DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
NOTICE OF PROPOSED WATER QUALITY STUDY
The Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) gives notice of the intent of Mosaic Fertilizer, LLC to conduct a study of water quality in Brushy Creek, Lettis Creek and Troublesome Creek in Hardee County, to which the company proposes to discharge under its FDEP Permit (No. FL0040177) Mosaic Hardee South Pasture Mine. The purpose of this study is to establish appropriate numeric interpretations of the narrative nutrient standard for Brushy Creek, Lettis Creek and Troublesome Creek under Rules 62-302.531 and Chapter 62-650, Florida Administrative Code (FAC). At the conclusion of the study, these numeric interpretations may be established as Level II Water Quality Based Effluent Limits (WQBELs), or another site-specific order of the FDEP.
Upon request, the plan of study (POS) 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 205E, Tallahassee, FL 32399, (850)245-8190 or the Department of Environmental Protection, Phosphate Management Section, 13051 N. Telecom Parkway, Temple Terrace, FL 33637-0926, (813)470-5911. Electronic copies of the POS are also available during normal business hours.
Any interested person may submit written comments on the POS to: Nia Wellendorf, Aquatic Ecology and Quality Assurance Section, Department of Environmental Protection, 2600 Blair Stone Road, MS 6511, Tallahassee, FL 32399, Nijole.Wellendorf@dep.state.fl.us. Comments must be received within 14 days of publication of this notice.
In response to comments received pertaining to the POS prior to the proposed commencement date, the applicant may revise the POS if necessary. Upon approval of any revisions to the POS by FDEP, the applicant shall conduct the study for purposes of establishing numeric interpretations of the narrative nutrient standard for the affected receiving waters.
Although FDEP may allow for informal dispute resolution during the study period, the study is considered 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.
