(1) It shall be the Department policy to afford the highest protection to Outstanding Florida Waters and Outstanding National Resource Waters. No degradation of water quality, other than that allowed in Rule 62-4.242(2) and (3), F.A.C., is to be permitted in Outstanding Florida Waters and Outstanding National Resource Waters, respectively, notwithstanding any other Department rules that allow water quality lowering.
(2) A complete listing of Outstanding Florida Waters and Outstanding National Resources Waters is provided in subsections (9) and (10). Outstanding Florida Waters generally include the following surface waters (unless named as Outstanding National Resource Waters):
(a) Waters in National Parks, Preserves, Memorials, Wildlife Refuges and Wilderness Areas;
(b) Waters in the State Park System and Wilderness Areas;
(c) Waters within areas acquired through donation, trade, or purchase under the Environmentally Endangered Lands Bond Program, Conservation and Recreation Lands Program, Land Acquisition Trust Fund Program, and Save Our Coast Program;
(d) Rivers designated under the Florida Scenic and Wild Rivers Program, federal Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968 as amended, and Myakka River Wild and Scenic Designation and preservation Act;
(e) Waters within National Seashores, National Marine Sanctuaries, National Estuarine Research Reserves, and certain National Monuments;
(f) Waters in Aquatic Preserves created under the provisions of Chapter 258, Florida Statutes;
(g) Waters within the Big Cypress National Preserve;
(h) Special Waters as listed in Rule 62-302.700(9)(i); and
(i) Certain Waters within the Boundaries of the National Forests.
(3) Each water body demonstrated to be of exceptional recreational or ecological significance may be designated as a Special Water.
(4) The following procedure shall be used in designating an Outstanding National Resource Water as well as any Special Water:
(a) Rulemaking procedures pursuant to Chapter 120, F.S. shall be followed;
(b) At least one fact-finding workshop shall be held in the affected area;
(c) All local county or municipal governments and state legislators whose districts or jurisdictions include all or part of the water shall be notified at least 60 days prior to the workshop in writing by the Secretary;
(d) A prominent public notice shall be placed in a newspaper of general circulation in the area of the proposed water at least 60 days prior to the workshop; and
(e) An economic impact analysis, consistent with Chapter 120, shall be prepared which provides a general analysis of the impact on growth and development including such factors as impacts on planned or potential industrial, agricultural, or other development or expansion.
(5) The Commission may designate a water of the State as a Special Water after making a finding that the waters are of exceptional recreational or ecological significance and a finding that the environmental, social, and economic benefits of the designation outweigh the environmental, social, and economic costs.
(6) The Commission may designate a water as an Outstandng National Resource Water after making all of the following findings:
(a) That the waters are of such exceptional recreational or ecological significance that water quality should and can be maintained and protected under all circumstances other than temporary degradation and the lowering allowed by Section 316 of the Federal Clean Water Act; and,
(b) That the level of protection afforded by the designation as Outstanding National Resource Waters is clearly necessary to preserve the exceptional ecological or recreational significance of the waters; and
(c) That the environmental, social, and economic benefits of the designation outweigh the environmental, social, and economic costs.
(7) The policy of this section shall be implemented through the permitting process pursuant to Section 62-4.242, F.A.C.
(8) For each Outstanding Florida Water listed under Rule 62-302.700(9), the last day of the baseline year for defining the existing ambient water quality (Rule 62-4.242 (2)(c)) is March 1, 1979, unless otherwise indicated. Where applicable, Outstanding Florida Water boundary expansions are indicated by date(s) following "as mod." under Rule 62-302.700(9). For each Outstanding Florida Water boundary which expanded subsequent to the original date of designation, the baseline year for the entire Outstanding Florida Water, including the expansion, remains March 1, 1979, unless otherwise indicated.
(9) Outstanding Florida Waters:
(a) Waters within National Parks and National Memorials
National Park or National Memorial County
1. Biscayne National Park (as mod. 5-14-86; 8-8-94) Dade
2. Dry Tortugas National Park (10-4-90) Monroe
3. Everglades National Park Monroe/Dade/
(as mod. 8-8-94) Collier
4. Fort Caroline National Memorial (8-8-94) Duval
(b) Waters within National Wildlife Refuges
Wildlife Refuge County
1. Archie Carr (8-8-94) Indian River/ Brevard
2. Caloosahatchee Lee
3. Cedar Keys (as mod. 5-14-86, 4-19-88) Levy
4. Chassahowitzka (as mod. 5-14-86, 4-19-88) Citrus/Hernando
5. Chinsegut Hernando
6. Crocodile Lake (12-1-82; as mod.
5-14-86, 4-19-88; 8-8-94) Monroe
7. Crystal River (5-14-86; as mod. 10-4-90) Citrus
8. Egmont Key Hillsborough
9. Florida Panther (10-4-90; as mod. 8-8-94) Collier
10. Great White Heron (as mod. 5-14-86, 4-19-88) Monroe
11. Hobe Sound (as mod. 5-14-86,4-19-88; 8-8-94) Martin
12. Island Bay Charlotte
13. J. N. "Ding" Darling (as mod. 5-14-86, 4-19-88;
8-8-94) Lee
14. Key West Monroe
15. Lake Woodruff (as mod. 8-8-94) Volusia/Lake
16. Lower Suwannee (12-1-82; as mod. 8-8-94) Dixie/Levy
17. Loxahatchee Palm Beach
18. Matlacha Pass (as mod. 8-8-94) Lee
19. Merritt Island Volusia/Brevard
20. National Key Deer (as mod. 5-14-86, 4-19-88,
10-4-90; 8-8-94) Monroe
21. Okefenokee (Florida Portion) Baker
22. Passage Key Manatee
23. Pelican Island (as mod. 8-8-94) Indian River
24. Pine Island (as mod. 8-8-94) Lee
25. Pinellas Pinellas
26. St. Johns (including Bee Line Unit)
(as mod. 5-14-86, 4-19-88) Brevard
27. St. Marks (as mod. 10-4-90; Jefferson/
8-8-94) Wakulla/Taylor
28. St. Vincent (including Pig Island Unit) Franklin/Gulf
(c) Waters within State Parks, State Wildlife Parks, and State Recreation Areas
State Park or State Recreation Area County
1. Amelia Island State Recreation Area (5-14-86) Nassau
2. Anastasia State Recreation Area St. Johns
(as mod. 4-19-88)
3. Avalon State Recreation Area St. Lucie
(4-19-88; as mod. 8-8-94)
4. Bahia Honda State Park (as mod. 5-14-86) Monroe
5. Bear Creek State Recreation Area (12-1-82) Gadsden
6. Big Lagoon State Recreation Area Escambia
(12-1-82; as mod. 5-14-86, 8-8-94)
7. Big Talbot Island State Park (5-14-86;
as mod. 4-19-88, 8-8-94) Duval
8. Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Recreation Area Dade
9. Blackwater River State Park Santa Rosa
10. Blue Spring State Park Volusia
11. Bulow Creek State Park (5-14-86; as mod. 4-19-88) Flagler/Volusia
12. Caladesi Island State Park Pinellas
13. Cayo Costa State Park (12-1-82; as mod. 5-14-86,
4-19-88, 10-4-90, 8-8-94) Lee
14. Collier-Seminole State Park Collier
15. Dead Lakes State Recreation Area Gulf
16. DeLeon Springs State Recreation Area (5-14-86);
as mod. 10-4-90) Volusia
17. Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Recreation Area
(12-1-82) Collier
18. Don Pedro Island State Recreation Area (5-14-86);
as mod. 4-19-88) Charlotte
19. Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park
(12-1-82) Franklin
20. Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park (4-19-88) Wakulla
21. Falling Waters State Recreation Area Washington
22. Faver-Dykes State Park St. Johns
23. Florida Caverns State Park (as mod. 8-8-94) Jackson
24. Fort Clinch State Park(as mod. 4-19-88; 8-8-94) Nassau
25. Fort Cooper State Park (12-1-82) Citrus
26. Fort Pierce Inlet State Recreation Area (12-1-82;
as mod. 5-14-86) St. Lucie
27. Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Recreation Area Okaloosa
28. Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area
at Flagler Beach Flagler
29. Gasparilla Island State Recreation Area
(5-14-86; as mod. 4-19-88, 10-4-90) Lee
30. Grayton Beach State Recreation Area
(as mod. 4-19-88) Walton
31. Guana River State Park (5-14-86; as mod. 4-19-88) St. Johns
32. Henderson Beach State Recreation Area (5-14-86) Okaloosa
33. Highlands Hammock State Park (as mod. 8-8-94) Highlands/Hardee
34. Hillsborough River State Park Hillsborough
35. Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park (10-4-90) Citrus
36. Honeymoon Island State Recreation Area
(12-1-82; as mod. 5-14-86) Pinellas
37. Hontoon Island State Park Volusia/Lake
38. Hugh Taylor Birch State Recreation Area Broward
39. Ichetucknee Springs State Park Columbia/Suwannee
40. John D. McArthur Beach State Park (12-1-82) Palm Beach
41. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
(as mod. 5-14-86, 4-19-88) Monroe
42. John U. Lloyd Beach State Recreation Area Broward
43. Jonathan Dickinson State Park Martin
44. Lake Arbuckle State Park (5-14-86) Polk
45. Lake Griffin State Recreation Area Lake
46. Lake Kissimmee State Park Polk
47. Lake Louisa State Park (12-1-82) Lake
48. Lake Manatee State Recreation Area (12-1-82) Manatee
49. Lake Rousseau State Recreation Citrus/Levy/
Area (12-1-82) Marion
50. Lake Talquin State Recreation Area (12-1-82;
as mod.5-14-86) Leon
51. Little Manatee River State Recreation Area (12-1-82) Hillsborough
52. Little Talbot Island State Park Duval
53. Long Key State Recreation Area Monroe
54. Lovers Key State Recreation Area (5-14-86) Lee
55. Manatee Springs State Park (as mod. 10-4-90) Levy
56. Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park
(as mod. 5-14-86, 4-19-88; 8-8-94) Clay
57. Myakka River State Park Manatee/Sarasota
58. North Peninsula State Recreation Area
(5-14-86; as mod. 4-19-88, 10-4-90) Volusia
59. Ochlockonee River State Park Wakulla
60. O'Leno State Park (as mod. 5-14-86) Alachua/Columbia
61. Oleta River State Recreation Area (12-1-82) Dade
62. Oscar Scherer State Park (as mod. 8-8-94) Sarasota
63. Peacock Springs State Recreation Area (4-19-88) Suwannee
64. Perdido Key State Recreation Area (12-1-82) Escambia
65. Ponce de Leon Springs State Recreation Area Holmes/Walton
66. Port Charlotte Beach State Recreation Area
(12-1-82) Charlotte
67. Rose Sink (addition to Ichetucknee Springs
State Park) (1-9-06) Columbia
68. St. Andrews State Recreation Area
(as mod. 5-14-86, 4-19-88) Bay
69. Sebastian Inlet State Recreation Indian River/
Area Brevard
70. Silver River State Park (4-19-88; as mod.
10-4-90; 8-8-94) Marion
71. Suwannee River State Park Hamilton/
(as mod. 10-4-90) Madison/Suwannee
72. Three Rivers State Recreation Area Jackson
73. T. H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula
State Park Gulf
74. Tomoka State Park Volusia
75. Torreya State Park Liberty
76. Wekiwa Springs State Park (as mod. 4-19-88) Orange/Seminole
(d) Waters within State Ornamental Gardens, State Botanical Sites, State Historic Sites, and State Geological Sites
State Ornamental Gardens, State
Botanical Site, State Historic
Site, or State Geological Site County
1. Alfred B. Maclay State Gardens Leon
2. Devils Millhopper State Geological Site (10-4-90) Alachua
3. Eden State Gardens Walton
4. Fort Zachary Taylor State Historic Site (10-4-90) Monroe
5. Indian Key State Historic Site (10-4-90) Monroe
6. Key Largo Hammock State Botanical Site (5-14-86) Monroe
7. Koreshan State Historic Site (10-4-90) Lee
8. Lignumvitae Key State Botanical Site (5-14-86) Monroe
9. Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings State Historic
Site (10-4-90) Alachua
10. Natural Bridge Battlefield State Historic Site (10-4-90) Leon
11. Paynes Creek State Historic Site (10-4-90) Hardee
12. Ravine State Gardens Putnam
13. San Marcos de Apalachee State Historic
Site (10-4-90) Wakulla
14. Washington Oaks State Gardens (as mod. 5-14-86) Flagler
15. Windley Key Fossil Reef State Geological
Site (10-4-90) Monroe
(e) Waters within State Preserves, State Underwater Archaeological Preserves, and State Reserves
State Preserve or State Reserve County
1. Anclote Key State Preserve (12-1-82) Pasco/Pinellas
2. Cape St. George State Reserve (12-1-82) Franklin
3. Cedar Key Scrub State Reserve
(12-1-82; as mod. 4-19-88) Levy
4. Charlotte Harbor State Reserve (as mod. 4-19-88) Charlotte
5. Crystal River State Reserve
(5-14-86; as mod. 4-19-88) Citrus
6. Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve (12-1-82;
as mod. 5-14-86, 4-19-88, 10-4-90, 8-8-94) Collier
7. Haw Creek State Preserve Flagler/Putnam/
(12-1-82) Volusia
8. Lower Wekiva River State Reserve (12-1-82) Lake/Seminole
9. Nassau Valley State Reserve (12-1-82) Duval/Nassau
10. Paynes Prairie State Preserve
(as mod. 10-4-90, 8-8-94) Alachua
11. Prairie-Lakes State Preserve Osceola
12. River Rise State Preserve
(12-1-82; as mod. 8-8-94) Alachua/Columbia
13. Rock Springs Run State Reserve
(5-14-86; as mod. 4-19-88) Orange
14. San Felasco Hammock State Preserve
(12-1-82; as mod. 5-14-86; 4-19-88) Alachua
15. San Pedro State Underwater
Archaeological Preserve (10-4-90) Monroe
16. Savannas State Reserve (12-1-82;
as mod. 5-14-86, 10-4-90, 8-8-94) Martin/St. Lucie
17. St. Lucie Inlet State Preserve (12-1-82) Martin
18. Waccasassa Bay State Preserve
(12-1-82; as mod. 4-19-88) Levy
19. Weedon Island State Preserve (12-1-82) Pinellas
20. William Beardall Tosohatchee State
Reserve (12-1-82) Orange
(f) Waters within Areas Acquired through Donation, Trade, or Purchase Under the Environmentally Endangered Lands Bond Program, Conservation and Recreation Lands Program, Land Acquisition Trust Fund Program, and Save Our Coast Program
Program Area County
1. Andrews Tract (5-14-86; as mod. 4-19-88; 8-8-94) Levy
2. Apalachicola Bay (8-8-94) Franklin
3. Barefoot Beach (12-1-82) Collier
4. Beker Tracts (10-4-90) Manatee
5. Big Bend Coastal Tract (4-19-88; as mod. 10-4-90) Dixie/Taylor
6. Big Shoals (4-19-88) Hamilton
7. B.M.K. Ranch (8-8-94) Lake/Orange
8. Bower Tract (5-14-86; as mod. 4-19-88) Hillsborough
9. Caravelle Ranch (8-8-94) Putnam
10. Carlton Half-Moon Ranch (8-8-94) Sumter
11. Catfish Creek (8-8-94) Polk
12. Chassahowitzka Swamp (5-14-86;
as mod. 4-19-88, 8-8-94) Hernando/Citrus
13. Coupon Bight (10-4-90; as mod.
8-8-94) Monroe
14. Crystal River (10-4-90) Citrus
15. Curry Hammock (8-8-94) Monroe
16. Deering Hammock/Estate (5-14-86);
as mod. 4-19-88, 8-8-94) Dade
17. East Everglades (5-14-86) Dade
18. Econfina River (8-8-94) Taylor
19. Emerson Point (8-8-94) Manatee
20. Escambia Bay Bluffs (5-14-86) Escambia
21. Estero Bay (8-8-94) Lee
22. Florida First Magnitude Springs (8-8-94) Levy
23. Ft. George Island (10-4-90) Duval
24. Ft. Mose (8-8-94) St. Johns
25. Ft. San Luis (5-14-86; as mod. 8-8-94) Leon
26. Gateway (5-14-86) Pinellas
27. Gills Tract (8-8-94) Pasco
28. Green Turtle Beach (4-19-88) St. Lucie
29. Guana River (5-14-86; as mod. 4-19-88) St. Johns
30. Homosassa Reserve/Walker Tract (8-8-94) Citrus
31. Indian River North Beach (5-14-86) Indian River
32. ITT/Hammock (5-14-86) Dade
33. Josslyn Island (10-4-90) Lee
34. Levy County Forest/Sandhills (8-8-94) Levy
35. Letchworth Mounds (8-8-94) Jefferson
36. Lower Econlockhatchee (8-8-94) Seminole
37. Martin County Tracts (5-14-86) Martin
38. Mashes Sands (5-14-86) Wakulla
39. Miami Rockridge Pinelands (8-8-94) Dade
40. Milton to Whiting Field (8-8-94) Santa Rosa
41. North Beach (5-14-86) Broward
42. North Key Largo Hammock (5-14-86;
as mod. 4-19-88, 10-4-90, 8-8-94) Monroe
43. Placid Lakes (8-8-94) Highlands
44. Point Washington (8-8-94) Walton
45. Port Bougainville (10-4-90) Monroe
46. Rainbow River/Springs (8-8-94) Marion
47. Rookery Bay (10-4-90; as mod. 8-8-94) Collier
48. Rotenberger (as mod. 4-19-88; 8-8-94) Palm Beach
49. Saddle Blanket Lakes Scrub (8-8-94) Polk
50. Save Our Everglades (10-4-90; as mod. 8-8-94) Collier
51. Sea Branch (8-8-94) Martin
52. Seminole Springs/Woods (8-8-94) Lake
53. Snake Warrior Island (Oaks of Miramar) (8-8-94) Broward
54. Spring Hammock (4-19-88; as mod. 10-4-90) Seminole
55. Spruce Creek (4-19-88; as mod. 8-8-94) Volusia
56. St. Martins River (8-8-94) Citrus
57. Stark Tract (10-4-90) Volusia
58. Stoney-Lane (10-4-90) Citrus
59. Surfside Additions (5-14-86) St. Lucie
60. Three Lakes/Prairie Lakes (as mod. 8-8-94) Osceola
61. Topsail Hill (8-8-94) Walton
62. Upper Black Creek (8-8-94) Clay
63. Volusia Water Recharge Area Volusia
64. Wacissa/Aucilla Rivers (10-4-90) Jefferson/Taylor
65. Wekiva River Buffers (8-8-94) Seminole
66. Westlake (5-14-86; as mod. 4-19-88) Broward
67. Wetstone/Berkovitz (8-8-94) Pasco
68. Withlacoochee Tracts (12-1-82) Sumter
(g) Waters within National Seashores
National Seashores County
1. Canaveral Brevard/Volusia
2. Gulf Islands Escambia/Santa Rosa
(h) Waters within State Aquatic Preserves
Aquatic Preserves County
1. Alligator Harbor Franklin
2. Apalachicola Bay Franklin
3. Banana River (as mod. 8-8-94) Brevard
4. Big Bend Seagrasses Wakulla/Taylor/
Jefferson/Dixie/
Levy
except for the following areas;
a. Keaton Beach, Taylor County - Begin at 29°49'50" N. Lat., 83°35'24"W. Long. then west to 29°49'45", 83°35'50"; then south to 29°49'04", 83°35'48"; then east to 29°49'04", 83°35'24"; then north to the point of beginning.
b. Steinhatchee, Taylor County - Begin at 29°40'35", 83°22'10"; then west to 29°40'35", 83°23'10"; then north to 29°41', 83°23'10";
then west to 29°41', 83°24'10"; then south to the Taylor County-Dixie County boundary; then eastward along the boundary to 29°39'55", 83°22'10"; then north to the point of beginning.
c. Suwannee, Dixie County - Begin at 29°20'30", 83°08'10"; then west to 29°20'30", 83°08'25"; then south to 29°20'05", 83°08'25"; then southwesterly along SR 349 to 29°19'51", 83°08'35"; then west to 29°19'51", 83°08'45"; then southwesterly to 29°19'40", 83°09'12"; then south to 29°19'30", 83°09'12"; then northeasterly to 29°19'39", 83°08'53"; then southeasterly to 29°19'25", 83°08'41"; then southwesterly to 29°19'20", 83°08'49"; then southeasterly to 29°19'14", 83°08'41"; then northeasterly along the bank of the Suwannee River to and along the bank of Demory Creek to 29°19'45", 83°08'10"; then north to the point of beginning.
d. Cedar Key unincorporated airport area, Levy County - Begin at 29°08'26", 83°03'17"; then south to 29°07'34", 83°03'17", then northeasterly to 29°07'48", 83°02'33"; beginning northerly and tracing the corporate limit of Cedar Key to the point of beginning.
e. Cedar Key unincorporated causeway area, Levy County - That portion of Section 20 lying within 1000 feet of the centerline of SR 24 and lying north of a line 500 feet northeast of and parallel to the northern corporate limit of Cedar Key.
f. Cedar Key channel, Levy County - Begin at 29°08'58", 83°01'17"; then west to 29°08'58", 83°01'24"; then south to 29°08'05", 83°01'26"; then northeasterly to 29°08'08", 83°01'17"; then northerly to the point of beginning.
g. Keaton Beach navigation channel, Taylor County - Begin at 29°49'02", 83°35'30"; then west to 29°49'02", 83°37'58"; then south to 29°48'45", 83°37'58"; then east to 29°48'45", 83°35'30"; then north to the point of beginning.
h. Keaton Beach local channels, Taylor County - Begin at 29°49'01", 83°35'38"; then southeast to 29°48'55", 83°35'15"; then northeast to 29°48'59", 83°35'13"; then northwest to 29°49'06", 83°35'36"; then southwest to the point of beginning. (10-29-86)
5. Biscayne Bay (Cape Florida) Dade/Monroe
6. Biscayne Bay (Card Sound) (12-1-82) Dade/Monroe
7. Boca Ciega Bay Pinellas
8. Cape Haze Charlotte/Lee
9. Cape Romano-Ten Thousand Islands Collier
10. Cockroach Bay Hillsborough
11. Coupon Bight Monroe
12. Estero Bay (as mod. 4-19-88) Lee
13. Fort Clinch State Park Nassau
14. Fort Pickens State Park Santa Rosa/Escambia
15. Gasparilla Sound-Charlotte Harbor (as mod. 10-4-90) Charlotte/Lee
16. Guana River Marsh (8-8-94) St. Johns
17. Indian River Malabar to Vero Brevard/ Beach
Indian River
18. Indian River Malabar to Vero Brevard/Beach
(additions), except Indian River those Indian River portions of Sebastian Creek and Turkey Creek upstream of U.S. Highway 1 (1/26/88)
19. Indian River Vero Beach to Indian River/
Ft. Pierce (as mod. 10-4-90) St. Lucie
20. Jensen Beach to Jupiter Inlet Martin/Palm
(as mod. 10-4-90) Beach/St. Lucie
21. Lake Jackson Leon
22. Lemon Bay (4-19-88; as mod. 10-4-90) Charlotte/Sarasota
23. Lignumvitae Key Monroe
24. Loxahatchee River-Lake Worth Creek Martin/
(as mod. 8-8-94) Palm Beach
25. Matlacha Pass Lee
26. Mosquito Lagoon Volusia/Brevard
27. Nassau River-St. Johns River Marshes Nassau/Duval
28. North Fork, St. Lucie St. Lucie/Martin
29. Oklawaha River (10-4-90) Marion
30. Pellicer Creek St. Johns/Flagler
31. Pine Island Sound Lee
32. Pinellas County Pinellas
33. Rainbow Springs (4-19-88) Marion
34. Rocky Bayou State Park Okaloosa
35. Rookery Bay (12-1-82; as mod. 11-24-87, 7-11-91) Collier
36. St. Andrews State Park Bay
37. St. Joseph Bay Gulf
38. St. Martins Marsh (as mod. 8-8-94) Citrus
39. Terra Ceia (5-22-86) Manatee
40. Tomoka Marsh Volusia/Flagler
41. Wekiva River (12-1-82) Lake/Orange/Seminole
42. Wekiva River Addition, except Lake/Seminole/
that portion of the Volusia
St. Johns River between Interstate Highway 4 and
the Wekiva River confluence (12-28-88).
