(ATLANTA - June 13, 2012) - According to the E.P.A., permits submitted by the state of Florida under the federal Clean Water Act (CWA) to enhance the quality of water flowing into the Everglades will satisfy the agency's permit objections and meet the requirements of the CWA in EPA's September 3, 2010 Amended Determination.
The submission contains a suite of plans to be built and implemented by the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) that will reduce phosphorus discharges into the Everglades. The plans and related implementation schedule will be formalized through FDEP water-discharge permits issued to the SFWMD under the CWA and through an enforcement consent order between the 2 state agencies. E.P.A. retains authority to enforce the permit requirements and will maintain an oversight role under a framework arrangement between E.P.A. and FDEP.
"The Obama Administration is firmly committed to protecting and restoring the Everglades, an extraordinary ecosystem and international treasure," said Gwen Keyes Fleming, Regional Administrator for EPA's southeastern region. "A healthy Everglades is vital to the well-being of Florida and contributes jobs and billions of dollars to Florida's economy."
In response to an order from Judge Alan Gold of the U.S. Court of the Southern District of Florida, on September 3, 2010 E.P.A. released a plan, known as the "Amended Determination," that established a detailed blueprint for the actions required under the CWA by Florida to achieve CWA requirements for reducing total phosphorus in water delivered to the Everglades. E.P.A. later objected to outline Florida permits for phosphorus discharges that did not meet federal requirements.
E.P.A. gave Florida the opportunity to submit an alternative to the Amended Determination that was effective in meeting water quality goals and was enforceable. On September 29, 2011, Florida Governor Rick Scott provided an alternative project to federal officials.
EPA, FDEP and SFWMD then engaged in extensive discussions about the Governor's project in which E.P.A. recommended enhanced water treatment plans and other features to enhance water quality protections and the parties developed an enforceable framework of permits and State orders to achieve phosphorus discharge limits.
Phosphorus is a nutrient that comes from both natural sources and fertilizers. Too much phosphorus causes chemical and biological changes that degrade natural systems, such as wetlands, lakes and coastal areas.
"Today's action is the culmination of an intensive seven-month process of discussions among EPA, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), the SFWMD, and other key federal agencies, including Interior and the Department of the Army, on the project to clean up the Everglades," Keyes Fleming added. "We appreciate the hard work that all parties have undertaken to deliver this final package to EPA."
The permits and orders submitted by the state establish for the 1st time a science-based protective limit (WQBEL) on phosphorus pollution discharges into the Everglades, plans to remove phosphorus to achieve that limit, a robust project of monitoring and scientific research to confirm that the restoration is moving forward, and an enforceable framework to ensure compliance.
According to Keyes Fleming, E.P.A. intends to remain an active partner with the State in overseeing implementation of the project through the mechanisms for consultation and reporting established in the permit and framework arrangement and is committed to working with the State to assure timely completion of the remedy plans and achievement of the WQBEL. The Agency will also explore with the FDEP and the SFWMD opportunities to accelerate work called for by the plan, if practical, so that the WQBEL might be achieved more quickly.
The Obama Administration has reinvigorated federal leadership on the Everglades, investing in excess of $1.4 billion to jump start construction plans to enhance water quality and distribution and protect habitat on working lands. In partnership with the State of Florida, progress includes restoring in excess of 3,000 acres of the floodplains along the Kissimmee River, breaking ground on the 1st mile of bridging for the Tamiami Trail and starting implementation of key components of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration plan.
The water quality plans to be undertaken by the State complement these efforts and represent a critical additional step toward Everglades restoration. They include a significant expansion of wetland treatment systems that filter and clean the water before release, and new components, called Flow Equalization Basins (FEBs), that will store and slowly release water to the wetland treatment systems (known as Stormwater Treatment Areas or STAs). There are currently about 60,000 acres of these marsh treatment systems already in place or under construction. The project identifies another 6,500 acres of STAs and approximately 110,000 acre-feet of water storage on approximately 19,000 acres of FEBs dedicated to provide clean water for the Everglades.
To view E.P.A. documents relating to this release go to: http://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/states/fl.html
To view State of Florida documents go to: http://depnewsroom.wordpress.com/hot-topics/everglades/
