# Site

- Specific Information in Support of Establishing
Numeric Nutrient Criteria in St. Joseph Sound and
Clearwater Harbor

Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration
Standards and Assessment Section Florida Department of Environmental Protection Tallahassee, FL 32399

August 25, 2010Nutrient Criteria Technical Support Document St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor

Draft ii August 2010 

### Table of Contents

Executive Summary

............................................................................................................... 1
Geographic and Physical Description

..................................................................................... 3

Sources of Nutrients

.............................................................................................................. 7
Biological S ummary

............................................................................................................. 10
Submersed Aquatic Vegetation

................................................................................................ . 10
Epiphyte Loads on Seagrass

...................................................................................................... 16
Phytoplankton Species Composition and Chlorophyll a

............................................................... 16
Macroalgal Species Composition and Biomass

........................................................................... 17
Depth to Seagrass Targets

........................................................................................................ 18

Presen ce and Frequency of Harmful Algal Blooms

...................................................................... 18
Coral or Hard Bottom Community Structure and Areal Extent

.................................................... 18 Shellfish Production and Frequency/Duration of Bed Closures

.................................................... 18 Quantification of Landings from Commercial/Recreational Fisheries

.......................................... 19
Existing Local Biological Indices

................................................................................................ . 23
HABs, Fish Kills

.......................................................................................................................... 23
Hypoxia

................................................................................................ .................................... 23
Other Biological Resources

........................................................................................................ 23 

### Water Quality Studies

......................................................................................................... 23
Existing Regional Nutrient Loading Models

................................................................................ 29 Estuary Segments on 303(d) Impaired Waters List

..................................................................... 29



### Numeric Nutrient Criteria Recommendations

...................................................................... 38

References

.......................................................................................................................... 39Nutrient Criteria Technical Support Document St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor

Draft iii August 2010 

### List of Tables

Table 1a. Checklist of nutrient enrichment symptoms.

................................................................................. 2
Table 1b. Checklist of additional factors.

..................................................................................................... 3
Table 2a. Geographic and land use information for St. Joseph Sound (SJS), Clearwater Harbor (CWH), and Boca Ciega Bay (BCB).

................................................................................................ 5 Table 2b. Detailed land use breakdown for St. Joseph Sound (SJS).

............................................................ 6
Table 2c. Detailed land use breakdown for Clearwater Ha rbor (CWH).

...................................................... 6 Table 3. Median/mean values for sampling strata in western Pinellas County from 2004

- 2008. Strata as in Figure 1 (from Levy et al. 2009, Appendix A).

.......................................................... 24 Table 4. Maximum/minimum values for sampling strata in Western Pinellas County from 2004

- 20 08. Strata as in Figure 1 (from Levy et al. 2009, Appendix A).

................................................ 24
Table 5. Verified impaired waterbodies that empty into St. Joseph Sound, Clearwater Harbor, or Northern Boca Ciega Bay.

........................................................................................................... 34



### List of Figures

Figure 1. Open water assessment segments within Pinellas County. Strata W1

- W8 are discussed in this report. (Figure 5 from Levy et al. 2009)

............................................................................. 4

Fi gure 2. Location of major watersheds contributing to Clearwater Harbor North and South and St. Joseph Sound within Pinellas County, Florida (from Levy 2010).

............................................. 8
Figure 3. Annual freshwater flow into Clearwater Harbor and St. Joseph Sound (from Levy 2010).

........... 9
Figu re 4. Annual loading of total phosphorus from tributaries to Clearwater Harbor and St. Joseph Sound, 2003

- 2008 (from Levy 2010).

................................................................................. 9
Figure 5. Annual loading of total nitrogen from tributaries to Clearwater Harbor and St. Joseph Sound, 2003

- 2008 (from Levy 2010).

.......................................................................................... 10
Figure 6. Mapped submersed aquatic vegetation (SAV) coverage in St. Joseph Sound for 2008 (data provided by SWFMWD).

..................................................................................................... 12
Figure 7. Mapped SAV coverage in Clearwater Harbor for 2008 (data provided by SWFMWD).

.............. 13
Figure 8. Mapped SAV coverage in Boca Ciega Bay for 2008 (data provided by SWFMWD).

................... 14
Figure 9. Spatial representation of the SAV species mean abundance per transect from two years of stratified random sampling in St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor (Figure 10 from Meyer and Levy 2008).

....................................................................................................... 15
Figure 10. Spatial representation of SAV health, epibiont density, sediment type, and depth for seagrass transects from two years of stratified random sampling in St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor (Figure 14 from Meyer and Levy 2008).

................................................ 16
Figure 11. Mean abundance of marine algae and the presence of scallops per transect from two years of stratified random sampling in St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor (Figure 11 from Meyer and Levy 2008).

................................................................................................... 17
Figure 12. Average charter angler pressure per day for St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor. Data from angler survey by FWCC, and maps made by Janicki Environmental, Inc.

.................. 20Nutrient Criteria Technical Support Document St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor

Draft iv August 2010 Figu re 13. Average private boat angler pressure per day for St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor. Data from angler survey by FWCC, and maps made by Janicki Environmental,

Inc.

................................................................................................ ............................................... 21
Figure 14. Average shore angler pressure per day for St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor. Data from angler survey by FWCC, and maps made by Janicki Environmental, Inc.

.................. 22 Figure 15. Pinellas County bottom dissolved oxygen (mg/L) interpolation map applying kriging using 2004

- 2008 data (Figure 10c in Levy et al. 2009).

.............................................................. 25
Figure 16. Pinellas County chlorophyll

- a (μg/L) interpolation map applying inverse distance weighting using 2004

- 2008 data (Figure 9c in Levy et al. 2009).

................................................ 26
Figure 17. Pinellas County transmissivity % (at 660 nm) interpolation map applying kriging usin g 2004

- 2008 data (Figure 8c in Levy et al. 2009).

.......................................................................... 27 Figure 18. Mean chlorophyll a and TN/TP ratios for St. Joseph Sound from 2003

- 2008 (from Levy 2010).

................................................................................................ .......................................... 28 Figure 19. Mean chlorophyll a and TN/TP ratios for North Clearwater Harbor from 1992

- 2008 (from Levy 20 10).

......................................................................................................................... 28 Figure 20. Mean chlorophyll a and TN/TP ratios for South Clearwater Harbor from 1992

- 2008 (from Levy 2010).

......................................................................................................................... 29
Figure 21. Pinellas County waters impaired for chlorophyll a and Trophic State Index (lakes) based on FDEP 2009 verified lists and the 1998 303(d) list for Group 1 and Group 5 basins (Figure 3 in Levy et al. 2009).

........................................................................................... 31
Figure 22. Pinellas County waters impaired for DO based on FDEP 2009 verified lists and the 1998 303(d) list for Group 1 and Group 5 basins (Figure 2 in Levy et al. 2009).

......................... 32
Figure 23. Pinellas County waters impaired for bacteria based on FDEP 2009 Verified Lists and the 1998 303(d) list for Group 1 and Group 5 basins (Figure 4 in Levy et al. 2009).