43. Yellow River Marsh Santa Rosa
(i) Special Waters
1. Apalachicola River except for the following areas:
a. From a point 50 feet north of the northern boundary of the Jackson County Port Authority Slip, and including the slip itself, downstream to a point about four-tenths of a mile downstream, and specifically identified by navigation mile 103 on the 1982 U.S. Geological Survey Quadrangle Map of Sneads, Florida; and
b. From 850 feet downstream of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Blountstown Navigation Gage in Calhoun County, north to a point approximately 2,700 feet upstream of the Gage, and specifically identified by the line passing through 30°25'45" N. Lat. and 85°1'35" W. Long.; and 30°25'38" N. Lat. and 85°1'20" W. Long. (12-11-84).
2. Aucilla River
3. Blackwater River
4. Butler Chain of Lakes - consisting of Lake Butler, Lake Down, Wauseon Bay, Lake Louise, Lake Palmer (also known as Lake Isleworth), Lake Chase, Lake Tibet, Lake Sheen, Pocket Lake, Fish Lake, and the waterways which connect these lakes (3-1-84), and Lake Blanche and its connecting waterway (2-18-87).
5. Chassahowitzka River System including: Potter, Salt, Baird, Johnson, Crawford, Ryle, and Stevenson Creeks, and other tributaries to the Chassahowitzka River; but excluding artificial waterbodies, defined as any waterbody created by dredging, or excavation, or by the filling in of its boundaries, including canals as defined in Rule 62-312.020(3), F.A.C. (1-5-93).
6. Chipola River
7. Choctawhatchee River
8. Clermont Chain of Lakes - consisting of Lake Louisa (also known as Lake Louise), Lake Susan, Lake Crescent, Lake Minnehaha, Lake Winona, Lake Palatlakaha, Lake Hiawatha, Lake Minneola, Lake Wilson, Lake Cook, Cherry Lake, Lake Hunt, Lake Stewart, Lake Lucy, Lake Emma, and the waterways that interconnect Clermont Chain of Lakes (5-28-86).
9. Crooked Lake in Polk County including the area known as Little Crooked Lake and the connecting waterway between these waterbodies; less however, artificial waterbodies, defined as any waterbody created by dredging, or excavation, or by the filling in of its boundaries, including canals as defined in Section 62-312.020(3), F.A.C. (4-9-87).
10. Crystal River, including Kings Bay (2-1-83).
11. Econlockhatchee River System - consisting of the Econlockhatchee River and the following tributaries:
a. Little Econlockhatchee River upstream to Michaels Dam in Jay Blanchard Park; and
b. Mills Creek upstream to Mills Lake; and
c. Southerly branch of Mills Creek upstream to Fort Christmas Road in Section 2, Township 22 South, Range 32 East; and
d. Silcox Branch (branch of Mills Creek) upstream to Lake Pickett; and
e. Long Branch upstream to the eastern section line of Section 34, Township 22 South, Range 32 East; and
f. Hart Branch upstream to the Old Railroad Grade in Section 18, Township 23 Soputh, Range 32 East; and
g. Cowpen Branch upstream to the southernmost bifurcation of the creek in Section 20, Township 23 South, Range 32 East; and
h. Green Branch upstream to the western section line of Section 29, Township 23 South, Range 32 East; and
i. Turkey Creek upstream to Weewahootee Road in Section 5, Township 24 South, Range 32 East, and to the west section lines of Section 5, Township 24 South, Range 32 East, and Section 32, Township 23 South, Range 32 East; and
j. Little Creek upstream to the eastern section line of Section 22, Township 24 South, Range 32 East; and
k. Fourmile Creek upstream to the southern line of the NE1/4 of Section 28, Township 24 South, Range 32 East; and
l. Econlockhatchee River Swamp upstream to State Road 532;
m. but excluding all other tributaries and artificial water bodies, defined as any water body created by dredging, or excavation, or by the filling in of its boundaries, including canals as defined in Rule 62-312.020(3), F.A.C. (6-18-92).
12. Estero Bay Tributaries including: Hendry Creek to State Road 865, Big Bayou, Mullock Creek to U.S. 41 (State Road 45); Mud Creek; Estero River (north and south branches) to I-75 Halfway Creek to State Road 41; Spring Creek to Business Route 41 (State Road 887, old State Road 41), and the unnamed south branch of Spring Creek in Sections 20 and 29; Imperial River to the eastern line of Section 31, Range 26 East, Township 47 South, Oak Creek, and Leitner Creek; except for Tenmile Canal and any artificial water bodies, defined as any water body created by dredging, or excavation, or by the filling in of its boundaries, including canals as defined in Rule 62-312.020(3), F.A.C. (10-4-90).
13. Florida Keys, including channels as defined in Rule 62-312.020(4), F.A.C.,and described as follows: Commence at the northeasterly most point of Palo Alto Key and run due north to a point at the center of the channel of Broad Creek as the point of beginning, thence due east to the eastern boundary of the jurisdictional waters of the State of Florida, thence meander southerly along said eastern boundary to a point due south of the westernmost point of the island of Key West; thence westerly, northerly and easterly along the arc of a curve three leagues distant from the westernmost point of the island of Key West to a point due north of the island of Key West; thence northeasterly three leagues distant from the most northerly land of the Florida Keys to the intersection with the boundary of the Everglades National Park; thence southeasterly, northeasterly and northwesterly along the boundary of the Everglades National Park to the intersection with the Dade County - Monroe County line; thence northeasterly and easterly along the Dade County - Monroe County line to the point of beginning; less however, three areas:
a. Key West Sewage Outfall, being a circle 150 feet in radius from the point of discharge located at approximately 24°32'13" N. Latitude and 81°48'55" W. Longitude; and
b. Stock Island Power Plant Mixing Zone; being a circle 150 feet in radius from the end of the power plant discharge canal; and
c. Artificial waterbodies, defined as any waterbody created by dredging, or excavation, or by the filling in of its boundaries, including canals as defined in Rule 62-312.020(3), F.A.C. (5-8-85).
