(THIS PAGE is under construction, July, 2003)

THE AGENCY RESPONSIBLE FOR AQUATIC PLANT MANAGMENT ACTIVITIES IN FLORIDA depends on the type of activity proposed, the resources affected, and the location of the waterbody. Generally, aquatic plant management is the responsibility of the owner or manager of the waterbody.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Invasive Plant Management the primary plant management permitting agency for the state, and pays for aquatic plant management in public waters of the state. Public waters are on "sovereignty lands" (owned by the state) and are accessible via a public boat ramp. The FDEP funds aquatic plant management in some modified natural waterways such as the Kissimmee River and the remnants of the Cross Florida Barge Canal that altered parts of the Withlacoochee and Oklawaha Rivers.

The US Army Corps of Engineers is the permitting agency for the federal government and is regulated under the Federal Clean Water Act (section 404) (link) and the Rivers and Harbors Act (section 10) (link).

Five major water management districts manage canals and govern storm water storage.

Approximately 100 "special district" units govern canals in special districts.

County and city agencies also have authority over a variety of activity in and around Florida's canal ways, such as building of docks, etc.

(Ed brochure has a diagram for common canal related activities and the respective gov agencies)

Certain Canals: The US Army Corps of Engineers, some water management districts, and some local governments fund plant management in most rivers that have been converted into canals; for example, the St. Lucie and the Caloosahatchee Rivers. Water management and nearly a hundred special districts fund aquatic plant control operations in most canals that were constructed through wetlands or uplands for drainage and flood control. Aquatic plant control in agricultural and residential canals is the responsibility of the property owner or residents that live along these artificially created waterways. However, the FDEP funds invasive plant management in some canals if there is no other responsible managing authority and there is a probability that invasive aquatic plants in a canal will contaminate adjoining public waters.