Compliance and Waste Management is responsible for a number of activities to regulate waste management and reduce hazardous wastes in Orange County. 

This section's responsibilities include: 

• Regulation of waste management facilities 
• Household Hazardous Waste
• Commercial Hazardous Waste
• 24-Hour Emergency Response to reports of environmental emergencies and major environmental crimes.
• Free Pollution Prevention (P2) technical assistance service.
• Noise and vibration Control

Engineering Support provides technical advice, research, and guidance to various Environmental Protection Division (EPD) sections, as well as other county offices.  The focus includes the review of: proposed residential and commercial development plans, pollutant discharge from stormwater runoff, solid waste management facility permitting,  wastewater treatment facility permitting  and follow-up to sanitary sewer overflows. Activities include EPD representation at various meetings to assure protection of the county's natural resources at regularly scheduled meetings such as : the Board of County Commissioners, the Development Review Committee, the Roadway Agreement Committee, the Transportation Planning Group and the Annexations Review Group.

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Lakes Management: The Lake Management staff manages many water quality improvement and enhancement projects around the County.  This section is also responsible for controlling nuisance and exotic vegetation in approximately 40 Orange County Lakes.  In addition, the Lakes Management staff serve as the technical liaison to citizens and Lake Advisory Boards on water quality issues.  Staff also provides technical expertise and project management for any water quality improvement project on all County lakes.

Environmental Permitting and Compliance: This section handles environmental permitting, compliance, and enforcement for wetlands and surface waters, lakeshore vegetation removal, dredging or filling in lakes, docks and boat ramps.  This section also reviews projects for compliance with special rules protecting the Econlockhatchee and Wekiva River systems. 

Ecological Assessment Team: This section is responsible for monitoring and evaluating trends on over 150 water bodies in Orange County. 

This data is made available to the public through the Orange County Water Atlas at www.wateratlas.org (external link).  Historical Water Quality data for Orange County can be found through our Lakes and Stream page.

Green Place: Created by Mayor Richard T. Crotty,  Green PLACE stands for Park Land Acquisition for Conservation and Environmental Protection.  Funds from this program are used to purchase environmentally sensitive lands.  The mission of the Green PLACE program is:

 to preserve and manage environmentally sensitive lands, protect water resource lands and to provide a quality passive recreational outdoor experience for existing and future generations.

NPDES: This section is responsible for handling all aspects of the County Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System Permit regarding stormwater discharges.  The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System program is required by the Federal Clean Water Act and protects surface waters from pollution. 

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The Environmental Protection Division (EPD) maintains many regulatory programs, all with separate and specific rules that have to be enforced with fairness and consistency.  The Regulatory Compliance Program Coordinator is responsible for the management and maintenance of county regulations (ordinances) under its control. Over time, the County's demographics and ecology change because of the tremendous influx of new residents.  These changes have a ripple effect on the County's natural resources. For these reasons, it is often necessary to update environmental ordinances.

Environmental Protection Commission: The Regulatory Support Office assists the Environmental Protection Commission, created by the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) to provide the Division with advice regarding rule and policy decisions, fee changes, and to provide recommendations to the BCC on natural resource and environmental issues.

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Petroleum Cleanup Program:  Orange County is under contract with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Bureau of Petroleum Storage Systems to manage the assessment and remediation of petroleum contaminated facilities in accordance with the requirements and provisions of Sections 376 and 403, F.S., and Chapters 62-770 and 62-777, F.A.C. This section provides a valuable service to the public by protecting precious groundwater resources.

Storage Tank Compliance Program:  Orange County is under contract with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Bureau of Petroleum Storage Systems to regulate facilities in accordance with Chapters 62-761 and 62-762, F.A.C.

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