Attachment IConformed STA NPDES and EFA Permits 
STATE OF FLORIDA 

INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER FACILITY PERMIT 

PERMITTEE: PERMIT NUMBER: FL0304549 

PA FILE NUMBER: FL0304549-001-IW7A 

South Florida Water Management District ISSUANCE DATE: August 30, 2005 

3301 Gun Club Road EXPIRATION DATE: August 30, 2010 

West Palm Beach, FL 33406 

 

RESPONSIBLE AUTHORITY: 

Ms. Carol Ann Wehle 

Executive Director 

FACILITY: 

Stormwater Treatment Area 1E (STA-1E 

Project) 

 

Palm Beach County 

Latitude: 26° 36’ 44” N Longitude: 80° 18’ 6” W 

This permit is issued under the provisions of Chapter 403, Florida Statutes (F.S.) and applicable rules of the Florida 

Administrative Code (F.A.C.), and constitutes authorization to discharge to waters of the state under the National 

Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). This permit is accompanied by Administrative Order AO-009-

AV. The above named permittee is hereby authorized to construct and operate the facilities required by this permit

shown on the application and other documents attached hereto or on file with the Department and made a part 

hereof and specifically described as follows:

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: 

The project is to construct, operate and maintain Stormwater Treatment Area 1E (STA-1E), the STA-1 Inflow and 

Distribution Works (STA-1 Inflow Basin), which includes the G-311, G-300, G-301, G-302, and S-5AS control 

structures, Inflow Pumping Station S-319, Inflow Pumping Station S-361, Gated Spillway G-311, STA-1E Works, 

Outflow Pumping Station S-362, C-51 Basin Divide Structure S-155A, and C-51 Canal Improvements, collectively 

known as STA-1E. STA-1E is part of the Everglades Construction Project (ECP) construction, operation, and 

maintenance of which is required by the Everglades Forever Act (EFA) (Section 373.4592, F.S.). 

STA-1E is located immediately east of the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) and 

the STA-1 Inflow and Distribution Works (STA-1 Inflow Basin). STA-1E consists of three parallel treatment paths 

(flow ways) with eight treatment cells flowing from north to south. This created wetland marsh system will provide 

an effective treatment area of 5,132 acres. STA-1E is designed to treat approximately 165,000 acre feet of runoff 

annually. This stormwater non-process wastewater is currently being discharged untreated easterly to the Lake 

Worth Lagoon or westerly to the Refuge via the S-5AE structure. Operation of STA-1E involves maintaining water 

levels within the STA to optimize the efficiency of the treatment area as defined by performance of removing the 

pollutants, particularly total phosphorus, for which the treatment wetland was designed, and providing regional 

flood control and water supply. 

The treatment cells are designed to have an operational depth of between 6 inches and 4.5 feet to encourage 

colonization by and continued viability of wetland plants and maximize (to the greatest extent possible utilizing 
PERMITTEE: PERMIT NUMBER: FL0304549 

 

South Florida Water Management District Issuance date: August 30, 2005 

3301 Gun Club Road Expiration date: August 30, 2010 

West Palm Beach, FL 33406 

 

2

available technology) uptake of total phosphorus from the storm wastewater passing through the cells. Long-term 

storage of the phosphorus is expected to be provided by peat accretion in STA-1E. 

STA-1E is operationally related to the STA-1 Inflow and Distribution Works (STA-1 Inflow Basin). The STA-1 

Inflow Basin is designed to allow the diversion bypass and redirection of inflows between STA-1E and STA-1W, 

in order to utilize both of the STAs in the treatment of runoff from the C-51 West and S-5A Basins, prior to 

discharge into the Refuge. Diversion Bypass occurs when water from the STA-1 Inflow Basin is directed untreated 

into the Refuge through the G-300 or G-301 Structures. Redirection occurs when water is redirected from STA-1E 

to STA-1W for treatment. It is hydrologically possible for the STA-1 Inflow Basin to also accept runoff from the L8 Basin, Okeechobee regulatory releases, and the East Beach Water Control District although STA-1E is not 

expected to regularly accept water from these sources. Diverted water from the distribution cells can also be 

released back through the S-319 Pump Station by gravity to the C-51 West Canal. The current design and operation 

contemplates that redirection of flows from STA-1W to STA-1E will only occur whenever the discharge from 

Pumping Station S-5A exceeds the hydraulic capacity of STA-1W or when other contributing factors warrant such 

redirection in order to optimize system performance. Runoff from the C-51 West Basin could be directed to STA1W through the G-311 Structure; however, the present design of STA-1E is such that no redirection should be 

necessary as a result of hydraulic limitations in STA-1E. STA-1W and STA-1E are hydraulically connected and 

interrelated, but STA-1W is not included in this permit. 

EFFLUENT DISPOSAL: 

This permit authorizes the new discharge of treated stormwater non-process wastewater from a 6,505 acre 

constructed wetland marsh system (STA-1E Project) to the L-40 Canal, which is the perimeter canal along the East 

side of the Refuge. Stormwater Non-process wastewater from the Permittee’s C-51 canal system that would 

normally be routed untreated easterly to the Lake Worth Lagoon or westerly to the Refuge via the S-5AE structure 

will now be diverted into STA-1E. Water may also be directed into STA-1E from the S-5A basin via the STA-1 

Inflow Basin and subsequently through the G-311 spillway. Stormwater Non-process wastewater runoff from these 

basins that is currently flowing untreated will, upon completion of the STA, be diverted into the constructed wetland 

for treatment utilizing natural, passive, physical, and biological processes for nutrient removal and water quality 

improvement. Treated water from STA-1E will be discharged into the Discharge Outlet Canal, upstream of the S362 pump station, from the S-372 A-E, S-369 A-D, and S-365 A-B structures and subsequently will be pumped to 

the L-40 Borrow Canal, located along the east side of the Refuge, by means of the S-362 pump station. All of the 

surface waters and wetlands to be impacted by the construction of the project are Class III Waters. 

Surface Water Discharge:

A new discharge to L-40 (Class III Fresh waters), D-001. The S-362 outfall point of discharge is located 

approximately at latitude 26° 37' 32.611" N, longitude 80° 19' 04.292" W. 

IN ACCORDANCE WITH: The limitations, monitoring requirements and other conditions as set forth in Part I 

through Part VIII on pages 3 through 18 of this permit. 

I. Effluent Limitations and Monitoring Requirements 

A. Surface Water Discharges

1. During the period beginning upon placing the system into operation the permit effective date and lasting 

through the expiration date of this permit, the permittee is authorized to discharge stormwater non-process 

wastewater from Outfall D-001. Such discharge shall be limited and monitored by the permittee as specified 

below: 
PERMITTEE: PERMIT NUMBER: FL0304549 

 

South Florida Water Management District Issuance date: August 30, 2005 

3301 Gun Club Road Expiration date: August 30, 2010 

West Palm Beach, FL 33406 

 

3

Discharge Limitations Monitoring Requirements 

Parameters (units) Daily Minimum Daily 

Maximum Annual Average Other Monitoring Frequency Sample Type Sample Point 

Not to exceed 10 

as a geometric 

mean (GM) annual 

average in more 

than two 

consecutive years*

18 as a 

flowweighted 

mean 

(FWM) 

annual 

average* 

Phosphorus, Total 

(as P) (ppb) -- -- 

 See I.A.5

Weekly 

GM – based 

on grab 

samples 

collected 

when 

discharge 

occurs 

FWM - 7-day 

flow 

proportioned 

composite 

EFF-1 

Phosphorus, Total 

(as P) (ppb) -- -- Report ** Weekly 

7-day flow 

proportioned 

composite 

SWU-001, 

SWU-002, and 

SWU-003 

Oxygen, Dissolved 

(DO) (MG/L) See I.A.6 Weekly Meter EFF-1 

Oxygen, Dissolved 

(DO) (MG/L) Report Weekly Meter 

SWU-001, 

SWU-002, & 

SWU-003 

Flow (CFS) -- Report Report Continuous Recorder EFF-1 & SWU001 

pH (SU) 6.0 8.5 -- Weekly Meter EFF-1 

* All EFF TP monitoring results for this parameter shall be reported as separate weekly values without rounding to whole numbers. The results 

shall also be reported as FWM annual averages that are calculated based on the FWM of the weekly values. The results shall also be reported as 

GM annual averages that are calculated based on all sample point weekly values collected when discharge occurs in the previous 12 months. All

FWM and GM annual averages shall be reported to the nearest whole number (i.e., 10.5 ppb shall be reported as 11 ppb; 10.49 ppb shall be 

reported as 10 ppb). No violations for the annual average limit will be deemed to have occurred until data have been compiled for the first 12 

months after the issuance date of the permit. The “annual average” effluent limitation is a rolling average equal to the flow-weighted arithmetic 

mean of the effluent samples collected during consecutive reporting periods which comprise one year. For parameters that are measured at least 

once per month, the annual average shall be computed at the end of each month and is equal to the arithmetic mean of the monthly average of that 

month and of each of the previous eleven months. No violations for the annual average limit will be deemed to have occurred until data have 

been compiled for the first 12 months after the issuance date of the permit. For the first 11 months after issuance of this permit, the monitoring 

results for this parameter shall be recorded on the DMR as MNR. Starting with the 12th month and lasting until the expiration of this permit, the 

monitoring results for this parameter shall be recorded on the DMR as a 12-month moving flow-weighted average. 

** All SWU TP monitoring results shall be reported as separate weekly values without rounding to whole numbers. All results shall also be 

reported as monthly averages and as FWM annual averages. The monthly averages and FWM annual averages shall be calculated based on the

FWM of the weekly values and shall be reported to the nearest whole number (i.e., 10.5 ppb shall be reported as 11 ppb; 10.49 ppb shall be 

reported as 10 ppb). 

2. Effluent samples shall be taken at the monitoring site locations listed in permit condition I.A.1 and as described 

below: 

Sample Point Description of Monitoring Location 

EFF-1 Sampling location for Outfall D-001 at the S-362 structure 

SWU-001 Upstream background sampling location at the G-311 Pump Station when operating as inflow 
PERMITTEE: PERMIT NUMBER: FL0304549 

 

South Florida Water Management District Issuance date: August 30, 2005 

3301 Gun Club Road Expiration date: August 30, 2010 

West Palm Beach, FL 33406 

 

4

Sample Point Description of Monitoring Location 

SWU-002 Upstream background sampling location at the S-319 Pump Station. 

SWU-003 Upstream background sampling location at the S-361 Pump Station. 

3. There shall be no discharge of floating solids or visible foam in other than trace amounts. This provision shall 

not be interpreted to prevent discharges of constituents normally found in or resulting from marsh wetland systems. 

4. The discharge shall not cause a visible sheen on the receiving water. This provision shall not be interpreted to 

prevent discharges of constituents normally found in or resulting from marsh wetland systems. 

5. The discharge shall not cause phosphorus concentrations in the receiving waters to be altered so as to cause or 

contribute to an imbalance in natural populations of aquatic flora or fauna. The discharge shall not cause 

phosphorus concentrations in the receiving waters to exceed the criteria in Rule 62-302.540(4)(a). A 10 part per 

billion (ppb) default numeric phosphorus criterion went into effect December 31, 2003 and was approved by the 

U.S. EPA on January 24, 2005. Pursuant to Section 373.4592(4)(e)2 of the EFA, the Department adopted a 10 parts 

per billion (ppb) numeric criterion for phosphorus in the Everglades Protection Area, which was approved by the 

U.S. EPA on January 24th, 2005. The criterion was revised and adopted on June 3rd, 2005, and the revised rule 

was approved by the U.S. EPA on July 27, 2005. The permittee may not be able to immediately comply with this 

condition and therefore, this permit is issued pursuant to Subsection 403.088(2)(e) F.S. and is consistent with the 

EFA. Beginning at the end of April after the permit effective date and at the end of each April thereafter, the 

permittee shall report the FWM annual average using data it collected for the prior 12 months. Beginning at the end 

of April after the permit effective date and at the end of each April thereafter, the permittee shall report the GM 

annual average using data it collected for each of the prior 3 years.

6. In the year following any two consecutive years where the TP GM annual average exceeds 10 ppb, the permittee 

shall report quarterly the GM of all monthly TP values for that year. If that mean exceeds 10 ppb, the permittee 

shall provide a report to both FDEP and USEPA by the fifteenth of the month following the quarterly report of its 

evaluation of why that mean is as high as it is and the specific steps it is taking to ensure that the TP GM for that 

year will not exceed 10 ppb.

For the TP FWM WQBEL, the permittee shall report quarterly the average of all monthly FWMs for that year. If 

that average exceeds 18 ppb, the permittee shall provide a report to both FDEP and USEPA by the fifteenth of the 

month following the quarterly report of its evaluation of why that average is as high as it is and the specific steps it 

is taking to ensure that the TP FWM annual average for that year will not exceed 18 ppb.

7. If the facility does not meet the FWM WQBEL in any year, the permittee shall report the annual load of TP 

discharged by the STA into the Everglades that is in excess of the WQBEL load (based on 18 ppb). If the facility 

does not meet the GM WQBEL in any year, the permittee shall separately report the annual load of TP discharged 

by the STA into the Everglades that is in excess of the WQBEL load (based on 10 ppb) for that year and the 

previous two years.

8. Compliance with the discharge limitations for dissolved oxygen is in accordance with the requirements set forth 

in a Site Specific Alternative Criteria (SSAC) as adopted by Secretarial Order on January 26th, 2004, and herein 

incorporated by reference as Exhibit B. 

9. TP samples taken in accordance with Section I.A.1 and submitted monthly as part of the Discharge Monitoring 

Report (DMR) shall be analyzed to provide an assessment in the Annual Report required in Part I.E.9 as to whether 

the facility is operating within or outside the operational envelope. The assessment shall be based on annual inflow 
PERMITTEE: PERMIT NUMBER: FL0304549 

 

South Florida Water Management District Issuance date: August 30, 2005 

3301 Gun Club Road Expiration date: August 30, 2010 

West Palm Beach, FL 33406 

 

5

volumes and phosphorus loads and shall compare flows and loads to the corresponding average values contained in 

the operational envelope described in Exhibit A (Goforth et al, 2007). If the annual inflow volumes or phosphorus 

loads exceed the corresponding average values of the operational envelope during an annual compliance period, the 

District shall conduct a review of potential causes and include this review in the annual report. Departmental 

concurrence shall be obtained prior to initiating Lake Okeechobee regulatory or water supply releases that would 

result in an exceedance of the maximum levels of flow or phosphorus load contained in the operational envelope. 

B. Underground Injection Control Systems

1. This section is not applicable to this facility.

C. Land Application Systems

1. This section is not applicable to this facility.

D. Other Methods of Disposal or Recycling

1. There shall be no discharge of industrial wastewater from this facility to ground or surface waters, except as 

authorized by this permit. 

E. Other Limitations and Monitoring and Reporting Requirements

1. The sample collection, analytical test methods and method detection limits (MDLs) applicable to this permit 

shall be in accordance with Rule 62-4.246, Chapters 62-160 and 62-601, F.A.C., and 40 CFR 136, as 

appropriate. A list of Department analytical methods, and corresponding MDLs and PQLs (practical 

quantification limits), which is titled “Florida Department of Environmental Protection Table as Required By 

Rule 62-4.246(4) Testing Methods for Discharges to Surface Water” dated June 21, 1996, is available from the 

Department on request. The MDLs and PQLs as described in this list shall constitute the minimum acceptable 

MDL/PQL values and the Department shall not accept results for which the laboratory's MDLs or PQLs are 

greater than those described above unless alternate MDLs and/or PQLs have been specifically approved by the 

Department for this permit. Any method included in this list or as mandated in 40 CFR Part 136 may be used for 

reporting as long as it meets the following requirements: 

a. The laboratory’s reported MDL and PQL values for the particular method must be equal or less than the 

corresponding method values specified in the Department’s approved MDL and PQL list; 

b. The laboratory reported PQL for the specific parameter is less than or equal to the permit limit or the 

applicable water quality criteria, if any, stated in Chapter 62-302, F.A.C. Parameters that are listed as 

“report only” in the permit shall use methods that provide a PQL, which is equal to or less than the 

applicable water quality criteria stated in 62-302 FAC; and 

c. If the PQLs for all methods in the list (E.1 above) are above the stated permit limit or applicable water 

quality criteria for that parameter, then the method with the lowest stated PQL shall be used with a U or I 

qualifier code, as applicable. 

 Where the analytical results are not detected (below method detection) the laboratory shall report the 

laboratory MDL. Values between the laboratory MDL and PQL shall be reported per 62-160, F.A.C. 

reporting requirements. The permittee shall report the actual laboratory MDL and/or PQL values for the 

analyses that were performed following the instructions on the applicable discharge monitoring report. 

Approval of alternate laboratory MDLs or PQLs are not necessary if the laboratory reported MDLs and 

PQLs are less than or equal to the permit limit or the applicable water quality criteria, if any, stated in 

Chapter 62-302, F.A.C. However, where necessary, the permittee may request approval for alternative 
PERMITTEE: PERMIT NUMBER: FL0304549 

 

South Florida Water Management District Issuance date: August 30, 2005 

3301 Gun Club Road Expiration date: August 30, 2010 

West Palm Beach, FL 33406 

 

6

methods or for alternative MDLs and PQLs for any approved analytical method, in accordance with the 

criteria of Rules 62-160.330, F.A.C. 

2. Parameters which must be monitored as a result of a surface water discharge shall be analyzed using a 

sufficiently sensitive method in accordance with 40 CFR Part 136. Field measurement methods for pH and 

dissolved oxygen shall be in accordance with relevant sections in DEP SOP 001/01, 2/1/2004. 

3. Herbicide use is authorized for maintenance purposes if the use is in accordance with labeled instructions and 

any applicable State permit. Discharge of any product registered under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and 

Rodenticide Act to any waste stream, which ultimately may be released to waters of the State, is prohibited 

unless specifically authorized by this permit and documented in the administrative record. 

The permittee shall notify the Department in writing no later than three (3) months prior to instituting use of 

any chemical used in any portion of the treatment system which is not already authorized by this permit and 

may be toxic to aquatic life. The Department shall review the above information to determine if a permit 

revision is necessary. Such notification shall include: 

a. Name of chemical 

b. Frequencies of use 

c. Quantities to be used 

4. Monitoring requirements under this permit are effective on the first day of the second month following permit 

issuance. Until such time, the permittee shall continue to monitor and report in accordance with previously 

effective permit requirements, if any. During the period of operation authorized by this permit, the permittee 

shall complete and submit to the Department on a monthly basis Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs), form 

62-620.910(10), as attached to this permit. The permittee shall make copies of the attached DMR form(s) and 

shall submit the completed DMR form(s) to the Department by the twenty-eighth (28th) of the third month 

following the month of sampling at the address specified below: 

Florida Department of Environmental Protection 

Wastewater Compliance Evaluation Section, Mail Station 3551 

Twin Towers Office Building 

2600 Blair Stone Road 

Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400 

If no discharge occurs during the reporting period, sampling requirements of this permit do not apply. The 

DMR form(s) shall be submitted as specified above with the statement “No Discharge” written thereon. 

5. Unless specified otherwise in this permit, all reports and notifications required by this permit, including twentyfour hour notifications, shall be submitted to or reported to the Southeast District Office at the address specified 

below: 

Florida Department of Environmental Protection 

Southeast District Office 

400 N. Congress Avenue 

West Palm Beach, FL 33416-5425 

Phone Number – (561) 681-6600 

FAX Number* – (561) 681-6755 

AND 
PERMITTEE: PERMIT NUMBER: FL0304549 

 

South Florida Water Management District Issuance date: August 30, 2005 

3301 Gun Club Road Expiration date: August 30, 2010 

West Palm Beach, FL 33406 

 

7

Florida Department of Environmental Protection 

Division of Water Resource Management 

Water Quality Standards & Special Projects Program 

2600 Blair Stone Road 

Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400 

Phone Number – (850) 245-8424 

Fax Number* – (850) 412-0653 

*All FAX copies shall be followed by original copies. 

6. All reports and other information shall be signed in accordance with requirements of Rule 62-620.305, F.A.C. 

7. The permittee shall provide safe access points for obtaining representative samples which are required by this 

permit. 

8. Upon demonstration that a specific parameter(s) is consistently shown to be undetected in the effluent, the 

permittee may request a modification to the monitoring program as appropriate. A minimum of one year of 

data, for those parameters being sampled quarterly or more frequently, will be required prior to the Department 

approving any modification to the monitoring program. The Department may approve a reduction of the 

monitoring frequency or waive the monitoring requirement for parameters which are consistently shown to be 

undetected in the effluent. 

9. The permittee shall submit an Annual Report demonstrating compliance with the conditions of this permit and 

according to the schedule in Section VI. The Annual Report shall provide details regarding the status of 

implementation of the requirements of this permit. Specifically, the report will include details regarding:

 a. Implementation of the WQBEL and activities required by this permit and affecting flows and loads to 

 STA-1E;

 b. Source control implementation and optimization; 

c. STA design modifications affecting implementation of the WQBEL and activities required by this 

permit;

 d. Improvements, enhancements, and strategies that have been initiated and/or completed within the 

 previous year;

 e. Any delays in the implementation of the requirements of this permit, the duration of the delays, the 

 reason(s) for the delays, and the expected timeframe for their resolution;

 f. Whether revisions and/or additions to the requirements of this permit are recommended; 

g. The implementation status of STA Recovery Plans; 

h. For any noncompliance with permit conditions, an evaluation of the cause(s) and implementation of

remedial measures; 

i. Whether the facility was operated within or outside of the operational envelope; and
PERMITTEE: PERMIT NUMBER: FL0304549 

 

South Florida Water Management District Issuance date: August 30, 2005 

3301 Gun Club Road Expiration date: August 30, 2010 

West Palm Beach, FL 33406 

 

8

j. For each downstream transect station, a compilation of the water quality, sediment, and vegetation 

 monitoring data collected, as appropriate, and an assessment of whether the cumulative impact remained 

 unchanged, improved, or worsened from the previous year/monitoring.

10. The District shall notify the Department within 24 hours of any unanticipated bypasses of flow through the G300 or G-301 Diversion Structures. The District shall notify the Department as soon as practicable in advance of 

anticipated bypasses, with the exception of routine maintenance. The submitted notification shall include a 

description of the circumstances related to the bypass and a projection of the anticipated duration of the bypass. All 

bypasses occurring through either the G-300 or the G-301 Structure shall be monitored for the parameters listed in 

the table below. As soon as practicable after cessation of all bypasses, the District shall submit a summary of the 

data collected from the table below, and identify the duration of the bypasses. Bypasses shall be limited to the 

shortest time possible and are not allowed solely to achieve the WQBEL. Bypasses are subject to and must meet the 

requirements of Items VIII.20, 21, and 22 of this permit. 

Parameter Units Sample Type Frequency

Total Phosphorus mg/l Grab Weekly

Flow CFS Calculated Daily Average

11. The permittee shall report with the monthly DMR if operation of facilities is impacted by or constrained due to 

requirements under the Endangered Species Act or Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The report should include the 

species involved, an estimate of the number of individuals involved, actions taken to avoid deleterious impacts 

on the endangered species, the affect those actions had on compliance with any condition of this permit, and an 

estimate of when facility operation will no longer be impacted or constrained.

II. Industrial Sludge Management Requirements

1. This section not applicable to this facility. 

III. Ground Water Monitoring Requirements 

1. This section is not applicable to this facility.

IV. Other Land Application Requirements 

1. This section is not applicable to this facility.

V. Operation and Maintenance Requirements

A. Operation of Treatment and Disposal Facilities

1. The permittee shall ensure that the operation of this facility is as described in the application and supporting 

documents. 

2. The operation of the pollution control facilities described in this permit shall be under the supervision of a 

person who is qualified by formal training and/or practical experience in the field of water pollution control. 
PERMITTEE: PERMIT NUMBER: FL0304549 

 

South Florida Water Management District Issuance date: August 30, 2005 

3301 Gun Club Road Expiration date: August 30, 2010 

West Palm Beach, FL 33406 

 

9

B. Record keeping Requirements:

1. The permittee shall maintain the following records at the SFWMD headquarters office at the address specified 

above and make them available for inspection: 

a. Records of all compliance monitoring information shall be maintained for at least three years after the 

conclusion of this permit cycle. These records shall include field and laboratory records as identified in 

62-160.240 and 62-160.340, F.A.C., including all calibration and maintenance records for continuous 

monitoring instrumentation, and, if applicable, a copy or copies of the laboratory certification(s) showing 

the certification number(s) of the laboratory; 

b. Copies of all reports, other than those required in items 1. and 6. of this section, required by the permit for 

at least three years from the date the report was prepared, unless otherwise specified by Department rule; 

c. Records of all data, including reports and documents used to complete the application for the permit for at 

least three years from the date the application was filed, unless otherwise specified by Department rule; 

d. A copy of the current permit; 

e. A copy of any required record drawings; 

f. Copies of the logs and schedules showing project operations and maintenance for three years from the 

date on the logs or schedule. 

VI. Schedules 

1. An Operations Plan shall be developed and submitted by the permittee to the Department no later than three 

months after issuance of the permit. Upon completion of and compliance with the requirements specified 

herein, the permittee shall submit to the Department an updated Operations Plan for STA-1E. Until the updated 

Operations Plan is submitted by the permittee and approved by the Department, the previously existing 

Operations Plan shall remain in effect.

2. In accordance with sections 403.088(2)(e) and (f), F.S., a compliance schedule for this facility is contained in 

Part II.3-5 of Administrative Order AO-009-EV which is hereby incorporated by reference. The Annual 

Report shall be received by the Department no later than March 1 of each year following the effective date of 

this permit. Each Annual Report shall present the information for the previous water year, from May 1 to April 

30. Upon approval by the Department, the District may modify the Annual Report submission date to coincide 

with multiple reporting requirements and time periods needed for data acquisition and analysis.

3. The November 16, 2004 Long-Term Plan contains detailed schedules of improvements and enhancements 

scheduled to take place prior to December 31, 2006. 

4. If the permittee will not be able comply with condition I.A.5 above, they will be required to have a relief 

mechanism in place by December 31, 2006.

3. A revised Pollution Prevention Plan (PPP) shall be prepared and implemented in accordance with the following 

schedule:
PERMITTEE: PERMIT NUMBER: FL0304549 

 

South Florida Water Management District Issuance date: August 30, 2005 

3301 Gun Club Road Expiration date: August 30, 2010 

West Palm Beach, FL 33406 

 

10

Action Item Scheduled Completion Date

1 Develop and Implement revised Pollution Prevention Plan As needed upon completion 

of and compliance with the 

requirements of this permit

2

.

Submittal of revised Pollution Prevention Plan if additional 

enhancements are implemented

Changes that warrant 

modifications to the current PPP 

+ 90 days

VII. Other Specific Conditions

A. Specific Conditions Applicable to All Permits

1. The following documents (design documents), not attached hereto, but retained on file with the Department, are 

made a part hereof:

a. 1994 Conceptual Design Document for the Everglades Protection Project;

b. The June 13, 2000 Stormwater Treatment Area No 1 East Period of Record Dry-Out Analysis; 

c. The October, 1999 C-51 & STA 1 East Design Documentation Report; 

d. The January, 1999 Design Documentation Report, Canal 51 and Stormwater Treatment Area 1 East;

e. The May, 2000 Addendum To Design Documentation Report Stormwater Treatment Area 1 East;

f. The September 26, 2003 Stormwater Treatment Area, C-51 Improvements Construction and Solicitation 

Specifications; 

g. The February, 1999 C-51 West End Flood Control Project Final Environmental Impact Statement; and, 

h. The November 16, 2004 Everglades Protection Area Tributary Basins Long-Term Plan for Achieving 

Water Quality Goals.

2. Where required by Chapter 471 (P.E.) or Chapter 492 (P.G.) F.S., applicable portions of reports to be submitted 

under this permit, shall be signed and sealed by the professional(s) who prepared them. 

3. This permit satisfies Wastewater program permitting requirements only. The Department and the permittee 

acknowledge the issuance of the other permits related to the STA-1E Project. Additional related permits 

include FDEP Permit No. 0178018, which authorizes temporary dewatering activities for the construction of 

facilities within the STA-1E, STA-1W, STA-2, STA-3/4, and STA-5 Hydropattern Restoration Projects, and 

FDEP Permit No. 0195030 (EFA permit). This permit is supplemental to these permits and does not supersede 

any of these permits. 

B. Specific Conditions Related to Construction

1. Within thirty days of completion of construction, the permittee shall submit to the Department a completed 

“Certification of Completion of Construction” (DEP Form 62-620.910(12)) signed and sealed by the engineer of 

record or other engineer registered in the state of Florida. For purposes of this permit, completion of 

construction shall mean completion and closure of the construction contract for this project. 
PERMITTEE: PERMIT NUMBER: FL0304549 

 

South Florida Water Management District Issuance date: August 30, 2005 

3301 Gun Club Road Expiration date: August 30, 2010 

West Palm Beach, FL 33406 

 

11

2. Record drawings shall be prepared and made available in accordance with Rule 62-620.410(6), F.A.C., and the 

Department of Environmental Protection Guide to Wastewater Permitting within six months of placing the 

facilities into flow-through operation. 

C. Duty to Reapply

1. The permittee shall submit an application to renew this permit at least 180 days before the expiration date of this 

permit. 

2. The permittee shall apply for renewal of this permit on the appropriate form listed in Rule 62-620.910, F.A.C., 

and in the manner established in Chapter 62-620, F.A.C., and the Department of Environmental Protection 

Guide to Wastewater Permitting including submittal of the appropriate processing fee set forth in Rule 62-4.050, 

F.A.C. 

3. An application filed in accordance with subsections 1. and 2. of this part shall be considered timely and 

sufficient. When an application for renewal of a permit is timely and sufficient, the existing permit shall not 

expire until the Department has taken final action on the application for renewal or until the last day for seeking 

judicial review of the agency order or a later date fixed by order of the reviewing court. 

4. The late submittal of a renewal application shall be considered timely and sufficient for the purpose of extending 

the effectiveness of the expiring permit only if it is submitted and made complete before the expiration date. 

D. Specific Conditions Related to Pollution Prevention Plan

1. The document entitled “Stormwater Treatment Area 1E Pollution Prevention Plan” dated October 25, 2004, is 

hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of this permit as Exhibit A. 

2. The STA-1E Project shall be operated in accordance with the Pollution Prevention Plan (PPP). 

If the permitted facilities are demonstrated to not be achieving compliance with the requirements of this permit, 

the permittee shall modify the PPP or the Operations Plan as appropriate. 

E. Reopener Clause

1. The permit shall be revised, or alternatively, revoked and reissued in accordance with the provisions contained 

in Rules 62-620.325 and 62-620.345 F.A.C., if applicable, or to comply with any applicable effluent standard or 

limitation issued or approved under Sections 301(b)(2)(C) and (D), 304(b)(2) and 307(a)(2) of the Clean Water 

Act (the Act), as amended, if the effluent standards, limitations, or water quality standards so issued or 

approved: 

a. Contains different conditions or is otherwise more stringent than any condition in the permit/or; 

b. Controls any pollutant not addressed in the permit. 

The permit as revised or reissued under this paragraph shall contain any other requirements then applicable. 

2. The permit may be reopened to adjust effluent limitations or monitoring requirements should future Water 

Quality Based Effluent Limitation determinations, water quality studies, DEP approved changes in water 

quality standards, or other information show a need for a different limitation or monitoring requirement. 
PERMITTEE: PERMIT NUMBER: FL0304549 

 

South Florida Water Management District Issuance date: August 30, 2005 

3301 Gun Club Road Expiration date: August 30, 2010 

West Palm Beach, FL 33406 

 

12

3. The Department may develop a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) during the life of the permit. Once a 

TMDL has been established and adopted by rule, the Department shall revise this permit to incorporate the final 

findings of the TMDL consistent with the requirements of Section 403.067, F.S. 

F. Transect Monitoring

The permittee shall conduct water quality, soil, and vegetation monitoring as specified below at a series of sites

located along a transect downstream of the STA-1E discharge site to characterize the effects of the STA-1E 

discharge on adjacent marsh areas of the Refuge. The table below identifies five sampling sites. The monitoring 

site 

closest to the discharge point (LOX-135) is located in the rim canal and will be used to evaluate changes in water 

quality occurring between the discharge point and the actual marsh. Of the remaining four marsh sites, LOXA-136 

and LOXA-137 are located in areas currently identified as impacted (i.e., sediment TP concentration greater than 

500 mg/kg), with the final two sites located in areas currently identified as unimpacted. Upon demonstration that an 

additional sampling site or removal of an existing sampling site is warranted, the permittee may request a 

modification to the monitoring program as appropriate. The Department and USEPA shall review and approve such 

requests on a case by case basis. Any alteration in the monitoring program approved by the Department and 

USEPA 

shall occur in the form of a modification to this permit.

All water quality, soil, and vegetation samples will be collected and reported for the parameters and at the frequency 

specified in the SFWMD’s January 20, 2010 ‘Project WCA-2A Monitoring Plan for STA-2 and Compartment B 

Build-Out Downstream Monitoring Plan’. 

G. Implementation of Source Control Programs. 

1. Implementation. The permittee shall continue to implement source control programs in each of the 

contributing basins in accordance with Chapter 40E-63, F.A.C. and other applicable programs. Basins that 

do not presently include source control programs shall be monitored to determine if such programs are 

necessary in the event that phosphorus loads to the facility from these basins limit the facility or facilities 

progress towards achieving the WQBEL 

2. Performance. On an annual basis, the permittee shall evaluate the performance of source controls in the 

contributing basins and include the findings in the annual report required in Part I.E.9. The report shall 

include phosphorus loads from the basins and shall describe trends and compare current loads to those 

determined necessary to achieve the WQBEL. 

3. Improvements. If the WQBEL is not achieved and if the assumed inflow concentration used to develop the 

Amended Determination remedy is exceeded, the permittee shall submit, as part of the annual reporting 

requirements in Part I.E.9, a report explaining the cause(s) for the excess concentration and, if applicable, 

schedules and strategies for source control improvements necessary to achieve the WQBEL. 

Table STA-1E Transect Sampling Sites.

Station Latitude Longitude Impacted/Unimpacted

LOXA-135 26.623355 -80.316123 Rim Canal

LOXA-136 26.618793 -80.318667 Impacted

LOXA-137 26.615103 -80.321703 Impacted

LOXA-138 26.606817 -80.326665 Unimpacted

LOXA-139 26.593325 -80.337154 Unimpacted
PERMITTEE: PERMIT NUMBER: FL0304549 

 

South Florida Water Management District Issuance date: August 30, 2005 

3301 Gun Club Road Expiration date: August 30, 2010 

West Palm Beach, FL 33406 

 

13

VIII. General Conditions

1. The terms, conditions, requirements, limitations and restrictions set forth in this permit are binding and 

enforceable pursuant to Chapter 403, F.S. Any permit noncompliance constitutes a violation of Chapter 403, 

F.S., and is grounds for enforcement action, permit termination, permit revocation and reissuance, or permit 

revision. [62-620.610(1), F.A.C.]

2. This permit is valid only for the specific processes and operations applied for and indicated in the approved 

drawings or exhibits. Any unauthorized deviation from the approved drawings, exhibits, specifications or 

conditions of this permit constitutes grounds for revocation and enforcement action by the Department. [62-

620.610(2), F.A.C.]

3. As provided in Subsection 403.087(6), F.S., the issuance of this permit does not convey any vested rights or 

any exclusive privileges. Neither does it authorize any injury to public or private property or any invasion of 

personal rights, nor authorize any infringements of federal, state, or local laws or regulations. This permit is 

not a waiver of or approval of any other Department permit or authorization that may be required for other 

aspects of the total project which are not addressed in this permit. [62-620.610(3), F.A.C.]

4. This permit conveys no title to land or water, does not constitute state recognition or acknowledgment of title, 

and does not constitute authority for the use of submerged lands unless herein provided and the necessary title 

or leasehold interests have been obtained from the State. Only the Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust 

Fund may express State opinion as to title. [62-620.610(4), F.A.C.]

5. This permit does not relieve the permittee from liability and penalties for harm or injury to human health or 

welfare, animal or plant life, or property caused by the construction or operation of this permitted source; nor 

does it allow the permittee to cause pollution in contravention of Florida Statutes and Department rules, unless 

specifically authorized by an order from the Department. The permittee shall take all reasonable steps to 

minimize or prevent any discharge, reuse of reclaimed water, or residuals use or disposal in violation of this 

permit which has a reasonable likelihood of adversely affecting human health or the environment. It shall not 

be a defense for a permittee in an enforcement action that it would have been necessary to halt or reduce the 

permitted activity in order to maintain compliance with the conditions of this permit. [62-620.610(5), F.A.C.]

6. If the permittee wishes to continue an activity regulated by this permit after its expiration date, the permittee 

shall apply for and obtain a new permit. [62-620.610(6), F.A.C.]

7. The permittee shall at all times properly operate and maintain the facility and systems of treatment and control, 

and related appurtenances, that are installed and used by the permittee to achieve compliance with the 

conditions of this permit. This provision includes the operation of backup or auxiliary facilities or similar 

systems when necessary to maintain or achieve compliance with the conditions of the permit. [62-620.610(7), 

F.A.C.]

8. This permit may be modified, revoked and reissued, or terminated for cause. The filing of a request by the 

permittee for a permit revision, revocation and reissuance, or termination, or a notification of planned changes 

or anticipated noncompliance does not stay any permit condition. [62-620.610(8), F.A.C.]

9. The permittee, by accepting this permit, specifically agrees to allow authorized Department personnel, 

including an authorized representative of the Department and authorized EPA personnel, when applicable, upon 

presentation of credentials or other documents as may be required by law, and at reasonable times, depending 

upon the nature of the concern being investigated, to 

 
PERMITTEE: PERMIT NUMBER: FL0304549 

 

South Florida Water Management District Issuance date: August 30, 2005 

3301 Gun Club Road Expiration date: August 30, 2010 

West Palm Beach, FL 33406 

 

14

a. Enter upon the permittee’s premises where a regulated facility, system, or activity is located or conducted, 

or where records shall be kept under the conditions of this permit; 

b. Have access to and copy any records that shall be kept under the conditions of this permit; 

c. Inspect the facilities, equipment, practices, or operations regulated or required under this permit; and 

d. Sample or monitor any substances or parameters at any location necessary to assure compliance with this 

permit or Department rules. 

[62-620.610(9), F.A.C.]

10. In accepting this permit, the permittee understands and agrees that all records, notes, monitoring data, and other 

information relating to the construction or operation of this permitted source which are submitted to the 

Department may be used by the Department as evidence in any enforcement case involving the permitted 

source arising under the Florida Statutes or Department rules, except as such use is proscribed by Section 

403.111, F.S., or Rule 62-620.302, F.A.C. Such evidence shall only be used to the extent that it is consistent 

with the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure and applicable evidentiary rules. [62-620.610(10), F.A.C.]

11. When requested by the Department, the permittee shall within a reasonable time provide any information 

required by law which is needed to determine whether there is cause for revising, revoking and reissuing, or 

terminating this permit, or to determine compliance with the permit. The permittee shall also provide to the 

Department upon request copies of records required by this permit to be kept. If the permittee becomes aware 

of relevant facts that were not submitted or were incorrect in the permit application or in any report to the 

Department, such facts or information shall be promptly submitted or corrections promptly reported to the 

Department. [62-620.610(11), F.A.C.]

12. Unless specifically stated otherwise in Department rules, the permittee, in accepting this permit, agrees to 

comply with changes in Department rules and Florida Statutes after a reasonable time for compliance; provided 

however, the permittee does not waive any other rights granted by Florida Statutes or Department rules. A 

reasonable time for compliance with a new or amended surface water quality standard, other than those standards 

addressed in Rule 62-302.500, F.A.C., shall include a reasonable time to obtain or be denied a mixing zone for the 

new or amended standard. [62-620.610(12), F.A.C.] However, this section cannot be used as a basis to extend the 

time to comply with the permit’s total phosphorus WQBEL or to obtain a mixing zone to meet the total phosphorus 

water quality criterion. 

13..The permittee, in accepting this permit, agrees to pay the applicable regulatory program and surveillance fee in 

accordance with Rule 62-4.052, F.A.C. [62-620.610(13), F.A.C.]

14. This permit is transferable only upon Department approval in accordance with Rule 62-620.340, F.A.C. The 

permittee shall be liable for any noncompliance of the permitted activity until the transfer is approved by the 

Department. [62-620.610(14), F.A.C.]

15. The permittee shall give the Department written notice at least 60 days before inactivation or abandonment of a 

wastewater facility and shall specify what steps will be taken to safeguard public health and safety during and 

following inactivation or abandonment. [62-620.610(15), F.A.C.]

16. The permittee shall apply for a revision to the Department permit in accordance with Rule 62-620.300, F.A.C., 

and the Department of Environmental Protection Guide to Wastewater Permitting at least 90 days before 

construction of any planned substantial modifications to the permitted facility is to commence or with Rule 62-

620.325(2), F.A.C., for minor modifications to the permitted facility. A revised permit shall be obtained before 

construction begins except as provided in Rule 62-620.300, F.A.C. [62-620.610(16), F.A.C.]
PERMITTEE: PERMIT NUMBER: FL0304549 

 

South Florida Water Management District Issuance date: August 30, 2005 

3301 Gun Club Road Expiration date: August 30, 2010 

West Palm Beach, FL 33406 

 

15

17. The permittee shall give advance notice to the Department of any planned changes in the permitted facility or 

activity which may result in noncompliance with permit requirements. The permittee shall be responsible for any 

and all damages which may result from the changes and may be subject to enforcement action by the Department 

for penalties or revocation of this permit. The notice shall include the following information: 

a. A description of the anticipated noncompliance; 

b. The period of the anticipated noncompliance, including dates and times; and 

c. Steps being taken to prevent future occurrence of the noncompliance. 

[62-620.610(17), F.A.C.]

18. Sampling and monitoring data shall be collected and analyzed in accordance with Rule 62-4.246, Chapters 62-

160 and 62-601, F.A.C., and 40 CFR 136, as appropriate. 

a. Monitoring results shall be reported at the intervals specified elsewhere in this permit and shall be reported 

on a Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR), DEP Form 62-620.910(10). 

b. If the permittee monitors any contaminate more frequently than required by the permit, using Department 

approved test procedures, the results of this monitoring shall be included in the calculation and reporting of 

the data submitted in the DMR. 

c. Calculations for all limitations which require averaging of measurements shall use an arithmetic mean 

unless otherwise specified in this permit. 

d. Any laboratory test required by this permit shall be performed by a laboratory that has been certified by the 

Department of Health (DOH) under Chapter 64E-1, F.A.C., where such certification is required by Rule 

62-160.300(4), F.A.C. The laboratory must be certified for any specific method and analyte combination 

that is used to comply with this permit. For domestic wastewater facilities, the on-site test procedures 

specified in Rule 62-160.300(4), F.A.C., shall be performed by a laboratory certified test for those 

parameters or under the direction of an operator certified under Chapter 62-602, F.A.C. 

e. Fields activities including on-site tests and sample collection, whether performed by a laboratory or a 

certified operator, must follow the applicable procedures described in DEP-SOP-001/01 (February 2004). 

Alternate field procedures and laboratory methods may be used where they have been approved according 

to the requirements of Rules 62-160.220, 62-160.330, and 62-160.600, F.A.C. 

 [62-620.610(18), F.A.C.]

19. Reports of compliance or noncompliance with, or any progress reports on, interim and final requirements 

contained in any compliance schedule detailed elsewhere in this permit shall be submitted no later than 14 days 

following each schedule date. [62-620.610(19), F.A.C.]

20. The permittee shall report to the Department any noncompliance which may endanger health or the 

environment. Any information shall be provided orally within 24 hours from the time the permittee becomes 

aware of the circumstances. A written submission shall also be provided within five days of the time the 

permittee becomes aware of the circumstances. The written submission shall contain: a description of the 

noncompliance and its cause; the period of noncompliance including exact dates and time, and if the 

noncompliance has not been corrected, the anticipated time it is expected to continue; and steps taken or 

planned to reduce, eliminate, and prevent recurrence of the noncompliance. 
PERMITTEE: PERMIT NUMBER: FL0304549 

 

South Florida Water Management District Issuance date: August 30, 2005 

3301 Gun Club Road Expiration date: August 30, 2010 

West Palm Beach, FL 33406 

 

16

a. The following shall be included as information which must be reported within 24 hours under this 

condition: 

1. Any unanticipated bypass which causes any reclaimed water or effluent to exceed any permit 

limitation or results in an unpermitted discharge, 

2. Any upset which causes any reclaimed water or the effluent to exceed any limitation in the permit, 

3. Violation of a maximum daily discharge limitation for any of the pollutants specifically listed in the 

permit for such notice, and 

4. Any unauthorized discharge to surface or ground waters. 

b. Oral reports as required by this subsection shall be provided as follows: 

1. For unauthorized releases or spills of untreated or treated wastewater reported pursuant to 

subparagraph a.4 that are in excess of 1,000 gallons per incident, or where information indicates that 

public health or the environment will be endangered, oral reports shall be provided to the Department 

by calling the STATE WARNING POINT TOLL FREE NUMBER (800) 320-0519, as soon as 

practical, but no later than 24 hours from the time the permittee becomes aware of the discharge. The 

permittee, to the extent known, shall provide the following information to the State Warning Point: 

(a) Name, address, and telephone number of person reporting; 

(b) Name, address, and telephone number of permittee or responsible person for the discharge; 

(c) Date and time of the discharge and status of discharge (ongoing or ceased); 

(d) Characteristics of the wastewater spilled or released (untreated or treated, industrial or domestic 

wastewater); 

(e) Estimated amount of the discharge; 

(f) Location or address of the discharge; 

(g) Source and cause of the discharge; 

(h) Whether the discharge was contained on-site, and cleanup actions taken to date; 

(i) Description of area affected by the discharge, including name of water body affected, if any; and 

(j) Other persons or agencies contacted. 

2. Oral reports, not otherwise required to be provided pursuant to subparagraph b.1 above, shall be 

provided to Department’s Southeast District Office within 24 hours from the time the permittee 

becomes aware of the circumstances. 

c. If the oral report has been received within 24 hours, the noncompliance has been corrected, and the 

noncompliance did not endanger health or the environment, the Department’s Southeast District Office 

shall waive the written report. 

[62-620.610(20), F.A.C.] 
PERMITTEE: PERMIT NUMBER: FL0304549 

 

South Florida Water Management District Issuance date: August 30, 2005 

3301 Gun Club Road Expiration date: August 30, 2010 

West Palm Beach, FL 33406 

 

17

21. The permittee shall report all instances of noncompliance not reported under Conditions VIII. 18 and 19 of this 

permit at the time monitoring reports are submitted. This report shall contain the same information required by 

Condition VIII. 20. of this permit. [62-620.610(21), F.A.C.]

22. Bypass Provisions. The term “bypass” shall mean the intentional diversion of waste streams from any portion of 

the treatment works. 

a. Bypass is prohibited, and the Department may take enforcement action against a permittee for bypass, 

unless the permittee affirmatively demonstrates that: 

1. Bypass was unavoidable to prevent loss of life, personal injury, or severe property damage; and 

2. There were no feasible alternatives to the bypass, such as the use of auxiliary treatment facilities, 

retention of untreated wastes, or maintenance during normal periods of equipment downtime. This 

condition is not satisfied if adequate back-up equipment should have been installed in the exercise of 

reasonable engineering judgment to prevent a bypass which occurred during normal periods of 

equipment downtime or preventative maintenance; and 

3. The permittee submitted notices as required under Condition VIII.22.b. of this permit. 

b. If the permittee knows in advance of the need for a bypass, it shall submit prior notice to the Department, if 

possible at least 10 days before the date of the bypass. The permittee shall submit notice of an 

unanticipated bypass within 24 hours of learning about the bypass as required in Condition VIII.20. of this 

permit. A notice shall include a description of the bypass and its cause; the period of the bypass, including 

exact dates and times; if the bypass has not been corrected, the anticipated time it is expected to continue; 

and the steps taken or planned to reduce, eliminate, and prevent recurrence of the bypass. 

c. The Department shall approve an anticipated bypass, after considering its adverse effect, if the permittee 

demonstrates that it will meet the three conditions listed in Condition VIII.22 a. (1) through (3) of this 

permit. 

d. A permittee may allow any bypass to occur which does not cause reclaimed water or effluent limitations to 

be exceeded if it is for essential maintenance to assure efficient operation. These bypasses are not subject 

to the provision of Condition VIII.22.a. through c. of this permit. 

[62-620.610(22), F.A.C.]

23. Upset Provisions 

a. A permittee who wishes to establish the affirmative defense of upset shall demonstrate, through properly 

signed contemporaneous operating logs, or other relevant evidence that: 

1. An upset occurred and that the permittee can identify the cause(s) of the upset; 

2. The permitted facility was at the time being properly operated; 

3. The permittee submitted notice of the upset as required in Condition VIII.20. of this permit; and 

4. The permittee complied with any remedial measures required under Condition VIII.5. of this permit. 

b. In any enforcement proceeding, the permittee seeking to establish the occurrence of an upset has the 

burden of proof. 
PERMITTEE: PERMIT NUMBER: FL0304549 

 

South Florida Water Management District Issuance date: August 30, 2005 

3301 Gun Club Road Expiration date: August 30, 2010 

West Palm Beach, FL 33406 

 

18

c. Before an enforcement proceeding is instituted, no representation made during the Department review of a 

claim that noncompliance was caused by an upset is final agency action subject to judicial review. 

[62-620.610(23), F.A.C.] 

Executed in Tallahassee, Florida. 

STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF 

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 

____________________________________ 

Jerry Brooks 

Deputy Division Director 

Water Resource Management 

DATE: ______________________________ 
Department of 

Environmental Protection 

Marjory Stoneman Douglas Building 

3900 Commonwealth Boulevard 

Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3000 

STATE OF FLORIDA 

Permit to Discharge Treated Water 

PERMITTEE: 

South Florida Water Management District 

3301 Gun Club Road 

West Palm Beach, FL 33406 

NPDES PERMIT NUMBER: FL0177962-001 Minor Non-POTW 

ISSUANCE DATE: May 11, 1999 

EXPIRATION DATE: May 10, 2004 

RESPONSIBLE AUTHORITY: 

Mr. Mike Slayton 

Deputy Executive Director 

FACILITY: 

Stormwater Treatment Area (STA) 1 West 

Project (STA-1W Project) 

Palm Beach County 

LATITUDE: 26° 33' 15 ̋ N LONGITUDE: 80" 26' 09 ̋ W 

This permit is issued under the provisions of Chapter 403, Florida Statutes, and applicable rules 

of the Florida Administrative Code and constitutes authorization to discharge to waters of the 

state under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). The above named 

permittee is hereby authorized to construct and operate the facilities required by this permit

shown on the application and other documents attached here to or on file with the Department 

and made a part hereof and specifically described as follows: 
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: 

The project is to construct, operate, and maintain Stormwater Treatment Area 1 West (STA-lW), 

STA 1 Inflow and Distribution Works (STA-1 I&D), the G-310 Pump Station, and modifications 

to the existing Everglades Nutrient Removal (ENR) Project, which together will be known as the 

STA-1W Project. STA-1W Project is part of the Everglades Construction Project (ECP), 

construction, operation and maintenance of which is required by the Everglades Forever Act 

(EFA) (Section 373.4592, Florida Statutes). 

EFFLUENT DISPOSAL: 

This permit authorizes the new discharge of treated waters from a 6,670 acre constructed wetland 

marsh system (STA-1W Project) to the L-7 Canal (within the Arthur R Marshall Loxahatchee 

National Wildlife Refuge -- herein referred to as the Refuge), via the G-310 and G-251 pump 

stations. Waters treated in the wetland marsh are pumped, via the S-5A pump station, from 

jurisdictional water of the East Beach Water Control District, from the S-5A, L-8, and C-51 West 

Basins and the Lake Okeechobee regulatory releases. The L-7 Canal is a Class III Fresh water 

and an Outstanding Florida Water (OFW). 

SURFACE WATER DISCHARGES AUTHORIZED: 

A new discharge to the L-7 Canal (Class III Fresh waters), outfall serial number D-001, via the 

G-310 pump station. The G-310 pump station outfall point of discharge is located approximately 

at latitude 26° 33' 15" N, longitude 80° 26' 09" W. 

A discharge to the L-7 Canal (Class III Fresh waters), outfall serial number D-002, via the G-251 

pump station. The G-251 pump station outfall point of discharge is located approximately at 

latitude 26° 35' 59" N, longitude 80° 26' 24 ̋ W. 

IN ACCORDANCE WITH: The 1imitations, monitoring requirements and other conditions as 

set forth in Part I through Part VIII on pages 1 through 15 of this permit. 
I. Effluent Limitations and Monitoring Requirement 

A. Surface Water Discharges 

1. During the period beginning upon placing the system into operation the permit

effective date and lasting through the expiration date of this permit, the permittee is 

authorized to discharge from Outfalls D-OO1 and D-002, non-process wastewater treated 

water. Such discharge shall limited and monitored by the permittee as specified below: 

 Discharge Limitations Monitoring Requirements 

Parameters (units) Daily Minimum Daily 

Maximum Annual Average Other Monitoring Frequency 

Sample 

Type Sample Point 

Not to exceed 10 

as a geometric 

mean (GM) annual 

average in more 

than two 

consecutive years*

18 as a flowweighted mean

(FWM) annual 

average*

EFF-1 

Phosphorus, Total 

(as P) (ppb) -- -- 

 (See I.A.5) 

Weekly 

GM – based 

on grab 

samples 

collected 

when 

discharge 

occurs

FWM - 7-

day flow 

proportioned 

composite 

Phosphorus, Total 

(mg/L ppb as P) -- -- Report ** Weekly 

7-day flow 

proportioned 

composite 

SWU-1 

Oxygen, Dissolved 

(DO) (MG/L) 

5.0 -- -- Weekly Meter EFF-1&EFF-2 

Oxygen, Dissolved 

(DO) (MG/L) Report -- -- Weekly Meter SWU-1 

Flow (CFS) -- Report Report Continuous Recorder EFF-1&EFF-2 

pH (SU) 6.0 8.5 -- Weekly Meter EFF-1&EFF-2 

* All EFF TP monitoring results for this parameter shall be reported as separate weekly values without rounding to whole numbers. The results 

shall also be reported as FWM annual averages that are calculated based on the FWM of the weekly values. The results shall also be reported as 

GM annual averages that are calculated based on all sample point weekly values collected when discharge occurs in the previous 12 months. All 

FWM and GM annual averages shall be reported to the nearest whole number (i.e., 10.5 ppb shall be reported as 11 ppb; 10.49 ppb shall be 

reported as 10 ppb). No violations for the annual average limit will be deemed to have occurred until data have been compiled for the first 12 

months after the issuance date of the permit. For the first 11 months after issuance of this permit, the monitoring results for this parameter shall 

be recorded on the DMR as NODI=9. Starting with the 12th month and lasting until the expiration of this permit, the monitoring results for this 

parameter shall be recorded on the DMR as a 12-month moving flow-weighted average.

** All SWU TP monitoring results shall be reported as separate weekly values without rounding to whole numbers. All results shall also be 

reported as monthly averages and as FWM annual averages. The monthly averages and FWM annual averages shall be calculated based on the 

FWM of the weekly values and shall be reported to the nearest whole number (i.e., 10.5 ppb shall be reported as 11 ppb; 10.49 ppb shall be 

reported as 10 ppb). 

2. Effluent samples shall be taken at the monitoring site location listed in permit 

condition I.A.I and as described below: 

Sample Point Description of Monitoring Location 

EFF-1 Sampling location for Outfall D-001 at the G-310 pump station. 
Sample Point Description of Monitoring Location 

EFF-2 Sampling location for the Outfall D-002 at the G-251 pump station. 

SWU-1 Upstream background sampling location at the S-5A pump station. 

3. There shall be no discharge of floating solids or visible foam in other than trace amounts. 

This provision shall not be interpreted to prevent discharges of constituents normally 

found in or resulting from marsh wetland systems. 

4. The discharge shall not cause a visible sheen on the receiving water. This provision shall 

not be interpreted to prevent discharges of constituents normally found in or resulting 

from marsh wetland systems. 

5. The discharge shall not cause phosphorus concentrations in the receiving waters to exceed the 

criteria in Rule 62-302.540(4)(a), F.A.C. The discharge shall not cause phosphorus 

concentrations in the receiving waters to be altered so as to cause or contribute to an imbalance 

in natural populations of aquatic flora or fauna. The permittee may not be able to immediately 

comply with this condition and therefore, this permit is issued pursuant to section 403.088(2) (e) 

of the Florida Statutes and is consistent with the Everglades Forever Act (EFA), §373.4592, Fla. 

Stat. By operation of the EFA, a numeric effluent limit for phosphorous shall be derived in 

accordance with state policy as contained in the EFA, § 373.4592 (4) (e), Fla. Stat, which 

provides that if the Department does not adopt by rule a revised phosphorus water quality 

criterion by no later than December 31, 2003, the numeric criterion for phosphorus shall be 10 

parts per billion (ppb) in the Everglades Protection Area. Upon adoption of a revised criterion or 

the default criterion becoming effective, and upon approval by EPA, an effluent limitation shall 

be established for this permit, in a manner consistent with the EPA, the federal Consent Decree 

in USA v. SFWMD, Case No. 88-1886-CIV-HOEVELER, as may be modified, and other 

applicable state and federal laws and that recognizes the relationship between waters discharged 

to, and the resulting water quality in the Everglades Protection Area. If an effluent limitation is 

established for this permit based upon the default criterion, that effluent limitation will be 

replaced with a new effluent limit based on the approved numeric interpretation of the narrative 

phosphorous criterion once rulemaking for the phosphorous criterion and an appropriate effluent 

limitation is promulgated under the requirements of the EF A and the Consent Decree. The new 

effluent limit will be based on the numeric phosphorous criterion, the associated implementation 

strategy, and the relationship between waters discharged to, and the resulting water quality in, 

the Everglades Protection Area in a manner consistent with the EFA, the federal Consent Decree 

in USA v. SFWMD, Case No. 88-1886-CIV-HOEVELER, as may be modified, and other 

applicable state and federal laws. Persons whose substantial interests are affected by 

modification of this permit to include a new effluent limitation for phosphorus will be afforded a 

point of entry under Chapter 120, Florida Statutes. Beginning at the end of April after the permit 

effective date and at the end of each April thereafter, the permittee shall report the FWM annual 

average using data it collected for the prior 12 months. Beginning at the end of April after the 

permit effective date and at the end of each April thereafter, the permittee shall report the GM 

annual average using data it collected for each of the prior 3 years.
6. In the year following any two consecutive years where the TP GM annual average exceeds 10 

ppb, the permittee shall report quarterly the GM of all monthly TP values for that year. If that 

mean exceeds 10 ppb, the permittee shall provide a report to both FDEP and USEPA by the 

fifteenth of the month following the quarterly report of its evaluation of why that mean is as high 

as it is and the specific steps it is taking to ensure that the TP GM for that year will not exceed 10 

ppb.

For the TP FWM WQBEL, the permittee shall report quarterly the average of all monthly FWMs 

for that year. If that average exceeds 18 ppb, the permittee shall provide a report to both FDEP 

and USEPA by the fifteenth of the month following the quarterly report of its evaluation of why 

that average is as high as it is and the specific steps it is taking to ensure that the TP FWM 

annual average for that year will not exceed 18 ppb.

7. If the facility does not meet the FWM WQBEL in any year, the permittee shall report the 

annual load of TP discharged by the STA into the Everglades that is in excess of the WQBEL 

load (based on 18 ppb). If the facility does not meet the GM WQBEL in any year, the permittee 

shall separately report the annual load of TP discharged by the STA into the Everglades that is in 

excess of the WQBEL load (based on 10 ppb) for that year and the previous two years.

8. TP samples taken in accordance with Section I.A.1 and submitted monthly as part of the 

Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) shall be analyzed to provide an assessment in the Annual 

Report required in Part I.C.7 as to whether the facility is operating within or outside the 

operational envelope. The assessmentshall be based on annual inflow volumes and phosphorus 

loads and shall compare flows and loads to the corresponding average values contained in the 

operational envelope described in Exhibit A (Goforth et al, 2007). If the annual inflow volumes 

or phosphorus loads exceed the corresponding average values of the operational envelope during 

an annual compliance period, the District shall conduct a review of potential causes and include 

this review in the annual report. Departmental concurrence shall be obtained prior to initiating 

Lake Okeechobee regulatory or water supply releases that would result in an exceedance of the 

maximum levels of flow or phosphorus load contained in the operational envelope. 

B. Other Methods of Disposal or Recycling 

1. There shall be no discharge from this facility to surface waters, except as authorized by 

this permit. 

C. Other Limitations and Monitoring and Reporting Requirements 

1. During the period of operation authorized by this permit, the permittee shall complete 

and submit to the Department on a monthly basis Discharge Monitoring Report(s) 

(DMR), Form 62-620.910(10), as attached to this permit. The permittee shall make 

copies of the attached DMR form(s) and shall submit the completed DMR form(s) to 

the Department by the twenty-eighth (28th) of the third month following the month of 

sampling at the address specified below: 
Florida Department of Environmental Protection 

Wastewater Program Management Section 

Twin Towers Office Building 

2600 Blair Slone Road, Mail Station 3551 

Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400 

If no discharge occurs during the reporting period, sampling requirements of this 

permit do not apply. The DMR form(s) shall be submitted as specified above with the 

statement ''No Discharge” written thereon. If, during the term of this permit, the 

facility ceases operation, the Department shall be notified immediately upon cessation 

of discharge. Such notification shall be in writing. 

2. Unless specified otherwise in this permit, all reports and notifications required by this 

permit, including twenty-four hour notifications, shall be submitted to or reported to, 

as appropriate, the Southeast District Office of the Department and to the 

Department's Division of Water Facilities, Everglades Technical Support Section at 

the addresses specified below: 

Florida Department of Environmental Protection 

Southeast District Office 

100 North Congress Avenue 

West Palm Beach, FL 33401 

Phone Number - (561) 681-6600 

FAX Number' - (561) 681-6755 

AND 

Florida Department of Environmental Protection 

Division of Water Facilities 

Everglades Technical Support Section 

2600 Blair Stone Road, MS 3560 

Tallahassee, Florida, 32399-2400 

Phone Number - (850) 921-5213 

Fax Number' - (850) 488-4358 

(ALL FAX copies shall be followed by original copies.) 

3. The permittee shall provide safe access points for obtaining representative samples 

which are required by this permit 

4. The permittee shall ensure that all laboratory analytical data submitted to the 

department as required by this permit is from a laboratory which has a currently valid 

and Department-approved Comprehensive Quality Assurance Plan (ComQAP) [or a 

ComQAP pending approval] for all parameters being reported as required by Chapter 

62-160, Florida Administrative Code. 
5. Upon demonstration that specific parameter(s) is consistently shown to be undetected 

in the effluent, the permittee may request a modification to the monitoring program as 

appropriate. A minimum of two years of data, for those parameters being sampled 

quarterly or more frequently, will be required prior to the Department approving any 

modification to the monitoring program. The Department may approve a reduction of 

the monitoring frequency or waive the monitoring requirement for parameters which 

consistently are shown to be undetected in the effluent. 

6. The District shall notify the Department within 24 hours of any unanticipated bypasses of flow 

through the G-300 or G-301 Diversion Structures. The District shall notify the Department as 

soon as practicable in advance of anticipated bypasses, with the exception of routine 

maintenance. The submitted notification shall include a description of the circumstances related 

to the bypass and a projection of the anticipated duration of the bypass. All bypasses occurring 

through either the G-300 or the G-301 Structure shall be monitored for the parameters listed in 

the table below. As soon as practicable after cessation of all bypasses, the District shall submit a 

summary of the data collected from the table below and identify the duration of the bypasses. 

Bypasses shall be limited to the shortest time possible and are not allowed to solely achieve the 

WQBEL. Bypasses are subject to and must meet the requirements of Items VIII.T, U, and V of 

this permit. 

Parameter Units Sample Type Frequency

Total Phosphorus mg/l Grab Weekly

Flow CFS Calculated Daily Average

7. The permittee shall submit an Annual Report demonstrating compliance with the conditions of 

this permit and according to the schedule in Section VI. The Annual Report shall provide details 

regarding the status of implementation of the requirements of this permit. Specifically, the report 

will include details regarding:

 a. Implementation of the WQBEL and activities required by this permit and 

 affecting flows and loads to STA-1W;

 b. Source control implementation and optimization; 

 c. STA design modifications affecting implementation of the WQBEL and activities 

required by this permit;

 d. Improvements, enhancements, and strategies that have been initiated and/or 

 completed within the previous year;

 e. Any delays in the implementation of the requirements of this permit, the 

 duration of the delays, the reason(s) for the delays, and the expected timeframe for their 

 resolution;

 f. Whether revisions and/or additions to the requirements of this permit are 

 recommended; 
g. The implementation status of STA Recovery Plans; 

h. For any noncompliance with permit conditions, an evaluation of the cause(s) and 

implementation of remedial measures; 

i. Whether the facility was operated within or outside of the operational envelope; and 

j. For each downstream transect station, a compilation of the water quality, sediment, and 

vegetation monitoring data collected, as appropriate, and an assessment of whether 

the cumulative impact remained unchanged, improved, or worsened from the previous 

year/monitoring.

8. The permittee shall report with the monthly DMR if operation of facilities is impacted by 

 or constrained due to requirements under the Endangered Species Act or Migratory Bird 

Treaty Act. The report should include the species involved, an estimate of the number of 

individuals involved, actions taken to avoid deleterious impacts on the endangered species, 

the affect those actions had on compliance with any condition of this permit, and an estimate 

of when facility operation will no longer be impacted or constrained.

II. Industrial Sludge Management Requirements 

1. This section not applicable to this facility. 

III. Ground Water Monitoring Requirements 

1. This section is not applicable to this facility. 

IV. Other Land Application Requirements 

1. This section is not applicable to this facility.

V. Operation and Maintenance Requirements 

A. Operation of Treatment and Disposal Facilities 

1. The permittee shall ensure that the operation of this facility is as described in the application 

and supporting documents. 

2. The operation of the pollution control facilities described in this permit shall be under the 

supervision of a person who is qualified by formal training and/or practical experience in the 

field of water pollution control. 
B. Record keeping Requirements: 

 The permittee shall maintain the following records at the SFWMD headquarters office at the 

address specified above and make them available for inspection: 

1. Records of all compliance monitoring information, including all calibration and 

maintenance records for continuous monitoring instrumentation including if applicable, a 

copy of the laboratory certification showing the certification number of the laboratory, for at 

least three years from the date the sample or measurement was taken; 

2. Copies of all reports, other than those required in items 1. and 6. of this section, required 

by the permit for at least three years from the date the report was prepared, unless 

otherwise specified by Department rule; 

3. Records of all data, including reports and documents used to complete the application for 

the permit for at least three years from the date the application was filed, unless 

otherwise specified by Department rule; 

4. A copy of the current permit; 

5. A copy of any required record drawings; 

6. Copies of the logs and schedules showing project operations and maintenance for three 

years from the date on the logs or schedule. 

VI. Schedules 

1. Upon completion of and compliance with the requirements specified herein, the permittee 

shall submit to the Department an updated Operations Plan for STA-1W. Until the updated 

Operations Plan is submitted by the permittee and approved by the Department, the previously 

existing Operations Plan shall remain in effect. An operational plan shall be developed and 

implemented by the permittee no later than September 1999.

