12204072, 62-160.110 - Florida Administrative Rules, Law, Code, Register

Home

Florida Department of State and Division of Library and Information Services

Notice: 12204072

Notice of Proposed Rule

Department:

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Chapter:

QUALITY ASSURANCE

Overview

RULE:

62-160.110	Purpose, Scope and Applicability
62-160.120	Definitions and Standards
62-160.210	Approved Field Procedures
62-160.220	Approval of Alternative and Modified Field Procedures
62-160.240	Record Keeping and Reporting Requirements for Field Procedures
62-160.300	Laboratory Certification
62-160.320	Approved Laboratory Methods
62-160.330	Approval of Alternative and Modified Laboratory Methods
62-160.340	Record Keeping and Reporting Requirements for Laboratory Procedures
62-160.600	Research Field and Laboratory Procedures
62-160.650	Field and Laboratory Audits
62-160.700	Tables
62-160.800	Documents Incorporated by Reference

PURPOSE:

The proposed rules update quality assurance requirements for entities providing environmental data to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), including field and laboratory Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).  The proposed rules, which generally provide clarification and increased flexibility, update various documents incorporated by reference into the rule chapter, clarify when laboratory certification is not required, clarify requirements for approval of new, modified and alternative field and lab procedures, clarify documentation requirements for research activities, and address miscellaneous, minor revisions to various rules within the chapter in response to stakeholder input.

SUMMARY:

The Department is amending Chapter 62-160, F.A.C., to update the Department’s field and laboratory SOPs and quality assurance objectives.  Chapter 62-160, F.A.C., was last updated in 2008.  The proposed rules revise the groundwater sampling SOP to allow a new technique that more accurately collects volatile contaminants, while reducing costs to the regulated community.  A number of SOPs are revised to reflect recent scientific advances.   The proposed rules also clarify when laboratory certification is not required or can be waived in order to meet the specific objectives of a DEP program or project.  There are also proposed revisions that clarify the requirements for requesting use of alternative methodologies and allow more flexibility to use alternative methodologies to facilitate alignment of sampling/testing procedures with scientific advancements.  In addition, there are a number of miscellaneous revisions to documents incorporated by reference based on stakeholder input.  The proposed revisions provide greater flexibility to data providers and are expected to result in reductions in the process and costs for regulated parties, while assuring that DEP receives environmental data of suitable quality for making resource protection decisions.
OTHER RULES INCORPORATING THIS RULE: Chapter 62-160, F.A.C., is referenced by the following rules:   Rules 62-302.540, 62-303.320, 62-303.330, 62-303.340, 62-303.420, 62-303.430, 62-303.460, 62-303.470, 62-330.100, 62-330.412, 62-330.441, 62-341.494, 62-344.400, 62-344.500, 62-4.020, 62-4.246, 62-520.600, 62-610.320, 62-610.463, 62-610.568, 62-610.865, 62-620.610, 62-620.620, 62-625.420, 62-625.600, 62-673.320, 62-673.340, 62-701.200, 62-701.330, 62-701.510, 62-702.400, 62-709.530, 62-713.510, 62-730.225, 62-737.200, 62-770.220, 62-770.900, 62-770.400, 62-770.600, 62-780.220, 62-780.300, 62-780.600, 62-780.700, 62-782.220, 62-782.300, 62-782.600, 62-782.700, 62-785.220, 62-785.300, 62-785.600, and 62-785.700,  F.A.C.
EFFECT ON THOSE OTHER RULES: The proposed amendments are not expected to have significant effects on other rules.  Certain provisions in the proposed rules provide greater flexibility for data providers that should allow for better efficiency and minor cost savings.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY:

403.061, 403.0623, 668.006 FS.

LAW:

373.026, 373.309, 373.409, 373.413, 373.414, 373.416, 373.4592, 376.303, 376.305, 376.3071, 403.0623, 403.0625, 403.087, 403.088, 403.0881, 403.504, 403.704, 403.707, 403.722, 403.803, 403.853 FS.

PRINT PUBLISH DATE:

10/31/2012 Vol. 38/62

COMMENTS:

From 10/31/2012 To 11/21/2012 (21 Days)
The public comment period for this notice has already expired.

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

No reference(s).

Under Florida law, E-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your E-mail address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing.