Introductions

Presentation to Stakeholders for the Caloosahatchee Estuary excessive nitrogen pollution issue

Introductions

Background information on the Caloosahatchee River/Estuary

Environmental/Health Concerns with elevated nitrogen levels

Regulations, laws and policies governing Nitrogen pollution in our waterways

Nitrogen reduction plan and key players involved

Community/Environmental involvement

1Introductions

Script Notes:Good Afternoon everyone my name is John Hamilton and I am the Basin Coordinator for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Watershed Planning and coordination Section. I would like to thank the Mayors of Cape Coral/Fort Meyers, Mr. John Sullivan and Randall Henderson, as well as representatives from our Agricultural industries, our local community representatives, our city and county resource department, city and county facility/utility managers, our local environmental groups and finally our State/County department heads from the transportation, environmental and parks and recreation sections. I have gathered you all here to discuss the recent article that we wrote in Florida Sentinel about the water quality with regards to Excessive nitrogen pollution (500,000 pounds) found in the Caloosahatchee estuary.

2Background of Caloosahatchee EstuaryThe Caloosahatchee Estuary is fed by the Caloosahatchee River, Lake Okeechobee and the Kissimmee River

Here is a small presentation on the water flow and how it makes it way to the Caloosahatchee Estuary as well as some of the challenges and steps we have taken to reduce the nitrogen levels along the way (1)

http://www.sfwmd.gov/portal/page/portal/xweb%20protecting%20and%20restoring/protecting%20and%20restoring%20ecosystems#monitor

Script Notes:3Background of Caloosahatchee River/EstuaryHere is a ten year sampling period for the Caloosahatchee River. This chart documents the nitrogen content in the river during a ten year period (2)

Script Notes:4Background of Caloosahatchee River/EstuaryHere is a ten year sampling period for the Caloosahatchee. This chart documents the dissolved Oxygen (DO) in the river during a ten year period (3)

Script Notes:5Land uses of the Caloosahatchee Estuary (7)

Script Notes:6Environmental/Health Concerns from Excessive Nitrogen PollutionExcessive nitrogen pollution in the water can lead toExcessive algae growth overstimulation of aquatic plants which can use up dissolved oxygen

Excessive algae can block water intakes, use up dissolved oxygen which can cause fish kills and make some waterways impassible by boats if the algae is thick enough

In drinking water excessive nitrogen can cause blue baby syndrome in infants that are younger than four months old and it can also negatively impact young livestock as well (4)

Script Notes:7Regulations, Laws and Policies related to Nitrogen Pollution in waterThe State complies with Section 303 (d) of the Clean Water Act, which directs each state to develop Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for each water quality limited segment reported (5)

The state of Florida has enacted legislation (403.067) which provides a framework for how TMDLs will be developed in Florida

The state also has the Surface Water Quality Standards - Chapter 62-302 that we are required to meet as well as the impaired water rules Chapter 62-302

We must also create and adhere to a Basin Management Action Plan as well

We also have the Caloosahatchee River Watershed Protection Program as well which details out BMP for enactment

Script Notes:8