Nutrient concentrations
in Florida's waterbodies naturally vary with differences in underlying
patterns in physiography and geology, further shaped by hydrologic regimes.
The addition of excess nutrients, often associated with human alterations to
watersheds, can cause shifts in these conditions, negatively impacting
waterbody health and interfering with designated uses of waters - by causing
noxious tastes and odors in drinking water, producing algal blooms and
excessive aquatic weeds in swimming and boating waters, and altering the
natural community of flora and fauna.
To limit nutrient
enrichment, Florida will develop nutrient criteria for all waters, guided by
recommendations from a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) composed of
technical experts from throughout the state. The TAC will review all
available technical information to ensure that the resulting criteria
reflect the characteristics and aquatic life use of Florida’s diverse
waterbodies. Nutrient criteria development is in progress, and this page
will contain links to updates of meetings and information.
DEP intends to use
electronic mail, as well as this website, to distribute information on the
direction and status of nutrient criteria development for Florida's
waterbodies. If you would like to be added to the Department's Nutrient
Criteria mailing list, please send an email indicating your interest to the
administrative assistant for the Water Quality Standards and Special
Projects Program,
Jacob Brown. For questions regarding the development of the
nutrient criteria or about the TAC please contact DEP's Nutrient Criteria
Development Coordinator,
Ken Weaver.
Please contact
Jacob Brown if you are unable to download any of the documents from these
links or for directions to the meetings.
For questions about the development of the criteria or the TAC, please contact
Ken Weaver..