................... 33Nutrient Criteria Technical Support Document St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor

Draft 1 August 2010 

### Executive Summary

This report was prepared by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), in cooperation
with the Pinellas County Department of Environmental Management

, 1

Submersed aquatic vegetat ion (SAV), including seagrass and macroalgae, is the most nutrient sensitive biological endpoint in St. Joseph Sound

, Clearwater Harbor, and Boca Ciega Bay , and extensive water quality and seagrass data exist for the system since 1992 (since 1950 for seagrass in Boca Ciega Bay)

. The portion of Pinellas County that borders these estuaries is heavily urbanized, and there were historic impacts on water quality and SAV. I mpacts from urbanization have been mitigated in recent decades, and water clarity is gene rally good and SAV coverage is extensive in these areas. St. Joseph Sound has lower chlorophyll a and a greater percentage of SAV coverage than Clearwater Harbor or Boca Ciega Bay , portions of which are on the 303(d) list for chlorophyll a

. The impaired portions of C learwater Harbor and Boca Ciega Bay have longer residence times and less contact with the Gulf of Mexico than the other portions of this region , which would contribute to higher chlorophyll a in those areas, even in
the absence of urban influence. Chlorophyll a concentrations have declined in the past two decades in the entire region, and SAV coverage has increased during that time , likely due to nutrient control measures employed by county and city government in this region. Based on the inf ormation gathered here, aquatic life use is being fully supported in St. Joseph Sound, northern Clearwater Harbor, and southern Boca Ciega Bay, and efforts are underway to attain fully supported aquatic life use in southern Clearwater Harbor and northern Boca Ciega Bay. to support the development of site specific numeric nutrient criteria for St. Joseph Sou nd, Clearwater Harbor, and Boca Ciega Bay. The primary purpose of the proposed numeric nutrient criteria is to protect healthy well

- balanced natural populations of flora and fauna from the effects of excess nutrient enrichment.

Pinellas County has hired Janicki Environmental consulting firm to develop nutrient and transparency targets for St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor. That work is being overseen by the Clearwater Harbor/St. Joseph Sound Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan (CCMP) Working Group. The anticipated completion date for the nutrient and transparency targets is late 2010. FDEP does not plan to propose numeric nutrient criteria for these regions until their work is complete. Nutrient lo ading targets have been set for southern Boca Ciega Bay as part of the Tampa Bay Nitrogen Management Consortium, and FDEP supports those recommendations. FDEP proposes that the chlorophyll a target for Lower Tampa Bay (5.1 μg/L) be adopted for lower Boca Ciega Bay. Once Janicki Environmental, Inc., has completed work on southern Clearwater Harbor, FDEP will consider if the proposed criteria for that segment would also be appropriate for northern Boca Ciega Bay. FDEP will continue to work with the Pinellas County Department of Environmental Management and the Tampa Bay Estuary Program to develop numeric nutrient criteria for this region

.

1 Contributors to this report include Kelli Levy (Pinellas County Department of Environmental Management) and Kris Kaufman (Sou thwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD).Nutrient Criteria Technical Support Document St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor

Draft 2 August 2010 Table 1a. Checklist of n utrient e nrichment s ymptoms

.

- = Empty cell/no data Response variable Observed historically? Observed currently? Explanation Source

Low DO (hypoxia/anoxia) Yes Yes Some tidal creeks are on the 303(d) list for DO. In open waters, some areas have bottom DO below 4 mg/L during warm
months. 303(d) list, Levy

2010

Reduced clarity Yes No SAV loss from 1950 to 1982 likely due to reduced clarity, but acreage has been increasing for past 20 years. SWFWMD

Increased chlorophyll a concentrations Yes No Historical loss of SAV likely related to chlorophyll a; however concentrations have
decreased or remained constant since

1992. Levy 2010

Phytoplankton blooms (nuisance or toxic) Yes Yes Red tide (Karenia brevis blooms) is common in this part of the coast. -

Problematic epiphyte growth No No Epiphyte loads vary throughout the region,
but have not been related to nutrient levels or considered problematic Meyer and Levy

2008

Problematic macroalgal growth No No Macroalgae are a major component of the submersed aquatic community, but not
consider ed problematic. Meyer and Levy

2008

SAV community changes or loss Yes No Over 50% of SAV was lost in BCB from 1950 to 1982, and some loss likely occurred in CLW. SAV coverage in BCB rebounded to 80% former coverage in 2008. SAV coverage increased 16% between 1999 and
2008 in SJS and CLW. Loss occurred on all
areas due to dr edging and filling as part of the development of Pinellas County, and that loss is considered permanent and not related to nutrients or water clarity. Kelli Levy, Pinellas County Dept.
Environmental Management, personal communication;

SWFWMD SAV
data

Em ergent or shoreline vegetation community changes or loss Yes - Much of the mainland shoreline has been developed, so there are many seawalls and little intact shoreline vegetation. Analysis ongoing by Janicki Environmental, Inc. -

Coral/hardbottom

commu nity changes or loss Unknown? - There is some hardbottom community in this area, but it has not been studied. -

Impacts to benthic community Unknown? - - -

Fish kills Yes, limited in space and

time - Periodic fish kills have occurred as a result
of red tide blooms and cold

- water induced shock; however, no significant kills have been reported as a direct result of nutrient inputs into the estuary. -Nutrient Criteria Technical Support Document St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor

Draft 3 August 2010 Table 1b. Checklist of a dditional f actors

.

- = Empty cell/no dat
Nutrient Factors Observed? Explanation Source

Increased nutrient loading

or concentrations No Historic increases, but nutrient loading from humans has decreased in the past
ten years Levy 2010

Difference between
nearshore and offshore
levels Unknown No data available for coastal area outside
barrier islands. -

Mitigating factors that could prevent nutrient expression No - -

Other significant stressors to biological communities No - -

Natural high nutrient episodes (e.g., seasonal or event driven) No - -



### Geographic and Physical Description

St. Joseph Sound

, Clearwater Harbor, and Boca Ciega Bay are in western Pinellas County along the Gulf
side of the cities of St. Petersburg, Largo, Clearwater, Dunedin, and Tarpon Springs

. All three areas are constricted to varying degrees by barrier islands (Figure 1). St. Joseph Sound is well mixed with the Gulf of Mexico, Clearwater Harbor is fairly well flushed in the northern end, but less so in the southern portion , and Boca Ciega Bay has limited contact with the Gulf

. In Cl earwater Harbor, water exchanges with the Gulf of Mexico through Clearwater Pass (north end of Southern half) and Hurricane Pass (north end of Northern half); Dunedin Pass (middle of Northern half) has been closed. Boca Ciega Bay exchanges with the Gulf o f Mexico through several limited passes. These estuarine areas are part of the Pinellas County Aquatic Preserve, and much of the barrier island area bordering St. Joseph Sound is preserved as state parks (Anclote Key Preserve State Park, Honeymoon Island State Park, and Caladesi Island State Park). Physical information about these estuarine areas is provided in Table 2 a.

Pinellas County is 96% developed, with more natural areas in the northern portion of the county than the southern (Table 2). Barrier islands along the western boundary of Clearwater Harbor and Boca Ciega Bay have been physically modified for development by dredging and filling to create finger canals and extend the land for development. The Pinellas County Department of Environmental Man agement (PCDEM) conducted a forum in March 2007, in which various stakeholders presented information about the region’s history and resources, and there is a wealth of information from that meeting posted on the PCDEM website ( available: http://www.pinellascounty.org/Environment/pagesHTML/watershedMngmt/wm8000.html ).

Janicki Environmental, Inc. submitted a proposal to Pinellas County for the development of a comprehensive conservation management plan (CCMP) for Clearwater Harbor and St. Joseph Sound (Janicki 2009). That proposal was funded, contains a rich description of the study area, and is available on the Pinellas County Water Atlas website. That project is ongoing and will produce nutrient and chlorophyll a targets for this region ( see : http://www.pinellas.wateratlas.usf.edu/news/committees.asp?GROUPID=10050&ACTIVE=1 ).Nutrient Criteria Technical Support Document St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor

Draft 4 August 2010 Figure 1

. Open water assessment segments within Pinellas Co unty. Strata W1

- W8 are discussed in this report. (Figure 5 from Levy et al. 2009)Nutrient Criteria Technical Support Document St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor

Draft 5 August 2010 Table 2a. Geographic and land use information for St. Joseph Sound (SJS), Clearwater Harbor (CWH), and Boca Ciega Bay (BCB).

