Framework Agreement Principals Meeting #5 March 23, 2015
Everglades Water Quality Restoration
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Welcome, Meeting Purpose and Objective Stormwater Treatment
Area Performance Science Plan Downstream Monitoring Consent Order
Milestone Report Enforcement Matters Differing Opinions of the
Technical Representatives Other Topics/Miscellaneous Agenda 2
Slide 3
Welcome, Meeting Purpose and Objective 3
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Meeting Purpose and Objective Discuss topics required by the
Consent Order and Framework Agreement The Regional Administrator,
USEPA Region IV, and the Secretary of FDEP (Principals), and
appropriate staff as needed, shall meet twice annually to discuss
Everglades water quality conditions and progress toward attainment
of water quality standards until each of the STAs meets the WQBEL
necessary to meet water quality standards for total phosphorus in
the Everglades. Source: FDEP and USEPA. 2012. Everglades Water
Quality Restoration Framework Agreement between U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Region IV, and Florida Department of
Environmental Protection. June 12, 2012. 4
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Required Discussion Topics Agenda ItemRequired Discussion
Topics Stormwater Treatment Area Performance TP concentrations and
loads entering each of the STAs TP concentrations and loads
discharged fromeach of the STAs TP concentrations and loadsdiverted
around each of the STAs Science Plan results from research
conducted in accordance with the Science Plan described below and
in paragraph 13 of the NPDES Consent Order B Downstream Monitoring
monitoring results for downstream monitoring (as described in
paragraph 14 of the NPDES Consent Order) A Consent Order Milestone
Report progress of the SFWMD in achieving the milestones on the
NPDES permits C Enforcement Mattersenforcement matters as noted in
section F Differing Opinions of Technical Representatives
resolution, as necessary, of any differing technical opinions of
the science representatives of the USEPA, FDEP and the SFWMD Notes:
A paragraph 14 appears to be a typo; downstream monitoring is
described in paragraph 15 B paragraph 13 appears to be a typo; the
Science Plan is described in paragraph 14 C permits appears to be a
typo; corrective actions and deadlines (aka milestones) are
provided in the Consent Order 5
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Stormwater Treatment Area Performance 6
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Stormwater Treatment Areas (STAs) SFWMD Florida 7
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Everglades STA1W Lake Okeechobee STA-3/4 STA-2 STA5/6 STA1E N
Permitted STA Area 1994: 4,000 acres 1999: 9,000 acres 2000: 18,000
acres 2003: 35,000 acres 2004: 40,000 acres 2006: 45,000 acres
2012: 57,000 acres Stormwater Treatment Areas (STAs) Protection
Area EasternFlowpath CentralFlowpath WesternFlowpath 8
Slide 9
Water Quality Based Effluent Limit Developed to be protective
of the Everglades Protection Area and allow for the achievement of
the Everglades phosphorus criterion (1o ppb) established in Rule
62-302.540, F.A.C. WQBEL Total Phosphorus concentrations in the
discharge from each STA shall not exceed: 13 ppb as an annual
flow-weighted mean (FWM) in more than 3 out of 5 water years on a
rolling basis; and 19 ppb as an annual flow-weighted mean (AFWM) in
any water year 9
Slide 10
STA Inflows and Outflows Total Phosphorus Concentration All
STAs combined Flow-weighted Mean (FWM) TP (ppb) Inflow (acre-feet)
Note: Contains provisional data which is subject to change 10
Slide 11
STA Inflows and Outflows (contd) Total Phosphorus Load All STAs
combined Total Phosphorus Load (metric tons) TP Load Retained (%)
Note: Contains provisional data which is subject to change TP Load
Reduction of 84% is highest on record (WY2013, WY2015) 11
Slide 12
STA Inflows and Outflows (contd) Total Phosphorus Concentration
Individual STAs Note: Contains provisional data which is subject to
change 12
Slide 13
STA Inflows and Outflows (contd) Total Phosphorus Concentration
Individual STAs Note: Contains provisional data which is subject to
change 13
Slide 14
STA Inflows and Outflows (contd) Total Phosphorus Concentration
Individual STAs Note: Contains provisional data which is subject to
change WCA-3A 14
Slide 15
STA Inflows and Outflows (contd) Note: Contains provisional
data which is subject to change 15 Total Phosphorus Load Reduction
Individual STAs
Slide 16
STA Inflows and Outflows (contd) Note: Contains provisional
data which is subject to change 16 Total Phosphorus Load Reduction
Individual STAs
Slide 17
STA Inflows and Outflows (contd) Total Phosphorus Load
Reduction Individual STAs Note: Contains provisional data which is
subject to change WCA-3A 17
Slide 18
STA Diversions Defined as the delivery of surface water to the
Everglades Protection Area without entering the treatment works May
occur under one or more of the following scenarios: maintenance
