The Department is developing amendments to Chapter 62-640, F.A.C., to ensure the proper management, use and land application of biosolids to protect waters of the state from nutrient pollution and in a manner that minimizes the migration of nutrients to prevent the impairment of waterbodies. The Department is proposing to amend the permitting rules to establish the rate of biosolids application based on biosolids characteristics and site-specific conditions, such as soil characteristics, water table, hydrogeology, site use, distance to surface water, in order to prevent nutrient pollution offsite. The rule revisions would allow the Department to better evaluate phosphorus characteristics in all biosolids to inform decisions as to the appropriate application rate; and will establish criteria for low, medium and high-risk sites that guide application practices and required water quality monitoring. Rule revisions would also require site specific groundwater and/or surface water monitoring plans to detect nutrient migration.