OPPAGA Government Program Summary

What is the purpose of the department?

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 manages environmentally sensitive land, for conservation and recreation, 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.

How is the department structured?

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's organizational chart provides additional details of all programs responsible for management and stewardship protecting air, water, and land resources.

What are the department's regulatory programs?

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 Division of Law Enforcement enforces environmental laws and responds to incidents with environmental impacts.
Six regulatory district offices review permit applications, conduct inspections of permitted facilities, and conduct compliance assistance and enforcement activities.

What are the department's land and recreation programs?

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

The Division of Recreation and Parks includes the Florida State Parks 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.

What are the department's ecosystem restoration programs?

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 the Everglades ecosystem.
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 and Ecosystems Restoration is responsible for the regulatory programs that focus on water supply protection and environmental restoration in Florida.

How are these activities funded?

Fiscal Year: 2023-24

Title	Fund	Dollars	Positions
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, DEPARTMENT OF
PROGRAM: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
	EXECUTIVE DIRECTION AND SUPPORT SERVICES	31,130,687	215.00
	FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY	4,470,443	33.00
	OFFICE OF EMERGENCY RESPONSE	15,972,038	6.00
	TECHNOLOGY AND INFORMATION SERVICES	22,902,826	95.00
PROGRAM: AIR RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
	AIR RESOURCES MANAGEMENT	38,413,500	65.00
PROGRAM: DISTRICT OFFICES
	REGULATORY DISTRICT OFFICES	58,927,374	577.00
PROGRAM: ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND RESTORATION
	WATER SCIENCE AND LABORATORY SERVICES	65,731,142	199.00
PROGRAM: ENVIRONMENTAL LAW ENFORCEMENT
	ENVIRONMENTAL LAW ENFORCEMENT	2,759,708	20.00
PROGRAM: RECREATION AND PARKS
	COASTAL AND AQUATIC MANAGED AREAS	488,452,189	223.00
	STATE PARK OPERATIONS	281,941,732	1,041.50
PROGRAM: STATE LANDS
	LAND ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT	249,314,034	131.00
PROGRAM: WASTE MANAGEMENT
	WASTE MANAGEMENT	280,593,524	180.00
PROGRAM: WATER POLICY AND ECOSYSTEMS RESTORATION
	WATER POLICY AND ECOSYSTEMS RESTORATION	926,390,211	27.00
PROGRAM: WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
	WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT	26,665,435	216.00
PROGRAM: WATER RESTORATION ASSISTANCE
	WATER RESTORATION ASSISTANCE	1,543,675,233	89.00
TOTAL		4,037,340,076	3,117.50

Source: www.transparencyflorida.gov

Updates

Environmental Protection. The 2023 Legislature enacted Chapter 2023-169, Laws of Florida, which made changes to Florida's wastewater treatment, onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems (OSTDs), sanitary sewer services, basin management action plans (BMAPs), wastewater grant program, the Indian River Lagoon, and acquisition of state lands.

Where can I find related OPPAGA reports?

A complete list of related OPPAGA reports is available on our website.

Where can I get more information?

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
2022 Integrated Water Quality Assessment for Florida: Sections 303(d), 305(b), and 314 Report and Listing Update, Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration Florida Department of Environmental Protection, April 2022

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.

What are the applicable statutes?

Section 20.255, Florida Statutes

Whom do I contact for help?

Florida Department of Environmental Protection, 850-245-2118
Website