flood control to avoid substantial damage to the treatment
facilities to address conflicts with the Endangered Species Act to
address conflicts with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act for low flow
water supply purposes Not permitted for the purposes of achieving
compliance with the WQBEL 18
Slide 19
STA Diversions (contd) Total Phosphorus Load Diverted All STAs
combined Hurricanes Frances, Jeanne and Wilma Tropical Storms
Ernesto (WY2007) and Fay (WY2009) Dryout followed by Intense Wet
Season Start Tropical Storms Isaac (WY2013) and Andrea (WY2014)
Note: Contains provisional data which is subject to change 19
Slide 20
STA-1E Performance Impacts from Exotic Apple Snail Infestation
Exotic Snails First Observed July 2013 Note: Contains provisional
data which is subject to change 20 Virtually all SAV was eliminated
by January 2014
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STA-1E Vegetation Impacts from Exotic Apple Snail Infestation
Exotic Apple Snail Infestation First Observed in Cell 4S in July
2013 Sep. 2013Dec. 2012May 2012Nov. 2013July 2014 21
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Science Plan 22
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Science Plan: Purpose and Objectives Consent Orders and
Framework Agreement require SFWMD to develop and implement a
Science Plan Purpose and Objectives: Identify the key factors that
collectively influence phosphorus reduction and treatment
performance in order to meet the WQBEL at each STA Identify studies
that investigate these key factors that influence phosphorus
treatment performance Focus on better understanding design and
operations that sustain low outflow phosphorus concentrations
(
Slide 24
Science Plan: Progress to Date Final Science Plan submitted to
FDEP (June 7, 2013) Science Plan implementation ongoing Detailed
Study Plans for 8 Science Plan studies updated in Sep. 2014 17
Technical Representatives (Tech Reps) meetings/ workshops held
(Nov. 2012 Feb. 2015) More than 15 private firms and universities
under contract to provide technical support and specialized
expertise 24
Slide 25
Science Plan: Path Forward Continue to implement Science Plan
Review relevant literature Collect field data Continue to analyze
data Complete refurbishment of STA-1W Test Cells Continue to have
Tech Reps meetings every six (6) months, or more often if needed
Next meeting is scheduled for Mar. 26, 2015 Communicate preliminary
results to Tech Reps 25
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Downstream Monitoring 26
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Downstream Monitoring: Summary Purpose: Characterize the
effects of STA discharges on the receiving water bodies All
monitoring completed to date is in accordance with the Consent
Orders Some downstream monitoring was required by previous STA
permits and Administrative Orders 27
Downstream Monitoring: Water Quality Total Phosphorus Summary
TP gradient exists from perimeter canals (higher TP) to interior
marsh (lower TP) TP gradient characteristics are different in each
Water Conservation Area (WCA) As Restoration Strategies projects
are implemented, TP reductions are anticipated Downstream
Monitoring will assist in tracking progress Partial Water Year (WY)
2015 TP gradients are similar to previous years 29
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Downstream Monitoring: Water Quality Total Phosphorus Data
Transect Location WY2015 15 ppb line 10 ppb line STA-1E Transect
(LOXA135-LOXA139) STA-1W Transect 1 (LOXA104-LOXA108) Note:
Contains provisional data which is subject to change 15 ppb line 10
ppb line 30
Slide 31
Downstream Monitoring: Water Quality Total Phosphorus Data
(contd) Transect Location WY2015 STA-2 Transect 1 (2AN.25-2AN6)
STA-2 Transect 2 (2AC.25-2AC5) 1 2 Note: Contains provisional data
which is subject to change 15 ppb line 10 ppb line 15 ppb line 10
ppb line 31
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Downstream Monitoring: Water Quality Total Phosphorus Data
(contd) Transect Location 3 WY2015STA-2 Transect 3 (2AFS.25-CA29)
Note: Contains provisional data which is subject to change 15 ppb
line 10 ppb line 32
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Downstream Monitoring: Soil TP and Vegetation - Summary
Indicator of degraded Everglades habitat, degraded ecological
function, degraded water quality, previous phosphorus inputs No
updates at this time 2015 vegetation data collection ongoing 2015
soil data collection will start in May 2015 data will be presented
at Principals Meeting #6 33
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Consent Order Milestone Report 34
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Restoration Strategies: Key Projects 35
Slide 36
Consent Order Milestones Achieved ProjectMilestone DeadlineDate
Completed Eastern Flowpath L-8 Divide Structure Initiate
Design10/1/20129/10/2012 Complete Design9/30/20143/5/2014 Initiate
Construction10/1/20169/11/2014 S-5AS Modifications Initiate