2. The Annual Report shall be received by the Department no later than March 1 of each year 

following the effective date of this permit. Each Annual Report shall present the information for 

the previous water year, from May 1 to April 30. Upon approval by the Department, the District 

may modify the Annual Report submission date to coincide with multiple reporting requirements 

and time periods needed for data acquisition and analysis.

3. A revised Pollution Prevention Plan (PPP) shall be prepared and implemented in accordance 

with the following schedule:
Action Item Scheduled Completion 

Date

1 Develop and Implement revised Pollution 

Prevention Plan 

As needed upon 

completion of the 

requirements of this 

permit

2. Submittal of revised Pollution Prevention Plan if 

additional enhancements are implemented

Changes that warrant 

modifications to the current 

PPP + 90 days

VII. Other Specific Conditions 

A. Specific Conditions Applicable to All Permits 

1. The following documents, not attached hereto, but retained on file with the 

Department, are made a part hereof: 

a. 1994 Conceptual Design Document for the Everglades Protection Project; 

b. Detailed Design Report for Stormwater Treatment Area 1 West, dated June 5, 

1996; 

c. Supplement to the Detailed Design Report by Hutcheon Engineers, dated October 

30, 1996; 

d. Final Design Report for Storm Water Treatment Area 1 West in flow and Distribution 

Works by Stanley Consultants Inc., dated September 29, 1996; and 

e. Final Design Report for Pumping Station G-310 and G-335 by Brown Caldwell, 

dated January 1997. 

2. Where required by Chapter 471 (P.E.) or Chapter 492 (P.G.) Florida Statutes. 

applicable portions of reports to be submitted under this permit, shall be signed and 

sealed by the professional(s) who prepared them. 

3. This permit satisfies Wastewater program permitting requirements only. The 

Department and the permittee acknowledge the issuance of other permits related to the 

STA-1W Project. Portions of the STA-1W Project were permitted as the Everglades 

Nutrient Removal (ENR) Project, in accordance with the Marjorie Stoneman Douglas 

Act (FDEP Permit No. 502232569) and in accordance with federal law (NPDES 

Permit No. FL0043885). This STA-1W permit, upon issuance, shall supersede the 

former NPDES ENR Project permit. Additional related permits include FDEP Permit 

No. 0125539, which authorizes temporary dewatering activities to construct the STAs 

and associated works, and, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 404 Permit No. 
199404532, however, this permit does not supersede either of these two permits. 

B. Specific Conditions Related to Construction 

1. Within thirty days of completion of the construction contract for this project, the 

permittee shall submit to the Department a completed "Certification of Completion of 

Construction” (DEP Form 62-620.910(12)) signed and sealed by the engineer of 

record. For purposes of this permit, completion of construction shall mean completion 

and closure of the construction contract for this project. 

2. Record drawings shall be prepared and made available in accordance with Rule 62- 

620.410(6), F.A.C., and the Department of Environmental Protection Guide to 

Wastewater Permitting within six months of placing the facilities into operation. 

C. Duty to Reapply 

1. The permittee shall submit an application to renew this permit at least 180 days before 

the expiration date of this permit. 

2. The permittee shall apply for renewal of this permit on the appropriate form listed in 

Rule 62-620.910, FAC., and in the manner established in Chapter 62-620, FAC., and 

the Department of Environmental Protection Guide to Wastewater Permitting including 

submittal of the appropriate processing fee set forth in Rule 62-4.050, F.A.C. 

3. An application filed in accordance with subsections 1. and 2. of this part shall be 

considered timely and sufficient. When an application for renewal of a permit is timely 

and sufficient, the existing permit shall not expire until the Department has taken final 

action on the application for renewal or until the last day for seeking judicial review of 

the agency order or a later date fixed by order of the reviewing court. 

4. The late submittal of a renewal application shall be considered timely and sufficient for 

the purpose of extending the effectiveness of the expiring permit only if it is submitted 

and made complete before the expiration date. 

D. Specific Conditions Related to Pollution Prevention Plan 

1. The document entitled "Stormwater Treatment Area lW Pollution Prevention Plan," 

dated March 12, 1999, is hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of this 

permit as Exhibit A. 

2. The STA-1W Project shall be operated in accordance with the Pollution Prevention 

Plan (PPP). 

If the permitted facilities are demonstrated to be not achieving compliance with the 

requirements of this permit, the permittee shall modify the PPP or the operational plan 

as appropriate. 
E. Reopener Clause 

This permit currently contains the narrative water quality standard for nutrients. In

accordance with Section 373.4592(4)(e) or the Everglades Forever Act (EFA), by

December 31, 2001, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection shall file a

notice of rule making in the Florida Administrative Weekly to establish a phosphorus

criterion in the Everglades Protection Area. By operation of the EFA, if the Department

does not adopt by rule a revised phosphorus water quality criterion by December 31,

2003, the numeric criterion for phosphorus shall be the default of 10 ppb in the Everglades

Protection Area. In either case, the numeric phosphorus criterion and implementation

methodology must be submitted to EPA for approval. The USEPA shall review the water quality 

data that the state develops pursuant to the EFA, Section 373.4592(4)(e)l., Fla. Stat., and the 

interpreted numeric phosphorus criterion approved by the Florida Environmental Regulation 

Commission in accordance with the EFA, Section

373.4592( 4)(e)2., Fla. Stat., and shall approve the criterion provided it adequately protects the 

designated uses of the Everglades Protection Area, and complies with the Clean Water Act and 

implementing regulations. The same standard of review will apply to this criterion that applies to 

all other proposed State water quality standards.

Within 90 days of approval by EPA of the adopted numeric criterion or 10 ppb default 

criterion, a new effluent limitation shall be established for this permit. This new effluent 

limitation, which becomes effective on December 31, 2006, will be based on the numeric 

phosphorus criterion and associated implementation strategy, in a manner consistent with 

the EFA, the Federal Consent Decree in USA v. SFWMD, Case No. 88-1886-CIV· 

HOEVELER, as may be modified, and other applicable state and federal laws and that 

recognizes the relationship between waters discharged to, and the resulting water quality 

in the Everglades Protection Area. Persons whose substantial interests are affected by 

modification of this permit to include a new effluent limitation for phosphorus will be 

afforded a point of entry under Chapter 120, Florida Statutes. 

By no later than December 31, 2003, the permittee shall submit a permit modification, 

including plans, cost estimates, and schedules for implementation, designed to achieve or 

maintain compliance with the phosphorus criterion and, if necessary, all other water 

quality standards in all parts of the Everglades Protection Area by no later than December 

31,2006. 

In the event that the state of Florida revises the dissolved oxygen criterion, or establishes a site

specific a1ternative criterion (SSAC) or other moderating provision for dissolved

oxygen in the Everglades Protection Area., the numeric effluent limitation for dissolved

oxygen contained in this permit shall be revised.

1. The permit shall be revised, or alternatively, revoked and reissued in accordance with the 

provisions contained in Rules 62-620.325 and 62-620.345 F.A.C., if applicable, or to comply 

with any applicable effluent standard or limitation issued or approved under Sections 

301(b)(2)(C) and (D), 304(b)(2) and 307(a)(2) of the Clean Water Act (the Act), as amended, 

if the effluent standards, limitations, or water quality standards so issued or approved:
a. Contains different conditions or is otherwise more stringent than any condition in the 

permit/or;

b. Controls any pollutant not addressed in the permit.

The permit as revised or reissued under this paragraph shall contain any other requirements 

then applicable.

2. The permit may be reopened to adjust effluent limitations or monitoring requirements should 

future Water Quality Based Effluent Limitation determinations, water quality studies, DEP 

approved changes in water quality standards, or other information show a need for a different 

limitation or monitoring requirement.

3. The Department may develop a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) during the life of the 

permit. Once a TMDL has been established and adopted by rule, the Department shall revise 

this permit to incorporate the final findings of the TMDL consistent with the requirements of 

Section 403.067, F.S.

F. Transect Monitoring

The permittee shall conduct monitoring at a series of sites located along two transects 

downstream of the STA-1W discharge site to characterize the effects of the STA-1W discharge 

on adjacent marsh areas of the Refuge. The first table below identifies seven (7) sampling sites 

located along a transect originating at the Rim Canal adjacent to the STA-1W discharge point 

and extending to the southeast toward the center of the Refuge into an unimpacted portion of the 

marsh. The second table below identifies five (5) sampling sites located along a transect 

originating at the Rim Canal downstream of the STA-1W discharge point and extending to the 

southeast toward the center of the Refuge into an unimpacted portion of the marsh. Upon 

demonstration that an additional sampling site or removal of an existing sampling site is 

warranted, the permittee may request a modification to the monitoring program as appropriate. 

The Department and USEPA shall review and approve such requests on a case by case basis. 

Any alteration in the monitoring program approved by the Department and USEPA shall occur in 

the form of a modification to this permit.

For the first transect, monitoring site LOXA104 is located in the Rim Canal and will be used to 

evaluate changes in water quality occurring between the Rim Canal and the actual marsh. Of the 

remaining six sites, four are located in areas currently identified as impacted (i.e., sediment TP 

concentration greater than 500 mg/kg), with the final two sites located in areas currently 

identified as unimpacted. For the second transect, monitoring site Z-0 is located in the Rim 

Canal and will be used to evaluate changes in water quality occurring between the Rim Canal 

and the actual marsh. Of the remaining four sites, three are located in areas currently identified 

as impacted (i.e., sediment TP concentration greater than 500 mg/kg), with the final site located 

in an area currently identified as unimpacted. 
All water quality, soil, and vegetation samples will be collected and reported for the parameters 

and at the frequency specified in the SFWMD’s January 20, 2010 ‘Project WCA-2A Monitoring 

Plan for STA-2 and Compartment B Build-Out Downstream Monitoring Plan’. 

G. Implementation of Source Control Programs. 

1. Implementation. The permittee shall continue to implement source control programs in 

each of the contributing basins in accordance with Chapter 40E-63, F.A.C. and other 

applicable programs. Basins that do not presently include source control programs shall be 

monitored to determine if such programs are necessary in the event that phosphorus loads 

to the facility from these basins limit the facility or facilities progress towards achieving 

the WQBEL 

2. Performance. On an annual basis, the permittee shall evaluate the performance of source 

controls in the contributing basins and include the findings in the annual report required in 

Part I.C.7. The report shall include phosphorus loads from the basins and shall describe 

trends and compare current loads to those determined necessary to achieve the WQBEL. 

3. Improvements. If the WQBEL is not achieved and if the assumed inflow concentration 

used to develop the Amended Determination remedy is exceeded, the permittee shall 

submit, as part of the annual reporting requirements in Part I.C.7, a report explaining the 

cause(s) for the excess concentration and, if applicable, schedules and strategies for source 

control improvements necessary to achieve the WQBEL. 

VIII. General Conditions

A. Enforcement. The terms, conditions, requirements, limitations and restrictions set forth in 

this permit are binding and enforceable pursuant to Chapter 403, F.S. Any permit 

noncompliance constitutes a violation of Chapter 403, F.S., and is grounds for enforcement 

action, permit termination, permit revocation and reissuance, or permit revision. [62-

620.610(1), F.A.C.]

B. Scope of permit. This permit is valid only for the specific processes and operations applied 

for and indicated in the approved drawings or exhibits. Any unauthorized deviation from the 

approved drawings, exhibits, specifications or conditions of this permit constitutes grounds 

for revocation and enforcement action by the Department. [62-620.610(2), F.A.C.]

 STA-1W Transect Sampling Sites.

Station Latitude Longitude Impacted/Unimpacted

LOXA-104 26.597982 -80.440045 Rim Canal

LOXA-104.5 26.594111 -80.439111 Impacted

LOXA-105 26.591899 -80.436094 Impacted

LOXA-106 26.592206 -80.431281 Impacted

LOXA-107 26.587390 -80.421445 Impacted

LOX-107U 26.581200 -80.412000 Unimpacted

LOXA-108 26.577960 -80.405853 Unimpacted
C. Limitations of rights. As provided in Subsection 403.087(6), F.S., and Chapter 373,F.S.,the 

issuance of this permit does not convey any vested rights or any exclusive privileges. 

Neither does it authorize any injury to public or private property or any invasion of personal 

rights, nor authorize any infringements of federal, state, or local laws or regulations. This 

permit is not a waiver of or approval of any other Department permit or authorization that 

may be required for other aspects of the total project which are not addressed in this permit. 

[62-620.610(3), F.A.C.]

D. Limitations upon title. This permit conveys no title to land or water, does not constitute 

state recognition or acknowledgment of title, and does not constitute authority for the use of 

submerged lands unless herein provided and the necessary title or leasehold interests have 

been obtained from the State. Only the Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund 

may express State opinion as to title. [62-620.610(4), F.A.C.]

E. Liability. This permit does not relieve the permittee from liability and penalties for harm or 

injury to human health or welfare, animal or plant life, or property caused by the construction 

or operation of this permitted source; nor does it allow the permittee to cause pollution in 

contravention of Florida Statutes and Department rules, unless specifically authorized by an 

order from the Department. The permittee shall take all reasonable steps to minimize or 

prevent any discharge, reuse of reclaimed water, or residuals use or disposal in violation of 

this permit which has a reasonable likelihood of adversely affecting human health or the 

environment. It shall not be a defense for a permittee in an enforcement action that it would 

have been necessary to halt or reduce the permitted activity in order to maintain compliance 

with the conditions of this permit. [62-620.610(5), F.A.C.]

F. Continuing permitted activities. If the permittee wishes to continue an activity regulated by 

this permit after its expiration date, the permittee shall apply for and obtain a new permit. 

[62-620.610(6), F.A.C.]

G. Operation and maintenance responsibilities. The permittee shall at all times properly 

operate and maintain the facility and systems of treatment and control, and related 

appurtenances, that are installed and used by the permittee to achieve compliance with the 

conditions of this permit. This provision includes the operation of backup or auxiliary 

facilities or similar systems when necessary to maintain or achieve compliance with the 

conditions of the permit. [62-620.610(7), F.A.C.]

H. Permit changes and duration. This permit may be modified, revoked and reissued, or 

terminated for cause. The filing of a request by the permittee for a permit revision, 

revocation and reissuance, or termination, or a notification of planned changes or anticipated 

noncompliance does not stay any permit condition. [62-620.610(8), F.A.C.]

I. Access and inspections. The permittee, by accepting this permit, specifically agrees to allow 

authorized Department personnel, including an authorized representative of the Department 

and authorized EPA personnel, when applicable, upon presentation of credentials or other 

documents as may be required by law, and at reasonable times, depending upon the nature of 

the concern being investigated, to 
1.Enter upon the permittee’s premises where a regulated facility, system, or activity is 

located or conducted, or where records shall be kept under the conditions of this permit; 

2. Have access to and copy any records that shall be kept under the conditions of this permit; 

3.Inspect the facilities, equipment, practices, or operations regulated or required under this 

permit; and 

4.Sample or monitor any substances or parameters at any location necessary to assure 

compliance with this permit or Department rules. [62-620.610(9), F.A.C.]

J. Evidence. In accepting this permit, the permittee understands and agrees that all records, 

notes, monitoring data, and other information relating to the construction or operation of this 

permitted source which are submitted to the Department may be used by the Department as 

evidence in any enforcement case involving the permitted source arising under the Florida 

Statutes or Department rules, except as such use is proscribed by Section 403.111, F.S., or 

Rule 62-620.302, F.A.C. Such evidence shall only be used to the extent that it is consistent 

with the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure and applicable evidentiary rules. [62-620.610(10), 

F.A.C.]

K. Additional information. When requested by the Department, the permittee shall within a 

reasonable time provide any information required by law which is needed to determine 

whether there is cause for revising, revoking and reissuing, or terminating this permit, or to 

determine compliance with the permit. The permittee shall also provide to the Department 

upon request copies of records required by this permit to be kept. If the permittee becomes 

aware of relevant facts that were not submitted or were incorrect in the permit application or 

in any report to the Department, such facts or information shall be promptly submitted or 

corrections promptly reported to the Department. [62-620.610(11), F.A.C.]

L. Changes in law. Unless specifically stated otherwise in Department rules, the permittee, in 

accepting this permit, agrees to comply with changes in Department rules and Florida 

Statutes after a reasonable time for compliance; provided however, the permittee does not 

waive any other rights granted by Florida Statutes or Department rules. A reasonable time 

for compliance with a new or amended surface water quality standard, other than those 

standards addressed in Rule 62-302.500, F.A.C., shall include a reasonable time to obtain or 

be denied a mixing zone for the new or amended standard. [62-620.610(12), F.A.C.] 

However, this section cannot be used as a basis to extend the time to comply with the 

the permit’s total phosphorus WQBELs or to obtain a mixing zone to meet the total 

phosphorus water quality criterion. 

M. Fees. The permittee, in accepting this permit, agrees to pay the applicable regulatory program 

and surveillance fee in accordance with Rule 62-4.052, F.A.C. [62-620.610(13), F.A.C.]

N. Transferability. This permit is transferable only upon Department approval in accordance 

with Rule 62-620.340, F.A.C. The permittee shall be liable for any noncompliance of the 

permitted activity until the transfer is approved by the Department. [62-620.610(14), F.A.C.]
O. Notice of inactivation or abandonment. The permittee shall give the Department written 

notice at least 60 days before inactivation or abandonment of a wastewater facility and shall 

specify what steps will be taken to safeguard public health and safety during and following 

inactivation or abandonment. [62-620.610(15), F.A.C.]

P. Permit revision for modifications. The permittee shall apply for a revision to the 

Department permit in accordance with Rule 62-620.300 and the Department of 

Environmental Protection Guide to Wastewater Permitting at least 90 days before 

construction of any planned substantial modifications to the permitted facility is to 

commence or with Rule 62-620.325(2), F.A.C., for minor modifications to the permitted 

facility. A revised permit shall be obtained before construction begins except as provided in 

Rule 62-620.300, F.A.C. [62-620.610(16), F.A.C.]

Q. Noncompliance due to facility changes. The permittee shall give advance notice to the 

Department of any planned changes in the permitted facility or activity which may result in 

noncompliance with permit requirements. The permittee shall be responsible for any and all 

damages which may result from the changes and may be subject to enforcement action by the 

Department for penalties or revocation of this permit. The notice shall include the following 

information: 

1.A description of the anticipated noncompliance; 

2.The period of the anticipated noncompliance, including dates and times; and 

3.Steps being taken to prevent future occurrence of the noncompliance. 

[62-620.610(17), F.A.C.]

R. Sampling and monitoring data. Sampling and monitoring data shall be collected and 

analyzed in accordance with Rule 62-4.246, Chapters 62-160 and 62-601, F.A.C., and 40 

CFR 136, as appropriate. 

1.Monitoring results shall be reported at the intervals specified elsewhere in this permit and 

shall be reported on a Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR), DEP Form 62-620.910(10). 

2.If the permittee monitors any contaminate more frequently than required by the permit, 

using Department approved test procedures, the results of this monitoring shall be included in 

the calculation and reporting of the data submitted in the DMR. 

3.Calculations for all limitations which require averaging of measurements shall use an 

arithmetic mean unless otherwise specified in this permit. 

4.Any laboratory test required by this permit shall be performed by a laboratory that has been 

certified by the Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services (DHRS) under Chapter 

10D41, F.A.C., to perform the test. In domestic wastewater facilities, the on-site tests for 

dissolved oxygen, pH, and total chlorine residual shall be performed by a laboratory certified 

test for those parameters or under the direction of an operator certified under Chapter 61E12-

41, F.A.C. 
5. Under Chapter 62-160, F.A.C., sample collection shall be performed by following he 

protocols outlined in “DER Standard Operating Procedures for Laboratory Operations and 

Sample Collection Activities” (DER-QA-001/92). Alternatively, sample collection may be 

performed by an organization who has an approved Comprehensive Quality Assurance Plan 

(ComQAP)on file with the department. The compQAP shall be approved for collection of 

samples from the required matrices and for the required tests. [62-620.610(18), F.A.C.] 

S. Reporting noncompliance. Reports of compliance or noncompliance with, or any progress 

reports on, interim and final requirements contained in any compliance schedule detailed 

elsewhere in this permit shall be submitted no later than 14 days following each schedule 

date. [62-620.610(19), F.A.C.]

T. Noncompliance endangering environment. The permittee shall report to the Department 

any noncompliance which may endanger health or the environment. Any information shall 

be provided orally within 24 hours from the time the permittee becomes aware of the 

circumstances. A written submission shall also be provided within five days of the time the 

permittee becomes aware of the circumstances. The written submission shall contain: a 

description of the noncompliance and its cause; the period of noncompliance including exact 

dates and time, and if the noncompliance has not been corrected, the anticipated time it is 

expected to continue; and steps taken or planned to reduce, eliminate, and prevent recurrence 

of the noncompliance. 

1. The following shall be included as information which must be reported within 24 hours 

under this condition: 

a. Any unanticipated bypass which causes any reclaimed water or effluent to 

exceed any permit limitation or results in an unpermitted discharge, 

b. Any upset which causes any reclaimed water or the effluent to exceed any 

limitation in the permit, 

c. Violation of a maximum daily discharge limitation for any of the 

pollutants specifically listed in the permit for such notice, and 

d. Any unauthorized discharge to surface or ground waters. 

2. If the oral report has been received within 24 hours, the noncompliance has been 

corrected, and the noncompliance did not endanger health or the environment, the 

Department’s Southeast District Office shall waive the written report. [62-620.610(20), 

F.A.C.] 

U. Other noncompliance. The permittee shall report all instances of noncompliance not 

reported under Conditions VIII. 18 and 19 of this permit at the time monitoring reports are 

submitted. This report shall contain the same information required by Condition VIII. 20. of 

this permit. [62-620.610(21), F.A.C.]
V. Bypass Provisions. 

1. The term “bypass” shall mean the intentional diversion of waste streams from a portion of 

the treatment works. The term “bypass” does not include waters diverted around the 

entire STA-1W Project. Because of the hydrologic relationship between STA-1W and the 

Loxahatchee national Wildlife Refuge, “bypass” is not expected to occur at this facility. 

7. Bypass is prohibited, and the Department may take enforcement action against a 

permittee for bypass, unless the permittee affirmatively demonstrates that: 

a. Bypass was unavoidable to prevent loss of life, personal injury, or severe property 

damage; and 

b. There were no feasible alternatives to the bypass, such as the use of auxiliary 

treatment facilities, retention of untreated wastes, or maintenance during normal 

periods of equipment downtime. This condition is not satisfied if adequate backup equipment should have been installed in the exercise of reasonable engineering 

judgment to prevent a bypass which occurred during normal periods of equipment 

downtime or preventative maintenance; and 

c. The permittee submitted notices as required under Condition VIII.V.3. of this 

permit. 

8. If the permittee knows in advance of the need for a bypass, it shall submit prior notice to 

the Department, if possible at least 10 days before the date of the bypass. The permittee 

shall submit notice of an unanticipated bypass within 24 hours of learning about the 

bypass as required in Condition VIII.T of this permit. A notice shall include a 

description of the bypass and its cause; the period of the bypass, including exact dates 

and times; if the bypass has not been corrected, the anticipated time it is expected to 

continue; and the steps taken or planned to reduce, eliminate, and prevent recurrence of 

the bypass. 

9. The Department shall approve an anticipated bypass, after considering its adverse effect, 

if the permittee demonstrates that it will meet the three conditions listed in Condition 

VIII V.2. a through c of this permit. 

10. A permittee may allow any bypass to occur which does not cause reclaimed water or 

effluent limitations to be exceeded if it is for essential maintenance to assure efficient 

operation. These bypasses are not subject to the provision of Condition VIII.V.2. a. 

through c. of this permit.[62-620.610(22), F.A.C.]

W. Upset Provisions 

1. A permittee who wishes to establish the affirmative defense of upset shall demonstrate, 

through properly signed contemporaneous operating logs, or other relevant evidence that: 

a. An upset occurred and that the permittee can identify the cause(s) of the upset; 
b. The permitted facility was at the time being properly operated; 

c. The permittee submitted notice of the upset as required in Condition VIII.T and T. of 

this permit; and 

d. The permittee complied with any remedial measures required under Condition VIII.E. 

and T. of this permit. 

2. In any enforcement proceeding, the permittee seeking to establish the occurrence of an upset 

has the burden of proof. 

3. Before an enforcement proceeding is instituted, no representation made during the Department 

review of a claim that noncompliance was caused by an upset is final agency action subject to 

judicial review. [62-620.610(23), F.A.C.]

Executed in Tallahassee, Florida 

STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF 

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 

____________________________________ 

David B. Struhs 

Secretary 

DATE: May 11, 1999 
STATE OF FLORIDA 

INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER FACILITY PERMIT 

PERMITTEE: PERMIT NUMBER: FL0177946 

South Florida Water Management District PA FILE NO.: FL0177946-003-IW7A 

(MINOR) 

3301 Gun Club Road ISSUANCE DATE: September 4, 2007 

West Palm Beach, FL. 33406 EXPIRATION DATE: September 4, 2012

 

 

RESPONSIBLE AUTHORITY: 

Ms. Carol Ann Wehle 

Executive Director 

FACILITY: 

Stormwater Treatment Area 2 (STA-2) 

Palm Beach County 

Latitude: 26° 22’ 42” N Longitude: 80° 30’ 30” W 

This permit is issued under the provisions of Chapter 403, Florida Statutes (F.S.) and applicable rules of the 

Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.) and constitutes authorization to discharge to waters of the State under 

the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). This permit is accompanied by an 

Administrative Order (Order), AO-010-EV, pursuant to Subsections 403.088 (2)(e) and (f), F.S. 

Compliance with AO-010-EV is a specific requirement of this permit. The above named permittee is 

hereby authorized to construct and operate the facilities required by this permit shown on the application 

and other documents attached hereto or on file with the Department and made a part hereof. 

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: 

This permit authorizes the continued construction, operation and maintenance of Stormwater Treatment 

Area (STA) 2. Initial construction and operation of this facility was previously authorized and completed 

under Florida Department of Environmental Protection (Department) National Pollution Discharge 

Elimination Program (NPDES) Permit No.: FL0177946-001-IW7A and Everglades Forever Act (EFA) 

Permit No. 0126704-001. STA-2 is a part of the Everglades Construction Project (ECP), construction, 

operation, and maintenance of which is required by the EFA, Section 373.4592, F.S. The STA-2 project 

(Figure 1) consists of the S-5A Basin Runoff Diversion Works, the S-6 Diversion Works, the STA-2 

Supply Canal Works, the STA-2 Inflow Works, the STA-2 Interior Works, the STA-2 Discharge Works, 

the G-335 Pump Station, and the Water Conservation Area 2A (WCA 2A) Hydropattern Restoration 

Works, as more particularly described in the Fact Sheet. In addition to existing operation and maintenance 

activities, this permit also authorizes construction, operation, and maintenance of additional features

approved by the Department under the Everglades Protection Area Tributary Basins Long-Term Plan for 

Achieving Water Quality Goals (Long-Term Plan) and subsequent revisions, as defined in the Everglades 

Forever Act (EFA) Section 373.4592, Florida Statutes (F.S.) requirements specified herein. The Long-Term 

Plan includes structural, vegetative and operational enhancements for STA-2 to improve hydraulic 

distribution and phosphorus removal performance. STA-2 is a Stormwater Management System (SMS) as 

defined in Subsection 373.403(10), F.S., and therefore is not subject to state surface water quality standards 

within STA-2 pursuant to Subsection 373.4142, F.S. 

EFFLUENT DISPOSAL:

This permit authorizes the discharge of treated stormwater nonprocess wastewater from an 8,330 acres 

constructed wetland system (STA-2) to Water Conservation Area 2A (WCA-2A) Hydropattern Restoration 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 2 

File No.: FL0177946-003-IW7A 

Page 2 of 19 

2

Works. Treated water from STA-2 will be discharged into the L-6 Borrow Canal from the G-335 Outflow 

Pumping Stations. Once discharged into the L-6 Borrow Canal, the treated water is released into the WCA2A through the Hydropattern Restoration Works. All of the surface waters and wetlands located within 

WCA-2A are Class III Fresh waters. 

Surface Water Discharge:

An existing discharge to the L-6 Borrow Canal (Class III Fresh waters), monitoring group D-001 (G-335), 

is located approximately at latitude 26° 22' 42" N, longitude 80° 30' 30" W. 

IN ACCORDANCE WITH: 

The limitations, monitoring requirements, and other conditions as set forth in Part I through Part VIII on 

pages 3 through 14 of this permit. 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 2 

File No.: FL0177946-003-IW7A 

Page 3 of 19 

3

I. Effluent Limitations and Monitoring Requirements 

A. Surface Water Discharges

1. During the period beginning on the permit effective date and lasting through the expiration date of this 

permit, the permittee is authorized to discharge stormwater non-process wastewater from Outfall D001. Such discharge shall be limited and monitored by the permittee as specified below. 

 Discharge Limitations Monitoring Requirements 

Parameters (units) Daily 

Minimum 

Daily 

Maximum 

Annual Average Other Monitoring 

Frequency 

Sample 

Type 

Sample 

Point 

Not to exceed 10 

as a geometric 

mean (GM) annual 

average in more 

than two 

consecutive years*

18 as a flowweighted 

mean (FWM) 

annual 

average*

Phosphorus, Total 

(as P) (ppb) 

-- -- 

See I.A.5

Weekly GM – based 

on grab 

samples 

collected 

when 

discharge 

occurs

FWM - 7-

day flow 

proportioned 

composite 

EFF-1 

Phosphorus, Total (as 

P) (ppb) 

-- -- Report1**

See I.A.6. 

Weekly 7-day flow 

proportioned 

composite 

INT-1, INT2 

Oxygen, Dissolved 

(DO), (mg/L) 

See I.A.7 Weekly Grab (Meter) EFF-1 

Oxygen, Dissolved 

(DO), (mg/L) 

Report Weekly Grab (Meter) INT-1, INT2 

Flow (cfs) -- Report Report 

See I.A.6 

Continuous Recorder EFF-1, INT1, INT-2 

pH (SU) 6.0 8.5 -- Weekly Grab (Meter) EFF-1 

1 * All EFF TP monitoring results for this parameter shall be reported as separate weekly values without rounding to whole numbers. 

The results shall also be reported as FWM annual averages that are calculated based on the FWM of the weekly values. The results 

shall also be reported as GM monthly average and as an annual averages that are calculated based on all sample point weekly values 

collected when discharge occurs in the previous 12 months. All FWM and GM annual averages shall be reported to the nearest whole 

number (i.e., 10.5 ppb shall be reported as 11 ppb; 10.49 ppb shall be reported as 10 ppb). The “monthly average” is a flow-weighted 

mean of the weekly effluent samples. The “annual average” shall be computed for each water year (May-April) and is equal to the 

flow-weighted mean concentration for the water year. 

** All SWU TP monitoring results shall be reported as separate weekly values without rounding to whole numbers. All results shall

also be reported as monthly averages and as FWM annual averages. The monthly averages and FWM annual averages shall be 

calculated based on the FWM of the weekly values and shall be reported to the nearest whole number (i.e., 10.5 ppb shall be reported 

as 11 ppb; 10.49 ppb shall be reported as 10 ppb). 

2

 The 10 ppb effluent limit represents the phosphorus criterion set forth in Rule 62-302.540(4)(a), F.A.C. and is consistent with 

Section 301(b)(1)(C) of the CWA. A water quality based effluent limitation (WQBEL) for phosphorus will be established in 

accordance with Rule 62-650 F.A.C. and Section 373.4592 Florida Statutes by December 31, 2010 and will be a major permit 

modification. It is recognized that the ultimate WQBEL to be developed may be higher than a flow-weighted mean of 10 ppb. The 

antibacksliding provisions of the CWA and NPDES regulations do not apply to an effluent limitation with a delayed compliance date, 

until the date of compliance. In this case, restrictions on backsliding would not apply to the 10 ppb permit effluent limit until the 

established WQBEL takes effect at the end of the compliance schedule.
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 2 

File No.: FL0177946-003-IW7A 

Page 4 of 19 

4

2. Effluent samples shall be taken at the monitoring site locations listed in permit condition I.A.1 and as 

described below: 

Sample Point Description of Monitoring Location 

EFF-1 Sampling location for Outfall D-001 at the G-335 Pump Station 

 

INT-1 Inflow monitoring location at the G-328 Pump Station 

INT-2 Inflow monitoring location at the S-6 Pump Station 

3. There shall be no discharge of floating solids or visible foam in other than trace amounts. This 

provision shall not be interpreted to prevent discharges of constituents normally found in or resulting 

from marsh wetland systems. 

4. The discharge shall not cause a visible sheen on the receiving water. This provision shall not be 

interpreted to prevent discharges of constituents normally found in or resulting from marsh wetland 

systems. 

5. The discharge shall not cause phosphorus concentrations in the receiving waters to be altered so as to 

cause or contribute to an imbalance in natural populations of aquatic flora or fauna. The discharge shall 

not cause phosphorus concentrations in the receiving waters to exceed the criteria in Rule 62-302.540(4)(a), 

F.A.C., except as authorized in the accompanying Order AO-010-EV which is hereby incorporated by 

reference. Beginning at the end of April after the permit effective date and at the end of each April 

thereafter, the permittee shall report the FWM annual average using data it collected for the prior 12 

months. Beginning at the end of April after the permit effective date and at the end of each April 

thereafter, the permittee shall report the GM annual average using data it collected for each of the prior 3 

years.

6. In the year following any two consecutive years where the TP GM annual average exceeds 10 ppb, the 

permittee shall report quarterly the GM of all monthly TP values for that year. If that mean exceeds 10 

ppb, the permittee shall provide a report to both FDEP and USEPA by the fifteenth of the month following 

the quarterly report of its evaluation of why that mean is as high as it is and the specific steps it is taking to 

ensure that the TP GM for that year will not exceed 10 ppb.

For the TP FWM WQBEL, the permittee shall report quarterly the average of all monthly FWMs for that 

year. If that average exceeds 18 ppb, the permittee shall provide a report to both FDEP and USEPA by the 

fifteenth of the month following the quarterly report of its evaluation of why that average is as high as it is 

and the specific steps it is taking to ensure that the TP FWM annual average for that year will not exceed 18 

ppb.

7. If the facility does not meet the FWM WQBEL in any year, the permittee shall report the annual load of 

TP discharged by the STA into the Everglades that is in excess of the WQBEL load (based on 18 ppb). If 

the facility does not meet the GM WQBEL in any year, the permittee shall separately report the annual load 

of TP discharged by the STA into the Everglades that is in excess of the WQBEL load (based on 10 ppb) 

for that year and the previous two years.

8. TP samples taken in accordance with Section I.A.1 and submitted monthly as part of the Discharge 

Monitoring Report (DMR) shall be analyzed to provide an annual assessment in the Annual Report 

required in Part I.E.7 as to whether the facility is operating within or outside the operational envelope. The 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 2 

File No.: FL0177946-003-IW7A 

Page 5 of 19 

5

assessment shall be based on annual inflow volumes and phosphorus loads and shall compare flows and 

loads to the corresponding average values contained in the operational envelope described in Exhibit A 

(Goforth et al, 2007). If the annual inflow volumes or phosphorus loads exceed the corresponding average 

values of the operational envelope during an annual compliance period, the District shall conduct a review 

of potential causes and include this review in the annual report. Departmental concurrence shall be 

obtained prior to initiating Lake Okeechobee regulatory or water supply releases that would result in an 

exceedance of the maximum levels of flow or phosphorus load contained in the operational envelope. 

9. The dissolved oxygen parameter shall meet the requirements set forth in the Everglades Marsh 

Dissolved Oxygen Site Specific Alternative Criteria (DO SSAC, Exhibit B). Compliance with the DO 

SSAC shall be evaluated annually using a statistical analysis to compare dissolved oxygen levels within 

facility discharges to predicted model values. The specific methods for determining compliance are set 

forth in the DO SSAC which was adopted by Secretarial Order on January 26, 2004, and approved by the 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a revision to the State of Florida’s water quality standards on 

June 16, 2004. 

B. Underground Injection Control Systems

1. This section is not applicable to this facility.

C. Land Application Systems

1. This section is not applicable to this facility.

D. Other Methods of Disposal or Recycling

1. There shall be no discharge of industrial wastewater from this facility to ground or surface waters, 

except as authorized by this permit. 

E. Other Limitations and Monitoring and Reporting Requirements

1. The sample collection, analytical test methods and method detection limits (MDLs) applicable to this 

permit shall be in accordance with Rule 62-4.246, Chapters 62-160 and 62-601, F.A.C., and 40 CFR 

136, as appropriate. The list of Department established analytical methods and corresponding MDLs 

and PQLs (practical quantification limits), which is titled “Florida Department of Environmental 

Protection Table as Required By Rule 62-4.246(4) Testing Methods for Discharges to Surface Water”

dated April 25, 2006, is available from the Department at 

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/labs/guidance/index.htm. The MDLs and PQLs as described in this list shall 

constitute the minimum acceptable MDL/PQL values and the Department shall not accept results for 

which the laboratory's MDLs or PQLs are greater than those described above unless alternate MDLs 

and/or PQLs have been specifically approved by the Department for this permit. Any method included 

in the list may be used for reporting as long as it meets the following requirements: 

a. The laboratory’s reported MDL and PQL values for the particular method must be equal or less 

than the corresponding method values specified in the Department’s approved MDL and PQL list; 

b. The laboratory reported MDL for the specific parameter is less than or equal to the permit limit or 

the applicable water quality criteria, if any, stated in Chapter 62-302, F.A.C. Parameters that are 

listed as “report only” in the permit shall use methods that provide a PQL, which is equal to or less 

than the applicable water quality criteria stated in 62-302 F.A.C.; and 

c. If the MDLs for all methods available in the approved list are above the stated permit limit or 

applicable water quality criteria for that parameter, then the method with the lowest stated MDL 

shall be used. 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 2 

File No.: FL0177946-003-IW7A 

Page 6 of 19 

6

Where the analytical results are below method detection or practical quantification limits, the 

permittee shall report the actual laboratory MDL and/or PQL values for the analyses that were 

performed following the instructions on the applicable discharge monitoring report. 

Where necessary, the permittee may request approval of alternate methods or for alternative 

MDLs and PQLs for any approved analytical method. Approval of alternate laboratory MDLs or 

PQLs is not necessary if the laboratory reported MDLs and PQLs are less than or equal to the 

permit limit or the applicable water quality criteria, if any, stated in Chapter 62-302, F.A.C. 

Approval of an analytical method not included in the above referenced list is not necessary if the 

analytical method is in accordance with 40 CFR 136 

2. Parameters which must be monitored as a result of a surface water discharge shall be analyzed using a 

sufficiently sensitive method in accordance with 40 CFR Part 136. Field measurement methods for pH 

and dissolved oxygen shall be in accordance with relevant sections in DEP SOP 001/01, 2/1/2004. 

3. Herbicide use is authorized for maintenance purposes if the use is in accordance with the labeled 

instructions and any applicable State permit. Discharge of any product registered under the Federal 

Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act to any waste stream, which ultimately may be released to 

waters of the State, is prohibited unless specifically authorized by this permit and documented in the 

administrative record. 

The permittee shall notify the Department in writing at the address listed in Condition I.E.6 no later 

than three months prior to instituting use of any chemical in any portion of the treatment system which 

is not already authorized by this permit and may be toxic to aquatic life. The Department shall review 

the above information to determine if a permit revision is necessary. Such notification shall include: 

a. Name of chemical; 

b. Chemical manufacturer; 

c. Frequency of use; and, 

d. Quantities to be used. 

4. DiversionBypass, as described in the Fact Sheet, may occur during the operation of STA-2. The 

District shall notify the Department within 48 hours of any unanticipated diversions bypasses of flow 

through the G-338 and/or G-339 gated structures and the District shall notify the Department as soon as 

practicable in advance of anticipated diversions bypasses, with the exception of routine maintenance and 

irrigation withdrawals through G-328. The submitted notification shall include a description of the 

circumstances related to the diversion bypass and a projection of the anticipated duration of the bypass

diversion. All diversions bypasses occurring through the G-338 and G-339 structures shall be monitored 

for the parameters listed in the table below. As soon as practicable after cessation of all bypasses

diversions, the District shall submit a summary of the data collected from the table below and identify the 

duration of the bypasses diversions. Bypasses shall be limited to the shortest time possible and are not 

allowed solely to achieve the WQBEL. Bypasses are subject to and must meet the requirements of Items 

VIII.20, 21, and 22 of this permit. 

Parameter/ Station Units Sample Type Frequency 

Total Phosphorus 

collected at S-6 Pump 

Station 

mg/l Grab Weekly 

Flow at G-338 and/ or 

G-339 structures 

CFS Calculated Daily Average 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 2 

File No.: FL0177946-003-IW7A 

Page 7 of 19 

7

5. Monitoring requirements under this permit are effective on the first day of the second month following 

permit issuance. Until such time, the permittee shall continue to monitor and report in accordance with 

previously effective permit requirements, if any. During the period of operation authorized by this 

permit, the permittee shall complete and submit Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs) in accordance 

with the frequencies specified by the REPORT type below and indicated on the DMR forms. 

Monitoring results for each monitoring period shall be submitted in accordance with the associated 

DMR due dates to the address specified below. 

REPORT Type 

On DMR 

Monitoring Period DMR Due Date 

Monthly1 first day of month – last day of month 28th day of the third month 

following the month of sampling 

Annual May – April 28th day of July 

 Florida Department of Environmental Protection 

 Wastewater Compliance Evaluation Section, Mail Station 3551 

 Twin Towers Office Building 

 2600 Blair Stone Road 

 Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400 

6. Unless specified otherwise in this permit, all reports and notifications required by this permit, 

including twenty-four hour notifications shall be submitted to or reported to the Department’s 

Tallahassee Office and the Southeast District Office at the address specified below: 

Florida Department of Environmental Protection 

Division of Water Resource Management 

Water Quality Standards & Special Projects Program 

2600 Blair Stone Road 

Tallahassee, FL 32399-2400 

Phone Number - (850) 245-8422 

Fax Number* - (850) 412-0658 

AND 

Florida Department of Environmental Protection 

Southeast District Office 

400 N. Congress Avenue 

West Palm Beach, FL 33416-5425 

Phone Number - (561) 681-6600 

Fax Number* - (561) 681-6755 

*All FAX copies shall be followed by original copies. 

7. The permittee shall submit an Annual Report (the South Florida Environmental Report) demonstrating 

compliance with the terms of this permit and according to the schedule as set forth in Section VI.1. 

The Annual Report shall provide details regarding the status of implementation of the requirements of

improvements, enhancements, and strategies identified in this permit. Specifically, the report shall 

include details regarding: 

 1 DMRs shall be submitted for each required monitoring period including months of no discharge. 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 2 

File No.: FL0177946-003-IW7A 

Page 8 of 19 

8

a. Implementation of the WQBEL and activities required by this permit and affecting flows and 

loads to STA-2; 

b. source control implementation and optimization; 

c. STA design modifications affecting implementation of the WQBEL and activities required by this 

permit;

d. improvements, enhancements, and strategies that have been initiated and/or completed within the 

previous year; 

e. any delays in the implementation of the requirements of this permit, improvements, enhancements, 

or strategies, and the duration of the delays, the reason(s) for the delays, and the expected 

timeframe for their resolution; 

f. the implementation status of STA Recovery Plans operational status of the STA ; 

g. whether revisions and/or additions to the requirements of this permit improvements, 

enhancements, and strategies are recommended whether the facility is achieving the effluent 

limitations set forth in the TBEL and/or ; 

h. For any noncompliance with permit conditions, an evaluation of the cause(s) and implementation 

of remedial measures; 

i. For each downstream transect station, a compilation of the water quality, sediment, and vegetation 

monitoring data collected, as appropriate, and an assessment of whether the cumulative impact 

remained unchanged, improved, or worsened from the previous year/monitoring;

j. An assessment of the inflow volumes and phosphorus loads during the year relative to the 

anticipated operational envelope contained in the Technical Support Document for the STA-2; and

k. Whether the facility was operated within or outside of the operational envelope. 

All reports and other information shall be signed in accordance with requirements of Rule 62-620.305, 

F.A.C. 

8. The permittee shall provide safe access points for obtaining representative samples which are required 

by this permit. 

9. Upon demonstration that a specific parameter(s) is consistently shown to be undetected in the effluent, 

the permittee may request a modification to the monitoring program as appropriate. A minimum of one 

year of data, for those parameters being sampled quarterly or more frequently, shall be required prior 

to the Department approving any modification to the monitoring program. The Department may 

approve a reduction of the monitoring frequency or waive the monitoring requirement for parameters 

which are consistently shown to be undetected in the effluent. 

10. The permittee shall report with the monthly DMR if operation of facilities is impacted by or 

constrained due to requirements under the Endangered Species Act or Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The 

report should include the species involved, an estimate of the number of individuals involved, actions 

taken to avoid deleterious impacts on the endangered species, the affect those actions had on 

compliance with any condition of this permit, and an estimate of when facility operation will no longer 

be impacted or constrained.

II. Industrial Sludge Management Requirements

1. This section is not applicable to this facility. 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 2 

File No.: FL0177946-003-IW7A 

Page 9 of 19 

9

III. Ground Water Monitoring Requirements 

1. This section is not applicable to this facility.

IV. Other Land Application Requirements 

 This section is not applicable to this facility.

V. Operation and Maintenance Requirements 

A. Operation of Treatment Facilities

1. The permittee shall ensure that the operation of this facility is as described in the application and 

supporting documents. 

2. The operation of the pollution control facilities described in this permit shall be under the 

supervision of a person who is qualified by formal training and/or practical experience in the field 

of water pollution control. 

3. Activities such as ongoing maintenance may have adverse impacts on STA performance. In 

addition, major events may compromise the structural integrity or performance of the STA or 

section(s) of the STA. Such activities or events will be subject to the planned changes, bypass, 

and/or upset provisions set forth in Section VIII Paragraphs 17, 22, and 23. 

B. Record keeping Requirements:

1. The permittee shall maintain the following records at the South Florida Water Management District’s 

(District) headquarters office and make them available for inspection: 

a. Records of all compliance monitoring information, including all calibration and maintenance 

records and all original strip chart recordings for continuous monitoring instrumentation, 

including, if applicable, a copy of the laboratory certification showing the certification number of 

the laboratory, for at least three years from the date the sample or measurement was taken; 

b. Copies of all reports, other than those required in items a. and f. of this section, required by the 

permit for at least three years from the date the report was prepared, unless otherwise specified by 

Department rule; 

c. Records of all data, including reports and documents used to complete the application for the 

permit for at least three years from the date the application was filed, unless otherwise specified by 

Department rule; 

d. A copy of the current permit; 

e. A copy of any required record drawings; 

e. Copies of the logs and schedules showing plant operations and equipment maintenance for three 

years from the date on the logs or schedule. 

VI. Schedules 

1. The Annual Report shall be received by the Department no later than March 1 of each year following 

the effective date of issuance of this permit. Each Annual Report shall present the information for the 

previous water year, from May 1 to April 30. Upon approval by the Department, the District may 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 2 

File No.: FL0177946-003-IW7A 

Page 10 of 19 

10

modify the Annual Report submission date to coincide with multiple reporting requirements and time 

periods needed for data acquisition and analysis. 

2. A revised Pollution Prevention Plan (PPP) shall be prepared and implemented in accordance with the 

following schedule: 

Action Item Scheduled Completion Date 

1 Develop and Implement revised Pollution Prevention Plan Completion of scheduled LongTerm Plan enhancements to 

STA-2 As needed upon 

completion of and compliance 

with the requirements of this 

permit

2. Submittal of revised Pollution Prevention Plan if additional 

enhancements are implemented 

Changes that warrant 

modifications to the current PPP 

+ 90 days 

 

3. Upon completion of and compliance with the requirements specified herein, the permittee shall submit 

to the Department an updated Operations Plan for STA-2. Until the updated Operations Plan is submitted 

by the permittee and approved by the Department, the previously existing Operations Plan shall remain in 

effect.

VII. Other Specific Conditions

A. Specific Conditions Applicable to All Permits

1. Drawings, plans, documents or specifications submitted by the permittee, not attached hereto, but 

retained on file with the Department, are made a part hereof. 

2. Where required by Chapter 471 (P.E.) or Chapter 492 (P.G.) F.S., applicable portions of reports to be 

submitted under this permit, shall be signed and sealed by the professional(s) who prepared them. 

3. This permit satisfies the Industrial Wastewater Program permitting requirements only and does not 

authorize operation of this facility prior to obtaining any other permits required by local, state or federal 

agencies. 

B. Specific Conditions Related to Construction

1. Within 30 days of completion of construction, the permittee shall submit to the Department a completed 

“Certification of Completion of Construction” (DEP Form 62-620.910(12)) signed and sealed by the 

engineer of record or other engineer registered in the state of Florida. 

2. Record drawings shall be prepared and made available in accordance with Rule 62-620.410(6), F.A.C., 

and the Department of Environmental Protection Guide to Wastewater Permitting within six months of 

placing the facilities into operation. 

C. Duty to Reapply
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 2 

File No.: FL0177946-003-IW7A 

Page 11 of 19 

11

1. The permittee shall apply for renewal of this permit at least 180 days before the expiration date of the 

permit using the appropriate forms listed in Rule 62-620.910, F.A.C., including submittal of the 

appropriate processing fee set forth in Rule 62-4.050, F.A.C. 

D. Specific Conditions Related to the Pollution Prevention Plan

1. A revised PPP shall be prepared, submitted to the Department for review and approval, and 

implemented in accordance with the schedule set forth in Section VI.12. 

2. The STA-2 Project shall be operated in accordance with the existing PPP (Exhibit C) until such time as 

a revised PPP is approved by the Department. If the permitted facilities are demonstrated not to be 

achieving compliance with the requirements of this permit, the permittee shall submit a modified PPP 

for Department review and approval as appropriate. 

E. Re-opener Clause

1. The permit shall be revised, or alternatively, revoked and reissued in accordance with the provisions 

contained in Rules 62-620.325 and 62-620.345 F.A.C., if applicable, or to comply with any applicable 

effluent standard or limitation issued or approved under Sections 301(b)(2)(C) and (D), 304(b)(2) and 

307(a)(2) of the Clean Water Act (the Act), as amended, if the effluent standards, limitations, or water 

quality standards so issued or approved: 

a. Contains different conditions or is otherwise more stringent than any condition in the permit; or, 

b. Controls any pollutant not addressed in this permit.

The permit as revised or reissued under this paragraph shall contain any other requirements of the Act 

then applicable. 

2. The permit may be reopened to adjust effluent limitations or monitoring requirements should future 

water quality based effluent limitation (WQBEL) determinations, water quality studies, Department 

approved changes in water quality standards, or other information show a need for a different limitation 

or monitoring requirement. 

3. The Department may develop a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) during the life of the permit. 

Once a TMDL has been established and adopted by rule, the Department may revise this permit to 

incorporate the final findings of the TMDL, in accordance with Section 403.067, F.S. 

F. Transect Monitoring

The permittee shall conduct monthly monitoring for Total Phosphorus at a series of sites located along

three transects downstream of the STA-2 discharge to characterize the effects of the STA-2 discharge on 

adjacent marsh areas of WCA-2. The table below identifies 14 sampling sites. Of the 14 sites, nine are 

located in areas currently identified as impacted (i.e., sediment TP concentration greater than 500 mg/kg)

and five sites located in areas currently identified as unimpacted. Upon demonstration that an additional 

sampling site or removal of an existing sampling site is warranted, the permittee may request a

modification to the monitoring program as appropriate. The Department and USEPA shall review and 

approve such requests on a case by case basis. Any alteration in the monitoring program approved by the

Department and USEPA shall occur in the form of a modification to this permit.
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 2 

File No.: FL0177946-003-IW7A 

Page 12 of 19 

12

All water quality, soil, and vegetation samples will be collected and reported for the parameters and at the

frequency specified in the SFWMD’s January 20, 2010 ‘Project WCA-2A Monitoring Plan for STA-2 and

Compartment B Build-Out Downstream Monitoring Plan’. 

Table: Transect Monitoring Locations

Transect 1

SITE LAT_DEC LONG_DEC Category

2AN.25 26 27 14.34 80 27 23.34 Impacted

2AN1 26 26 50.46 80 27 22.08 Impacted

2AN2 26 26 20.28 80 27 14.47 Impacted

2AN4 26 25 21.48 80 27 01.38 Impacted

2AN5* 26 24 49.54 80 26 52.69 Unimpacted

2AN6* 26 24 18.12 80 26 44.08 Unimpacted

2AC0.25 26 25 34.68 80 28 30.90 Impacted

2AC2 26 24 43.39 80 28 16.97 Impacted

2AC4 26 23 42.54 80 28 05.10 Unimpacted

2AC5* 26 23 9.50 80 28 0.97 Unimpacted

Transect 2

SITE LAT_DEC LONG_DEC Category

2AFS.25 26 20 44.77 80 31 36.59 Impacted

2AFS1 26 20 38.46 80 31 10.320 Impacted

2AFS3 26 20 15.84 80 30 01.62 Impacted

CA 29 26 19 49.28 80 28 42.13 Unimpacted

*

 Station coordinates are approximate; exact coordinates to be determined

G. Implementation of Source Control Programs. 

1. Implementation. The permittee shall continue to implement source control programs in each of the 

contributing basins in accordance with Chapter 40E-63, F.A.C. and other applicable programs. 

Basins that do not presently include source control programs shall be monitored to determine if 

such programs are necessary in the event that phosphorus loads to the facility from these basins 

limit the facility or facilities progress towards achieving the WQBEL 

2. Performance. On an annual basis, the permittee shall evaluate the performance of source controls 

in the contributing basins and include the findings in the annual report required in Item I.E.7. The 

report shall include phosphorus loads from the basins and shall describe trends and compare current 

loads to those determined necessary to achieve the WQBEL. 

3. Improvements. If the WQBEL is not achieved and if the assumed inflow concentration used to 

develop the Amended Determination remedy is exceeded, the permittee shall submit, as part of the 

annual reporting requirements in Item I.E.7, a report explaining the cause(s) for the excess 

concentration and, if applicable, schedules and strategies for source control improvements 

necessary to achieve the WQBEL. 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 2 

File No.: FL0177946-003-IW7A 

Page 13 of 19 

13

VIII. General Conditions

1. The terms, conditions, requirements, limitations and restrictions set forth in this permit are binding and 

enforceable pursuant to Chapter 403, F.S. Any permit non-compliance constitutes a violation of 

Chapter 403, F.S., and is grounds for enforcement action, permit termination, permit revocation and 

reissuance, or permit revision. [62-620.610(1), F.A.C.]

2. This permit is valid only for the specific processes and operations applied for and indicated in the 

approved drawings or exhibits. Any unauthorized deviation from the approved drawings, exhibits, 

specifications or conditions of this permit constitutes grounds for revocation and enforcement action 

by the Department. [62-620.610(2), F.A.C.] 

3. As provided in Subsection 403.087(7), F.S., the issuance of this permit does not convey any vested 

rights or any exclusive privileges. Neither does it authorize any injury to public or private property or 

any invasion of personal rights, nor authorize any infringements of federal, state, or local laws or 

regulations. This permit is not a waiver of or approval of any other Department permit or authorization 

that may be required for other aspects of the total project, which are not addressed in this permit. [62-

620.610(3), F.A.C.] 

4. This permit conveys no title to land or water, does not constitute state recognition or acknowledgment 

of title, and does not constitute authority for the use of submerged lands unless herein provided and the 

necessary title or leasehold interests have been obtained from the State. Only the Trustees of the 

Internal Improvement Trust Fund may express State opinion as to title. [62-620.610(4), F.A.C.] 

5. This permit does not relieve the permittee from liability and penalties for harm or injury to human 

health or welfare, animal or plant life, or property caused by the construction or operation of this 

permitted source; nor does it allow the permittee to cause pollution in contravention of Florida Statutes 

and Department rules, unless specifically authorized by an order from the Department. The permittee 

shall take all reasonable steps to minimize or prevent any discharge, reuse of reclaimed water, or 

residuals use or disposal in violation of this permit which has a reasonable likelihood of adversely 

affecting human health or the environment. It shall not be a defense for a permittee in an enforcement 

action that it would have been necessary to halt or reduce the permitted activity in order to maintain 

compliance with the conditions of this permit. [62-620.610(5), F.A.C.] 

6. If the permittee wishes to continue an activity regulated by this permit after its expiration date, the 

permittee shall apply for and obtain a new permit. [62-620.610(6), F.A.C.] 

7. The permittee shall at all times properly operate and maintain the facility and systems of treatment and 

control, and related appurtenances, that are installed and used by the permittee to achieve compliance 

with the conditions of this permit. This provision includes the operation of backup or auxiliary 

facilities or similar systems when necessary to maintain or achieve compliance with the conditions of 

the permit. [62-620.610(7), F.A.C.] 

8. This permit may be modified, revoked and reissued, or terminated for cause. The filing of a request by 

the permittee for a permit revision, revocation and reissuance, or termination, or a notification of 

planned changes or anticipated non-compliance does not stay any permit condition. [62-620.610(8), 

F.A.C.] 

9. The permittee, by accepting this permit, specifically agrees to allow authorized Department personnel, 

including an authorized representative of the Department and authorized U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency (EPA) personnel, when applicable, upon presentation of credentials or other 

documents as may be required by law, and at reasonable times, depending upon the nature of the 

concern being investigated, to: 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 2 

File No.: FL0177946-003-IW7A 

Page 14 of 19 

14

 a. Enter upon the permittee’s premises where a regulated facility, system, or activity is located or 

conducted, or where records shall be kept under the conditions of this permit; 

b. Have access to and copy any records that shall be kept under the conditions of this permit; 

c. Inspect the facilities, equipment, practices, or operations regulated or required under this permit; 

and 

d. Sample or monitor any substances or parameters at any location necessary to assure compliance 

with this permit or Department rules. 

[62-620.610(9), F.A.C.] 

10. In accepting this permit, the permittee understands and agrees that all records, notes, monitoring data, 

and other information relating to the construction or operation of this permitted source which are 

submitted to the Department may be used by the Department as evidence in any enforcement case 

involving the permitted source arising under the Florida Statutes or Department rules, except as such 

use is proscribed by Section 403.111, Florida Statutes, or Rule 62-620.302, F.A.C. Such evidence 

shall only be used to the extent that it is consistent with the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure and 

applicable evidentiary rules. [62-620.610(10), F.A.C.] 

11. When requested by the Department, the permittee shall within a reasonable time provide any 

information required by law, which is needed to determine whether there is cause for revising, 

revoking and reissuing, or terminating this permit, or to determine compliance with the permit. The 

permittee shall also provide to the Department upon request copies of records required by this permit 

to be kept. If the permittee becomes aware of relevant facts that were not submitted or were incorrect 

in the permit application or in any report to the Department, such facts or information shall be 

promptly submitted or corrections promptly reported to the Department. [62-620.610(11), F.A.C.] 

12. Unless specifically stated otherwise in Department rules, the permittee, in accepting this permit, agrees 

to comply with changes in Department rules and Florida Statutes after a reasonable time for 

compliance; provided however, the permittee does not waive any other rights granted by Florida 

Statutes or Department rules. A reasonable time for compliance with a new or amended surface water 

quality standard, other than those standards addressed in Rule 62-302.500, F.A.C., shall include a 

reasonable time to obtain or be denied a mixing zone for the new or amended standard. [62-

620.610(12), F.A.C.] However, this section cannot be used as a basis to extend the time to comply with 

the permit’s total phosphorus WQBELs or to obtain a mixing zone to meet the total phosphorus water 

quality criterion.

13. The permittee, in accepting this permit, agrees to pay the applicable regulatory program and 

surveillance fee in accordance with Rule 62-4.052, F.A.C. [62-620.610(13), F.A.C.] 

14. This permit is transferable only upon Department approval in accordance with Rule 62-620.340, 

F.A.C. The permittee shall be liable for any non-compliance of the permitted activity until the 

Department approves the transfer. [62-620.610(14), F.A.C.] 

15. The permittee shall give the Department written notice at least 60 days before inactivation or 

abandonment of a wastewater facility and shall specify what steps will be taken to safeguard public 

health and safety during and following inactivation or abandonment. [62-620.610(15), F.A.C.] 

16. The permittee shall apply for a revision to the Department permit in accordance with Rule 62-620.300, 

F.A.C., and the Department of Environmental Protection Guide to Wastewater Permitting at least 90 

days before construction of any planned substantial modifications to the permitted facility is to 

commence or with Rule 62-620.325(2), F.A.C., for minor modifications to the permitted facility. A 

revised permit shall be obtained before construction begins except as provided in Rule 62-620.300, 

F.A.C. [62-620.610(16), F.A.C.] 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 2 

File No.: FL0177946-003-IW7A 

Page 15 of 19 

15

17. The permittee shall give advance notice to the Department of any planned changes in the permitted 

facility or activity which may result in non-compliance with permit requirements. The permittee shall 

be responsible for any and all damages which may result from the changes and may be subject to 

enforcement action by the Department for penalties or revocation of this permit. The notice shall 

include the following information: 

a. A description of the anticipated non-compliance; 

b. The period of the anticipated non-compliance, including dates and times; and 

c. Steps being taken to prevent future occurrence of the non-compliance. [62-620.610(17), F.A.C.]

18. Sampling and monitoring data shall be collected and analyzed in accordance with Rule 62-4.246, 

Chapters 62-160 and 62-601, F.A.C., and 40 CFR 136, as appropriate. 

a. Monitoring results shall be reported at the intervals specified elsewhere in this permit and shall be 

reported on a Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR), DEP Form 62-620.910(10), or as specified 

elsewhere in the permit. 

b. If the permittee monitors any contaminate more frequently than required by the permit, using 

Department approved test procedures, the results of this monitoring shall be included in the 

calculation and reporting of the data submitted in the DMR. 

c. Calculations for all limitations which require averaging of measurements shall use an arithmetic 

mean unless otherwise specified in this permit. 

d. Except as specifically provide in Rule 62-160.300, F.A.C., any laboratory test required by this 

permit shall be performed by a laboratory that has been certified by the Department of Health 

Environmental Laboratory Certification Program (DOH ELCP). Such certification shall be for the 

matrix, test method and analyte(s) being measured to comply with this permit. For domestic 

wastewater facilities, testing for parameters listed in Rule 62-160.300(4), F.A.C., shall be 

conducted under the direction of a certified operator. 

e. Fields activities including on-site tests and sample collection shall follow the applicable standard 

procedures described in DEP-SOP-001/01 adopted by reference in Chapter 62-160, F.A.C. 

f. Alternate field procedures and laboratory methods may be used where they have been approved in 

accordance with Rules 62-160.220 and 62-160.330, F.A.C. [62-620.610(18), F.A.C.]

19. Reports of compliance or non-compliance with, or any progress reports on, interim and final 

requirements contained in any compliance schedule detailed elsewhere in this permit shall be 

submitted no later than 14 days following each schedule date. [62-620.610(19), F.A.C.] 

20. The permittee shall report to the Department’s Tallahassee Office and the Southeast District Office any 

non-compliance which may endanger health or the environment. Any information shall be provided 

orally within 24 hours from the time the permittee becomes aware of the circumstances. A written 

submission shall also be provided within five days of the time the permittee becomes aware of the 

circumstances. The written submission shall contain: a description of the non-compliance and its 

cause; the period of non-compliance including exact dates and time, and if the non-compliance has not 

been corrected, the anticipated time it is expected to continue; and steps taken or planned to reduce, 

eliminate, and prevent recurrence of the non-compliance. 

a. The following shall be included as information which must be reported within 24 hours under this 

condition: 

(1) Any unanticipated bypass which causes any reclaimed water or effluent to exceed any permit 

limitation or results in an unpermitted discharge, 

(2) Any upset which causes any reclaimed water or the effluent to exceed any limitation in the 

permit, 

(3) Violation of a maximum daily discharge limitation for any of the pollutants specifically listed 

in the permit for such notice, and 

(4) Any unauthorized discharge to surface or ground waters. 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 2 

File No.: FL0177946-003-IW7A 

Page 16 of 19 

16

b. Oral reports as required by this subsection shall be provided as follows: 

(1) For unauthorized releases or spills of untreated or treated wastewater reported pursuant to 

subparagraph a.(4) that are in excess of 1,000 gallons per incident, or where information 

indicates that public health or the environment will be endangered, oral reports shall be 

provided to the Department by calling the STATE WARNING POINT TOLL FREE 

NUMBER (800) 320-0519, as soon as practical, but no later than 24 hours from the time the 

permittee becomes aware of the discharge. The permittee, to the extent known, shall provide 

the following information to the State Warning Point: 

(a) Name, address, and telephone number of person reporting; 

(b) Name, address, and telephone number of permittee or responsible person for the 

discharge; 

(c) Date and time of the discharge and status of discharge (ongoing or ceased); 

(d) Characteristics of the wastewater spilled or released (untreated or treated, industrial or 

domestic wastewater); 

(e) Estimated amount of the discharge; 

(f) Location or address of the discharge; 

(g) Source and cause of the discharge; 

(h) Whether the discharge was contained on-site, and cleanup actions taken to date; 

(i) Description of area affected by the discharge, including name of water body affected, if 

any; and 

(j) Other persons or agencies contacted. 

(2) Oral reports, not otherwise required to be provided pursuant to subparagraph b(1) above, shall 

be provided to Department’s Southeast District Office within 24 hours from the time the 

permittee becomes aware of the circumstances. 

c. If the oral report has been received within 24 hours, the non-compliance has been corrected, and the 

non-compliance did not endanger health or the environment, the Department’s Southeast District 

Office shall waive the written report. [62-620.610(20), F.A.C.] 

21. The permittee shall report all instances of non-compliance not reported under Conditions VIII. 17., 18., 

19. and 20. of this permit at the time monitoring reports are submitted. This report shall contain the 

same information required by Condition VIII. 20. of this permit. [62-620.610(21), F.A.C.]

22. Bypass Provisions. The term “bypass” shall mean the intentional diversion of waste streams from any 

portion of the treatment works. 

a. Bypass is prohibited, and the Department may take enforcement action against a permittee for 

bypass, unless the permittee affirmatively demonstrates that: 

(1) Bypass was unavoidable to prevent loss of life, personal injury, or severe property damage; 

and 

(2) There were no feasible alternatives to the bypass, such as the use of auxiliary treatment 

facilities, retention of untreated wastes, or maintenance during normal periods of equipment 

downtime. This condition is not satisfied if adequate back-up equipment should have been 

installed in the exercise of reasonable engineering judgment to prevent a bypass which 

occurred during normal periods of equipment downtime or preventative maintenance; and 

(3) The permittee submitted notices as required under Condition VIII.22.b. of this permit. 

b. If the permittee knows in advance of the need for a bypass, it shall submit prior notice to the 

Department, if possible at least 10 days before the date of the bypass. The permittee shall submit 

notice of an unanticipated bypass within 24 hours of learning about the bypass as required in 

Condition VIII.20. of this permit. A notice shall include a description of the bypass and its cause; 

the period of the bypass, including exact dates and times; if the bypass has not been corrected, the 

anticipated time it is expected to continue; and the steps taken or planned to reduce, eliminate, and 

prevent recurrence of the bypass. 

c. The Department shall approve an anticipated bypass, after considering its adverse effect, if the 

permittee demonstrates that it will meet the three conditions listed in Condition VIII.22 a. (1) 

through (3) of this permit. 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 2 

File No.: FL0177946-003-IW7A 

Page 17 of 19 

17

d. A permittee may allow any bypass to occur which does not cause reclaimed water or effluent 

limitations to be exceeded if it is for essential maintenance to assure efficient operation. These 

bypasses are not subject to the provision of Condition VIII.22.a. through c. of this permit. 

