By STAFF REPORTS
Starting this week, regulatory matters handled by Florida Department of Environmental Protection District staff in the southwest part of the state are shifting offices.
DEP announced that regulatory oversight and customer service for facilities in DeSoto, Highlands, and Sarasota counties were shifting from South District to Southwest District oversight. This change started Nov. 1. It was announced in an Oct. 30 news release.
With the move, the South District – which is based in Fort Myers – now covers Charlotte, Collier, Hendry, Glades and Lee counties. This aligns with the state’s judicial circuit oversight as well. The Southwest District, which is based in Temple Terrace, now covers Citrus, DeSoto, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk and Sarasota counties.
In the news release, DEP stated that the realignment was operationally driven.
“This realignment is designed to optimize regional operational efficiency, balance workload distribution across district offices, and maintain high standards of environmental protection and regulatory responsiveness for local communities and stakeholders,” the release states.
This isn’t the first time DEP has rearranged its district set up. In 2022, DEP removed Monroe County from South District oversight and moved it to the Southeast District office, which is in West Palm Beach. DEP pointed to overlapping functions between the Southeast District and Monroe County, including the Coral Reef Task Force, regional planning operations, and other reasons to make that change.
Kelley Boatwright runs the Southwest District, while Elizabeth Sweigert runs the South District.
According to DEP Press Secretary Tori Cuddy, all affected businesses have been contacted.
“The Department reviewed the permitting and compliance caseloads throughout the state and determined that transferring regulatory oversight and customer service functions for facilities located in DeSoto, Highlands and Sarasota counties to the Southwest District would distribute the workload more equitably and allow the Department to maintain our high standards of environmental protection and regulatory responsiveness for local communities and stakeholders,” Cuddy said.
Contact information for DEP Southwest District
Main Phone: 813-470-5700
Mailing Address: 13051 N. Telecom Parkway, Temple Terrace, FL 33637