14. Hillsborough River from Fletcher Avenue (State Road 582A) in Hillsborough County upstream to the Withlacoochee River Overflow in Pasco County, and the following tributaries:
a. Crystal Springs; and
b. Blackwater Creek westward of the Hillsborough - Polk County line; and
c. Cypress Creek, Thirteenmile Run eastward of Livingston Avenue, and Big Cypress Swamp upstream to and including the Cypress Creek Wellfield, as delineated in the maps entitled "Cypress Creek OFW Boundary Maps," incorporated herein by reference; and
d. Trout Creek upstream to Bruce B. Downs Boulevard (State Road 581);
e. but excluding all other tributaries as well as the proposed transportation corridor, which crosses Cypress Creek in Section 21, Township 27 South, Range 19 East, as identified in the Adopted 2010 Long Range Transportation Plan of the Metropolitan Planning Organization, dated May 26, 1993.
f. A copy of the maps referenced in subparagraph c. above may be obtained from the Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Surface Water Management, 2600 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400 (4-12-95).
15. Homosassa River System including: Halls River, Turtle, Otter, Battle, and Price Creeks, and other tributaries to the Homosassa River; but excluding artificial waterbodies, defined as any waterbody created by dredging, or excavation, or by the filling in of its boundaries, including canals as defined in Rule 62-312.020(3), F.A.C. (1-5-93).
16. Kingsley Lake and Black Creek (North Fork) downstream to the northern line of Section 23, Township 5 South, Range 23 East, including all tributaries along this segment of Black Creek (11-8-90).
17. Lake Disston – Specifically including Lake Disston plus contiguous wetlands within the following areas: Township 14 South, Range 29 East, Sections 21, 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 9, 8 and 7 in Flagler County; and Township 14 South, Range 28 East, Sections 13 and 24 in Volusia County except:
a. artificial water bodies defined as any water body created by dredging, or excavation, or by the filling in of its boundaries, including canals as defined in Rule 62-312.020(3), F.A.C.; and
b. any natural water bodies connected by artificial water bodies to the above-described system (4-4-01).
18. Lake Powell, Phillips Inlet, and all tributaries to Lake Powell as bounded by the following described line: Begin at the Northwest corner of Section 26, Township 2 South, Range 18 West; thence East to the Northwest corner of Section 29, Township 2 South, Range 17 West; thence South to the Northwest corner of the SW1/4 of Section 29, Township 2 South, Range 17 West; thence East to the West line of Section 27, Township 2 South, Range 17 West, thence South to the mean high water line of the Gulf of Mexico; thence meander Northwest along the mean high water line to the West line of Section 35, Township 2 South, Range 18 West; thence North to the point of beginning (8-18-91).
19. Lemon Bay Estuarine System - from Boca Grande Causeway northward to approximately two thousand feet northwest of the mouth of Alligator Creek, specifically identified as the East line of Section 31, Township 39 South, Range 19 East, including Placida Harbor, Gasparilla Pass, Kettle Harbor, Bocilla Lagoon, Bocilla Pass, Knight Pass, Stump Pass, Lemon Bay, Buck Creek upstream to County Road 775, Oyster Creek upstream to County Road 775, Ainger (Rock) Creek upstream to County Road 775, and Godfrey (Godfried, Gottfried) Creek upstream to County Road 775; but excluding:
a. Alligator Creek, Forked Creek, Lemon Creek, and all other tributaries; and
b. Artificial waterbodies, defined as any waterbody created by dredging, or excavation, or by the filling in of its boundaries, including canals as defined in Section 62-312.020(3), F.A.C. (4-29-86).
20. Little Manatee River - from its mouth to the western crossing of the river by S.R. 674, including Hayes, Mill and Bolster Bayous, but excluding South Fork, Ruskin Inlet and all other tributaries (10-1-82).
21. Lochloosa Lake (including Little Lochloosa Lake, Lochloosa Lake Right Arm, and Lochloosa Creek upstream to County Road 20A) (12-15-87).
22. Myakka River between State Road 771 (El Jobean Bridge) and the Charlotte - Sarasota County line, except for artificial waterbodies, defined as any waterbody created by dredging, or excavation, or by the filling in of its boundaries, including canals as defined in Rule 62-312.020(3), F.A.C. (4-19-88).
23. Ochlockonee River
24. Oklawaha River between the eastern line of Section 36, Township 15 South, Range 23 East, and Eureka Lock and Dam, including Turkey Creek, Strouds Creek, Dead River (the water body so named near Gores Landing), Cedar Creek, and Fish Creek, but excluding Marshall Swamp, the Dead River (the water body so named exiting Marshall Swamp), and all other tributaries (12-20-89).
25. Orange Lake up to the U.S. Highway 301 bridge, the River Styx up to Camps Canal, and Cross Creek (4-9-87).
26. Perdido River
27. Rainbow River, including Indian Creek, but excluding all other tributaries (1-17-85).
28. Santa Fe River System - consisting of the Santa Fe River, Lake Santa Fe, Little Lake Santa Fe, Santa Fe Swamp, Olustee Creek, and the Ichetucknee River below S.R. 27, but excluding all other tributaries (8-16-84).