[62-620.610(22), F.A.C.]

23. Upset Provisions. 

a. A permittee who wishes to establish the affirmative defense of upset shall demonstrate, through 

properly signed contemporaneous operating logs, or other relevant evidence that: 

(1) An upset occurred and that the permittee can identify the cause(s) of the upset; 

(2) The permitted facility was at the time being properly operated; 

(3) The permittee submitted notice of the upset as required in Condition VIII.20. of this permit; 

and 

(4) The permittee complied with any remedial measures required under Condition VIII.5. of this 

permit. 

b. In any enforcement proceeding, the burden of proof for establishing occurrence of an upset rests 

with the permittee. 

c. Before an enforcement proceeding is instituted, no representation made during the Department 

review of a claim that non-compliance was caused by an upset is final agency action subject to 

judicial review. [62-620.610(23), F.A.C.]

DONE AND ORDERED on this 4th day of September, 2007 in Tallahassee, Florida. 

STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT 

OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 

____________________________________________ 

Michael W. Sole 

Secretary 

MS/jb/jh 

FILING AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT 

FILED, on this date, under Section 120.52, F.S., with the designated deputy clerk, receipt of which is 

hereby acknowledged. 

_____________________________________________________

Clerk Date 

PARTIES REQUESTING NOTICE: 

Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, c/o Dexter Lehtinen, Esq. 

Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, c/o Kelly Brooks, Esq. 

United States Sugar Corporation, c/o Bubba Wade 

Seminole Tribe of Indians of Florida, c/o Stephen A. Walker, Esq. 

Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative, Roth Farms, Inc., and Wedgeworth Farms, Inc., 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 2 

File No.: FL0177946-003-IW7A 

Page 18 of 19 

18

 c/o William H. Green, Esq. 

Keith Saxe, Esq., U. S. Department of Justice 

Michael Stevens, U.S. Department of the Interior (fax) 

Jeffrey J. Ward, Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative 

Philip S. Parsons, Landers & Parsons 

Helen Hickman, Brown & Caldwell 

Tom MacVicar, MacVicar, Frederico, & Lamb 

Charles Lee, Florida Audubon Society 

Samuel B. Reiner, II, Esq., Lehtinen O’ Donnell, Vargas & Reiner, P.A. 

Michelle W. Smith, Esq., Earl, Blank, Cavanaugh & Stotts 

COPIES FURNISHED TO: 

Sharon Fauver, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

Susan Teel, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

Jeff Bielling, FL. Dept. of Community Affairs 

Linda McCarthy, FL. Dept. of Agriculture 

Charles Oravetz, Nat. Marine Fisheries Service 

Don Klima, U.S. Advisory Council on Historic Preservation 

John Childe, Friends of the Everglades 

David Reiner, Friends of the Everglades 

Col. Paul Grosskruger, USACOE, Jacksonville 

Dennis Duke, USACOE, Jacksonville 

Peter Bestrukschko, USACOE, Jacksonville 

Eric Bush, USACOE, Jacksonville 

Richard Harvey, USEPA, West Palm Beach 

Philip Mancusi-Ungaro, Esq., USEPA, Atlanta 

Roosevelt Childress, USEPA, Atlanta 

Marshall Hyatt, USEPA Atlanta 

Dan Scheidt, USEPA, Athens 

Eric Hughes, USEPA, Jacksonville 

Janet Bussell, The Everglades Foundation 

Mike Waldon, Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge 

Matt Harwell, Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge 

Mike Zimmerman, Everglades National Park 

Ken Haddad, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 

Joe Walsh, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Vero Beach 

ADDITIONAL COPIES FURNISHED TO: 

Eric Eikenberg, Governor’s Office 

Carol Wehle, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Chip Merriam, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Sheryl Wood, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Terrie Bates, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Ernie Barnett, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Linda Lindstrom, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Dean Powell, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Sean Sculley, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Susan Sylvester, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Deb Drum, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Gary Goforth, Gary Goforth, Inc., Stuart 

Tracey Piccone, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Tom Kosier, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Jim Galloway, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Ron Bearzotti, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Kirk Burns, Esq., SFWMD, West Palm Beach 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 2 

File No.: FL0177946-003-IW7A 

Page 19 of 19 

19

John Mitnik, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Maria Clemente, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Delia Ivanoff, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Kathy Pietro, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Juliann LaRock, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Linda Crean, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Joe Albers, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Hongying Zhao, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Guy Germain, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Joseph Jean-Jacques, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Kevin Nicholas, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Nicole Howard, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Greg Knecht, FDEP, Tallahassee 

John Outland, FDEP, Tallahassee 

Frank Nearhoof, FDEP, Tallahassee 

Shelley Yaun, FDEP, Tallahassee 

Ernie Marks, FDEP, Tallahassee 

Kenny Hayman, Esq., FDEP, Tallahassee 

David Crowley, Esq., FDEP, Tallahassee 

Tom Atkeson, FDEP, Tallahassee 

William Kennedy, FDEP, West Palm Beach 

Inger Hansen, FDEP, West Palm Beach 
STATE OF FLORIDA 

INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER FACILITY PERMIT 

PERMITTEE: PERMIT NUMBER: FL0300195 

PA FILE NUMBER: FL0300195-001-IW1N 

South Florida Water Management District ISSUANCE DATE: January 9, 2004 

3301 Gun Club Road EXPIRATION DATE: January 9, 2009 

West Palm Beach, FL 33406 

 

RESPONSIBLE AUTHORITY: 

Sharon Trost 

Deputy Director, Operations Control, 

Engineering, and Vegetative Management 

Department 

 

FACILITY: 

Stormwater Treatment Area 3/4 (STA-3/4 

Project) 

 

Palm Beach and Broward Counties 

 

Latitude: 26° 20’ 12” N Longitude: 80° 32’ 10” W 

This permit is issued under the provisions of Chapter 403, Florida Statutes, and applicable rules of the Florida 

Administrative Code and constitutes authorization to discharge to waters of the state under the National Pollutant 

Discharge Elimination System. The above named permittee is hereby authorized to construct and operate the 

facilities required by this permit shown on the application and other documents attached hereto or on file with the 

Department and made a part hereof and specifically described as follows: 

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: 

The project is to construct, operate, and maintain Stormwater Treatment Area 3/4 (STA-3/4), the Diversion 

Structures, Project Inflow Pump Stations, Project Supply Canal, Interior Works, STA-3/4 Discharge Canals, STA3/4 Seepage Collection System, and US 27 New Bridges, collectively known as the STA-3/4 Project. Together 

these components (also referred to as Associated Works) will be known as the STA-3/4 Project. The STA-3/4 

Project is part of the Everglades Construction Project (ECP), construction, operation, and maintenance of which is 

required by the Everglades Forever Act (EFA) (Section 373.4592, Florida Statutes).

 

STA-3/4 is located immediately east of and adjacent to Holey Land Wildlife Management Area, west of the North 

New River Canal, and immediately north of and adjacent to WCA-3A. STA-3/4 consists of three parallel treatment 

paths flowing from north to south that will provide an effective treatment area of 16,544 acres. STA-3/4 is designed 

to treat an average of approximately 645,222 acre-feet of runoff annually. These stormwaters non-process

wastewaters are currently being discharged untreated primarily to Water Conservation Areas 2A and 3 via the S-7 

and S-8 pump stations. 
PERMITTEE: PERMIT NUMBER: FL0300195 

 

South Florida Water Management District Issuance date: January 9, 2004 

3301 Gun Club Road Expiration date: January 9, 2009 

West Palm Beach, FL 33406 

 

2

The treatment cells are designed to have an operational depth of between 6 inches and 4.5 feet to encourage 

colonization and continued viability by wetland plans and maximize (to the greatest extent possible utilizing 

available technology) uptake and removal of phosphorus from the stormwater non-process wastewater passing 

through the cells. Long-term storage of the phosphorus is expected to be provided by peat accretion in STA-3/4. 

The treated stormwater non-process wastewater will then be discharged from STA 3/4 to the L-5 Borrow Canal 

from the G-376 A-F, G-379 A-E and G-381 A-F structures, and subsequently will be pumped to the North New 

River Canal by means of existing pump stations S-7, to the Miami Canal by existing pump station S-8 and to 

western WCA-3A by pump station G-404. Treated water from STA 3/4, once discharged into the L-5 Canal can 

also be released to WCA-3A via structure S-150 when water levels in the canal are higher than the downstream 

water level in WCA-3A. 

EFFLUENT DISPOSAL: 

This permit authorizes the new discharge of treated stormwater non-process wastewater from a 16,544 acre 

constructed wetland marsh system (STA-3/4 Project) to WCA-2A and WCA-3A. Treated water from STA 3/4 will 

be discharged into the L-5 Borrow Canal from the G-376 A-F, G-379 A-E and G-381 A-F structures, and 

subsequently will be pumped to the North New River Canal by means of existing pump stations S-7, to the Miami 

Canal by existing pump station S-8 and to western WCA-3A by pump station G -404. Treated water from STA 3/4, 

once discharged into the L-5 Canal can also be released to WCA-3A via structure S-150 when water levels in the 

canal are higher than the downstream water level in WCA-3A. WasteStormwater treated in the wetland marsh 

system are pumped, via the G-370 and G-372 inflow pump stations, from the North New River and Miami Canals. 

Presently, untreated runoff from the S-7/S-2 and S-8/S-3 basins drains into these canals to be routed to the water 

conservation areas. Stormwater Non-process wastewater runoff from these basins that is currently flowing 

untreated will, upon completion of the STA, be diverted into the constructed wetland for treatment utilizing natural, 

passive physical and biological processes for nutrient removal and water quality improvement. All of the surface 

waters and wetlands to be impacted by the construction of the project are Class III Waters. 

Surface Water Discharge:

A new discharge to L-5 Canal (Class III Fresh waters), D-001, via the G-376 A-F structures. The G-376B 

outfall point of discharge (D-001) is located approximately at latitude 26° 20’ 08” N, longitude 80° 33’ 21” W. 

A new discharge to L-5 Canal (Class III Fresh waters), D-002, via the G-376 A-F structures. The G-376E 

outfall point of discharge (D-002) is located approximately at latitude 26° 20’ 06” N, longitude 80° 34’ 42” W. 

A new discharge to the L-5 canal (Class III Fresh waters), D-003, via the G-379 A-E structures. The G-379B 

outfall point of discharge (D-003) is located approximately at latitude 26° 20’ 07” N, longitude 80° 36’ 26” W. 

A new discharge to the L-5 canal (Class III Fresh waters), D-004, via the G-379 A-E structures. The G-379D 

outfall point of discharge (D-004) is located approximately at latitude 26° 20’ 23” N, longitude 80° 37’ 25” W. 

A new discharge to the L-5 canal (Class III Fresh waters), D-005, via the G-381 A-F structures. The G-381B 

structure, outfall point of discharge (D-005) is located approximately at latitude 26° 21’ 35” N, longitude 80° 

38’ 55” W. 

A new discharge to the L-5 canal (Class III Fresh waters), D-006, via the G-381 A-F structures. The G-381E 

structure, outfall point of discharge (D-006) is located approximately at latitude 26° 21’ 48” N, longitude 80° 

40’ 24” W. 
PERMITTEE: PERMIT NUMBER: FL0300195 

 

South Florida Water Management District Issuance date: January 9, 2004 

3301 Gun Club Road Expiration date: January 9, 2009 

West Palm Beach, FL 33406 

 

3

IN ACCORDANCE WITH: The limitations, monitoring requirements and other conditions as set forth in Part I 

through Part VIII on pages 3 through 195 of this permit. 

I. Effluent Limitations and Monitoring Requirements 

A. Surface Water Discharges

1. During the period beginning upon placing the system into operation the permit effective date and lasting 

through the expiration date of this permit, the permittee is authorized to discharge non process wastewater from 

Outfalls D-001, D-002, D-003, D-004, D-005, and D-006. Such discharge shall be limited and monitored by 

the permittee as specified below: 

 Discharge Limitations Monitoring Requirements 

Parameters (units) Daily 

Minimum 

Daily 

Maximum 

Annual Average Other Monitoring 

Frequency 

Sample 

Type 

Sample 

Point 

Report Not to 

exceed 10 as a 

geometric mean 

(GM) annual 

average in more 

than two 

consecutive years*

18 as a flowweighted mean 

(FWM) annual 

average*

Phosphorus, Total (as 

P) (ppb) (MG/L)

 -- -- 

(See I.A.57.)

Weekly GM – based 

on grab 

samples 

collected 

when 

discharge 

occurs

FWM - 7-

day flow 

proportioned 

composite 

EFF-1, 

EFF-2, 

EFF-3, 

EFF-4, 

EFF-5, and 

EFF-6 

Phosphorus, Total (as 

P) (ppb) (MG/L)

 -- -- Report ** Weekly 7-day flow 

proportioned 

composite 

SWU-001 

& SWU002 

Oxygen, Dissolved 

(DO) (MG/L) 

 5.0 -- -- Weekly Meter EFF-1, 

EFF-2, 

EFF-3, 

EFF-4, 

EFF-5, and 

EFF-6 

Oxygen, Dissolved 

(DO) (MG/L) 

Report -- -- Weekly Meter SWU-001 

& SWU002 

Flow (CFS) -- Report Report Continuous Recorder EFF-1, 

EFF-2, 

EFF-3, 

EFF-4, 

EFF-5, and 

EFF-6 

pH (SU) 6.0 8.5 -- Weekly Meter EFF-1, 

EFF-2, 

EFF-3, 

EFF-4, 

EFF-5, and 

EFF-6 

* All EFF TP monitoring results for this parameter shall be reported as separate weekly values without rounding to whole numbers. The results 

shall also be reported as FWM annual averages that are calculated based on the FWM of the weekly values. The results shall also be reported as 
PERMITTEE: PERMIT NUMBER: FL0300195 

 

South Florida Water Management District Issuance date: January 9, 2004 

3301 Gun Club Road Expiration date: January 9, 2009 

West Palm Beach, FL 33406 

 

4

GM 12 month moving flow-weighted annual averages that are calculated based on all sample point weekly values collected when discharge 

occurs in the previous 12 months. All FWM and GM annual averages shall be reported to the nearest whole number (i.e., 10.5 ppb shall be 

reported as 11 ppb; 10.49 ppb shall be reported as 10 ppb). No violations for the annual average limit will be deemed to have occurred until data 

have been compiled for the first 12 months after the issuance date of the permit. For the first 11 months after issuance of this permit, the 

monitoring results for this parameter shall be recorded on the DMR as NODI=9. Starting with the 12th month and lasting until the expiration of 

this permit, the monitoring results for this parameter shall be recorded on the DMR as a 12-month moving flow-weighted average.

** All SWU TP monitoring results shall be reported as separate weekly values without rounding to whole numbers. All results shall also be 

reported as monthly averages and as FWM annual averages. The monthly averages and FWM annual averages shall be calculated based on the 

FWM of the weekly values and shall be reported to the nearest whole number (i.e., 10.5 ppb shall be reported as 11 ppb; 10.49 ppb shall be 

reported as 10 ppb). 

2. Effluent samples shall be taken at the monitoring site locations listed in permit condition I.A.1 and as described 

below: 

Sample Point Description of Monitoring Location 

EFF-1 Sampling location for Outfall D-001 at the G-376B structure 

EFF-2 Sampling location for Outfall D-002 at the G-376E structure 

EFF-3 Sampling location for Outfall D-003 at the G-379B structure 

EFF-4 Sampling location for Outfall D-004 at the G-379D structure 

EFF-5 Sampling location for Outfall D-005 at the G-381B structure 

EFF-6 Sampling location for Outfall D-006 at the G-381E structure 

SWU-001 Upstream background sampling location at the G-370 Pump Station. 

SWU-002 Upstream background sampling location at the G-372 Pump Station. 

3. There shall be no discharge of floating solids or visible foam in other than trace amounts. This provision shall 

not be interpreted to prevent discharges of constituents normally found in or resulting from marsh wetland 

systems. 

4. The discharge shall not cause a visible sheen on the receiving water. This provision shall not be interpreted to 

prevent the discharge of constituents normally found in or resulting from marsh wetland systems. 

5. The discharge shall not cause phosphorus concentrations in the receiving waters to exceed the criteria in Rule 

62-302.540(4)(a), F.A.C The discharge shall not cause phosphorus concentrations in the receiving waters to be 

altered so as to cause or contribute to an imbalance in natural populations of aquatic flora or fauna. The permittee 

may not be able to immediately comply with this condition and therefore, this permit is issued pursuant to 

Subsection 403.088(2)(e) of the Florida Statutes and is consistent with the Everglades Forever Act (EFA), 

§373.4592, Fla. Stat. By operation of the EFA, a numeric effluent limit for phosphorus shall be derived in 

accordance with state policy as contained in the EFA, § 373.4592(4)(e), Fla. Stat., which provides that if the 

Department does not adopt by rule a revised phosphorus water quality criterion by no later than December 31, 2003, 

the numeric criterion for phosphorus shall be 10 parts per billion (ppb) in the Everglades Protection Area. Upon 

adoption of a revised criterion or the default criterion becoming effective, and upon approval by EPA, an effluent 

limitation shall be established for this permit, in a manner consistent with the EFA, the federal Consent Decree in 

USA v. SFWMD, Case No. 88-1886-CIV-HOEVELER, as may be modified, and other applicable state and federal 

laws and that recognizes the relationship between waters discharged to, and the resulting water quality in the 
PERMITTEE: PERMIT NUMBER: FL0300195 

 

South Florida Water Management District Issuance date: January 9, 2004 

3301 Gun Club Road Expiration date: January 9, 2009 

West Palm Beach, FL 33406 

 

5

Everglades Protection Area. If an effluent limitation is established for this permit based upon the default criterion, 

that effluent limitation will be replaced with a new effluent limit based on the approved phosphorus numeric 

interpretation of the narrative phosphorus criterion once rulemaking for the phosphorus criterion and an appropriate 

effluent limitation is promulgated under the requirements of the EFA and the Consent Decree. The new effluent 

limit will be based on the numeric phosphorus criterion, the associated implementation strategy, and the relationship 

between waters discharged to, and the resulting water quality in, the Everglades Protection Area in a manner 

consistent with the EFA, the federal Consent Decree in USA v. SFWMD, Case No. 88-1886-CIV-HOEVELER, as 

may be modified, and other applicable state and federal laws. Persons whose substantial interests are affected by 

modification of this permit to include a new effluent limitation for phosphorus will be afforded a point of entry 

under Chapter 120, Florida Statutes. Beginning at the end of April after the permit effective date and at the end of 

each April thereafter, the permittee shall report the FWM annual average using data it collected for the prior 12 

months. Beginning at the end of April after the permit effective date and at the end of each April thereafter, the 

permittee shall report the GM annual average using data it collected for each of the prior 3 years.

6. In the year following any two consecutive years where the TP GM annual average exceeds 10 ppb, the permittee 

shall report quarterly the GM of all monthly TP values for that year. If that mean exceeds 10 ppb, the permittee 

shall provide a report to both FDEP and USEPA by the fifteenth of the month following the quarterly report of its 

evaluation of why that mean is as high as it is and the specific steps it is taking to ensure that the TP GM for that 

year will not exceed 10 ppb.

For the TP FWM WQBEL, the permittee shall report quarterly the average of all monthly FWMs for that year. If 

that average exceeds 18 ppb, the permittee shall provide a report to both FDEP and USEPA by the fifteenth of the 

month following the quarterly report of its evaluation of why that average is as high as it is and the specific steps it 

is taking to ensure that the TP FWM annual average for that year will not exceed 18 ppb.

7. If the facility does not meet the FWM WQBEL in any year, the permittee shall report the annual load of TP 

discharged by the STA into the Everglades that is in excess of the WQBEL load (based on 18 ppb). If the facility 

does not meet the GM WQBEL in any year, the permittee shall separately report the annual load of TP discharged 

by the STA into the Everglades that is in excess of the WQBEL load (based on 10 ppb) for that year and the 

previous two years.

8. TP samples taken in accordance with Section I.A.1 and submitted monthly as part of the Discharge Monitoring 

Report (DMR) shall be analyzed to provide an assessment in the Annual Report required in Part I.E.8 as to whether 

the facility is operating within or outside the operational envelope. The assessment shall be based on annual inflow 

volumes and phosphorus loads and shall compare flows and loads to the corresponding average values contained in 

the operational envelope described in Exhibit A (Goforth et al, 2007). If the annual inflow volumes or phosphorus 

loads exceed the corresponding average values of the operational envelope during an annual compliance period, the 

District shall conduct a review of potential causes and include this review in the annual report. Departmental 

concurrence shall be obtained prior to initiating Lake Okeechobee regulatory or water supply releases that would 

result in an exceedance of the maximum levels of flow or phosphorus load contained in the operational envelope. 

B. Underground Injection Control Systems

1. This section is not applicable to this facility.

C. Land Application Systems

1. This section is not applicable to this facility.
PERMITTEE: PERMIT NUMBER: FL0300195 

 

South Florida Water Management District Issuance date: January 9, 2004 

3301 Gun Club Road Expiration date: January 9, 2009 

West Palm Beach, FL 33406 

 

6

D. Other Methods of Disposal or Recycling

1. There shall be no discharge of industrial wastewater from this facility to ground or surface waters, except as 

authorized by this permit. 

E. Other Limitations and Monitoring and Reporting Requirements

1. The sample collection, analytical test methods and method detection limits (MDLs) applicable to this permit 

shall be in accordance with Rule 62-4.246, Chapters 62-160 and 62-601, F.A.C., and 40 CFR 136, as 

appropriate. The list of Department established analytical methods, and corresponding MDLs (method detection 

limits) and PQLs (practical quantification limits), which is titled “Florida Department of Environmental 

Protection Table as Required By Rule 62-4.246(4) Testing Methods for Discharges to Surface Water” dated 

June 21, 1996, is available from the Department on request. The MDLs and PQLs as described in this list shall 

constitute the minimum acceptable MDL/PQL values and the Department shall not accept results for which the 

laboratory's MDLs or PQLs are greater than those described above unless alternate MDLs and/or PQLs have 

been specifically approved by the Department for this permit. Any method included in the list may be used for 

reporting as long as it meets the following requirements: 

a. The laboratory’s reported MDL and PQL values for the particular method must be equal or less than the 

corresponding method values specified in the Department’s approved MDL and PQL list; 

b. The laboratory reported PQL for the specific parameter is less than or equal to the permit limit or the 

applicable water quality criteria, if any, stated in Chapter 62-302, F.A.C. Parameters that are listed as 

“report only” in the permit shall use methods that provide a PQL, which is equal to or less than the 

applicable water quality criteria stated in 62-302 FAC; and 

c. If the PQLs for all methods available in the approved list are above the stated permit limit or applicable 

water quality criteria for that parameter, then the method with the lowest stated PQL shall be used with a U 

or I qualifier code, as applicable. 

Where the analytical results are below method detection or practical quantification limits, the permittee shall 

report the actual laboratory MDL and/or PQL values for the analyses that were performed following the 

instructions on the applicable discharge monitoring report. Approval of alternate laboratory MDLs or PQLs 

are not necessary if the laboratory reported MDLs and PQLs are less than or equal to the permit limit or the 

applicable water quality criteria, if any, stated in Chapter 62-302, F.A.C. However, where necessary, the 

permittee may request approval for alternative methods or for alternative MDLs and PQLs for any approved 

analytical method, in accordance with the criteria of Rules 62-160.520 and 62-160.530, F.A.C. 

2. Monitoring requirements under this permit are effective on the first day of the second month following permit 

issuance. Until such time, the permittee shall continue to monitor and report in accordance with previously 

effective permit requirements, if any. During the period of operation authorized by this permit, the permittee 

shall complete and submit to the Department on a monthly basis Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs), Form 

62-620.910(10), as attached to this permit. The permittee shall make copies of the attached DMR form(s) and 

shall submit the completed DMR form(s) to the Department by the twenty-eighth (28th) of the third month 

following the month of sampling at the address specified below: 

 Florida Department of Environmental Protection 

 Wastewater Compliance Evaluation Section, Mail Station 3551 

 Twin Towers Office Building 

 2600 Blair Stone Road 

 Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400 
PERMITTEE: PERMIT NUMBER: FL0300195 

 

South Florida Water Management District Issuance date: January 9, 2004 

3301 Gun Club Road Expiration date: January 9, 2009 

West Palm Beach, FL 33406 

 

7

If no discharge occurs during the reporting period, sampling requirements of this permit do not apply. The 

DMR form(s) shall be submitted as specified above with the statement “No Discharge” written thereon. If, 

during the term of this permit, the facility ceases operation, the Department shall be notified immediately upon 

cessation of operation. Such notification shall be in writing. 

3. Unless specified otherwise in this permit, all reports and notifications required by this permit, including 

twenty-four hour notifications, shall be submitted to or reported to the Southeast District Office of the 

Department and to the Department’s Division of Water Resource Management, Water Quality Standards and 

Special Projects Program at the address specified below: 

Florida Department of Environmental Protection 

Southeast District Office 

100 North Congress Avenue 

West Palm Beach, FL 33401 

Phone Number- (561) 681-6600 

Fax Number * - (561) 681-6755 

AND 

Florida Department of Environmental Protection 

Division of Water Resource Management 

Water Quality Standards and Special Projects Program 

2600 Blairstone Road, MS 3560 

Tallahassee, FL 32399-2400 

Phone Number- (850) 425-8417 

Fax Number * - (850) 412-0653 

 (*All FAX copies shall be followed by original copies.) 

4. All reports and other information shall be signed in accordance with requirements of Rule 62-620.305, F.A.C. 

[62-620.305, 10-23-00]. 

5. The permittee shall provide safe access points for obtaining representative samples which are required by this 

permit. 

6. If there is no discharge from the facility on a day scheduled for sampling, the sample shall be collected on the 

day of the next discharge. 

7. Upon demonstration that a specific parameter(s) is consistently shown to be undetected in the effluent, the 

permittee may request a modification to the monitoring program as appropriate. A minimum of one year of 

data, for those parameters being sampled quarterly or more frequently, will be required prior to the Department 

approving any modification to the monitoring program. The Department may approve a reduction of the 

monitoring frequency or waive the monitoring requirement for parameters which consistently shown to be 

undetected in the effluent. 

8. The permittee shall submit an Annual Report (the South Florida Environmental Report) demonstrating 

compliance with the terms of this permit and according to the schedule as set forth in Section VI.2. The 

Annual Report shall provide details regarding the status of implementation of the requirements of this permit. 

Specifically, the report shall include details regarding:
PERMITTEE: PERMIT NUMBER: FL0300195 

 

South Florida Water Management District Issuance date: January 9, 2004 

3301 Gun Club Road Expiration date: January 9, 2009 

West Palm Beach, FL 33406 

 

8

a. Implementation of the WQBEL and activities required by this permit and affecting flows and loads to 

STA-3/4;

b. source control implementation and optimization;

c. STA design modifications affecting implementation of the WQBEL and activities required by this permit;

d. improvements, enhancements, and strategies that have been initiated and/or completed within the previous 

year; 

e. any delays in the implementation of the requirements of this permit, the duration of the delays, the 

reason(s) for the delays, and the expected timeframe for their resolution; 

f. the implementation status of STA Recovery Plans; 

g. whether revisions and/or additions to the requirements of this permit are recommended; and

h. implementation of remedial measures in the event of non-compliance with permit conditions For any 

noncompliance with permit conditions, an evaluation of the cause(s) and implementation of remedial 

measures; and

i. whether the facility was operated within or outside of the operational envelope.

9. Bypass, as described in the Fact Sheet, may occur during the operation of STA-3/4. The District 

shall notify the Department within 48 hours subsequent to any unanticipated bypasses of flow through 

the G-371 and G-373 Diversion Structures and the District shall notify the Department as soon as 

practicable in advance of anticipated bypasses, with the exception of routine maintenance activities. The 

submitted notification shall include a description of the circumstances related to the bypass and a 

projection of the anticipated duration of the bypass. All bypasses occurring through the G-371 and G-373 

Diversion Structures shall be monitored for the parameters listed in the table below. As soon as

practicable after cessation of all bypasses, the District shall submit a summary of the data collected from 

the table below, and identify the duration of the bypasses. Bypasses shall be limited to the shortest time 

possible and are not allowed solely to achieve the WQBEL. Bypasses are subject to and must meet the 

requirements of Items VIII.20, 21, and 22 of this permit. 

Table 2. Required Monitoring for All Bypasses

Parameter Units Sample Type Frequency

Total Phosphorus at 

the G-371 and G-373 

structures

mg/l Grab Weekly if flowing

Flow G-371 and/or 

G-373 structures

CFS Calculated Daily Average
PERMITTEE: PERMIT NUMBER: FL0300195 

 

South Florida Water Management District Issuance date: January 9, 2004 

3301 Gun Club Road Expiration date: January 9, 2009 

West Palm Beach, FL 33406 

 

9

10. The permittee shall report with the monthly DMR if operation of facilities is impacted by or constrained due to 

requirements under the Endangered Species Act or Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The report should 

include the species involved, an estimate of the number of individuals involved, actions taken to avoid 

deleterious impacts on the endangered species, the affect those actions had on compliance with any condition of 

this permit, and an estimate of when facility operation will no longer be impacted or constrained.

II. Industrial Sludge Management Requirements

1. This section not applicable to this facility. 

III. Ground Water Monitoring Requirements 

1. This section is not applicable to this facility.

IV. Other Land Application Requirements 

1. This section is not applicable to this facility.

V. Operation and Maintenance Requirements

A. Operation of Treatment and Disposal Facilities

1. The permittee shall ensure that the operation of this facility is as described in the application and supporting 

documents. 

2. The operation of the pollution control facilities described in this permit shall be under the supervision of a 

person who is qualified by formal training and/or practical experience in the field of water pollution control. 

3. Activities such as ongoing maintenance may have short-term adverse impacts on STA performance. 

 In addition, major events may compromise the structural integrity or performance of the STA or 

 section(s) of the STA. Such activities or events shall be subject to the planned changes, bypass, 

 and/or upset provisions set forth in Section VIII Paragraphs 17, 22 and 23. 

B. Record keeping Requirements:

1. The permittee shall maintain the following records at the South Florida Water Management District headquarters 

office at the address specified above and make them available for inspection: 

a. Records of all compliance monitoring information, including all calibration and maintenance records and all 

original strip chart recordings for continuous monitoring instrumentation, including, if applicable, a copy of 

the laboratory certification showing the certification number of the laboratory, for at least three years from 

the date the sample or measurement was taken; 

b. Copies of all reports, other than those required in items a. and f. of this section, required by the permit for at 

least three years from the date the report was prepared, unless otherwise specified by Department rule; 

c. Records of all data, including reports and documents used to complete the application for the permit for at 

least three years from the date the application was filed, unless otherwise specified by Department rule; 

d. A copy of the current permit; 
PERMITTEE: PERMIT NUMBER: FL0300195 

 

South Florida Water Management District Issuance date: January 9, 2004 

3301 Gun Club Road Expiration date: January 9, 2009 

West Palm Beach, FL 33406 

 

10

e. A copy of any required record drawings; 

f. Copies of the logs and schedules showing plant operations and equipment maintenance for three years from 

the date on the logs or schedule. 

2. Records of all compliance monitoring information, including all calibration and maintenance records for 

continuous monitoring instrumentation, including, if applicable, a copy of the laboratory certification showing 

the certification number of the laboratory, for at least three years from the date the sample or measurement was 

taken; 

3. Copies of all reports, other than those required in items 1. and 6. of this section, required by the permit for at 

least three years from the date the report was prepared, unless otherwise specified by Department rule; 

4. Records of all data, including reports and documents used to complete the application for the permit for at least 

three years from the date the application was filed, unless otherwise specified by Department rule; 

5. A copy of the current permit; 

6. A copy of any required record drawings; 

7. Copies of the logs and schedules showing project operations and maintenance for three years from the date on 

the logs or schedule. 

VI. Schedules 

1. An Operations Plan shall be developed and submitted by the permittee to the Department no later than six 

months after issuance of the permit. Upon completion of and compliance with the requirements specified 

herein, the permittee shall submit to the Department an updated Operations Plan for STA-3/4. Until the 

updated Operations Plan is submitted by the permittee and approved by the Department, the previously existing 

Operations Plan shall remain in effect.

2. The Annual Report shall be received by the Department no later than March 1st of each year following the 

 effective date of the permit. Each Annual Report shall present the information for the previous water year, 

from May 1st to April 30th. Upon approval by the Department, the District may modify the Annual Report 

submission date to coincide with multiple reporting requirements and time periods needed for data acquisition 

and analysis.

3. A revised Pollution Prevention Plan (PPP) shall be prepared and implemented in accordance with 

the following schedule:

Action Item Scheduled Completion Date

1 Develop and Implement revised 

Pollution Prevention Plan

As needed upon completion 

of and compliance with the 

requirements of this permit

2

.

Submittal of revised Pollution Prevention Plan if 

additional enhancements are implemented

Changes that warrant 

modifications to the current 

PPP + 90 days

 
PERMITTEE: PERMIT NUMBER: FL0300195 

 

South Florida Water Management District Issuance date: January 9, 2004 

3301 Gun Club Road Expiration date: January 9, 2009 

West Palm Beach, FL 33406 

 

11

VII. Other Specific Conditions

A. Specific Conditions Applicable to All Permits

1. The following documents (design documents), not attached hereto, but retained on file with the Department, are 

made a part hereof: 

a. 1994 Conceptual Design Document for the Everglades Protection Project; 

b. The April 1996, General Design Memorandum for STA-3/4; 

c. The June 2000, Plan Formulation Document; 

d. The August 2000, Plan Implementation Document; and, 

e. The October 2000, Design Criteria Document. 

2. Where required by Chapter 471 (P.E.) or Chapter 492 (P.G.) Florida Statutes, applicable portions of reports to be 

submitted under this permit, shall be signed and sealed by the professional(s) who prepared them. 

3. This permit satisfies Wastewater program permitting requirements only. The Department and the permittee 

acknowledge the issuance of other permits related to the STA-3/4 Project. Additional related permits include 

FDEP Permit No. 0178018, which authorizes temporary dewatering activities for the construction of facilities 

within the STA-3/4 and STA-2 Hydropattern Restoration Projects, FDEP Permit No. 0192895 (EFA permit), 

and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 404 Permit No. 199404532. This permit is supplemental to these 

permits and does not supersede any of these permits. 

B. Specific Conditions Related to Construction

1. Within thirty days of completion of construction contract, the permittee shall submit to the Department a 

completed “Certification of Completion of Construction” (DEP Form 62-620.910(12)) signed and sealed by the 

engineer of record or other engineer registered in the state of Florida. For purposes of this permit, completion of 

construction shall mean completion and closure of the construction contract for this project. 

2. Record drawings shall be prepared and made available in accordance with Rule 62-620.410(6), F.A.C., and the 

Department of Environmental Protection Guide to Wastewater Permitting within six months of placing the 

facilities into flow-through operation. 

C. Duty to Reapply

1. The permittee shall submit an application to renew this permit at least 180 days before the expiration date of this 

permit. 

2. The permittee shall apply for renewal of this permit on the appropriate form listed in Rule 62-620.910, F.A.C., 

and in the manner established in Chapter 62-620, F.A.C., and the Department of Environmental Protection 

Guide to Wastewater Permitting including submittal of the appropriate processing fee set forth in Rule 62-4.050, 

F.A.C. 
PERMITTEE: PERMIT NUMBER: FL0300195 

 

South Florida Water Management District Issuance date: January 9, 2004 

3301 Gun Club Road Expiration date: January 9, 2009 

West Palm Beach, FL 33406 

 

12

3. An application filed in accordance with subsections 1. and 2. of this part shall be considered timely and 

sufficient. When an application for renewal of a permit is timely and sufficient, the existing permit shall not 

expire until the Department has taken final action on the application for renewal or until the last day for seeking 

judicial review of the agency order or a later date fixed by order of the reviewing court. 

4. The late submittal of a renewal application shall be considered timely and sufficient for the purpose of extending 

the effectiveness of the expiring permit only if it is submitted and made complete before the expiration date. 

D. Specific Conditions Related to Pollution Prevention Plan

1. The document entitled “Stormwater Treatment Area-3/4 Pollution Prevention Plan” dated May 13, 2002, is 

hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of this permit as Exhibit A. A revised Pollution Prevention 

Plan (PPP shall be prepared, submitted to the Department for review and approval, and implemented 

in accordance with the schedule set forth in Section VI.3.

2. STA-3/4 shall be operated in accordance with the existing PPP until such time as a revised PPP is 

approved by the Department. If the permitted facilities are demonstrated not to be achieving 

compliance with the requirements of this permit, the permittee shall submit a modified PPP for 

Department review and approval as appropriate.

1.

2. The STA-3/4 Project shall be operated in accordance with the Pollution Prevention Plan (PPP). 

-If the permitted facilities are demonstrated to be not achieving compliance with the requirements of this permit, 

the permittee shall modify the PPP or the Operations Plan as appropriate.

E. Reopener Clause

This permit currently contains the narrative water quality standard for nutrients. In accordance with Subsection 

373.4592(4)(e) of the Everglades Forever Act (EFA), the Florida Department of Environmental Protection filed a 

notice of rulemaking in the Florida Administrative Weekly to establish a phosphorus criterion in the Everglades 

Protection Area. By operation of the EFA, if the Department does not adopt by rule a revised phosphorus water 

quality criterion by December 31, 2003, the numeric criterion for phosphorus shall be the default of 10 ppb in the 

Everglades Protection Area. In either case, the numeric phosphorus criterion and implementation methodology 

must be submitted to EPA for approval. The USEPA shall review the water quality data that the state develops 

pursuant to the EFA, Subsection 373.4592(4)(e)1., Fla.Stat., and the interpreted numeric phosphorus criterion 

approved by the Florida Environmental Regulation Commission in accordance with the EFA, Subsection 

373.4592(4)(e)2., Fla.Stat., and shall approve the criterion provided it adequately protects the designated uses of the 

Everglades Protection Area, and complies with the Clean Water Act and implementing regulations. The same 

standard of review will apply to this criterion that applies to all other proposed state water quality standards. 

Within 90 days of approval by EPA of the adopted numeric criterion or 10 ppb default criterion, a new effluent 

limitation shall be established for this permit. This new effluent limitation, which becomes effective on December 

31, 2006, will be based on the numeric phosphorus criterion and associated implementation strategy, in a manner 

consistent with the EFA, the Federal Consent Decree in USA v. SFWMD, Case No. 88-1886-CIV-HOEVELER, as 

may be modified, and other applicable state and federal laws and that recognizes the relationship between waters 

discharged to, and the resulting water quality in the Everglades Protection Area. Persons whose substantial interests 

are affected by modification of this permit to include a new effluent limitation for phosphorus will be afforded a 

point of entry under Chapter 120, Florida Statutes. 
PERMITTEE: PERMIT NUMBER: FL0300195 

 

South Florida Water Management District Issuance date: January 9, 2004 

3301 Gun Club Road Expiration date: January 9, 2009 

West Palm Beach, FL 33406 

 

13

Pursuant to Subsection (10)(a) of the EFA, the District shall submit to the Department a permit modification to 

incorporate proposed changes to the Everglades Construction Project and this permit by December 31, 2003. These 

changes shall be designed to achieve compliance with the phosphorus criterion and the other state water quality 

standards by December 31, 2006. 

In the event that the state of Florida revises the dissolved oxygen criterion, or establishes a site specific alternative 

criterion (SSAC) or other moderating provision for dissolved oxygen in the Everglades Protection Area, the 

numeric effluent limitation for dissolved oxygen contained in this permit shall be revised.

F. Reopener Clause

1. The permit shall be revised, or alternatively, revoked and reissued in accordance with the provisions 

contained in Rules 62-620.325 and 62-620.345, F.A.C., if applicable, or to comply with any applicable 

effluent standard or limitation issued or approved under Sections 301(b)(2)(C) and (D), 304(b)(2), and 

307(a)(2) of the Clean Water Act (the Act), as amended, if the effluent standards, limitations, or water 

quality standards so issued or approved:

a. Contains different conditions or is otherwise more stringent than any condition in the permit; or,

b. Controls any pollutant not addressed in this permit.

 The permit as revised or reissued under this paragraph shall contain any other requirements of the 

Act then applicable.

2. The permit may be reopened to adjust effluent limitations or monitoring requirements should future 

water quality based effluent limitation (WQBEL) determinations, water quality studies, Department 

approved changes in water quality standards, or other information show a need for a different 

limitation or monitoring requirement.

3. The Department may develop a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) during the life of the permit. 

Once a TMDL has been established and adopted by rule, the Department shall revise this permit to 

incorporate the final findings of the TMDL, in accordance with Section 403.067, F.S.

G. Hydropattern Restoration

This permit does not authorize the hydropattern restoration of WCA-3A. Once the performance of STA-3/4 has 

been optimized and long-term water quality solutions for S-7/S-2 and S-8/S-3 basins have been implemented attains 

the WQBEL, it is anticipated that discharges from STA-3/4 will be diverted directly into WCA-3A could be 

directed southward directly across the L-5 canal and levee into WCA-3A to assist in hydropattern restoration in 

accordance with Subsection (4)(b) of the EFA. Future WCA-3A hydropattern restoration plans will be coordinated 

with CERP implementation. Implementation of hydropattern restoration in WCA-3A associated with STA-3/4 will 

require review and approval by the Department and USEPA in the form of a modification to this permit. If 

hydropattern restoration proceeds, monitoring will be required along a transect in WCA3A downstream of the STA 

3/4 discharge. The purpose of this monitoring will be to document the effect of the discharge on the downstream 

EPA marsh and changes in downstream water quality and cumulative phosphorus impacts. Transect monitoring 

will begin one year prior to the commencement of hydropatterm restoration discharges in order to document 

baseline conditions.

The modification will require downstream monitoring which must be implemented sufficiently in advance to 

establish a scientifically-defensible baseline and may include transect monitoring, if appropriate. The monitoring 

plan should be submitted to the Department for review and approval prior to the commencement of monitoring.
PERMITTEE: PERMIT NUMBER: FL0300195 

 

South Florida Water Management District Issuance date: January 9, 2004 

3301 Gun Club Road Expiration date: January 9, 2009 

West Palm Beach, FL 33406 

 

14

H. Implementation of Source Control Programs. 

1. Implementation. The permittee shall continue to implement source control programs in each of the 

contributing basins in accordance with Chapter 40E-63, F.A.C. and other applicable programs. Basins that 

do not presently include source control programs shall be monitored to determine if such programs are 

necessary in the event that phosphorus loads to the facility from these basins limit the facility or facilities 

progress towards achieving the WQBEL 

2. Performance. On an annual basis, the permittee shall evaluate the performance of source controls in the 

contributing basins and include the findings in the annual report required in Item I.E.8. The report shall 

include phosphorus loads from the basins and shall describe trends and compare current loads to those 

determined necessary to achieve the WQBEL. 

3. Improvements. If the WQBEL is not achieved and if the assumed inflow concentration used to develop the 

Amended Determination remedy is exceeded, the permittee shall submit, as part of the annual reporting 

requirements in Item I.E.8, a report explaining the cause(s) for the excess concentration and, if applicable, 

schedules and strategies for source control improvements necessary to achieve the WQBEL. 

VIII. General Conditions 

1. The terms, conditions, requirements, limitations and restrictions set forth in this permit are binding and 

enforceable pursuant to Chapter 403, Florida Statutes. Any permit noncompliance constitutes a violation of 

Chapter 403, Florida Statutes, and is grounds for enforcement action, permit termination, permit revocation and 

reissuance, or permit revision. [62-620.610(1), F.A.C]

2. This permit is valid only for the specific processes and operations applied for and indicated in the approved 

drawings or exhibits. Any unauthorized deviations from the approved drawings, exhibits, specifications or 

conditions of this permit constitute grounds for revocation and enforcement action by the Department. [62-

620.610(2), F.A.C.]

3. As provided in Subsection 403.087(6), F.S., the issuance of this permit does not convey any vested rights or 

any exclusive privileges. Neither does it authorize any injury to public or private property or any invasion of 

personal rights, nor authorize any infringements of federal, state, or local laws or regulations. This permit is not 

a waiver of or approval of any other Department permit or authorization that may be required for other aspects 

of the total project which are not addressed in this permit. [62-620.610(3), F.A.C.]

4. This permit conveys no title to land or water, does not constitute state recognition or acknowledgment of title, 

and does not constitute authority for the use of submerged lands unless herein provided and the necessary title 

or leasehold interests have been obtained from the State. Only the Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust 

Fund may express State opinion as to title. [62-620.610(4), F.A.C.]

5. This permit does not relieve the permittee from liability and penalties for harm or injury to human health or 

welfare, animal or plant life, or property caused by the construction or operation of this permitted source; nor 

does it allow the permittee to cause pollution in contravention of Florida Statutes and Department rules, unless 

specifically authorized by an order from the Department. The permittee shall take all reasonable steps to 

minimize or prevent any discharge, reuse of reclaimed water, or residuals use or disposal in violation of this 

permit which has a reasonable likelihood of adversely affecting human health or the environment. It shall not 

be a defense for a permittee in an enforcement action that it would have been necessary to halt or reduce the 

permitted activity in order to maintain compliance with the conditions of this permit. [62-620.610(5), F.A.C.]
PERMITTEE: PERMIT NUMBER: FL0300195 

 

South Florida Water Management District Issuance date: January 9, 2004 

3301 Gun Club Road Expiration date: January 9, 2009 

West Palm Beach, FL 33406 

 

15

6. If the permittee wishes to continue an activity regulated by this permit after its expiration date, the permittee 

shall apply for and obtain a new permit. [62-620.610(6), F.A.C.]

7. The permittee shall at all times properly operate and maintain the facility and systems of treatment and control, 

and related appurtenances, that are installed and used by the permittee to achieve compliance with the 

conditions of this permit. This provision includes the operation of backup or auxiliary facilities or similar 

systems when necessary to maintain or achieve compliance with the conditions of the permit. [62-620.610(7), 

F.A.C.]

8. This permit may be modified, revoked and reissued, or terminated for cause. The filing of a request by the 

permittee for a permit revision, revocation and reissuance, or termination, or a notification of planned changes 

or anticipated noncompliance does not stay any permit condition. [62-620.610(8), F.A.C.]

9. The permittee, by accepting this permit, specifically agrees to allow authorized Department personnel, 

including an authorized representative of the Department and authorized EPA personnel, when applicable, upon 

presentation of credentials or other documents as may be required by law, and at reasonable times, depending 

upon the nature of the concern being investigated, to 

a. Enter upon the permittee’s premises where a regulated facility, system, or activity is located or conducted, 

or where records shall be kept under the conditions of this permit; 

b. Have access to and copy any records that shall be kept under the conditions of this permit; 

c. Inspect the facilities, equipment, practices, or operations regulated or required under this permit; and 

d. Sample or monitor any substances or parameters at any location necessary to assure compliance with this 

permit or Department rules. 

[62-620.610(9), F.A.C.]

10. In accepting this permit, the permittee understands and agrees that all records, notes, monitoring data, and other 

information relating to the construction or operation of this permitted source which are submitted to the 

Department may be used by the Department as evidence in any enforcement case involving the permitted 

source arising under the Florida Statutes or Department rules, except as such use is proscribed by Section 

403.111, Florida Statutes, or Rule 62-620.302, F.A.C. Such evidence shall only be used to the extent that it is 

consistent with the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure and applicable evidentiary rules. [62-620.610(10), F.A.C.]

11. When requested by the Department, the permittee shall within a reasonable time provide any information 

required by law which is needed to determine whether there is cause for revising, revoking and reissuing, or 

terminating this permit, or to determine compliance with the permit. The permittee shall also provide to the 

Department upon request copies of records required by this permit to be kept. If the permittee becomes aware 

of relevant facts that were not submitted or were incorrect in the permit application or in any report to the 

Department, such facts or information shall be promptly submitted or corrections promptly reported to the 

Department. [62-620.610(11), F.A.C.] 

12. Unless specifically stated otherwise in Department rules, the permittee, in accepting this permit, agrees to 

comply with changes in Department rules and Florida Statutes after a reasonable time for compliance; provided 

however, the permittee does not waive any other rights granted by Florida Statutes or Department rules. A 

reasonable time for compliance with a new or amended surface water quality standard, other than those 

standards addressed in Rule 62-302.500, F.A.C., shall include a reasonable time to obtain or be denied a mixing 
PERMITTEE: PERMIT NUMBER: FL0300195 

 

South Florida Water Management District Issuance date: January 9, 2004 

3301 Gun Club Road Expiration date: January 9, 2009 

West Palm Beach, FL 33406 

 

16

zone for the new or amended standard. [62-620.610(12), F.A.C.] However, this section cannot be used as a 

basis to extend the time to comply with the permit’s total phosphorus WQBELs or to obtain a mixing zone to 

meet the total phosphorus water quality criterion.

13. The permittee, in accepting this permit, agrees to pay the applicable regulatory program and surveillance fee in 

accordance with Rule 62-4.052, F.A.C. [62-620.610(13), F.A.C.]

14. This permit is transferable only upon Department approval in accordance with Rule 62-620.340, F.A.C. The 

permittee shall be liable for any noncompliance of the permitted activity until the transfer is approved by the 

Department. [62-620.610(14), F.A.C.]

15. The permittee shall give the Department written notice at least 60 days before inactivation or abandonment of a 

wastewater facility and shall specify what steps will be taken to safeguard public health and safety during and 

following inactivation or abandonment. [62-620.610(15), F.A.C.]

16. The permittee shall apply for a revision to the Department permit in accordance with Rules 62-620.300 and the 

Department of Environmental Protection Guide to Wastewater Permitting at least 90 days before construction 

of any planned substantial modifications to the permitted facility is to commence or with Rule 62-620.325(2) 

for minor modifications to the permitted facility. A revised permit shall be obtained before construction begins 

except as provided in Rule 62-620.300, F.A.C. [62-620.610(16), F.A.C.]

17. The permittee shall give advance notice to the Department of any planned changes in the permitted facility or 

activity which may result in noncompliance with permit requirements. The permittee shall be responsible for 

any and all damages which may result from the changes and may be subject to enforcement action by the 

Department for penalties or revocation of this permit. The notice shall include the following information: 

a. A description of the anticipated noncompliance; 

b. The period of the anticipated noncompliance, including dates and times; and 

c. Steps being taken to prevent future occurrence of the noncompliance. 

[62-620.610(17), F.A.C.] 

18. Sampling and monitoring data shall be collected and analyzed in accordance with Rule 62-4.246, Chapter 62-

160 and 62-601, F.A.C. and 40CFR 136, as appropriate. 

a. Monitoring results shall be reported at the intervals specified elsewhere in this permit and shall be reported 

on a Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR), DEP Form 62-620.910(10). 

b. If the permittee monitors any contaminant more frequently than required by the permit, using Department 

approved test procedures, the results of this monitoring shall be included in the calculation and reporting of 

the data submitted in the DMR. 

c. Calculations for all limitations, which require averaging of measurements shall use an arithmetic mean 

unless otherwise specified in this permit. 

d. Any laboratory test required by this permit shall be performed by a laboratory that has been certified by the 

Department of Health (DOH) under Chapter 64E-1, F.A.C., where such certification is required by Rule 62-

160.300, F.A.C. The laboratory must be certified for any specific method and analyte combination that is 

used to comply with this permit. For domestic wastewater facilities, the on-site test procedures specified in 
PERMITTEE: PERMIT NUMBER: FL0300195 

 

South Florida Water Management District Issuance date: January 9, 2004 

3301 Gun Club Road Expiration date: January 9, 2009 

West Palm Beach, FL 33406 

 

17

Rule 62-160.300(4), F.A.C., shall be performed by a laboratory certified test for those parameters or under 

the direction of an operator certified under Chapter 62-602, F.A.C. 

e. Field activities including on-site tests and sample collection, whether performed by a laboratory or a 

certified operator, must follow the applicable procedures described in DEP-SOP-001/01 (January 2002). 

Alternate field procedures and laboratory methods may be used where they have been approved according 

to the requirements of Rules 62-160.220, 62-160.330, and 62-160.600, F.A.C. 

19. Reports of compliance or noncompliance with, or any progress reports on, interim and final requirements 

contained in any compliance schedule detailed elsewhere in this permit shall be submitted no later than 14 days 

following each schedule date. [62-620.610(19), F.A.C.]

20. The permittee shall report to the Department any noncompliance which may endanger health or the 

environment. Any information shall be provided orally within 24 hours from the time the permittee becomes 

aware of the circumstances. A written submission shall also be provided within five days of the time the 

permittee becomes aware of the circumstances. The written submission shall contain a description of the 

noncompliance and its cause; the period of noncompliance including exact dates and time, and if the 

noncompliance has not been corrected, the anticipated time it is expected to continue; and steps taken or 

planned to reduce, eliminate, and prevent recurrence of the noncompliance. 

a. The following shall be included as information which must be reported within 24 hours under this 

condition: 

1. Any unanticipated bypass which causes any reclaimed water or effluent to exceed any permit 

limitation or results in an unpermitted discharge, 

2. Any upset which causes any reclaimed water or the effluent to exceed any limitation in the permit, 

3. Violation of a maximum daily discharge limitation for any of the pollutants specifically listed in the 

permit for such notice, and 

4. Any unauthorized discharge to surface or ground waters. 

b. Oral reports as required by this subsection shall be provided as follows: 

1. For unauthorized releases or spills of untreated or treated wastewater reported pursuant to subparagraph 

a.4 that are in excess of 1,000 gallons per incident, or where information indicates that public health or 

the environment will be endangered, oral reports shall be provided to the Department by calling the 

STATE WARNING POINT TOLL FREE NUMBER (800) 320-0519, as soon as practical, but no later 

than 24 hours from the time the permittee becomes aware of the discharge. The permittee, to the extent 

known, shall provide the following information to the State Warning Point: 

(a) Name, address, and telephone number of person reporting; 

(b) Name, address, and telephone number of permittee or responsible person for the discharge; 

(c) Date and time of the discharge and status of discharge (ongoing or ceased); 

(d) Characteristics of the wastewater spilled or released (untreated or treated, industrial or domestic 

wastewater); 
PERMITTEE: PERMIT NUMBER: FL0300195 

 

South Florida Water Management District Issuance date: January 9, 2004 

3301 Gun Club Road Expiration date: January 9, 2009 

West Palm Beach, FL 33406 

 

18

(e) Estimated amount of the discharge; 

(f) Location or address of the discharge; 

(g) Source and cause of the discharge; 

(h) Whether the discharge was contained on-site, and cleanup actions taken to date; 

(i) Description of area affected by the discharge, including name of water body affected, if any; and 

(j) Other persons or agencies contacted. 

 2. Oral reports, not otherwise required to be provided pursuant to subparagraph b.1 above, shall be 

provided to Department within 24 hours from the time the permittee becomes aware of the discharge. 

c. If the oral report has been received within 24 hours, the noncompliance has been corrected, and the 

noncompliance did not endanger health or the environment, the Department shall waive the written report. 

[62-620.610(20), F.A.C.] 

21. The permittee shall report all instances of noncompliance not reported under Conditions VIII.18 and 19 of this 

permit at the time monitoring reports are submitted. This report shall contain the same information required by 

Condition VIII.20 of this permit. [62-620.610(21), F.A.C.] 

22. Bypass Provisions: 

a. The term “bypass” shall mean the intentional diversion of waste streams from any portion of the 

treatment works. The term “bypass” does not include waters diverted around the entire STA-3/4 project 

via the G-371 and G-373 structures, to prevent damage to the facility (usually caused by flooding) or for 

water resource needs such as the prevention of adverse impacts to public and/or environmental health as 

described in Condition b. below. 

b. Bypass is prohibited, and the Department may take enforcement action against a permittee for bypass, 

unless the permittee affirmatively demonstrates that: 

1. Bypass was unavoidable to prevent loss of life, personal injury, or severe property damage; and 

2. There were no feasible alternatives to the bypass, such as the use of auxiliary treatment facilities, 

retention of untreated wastes, or maintenance during normal periods of equipment downtime. This 

condition is not satisfied if adequate back-up equipment should have been installed in the exercise of 

reasonable engineering judgment to prevent a bypass which occurred during normal periods of 

equipment downtime or preventative maintenance; and 

3. The permittee submitted notices as required under Condition VIII.22.b of this permit. 

c. If the permittee knows in advance of the need for a bypass, it shall submit prior notice to the Department, if 

possible at least 10 days before the date of the bypass. The permittee shall submit notice of an unanticipated 

bypass within 24 hours of learning about the bypass as required in Condition VIII.20 of this permit. A 

notice shall include a description of the bypass and its cause; the period of the bypass, including exact dates 

and times; if the bypass has not been corrected, the anticipated time it is expected to continue; and the steps 

taken or planned to reduce, eliminate, and prevent recurrence of the bypass. 
PERMITTEE: PERMIT NUMBER: FL0300195 

 

South Florida Water Management District Issuance date: January 9, 2004 

3301 Gun Club Road Expiration date: January 9, 2009 

West Palm Beach, FL 33406 

 

19

c. The Department shall approve an anticipated bypass, after considering its adverse effect, if the permittee 

demonstrates that it will meet the three conditions listed in Condition VIII.22 a.(1) through (3) of this 

permit. 

d. A permittee may allow any bypass to occur which does not cause reclaimed water or effluent limitations to 

be exceeded if it is for essential maintenance to assure efficient operation. These bypasses are not subject to 

the provision of Condition VIII.22.a through c. of this permit. 

[62-620.610(22), F.A.C.]

23. Upset Provisions: 

a. A permittee who wishes to establish the affirmative defense of upset shall demonstrate, through properly 

signed contemporaneous operating logs, or other relevant evidence that: 

1. An upset occurred and that the permittee can identify the cause(s) of the upset; 

2. The permitted facility was at the time being properly operated; 

3. The permittee submitted notice of the upset as required in Condition VIII.20 of this permit; and 

4. The permittee complied with any remedial measures required under Condition VIII.5 of this permit. 

b. In any enforcement proceeding, the permittee seeking to establish the occurrence of an upset has the burden 

of proof. 

c. Before an enforcement proceeding is instituted, no representation made during the Department review of a 

claim that noncompliance was caused by an upset is final agency action subject to judicial review. 

[62-620.610(23), F.A.C.] 

Executed in Tallahassee, Florida. 

STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF 

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 

____________________________________ 

Jerry Brooks 

Deputy Division Director 

Water Resource Management 

DATE: ______________________________ 
STATE OF FLORIDA 

INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER FACILITY PERMIT 

PERMITTEE: PERMIT NUMBER: FL0177954 

South Florida Water Management District PA FILE NO.: FL0177954-003-IW7A 

3301 Gun Club Road ISSUANCE DATE: September 4, 2007 

West Palm Beach, FL 33406 EXPIRATION DATE: September 4, 2012 

RESPONSIBLE AUTHORITY: 

Ms. Carol Ann Wehle 

Executive Director 

FACILITY: 

Stormwater Treatment Area 5 

(STA-5) 

Hendry and Palm Beach Counties 

Latitude: 26°26'4.00"N Longitude: 80°56'50.03"W 

This permit is issued under the provisions of Chapter 403, Florida Statutes (F.S.) and applicable rules of the 

Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.) and constitutes authorization to discharge to waters of the State under 

the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). This permit is accompanied by an 

Administrative Order (Order), AO-011-EV, pursuant to Subsections 403.088 (2)(e) and (f), F.S. 

Compliance with AO-011-EV is a specific requirement of this permit. The above named permittee is 

hereby authorized to construct and operate the facilities required by this permit shown on the application 

and other documents attached hereto or on file with the Department and made a part hereof. 

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: 

This permit authorizes the continued construction, operation and maintenance of Stormwater Treatment 

Area (STA) 5. Initial construction and operation of this facility was previously authorized and completed 

under Florida Department of Environmental Protection (Department) National Pollution Discharge 

Elimination Program (NPDES) Permit No.: FL0177954-001-IW7A and Everglades Forever Act (EFA) 

Permit No. 0131842-001. STA-5 is a part of the Everglades Construction Project (ECP), construction, 

operation, and maintenance of which is required by the EFA, Section 373.4592, F.S. The STA-5 project 

(Figure 1) consists of the STA-5 Inflow Structures, STA-5 Interior Treatment Works, STA-5 Outflow 

Structures, STA-5 Discharge Canal and Associated Bridge, STA-5 Seepage Collection and Return Systems, 

STA-5 Water Supply Pump Stations, G-406 Structure, G-409 Pump Station, G-357 Structure, G-404 Pump 

Station, Southern L-4 Levee Gap, Deer Fence Canal Bridge and Deer Fence Road, Rotenberger 

Hydropattern Restoration, and STA-5 Outlet Canal. In addition to existing operation and maintenance 

activities, this permit also authorizes construction, operation, and maintenance of additional features 

approved by the Department under the Everglades Protection Area Tributary Basins Long-Term Plan for 

Achieving Water Quality Goals (Long-Term Plan), as defined in the Everglades Forever Act (EFA) Section 

373.4592, F.S. The Long-Term Plan includes structural, vegetative and operational enhancements for 

STA-5 to improve hydraulic distribution and phosphorus removal performance requirements specified 

herein. STA-5 is a Stormwater Management System (SMS) as defined in Subsection 373.403(10), F.S., 

and therefore is not subject to state surface water quality standards within STA-5 pursuant to Section 

373.4142, F.S.

EFFLUENT DISPOSAL:

This permit authorizes the discharge of treated stormwater non-process wastewater from a 6,670 acre 

constructed wetland system (STA-5) to either the Miami Canal, via the STA-5 Outlet Canal, or to the 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 5 

File No.: FL0177954-003-IW7A 

Page 2 of 18 

2

Rotenberger Wildlife Management Area (WMA), via the G-410 Pump Station. Treated water from STA-5 

will be discharged into the STA-5 Discharge Canal from the G-344A-F Outflow Structures. Once treated 

water has reached the Discharge Canal, it is directed either to the Miami Canal (via the STA-5 Outlet 

Canal) or to the Rotenberger Wildlife Management Area (WMA) via the G-410 Pump Station. The G-410 

pump station allows a portion of the STA-5 discharges to be routed to the Rotenberger WMA and 

ultimately to the Miami Canal via Rotenberger discharge structures G-402A-D. Discharges to the 

Rotenberger WMA are for the purpose of hydrologic restoration of the approximate 29,000-acre WMA. 

The majority of the STA-5 discharges are directed to the Miami Canal via the STA-5 Outlet Canal. 

Wetlands and surface waters located within the receiving water bodies (Rotenberger WMA and the Miami 

Canal) are Class III waters; and the Rotenberger WMA is an Outstanding Florida Water, pursuant to Rule 

62-302.700(9)(f)48, F.A.C. 

Surface Water Discharge:

An existing discharge to the Miami Canal (Class III Fresh waters), the monitoring group D-001(G-344A) is 

located approximately at latitude 26° 27’ 30” N, longitude 80° 53’ 01” W. 

An existing discharge to the Miami Canal (Class III Fresh waters), the monitoring group D-002(G-344B) is 

located approximately at latitude 26° 27’ 04” N, longitude 80° 53’ 01” W. 

An existing discharge to the Miami Canal (Class III Fresh waters), the monitoring group D-003 (G-344C) 

is located approximately at latitude 26° 26’ 34” N, longitude 80° 53’ 01” W. 

An existing discharge to the Miami Canal (Class III Fresh waters), the monitoring group D-004 (G-344D) 

is located approximately at latitude 26° 26’ 11” N, longitude 80° 53’ 01” W. 

An existing discharge to the Miami Canal (Class III Fresh waters), the monitoring group D-005 (G-344E) is 

located approximately at latitude 26° 25’ 46” N, longitude 80° 53’ 01” W. 

An existing discharge to the Miami Canal (Class III Fresh waters), the monitoring group D-006 (G-344F) is 

located approximately at latitude 26° 25’ 20” N, longitude 80° 53’ 01” W. 

IN ACCORDANCE WITH: 

The limitations, monitoring requirements and other conditions as set forth in Part I through Part VIII on 

pages 3 through 17 of this permit. 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 5 

File No.: FL0177954-003-IW7A 

Page 3 of 18 

3

I. Effluent Limitations and Monitoring Requirements

A. Surface Water Discharges

1. During the period beginning on the issuance permit effective date and lasting through the expiration 

date of this permit, the permittee is authorized to discharge stormwater non-process wastewater from 

Outfall D-001, D-002, D-003, D-004, D-005, and D-006. Such discharge shall be limited and 

monitored by the permittee as specified below. 

*1

 All EFF TP monitoring results for this parameter shall be reported as separate weekly values without rounding to whole numbers. 

The results shall also be reported as FWM annual averages that are calculated based on the FWM of the weekly values. The results 

shall also be reported as GM monthly average and as an annual averages that are calculated based on all sample point weekly values 

collected when discharge occurs in the previous 12 months. All FWM and GM annual averages shall be reported to the nearest whole 

number (i.e., 10.5 ppb shall be reported as 11 ppb; 10.49 ppb shall be reported as 10 ppb). The “monthly average” is a flow-weighted 

mean of the weekly effluent samples. The “annual average” shall be computed for each water year (May-April) and is equal to the 

flow-weighted mean concentration for the water year. 

** All SWU TP monitoring results shall be reported as separate weekly values without rounding to whole numbers. All results shall

also be reported as monthly averages and as FWM annual averages. The monthly averages and FWM annual averages shall be 

calculated based on the FWM of the weekly values and shall be reported to the nearest whole number (i.e., 10.5 ppb shall be reported 

as 11 ppb; 10.49 ppb shall be reported as 10 ppb). 

Parameters (units) Daily 

Minimum 

Daily 

Maximum 

Annual Average Other Discharge 

Limitations 

Monitori

ng 

Requirem

ents 

Not to exceed 10 

as a geometric 

mean (GM) annual 

average in more 

than two 

consecutive years*

18 as a 

flowweighted 

mean

(FWM) 

annual 

average*

Phosphorus, Total 

(as P) (ppb) 

-- -- 

See I.A.5 

Weekly GM – based 

on grab 

samples 

collected 

when 

discharge 

occurs 

FWM - 7-

day flow 

proportioned 

composite 

EFF-1 

through 

EFF-6 

Phosphorus, Total 

(as P) (ppb) 

-- -- Report**

See I.A.6

Weekly 7-day flow 

proportioned 

composite 

INT-1 

through 

INT-6 

Oxygen, Dissolved 

(DO), (mg/L) 

See I.A.7 Weekly Grab 

(Meter) 

EFF-1 

through 

EFF-6 

Oxygen, Dissolved 

(DO), (mg/L) 

Report Weekly Grab 

(Meter) 

INT-1 

through 

INT-6 

Flow (CFS) -- Report Report 

See I.A.6 

Continuous Recorder EFF-1 

through 

EFF-6. 

