Project Summary

1. Project ID
Name	TMDL Development Support ; Selection of Quantitative Nutrient Management Targets for Impaired Waters in the Peace River Basin
Region	Gulf of Mexico Region
State	FL
Location	Peace River
Date of this update	8/10/00

2. Problem(s) addressed (check one or more)

Habitat Restoration/Protection
Wetlands
River systems
Beaches/Dunes
Offshore areas
Mangroves
Assisting Species at Risk
Pollution Mitigation
Non-Point Source Pollution
Other (describe)

3. Project description (100 words or less)

A. Description of the Issue to be Resolved by the Project

Numerous lakes and stream segments in the Peace River drainage basin are currently included on the Florida 303(d) list of impaired waters, and the State will be developing TMDLs for these listed waters in coming years. Excessive nutrient loadings and eutrophication are the primary water-quality issues in the basin, which (in addition to impacts from agriculture and urban development) contains extensive phosphate deposits and has been the site of a substantial surface strip mining and fertilizer production industry since the late 1800's.

Florida currently lacks numerical water-quality standards regarding nutrient loadings and eutrophication, relying instead on a narrative standard that states: "In no case shall nutrient concentrations of a body of water be altered so as to cause an imbalance in natural populations of aquatic flora or fauna" (Ch. 62-302.530, Florida Administrative Code). Although it provides broad conceptual guidance, this narrative standard alone is not a sufficient basis for successful water-quality management. Watershed managers must convert the narrative standard into quantitative, waterbody-specific goals or targets to guide their management strategies and actions, including the development of legislatively-mandated TMDLs. The proposed project will initiate the process of developing quantitative, consensus-based nutrient management targets for impaired waters in the Peace River basin.

B. Description of the Proposed Project

The project will be carried out in four steps:

1) The available water-quality data (e.g., from existing USGS, FDEP, SWFWMD and local government monitoring programs) will be collated, and a brief (<20 page) summary will be prepared and disseminated to watershed stakeholders. The target audience for the water-quality summary will include federal and state agency staffs, local governments, agricultural, industrial and development interests, and environmental organizations.

2) Because of its large size (>2,300 mi²) the watershed will be divided into three regions (upper, middle, and lower) for target-setting purposes. A facilitated workshop will be held in each region to give all stakeholders an opportunity to review and comment on the water-quality summary, the State's narrative standard, and other pertinent information, and to identify their preferred strategy for target development.

3) Based on the results of the initial workshops, a second round of facilitated one-day workshops will be held in each region. Using the target-development strategy identified in the initial workshop, the stakeholders will be tasked with selecting quantitative, consensus-based nutrient management targets for all waters in the Peace River basin that are currently included on the State's 303(d) list.

4) A project report will be prepared, summarizing the available water-quality data and the outcome of the facilitated workshops, and disseminated to the workshop participants and other interested parties.

4. Goals/Benefits (quantify where possible using measures of success list) Was a cost-benefit study conducted for this project? yes/no If yes, provide a summary of findings.

5. Partners (include each participant's responsibilities - funding, permitting, etc.)

6. Funding/Contributions (organization and amount)

Cash

Federal

Non Federal

State government
Local government
Private industry
Public interest groups

Total


In-Kind Services (hours, equipment, or other forms of assistance and estimated dollar value)

Volunteers (number of people and hours, and estimated dollar value)

7. Legislative authorities used by each participant

8. Value added by Coastal America Partnership including Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) goals achieved through this collaboration (500 words or less)

9. Project Status

• Initiation date:
• Completion date:
• Current stage (Initiated - I, Underway - U or Completed - C)

10. Contacts

11. Any additional information/comments