The Florida Senate

It is the purpose of this section to provide a mechanism through which the state can immediately respond to short-term emergencies involving a threat to or an actual contamination of surface and ground water. It is the intent of the Legislature that the department provide not only technical assistance when responding to these short-term emergencies, but also financial resources to respond to emergencies which pose an immediate environmental or public health threat.

The department shall be the lead agency for interdepartmental coordination relating to water pollution, toxic substances, and hazardous waste and other environmental and health emergencies not specifically designated within other statutes.

Based upon the nature of the incident, the Water Quality Assurance Trust Fund or the Inland Protection Trust Fund, whichever is appropriate, shall be utilized to enable the department to respond during an emergency to incidents which threaten the environment or public health when otherwise responsible parties do not adequately respond.

The department shall adopt rules for the purposes of this section.