The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) protects, conserves, and manages Florida's natural resources and enforces the state's environmental laws. DEP oversees and manages Florida's 175 state parks, more than 12 million acres of public lands and 4 million acres of coastal uplands and submerged lands. The department also conserves environmentally sensitive land, restores waterways, and preserves cultural and historical resources through the Florida Forever Program. In addition, the department administers all state-owned submerged lands under Florida's public trust doctrine and has general supervisory authority over the state's five water management districts-Northwest Florida, St. Johns River, South Florida, Southwest Florida, and Suwannee River.

The department's secretary is appointed by the Governor with the concurrence of the Cabinet and confirmed by the Florida Senate. The department is divided into three primary areas:  regulatory programs, land and recreation, and ecosystem restoration. The department also maintains six district offices throughout the state; these offices ensure statewide compliance with department rules.

The department oversees several regulatory programs.

• The Division of Air Resources Management protects and manages Florida's air resource, including air quality monitoring, permitting, and compliance of emission sources.
• The Division of Water Resource Management implements state laws that protect the quality of Florida's water, rivers, lakes, estuaries and wetlands, and preservation of the state's beach and dune systems.
• The Division of Waste Management works to protect the environment from the improper handling and disposal of solid and hazardous wastes.
• The Florida Geological Survey collects, interprets, and provides information about Florida's water, mineral, and energy resources.
• The Office of Emergency Response works to assess and minimize threats to the environment.
• Six regulatory district offices review permit applications, conduct inspections of permitted facilities, and conduct compliance assistance and enforcement activities.

The department's land and recreation programs acquire and protect lands for preservation and recreation.

• The Division of Recreation and Parks includes the Florida Park Service and the Office of Greenways and Trails.
• The Division of State Lands acquires lands for public protection and provides oversight for management of activities on more than 12 million acres of public lands.

The department's ecosystem restoration programs protect and improve water quality and aquatic resources in Florida.

• The Office of Ecosystem Projects plays a key role in improving water quality and restoring the hydrology and ecology of America's Everglades.
• The Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection coordinates the protection of the state's coastal resources, including submerged lands and coastal uplands, aquatic preserves and national estuarine reserves, and coral reef resources.
• The Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration monitors and assesses Florida's surface water and groundwater quality; develops strategies to resolve water quality issues; and implements those strategies in partnership with local stakeholders.
• The Division of Water Restoration Assistance provides grants and loans to local governments, utilities, and other agencies for projects that improve the quality and quantity of the state's water resources and benefit the environment and local communities.
• The Office of Water Policy addresses statewide water management issues in coordination with Florida's five water management districts and other agencies and partners.

Environmental Resource Management. During the 2020 legislative session, the Legislature enacted Chapter 2020-150, Laws of Florida. This legislation requires the Department of Environmental Protection to develop rulemaking for multiple provisions and institute reporting requirements. Specifically, the legislation includes the following requirements:

• Transfers the Onsite Sewage Program from the Department of Health to the Department of Environmental Protection 
• Requires the Department of Environmental protection to institute a fast-track approval process for specific nutrient reducing septic systems and changes provisions related to septic system setback rules 
• Establishes a wastewater grant program so that the Department of Environmental Protection can provide grants for projects that will reduce excess nutrient rich pollution within basin management action plans, alternative restoration pans, or rural areas of opportunity
• Requires wastewater facilities and the Department of Environmental Protection to prevent sanitary sewer overflows and underground pipe leaks
• Instructs the Department of Environmental Protection to revise or evaluate stormwater rules, staff training, and model programs and increases fines and penalties for wastewater violations
• Requires the Department of Environmental Protection to create a real-time water quality monitoring program 
• Requires the Department of Environmental Protection to complete a study on the bottled water industry in Florida
• Requires that the Department of Environmental Protection must work with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences to consider selecting best management practices rules for nutrient rich golf courses

Other Reports
A complete list of Auditor General reports is available on its website.

A complete list of the Department of Environmental Protection's Office of the Inspector General reports are available on its website.
Integrated Water Quality Assessment for Florida: 2014 Sections 303(d), 305(b), and 314 Report and Listing Update, Department of Environmental Protection Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration, April 2014.
Environmental Regulation Commission, The Florida Senate, Interim Report 2012-120, September 2011.
Websites of Interest
Department of Environmental Protection News and Press Releases
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Performance Information

Performance measures and standards for the department may be found in its Long Range Program Plan.

Section 20.255, Florida Statutes.

Florida Department of Environmental Protection, 850-245-2118

Website