16717191, 62-302.200 - Florida Administrative Rules, Law, Code, Register

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Notice: 16717191

Notice of Proposed Rule

Department:

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Chapter:

SURFACE WATER QUALITY STANDARDS

Overview

RULE:

62-302.200	Definitions
62-302.300	Findings, Intent, and Antidegradation Policy for Surface Water Quality
62-302.400	Classification of Surface Waters, Usage, Reclassification, Classified Waters
62-302.530	Table: Surface Water Quality Criteria
62-302.531	Numeric Interpretations of Narrative Nutrient Criteria
62-302.532	Estuary-Specific Numeric Interpretations of the Narrative Nutrient Criterion
62-302.533	Dissolved Oxygen Criteria for Class I, Class II, Class III, and Class III-Limited Waters
62-302.800	Site Specific Alternative Criteria

PURPOSE:

The proposed rules revise several definitions used in Chapter 62-302, F.A.C., by updating reference information as well as updating a number of biological standard operating procedures that are incorporated by reference.  The proposed rules change the classification of a number of estuarine waters around the state from Class III to Class II (shellfish propagation or harvesting) waters, with specific areas identified by incorporation of maps by reference.  The water quality criteria for alkalinity are revised to address waterbodies with naturally low levels of alkalinity.  The water quality criteria for un-ionized ammonia in fresh water are replaced with criteria for total ammonia.  The water quality criteria for bacteriological quality (fecal coliform) are replaced with criteria for Escherichia coli bacteria (fresh water) and Enterococci bacteria (marine waters), although Class II waters still also retain fecal coliform criteria as well.   New water quality criteria are established for nonylphenol, carbaryl (fresh water only), chlorpyrifos, and diazinon.  The proposed rules clarify the methodology for determining lake color and alkalinity when assessing nutrients in lakes.  The estuarine nutrient region boundaries for Naples Bay and Tampa Bay are slightly revised.  Clarification is made to the total nitrogen methodology for Sarasota Bay.  The proposed rules also clarify how to calculate annual geometric and arithmetic means for nutrients in marine waters.  The proposed rules also update several rule references.

SUMMARY:

The Department is amending Chapter 62-302, F.A.C., to: (1) update a number of biological standard operating procedures, (2) reclassify a number of estuarine waterbodies from Class III to Class II, (3) replace criteria for un-ionized ammonia (fresh water) with criteria for total ammonia, (4) replace criteria for bacteriological quality (fecal coliform) with criteria for Escherichia coli bacteria (fresh water) and Enterococci bacteria (marine water), (5) establish new water quality criteria for nonylphenol, carbaryl (fresh water only), chlorpyrifos, and diazinon, (6) clarify the methodology for determining lake color and alkalinity when assessing nutrients in lakes, (7) revise the estuarine nutrient region boundaries for Naples Bay and Tampa Bay, (8) clarify the calculation of annual geometric and arithmetic means for nutrients in marine waters, and (9) update several rule references.
The Department conducted an initial set of public workshops on June 10 and June 11, 2015, in Tallahassee and Orlando, respectively, followed by public workshops on September 15, September 16, and September 17, 2015, in West Palm Beach, Orlando, and Tallahassee, respectively.
OTHER RULES INCORPORATING THIS RULE: Chapter 62-302, F.A.C., is referenced by the following rules:  
18-2.021, 62-4.160, 62-4.241, 62-4.242, 62-4.244, 62-4.246, 62-25.001, 62-25.025, 62-25.080, 62-40.120, 62-40.210, 62-45.070, 62-45.170, 62-110.106, 62-113.200, 62-301.100, 62-302.200, 62-302.300, 62-302.400, 62-302.500, 62-302.520, 62-302.530, 62-302.531, 62-302.532, 62-302.540, 62-302.700, 62-302.800, 62-303.100, 62-303.200, 62-303.320, 62-303.330, 62-303.351, 62-303.352, 62-303.353, 62-303.354, 62-303.370, 62-303.390, 62-303.400, 62-303.430, 62-303.450, 62-303.720, 62-304.310, 62-304.335, 62-312.400, 62-330.100, 62-330.200, 62-330.405, 62-330.410, 62-330.412, 62-330.630, 62-340.700, 62-346.050, 62-346.051, 62-346.301, 62-348.200, 62-520.200, 62-520.520, 62-528.610, 62-528.630, 62-600.120, 62-600.200, 62-600.300, 62-600.400, 62-600.430, 62-600.440, 62-600.500, 62-600.520, 62-610.200, 62-610.300, 62-610.310, 62-610.554, 62-610.555, 62-610.650, 62-610.670, 62-610.810, 62-610.820, 62-610.830, 62-610.850, 62-610.860, 62-611.110, 62-611.200, 62-611.450, 62-611.500, 62-611.600, 62-611.650, 62-611.700, 62-620.320, 62-620.620, 62-621.303, 62-624.800, 62-625.400, 62-640.400, 62-650.300, 62-660.300, 62-673.340, 62-673.610, 62-701.200, 62-709.500, 62-711.540, 62-761.200, 62-762.201, 62-770.200, 62-771.100, 62-777.150, 62-777.170, 62-780.200, 62-782.200, 62-785.200, 62B-49.008, 62B-49.012, 62C-16.0051, F.A.C.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY:

403.061, 403.062, 403.087, 403.088, 403.504, 403.704, 403.804, 403.805 FS.

