Alternative Text Description for FDEP Off Site Contamination Notices

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MAP OVERVIEW

This map displays the locations of off-site contamination notices across the state of Florida. These notices represent sites where the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) has identified contamination that extends beyond the original source property. The map uses point symbols to indicate the geographic distribution of these contamination notice locations throughout the state, showing where environmental contamination affects adjacent or nearby properties.

GEOGRAPHIC CONTEXT

The map covers the entire state of Florida, from the panhandle region in the northwest to the southern tip at Miami and the Florida Keys. Major cities labeled on the map include Jacksonville in the northeast, Tallahassee in the panhandle, Orlando in central Florida, Tampa on the west-central coast, and Miami in the southeast. Other visible cities include Pensacola, Gainesville, Melbourne, Palm Coast, Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Port St. Lucie, and Coral Springs. The map extends slightly beyond Florida's borders to show portions of neighboring states including Georgia and Alabama to the north, and displays the Gulf of America to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. The Straits of Florida are labeled at the southern boundary.

KEY INSIGHTS

Off-site contamination notices show a clear concentration pattern following Florida's major urban corridors and coastal areas. The heaviest concentration of notices appears in the Tampa-St. Petersburg metropolitan area on the west coast and along the Interstate 4 corridor connecting Tampa through Orlando. Significant clustering is also visible in the Jacksonville metropolitan area in the northeast, along the Atlantic coast from Jacksonville southward through Palm Coast and the greater Miami-Fort Lauderdale area in southeast Florida. The Florida panhandle shows a notable linear concentration of notices running generally east-west through the region. Central and southern interior portions of Florida show considerably fewer contamination notices, as does the southwestern coastal region below Tampa. The Keys show scattered notices extending to the southern tip of the state.

VISUAL ELEMENTS

FDEP Off Site Contamination Notices

This layer represents locations where the Florida Department of Environmental Protection has issued notices regarding contamination that has migrated off the original source property.

Off-Site Contamination Notice Locations (magenta/purple star symbols)

Appearance:

Each contamination notice location is represented by a magenta or purple star-shaped symbol of consistent size.

Distribution:

The notices are distributed statewide but show significant variation in density, with heavy concentrations in major metropolitan areas and along coastal regions, and sparse coverage in rural interior areas.

Notable locations:

The greatest density of notices appears in the Tampa-St. Petersburg region, with very dense clustering visible around the Tampa urban core. Jacksonville shows a substantial concentration in the metropolitan area. The Interstate 4 corridor from Tampa through Orlando displays a prominent band of notices. Southeast Florida from Palm Coast through Miami shows continuous coastal distribution. The panhandle region displays a linear east-west concentration. Central Florida around Orlando shows moderate to high density. The southwest coast below Tampa shows relatively sparse distribution, as does the interior of south-central Florida.

Spatial patterns:

The contamination notices show clear correlation with urbanized areas and transportation corridors. Clustering patterns suggest concentration in areas of higher population density and industrial activity. Coastal areas show notably higher frequencies than interior regions. The linear arrangement along the panhandle suggests correlation with major roadways or coastal development patterns. Areas of very sparse settlement show correspondingly few or no contamination notices.

SYMBOL GUIDE

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This map serves as a spatial reference for identifying areas in Florida where environmental contamination has been documented to extend beyond the boundaries of the original contaminated property. The notices are generated weekly by FDEP for the Florida Department of Transportation, suggesting ongoing monitoring and documentation of contamination migration. The density and distribution patterns visible in the map may reflect historical industrial activity, population density, and land use patterns across the state. Users should note that the presence of a notice indicates documented off-site contamination requiring notification but does not convey information about the severity, type, or remediation status of the contamination.

DATA CONTEXT

Data Source:

The data is maintained by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and generated weekly for the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). Updated versions are available via FTP from the University of Florida GeoPlan Center. Data source layer name: FDEP_NOTIFICATION.NOTICING_FDEP.

Definition Query:

No definition query or filter criteria was provided for this map view.

Scale Information:

The map is displayed at a statewide scale showing all of Florida. At this scale, individual point locations are visible, though in areas of high density, symbols may overlap. This scale is appropriate for understanding broad distribution patterns and regional concentrations across the state.

Coordinate System:

NAD_1983_HARN_Florida_GDL_Albers (WKID 3087).

Time Period of Content:

The time period for the data content was not provided. The data is described as being updated weekly, suggesting it represents current or recent contamination notices.

Limitations:

Specific limitations regarding data completeness, accuracy, or gaps were not provided. The weekly update cycle suggests the dataset reflects ongoing additions as new off-site contamination is identified and documented.

Map Coverage:

The map covers the entire geographic extent of Florida, including the panhandle, peninsula, and the Florida Keys. Small portions of neighboring states (Georgia and Alabama) and surrounding waters are visible for geographic context.

The alternative text description of this map was AI-generated and may contain inaccuracies.