Current Nutrient Standards in Florida
Florida currently uses narrative nutrient standards to guide the
management and protection of its waters. Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.)
62-302.530
describes that (for all waters of the state) "the discharge of
nutrients shall continue to be limited as needed to prevent violations of
other standards contained in this chapter [F.A.C. 62-302]. Man-induced
nutrient enrichment (total nitrogen or total phosphorus) shall be considered
degradation in relation to the provisions of Sections 62-302.300,
62-302.700, and 62-4.242, F.A.C." Additionally, for Florida's three
highest use classes (Classes I, II and III), further protection is afforded
- "in no case shall nutrient concentrations of a body of water be
altered so as to cause an imbalance in natural populations of aquatic flora
or fauna".
Development of Numeric Nutrient Criteria for Florida's Waters
In May of 2002, Florida DEP submitted its
DRAFT
Numeric Nutrient Criteria Development Plan
to EPA Region IV at the RTAG
meeting. In response to EPA comments on the
Draft Plan DEP
submitted a
revised Plan to EPA in December of 2003. DEP received
mutual agreement
on the Numeric Nutrient Criteria Development Plan from EPA on July 7, 2004.The
Department revised its
plan in September 2007 to more accurately reflect its current strategy
and technical approach. DEP received mutual agreement on the 2007 revisions from
EPA on September 28, 2007.
The agreed upon strategy outlined Florida's intent to develop localized, waterbody-type specific numeric nutrient criteria, as recommended by EPA
guidance. In line with this guidance, Florida DEP intends to start with the
larger scale regions defined separately for Florida's streams/rivers (Figure
1) and lakes (Figure 2) and as a
starting point for development of regionalized criteria. Previous efforts
towards the development of biological criteria for Florida's waters have
incorporated these regions as a means of characterizing the spatial
variability of ambient (or background) conditions to be expected for
Florida's waters.
To assist DEP with the development of numeric nutrient criteria, efforts
are underway to design, recruit and convene a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC)
of individuals with expertise in areas related specifically to water quality
and biological community response to nutrients in Florida. DEP will seek to
assemble a diverse TAC formed with representatives with significant
experience in the ecology of specific aquatic systems (lacustrine, riverine,
estuarine, and or palustrine systems) and the interpretation of water
quality data through the use of statistical modeling tools. These
individuals will be chosen not only for their ability to provide guidance in
the dynamics of these systems, but also to represent the diverse parties
with interest in the development of criteria. This will include academic and
public institution representatives, along with individuals with significant
technical experience drawn from industry, agriculture, and environmental
groups.
The TAC will be charged with the review of the existing knowledge base
related to these systems and the development of recommendations to DEP on
numeric nutrient criteria. It is anticipated that the entire TAC will meet
every other month over an eighteen (18) month period. It is also anticipated
that smaller subcommittees may need to be formed (including new ancillary,
non-voting TAC members) to consult with other experts to address the
specific waterbody types under criteria development. In accordance with
Florida's Sunshine Laws, all of these meetings will be noticed and open to
the public. To promote public awareness and involvement in the process, each
TAC meeting will allow for public participation and comment. Based upon a
"kickoff" public meeting held in Tallahassee in December 2001,
there is significant public interest in the incorporation of some type of
public meeting scheduled in conjunction with the TAC meetings or at key
points in the process. In recognition of the geographic span of the state,
TAC meetings will be held at different locations within Florida on a
rotational basis.
Please contact
Jacob Brown if you are unable to download any of the documents from these
links or for directions to the meetings.
For questions about the development of the criteria or the TAC, please contact
Ken Weaver..
