29715482, 62-303.100 - Florida Administrative Rules, Law, Code, Register

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Florida Department of State and Division of Library and Information Services

Notice: 29715482

Notice of Proposed Rule

Department:

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Chapter:

IDENTIFICATION OF IMPAIRED SURFACE WATERS

Overview

RULE:

62-303.100	Scope and Intent
62-303.200	Definitions
62-303.320	Aquatic Life-Based Water Quality Criteria Assessment
62-303.330	Biological Assessment
62-303.350	Assessments of Numeric Interpretation of Narrative Nutrient Criteria
62-303.351	Nutrients in Freshwater Streams
62-303.352	Nutrients in Freshwater Lakes
62-303.353	Nutrients in Estuaries and Open Coastal Waters
62-303.354	Nitrate-nitrite in Freshwater Spring Vents
62-303.360	Primary Contact and Recreation Use Support
62-303.370	Fish and Shellfish Consumption Use Support
62-303.380	Drinking Water Use Support and Protection of Human Health
62-303.390	The Study List
62-303.400	Methodology to Develop the Verified List
62-303.420	Aquatic Life-Based Water Quality Criteria Assessment
62-303.430	Biological Impairment
62-303.450	Assessments of Numeric Interpretation of Narrative Nutrient Criteria
62-303.460	Primary Contact and Recreation Use Support
62-303.470	Fish and Shellfish Consumption Use Support
62-303.480	Drinking Water Use Support and Protection of Human Health
62-303.500	Prioritization for TMDL Development
62-303.600	Evaluation of Pollution Control Mechanisms
62-303.700	Listing Cycle
62-303.720	Delisting Procedure

PURPOSE:

The proposed revisions to Chapter 62-303, F.A.C., are intended to provide additional clarity in the overall impaired waters assessment and the specific assessment of recently adopted or concurrently proposed water quality criteria in Chapter 62-302, F.A.C.  The rule revisions are adopted as part of the Triennial Review of Florida water quality standards.

SUMMARY:

The Department proposes revisions to Chapter 62-303, F.A.C., designed to clarify the assessment methodology for identifying impaired surface waters.  New provisions primarily relate to: (1) revision of the trend assessment for nutrients, (2) addition of language to cross-reference the document titled “Implementation of Florida’s Numeric Nutrient Standards for Streams” that is incorporated by reference in Chapter 62-302, F.A.C., and (3) addition of text to address evaluating the progress of restoration activities. 

Other Rules Incorporating This Rule: Chapter 62-303, F.A.C., is referenced by the following rules:  62-40.210, 62-40.430, 62-40.540, 62-302.300, 62-302.530, 62-302.531, 62-302.800, 62-303.100, 62-303.150, 62-303.200, 62-303.300, 62-303.310, 62-303.320, 62-303.330, 62-303.350, 62-303.351, 62-303.352, 62-303.353, 62-303.354, 62-303.360, 62-303.370, 62-303.380, 62-303.390, 62-303.400, 62-303.410, 62-303.420, 62-303.430, 62-303.450, 62-303.460, 62-303.470, 62-303.480, 62-303.500, 62-303.600, 62-303.700, 62-303.710, 62-303.720, 62-303.810, 62-304.100, 62-305.200, 62-672.780, F.A.C. 
Summary of Effects on Other Rules Incorporating by this Rule by Reference:
The other rules that cross-reference these rules do not require any corrections or amendments by the Department as a result of the proposed revisions.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY:

403.061, 403.067 FS.

LAW:

403.021(11), 403.062, 403.067 FS.

PRINT PUBLISH DATE:

6/27/2025 Vol. 51/125

COMMENTS:

From 6/27/2025 To 7/18/2025 (21 Days)

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

Ref-01217 Mann's one-sided, upper-tail test for trend
Ref-01311 Applicability of Chlorophyll a Methods
Ref-02958 Section 5.4 of DO Technical Support Document, March 2013
Ref-02962 Seasonal Kendall test for trend, Helsel and Hirsch, 2002

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