CS/HB 7115 Summary

• Adds subsection (43) to section 403.061 authorizing the Department of Environmental Protection to implement nutrient standards for flowing waters consistent with narrative criteria and downstream water quality standards.

• Permits the department to implement adopted numeric nutrient standards for streams, springs, lakes, and estuaries per the "Implementation of Florida's Numeric Nutrient Standards" document, exempt from legislative ratification under section 120.541(3).

• Requires rule 62-302.531(9), Florida Administrative Code to be repealed and deleted once the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency withdraws all federal numeric nutrient criteria rules in Florida.

• Directs the department to establish estuary-specific numeric interpretations for total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and chlorophyll a by December 1, 2014, with interim standards based on current conditions of unimpaired waters.

• Requires the department to report to the Governor and Legislature by August 1, 2013 on the status of establishing numeric nutrient criteria interpretations and calculations of current unimpaired water conditions.