The overall scope of this rule development will address estuary-specific numeric nutrient criteria (NNC) for total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and chlorophyll a in the following estuaries: portions of the Big Bend from Alligator Harbor to the ...

 

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

62-302.532Estuary-Specific Numeric Interpretations of the Narrative Nutrient Criterion

The Department of Environmental Protection, Water Quality Standards Program, announces a workshop to which all persons are invited.

DATE AND TIME: Wednesday, August 20, 2014, 9:00 a.m.

PLACE: Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Bob Martinez Center, Room 609, 2600 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, FL

DATE AND TIME: Tuesday, August 26, 2014, 9:00 a.m.

PLACE: The Captain’s House at Goode Park, 1300 Bianca Drive NE, Palm Bay, FL

DATE AND TIME: Thursday, August 28, 2014, 9:00 a.m.

PLACE: Northeast Florida Regional Council, Soforenko Board Room, 6850 Belfort Oaks Place, Jacksonville, FL

The Tallahassee meeting can also be accessed via GoToWebinar at: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/585558034. Parties can register to attend that webinar via their personal computers and will be able to listen using their speakers connected to their computer.

GENERAL SUBJECT MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED: The overall scope of this rule development will address estuary-specific numeric nutrient criteria (NNC) for total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and chlorophyll a in the following estuaries: portions of the Big Bend from Alligator Harbor to the Suwannee Sound, Cedar Key, St. Marys River estuary, Southern Indian River Lagoon, Mosquito Lagoon, several portions of the Intracoastal Waterway (ICWW) connecting estuarine systems, a variety of small gaps between estuaries with adopted NNC, and parameters for estuaries not currently covered by their adopted nutrient Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs), including Upper Escambia Bay, Lower St. Johns River, Indian River Lagoon, St. Lucie Estuary, and Caloosahatchee Estuary. Nutrient criteria for these estuaries were included in an August 1, 2013 report to the Governor and Legislature. Pursuant to Chapter 2013-71, Laws of Florida, the Legislature directed the Department to establish these estuary NNC by rule or final order by December 1, 2014. The Tallahassee workshop will cover panhandle and big bend estuaries from Upper Escambia Bay to Cedar Key. The Palm Bay workshop will cover the southwest estuaries from Anclote Bayou to Moorings Bay and the southeast Florida estuaries up to and including Indian River Lagoon and Mosquito Lagoon. The Jacksonville workshop will cover estuaries in northeast Florida from the Upper Halifax River to the St. Marys, as well as additional coverage of the Fenholloway and Econfina River estuaries, which will also be included in the Tallahassee workshop.

A copy of the agenda may be obtained by contacting: Eric Shaw, Department of Environmental Protection, Water Quality Standards Program, MS #6511, 2600 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, FL 32399-2400, [phone] or email: [e-mail].

Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this workshop/meeting is asked to advise the agency at least 5 days before the workshop/meeting by contacting: Eric Shaw at [phone] or via email: [e-mail]. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1(800)955-8771 (TDD) or 1(800)955-8770 (Voice).