| Volume 3, Issue 4 | More Protection, Less Process |
February 28, 2003 |
Governor Jeb Bush
Secretary David B. Struhs
In this issue:
Around the State
Capital News
Calendar
Helpful Numbers:
Office of the Secretary
850-245-2011
Office of External Affairs
850-245-2086
Communications
850-245-2112
Environmental Education
850-245-2130
Ombudsman
850-245-2118
Regional Offices:
Northwest -- Pensacola
850-595-8300
Northeast - Jacksonville
904-807-3300
Southwest – Tampa
813-744-6100
Central - Orlando
407-894-7555
South – Ft. Myers
239-332-6975
Southeast - West Palm Beach
561-681-6600
Fort
Lauderdale – On February 20, Florida Department of Environmental
Protection (DEP) Secretary David B. Struhs announced the proposed
numeric water quality standard for phosphorus in America’s Everglades.
Decades of scientific research and biological analyses provide the basis
for the standard. The rule establishes the process for improving water
quality and restoring natural systems in the famed River of Grass.
“No other water quality standard in Florida’s history has ever been so rigorously and comprehensively reviewed,” said Secretary Struhs. “We have used sound science and research to determine a standard that will use the best available technology over time to fully restore and protect this ultra-sensitive natural area.”
The proposed rule establishes a phosphorus standard of 10 parts per billion for the entire freshwater area of the Everglades Protection Area. Over 90 percent of the 2.4 million-acre area
already meets this stringent water standard. The primary tools for reducing phosphorus in the remaining ten percent are continued implementation of Best Management Practices by farmers in the Everglades Agricultural Area and the optimization of 42,000 acres of new wetland filters, known as Stormwater Treatment Areas.
“Florida has already made more progress in less time to reduce phosphorus levels than ever predicted,” said Secretary Struhs. “Such unprecedented success is confirmation that we are on the right track. By making the right investments in the right areas, we will see further improvements that will lead to phosphorus reductions in the remaining 10 percent of impacted areas in the Everglades.”
The proposed rule requires the use of best available technologies to ultimately achieve the water quality standard. An estimated $450 million will be invested over the next decade to implement a detailed, enforceable, long-term plan to ensure continued water quality improvements and protection of America’s Everglades.
The Environmental Regulation Commission will review and consider the proposed rule on February 27. The 1994 Everglades Forever Act directs the DEP to adopt a numeric phosphorus standard by December 2003.
Make Your Mark in Florida’s History as Florida Celebrates 158 years of Statehood!
Tallahassee - Take part in a once-in-a-lifetime process by helping to
choose the design that will grace the back of Florida’s quarter. Five
design finalists were chosen from over 1500 design submittals, featuring
Florida’s unique history, traditions or symbols. The design that captures
the most votes will be submitted to the United States Mint for
circulation.
In 1999, the Mint issued the first five state quarters under the Fifty State Quarters Program. Five quarters will continue to be issued every year in the order in which the states ratified the Constitution or were admitted into the Union. In 1845, Florida became the 27th state to be admitted into the Union. Each quarter's reverse side will celebrate one of the 50 states with a design honoring its unique history, traditions and symbols.
"I am delighted so many Floridians have taken the opportunity to weigh in on the design that will grace the back of the Florida quarter which will become a permanent part of our history," said Governor Bush. "I want to remind everyone they have less than ten days to vote for their favorite
design before it is submitted to the U.S. Mint. I especially want to continue encouraging the teachers and children of our state to use this voting process as a learning tool, providing students with a fun way to sharpen their reading, writing and math skills."
As of February 26, "Gateway to Discovery" Florida quarter design is still in the lead with a total of 95,586 votes. "St. Augustine: Oldest U.S. City" has bumped the "Everglades" design out of second place with 73,218 votes. The "Everglades" design is now in third, pulling in 68,731 votes. "America's Spaceport" remains in fourth with 58,018 votes, and "Fishing Capital of the World" has received 24,416 votes.
The voting period began on February 12, 2003, at 9:30 am, and will end on March 5, 2003, at 9:30 am. The public can continue to cast their votes by visiting the state's website. Voting ends on Wednesday, March 5 at 9:30 am.
Washington, DC - In 1998, a multi-agency partnership was established
in response to growing concern for the nation’s fragile coral reef
ecosystems. On February 27, the Coral Reef Task Force adopted resolutions
that will improve water quality in the Florida Keys, while helping the
U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico upgrade ineffective wastewater
treatment systems.
“I would like to offer strong support for this Resolution,” said Tim Keeney, Deputy Assistant of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere. “The water quality issues in the Florida Keys and other areas are significant and will require additional resources and collaboration to successfully address them.”
Sponsors of the adopted Resolution include the state of Florida, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The resolutions supported include:
- Assist the U.S. Virgin Islands’ in bringing wastewater treatment systems into compliance;
- Apply resources to address wastewater treatment in the Florida Keys;
- Improve the quality and quantity of water entering the tropical reef ecosystems of the Atlantic and Caribbean Oceans through the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan;
- Develop and implement a plan for wastewater hookup prioritization in Puerto Rico;
- Reduce erosion by stabilizing unpaved roads in the U.S. Virgin Islands; and
- Assist in identifying grant opportunities for local governments.
