Welcome | Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)

"More Protection, Less Process"		Learn More About...
Florida Department of Environmental Protection The Department of Environmental Protection is the lead agency in state government for environmental management and stewardship and is one of the more diverse agencies in state government, protecting our air, water, and land. The Department is divided into three primary areas: Regulatory Programs, Land and Recreation and Planning and Management. Florida's environmental priorities include restoring America's Everglades, improving air quality, restoring and protecting the water quality in our springs, lakes, rivers and coastal waters, conserving environmentally-sensitive lands and providing citizens and visitors with recreational opportunities, now and in the future.		Tip of the Week Paper or Plastic? Neither Only 12 percent of plastic bags and 37 percent of paper bags are reused or recycled. Instead choose a reusable shopping bag which needs only to be used 11 times to have a lower environmental impact ...more
News	Headline
Lodging Facilities Make Commitment to Florida's Environment During National Green Week - 02/05/10 Florida State Parks 75th Anniversary Signature Events Recognize Black History Month - 02/04/10 DEP Announces Stimulus Loan for City of Tohopekaliga Water Authority Drinking Water Facility - 02/03/10 DEP Announces Stimulus Loan for City of Sebring Drinking Water Facility - 02/03/10 DEP Announces Stimulus Loan for City of Minneola Wastewater Facility - 02/03/10 DEP Announces Stimulus Loan for Immokalee Water and Sewer District Drinking Water System - 02/03/10 DEP Announces Stimulus Loan for City of Lauderhill Drinking Water Facility - 02/03/10 DEP’s Division of Law Enforcement Honored with Statewide Accreditation - 02/03/10 City of Treasure Island Municipal Marina is the Latest Gem to Join Florida's Clean Marinas - 02/02/10 Ammunitions Collection Event Makes Environmental Stewardship Easy - 02/02/10 DEP Releases Retail Bags Report - 02/01/10 Florida State Parks Announces Round Two of 'Go Play Weekday' - 02/01/10 Governor Crist's 2010-11 Budget Recommends $2.1-Billion for Protection of Florida's Environment - 01/29/10 View all press releases	DEP Releases Retail Bags Report ~Report presents options for encouraging the use of reusable retail bags and reducing the use of single-use retail bags in Florida~ After gathering public input from numerous stakeholders and organizations, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today released its report on the need for new or different regulation of retail bags to Governor Charlie Crist and the Florida Legislature. The Energy, Climate Change and Economic Security Act of 2008 directed the DEP to perform an analysis and submit a comprehensive report on the “necessity and efficacy” of retail bags regulation by February 1, 2010. The report provides an assessment of the impacts associated with current use and disposal of retail bags as well as an analysis of potential options that seek to reduce single-use bags and encourage the use of reusable bags. Each option is presented with the potential pros and cons of implementation in an effort to provide policymakers the information needed to weigh and balance the effect of proposed actions on the environment, regulated community and the consumer. ...Read more

Last updated: February 05, 2010

Paper or Plastic? Neither

DEP Releases Retail Bags Report