Subject


Notice of a public workshop and public comment period on draft total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) for the St. Marks/Ochlockonee Basins. The TMDLs to be presented at the public workshop are for the Black Creek (fecal coliform), Juniper Creek (fecal coliform), Juniper Creek (dissolved oxygen), Swamp Creek (fecal coliform), and Munson Slough (fecal coliform), and Munson Slough/ Lake Munson (nutrients, dissolved oxygen, and turbidity). The public workshop is being held pursuant to Section 403.067(6)(d), Fla. Stat., 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, Fla. Stat. The public workshop is part of the TMDL development and adoption process, as authorized by Section 403.067, Fla. Stat., 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 St. Marks/Ochlockonee Basins will be placed on the Department’s TMDL website (http://www.dep.state.fl.us/water/tmdl) by June 20th, 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 20th, 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.