Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability
Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability

Progress Report: Initial Steps Taken to Implement TMDL Program, Too Early to Determine Water Quality Improvements

Report 05-42, August 2005

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Report Summary

  • The Department of Environmental Protection has taken steps to address the concerns identified in our 2003 report. The department has assessed many of the state's waterways to determine their level of pollution; adopted priority lists of impaired water bodies; established total maximum daily load (TMDL) pollution limits for 52 water bodies; and negotiated basin plans to establish the specific actions necessary to achieve the TMDLs and reduce pollutant levels.
  • The department's efforts to develop and implement TMDLs are still in their early stages. As a result, it is too early to determine if the program has improved water quality in the state. Department managers believe it will take many years for a TMDL to produce demonstrable water quality improvements. In the interim, the department regularly should provide additional information to the Legislature to help it assess progress in developing and implementing TMDLs.

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Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.
Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.
natural resources, environment, water, water resources, water supply, phosphate, mines, total maximum daily loads, water quality, clay settling areas, wetlands, wetland mitigation, mitigation, mulberry, financial responsibility, phosphogypsum, best management practices, storm water, EPA, priority lists, TMDL, total maximum daily load, nonpoint source