Note: Most information is not yet complete for Boca Ciega Bay.

- = Empty cell/no data Information Category Available Data Value s Source
Estuarine surface area (km 2 ) - SJS - 18,000 acres

CWH - 10,000 acres Janicki 2009

Watershed area (km 2 ) Pinellas County Basin Shapefile SJS - 19,000 acres

CWH - 27,000 acres Janicki 2009

Land use SWFWMD
Land Use Shapefile SJS

- (see Table 2b for a detailed breakdown of land uses)

CWH

- (see Table 2 c for a detailed breakdown of land uses) Southwest
Florida Water Management
District Mean depth (m) NGDC Center
Coastal Relief Model Clip Shapefile SJS

- 1.49 m

CWH

- 1.20 m Florida Shelf
Habitat (FLASH map Project , USGS

2007 ) Volume (m 3 ) NGDC Center
Coastal Relief
Model Mean High water volume:

SJS - 79,803,504 m 3

CWH - 44,389,219 m 3

Mean Low Water volume:

SJS

- 43,388,254 m 3

CWH - 23,103,029 m 3 Florida Shelf
Habitat (FLASH map Project , USGS

2007 )

Tidal range (m) Pinellas County Tidal Ranges SJS

- 0.369m Above Sea Level (ASL) to 0.210m Below Sea Level (BSL)

CWH

- 0.357 ASL to 0.192 BSL
Tidal freshwater inflow (1000 m 3 d -1 ) 2004

- 2008
Flow Data SJS - 2090.765 (in 1000 m 3 d - 1 ) (includes Smith Bayou and
Klosterman B ayou)

CWH - 22963.81 (in 1000 m 3 d -1 ) (includes Cedar Creek, Curlew Creek, Spring Branch, Coastal Zones 1 and 4, and McKay Creek) Levy et al.

2008

Mean water residence time (days) No information currently exists. This should be developed in
the CCMP for St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor. -

Salinity and salinity

zones Salinity 2004

- 2008 SJS - Mean: 32.37 PPT; Range: 22.9

- 38.4 PPT

CWH - Mean: 33.73 PPT; Range 25.1

- 38.4 PPT Levy et al.

2008 Transparency/optical
data TSS , Turbidity, Transmissivity

2004 -2 008 data in STORET and Water Atlas , summarized in Appendix A of Levy et al. 200 9 Levy et al.

200 9

Nutrient data Chl a, 2004

- 2008 data in STORET and Water Atlas , summarized in Appendix A of Levy et al. 200 9 Levy et al.

200 9 Meter data (DO,
temperature, salinity, pH) Surface and

Bottom readings for all sampling

stations 2004

- 2008 data in STORET and Water Atlas , summarized in Appendix A of Levy et al. 200 9 Levy et al.

200 9

Annual and Seasonal Loading of TN and TP Load estimates
for 2004

- 2008
for each
subw atershed SJS - Annual Loads: TN: 5.43 Tons/Year; TP: 1.59 Tons/Year (includes Smith Bayou and Klosterman Bayou)

CWH - Annual Loads: TN: 39.62 Tons/Year; TP: 5.88 Tons/Year (includes Cedar Creek, Curlew Creek, Spring Levy et al.

200 9Nutrient Criteria Technical Support Document St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor

Draft 6 August 2010 Information Category Available Data Value s Source Branch, Coastal Zones 1 and 4, and McKay Creek)

GIS interpolation maps Salinity, Bottom DO, Chlorophyll

- a, Transmissivity

2004

- 2008 data in STORET, summarized in Appendix A of Levy et al.

200 9 Levy et al.

200 9

Drainage system GIS files Asset management databases of contributing drainage
systems Pinellas County, Tarpon Springs, Clearwater, Dunedin, Largo

Table 2b

. Detailed l and use breakdown for St. Joseph Sound (SJS).

- = Empty cell/no data Land Use Type Acreage Percent Agriculture 11645481 11.82%

Commercial 6234270 6.33%

Natural 19875244 20.18% Open/Disturbed Lands 4290692 4.36%

Recreational 5175804 5.25%

Reservoirs 1435166 1.46%

Residential 44794485 45.47% Transportation 4301079 4.37%

Utilities 757463 0.77%

Table 2c

. Detailed land use breakdown for Clearwater Harbor (CWH).

- = Empty cell/no data Land Use Type Acreage Percent
Agriculture 436497 0.28%

Commer ci al 16532290 10.70%

Natural 4785361 3.10%
Open Land 1200600 0.78%

Recreational 7875260 5.10%

Reservoirs 2177998 1.41%

Residential 103587061 67.02%
Transportation 16845320 10.90%

Utilities 1121041 0.73%Nutrient Criteria Technical Support Document St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor

Draft 7 August 2010 

### Sources of Nutrients

Pinellas County forms the landward border of these estuary areas. It is a densely populated urban area in which environmental resource managers have made efforts to reduce loading of nutrients to these estuaries as well as to Tampa Bay to the east. There are eight watersheds that contribute fresh water to St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor (Figure 2), and freshwater flow varies by year and by watershed (Figure 3). All wastewater treatment plants use advanced treatment (AWT) in Pinellas County, and

mu ch of the wastewater is converted into reuse water for watering lands. The whole county is hooked up to sanitary sewer systems, so there are minimal inputs from septic tanks. The conversion to AWT has reduced nutrient loading in the past ten years. A new county fertilizer ordinance should reduce inputs of nutrients from urban stormwater sources. Pet waste is considered a large source of fecal coliform
bacteria in some sub

- watersheds (Albright 2008, Kurisko 2008), so that may be a source of nutrients as well. Pinellas County and municipalities within the county have conducted numerous stormwater retrofit projects within the county. Loadings of total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) to St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor declined from 2003 to 2 008 in most contributing basins (Figures 4
and 5 ; Levy 2010).Nutrient Criteria Technical Support Document St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor

Draft 8 August 2010 Figure 2. Location of major watersheds contributing to Clearwater Harbor North and South and St. Joseph Sound within Pinellas County, Florida (from Levy 2010)

.Nutrient Criteria Technical Support Document St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor

Draft 9 August 2010 Figure 3. Annual fres hwater flow into Clearwater Harbor and St. Joseph Sound (from Levy 2010)

.

Figure 4. Annual loading of total phosphorus from tributaries to Clearwater Harbor and St. Joseph Sound, 2003

- 2008 (from Levy 2010).Nutrient Criteria Technical Support Document St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor

Draft 10 August 2010 Figure 5. Annual loading of total nitrogen from tributaries to Clearwater Harbor and St. Joseph Sound,

2003

- 2008 (from Levy 2010).



### Biological Summary

Submersed Aquatic Vegetation

Submersed Aquatic Vegetation (SAV), which consists of seagrass and macroalgae, is abundant in these bays and is the most sensitive ecologica l endpoint. Halodule wrightii is abundant and distributed throughout the region. Thalassia testudinum is abundant in St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor, but not as abundant in Boca Ciega B ay. Syringodium filiforme is abundant in St. Joseph Sound, but present in lower numbers in Clearwater Harbor and Boca Ciega Bay. St. Joseph Sound (SJS) contains the greatest coverage of SAV, followed by Clearwater Harbor (CLW) and Boca Ciega Bay (BCB). Clearwater Harbor and Boca Ciega Bay contains significant areas which can no longer be colonized by SAV due to dredge and fill operations (Kelli Levy, PCDEM, personal communication).

