Department of Environmental Protection, Departmental

 

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

NOTICE OF PROPOSED WATER QUALITY STUDY

Pursuant to subsection 62-650.500(6), Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.), the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (Department) gives notice of the intent of Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU) to conduct a study of water quality in Sweetwater Branch in Alachua County, the stream to which GRU’s John R. Kelly Generating Station (KGS) currently discharges under its wastewater permit (No. FL0026646). The purpose of this study is to establish effluent limits for nutrients (Total Phosphorus and Total Nitrogen) for the KGS discharge to Sweetwater Branch that will attain the narrative nutrient criteria. At the conclusion of the study, the effluent limits and associated total nutrient loading to Sweetwater Branch may be established as numeric interpretations of the narrative nutrient criteria for Sweetwater Branch in the form of Level II Water Quality Based Effluent Limits via order of the Department.

Any interested person may submit written comments on the plan of study to Kaitlyn Summerfield with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration, 2600 Blair Stone Road, MS 6511, Tallahassee, FL 32399-2400 or email: [e-mail]. Comments must be received within 14 days of publication of this notice.

In response to comments received pertaining to the plan of study prior to the proposed commencement date, the applicant may revise the plan of study if necessary. If there are any revisions to the plan of study, they must be approved by the Department.

Although the Department may allow for informal dispute resolution during the study period, the study is free form agency decision making and does not constitute proposed agency action until notice of such is given pursuant to subsection 62-650.500(8), F.A.C.

Upon request, the plan of study is available for public inspection during normal business hours, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except legal holidays, at the Department of Environmental Protection, 2600 Blair Stone Road, Room 238G, Tallahassee, FL 32399, [phone] or electronically by emailing [e-mail].