
Rulemaking and Regulatory Meetings
Regulation Rulemaking / Rules In Development
Kissimmee Basin Water Reservation
EAA Reservoir Water Reservation
Amendments to Chapter 40E-61, F.A.C., Works of the District Basins
PURPOSE:
The Northern Everglades and Estuaries Protection Program (NEEPP; Section 373.4595, Florida Statutes [F.S.]) directs the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), and the South Florida Water Management District (District) to work together to reduce pollutants and achieve water quality standards in the Lake Okeechobee, St. Lucie River, and Caloosahatchee River watersheds through FDEP Basin Management Action Plans (BMAPs) and Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) program (Section 403.067, F.S.).
Watershed Protection Plans (WPPs) developed by the District are used to inform FDEP’s BMAP updates and, when combined with information from other agencies, support development of future restoration activities to meet the TMDLs in the Northern Everglades watersheds. One component under the WPP programs is regulatory programs, including Chapter 40E-61. Further information on the WPPs is available at www.sfwmd.gov/wpps.
Based on NEEPP direction, the District initiated rulemaking to:
- Amend Chapter 40E-61 of the Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.), also known as the Lake Okeechobee Works of the District Basin rule, to be consistent with NEEPP and Section 403.067 F.S.;
- Adopt new rules for the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie River watersheds;
- Provide a water quality monitoring program for nonpoint source dischargers required to monitor under Section 403.067 F.S.; and
- Provide for the results of that monitoring to be reported to the coordinating agencies.
LATEST INFORMATION
- Latest Draft 40E-61, F.A.C. Rule Text: current version, dated October 30, 2020
- New DBHydro Insights: To sign up to volunteer to take part in SFWMD beta testing focus group, go to the following link: DBHydroInsights
REFERENCES
- Draft 40E-61, F.A.C. Rule Text (prior version, dated April 30, 2020)
- Interagency Agreement between the Coordinating Agencies (SFWMD, FDEP, and FDACS)
WHO IS AFFECTED?
Maps of potentially affected geographic areas may be viewed at the following link:
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
SFWMD is encouraging extensive public engagement through this website and public workshops located throughout the Northern Everglades.
If you would like to submit a comment, please go to the following link. All comments submitted are public record. Comments regarding the draft rule, dated October 30, 2020, must be submitted by December 22, 2020.
Leave a comment on 40E-61 rule amendments
All comments received by SFWMD, regardless of how they were submitted, are public record and will be posted at the link below.
View 40E-61 Public Comments Submitted to SFWMD
WHO TO CONTACT FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Steffany Olson, Science Supervisor, 561-682-2759, solson@sfwmd.gov
PROCESS AND INFORMATION:
- Draft Rule Public Workshops: A presentation was provided by Steffany Olson followed by questions and comments (summarized at the link above to "View 40E-61 Public Comments Submitted to SFWMD").
- November 17, 2020: Zoom virtual workshop
- June 3, 2020: Zoom virtual workshop
- May 21, 2020: Zoom virtual workshop
- May 19, 2020: Zoom virtual workshop
- Rule Concepts Public Workshops: A presentation was provided by Steffany Olson followed by questions and comments (summarized at the link above to "View 40E-61 Public Comments Submitted to SFWMD").
- November 20, 2019: West Palm Beach, Florida
- November 19, 2019: Stuart, Florida
- November 19, 2019: Kissimmee, Florida
- November 15, 2019: Fort Myers, Florida
- November 5, 2019: Okeechobee, Florida
- SFWMD Press Releases for Rule Workshops:
- Governing Board Meetings
- July 9, 2020: Governing Board meeting, Discussion Agenda item 23, “Update on the Northern Everglades and Estuaries Protection Program”. This item provided a briefing on the District’s efforts in these watersheds including revising Chapter 40E-61, F.A.C., updating the Watershed Protection Plan for each watershed in NEEPP, and launching the expanded water quality monitoring network.
- October 10, 2019: Governing Board meeting, Discussion Agenda item 25, “Initiate Rule Development to Revise Chapter 40E-61, Florida Administrative Code, Works of the District Notice of Rule Development”, the Governing Board authorized staff to publish a Notice of Rule Development to begin the rule development process and to hold public workshops to seek stakeholder input.
- September 12, 2019: Governing Board meeting, Consent Agenda item 27, “Fiscal Year 2019-2020 Annual Regulatory Plan”, the Governing Board approved staff to certify to the Joint Administrative Procedure Committee that the Governing Board reviewed the Annual Regulatory Plan and that the District reviewed its rules to determine if they remain consistent with the District’s rulemaking authority and the laws implemented. Chapter 40E-61, F.A.C., is listed in Part III of the plan. The plan may be reviewed at the link below.
- August 8, 2019: Governing Board meeting, Discussion Agenda item 26, “Process for Amending Chapter 40E-61, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.), Lake Okeechobee Works of the District Basin Rules” was presented. The presentation and handouts may be reviewed at the following link.
Caloosahatchee Minimum Flows and Minimum Water Levels Rule
Quarterly Regulatory Meetings
Changes in the Permit Review Process
A 2009 amendment to Chapter 373 of the Florida Statutes delegates to executive directors at the state's five water management districts the authority to approve permit applications related to water resources and the environment. To ensure continuing public involvement, the South Florida Water Management District is strengthening its commitment to transparency and open government by increasing public access to its permitting process via Regulatory Meetings held for the public.
If you wish to participate in Public Meetings to discuss Regulatory Matters but cannot attend them in West Palm Beach, you can interact and provide comments during video-conferences at these service centers.
- Fort Myers Service Center
2301 McGregor Boulevard
Fort Myers, FL 33901
- Okeechobee Service Center
316 NW 5th Street
Okeechobee, FL 34972
- Orlando Service Center
1707 Orlando Central Parkway, Suite 200
Orlando, FL 32809
Meetings will also be webcast. You may also send comments to the District about applications for Consumptive Use Permits and Environmental Resource Permits through ePermitting.
Written comments can be mailed to:
South Florida Water Management District
Regulation - MSC 9610
3301 Gun Club Road
West Palm Beach, FL 33406
2020 REGULATORY PUBLIC MEETING DATES
All meetings start at 10 a.m. at SFWMD Headquarters in the B-1 Auditorium.
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March 18, 2020 (cancelled)
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June 17, 2020 (cancelled)
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Sept. 16, 2020
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Dec. 16, 2020
Contact:
Lisandra Jones
ljones@sfwmd.gov
(561) 682-6948
Public Meetings Archive (2009 - 2018)
- January 17, 2018, Wednesday
Agenda [PDF] or Minutes [PDF] or Video
- February 2018
CANCELED
- March 2018
CANCELED
- April 18, 2018, Wednesday
Agenda [PDF] or Minutes [PDF] or Video
- May 2018
CANCELED
- June 20, 2018, Wednesday
Agenda [PDF] or Minutes [PDF] or Video
- July 18, 2018, Wednesday
Agenda [PDF] or Minutes [PDF] or Video
- August 15, 2018, Wednesday
Agenda [PDF] or Minutes [PDF] or Video
- September 19, 2018, Wednesday
Agenda [PDF] or Minutes [PDF] or Video
- October 17, 2018, Wednesday
Agenda [PDF] or Minutes [PDF] or Video
- November 14, 2018, Wednesday
Agenda [PDF]
- December 19, 2018, Wednesday
CANCELED
Archived Regulatory Public Meeting Agendas »
Archived Regulatory Public Meeting Minutes »
NOTE: These meetings were canceled:
June 14, 2017
November 21, 2012
July 18, 2012