The Southwest Florida Water Management District ( SWFWMD ) perform ed aeri al mapping of Clearwater
Harbor and St. Joseph Sound in 1999, 2002, 2004, 2006 , and 2008 (resolution of 0.5 acres and 80% ground

- truthing accuracy, map is of SAV which includes macroalgae). Surveys were first conducted for Boca Ciega Bay in 1988, and were done for nearly every two years since then. The first SAV estimate (1999) was 13,994 acres, and 17,422 acres seagrass was estimated for 2008, f or a 16% increase (PCDEM) . In 2008, there were 12,639 acres of SAV in St. Joseph Sound (Figure 6), 3,784 acres in Clearwater Harbor North (Figure 7), and 1,000 acres in Clearwater Harbor South (Figure 7; data from SWFWMD).

Estimates of SAV acreage are available for Boca Ciega Bay (BCB) from 1950, 1982, and then nearly every two years from 1988 to 2008. There we re 10,800 acres of SAV in BCB in 1950. The area of SAV then declined to 5,770 acres in 1982, but has been steadily increasing ever since, and totaled 8,457 acres inNutrient Criteria Technical Support Document St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor

Draft 11 August 2010 2008 ( Figure 8 ; data from SWFWMD). That expansion was evident in data collected along fixed transects by the Tampa Bay Estuary Program in BCB from 1998

- 2009 (Avery et al. 2010 Appendix B).

Meyer and Levy (2008) summarized results from PCDEM seagrass monitoring from 1998

- 2007 , and reported that seagrasses are stable

. The PCDEM sampled fixed transects in SJS, CLW, and BCB from

1998

- 2005, and have employed a stratified random sampling design in SJS and CWH from 2006

- present

. During fixed transect sampling, the following information was collected: Braun

- Blanquet seagrass % cover, water depth, sediment composition, seagrass condition and algae occurrence. The sediment composition is qualitatively categorized as sand, sandy mud, mud, shelly mud, shelly sand, or hard bottom. The seagrass condition is qualitatively categorized as very good, good, fair, poor, or necrotic. Epibiont density on the seagrass blade was assessed using a numerical rating scale: 1= clean, 2= light coverage, 3= moderate, 4= heavy. At the transect’s mid

- bed and edge of bed, staff recorded shoot density and canopy height. Three density counts were made using either a 10x10cm or 25x25cm square frame. Also, five shoot lengths were recorded to the nearest centimeter. Samplers assess each species independently. Chlorophyll

- a , turbidity, Hydrolab®, and LICOR® readings were taken at mid

- bed, edge of bed, and the 2m depth contour.

In their report of fixed transect SAV monitoring from 1998

- 2005, Meyer and Levy (2008) reported that seagrass abundance and density remained relatively stable in all areas during the study period, although there were some localized changes in bed length or shoot density

. Most changes were increases in bed length or seagrass abundance, but there were some decreases in 2004

- 2005 that they attributed to hurricanes (Meyer and Levy 2008).Nutrient Criteria Technical Support Document St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor

Draft 12 August 2010 Figure 6. Mapped submersed aquatic vegetation (SAV) coverage in St. Joseph Sound for 2008 (data provided by SWFMWD).

SAV data from the first two years of stratified random sampling were compared among strata (CLW =
Clear water Harbor North and South, SJS = St. Joseph Sound) and depth categories (A = 0

- 0.6m, B = 0.6

- 1.2m, and C = >1.2m) in Meyer and Levy (2008). SAV covered most of the study area, but mean abundance was greatest in STJS and least in CLWS. Mean abundance in depth zone A was 77%, significantly higher tha n the mean for zone C, 37% (Meyer and Levy 2008). The three main species of seagrass were distributed throughout the study area, but Syringodium was significantly less abundant in CLWS and CLWN than in STJS (Figure 9 ). Syringodium also had significantly greater abundance in depthNutrient Criteria Technical Support Document St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor

Draft 13 August 2010 zone B (19%), than in zone A (7%), which probably explains its greater abundance in deeper STJS.

T

halassia abundance was significantly greater in zone A (35%) than in B (14%) or C (6%). Halodule was distributed throughout the region, mainly in depth zones A and B, with highest abundance in CLWN and least in STJS (Figure 9 ; Meyer and Levy 2008). Seagrass health was typically good or fair throughout the study area, with no clear pattern between strata (Figure 1 0 ). Epibiont densi ty was greatest in STJS and in depth zone B (Meyer and Levy 2008). Upon visual inspection of the data, CLWS had more transects with mud substrate (Figure 1 0 ).

Figure 7. Mapped SAV coverage in Clearwater Harbor for 2008 (data provided by SWFMWD).Nutrient Criteria Technical Support Document St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor

Draft 14 August 2010 F

igure 8. Mapped SAV coverage in Boca Ciega Bay for 2008 (data provided by SWFMWD).Nutrient Criteria Technical Support Document St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor

Draft 15 August 2010 Figure 9

. Spatial representation of the SAV species mean abundance per transect from two years of stratified random sampling in St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor (Figure 10 from Meyer and Levy 2008).Nutrient Criteria Technical Support Document St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor

Draft 16 August 2010 Figure 1 0

. Spatial representation of SAV health, epibiont density, sediment type, and depth for seagrass transects from two years of stratified random sampling in St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor (Figure 14 from Meyer and Levy 2008).

Epiphyte Loads on S eagrass
Epiphyte ranks (measured as epibiont with other attached organisms) varied widely from light to heavy

coverage in SJS and CLW in the PCDEM SAV sampling, with most rated as light or moderate, and there was no distinct regional distribution of epiphytes (Figure 1 0 ; Meyer and Levy 2008). They appear to have greater densities on Halodule but still no geographic trend, based on 2007 to 2009 seagrass data trends (PCDEM unpublished data).

Phytoplankton S pecies C omposition and C hlorophyll a
The mean (and range) chlorophyll a concentrations from 2004

- 2007 for Clearwater Harbor South, Clearwater Harbor North, and St. Josep h Sound were 5.0 μg/L (0.3

- 17.2), 3.9 μg/L ( 0.3

- 13.3), and 2.3 μg/L (0.3

- 18.9), respectively. Two studies of the Anclote Anchorage (area offshore from the Anclote River) from 1975 showed that diatoms were the major component of the marine phytoplankton, with occasional occurrence of dinoflagellates (Johansson 1975, Hamm 1975)

.Nutrient Criteria Technical Support Document St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor

Draft 17 August 2010 Macroalgal S pecies C omposition and B iomass

Data collected during 2008 and 2009 seagrass surveys performed in SJS and CLW by PCDEM show that macroalgae species were present in 61% (48 out of 78) of the sample sites in St. Joseph Sound, while in Clearwater Harbor macroalgae species were found in 37% (20 out of 54) of the sample sites ( PCDEM unpublished data)

. Various species of marine algae were found

, including a minimum of ten attached algae and four species of Ca u lerpa ( Levy et al. 2008). Rhizophytic algae, including Caulerpa prolifera

, were generally restricted to St. Joseph Sound in 2006

- 2007 (Figure 1 1 ; Meyer and Levy 2008).

Figure 1 1 . Mean abundance of marine algae and the presence of scallops per transect from two years of stratified random sampling in St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor (Figure 11 from Meyer and Levy 2008).Nutrient Criteria Technical Support Document St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor

Draft 18 August 2010 Depth to S eagrass T ar

gets

No depth targets have yet been esta blished , but random sampling data shows that Halodule and Syringodium colonize depths greater than 2m in SJS and CLW (Figures 9 and 1 0 ; Meyer and Levy 2008).