INT-1 

through 

INT-6 

pH (SU) 6.0 8.5 -- Weekly Grab 

(Meter) 

EFF-1 

through 

EFF-6 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 5 

File No.: FL0177954-003-IW7A 

Page 4 of 18 

4

2 The 10 ppb effluent limit represents the phosphorus criterion set forth in Rule 62-302.540(4)(a), F.A.C. and is consistent with 

Section 301(b)(1)(C) of the CWA. A water quality based effluent limitation (WQBEL) for phosphorus will be established in 

accordance with Rule 62-650 F.A.C. and Section 373.4592 Florida Statutes by December 31, 2010 and will be a major permit 

modification. It is recognized that the ultimate WQBEL to be developed may be higher than a flow-weighted mean of 10 ppb. The 

antibacksliding provisions of the CWA and NPDES regulations do not apply to an effluent limitation with a delayed compliance date, 

until the date of compliance. In this case, restrictions on backsliding would not apply to the 10 ppb permit effluent limit until the 

established WQBEL takes effect at the end of the compliance schedule.

2. Effluent samples shall be taken at the monitoring site locations listed in permit condition I.A.1 and as 

described below: 

Sample Point Description of Monitoring Location1

EFF-1 Sampling location for Outfall D-001 at the G- 344A Structure 

EFF-2 Sampling location for Outfall D-002 at the G- 344B Structure 

EFF-3 Sampling location for Outfall D-003 at the G- 344C Structure 

EFF-4 Sampling location for Outfall D-004 at the G- 344D Structure 

EFF-5 Sampling location for Outfall D-005 at the G- 344E Structure 

EFF-6 Sampling location for Outfall D-006 at the G- 344F Structure 

INT-1 Inflow monitoring location at the G-342A Structure 

INT-2 Inflow monitoring location at the G-342B Structure 

INT-3 Inflow monitoring location at the G-342C Structure 

INT-4 Inflow monitoring location at the G-342D Structure 

INT-5 Inflow monitoring location at the G-342E Structure 

INT-6 Inflow monitoring location at the G-342F Structure 

3. There shall be no discharge of floating solids or visible foam in other than trace amounts. This 

provision shall not be interpreted to prevent discharges of constituents normally found in or resulting 

from marsh wetland systems. 

4. The discharge shall not cause a visible sheen on the receiving water. This provision shall not be 

interpreted to prevent discharges of constituents normally found in or resulting from marsh wetland 

systems. 

5. The discharge shall not cause phosphorus concentrations in the receiving waters to be altered so as to 

cause or contribute to an imbalance in natural populations of aquatic flora or fauna. The discharge shall not 

cause phosphorus concentrations in the receiving waters to exceed the criteria in Rule 62-302.540(4)(a), 

F.A.C., except as authorized in the accompanying Order (AO-012-EV) which is hereby incorporated by 

reference. Beginning at the end of April after the permit effective date and at the end of each April 

thereafter, the permittee shall report the FWM annual average using data it collected for the prior 12 

months. Beginning at the end of April after the permit effective date and at the end of each April 

 

1 Subject to adequate justification, the permittee may request a reduction in the number of effluent monitoring stations. 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 5 

File No.: FL0177954-003-IW7A 

Page 5 of 18 

5

thereafter, the permittee shall report the GM annual average using data it collected for each of the prior 3 

years.

6. In the year following any two consecutive years where the TP GM annual average exceeds 10 ppb, the 

permittee shall report quarterly the GM of all monthly TP values for that year. If that mean exceeds 10 

ppb, the permittee shall provide a report to both FDEP and USEPA by the fifteenth of the month following 

the quarterly report of its evaluation of why that mean is as high as it is and the specific steps it is taking to 

ensure that the TP GM for that year will not exceed 10 ppb.

For the TP FWM WQBEL, the permittee shall report quarterly the average of all monthly FWMs for that 

year. If that average exceeds 18 ppb, the permittee shall provide a report to both FDEP and USEPA by the 

fifteenth of the month following the quarterly report of its evaluation of why that average is as high as it is 

and the specific steps it is taking to ensure that the TP FWM annual average for that year will not exceed 18 

ppb.

7. If the facility does not meet the FWM WQBEL in any year, the permittee shall report the annual load of 

TP discharged by the STA into the Everglades that is in excess of the WQBEL load (based on 18 ppb). If 

the facility does not meet the GM WQBEL in any year, the permittee shall separately report the annual load 

of TP discharged by the STA into the Everglades that is in excess of the WQBEL load (based on 10 ppb) 

for that year and the previous two years.

Beginning 12 months from the permit effective date and at the end of each April thereafter, the permittee 

shall report both the FWM and GM annual average using data it collected for the prior 12 months.

8. Samples taken in accordance with Section I.A.1 and submitted monthly as part of the Discharge 

Monitoring Report (DMR) shall be analyzed to provide an annual assessment in the Annual Report as to 

whether the facility is operating within or outside the operational envelope. The assessment shall be based 

on annual inflow volumes and phosphorus loads and shall compare flows and loads to the corresponding 

average values contained in the operational envelope described in Exhibit A (Goforth et al, 2007). If the 

annual inflow volumes or phosphorus loads exceed the corresponding average values of the operational 

envelope during an annual compliance period, the District shall conduct a review of potential causes and 

include this review in the annual report. Departmental concurrence shall be obtained prior to initiating 

Lake Okeechobee regulatory or water supply releases that would result in an exceedance of the maximum 

levels of flow or phosphorus load contained in the operational envelope. 

9. The dissolved oxygen parameter shall meet the requirements set forth in the Everglades Marsh Dissolved 

Oxygen Site Specific Alternative Criteria (DO SSAC, Exhibit B). Compliance with the DO SSAC 

shall be evaluated annually using a statistical analysis to compare dissolved oxygen levels within 

facility discharges to predicted model values. The specific methods for determining compliance are 

set forth in the DO SSAC which was adopted by Secretarial Order on January 26, 2004, and approved 

by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a revision to the State of Florida’s water quality 

standards on June 16, 2004. 

B. Underground Injection Control Systems

1. This section is not applicable to this facility.

C. Land Application Systems

1. This section is not applicable to this facility.

D. Other Methods of Disposal or Recycling

1. There shall be no discharge of industrial wastewater from this facility to ground or surface waters, 

except as authorized by this permit. 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 5 

File No.: FL0177954-003-IW7A 

Page 6 of 18 

6

E. Other Limitations and Monitoring and Reporting Requirements

1. The sample collection, analytical test methods and method detection limits (MDLs) applicable to this 

permit shall be in accordance with Rule 62-4.246, Chapters 62-160 and 62-601, F.A.C., and 40 CFR 

136, as appropriate. The list of Department established analytical methods and corresponding MDLs 

and PQLs (practical quantification limits), which is titled “Florida Department of Environmental 

Protection Table as Required By Rule 62-4.246(4) Testing Methods for Discharges to Surface Water” 

dated April 25, 2006, is available from the Department at 

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/labs/guidance/index.htm. The MDLs and PQLs as described in this list shall 

constitute the minimum acceptable MDL/PQL values and the Department shall not accept results for 

which the laboratory's MDLs or PQLs are greater than those described above unless alternate MDLs 

and/or PQLs have been specifically approved by the Department for this permit. Any method included 

in the list may be used for reporting as long as it meets the following requirements: 

a. The laboratory’s reported MDL and PQL values for the particular method must be equal or less 

than the corresponding method values specified in the Department’s approved MDL and PQL list; 

b. The laboratory reported MDL for the specific parameter is less than or equal to the permit limit or 

the applicable water quality criteria, if any, stated in Chapter 62-302, F.A.C. Parameters that are 

listed as “report only” in the permit shall use methods that provide a PQL, which is equal to or less 

than the applicable water quality criteria stated in 62-302 F.A.C.; and 

c. If the MDLs for all methods available in the approved list are above the stated permit limit or 

applicable water quality criteria for that parameter, then the method with the lowest stated MDL 

shall be used. 

Where the analytical results are below method detection or practical quantification limits, the 

permittee shall report the actual laboratory MDL and/or PQL values for the analyses that were 

performed following the instructions on the applicable discharge monitoring report. 

Where necessary, the permittee may request approval of alternate methods or for alternative 

MDLs and PQLs for any approved analytical method. Approval of alternate laboratory MDLs or 

PQLs is not necessary if the laboratory reported MDLs and PQLs are less than or equal to the 

permit limit or the applicable water quality criteria, if any, stated in Chapter 62-302, F.A.C. 

Approval of an analytical method not included in the above referenced list is not necessary if the 

analytical method is in accordance with 40 CFR 136. 

2. Parameters which must be monitored as a result of a surface water discharge shall be analyzed using a 

sufficiently sensitive method in accordance with 40 CFR Part 136. Field measurement methods for pH 

and dissolved oxygen shall be in accordance with relevant sections in DEP SOP 001/01, 2/1/2004. 

3. Herbicide use is authorized for maintenance purposes if the use is in accordance with the labeled 

instructions and any applicable State permit. Discharge of any product registered under the Federal 

Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act to any waste stream, which ultimately may be released to 

waters of the State, is prohibited unless specifically authorized by this permit and documented in the 

administrative record. 

 The permittee shall notify the Department in writing at the address listed in Condition I.E.5 no later 

than three months prior to instituting use of any chemical in any portion of the treatment system which 

is not already authorized by this permit and may be toxic to aquatic life. The Department shall review 

the above information to determine if a permit revision is necessary. Such notification shall include: 

 a. Name of chemical; 

 

 b. Chemical manufacturer; 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 5 

File No.: FL0177954-003-IW7A 

Page 7 of 18 

7

 c. Frequency of use; and 

 d. Quantities to be used. 

4. The District shall notify the Department within 24 hours of any unanticipated diversions bypasses of 

flow through the G-407 gated structure. Notifications of diversions bypasses through this structure shall be 

made pursuant to the requirements of the STA-6 NPDES permit. Bypasses shall be limited to the shortest 

time possible and are not allowed solely to achieve the WQBEL. Bypasses are subject to and must meet 

the requirements of Items VIII.20, 21, and 22 of this permit. 

5. Monitoring requirements under this permit are effective on the first day of the second month following 

permit issuance. Until such time, the permittee shall continue to monitor and report in accordance with 

previously effective permit requirements, if any. During the period of operation authorized by this 

permit, the permittee shall complete and submit Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs) in accordance 

with the frequencies specified by the REPORT type below and indicated on the DMR forms. 

Monitoring results for each monitoring period shall be submitted in accordance with the associated 

DMR due dates to the address specified below. 

REPORT Type 

on DMR

Monitoring Period DMR Due Date 

Monthly2 first day of month – last day of month 28th day of the third month 

following the month of sampling 

Annual May-April 28th day of July 

 Florida Department of Environmental Protection 

 Wastewater Compliance Evaluation Section, Mail Station 3551 

 Bob Martinez Center 

 2600 Blair Stone Road 

 Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400 

6. Unless specified otherwise in this permit, all reports and notifications required by this permit, 

including twenty-four hour notifications, shall be submitted to or reported to the Department’s 

Tallahassee Office and the Southeast District Office at the addresses specified below: 

Florida Department of Environmental Protection 

Division of Water Resource Management 

Water Quality Standards & Special Projects Program 

2600 Blair Stone Road 

Tallahassee, FL 32399-2400 

Phone Number - (850) 245-8416 

Fax Number* - (850) 412-0681 

AND 

Florida Department of Environmental Protection 

Southeast District Office 

400 N. Congress Avenue 

West Palm Beach, FL 33416-5425 

Phone Number - (561) 681-6600 

Fax Number* - (561) 681-6755 

*All FAX copies shall be followed by original copies. 

 

2 DMRs shall be submitted for each required monitoring period including months of no discharge.
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 5 

File No.: FL0177954-003-IW7A 

Page 8 of 18 

8

7. The permittee shall submit an Annual Report (the South Florida Environmental Report) demonstrating 

compliance with the terms of this permit and according to the schedule as set forth in Section VI.1. 

The Annual Report shall provide details regarding the status of implementation of the requirements of

improvements, enhancements, and strategies identified in this permit. Specifically, the report shall 

include details regarding: 

a. Implementation of the WQBEL projects and activities required by this permit and affecting flows 

and loads to STA-5; 

b. source control implementation and optimization; 

c. STA design modifications affecting implementation of the WQBEL and activities required by this 

permit;

d. improvements, enhancements, and strategies that have been initiated and/or completed within the 

previous year; 

e. any delays in the implementation of the requirements of this permit, improvements, enhancements, 

or strategies, and the duration of the delays, the reason(s) for the delays, and the expected 

timeframe for their resolution; 

f. operational status of the STA – whether it is in start-up or routine operations; 

g. whether the facility is achieving the effluent limitations set forth in the TBEL and/or the 

implementation status of STA Recovery Plans; 

h. whether revisions and/or additions to the requirements of this permit improvements, 

enhancements, and strategies are recommended; 

i. For any noncompliance with permit conditions, an evaluation of the cause(s) and implementation 

of remedial measures; implementation of remedial measures in the event of non-compliance with 

permit conditions; and

j. An assessment of the inflow volumes and phosphorus loads during the year relative to the 

anticipated operational envelope contained in the Technical Support Document for the STA-5 and 

whether the facility was operated within or outside of the operational envelope. 

8. All reports and other information shall be signed in accordance with requirements of Rule 62-620.305, 

F.A.C. 

9. The permittee shall provide safe access points for obtaining representative samples which are required 

by this permit. 

10. Upon demonstration that a specific parameter(s) is consistently shown to be undetected in the effluent, 

the permittee shall request a modification to the monitoring program as appropriate. A minimum of 

one year of data, for those parameters being sampled quarterly or more frequently, shall be required 

prior to the Department approving any modification to the monitoring program. The Department may 

approve a reduction of the monitoring frequency or waive the monitoring requirement for parameters 

which are consistently shown to be undetected in the effluent. 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 5 

File No.: FL0177954-003-IW7A 

Page 9 of 18 

9

11. The permittee shall report with the monthly DMR if operation of facilities is impacted by or constrained 

due to requirements under the Endangered Species Act or Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The report 

should include the species involved, an estimate of the number of individuals involved, actions taken 

to avoid deleterious impacts on the endangered species, the affect those actions had on compliance 

with any condition of this permit, and an estimate of when facility operation will no longer be 

impacted or constrained.

II. Industrial Sludge Management Requirements

1. This section is not applicable to this facility. 

III. Ground Water Monitoring Requirements 

1. This section is not applicable to this facility.

IV. Other Land Application Requirements 

1. This section is not applicable to this facility.

V. Operation and Maintenance Requirements 

A. Operation of Treatment Facilities

1. The permittee shall ensure that the operation of this facility is as described in the application and 

supporting documents. 

2. The operation of the pollution control facilities described in this permit shall be under the supervision of 

a person who is qualified by formal training and/or practical experience in the field of water pollution 

control. 

3. Activities such as ongoing maintenance may have adverse impacts on STA performance. In addition, 

major events may compromise the structural integrity or performance of the STA or section(s) of the 

STA. Such activities or events will be subject to the planned changes, bypass, and/or upset provisions 

set forth in Section VIII Paragraphs 17, 22, and 23. 

B. Record Keeping Requirements:

1. The permittee shall maintain the following records at the South Florida Water Management District’s 

(District) headquarters and make them available for inspection: 

a. Records of all compliance monitoring information, including all calibration and maintenance 

records and all original strip chart recordings for continuous monitoring instrumentation, including, 

if applicable, a copy of the laboratory certification showing the certification number of the 

laboratory, for at least three years from the date the sample or measurement was taken; 

b. Copies of all reports, other than those required in items a. and f. of this section, required by the 

permit for at least three years from the date the report was prepared, unless otherwise specified by 

Department rule; 

c. Records of all data, including reports and documents used to complete the application for the 

permit for at least three years from the date the application was filed, unless otherwise specified by 

Department rule; 

d. A copy of the current permit; 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 5 

File No.: FL0177954-003-IW7A 

Page 10 of 18 

10

e. A copy of any required record drawings; 

f. Copies of the logs and schedules showing plant operations and equipment maintenance for three 

years from the date on the logs or schedule. 

VI. Schedules 

1. The Annual Report shall be received by the Department no later than March 1 of each year following 

the effective date of issuance of this permit. Each Annual Report shall present the information for the 

previous water year, from May 1 to April 30. Upon approval by the Department, the District may 

modify the Annual Report submission date to coincide with multiple reporting requirements and time 

periods needed for data acquisition and analysis. 

2. A revised Pollution Prevention Plan (PPP) shall be prepared and implemented in accordance with the 

following schedule: 

Action Item Scheduled Completion Date 

1 Develop and Implement revised Pollution Prevention Plan Completion of scheduled LongTerm Plan enhancements to 

STA-5 As needed upon 

completion of and compliance 

with the requirements of this 

permit

2. Submittal of revised Pollution Prevention Plan if additional 

enhancements are implemented 

Changes that warrant 

modifications to the current PPP 

+ 90 days 

3. Upon completion of and compliance with the requirements specified herein, the permittee shall submit 

to the Department an updated Operations Plan for STA-5. Until the updated Operations Plan is submitted 

by the permittee and approved by the Department, the previously existing Operations Plan shall remain in 

effect.

VII. Other Specific Conditions 

A. Specific Conditions Applicable to All Permits

1. Drawings, plans, documents or specifications submitted by the permittee, not attached hereto, but 

retained on file with the Department, are made a part hereof. 

2. Where required by Chapter 471 (P.E.) or Chapter 492 (P.G.) F.S., applicable portions of reports to be 

submitted under this permit, shall be signed and sealed by the professional(s) who prepared them. 

3. This permit satisfies the Industrial Wastewater Program permitting requirements only and does not 

authorize operation of this facility prior to obtaining any other permits required by local, state or federal 

agencies. 

B. Specific Conditions Related to Construction

1. Within 30 days of completion of construction, the permittee shall submit to the Department a completed 

“Certification of Completion of Construction” (DEP Form 62-620.910(12)) signed and sealed by the 

engineer of record or other engineer registered in the state of Florida. 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 5 

File No.: FL0177954-003-IW7A 

Page 11 of 18 

11

2. Record drawings shall be prepared and made available in accordance with Rule 62-620.410(6), F.A.C., 

and the Department of Environmental Protection Guide to Wastewater Permitting within six months of 

placing the facilities into operation . 

C. Duty to Reapply

1. The permittee shall apply for renewal of this permit at least 180 days before the expiration date of this 

permit using the appropriate forms listed in Rule 62-620.910, F.A.C., including submittal of the 

appropriate processing fee set forth in Rule 62-4.050, F.A.C. 

D. Specific Conditions Related to the Pollution Prevention Plan

1. A revised PPP shall be prepared, submitted to the Department for review and approval, and 

implemented in accordance with the schedule set forth in Section VI.2. 

2. The STA-5 Project shall be operated in accordance with the existing PPP (Exhibit C) until such time as 

a revised PPP is approved by the Department. If the permitted facilities are demonstrated not to be 

achieving compliance with the requirements of this permit, the permittee shall submit a modified PPP 

for Department review and approval as appropriate. 

E. Re-opener Clause

1. The permit shall be revised, or alternatively, revoked and reissued in accordance with the provisions 

contained in Rules 62-620.325 and 62-620.345 F.A.C., if applicable, or to comply with any applicable 

effluent standard or limitation issued or approved under Sections 301(b)(2)(C) and (D), 304(b)(2) and 

307(a)(2) of the Clean Water Act (the Act), as amended, if the effluent standard, limitation, or water 

quality standard so issued or approved: 

a. Contains different conditions or is otherwise more stringent than any condition in the permit/or; 

b. Controls any pollutant not addressed in this permit. 

The permit as revised or reissued under this paragraph shall contain any other requirements of the Act 

then applicable. 

2. The permit may be reopened to adjust effluent limitations or monitoring requirements should future 

water quality based effluent limitation (WQBEL) determinations, water quality studies, Department 

approved changes in water quality standards, or other information show a need for a different limitation 

or monitoring requirement. 

3. The Department may develop a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) during the life of the permit. 

Once a TMDL has been established and adopted by rule, the Department may revise this permit to 

incorporate the final findings of the TMDL, in accordance with Section 403.067, F.S. 

F. Implementation of Source Control Programs. 

1. Implementation. The permittee shall continue to implement source control programs in each of the 

contributing basins in accordance with Chapter 40E-63, F.A.C. and other applicable programs. 

Basins that do not presently include source control programs shall be monitored to determine if 

such programs are necessary in the event that phosphorus loads to the facility from these basins 

limit the facility or facilities progress towards achieving the WQBEL 

2. Performance. On an annual basis, the permittee shall evaluate the performance of source controls 

in the contributing basins and include the findings in the annual report required in Item I.E.7. The 

report shall include phosphorus loads from the basins and shall describe trends and compare current 

loads to those determined necessary to achieve the WQBEL. 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 5 

File No.: FL0177954-003-IW7A 

Page 12 of 18 

12

3. Improvements. If the WQBEL is not achieved and if the assumed inflow concentration used to 

develop the Amended Determination remedy is exceeded, the permittee shall submit, as part of the 

annual reporting requirements in Item I.E.7, a report explaining the cause(s) for the excess 

concentration and, if applicable, schedules and strategies for source control improvements 

necessary to achieve the WQBEL. 

VIII. General Conditions

1. The terms, conditions, requirements, limitations and restrictions set forth in this permit are binding and 

enforceable pursuant to Chapter 403, F.S. Any permit noncompliance constitutes a violation of 

Chapter 403, F.S., and is grounds for enforcement action, permit termination, permit revocation and 

reissuance, or permit revision. [62-620.610(1), F.A.C.]

2. This permit is valid only for the specific processes and operations applied for and indicated in the 

approved drawings or exhibits. Any unauthorized deviation from the approved drawings, exhibits, 

specifications or conditions of this permit constitutes grounds for revocation and enforcement action 

by the Department. [62-620.610(2), F.A.C.]

3. As provided in Subsection 403.087(7), F.S., the issuance of this permit does not convey any vested 

rights or any exclusive privileges. Neither does it authorize any injury to public or private property or 

any invasion of personal rights, nor authorize any infringements of federal, state, or local laws or 

regulations. This permit is not a waiver of or approval of any other Department permit or authorization 

that may be required for other aspects of the total project which are not addressed in this permit. [62-

620.610(3), F.A.C.]

4. This permit conveys no title to land or water, does not constitute state recognition or acknowledgment 

of title, and does not constitute authority for the use of submerged lands unless herein provided and the 

necessary title or leasehold interests have been obtained from the State. Only the Trustees of the 

Internal Improvement Trust Fund may express State opinion as to title. [62-620.610(4), F.A.C.]

5. This permit does not relieve the permittee from liability and penalties for harm or injury to human 

health or welfare, animal or plant life, or property caused by the construction or operation of this 

permitted source; nor does it allow the permittee to cause pollution in contravention of Florida Statutes 

and Department rules, unless specifically authorized by an order from the Department. The permittee 

shall take all reasonable steps to minimize or prevent any discharge, reuse of reclaimed water, or 

residuals use or disposal in violation of this permit which has a reasonable likelihood of adversely 

affecting human health or the environment. It shall not be a defense for a permittee in an enforcement 

action that it would have been necessary to halt or reduce the permitted activity in order to maintain 

compliance with the conditions of this permit. [62-620.610(5), F.A.C.]

6. If the permittee wishes to continue an activity regulated by this permit after its expiration date, the 

permittee shall apply for and obtain a new permit. [62-620.610(6), F.A.C.]

7. The permittee shall at all times properly operate and maintain the facility and systems of treatment and 

control, and related appurtenances, that are installed and used by the permittee to achieve compliance 

with the conditions of this permit. This provision includes the operation of backup or auxiliary 

facilities or similar systems when necessary to maintain or achieve compliance with the conditions of 

the permit. [62-620.610(7), F.A.C.]

8. This permit may be modified, revoked and reissued, or terminated for cause. The filing of a request by 

the permittee for a permit revision, revocation and re-issuance, or termination, or a notification of 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 5 

File No.: FL0177954-003-IW7A 

Page 13 of 18 

13

planned changes or anticipated noncompliance does not stay any permit condition. 

[62-620.610(8), F.A.C.]

9. The permittee, by accepting this permit, specifically agrees to allow authorized Department personnel, 

including an authorized representative of the Department and authorized U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency (EPA) personnel, when applicable, upon presentation of credentials or other 

documents as may be required by law, and at reasonable times, depending upon the nature of the 

concern being investigated, to 

a. Enter upon the permittee’s premises where a regulated facility, system, or activity is located or 

conducted, or where records shall be kept under the conditions of this permit; 

b. Have access to and copy any records that shall be kept under the conditions of this permit; 

c. Inspect the facilities, equipment, practices, or operations regulated or required under this permit; 

and 

d. Sample or monitor any substances or parameters at any location necessary to assure compliance 

with this permit or Department rules. 

[62-620.610(9), F.A.C.]

10. In accepting this permit, the permittee understands and agrees that all records, notes, monitoring data, 

and other information relating to the construction or operation of this permitted source which are 

submitted to the Department may be used by the Department as evidence in any enforcement case 

involving the permitted source arising under the Florida Statutes or Department rules, except as such 

use is proscribed by Section 403.111, Florida Statutes, or Rule 62-620.302, F.A.C. Such evidence 

shall only be used to the extent that it is consistent with the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure and 

applicable evidentiary rules. [62-620.610(10), F.A.C.]

11. When requested by the Department, the permittee shall within a reasonable time provide any 

information required by law, which is needed to determine whether there is cause for revising, 

revoking and reissuing, or terminating this permit, or to determine compliance with the permit. The 

permittee shall also provide to the Department upon request copies of records required by this permit 

to be kept. If the permittee becomes aware of relevant facts that were not submitted or were incorrect 

in the permit application or in any report to the Department, such facts or information shall be 

promptly submitted or corrections promptly reported to the Department. [62-620.610(11), F.A.C.] 

12. Unless specifically stated otherwise in Department rules, the permittee, in accepting this permit, agrees 

to comply with changes in Department rules and Florida Statutes after a reasonable time for 

compliance; provided however, the permittee does not waive any other rights granted by Florida 

Statutes or Department rules. A reasonable time for compliance with a new or amended surface water 

quality standard, other than those standards addressed in Rule 62-302.500, F.A.C., shall include a 

reasonable time to obtain or be denied a mixing zone for the new or amended standard. [62-

620.610(12), F.A.C.] However, this section cannot be used as a basis to extend the time to comply with 

the permit’s total phosphorus WQBELs or to obtain a mixing zone to meet the total phosphorus water 

quality criterion.

13. The permittee, in accepting this permit, agrees to pay the applicable regulatory program and 

surveillance fee in accordance with Rule 62-4.052, F.A.C. [62-620.610(13), F.A.C.]

14. This permit is transferable only upon Department approval in accordance with Rule 62-620.340, 

F.A.C. The permittee shall be liable for any noncompliance of the permitted activity until the 

Department approves the transfer. [62-620.610(14), F.A.C.]

15. The permittee shall give the Department written notice at least 60 days before inactivation or 

abandonment of a wastewater facility and shall specify what steps will be taken to safeguard public 

health and safety during and following inactivation or abandonment. [62-620.610(15), F.A.C.]
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 5 

File No.: FL0177954-003-IW7A 

Page 14 of 18 

14

16. The permittee shall apply for a revision to the Department permit in accordance with Rule 62-620.300, 

F.A.C., and the Department of Environmental Protection Guide to Wastewater Permitting at least 90 

days before construction of any planned substantial modifications to the permitted facility is to 

commence or with Rule 62-620.325(2), F.A.C., for minor modifications to the permitted facility. A 

revised permit shall be obtained before construction begins except as provided in Rule 62-620.300, 

F.A.C. [62-620.610(16), F.A.C.]

17. The permittee shall give advance notice to the Department of any planned changes in the permitted 

facility or activity which may result in noncompliance with permit requirements. The permittee shall 

be responsible for any and all damages which may result from the changes and may be subject to 

enforcement action by the Department for penalties or revocation of this permit. The notice shall 

include the following information: 

a. A description of the anticipated noncompliance; 

b. The period of the anticipated noncompliance, including dates and times; and 

c. Steps being taken to prevent future occurrence of the noncompliance. [62-620.610(17), F.A.C.]

18. Sampling and monitoring data shall be collected and analyzed in accordance with Rule 62-4.246, 

Chapters 62-160 and 62-601, F.A.C., and 40 CFR 136, as appropriate. 

a. Monitoring results shall be reported at the intervals specified elsewhere in this permit and shall be 

reported on a Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR), DEP Form 62-620.910(10), or as specified 

elsewhere in the permit. 

b. If the permittee monitors any contaminate more frequently than required by the permit, using 

Department approved test procedures, the results of this monitoring shall be included in the 

calculation and reporting of the data submitted in the DMR. 

c. Calculations for all limitations which require averaging of measurements shall use an arithmetic 

mean unless otherwise specified in this permit. {DAC comment: We should double-check to be 

sure that anywhere we intend to use a geomean we are specifically stating so (see comments to 

Table I.A.1 footnotes)} 

d. Except as specifically provided in Rule 62-160.300, F.A.C., any laboratory test required by this 

permit shall be performed by a laboratory that has been certified by the Department of Health 

Environmental Laboratory Certification Program (DOH ELCP). Such certification shall be for the 

matrix, test method and analyte(s) being measured to comply with this permit. For domestic 

wastewater facilities, testing for parameters listed in Rule 62-160.300(4), F.A.C., shall be 

conducted under the direction of a certified operator. 

e. Field activities including on-site tests and sample collection shall follow the applicable standard 

operating procedures described in DEP-SOP-001/01 adopted by reference in Chapter 62-160, 

F.A.C. 

f. Alternate field procedures and laboratory methods may be used where they have been approved in 

accordance with Rules 62-160.220 and 62-160.330, F.A.C.[62-620.610(18), F.A.C.]

19. Reports of compliance or noncompliance with, or any progress reports on, interim and final 

requirements contained in any compliance schedule detailed elsewhere in this permit shall be 

submitted no later than 14 days following each schedule date. [62-620.610(19), F.A.C.] 

20. The permittee shall report to the Department’s Tallahassee Office and the Southeast District Office any 

noncompliance which may endanger health or the environment. Any information shall be provided 

orally within 24 hours from the time the permittee becomes aware of the circumstances. A written 

submission shall also be provided within five days of the time the permittee becomes aware of the 

circumstances. The written submission shall contain: a description of the noncompliance and its cause; 

the period of noncompliance including exact dates and time, and if the noncompliance has not been 

corrected, the anticipated time it is expected to continue; and steps taken or planned to reduce, 

eliminate, and prevent recurrence of the noncompliance. 

a. The following shall be included as information which must be reported within 24 hours under this 

condition: 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 5 

File No.: FL0177954-003-IW7A 

Page 15 of 18 

15

(1) Any unanticipated bypass which causes any reclaimed water or effluent to exceed any permit 

limitation or results in an unpermitted discharge, 

(2) Any upset which causes any reclaimed water or the effluent to exceed any limitation in the 

permit, 

(3) Violation of a maximum daily discharge limitation for any of the pollutants specifically listed 

in the permit for such notice, and 

(4) Any unauthorized discharge to surface or ground waters. 

b. Oral reports as required by this subsection shall be provided as follows: 

(1) For unauthorized releases or spills of untreated or treated wastewater reported pursuant to 

subparagraph a.(4) that are in excess of 1,000 gallons per incident, or where information 

indicates that public health or the environment will be endangered, oral reports shall be 

provided to the Department by calling the STATE WARNING POINT TOLL FREE 

NUMBER (800) 320-0519, as soon as practical, but no later than 24 hours from the time the 

permittee becomes aware of the discharge. The permittee, to the extent known, shall provide 

the following information to the State Warning Point: 

(a) Name, address, and telephone number of person reporting; 

(b) Name, address, and telephone number of permittee or responsible person for the 

discharge; 

(c) Date and time of the discharge and status of discharge (ongoing or ceased); 

(d) Characteristics of the wastewater spilled or released (untreated or treated, industrial or 

domestic wastewater); 

(e) Estimated amount of the discharge; 

(f) Location or address of the discharge; 

(g) Source and cause of the discharge; 

(h) Whether the discharge was contained on-site, and cleanup actions taken to date; 

(i) Description of area affected by the discharge, including name of water body affected, if 

any; and 

(j) Other persons or agencies contacted. 

(2) Oral reports, not otherwise required to be provided pursuant to subparagraph b.(1) above, 

shall be provided to Department’s Southeast District Office within 24 hours from the time the 

permittee becomes aware of the circumstances. 

c. If the oral report has been received within 24 hours, the noncompliance has been corrected, and the 

noncompliance did not endanger health or the environment, the Department’s Southeast District 

Office shall waive the written report. [62-620.610(20), F.A.C.] 

21. The permittee shall report all instances of noncompliance not reported under Conditions VIII.17, 18, 

19, and 20 of this permit at the time monitoring reports are submitted. This report shall contain the 

same information required by Condition VIII.20. of this permit. [62-620.610(21), F.A.C.]

22. Bypass Provisions. The term “bypass” shall mean the intentional diversion of waste streams from any 

portion of the treatment works. 

a. Bypass is prohibited, and the Department may take enforcement action against a permittee for 

bypass, unless the permittee affirmatively demonstrates that: 

(1) Bypass was unavoidable to prevent loss of life, personal injury, or severe property damage; 

and 

(2) There were no feasible alternatives to the bypass, such as the use of auxiliary treatment 

facilities, retention of untreated wastes, or maintenance during normal periods of equipment 

downtime. This condition is not satisfied if adequate back-up equipment should have been 

installed in the exercise of reasonable engineering judgment to prevent a bypass which 

occurred during normal periods of equipment downtime or preventative maintenance; and 

(3) The permittee submitted notices as required under Condition VIII.22.b. of this permit. 

b. If the permittee knows in advance of the need for a bypass, it shall submit prior notice to the 

Department, if possible at least 10 days before the date of the bypass. The permittee shall submit 

notice of an unanticipated bypass within 24 hours of learning about the bypass as required in 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 5 

File No.: FL0177954-003-IW7A 

Page 16 of 18 

16

Condition VIII.20. of this permit. A notice shall include a description of the bypass and its cause; 

the period of the bypass, including exact dates and times; if the bypass has not been corrected, the 

anticipated time it is expected to continue; and the steps taken or planned to reduce, eliminate, and 

prevent recurrence of the bypass. 

c. The Department shall approve an anticipated bypass, after considering its adverse effect, if the 

permittee demonstrates that it will meet the three conditions listed in Condition VIII.22 a.(1) 

through (3) of this permit. 

d. A permittee may allow any bypass to occur which does not cause reclaimed water or effluent 

limitations to be exceeded if it is for essential maintenance to assure efficient operation. These 

bypasses are not subject to the provision of Condition VIII.22.a. through c. of this permit. 

[62-620.610(22), F.A.C.]

23. Upset Provisions 

a. A permittee who wishes to establish the affirmative defense of upset shall demonstrate, through 

properly signed contemporaneous operating logs, or other relevant evidence that: 

(1) An upset occurred and that the permittee can identify the cause(s) of the upset; 

(2) The permitted facility was at the time being properly operated; 

(3) The permittee submitted notice of the upset as required in Condition VIII.20. of this permit; 

and 

(4) The permittee complied with any remedial measures required under Condition VIII.5. of this 

permit. 

b. In any enforcement proceeding, the burden of proof for establishing the occurrence of an upset 

rests with the permittee. 

c. Before an enforcement proceeding is instituted, no representation made during the Department 

review of a claim that noncompliance was caused by an upset is final agency action subject to 

judicial review. [62-620.610(23), F.A.C.]

DONE AND ORDERED on this 4th day of September, 2007 in Tallahassee, Florida. 

STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT 

OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 

____________________________________________ 

Michael W. Sole 

Secretary 

MS/jb/jh 

FILING AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT 

FILED, on this date, under Section 120.52, F.S., with the designated deputy clerk, receipt of which is 

hereby acknowledged. 

_____________________________________________________

Clerk Date 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 5 

File No.: FL0177954-003-IW7A 

Page 17 of 18 

17

PARTIES REQUESTING NOTICE: 

Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, c/o Dexter Lehtinen, Esq. 

Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, c/o Kelly Brooks, Esq. 

United States Sugar Corporation, c/o Bubba Wade 

Seminole Tribe of Indians of Florida, c/o Stephen A. Walker, Esq. 

Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative, Roth Farms, Inc., and Wedgeworth Farms, Inc., 

 c/o William H. Green, Esq. 

Keith Saxe, Esq., U. S. Department of Justice 

Michael Stevens, U.S. Department of the Interior (fax) 

Jeffrey J. Ward, Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative 

Philip S. Parsons, Landers & Parsons 

Helen Hickman, Brown & Caldwell 

Tom MacVicar, MacVicar, Frederico, & Lamb 

Charles Lee, Florida Audubon Society 

Samuel B. Reiner, II, Esq., Lehtinen O’ Donnell, Vargas & Reiner, P.A. 

Michelle W. Smith, Esq., Earl, Blank, Cavanaugh & Stotts 

COPIES FURNISHED TO: 

Sharon Fauver, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

Susan Teel, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

Jeff Bielling, FL. Dept. of Community Affairs 

Linda McCarthy, FL. Dept. of Agriculture 

Charles Oravetz, Nat. Marine Fisheries Service 

Don Klima, U.S. Advisory Council on Historic Preservation 

John Childe, Friends of the Everglades 

David Reiner, Friends of the Everglades 

Col. Paul Grosskruger, USACOE, Jacksonville 

Dennis Duke, USACOE, Jacksonville 

Peter Bestrukschko, USACOE, Jacksonville 

Eric Bush, USACOE, Jacksonville 

Richard Harvey, USEPA, West Palm Beach 

Philip Mancusi-Ungaro, Esq., USEPA, Atlanta 

Roosevelt Childress, USEPA, Atlanta 

Marshall Hyatt, USEPA Atlanta 

Dan Scheidt, USEPA, Athens 

Eric Hughes, USEPA, Jacksonville 

Janet Bussell, The Everglades Foundation 

Mike Waldon, Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge 

Matt Harwell, Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge 

Mike Zimmerman, Everglades National Park 

Ken Haddad, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 

Joe Walsh, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Vero Beach 

ADDITIONAL COPIES FURNISHED TO: 

Eric Eikenberg, Governor’s Office 

Carol Wehle, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Chip Merriam, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Sheryl Wood, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Terrie Bates, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Ernie Barnett, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Linda Lindstrom, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 5 

File No.: FL0177954-003-IW7A 

Page 18 of 18 

18

Dean Powell, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Sean Sculley, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Susan Sylvester, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Deb Drum, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Gary Goforth, Gary Goforth, Inc., Stuart 

Tracey Piccone, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Tom Kosier, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Jim Galloway, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Ron Bearzotti, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Kirk Burns, Esq., SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

John Mitnik, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Maria Clemente, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Delia Ivanoff, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Kathy Pietro, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Juliann LaRock, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Linda Crean, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Joe Albers, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Hongying Zhao, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Guy Germain, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Joseph Jean-Jacques, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Kevin Nicholas, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Nicole Howard, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Greg Knecht, FDEP, Tallahassee 

John Outland, FDEP, Tallahassee 

Frank Nearhoof, FDEP, Tallahassee 

Shelley Yaun, FDEP, Tallahassee 

Ernie Marks, FDEP, Tallahassee 

Kenny Hayman, Esq., FDEP, Tallahassee 

David Crowley, Esq., FDEP, Tallahassee 

Tom Atkeson, FDEP, Tallahassee 

William Kennedy, FDEP, West Palm Beach 

Inger Hansen, FDEP, West Palm Beach 
STATE OF FLORIDA 

 INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER FACILITY PERMIT

PERMITTEE: PERMIT NUMBER: FL0473804-001 

South Florida Water Management District PA FILE NO.: FL0473804-001-IW7A 

3301 Gun Club Road ISSUANCE DATE: September 4, 2007 

West Palm Beach, FL. 33406 EXPIRATION DATE: September 4, 2012

 

 

 

RESPONSIBLE AUTHORITY: 

Ms. Carol Ann Wehle 

Executive Director 

FACILITY: 

Stormwater Treatment 6 

(STA-6) 

Hendry and Palm Beach Counties 

Latitude: 26° 22’ 41” N Longitude: 80° 52’ 54” W 

This permit is issued under the provisions of Chapter 403, Florida Statutes (F.S.) and applicable rules of the 

Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.) and constitutes authorization to discharge to waters of the State under 

the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). This permit is accompanied by an 

Administrative Order (Order), AO-012-EV, pursuant to Subsections 403.088 (2)(e) and (f), F.S. 

Compliance with AO-012-EV is a specific requirement of this permit. The above named permittee is 

hereby authorized to construct and operate the facilities required by this permit shown on the application 

and other documents attached hereto or on file with the Department and made a part hereof. 

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: 

This permit authorizes the continued operation and maintenance of Stormwater Treatment Area (STA) 6. 

STA-6 is a part of the Everglades Construction Project (ECP), construction, operation, and maintenance of 

which is required by the Everglades Forever Act (EFA), Section 373.4592, F.S. The STA-6 Project (Figure 

1) consists of the STA-6 Inflow Structures, STA-6 Interior Works, STA-6 Outflow Structures, STA-6 

Discharge Canal, STA-6 Discharge Canal Relocation, Levee Bridge, Structure Removal, G-407 Diversion 

Structure, and STA-6 Inflow Works Modification. STA-6 is a Stormwater Management System (SMS) as 

defined in Subsection 373.403(10), F.S., and therefore is not subject to state surface water quality standards 

within STA-6 pursuant to Subsection 373.4142, F.S.

EFFLUENT DISPOSAL:

This permit authorizes the discharge of treated stormwater non-process wastewater from a 2,270 acres 

constructed wetland system (STA-6) to Water Conservation Area 3 (WCA-3A). Treated water from STA-6 

will be discharged into the L-3 Borrow Canal from the G352A-C, G354A-C, and G393A-C Outflow 

Structures. Once discharged into the L-3 Borrow Canal, the treated water is released into the WCA-3A. All 

of the surface waters and wetlands located within the receiving water body, WCA-3A, are Class III Fresh 

waters. 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 6 

File No.: FL0473804-001-IW7A 

Page 2 of 18 

2

Surface Water Discharge:

An existing discharge to the L-3 Borrow Canal (Class III Fresh waters), monitoring group D-001 (G-352B) 

is located approximately at Latitude: 26° 22’ 15” N Longitude: 80° 52’ 53” W 

An existing discharge to the L-3 Borrow Canal (Class III Fresh waters), monitoring group D-002 (G-354C) 

is located approximately at Latitude: 26° 21’ 00” N, Longitude: 80° 52’ 85” W 

An existing discharge to the L-3 Borrow Canal (Class III Fresh waters), monitoring group D-003 (G-393B) 

is located approximately at Latitude: 26° 20’ 19” N, Longitude: 80° 52’ 93” W 

IN ACCORDANCE WITH: 

The limitations, monitoring requirements and other conditions as set forth in Part I through Part VIII on 

pages 3 through 14 of this permit. 

I. Effluent Limitations and Monitoring Requirements 

A. Surface Water Discharges

1. During the period beginning upon the issuance permit effective date and lasting through the expiration 

date of this permit, the permittee is authorized to discharge stormwater nonprocess wastewater from 

Outfall D-001 through D-003. Such discharge shall be limited and monitored by the permittee as 

specified below.
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 6 

File No.: FL0473804-001-IW7A 

Page 3 of 18 

3

 Discharge Limitations Monitoring Requirements 

Parameters (units) Daily 

Minimum 

Daily 

Maximum Annual Average Other Monitoring Frequency Sample Type Sample 

Point 

Not to exceed 10 as 

a geometric mean 

(GM) annual 

average in more 

than two 

consecutive years*1

18 as a flowweighted mean

(FWM) annual 

average*

Phosphorus, Total (as 

P) (ppb) -- -- 

See I.A.52

Weekly 

GM – based 

on grab 

samples

collected 

when 

discharge 

occurs

FWM - 7-day 

flow 

proportioned 

composite 

EFF-1, 2, 

3 and 4 

Phosphorus, Total (as 

P) (ppb) -- -- See I.A.6 Report1** Weekly 

7-day flow 

proportioned 

composite 

INT 1, 2 

Oxygen, Dissolved 

(DO) (mg/l) See I.A.7 Weekly Meter EFF-1, 2, 3 and 4 

Oxygen, Dissolved 

(DO) (mg/l) Report Weekly Meter INT-1, 2, 

Flow (cfs) -- Report See I.A.6 Report Continuous Recorder 

EFF-1, 2, 

3 and 4 

INT-1, 2 

pH (SU) 6.0 8.5 -- Weekly Grab (Meter) EFF-1, 2, 

3 and 4 

2. Effluent samples shall be taken at the monitoring site locations listed in permit condition I.A.1 and 

as described below: 

Sample Point Description of Monitoring Location 

EFF-1 Sampling location for Outfall D-001 at the G-352B structure 

 

*1 All EFF TP monitoring results for this parameter shall be reported as separate weekly values without rounding to whole numbers. 

The results shall also be reported as FWM annual averages that are calculated based on the FWM of the weekly values. The results 

shall also be reported as GM monthly average and as an annual averages that are calculated based on all sample point weekly values 

collected when discharge occurs in the previous 12 months. All FWM and GM annual averages shall be reported to the nearest whole 

number (i.e., 10.5 ppb shall be reported as 11 ppb; 10.49 ppb shall be reported as 10 ppb). The “monthly average” is a flow-weighted 

mean of the weekly effluent samples. The “annual average” shall be computed for each water year (May-April) and is equal to the 

flow-weighted mean concentration for the water year. 

** All SWU TP monitoring results shall be reported as separate weekly values without rounding to whole numbers. All results shall

also be reported as monthly averages and as FWM annual averages. The monthly averages and FWM annual averages shall be 

calculated based on the FWM of the weekly values and shall be reported to the nearest whole number (i.e., 10.5 ppb shall be reported 

as 11 ppb; 10.49 ppb shall be reported as 10 ppb). 

2 The 10 ppb effluent limit represents the phosphorus criterion set forth in Rule 62-302.540(4)(a), F.A.C. and is consistent with 

Section 301(b)(1)(C) of the CWA. A water quality based effluent limitation (WQBEL) for phosphorus will be established in 

accordance with Rule 62-650 F.A.C. and Section 373.4592 Florida Statutes by December 31, 2010 and will be a major permit 

modification. It is recognized that the ultimate WQBEL to be developed may be higher than a flow-weighted mean of 10 ppb. The 

antibacksliding provisions of the CWA and NPDES regulations do not apply to an effluent limitation with a delayed compliance date, 

until the date of compliance. In this case, restrictions on backsliding would not apply to the 10 ppb permit effluent limit until the 

established WQBEL takes effect at the end of the compliance schedule.
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 6 

File No.: FL0473804-001-IW7A 

Page 4 of 18 

4

EFF-2 Sampling location for Outfall D-002 at the G-354C structure 

EFF-3 Sampling location for Outfall D-003 at the G-393B structure 

INT-1 Inflow monitoring location at the G-396B Structure 

INT-2 Inflow monitoring location at the G-353B Structure 

3. There shall be no discharge of floating solids or visible foam in other than trace amounts. This 

provision shall not be interpreted to prevent discharges of constituents normally found in or resulting 

from marsh wetland systems. 

4. The discharge shall not cause a visible sheen on the receiving water. This provision shall not be 

interpreted to prevent discharges of constituents normally found in or resulting from marsh wetland 

systems. 

5. The discharge shall not cause phosphorus concentrations in the receiving waters to be altered so as to 

cause or contribute to an imbalance in natural populations of aquatic flora or fauna. The discharge shall not 

cause phosphorus concentrations in the receiving waters to exceed the criteria in Rule 62-302.540(4)(a), 

F.A.C., except as authorized in the accompanying Order AO-012-EV which is hereby incorporated by 

reference. Beginning at the end of April after the permit effective date and at the end of each April 

thereafter, the permittee shall report the FWM annual average using data it collected for the prior 12 

months. Beginning at the end of April after the permit effective date and at the end of each April 

thereafter, the permittee shall report the GM annual average using data it collected for each of the prior 3 

years.

6. In the year following any two consecutive years where the TP GM annual average exceeds 10 ppb, the 

permittee shall report quarterly the GM of all monthly TP values for that year. If that mean exceeds 10 

ppb, the permittee shall provide a report to both FDEP and USEPA by the fifteenth of the month following 

the quarterly report of its evaluation of why that mean is as high as it is and the specific steps it is taking to 

ensure that the TP GM for that year will not exceed 10 ppb.

For the TP FWM WQBEL, the permittee shall report quarterly the average of all monthly FWMs for that 

year. If that average exceeds 18 ppb, the permittee shall provide a report to both FDEP and USEPA by the 

fifteenth of the month following the quarterly report of its evaluation of why that average is as high as it is 

and the specific steps it is taking to ensure that the TP FWM annual average for that year will not exceed 18 

ppb.

7. If the facility does not meet the FWM WQBEL in any year, the permittee shall report the annual load of 

TP discharged by the STA into the Everglades that is in excess of the WQBEL load (based on 18 ppb). If 

the facility does not meet the GM WQBEL in any year, the permittee shall separately report the annual load 

of TP discharged by the STA into the Everglades that is in excess of the WQBEL load (based on 10 ppb) 

for that year and the previous two years.

8.Samples taken in accordance with Section I.A.1 and submitted monthly as part of the Discharge 

Monitoring Report (DMR) shall be analyzed to provide an annual assessment in the Annual Report as to 

whether the facility is operating within or outside the operational envelope. The assessment shall be based 

on annual inflow volumes and phosphorus loads and shall compare flows and loads to the corresponding 

average values contained in the operational envelope described in Exhibit A (Goforth et al, 2007). If the 

annual inflow volumes or phosphorus loads exceed the corresponding average values of the operational 

envelope during an annual compliance period, the District shall conduct a review of potential causes and 

include this review in the annual report. Departmental concurrence shall be obtained prior to initiating 

Lake Okeechobee regulatory or water supply releases that would result in an exceedance of the maximum 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 6 

File No.: FL0473804-001-IW7A 

Page 5 of 18 

5

levels of flow or phosphorus load contained in the operational envelope. 

9. The dissolved oxygen parameter shall meet the requirements set forth in the Everglades Marsh 

Dissolved Oxygen Site Specific Alternative Criteria (DO SSAC, Exhibit B). Compliance with the DO 

SSAC shall be evaluated annually using a statistical analysis to compare dissolved oxygen levels 

within facility discharges to predicted model values. The specific methods for determining compliance 

are set forth in the DO SSAC which was adopted by Secretarial Order on January 26, 2004, and 

approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a revision to the State of Florida’s water 

quality standards on June 16, 2004. 

B. Underground Injection Control Systems

1. This section is not applicable to this facility. 

C. Land Application Systems

1. This section is not applicable to this facility. 

D. Other Methods of Disposal or Recycling

1. There shall be no discharge of industrial wastewater from this facility to ground or surface waters, 

except as authorized by this permit. 

E. Other Limitations and Monitoring and Reporting Requirements

1. The sample collection, analytical test methods and method detection limits (MDLs) applicable to this 

permit shall be in accordance with Rule 62-4.246, Chapters 62-160 and 62-601, F.A.C., and 40 CFR 

136, as appropriate. The list of Department established analytical methods and corresponding MDLs 

and PQLs (practical quantification limits), which is titled “Florida Department of Environmental 

Protection Table as Required By Rule 62-4.246(4) Testing Methods for Discharges to Surface Water”

dated April 25, 2006, is available from the Department at 

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/labs/guidance/index.htm. The MDLs and PQLs as described in this list shall 

constitute the minimum acceptable MDL/PQL values and the Department shall not accept results for 

which the laboratory's MDLs or PQLs are greater than those described above unless alternate MDLs 

and/or PQLs have been specifically approved by the Department for this permit. Any method included 

in the list may be used for reporting as long as it meets the following requirements: 

a. The laboratory’s reported MDL and PQL values for the particular method must be equal or less 

than the corresponding method values specified in the Department’s approved MDL and PQL list; 

b. The laboratory reported MDL for the specific parameter is less than or equal to the permit limit or 

the applicable water quality criteria, if any stated in Chapter 62-302, F.A.C. Parameters that are 

listed as “report only” in the permit shall use methods that provide a PQL, which is equal to or less 

than the applicable water quality criteria stated in 62-302 F.A.C.; and 

c. If the MDLs for all methods available in the approved list are above the stated permit limit or 

applicable water quality criteria for that parameter, then the method with the lowest stated MDL 

shall be used. 

Where the analytical results are below method detection or practical quantification limits, the 

permittee shall report the actual laboratory MDL and/or PQL values for the analyses that were 

performed following the instructions on the applicable discharge monitoring report. 

Where necessary, the permittee may request approval of alternate methods or for alternative 

MDLs and PQLs for any approved analytical method. Approval of alternate laboratory MDLs or 

PQLs is not necessary if the laboratory reported MDLs and PQLs are less than or equal to the 

permit limit or the applicable water quality criteria, if any, stated in Chapter 62-302, F.A.C. 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 6 

File No.: FL0473804-001-IW7A 

Page 6 of 18 

6

Approval of an analytical method not included in the above referenced list is not necessary if the 

analytical method is in accordance with 40 CFR 136 

2. Parameters which must be monitored as a result of a surface water discharge shall be analyzed using a 

sufficiently sensitive method in accordance with 40 CFR Part 136. Field measurement methods for pH 

and dissolved oxygen shall be in accordance with relevant sections in DEP SOP 001/01, 2/1/2004. 

3. Herbicide use is authorized for maintenance purposes if the use is in accordance with the labeled 

instructions and any applicable State permit. Discharge of any product registered under the Federal 

Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act to any waste stream, which ultimately may be released to 

waters of the State, is prohibited unless specifically authorized by this permit and documented in the 

administrative record. 

The permittee shall notify the Department in writing at the address listed in Condition I.E.5 no later 

than three (3) months prior to instituting use of any chemical in any portion of the treatment system 

which is not already authorized by this permit and may be toxic to aquatic life. The Department shall 

review the above information to determine if a permit revision is necessary. Such notification shall 

include: 

a. Name of chemical; 

b. Chemical manufacturer; 

c. Frequency of use; 

d. Quantities to be used; 

4. The District shall notify the Department within 24 hours of any unanticipated diversions bypasses of 

flow through the G-407 Diversion Structure. The District shall notify the Department as soon as 

practicable in advance of anticipated bypasses diversions, with the exception of routine maintenance. The 

submitted notification shall include a description of the circumstances related to the diversion bypass and a 

projection of the anticipated duration of the bypass diversion. All diversions bypasses occurring through the 

G-407 structure shall be monitored for the parameters listed in the table below. As soon as practicable after 

cessation of all bypasses diversions, the District shall submit a summary of the data collected from the table 

below, and identify the duration of the bypasses diversions. Bypasses shall be limited to the shortest time 

possible and are not allowed solely to achieve the WQBEL. Bypasses are subject to and must meet the 

requirements of Items VIII.20, 21, and 22 of this permit. 

Parameter Units Sample Type Frequency 

Total Phosphorus mg/l Grab Weekly 

Flow CFS Calculated Daily Average 

5. Monitoring requirements under this permit are effective on the first day of the second month following 

permit issuance. Until such time, the permittee shall continue to monitor and report in accordance with 

previously effective permit requirements, if any. During the period of operation authorized by this permit, 

the permittee shall complete and submit Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs) in accordance with the 

frequencies specified by the REPORT type below and indicated on the DMR forms. Monitoring results for 

each monitoring period shall be submitted in accordance with the associated DMR due dates to the address 

specified below. 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 6 

File No.: FL0473804-001-IW7A 

Page 7 of 18 

7

REPORT Type 

On DMR

Monitoring Period DMR Due Date 

Monthly3 first day of month – last day of month 28th day of the third month following the 

month of sampling 

Annual May – April 28th day of July 

 

 Florida Department of Environmental Protection 

 Wastewater Compliance Evaluation Section, Mail Station 3551 

 Bob Martinez Center 

 2600 Blair Stone Road 

 Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400 

6. Unless specified otherwise in this permit, all reports and notifications required by this permit, including 

twenty-four hour notifications, shall be submitted to or reported to the Department’s Tallahassee Office and 

the Southeast District Office at the address specified below: 

 

Florida Department of Environmental Protection 

 Division of Water Resource Management 

 Water Quality Standards & Special Projects Program 

 2600 Blair Stone Road, MS 3560 

 Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400 

 Phone Number – (850) 245-8416 

 Fax Number* - (850) 412-0681 

AND 

Florida Department of Environmental Protection 

Southeast District Office 

400 N. Congress Avenue 

 West Palm Beach, Florida 33416-5425 

 Phone Number – (561) 681-6600 

 Fax Number* - (561) 681-6755 

 *All FAX copies shall be followed by original copies. 

 

7. The permittee shall submit an Annual Report (the South Florida Environmental Report) demonstrating 

compliance with the terms of this permit and according to the schedule as set forth in Section VI.1. 

The Annual Report shall provide a compliance evaluation of the STA-6 project and details regarding 

the status of implementation of the requirements of improvements, enhancements, and strategies 

identified in this permit. Specifically, the report shall include details regarding: 

a. Implementation of projects the WQBEL and activities required by this permit and affecting flows 

and loads to STA-6; 

b. source control implementation and optimization; 

c. STA design modifications affecting implementation of the WQBEL and activities required by this 

permit;

d. improvements, enhancements, and strategies that have been initiated and/or completed within the 

 

3

 DMRs shall be submitted for each required monitoring period including months of no discharge 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 6 

File No.: FL0473804-001-IW7A 

Page 8 of 18 

8

previous year; 

e. any delays in the requirements of this permit, implementation of the improvements, enhancements, 

or strategies and the duration of the delays, the reason(s) for the delays, and the expected 

timeframe for their resolution; 

f. operational status of the STA – whether it was in start-up or routine operations; 

g. whether the facility is achieving the effluent limitations set forth in the TBEL and/ or the 

implementation status of STA Recovery Plans; 

h. whether revisions and/or additions to the requirements of this permit improvements, 

enhancements, and strategies are recommended; 

i. For any noncompliance with permit conditions, an evaluation of the cause(s) and implementation 

of remedial measures implementation of remedial measures in the event of non-compliance with 

permit conditions; and

j. An assessment of the inflow volumes and phosphorus loads during the year relative to the 

anticipated operational envelope contained in the Technical Support Document for the STA-6 and 

whether the facility was operated within or outside of the operational envelope.

8. All reports and other information shall be signed in accordance with requirements of Rule 62-620.305, 

F.A.C. 

9. The permittee shall provide safe access points for obtaining representative samples which are required 

by this permit. 

Upon demonstration that a specific parameter(s) is consistently shown to be undetected in the effluent, the 

permittee shall request a modification to the monitoring program as appropriate. A minimum of one 

year of data, for those parameters being sampled quarterly or more frequently, shall be required prior 

to the Department approving any modification to the monitoring program. The Department may 

approve a reduction of the monitoring frequency or waive the monitoring requirement for parameters 

which are consistently shown to be undetected in the effluent. 

10. The permittee shall report with the monthly DMR if operation of facilities is impacted by or constrained 

due to requirements under the Endangered Species Act or Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The report 

should include the species involved, an estimate of the number of individuals involved, actions taken 

to avoid deleterious impacts on the endangered species, the affect those actions had on compliance 

with any condition of this permit, and an estimate of when facility operation will no longer be 

impacted or constrained.

II. Industrial Sludge Management Requirements 

1. This section is not applicable to this facility.

III. Ground Water Monitoring Requirements

1. This section is not applicable to this facility. 

IV. Other Land Application Requirements 

 1. This section is not applicable to this facility. 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 6 

File No.: FL0473804-001-IW7A 

Page 9 of 18 

9

V. Operation and Maintenance Requirements 

A. Operation of Treatment Facilities

1. The permittee shall ensure that the operation of this facility is as described in the application and 

supporting documents. 

2. The operation of the pollution control facilities described in this permit shall be under the supervision 

of a person who is qualified by formal training and/or practical experience in the field of water 

pollution control. 

3. Activities such as ongoing maintenance may have adverse impacts on STA performance. In addition, 

major events may compromise the structural integrity or performance of the STA or section(s) of the 

STA. Such activities or events shall be subject to the planned changes, bypass, and/or upset provisions 

set forth in Section VIII Paragraphs 17, 22 and 23. 

B. Record Keeping Requirements

1. The permittee shall maintain the following records at the South Florida Water Management District’s 

(District) headquarters and make them available for inspection: 

a. Records of all compliance monitoring information, including all calibration and maintenance 

records and all original strip chart recordings for continuous monitoring instrumentation, 

including, if applicable, a copy of the laboratory certification showing the certification number of 

the laboratory, for at least three years from the date the sample or measurement was taken; 

b. Copies of all reports, other than those required in items a. and f. of this section, required by the 

permit for at least three years from the date the report was prepared, unless otherwise specified by 

Department rule; 

c. Records of all data, including reports and documents used to complete the application for the 

permit for at least three years from the date the application was filed, unless otherwise specified by 

Department rule; 

d. A copy of the current permit; 

e. A copy of any required record drawings; 

f. Copies of the logs and schedules showing plant operations and equipment maintenance for three 

years from the date on the logs or schedule. 

VI. Schedules 

1. The Annual Report shall be received by the Department no later than March 1 of each year following 

the effective date of issuance of this permit. Each Annual Report shall present the information for the 

previous water year, from May 1 to April 30. Upon approval by the Department, the District may 

modify the Annual Report submission date to coincide with multiple reporting requirements and time 

periods needed for data acquisition and analysis. 

2. A revised Pollution Prevention Plan (PPP) shall be prepared and implemented in accordance with the 

following schedule: 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 6 

File No.: FL0473804-001-IW7A 

Page 10 of 18 

10

Action Item Scheduled Completion Date 

1 Develop and implement revised Pollution Prevention Plan Completion of scheduled LongTerm Plan enhancements to 

STA-6 As needed upon 

completion of and compliance 

with the requirements of this 

permit

2. Submittal of revised Pollution Prevention Plan if additional 

enhancements are implemented 

Changes that warrant 

modifications to the current PPP 

+ 90 days 

3. Upon completion of and compliance with the requirements specified herein, the permittee shall submit 

to the Department an updated Operations Plan for STA-6. Until the updated Operations Plan is submitted 

by the permittee and approved by the Department, the previously existing Operations Plan shall remain in 

effect.

VII. Other Specific Conditions 

A. Specific Conditions Applicable to All Permits

1. Drawings, plans, documents or specifications submitted by the permittee, not attached hereto, but 

retained on file with the Department, are made a part hereof. 

2. Where required by Chapter 471 (P.E.) or Chapter 492 (P.G.) F.S., applicable portions of reports to be 

submitted under this permit shall be signed and sealed by the professional(s) who prepared them. 

3. This permit satisfies the Industrial Wastewater Program permitting requirements only and does not 

authorize operation of this facility prior to obtaining any other permits required by local, state or 

federal agencies. 

B. Specific Conditions Related to Construction 

1. Within 30 days of completion of construction, the permittee shall submit to the Department a 

completed “Certification of Completion of Construction” (DEP Form 62-620.910(12)) signed and 

sealed by the engineer of record or other engineer registered in the state of Florida. 

2. Record drawings shall be prepared and made available in accordance with Rule 62-620.410(6), F.A.C., 

and the Department of Environmental Protection Guide to Wastewater Permitting within six months of 

placing the facilities into operation. 

C. Duty to Reapply

1. The permittee shall apply for renewal of this permit at least 180 days before the expiration date of the 

permit using the appropriate forms listed in Rule 62-620.910, F.A.C., including submittal of the 

appropriate processing fee set forth in Rule 62-4.050, F.A.C. 

D. Specific Conditions Related to the Pollution Prevention Plan

1. A revised Pollution Prevention Plan (PPP) shall be prepared, submitted to the Department for review 

and approval, and implemented in accordance with the schedule set forth in Section VI.2. 

2. The STA-6 Project shall be operated in accordance with the existing PPP (Exhibit C) until such time as 

a revised PPP is approved by the Department. If the permitted facilities are demonstrated not to be 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 6 

File No.: FL0473804-001-IW7A 

Page 11 of 18 

11

achieving compliance with the requirements of this permit, the permittee shall submit a modified PPP 

for Department review and approval as appropriate. 

E. Reopener Clause

1. The permit shall be revised, or alternatively, revoked and reissued in accordance with the provisions 

contained in Rules 62-620.325 and 62-620.345, F.A.C., if applicable, or to comply with any applicable 

effluent standard or limitation issued or approved under Sections 301(b)(2)(C) and (D), 304(b)(2), and 

307(a)(2) of the Clean Water Act (the Act), as amended, if the effluent standard, limitation, or water 

quality standard so issued or approved: 

a. Contains different conditions or is otherwise more stringent than any condition in the permit; or, 

b. Controls any pollutant not addressed in this permit. 

 The permit as revised or reissued under this paragraph shall contain any other requirements of the Act 

then applicable. 

2. The permit may be reopened to adjust effluent limitations or monitoring requirements should future 

water quality based effluent limitation (WQBEL) determinations, water quality studies, Department 

approved changes in water quality standards, or other information show a need for a different limitation 

or monitoring requirement. 

3. The Department may develop a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) during the life of the permit. 

Once a TMDL has been established and adopted by rule, the Department may revise this permit to 

incorporate the final findings of the TMDL, in accordance with Section 403.067, F.S. 

F. Implementation of Source Control Programs. 

1. Implementation. The permittee shall continue to implement source control programs in each of the 

contributing basins in accordance with Chapter 40E-63, F.A.C. and other applicable programs. 

Basins that do not presently include source control programs shall be monitored to determine if 

such programs are necessary in the event that phosphorus loads to the facility from these basins 

limit the facility or facilities progress towards achieving the WQBEL 

2. Performance. On an annual basis, the permittee shall evaluate the performance of source controls 

in the contributing basins and include the findings in the annual report required in Item I.E.7. The 

report shall include phosphorus loads from the basins and shall describe trends and compare current 

loads to those determined necessary to achieve the WQBEL. 

3. Improvements. If the WQBEL is not achieved and if the assumed inflow concentration used to 

develop the Amended Determination remedy is exceeded, the permittee shall submit, as part of the 

annual reporting requirements in Item I.E.7, a report explaining the cause(s) for the excess loads 

and, if applicable, schedules and strategies for source control improvements necessary to achieve 

the WQBEL. 

VIII. General Conditions 

1. The terms, conditions, requirements, limitations and restrictions set forth in this permit are binding and 

enforceable pursuant to Chapter 403, F.S. Any permit noncompliance constitutes a violation of 

Chapter 403, F.S., and is grounds for enforcement action, permit termination, permit revocation and 

reissuance, or permit revision. [62-620.610(1), F.A.C.]

2. This permit is valid only for the specific processes and operations applied for and indicated in the 

approved drawings or exhibits. Any unauthorized deviation from the approved drawings, exhibits, 

specifications or conditions of this permit constitutes grounds for revocation and enforcement action 

by the Department. [62-620.610(2), F.A.C.]
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 6 

File No.: FL0473804-001-IW7A 

Page 12 of 18 

12

3. As provided in Subsection 403.087(7), F.S., the issuance of this permit does not convey any vested 

rights or any exclusive privileges. Neither does it authorize any injury to public or private property or 

any invasion of personal rights, nor authorize any infringements of federal, state, or local laws or 

regulations. This permit is not a waiver of or approval of any other Department permit or authorization 

that may be required for other aspects of the total project which are not addressed in this permit. [62-

620.610(3), F.A.C.]

4. This permit conveys no title to land or water, does not constitute state recognition or acknowledgment 

of title, and does not constitute authority for the use of submerged lands unless herein provided and the 

necessary title or leasehold interests have been obtained from the State. Only the Trustees of the 

Internal Improvement Trust Fund may express State opinion as to title. [62-620.610(4), F.A.C.]

