DEP becomes more transparent
FROM STAFF REPORTS Gulf Breeze News news@gulfbreezenews.com

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is providing more program documents online for easy access to the public. Following

the leadership of Governor Charlie Crist to provide

increased access to public

records and improved customer service, DEP's Division of Waste Management has expanded its OCULUS Electronic Document Management System (EDMS) to be more responsive to citizens' needs for information about waste facilities and sites.

"Making this information readily accessible is part of our goal to best inform and serve the public," said DEP Secretary Michael W. Sole. "Documents are now available for the public to view online in the areas of storage tanks, hazardous waste and solid waste."

To log in to the system, citizens can visit www.dep.state.fl.us/mainpage/p rograms/waste.htm. Documents available on the website include compliance, enforcement, cleanup, eligibility, administrative, permitting, guidance and fiscal. In the fall, the Department also plans to add waste cleanup documents to the system. A help guide is available on the website to assist citizens in searching for documents. In addition, citizens can e-mail or call the Division of Waste Management for help with technical problems when using the OCULUS™ EDMS.

DEP's Division of Waste Management implements state and federal laws relating to recycling, waste reduction and solid and hazardous waste management. The Division also regulates and registers aboveground and underground pollutant storage systems. Using private contractors, it cleans up sites contaminated with petroleum products, drycleaning solvents or other hazardous wastes. The Division works closely with DEP regional district Waste Management Programs to implement permitting, compliance and enforcement activities.

On Jan. 3, Governor Charlie Crist issued Executive Order 07-01, which established an Office of Open Government to assure full and expeditious compliance with Florida's open government and public records laws. For more information about the Department of Environmental Protection's programs and services, please contact our Office of Citizen Services at (850) 245-2118 or visit www.dep.state.fl.us.