(DEP)

Department of Environmental Protection. The DEP has general oversight over all the water management districts. Formerly DER and DNR, the two agencies merged in 1993. The DEP regulates such as the dredging, filling, and construction of structures within "Waters of the State". This includes most natural and artificial waters and wetlands which are contiguous with or eventually connect through other waters or through wetland vegetation to any of the larger, named waters in Florida. Except for natural lakes, the DEP does not have jurisdiction over isolated waterbodies. The USACOE may, however, have jurisdiction over isolated waterbodies.