5. This permit does not relieve the permittee from liability and penalties for harm or injury to human 

health or welfare, animal or plant life, or property caused by the construction or operation of this 

permitted source; nor does it allow the permittee to cause pollution in contravention of Florida Statutes 

and Department rules, unless specifically authorized by an order from the Department. The permittee 

shall take all reasonable steps to minimize or prevent any discharge, reuse of reclaimed water, or 

residuals use or disposal in violation of this permit which has a reasonable likelihood of adversely 

affecting human health or the environment. It shall not be a defense for a permittee in an enforcement 

action that it would have been necessary to halt or reduce the permitted activity in order to maintain 

compliance with the conditions of this permit. [62-620.610(5), F.A.C.]

6. If the permittee wishes to continue an activity regulated by this permit after its expiration date, the 

permittee shall apply for and obtain a new permit. [62-620.610(6), F.A.C.]

7. The permittee shall at all times properly operate and maintain the facility and systems of treatment and 

control, and related appurtenances, that are installed and used by the permittee to achieve compliance 

with the conditions of this permit. This provision includes the operation of backup or auxiliary 

facilities or similar systems when necessary to maintain or achieve compliance with the conditions of 

the permit. [62-620.610(7), F.A.C.]

8. This permit may be modified, revoked and reissued, or terminated for cause. The filing of a request by 

the permittee for a permit revision, revocation and reissuance, or termination, or a notification of 

planned changes or anticipated noncompliance does not stay any permit condition. [62-620.610(8), 

F.A.C.]

9. The permittee, by accepting this permit, specifically agrees to allow authorized Department personnel, 

including an authorized representative of the Department and authorized U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency (EPA) personnel, when applicable, upon presentation of credentials or other 

documents as may be required by law, and at reasonable times, depending upon the nature of the 

concern being investigated, to 

a. Enter upon the permittee’s premises where a regulated facility, system, or activity is located or 

conducted, or where records shall be kept under the conditions of this permit; 

b. Have access to and copy any records that shall be kept under the conditions of this permit; 

c. Inspect the facilities, equipment, practices, or operations regulated or required under this permit; 

and 

d. Sample or monitor any substances or parameters at any location necessary to assure compliance 

with this permit or Department rules. 

[62-620.610(9), F.A.C.]

10. In accepting this permit, the permittee understands and agrees that all records, notes, monitoring data, 

and other information relating to the construction or operation of this permitted source which are 

submitted to the Department may be used by the Department as evidence in any enforcement case 

involving the permitted source arising under the Florida Statutes or Department rules, except as such 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 6 

File No.: FL0473804-001-IW7A 

Page 13 of 18 

13

use is proscribed by Section 403.111, Florida Statutes, or Rule 62-620.302, F.A.C. Such evidence 

shall only be used to the extent that it is consistent with the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure and 

applicable evidentiary rules. [62-620.610(10), F.A.C.]

11. When requested by the Department, the permittee shall within a reasonable time provide any 

information required by law which is needed to determine whether there is cause for revising, revoking 

and reissuing, or terminating this permit, or to determine compliance with the permit. The permittee 

shall also provide to the Department upon request copies of records required by this permit to be kept. 

If the permittee becomes aware of relevant facts that were not submitted or were incorrect in the permit 

application or in any report to the Department, such facts or information shall be promptly submitted 

or corrections promptly reported to the Department. [62-620.610(11), F.A.C.]

12. Unless specifically stated otherwise in Department rules, the permittee, in accepting this permit, agrees 

to comply with changes in Department rules and Florida Statutes after a reasonable time for 

compliance; provided however, the permittee does not waive any other rights granted by Florida 

Statutes or Department rules. A reasonable time for compliance with a new or amended surface water 

quality standard, other than those standards addressed in Rule 62-302.500, F.A.C., shall include a 

reasonable time to obtain or be denied a mixing zone for the new or amended standard. [62-

620.610(12), F.A.C.] However, this section cannot be used as a basis to extend the time to comply 

with the permit’s total phosphorus WQBELs or to obtain a mixing zone to meet the total phosphorus 

water quality criterion.

13. The permittee, in accepting this permit, agrees to pay the applicable regulatory program and 

surveillance fee in accordance with Rule 62-4.052, F.A.C. [62-620.610(13), F.A.C.]

14. This permit is transferable only upon Department approval in accordance with Rule 62-620.340, 

F.A.C. The permittee shall be liable for any noncompliance of the permitted activity until the 

Department approves the transfer. [62-620.610(14), F.A.C.]

15. The permittee shall give the Department written notice at least 60 days before inactivation or 

abandonment of a wastewater facility and shall specify what steps will be taken to safeguard public 

health and safety during and following inactivation or abandonment. [62-620.610(15), F.A.C.]

16. The permittee shall apply for a revision to the Department permit in accordance with Rule 62-620.300, 

F.A.C., and the Department of Environmental Protection Guide to Wastewater Permitting at least 90 

days before construction of any planned substantial modifications to the permitted facility is to 

commence or with Rule 62-620.325(2), F.A.C., for minor modifications to the permitted facility. A 

revised permit shall be obtained before construction begins except as provided in Rule 62-620.300, 

F.A.C. [62-620.610(16), F.A.C.]

17. The permittee shall give advance notice to the Department of any planned changes in the permitted 

facility or activity which may result in noncompliance with permit requirements. The permittee shall 

be responsible for any and all damages which may result from the changes and may be subject to 

enforcement action by the Department for penalties or revocation of this permit. The notice shall 

include the following information: 

a. A description of the anticipated noncompliance; 

b. The period of the anticipated noncompliance, including dates and times; and 

c. Steps being taken to prevent future occurrence of the noncompliance. 

[62-620.610(17), F.A.C.]

18. Sampling and monitoring data shall be collected and analyzed in accordance with Rule 62-4.246, 

Chapters 62-160 and 62-601, F.A.C., and 40 CFR 136, as appropriate. 

a. Monitoring results shall be reported at the intervals specified elsewhere in this permit and shall be 

reported on a Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR), DEP Form 62-620.910(10), or as specified 

elsewhere in the permit. 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 6 

File No.: FL0473804-001-IW7A 

Page 14 of 18 

14

b. If the permittee monitors any contaminate more frequently than required by the permit, using 

Department approved test procedures, the results of this monitoring shall be included in the 

calculation and reporting of the data submitted in the DMR. 

c. Calculations for all limitations which require averaging of measurements shall use an arithmetic 

mean unless otherwise specified in this permit. 

d. Except as specifically provided in Rule 62-160.300, F.A.C., any laboratory test required by this 

permit shall be performed by a laboratory that has been certified by the Department of Health 

Environmental Laboratory Certification Program (DOH ELCP). Such certification shall be for the 

matrix, test method and analyte(s) being measured to comply with this permit. For domestic 

wastewater facilities, testing for parameters listed in Rule 62-160.300(4), F.A.C., shall be 

conducted under the direction of a certified operator. 

e. Field activities including on-site tests and sample collection shall follow the applicable standard 

procedures described in DEP-SOP-001/01 adopted by reference in Chapter 62-160, F.A.C. 

f. Alternate field procedures and laboratory methods may be used where they have been approved in 

accordance with Rules 62-160.220 and 62-160.330, F.A.C. 

 [62-620.610(18), F.A.C.]

19. Reports of compliance or noncompliance with, or any progress reports on, interim and final 

requirements contained in any compliance schedule detailed elsewhere in this permit shall be 

submitted no later than 14 days following each schedule date. [62-620.610(19), F.A.C.] 

20. The permittee shall report to the Department’s Tallahassee Office and the Southeast District Office any 

noncompliance which may endanger health or the environment. Any information shall be provided 

orally within 24 hours from the time the permittee becomes aware of the circumstances. A written 

submission shall also be provided within five days of the time the permittee becomes aware of the 

circumstances. The written submission shall contain: a description of the noncompliance and its cause; 

the period of noncompliance including exact dates and time, and if the noncompliance has not been 

corrected, the anticipated time it is expected to continue; and steps taken or planned to reduce, 

eliminate, and prevent recurrence of the noncompliance. 

a. The following shall be included as information which must be reported within 24 hours under this 

condition: 

(1) Any unanticipated bypass which causes any reclaimed water or effluent to exceed any permit 

limitation or results in an unpermitted discharge, 

(2) Any upset which causes any reclaimed water or the effluent to exceed any limitation in the 

permit, 

(3) Violation of a maximum daily discharge limitation for any of the pollutants specifically listed 

in the permit for such notice, and 

(4) Any unauthorized discharge to surface or ground waters. 

b. Oral reports as required by this subsection shall be provided as follows: 

(1) For unauthorized releases or spills of untreated or treated wastewater reported pursuant to 

subparagraph a.(4) that are in excess of 1,000 gallons per incident, or where information 

indicates that public health or the environment will be endangered, oral reports shall be 

provided to the Department by calling the STATE WARNING POINT TOLL FREE 

NUMBER (800) 320-0519, as soon as practical, but no later than 24 hours from the time the 

permittee becomes aware of the discharge. The permittee, to the extent known, shall provide 

the following information to the State Warning Point: 

(a) Name, address, and telephone number of person reporting; 

(b) Name, address, and telephone number of permittee or responsible person for the 

discharge; 

(c) Date and time of the discharge and status of discharge (ongoing or ceased); 

(d) Characteristics of the wastewater spilled or released (untreated or treated, industrial or 

domestic wastewater); 

(e) Estimated amount of the discharge; 

(f) Location or address of the discharge; 

(g) Source and cause of the discharge; 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 6 

File No.: FL0473804-001-IW7A 

Page 15 of 18 

15

(h) Whether the discharge was contained on-site, and cleanup actions taken to date; 

(i) Description of area affected by the discharge, including name of water body affected, if 

any; and 

(j) Other persons or agencies contacted. 

(2) Oral reports, not otherwise required to be provided pursuant to subparagraph b.(1) above, 

shall be provided to Department’s Southeast District Office within 24 hours from the time the 

permittee becomes aware of the circumstances. 

c. If the oral report has been received within 24 hours, the noncompliance has been corrected, and the 

noncompliance did not endanger health or the environment, the Department’s Southeast District 

Office shall waive the written report. 

[62-620.610(20), F.A.C.] 

21. The permittee shall report all instances of noncompliance not reported under Conditions VIII. 17, 18, 

19, and 20 of this permit at the time monitoring reports are submitted. This report shall contain the 

same information required by Condition VIII.20. of this permit. [62-620.610(21), F.A.C.]

22. Bypass Provisions. The term “bypass” shall mean the intentional diversion of waste streams from any 

portion of the treatment works. 

a. Bypass is prohibited, and the Department may take enforcement action against a permittee for 

bypass, unless the permittee affirmatively demonstrates that: 

(1) Bypass was unavoidable to prevent loss of life, personal injury, or severe property damage; 

and 

(2) There were no feasible alternatives to the bypass, such as the use of auxiliary treatment 

facilities, retention of untreated wastes, or maintenance during normal periods of equipment 

downtime. This condition is not satisfied if adequate back-up equipment should have been 

installed in the exercise of reasonable engineering judgment to prevent a bypass which 

occurred during normal periods of equipment downtime or preventative maintenance; and 

(3) The permittee submitted notices as required under Condition VIII.22.b. of this permit. 

b. If the permittee knows in advance of the need for a bypass, it shall submit prior notice to the 

Department, if possible at least 10 days before the date of the bypass. The permittee shall submit 

notice of an unanticipated bypass within 24 hours of learning about the bypass as required in 

Condition VIII.20. of this permit. A notice shall include a description of the bypass and its cause; 

the period of the bypass, including exact dates and times; if the bypass has not been corrected, the 

anticipated time it is expected to continue; and the steps taken or planned to reduce, eliminate, and 

prevent recurrence of the bypass. 

c. The Department shall approve an anticipated bypass, after considering its adverse effect, if the 

permittee demonstrates that it will meet the three conditions listed in Condition VIII.22 a.(1) 

through (3) of this permit. 

d. A permittee may allow any bypass to occur which does not cause reclaimed water or effluent 

limitations to be exceeded if it is for essential maintenance to assure efficient operation. These 

bypasses are not subject to the provision of Condition VIII.22.a. through c. of this permit. 

[62-620.610(22), F.A.C.]

23. Upset Provisions 

a. A permittee who wishes to establish the affirmative defense of upset shall demonstrate, through 

properly signed contemporaneous operating logs, or other relevant evidence that: 

(1) An upset occurred and that the permittee can identify the cause(s) of the upset; 

(2) The permitted facility was at the time being properly operated; 

(3) The permittee submitted notice of the upset as required in Condition VIII.20. of this permit; 

and 

(4) The permittee complied with any remedial measures required under Condition VIII.5. of this 

permit. 

b. In any enforcement proceeding, the burden of proof for establishing the occurrence of an upset 

rests with the permittee. 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 6 

File No.: FL0473804-001-IW7A 

Page 16 of 18 

16

c. Before an enforcement proceeding is instituted, no representation made during the Department 

review of a claim that noncompliance was caused by an upset is final agency action subject to 

judicial review. 

[62-620.610(23), F.A.C.] 

DONE AND ORDERED on this 4th day of September, 2007 in Tallahassee, Florida. 

STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT 

OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 

____________________________________________ 

Michael W. Sole 

Secretary 

MS/jb/jh 

FILING AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT 

FILED, on this date, under Section 120.52, F.S., with the designated deputy clerk, receipt of which is 

hereby acknowledged. 

_____________________________________________________ 

Clerk Date 

PARTIES REQUESTING NOTICE: 

Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, c/o Dexter Lehtinen, Esq. 

Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, c/o Kelly Brooks, Esq. 

United States Sugar Corporation, c/o Bubba Wade 

Seminole Tribe of Indians of Florida, c/o Stephen A. Walker, Esq. 

Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative, Roth Farms, Inc., and Wedgeworth Farms, Inc., 

 c/o William H. Green, Esq. 

Keith Saxe, Esq., U. S. Department of Justice 

Michael Stevens, U.S. Department of the Interior (fax) 

Jeffrey J. Ward, Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative 

Philip S. Parsons, Landers & Parsons 

Helen Hickman, Brown & Caldwell 

Tom MacVicar, MacVicar, Frederico, & Lamb 

Charles Lee, Florida Audubon Society 

Samuel B. Reiner, II, Esq., Lehtinen O’ Donnell, Vargas & Reiner, P.A. 

Michelle W. Smith, Esq., Earl, Blank, Cavanaugh & Stotts 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 6 

File No.: FL0473804-001-IW7A 

Page 17 of 18 

17

COPIES FURNISHED TO: 

Sharon Fauver, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

Susan Teel, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

Jeff Bielling, FL. Dept. of Community Affairs 

Linda McCarthy, FL. Dept. of Agriculture 

Charles Oravetz, Nat. Marine Fisheries Service 

Don Klima, U.S. Advisory Council on Historic Preservation 

John Childe, Friends of the Everglades 

David Reiner, Friends of the Everglades 

Col. Paul Grosskruger, USACOE, Jacksonville 

Dennis Duke, USACOE, Jacksonville 

Peter Bestrukschko, USACOE, Jacksonville 

Eric Bush, USACOE, Jacksonville 

Richard Harvey, USEPA, West Palm Beach 

Philip Mancusi-Ungaro, Esq., USEPA, Atlanta 

Roosevelt Childress, USEPA, Atlanta 

Marshall Hyatt, USEPA Atlanta 

Dan Scheidt, USEPA, Athens 

Eric Hughes, USEPA, Jacksonville 

Janet Bussell, The Everglades Foundation 

Mike Waldon, Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge 

Matt Harwell, Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge 

Mike Zimmerman, Everglades National Park 

Ken Haddad, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 

Joe Walsh, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Vero Beach 

ADDITIONAL COPIES FURNISHED TO: 

Eric Eikenberg, Governor’s Office 

Carol Wehle, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Chip Merriam, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Sheryl Wood, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Terrie Bates, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Ernie Barnett, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Linda Lindstrom, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Dean Powell, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Sean Sculley, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Susan Sylvester, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Deb Drum, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Gary Goforth, Gary Goforth, Inc., Stuart 

Tracey Piccone, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Tom Kosier, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Jim Galloway, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Ron Bearzotti, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Kirk Burns, Esq., SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

John Mitnik, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Maria Clemente, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Delia Ivanoff, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Kathy Pietro, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Juliann LaRock, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Linda Crean, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Joe Albers, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Hongying Zhao, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Guy Germain, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 6 

File No.: FL0473804-001-IW7A 

Page 18 of 18 

18

Joseph Jean-Jacques, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Kevin Nicholas, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Nicole Howard, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Greg Knecht, FDEP, Tallahassee 

John Outland, FDEP, Tallahassee 

Frank Nearhoof, FDEP, Tallahassee 

Shelley Yaun, FDEP, Tallahassee 

Ernie Marks, FDEP, Tallahassee 

Kenny Hayman, Esq., FDEP, Tallahassee 

David Crowley, Esq., FDEP, Tallahassee 

Tom Atkeson, FDEP, Tallahassee 

William Kennedy, FDEP, West Palm Beach 

Inger Hansen, FDEP, West Palm Beach 
Florida Department of 

Environmental Protection 

Bob Martinez Center 

2600 Blair Stone Road 

Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400 

Charlie Crist 

Governor 

Jeff Kottkamp 

Lt. Governor 

Michael W. Sole 

Secretary 

"More Protection, Less Process” 

Printed on recycled paper.

Type of Permit: Everglades Forever Act Permit 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 1 West (STA-1W) & Stormwater Treatment Area 1 East 

(STA-1E) 

County: Palm Beach 

Permit No.: 0279499-001-EM 

Applicant: South Florida Water Management District (District) 

Applicant Address: 3301 Gun Club Road 

 P. O. Box 24680 

 West Palm Beach, Florida 33416-4680 

Authorization: The Everglades Forever Act (EFA), Section 373.4592, Florida Statutes (F.S.); Sections 

403.088 and 403.151, F.S. 

Application Received: December 23, 2003

Issuance Date: November 16, 2007 

Expiration Date: November 15, 2012 

This permit is issued in accordance with the Everglades Forever Act, Section 373.4592, Florida Statutes (F.S.)., 

authorizing operation and maintenance activities for the Stormwater Treatment Area 1 West (STA-1W) and 

Stormwater Treatment Area 1 East (STA-1E) Projects. Pursuant to Sections 403.088 and 403.151, F.S. this permit 

also contains orders for specific additional monitoring, reporting, and construction activities designed to achieve 

compliance with water quality standards and the WQBEL specified herein, as well as a schedule for implementing 

such requirements. The above named permittee is hereby authorized to conduct the activities necessary to meet the 

requirements of this permit described on the application, associated drawing(s), plans, and other documents attached 

hereto or on file with the Department and made a part hereof. The District has submitted an application for the use 

of moderating provisions pursuant to Rule 62.302.540 (6). It is anticipated the Department will act on the District’s 

application for a moderating provision prior to the expiration of this permit. The issuance of this permit does not 

constitute agency action on or prejudice the adoption or denial of a moderating provision. This permit may be 

modified upon adoption of a moderating provision. In the event that a moderating provision is adopted, alterations 

to this permit shall be addressed through a permit modification. The activities authorized by this permit must be 

conducted in conformance with all the provisions of this permit. Failure to comply with all the permit’s conditions 

and documents referenced herein shall constitute grounds for revocation of the permit and appropriate enforcement 

action. 

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: 

This permit authorizes the continued operation and maintenance of STA-1W and STA-1E. STA-1W and STA-1E 

are a part of the Everglades Construction Project (ECP), construction, operation, and maintenance of which is 

required by the Everglades Forever Act (EFA), Section 373.4592, F.S. The STA-1W project (See Figure 1) 

consists of the S-5A Pump Station, the STA-1 Inflow Basin, the G-302 inflow structure, the STA-1W Interior 

Treatment Works, and the G-251 and G-310 Outflow Pump Stations. The STA-1E project (See Figure 2) consists 

of the STA-1E Inflow Pump Stations S-319 and S-361, Gated Spillway G-311, STA-1E Interior Treatment Works, 

C-51 Basin Divide Structure S-155A, C-51 Canal Improvements and STA-1E Outflow Pump Station S-362. 

Initial construction of these facilities was previously authorized and completed under Florida Department of 

Environmental Protection (Department) Permit No. 0226317-001, FL0177962-001-IW7A, 0195030-001 and 

FL0304549-002-IW7A. At the present time, structural, operational and vegetation enhancements are underway in 

accordance with the October 2003 Everglades Protection Area Tributary Basins Long Term Plan for Achieving 

Water Quality Goals and subsequent revisions (Long-Term Plan, See Exhibit A), which are designed to optimize 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 1 West and Stormwater Treatment Area 1 East 

File No.: 0279499-001-EM 

Page 2 of 32 

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performance as needed to achieve the phosphorus water quality standard. Construction of these enhancements is 

scheduled to be completed in accordance with Specific Condition 17 of this permit. A Periphyton-based 

Stormwater Treatment Area (PSTA) demonstration project is also being operated by the U.S. Army Corps of 

Engineers (Corps) in Cell 2 of the Eastern Flow-way of STA-1E. Additional enhancements to STA-1W and STA1E may occur as part of the adaptive implementation process required by the Long-Term Plan. STA-1W and STA1E are stormwater management systems (SMS) as defined in Subsection 373.403(10), F.S., and therefore are not 

subject to state surface water quality standards within STA-1W and STA-1E, pursuant to Section 373.4142, F.S. 

Operation and maintenance activities authorized by this permit involve maintaining water levels within the STA to 

optimize phosphorus uptake effectiveness of the treatment area. Optimization of the treatment wetland is defined by 

its performance in removing the pollutants, particularly phosphorus, for which the project was designed. Other 

operation and maintenance activities authorized by this permit include: water quality and vegetation monitoring; 

preparation and submittal of monitoring reports; vegetation maintenance; and, maintenance of the water control 

structures (including canals and levees). 

The STA-1W and STA-1E treatment facilities are hydrologically connected and interrelated, and will be operated in 

concert with each other. Assuming normal operating conditions, the STA-1W and STA-1E treatment facilities 

discharge into the northwestern and northeastern portion, respectively, of the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee 

National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge), also known as Water Conservation Area (WCA) 1. Both of the facilities, as well 

as their associated diversion structures, discharge into impacted areas of the Everglades Protection Area, as defined 

in 62-302.540(3)(d). Wetlands and surface waters located within the receiving water body, the Refuge, are Class III 

and also Outstanding Florida Waters, pursuant to Rule 62-302.700(9)(b)17, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.). 

The Department has determined that operation and maintenance of the project is consistent with the antidegradation requirements of Rules 62-4.242(1)-(2) and 62-302.300, F.A.C. and is clearly in the public interest 

pursuant to Subsection 373.4592(9)(a), F.S. and the requirements of Rule 62-4.242(2), F.A.C. 

The STA-1 Inflow Basin is designed to allow the direction, redirection, and diversion bypasses of inflows between 

STA-1W and STA-1E. The STA-1 Inflow Basin performs three major functions associated with the delivery of 

water: Direction, Redirection, and Bypass Diversion. 

• Direction occurs when water from the S-5A Pump Station is being directed into the intended STA(s) 

through the respective inflow structures located within the STA-1 Inflow Basin. 

• Redirection occurs when: water exits the STA-1E facility, via the G-311 structure, and is routed through 

the G-302 structure into STA-1W for treatment; when water from the STA-1 Inflow Basin is discharged 

through the S-5AS spillway to the L-8 Basin north of the STA-1 Inflow Basin for water supply deliveries; 

and, when flows from S-5A enter STA-1E via the G-311 structure. The G-311 has the ability to flow in or 

out of the STA-1E facility, which allows for the utilization of both STAs in the treatment of water prior to 

discharge into the Refuge. Runoff could be redirected to STA-1W through the G-311 Structure; however, 

the present design of STA-1E is such that no redirection should be necessary as a result of hydraulic 

limitations in STA-1E except in response to extreme storm events or if one or more of the STA-1E flowways are off-line, as will be the case during the operation of the Periphyton Stormwater Treatment Area 

(PSTA) demonstration project being conducted by the Corps of Engineers in the Eastern flow-way of STA1E. The current design and operation contemplates that redirection of flows from S-5A to STA-1E will 

occur during normal operations whenever the discharge from the S-5A Pump Station to STA-1W exceeds 

the hydraulic capacity of STA-1W or when other contributing factors warrant such redirection in order to 

optimize system performance. 

• Diversion Bypass occurs when water from the STA-1 Inflow Basin is directed untreated into the Refuge 

through the G-300 and/or G-301 structures. Diversion Bypass may occur for water supply needs (see 

Section II below) or when discharges from the S-5A or S-319 pump stations will exceed the hydraulic 

capacity of the STAs, which will compromise the safe operation of the facilities. This may occur when 

stage elevations of waters, rates of inflows, or the duration of sustained inundation creates conditions 

threatening the survival of marsh vegetation and the treatment efficiency of the project or when water 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 1 West and Stormwater Treatment Area 1 East 

File No.: 0279499-001-EM 

Page 3 of 32 

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supply needs require it. Except for instances where flow is intentionally diverted bypassed for water supply 

needs (See Section I below), all diversions bypasses will be monitored and reported in accordance with 

Specific Condition 26. With the exception of the aforementioned circumstances, it is the Department’s 

expectation that the District shall limit the occurrence of all diversions bypasses from the G-300 and G-301 

structures. 

While it is hydrologically possible for the STA-1 Inflow Basin to also accept runoff from the L-8 Basin and Lake 

Okeechobee regulatory releases, it is not designed to regularly accept water from these sources. However, these 

flows are anticipated to continue to enter the STA-1 Inflow Basin until the additional projects necessary for 

diversion of these sources are complete. 

The District is the Local Sponsor of the Congressionally-mandated Central and South Florida Project for Flood 

Control and Other Purposes, and must operate STA-1E, STA-1W, S-5A and other structures as necessary to fulfill 

its obligations as Local Sponsor, including but not limited to providing flood control and water supply throughout 

South Florida.

PROJECT COMPONENTS: 

The individual ECP components included in STA-1W are as follows: The S-5A Pump Station, STA-1 Inflow Basin, 

STA-1W Interior Treatment Works, and both the G-251 and G-310 Outflow Pump Stations. Collectively, these 

components are referred to as the District's STA-1W Project (STA-1W). While the S-5A Pump Station and the 

STA-1 Inflow Basin distribute water to the STAs and they are considered an integral part of the operation of STA1W, these portions of the facility are considered conveyance mechanisms and are not part of the treatment works. 

The individual ECP components included in STA-1E are as follows: S-319 Inflow Pump Station, S-361 Inflow 

Pump Station, G-311 Gated Spillway, STA-1E Interior Treatment Works, S-362 Outflow Pump Station, C-51 Basin 

Divide Structure S-155A, and the C-51 Canal Improvements. While the East and West Distribution Cells distribute 

water to the STA and they are considered an integral part of the operation of STA-1E, these portions of the facility 

are considered conveyance mechanisms and are not part of the treatment works. 

Below are descriptions of the ECP works taken from: 

• The Conceptual Design Document for the Everglades Protection Project, reference page VII-11 

(1994); 

• Detailed Design Report for Stormwater Treatment Area 1 West (June 1996); 

• Supplement to the STA-1W Detailed Design Report, Hutcheon Engineers (October 1996); 

• Final Design Report for Storm Water Treatment Area 1 Inflow and Distribution Works, Stanley 

Consultants Inc. (September 1996); 

• Final Design Report for Pumping Stations G-310 and G-335, Brown and Caldwell (January 1997 ); 

Addendum To Design Documentation Report Stormwater Treatment Area 1 East (May 2000); 

• Stormwater Treatment Area 1 East Period of Record Dry-Out Analysis (June 2000); 

• C-51 & STA 1 East Design Documentation Report (October 1999);

• Permit Application for STA-1W prepared by the South Florida Water Management District (June 

1997);

• Permit Application for STA-1E prepared by the South Florida Water Management District (February 

2002);

• Central and Southern Florida Project For Flood Control And Other Purposes, Stormwater Treatment 

Area 1 East C-51 Improvements, Construction and Solicitation and Specifications (September 2003);
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 1 West and Stormwater Treatment Area 1 East 

File No.: 0279499-001-EM 

Page 4 of 32 

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• Everglades Protection Area Tributary Basins Long Term Plan for Achieving Water Quality Goals

(Long-Term Plan, October 2003); and subsequnt revisions;

• Permit Renewal and Modification Application for STA-1W and the Modification Application for 

STA-1E (December 2003);

• The Design Analysis Report for STA-1E, Cell 1-2, PSTA/SAV Field-Scaled Demonstration Project 

(September 2005); 

• STA-1E PSTA Demonstration Project, Engineering Plans (2005);, 

• STA-1E PSTA Construction Solicitation Specifications (July 2005); 

• Design Analysis Report for the STA-1E PSTA demonstration DAR FAV Addendum (June, 2006), 

• Operations Plan for the STA-1E, Cells 1-2 PSTA/ SAV Field Scale Demonstration Project (June, 

2006); 

• Draft Operations and Partnering Plan for the STA-1E Cells 1-2 PSTA/SAV Field-Scaled 

Demonstration Project (November 2006); 

• Draft Monitoring Plan for the STA-1E Cells 1-2 PSTA/SAV Field-Scaled Demonstration Project 

(June 2006). 

• Technical Support Document for the STA-1E TBEL (Goforth et al. 2007); and,

• Technical Support Document for the STA-1W TBEL (Goforth et al. 2007).

I. S-5A Pump Station 

The S-5A Pump Station provides flood protection to an upstream agricultural basin of approximately 230 square 

miles. The removal of stormwater wastewater runoff from the upstream basin has been, and will continue to be, the 

primary function of the S-5A Pump Station. In addition to flood control for the S-5A tributary basin, the S-5A 

Pump Station has been used to remove excess flows from the L-8, East Beach Water Control District, and Western 

C-51 Basins as well as to convey excess water from Lake Okeechobee (when it is above its regulation schedule) to 

the Refuge. It is also used to convey water from Lake Okeechobee to the Refuge for the purpose of water supply for 

points downstream of the pump station. This structure is a six-unit pumping plant located on the south side of State 

Road 80 and the West Palm Beach Canal about 20 miles west of West Palm Beach. The pump station is equipped 

with six pumps each rated at 800 cubic feet per second (cfs) at a static head of 11.1 feet, with a combined capacity 

of 4,800 cfs. 

II. STA-1 Inflow Basin

The STA-1Inflow Basin includes physical works adjacent to the north end of the WCA-1 (outside the boundaries of 

the Refuge) that convey stormwater non-process wastewater and other discharges from the existing S-5A Pump 

Station to STA-1W, STA-1E, the Refuge, and the L-8 Basin. These works consist of a separation levee, access 

canal, five remotely automated control structures (G-311, G-300, G-301, G-302, and S-5AS) and three associated 

control buildings. The G-311 structure serves as one of the two inflow compliance monitoring stations for STA-1E. 

The G-302 structure serves as the inflow compliance monitoring station for STA-1W. Besides conveyance of 

flows, the STA-1 Inflow Basin may also be used to facilitate the transfer of flow between STA-1W and STA-1E, 

which allows the utilization of both STAs to treat runoff and discharged waters from the S-5A Basin, the Western 

C-51 Basin, the L-8 Basin, Lake Okeechobee regulatory releases, the East Beach Water Control District and, runoff 

from the Village of Wellington Acme Basin B. When required by operational constraints in the STAs or other 

considerations, S-5A Pump Station outflows may be diverted around STA-1W and STA-1E and discharged directly 

into the Refuge via the G-300 and/or G-301 structures, or into the L-8 Basin via the S-5AS structure. Water supply 

deliveries may be made to the L-8 Basin via the S-5AS structure. In addition, G-300 and G-301 may be operated to 

avoid hydrological overloading of the STAs or water conditions within the STAs that may damage existing 

vegetation. 

III. Inflow Pump Stations S-319 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 1 West and Stormwater Treatment Area 1 East 

File No.: 0279499-001-EM 

Page 5 of 32 

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Inflow Pump Station S-319 accepts stormwater non-process wastewater runoff and other flows from the C-51 Canal 

and conveys it to the Eastern Distribution Cell of STA-1E where it can be routed through the S-375 structure to the 

West Distribution Cell. S-319 is the primary point of inflow to STA-1E. The pump station is located 

approximately 2 miles east of the S-5A Pump Station and approximately 2 miles west of Flying Cow Road. Water 

from the distribution cells can also be discharged into the STA-1 Inflow Basin via the G-311 structure or released 

back through the S-319 Pump Station by gravity to the Western C-51 Canal. 

IV. Inflow Pump Station S-361 

Inflow Pump Station S-361 is a secondary inflow pump station that discharges directly into treatment Cell 4S of 

STA-1E. S-361 has three vertical electric pumps (approximately 75 cfs capacity) with diesel power back-up. S-361 

is located on the southeastern perimeter of STA-1E. S-361 serves to preserve permitted drainage for the Rustic 

Ranches subdivision and agricultural lands located in Section 24, south and east of STA-1E. In addition, S-361 also 

serves to return collected seepage into STA-1E. 

V. Gated Spillway G-311 

The G-311 Gated Spillway, a three bay reinforced spillway situated in the northwest corner of STA-1E, east of the 

L-40 Borrow Canal, serves to direct flows between the STA-1 Inflow Basin and STA-1E. The structure has the 

capability to accept S-5A Pump Station when water from the STA-1 Inflow Basin is discharged into the STA-1E 

Western Distribution Cell from the STA-1 Inflow Basin or redirect inflows from the S-319 Pump Station into the 

STA-1 Inflow Basin, where it can then be routed into STA-1W through the G-302 Gated Spillway inflow structure 

or diverted directly into the L-40 Borrow canal through the G-300 Gated Spillway, and/or diverted directly into the 

L-7 Borrow Canal through the G-301 Gated Spillway. 

VI. STA-1W Interior Treatment Works 

STA-1W is located on the northwest border of the Refuge in Palm Beach County. The facility consists of a wetland 

marsh system which utilizes biological treatment technology in the removal of nutrients from stormwater nonprocess wastewater entering the facility. Wetland vegetation within STA-1W is managed in conjunction with 

hydrologic operations to maintain optimal performance levels within the facility. The structural works (See Figure 

1) involved in the operation of STA-1W consist of inflow and discharge conveyance canals, treatment cell divide 

levees, gravity flow control structures, pump stations, and independent treatment paths (Flow-ways 1-3). 

All untreated stormwater wastewater flows enter the STA-1W Interior Treatment Works through the G-302 inflow 

structure and are dispersed throughout the facility by a series of internal structures. During the design storm event, 

approximately 55% of the water entering the inflow canal from the G-302 structure will be routed to Flow-ways 1 & 

2 via the G-303 structure. Flow-way 1, the “Eastern” flow-way, is comprised of Treatment Cells 1A, 1B, and 3. 

Cells 1B and 3 are currently being converted to submerged aquatic vegetation through 2008. Water entering Flowway 1 follows a north to south sheet-flow path and discharges from the facility via the G-251 Outflow Pump 

Station. Under high flow conditions, water in Flow-way 1 may be conveyed through the G-308 and G-259 

structures into the Western Discharge Canal and exit the facility via the G-310 Outflow Pump Station. 

Flow-way 2, the “Western” flow-way, is comprised of Treatment Cells 2A, 2B, and 4. Water entering Flow-way 2 

follows a general north to south sheet-flow path and is conveyed through the G-309, G-258, and/or G-307 structures 

to the Western Discharge Canal and is then discharged to the Refuge via the G-310 Outflow Pump Station. 

The remaining flows entering STA-1W are routed to Flow-way 3 via structures G-304A-J. Flow-way 3, the 

“northern” flow-way, is comprised of Treatment Cells 5A and 5B. Water entering Flow-way 3 follows an east to 

west sheet-flow path. Treated water exits Flow-way 3 through the G-306A-J structures and enters the Western 

discharge canal where it is discharged from the facility via the G-310 Outflow Pump Station. Seepage from Flowway 3 enters a seepage collection canal, located along the north side of Flow-way 3 from the west end and moves to 

the east end of the canal where it is returned via the seepage collection canal system and returned via the G-250S 

Pump Station to Flow-ways the front end of 1. Seepage is also collected via the G-327B Seepage Pump Station and 

is used to maintain stages within Cell 5B. The combination of all three treatment paths provides an effective 

treatment area of 6,670 acres. 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 1 West and Stormwater Treatment Area 1 East 

File No.: 0279499-001-EM 

Page 6 of 32 

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VII. STA-1E Inflow Distribution Cells 

Stormwater Wastewater from the S-319 Pump Station is directed into the Eastern Distribution Cell, located at the 

northern-most part of STA-1E. Stormwater Wastewater may also enter the Western Distribution Cell from STA-1 

Inflow Basin via the G-311 Gated Spillway. The Eastern and Western Distribution Cells are divided by a center 

levee. Inflow water is routed between the Eastern and Western Distribution Cells by the operation of the S-375 

gated box culverts located in the center levee. After inflow water is directed into the Eastern or Western Distribution 

Cell, it is then routed to one or more of the three separate and independently operable treatment paths or flow-ways. 

VIII. STA-1E Interior Treatment Works 

STA-1E is located on the northeast border of the Refuge in Palm Beach County. The facility consists of a wetland 

marsh system which utilizes biological treatment technology in the removal of nutrients from stormwater nonprocess wastewater entering the facility. Wetland vegetation within STA-1E is managed in conjunction with 

hydrologic operations to maintain optimal performance levels within the facility. The structural works (See Figure 

2) involved in the operation of STA-1E consist of inflow and discharge conveyance canals, treatment cell divide 

levees, gravity flow control structures, pump stations, and independent treatment paths (Flow-ways 1-3). 

Once inflow water is directed to the Eastern Distribution Cell, it can be routed to treatment Cell 1 of the Eastern 

most flow-way (Flow-way 1; Cells 1-2) via the S-363 A-C structures where it would continue in a north-to-south 

path into treatment Cell 2 via the S-364 A-C structures. Treated water would then be routed from treatment Cell 2 

into the discharge collection canal via the S-365 A-B structures and then discharged into the Refuge through the S362 Pump Station. All S-363, S-364, and S-365 structures are gated box culverts. 

Inflow water that is directed to the Eastern Distribution Cell can also be routed to treatment Cell 3 of the central 

flow-way (Flow-way 2; Cells 3-4N-4S) or, under certain hydraulic conditions it is feasible to backflow through the 

S-319 Pump Station to the C-51 Canal. Inflow water enters treatment Cell 3 via the S-366 A-E structures, where it 

continues in a north-to-south path into treatment Cell 4N via the S-367 A-E structures and then into treatment Cell 

4S via the S-368 A-E structures. Treated water is then routed from treatment Cell 4S into the discharge collection 

canal via the S-369 A-D structures and discharged into the Refuge through the S-362 Pump Station. All S-366, S367, S-368, and S-369 structures are gated box culverts. 

Inflow water that is directed to the Western Distribution Cell can be routed to treatment Cells 5 and 7 of the 

Western most flow-way (Flow-way 3; Cells 5, 6, & 7) or, under certain hydraulic conditions can flow from the 

Western Distribution Cell to the STA-1 Inflow Basin or back to the Eastern Distribution Cell where it can be 

released back to the C-51 Canal by gravity through the S-319 Pump Station. Water traveling to treatment Cell 5 via 

the S-370 A-C structures continues in a north-to-south path into treatment Cell 6 via the S-371 A-C structures. 

Water traveling to treatment Cell 7 via the S-373 A & B structures continues in a north-to-south path into treatment 

Cell 6 via the S-374 A-C structures. Treated water is then routed from treatment Cell 6 into the discharge collection 

canal via the S-372 A-E structures and discharged into the L-40 Canal through the S-362 Pump Station. All S-370, 

S-371, S-372, S-373 and S-374 structures are gated box culverts. The combination of all treatment paths provides an 

effective treatment area of 5,132 acres. 

Seepage along the east side of STA-1E adjacent to treatment Cells 1, 2, and 4S is collected in a seepage collection 

canal, located immediately outside of the exterior levee (L-85). The seepage collection system connects directly to 

the C-51 Canal by gravity or collected seepage is routed into Cell 4S via the S-361 Pump Station. 

The US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps or USACE) constructed a PSTA demonstration project in cell 2 of STA1E. The District and the Corps shall coordinate operational schedules for the Eastern Distribution Cell, and Cells 1 

and 2 of STA-1E as necessary. Interior PSTA demonstration cells will be used to evaluate three different 

alternatives for the development of activated PSTA. The field demonstration, expected to be conducted over a 24-

month operation period, will be used to determine the optimum design parameters, operational parameters, and 

recommendations for full-scale implementation of PSTA for STA-1E. The conceptual treatment train for the fieldscale demonstration of PSTA in STA-1E (Cells 1 and 2) will use Emergent Aquatic Vegetation (EAV) in Cell 1, 55 

acres in the northern most portion of Cell 2 for Submerged Aquatic Vegetation area (SAV) and cyanobacteria-
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 1 West and Stormwater Treatment Area 1 East 

File No.: 0279499-001-EM 

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dominated periphyton cells in the eastern third of Cell 2. A conceptual layout and a flow diagram of the 

EAV/SAV/PSTA treatment train in Cells 1 and 2 are shown in Figure 2. 

IX. STA-1W Outflow Pump Stations G-251 & G-310 

There are two primary discharge locations for STA-1W, Outflow Pump Stations G-251 and G-310, both of which 

act as the outflow compliance monitoring stations for the project. These two pump stations discharge directly into 

the L-7 Canal which is located within the Refuge. The combined capacity of these pump stations is 3,490 cubic feet 

per second (cfs). The G-310 Pump Station discharges treated water from Flow-ways 2 and 3 and also from Flowways 1 & 2 when outflows from the Flow-ways exceed the G-251 Pump Station nominal discharge capacity of 450 

cfs. 

a. The G-251 Pumping Station is the primary outflow pump station serving Flow-way 1 which 

discharges treated water into the Refuge. G-251 is equipped with six 36-inch diameter pumps, 

each with a maximum capacity of 75 cfs, for a total discharge capacity of 450 cfs. The G-251 

Pump Station draws treated water from the STA-1W facility and releases those discharges into the 

L-7 canal. 

b. The G-310 Pumping Station is the primary outflow pumping station serving Flow-ways 2 and 3, 

and which draws treated water from the STA-1W Western discharge canal and releases those 

discharges to the L-7 canal. This pumping station houses two 100 cfs, two 470 cfs, and two 950 

cfs pumps with a maximum facility design outflow pumping capacity of 3,040 cfs. The pumping 

station also includes approach and discharge canals, and other related civil works. 

X. STA-1E Outflow Pump Station S-362 

S-362 is the outflow pump station drawing treated water from the STA-1E internal discharge collection canal and 

discharging into the L-40 Borrow Canal. This pump station has the capacity to discharge up to 4,200 cfs. The 

pump station includes seven pumps, approach and discharge canals, pump station enclosure and other related civil 

works. S-362 has five diesel engine-driven pumps (three 960 cfs pumps and two 550 cfs pumps) and two additional 

110 cfs electric motor driven pumps. Due to the close location to adjacent residential areas, electric motors are used 

for the smaller pumps, used most frequently, to reduce the noise. During storm conditions, S-362 may be required 

to pump up to its maximum capacity to prevent overtopping of the external levees. 

XI. C-51 Basin Divide Structure S-155A 

The S-155A structure is located in the C-51 Canal, approximately 800 feet west of State Road 7, and serves as a 

divide structure between the Western C-51 and Eastern C-51 Basins. S-155A is a concrete ogee crested 

weir/spillway, with two 14 feet wide by 9 feet high vertical lift gates. S-155A is designed to pass flood discharges 

from the Western C-51 and S-5A Basins to the east, when STA-1E has reached maximum operational depths and no 

longer has the capacity for additional inflows. Up to 1,460 cfs will be discharged via S-155A to the Eastern C-51 

Basin if conditions allow. 

XII. C-51 Canal Improvements 

C-51 Canal has been enlarged over a distance of about 3.3 miles from 1/2 mile east of Ousley Farm Road to Pump 

Station 319. This section of the C-51 Canal has been widened progressively from 30 feet to 70 feet (east to west) 

and deepened progressively from a bottom elevation of 1.6 feet m.s.l. to -6 feet m.s.l (east to west). A berm on the 

south side of the C-51 Canal has been constructed with the dredge material for the enlarged reach. The berm 

provides access to the canal and controls overland flow. 

XIII. Recreational Facilities 

In fulfillment of the public access and recreation requirements of the EFA Subsection 373.4592 (4)(a) F.S., and as 

further described in Subsection 373.1391(1)(a) F.S. and (b), recreational facilities are proposed at STA-1W and 

STA-1E. The proposed recreational facilities shall be designed to ensure compatibility with the restoration goals of 

the ECP and the water quality and hydrological purposes of the STAs. 

• The currently proposed recreational facilities at STA-1W include an asphalt parking area on the south 

side of CR 880 and associated road improvements such as an acceleration and deceleration lane in the 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 1 West and Stormwater Treatment Area 1 East 

File No.: 0279499-001-EM 

Page 8 of 32 

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vicinity of the entrance to the parking lot. A walkway across the FPL easement will provide access to 

the canoe launching site on the north bank of the seepage canal. Here a footbridge will cross the seepage 

canal to provide pedestrian access to the existing leveled area adjacent to the north end of the limerock 

berm in Cell 5B. An information kiosk, a composting toilet, lighting and landscaping are proposed at 

this location. Pedestrian gates, signage and fencing as needed to define public access areas and to protect 

sensitive equipment are also proposed. The design of the STA-1W recreational facilities is complete and 

the current schedule calls for construction to be completed in FY2008. 

• The currently proposed recreational facilities at STA-1E include an asphalt parking area, a composting 

toilet, landscaping, lighting, and an information kiosk. Pedestrian gates, signage and fencing as needed 

to define public access areas and to protect sensitive equipment are also proposed. The location of this 

site has been moved from the SE corner of the STA to the north side, west of the pump station on C-51. 

The design of the STA-1E recreational facilities is complete, and the current schedule calls for 

construction to be completed in FY2008. 

LOCATION: 

The project is located within the following property descriptions in Palm Beach County: 

• S-5A Pump Station. Section 32, Township 43 North, Range 40 East. 

• STA-1 Inflow Basin. Section 5, Township 44 South, Range 40 East and Section 32, Township 43 

South, Range 40 East and Section Government Lot 5, Township 43.5, Range 40 East. 

• G-302 Inflow Structure. Double Gated Spillway, Section 6, Township 44 South, Range 40 East. 

• STA-1W Interior Treatment Works. Northwest portions of Sections 6 and 7, Township 44 South, 

Range 40 East and Sections 1, 2, 3, 10, 11, 14, 15, 22, 23; northwest portions of Sections 12, 13, 26, 27, 

34; Eastern line of Sections 4, 9, 16, 21, 28, 33; Township 44 South, Range 39 East. 

• G-251 Outflow Pump Station. Southern tip of STA-1W, in Section 37, Township 44 North, Range 39 

East.

• G-310 Outflow Pump Station. Extreme southern tip of STA-1W, in Section 34, Township 44 South, 

Range 39 East. 

• Inflow Pump Station S-319. Located in the north central portion of STA-1E, adjacent to the C-51 

Canal, in Section 35, Township 43 South, Range 40 East in Palm Beach County, Florida. 

• Inflow Pump Station S-361. Located in the southeastern portion of STA-1E, just east of STA-1E, in 

Section 14, Township 44 South, Range 40 East in Palm Beach County, Florida. 

• Gated Spillway G-311. Located in the northwestern corner of STA-1E, Section 5, Township 44 South, 

Range 40 East and Section 32, Township 43 South, Range 40 East and Section Government Lot 5, 

Township 43.5, Range 40 East in Palm Beach County, Florida. 

• STA-1E Interior Treatment Works. Located within the entire STA, Sections 1-4, 9-12, 14, 15, and 

23, Township 44 South, Range 40 East in Palm Beach County, Florida. 

• Outflow Pump Station S-362. Located in the southwestern portion of STA-1E, just east of and 

adjacent to the L-40 Borrow Canal levee, in Section 23, Township 44 South, Range 40 East in Palm 

Beach County, Florida. 

• C-51 Basin Divide Structure S-155A. Located in the C-51 Canal, six miles east of the northern corner 

of STA-1E, just west of State Road 7, in Section 36, Township 43 South, Range 41 East in Palm Beach 

County, Florida. 

• C-51 Canal Improvements. Located in the C-51 Canal from 1/4 mile east of Ousley Farm Road to 

Pump Station 319, Sections 31-36 Township 43 South, Range 41 East and Sections 35 & 36 of 

Township 43 South, Range 40 East in Palm Beach County. 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 1 West and Stormwater Treatment Area 1 East 

File No.: 0279499-001-EM 

Page 9 of 32 

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GENERAL CONDITIONS: 

In accordance with Subsection 373.4592(9)(g), F.S., this permit may include any standard conditions provided by 

Department rule which are appropriate and consistent with the EFA. 

1. Enforcement. The terms, conditions, requirements, limitations and restrictions set forth in this permit, are 

"permit conditions" and are binding and enforceable pursuant to Sections 373.129, 403.141, 403.727 and 403.859 

through 403.861 F.S. The permittee is placed on notice that the Department will conduct periodic compliance 

review of this permit and may initiate enforcement action for any violation of these conditions. 

2. Scope of permit. This permit is valid only for the specific processes and operations applied for and indicated 

in the approved drawings or exhibits requirements of this permit. Any unauthorized deviation from the approved 

drawings, exhibits, specifications, or conditions requirements of this permit may constitute grounds for revocation 

and enforcement action by the Department. 

3. Limitation of rights. The issuance of this permit does not convey any vested rights or any exclusive 

privileges. Neither does it authorize any injury to public or private property or any invasion of personal rights, nor 

any infringement of federal, state, or local laws or regulations. This permit is not a waiver of or approval of any 

other Department permit that may be required for other aspects of the STA-1W and STA-1E which are not 

addressed in this permit. However, this permit is in lieu of other permits under Part IV of Chapter 373, F.S., 

pursuant to Subsection 373.4592(9)(c), F.S. 

4. Limitations upon title. This permit conveys no title to land or water, does not constitute State recognition or 

acknowledgment of title, and does not constitute authority for the use of submerged lands unless herein provided 

and the necessary title or leasehold interests have been obtained from the State. Only the Trustees of the Internal 

Improvement Trust Fund may express State opinion as to title. 

5. Liability. This permit does not relieve the permittee from liability for harm or injury to human health or 

welfare, animal, or plant life, or property caused by the construction or operation of this permitted source, or from 

penalties therefore; nor does it allow the permittee to cause pollution in contravention of Florida Statutes and 

Department rules, unless specifically authorized by an order from the Department. The permittee shall hold and 

save the Department harmless from any and all damages, claims, or liabilities which may arise by reason of the 

construction, alteration, operation, maintenance, removal, abandonment or use of any system authorized by the 

permit. 

6. Operation and Maintenance Responsibilities. The permittee shall properly operate and maintain STA-1W 

and STA-1E and systems of treatment and control (and related appurtenances) that are installed and used by the 

permittee to achieve compliance with the conditions of this permit, as required by Department rules. This provision 

includes the operation of backup or auxiliary facilities or similar systems when necessary to achieve compliance 

with the conditions of the permit and when required by Department rules. 

7. Access Rights. The permittee, by accepting this permit, specifically agrees to allow authorized Department 

personnel, upon presentation of credentials or other documents as may be required by law and at reasonable times, 

access to the premises where the permitted activity is located or conducted to: 

A. Have access to and copy any records that must be kept under conditions of the permit; 

B. Inspect the facility, equipment, practices, or operations regulated or required under this permit; and 

C. Sample or monitor any substances or parameters at any location reasonably necessary to assure compliance 

with this permit or Department rules. 

Reasonable time may depend on the nature of the concern being investigated. 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 1 West and Stormwater Treatment Area 1 East 

File No.: 0279499-001-EM 

Page 10 of 32 

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8. Noncompliance. If, for any reason, the permittee does not comply with or will be unable to comply with any 

condition or limitation specified in this permit, the permittee shall immediately provide the Department with the 

following information: 

A. A description of and cause of noncompliance; and 

B. The period of noncompliance, including dates and times; or, if not corrected, the anticipated time the 

noncompliance is expected to continue, and steps being taken to reduce, eliminate, and prevent recurrence 

of the noncompliance. The permittee shall be responsible for any and all damages which may result and 

may be subject to enforcement action by the Department for penalties or for revocation of this permit. 

9. Records as evidence. In accepting this permit, the permittee understands and agrees that all records, notes, 

monitoring data, and other information relating to the construction or operation of this permitted source which are 

submitted to the Department may be used by the Department as evidence in any enforcement case involving the 

permitted source arising under the Florida Statutes or Department rules, except where such use is prescribed by 

Sections 403.111, F.S. and 403.73, F.S. Such evidence shall only be used to the extent it is consistent with the 

Florida Rules of Civil Procedure and appropriate evidentiary rules. 

10. Changes in Law. The permittee agrees to comply with changes in applicable Department rules and applicable 

Florida Statutes after a reasonable time for compliance; provided, however, the permittee does not waive any other 

rights granted by Florida law. However, this section cannot be used as a basis to extend the time to 

comply with the permit’s total phosphorus WQBEL.

11. Transferability. This permit is transferable only upon Department approval in accordance with Rules 62-

4.120 and 62-343.130, F.A.C., as applicable. The permittee shall be liable for any non-compliance of the permitted 

activity until the transfer is approved by the Department. 

12. Permit at Work Site. This permit or a copy thereof shall be kept at the work site of the permitted activity. For 

the purposes of this permit the work site shall be defined as the South Florida Water Management District 

Headquarters located at 3301 Gun Club Road in West Palm Beach, Florida. 

13. Records Retention. The permittee shall comply with the following: 

A. Upon request, the permittee shall furnish all records and plans required under Department rules. During 

enforcement actions, the retention period for all records will be extended automatically unless otherwise 

stipulated by the Department; 

B. The permittee shall hold, at the STAs or other location(s) designated by this permit records of all 

monitoring information required by the permit, copies of all reports required by this permit, and records of 

all data used to complete the application for this permit. These materials shall be retained at least five 

years from the date of the sample, measurement, report, and application unless otherwise specified by 

Department rule; and, 

C. Records of monitoring information shall include: 

1. the date, exact place, and time of sampling or measurements; 

2. the person responsible for performing the sampling or measurements; 

3. the dates analyses were performed and the appropriate code as required by Chapter 62-160, F.A.C.; 

4. the person responsible for performing the analyses; 

5. the analytical techniques or methods used, including but not limited to MDL (Method Detection 

Limit); and, 

6. the results of such analyses, including identification of potential outlier values. 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 1 West and Stormwater Treatment Area 1 East 

File No.: 0279499-001-EM 

Page 11 of 32 

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14. Requests for Information. When requested by the Department, the permittee shall within a reasonable time 

furnish any information required by law which is needed to determine compliance with the permit. If the permittee 

becomes aware that relevant facts were not submitted or were incorrect in the permit application or in any report to 

the Department, such facts or information shall be corrected promptly. 

15. External Agency Requirements. Should any other regulatory agency require changes to the permitted 

system, the permittee shall notify the Department in writing of the changes prior to implementation so that a 

determination can be made whether a permit modification is required. 

16. Sovereign Lands. The permittee is hereby advised that Florida law states: No person shall commence any 

excavation, construction, or other activity involving the use of sovereign or other lands of the state, title to which is 

vested in the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund or the Department of Environmental 

Protection under Chapter 253, until such person has received from the Board of Trustees of the Internal 

Improvement Trust Fund the required lease, license, easement, or other form of consent authorizing the proposed 

use. Therefore, the permittee is responsible for obtaining any necessary authorizations from the Board of Trustees 

prior to commencing activity on sovereignty lands or other state-owned lands. 

17. Artifacts. If historic or archaeological artifacts such as, but not limited to, Indian canoes, arrow heads, pottery 

or physical remains, are discovered at any time on the project site, the permittee shall immediately stop all activities 

which disturb the soil and notify the Department and the State Historic Preservation Officer. 

SPECIFIC CONDITIONS: 

1. Addresses. Reports and notices submitted to the Department in accordance with this permit, unless otherwise 

specified, shall be submitted to the Department’s Division of Water Resource Management, Water Quality 

Standards and Special Projects Program, 2600 Blair Stone Road, MS 3560, Tallahassee, Florida, 32399-2400, 

telephone no. (850) 245-8440, and to the Department’s Southeast District Office, Water Resource Management and 

Environmental Planning, 400 North Congress Avenue, Suite 200, West Palm Beach, Florida 33401, telephone no. 

(561) 681-6600. 

2. Related Permits. The Department and the permittee acknowledge the issuance of other permits related to STA1W and STA-1E. STA-1W previously operated under EFA Permit No.: 0226317 (503074709) and NPDES Permit 

No. FL0177962-001-IW7A. Additional related permits include Department Permit No. 0178018, which authorizes 

temporary dewatering activities to construct and modify the STAs and associated works, and, the U.S. Army Corps 

of Engineers 404 Permit No. 199404532. This STA-1W permit, upon issuance, shall supersede and replace the 

former STA-1W EFA Permit previously issued by the Department. A timely request to renew the NPDES Permit 

No. FL0177962-002-IW7A has been received and is being processed. 

STA-1E previously operated under Department EFA Permit No. 0195030-001 and NPDES Permit No. FL0304549-

001. Additional related permits include Permit No. 0195030-002, which authorizes the S-319 Pump Test, Individual 

Water Use, Permit No. 0178018, which authorizes temporary dewatering activities for the construction of facilities 

within the ECP Restoration Projects, and the Dewatering General Water Use Permit No. 0229886. This STA-1E 

permit, upon issuance, shall supersede and replace the former STA-1E EFA Permit previously issued by the 

Department. A request to revise the NPDES Permit No. FL0304594-002-IW7A has been received and is being 

processed. 

3. Public Use. The recreational facilities located within the STA-1W and STA-1E Projects shall be maintained to 

ensure compatibility with the restoration goals of the ECP and the water quality and hydrological purposes of the 

STAs. This permit does not absolve the permittee from the responsibility of obtaining other permits (federal, state, 

or local) which may be required for the activities occurring at these sites. 

Conditions for Operation and Maintenance 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 1 West and Stormwater Treatment Area 1 East 

File No.: 0279499-001-EM 

Page 12 of 32 

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4. Project Operation and Maintenance. The permittee shall operate and maintain STA-1W and STA-1E 

consistent with the design documents, as may be modified and reflected on the record drawings, operations criteria, 

and operation plans required by Specific Condition 8. 

5. As-Built Certification and Record Drawings. Within 60 days after completion of any construction contracts 

for STA-1W and STA-1E, the permittee shall submit a written statement of completion and certification by a 

registered professional engineer or other appropriate individual as authorized by law. The statement of completion 

and certification shall be based on on-site observation of construction or review of as-built drawings for the purpose 

of determining if the work was completed in compliance with permitted plans and specifications. This submittal 

shall serve to notify the Department that STA-1W and STA-1E are ready for inspection. Additionally, if deviation 

from the approved drawings is discovered during the certification process, the certification must be accompanied by 

a copy of the approved permit drawings with deviations noted. Both the original and revised specifications must be 

clearly shown. The plans must be clearly labeled as “as-built” or “record” drawing. All surveyed dimensions and 

elevations shall be certified by a registered surveyor. 

6. Operational Improvements and Enhancements. Structural, operational, and vegetation improvements and 

enhancements are presently underway in accordance with the Long-Term Plan (Exhibit A). These 

improvements and enhancements are designed to optimize performance as needed to achieve the phosphorus 

water quality standard. The District shall complete the construction of improvements and enhancements for 

STA-1W and STA-1E that are needed to meet the requirements of this permit identified in the currently 

approved Long-Term Plan. The schedules, strategies, and timelines for these improvements and enhancements, 

along with any additional schedules, strategies, and timelines for regional water management projects, are 

detailed in Specific Condition 17. The District shall submit proposals for additional phosphorus reduction and 

operational improvements and enhancements, including the schedules, strategies, and timelines associated with 

these improvements and enhancements for STA-1W and STA-1E as part of the adaptive implementation process 

identified in the Long-Term Plan. Revisions to the Long-Term Plan are available on the District’s webpage: 

http://www.sfwmd.gov/sta. Revisions to the Long-Term Plan require approval by the Department prior to 

implementation and any approved changes to the Long-Term Plan will be reviewed by the Department to 

determine whether a permit revision is required. The Florida Legislature has defined Best Available Phosphorus 

Reduction Technology (BAPRT) as a combination of BMPs and STAs, including a continuing research and 

monitoring program, to reduce outflow concentrations of phosphorus so as to achieve the phosphorus criterion in 

the Everglades Protection Area (Subsection 373.4592(2)(a), F.S.). These phosphorus reductions are being 

achieved through the iterative adaptive implementation of the Long-Term Plan and subsequent revisions. The 

Florida Legislature, in Subsection 373.4592(3)(b), F.S., has determined that the combination of BMPs and STAs 

contained within the Long-Term Plan constitutes the BAPRT for achieving the phosphorus criterion in the 

Everglades Protection Area. The Long-Term Plan contains a planning objective of achieving compliance with 

the phosphorus criterion in the Everglades Protection Area. The October 27, 2003 version of the Long-Term 

Plan was subsequently revised to include further refinements to the recommended water quality improvement 

measures consistent with the iterative adaptive implementation process described in the plan. Post-2006 

improvements, enhancements, and strategies, which will continue through 2016, are also included within the 

Long-Term Plan. The District has demonstrated that they will implement or cause to be implemented BAPRT 

as defined by Subsection 373.4592(2)(a), F.S., and further defined in the Rule, which shall include a continued 

research and monitoring program designed to reduce outflow concentrations of phosphorus. 

7. Pump Station Maintenance. Maintenance requirements for the pump stations include operation of the pumps 

for approximately 2 to 4 hours per month, as necessary, to maintain their mechanical integrity. Temporary operation 

of the pump stations for maintenance purposes is allowed; however, such discharges are subject to the discharge 

criteria of the Specific Conditions of this permit. The permittee shall document all such temporary maintenance 

operations, and shall include all such discharge flows and loads as a part of the monitoring requirements of this 

permit. 

8. STA Operation Plans and Modifications. Upon completion of and compliance with the scheduled LongTerm Plan improvements and enhancements requirements specified herein, and within 90 days of the completion of 

any additional Long-Term Plan enhancements, the permittee shall submit to the Department at the addresses listed 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 1 West and Stormwater Treatment Area 1 East 

File No.: 0279499-001-EM 

Page 13 of 32 

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in Specific Condition No. 1 an updated Operation Plan for both STA-1W and STA-1E. Until the updated Operation 

Plans are submitted by the permittee and approved by the Department, the previously existing Operating Plans shall 

remain in effect, subject to modification under the conditions set forth below. 

If at any time changes to the STA-1W or STA-1E Operation Plans are warranted to optimize facility operation, and 

upon verification of data to be supplied by the permittee that justifies the need for such modification, the Operation 

Plans may be modified as mutually agreed upon by the Department and the permittee. The Operation Plans shall 

also include the information described in A-F, below. 

Under emergency conditions that threaten the safety of life, property, or the STA-1W or STA-1E facilities, the 

permittee may modify the operations of STA-1W or STA-1E and immediately employ any remedial means to 

protect life and property in accordance with the emergency provisions of Chapter 373, F.S. The permittee shall 

notify the Department within 48 hours of such occurrence and shall provide data justifying the need to employ the 

emergency modifications to operations of STA-1W and/or STA-1E. 

A. Minimum Water Level Targets to Avoid Dryout. In accordance with the relevant design documents, the 

permittee shall, to the maximum extent practicable, maintain a minimum static water level of 0.5 feet above 

the average ground elevation of the treatment cells to avoid dryout of the treatment cells, subject to 

available water from the upstream watershed. 

B. Responding to Dryout Conditions. The permittee shall evaluate and correct potential adverse dryout 

effects on the water quality performance of STA-1W or STA-1E. If the compliance requirements in this 

permit are not met due to dryout conditions, then the permittee shall propose modifications to the 

Operation Plans as appropriate and submit the revised plan to the Department for review and approval. 

C. Maximum Water Level Targets. The permittee shall ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that 

maximum water depths of 4.0 feet above the average ground elevation of the treatment cells will not be 

exceeded in order to avoid long-term damage to the treatment vegetation and provide protection of project 

levees. 

D. Operational Envelope. The District shall ensure that operation of the facility does not exceed the 

operational envelopes for STA-1W and STA-1E contained in the Operation Plans, except as required to 

fulfill the District's obligations as local sponsor of the C&SF project. In the event that the District 

anticipates the need to operate outside of the operational envelope(s) for reasons other than the District's 

obligations as local sponsor of the C&SF project, the District shall notify the Department prior to any such 

operations, with the exception of routine maintenance. The District shall receive Department concurrence 

prior to any such operations when practicable. Departmental concurrence shall be obtained prior to 

initiating Lake Okeechobee regulatory or water supply releases that would result in an exceedance of the 

maximum levels of flow or phosphorus load contained in the operational envelope. 

E. Phosphorus Uptake Optimization. Operations shall be conducted to distribute the flows and water levels 

within STA-1W and STA-1E to optimize the phosphorus reduction performance and shall be updated as 

necessary to include the results of the permittee’s Process Development and Engineering (PDE) program 

being implemented as a part of the Long-Term Plan. 

F. Hydropattern Restoration. STA-1W and STA-1E shall be operated in such a manner as to be consistent 

with the activities proposed to restore the hydropattern of the Everglades Protection Area, as described in 

Specific Condition 9 below. 

9. Hydropattern Restoration. In accordance with Subsection (4)(b) of the EFA, the permittee shall operate the 

STAs in order to improve and restore the Everglades water supply and hydroperiod. The permittee shall operate the 

ECP to achieve the requirements of Specific Condition 12 and provide additional increased flow to the Everglades 

Protection Area through the modification of historical operational practices for regulatory releases from Lake 

Okeechobee and the Water Conservation Areas. The STAs shall be operated to achieve the goal of providing 

additional flows to the Everglades Protection Area and shall, to the maximum extent practicable, be coordinated with 

and consistent with the Lower East Coast Water Supply Plan, the Lake Okeechobee and Water Conservation Area 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 1 West and Stormwater Treatment Area 1 East 

File No.: 0279499-001-EM 

Page 14 of 32 

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Regulation Schedules, the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), and the entitlement of the Seminole 

Tribe of Florida to surface water withdrawals under the Water Rights Compact (P.L. 100-228). 

10. Implementation of Source Control Programs. 

A. Implementation. The permittee shall continue to implement source control programs in each of the 

contributing basins in accordance with the Long-Term Plan, Chapter 40E-63, F.A.C., and other applicable 

programs. Basins that do not presently include source control programs shall be monitored to determine if 

such programs are necessary in the event that phosphorus loads to the facility from these basins limit the 

facility or facilities progress towards achieving the WQBEL technology based effluent limitation (TBEL), 

hereby incorporated by reference as part of this permit [See Goforth et al, Exhibit B (STA-1W) and Exhibit 

C (STA-1E)], or the applicable permit effluent limit.

B. Performance. On an annual basis, the permittee shall evaluate the performance of source controls in the 

contributing basins and include the findings in the annual report required in Specific Condition 25 30. The 

report shall include phosphorus loads from the basins and shall describe trends and compare current loads to 

those determined necessary to achieve the WQBEL assumed during the development of the TBEL . 