“This Resolution embodies the shift of the Coral Reef Task Force to a broader, regional perspective,” said Bob Ballard, DEP’s Deputy Secretary of Land and Recreation. “Safeguarding water quality to strengthen protection for our coral reef systems is a priority. We are pleased to have NOAA as a partner in this landmark effort.”
Current wastewater treatment systems in the U.S. Virgin Islands do not adequately accommodate the increasing population, and are in dire need of repairs. In Puerto Rico, more than 30 percent of the population is not connected to a wastewater treatment system. And in the Florida Keys, nutrient rich wastewater from some 6,500 cesspits, 25,000 septic tanks, and 900 shallow injection wells contribute to the poor water quality of the nearshore coral reef system. Improving water quality in the Florida Keys is a major goal for the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and the state of Florida.
The Coral Reef Task Force is composed of the heads of eleven federal agencies and the Governors of seven states, territories, and commonwealths. Their mission is to address the coral reef crisis and develop and implement coordinated efforts by mapping and monitoring U.S. coral reefs; conducting research on the causes and solutions of coral reef degradation; reducing coral reef degradation from pollution, overfishing and other causes; and implementing strategies to promote conservation and sustainable use of coral reefs internationally.
Cape
Canaveral –Patrick Air Force Base’s Manatee Cove Marina recently
became the Nation’s first military facility to receive both ‘Clean
Marina’ and ‘Clean Boatyard’ designations. The Florida DEP joined the
United States Air Force to present Manatee Cove with the dual designation
in recognition of their environmental commitment.
“This is another fine example of our partnership with the U.S. military,” said DEP Central District Director Vivian Garfein. “This particular partnership with Patrick Air Force Base has consistently yielded innovation and a cleaner environment. So it's fitting that Patrick's marina is the first of its kind to receive this dual designation.”
Military installations around the state are partnering with DEP to achieve ecological protection and environmental compliance while at the same time meeting all national security requirements. Building on the success of the Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola's Compliance Partnering Team, partnerships include the Space Coast Inter-Agency Environmental Partnership with NASA, Northeast Florida Environmental Compliance Partnering Team with NAS Jacksonville, and the Panhandle Air Force Partnership forged with Eglin, Hurlburt, and Tyndall Air Force bases.
“Protecting Florida’s precious coastal resources requires balanced common sense management,” said DEP Assistant Director of Law Enforcement Maury Kolchakian. “Our military and marine industry partners understand the importance of natural resource conservation and have taken great strides to ensure the protection of Florida’s fragile coastline.”
Marinas achieving ‘Clean Marina’ or ‘Clean Boatyard’ designations have gone beyond environmental compliance requirements to protect Florida’s waterways. Environmental management of sensitive habitat, waste management, stormwater control, spill prevention, and emergency preparedness must be addressed along with staff training and boater education. The Clean Boating Partnership, which includes representation from the Marine Industries Association, the Florida Sea Grant Program, and the United States Coast Guard, developed the Clean Marina Program to assist marinas and boatyards throughout the state with pollution prevention and water resource protection.
Jim Stevenson Resource Manager of the Year Named
Tallahassee - Earlier this month DEP Secretary David B. Struhs
recognized environmental pioneer and long-time state biologist Jim
Stevenson by naming the agency’s highest land protection in his honor. On
February 25, Governor Bush and the Florida Cabinet presented Stevenson
with a resolution, thanking him for his dedication to Florida’s natural
systems and officially naming the State’s top environmental award the
"Jim Stevenson Annual Resource Manager of the Year Award."
Keith Fisher of DEP’s Office of Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas, manager of the 22,705 acre St. Sebastian River State Buffer Preserve, became the first ever recipient of the newly named award. A committee of environmental professionals representing the Florida Audubon Society, The Nature Conservancy, and the Sierra Club chose Fisher for the honor.
“Keith's commitment to environmental protection and his progressive management of the St. Sebastian River buffer preserve deserves credit," said DEP Deputy Secretary of Land and Recreation Bob Ballard. "His aggressive pace of resource management and restoration is critical to the preservation of this fragile piece of Florida.”
The open grassy forests of longleaf pine that once made up most of Florida can still be appreciated today at St. Sebastian River State Buffer Preserve, which spans both Indian River and Brevard counties. Fisher is credited with developing a comprehensive management plan for the preserve and furthering agency and community partnerships.
Fisher was chosen from among seven resource managers nominated for their commitment to the preservation of Florida’s natural resources, including: Reginald Norman, Barrier Islands GEOpark; Ronnie Hudson, Falling Waters and Ponce de Leon Springs State Park; Jim Weimer, Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park; Robert Dye, Myakka River State Park; Boyd Blihovde, Wekiva Springs and Lower Wekiva River State Parks and Rock Springs State Reserve, and Pat Wells, Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park.
| March 6 | DEP Conservation Roundtable |
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