banner photo of radio-collared manatee and tilapia nests in Silver Glen Spring

Alternative Restoration Plans

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is working statewide to encourage local stakeholders to develop plans at the earliest practical time to restore waters not meeting state water quality standards. Early implementation of restoration activities is more cost effective, and may allow the department to forgo certain regulatory steps (most notably, the development of total maximum daily
Lake Louisa State Park - Lily Pads floating on the water

Bioassessment Program

Biological assessment is an applied scientific discipline that uses the response of resident aquatic biological communities to various stressors as a method of evaluating ecosystem health.
Highlands Hammock State Park - Lily Pads

Florida DEP Laboratory

Provides chemical, biological and other analyses for samples collected by DEP and other state and federal agencies.
sunset over Apalachicola Bay

Florida Stormwater, Erosion, and Sedimentation Control Inspector Training & Certification Program

Provides training on how to minimize impacts caused by erosion and sedimentation on construction sites.
Brasenia schreberi flowers and leaves at Lake Jackson, Leon County.

Quality Assurance

Provides technical guidance and support for sample collection and analytical tests related to chemistry, microbiology, toxicity, taxonomic identification and other bioassessment procedures.
Photograph of Weeki Wachee River downstream from Weeki Wachee Springs State Park

Regional Operation Centers

Provides logistical support to fulfill the data collection requirements for the Status and Trend Monitoring Networks and the Strategic Monitoring Program.
photo of radio-collared manatee and tilapia nests in Silver Glen Spring

Water Quality Assessment Program

Monitors the quality of the state's surface and groundwater resources.
Photograph underwater of fallen trees at Cypress Spring near Vernon

Water Quality Evaluation and TMDL Program

Includes two sections: Watershed Evaluation and TMDL and Watershed Assessment

Water Quality Restoration Program

Focuses on BMAPs; agricultural pollution prevention; guidance, training and education pertaining to Florida Friendly Landscapes and stormwater erosion control; and fertilizer ordinance review.
Oleta River State Park - A new growth of mangroves

Water Quality Standards

Reviews, establishes and revises state water quality standards; reviews petitions for waterbody use classification changes; and provides guidance on the implementation of antidegradation policies.