Presence and Fr equency of H armful A lgal B looms

Red Tide ( Karenia brevis ) occurs frequently in this area. Since 2004 it has been found in January

February 2004, February

- March 2005, June

- October 2005, September

- October 2006, and October 2008. Densities have varied from 1,000 to >1,000,000 cells/L during these blooms (PCDEM). Anecdotal
accounts of Red Tide in this area date back to 1844. ( FWRI historical data available: http://research.myfwc.com/features/category_main.asp?id=2037 )

The causes of red tide bloom and proliferation are still somewhat unknown, but the prevailing through is that the blooms begin offshore and can be supported closer to shore under certain conditions. Controls of bloom dynamics include physical parameters such as temperature and salinity, and nutrient form and availability. Evaluating the significance of a single factor is difficult (Vargo et al. 2008). Vargo (2009)
reviewed the historic and current theories for K. brevis initiation and maintenance, and identifies 24 hypotheses, falling into several ma in categories: 1) rainfall and/or riverine flux, 2) benthos or benthic flux, 3) water column hydrodynamics, and 4) chemical/allelopathy related.

Vargo et al. (2004, 2008) evaluated many nutrient sources for their contributions to bloom initiation and

ma intenance: atmospheric deposition, estuarine flux, N

- fixation by the cyanobacteria Trichodesmium

, zooplankton excretion, benthic flux, and the decay of dead fish. Atmospheric deposition and benthic flux were found to be minor sources to N and P fluxes, while zooplankton and dead fish were possibly significant contributors. The combined estuarine flux from Tampa Bay, Charlotte Harbor, and the Caloosahatchee River was found to supply varying, but sometimes adequate levels of N and P to support
K. brevis pop ulations at moderate, but not high biomass levels. Hu et al. (2006) studied riverine nutrient inputs for major estuaries on the central west Florida Coast (Peace, Caloosahatchee, Alafia, and Suwannee Rivers) and determined that estuarine nutrient flux, ev en in a high discharge period following hurricanes (when nutrient concentrations also were elevated), could not support significant blooms. They suggested that submarine groundwater discharge accounts for the necessary missing nutrients and

can initiate a nd sustain major bloom events off the coast of central west Florida. In the recent studies examining the role of various nutrient sources in supporting K. brevis blooms, a combination of sources is required to maintain a high biomass blooms (>10 6 cells/L)

.

Coral or H ard B ottom C ommu nity S tructure and A real E xtent

This information has yet to be quantified to date, although the habitat exists in the study area. Some information may be available based on observations taken during water quality sampling , and analysis will be performed to the degree allowable based on empirical data as part of the CCMP (Janicki Environmental 2009).

Shellfish P roduction and F re quency/ D uration of B ed C losures

St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor are not regulated shellfishing areas. Oyster bars present, and scallop occurrence has been monitored for the past several years. Scallops occur predominately in St. Joseph Sound (85%) (36 out of 42 occurrences from 2007

- 2009), but were also found in the Northern part of Clearwater Ha rbor (6 out of 42 occurrences; PCDEM unpublished data). Scallops were not surveyed in Boca Ciega Bay.Nutrient Criteria Technical Support Document St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor

Draft 19 August 2010 Quantification of L andings from C ommercial/ R ecreational F isheries

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWCC) measured angler pressure a t 20 sites in St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor. Their angler survey distinguished between charter vessels, recreational vessels, and shore fishing. Results of angler surveys show that fishing is very much a part of the use of these estuaries (Figur es 1 2-14 ).Nutrient Criteria Technical Support Document St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor

Draft 20 August 2010 Figure 12 . Average charter angler pressure per day for St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor . Data from angler survey by FWCC, and maps made by Janicki Environmental, Inc.Nutrient Criteria Technical Support Document St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor

Draft 21 August 2010 Figure 13 . Average private boat angler pressure per day for St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor

. Data from angler survey by FWCC, and maps made by Janicki Environmental, Inc.Nutrient Criteria Technical Support Document St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor

Draft 22 August 2010 Figure 14 . Average shore angler pressure per day for St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor . Data from angler survey by FWCC, and maps made by Janicki Environmental, Inc.Nutrient Criteria Technical Support Document St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor

Draft 23 August 2010 Ex isting L ocal Biological I ndices

The Tampa Bay Benthic Index of macroinvertebrates has been applied in Boca Ciega Bay and perhaps elsewhere in the study area, but available data and studies were not mined before the publication of this report. No other biological indices have been developed for this area.

HABs, F ish K ills

Fish kills have been consistently reported for this region. Most are related to red tide and extreme cold

events ( see : http://research.myfwc.com/gallery/view_category.asp?catid=1357&subcatid=3227 ).

Hypoxia

Preliminary information suggests that hypoxia does not appear to be a significant issue in the study

area.

Other B iological R esources
Mangrove islands, oyster bars, and mudflats comprise important habitat for > 7,000 breeding pairs of birds in Clearwater Harbor (Audubon of Florida 200 9 ), supported by the resident fishery.



### Water Quality Studies

The Pinell as County Department of Environmental Management (PCDEM) monitors water quality throughout Pinellas County. The PCDEM report of water quality results from 2004 to 200 8 (Levy et al

. 200 9 ) describes the monitoring program and summary results from that time period , and those results are reported in this section . The PCDEM sampling program during this period was a probabilistic design
in which 32

- 36 sites in each unit (as shown in Figure 1) were sampled. Four samples were collected during each of the 8

- 9 sampling events. Water samples were collected and analyzed per DEP SOPs, with analysis done at a NELAC

- certified lab. Data were loaded into Florida STORET. The County mainta ins 14 stream flow gauges through the USGS and HDI, Inc. The sampling also i ncluded flow measurements at the remaining tributary sites that are not equipped with in

- situ gauges. The data from this effort is used to develop system

- wide loading estimates. T he PCDEM has water quality data for Pinellas County
waters from 199 9- 2003 from a fixed station monitoring program ( see : http://www.pinellas.wateratlas.usf.edu/ ).

Spatial interpolation analysis of PCDE M data from 2004

- 2008 shows the spatial distribution of dissolved oxygen (DO), chlorophyll a , and transmissivity in open waters of Pinellas County (Figures 1 5-17 ). Southern Clearwater Harbor, the Narrows, and North and Central Boca Ciega Bay (W3

- W7) do no t have as much direct contact with the Gulf of Mexico as the far northern and southern areas, resulting in higher salinities, lower DO, and higher chlorophyll a during either the wet or dry season (Levy et al. 2009). Chlorophyll a concentrations are low (< 8 μg/L) in all areas during the dry/cool season (October

- May; Figure 1 6 ). During the wet/hot season (June

- September), chlorophyll a concentrations are low (< 4 μg/L) in St. Joseph Sound and moderate in Clearwater Harbor (4 - 11 μg/L) and Boca Ciega Bay (6

- 15 μg/L) (Figure 1 6 ). Mean chlorophyll a concentrations have declined over the period of record for St. Joseph Sound, Clearwater Harbor North, and Clearwater Harbor South, concomitant with changes in the ratio of total nitrogen to total phosphorus (Fi gures 1 8-20 ). Long term chlorophyll a data are still being evaluated for Boca Ciega Bay, and for TN and TP in all areas.

The lower dissolved oxygen and higher chlorophyll a in the middle part of western Pinellas County (W3, W4, W5, W6) is likely due to l arger watersheds feeding into those estuary areas and greater restrictionNutrient Criteria Technical Support Document St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor

Draft 24 August 2010 of flow between those areas and the Gulf of Mexico (Levy et al. 2009). These areas correspond to the lowest SAV coverage and the highest density of development and dredge and fill o perations.

Table 3. Median/m ean values for sampling strata in w estern Pinellas County from 2004

- 2008. Strata as in Figure 1 ( f

rom Levy et al. 2009, Appendix A)

.