Design10/1/20129/10/2012 Complete Design9/30/20144/17/2014 Initiate
Construction10/1/20149/11/2014 S-375 ExpansionInitiate
Design9/30/20133/4/2013 Flow Equalization Basin (L-8 FEB) Submit
State and Federal Permit Applications 1/31/20145/13/2013
Construction Status Report 3/1/20142/25/2014 Construction Status
Report 3/1/20152/26/2015 36 = Achieved since previous Principals
Meeting in July 2014
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Consent Order Milestones Achieved ProjectMilestone DeadlineDate
Completed Eastern Flowpath (continued) 4,700-acre STA Expansion
Initiate Design9/30/20139/17/2013 Complete Land Acquisition
9/30/20134/23/2014 Submit State and Federal Permit Applications
7/30/20147/22/2014 Repairs and Modifications to STA-1E PSTA
Decommissioning Complete Prior to long- term operations 8/21/2014
37 = Achieved since previous Principals Meeting in July 2014
Slide 38
Consent Order Milestones Achieved ProjectMilestone DeadlineDate
Completed Central Flowpath Flow Equalization Basin (A-1 FEB)
Initiate Design4/1/201212/16/2010 Submit Permit Applications
12/1/20129/17/2012 Design Status Report3/1/20132/1/2013 Complete
Design8/1/20137/24/2013 Initiate Construction6/30/210410/10/2013
Construction Status Report 3/1/20152/26/2015 STA-2 Expansion:
Compartment B Initial flooding and optimization period complete
5/31/2014 5/30/2014 Western Flowpath STA-5/6 Expansion: Compartment
C Initial flooding and optimization period complete
5/31/20145/30/2014 38 = Achieved since previous Principals Meeting
in July 2014
Slide 39
Upcoming Consent Order Milestones ProjectMilestone * Deadline *
Eastern Flowpath 4,700-acre STA Expansion Complete Design7/30/2015
Initiate Construction1/31/2016 S-375 Expansion Complete
Design7/30/2015 Initiate Construction1/31/2016 All milestones with
deadlines during the next 12 months are on track to be complete on
or ahead of schedule. 39
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Project Status Update: A-1 FEB Levee construction (total = 21
miles), canal excavation and internal earthwork ~85% complete
Inflow structures ~85% complete Construction completion expected
June 2015 (~1 year ahead of deadline) Solar-Powered Outflow
Structure to STA-3/4Structure G-722W 40
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A-1 FEB Outflow Structure Pump Station G-370 Discharge Canal
Inflow Channel Seepage Canal Inflow Structure From Miami Canal
STA-3/4 Inflow Canal STA-3/4 41
Slide 42
Project Status Update: L-8 FEB Revetment construction ~ 96%
complete Outflow Pump Station ~78% complete Inflow Structure ~ 66%
complete Cell Connection Improvements ~75% complete Construction
completion expected Oct. 2015 (more than 1 year ahead of deadline)
June 2014January 2015 Outflow Pump Station 42
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L-8 FEB Outflow Pump Station L-8 Canal N To STA-1E/1W 43
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From L-8 Canal L-8 FEB Inflow Structure 44
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Project Status Update: STA-1W Expansion No. 1 Permit
application submitted to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in
Apr. 2014 and FDEP in July 2014 Held two (2) meetings with Tech
Reps (and federal agency consultants) to discuss design concepts
and receive input Intermediate Design will be complete by Apr. 2015
Final Design will be complete by July 2015 SFWMD providing
technical support to USACE for NEPA documentation Environmental
remediation will be required prior to conversion of land to an STA;
coordination with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and pilot
remediation project are ongoing 45
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Project Status Update: STA-1W Expansion No. 1 46
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Project Status Update: STA-1E Repairs and Modifications of
STA-1E (by USACE) Repairs at 32 of 44 culverts complete; target
completion Oct. 2016 Inflow pump trash rake repair activities
started Nov. 2013; target completion May 2015 Decommissioning of
the PSTA project in Cell 2 was completed in Aug. 2014; normal
operations started Oct. 2014 Cell 5 and 7 improvements: In Feb.
2015, SFWMD transmitted a letter to USACE stating that there is
clear evidence that topographic deficiencies significantly
interfere with the authorized purposes or full usefulness of STA-1E
and requested USACE to reconsider their determination that no
further modifications are required. 47
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Enforcement Matters 48
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Enforcement Matters None 49
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Differing Opinions of the Technical Representatives 50
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Differing Opinions of the Technical Representatives None
51
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Other Topics/Miscellaneous 52
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Other Topics/Miscellaneous Flow Equalization Basins and
Federally- Protected Avian Species 53