C. Improvements. If the TBEL WQBEL is not achieved and if the assumed inflow concentration used to 

develop the Amended Determination remedy loads in the TBEL are is exceeded, the permittee shall submit, 

as part of the annual reporting requirements in Specific Condition No. 30, a report explaining the cause(s)

for the excess loads concentration and, if applicable, schedules and strategies for source control 

improvements necessary to achieve the TBEL WQBEL in the annual report. 

11. Water Quantity and Flooding Impacts. The permittee shall be responsible for ensuring that STA-1W and 

STA-1E are operated so as not to adversely affect adjacent lands with regard to flooding impacts and water supply 

needs of the region. The permittee shall hold and save the Department harmless for any and all damages, claims, or 

liabilities that may arise from water quantity and/or flooding impacts resulting from the construction and operation of 

STA-1W and STA-1E. 

Phosphorus Conditions

12. Phosphorus Standard. Pursuant to Subsection 373.4592(4)(e)2, F.S., the Department adopted a 10 parts per 

billion (ppb) numeric criterion for phosphorus in the Everglades Protection Area (Rule 62-302.540, F.A.C.), which 

was approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) on January 24, 2005. The 

compliance methodology for this criterion was revised and adopted by the Department on May 5, 2005, and the 

revised rule was approved by the U.S. EPA on July 27, 2005. Achievement of the criterion shall be determined 

through the WQBEL set forth in Table 1 below. 

12. Under the State’s Long-Term Plan, the goal is to achieve the phosphorus criterion in the Everglades Protection 

Area at the earliest achievable date, which will be accomplished through the iterative adaptive implementation 

process set forth in the Long-Term Plan. (See Subsection 373.4592(3), F.S.)

The Long-Term Plan, and its subsequent revisions, set forth the framework for achieving compliance with the new 

water quality standard. It is envisioned that Post-2006 improvements, enhancements, and strategies, in conjunction 

with the Pre-2006 projects, may need to continue being developed through the Long-Term Plan process to further 

optimize the facility’s phosphorus reduction capabilities. The Department has determined that the improvements and 

enhancements identified for STA-1W and STA-1E through the iterative adaptive implementation process contained 

within the Long-Term Plan are the most environmentally appropriate and expeditious means of achieving 

compliance with applicable water quality standards in the Everglades Protection Area. The Department recognizes 

that the District will need sufficient time to develop and implement prescribed measures necessary to achieve 

compliance with the new water quality standard. This permit and the compliance requirements and schedules 

contained herein shall provide relief, in the interim, from the water quality based effluent limitation (WQBEL) 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 1 West and Stormwater Treatment Area 1 East 

File No.: 0279499-001-EM 

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necessary to achieve the 10 ppb numeric criterion1 until such time as the effluent achieves the WQBEL or no later 

than December 31, 2016, at which time the WQBEL shall be achieved. 

Consistent with the Long-Term Plan and Rule 62-302.540, F.A.C., a technology-based effluent limitation (TBEL) 

for phosphorus has been derived in accordance with state rules, and is consistent with the Federal guidelines for best 

available technology economically achievable (BAT) set forth in 40 CFR Subsection 125.3(d). The Tests for 

Determining Achievement of the STA-1W TBEL and Determining Achievement of the STA-1E TBEL are set forth

in Specific Condition 16. The Technical Support Document for the STA-1W TBEL (Goforth et al., Exhibit B) and 

Technical Support Document for the STA-1E TBEL (Goforth et al., Exhibit C), further explains the derivation of the 

TBEL limits for STA-1W and STA-1E and identifies factors which may impact flows and loads associated with the 

treatment system. At this time, the relationship between waters discharged to, and the resulting water quality in the 

Everglades Protection Area has not been determined and a WQBEL has not been established under Rule 62-650, 

F.A.C. as necessary to achieve the phosphorus criterion in Rule 62-302.540 F.A.C. Research is currently ongoing to 

establish this relationship and establish a WQBEL. In the interim, until such a relationship is determined and a 

WQBEL established, discharges from STA-1W, via the G-251 and G-310 Pump Stations, and from STA-1E, via S362 pump stations, shall meet the TBELs identified in the Exhibits B and C. The TBELs shall be revised as 

appropriate, consistent with the iterative implementation of BAPRT and Rule 62-620.620(3), F.A.C., until such time 

that the TBELs become consistent with the water quality based effluent limitation (WQBEL) established to achieve 

the numeric phosphorus criterion.

13. Start-Up Phase. During the initial Start-Up Phase of a new treatment cell or new flow-way, the permittee shall 

monitor phosphorus concentrations within the facility to demonstrate that the project is achieving a net reduction in 

phosphorus. Portions of STA-1W and STA-1E may operate independently of each other. Under those 

circumstances, Start-Up Phase operation and monitoring within the treatment area shall be performed as follows:

A. Establishment of Marsh Vegetation. The permittee shall manage water depths in the treatment cells to 

facilitate the recruitment of marsh vegetation in accordance with the Operations Plan, which may include 

recirculating waters within the STA. 

B. Start-Up Monitoring. On a weekly basis, the permittee shall monitor total phosphorus at the upstream 

side of a flow-ways inflow structure(s). Total phosphorus shall also be monitored on a weekly basis on the 

upstream side of the flow-ways outflow structures. For flow-ways with one or more inflow or discharge 

structures, representative samples at a single structure may be used upon Department discretion. 

C. Phosphorus Start-Up Test. The Phosphorus Start-Up Test for an individual flow-way or treatment cell 

shall be met when the above samples demonstrate, over a four-week period, that a net reduction in 

phosphorus occurs. This net reduction shall be deemed to occur when the 4-week geometric mean total 

phosphorus water column concentration from samples collected at the applicable outflow structures is less 

than the 4-week geometric mean total phosphorus water column concentration collected at the applicable 

inflow structure(s). 

D. Discharge Operations. Discharge operations, from an individual flow-way or treatment cell that has 

passed the Phosphorus Start-Up Test described above, may commence once Initial Start-Up Phase 

documentation and all supporting data and analyses are submitted to the Department via regular or 

electronic mail. For flow-ways or treatment cells that have not met these tests within six months after 

issuance of the permit, the permittee shall submit monthly status updates regarding progress toward 

achieving and identifying strategies and timelines to achieve this test. 

 

1

The 10 ppb numeric criterion is set forth in Rule 62-302.540(4)(a), F.A.C. and is consistent with Section 301(b)(1)(C) of the CWA. A water 

quality based effluent limitation (WQBEL) for phosphorus will be established in accordance with Specific Condition 18. It is recognized that the 

ultimate WQBEL to be developed may be higher than a flow-weighted mean of 10 ppb. 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 1 West and Stormwater Treatment Area 1 East 

File No.: 0279499-001-EM 

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E. Initiation of Individual Flow-way (Stabilization and Routine Operation) Discharges and Monitoring. 

Once flow-through discharges from a flow-way begin, the permittee shall initiate routine water quality 

monitoring for that flow-way consistent with Table 1 and the monitoring program described in this permit. 

14. Stabilization Phase (Flow-through Operations) – During the Stabilization Phase the treatment vegetation will 

be maturing and the STA performance will generally be improving toward achieving the TBEL. However, the 

overall performance of the STA is extremely difficult to evaluate and predict. It is anticipated that the treatment 

vegetation may require one to three years after flow-through operations begin for the affected cells to achieve 

optimal performance. During the stabilization phase the TBEL shall apply. Once the facility achieves the TBEL it 

shall enter the Routine Operations Phase. During the Stabilization Phase, exceedance of the TBEL may occur; 

however, the STA shall be deemed in compliance with the permit as long as the actions described Specific 

Condition 17 of this permit are being taken in conjunction with all other applicable permit conditions.

An STA or Flow-way may enter the Stabilization Phase after one of four antecedent conditions: (1) once flowthrough operations begin following the initial start-up of a new treatment cell; (2) when a treatment cell is taken offline for implementation of Long-Term Plan enhancements that may have adverse impacts on STA performance, (3) 

when a treatment cell is taken off-line for recovery activities associated with a major event that compromises the 

structural integrity or performance of the STA, or (4) planned/unplanned maintenance activities which would cause 

adverse impacts to the STA’s treatment capabilities. If the flow-way is determined by the District to be incapable of 

operating or performing effectively as a result of the impacts caused by one or more of these circumstances, the 

District shall submit strategies and timelines identified as being the most effective in restoring the impacted flowway(s) to the optimal performance level within 60 days from such a determination or occurrence. The timely 

submittal and implementation of these strategies and timelines in conjunction with the Department’s review and 

approval of such submittals and compliance with all other applicable conditions of this permit shall constitute 

compliance. 

As part of the first annual report following any adverse impact to the facility, and each subsequent year until the 

facility achieves the TBEL, the 12 month rolling flow-weighted mean TP concentration of the STA outflow shall be 

assessed as to whether there is a trend in improvement of performance relative to prior years. If the trend analysis 

that is applied to this data indicates that there is not a trend in improvement of performance, the permittee shall 

report as to the causes behind the lack of performance improvement. If during a subsequent annual report the trend 

analysis applied to these data indicate that there is not a trend in improvement of performance after the affected 

flow-way has been in flow-through operation for 24 months, the annual report shall include any remedial measures 

necessary to achieve improved facility performance by the end of next year, and shall provide an estimate of when 

the TBEL shall be achieved. 

154. Routine Operations Phase - During the Routine Operations Phase, discharges from the STA shall achieve 

compliance with the WQBEL as of December 31, 2006. TBEL, as described in Specific Condition 16 of this 

permit. STA-1W and STA-1E shall achieve the WQBEL, established pursuant to Specific Condition 18, by no later 

than Dec 31, 2016 

16. Application of Technology Based Effluent Limits. The TBEL described above will be applied as follows: 

A. Compliance shall be tested in each water year (May – April) using data from the monitored representative 

inflow structures (G-302, G-311, and S-319) and outflow structures (G-251, G-310, and S-362), except as 

noted below. The result of this compliance testing shall be reported by the District as part of the annual 

reporting requirements in Specific Condition 30. The compliance calculations will exclude flows made for 

low flow water supply deliveries. Low flow water supply deliveries are deliveries that pass through the 

Everglades Protection Area to Dade, Broward or Palm Beach County, and the Big Cypress Seminole 

Indian Reservation for water supply (wellfield recharge and salt water intrusion prevention) purposes. In 

addition, low flow water supply deliveries are made at times when water levels in the Water Conservation 

Areas (WCAs) are below the minimum elevations presented below: 

• WCA-1 – 14.5 ft. NGVD measured at the 1-8C gauge 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 1 West and Stormwater Treatment Area 1 East 

File No.: 0279499-001-EM 

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• WCA-2 – 10.5 ft. NGVD measured at the headwater (HW) of the S-11B structure 

• WCA-3A – 7.5 ft. NGVD measured at HW of S-333 or 11.0 ft at HW of G-409 

These stage thresholds will be reviewed as part of any future analyses associated with revisions to the 

current regulation schedules (WCA-1: May 1995; WCA-2: June 1989; WCA-3A: November 2000). This 

method will also exclude water supply deliveries to the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) or 

Everglades National Park (ENP), which have been requested by Refuge, ENP or U.S. Army Corps of 

Engineers staff and which cannot be treated by an STA prior to delivery. 

B. The TBEL shall not apply in water years when rainfall in the source basins tributary to the STA exceeds 

the maximum annual basin rainfall that occurred during the period of record used for deriving the TBEL 

(See Goforth et. al., 2007). In addition, the TBEL shall not apply in water years when rainfall in the basin 

tributary to that STA is less than the minimum annual rainfall that occurred during the period of record 

used for deriving the TBEL for that STA if supplemental flows are not available to maintain wet conditions 

in that STA. If a year is excluded based upon these criteria, results from adjacent years shall be treated as 

consecutive in testing compliance. 

C. The STAs will be deemed in compliance with the TBEL unless the annual flow-weighted mean phosphorus 

concentration at the monitored representative outflows is greater than the annual limit. The annual limit can 

be calculated using the methods contained on pages 9-12 of the Technical Support Document for the STA1W TBEL (Goforth et al. 2007, Exhibit B) and the Technical Support Document for the STA-1E TBEL

(Goforth et. al., 2007, Exhibit C). The method may be revised in the future as appropriate to reflect lower 

STA limits. Tables 2 and 3 below contain example calculations of the TBEL based on corresponding 

phosphorus loading rates (PLR). 

17. Improvements, Enhancements and Regional Water Management Projects - In accordance with the LongTerm Plan, as may be amended with Department approval the District shall proceed with the planning, design and 

construction of additional regional water management projects and internal improvements and enhancements that, 

when fully implemented, shall result in the improved performance of STA-1W and STA-1E (See Table 4). These 

projects include: 

A. Internal Improvements and Enhancements

1. Enhancements. The Western and Northern flow-ways of STA-1W began Flow-through Operations in July 

2006 after being off-line for enhancements and hurricane rehabilitation activities. The Stabilization Phase 

for these flow-ways shall conclude in approximately June 2008. In addition to these activities, the District 

is currently in the process of completing the remaining improvements and enhancements identified in the 

October 2003 Long-Term Plan, and subsequent revisions. Remaining improvements and enhancements 

previously identified through the Long-Term Plan process and approved by the Department include the 

Eastern Flow-way Cell 1 internal levee and associated G-248 structures (to be completed prior to 

December 31, 2007), and the vegetative conversion of Cells 1B and 3 to submerged aquatic vegetation (to 

be completed prior to October 31, 2008). The Eastern flow-way will enter Stabilization Phase where the 

flow-way will progress towards its optimal performance. The Stabilization Phase is assumed to last 

approximately 24 months or no later than November 2010. 

2. STA-1E Enhancements. Following limited emergency operations associated with the 2004 hurricanes, 

the Central and Western flow-ways of STA-1E began flow-through operations in September 2005. 

Vegetation enhancements designed to improve the phosphorus removal performance are underway in the 

Central and Western flow-ways. Although the downstream cells (4N, 4S and 6) of these flow-ways were 

originally designed for emergent vegetation, vegetation management activities have been enacted to 

develop submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV). Full conversion to SAV is anticipated to take 2 to 3 years 

and should be complete by September 2008. It is anticipated that post construction ground elevations in 

the STA and incomplete backfilling of a north-south oriented canal in Cell 7 may hinder the development 

of SAV and lengthen the period for full conversion. Until Flow-way 1 has been converted to full flow-
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 1 West and Stormwater Treatment Area 1 East 

File No.: 0279499-001-EM 

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through operations, the Central and Western Flow-ways may receive flows and phosphorus loads in excess 

of their design and as a result may remain in stabilization for an extended period.

Regional Water Management Projects

B.

1. Conversion of STA-1E to full flow-through operations. The Corps of Engineers recently constructed a 

PSTA Demonstration Project within the Eastern flow-way of STA-1E; that portion of the STA has not yet 

been transferred to the District and remains under the control of the Corps. The demonstration project is 

currently beginning start-up activities and is anticipated to be operated over a 24 month period by the 

Corps. After completion of the demonstration project, in approximately September 2009, test cell levees 

and structures shall be removed to return the Eastern flow-way to full flow capability by the USACE. For 

the purpose of forecasting a performance schedule, it is assumed that flow-through in the Eastern flow-way 

will occur by June 30, 2010 and that the Stabilization Phase will last 24 months (June 2012). It is 

recognized that additional time will be needed in order for STA-1E to achieve full flow-through 

operations. Since STA-1W was designed to work in concert with STA-1E, until STA-1E is in full flowthrough operation, a portion of the water intended for STA-1E will be captured and treated in STA-1W and 

the performance of STA-1W is expected to improve after the full flow through operation of STA-1E 

begins, as flows and phosphorus loads into STA-1W are reduced.

2. L-8 Diversion Project. As part of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), the Corps of 

Engineers and the District are underway with the planning of capital works that will eventually divert 

upwards of 75,000-100,000 acre feet per year (AF/yr) away from the STA-1E/STA-1W inflow works. The 

L-8 Diversion Project features shall be completed by December 31, 2014 according to the Master 

Implementation Schedule. Until the L-8 Diversion Project is completed, a portion of L-8 Basin runoff will 

continue to be captured and treated by STA-1W and STA-1E, contributing to flows and phosphorus loads 

greater than their design values. The performance of STA-1W and STA-1E is expected to improve after the 

L-8 Diversion Project is complete as flows and phosphorus loads to STA-1W and STA-1E are reduced.

3. Additional Treatment Area. The District is presently designing capital works for approximately 6,800 

acres of additional treatment area. This area, referred to as Compartment B, will provide additional 

treatment capacity for waters that presently are captured and treated in STA-1W and STA-1E. When the 

conveyance improvements referenced below are completed STA-1W and STA-1E performance will 

improve as flows and phosphorus loads are reduced. The Compartment B build-out project shall be flowcapable by December 31, 2013.

4. Conveyance Improvements. In order for STA-1W and STA-1E to receive the full treatment benefit of 

the expanded area in Compartment B, improvements to the conveyance infrastructure are required. The 

District is presently designing the conveyance improvements. Construction of the conveyance 

improvements shall be substantially completed by December 31, 2013. 

The District shall report on the progress of the aforementioned projects, project schedule updates, and estimated 

timeframes for the implementation of future improvements and enhancements as part of the annual report 

requirements in Specific Condition No. 30 of this permit. 

18. Water Quality Based Effluent Limitation. The District shall conduct a study to determine the relationship 

between discharges from STA-1W and STA-1E and the resulting water quality in the Refuge. The final scope of 

work for this study shall be submitted to the Department by no later than December 31, 2007 for the Department’s 

review and written approval. The District shall prepare and submit a report of its findings, based on the data 

collected over the course of this study for Department review by no later than December 31, 2009. Based on the 

findings of this study and Department concurrence with its methods and results, the Department shall establish a

WQBEL in accordance with Rule 62-650 F.A.C. and 373.4592 F.S. by December 31, 2010. Establishment of a 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 1 West and Stormwater Treatment Area 1 East 

File No.: 0279499-001-EM 

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WQBEL for these facilities shall result in a major modification to this permit. The WQBEL for STA-1W and 

STA-1E is specified in Table 1 below.

15. Operational Envelope. As a part of the annual reporting requirements in Specific Condition 25 30, the 

District shall provide an annual assessment as to whether the facility is operating within or outside the operational 

envelope. The assessment shall be based on annual inflow volumes and phosphorus loads and shall compare flows 

and loads to the corresponding average and maximum values contained in the operational envelope described in 

Technical Support Document for the STA-1W TBEL (Exhibit B) and Technical Support Document for the STA-1E 

TBEL (Exhibit C). If the annual inflow volumes or phosphorus loads exceed the corresponding average values of 

the operational envelope during an annual compliance period, the District shall conduct a review of potential causes 

and include this review in the annual report. If annual inflow volumes or phosphorus loads exceed the 

corresponding maximum values of the operational envelope during an annual compliance period and such an 

exceedance is determined to have caused or contributed to the facility’s inability to achieve the WQBEL effluent 

limitation, the District shall conduct a review of potential causes and include a comparison of the relationships 

between rainfall, runoff, and phosphorus loads from the compliance year with the rainfall/ runoff/ load relationships 

derived from the data used in deriving the WQBEL TBEL. Departmental concurrence shall be obtained prior to 

initiating Lake Okeechobee regulatory or water supply releases that would result in an exceedance of the maximum 

levels of flow or phosphorus load contained in the operational envelope. 

Conditions for Parameters Other than Total Phosphorus

16. Comparison of Outflows to Inflows. For all water quality parameters indicated in the STA-1W and STA-1E 

Routine Monitoring Table (Table 1) other than total phosphorus, mercury, and dissolved oxygen, inflow and 

outflow samples collected at the G-302, G-251, S-319, G-311, G-310, and S-362 shall be used to determine 

compliance with this Specific Condition. Compliance with this Specific Condition shall be evaluated as follows: 

A. If the annual average outflow concentration does not cause or contribute to violations of applicable Class 

III water quality standards, then the STA shall be deemed in compliance with this condition. 

B. If the annual average concentration at the outflow station causes or contributes to violations of applicable 

Class III water quality standards, but is of equal or better quality than, the annual average concentration at 

the inflow stations, then the STA shall be deemed in compliance with this condition. 

C. If the annual average concentration at the outflow causes or contributes to violations of applicable Class III 

water quality standards, and also exceeds the annual average concentration at the inflow station, then the 

STA shall be deemed out of compliance with this condition. 

17. Dissolved Oxygen. The dissolved oxygen parameter shall meet the requirements set forth in the Everglades 

Marsh Dissolved Oxygen Site Specific Alternative Criteria (DO SSAC, Exhibit D). Compliance with the DO SSAC 

shall be evaluated annually using a statistical analysis to compare dissolved oxygen levels within facility discharges 

to predicted model values. The specific methods for determining compliance are set forth in the DO SSAC which 

was adopted by Secretarial Order on January 26, 2004, and approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

as a revision to the State of Florida’s water quality standards on June 16, 2004. 

18. Public Health, Safety, or Welfare. Pursuant to Subsection 373.4592(9)(h)3 of the EFA, discharges from the 

STA-1W and STA-1E project shall not pose a serious danger to the public health, safety, or welfare. 

Factors Impacting Compliance

19. Factors Outside the Permittee’s Control. In the event that non-compliance or failure to achieve the WQBEL

performance objectives results for any of the reasons other than those below, the permittee shall take appropriate 

remedial measures. 

A. Anomalous Rainfall. Compliance with the TBEL shall not be tested in water years when the rainfall in 

the source basins exceed the range of values that occurred during the period of model simulation used in 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 1 West and Stormwater Treatment Area 1 East 

File No.: 0279499-001-EM 

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the development of the TBELs, or when sufficient supplemental flows are not available to maintain an 

average depth of 0.5 ft in each treatment cell of STA-1W and/or STA-1E. In these instances, results from 

adjacent years will be treated as consecutive for purposes of testing compliance. The Department may 

make similar adjustments where emergency discharges occur.

B. Random Variation. The permittee shall report any statistical uncertainty in the methodology using 

acceptable scientific methods.

CA. Other Factors. Events beyond the permittee’s control that may prevent or delay compliance, including 

natural disasters as well as unavoidable legal barriers or restraints, including those arising from actions or 

regulations not under the control of the permittee (e.g. Lake Okeechobee Regulation schedule and WCA-1 

Regulation schedule). 

B. Emergency Conditions. Discharges from the G-251 and/or G-310 Pump and/or S-362 Stations and 

bypass diversion of waters through the G-300 and/or G-301 structures shall also be allowed in accordance 

with the emergency provisions of Chapter 373, F.S., to avoid hydrological and nutrient overloading the 

STA, or when water conditions within STA-1W and/or STA-1E may damage existing marsh vegetation. 

When a diversion bypass event or series of proximal diversion bypass events is anticipated due to 

aforementioned conditions, the permittee shall notify the Department of the anticipated event. 

SPECIFIC CONDITIONS FOR MONITORING PROGRAM 

In accordance with Subsection 373.4592(9)(h) of the EFA, the following monitoring conditions are intended to 

assess the water quality of the discharges of STA-1W and STA-1E, to assess the ability of the STA in achieving the 

design objectives of the ECP, as modified by the Long-Term Plan WQBEL specified herein, and to measure progress 

towards achieving state water quality standards. 

20. Turbidity Monitoring. Effective means of turbidity control, such as, but not limited to, turbidity curtains or 

the discontinuance of flow activity to and from the affected cell(s), shall be employed during all maintenance 

activities that may create turbidity so that turbidity shall not exceed 0 NTUs above background in the receiving 

waters which are classified as Outstanding Florida Waters (OFW), and 29 NTUs above background in Class III 

waters. Turbidity controls and/or preventive operation procedures shall remain in place until all turbidity has 

subsided and the turbidity level at the point of discharge to receiving waters meets state standards 

Turbidity monitoring equipment and personnel trained to use it shall be available on site at all times during 

maintenance activities that result in project-generated turbidity levels in the receiving water body. The permittee 

shall monitor turbidity levels at least twice daily at a minimum of 4 hours apart during these activities as follows: 

A. Monitoring samples shall be taken at the following locations: 

1. Background Sample(s): At the project inflow monitoring station G-302, S-319, and G-311 

2. Compliance Sample(s): Upstream of the project outflow monitoring stations G-251, G-310 and S-362. 

B. Turbidity monitoring results shall be summarized quarterly (every three calendar months) by project 

component, beginning with the first calendar month in which construction or maintenance projects occur 

that could generate turbidity in receiving waters and continuing until all maintenance is completed. 

Monitoring data with supporting documents shall be submitted to the Department quarterly during the 

period of actual construction. The reports shall clearly identify the following information: 

1. Permit number; 

2. Dates and time of sampling and analysis; 

3. A statement describing the methods used in collection, handling, storage and analysis of the samples; 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 1 West and Stormwater Treatment Area 1 East 

File No.: 0279499-001-EM 

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4. A clear description of project component activities taking place at the time of sampling; 

5. A map indicating the sampling locations; and, 

6. A statement by the individual responsible for implementation of the sampling program concerning the 

authenticity, precision, limits of detection and accuracy of the data. 

C. Monitoring reports shall also include the following information for each sample that is taken: 

1. Water depth; 

2. Depth of sample; 

3. Weather conditions; and, 

4. Water level stage and direction of flow. 

In the event that project-generated turbidity levels in receiving waters exceed the standard 0 NTUs above 

background in an OFW or 29 NTUs above background in Class III waters, project component activities contributing 

to elevated turbidity levels shall immediately cease, and the Department shall be notified immediately. Work shall 

not resume until the work can be conducted in compliance with the aforementioned turbidity standard. In such 

cases where turbid conditions will be attributed to activities associated with dewatering, the District shall comply 

with the turbidity requirements set forth in the dewatering permit issued by the Department in lieu of the above 

requirements. 

251. Monitoring Program. Monitoring performed in accordance with this permit shall include the vegetation and 

water quality and quantity parameters listed below and in the STA-1W and STA-1E Routine Monitoring Table 

(Table 1) of this permit. At a minimum, the monitoring program for STA-1W and STA-1E shall include the 

following: 

A. Long-Term Plan Monitoring Program. The permittee shall continue to implement the portions of the 

Process Development and Engineering (PDE) component of the Long-Term Plan that are related to this 

permit. This program shall monitoring in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the STAs in improving 

water quality and maintaining designated and existing beneficial uses of the Everglades Protection Area 

and tributary waters. Results of the monitoring efforts shall be reported as part of the annual South Florida 

Environmental Report (SFER). 

1. Aerial Vegetation Photographs and Mapping. Aerial vegetation photographs and mapping shall be 

conducted in accordance with the PDE components of the Long-Term Plan. 

2. Mercury Monitoring Program. The permittee shall monitor mercury, report the results obtained, and 

take all necessary actions as specified in the document entitled “Mercury Monitoring Program,” which is 

hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of this permit as Exhibit E (STA-1W) and Exhibit F 

(STA-1E). 

3. Routine Research and Monitoring Program. The permittee shall conduct long-term monitoring at the 

G-302, G-311, S-361 and S-319 inflow structures, the G-251, G-310 and S-362 outflow pump stations, and 

report the results to the Department in accordance with the annual reporting requirements of this permit for 

the parameters listed in the STA-1W and STA-1E Routine Monitoring Table (Table 12) of the “Monitoring 

Required” section of this permit. Data from this program may provide the basis for additional permit 

compliance requirements. The District shall also monitor additional stations as defined in the PDE element 

of the Long-Term Plan.

262. Diversions Bypasses. The District shall notify the Department and the Refuge within 48 

hours of any unanticipated diversions bypasses of flow through the G-300 and/or G-301 gated 

structures and the District shall notify the Department as soon as practicable in advance of 

anticipated bypasses diversions, with the exception of routine maintenance. The submitted 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 1 West and Stormwater Treatment Area 1 East 

File No.: 0279499-001-EM 

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notification shall include a description of the circumstances related to the diversion bypass and a 

projection of the anticipated duration of the bypass diversion. All diversions bypasses occurring 

through the G-300 and G-301 structures shall be monitored for the parameters Total Phosphorus 

and Flow as required in the table below. As soon as practicable after cessation of all bypasses 

diversions, the District shall submit a summary of the data collected for these parameters, and 

identify the duration of the bypasses diversions. Bypasses shall be limited to the shortest time 

possible and are not allowed solely to achieve the WQBEL. Bypasses are subject to and must 

meet the requirements of F.A.C. Sections 62-620.610(20), (21), and (22). 

Parameter Units Sample Type Frequency

Total Phosphorus mg/l Grab Weekly

Flow CFS Calculated Daily Average

A. STA-1W Diversion Limit. To limit discharge concentrations resulting from diversion events, discharges 

of waters from the EAA to the L-7 Canal from the G-301 diversion structure and the discharge pump 

stations from STA-1W shall not exceed a 50 ppb maximum annual discharge limit. The 50 ppb maximum 

annual discharge limit shall be calculated as an annual flow weighted mean total phosphorus concentration 

for combined discharges from the EAA during the May-April Water Year from the G-301 diversion 

structures and from the G-251 and G-310 pump stations. 

B. STA-1E Diversion Limit. To limit discharge concentrations resulting from diversion events, discharges of 

waters from the EAA to the L-40 Canal from the G-300 diversion structure and the discharge pump station 

from STA-1E shall not exceed a 50 ppb maximum annual discharge limit. The 50 ppb maximum annual 

discharge limit shall be calculated as an annual flow weighted mean total phosphorus concentration for 

combined discharges from the EAA during the May-April Water Year from the G-300 structure and the G362 pump station.

The 50 ppb maximum annual discharge limit for waters from the EAA shall be enforceable after 

all of the additional components of the control program set forth in Specific Condition 17 of this 

permit are operational. By including a 50 ppb maximum annual discharge limit in this permit, 

the Department is not determining, admitting, or waiving any adjudicating permittee’s or the 

Department’s rights, claims, or defenses of the permittee, the Department, or any other party to 

any matters relating to compliance with requirements of the Everglades Consent Decree, as 

modified, entered in the case styled United States v. So. Fla. Water Management Dist., et al., 

case No. 88-1886-CIV-Moreno (S.D. Fla.). 

23. STA-1W Transect Monitoring. The permittee shall conduct water quality, soil, and vegetation monitoring as 

specified below at a series of sites located along transects downstream of the STA-1W discharge site to characterize 

the effects of the STA-1W discharge on adjacent marsh areas of the Refuge. Table 4 5 below identifies seven (7) 

sampling sites located along a transect originating at the Rim Canal adjacent to the STA-1W discharge point and 

extending to the southeast toward the center of the Refuge into an unimpacted portion of the marsh. Table 5 below 

identifies five (5) sampling sites located along a transect originating at the Rim Canal downstream of the STA-1W 

discharge point and extending to the southeast toward the center of the Refuge into an unimpacted portion of the 

marsh. Upon demonstration that an additional sampling site or removal of an existing sampling site is warranted, 

the permittee may request a modification to the monitoring program as appropriate. The Department and USEPA

shall review and approve such requests on a case by case basis. Any alteration in the monitoring program approved 

by the Department and USEPA shall occur in the form of a modification to this permit. 

For the first transect, monitoring site LOXA104 is located in the Rim Canal and will be used to evaluate changes in 

water quality occurring between the Rim Canal and the actual marsh. Of the remaining six sites, four are located in 

areas currently identified as impacted (i.e., sediment TP concentration greater than 500 mg/kg) with the final two 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 1 West and Stormwater Treatment Area 1 East 

File No.: 0279499-001-EM 

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sites located in areas currently identified as unimpacted. For the second transect, monitoring site Z-0 is located in 

the Rim Canal and will be used to evaluate changes in water quality occurring between the Rim Canal and the actual 

marsh. Of the remaining four sites, three are located in areas currently identified as impacted (i.e., sediment TP 

concentration greater than 500 mg/kg), with the final site located in an area currently identified as unimpacted. 

All water quality, soil, and vegetation samples will be collected and reported for the parameters and at the frequency

specified in the SFWMD’s January 20, 2010 ‘Project WCA-2A Monitoring Plan for STA-2 and Compartment B 

Build-Out Downstream Monitoring Plan’. Water quality grab samples will be collected at each of the transect 

sampling sites identified in Table 5 below on a monthly basis. In addition, sediment samples will be collected at 

each marsh site every 3 years. The sediment samples will be subdivided into floc (if present) and the upper 10 cm 

of sediment with each component being analyzed separately for TP and bulk density. The depth of any floc layer 

will also be recorded. To assure that the samples collected are representative of ambient conditions, all marsh 

sampling will be conducted in accordance with the marsh sampling protocols provided in the SFWMD’s Field 

Sampling Quality Manual as refined in the District’s Monitoring Plan for Everglades Protection Area WCA-1, 

Project: EVPA. 

24. STA-1E Transect Monitoring. The permittee shall conduct water quality, soil, and vegetation monitoring as 

specified below at a series of sites located along a transect downstream of the STA-1E discharge site to characterize 

the effects of the STA-1E discharge on adjacent marsh areas of the Refuge. Table 6 below identifies five sampling 

sites located along a transect originating at LOXA-135 sampling site in the rim canal adjacent to the STA-1E 

discharge point and extending to the LOXA-139 sampling site located in an unimpacted portion of the marsh. Upon 

demonstration that an additional sampling site or removal of an existing sampling site is warranted, the permittee 

may request a modification to the monitoring program as appropriate. The Department and USEPA shall review 

and 

approve such requests on a case by case basis. Any alteration in the monitoring program approved by the 

Department and USEPA shall occur in the form of a modification to this permit.

The monitoring site closest to the discharge point (LOX-135) is located in the rim canal and will be used to evaluate 

changes in water quality occurring between the discharge point and the actual marsh. Of the remaining four marsh 

sites, LOXA-136 and LOXA-137 are located in areas currently identified as impacted (i.e., sediment TP 

concentration greater than 500 mg/kg) with the final two sites located in areas currently identified as unimpacted. All water quality, soil, and vegetation samples will be collected and reported for the parameters and at the frequency

specified in the SFWMD’s January 20, 2010 ‘Project WCA-2A Monitoring Plan for STA-2 and Compartment B 

Build-Out Downstream Monitoring Plan’. Water quality grab samples will be collected at each of the transect 

sampling sites identified in Table 6 below on a monthly basis. In addition, sediment samples will be collected at

each marsh site every three years. The sediment samples will be subdivided into floc (if present) and the upper 10 

cm of sediment with each component being analyzed separately for TP and bulk density. The depth of any floc 

layer

will also be recorded. To assure that the samples collected are representative of ambient conditions, all marsh 

sampling will be conducted in accordance with the marsh sampling protocols provided in the SFWMD’s Field 

Sampling Quality Manual as refined in the District’s Monitoring Plan for Everglades Protection Area Water 

Conservation Area 1 (WCA1), Project: EVPA. 

25. Inspection Reports. The permittee shall submit Inspection Reports to the Department evaluating the integrity 

and functionality of the above ground dikes/levees and structures, including pump stations. The cover letter of the 

Inspection Report should summarize site conditions and work that was completed in response to inadequacies that 

may have been found during regular inspections. Inspection Reports shall be prepared under the guidance of a 

professional engineer and submitted semi-annually to the Department. Every five years, as a minimum, the 

permitted facilities shall be inspected by a Florida registered professional engineer and the subsequent Inspection 

Report shall be signed and sealed. The District may request a modification to this condition if the facility is included 

in a formalized inspection program that has been reviewed and approved by the Department. 

3026. Annual Monitoring Reports. All studies, monitoring reports, and technical submittals required by this 

permit shall be submitted to the Department in an “Annual Report.” The annual reporting requirements under this 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 1 West and Stormwater Treatment Area 1 East 

File No.: 0279499-001-EM 

Page 24 of 32 

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permit shall be incorporated into the South Florida Environmental Report (SFER) and submitted to the Department 

no later than March 1st of each year. Each Annual Report shall present the information for the previous water year, 

from May 1st to April 30th. If additional reporting modifications are required, and upon approval by the Department, 

the permittee may modify the Annual Report submission date to coincide with multiple reporting requirements and 

time periods needed for data acquisition and analysis. In addition to the permit number, and name of the permit 

administrator, the Annual Reports shall contain, at a minimum, the following information: 

A. Quality Assurance and Quality Control. Sampling and monitoring data shall be collected, analyzed, 

reported and retained in accordance with Chapter 62-160, F.A.C. Any laboratory test required by this 

permit shall be performed by a laboratory that has been certified by the Department of Health (DOH) under 

Chapter 64E-1, F.A.C., where such certification is required by Rule 62-160.300, F.A.C. The laboratory 

must be certified for all specific method/analyte combinations that are used to comply with this permit. The 

analytical method used shall be appropriate so as to determine if the sample complies with Class III surface 

water quality standards as specified in Chapter 62-302, F.A.C. All field activities including on-site tests and 

sample collection, whether performed by a laboratory or another organization, must follow all applicable 

procedures described in DEP-SOP-001/01 (February 1, 2004). Alternate field procedures and laboratory 

methods may be used if they have been approved according to the requirements of Rules 62-160.220 and 

62-160.330, F.A.C. 

B. Water Quality Data. Records of monitoring information shall include all applicable laboratory 

information specified in Rule 62-160.340(2), F.A.C. including the following: 

1. Date, location, and time of sampling or measurements; 

2. Person responsible for performing the sampling or measurements; 

3. Dates analyses were performed and the appropriate code as required by Chapter 62-160, F.A.C.; 

4. Laboratory/Person responsible for performing the analyses; 

5. Analytical methods used, including MDL and PQL; 

6. Results of such analyses, including appropriate data qualifiers, and all compounds detected; 

7. Depth of sampling; 

8. Flow conditions and weather conditions at time of sampling; and, 

9. Monthly flow volumes. 

In addition, the following records must be kept on file for reference during the duration of the project but are not 

required to be submitted in annual reports. 

10. Field sampling and laboratory quality manuals 

11. Sampling and analysis notes, as required under Chapter 62-160, F.A.C. and NELAC Quality Systems 

(2003), respectively. 

C. Performance Evaluation. 

1. Records of the operations status of the STAs during the water year, stating whether each STA (or 

particular cells or flow-ways therein) is in start-up, stabilization or routine operations; 

2. A comparison of inflow water quality data with outflow water quality data using the student’s t-test with 

a 95% confidence interval; 

3. A comparison of outflow phosphorus concentrations with the TBELs WQBEL for STA-1W and STA-1E 

and between the current reporting year and previous years; and 

4. An assessment of the inflow volumes and phosphorus loads during the year relative to the anticipated 

operational envelope contained in the Technical Support Document for the STA-1W TBEL(Exhibit B) and

the Technical Support Document for the STA-1E TBEL(Exhibit C).

Calculations for any reporting that requires averaging of measurements shall be weighted by flow value.
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 1 West and Stormwater Treatment Area 1 East 

File No.: 0279499-001-EM 

Page 25 of 32 

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D. Herbicide and Pesticide Tracking. The permittee shall provide, in each annual report, information 

regarding the application of herbicides and pesticides used to exclude/eliminate undesirable vegetation and 

pests within STA-1W and STA-1E. Such reporting shall include the names, concentrations, locations, and 

quantities of all herbicides and pesticides used, and a statement certifying that the permittee has adhered to 

manufacturer application guidelines. 

E. Implementation Schedules. The Annual Report shall provide details on the following: 

1. Implementation of projects the WQBEL and activities required by this permit and affecting flows and 

loads to STA-1W and/or STA-1E; 

2. Source Control implementation and optimization ; 

3. STA design modifications affecting implementation of the WQBEL and activities required by this 

permit; 

4. Improvements, enhancements, and strategies that have been initiated and/or completed within the 

previous year; 

5. Any delays in the implementation of the improvements, enhancements, or strategies, and the duration 

of the delays, the reason(s) for the delays, and the expected timeframe for their resolution; 

6. The operational status of the STA, stating whether the STA is in routine operations or start-up

stabilization. If the facility is in non-routine operations during the reporting period, the report shall also 

include the date at which the facility entered the start up or stabilization phase and the length of time it 

remained or is expected to remain in that phase; 

7. Achievement of effluent limitations set forth in the TBEL and/or implementation of STA Recovery 

Plans; 

8. Whether revisions and/or additions to the requirements of this permit improvements, enhancements, 

and strategies are recommended; 

9. Implementation of remedial measures in the event of noncompliance with permit conditions; 

10. Whether the facility was operated within or outside of the operational envelope per Specific Condition 

 15; and 

11. For each downstream transect station, a compilation of the water quality, sediment, and vegetation 

monitoring data collected, as appropriate, and an assessment of whether the cumulative impact 

remained unchanged, improved, or worsened from the previous year/monitoring.

F. The permittee shall report with the monthly DMR if operation of facilities is impacted by or constrained due to 

requirements under the Endangered Species Act or Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The report should include the 

species involved, an estimate of the number of individuals involved, actions taken to avoid deleterious impacts 

on the endangered species, the affect those actions had on compliance with any condition of this permit, and an 

estimate of when facility operation will no longer be impacted or constrained.

27. Removal of Parameters. Upon demonstration that a specific parameter(s) is not present or is found 

consistently to be in compliance with Class III Water Quality Standards, the permittee may request a modification to 

the monitoring program as appropriate. A minimum of one year’s worth of data, for those parameters being 

sampled quarterly or more frequently, will be required prior to the Department approving any modification to the 

monitoring program. Parameters sampled semi-annually or annually will be examined on a case-by-case basis. The 

Department may approve a reduction of the monitoring frequency or waive the monitoring requirement for 

parameters that consistently are reported as in compliance with state water quality standards. 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 1 West and Stormwater Treatment Area 1 East 

File No.: 0279499-001-EM 

Page 26 of 32 

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28. Addition of Parameters. If the Department has reason to believe that additional parameters are necessary to 

determine whether discharges from the STAs may cause or contribute to water quality violations, those parameters 

shall be added to the monitoring section of this permit as a permit modification. 

29. Public Health, Safety, or Welfare. Data from existing STAs and the monitoring and compliance requirements 

of this permit, provide reasonable assurances that discharges authorized by this permit will not pose a serious 

danger to the public health, safety, or welfare. If warranted by additional information, the Department may include 

additional monitoring or compliance conditions in this permit, in accordance with Subsections (9)(g) and (11)(a)2, 

of the EFA. 

30. Emergency Suspension of Sampling. Under hurricane or tropical storm warnings, or other extreme weather 

conditions, the permittee’s normal sampling schedule may be suspended if necessary. The permittee shall notify the 

Department of any anticipated sampling suspension associated with hurricanes, tropical storms, or other extreme 

weather events that may require deviation from the normal sampling schedule. Within 14 days following the 

cessation of emergency conditions, the permittee shall notify the Department of when normal sampling is expected 

to resume. 

Renewals and Modifications

31. Permit Renewal. At least 60 days prior to the expiration of this permit, the permittee shall apply for renewal 

of this permit. Renewal may be for a period of up to 5 years in accordance with Subsection 373.4592(9)(f) of the 

EFA. 

36. Permit Modifications for STA Optimization. Pursuant to Subsections (3)(b)-(e) and (9)(j) of the EFA and 

the PDE component of the Long-Term Plan, the permittee may submit proposed modifications to STA-1W and/or 

STA-1E through the adaptive implementation process identified in the Long-Term Plan. Within 30 days after 

receipt of such a submittal, the Department shall notify the permittee as to whether a permit modification is 

necessary. Minor modifications can be processed in letter format. The Department shall determine whether the 

modification is minor or major based on the nature and magnitude of the proposed modification and the potential for 

the modification to have environmental impacts that are significantly different from those previously considered by 

the Department for the activity, pursuant to Rule 62-343.100, F.A.C. The permittee shall be required to publish a 

notice of application pursuant to Subsections 373.413 (3) and (4), F.S., as applicable, for any requested permit 

modifications determined to be major in accordance with this Specific Condition.

32. Department Review and Approval. Where conditions in this permit require Department review and approval 

of remedial actions or plan modifications to be implemented pursuant to this permit, the Department will consult 

with the permittee to ascertain whether mutual agreement can be reached. If mutual agreement on the remedial 

actions or plan modifications cannot be reached, the action of the Department will be deemed final agency action 

and will be subject to judicial or administrative review, as appropriate. 

33. Reopener Clause. The permit may be reopened to adjust effluent limitations or monitoring requirements should 

future water quality based effluent limitation (WQBEL) determinations, water quality studies, Department approved 

changes in water quality standards, or other information show a need for a different limitation or monitoring 

requirement. 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 1 West and Stormwater Treatment Area 1 East 

File No.: 0279499-001-EM 

Page 27 of 32 

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Discharge Limits and Monitoring: 

Table 1: Discharge Limitations and Associated Monitoring Requirements 

Discharge Limitations Monitoring Requirements

Parameters (units) Daily 

Minimum

Daily 

Maximum

Other

Monitoring 

Frequency

Sample Type Sample Point

Not to exceed 10 as 

a geometric mean 

(GM) annual 

average in more 

than two 

consecutive years

18 as a 

flowweighted 

mean

(FWM) 

annual 

average

Phosphorus, Total (as P) 

(ppb) -- -- 

See Footnote 1,2,3,4 below 

Weekly 

GM – based 

on grab 

samples 

collected 

when 

discharge 

occurs 

FWM - 7-day 

flow 

proportioned 

composite 

outflow 

Phosphorus, Total (as P) 

(ppb) -- -- Report5

Weekly 

7-day flow 

proportioned 

composite 

inflow 

Oxygen, Dissolved (DO) 

(mg/L) 

Report 

See Specific Condition 2, 3, 4 Weekly Grab 

(Meter) 

Inflow/ outflow 

1 All outflow TP monitoring results shall be reported as separate weekly values without rounding to whole numbers. The results shall also be 

reported as FWM annual averages that are calculated based on the FWM of the weekly values. The results shall also be reported as GM annual 

averages that are calculated based on all sample point weekly values collected when discharge occurs in the previous 12 months. All FWM and 

GM annual averages shall be reported to the nearest whole number (i.e., 10.5 ppb shall be reported as 11 ppb; 10.49 ppb shall be reported as 10 

ppb

2 The discharge shall not cause phosphorus concentrations in the receiving waters to be altered so as to cause or contribute to an imbalance in 

natural populations of aquatic flora or fauna. The discharge shall not cause phosphorus concentrations in the receiving waters to exceed the 

criteria in Rule 62-302.540(4)(a), F.A.C. Beginning at the end of April after the permit effective date and at the end of each April thereafter, the 

permittee shall report the FWM annual average using data it collected for the prior 12 months. Beginning at the end of April after the permit 

effective date and at the end of each April thereafter, the permittee shall report the GM annual average using data it collected for each of the prior 

3 years.

3 In the year following any two consecutive years where the TP GM annual average exceeds 10 ppb, the permittee shall report quarterly the GM 

of all monthly TP values for that year. If that mean exceeds 10 ppb, the permittee shall provide a report to both FDEP and USEPA by the 

fifteenth of the month following the quarterly report of its evaluation of why that mean is as high as it is and the specific steps it is taking to 

ensure that the TP GM for that year will not exceed 10 ppb.

For the TP FWM WQBEL, the permittee shall report quarterly the average of all monthly FWMs for that year. If that average exceeds 18 ppb, 

the permittee shall provide a report to both FDEP and USEPA by the fifteenth of the month following the quarterly report of its evaluation of why 

that average is as high as it is and the specific steps it is taking to ensure that the TP FWM annual average for that year will not exceed 18 ppb.

4 If the facility does not meet the FWM WQBEL in any year, the permittee shall report the annual load of TP discharged by the STA into the 

Everglades that is in excess of the WQBEL load (based on 18 ppb). If the facility does not meet the GM WQBEL in any year, the permittee shall 

separately report the annual load of TP discharged by the STA into the Everglades that is in excess of the WQBEL load (based on 10 ppb) for that 

year and the previous two years.

5 All inflow TP monitoring results shall be reported as separate weekly values without rounding to whole numbers. All results shall also be 

reported as monthly averages and as FWM annual averages. The monthly averages and FWM annual averages shall be calculated based on the 

FWM of the weekly values and shall be reported to the nearest whole number (i.e., 10.5 ppb shall be reported as 11 ppb; 10.49 ppb shall be 

reported as 10 ppb). 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 1 West and Stormwater Treatment Area 1 East 

File No.: 0279499-001-EM 

Page 28 of 32 

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MONITORING REQUIRED: 

In addition to any other monitoring requirements set forth in this permit, the permittee shall conduct routine 

monitoring as set forth for the specified parameters in the following table. Reporting of results shall be as provided 

in the applicable General and Specific Conditions of this permit.

Key for Table 12 

Sample Type: G = Grab sample Sample Frequency: W = Weekly 

 C = Soil Core BI-W = Once every other week 

 FPC = Flow proportionate composite sample WF = Weekly when flowing 

 INSITU = In Situ field sample M = Monthly 

 CAL = Calculated parameter DAV = Daily averages of continuous sampling 

 PR = Pump record DAC = Daily accumulation of continuous sampling 

 RG = Rain Gauge 

Table 2. STA-1W and STA-1E Routine Monitoring Table 

PARAMETER UNITS SAMPLE 

TYPE 

SAMPLING 

FREQUENCY 

SAMPLING LOCATION 

Alkalinity mg/l G BI-W G-302, S-319, S-361, and G-311 Inflow;G-251, 

G-310, and S-362 Outflow 

Dissolved 

Oxygen mg/l INSITU W G-302, S-319, S-361, and G-311 Inflow; G-251, G-310, and S-362 Outflow 

Mercury See attached Exhibit E & F 

(Mercury Monitoring Program) 

pH SU INSITU W G-302, S-319, S-361, and G-311 Inflow; 

G-251, G-310, and S-362 Outflow 

Specific 

Conductance 

μmhos INSITU W G-302, S-319, S-361, and G-311 Inflow; 

G-251, G-310, and S-362 Outflow 

Temperature Deg C INSITU W G-302, S-319, S-361, and G-311 Inflow; 

G-251, G-310, and S-362 Outflow 

Total Phosphorus 

 (Water) 

mg/l FPC/G W G-302, S-319, S-361, and G-311 Inflow; 

G-251, G-310, and S-362 Outflow;G-300 and G-301 

Total Nitrogen mg/l G BI-W G-302, S-319, S-361, and G-311 Inflow; 

G-251, G-310, and S-362 Outflow 

Turbidity NTU G See Specific 

Condition 24 

G-302, S-319, S-361, and G-311 Inflow; 

G-251, G-310, and S-362 Outflow 

Nitrate + Nitrite mg/l G BI-W G-302, S-319, S-361, and G-311 Inflow; 

G-251, G-310, and S-362 Outflow 

Sulfate mg/l G BI-W G-302, S-319, S-361, and G-311 Inflow; 

G-251, G-310, and S-362 Outflow 

Flow CFS PR DAV S-319, G-251, G-310, and S-362 Outflow 

Flow CFS CAL DAV G-302, S-319, S-361, and G-311 Inflow; 

G-251, G-310, and S-362 Outflow; 

G-300 and G-301 

Rainfall Volume in RG DAC Rainfall Sampling 

Station 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 1 West and Stormwater Treatment Area 1 East 

File No.: 0279499-001-EM 

Page 29 of 32 

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Table 2. Interim TBELs for STA-1W As A Function of PLR

Table 3. Interim TBELs for STA-1E As A Function of PLR

Phosphorus Annual Phosphorus Annual Phosphorus Annual

Loading Phosphorus Loading Phosphorus Loading Phosphorus

Rate Limit Rate Limit Rate Limit

g/m2

/yr ppb g/m2/yr ppb g/m2/yr ppb

0.973 28 1.500 30 2.050 34

1.000 28 1.550 31 2.100 34

1.050 28 1.600 31 2.150 34

1.100 28 1.650 31 2.200 34

1.150 29 1.700 32 2.250 35

1.200 29 1.750 32 2.300 35

1.250 29 1.800 32 2.350 35

1.300 29 1.850 32 2.400 36

1.350 30 1.900 33 2.450 36

1.400 30 1.950 33 2.500 36

1.450 30 2.000 33

Phosphorus Annual Phosphorus Annual Phosphorus Annual

Loading Phosphorus Loading Phosphorus Loading Phosphorus

Rate Limit Rate Limit Rate Limit

g/m2

/yr ppb g/m2/yr ppb g/m2/yr ppb

0.972 25 1.500 29 2.050 33

1.000 25 1.550 29 2.100 34

1.050 26 1.600 30 2.150 34

1.100 26 1.650 30 2.200 34

1.150 27 1.700 31 2.250 35

1.200 27 1.750 31 2.300 35

1.250 27 1.800 31 2.350 36

1.300 28 1.850 32 2.400 36

1.350 28 1.900 32 2.412 36

1.400 28 1.950 32

1.450 29 2.000 33
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 1 West and Stormwater Treatment Area 1 East 

File No.: 0279499-001-EM 

Page 30 of 32 

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DONE AND ORDERED on this 16 day of November, 2007 in Tallahassee, Florida. 

Table 3. Schedule of Compliance Activities 

Activity Completion Date 

STA-1W Western Flow-way Achieve Stabilization Test June 2008 

STA-1W Northern Flow-way Achieve Stabilization Test June 2008 

STA-1W Construction of Eastern Flow-way Enhancements December 2007 

STA-1W Establishment of Eastern Flow-way Vegetation October 2008 

STA-1W Eastern Flow-way Achieve Stabilization Test November 2010 

STA-1E Central and Western Flow-way Achieve Stabilization Test September 2008 

STA-1E PSTA Demonstration Project Completed by USACE September 2009 

STA-1E Eastern Flow-way Flow Capable by USACE June 2010 

STA-1W and STA-1E 

Internal 

Improvements 

and 

Enhancements

STA-1E Eastern Flow-way Achieve Stabilization Test June 2012 

L8 Diversion Project by USACE December 2014 

Additional Treatment Area (Compartment B) Flow Capable December 2013 

Conveyance Improvements Completed December 2013 

Compartment B Enters Stabilization February 2015 

Regional Water 

Management Projects 

Compartment B Stabilization December 2016 

Table 4. STA-1W Transect Sampling Sites. 

Station Latitude Longitude Impacted/Unimpacted 

LOXA-104 26.597982 -80.440045 Rim Canal 

LOXA-104.5 26.594111 -80.439111 Impacted 

LOXA-105 26.591899 -80.436094 Impacted 

LOXA-106 26.592206 -80.431281 Impacted 

LOXA-107 26.587390 -80.421445 Impacted 

LOX-107U 26.581200 -80.412000 Unimpacted 

LOXA-108 26.577960 -80.405853 Unimpacted 

Table 5. STA-1W Z Transect Sampling Sites.

Station Latitude Longitude Impacted/Unimpacted

Z-0 26.46697 -80.44218 Rim Canal

Z-1 26.4683 -80.44012 Impacted

Z-2 26.46453 -80.42794 Impacted

Z-3 26.4583 -80.40862 Impacted

Z-4 26.44617 -80.38851 Unimpacted

Table 6. STA-1E Transect Sampling Sites. 

Station Latitude Longitude Impacted/Unimpacted 

LOXA-135 26.623355 -80.316123 Rim Canal 

LOXA-136 26.618793 -80.318667 Impacted 

LOXA-137 26.615103 -80.321703 Impacted 

LOXA-138 26.606817 -80.326665 Unimpacted 

LOXA-139 26.593325 -80.337154 Unimpacted 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 1 West and Stormwater Treatment Area 1 East 

File No.: 0279499-001-EM 

Page 31 of 32 

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STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT 

OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 

______________________________________ 

Michael W. Sole 

Secretary 

MS/jb/jh 

FILING AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT 

FILED, on this date, under Section 120.52(7), F.S., with the designated deputy clerk, receipt of which is hereby 

acknowledged. 

_____________________________________________________

Clerk Date 

PARTIES REQUESTING NOTICE: 

Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, c/o Dexter Lehtinen, Esq. 

Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, c/o Kelly Brooks, Esq. 

United States Sugar Corporation, c/o Bubba Wade 

Seminole Tribe of Indians of Florida, c/o Stephen A. Walker, Esq. 

Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative, Roth Farms, Inc., and Wedgeworth Farms, Inc., 

 c/o William H. Green, Esq. 

Keith Saxe, Esq., U. S. Department of Justice 

Michael Stevens, U.S. Department of the Interior (fax) 

Jeffrey J. Ward, Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative 

Philip S. Parsons, Young van Assenderp 

Helen Hickman, Brown & Caldwell 

Tom MacVicar, MacVicar, Frederico, & Lamb 

Charles Lee, Florida Audubon Society 

Samuel B. Reiner, II, Esq., Lehtinen O’ Donnell, Vargas & Reiner, P.A. 

Michelle W. Smith, Esq., Earl, Blank, Cavanaugh & Stotts 

COPIES FURNISHED TO: 

Sharon Fauver, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

Susan Teel, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

Jeff Bielling, FL. Dept. of Community Affairs 

Linda McCarthy, FL. Dept. of Agriculture 

Charles Oravetz, Nat. Marine Fisheries Service 

Don Klima, U.S. Advisory Council on Historic Preservation 

John Childe, Friends of the Everglades 

David Reiner, Friends of the Everglades 

Col. Robert Carpenter, USACOE, Jacksonville 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 1 West and Stormwater Treatment Area 1 East 

File No.: 0279499-001-EM 

Page 32 of 32 

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Richard Bonner, USACOE, Jacksonville 

Peter Bestrukschko, USACOE, Jacksonville 

Richard Harvey, USEPA, West Palm Beach 

Philip Mancusi-Ungaro, Esq., USEPA, Atlanta 

Roosevelt Childress, USEPA, Atlanta 

Gina Fonzi, USEPA, Atlanta 

Dan Scheidt, USEPA, Athens 

Eric Hughes, USEPA, Jacksonville 

Janet Bussell, The Everglades Foundation 

Mark Musaus, Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge 

Mike Waldon, Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge 

Matt Harwell, Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge 

Mike Zimmerman, Everglades National Park 

Ken Haddad, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 

Joe Walsh, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Vero Beach 

Steve Coughlin, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, West Palm Beach 

ADDITIONAL COPIES FURNISHED TO: 

Eric Eikenberg, Governor’s Office 

Carol Wehle, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Chip Merriam, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Sheryl Wood, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Terrie Bates, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Dean Powell, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Sean Sculley, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Deb Drum, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Gary Goforth, Gary Goforth, Inc., Stuart 

Tracey Piccone, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Susan Sylvester, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Tom Kosier, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Jim Galloway, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Tom Teets, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Ron Bearzotti, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Kirk Burns, Esq., SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

John Mitnik, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Ernie Barnett, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Susan Sylvester, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Maria Clemente, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Linda Lindstrom, SFWMD, West palm Beach 

Kathy Pietro, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Juliann LaRock, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Linda Crean, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Hongying Zhao, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Greg Knecht, FDEP, Tallahassee 

John Outland, FDEP, Tallahassee 

Frank Nearhoof, FDEP, Tallahassee 

Shelley Yaun, FDEP, Tallahassee 

Ernie Marks, FDEP, Tallahassee 

Annet Forkink, FDEP, Tallahassee 

Kenny Hayman, FDEP, Tallahassee 

Tom Atkeson, FDEP, Tallahassee 

Inger Hansen, FDEP, West Palm Beach 

Eric Bush, USACOE, Jacksonville 
Florida Department of 

Environmental Protection 

Bob Martinez Center 

2600 Blair Stone Road 

Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400 

Charlie Crist 

Governor 

Jeff Kottkamp 

Lt. Governor 

Michael W. Sole 

Secretary 

"More Protection, Less Process” 

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EVERGLADES FOREVER ACT 

CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION AUTHORIZATION 

PERMITTEE: ATTENTION: 

South Florida Water Management District Ms. Carol Ann Wehle

3301 Gun Club Road 

P. O. Box 24680 

West Palm Beach, Florida 33416-4680 

Permit Number: 0126704-008-EM Date of Issue: March 17, 2009 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 2 (STA-2) Expiration Date: March 17, 2014 

County: Palm Beach

This permit is issued in accordance with the Everglades Forever Act (EFA), Section 373.4592, Florida Statutes 

(F.S.), authorizing operation and maintenance activities for the existing components of Stormwater Treatment Area 

2 (STA-2) and construction of the Compartment B Build-Out. The above named permittee is hereby authorized to 

initiate the activities necessary to meet the requirements of this permit described on the application, associated 

drawing(s), plans, and other documents attached hereto or on file with the Department and made a part hereof. The 

activities authorized by this permit must be conducted in conformance with all the provisions of this permit. This 

permit is accompanied by Administrative Order AO-010-EV, which is incorporated herein by reference. Failure to 

comply with all permits conditions and documents referenced herein shall constitute grounds for revocation of the 

permit and appropriate enforcement action. 

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: 

This permit authorizes the operation and maintenance of existing STA-2 facilities (Cells 1-4), and the construction 

of Compartment B Build-Out. STA-2 and Compartment B Build-Out are components of the Everglades 

Construction Project (ECP), construction, operation, and maintenance of which is required by the EFA, Section 

373.4592, F.S. The STA-2 Facility (Figure 1) consists of the following: S-5A Basin Runoff Diversion Works, the 

S-6 Diversion Works, the STA-2 Supply Canal Works, the STA-2 Inflow Works, the STA-2 Interior Treatment 

Works, the STA-2 Discharge Works, the G-335 Pump Station, WCA-2A Hydropattern Restoration Works, the 

Okeelanta Bridge, Florida Power and Light (FPL) Facilities, Recreational Facilities, and Structural, Operational and 

Vegetation Enhancements. Compartment B Build-Out will consist of a North Build-Out Treatment Area (NBO) 

and a South Build-Out Treatment Area (SBO), the associated Inflow, Distribution and Outflow Works and G-444 

Divide Structure. 

Initial construction of this facility was previously authorized and completed under Florida Department of 

Environmental Protection (Department) EFA Permit No. 0126704-001. This permit contains requirements to meet 

the WQBEL specified herein. In addition, structural, operational and vegetation enhancements have been 

conducted in accordance with the October 2003 EPA Tributary Basins Long-Term Plan for Achieving Water 

Quality Goals and subsequent revisions (Long-Term Plan, Exhibit A). These improvements and enhancements were 

designed to optimize performance as needed to achieve the phosphorus water quality standard. Additional 

enhancements to STA-2 may occur as part of the adaptive implementation process envisioned in the Long-Term 

Plan. STA-2 and Compartment B Build-Out are components of a Stormwater Management System (SMS) as 

defined in Subsection 373.403(10), F.S., and therefore state surface water quality standards do not apply within 

STA-2 or Compartment B Build-Out pursuant to Section 373.4142, F.S. 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 2 Compartment B Build-Out 

FDEP File No. 0126704-008 

Page 2 of 27 

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Operation and maintenance activities authorized by this permit involve maintaining water levels within the existing 

components of STA-2 to optimize efficiency of the treatment area. Optimization of the treatment wetland is defined 

by its performance at removing the pollutants, particularly phosphorus, for which the project was designed and 

providing regional flood control and water supply. Other operation and maintenance activities for the existing 

components of STA-2 include water quality and vegetation monitoring, preparation and submittal of monitoring 

reports, vegetation maintenance, and maintenance of the water control structures (including project canals and 

levees). Discharges from the completed NBO and SBO STAs are not authorized under this permit. 

Assuming normal operating conditions, the following treatment path culminates with discharges into WCA-2A. 

Runoff from the Chapter 298 drainage districts situated on the easterly shore of Lake Okeechobee (East Shore 

Water Control District and Closter Farms), a portion of runoff from the S-5A basin via the Ocean and Hillsboro 

canals and the S-6/S-2 basin, along with Lake Okeechobee releases intended for WCA-2A or meant for delivery to 

the Lower East Coast, are directed into the eastern treatment cells (Cells 1-4) of STA-2 from the S-6 Pump Station 

to the STA-2 Inflow Works. Seepage from the adjacent WCA-2A also enters STA-2. After introduction to STA-2, 

interior structures will direct water into the cells where it will undergo treatment. Cells 1-4 were previously 

constructed and are operational. Treated discharges are drawn from the STA-2 Discharge works by the G-335 Pump 

Station and then released to the WCA-2A via the L-6 Borrow Canal and WCA-2A Hydropattern Restoration 

Works. Wetlands and surface waters located within the receiving water body are Class III Waters. 

The Compartment B Build-Out is a 7,570-acre irregularly shaped parcel of land located in southern Palm Beach 

County between the L-6 Borrow Canal (the northwestern boundary of WCA-2A) and the North New River Canal 

(NNRC). Compartment B Build-Out is designed to further improve water quality discharges to the Everglades 

Protection Area (EPA) and is part of the overall effort to balance flows and phosphorus loads across the STAs 

located in the EAA. Treatment cells within the Build-Out area will consist of emergent (EMG) and submerged 

aquatic vegetation (SAV) treatment cells. Authorized construction activities associated with Compartment B BuildOut consist of the following: 

The North Build-Out Area, approximately 4,380 acres in total area, includes two new treatment cells (Cells 5 

and 6) that will operate in series with Cell 4 (of the existing STA-2). The NBO will provide water quality 

treatment for a portion of the EAA from two sources, the NNRC and the S-6 and G-328 pump stations (the 

existing inflow source water for STA-2). Inflow into the NBO from the NNRC will be supplied by a proposed 

1,120 cfs capacity pump station to be located in the northwestern corner of the NBO. S-6 and G-328 inflows to 

NBO from the existing STA-2 Supply Canal shall be regulated by the existing G-337A control structure. 

The South Build-Out Area is a triangular shaped parcel, approximately 3,190 acres in total area, located directly 

south of Cells 1-4 of the existing STA-2. The two new treatment cells in the SBO (Cells 7 and 8) will be 

operated independently from the NBO. Inflow into the SBO from the NNRC will be supplied by a proposed 

480 cfs capacity pump station to be located in the northwestern corner of the SBO. 

Treated water from the NBO and the SBO will be delivered into the L-6 Borrow Canal via a common 1,600 cfs 

capacity outflow pump station to be located just south of the existing STA-2 outflow pump station G-335. 

Discharges from the NBO and SBO STAs must obtain the appropriate authorizations under the existing EFA and 

NPDES permits prior to commencing operations. 

PROJECT COMPONENTS 

The individual ECP components included in this project are as follows: 

I. S-5A Basin Runoff Diversion Works

A portion of S-5A Basin stormwater non-process wastewater is diverted to STA-2 for treatment prior to discharge 

into WCA-2A. The existing S-5A basin runoff diversion works include the following features: the enlargement of 

the Hillsboro Canal extending southeasterly from its confluence with the Ocean Canal for a distance of 

approximately 7 miles; the enlargement of the Ocean Canal between its confluence with the Hillsboro Canal and the 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 2 Compartment B Build-Out 

FDEP File No. 0126704-008 

Page 3 of 27 

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old S-5AX structure (removed during the construction of the diversion works); the 5.68 miles extension east from 

the old S-5AX structure and the construction and operation of the G-341 structure, located on the Ocean Canal. 

II. The S-6 Diversion Works 

The existing S-6 Diversion Works includes approximately 3,852 linear feet of canals and associated levees to 

convey discharges from the S-6 Pump Station to the STA-2 Supply Canal. Two gated control structures (G-338 and 

G-339) are also included. The G-338 structure, single vertical lift gate, functions as a water supply and partial 

emergency diversion bypass system, sending flows to the Refuge and downstream areas. The G-339 structure, 

double vertical lift gates, functions as an emergency diversion bypass system for the remainder of flows should 

operation of STA-2 require the diversion bypass of flows during extreme storm events from the S-6 Pump Station to 

WCA-2A via the L-6 Borrow Canal. In addition, G-339 may be operated for flow recirculation from the L-6 

Borrow Canal back into the STA-2 Supply Canal, to avoid hydrological and nutrient overloading the STA, or when 

water conditions within STA-2 may damage existing marsh vegetation. G-339 is located at the confluence of STA-2 

Supply Canal and the L-6 Borrow Canal. 