29. Sarasota Bay estuarine system - generally extending from Venice north to the Hillsborough - Manatee County line and specifically described as follows: Commence at the northern tip of Anna Maria Island and follow a line running to the southern tip of Egmont Key until intersecting the boundary between Hillsborough and Manatee Counties; thence run easterly and northeasterly along the county boundary until intersecting the Intracoastal Waterway; thence proceed southerly until intersecting a line between the southern tip of Mullet Key and the western tip of Snead Island; thence proceed southeasterly along said line to the western tip of Snead Island; thence to De Soto Point; and thence westerly and southerly including all of the Sarasota Bay estuarine system southward to the northernmost U.S. Highway Business Route 41 bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway in Venice, including Anna Maria Sound, Passage Key Inlet, Perico Bayou, Palma Sola Bay, Longboat Pass, Sarasota Bay, New Pass, Big Sarasota Pass, Roberts Bay, Little Sarasota Bay, Dryman Bay, Blackburn Bay, Lyons Bay, Venice Inlet, Dona Bay upstream to the U.S. Highway 41 bridge, and Roberts Bay upstream to the U.S. Highway 41 bridge; less however, the following areas:
a. All tributaries, including Palma Sola Creek, Bowlees Creek, Whitaker Bayou, Hudson Bayou, Phillippi Creek, Catfish Creek, North Creek, South Creek, Shakett Creek, Curry Creek; and
b. A circle 1500 feet in radius from the mouth of Whitaker Bayou; and
c. A circle 1500 feet in radius from the mouth of Phillippi Creek; and
d. Artificial waterbodies, defined as any waterbody created by dredging, or excavation, or by the filling in of its boundaries, including canals as defined in Rule 62-312.020(3), F.A.C. (4-29-86).
e. The designation shall not affect the consideration by the Department of an application for Site Specific Alternative Criteria for the discharge of the City of Bradenton's Municipal Sewage Treatment Plant being built under Department of Environmental Protection Construction Permit No. DC41-81224. The application will be processed under the regulations of the Department existing on February 18, 1986.
30. St. Marks River - except that part between Rattlesnake Branch and the confluence of the St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers.
31. Shoal River
32. Silver River (Marion County) (4-9-87)
33. Spruce Creek upstream to State Road 40A, and the following tributaries:
a. Unnamed tributary upstream to the Southern section line of Section 4, Township 17 South, Range 33 East; and
b. Unnamed tributary upstream to the Northern section line of Section 20, Township 16 South, Range 33 East; and
c. Unnamed tributary upstream to the Northern section line of Section 23, Township 16 South, Range 32 East (right fork), and to the Western line of the NE 1/4 of Section 27, Township 16 South, Range 32 East; and
d. Unnamed tributary upstream to the Western section line Section 35, Township 16 South, Range 32 East; and
e. Strickland Bay; and Turnbull Bay and Turnbull Creek upstream to the Northwestern section line of Section 43, Township 17 South, Range 33 East;
f. and Murray Creek upstream to the Town of Ponce Inlet municipal limits; and
g. waters east from U.S. Highway 1 following the northerly and southerly municipal limits of the Town of Ponce Inlet to its intersection with the western boundary of the Intracoastal Waterway and including Rose Bay upstream to Nova Road (State Road 5A);
h. but excluding all other tributaries (7-11-91).
34. Suwannee River
35. Tomoka River upstream to Interstate Highway 4; and the following tributaries:
a. Priest Branch upstream to the Western and Southern section lines of Section 6, Township 15 South, Range 32 East; and
b. Little Tomoka River and its tributaries as bounded by the following described line: Begin at the Southwestern point of confluence between the Tomoka River and the Little Tomoka River; thence meander upstream along the Little Tomoka River to the Western section line of Section 25, Township 14 South, Range 31 East; thence South to the Southwest corner of Section 25, Township 14 South, Range 31 East; thence West to the Southwest corner of Section 28, Township 14 South, Range 31 East; thence North to the Northwest corner of Section 28, Township 14 South, Range 31 East; thence East to the West section line of Section 25, Township 14 South, Range 31 East; thence South to the Northern shore of the Little Tomoka River; thence meander easterly to the confluence with the Tomoka River; thence South to the point of beginning; and
c. Groover Branch upstream to the Northern section line of Section 24, Township 14 South, Range 31 East; and
d. Misner's Branch upstream to the Northern section line of Section 29, Township 14 South, Range 32 East; and
e. Thompson Creek and Strickland Creek upstream to the Northern section line of Section 40, Township 14 South, Range 32 East;
f. but excluding all other tributaries (7-11-91).
36. Wacissa River
37. Wakulla River
38. Weekiwachee Riverine and Spring System – consisting of the Weekiwachee Springs and River, Mud Springs and River, Jenkins Creek, Salt Spring and Creek, the Weekiwachee Swamp, and all tributaries and contiguous wetlands within the following sections: Township 23 South, Range 17 East, Sections 2-9; Township 22 South, Range 17 East, Sections 20, 21, and 27-35, together with that portion of Section 19 that is southerly of CR 550 (Cortez Blvd.); Township 22 South, Range 16 East, Sections 25 and 36; including any and all waters, and wetlands contiguous to the tributaries located southerly of the north line of Section 25, Township 22 South, Range 16 East and westerly projection thereof and easterly of the west line of Section 36, Township 22 South, Range 16 East and northerly projection thereof, and easterly of a line through latitude 28º 32’ 52” North, longitude 82º 39’ 23” West, and through latitude 28º 31’ 47” North, longitude 82º 39’ 52” West (North American Datum of 1983). This OFW excludes artificial waters defined as any water body created by dredging, or excavation, or by the filling in of its boundaries, including canals as defined in subsection 62-312.020(3), F.A.C. (12-11-03).
39. Wekiva River System - consisting of the Wekiva River, Rock Springs Run and its tributary Sulphur Spring, the Little Wekiva River south to its confluence with the southernmost run of Sanlando Springs, Black Water Creek and Swamp (up to Lake Dorr), Lake Norris, Seminole Springs and Creek, Seminole Swamp, Sulphur Spring and Run, and Messant Spring and Creek, but excluding all other tributaries (12-28-88).