### Site Bottom DO (mg/L) Chlorophyll

**a** (μg/L) TSS (mg/L) Turbidity (NTU) Transmittance (%)

W1 6.65 / 6.70 2.3 / 1.4 14 / 12 1.6 / 1.2 88.36 / 91.53

W2 6.24 / 6.35 3.9 / 3.0 13 / 13 2.7 / 2.3 81.48 / 82.30

W3 5.96 / 5.98 5.0 / 4.1 15 / 14 3.6 / 2.6 75.67 / 78.78

W4 5.80 / 5.74 7.5 / 6.4 18 / 17 5.4 / 4.4 63.88 / 62.61

W5 4.88 / 4.54 13.1 / 7.5 13 / 12 4.3 / 3.6 64.91 / 69.25

W6 6.31 / 6.16 6.2 / 5.6 15 / 14 3.8 / 3.1 73.17 / 73.65

W7 6.04 / 6.27 6.5 / 6.0 16 / 15 3.6 / 2.6 73.19 / 74.58

W8 6.64 / 6.45 4.7 / 4.0 14 / 14 2.4 / 1.8 81.43 / 83.18

Table 4. Maximum/ m inimum values for sampling strata in Western Pinellas County from 2004

- 2008. Strata as in Figure 1 ( f

rom Levy et al. 2009, Appendix A)

. 

### Site Bottom DO (mg/L) Chlorophyll

**a** (μg/L) TSS (mg/L) Turbidity (NTU) Transmittance (%)

W1 13.28 / 2.67 18.9 / 0.3 106 / 1 5.9 / 0.3 99.46 / 47.72

W2 13.03 / 1.54 13.3 / 0.3 41 / 2 1 5.0 / 0.7 97.02 / 55.98

W3 8.79 / 0.81 17.2 / 0.3 66 / 3 5 4.0 / 0.6 97.19 / 14.31

W4 11.97 / 0.19 31.8 / 0.5 43 / 1 2 3.0 / 1.0 91.52 / 20.70

W5 12.10 / 1.01 105.0 / 0.8 58 / 2 26.0 / 0.1 93.07 / 3.21

W6 12.76 / 0.29 31.9 / 0.3 40 / 3 1 9.0 / 0.2 94.77 / 33.00

W7 12.40 / 0.12 36.9 / 0.3 39 / 2 1 5.0 / 0.4 97.16 / 32.37

W8 13.87 / 1.58 35.5 / 0.3 34 / 1 1 8.0 / 0.4 97.47 / 43.48Nutrient Criteria Technical Support Document St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor

Draft 25 August 2010 Figure 15

. Pinellas County bottom dissolved oxygen (mg/L) interpolation map applying kriging using

2004

- 2008 data (Figure 10c in Levy et al. 2009)

.Nutrient Criteria Technical Support Document St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor

Draft 26 August 2010 Figure 16

. Pinellas County chlorophyll

- a (μg/L) interpolation map applying inverse distance weighting using 2004

- 2008 data (Figure 9c in Levy et al. 2009)

.Nutrient Criteria Technical Support Document St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor

Draft 27 August 2010 Figure 17

. Pinellas County transmissivity % (at 660 nm) interpola tion map applying kriging using

2004

- 2008 data (Figure 8c in Levy et al. 2009)

.Nutrient Criteria Technical Support Document St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor

Draft 28 August 2010 Figure 1 8

. Mean c hlorophyll a and TN/TP ratios for St. Joseph Sound from 2003

- 2008 (from Levy 2010).

Figure 19

. Mean c hlorophyll a and TN/TP ratios for North Clearwater Harbor from 1992

- 2008 (from Levy 2010).Nutrient Criteria Technical Support Document St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor

Draft 29 August 2010 Figure 20

. Mean c hlorophyll a and TN/TP ratios for South Clearwa ter Harbor from 1992

- 2008 (from Levy 2010).

Existing Regional Nutrient Loading Models

Janicki Environmental, Inc. (2008) developed loading models for the Tampa Bay Estuary, and they are developing loading models for this region under the Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan (CCMP, Janicki 2009).

Estuary Segments on 303(d) Impaired Waters List

Several estuarine waterbodies are on the 303(d) list for impairments of chlorophyll a , dissolved oxygen, or fecal coliform bacteria ( Figure 2 1-23 ). Table 5 lists the WBIDs classified as “Estuary” that are impaired for some analyte on the 303(d) list. All of the listed impairments are for stream WBIDs that are within the urban areas; none of the open estuary areas have been deemed impaired. Three W BIDs are listed for fecal coliform exceedances, and five are listed for dissolved oxygen and nutrients (chlorophyll a ; Table 5).

TMDLs have been established for fecal coliforms in tidal portions of Klosterman Bayou, which empties to St. Joseph Sound (Alb right 2008), and St. Joe Creek, which empties into Boca Ciega Bay (Kurisko 2008). Potential coliform sources include reclaimed water and municipal stormwater. The watershed is almost exclusively urban residential, so domestic animals likely contribute to high fecal coliform values. All residents in the watershed are on the sanitary sewer system.

The use of fecal coliforms as indicators of the presence of human pathogens has been under scrutiny in Florida for the past decade. One of the priorities of the Gulf of Mexico Alliance ( GOMA ) is the need to improve microbial source tracking and pathogen

- detection methods for use under Gulf of Mexico conditions ( GOMA 2009). The GOMA Pathogens Workgroup recently submitted comments regarding
the status of EPA recre ational water quality criteria ( GOMA 2009). They expressed concern that the EPA recreational criteria were derived in places that do not represent Gulf of Mexico conditions, and that theNutrient Criteria Technical Support Document St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor

Draft 30 August 2010 use of fecal indicators was not appropriate for waters primarily influenced by animal sources. Areas in the Gulf of Mexico for which they thought the EPA criteria may not be appropriate included low population density coastal areas, areas of heavy rainfall, subtropical latitudes, and areas where waters contain a large amo unt of organic detritus material and/or colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM; GOMA 2009). Boehm et al. (2009) express similar concern about the current and proposed recreational criteria, and specifically call attention to the need for further research and revision in tropical waters and waters adversely impacted by urban runoff and animal feces. This is not to say that fecal coliform
and Enterococci bacteria cannot indicate human sources or cannot co

- occur with nutrient inputs; this suggests that there is ample evidence to caution against making the assumption that the presence of these bacteria automatically indicates the presence of anthropogenic nutrients.Nutrient Criteria Technical Support Document St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor

Draft 31 August 2010 Figure 2 1

. Pinellas County waters impaired for c hlorophyll a and Trophic State Index (lakes) based on FDEP 2009 verified lists and the 1998 303(d) list for Group 1 and Group 5 basins (Figure 3 in Levy et al. 2009).Nutrient Criteria Technical Support Document St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor

Draft 32 August 2010 Figure 2 2

. Pinellas County waters impaired for D O based on FDEP 2009 verified lists and the 1998 303(d) list for Group 1 and Grou p 5 basins (Figure 2 in Levy et al. 2009).Nutrient Criteria Technical Support Document St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor

Draft 33 August 2010 Figure 2 3. Pinellas County waters impaired for b acteria based on FDEP 2009 Verified L ists and the 1998 303(d) list for Group 1 and Group 5 basins (Figure 4 in Levy et al. 2009).Nutrient Criteria Technical Support Document St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor

Draft 34 August 2010 Table 5. Verified impaired waterbodies that empty into St. Joseph Sound, Clearwater Harbor, or Northern Boca Ciega Bay. Waterbody ID (WBID) Water Segment

Name Parameters Assessed Using
the 2001 Impaired
Surface Waters
Rule (IWR) Concentration Causing Impairment Priority for TMDL Development Comments (# Exceedances/# Samples) pp = Planning Period vp = Verified Period 4

1508 KLOSTERMAN

BAYOU Coliform (Fecal Coliform) > 400 colonies/100
ml High pp = 6/57; vp = 7/37

1508 KLOSTERMAN

BAYOU Dissolved Oxygen < 4.0 mg/L High pp = 71/350; vp = 49/231 Verified impaired. Nutrients were identified as the causative pollutant based on Chl

- a data/nutrient impairment verification.

