These permits are required as part of the Lake Okeechobee Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) Plan to reduce phosphorus flowing into the lake. Each permit outlines target reductions in phosphorus, monitoring and reporting requirements and Best Management Practices (BMPs) for private and public landowners in tributary basins.
Lake Okeechobee is a priority water body threatened by phosphorus pollution. The District has developed a management plan to reduce the historical phosphorus load to the lake by 40 percent on an average annual basis.
The primary source of phosphorus loading to Lake Okeechobee is agricultural, non-point source runoff – from north of the lake – which upsets the balance of natural flora and fauna in the lake ecosystems.
Section 373.4595 of the Florida Statutes requires each permitted parcel to achieve a specific off-site total phosphorus discharge concentration limitation in an effort to achieve annual Lake Okeechobee phosphorus loading targets.
The specific Lake Okeechobee WOD regulatory program responsibilities are to:
Identify the locations of surface water discharge from public or private properties into Works of the District (WOD) in the Lake Okeechobee tributary basins.
Measure and document the total phosphorus concentration in the surface water discharged from the public or privately-owned lands into the WOD.
Document compliance with appropriate phosphorus concentration limits described in general, individual or master WOD permits.
Require corrective actions plans (Best Management Plans) to reduce phosphorus runoff from properties exceeding phosphorus discharge limitations.
Lake Okeechobee Works of the District Permitting Fees
There are two potential fees associated with Lake Okeechobee Works of the District permits. more »
Okeechobee Service Center 205 North Parrott Avenue Suite 201 Okeechobee, FL 34972 Phone: (863) 462-5260 Fax: (863) 462-5269
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