40. Wiggins Pass Estuarine Area and the Cocohatchee River System - the estuarine and marine waters from the Lee/Collier County line southward through and including Water Turkey Bay to 50 feet north of S.R. 846 (Bluebill Ave.) 1995 right-of-way; the Cocohatchee River downstream from 50 feet West of U.S. 41 1995 right-of-way; and Wiggins Pass; but excluding maintenance dredging as authorized by Section 403.813(2)(f), F.S., in the following areas:
a) Wiggins Pass from the Gulf of Mexico eastward for 200 linear feet (as measured from the southwestern point of Little Hickory Island);
b) the channel (South Channel, Vanderbilt Channel), that connects Wiggins Pass with Vanderbilt Lagoon through Water Turkey Bay; and
c) East Channel (for purposes of this designation described as the East Channel from its confluence with South Channel to Vanderbilt Drive, including all waters surrounding the spoil islands know as Conklin Point and Island Marina) (7-16-96).
41. Withlacoochee Riverine and Lake System, including:
a. The Withlacoochee River downstream of State Road 33 in Lake County to eastern section line of Section 33, Township 16 South, Range 18 East; and
b. The lower Withlacoochee River, from the Gulf of Mexico to the Cross Florida Barge Canal By-Pass
Spillway, but not including that portion of the river between Lake Rousseau and the Cross Florida Barge Canal; and
c. The Little Withlacoochee River; and
d. Jumper Creek downstream of State Road 35, including Jumper Creek Swamp; and
e. Gum Springs, Gum Slough (Dead River), and Gum Swamp; and
f. Lake Panasoffkee, Outlet River, Little Jones Creek, Big Jones Creek, and Rutland Creek; and
g. Shady (Brook, Panasoffkee) Creek downstream of State Road 468, including Warm Spring Hammock; and
h. Lake Tsala Apopka;
i. but excluding all other tributaries and artificial waterbodies, defined as any waterbody created by dredging, or excavation, or by the filling in of its boundaries, including canals as defined in Rule 62-312.020(3), F.A.C. (4-10-89).
(j) Waters within Rivers Designated Under the Florida Scenic and Wild Rivers Program, federal Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968 as amended, and Myakka River Wild and Scenic Designation and Preservation Act
River Segment County
1. Loxahatchee National Wild and Martin/
Scenic River Segment (5-14-86) Palm Beach
2. Myakka Florida Wild and Scenic
River Segment (5-14-86) Sarasota
3. Wekiva Florida Scenic and
Wild River Segment (12-1-82) Lake/Seminole
(k) Waters within National Preserves
National Preserve County
1. Big Cypress National Preserve Collier/Dade/
as mod. 5-14-86, 4-19-88, 8-8-94) Monroe
2. Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve (8-8-94) Duval
(l) Waters within National Marine Sanctuaries
Marine Sanctuary County
1. Key Largo Monroe
2. Looe Key (12-1-82) Monroe
(m) Waters within National Estuarine Research Reserves
National Estuarine Research Reserve County
1. Apalachicola (12-1-82; as mod. 5-14-86, 4-19-88) Franklin/Gulf
2. Rookery Bay (as mod. 5-14-86, 4-19-88) Collier
(n) Certain Waters within the Boundaries of the National Forests
National Forest County
1. Apalachicola Wakulla/Leon/
a. Sopchoppy River (9-1-82) Franklin
b. Big Dismal Sink (9-1-82)
2. Ocala Putnam/Marion/
a. Alexander Springs (9-1-82) Lake
b. Alexander Springs Creek (9-1-82)
c. Juniper Springs (9-1-82)
d. Juniper Creek (9-1-82)
e. Salt Springs (9-1-82)
f. Salt Springs Run (9-1-82)
g. Lake Dorr (9-1-82)
h. Lake Kerr (9-1-82)
i. Little Lake Kerr (9-1-82)
3. Osceola Baker/Columbia
a. Deep Creek (9-1-82)
b. Robinson Creek (9-1-82)
c. Middle Prong - St. Marys River (9-1-82)
d. Ocean Pond (9-1-82)
e. Falling Creek (9-1-82)
(10) Outstanding National Resource Waters:
(a) The Commission designates the following waters as Outstanding National Resource Waters:
1. Biscayne National Park, as described in the document entitled "Outstanding National Resource Waters Boundary Description and Map for Biscayne National Park", dated June 15, l989, herein adopted by reference.
2. Everglades National Park, as described in the document entitled "Outstanding National Resource Waters Boundary Description and Map for Everglades National Park", dated June 15, l989, herein adopted by reference.
(b) It is the intent of the Commission that water bodies designated as Outstanding National Resource Waters shall be protected and maintained to the extent required by the federal Environmental Protection Agency. Therefore, the designations set forth in Rule 62-302.700(10)(a) shall not be effective until the Florida Legislature enacts legislation specifically authorizing protection and maintenance of Outstanding National Resource Waters to the extent required by the federal Environmental Protection Agency pursuant to 40 CFR 131.12.
(c) It is also the intent of the Commission to utilize the Surface Water Improvement and Management Act planning process, as outlined in Section 373.451, F.S. and Chapter 62-43, F.A.C., to establish the numerical standards for water quality parameters appropriate for Everglades and Biscayne National Parks status as Outstanding National Resource Waters.
(d) The baseline for defining the existing ambient water quality (Rule 62-4.242(2)(c)) in Outstanding National Resource Water is a five year period from March 1, 1976 to March 1, 1981, unless otherwise indicated.
Specific Authority 403.061, 403.087, 403.088, 403.804, 403.805 FS. Law Implemented 403.021, 403.061, 403.062, 403.087, 403.088, 403.101, 403.141, 403.182, 403.502, 403.702, 403.708, 403.918 FS. History - New 3-1-79, Amended 8-10-80, 8-24-82, 9-30-82, 11-30-82, 2-1-83, 6-1-83, 3-1-84, 8-16-84, 12-11-84, 1-17-85, 5-8-85, 4-29-86, 5-14-86, 5-22-86, 5-28-86, 10-29-86, 2-18-87, 4-9-87, 11-24-87, 12-15-87, 1-26-88, 4-19-88, 12-28-88, 4-10-89, 10-4-89, 12-20-89, 1-28-90, Transferred from 17-3.041. Amended 10-4-90, 11-8-90, 7-11-91, 8-18-91, 12-11-91, 6-18-92, 1-5-93, 8-8-94, Formerly 17-302.700, Amended 1-23-95, 4-3-95, 4-12-95, 7-16-96, 4-4-01, 12-11-03, 1-9-06, 12-7-06.