This action provides funding in the amount of $168,775 to florida department of environmental protection to carry out its program to maintain, protect, and improve the water quality of its rivers,…

EPA Region 4 awarded $168,775 to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection on October 1, 2025, under the Water Pollution Control State, Interstate, and Tribal Program Support program (CFDA 66.419) to maintain, protect, and improve water quality across Florida's rivers, lakes, streams, groundwater, and other waterbodies.

The award funds updating Florida's Landscape Development Intensity Index (LDI) tool, a geospatial assessment instrument that maps human modification and land use impacts on aquatic ecosystems. Deliverables include a high-resolution statewide LDI raster dataset representing updated land use and infrastructure impacts, development of a Human Modification Index (HMI), and an integration guidance document for incorporation of the revised LDI into the Department's biological assessment tools including the Stream Condition Index (SCI) and Lake Vegetation Index (LVI). These outputs support improved spatial representation of human disturbance for water quality and ecosystem health assessments, enhanced accuracy of biological tools through integration of modern land use impacts, targeted restoration and conservation actions across Florida based on sensitive disturbance gradients, and contribution to the state's long-term monitoring strategy by addressing outdated LDI components.

The award is a formula grant with a period of performance from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2030. Place of performance is Florida. The funding directly benefits Florida residents through improved water resource management and ecosystem monitoring capabilities.

This action provides funding in the amount of $168,775 to florida department of environmental protection to carry out its program to maintain, protect, and improve the water quality of its rivers, lakes, streams, groundwater, and other waterbodies. The environmental benefits of this program include preventing degradation of unimpaired waterbodies and reducing the number of impaired waterbodies in the state. Activities:activities include updating florida's landscape development intensity index (LDI) tool. Subrecipient:updating florida's landscape development intensity index (LDI) tool.outcomes:the anticipated deliverables include a high-resolution, statewide LDI raster dataset representing updated land use and infrastructure impacts. Development of a human modification index (HMI). Integration guidance document for incorporation of the revised LDI into DEP's biological assessment tools. The expected outcomes include improved spatial representation of human disturbance for water quality and ecosystem health assessments, enhanced accuracy of biological tools like the stream condition index (SCI) and lake vegetation index (LVI) through integration of modern land use impacts, support for targeted restoration and conservation actions across florida based on more sensitive disturbance gradients, and contribution to the state's long-term monitoring strategy by addressing the outdated LDI component. The direct beneficiaries of the agreement are the residents of the florida.