Blue-Green Algae Task Force Meeting

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is hosting a meeting of the Blue-Green Algae Task Force on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022. Members of the public are invited to participate in-person and online. 

WHAT:      Blue-Green Algae Task Force Meeting

WHEN:     Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022
                  10 a.m. EST

WHERE:    University of Florida, Straughn IFAS Extension
                   Professional Development Center, Ballroom
                   2142 Shealy Drive,
                   Gainesville, FL 32608

HOW:        Register for the virtual meeting or participate in-person. 

The Blue-Green Algae Task Force is charged with identifying solutions to reduce the adverse impacts of blue-green algae. During this meeting, the task force will hear updates regarding the recommendations of the Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems Technical Advisory Committee (OSTDS TAC) and provide feedback as DEP moves forward with rulemaking. The OSTDS TAC was convened at the direction of the Clean Waterways Act to inform the legislation’s required updates to the state’s onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems rules.

In October 2019, following extensive transparent discussion, deliberations and meetings with stakeholders, the task force sent specific, science-based recommendations to Governor Ron DeSantis with the goal of expediting improvements and restoration of Florida’s waterbodies that have been adversely affected by blue-green algae blooms. 

These recommendations informed the provisions of the Clean Waterways Act. This historic legislation, unanimously passed by the Legislature in the 2020 session and signed into law shortly after by Governor DeSantis, contains a wide range of water quality protection provisions aimed at minimizing the impacts of nutrient pollution that can cause harmful algal blooms. The task force will continue to provide guidance as DEP moves forward with implementation of this important legislation, including ongoing rulemaking.

Registration for the meeting is currently open. The registration link and meeting agenda can be found on ProtectingFloridaTogether.gov. 

Public comment will be accepted both during and at the end of the meeting and can also be submitted via email to BlueGreenAlgaeTaskForce@FloridaDEP.gov. This meeting will also be broadcast by the Florida Channel.