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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. Further information on the WPPs is available at www.sfwmd.gov/wpps. One component under the WPP programs is regulatory programs, including Chapter 40E-61.

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

REFERENCES 

WHO IS AFFECTED? 

Maps of potentially affected geographic areas may be viewed at the following link:

Map of current Chapter 40E-61, F.A.C., regulated boundary and Northern Everglades and Estuaries Protection Program Boundaries 

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT 

SFWMD has encouraged extensive public engagement through this website and prior public workshops located throughout the Northern Everglades (see Process and Information below). Public involvement is further encouraged for the Notice of the Proposed Rule at the February 11, 2021 Governing Board meeting.

All comments received by SFWMD on the draft rule, regardless of how they were submitted, are public record and are 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:

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.

  • March 18, 2020 (cancelled)

  • June 17, 2020 (cancelled)

  • Sept. 16, 2020

  • Dec. 16, 2020


Contact:
Lisandra Jones
ljones@sfwmd.gov
(561) 682-6948
 

Public Meetings Archive (2009 - 2018)

Archived Regulatory Public Meeting Agendas »

Archived Regulatory Public Meeting Minutes »

NOTE: These meetings were canceled:
June 14, 2017
November 21, 2012
July 18, 2012

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