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Attachment 1 <br />From: Florida Department of Environmental Protection <br /><FloridaDEP@public.govdelivery.com> <br />Sent: Tuesday, October 29, 2019 9:11 AM <br />To: Vincent Burke <br />Subject: Florida Department of Environmental Protection 62-640, F.A.C., Rulemaking and <br />Biosolids Technical Advisory Committee Update <br />You are subscribed to 62-640, F.A.C., Rulemaking and Biosolids Technical Advisory Committee for Florida <br />Department of Environmental Protection. This information has recently been updated, and is now. available. <br />Water quality and the improvement of water resources in Florida are a key priority for the Florida <br />Department of Environmental Protection. As such, the Department is proposing amendments to Ch. 62-640, <br />F.A.C. The rule represents the Departments commitment to science -based processes, by recommending <br />changes to biosolids regulations to minizine the migration of nutrients, specifically phosphorus, to prevent <br />impairment to waterbodies. <br />Biosolid Technical Advisory Committee <br />In 2018, the Department created a Biosolids Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) to evaluate current <br />management practices and explore opportunities to better protect Florida's water resources. The TAC <br />members represent stakeholders from all arenas including environmental and agricultural industry experts, <br />large and small utilities, waste haulers, consultants and academics. <br />The TAC convened on four occasions from September 2018 to January 2019 and discussed the following: <br />• What are the current options for biosolids management in the state? <br />• Are there better ways to manage biosolids to improve the protection of our water resources? <br />• What research is needed to improve biosolid management? <br />The meetings included presentations related to biosolid management and regulations, water quality, <br />innovative technologies and research. Each public meeting included open public comment, as well as <br />discussion among the TAC members, the audience and the Department. <br />Based on the deliberations of the TAC and feedback from public participants, the following actions were <br />recommended: <br />Permit biosolids in a manner that minimizes migration of nutrients to prevent impairment to <br />waterbodies. The Department should modify current permitting rules to: <br />o Establish the rate of biosolids application based on site specifics, such as soil <br />characteristics/adsorption capacity, water table, hydrogeology, site use, distance to surface <br />water. This would better prevent nutrient pollution offsite; <br />o Evaluate the percentage of water extractable phosphorus in all biosolids to inform the <br />appropriate application rate; and <br />o Establish criteria for low, medium and high-risk sites that guide application practices and <br />required water quality monitoring. <br />Increase the inspection rate of land application. <br />121 <br />