The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announces a set of public workshops for the Triennial Review of state surface water quality standards. These workshops are a follow-up to the Triennial Review kickoff public workshops/hearings held in May 2019.

The Triennial Review of surface water quality standards is a requirement of the Federal Clean Water Act.  All surface water quality standards in Chapters 62-4, 62-302, 62-303, and 62-304, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.), are under review and may be revised as part of the Triennial Review.

DATE AND TIME: Wednesday, November 6, 2019, 9:00 a.m.

PLACE: Nova Southeastern University, Halmos College of Natural Sciences and Oceanography, Guy Harvey Oceanographic Center Auditorium, 8000 N. Ocean Drive, Dania Beach, Florida

The Department will present information about potential revisions to Florida’s surface water quality standards, including consideration of U.S. EPA 304(a) criteria recommendations. The public will have an opportunity to comment; however, the same material will be presented at each workshop, so you do not need to attend multiple workshops.

The Department is considering revisions to specific rule sections in Chapter 62-302 and 62-303, F.A.C. Revisions under consideration during this Triennial Review include:

Chapter 62-302, F.A.C.: 1) revision of the marine and freshwater cadmium criteria, 2) clarification of the application of the Ten Percent Threshold Value (TPTV) bacteria criteria, 3) revision of the turbidity criterion, including a criterion to protect corals and hardbottom communities, 4) adoption by reference of a document titled “Implementation of the Turbidity Criterion for the Protection of Coral Reef and Hardbottom Communities”, 5) Cyanotoxin criteria (Microcystin and Cylindrospermopsin), 6) revisions to the document titled Implementation of Florida’s Numeric Nutrient Standards (specific sections proposed for incorporation by reference), 7) adoption of Type II site specific alternative criteria (SSACs) for dissolved oxygen for eleven freshwater streams, 8) incorporation of compliance schedule authorization language into Chapter 62-302, F.A.C., 9) creation of new maps showing Class II (Shellfish Propagation or Harvesting) waters in selected counties, 10) revision of the Florida Coastal Segment Numeric Nutrient Criteria (NNC) map, 11) revisions to a number of estuary nutrient region (ENR) maps, 12) revision of references to definitions of “canals” and “channels” in the descriptions of Outstanding Florida Waters listed in Rule 62-302.700, F.A.C., and 13) updates to a number of rule references.

Chapter 62-303, F.A.C.: 1) revision of the definition of “predominantly marine waters” and “predominantly fresh waters” in Chapter 62-303, F.A.C., 2) clarification of listing thresholds for both the Planning and Verified Lists in Chapter 62-303, F.A.C., 3) addition of text to Chapter 62-303, F.A.C., to assess more expressions of NNC, 4) clarification of listing thresholds in Chapter 62-303, F.A.C., for listings based on fish consumption advisories, 5) revision of the trend assessment for nutrients in Chapter 62-303, F.A.C., to use the Mann-Kendall Trend Test, 6) addition of language to Chapter 62-303, F.A.C., to incorporate portions of the document titled “Implementation of Florida’s Numeric Nutrient Standards” by reference, and 7) updates to a number of rule references.

No changes are proposed to Chapter 62-4, F.A.C., or Chapter 62-304, F.A.C., at this time.

Copies of the workshop agendas, proposed rule language, implementation documents, maps, technical support documents, and EPA documents can be downloaded from the Department’s Triennial Review webpage at https://floridadep.gov/dear/water-quality-standards/content/triennial-review-water-quality-standards.

Link to the Florida Administrative Register (FAR) Notices of Meeting/Workshop Hearing: Chapters 62-4, 62-302, 62-303, and 62-304, F.A.C.

Please contact Kaitlyn Sutton (e-mail: [email protected]; phone: 850-245-8819) if you have any questions about the workshops or need additional information about the Triennial Review.

Regards,

Ken Weaver

Environmental Administrator

Standards Development Section

Florida Department of Environmental Protection

2600 Blair Stone Road, MS 6511

Tallahassee, FL 32399-2400