III. STA-2 Supply Canal Works 

The existing STA-2 Supply Canal Works include the STA-2 Supply Canal, east and west Supply Canal Levees; 

with associated seepage collection canal and inflow control mound beginning at G-339 and extending in a 

southwesterly direction parallel to and west of the existing Levee L-6 to the north boundary of STA-2. The supply 

canal connects into the inflow canal located along the northerly perimeter of STA-2. Pump Station G-328 is a 

privately owned and operated pump station which directs EAA discharge water into the supply canal for inflow into 

STA-2 for treatment along with the S-6 pump station. This pump station has a capacity of approximately 445 cfs. 

Pump Station G-328 can also be operated to withdraw water from the STA-2 Supply Canal to meet irrigation water 

supply demands. 

The G-337 Seepage Pump Station and remove perimeter seepage water along the north side of STA-2 and discharge 

into the northern inflow canal for re-circulation through the STA. The Seepage pumps at the G-434 pump station 

discharge collected seepage into the NBO area only. Seepage around the remainder of STA-2 will be captured in 

existing adjacent canals with the exception of the FPL property. Structure G-337A was previously modified from a 

seepage pump station to a control structure (refer to description below). 

IV. STA-2 Inflow Works 

The STA-2 Inflow works will consist of three pump stations, perimeter/divide levees, inflow canals, inflow levees 

and associated inflow structures, and spreader canals. The existing STA-2 inflow canal is being extended north and 

west along the top of Cells 5 and 6 from the G-337A Structure. This section of inflow canal will serve the NBO. 

The portion of the inflow canal that delivers water to Cell 4 will be abandoned and a section filled to re-direct flows 

to the north. A separate inflow canal will be constructed to serve the SBO. 

For STA-2 Cells 1 through 3, flows are directed from the northern inflow canal into Treatment Cell 1 via G-329A-D 

gated control structures, into Treatment Cell 2 via G-331A-G gated control structures and into Treatment Cell 3 via 

G-333A-E gated control structures. Gated control structure G-337A currently allows direction of flows to Cell 4, 

however with the completion of the Compartment B Build-Out project, G-337A will provide operational flexibility 

for the direction of S-6 and G-328 inflow water into Cells 5 and 6, or isolation of flow within the Inflow Canal. 

This structure will either be opened to deliver flows to the NBO or closed to deliver flows to Cells 1 through 3. In 

either operational scenario water will be supplied from the eastern pump stations S-6 and G-328 or seepage pump 

station G-377. 

Other inflows to the NBO will be directed from the NNRC to the northern inflow canal using pump station G-434. 

From the inflow canal, structures G-438A-E will direct flows to Cell 5 and G-438F-J will direct flows to Cell 6. 

Inflows will be directed into Treatment Cell 4 via G-367 A-F gated control structures after treatment through Cells 5 

and 6. All inflow structures for Cells 4-6 are 72” gated culverts. During high flow operations, additional 

structures, G-443A and B will provide inflows to Cell 4 via Cells 5 and 6 respectively. Both structures are a single 

8’x 8’ gated box culvert. Gated control structure G-337A may also deliver water to the NBO treatment cells. 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 2 Compartment B Build-Out 

FDEP File No. 0126704-008 

Page 4 of 27 

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For the SBO, inflows will be directed from the NNRC through the G-439 structure and into the SBO inflow canal 

using pump station G-435. From the inflow canal, six 60” gated culverts, G-440A-F, will direct flows south into 

Cell 7. Inflow to Cell 8 will be directed through three 8’x8’ un-gated box culverts, G-442A-C, located under the 

FPL access road. 

V. STA-2 Interior Treatment Works 

The existing eastern STA-2 interior treatment works are divided into three parallel treatment cells (Cells 1-3) 

through interior levees and water control structures. Cell 4 interior treatment works, completed as part of the initial 

expansion of STA-2, operate in conjunction with Cells 1-3. Flows pass through the treatment cells from north to 

south and are directed into the STA-2 discharge canal situated along the south boundary of Cell 1. Cell 1 consists 

of approximately 1,798 acres of effective treatment area, Cell 2 approximately 2,270 acres, Cell 3 approximately 

2,270 acres and Cell 4 has approximately 1,900 acres. Upon completion of the NBO, Cell 4 will work in concert 

with the NBO. 

For the NBO interior treatment works, Treatment Cells 5 and 6 will be separated by a divider levee with flows 

passing through the treatments cells from north to south. Both cells will flow into Cell 4 for additional treatment 

prior to discharge into to the outflow canal. The eastern levee of the NNRC, which will serve as the western levee 

for Cell 4 and Cell 5, will be raised in some sections to meet design requirements. Cell 5 has an effective treatment 

area of 2,096 acres, including 574 acres of emergent vegetation, and Cell 6 has an effective treatment area of 1,786 

acres, including 489 acres of emergent vegetation. 

For the SBO interior treatment works, Treatment Cells 7 and 8 will be separated by the FPL access road which will 

be raised to create a divider levee. Flows will pass through the Cell 7 from north to south and then through Cell 8 

from south to north for additional treatment prior to discharging into to the NBO/SBO outflow canal. The eastern 

levee of the NNRC, which will serve as the western levee for Cell 7, will be raised in some sections to meet design 

requirements. Cell 7 will be managed for an effective treatment area of approximately 1,525 acres of emergent 

vegetation and Cell 8 will have approximately 1,410 acres of SAV treatment area. 

VI. STA-2 Discharge Works 

Cells 1-3 of STA-2 collect treated water at the southern end of each treatment cell and pass it through a series of 

outflow control structures (Cell 1 outflow structures G-330 A-E, Cell 2 outflow structure G-332 and Cell 3 outflow 

structure G-334). The discharge canal for Cells 1-3 is located along the south side of Cell 1. Water collected in the 

discharge canal is pumped into the L-6 Borrow Canal by the G-335 Pump Station. Operation of Cells 1-4 of STA-2 

shall continue to discharge under the existing operational authorization. 

For the NBO, Cell 5 and 6 will discharge through Cell 4 inflow structures, G-367A-F and G-443A and B after 

degradation of the existing Cell 4 north levee. Cell 4 outflow structure, G-368A-D, connects the NBO to the 

NBO/SBO discharge canal. Structures G-368A-D consists of four gated culverts that serve as the outflow control 

structures for treatment Cell 4. Each culvert has a 140-ft long 8-ft x 8-ft concrete box culvert with a 96”x 96” slide 

gate in the center of the culvert alignment, and flared end sections. These structures convey water from a collector 

canal that runs across the south end of Cell 4 and into the NBO/SBO discharge canal. This discharge canal from 

Cell 4, which is currently connected to the G-335 Pump Station, will be re-aligned to parallel the existing STA-2 

discharge canal and connect to the new G-436 Pump Station for release to the L-6 Borrow Canal. Operation of the 

Cells 5-6, in combination with the existing Cell 4, will require a separate authorization for operations under this 

permit. 

For the SBO, Cell 7 will discharge through the Cell 8 inflow structures, G-442A-C, with the Cell 8 outflow 

structure, G-441A and B, connecting to the NBO/SBO discharge canal. Structures G-441A and B each consists of a 

single 8-ft x 8-ft gated box culvert. These two structures will convey water from a collector canal located along the 

north end of Cell 8 and into the NBO/SBO discharge canal. Water collected in the discharge canal will be pumped 

into the L-6 Borrow Canal by the G-436 Pump Station. Operation of the Cell 7 & 8 configuration described above 

will require a separate authorization for operations under this permit. 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 2 Compartment B Build-Out 

FDEP File No. 0126704-008 

Page 5 of 27 

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VII. G-335 Outflow Pump Station 

The existing outflow Pump Station G-335 draws treated water from the STA-2 discharge canal and releases it to the 

existing WCA-2A Hydropattern Restoration Works via the L-6 Borrow Canal. This pump station is located in the 

southeastern corner of Cell 1 and serves Cells 1-4. Until the NBO is complete, G-335 will continue to serve Cell 4. 

G-335 pump station includes two 100 cfs pumps, two 470 cfs pumps and two 950 cfs pumps (3,040 cfs total 

discharge rate) a pump station enclosure, and a connection canal leading to the L-6 Borrow Canal. Discharges from 

this pump station normally flow northeast and southwest along the L-6 Borrow Canal and are conveyed into WCA2A via the existing Hydropattern Restoration Works. 

VIII. G-434 Inflow Pump Station 

Inflow Pump Station G-434 will draw water from the NNRC and discharge it into the northern inflow canal for 

delivery to Cells 5 and 6. This pump station will be located in the northwestern corner of Cell 5 and will serve the 

NBO treatment cells (Cells 4, 5 and 6). G-434 pump station includes two 460 cfs pumps and two 100 cfs pumps 

(1,120 cfs total inflow rate), three 100 cfs seepage pumps, a pump station enclosure and an intake canal. Four 8-ft x 

8-ft un-gated box culverts, G-437A-D, will be constructed in the intake canal to G-434 for continuation of levee 

access along the NNRC. 

IX. G-435 Inflow Pump Station 

Inflow Pump Station G-435 will draw water from the NNRC and discharge it into the southern inflow canal for 

delivery to Cell 7. This pump station will be located in the northwestern corner of Cell 7 and will serve the SBO 

treatment cells (Cells 7 and 8). G-435 pump station includes three 160 cfs pumps (480 cfs total inflow rate), a pump 

station enclosure and an intake canal. Three 8-ft x 8-ft un-gated box culverts, G-439A-C, will be constructed in the 

intake canal to G-435 for continuation of levee access along the NNRC. 

X. G-436 Outflow Pump Station 

Outflow Pump Station G-436 will discharge treated water from the NBO/SBO into the L-6 Borrow Canal. This 

pump station will be located in the northeastern corner of Cell 8 and will serve all of the NBO and SBO treatment 

cells. G-436 pump station includes three 533 cfs pumps and two 100 cfs pumps (1,800 cfs total discharge rate), a 

pump station enclosure, and a connection canal leading to the L-6 Borrow Canal. Discharges from this pump station 

will normally flow northeast and southwest along the L-6 Borrow Canal and will be conveyed into WCA-2A via the 

Hydropattern Restoration Works. 

XI. Okeelanta Bridge 

The Okeelanta Bridge, located near the SBO Inflow Pump Station G-435, will provide access to STA-2 from US 27. 

This bridge provides two 12-ft. lanes with paved shoulders and traffic barriers. Once construction of the bridge is 

completed, future public access to STA-2 for recreational purposes will exist via this new bridge. 

XII. WCA 2A Hydropattern Restoration Works 

The existing works consist of six existing box culverts, G-336A-F (approximately 300 cfs each) located along the 

northern edge of WCA-2A, and an existing 3,400-foot degraded section (gap) in the L-6 Borrow Canal Levee 

located immediately north of the S-7 Pump Station. The six box culverts and the levee gap convey water into 

previously impacted areas of WCA-2A. Flow through the box culverts and the levee gap will be delivered from the 

G-335 and G-436 Pump Station. 

An existing divide structure, G-336G, will be removed and a new structure, G-444, constructed in the L-6 Borrow 

Canal south of the G-335 and G-436 Pump Stations. This structure will consist of a double roller gated structure to 

control stage and flow between the north and south sections of the L-6 Borrow Canal. The L-6 Borrow Canal/Levee 

will be modified in accordance with Specific Condition 4 to provide additional conveyance for discharges from the 

G-436 Pump Station. 

XIII. FPL Facilities 

A Seepage Pump Station, G-445, with a capacity of 26 cfs will be constructed within Cell 8 of the SBO to control 

water levels within the FPL property (switching station parcel). Miscellaneous improvements to the access roads 

serving the transmission towers will be required within the SBO due to increased water levels with the STA. 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 2 Compartment B Build-Out 

FDEP File No. 0126704-008 

Page 6 of 27 

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XIV. Recreational Facilities 

In fulfillment of the public access and recreation requirements of the EFA Subsection 373.4592 (4)(a) F.S., and as 

further described in Subsection 373.1391(1)(a) F.S. and (b), recreational facilities are proposed at STA-2. The 

proposed recreational facilities shall be designed to ensure compatibility with the restoration goals of the ECP and 

the water quality and hydrological purposes of the STAs. The proposed STA-2 facilities will ultimately include a 

parking lot along the east side of U.S. Highway 27; an information kiosk and composting toilet; a canoe launching 

site for access to canals and deepwater areas outside the treatment footprint of the STA; pedestrian gates; and 

signage and fencing as needed to define public access areas and to protect sensitive equipment and landscaping. 

XV. Structural, Operational and Vegetation Enhancements 

In accordance with the EFA, the District is conducting structural, operational and vegetation enhancements to STA2 designed to achieve compliance with state water quality standards. These are described in detail in the LongTerm Plan, and are summarized below: 

• Construction of approximately 2 miles of interior levee and additional water control structures with 

telemetric control subdividing Cell 1 into Cells 1A and B, and Cell 2 into Cells 2A and 2B 

• One small forward-pumping station along the new interior Cell 2 levee to permit withdrawal from 

upstream emergent marsh cell to maintain stages in the downstream SAV cell 

• Emergent vegetation in the downstream portions of Cells 1 and 2 will be converted to SAV. Herbicide 

treatment of Cells 1B and 2B for removal of emergent macrophyte vegetation to permit development of 

SAV will be applied 

LOCATION: 

STA-2 is located within the following property descriptions in Palm Beach County: 

• S-5A Basin Diversion. The enlargement of the Ocean Canal (also known as Cross Canal, Cross Cut Canal 

and Levee 13) from the G-340 Structure east to the G-341 Basin Divide structure occurred on the north 

side of the existing canal within the District’s right-of-way. The enlargement of the Ocean Canal from the 

G-340 Structure south to its confluence with the Hillsboro Canal occurred on the northwest side of the 

existing canal within the District’s right-of-way. The Ocean Canal is located in Sections 4, 5, and 6, 

Township 44 South, Range 39 East, Hiatus lots 4, 5, and 6 between Townships 43 and 44 South, Range 39 

East, Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 17, and 18, Township 44 South, Range 38 East, and Hiatus lots 1, 2, 3, and 

4 between Townships 43 and 44 South, Range 38 East 

The enlargement of the Hillsboro Canal (also known as Levee 15) begins at its confluence with the Ocean 

Canal and extends southeast a total distance of approximately 34,800 feet and occurred on the northeastern 

side of the existing canal within the District’s right-of-way. The Hillsboro Canal is located in Sections 17, 

18, 20, 28, 29, 33, and 34, Township 44 South, Range 38 East, and Sections 2, 3, 4, 10, 11, 13, and 14, 

Township 45 South, Range 38 East 

• S-6 Diversion Works. A strip of land approximately 400 feet in width extending through a portion of 

Sections 3 and 4 of Township 46 South, Range 39 East 

• STA-2 Supply Canal Works. A strip of land 1,015 feet in width extending throughout Sections 8, 9, 16, 

17, 19 and 20, Township 46 South, Range 39 East 

• STA-2 Interior Works. This includes the Inflow Works, Interior Treatment Works, Discharge Works, 

FPL and Recreational Facilities and Pump Station G-335, G434, G-435 and G-436 are located within the 

following: Sections 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, the western portion of 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, and 36 

(less the southeast corner), Township 46 South, Range 38 East; a western portion of Section 30, the far 

northwestern tip of Section 31, Township 46 South, Range 39 East; the northwest corner of Sections 1, 11, 

14 and 22, all of Sections 2, 3, 4 5, 9 and 10, the northeast corner of Sections 6, 8, 17, and 21, Section 16 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 2 Compartment B Build-Out 

FDEP File No. 0126704-008 

Page 7 of 27 

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(less the southwest corner) and Section 15 (less the southeast corner), Township 47 South, Range 38 East; 

the northeast corner of Section 23, Section 24 (less the southwest corner), the northeast portion of Section 

25 and the northeast corner or Section 36, Township 46 South, Range 37 East and Section Government Lot 

5, Township 43.5, Range 40 East. 

• Okeelanta Bridge. Within the NNRC right-of-way in Section 8, Township 47 South, Range 38 East. 

• Water Conservation Area 2A (WCA 2A) Hydropattern Restoration. A strip of land approximately 

490 feet in width extending through Sections 4 and 9, Township 46 South, Range 39 East; Sections 17, 20, 

30 and 31, Township 46 South, Range 39 East; Section 36, Township 46 South, Range 38 East; and 

Sections 1, 2,11, 14, 15 and 22, Township 47 South, Range 38 East. 

GENERAL CONDITIONS: 

In accordance with Subsection 373.4592(9)(g), F.S., this permit may include any standard conditions provided by 

Department rule which are appropriate and consistent with the EFA. 

1. Enforcement. The terms, conditions, requirements, limitations and restrictions set forth in this permit, are 

"permit conditions" and are binding and enforceable pursuant to Sections 373.129, 403.141, 403.727, 403.859 

through 403.861, F.S. The permittee is placed on notice that the Department will review this permit periodically and 

may initiate enforcement action for any violation of these conditions. 

2. Scope of permit. This permit is valid only for the specific processes and operations applied for and indicated 

in the approved drawings or exhibits requirements of this permit. Any unauthorized deviation from the approved 

drawings, exhibits, specifications, or conditions requirements of this permit may constitute grounds for revocation 

and enforcement action by the Department. 

3. Limitation of rights. The issuance of this permit does not convey any vested rights or any exclusive 

privileges. Neither does it authorize any injury to public or private property or any invasion of personal rights, nor 

any infringement of federal, state, or local laws or regulations. This permit is not a waiver of or approval of any 

other Department permit that may be required for other aspects of the STA-2 project which are not addressed in this 

permit. However, this permit is in lieu of other permits under Part IV of Chapter 373, F.S., pursuant to Subsection 

373.4592(9)(c), F.S. 

4. Limitations upon title. This permit conveys no title to land or water, does not constitute State recognition or 

acknowledgment of title, and does not constitute authority for the use of submerged lands unless herein provided 

and the necessary title or leasehold interests have been obtained from the State. Only the Trustees of the Internal 

Improvement Trust Fund may express State opinion as to title. 

5. Liability. This permit does not relieve the permittee from liability for harm or injury to human health or 

welfare, animal, or plant life, or property caused by the construction or operation of this permitted source, or from 

penalties therefore; nor does it allow the permittee to cause pollution in contravention of Florida Statutes and 

Department rules, unless specifically authorized by an order from the Department. The permittee shall hold and 

save the Department harmless from any and all damages, claims, or liabilities which may arise by reason of the 

construction, alteration, operation, maintenance, removal, abandonment or use of any system authorized by the 

permit. 

6. Operation and maintenance responsibilities. The permittee shall properly operate and maintain the STA and 

systems of treatment and control (and related appurtenances) that are installed and used by the permittee to achieve 

compliance with the conditions of this permit, as required by Department rules. This provision includes the 

operation of backup or auxiliary facilities or similar systems when necessary to achieve compliance with the 

conditions of the permit and when required by Department rules. 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 2 Compartment B Build-Out 

FDEP File No. 0126704-008 

Page 8 of 27 

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7. Access Rights. The permittee, by accepting this permit, specifically agrees to allow authorized Department 

personnel, upon presentation of credentials or other documents as may be required by law and at reasonable times, 

access to the premises where the permitted activity is located or conducted for the following purposes: 

1. Access to, and the right to, copy any records that must be kept under conditions of the permit 

2. Inspection of the facility, equipment, practices, or operations regulated or required under this permit 

3. Sampling or monitoring of any substances or parameters at any location reasonably necessary to assure 

compliance with this permit or Department rules 

4. Reasonable time may depend on the nature of the concern being investigated. 

8. Noncompliance. If, for any reason, the permittee does not comply with or will be unable to comply with any 

condition or limitation specified in this permit, the permittee shall immediately provide the Department with the 

following information: 

1. A description of and cause of noncompliance 

2. The period of noncompliance, including dates and times; or, if not corrected, the anticipated time the 

noncompliance is expected to continue, and steps being taken to reduce, eliminate, and prevent recurrence 

of the noncompliance. The permittee shall be responsible for any and all damages which may result and 

may be subject to enforcement action by the Department for penalties or for revocation of this permit 

9. Records as evidence. In accepting this permit, the permittee understands and agrees that all records, notes, 

monitoring data, and other information relating to the construction or operation of this permitted source which are 

submitted to the Department may be used by the Department as evidence in any enforcement case involving the 

permitted source arising under the Florida Statutes or Department rules, except where such use is prescribed by 

Sections 403.111, F.S. and 403.73, F.S. Such evidence shall only be used to the extent it is consistent with the 

Florida Rules of Civil Procedure and appropriate evidentiary rules. 

 

10. Changes in Law. The permittee agrees to comply with changes in applicable Department rules and applicable 

Florida Statutes after a reasonable time for compliance; provided, however, the permittee does not waive any 

other rights granted by Florida law. However, this section cannot be used as a basis to extend the time to 

comply with the permit’s total phosphorus WQBEL.

11. Transferability. This permit is transferable only upon Department approval in accordance with Rules 62-

4.120 and 62-343.130, F.A.C., as applicable. The permittee shall be liable for any non-compliance of the permitted 

activity until the transfer is approved by the Department. 

12. Permit at Work Site. This permit or a copy thereof shall be kept at the work site of the permitted activity. For 

the purposes of this permit the work site shall be defined as the South Florida Water Management District 

Headquarters located at 3301 Gun Club Road in West Palm Beach, Florida. 

13. Records Retention. The permittee shall comply with the following: 

A. Upon request, the permittee shall furnish all records and plans required under Department rules. During 

enforcement actions, the retention period for all records will be extended automatically unless otherwise 

stipulated by the Department 

B. The permittee shall hold at the STA or other location designated by this permit records of all monitoring 

information required by the permit, copies of all reports required by this permit, and records of all data used to 

complete the application for this permit. These materials shall be retained at least five years from the date of 

the sample, measurement, report, and application unless otherwise specified by Department rule 

C. Records of monitoring information shall include the following: 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 2 Compartment B Build-Out 

FDEP File No. 0126704-008 

Page 9 of 27 

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1. The date, exact place, and time of sampling or measurements 

2. The person responsible for performing the sampling or measurements 

3. The dates analyses were performed or the appropriate code as required by Chapter 62.160 F.A.C. 

4. The person responsible for performing the analyses 

5. The analytical techniques or methods used, including but not limited to MDL (Method Detection 

Limit) 

6. The results of such analyses, including identification of potential outlier values 

14. Requests for Information. When requested by the Department, the permittee shall within a reasonable time 

furnish any information required by law which is needed to determine compliance with the permit. If the permittee 

becomes aware that relevant facts were not submitted or were incorrect in the permit application or in any report to 

the Department, such facts or information shall be corrected promptly. 

15. External Agency Requirements. Should any other regulatory agency require changes to the permitted 

system, the permittee shall notify the Department in writing of the changes prior to implementation so that a 

determination can be made whether a permit modification is required. 

16. Sovereign Lands. The permittee is hereby advised that Florida law states: No person shall commence any 

excavation, construction, or other activity involving the use of sovereign or other lands of the state, title to which is 

vested in the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund or the Department of Environmental 

Protection under Chapter 253, until such person has received from the Board of Trustees of the Internal 

Improvement Trust Fund the required lease, license, easement, or other form of consent authorizing the proposed 

use. Therefore, the permittee is responsible for obtaining any necessary authorizations from the Board of Trustees 

prior to commencing activity on sovereignty lands or other state-owned lands. 

17. Artifacts. If historic or archaeological artifacts such as, but not limited to, Indian canoes, arrow heads, pottery 

or physical remains, are discovered at any time on the project site, the permittee shall immediately stop all activities 

which disturb the soil and notify the Department and the State Historic Preservation Officer. 

SPECIFIC CONDITIONS: 

1. Addresses. Reports and notices submitted to the Department in accordance with this permit, unless otherwise 

specified, shall be submitted to the Department’s Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration, 

Restoration Planning and Permitting Section, 2600 Blair Stone Road, MS 3560, Tallahassee, Florida, 32399-2400, 

telephone no. (850) 245-8346 and to the Department’s Southeast District Office, Water Resource Management and 

Environmental Planning, 400 North Congress Avenue, Suite 200, West Palm Beach, Florida 33401, telephone no. 

(561) 681-6600. Electronic copies of reports and notices required by this permit shall be sent to 

RPPS_Comp@dep.state.fl.us. 

2. Related Permits. The Department and the permittee acknowledge the issuance of other permits related to 

STA2. STA-2 previously operated under EFA Permit No. 00126704-005 and portions of the facility currently 

operate under NPDES Permit No. FL0177946-003-IW7A. Additional related permits include Department Permit 

No. 0289306 which authorizes temporary dewatering activities associated with the STAs and Non-ECP structures, 

and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 404 Permit No. 199404532. An additional authorization by the U.S. Army 

Corps of Engineers is anticipated to be issued subsequent to the completion of the Compartment B and C 

Environmental Impact Statement. This STA-2 EFA permit, upon issuance, shall supersede and replace the former 

STA-2 EFA Permits issued by the Department. 

3. Public Use. The recreational facilities located within the STA-2 Project shall be maintained to ensure 

compatibility with the restoration goals of the ECP and the water quality and hydrological purposes of the STAs. 

This permit does not absolve the permittee from the responsibility of obtaining other permits (federal, state, or local) 

which may be required for the activities occurring at these sites.
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 2 Compartment B Build-Out 

FDEP File No. 0126704-008 

Page 10 of 27 

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Conditions for Construction, Operation and Maintenance 

4. L-6 Levee/Canal Conveyance Improvements. Within 180 days of permit issuance, the District shall submit 

60% design drawings and related information regarding the proposed improvement of the existing STA-2 

conveyance features into WCA-2A for Department review and approval. Prior to any conveyance improvement 

activities commencing, 90% plans for the proposed conveyance modifications shall be submitted and approved by 

the Department. The information to be submitted to the Department shall include, at a minimum, the following:

1. L-6 Canal conveyance improvements. 

2. Alternate proposed location of the G-444 Divide Structure. 

3. Modifications to the existing conveyance area bounded by the G-336A-F structures. 

4. Proposed location(s) of material to be dredged/excavated as a result of the proposed activities (including 

temporary storage locations). 

5. Copies of all real estate authorizations (i.e., right-of-way(s), leases, easements, or other legal agreements 

that authorize the applicant to perform the proposed activities) 

6. Information describing the employment of erosion controls (Best Management Practices) necessary to 

prohibit the transport of sediment into downstream receiving waters. 

7. Supporting information on how the proposed activities shall aid in achieving the design objectives of the 

Everglades Construction Project. 

Prior to any of the proposed conveyance modifications commencing, the District shall submit all necessary 

authorizations from the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service to the Department. 

5. Project Construction. The permittee shall ensure that Compartment B Build-Out components are constructed 

consistent with the design documents. During any construction and modification of Compartment B and associated 

works, the permittee shall take all reasonable precautions to minimize the suspension and transport of soils, levee 

materials, and roadway materials into waters adjacent to or downstream of the construction site. In addition, during 

construction, the permittee shall perform turbidity monitoring in accordance with Specific Condition 24.

6. Project Operation and Maintenance. The permittee shall operate and maintain STA-2 consistent with the 

design documents, as may be modified and reflected on the record drawings, operations criteria, and operation plan 

required by Specific Condition 11. Treatment cells existing at the time of permit issuance (STA 2-1, 2-2, 2-3 and 2-

4) are authorized to maintain existing operation. Operation of the NBO individual components of Compartment B 

Build-Out (including Cell 4 once hydrologically connected to Cells 5 and 6) and SBO components of the facility are 

not authorized under this permit. 

 

7. As-Built Certification and Record Drawings. Within 60 days following substantial completion of any 

construction contract for STA-2, including the modification of treatment cells or structures, the permittee shall 

submit a written statement of completion and certification by a registered professional engineer or other appropriate 

individual as authorized by law. Construction is considered complete when the associated construction contract is 

completed and closed out. The statement of completion and certification shall be based on on-site observation of 

construction or review of as-built drawings for the purpose of determining if the work was completed in compliance 

with permitted plans and specifications. This submittal shall serve to notify the Department that STA-2 and/or 

Compartment B are ready for final inspection. Additionally, if deviation from the approved drawings is discovered 

during the certification process, the certification must be accompanied by a copy of the approved permit drawings 

with deviations noted. Both the original and revised specifications must be clearly shown. The plans must be clearly 

labeled as “as-built” or “record” drawing. All surveyed dimensions and elevations shall be certified by a registered 

surveyor. 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 2 Compartment B Build-Out 

FDEP File No. 0126704-008 

Page 11 of 27 

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8. Contaminated Sites and Residual Agrichemicals. The Permittee shall address all contaminated sites within 

the project footprint in accordance with all applicable Department statutes and rules including but not limited to 

Chapters 62-770, 62-780, and 62-785, F.A.C. The Permittee shall address any agricultural chemical residuals in the 

project footprint in accordance with the “Protocol For Assessment, Remediation And Post-Remediation Monitoring 

For Environmental Contaminants On Everglades Restoration Projects” (Protocol) dated March 14, 2008 so that risk 

to the environment is minimized based upon the projected use of the property. Regardless of any remedial action 

plan, the Chapter 62-777, F.A.C. cleanup target levels, or the Protocol, the Permittee shall address all contamination 

within the project footprint, to minimize to the maximum extent practicable any detrimental impacts to Threatened or 

Endangered species. As a corrective action, the Department may require limitations on property access or use as part 

of the Permittee’s Land Management Plan for the project area. All corrective actions must be completed prior to 

initial operation or use of the project. Documentation of completion of corrective actions must be submitted to the 

Department no later than 90 days prior to the initial operation or use of the completed project, unless the Department 

approves an alternative schedule. The Permittee shall secure written concurrence from the Department that the 

corrective actions have been completed based upon applicable protocols and the projected land use, prior to initial 

operation of the completed project. If contamination is discovered after initial operations, the Permittee shall send to 

the Department at the address listed in Specific Condition No. 1 an assessment and remedial action plan for 

Department approval. Upon the Department’s approval, the Permittee shall implement the assessment and remedial 

action plan and provide quarterly reports to the Department on the progress of the remediation until the cleanup is 

completed to the Department’s satisfaction. 

9. Vegetation and Operational Enhancements. Vegetation and operational enhancements shall be implemented 

to optimize performance as needed to achieve this permit’s total phosphorus WQBEL e phosphorus criterion in the 

EPA. Vegetation and operational enhancements shall be coordinated with the Department to determine whether a 

modification to the permit is required. 

10. Pump Station Maintenance. Maintenance requirements for the pump stations include operation of the pumps 

for approximately 2 to 4 hours per month, as necessary, to maintain their mechanical integrity. Therefore, temporary 

operation of the pump stations for maintenance purposes is allowed and is not subject to the discharge criteria of the 

specific conditions of this permit. However, the permittee shall document all such temporary maintenance 

operations, and shall include all such discharge flows and loads as a part of the monitoring requirements of this 

permit. 

11. STA Operation Plan and Modifications. Upon completion of and compliance with the scheduled Long-Term 

Plan the requirements specified herein improvements and enhancements herein and within 90 days of the 

completion of the Compartment B Build-Out or any additional Long-Term Plan improvements and enhancements, 

the permittee shall submit to the Department, at the addresses listed in Specific Condition 1, an updated Operations 

Plan for the STA-2 facility, as applicable, subject to modification under the conditions set forth below. 

If at any time changes to the STA-2 Operations Plan are warranted to optimize facility operation, and upon 

verification of data to be supplied by the permittee that justifies the need for such modification, the Operations Plan 

may be modified as mutually agreed upon by the Department and the permittee. The Operations Plan shall also 

include the information described in A-G, below. 

A. Minimum Water Level Targets to Avoid Dryout. In accordance with the relevant design documents, the 

permittee shall, to the maximum extent practicable, maintain a minimum static water level of 0.5 feet above the 

average ground elevation of the treatment cells to avoid dryout of the treatment cells, subject to available water 

from the upstream watershed. 

 

B. Responding to Dryout Conditions. The permittee shall evaluate and correct potential adverse dryout 

effects on the water quality performance of STA-2. If the compliance requirements in this permit are not met 

due to dryout conditions, then the permittee shall propose modifications to the Operations Plan and Monitoring 

Plan as appropriate and submit the revised plan(s) to the Department for review and approval. 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 2 Compartment B Build-Out 

FDEP File No. 0126704-008 

Page 12 of 27 

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C. Maximum Water Level Targets. The permittee shall ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that 

maximum water depths of 4.0 feet above the average ground elevation of the treatment cells will not be 

exceeded in order to avoid long-term damage to the treatment vegetation and protection of project levees. 

D. Operational Envelope. The permittee shall ensure to the maximum extent practicable that authorized 

operation of the existing components of the facility do not exceed the operational envelope for STA-2 (this 

permit does not authorize operations for Compartment B Build-Out), as set forth in the existing STA-2 

Operations Plan. 

E. Phosphorus Uptake Optimization. Operations shall be conducted to distribute the flows and water levels 

within STA-2 to optimize the phosphorus reduction performance and shall be updated as necessary to include 

the results of the permittee’s Process Development and Engineering (PDE) program being implemented as a 

part of the Long-Term Plan. 

F. Operations Plan Modifications. The STA-2 Operations Plan should be reviewed and may be revised as 

appropriate based on operational experience, research results, downstream monitoring and upstream levels of 

service. 

G. Hydropattern Restoration. STA-2 shall be operated in such a manner as to be consistent with the 

activities proposed to restore the hydropattern of the EPA, as described in Specific Condition 12 below. 

Under emergency conditions that threaten the safety of life, property, or the STA-2 facility, the permittee may 

modify the operations of STA-2 and immediately employ any remedial means to protect life and property in 

accordance with the emergency provisions of Chapter 373, F.S. The permittee shall notify the Department within 

48 hours of such occurrence and shall provide data justifying the need to employ the emergency modifications to 

operations of STA-2. 

12. Hydropattern Restoration. In accordance with Subsection 373.4592(4)(b), F.S., the permittee shall operate the 

STAs in order to improve and restore the Everglades water supply and hydroperiod. The permittee shall operate the 

ECP to provide additional increased flow to the EPA through the modification of historical operational practices for 

regulatory releases from Lake Okeechobee and the Water Conservation Areas. The STAs shall be operated to 

achieve the goal of providing additional flows to the EPA and shall, to the maximum extent practicable, be 

coordinated with and consistent with the Lower East Coast Water Supply Plan, the Lake Okeechobee and Water 

Conservation Area Regulation Schedules, Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), and the entitlement 

of the Seminole Tribe of Florida to surface water withdrawals under the Water Rights Compact (P.L. 100-228). 

13. Implementation of Source Control Programs. 

A. Implementation. The permittee shall continue to implement source control programs in each of the 

contributing basins in accordance with the Long-Term Plan, Chapter 40E-63, F.A.C., and other applicable 

programs. Basins that do not presently include source control programs shall be monitored to determine if such 

programs are necessary in the event that phosphorus loads to the facility from these basins limit the facility’s 

ability to achieve the WQBEL permit effluent limit.

B. Performance. On an annual basis, the permittee shall evaluate the performance of source controls in the 

contributing basins and include the findings in the annual report required in Specific Condition 287. The report 

shall include phosphorus loads from the basins and shall describe trends and compare current loads to those 

determined necessary to achieve the WQBEL permit effluent limit. 

C. Improvements. If the WQBEL permit effluent limit is not achieved and if the assumed inflow 

concentration used to develop the Amended Determination remedy inflow loads determined necessary to achieve 

the permit effluent limit are is exceeded, the permittee shall submit a report explaining the causes(s) for the 

excessive concentration and schedules and strategies for source control improvements necessary to achieve the 

WQBEL permit effluent limit in the annual report. 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 2 Compartment B Build-Out 

FDEP File No. 0126704-008 

Page 13 of 27 

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14. Minimization of Wetland Impacts. In accordance with Subsection 373.4592(9) (e)3, F.S., of the EFA, the 

permittee shall provide reasonable assurances that any wetland impacts associated with STA-2 activities will be 

minimized to the maximum extent practicable and consistent with the documents on file with the Department.

15. Water Quantity and Flooding Impacts. The permittee shall be responsible for ensuring that STA-2 is 

operated so as not to adversely affect adjacent lands with regards to flooding impacts and water supply needs of the 

region. The permittee shall hold and save the Department harmless for any and all damages, claims, or liabilities, 

which may arise from water quantity and/or flooding impacts resulting from the construction and operation of STA2. 

Phosphorus Conditions

16. Phosphorus Standard. Pursuant to Subsection 373.4592(4)) (e)2, F.S., the Department adopted a 10 parts per 

billion (ppb) numeric criterion for phosphorus in the EPA, which was approved by the United States Environmental 

Protection Agency (EPA) on January 24, 2005. The compliance methodology for determining achievement of the 

phosphorus numeric criterion was revised and adopted by the Department on May 5, 2005, and the revised rule (62-

302.540 F.A.C.) was approved by the U.S. EPA on July 27, 2005. Achievement of the criterion shall be determined 

through the WQBEL limitation set forth in Table 1 below. 

17. Start-Up Phase. During the initial Start-Up Phase of a new cell or new flow-way, the permittee shall monitor 

phosphorus concentrations within the facility to demonstrate that the project is achieving a net reduction in 

phosphorus. Portions of STA-2 may operate independently of each other. Under those circumstances, Start-Up 

Phase operation and monitoring within a new cell or flow way shall be performed as follows:

 

A. Establishment of Marsh Vegetation. The permittee shall manage water depths in the treatment cells to 

facilitate the recruitment of marsh vegetation in accordance with the Operations Plan, which may include 

recirculating waters within the STA. 

B. Start-Up Monitoring. On a weekly basis, the permittee shall monitor total phosphorus at the upstream side 

of inflow structure(s). Total phosphorus shall also be monitored on a weekly basis on the upstream side of the 

outflow structures. 

C. Phosphorus Start-Up Test. The Phosphorus Start-Up Test for an individual flow-way or cell is based on 

when the above samples demonstrate, over a four-week period, a net reduction in phosphorus occurs. This net 

reduction shall be deemed to occur when the 4-week geometric mean total phosphorus water column 

concentration from samples collected at the applicable outflow structures is less than the 4-week geometric 

mean total phosphorus water column concentration collected at the applicable inflow structure(s). 

D. Discharge Operations. Discharge operations, from an individual flow-way or cell that has passed the 

Phosphorus Start-Up Test described above, may commence once Initial Start-Up Phase documentation and all 

supporting data and analyses are submitted to the Department via regular or electronic mail. For flow-ways that 

have not met these tests within six months after issuance of the permit, the permittee shall submit status updates 

regarding progress toward and identifying strategies and timelines to achieve this test. 

E. Initiation of Individual Flow-way (Stabilization and Routine Operation) Discharges and Monitoring. 

Once flow-through discharges from a flow-way begin, the permittee shall initiate routine water quality 

monitoring for that flow-way consistent with the monitoring program described in this permit. 

18. Stabilization Phase. (Flow-through Operations)– An STA enters the Stabilization Phase after each of three 

antecedent conditions: (1) once flow-through operations begin following the initial start-up of a new treatment cell; 

(2) when a treatment cell is undergoing implementation of the Long-Term Plan enhancements that may have 

adverse impacts on STA performance, or (3) when a treatment cell undergoing recovery activities associated with a 

major event that compromises the structural integrity or performance of the STA. During the Stabilization Phase 

the treatment vegetation will be maturing and the STA performance will generally be improving toward achieving 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 2 Compartment B Build-Out 

FDEP File No. 0126704-008 

Page 14 of 27 

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the permit effluent limitation. However, the overall performance of the STA is extremely difficult to evaluate and 

predict. It is anticipated that the treatment vegetation will require one to three years after flow-through operations 

begin for the affected cells to continue to improve toward achieving the permit effluent limit. During the 

stabilization phase, the effluent limitation shall apply. Once the facility achieves the effluent limitation, it shall 

enter the Routine Operations Phase. During the Stabilization Phase, exceedance of the effluent limitation is 

anticipated; however, the STA shall be deemed in compliance as long as the actions described in this condition and 

all other applicable permit conditions are met. 

If a flow-way is determined to be incapable of operating or performing effectively as a result of the impacts caused 

by one or more of the above mentioned circumstances, within 60 days the District shall submit strategies and 

timelines identified as being the most effective in restoring the impacted flow-way(s) and achieving the permit 

effluent limit. The District’s strategies and timelines shall include, at a minimum, the following:

1. Identify the cause of the incident which resulted in the facility not achieving the effluent limitation;

2. A statement that the facility was being properly operated at the time of the incident;

3. The period of the anticipated stabilization phase; and,

4. Any remedial steps employed to ensure that the stabilization period will be as minimal as possible..

The timely submittal and implementation of these strategies and timelines in conjunction with the Department’s 

review and approval of such submittals and compliance with all other applicable conditions set forth in this permit 

shall constitute compliance. 

In addition to the reporting associated with this condition and as part of the annual reporting requirements of the 

permit, the District shall provide an assessment of the facility and the steps being taken to meet the permit effluent 

limit. As part of the first annual report following any adverse impact to the facility, and each subsequent year until 

the facility achieves the permit effluent limit, the 12 month rolling flow-weighted mean TP concentration of the 

STA outflow shall be assessed as to whether there is a trend in improvement of performance relative to prior years. 

If the trend analysis that is applied to this data indicates that there is not a trend in improvement of performance, the 

permittee shall report as to the causes behind the lack of performance improvement. If during a subsequent annual 

report the trend analysis applied to these data indicate that there is not a trend in improvement of performance after 

the affected flow-way has been in flow-through operation for 24 months, the annual report shall include any 

remedial measures necessary to achieve improved facility performance by the end of next year, and shall provide an 

estimate of when the permit effluent limit shall be achieved.

1918. Routine Operations Phase. During the Routine Operations Phase, discharges from the STA shall meet the 

WQBEL permit effluent limitations set forth in Table 1 below. 

19. Operational Envelope. As a part of the annual reporting requirements in Specific Condition 278, the District 

shall provide an annual assessment as to whether the existing components of the STA-2 facility are operating within 

or outside the operational envelope. The assessment shall be based on annual inflow volumes and phosphorus loads 

and shall compare flows and loads to the corresponding maximum values contained in the operational envelope 

described in the current STA-2 Operations Plans. If the annual inflow volumes or phosphorus loads exceed the 

corresponding maximum values of the operational envelope during an annual compliance period, the District shall 

conduct a review of potential causes and include this review in the annual report. The review shall include a 

comparison of the relationships between rainfall, runoff, and phosphorus loads from the compliance year with 

historical data. Departmental concurrence shall be obtained prior to initiating Lake Okeechobee regulatory or water 

supply releases that would result in an exceedance of the maximum levels of flow or phosphorus loads contained in 

the operational envelope. 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 2 Compartment B Build-Out 

FDEP File No. 0126704-008 

Page 15 of 27 

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Factors Impacting Compliance

2120. Factors Outside the Permittee’s Control. In the event that non-compliance or failure to achieve the 

WQBEL performance objectives results for any of the reasons other than those below, the permittee shall take 

appropriate remedial measures. 

A. Anomalous Rainfall. Compliance with the effluent limitation shall not be tested in water years when the 

rainfall in the source basins fall outside the range of values that occurred during the period of model simulation 

if sufficient supplemental flows are not available to maintain wet conditions in STA-2. A joint field inspection 

between the Department and the District will be undertaken to verify if the facility has resulted in dryout 

conditions that would impact compliance. In these instances, results from adjacent years will be treated as 

consecutive for purposes of testing compliance. The Department may make similar adjustments where 

emergency discharges occur.

B. Random Variation. The permittee shall report any statistical uncertainty in the methodology using 

acceptable scientific methods.

CA. Other Factors. Unavoidable legal barriers or restraints, including those arising from actions or 

regulations not under the control of the permittee (e.g. Lake Okeechobee Regulation Schedule). 

B. Emergency Conditions. Discharges from STA-2 outflow structures or diversion bypass of waters through 

the G-339 and G-338 structures, as defined in the project description, shall be allowed in accordance with the 

emergency provisions of Chapter 373, F.S., or when water conditions within STA-2 may damage existing 

marsh vegetation. When a diversion bypass event or series of proximal diversion events is anticipated due to 

aforementioned conditions, the permittee shall notify the Department of the anticipated event.

Conditions for Parameters Other than Total Phosphorus 

21. Comparison of Outflows to Inflows. For all water quality parameters indicated in Table 2 of this permit other 

than total phosphorus, mercury, and dissolved oxygen, inflow and outflow samples collected at water quality 

monitoring sites shall be used to determine compliance with this specific condition. Compliance with this specific 

condition shall be evaluated as follows: 

A. If the annual average outflow concentration does not cause or contribute to violations of applicable Class 

III water quality standards, then the STA shall be deemed in compliance with this condition. 

B. If the annual average concentration at the outflow station causes or contributes to violations of applicable 

Class III water quality standards, but is of equal or better quality than, the annual average concentration at the 

inflow stations, then the STA shall be deemed in compliance with this condition. 

C. If the annual average concentration at the outflow causes or contributes to violations of applicable Class III 

water quality standards, and also exceeds the annual average concentration at the inflow station, then the STA 

shall be deemed out of compliance with this condition. 

22. Dissolved Oxygen. The dissolved oxygen parameter shall meet the requirements set forth in the Everglades 

Marsh Dissolved Oxygen Site Specific Alternative Criteria (DO SSAC, Exhibit C). Compliance with the DO SSAC 

shall be evaluated annually using a statistical analysis to compare dissolved oxygen levels at the outflows to 

predicted model values. The specific methods for determining compliance are set forth in the DO SSAC which was 

adopted by Secretarial Order on January 26, 2004, and approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a 

revision to the State of Florida’s water quality standards on June 16, 2004.

23. Turbidity Monitoring. Effective means of turbidity control, such as, but not limited to, turbidity curtains or the 

discontinuance of flow activity to and from the affected cell(s), shall be employed during all construction or 

maintenance activities that may create turbidity so that turbidity shall not exceed 29 NTUs above background in the 

receiving waters. Turbidity controls and/or preventive operation procedures shall remain in place until all turbidity 

has subsided and the turbidity level at the point of discharge to receiving waters meets state standards. 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 2 Compartment B Build-Out 

FDEP File No. 0126704-008 

Page 16 of 27 

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Turbidity monitoring equipment and personnel trained to use it shall be available on site at all times during 

construction or maintenance activities that result in project-generated turbidity levels in the receiving water 

body. The permittee shall monitor turbidity levels at least twice daily at a minimum of 4 hours apart during 

these activities as follows: 

A. Monitoring samples shall be taken at the following locations: 

1. Background Sample(s): At affected cell/flowway inflow monitoring stations or at least 1000 feet 

upstream of any construction or maintenance activities that may generate turbidity within a canal or 

conveyance feature outside of the treatment facility. 

2. Compliance Sample(s): Upstream of the affected cell/flowway outflow monitoring stations or no 

greater than 150 meters downstream of any construction or maintenance activities that may generate 

turbidity and within any visible plume. 

B. Turbidity monitoring results shall be summarized quarterly (every three calendar months) by project 

component, beginning with the first calendar month in which construction or maintenance projects occur that 

could generate turbidity in receiving waters and continuing until all maintenance is completed. Monitoring data 

with supporting documents shall be submitted to the Department quarterly during the period of actual 

construction. The reports shall clearly identify the following information: 

1. Permit number 

2. Dates and time of sampling and analysis 

3. A statement describing the methods used in collection, handling, storage and analysis of the samples 

4. A clear description of project component activities taking place at the time of sampling 

5. A map indicating the sampling locations 

6. A statement by the individual responsible for implementation of the sampling program concerning 

the authenticity, precision, limits of detection and accuracy of the data 

C. Monitoring reports shall also include the following information for each sample that is taken: 

1. Water depth 

2. Depth of sample 

3. Weather conditions 

4. Water level stage and direction of flow 

In the event that project-generated turbidity levels exceed 29 NTUs above background in the receiving waters, 

project component activities contributing to elevated turbidity levels shall immediately cease, and the Department 

shall be notified immediately. Work shall not resume until the work can be conducted in compliance with the 

aforementioned turbidity standard. In such cases where turbid conditions will be attributed to activities associated 

with dewatering, the District shall comply with the turbidity requirements set forth in the dewatering permit issued 

by the Department in lieu of the above requirements. 

SPECIFIC CONDITIONS FOR MONITORING PROGRAM

In accordance with Subsection 373.4592(9)(h), F.S., the following monitoring conditions are intended to assess the 

water quality of the discharges of STA-2, and achievement of the WQBEL specified herein permit effluent limit, 

and progress toward achieving state water quality standards.
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 2 Compartment B Build-Out 

FDEP File No. 0126704-008 

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24. Monitoring Program. Monitoring performed in accordance with this permit shall include the vegetation and 

water quality and quantity parameters listed below and in Table 2. 

A. Long-Term Plan Monitoring Program. The permittee shall continue to implement the portions of the 

PDE component of the Long-Term Plan that are related to this permit. This program shall evaluate the 

effectiveness of the STAs in improving water quality and maintaining designated and existing beneficial uses of 

the receiving waters. Results of the monitoring efforts shall be reported as part of the annual South Florida 

Environmental Report (SFER). 

1. Aerial Vegetation Photographs and Mapping. Aerial vegetation photographs and mapping shall be 

conducted in accordance with the PDE components of the Long-Term Plan. 

2. Mercury Monitoring Program. The permittee shall monitor mercury in accordance with the approved 

Mercury Monitoring Plan, which is hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of this permit as 

Exhibit D. 

3. Routine Research and Monitoring Program. The permittee shall conduct long term monitoring at 

the outflow monitoring stations, the inflow monitoring stations and report the results to the Department, 

in accordance with the annual reporting requirements of this permit. Data from this program may 

provide the basis for additional permit compliance requirements. The permittee shall also conduct 

monitoring at additional stations as defined in the PDE element of the Long-Term Plan. 

B. Hydropattern Restoration Monitoring. In order to ensure that the hydropattern restoration discharges 

from STA-2 do not adversely impact the previously unimpacted downstream portions of Water Conservation 

Area 2, the permittee shall conduct monitoring in downstream locations to ensure that the continued operation 

of STA-2 does not result in adverse impacts. The District shall include in its annual report on STA-2 an 

evaluation of conditions in representative downstream locations in the previously unimpacted areas, including: 

1. Beneficial environmental effects, including changes in water quality, soil and vegetative conditions, 

inundation and timing of discharges; 

2. Adverse environmental effects, including imbalances in natural populations of flora or fauna; changes 

to periphyton communities; phosphorus accumulation rates in soil; expansion of cattail or other 

undesirable or exotic vegetation; or other undesirable consequences of hydropattern restoration, if any 

3. The WCA 2A monitoring shall include at least 2 transects with at least 4 marsh stations each. The 

transects will be located in proximity to present or projected hydropattern restoration discharges. 

Stations will be located to include impacted and unimpacted portions of WCA 2. 

If a determination is made by the Department that the adverse impacts of the hydropattern restoration efforts exceed 

the environmental benefits, the permittee shall, within 90 days, submit plans and schedules to this office to remedy 

the adverse impacts. While the remedy is being developed and implemented, the permittee shall make best efforts 

to minimize the adverse impacts. Subsequently, modifications shall be made to this permit as appropriate. 

25. Diversion Bypass. The District shall notify the Department within 48 hours of any unanticipated 

diversions bypasses of flow through the G-338 and/or G-339 gated structures, and as soon as practicable in advance 

of anticipated bypasses diversions, with the exception of routine maintenance activities. The submitted notification 

shall include a description of the circumstances related to the diversion bypass and a projection of the anticipated 

duration of the bypass diversion. All diversions bypasses occurring through the G-338 and G-339 structures shall be 

monitored for the parameters Total Phosphorus and Calculated Flow listed in the table 2 below. As soon as 

practicable after cessation of all bypasses diversions, the District shall submit a summary of the data collected from 

the table below, and identify the duration of the bypasses diversions. Bypasses shall be limited to the shortest time 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 2 Compartment B Build-Out 

FDEP File No. 0126704-008 

Page 18 of 27 

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possible and are not allowed solely to achieve the WQBEL. Bypasses are subject to and must meet the 

requirements of F.A.C. Sections 62-620.610(20), (21), and (22). 

Parameter Units Sample Type Frequency

Total Phosphorus mg/l Grab Weekly

Flow CFS Calculated Daily Average

26. Inspection Reports. The permittee shall submit annual inspection reports to the Department evaluating the 

integrity and functionality of the above-ground levees and structures, including pump stations. Annual inspection 

reports shall be prepared by field staff trained by a Professional Engineer and reviewed by the designated 

superintendent of the area prior to submittal to the Department. The cover letter of the inspection report should 

summarize site conditions and work that was completed in response to inadequacies that may have been found during 

regular inspections. Every five years, at a minimum, each permitted facility shall have an inspection by a 

Professional Engineer registered in the State of Florida, and the subsequent inspection report shall be signed and 

sealed by that Professional Engineer and submitted to the Department. A Professional Engineer or the District’s Dam 

Safety Officer shall review and approve major repair plans or remedial work associated with inadequacies identified 

during routine and formal inspections. All reporting shall be submitted to the Department in March with the initial 5-

year inspection report for STA-2, including Compartment B, due in 2013. 

287. Annual Monitoring Reports. All studies, monitoring reports and technical submittals required by this permit 

shall be submitted to the Department in an “Annual Report”. The annual reporting requirements under this permit 

shall be incorporated into the SFER and submitted to the Department no later than March 1 of each year. Each 

Annual Report shall present the information for the previous water year, from May 1 to April 30. If additional 

reporting modifications are required, and upon approval by the Department, the permittee may modify the Annual 

Report submission date to coincide with multiple reporting requirements and time periods needed for data acquisition 

and analysis. In addition to the permit number, and name of the permit administrator, the Annual Reports shall 

contain, at a minimum, the following information: 

A. Quality Assurance and Quality Control. Sampling and monitoring data shall be collected, analyzed, 

reported and retained in accordance with Chapter 62-160, F.A.C. Any laboratory test required by this permit 

shall be performed by a laboratory that has been certified by the Department of Health (DOH) under Chapter 

64E-1, F.A.C., where such certification is required by Rule 62-160.300, F.A.C. The laboratory must be certified 

for all specific method/analyte combinations that are used to comply with this permit. The analytical method 

used shall be appropriate so as to determine if the sample complies with Class III surface water quality 

standards as specified in Chapter 62-302, F.A.C. All field activities including on-site tests and sample 

collection, whether performed by a laboratory or another organization, must follow all applicable procedures 

described in DEP-SOP-001/01 (February 1, 2004). Alternate field procedures and laboratory methods may be 

used if they have been approved according to the requirements of Rules 62-160.220, and 62-160.330, F.A.C. 

B. Water Quality Data. Records of monitoring information shall include all applicable laboratory information 

specified in Rule 62-160.340(2), F.A.C. including the following: 

1. Date, location, and time of sampling or measurements 

2. Person responsible for performing the sampling or measurements 

3. Dates analyses were performed or the appropriate code as required by Chapter 62-160, F.A.C. 

4.Laboratory/ Person responsible for performing the analyses 

5. Analytical techniques or methods used, including method detection limit (MDL) and practical 

quantification limits (PQL) 

6.Results of such analyses, including appropriate data qualifiers, and all compounds detected 

7. Depth of sampling 

8. Flow conditions and weather conditions at time of sampling 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 2 Compartment B Build-Out 

FDEP File No. 0126704-008 

Page 19 of 27 

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9.Monthly flow volumes 

In addition, the following records must be kept on file for reference during the duration of the project but are not 

required to be submitted in annual reports. 

10. Field sampling and laboratory quality manuals 

11. Sampling and analysis notes, as required under Ch. 62-160 FAC and NELAC Quality Systems (2003), 

respectively 

C. Performance Evaluation. The Annual Report shall provide a performance evaluation for STA-2 containing 

the following information:

1. The operations status of the STA, stating whether the STA is in start-up, stabilization or routine 

operations 

2. A comparison of inflow water quality data with outflow water quality data an appropriate statistical test 

with a 95% confidence interval and based on statistical distributional assumptions (e.g., Student's t-test or 

Mann-Whitney test); 

3. A comparison of outflow phosphorus concentrations with the permit effluent limit for STA-2 and 

between the current reporting year and previous years; and 

4. An assessment of the inflow volumes and phosphorus loads during the year relative to the anticipated 

operational envelope contained in STA 2 Operations Plan. 

Calculations for any reporting which require averaging of measurements shall be weighted by flow value. 

D. Herbicide and Pesticide Tracking. The permittee shall provide in each annual report, information 

regarding the application of herbicides and pesticides used to exclude/eliminate undesirable vegetation and 

pests within STA-2. Such reporting shall include the names, concentrations, locations, and quantities of all 

herbicides and pesticides used, and a statement certifying that the permittee has adhered to manufacturer 

application guidelines. 

E. Implementation Schedules. The Annual Report shall provide details on the following: 

1. Implementation of projects the WQBEL and activities required by this permit and affecting flows and 

 loads to STA-2; 

2. Source Control implementation and optimization; 

3. STA design modifications affecting implementation of the WQBEL and activities required by this 

 permit;

4. Improvements, enhancements, and strategies that have been initiated and/or completed within the 

previous year; 

5. Any delays in the implementation of the improvements, enhancements, or strategies, and the duration 

of the delays, the reason(s) for the delays, and the expected timeframe for their resolution;

6. The operational status of the STA, stating whether the STA is in Start-up, Stabilization or Routine 

Operations; If the facility is in Stabilization operations during the reporting period, the report shall 

also include the date at which the facility entered the Stabilization Phase and the length of time it 

remained or is expected to remain in that phase

7. Implementation of STA Recovery Plans;

8. Whether revisions and/or additions to the requirements of this permit improvements, enhancements,

 and strategies are recommended; 

9. Implementation of remedial measures in the event of non-compliance with permit conditions; 

10. Whether the facility was operated within or outside of the operational envelope per Specific Condition 

 19; and 

11. For each downstream transect station, a compilation of the water quality, sediment, and vegetation 

 monitoring data collected, as appropriate, and an assessment of whether the cumulative impact

 remained unchanged, improved, or worsened from the previous year/monitoring.
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 2 Compartment B Build-Out 

FDEP File No. 0126704-008 

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 F. The permittee shall report with the monthly DMR if operation of facilities is impacted by or constrained due 

to requirements under the Endangered Species Act or Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The report should include 

the species involved, an estimate of the number of individuals involved, actions taken to avoid deleterious 

impacts on the endangered species, the affect those actions had on compliance with any condition of this 

permit, and an estimate of when facility operation will no longer be impacted or constrained. 

28. Removal of Parameters. Upon demonstration that a specific parameter(s) is not present or is found 

consistently in compliance with Class III Water Quality Standards, the permittee may request a modification to the 

monitoring program as appropriate. A minimum of one year’s worth of data, for those parameters being sampled 

quarterly or more frequently, will be required prior to the Department approving any modification to the monitoring 

program. Parameters sampled semi-annually or annually will be examined on a case-by-case basis. The Department 

may approve a reduction of the monitoring frequency or waive the monitoring requirement for parameters that 

consistently are reported as in compliance with state water quality standards. 

29. Addition of Parameters. If the Department has reason to believe that additional parameters exist that may 

cause or contribute to water quality violations in the receiving waters, those parameters shall be added to the 

monitoring section of this permit as a permit modification.

30. Public Health, Safety, or Welfare. Pursuant to Subsection 373.4592(9)(h)3, F.S., discharges from STA-2 

shall not pose a serious danger to the public health, safety, or welfare. If warranted by additional information, the 

Department may include additional monitoring or compliance conditions in this permit, in accordance with 

Subsections 373.4592(9)(g) and (11)(a) 2, F.S.

31. Emergency Suspension of Sampling. Under hurricane, tropical storm warnings, or other extreme weather 

conditions, the permittee’s normal sampling schedule may be suspended if necessary. The permittee shall notify the 

Department of any anticipated sampling suspension associated with hurricanes, tropical storms, or other extreme 

weather events that may require deviation from the normal sampling schedule. Within 14 days following the 

cessation of emergency conditions, the permittee shall notify the Department of when normal sampling is expected 

to resume.

32. Transect Monitoring

 The permittee shall conduct water quality, soil, and vegetation monitoring specified below located along three

transects downstream of the STA-2 discharge to characterize the effects of the STA-2 discharge on adjacent 

marsh areas of WCA-2. The table below identifies 14 sampling sites. Of the 14 sites, nine are located in areas 

currently identified as impacted (i.e., sediment TP concentration greater than 500 mg/kg), and five sites located 

in areas currently identified as unimpacted. Upon demonstration that an additional sampling site or removal of 

an existing sampling site is warranted, the permittee may request a modification to the monitoring program as 

appropriate. The Department and USEPA shall review and approve such requests on a case by case basis. Any 

alteration in the monitoring program approved by the Department and USEPA shall occur in the form of a 

modification to this permit.

 All water quality, soil, and vegetation samples will be collected and reported for the parameters and at the

 frequency specified in the SFWMD’s January 20, 2010 ‘Project WCA-2A Monitoring Plan for STA-2 and

 Compartment B Build-Out Downstream Monitoring Plan’. 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 2 Compartment B Build-Out 

FDEP File No. 0126704-008 

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Table: Transect Monitoring Locations 

Transect 1

SITE LAT_DEC LONG_DEC Category 

2AN.25 26 27 14.34 80 27 23.34 Impacted 

2AN1 26 26 50.46 80 27 22.08 Impacted 

2AN2 26 26 20.28 80 27 14.47 Impacted 

2AN4 26 25 21.48 80 27 01.38 Impacted 

2AN5* 26 24 49.54 80 26 52.69 Unimpacted 

2AN6* 26 24 18.12 80 26 44.08 Unimpacted 

2AC0.25 26 25 34.68 80 28 30.90 Impacted 

2AC2 26 24 43.39 80 28 16.97 Impacted 

2AC4 26 23 42.54 80 28 05.10 Unimpacted 

2AC5* 26 23 9.50 80 28 0.97 Unimpacted 

Transect 2 

SITE LAT_DEC LONG_DEC Category 

2AFS.25 26 20 44.77 80 31 36.59 Impacted 

2AFS1 26 20 38.46 80 31 10.320 Impacted 

2AFS3 26 20 15.84 80 30 01.62 Impacted 

CA 29 26 19 49.28 80 28 42.13 Unimpacted 

*

 Station coordinates are approximate; exact coordinates to be determined

Renewals and Modifications

33. Permit Renewal. At least 60 days prior to the expiration of this permit, the permittee shall apply for renewal of 

this permit. Renewal may be for a period of up to 5 years in accordance with Subsection 373.4592(9)(f), F.S. 

34. Permit Modifications for STA Optimization. Pursuant to Subsections 373.4592(3)(b)-(e) and (9)(j), F.S. and 

the PDE component of the Long-Term Plan, the permittee may submit proposed modifications to STA-2 through 

the adaptive implementation process identified in the Long-Term Plan. Within 30 days after receipt of such a 

submittal, the Department shall notify the permittee as to whether a permit modification is necessary. Minor 

modifications can be processed in letter format. The Department shall determine whether the modification is minor 

or major based on the nature and magnitude of the proposed modification and the potential for the modification to 

have environmental impacts that are significantly different from those previously considered by the Department for 

the activity, pursuant to Rule 62-343.100, F.A.C. The permittee shall be required to publish a notice of application 

pursuant to Subsections 373.413 (3) and (4), F.S., as applicable, for any requested permit modification determined 

to be major in accordance with this specific condition.

34. Department Review and Approval. Where conditions in this permit require Department review and approval 

of remedial actions or plan modifications to be implemented pursuant to this permit, the Department will consult 

with the permittee to ascertain whether mutual agreement can be reached. If mutual agreement on the remedial 

actions or plan modifications cannot be reached, the action of the Department will be deemed final agency action 

and will be subject to judicial or administrative review, as appropriate. 

MONITORING REQUIRED: 

Key for Tables 1 and 2: 

Sample Type: G = Grab sample 

 FPC = Flow proportionate composite sample 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 2 Compartment B Build-Out 

FDEP File No. 0126704-008 

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 INSITU = In Situ field sample 

 CAL = Calculated parameter 

 PR = Pump record 

 RG = Rain Gauge 

Sample Locations: Inflow Sites = S-6 and G-328 

Outflow Sites = G-335 

Diversion Bypass Sites = S-6, G-338, G-339 

Sample Frequency: W = Weekly 

BI-W = Once every other week (26 samplings per year) 

DAV = Daily averages of continuous sampling 

DAC = Daily accumulation of continuous sampling 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 2 Compartment B Build-Out 

FDEP File No. 0126704-008 

Page 23 of 27 

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Discharge Limits and Monitoring: 

Table 1: Discharge Limitations and Associated Monitoring Requirements 

Discharge Limitations Monitoring Requirements

Parameters (units) Daily 

Minimum

Daily 

Maximum

Annual Average Other

Monitoring 

Frequency

Sample Type Sample 

Point

Not to exceed

10 as a 

geometric 

mean (GM) 

annual 

average in 

more than two 

consecutive 

years

18 as a flowweighted 

mean 

(FWM) 

annual 

average

Phosphorus, Total (as P) 

(ppb) -- -- 

See Footnote 1, 2, 3, 4 below 

Weekly 

GM – based 

on grab 

samples 

collected 

when 

discharge 

occurs 

FWM - 7-day 

flow 

proportioned 

composite 

Outflow 

Phosphorus, Total (as P) 

(ppb) -- -- Report 5

Weekly 

7-day flow 

proportioned 

composite 

inflow 

Oxygen, Dissolved (DO) 

(mg/L) 

Report 

See Specific Condition 23 Weekly Grab 

(Meter) 

Inflow/ 

outflow 

Flow (cfs) 

-- Report Report Report Continuous Recorder 

Inflow/ 

outflow 

1 All outflow TP monitoring results for this parameter shall be reported as a monthly average and as an annual average separate weekly values

without rounding to whole numbers. The results shall also be reported as FWM annual averages that are calculated based on the FWM of the

weekly values. The results shall also be reported as GM annual averages that are calculated based on all sample point weekly values collected 

when discharge occurs in the previous 12 months. All FWM and GM annual averages shall be reported to the nearest whole number (i.e., 10.5 

ppb shall be reported as 11 ppb; 10.49 ppb shall be reported as 10 ppb. The “monthly average” is a flow-weighted mean of the weekly effluent 

samples. The “annual average” shall be computed for each water year (May-April) and is equal to the flow-weighted mean concentration for the 

water year. 

