The Department of Environmental Protection (department or DEP) is initiating rulemaking and will hold two public workshops to discuss updates to Chapter 62-160, F.A.C. (Quality Assurance). The proposed revisions address paragraphs 403.0623(2)(a) and ...

 

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

RULE NOS.:RULE TITLES:

62-160.110Purpose, Scope and Applicability

62-160.120Definitions and Standards

62-160.210Approved Field Procedures

62-160.220Approval of New and Alternative Field Procedures

62-160.240Record Keeping and Reporting Requirements for Field Procedures

62-160.300Laboratory Certification

62-160.320Approved Laboratory Methods

62-160.330Approval of New and Alternative Laboratory Methods

62-160.340Record Keeping and Reporting Requirements for Laboratory Procedures

62-160.400Sample Preservation and Holding Times

62-160.405Electronic Signatures

62-160.600Research Field and Laboratory Procedures

62-160.650Field and Laboratory Audits

62-160.670Data Validation by the Department

62-160.700Tables

62-160.800Documents Incorporated by Reference

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The Department of Environmental Protection (department or DEP) is initiating rulemaking and will hold two public workshops to discuss updates to Chapter 62-160, F.A.C. (Quality Assurance). The proposed revisions address paragraphs 403.0623(2)(a) and (b), Florida Statutes, enacted under Chapter 2016-01, Laws of Florida, which direct the department to establish quality assurance (QA) standards for the collection and analysis of water quantity data. The proposed revisions also: (1) update the DEP field and laboratory Standard Operating Procedures (DEP SOPs), (2) address miscellaneous, minor revisions to various rules within the chapter, based on stakeholder input, (3) generally provide for clarification, and (4) provide increased flexibility for approval of alternative methods.

SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: The proposed revisions establish QA standards for the collection and analysis of water quantity data in accordance with the requirements of paragraphs 403.0623(2)(a) and (b), Florida Statutes, enacted under Chapter 2016-01, Laws of Florida. Additionally, QA rule revisions are proposed to update the DEP field and laboratory Standard Operating Procedures (DEP SOPs) and address miscellaneous, minor revisions, based on stakeholder input.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 403.061, 403.0623, 668.006, FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 373.026, 373.309, 373.409, 373.413, 373.414, 373.416, 373.4592, 376.303, 376.305, 376.3071, 403.0623, 403.0625, 403.087, 403.088, 403.0881, 403.504, 403.704, 403.707, 403.722, 403.803, 403.853, 668.006, 668.50, FS.

A RULE DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:

DATE AND TIME: Wednesday, September 28, 2016, 9:00 a.m.

PLACE: Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Bob Martinez Center, 2600 Blair Stone Road, Room 609, Tallahassee, Florida

DATE AND TIME: Thursday, September 29, 2016, 9:00 a.m.

PLACE: Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Central District Office, 3319 Maguire Boulevard, Suite 232, Conference Rooms A, B, & C, Orlando, Florida

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 5 days before the workshop/meeting by contacting: Michael Blizzard at [phone]. 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).

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT AND A COPY OF THE PRELIMINARY DRAFT, IF AVAILABLE, IS: Michael Blizzard, Aquatic Ecology and Quality Assurance Section, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, 2600 Blair Stone Road, MS 6511, Tallahassee, FL 32399-2400; telephone: [phone], email [e-mail]

THE PRELIMINARY TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT IS NOT AVAILABLE.