

The Division of Water Resource Management is 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.

For more information, send e-mail to Jan Mandrup-Poulsen (Jan.Mandrup-Poulsen@dep.state.fl.us)

Total Maximum Daily Load Program
2600 Blair Stone Road - Mail Station 3555
 Tallahassee, FL, 32399-2400
Phone: (850) 245-8449