Lake Panasoffkee SWIM Plan - Southwest Florida Water ...

APPENDLX B - Regulatory Jurisdictions Within the Lake Panasornee Watershed
FEDERAL AGENCIES
Federal jurisdiction in the Lake Panasoffkee watershed involves regulatory responsibilities of
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the US. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Coast
Guard, the U.S. Department of the Interior (which includes the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
and the US. Geological Survey). The main regulatory functions of these agencies include
overseeing dredge and fill activities, maintaining navigability of waters of the United States,
overseeing clean-ups following pollution spills, protecting endangered species and protecting
overall environmental quality. The U.S. Geological Survey participates in special studies in
the Lake Panasoffkee watershed and contributes to the collection of technical data.
US. Amy Corps of Engineers (USACOE)
The USACOE is concerned with all activities which affect navigable waters of the United
States, particularly those involving construction of structures and dredging and filling in
navigable waters. The USACOE is also involved in permitting the placement of dredge and
fill material into navigable waters and adjacent wetlands and in partial funding of aquatic plant
control in navigable and public waters. A revision of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1968
allows the USACOE to consider fish and wildlife, conservation, pollution, aesthetics, ecology
and other relevant factors of a project.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
The EPA is the primary federal agency responsible for water quality protection. The agency
oversees hazardous waste cleanups, protection of public drinking water systems, all point
source discharges in waters of the United States (through the National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System permit program), and the protection and restoration of surface water and
groundwater. The agency also reviews USACOE permit activities, sets minimum quality
standards and sets guidelines for State environmental programs. The EPA also funds sewage
system improvements through the FDEP.
U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)
The USCG’s mission includes hazardous materials cleanups, search and rescue, buoys
placement, vessel safety inspection and right-of-way clearance on navigable waterways.
Since Lake Panasoffkee is a navigable water it is monitored by the USCG.
U.S. Department of the Interior
Within the U.S. Department of the Interior the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the USGS
perform the primary functions of this agency as they relate to Lake Panasoffkee. The FWS
reviews proposed activities which may impact threatened or endangered species and reviews
USACOE permit applications for potential effects on fish and wildlife. The USGS conducts
B-1