ARE FLORIDAS LAKES AND RIVERS POLLUTED?
That’s the question, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency wants the answer. Water quality is on the minds of the USEPA and they have asked the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to determine the pollutant levels in Florida’s lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands. And if any of the waters turn out to be polluted, DEP needs to present a plan on how to reverse the situation. DEP is reviewing all Florida water bodies for the existence of pollutants. If a water body turns out to be impaired, DEP will engage stakeholders of the waterbody, especially those who might be the cause of pollution discharges, to determine ways to reduce pollution levels in the water body. The Consortium will assist DEP around the state as they engage stakeholders on these important water quality issues. Local governments, businesses, farmers and others whose pollution discharges to an impaired water body will need to agree on who will do what to bring pollution levels down to the total maxi