LAW:

373.414, 403.021, 403.021(11), 403.031, 403.061, 403.062, 403.067, 403.085, 403.086, 403.087, 403.088, 403.101, 403.141, 403.161, 403.182, 403.502, 403.504, 403.702, 403.708, 403.802 FS.

PRINT PUBLISH DATE:

11/4/2015 Vol. 41/215

COMMENTS:

From 11/4/2015 To 11/25/2015 (21 Days)
The public comment period for this notice has already expired.

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

Ref-01207 Applicability of Chlorophyll a Methods
Ref-01208 Sampling and Use of the Stream Condition Index (SCI) for Assessing Flowing Waters: A Primer
Ref-01209 SCI 1000 Stream Condition Index Methods DEP-SOP-003/11
Ref-01210 Sampling and Use of the Lake Vegetation Index (LVI) for Assessing Lake Plant Communities in Florida: A Primer
Ref-01212 Development of Type III Site Specific Alternative Criteria for Nutrients
Ref-01214 Map of Nutrient Watershed Regions
Ref-01235 Lake Regions of Florida (Part One)
Ref-01250 Lake Regions of Florida (Part Two)
Ref-01251 Lake Regions of Florida (Part Three)
Ref-01252 Lake Regions of Florida (Part Four)
Ref-01253 Lake Regions of Florida (Part Five)
Ref-01254 Lake Regions of Florida (Part Six - maps)
Ref-02905 NNC Implementation Document
Ref-02906 SCI Primer
Ref-02907 LVI Primer
Ref-02908 SCI 1000
Ref-02909 LVI 1000
Ref-02910 FS 7000
Ref-02911 FT 3000
Ref-02912 Development of Type III SSAC for Nutrients
Ref-02944 FT 3100
Ref-02945 FA 5720, Section 1
Ref-02955 Appendix I of DO Technical Support Document, March 2013
Ref-02956 Appendix H of DO Technical Support Document, March 2013
Ref-02959 SCI 1000 Stream Condition Index SOP
Ref-02960 Process for Reclassifying the Designated Uses of Florida Surface Waters
Ref-03017 Map of Florida Coastal Segments
Ref-03018 Sections 1.4.3 and 1.4.4 of EPA Technical Support Document
Ref-03019 Section 1.6.3 of EPA Technical Support Document
Ref-04334 LVI 1000 Lake Vegetation Index Methods
Ref-05420 Maps of the Florida Estuary Nutrient Regions (October 2014)
Ref-06033 Map of Nutrient Watershed Regions, dated October 12, 2011
Ref-06035 FT 3100 Stream and River Habitat Assessment (DEP-SOP-001/01), dated March 1, 2014
Ref-06036 FA 5720, Section 1, Training for Habitat Assessment Testing, in DEP-SOP-001/01, dated March 1, 2014
Ref-06037 LVI 1000: Lake Vegetation Index Methods (DEP-SOP-003/11 LVI 1000), dated 3/1/14
Ref-06038 Sampling and Use of the Lake Vegetation Index (LVI) for Assessing Lake Plant Communities in Florida: A Primer (DEP-SAS-002/11), dated 10-24-11
Ref-06039 SCI 1000: Stream Condition Index Methods (DEP-SOP-003/11 SCI 1000), dated 3/1/14
Ref-06040 Sampling and Use of the Stream Condition Index (SCI) for Assessing Flowing Waters: A Primer (DEP-SAS-001/11), dated 10-24-11
Ref-06041 FS 7000 General Biological Community Sampling (DEP-SOP-001/01), dated March 1, 2014
Ref-06042 FT 3000 Aquatic Habitat Characterization (DEP-SOP-001/01), dated March 1, 2014
Ref-06043 Applicability of Chlorophyll a Methods” (DEP-SAS-002/10), dated October 24, 2011
Ref-06044 Development of Type III Site Specific Alternative Criteria (SSAC) for Nutrients, (DEP-SAS-004/11), dated October 24, 2011
Ref-06047 Technical Support Document for Conducting and Reviewing Freshwater Mussel Occurrence Surveys for the Development of Site-specific Water Quality Criteria for Ammonia, EPA-800-R-13-003
Ref-06048 Revised Deletion Process for the Site-Specific Recalculation Procedure for Aquatic Life Criteria, EPA-823-R-13-001
Ref-06050 Maps of the Florida Estuary Nutrient Regions, dated October 2014 and October 2015

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