EPA regulations allow states to place certain impaired water bodies into Category 4b of the Integrated Report Categories instead of Category 5 – Impaired and needs a TMDL. The Florida Watershed Restoration Act (section 403.067(4), Florida Statutes) explicitly allows DEP to not list impaired waters under Category 5 if they already have control programs in place that will ensure water quality standards will be restored. These types of waterbodies – impaired, but with control programs already being implemented to reduce pollutant loadings – are placed in assessment Category 4b for Clean Water Act section 303(d) reporting purposes.

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Sunset at Island Cove, Pinellas County Aquatic Preserve

Lignumvitae Key

John Moran Lake Wales Ridge

Mangrove tunnel in Tampa bay Aquatic Preserves

 

 

Mosquito Lagoon Reasonable Assurance Plan 

a black mangrove colonizes the edge of a spoil island in Indian River Lagoon
 

 

Reasonable Assurance Plan Progress (Category 4b)

 

4b Process StepDescription 

Plan Initiated

  • Entities have contacted the department expressing interest to pursue a 4b plan.
  • Participating partnering entities (public/private) have been identified.
  • Public meeting(s) has been scheduled to kick off development of the plan.

Develop RA Plan

  • Identify responsible participating entities.
  • Delineate the geographic boundary the plan will include:
  • Identify point and non-point source pollutants.
  • Determine appropriate water quality targets for the parameters and waterbodies of concern.
  • Determine necessary nutrient load reductions.
  • Identify projects to provide the reasonable assurance that the proposed. management actions can achieve the designated uses of the waterbody.
  • Calculate credits/reductions for ongoing and planned projects.
  • Identify procedures for monitoring, compliance assessment and reporting.
  • Establish key indicators that will be assessed to provide assurance of progress in towards achieving restoration.
  • Establish an implementation timeframe for the plan.
  • Identify possible funding mechanisms.

 

Finalize RA Plan

  • The plan has been presented to all interested parties and participating entities.
  • Public comments have been requested and received.
  • Plan has been agreed to by all participating entities.

Adopt RA Plan by Secretarial Order

  • Plan has been approved and signed by DEP's secretary.

Implement RA Plan

  • Projects (structural and non-structural) are moving forward and being implemented.
  • Monitoring is continuing.

Evaluate Progress

  • Progress reports are prepared and provided to the participating entities and the department.

Progress Demonstrated

  • Project implementation is verified.
  • Project implementation has resulted in load reductions.
  • Improvements in water quality are observed.

Evaluate Progress

  • Plan is updated as needed to ensure progress continues (e.g., pollutant loads re-evaluated, project progress and monitoring status are evaluated, etc.).

Continued Progress Demonstrated

  • Project implementation is verified.
  • Project implementation has resulted in load reductions.
  • Improvements in water quality are observed.

RA Target Attained

  • Load/concentration target has been achieved.

 

Last Modified: Friday, Dec 13, 2024 - 05:57pm