1508 KLOSTERMAN

BAYOU Nutrients (chla
and Historic chla) Median TN = 1.665 mg/L High p p = Potentially impaired; vp = Verified impaired. Annual average Chl

- a values exceeded 11 ug/l in 1999 - 2005, and values were 27.9, 32.44, 30.02, 22.67, 49.07, 38.14 and 45.29 ug/l, respectively. For the historical listing, annual average Chl

a values i n the verified period exceeded the minimum historical annual average value of 21.12 ug/l for 1990

- 1994 by more than 50% in 2004 (38.14 ug/l), and 2005 (45.28 ug/l). Nitrogen is the limiting nutrient based on a median TN/TP ratio of 3.16 (133 values). The verified period total nitrogen median = 1.665 (134 values), total phosphorus median = 0.59 mg/l (150 values), and the BOD median = 3.25 mg/l (106 values).

1538 CURLEW

CREEK TIDAL Dissolved Oxygen < 4.0 mg/L High pp = 56/350; vp = 28/71 Verified impaired. Nutrients were identified as a causative pollutant based on Chl

- a data/nutrient impairment verification.

1538 CURLEW

CREEK TIDAL Nutrients (chla) Median TN = 1.65 mg/L High pp = No data; vp = 33 / 62 Verified impaired. Annual average
Chl

- a values exceeded 11 ug/l in all years from 1999

- 2004, and the values were 27.29, 32.09, 35.35, 15.15, and 24.51 ug/l, respectively. Nitrogen is the limiting nutrient based on a median TN/TP ratio of 7.9 (67 values). The verified period total nitrogen medi an = 1.65 mg/l (68 values), total phosphorus median = 0.22 mg/l (67 values), and the BOD median = 2.6 mg/l (47 values).

1556 CEDAR CREEK (TIDAL) Dissolved Oxygen < 4.0 mg/L High pp = 64/221; vp = 42/82 Verified impaired. Nutrients were identified as a causative pollutant based on Chl

- a data/nutrientNutrient Criteria Technical Support Document St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor

Draft 35 August 2010 Waterbody ID (WBID) Water Segment

Name Parameters Assessed Using
the 2001 Impaired
Surface Waters
Rule (IWR) Concentration Causing Impairment Priority for TMDL Development Comments (# Exceedances/# Samples) pp = Planning Period vp = Verified Period 4

impairment verification.

1556 CEDAR CREEK (TIDAL) Nutrients (chla) Median TN = 1.05 mg/L High pp = Potentially impaired; vp = Verified impaired. Annual average Chl

- a values exceeded 11 ug/l in 1999 - 2005, and values were 13.91, 31.74, 12.85, 23.44, 3.363, 11.26 and 5.108 ug/l, respectively. Nitrogen is the limiting nutrient based on a median TN/TP ratio of 6.89 (69 values). The verified period

t otal nitrogen median = 1.05 mg/l (69 values), total phosphorus median = 0.15 mg/l (77 values), and the BOD median = 3 mg/l (47 values).

1567 STEVENSON CREEK (TIDAL SEGMENT) Dissolved Oxygen < 4.0 mg/L High pp = 141/408; vp = 77/212 Verified impaired. Nutrients were identified as a causative pollutant based on Chl

- a data/nutrient impairment verification.

1567 STEVENSON CREEK (TIDAL SEGMENT) Nutrients (chla) Median TN = 1.29 mg/L High pp = Potentially impaired; vp = Verifie d impaired. Annual average Chl

- a values exceeded 11 ug/l in 1999 - 2002 and 2004, and values were 16.08, 32.74, 59.37, 24.75 and 42.81 ug/l, respectively. Nitrogen is the limiting nutrient based on a median TN/TP ratio of 5.79 (116 values). The verified period total nitrogen median = 1.29 mg/l (117 values), total phosphorus median = 0.22 mg/l (121 values), and BOD median = 2 mg/l (92 values).

1633 MCKAY CREEK (TIDAL) Coliform (Fecal Coliform) > 400 colonies/100
ml High pp = 34/36; vp = 1/11; Sufficient PP/VP data to assess. PP & most recent 20 samps (9/20) trigger VL; Assessment based on
Period of Record data.

1633 MCKAY CREEK (TIDAL) Dissolved Oxygen < 4.0 mg/L High pp = 119/572; vp = 39/60 Verified impaired. Nutrients were
identi fied as a causative pollutant based on Chl

- a data/nutrient impairment verification.

1633 MCKAY CREEK (TIDAL) Nutrients (chla) Median TN = 1.04 mg/L High pp = No data; vp = 23 / 58 Verified impaired. Annual average
Chl

- a values exceeded 11 ug/l in 1999

- 2000, 2002, and 2004, and values were 12.22, 13.85, 11.48 and 21.52 ug/l, respectively. Nitrogen is the limiting nutrient based on a TN/TP ratio of 5.05 (56 values). Verified period total nitrogenNutrient Criteria Technical Support Document St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor

Draft 36 August 2010 Waterbody ID (WBID) Water Segment

Name Parameters Assessed Using
the 2001 Impaired
Surface Waters
Rule (IWR) Concentration Causing Impairment Priority for TMDL Development Comments (# Exceedances/# Samples) pp = Planning Period vp = Verified Period 4

median = 1.04 mg/L (56 values), total phosphorus median = 0.2 (61 values), and BOD = 2 mg/l (48).

1641 CROSS CANAL (SOUTH) Coliform (Fecal Coliform) > 400 colonies/100
ml Low pp = 16/36; vp = 16/40.

1641 CROSS CANAL (SOUTH) Dissolved Oxygen < 4.0 mg/L Medium pp = 75/398; vp = 73/315 Verified Impaired. Nutrients were identified as a causative pollutant based on Chl

- a data/nutrient impairment verification.

1641 CROSS CANAL (SOUTH) Nutrients (chla) Median TN = 1.11 mg/L Medium pp = Potentially impaired; vp = Verified impaired . Annual average Chl

- a values exceeded 11 ug/l in 1999 and 2001 - 2005, and values were 17.75, 14.84, 12.34, 18.95, 14.17 and 17.38 ug/l, respectively. Nitrogen is the limiting nutrient based on a median TN/TP ratio of 6.98 (150 values). Verified period total nitrogen median = 1.11 mg/l (152 values), total phosphorus median = 0.16 mg/l (159 values), and BOD = 2 mg/l (123 values).

1662 PINELLAS

PARK DITCH NO 1 (TIDAL SEGMENT) Coliform (Fecal Coliform) > 400 colonies/100
ml High pp = 8/12; vp = 2/10; Sufficient PP/VP data to assess. PP & "PP+VP" samp exceedance rates trigger VL (PP+VP = 10/22), & POR data shows multiple post

- VP exceedances in 2006. Area is highly developed. Assessment based on Period of Record data.

1662 PINELLAS

PARK DITCH NO 1 (TIDAL SEGMENT) Dissolved Oxygen < 4.0 mg/L High pp = 6 / 23; vp = 3 / 11; PP+VP provide sufficient data to assess. Combined PP+VP dataset yields 9/22, and results for most recent 20 samps = 8/20. Both exceed threshold for verification. Area is high ly developed. Assessment based on Period of
Record data.

