Notice of a public workshop and public comment period on draft total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) for the Everglades West Coast. The TMDLs to be presented at the public workshop are for: Hendry Creek Freshwater and Marine (dissolved oxygen), Hendry ...  

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    DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

    The Department of Environmental Protection announces a workshop to which all persons are invited.

    DATE AND TIME: Friday, July 11, 2008, 9:30 a.m.

    PLACE: SFWMD Lower West Coast Regional Service Center, Conference Room, 2301 McGregor Boulevard Fort Myers, FL 33901

    GENERAL SUBJECT MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED: Notice of a public workshop and public comment period on draft total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) for the Everglades West Coast. The TMDLs to be presented at the public workshop are for: Hendry Creek Freshwater and Marine (dissolved oxygen), Hendry Creek Marine (fecal coliform), Lake Trafford (nutrients, dissolved oxygen, un-ionized ammonia), Gordon River Extension (dissolved oxygen), Imperial River Freshwater (dissolved oxygen), and the Cocohatchee River (fecal coliform).

    The public workshop is being held pursuant to Section 403.067(6)(d), Florida Statutes, which requires the Department to hold at least one public workshop in the vicinity of the waterbody or waterbody segment for which a TMDL is being developed. TMDL calculations and allocations for each waterbody or waterbody segment will be adopted by rule, by the Secretary of the Department, pursuant to Sections 120.536(1), 120.54 and 403.805, Florida Statutes. The public workshop is part of the TMDL development and adoption process, as authorized by Section 403.067, Florida Statutes, and anyone wishing to comment as to the development and adoption of the TMDLs is encouraged to attend.

    The draft TMDL document(s) for the Everglades West Coast will be placed on the Department’s TMDL website (http://www.dep.state.fl.us/water/tmdl) by June 20, 2008, and will be provided upon request to interested parties by mail or via e-mail distribution. To request a copy of any of the draft TMDL documents, contact: Jan Mandrup-Poulsen at the mailing address below or call (850)245-8448. The Department will accept written comments on the draft TMDLs through July 20, 2008, or for 30 days after they are posted, whichever date is later. The purpose of the comment period is to provide an opportunity for public participation in lieu of, or in addition to, participation in the public workshop on the draft TMDLs. Any and all written comments should be directed to: Jan Mandrup-Poulsen, Environmental Administrator, Watershed Assessment Section, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Mail Station 3555, 2600 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400. Written comments may also be provided by e-mail directed to: jan.mandrup-poulsen@dep.state.fl.us.

    A copy of the agenda may be obtained by contacting: Ms. Pat Waters, Watershed Assessment Section, MS 3555, Department of Environmental Protection, 2600 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400, or by calling (850)245-8449.

    Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this workshop/meeting is asked to advise the agency at least 48 hours before the workshop/meeting. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1(800)955-8771 (TDD) or 1(800)955-8770 (Voice).