526242, 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: 526242

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
62-303.300	Methodology to Develop the Planning List
62-303.310	Evaluation of Aquatic Life Use Support
62-303.320	Aquatic Life-Based Water Quality Criteria Assessment
62-303.330	Biological Assessment
62-303.340	Toxicity (Repealed)
62-303.350	Assessments of Numeric Interpretation of Narrative Nutrient Criteria
62-303.352	Nutrients in Freshwater Lakes
62-303.353	Nutrients in Estuaries and Open Coastal Waters
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
62-303.400	Methodology to Develop the Verified List
62-303.420	Aquatic Life-Based Water Quality Criteria Assessment
62-303.430	Biological Impairment
62-303.440	Toxicity (Repealed)
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
62-303.700	Listing Cycle
62-303.710	Format of Verified List and Verified List Approval
62-303.720	Delisting Procedure

PURPOSE:

The purpose of the proposed revisions is to allow Chapter 62-303, F.A.C., to be re-adopted as a change to Florida’s water quality standards.  While the rule will be re-adopted as a change to standards, the revisions clarify that the rule is intended to evaluate attainment of water quality standards and any thresholds for impairment used in the rule apply solely for purposes of assessment and listing under sections 303(d) and 305(b) of the Clean Water Act.

SUMMARY:

Substantive revisions to the rule include:  1) new text providing a different assessment methodology for exceedances of water quality criteria for synthetic organics and pesticides, 2) new text allowing the Department to use data older than ten years if it can be demonstrated to be representative of current conditions, 3) revisions to provisions related to sample representativeness, including changing the averaging period from seven to four days and deleting the requirement for data from three different seasons, 4) new text providing an assessment methodology for the daily average Dissolved Oxygen criterion for predominantly marine waters, 5) changing the requirements for data quality assessment elements to better track the requirements of Chapter 62-160, F.A.C., 6) deletion of the provisions related to assessment of toxicity test data, 7) new text describing how annual average chlorophyll a and Trophic State Index values will be calculated, 8) new text providing an assessment methodology for monthly average coliform water quality criteria, 9) revisions to the provisions related to assessment of shellfish harvesting classification information, and 10) new text allowing the Department to waive the minimum sample size requirement if the data provide overwhelming evidence of impairment.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY:

403.061, 403.067 FS.

LAW:

403.021(11), 403.062, 403.067 FS.

PRINT PUBLISH DATE:

8/4/2006 Vol. 32/31

COMMENTS:

From 8/4/2006 To 8/25/2006 (21 Days)
The public comment period for this notice has already expired.

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

No reference(s).

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