Water Quality Standards for Phosphorus Within the Everglades Protection Area  

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    DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

    RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

    62-302.540Water Quality Standards for Phosphorus Within the Everglades Protection Area

    NOTICE OF CHANGE

    Notice is hereby given that the following changes have been made to the proposed rule in accordance with subparagraph 120.54(3)(d)1., F.S., published in Vol. 36 No. 37, September 17, 2010 issue of the Florida Administrative Register.

    The change is in response to written material submitted to the agency between the date of publication of the notice and the end of the final public hearing.  § 120.54(3)(d), Fla. Stat.  Since the notice of proposed rule was originally published, a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit was issued to the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) for the phosphorus discharges from the stormwater treatment areas (STAs) to the Everglades Protection Area.  The permit was a key component of the negotiated water quality restoration program of the Everglades, generally referred to as Restoration Strategies, and not challenged. The purpose of the rule change in this notice is to clearly reflect the permit requirements for the STAs. The Department of Environmental Protection had discussions with local agricultural stakeholders, key environmental groups, the SFWMD, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to ensure this rule change was agreeable to all parties. 

     

    62-302.540 Water Quality Standards for Phosphorus Within the Everglades Protection Area.

    (1) through (4) No change.

    (5) Long-Term Compliance Permit Requirements for Phosphorus Discharges into the EPA.

    (a) Phosphorus discharge levels Discharges into the EPA shall be deemed in compliance with this rule state water quality standards upon a demonstration that those phosphorus levels in the discharges will be at or below a water quality based effluent limit calculated pursuant to Chapter 62-650, F.A.C., to achieve the phosphorus criterion set forth in this rule.

    (b) No change.

    (6) through (7) No change.