The Environmental Regulation Commission announces a public meeting to which all persons are invited.
DATE AND TIME: August 20, 2009, 9:00 a.m.
PLACE: 3900 Commonwealth Blvd., Conference Room A, Tallahassee, FL
GENERAL SUBJECT MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED: A regularly scheduled meeting of the Environmental Regulation Commission will be held for the purpose of briefings regarding Chapters 62-302, 62-303 and 62-640, Florida Administrative Code. Department staff will provide an initial briefing on rulemaking to revise Chapter 62-640, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.), which contains regulations for the beneficial use of biosolids, also known as domestic wastewater residuals or sewage sludge. The primary intent of the proposed revisions is to address three main areas of concern: biosolids land application site management and accountability issues; growing nutrient concerns; and, public confidence in the beneficial use of biosolids. Department staff will also provide an initial briefing on rulemaking to revise Chapters 62-302 and 62-303, F.A.C. The proposed revisions establish numeric nutrient water quality criteria for lakes and streams in the state; establish a new “Type III” Site Specific Alternative Criteria (SSAC) process specific to nutrients that fully protects the designated use based on site specific considerations; and update the Impaired Waters Rule Chapter 62-303, F.A.C., to incorporate changes associated with the numeric nutrient criteria and biological health assessments. The timeframe for the proposed changes is intended to achieve the schedule established by a formal determination of the Environmental Protection Agency that numeric nutrient criteria are necessary in Florida to achieve the requirements of the Clean Water Act. Department staff will also brief the Commission on receipt of a Petition to Initiate Rulemaking requesting that the Department propose changes to the designated use classification structure contained in Chapter 62-302, F.A.C., advise the Commission on draft rule language, and propose a schedule for that rulemaking that will parallel the timing of rule adoption for the numeric nutrient criteria. Following the briefing, the Commission will accept public comments on the proposed amendments to Chapters 62-302, 62-303 and 62-640, F.A.C., and the petition to revise the Department’s designated use classification structure.
A copy of the agenda may be obtained by contacting: Kay Buchanan at (850)245-2293, or by going to the DEP website at the following address: http:www.dep.state.fl.us/legal/ERC. The agenda will be posted ten days prior to the meeting.
Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this workshop/meeting is asked to advise the agency at least 5 days before the workshop/meeting by contacting: Kay Buchanan at (850)245-2293. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1(800)955-8771 (TDD) or 1(800)955-8770 (Voice).