NOTICE OF DRAFT EVERGLADES FOREVER ACT PERMIT, PUBLIC MEETING, AND OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (Department) gives notice of the preparation of a draft permit under the Everglades Forever Act (EFA), Section 373.4592, Florida Statutes, to be issued to the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), 3301 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach, Florida 33406. This permit, when issued, will authorize modifications to, and continued operation of, Stormwater Treatment Areas 1 East (STA-1E) and 1 West (STA-1W). STA-1E and STA-1W are created wetlands treatment systems that discharge treated surface waters into Water Conservation Area (WCA) 1, which is part of the Everglades Protection Area and which is also known as the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge. (The Everglades Protection Area is defined in Section 373.4592(2), Florida Statutes as WCA-1, WCA-2, WCA-3, and Everglades National Park). STA-1E and STA-1W are part of the Everglades Construction Project as defined in Section 373.4592(2)(g), Florida Statutes. The following permits have previously been issued by the Department to SFWMD for the operation and maintenance of these structures: Everglades Permit Nos. 0195030 (STA-1E EFA Permit), FL0304549 (STA-1E NPDES Permit), 0226317 (STA-1W EFA permit), and FL0177962 (STA-1W NPDES permit). A request to modify the NPDES Permit Nos. FL0177962-002-IW7A and FL0304594-002-IW7A has also been received and is being processed.

The Department also announces a public meeting to which all persons are invited.

DATE AND TIME: Friday, July 20, 2007, 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

PLACE: Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Southeast District Office, 400 N. Congress Avenue, 2nd Floor, Main Conference Room, West Palm Beach, Florida 33401

GENERAL SUBJECT MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED: The public meeting, which will occur immediately after the previously noticed public meeting on the draft permits for STA-2, STA-5 and STA-6, will provide an opportunity for the public to provide comments and pose questions regarding the proposed EFA permit for STA-1E and STA-1W, and the associated data and supporting documentation submitted as part of SFWMD’s permit application.

Copies of the agenda for the public meeting, the draft permit, the permit application and supporting data, and other relevant material can be obtained prior to the public meeting by written request to: Ernie Marks, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Water Quality Standards and Special Projects Section, 2600 Blairstone Rd., MS 3560, Tallahassee, FL 32399-2400, (850)245-8440 or online http://ftp.dep.state.fl.us/pub/water/everglades/STA-1E&1W%20Combined%20EFA%20Permit/. This material is also available for public inspection at the Department’s above address during normal business hours, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except legal holidays. All data submitted by the applicant is available as part of the administrative record.

Any interested person may submit oral or written statements and data regarding the draft permit for STA-1E and STA-1W in advance of the public meeting or at the public meeting. As a result of significant public comment, the Department’s final action may be different from the position taken by it in the draft permit. Written comments should be sent to: Ernie Marks, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Water Quality Standards and Special Projects Section, 2600 Blairstone Road, M.S. 3560, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400.

Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this hearing is asked to advise the agency at least five (5) days before the hearing by contacting Ernie Marks at (850)245-8440. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1(800)955-8771 (TDD) or 1(800)955-8770 (Voice).