1701 BEAR CREEK Coliform (Fecal Coliform) > 400 colonies/100
ml Low pp = 31/37; vp = No data; Sufficient PP data (all 1994

- 96) to assess. Area has been largely built out for many years.
Assessment based on Period of Record data.

1701 BEAR CREEK Dissolved Oxygen < 5.0 mg/L Medium pp = 102/346; vp = 58/171 Verified impaired. There ar e a sufficient number of DO violations to place DO on the verified list. However, unable to link low DO to a causative pollutantNutrient Criteria Technical Support Document St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor

Draft 37 August 2010 Waterbody ID (WBID) Water Segment

Name Parameters Assessed Using
the 2001 Impaired
Surface Waters
Rule (IWR) Concentration Causing Impairment Priority for TMDL Development Comments (# Exceedances/# Samples) pp = Planning Period vp = Verified Period 4

(BOD or nutrients).

1716 CLAM BAYOU DRAIN (TIDAL) Dissolved Oxygen < 4.0 mg/L High pp = 2/4; vp = 5/8 Verified impaired. Nutrients were identified as a causative pollutant. Verified period total nitrogen median = 1.26 mg/L (5 values), total phosphorus = 0.14 (5 values), and BOD median = 5 mg/l (7 values).

1618C LONG BAYOU/CROSS

BAYOU Dissolved Oxygen < 4.0 mg/L Medium pp = 17/67; vp = 43/210 Verified impaired. Nutrients were identified as a causative pollutant based on Chl

- a data/nutrient impairment verification.

1618C LONG BAYOU/CROSS

BAYOU Nutrients (chla) Median TN = 0.96 mg/L Medium pp = Potentially impaired; vp = Verified impaired. Annual average Chl

- a values exceeded 11 ug/l in 2003 - 2005, and values were 19.92, 11.25, and 16.73 ug/l, respectively. Nitrogen is the limiting nutrient based on a median TN/TP ratio of 6.26 (118 value s). The verified period total nitrogen median = 0.96 mg/l (119 values), total phosphorus median = 0.17 mg/l (114 values), BOD = no data.

1668E ST JOE CREEK (TIDAL SEGMENT) Dissolved Oxygen < 4.0 mg/L Medium pp = 45/197; vp = 33/122 Verified Impaired. N utrients and BOD were identified as a causative pollutant based on Chl

- a data/nutrient impairment verification.

1668E ST JOE CREEK (TIDAL SEGMENT) Nutrients (chla
and Historic chla) Median TN = 1.14 mg/L Medium pp = Potentially impaired; vp = Verified impaired. Annual average Chl

- a values exceeded 11 ug/l in 1999 - 2002 and 2004, and values were 40.48, 26.65, 21.1, 23.06, and 23.87 ug/l, respectively. For the historical listing, annual average Chl

- a) values in the verified period exceede d the minimum historical annual average value of 16.31 ug/l for 1990

- 1994 by more than 50% in two consecutive years in 1999 (40.48 ug/L) and 2000 (26.65 ug/l). Nitrogen is the limiting nutrient based on a median TN/TP ratio of 6 (62 values). The verifie d period total nitrogen median = 1.14 mg/l (63 values), total phosphorus median = 0.18 mg/l (66 values), and BOD median = 3.05 mg/l (52 BOD values).Nutrient Criteria Technical Support Document St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor

Draft 38 August 2010 

### Numeric Nutrient Criteria Recommendations

Water quality targets for SAV protection are being established for St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater
Harbor by Janicki Environmental. Their work is incorporating water quality da ta, loading estimates

, protection of SAV, fish, birds, and other uses. FDEP does not plan to propose numeric nutrient criteria for these regions until their work is complete.

Nutrient loading targets have been set for southern Boca Ciega Bay as part of the Tampa Bay Nitrogen Management Consortium (TBNMC) , and FDEP supports those recommendations. Northern Boca Ciega Bay is similar to Southern Clearwater Harbor in physical and chemical characteristics, and it may be appropriate to adopt the same criteria for both areas. The TBNMC has proposed a chlorophyll a target of 5.1 μg/L for Lower Tampa Bay, which is adjacent to Southern Boca Ciega Bay. FDEP will evaluate whether that target would be an appropriate criterion for Southern Boca Ciega Bay. FDEP welcomes comments from stakeholders on these ideas, and will continue to work with the Pinellas County Department of Environmental Management and the Tampa Bay Estuary Program to develop numeric nutrient criteria for this region

.Nutrient Criteria Technical Support Document St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor

Draft 39 August 2010 

### References

Alb right, James. 2008. Fecal Coliform TMDL for the Klosterman Bayou Tidal Segment, WBID 1508. Florida Department of Environmental Protection. http://w ww.dep.state.fl.us/water/tmdl/docs/tmdls/final/gp5/klosterman

- bayou

- tidal

fc_tmdl.pdf

. Audubon of Florida. 2009. Florida’s Imperiled Birds. http://fl.audubon.org/birds_imperiled_colonial.htm l

. Avery, W.M, K.B. Hennenfent, J.O.R. Johansson, J.J. Pacowta. 2010. Draft Tampa Bay Interagency Seagrass Monitoring Program Training and Field Manual. Submitted to the Tampa Bay Estuary Program July 1, 2010. Bay Study Group, City of Tampa. http://www.tbeptech.org/DATA/GIS/Seagrass/COT_Draft_Seagrass_Transect_Training_Docume nt.pdf

. Boehm, A.B., N.J. Ashbold, J.M. Colford, Jr., L.E. Dunbar, L.E. Fleming, M.A. Gold, J.A. Hansel, P.R. Hunter, A.M. Ichida, C.D. McGee, J.A. Soller, and S.B. Weisberg. 2009. A sea change ahead for recreational water quality criteria. Journal of Water and Health 07.1: 9

- 20.

GOMA 2009. Comments regarding pending EPA Clean Water Act, Recreational Water Quality Criteria. Prepared for EPA Stakeholders Workshop October 6

- 7, 2009. Chicago, IL.

Hamm, D. C. 1975. Benthic algae of the Anclote River estuary. Masters Thesis; University of South
Florida. David C. Hamm.

Hu, C., F. Mul ler

- Karger, and P.W. Swarzenski 2006. Hurricanes, submarine groundwater discharge and
west Florida's red tides. Geophysical Research Letters , 33.

Janicki Environmental, Inc., 2008. Estimates of Total Nitrogen, Total Phosphorus, Total Suspended Solids, and Biochemical Oxygen Demand Loadings to Tampa Bay, Florida: 2004

- 2007. Prepared for Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Tallahassee Florida.

Janicki Environmental, Inc., 2009, Development of a Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan for
Cl earwater Harbor and St. Joseph Sound. Submitted to Pinellas County, March 31, 2009.

http://www.pinellas.wateratlas.usf.edu/news/committees.asp?GROUPID=10050&AC TIVE=1

. Johansson, J.O.R. 1975. Phytoplankton standing crop in the Anclote River estuary. Masters Thesis; University of South Florida.

Kurisko, Paul C. 2008. Fecal Coliform TMDL for Saint Joes Creek, WBID 1668A. Florida Department of
Environmental Prot ection. http://www.dep.state.fl.us/water/tmdl/docs/tmdls/final/gp5/st

- joes

crk

- fc_tmdl.pdf

. Levy, K.H. 2010. Presentation at numeric nutrient criteria developm ent public meeting in St. Petersburg, February 4, 2010. Pinellas County Department of Environmental Management.

Levy, K.H., M. Flock, R. Burnes. 2009. Ambient Monitoring Program Annual Report 2004

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