2 The discharge shall not cause phosphorus concentrations in the receiving waters to be altered so as to cause or contribute to an imbalance in 

natural populations of aquatic flora or fauna. The discharge shall not cause phosphorus concentrations in the receiving waters to exceed the 

criteria in Rule 62-302.540(4)(a), F.A.C. Beginning at the end of April after the permit effective date and at the end of each April thereafter, the 

permittee shall report the FWM annual average using data it collected for the prior 12 months. Beginning at the end of April after the permit 

effective date and at the end of each April thereafter, the permittee shall report the GM annual average using data it collected for each of the prior 

3 years. The 10 ppb effluent limit represents the phosphorus criterion set forth in Rule 62-302.540(4)(a), F.A.C. and is consistent with Section 

301(b)(1)(C) of the CWA. A water quality based effluent limitation (WQBEL) for phosphorus shall be established in accordance with Rule 62-

650 F.A.C. and Section 373.4592 Florida Statutes by December 31,2010 and will be a major permit modification. It is recognized that the 

ultimate WQBEL to be developed may be higher than a flow-weighted mean of 10 ppb. The antibacksliding provisions of the CWA and NPDES 

regulations do not apply to an effluent limitation with a delayed compliance date, until the date of compliance. In this case, restrictions on 

backsliding would not apply to the 10 ppb permit effluent limit until the established WQBEL takes effect at the end of the compliance schedule. 3 In the year following any two consecutive years where the TP GM annual average exceeds 10 ppb, the permittee shall report quarterly the GM 

of all monthly TP values for that year. If that mean exceeds 10 ppb, the permittee shall provide a report to both FDEP and USEPA by the 

fifteenth of the month following the quarterly report of its evaluation of why that mean is as high as it is and the specific steps it is taking to 

ensure that the TP GM for that year will not exceed 10 ppb.

For the TP FWM WQBEL, the permittee shall report quarterly the average of all monthly FWMs for that year. If that average exceeds 18 ppb, 

the permittee shall provide a report to both FDEP and USEPA by the fifteenth of the month following the quarterly report of its evaluation of why 

that average is as high as it is and the specific steps it is taking to ensure that the TP FWM annual average for that year will not exceed 18 ppb.

4 If the facility does not meet the FWM WQBEL in any year, the permittee shall report the annual load of TP discharged by the STA into the 

Everglades that is in excess of the WQBEL load (based on 18 ppb). If the facility does not meet the GM WQBEL in any year, the permittee shall 

separately report the annual load of TP discharged by the STA into the Everglades that is in excess of the WQBEL load (based on 10 ppb) for that 

year and the previous two years. 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 2 Compartment B Build-Out 

FDEP File No. 0126704-008 

Page 24 of 27 

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5 All inflow TP monitoring results shall be reported as separate weekly values without rounding to whole numbers. All results shall also be 

reported as monthly averages and as FWM annual averages. The monthly averages and FWM annual averages shall be calculated based on the 

FWM of the weekly values and shall be reported to the nearest whole number (i.e., 10.5 ppb shall be reported as 11 ppb; 10.49 ppb shall be 

reported as 10 ppb). 

 

1 During bypasses diversions, Grab sampling will be conducted at S-6, and shall be used as monitoring surrogates for G-338 and G-339 

diversions see Specific Condition 26

2 Total Nitrogen (TN) is calculated from TKN and nitrate-nitrite values (TN= (nitrate/nitrite) + (TKN)). 3 During bypasses diversions,G-338 and/or G-339 will be monitored for flow, see Specific Condition 25 

Table 2: STA-2 Routine Monitoring Program 

PARAMETER UNI

TS 

SAMPLE 

TYPE 

SAMPLING 

FREQUENCY 

SAMPLING 

LOCATION 

Dissolved Oxygen mg/l INSITU W Inflow and outflow 

Mercury See attached Exhibit D 

 Mercury Monitoring Program 

pH SU INSITU W Inflow and outflow 

Specific Conductance μmhos INSITU W Inflow and outflow 

Temperature Deg C INSITU W Inflow and outflow 

Total Phosphorus 

(water)1

mg/l FPC/G W Inflow, outflow and diversion bypass

Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen 

(TKN) 2

mg/l G BI-W Inflow and outflow 

Turbidity NTU G See Specific 

Condition 24 

Inflow and outflow 

Nitrate + Nitrite mg/l G BI-W Inflow and outflow 

Sulfate mg/l G BI-W Inflow and outflow 

Flow CFS PR DAV Inflow and outflow 

Flow3 CFS CAL DAV Inflow, outflow and bypass diversion

Rainfall Volume in RG DAC Rainfall Sampling Station 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 2 Compartment B Build-Out 

FDEP File No. 0126704-008 

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DONE AND ORDERED on this 17th day of March, 2009 in Tallahassee, Florida. 

STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT 

OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 

____________________________________________ 

Jerry Brooks, Director 

Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration 

JB/em/swf/kje

FILING AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT 

FILED, on this date, under Section 120.52(7), F.S., with the designated clerk, receipt of which is hereby 

acknowledged. 

_____________________________________________________

Clerk Date 

ELECTRONIC COPIES FURNISHED TO: 

PARTIES REQUESTING NOTICE: 

Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, c/o Dexter Lehtinen, Esq. 

Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, c/o Kelly Brooks, Esq. 

United States Sugar Corporation, c/o Bubba Wade 

Seminole Tribe of Indians of Florida, c/o Stephen A. Walker, Esq. 

Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative, Roth Farms, Inc., and Wedgeworth Farms, Inc., 

 c/o William H. Green, Esq. 

Keith Saxe, Esq., U. S. Department of Justice 

Jay Gelderman, Esq., U.S. Department of Justice 

Michael Stevens, U.S. Department of the Interior 

Jeffrey J. Ward, Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative 

Philip S. Parsons, Landers & Parsons 

Helen Hickman, Brown & Caldwell 

Tom MacVicar, MacVicar, Frederico, & Lamb 

Charles Lee, Florida Audubon Society 

Leslie Feliciano, Katz Barron

ADDITIONAL COPIES FURNISHED TO: 

Jon Steverson, Governor’s Office 

Jeff Koons, Commissioner, Palm Beach County 

Pam Repp, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

Sharon Kocis, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

Jim Quinn, FL. Dept. of Community Affairs 

Charles Oravetz, Nat. Marine Fisheries Service 

Laura Kammerer, FL. Dept. of State- Historical Resources 

Don Klima, U.S. Advisory Council on Historic Preservation 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 2 Compartment B Build-Out 

FDEP File No. 0126704-008 

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Johanna Mattson, Dept. of Community Affairs 

Ray Eubanks, Dept. of Community Affairs 

Laura Kammerer, Dept. of State, Div. of Historical Resources 

Ray Scott, Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services 

Rebecca Elliot, Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services 

John Childe, Friends of the Everglades 

David Reiner, Friends of the Everglades 

Col. Paul Grosskruger, USACOE, Jacksonville 

Philip Mancusi-Ungaro, Esq., USEPA, Atlanta 

Mark Nuhfer, USEPA, Atlanta 

Gina Fonzi, USEPA, Atlanta 

Dan Scheidt, USEPA, Athens 

Eric Hughes, USEPA, Jacksonville 

Janet Bussell, The Everglades Foundation 

Sylvia Pelizza, Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge 

Mark Musaus, Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge 

Mike Zimmerman, Everglades National Park 

Mary Ann Poole, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 

Joe Walsh, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Vero Beach 

Mike Anderson, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, West Palm Beach 

Sheryl Wood, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Gary Goforth, Gary Goforth Inc., Stuart 

Joe Albers, SFWMD, West Palm 

Ken Ammon, SFWMD, West Palm 

Terrie Bates, SFWMD West Palm 

Ron Bearzotti, SFWMD West Palm 

Kirk Burns, SFWMD West Palm 

Linda Crean, SFWMD West Palm 

Deb Drum, SFWMD, West Palm 

George Hwa, SFWMD, West Palm 

Nicole Howard, SFWMD, West Palm 

Delia Ivanoff, SFWMD, West Palm 

Julianne LaRock, SFWMD West Palm 

Neil Larson, SWMD, West Palm 

Pam Lehr, SFWMD, West Palm 

Linda Lindstrom, SFWMD West Palm 

Paul Linton, SFWMD, West Palm 

Jeremy McBryan, SFWMD, West Palm 

Chip Merriam, SFWMD West Palm 

Tracey Piccone, SFWMD West Palm 

Kathy Pietro, SFWMD West Palm 

Dean Powell, SFWMD West Palm 

Garth Redfield, SFWMD, West Palm 

Sherry Scott, SFWMD West Palm 

Sean Sculley, SFWMD, West Palm 

Susan Sylvester, SFWMD, West Palm 

Stuart VanHorn, SFWMD, West Palm 

Georgia Vince, SFWMD, West Palm 

Eric Summa, USACE 

Jim McAdams, USACE, Jacksonville 

Alisa Zarbo, USACE, Palm Beach Gardens 

Lauren Aiello, FDEP 

Brian Dougherty, FDEP 

Judy Warrick, FDEP, Division of State Lands 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 2 Compartment B Build-Out 

FDEP File No. 0126704-008 

Page 27 of 27 

Printed on recycled paper.

Steve Watson, FDEP Division of Recreation and Parks 

Tracy Robb, FDEP, Tallahassee 

Greg Knecht, FDEP, Tallahassee 

Kenneth Hayman, FDEP, Tallahassee 

Daryll Joyner, FDEP, Tallahassee 

Ernie Marks, FDEP, Tallahassee 

Frank Nearhoof, FDEP, Tallahassee 

Stacey Feken, FDEP, Tallahassee 

Tom Atkeson, FDEP, Tallahassee 

John Outland, FDEP, Tallahassee 

Chad Kennedy, FDEP, West Palm Beach 

Dianne Hughes, FDEP, West Palm Beach 

Inger Hansen, FDEP, West Palm Beach 

Kelli Edson, FDEP, Tallahassee
Department of 

Environmental Protection 

Twin Towers Office Building 

Jeb Bush 2600 Blair Stone Road David B. Struhs 

Governor Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400 Secretary 

Type of Permit: Everglades Forever Act Permit 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 3/4 (STA-3/4 Project) 

County: Palm Beach 

Permit No.: 0192895 

Applicant: South Florida Water Management District 

Applicant Address: 3301 Gun Club Road 

 P. O. Box 24680 

 West Palm Beach, Florida 33416-4680 

Authorization: The Everglades Forever Act, Section 373.4592, Florida 

Statutes 

Application Received: December 17, 2001 

Issuance Date: January 9, 2004 

Expiration Date: January 9, 2009

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: 

The project is to construct, operate and maintain Stormwater Treatment Area 3/4 (STA-3/4 

Project). The STA-3/4 Project consists of the STA-3/4 Works, STA-3/4 Supply Canal, G371 and G-373 Diversion Structures, U.S. Highway 27 Bridges, STA-3/4 West L-5 Canal 

Enlargement including associated components along the L-5 borrow canal, and Pump 

Stations G-370 and G-372 (See Figure 1). The STA-3/4 Project is part of the Everglades 

Construction Project (ECP), construction, operation, and maintenance of which is required 

by the Everglades Forever Act (EFA- Ch. 373.4592, F.S.) to restore the Everglades 

ecosystem. Construction activities authorized by this permit include dredging and filling in 

wetlands, construction of water control structures, and other earthmoving work necessary to 

construct the project comply with the requirements of this permit. 

Construction and operation of the project involves rehydrating approximately 16,544 acres of 

historical wetlands previously converted to agricultural cropland. This project will impact 

approximately 115.16 acres of jurisdictional wetlands. Approximately 3 acres of the wetland 

impacts are within the boundaries of STA-3/4. The remaining 112.16 acres of wetland 

impacts are associated with the enlargement of the L-5 canal. All of the surface waters and 

wetlands to be impacted by the construction of the project are Class III Waters. 

Upon completion of construction and the start-up phase of operation, the project will be 

operated to treat water from the S-7/S-2 and S-8/S-3 basins. Presently, untreated runoff from 

those basins drains into the North New River and Miami Canals to be routed through the S-7 

and S-8 Pump Stations to Water Conservation Areas 2A and 3A. Stormwater Non-process 

wastewater runoff from these basins that is currently flowing untreated will, upon completion 

of the STA, be diverted into the constructed wetland for treatment utilizing natural, passive 

physical, and biological processes for nutrient removal and water quality improvement and 
EFA Permit 

South Florida Water Management District 

File No. 0192895, STA-3/4 & Assoc. Works 

Issuance Date: January 9, 2004 

Page 2 of 35 

will then be discharged back to the North New River and Miami Canals. Operation of the 

project involves maintaining water levels within the project to optimize the efficiency of the 

treatment area as defined by performance at removing the pollutants for which the treatment 

wetland was designed. Other operation and maintenance activities include water quality and 

vegetation monitoring, preparation and submittal of monitoring reports, vegetation 

maintenance, and maintenance of the water control structures (including canals and levees). 

Operation of this project shall be implemented to meet the requirements of this permit in 

three phases. The start-up phase of operation will begin after construction is completed and 

continue until the 4-week geometric mean total phosphorus concentration at the outflow is 

less than that of the inflow. Upon successfully meeting the start-up phase, the STA-3/4 

Project may begin initial discharges. A stabilization phase will follow, continuing until the 

12 month flow-weighted average total phosphorus concentration at the outflow is less than or 

equal to 50 parts per billion. Thereafter, the project will be in the normal or post stabilization 

operations phase. Once the WQBEL is achieved, the project will be in routine operations. 

PROJECT FACILITIES: 

The seven individual ECP components included in the STA-3/4 Project are as follows (see 

Figure 1): 

1. Diversion Structures 

2. Project Inflow Pump Stations 

3. Project Supply Canal 

4. Interior Works 

5. STA-3/4 Discharge Canals 

6. STA-3/4 Seepage Collection System 

7. US 27 New Bridges 

Below are descriptions of these ECP works, taken from the September 20, 1999, Alternatives 

Analysis Report for “STA-3/4” prepared by Burns and McDonnell. Other documents related 

to this project are: February 15, 1994 Conceptual Design, Everglades Protection Project; 

April 4, 1996 General Design Memorandum; June 30, 2000 Plan Formulation Document; 

August 23, 2000 Plan Implementation Document; and the October 11, 2000 Design Criteria

Document. Since the preparation of the aforementioned documents, the permittee has 

identified certain improvements and enhancements to improve design and operation of STA3/4. Descriptions of these improvements and enhancements can be found in Subsection H. 

below. 

A. Diversion Structures 

G-371 will act as a diversion structure located in the North New River Canal. As such, G371 will divert canal flows to new inflow Pump Station G-370, located in the northeast 

corner of STA-3/4, and will allow existing Pump Station S-7, located in the southeast corner 

of STA-3/4, to be used as an outflow pump station. 
EFA Permit 

South Florida Water Management District 

File No. 0192895, STA-3/4 & Assoc. Works 

Issuance Date: January 9, 2004 

Page 3 of 35 

Under normal STA-3/4 operating conditions, G-371 will be in the full-closed position. 

However G-371 may be operated for any of the following conditions: 

1. Full or partial bypass of STA-3/4 during runoff events in the S2/S7 Basins; 

2. Full or partial bypass of STA-3/4 during periods of regulatory releases from Lake 

Okeechobee to the North New River Canal; 

3. Bypass of STA-3/4 during periods of water supply releases from Lake Okeechobee 

intended for delivery to communities and other users in Broward county via the North 

New River Canal; and

4. Full or partial bypass of STA-3/4 when all or portions of the STA are unavailable due 

to maintenance or other conditions, including but not limited to when interior water 

conditions may damage existing treatment cell marsh vegetation.

The G-373 structure will be installed in the Miami Canal downstream of G-372 and will 

divert canal flows to new Pump Station G-372. This structure will allow existing Pump 

Station S-8, located 8 miles west of the southwest corner of STA-3/4, to be used as an 

outflow pump station. Under normal STA-3/4 operating conditions, G-373 will be in the 

full-closed position. However G-373 may be operated for any of the following conditions: 

1 Full or partial bypass of STA-3/4 during runoff events in the S3/S8 Basins; 

2. Full or partial bypass of STA-3/4 during periods of regulatory releases from Lake 

Okeechobee to the Miami Canal; 

3. Bypass of STA-3/4 during periods of water supply releases from Lake Okeechobee 

intended to delivery to communities and other users via the Miami Canal; and

4. Full or partial bypass of STA-3/4 when all or portions of the STA are unavailable due 

to maintenance or other conditions, including but not limited to when interior water 

conditions may damage existing treatment cell marsh vegetation.

B. Project Inflow Pump Stations 

Untreated water from the North New River and the Miami canals is directed into the STA at 

its north boundary by means of pump stations G-370 and G-372. 

Inflow Pump Station G-372 is the project’s primary inflow structure, drawing water from the 

Miami Canal. G-372 has a design capacity of 3,670 cfs and will pump an annual average 

volume of water equal to 252,601 acre-feet (derived from a 10-year base period). 

Inflow Pump Station G-370 is the secondary inflow pump station for the project, drawing 

water from the North New River Canal. G-370 has a design capacity of 2,770 cfs and will 

pump an annual average volume of water equal to 385,535 acre-feet (derived from a 10-year 

base period). 

C. Project Supply Canal 
EFA Permit 

South Florida Water Management District 

File No. 0192895, STA-3/4 & Assoc. Works 

Issuance Date: January 9, 2004 

Page 4 of 35 

The Inflow Canal borders the north side of the STA and the Holey Land. Control structure, 

G-383, provides flexibility in managing incoming flows before distribution into the cells. 

This structure is situated in the Inflow Canal immediately north of the intersection of the 

Inflow Control levee with Interior Levee 1. This normally closed structure serves to 

maintain separation between inflows from the North New River Canal and the Miami Canals, 

but can serve to redistribute water to prevent cell dryout, provide optimum treatment, and 

provide other operational strategies. G-383 is designed to pass 1470 cfs, 40% of Miami 

Canal peak inflow rate or 50% of North New River Canal peak inflow rate. 

D. Interior Works 

Inflow to the north cell is controlled by a series of gated hydraulic structures, G-374 A-F, G377 A-E and G-380 A-F, which allow water to pass from the Inflow Canal to the treatment 

cells. The hydraulic gradient is such that water flows in a southerly direction within the 

cells. Water that passes through Cell 1A and Cell 2A, then enter Cell 1B and 2B passing 

through a series of structures (G-375 A-F and G-378 A-E) located on Interior Levee 2 and 3. 

Water at this point travels through Cells 1B and 2B for additional treatment, then exits along 

the southern boundaries of the cells into the Discharge Canal by passing through another 

series of structures (G-376 A-F and G-379 A-E). 

E. STA-3/4 Discharge Canal 

The Eastern Discharge Canal (EDC) is located at the southern boundary of cell 1B and 2B 

and is connected to the borrow pits at its western end. The eastern end of the EDC 

terminates in L-5, west of the existing pump station S-7. The Western Discharge Canal 

(WDC) is located along the southern boundary of Cell 3 and the western boundary of Cell 

2B. The northern end of the WDC starts at Cell 3 and the terminates at the borrow pits. 

Treated water from STA 3/4 will be discharged into the L-5 Borrow Canal from the G-381 

A-F, G-379 A-E and G-376 A-F structures, and then will be released to WCA-3A, once the 

performance of STA-3/4 has been optimized in accordance with Subsection (4)(b) of the 

EFA. In the meantime, the treated water will be pumped back to the North New River and 

Miami Canals by means of existing pump stations S-7 on the North New River and S-8 and 

G-404 on the Miami Canal. Pump Station S-7 discharges to WCA-2A, Pump Station S-8 

discharges to WCA3A, and Pump Station G-404 discharges to western WCA-3A via the L-4 

Borrow Canal, the South L-4 Levee Gap and L-3 extension canal. G-404 was part of the 

STA-5 permit, but functions to move water from both STA 3/4 and 5. Treated water from 

STA 3/4, once discharged into the L-5 Canal can also be released to WCA-3A via structure 

S-150 when water levels in the North New River Canal are higher than the downstream water 

level in WCA-3A. 

F. STA-3/4 Seepage Collection System 
EFA Permit 

South Florida Water Management District 

File No. 0192895, STA-3/4 & Assoc. Works 

Issuance Date: January 9, 2004 

Page 5 of 35 

Seepage control is accomplished by routing water collected by the project’s north seepage 

collection canal back to the inflow pump stations (G-370 and G-372) via (3) 75 cfs seepage 

return pumps at each station. Seepage collected will then be routed back to the treatment 

cells by the inflow canal system. 

G. US 27 New Bridges 

Conveyance of water from the North New River Canal (L-18) to the G-370 Inflow Pump 

Station at STA-3/4 requires the excavation of a canal crossing at US 27. This section of the 

G-370 intake canal will allow water to pass from the eastern side to the western side of US 

27. Correspondingly, northbound and southbound bridges will need to be constructed to 

carry US 27 traffic over the new canal section. 

H. Improvements and Enhancements 

Cell 3 will be subdivided into Cells 3A and 3B through construction of a new interior levee 

and additional water control structures will be constructed through the new levee. An 

overhead power distribution line will be extended along the new levee across Cell 3. Small 

forward-pumping stations will be constructed along the interior levees between cells in series 

to permit withdrawal from upstream emergent marsh cells to maintain stages in the 

downstream SAV cells. Three stations are anticipated. The station pumping from Cell 1A to 

Cell1B is assigned a preliminary capacity of 54 cfs, the station from Cell 2A to Cell 2B is 

assigned a preliminary capacity of 29 cfs, and the station from Cell 3A to 3B is assigned a 

preliminary capacity of 24 cfs. Cells 1B, 2B and 3B will be treated with herbicide for 

removal of emergent macrophyte vegetation to permit development of submerged aquatic 

vegetation. 

The southwestern corner of treatment cell 2B (west of outflow Structure G-379E) will be 

utilized for an approximate 100-acre Periphyton Stormwater Treatment Area (PSTA) 

demonstration project. The purpose of this project is to demonstrate the ability of PSTA to 

serve as a final “polishing” cell in the overall STA treatment process. This PSTA 

Demonstration Project is intended to augment and form an additional element of the Process 

Development and Engineering component of the Conceptual Plan for Achieving Long-Term 

Water Quality Goals (Burns & McDonnell, 2003) in discharges from tributary basins to the 

Everglades Protection Area (EPA). The demonstration cell will be placed at the downstream 

end of the treatment cell 2A-2B flow path, where the lowest phosphorus concentrations can 

be anticipated, consistent with the intended function of the PSTA cell as a final “polishing” 

cell in an STA. 

LOCATION: 

The project is located within the south-central portion of the Everglades Agricultural Area 

and includes works in wetlands and Class III fresh waters within the southern most portion of 
EFA Permit 

South Florida Water Management District 

File No. 0192895, STA-3/4 & Assoc. Works 

Issuance Date: January 9, 2004 

Page 6 of 35 

Palm Beach County, Florida. The STA (STA-3/4) is located on 16,544 acres of lands 

located just north of the L-5 canal, directly north of the Palm Beach County line, extending 

from the Holey Land Wildlife Management Area eastward to U.S. Highway 27 (North New 

River Canal), and includes Sections 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, and 36, Township 46 South, Range 37 

East, Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14. 15, 16, 22, 23, 24, Township 47 

South, Range 37 East, Sections 6, 7, 8, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, Township 47 South, Range 38 

East, and Section 31, Township 46 South, Range 38 East. 

The Supply Canal connects the STA with both the Miami Canal and the North New River 

Canal and will be located just north of the STA and Holey Land Wildlife Management Area, 

within Sections 35 and 36, Township 46 South, Range 35 East, Sections 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 

36, Township 46 South, Range 36 East, and Sections 18, 19, and 30, Township 46 South, 

Range 37 East. 

The Discharge Canal will be constructed by enlarging the existing L-5 borrow canal, a 

Class III fresh waters, running east-west just south of STA-3/4, in Sections 22, 23, 24, 27, 

28, 29 and 30,Township 47 South, Range 37 East, and Sections 19, 20, 21, 22 and 28, 

Township 47 South, Range 38 East, and Sections 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12, Township 48 South, 

Range 36 East, Palm Beach County. 

IN ACCORDANCE WITH: 

This EFA permit for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the STA-3/4 Project is 

issued in accordance with the following: 

• The Everglades Forever Act, Section 373.4592, F.S.; 

• The permit application for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the 

ECP, including the STA-3/4 Project and associated works, prepared by the South 

Florida Water Management District, and received by the Department on June 1, 

1994; 

• The permit application for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the 

STA-3/4 Project and associated works, prepared by the South Florida Water 

Management District, submitted to the Department on December 17, 2001, and 

additional information submitted in support of the application on May 29, 2002 

and August 12, 2002; and, 

• The engineering drawings and technical specifications for STA-3/4 and 

associated works, including the design documents.

GENERAL CONDITIONS:

In accordance with Subsection 373.4592(9)(g) of the EFA, this permit may include any 

standard conditions provided by Department rule which are appropriate and consistent with 

the EFA. 
EFA Permit 

South Florida Water Management District 

File No. 0192895, STA-3/4 & Assoc. Works 

Issuance Date: January 9, 2004 

Page 7 of 35 

1. Enforcement. The terms, conditions, requirements, limitations and restrictions set forth 

in this permit, are "permit conditions" and are binding and enforceable pursuant to Chapter 

373.129, F.S. The permittee is placed on notice that the Department will review this permit 

periodically and may initiate enforcement action for any violation of these conditions. 

2. Scope of permit. This permit is valid only for the specific requirements of processes and 

operations this permit applied for and indicated in the approved drawings or exhibits. Any 

unauthorized deviation from the approved drawings, exhibits, specifications, or requirements

of this permit may constitute grounds for revocation and enforcement action by the 

Department. 

3. Limitation of rights. The issuance of this permit does not convey any vested rights or 

any exclusive privileges. Neither does it authorize any injury to public or private property or 

any invasion of personal rights, nor any infringement of federal, state, or local laws or 

regulations. This permit is not a waiver of or approval of any other Department permit that 

may be required for other aspects of the total project which are not addressed in this permit. 

However, this permit is in lieu of other permits under Part IV of Chapter 373, F.S. (1994) or 

part VIII of Chapter 403, (1992), pursuant to Subsection 373.4592(9)(c), F.S. Sections 

403.91-403.938 comprised part VIII of Ch. 403 in 1992. Except for s. 403.927 and ss. 

403.93-403.958, these sections were repealed by ss. 45, 46, Ch. 93-213, or s. 18, Ch. 95-145. 

Sections 403.93-403.936 were repealed by s. 13, Ch. 95-299. The two remaining sections 

from former part VIII as it was constituted in 1992, ss. 403.927 and 403.938 (transferred to s. 

403.9333 by s. 12, Ch. 95-299), are located in part VII of Ch. 403. 

4. Limitations upon title. This permit conveys no title to land or water, does not constitute 

State recognition or acknowledgment of title, and does not constitute authority for the use of 

sovereign submerged lands unless herein provided and the necessary title or leasehold 

interests have been obtained from the State. Only the Trustees of the Internal Improvement 

Trust Fund may express State opinion as to title. 

5. Liability. This permit does not relieve the permittee from liability for harm or injury to 

human health or welfare, animal or plant life, or property caused by the construction or 

operation of this permitted source, or from penalties therefore; nor does it allow the permittee 

to cause pollution in contravention of Chapter 373.4592 F.S. (the EFA). 

6. Operation and maintenance responsibilities. The permittee shall properly operate and 

maintain the facility and systems of treatment and control (and related appurtenances) that 

are installed and used by the permittee to achieve compliance with the conditions of this 

permit, as required by Department rules. This provision includes the operation of backup or 

auxiliary facilities or similar systems when necessary to achieve compliance with the 

conditions of the permit and when required by Department rules. 
EFA Permit 

South Florida Water Management District 

File No. 0192895, STA-3/4 & Assoc. Works 

Issuance Date: January 9, 2004 

Page 8 of 35 

7. Access Rights. The permittee, by accepting this permit, specifically agrees to allow 

authorized Department personnel, upon presentation of credentials or other documents as 

may be required by law and at reasonable times, access to the premises where the permitted 

activity is located or conducted to: 

A. Have access to and copy any records that must be kept under conditions of the 

permit; 

B. Inspect the facility, equipment, practices, or operations regulated or required 

under this permit; and 

C. Sample or monitor any substances or parameters at any reasonable location 

necessary to assure compliance with this permit or Department rules. 

Reasonable time may depend on the nature of the concern being investigated. 

8. Noncompliance. If, for any reason, the permittee does not comply with or will be unable 

to comply with any condition or limitation specified in this permit, the permittee shall 

immediately provide the Department with the following information: 

A. A description of and cause of noncompliance; and 

B. The period of noncompliance, including dates and times; or, if not corrected, 

the anticipated time the noncompliance is expected to continue, and steps 

being taken to reduce, eliminate, and prevent recurrence of the 

noncompliance. The permittee shall be responsible for any and all damages 

which may result and may be subject to enforcement action by the 

Department for penalties and/or for revocation of this permit. 

9. Records as evidence. In accepting this permit, the permittee understands and agrees that 

all records, notes, monitoring data, and other information relating to the construction or 

operation of this permitted source which are submitted to the Department may be used by the 

Department as evidence in any enforcement case involving the permitted source arising 

under the Florida Statutes or Department rules, except where such use is prescribed by 

Sections 403.111, F.S. and 403.73, F.S. Such evidence shall only be used to the extent it is 

consistent with the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure and appropriate evidentiary rules. 

10. Changes in Law. The permittee agrees to comply with changes in applicable 

Department rules and applicable Florida Statutes after a reasonable time for compliance; 

provided, however, the permittee does not waive any other rights granted by Florida law. 

However, this section cannot be used as a basis to extend the time to comply with the 

permit’s total phosphorus WQBEL.

11. Transferability. This permit is transferable only upon Department approval in 

accordance with Rules 62-4.120 and 62-343.130, F.A.C., as applicable. The permittee shall 
EFA Permit 

South Florida Water Management District 

File No. 0192895, STA-3/4 & Assoc. Works 

Issuance Date: January 9, 2004 

Page 9 of 35 

be liable for any non-compliance of the permitted activity until the transfer is approved by 

the Department. 

12. Permit at Work Site. This permit or a copy thereof shall be kept at the work site of the 

permitted activity. For the purposes of this permit the work site shall be defined as South 

Florida Water Management District Headquarters located at 3301 Gun Club Road in West 

Palm Beach, Florida. 

13. Records Retention. The permittee shall comply with the following: 

A. Upon request, the permittee shall furnish all records and plans required under 

Department rules. During enforcement actions, the retention period for all 

records will be extended automatically unless otherwise stipulated by the 

Department. 

B. The permittee shall hold at the facility or other location designated by this 

permit records of all monitoring information required by the permit, copies of 

all reports required by this permit, and records of all data used to complete the 

application for this permit. These materials shall be retained at least three 

years from the date of the sample, measurement, report, or application unless 

otherwise specified by Department rule. 

C. Records of monitoring information shall include: 

1. the date, exact place, and time of sampling or measurements; 

2. the person responsible for performing the sampling or measurements; 

3. the dates analyses were performed or the appropriate code as 

 required by Chapter 62.160 F.A.C.; 

4. the person responsible for performing the analyses; 

5. the analytical techniques or methods used, including MDL; and 

6. the results of such analyses, including identification of potential 

 outlier values. 

14. Requests for Information. When requested by the Department, the permittee shall 

within a reasonable time furnish any information required by law which is needed to 

determine compliance with the permit. If the permittee becomes aware that relevant facts 

were not submitted or were incorrect in the permit application or in any report to the 

Department, such facts or information shall be corrected promptly. 
EFA Permit 

South Florida Water Management District 

File No. 0192895, STA-3/4 & Assoc. Works 

Issuance Date: January 9, 2004 

Page 10 of 35 

SPECIFIC CONDITIONS: 

1. Sovereign Lands. The permittee is hereby advised that Florida law states: "No person 

shall commence any excavation, construction, or other activity involving the use of sovereign 

or other lands of the state, title to which is vested in the Board of Trustees of the Internal 

Improvement Trust Fund or the Department of Environmental Protection under Chapter 253, 

until such person has received from the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust 

Fund the required lease, license, easement, or other form of consent authorizing the proposed 

use." Pursuant to Florida Administrative Code Rule 18-14.002(1), if such work is done 

without consent, or if a person otherwise damages state land or products of state land, the 

Board of Trustees may levy administrative fines of up to $10,000 per offense. 

2. Artifacts. If historical or archaeological artifacts, such as Indian canoes, are discovered at 

any time within the project site, the permittee shall immediately notify the Department’s 

Southeast District Office at the address and telephone number listed in Specific Condition 

No. 3, below, and the Bureau of Historic Preservation, Division of Historical Resources, R. 

A. Gray Building, 500 S. Bronough St., Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0250, telephone (850) 

487-2333. 

3. Addresses. Reports and notices submitted to the Department in accordance with this 

permit shall be submitted to the Department’s Division of Water Facilities, Water Quality 

Standards and Special Projects Program, 2600 Blair Stone Road, MS 3560, Tallahassee, 

Florida, 32399-2400, telephone no. (850) 245-8424, and to the Department’s Southeast 

District Office, Office of Environmental Affairs, 400 North Congress Avenue, P. O. Box 

15425, West Palm Beach, Florida, 33416-5425, telephone no. (561) 681-6709. 

4. Related Permits. The Department and the permittee acknowledge the issuance of other 

permits related to the STA-3/4 Project. Related permits include FDEP NPDES Permit No. 

FL0300195, EFA/Individual Water Use Permit No. 0178018, which authorizes temporary 

dewatering activities for the construction of facilities within the STA-3/4 and STA-2 

Hydropattern Restoration Projects, and, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 404 Permit No. 

199404532. 

Construction, Operation, and Maintenance Conditions

5. Project Construction. During construction of the STA-3/4 Project and the associated 

works, the permittee shall take all reasonable precautions to minimize the suspension and 

transport of soils, levee materials, and roadway materials into waters adjacent to or 

downstream of the construction site in accordance with Section 02435 of the Technical 

Specifications for the STA-3/4 Project and associated works (appended hereto as Exhibit A). 

In addition, during construction, the permittee shall perform turbidity monitoring in 

accordance with Section 02435 of the Technical Specifications. 
EFA Permit 

South Florida Water Management District 

File No. 0192895, STA-3/4 & Assoc. Works 

Issuance Date: January 9, 2004 

Page 11 of 35 

The permittee shall construct the STA-3/4 Project consistent with the design documents. The 

STA-3/4 Project, including applicable construction activities, may be further modified for 

standard engineering practices pursuant to Subsection 373.4592(9)(j)(3) of the EFA or for 

technological advances pursuant to Subsection 373.4592(9)(j)(2) of the EFA. 

6. Construction of Enhancements. Prior to construction of the enhancements detailed in 

Subsection H. of the Project Description, the permittee shall submit final engineering design 

plans to the Department for approval. 

7. Project Operation and Maintenance. The permittee shall operate and maintain the 

STA-3/4 Project consistent with the design documents and the operations criteria required by 

Specific Condition 10. The STA-3/4 Project, including applicable operation and maintenance 

activities, may be further modified for standard engineering practices pursuant to Subsection 

373.4592(9)(j)(3) of the EFA or for technological advances pursuant to Subsection 

373.4592(9)(j)(2) of the EFA. 

8. As-Built Certification and Record Drawings. Within 30 days after completion of the 

construction contract for this project, the permittee shall submit a written statement of 

completion and certification by a registered professional engineer or other appropriate 

individual as authorized by law. The statement of completion and certification shall be based 

on on-site observation of construction or review of as-built drawings for the purpose of 

determining if the work was completed in compliance with permitted plans and specifications. 

This submittal shall serve to notify the Department that the project is ready for inspection. 

Additionally, if deviation from the approved drawings is discovered during the certification 

process, the certification must be accompanied by a copy of the approved permit drawings 

with deviations noted. Both the original and revised specifications must be clearly shown. 

The plans must be clearly labeled as “as-built” or “record” drawing. A registered surveyor 

shall certify all surveyed dimensions and elevations. 

9. Pump Station Testing and Maintenance. In order to ensure operational readiness, 

initial testing is required by the construction contractor for the pump stations authorized by 

this permit prior to turnover of the pump stations to the permittee for operation. Maintenance 

requirements for the pump stations include operation of the pumps for approximately 2 to 4 

hours per month, as necessary, to maintain their mechanical integrity. Therefore, temporary 

operation of the pump stations for testing and maintenance purposes is allowed and is not 

subject to the discharge criteria of the specific conditions of this permit. However, the 

permittee shall include all such discharge flows and loads as a part of the monitoring 

requirements of this permit. 

10. STA Operations Plan. Upon completion of and compliance with the requirements specified herein,

the permittee shall submit to the Department, at the addresses listed in Specific Condition 1, an updated 

Operations Plan for this facility, subject to modification under the conditions set forth below. 

If at any time changes to the STA-3/4 Operations Plan are warranted to optimize facility operation, and upon 

verification of data to be supplied by the permittee that justifies the need for such modification, the Operations 
EFA Permit 

South Florida Water Management District 

File No. 0192895, STA-3/4 & Assoc. Works 

Issuance Date: January 9, 2004 

Page 12 of 35 

Plan may be modified as mutually agreed upon by the Department and the permittee. The Operations Plan shall 

also include the information described in A-G, below. 

A. Minimum Water Level Targets to Avoid Dryout. In accordance with the 

relevant project design documents, the permittee shall plan to maintain a 

minimum of six (6) inches of water within STA-3/4 to prevent dryout of the 

treatment cells, subject to available water from the upstream watershed. The 

average elevations for each cell as determined in the detailed topographic survey 

performed for the STA-3/4 design are as follows: 

Cell 1A = 9.35 ft. NGVD 

Cell 1B = 9.25 ft. NGVD 

Cell 2A = 9.70 ft. NGVD 

Cell 2B = 9.70 ft. NGVD 

Cell 3 = 9.60 ft. NGVD 

Topographic data were utilized to establish the static water level in STA-3/4. The 

corresponding minimum static water control elevations to prevent dryout (based 

on the prevailing ground elevations noted above) are as follows. During drought 

events, the permittee shall, to the maximum extent practicable, maintain these 

minimum water control elevations. 

Cell 1A = 9.85 ft. NGVD 

Cell 1B = 9.75 ft. NGVD 

Cell 2A = 10.15 ft. NGVD 

Cell 2B = 10.15 ft. NGVD 

Cell 3 = 10.25 ft. NGVD 

B. Responding to Dryout Conditions. The permittee shall evaluate and correct 

potential adverse dryout effects on the water quality performance of STA-3/4. If 

the compliance requirements in this permit are not met due to dryout conditions, 

then the permittee shall propose modifications to the Operations Plan as 

appropriate and as approved by the Department. 

C. Maximum Water Level Targets. The permittee shall ensure to the maximum 

extent practicable that maximum water depths of 4.5 feet are not exceeded for 

more than 10 consecutive days during storm events. 

D. Phosphorus uptake optimization. Operations shall be conducted to distribute 

the flows and water levels within STA-3/4 to optimize the phosphorus reduction 

performance and shall be updated as necessary to include the results of the 

permittee’s STA optimization research conducted pursuant to Subsection 

(4)(d)(7) of the EFA. 
EFA Permit 

South Florida Water Management District 

File No. 0192895, STA-3/4 & Assoc. Works 

Issuance Date: January 9, 2004 

Page 13 of 35 

E. Hydropattern Restoration. STA-3/4 shall be operated in such a manner to be 

consistent with the activities proposed to restore the hydropattern of the 

Everglades Protection Area, as described in Specific Condition 11 below. 

F. Operations Plan Modifications. If data from the operation of STA-3/4 indicate 

that operations are adversely affecting water quality or performance of STA-3/4, 

then the Operations Plan may be modified, as approved by the Department. The 

District may implement modifications to the Operations Plan for hydraulic or 

other justifiable reasons pertaining to operations. 

G. Operational Envelope. The permittee shall ensure to the maximum extent 

practicable that authorized operation of the existing components of the facility do 

not exceed the operational envelope for STA-3/4, as set forth in the existing STA3/4 Operations Plan. 

Hydropattern Restoration. This permit does not authorize the hydropattern restoration of 

WCA-3A. Once the performance of STA-3/4 attains the WQBEL has been optimized and 

long-term water quality solutions for S-7/S-2 and S-8/S-3 basins have been implemented, it 

is anticipated that discharges from STA-3/4 could be directed southward directly across the 

L-5 canal and levee will be diverted directly into WCA-3A to assist in hydropattern 

restoration in accordance with Subsection (4)(b) of the EFA. Future WCA-3A hydropattern 

restoration plans will be coordinated with CERP implementation. Implementation of 

hydropattern restoration in WCA-3A associated with STA-3/4 will require review and 

approval by the Department and USEPA in the form of a modification to this permit. If 

hydropattern restoration proceeds, monitoring will be required along a transect in WCA3A 

downstream of the STA 3/4 discharge. The purpose of this monitoring will be to document 

the effect of the discharge on the downstream EPA marsh and changes in downstream water 

quality and cumulative phosphorus impacts. Transect monitoring will begin one year prior to 

the commencement of hydropatterm restoration discharges in order to document baseline 

conditions. The modification will require downstream monitoring which must be 

implemented sufficiently in advance to establish a scientifically-defensible baseline and may 

include transect monitoring, if appropriate. The monitoring plan should be submitted to the 

Department for review and approval prior to the commencement of monitoring.

In accordance with Subsection (4)(b) of the EFA, the permittee shall operate the STAs in 

order to improve and restore the Everglades water supply and hydroperiod. The permittee 

shall operate the Everglades Construction Project as specified in the February 15, 1994, 

Conceptual Design Document (Part VII, Intended Operation of Plan Components), to provide 

additional increased flow to the Everglades Protection Area (EPA) through the modification 

of historical operational practices for regulatory releases from Lake Okeechobee and the 

Water Conservation Areas. Pursuant to Subsection (4)(b) of the EFA, the expectation is that 

these practices will achieve an average increase of 28 percent to the Everglades Protection 

Area compared to the baseline years of 1979 to 1988. The STAs shall be operated to achieve 

the goal of providing additional flows to the Everglades Protection Area and shall, to the 
EFA Permit 

South Florida Water Management District 

File No. 0192895, STA-3/4 & Assoc. Works 

Issuance Date: January 9, 2004 

Page 14 of 35 

maximum extent practicable, be coordinated with and consistent with the Lower East Coast 

Water Supply Plan, the Lake Okeechobee Regulated Schedule for the Water Conservation 

Areas, the Central and Southern Florida Project Comprehensive Review Study, and the 

entitlement of the Seminole Tribe of Florida to surface water withdrawals under the Water 

Rights Compact (P.L. 100-228). 

11. Implementation of Everglades Agricultural Area Best Management Practices (BMP) 

Program. 

A. Implementation. The permittee shall continue to implement the Everglades 

Agricultural Area BMP program in accordance with Rule 40E-63, F.A.C. 

B. BMP Fluctuations. The permittee shall report phosphorus loads from the EAA to 

STA-3/4 in excess of those expected under the BMP requirements of Chapter 40E-63, 

F.A.C. as assumed in the design basis and design refinements for STA-3/4. 

C. BMP Performance. On an annual basis, the permittee shall evaluate the performance 

of BMPs in agricultural areas upstream of STA-3/4, consistent with Rule 40E-63, 

F.A.C., as may be modified, and Subsection (4)(f) of the EFA. 

13. Minimization of Wetland Impacts. In accordance with Subsection (9)(e)3 of the EFA, 

the permittee shall comply with the information related to minimization of wetland impacts 

provided in the Permit Application, dated December 17, 2001, attached as Exhibit B, and 

hereby incorporated by reference. 

14. Water Quantity and Flooding Impacts. The permittee shall be responsible for ensuring 

that the project is operated so as not to adversely affect adjacent lands with regards to 

flooding impacts. The permittee shall hold and save the Department harmless for any and all 

damages, claims, or liabilities, which may arise from water quantity and/or flooding impacts 

resulting from the construction and operation of this project. 

15. Structures Inspection Plan. Within 60 days from permit issuance, the permittee shall 

submit to the Department for approval, an inspection plan to evaluate the integrity and 

functionality of all above ground dikes, levees and structures, including pump stations, 

created under the guidance of a Florida registered professional engineer. A summary report 

of annual inspections and any necessary work completed to respond to inadequacies that may 

have been found during inspections shall be included annually in the Everglades Consolidated 

Report. 

 

16. Implementation of Source Control Programs. 

A. Implementation. The permittee shall continue to implement source control programs 

in each of the contributing basins in accordance with Chapter 40E-63, F.A.C. and 

other applicable programs. Basins that do not presently include source control 

programs shall be monitored to determine if such programs are necessary in the event 
EFA Permit 

South Florida Water Management District 

File No. 0192895, STA-3/4 & Assoc. Works 

Issuance Date: January 9, 2004 

Page 15 of 35 

that phosphorus loads to the facility from these basins limit the facility’s ability to 

achieve the WQBEL.

B. Performance. On an annual basis, the permittee shall evaluate the performance of 

source controls in the contributing basins and include the findings in the annual report 

required in Specific Condition 30. The report shall include phosphorus loads from the 

basins and shall describe trends and compare current loads to those determined 

necessary to achieve the WQBEL. 

C. Improvements. If the WQBEL is not achieved and if the assumed inflow 

concentration used to develop the Amended Determination remedy is exceeded, the 

permittee shall submit a report explaining the causes(s) for the excessive concentration

and schedules and strategies for source control improvements necessary to achieve the 

WQBEL in the annual report. 

Phosphorus Conditions

17. Start-Up. During the Start-Up Phase, the District shall monitor phosphorus 

concentrations within STA-3/4 to demonstrate that the project is achieving a net reduction in 

phosphorus. Start-Up Phase operation and phosphorus monitoring within STA-3/4 shall be 

performed as follows: 

A. Recirculation. During Start-Up, the District may recirculate waters within the STA. 

B. Treatment Cell Start-Up. Portions of the STA-3/4 facility may operate independently 

of each other. Under those circumstances, performance of operating portions of the 

STA shall be measured as follows: 

1) In order to ensure that no discharge of pollutants occur due to the inundation of 

soils within STA-3/4, the permittee shall comply with the following for each 

cell: 

a) The permittee shall manage water depths in STA-3/4 to facilitate the 

recruitment of marsh vegetation. 

b) On a weekly basis, the permittee shall monitor water quality at the upstream 

side of inflow stations G-370 (flow path Cell 1) and G-372 (flow path Cells 2 

& 3), and the upstream side of outflow structures G-376B and G-376E (Cell 

1B), G-379B and G-379D (Cell 2B), and G-381B and G-381E (Cell 3) (See 

Figure 1). 

c) The Start-Up Phase for STA-3/4 shall end when these samples demonstrate, 

over a four-week period, a net reduction in phosphorus occurs, per Specific 

Condition 16.B.d. 

d) This net reduction shall be deemed to occur when the 4-week geometric 

mean total phosphorus water column concentration from samples collected at 

the G-376B, G-376E, G-379B, and G-379D outflow structures is less than 

the 4-week geometric mean total phosphorus water column concentration 

collected at G-370 pump station for the eastern flow-ways (Cells 1A/1B and 
EFA Permit 

South Florida Water Management District 

File No. 0192895, STA-3/4 & Assoc. Works 

Issuance Date: January 9, 2004 

Page 16 of 35 

Cells 2A/2B) and the 4-week geometric mean total phosphorus water column 

concentration from samples collected at the G-381B and G-381E outflow 

structures is less than the 4-week geometric mean total phosphorus water 

column concentration collected at the G-372 pump station for the western 

flow-way (Cells 3A/3B). If STA-3/4 has not met this test within two months 

after beginning start-up operations, the permittee shall submit monthly 

reports of the 4-week geometric mean difference. If after six months, the 

system has not met the 4-week start-up test, the permittee shall evaluate 

vegetative conditions and identify strategies to achieve that test. Discharge 

from STA-3/4 may commence at the end of the start-up period. Some of the 

treatment cells may meet the net reduction criteria before the others; 

therefore, to maximize treatment effectiveness of STA-3/4, discharges may 

commence from each of the treatment cells as soon as they meet the net 

reduction test for phosphorus. 

2) Pesticide Sampling. The permittee shall conduct a one-time monitoring at the 

inflow structures G-370 (flow path Cell 1) and G-372 (flow path Cells 2 & 3) 

and the outflow structures G-376B and G-376E (Cell 1B), and G-379B and G379D (Cell 2B), and G-381B and G-381E (Cell 3) for the pesticides indicated in 

Table 1. 

C. Alternative Data. When required by flow or water levels, alternative representative 

data may be provided by the District to demonstrate that any portion of the STA-3/4 

facility is achieving start-up compliance requirements. 

D. Initiation of Flow-Through Operation. Start-Up Phase documentation shall be 

submitted to the Department and shall include all supporting data and analyses. 

When STA-3/4, or individual cells of STA-3/4, meets the start-up criteria, routine 

flow through operation for STA-3/4, or individual cells of STA-3/4, may begin. 

Once flow-through discharges begin, the District shall initiate water quality 

monitoring consistent with the monitoring program described in this permit. 

E. Interim Operations. Prior to the full flow-through operation of STA-3/4, discharge 

of excess inflows may be diverted through the G-371 and G-373 structures during 

times when the discharges from S-7 and/or S-8 exceed the safe flow-through 

capacity of STA-3/4, or when stages within the cells exceed target levels or 

established vegetation is threatened. 

F. Mercury Monitoring. The Start-Up Phase is also dependent on the individual 

treatment cells demonstrating a net improvement in total mercury and methyl 

mercury, in accordance with the provisions of the mercury monitoring condition (2) 

in Exhibit C. 
EFA Permit 

South Florida Water Management District 

File No. 0192895, STA-3/4 & Assoc. Works 

Issuance Date: January 9, 2004 

Page 17 of 35 

16. Stabilization. Following completion of the Start-Up Phase, the project shall begin a 

period of stabilization, in accordance with Subsection (9)(h) of the EFA. The stabilization 

period for STAs is generally anticipated to last 2 to 3 years after the start-up phase ends. 

During that period, compliance with the criteria in Subsection (9)(h) of the EFA shall be 

evaluated as follows:

After start-up operations have ended and flow project flow-through operations and 

discharges have begun from each flow-way, the District shall operate and monitor STA-3/4, 

allowing for a stabilization period. The stabilization period for STA-3/4 shall end when the 

12 month flow-weighted average total phosphorus concentration at the outflow stations is 

less than or equal to 50 ppb. Starting 12 months after commencing discharge from each flowway, the District shall provide rolling 12 month flow-weighted average total phosphorus 

concentration in monitoring reports. If, after the first two years of full project flow-through 

operation, the STA has not met this stabilization test, the District shall submit a report which 

shall compare the flow weighted mean of the total phosphorus discharge data from the most 

recent 12-month period (e.g., months 13 - 24) with the flow-weighted mean of the total 

phosphorus discharge data from the previous 12 month period (e.g., months 1 - 12) to ensure 

that performance of the STA is not declining, based upon a Student’s t-test at the 95% 

confidence interval. This report is to be submitted 90 days after the end of each reporting 

period. If at any time, the STA performance indicates that this test will not be met by 

December 31, 2006, the permittee shall submit a report on the progress made towards 

meeting the stabilization requirements and an analysis of the system operation and shall 

submit and initiate implementation of an optimization plan designed to reach the phosphorus 

stabilization goal by December 31, 2006.

17. Post Stabilization / Normal Flow-Through Operations. From the end of the 

stabilization period, until the beginning of the long-term compliance period discharges from 

STA-3/4, via the G-376B, G-376E, G-379B, G-379D, G-381B, and G-381E structures, shall 

meet an annual flow-weighted average total phosphorus concentration at the outflow stations 

of less than or equal to 76 ppb for each water year, (May 1 - April 30). In addition, the 

discharges shall not exceed an annual flow weighted average total phosphorus concentration 

of 50 ppb for three or more consecutive water years. Both tests are simultaneously applied to 

ensure that the design objectives of the STA-3/4 project are met.

Conditions for Parameters Other than Total Phosphorus

18. Comparison of Outflows to Inflows. For all water quality parameters indicated in the 

Monitoring Table other than total phosphorus and dissolved oxygen, inflow and outflow 

samples collected at the sampling locations identified in Table 2 (See Figure 1) shall be used 

to determine compliance with this specific condition. Compliance with this specific condition 

shall be evaluated as follows: 
EFA Permit 

South Florida Water Management District 

File No. 0192895, STA-3/4 & Assoc. Works 

Issuance Date: January 9, 2004 

Page 18 of 35 

A. If the annual average outflow concentration does not cause or contribute to violations 

of applicable Class III water quality standards, then the facility shall be deemed in 

compliance with this condition. 

B. If the annual average concentration at the outflow causes or contributes to violations 

of applicable Class III water quality standards, but does not exceed, or is equal to, the 

annual average concentration at the inflow stations, then the facility shall be deemed 

in compliance with this condition. 

C. If the annual average concentration at the outflow causes or contributes to violations 

of applicable Class III water quality standards, and also exceeds the annual average 

concentration at the inflow station, then the facility shall be deemed out of 

compliance with this condition. 

19. Dissolved Oxygen. The permittee shall comply with the requirements for dissolved 

oxygen and the associated compliance schedule listed in Administrative Order AO-008-EV, 

attached as Exhibit D, and herein incorporated by reference. 

20. Public Health, Safety, or Welfare. Pursuant to Subsection (9)(h)3 of the EFA, 

discharges from the STA-3/4 Project shall not pose a serious danger to the public health, 

safety, or welfare. 

Factors Impacting Compliance

221. Factors Outside the Permittee’s Control. In the event that non-compliance or failure 

to achieve the WQBEL performance objectives results for any reason other than those listed 

below, the permittee shall take appropriate remedial measures. 

A. Anomalous Rainfall. Compliance with Specific Conditions 16-19 shall not be tested 

in water years when the EAA annually adjusted rainfall, as defined in Rule 40E-63, 

F.A.C., exceeds 63.8 inches, or is less than 35.1 inches (based on the minimum and 

maximum annual rainfall values for the EAA during water years 1979 thru 1988), and 

sufficient supplemental flows are not available to maintain wet conditions in STA3/4. In this instance, results from adjacent years will be treated as consecutive for 

purposes of testing compliance. The Department may make similar adjustments 

where emergency discharges occur. 

B. Natural Background. Deviations from water quality standards may occur as a result 

of natural background conditions, in accordance with Section 403.021(11), F.S. The 

Department shall evaluate such deviations as a part of the Department’s evaluation of 

water quality standards in accordance with Subsection (4)(e)4 of the EFA.

C. Random Variation. The District shall report any statistical uncertainty in the 

methodology using acceptable scientific methods.
EFA Permit 

South Florida Water Management District 

File No. 0192895, STA-3/4 & Assoc. Works 

Issuance Date: January 9, 2004 

Page 19 of 35 

D. Vegetation Conditions. The District shall report whether vegetation conditions in 

STA-3/4 have contributed to the non-compliance. The permittee shall prepare an 

analysis of the vegetation coverage of STA-3/4 as compared with the baseline 

vegetation coverage maps developed in accordance with the monitoring conditions 

found in Specific Condition 29.

AE. Other Factors. Unavoidable legal barriers or restraints, including those arising 

from actions or regulations not under the control of the permittee. 

223. Emergency Conditions. Discharges from STA-3/4 or diversion bypass of waters from 

the STA-3/4 inflow structures through the G-371 and/or G-373 structures shall also be 

allowed in accordance with Section 373.439, F.S., or when water conditions within STA-3/4 

may damage existing marsh vegetation. When a diversion bypass event or series of proximal 

diversion bypass events is anticipated due to aforementioned conditions, the permittee shall 

notify the Department of the anticipated event via email. After major diversion bypass 

events, the permittee shall submit a diversion bypass summary report to the Department. The 

diversion bypass summary report shall contain information regarding the circumstances 

related to the discharge, as well as duration of the discharge and may be submitted in 

electronic format via email. Summary reports of minor bypasses diversions, not associated 

with Section 373.439 F.S. emergency measures, shall be submitted by the permittee on a 

monthly basis. 

Renewals and Modifications

23. Permit Renewal. At least 60 days prior to the expiration of this permit, the permittee 

shall apply for renewal of this permit. Renewal may be for a period of 5 years in accordance 

with Subsection (9)(f) of the EFA. 

24. Permit Modifications for Technological Advances. Pursuant to Subsection (9)(j) of 

the EFA, the permittee may submit proposed modifications to the STA-3/4 Project, including 

proposed superior technologies to be incorporated into the operation of the STA-3/4 Project, 

to the Department for a determination as to whether a permit modification is necessary. 

Within 30 days after receipt of such a submittal, the Department shall notify the permittee as 

to whether a permit modification is necessary. Minor modifications can be processed in 

letter format. The Departments shall determine whether the modification is minor or major 

based on the nature and magnitude of the proposed modification and the potential for the 

modification to have environmental impacts that are significantly different from those 

previously considered by the Department for the activity, pursuant to Rule 62-343.100, 

F.A.C. The permittee shall be required to publish a notice of application pursuant to Section 

373.413 (3) and (4), F.S., as applicable, for any major permit modifications required in 

accordance with this specific condition. 

25. Permit Modifications for Design Changes. The District shall submit proposed 

modifications of the STA-3/4 Project to the Department prior to implementation of the 
EFA Permit 

South Florida Water Management District 

File No. 0192895, STA-3/4 & Assoc. Works 

Issuance Date: January 9, 2004 

Page 20 of 35 

modifications for review and approval by the Department. Such modifications may include, 

but not be limited to: 

A. Modifications to Achieve Design Objectives. Pursuant to Subsection (9)(j)3 of the 

EFA, the District shall modify the STA-3/4 Project, including modifications of the 

Operations Plan, if the project is not achieving the design objectives of the 

Everglades Construction Project; 

B. Modifications for Future Facilities. If the monitoring data indicates the need for 

the construction of future facilities or structures, the permittee may apply for 

modifications to the STA-3/4 Project, as appropriate to accommodate alterations in 

operations of STA-3/4 in conjunction with the construction and operation of the new 

facilities or structures. 

C. Modifications for WCA-2A and WCA-3A Hydropattern Restoration Activities. 

The permittee may modify the operation of the STA-3/4 Project if inter-agency 

agreements based on research and monitoring activities justify the need for such 

modification to assist in the restoration of the hydrology and biological status of 

WCA-2A or WCA-3A, pursuant to Subsection (4)(b) of the EFA and the design of 

the Everglades Construction Project (ECP-4). 

26. Permit Modifications for Long Term Compliance. Pursuant to Subsection (10)(a) of 

the EFA, the District shall submit to the Department a permit modification to incorporate 

proposed changes to the Everglades Construction Project and this permit by December 31, 

2003. These changes shall be designed to achieve compliance with the phosphorus and other 

state water quality standards by December 31, 2006. 

27. Department Review and Approval. Where conditions in this permit require 

Department review and approval of remedial actions or plan modifications to be 

implemented pursuant to this permit, the Department will consult with the permittee to 

ascertain whether mutual agreement can be reached. If mutual agreement on the remedial 

actions or plan modifications cannot be reached, the action of the Department will be deemed 

final agency action and will be subject to judicial or administrative review, as appropriate.

28. Bypass may occur during the operation of STA-3/4. The District shall notify the 

Department within 48 hours subsequent to any unanticipated bypasses of flow through the G371 and G-373 Diversion Structures and the District shall notify the Department as soon as 

practicable in advance of anticipated bypasses, with the exception of routine maintenance 

activities. The submitted notification shall include a description of the circumstances related 

to the bypass and a projection of the anticipated duration of the bypass. All bypasses 

occurring through the G-371 and G-373 Diversion Structures shall be monitored for the 

parameters listed in the table below. As soon as practicable after cessation of all bypasses, 

the District shall submit a summary of the data collected from the table below, and identify 

the duration of the bypasses. Bypasses shall be limited to the shortest time possible and are 

not allowed solely to achieve the WQBEL. Bypasses are subject to and must meet the 

requirements of F.A.C. Sections 62-620.610(20), (21), and (22). 
EFA Permit 

South Florida Water Management District 

File No. 0192895, STA-3/4 & Assoc. Works 

Issuance Date: January 9, 2004 

Page 21 of 35 

Table 1. Required Monitoring for All Bypasses

Parameter Units Sample Type Frequency

Total Phosphorus at 

the G-371 and G-373 

structures

mg/l Grab Weekly if flowing

Flow G-371 and/or G373 structures

CFS Calculated Daily Average

SPECIFIC CONDITIONS FOR MONITORING PROGRAM 

In accordance with Subsection (9)(h) of the EFA, the following monitoring conditions are 

intended to assess the water quality of the discharges of the STA-3/4 Project, achievement of 

the WQBEL specified herein, to assess the ability of the STA in achieving the design 

objectives of the Everglades Construction Project, and to measure progress towards achieving 

state water quality standards. 

 

29. Monitoring Program. Monitoring performed in accordance with this permit shall 

include the vegetation and water quality and quantity parameters listed below and in the 

attached tables. At a minimum, the monitoring program for the STA-3/4 Project, shall 

include the following: 

A. Aerial vegetation photographs and mapping. Within twelve months after start-up, 

the permittee shall submit a baseline vegetation coverage map for STA-3/4, based 

upon ground-truthed aerial photographs. The baseline vegetation coverage map shall 

include color codes for cattail, open water, and mixed marsh vegetation, although the 

latter category may be broken down into subcategories if dominated by certain types 

of vegetation. From the baseline vegetation coverage map, the extent of area 

coverage of each vegetation cover type within STA-3/4 shall be assessed. Following 

completion, the baseline vegetation coverage map and a summary of the extent of 

area coverage of each vegetative coverage type shall be included in the following 

annual monitoring report to be submitted to the Department in accordance with 

Specific Condition 30. 

In the event that the water quality performance requirements of Specific Conditions 

16-21 are not being met, the Department may require the permittee to develop 

additional vegetation coverage maps of STA-3/4, developed using the same methods 

as for the baseline vegetation coverage map. The additional maps shall be developed 

within six months after such notification by the Department. 

Based upon the vegetation coverage maps and the water quality performance 

information submitted in accordance with this permit, the operations plan for the 
EFA Permit 

South Florida Water Management District 

File No. 0192895, STA-3/4 & Assoc. Works 

Issuance Date: January 9, 2004 

Page 22 of 35 

STA-3/4 Project may be modified in accordance with Specific Conditions 25-28. The 

permittee must use their best efforts to modify the operations plan for the STA-3/4 

Project, as soon as the vegetation analysis provides information warranting 

modification of the operations plan. 

B. Research and Monitoring Program. In accordance with the water quality research 

and monitoring objectives of Subsections (4)(d) and (9)(h)2 of the EFA, the permittee 

shall implement an EFA Research and Monitoring Program, which shall be in 

addition to the effluent monitoring required in this permit. This program shall 

evaluate the effectiveness of the STAs in improving water quality and maintaining 

designated and existing beneficial uses of the EPA and tributary waters. The research 

monitoring of the STAs shall include specific analysis for each treatment cell of each 

STA to determine treatment effectiveness for each of the cells and to obtain data 

needed for STA performance optimization. Results of research efforts shall be 

reported as part of the annual Everglades Consolidated Report. 

1) Start-Up Phase Monitoring Program. For the first four weeks after flow-through 

operation of STA-3/4 begins, the permittee shall monitor total phosphorus at G370 and G-372 (Inflow locations) and G-376B, G-376E, G-379B, G-379D, G381B, and G-381E (Outflow Locations) in accordance with Table 2, and shall 

submit data to the Department within 60 days after the last date of sampling. 

2) Mercury Monitoring Program. The permittee shall monitor mercury, report the 

results obtained, and take all necessary actions as specified in the document 

entitled “Mercury Monitoring Program,” which is hereby incorporated by 

reference and made a part of this permit as Exhibit C. 

3) Routine Monitoring Program. The permittee shall conduct a Long-Term 

Monitoring Program at G-370, G-372, G-376B, G-376E, G-379B, G-379D, G381B, and G-381E, and report the results to the Department, in accordance with 

the annual reporting requirements of this permit for the parameters listed in Table 

2 of the “Monitoring Required” section of this permit. Data from this program 

may provide the basis for additional permit compliance requirements. 

4) Representative Monitoring Program. The permittee shall collect grab samples at 

all outflow locations (G-381 A-F, G-379 A-E and G-376 A-F structures) in order 

to verify whether discharge water quality can be adequately characterized by 

monitoring at a limited number of outflow discharge structures in each flow-way. 

This program should include monthly grab samples collected concurrently from 

each outflow location. It should be initiated at Start-Up and should be conducted 

until sufficient data is gathered to support conclusions regarding water quality 

comparability amongst the stations in individual flow-ways. The permittee shall 

submit an evaluation of this data to the Department for approval upon determining 

that sufficient data exists to support conclusions. Upon approval by the 
EFA Permit 

South Florida Water Management District 

File No. 0192895, STA-3/4 & Assoc. Works 

Issuance Date: January 9, 2004 

Page 23 of 35 

Department, the permittee may cease this monitoring program. Data from this 

program may provide the basis for modifications to the number and location of 

outflow compliance monitoring stations and may be used to determine compliance 

with Specific Conditions 16-18. 

5) Monitoring for Future Facilities or Structures. The permittee shall continue to 

collect the data from the STAs, including STA-3/4, and other applicable data 

needed to determine the effective settling rate for the STAs, the efficiency and 

effectiveness of STA-3/4 in treating waters from the EAA, and to adequately 

assess the need, if any, for future treatment wetland facilities or structures. 

6) Monitoring for effectiveness of corrective actions related to former land use. As 

part of the start-up monitoring program, as identified in Table 1, the permittee 

shall monitor and evaluate potential impacts from historical land use and the 

effectiveness of completed corrective actions. Pre-construction contamination 

assessments and ecological assessments have identified concentrations of 

pesticides, petroleum, and metals (“compounds of concern”), related to former 

agricultural application and operations (e.g., pump stations, mix/load areas, storage 

facilities, and airstrips). Various contaminants including but not limited to, those 

found in Table 3, were found to be present at concentrations of potential ecological 

and/or human concern and corrective actions, to address identified contamination 

or known conditions, were implemented prior to construction of the STA and 

associated structures. This compounds of concern monitoring program is intended 

to provide long term assessment to determine if operation of the permitted system 

causes detrimental release of compounds, currently bound to soils, into the water 

column or creates a sediment system that poses an ecological threat. Therefore, at 

a minimum the monitoring plan should include the parameters and frequency of 

monitoring listed in Table 3. 

30. Annual Monitoring Reports. All studies and other reports and submittals required by 

this permit shall be submitted to the Department in an “ Annual Report.“ The Annual Reports 

are to be received by the Department no later than January March 1st of each year following 

the date of issuance of this permit. Each Annual Report shall present the information for the 

previous water year, from May 1st to April 30th. The District may consolidate the reporting 

requirements of this permit into the Everglades Consolidated Report. If additional reporting 

modifications are required, and upon approval by the Department, the District may modify the 

Annual Report submission date to coincide with multiple reporting requirements and time 

periods needed for data acquisition and analysis. In addition to the permit number and name 

of the permit administrator, the Annual Reports shall contain, at a minimum, the following 

information: 

A. Quality Assurance and Quality Control. Sampling and monitoring data shall be 

collected, analyzed, reported and retained in accordance with Chapter 62-160, F.A.C. 

Any laboratory test required by this permit shall be performed by a laboratory that 
EFA Permit 

South Florida Water Management District 

File No. 0192895, STA-3/4 & Assoc. Works 

Issuance Date: January 9, 2004 

Page 24 of 35 

has been certified by the Department of Health (DOH) under Chapter 64E-1, F.A.C., 

where such certification is required by Rule 62-160.300, F.A.C. The laboratory must 

be certified for all specific method/analyte combinations that are used to comply with 

this permit. The analytical method used shall be appropriate so as to determine if the 

sample complies with Class I and Class III surface water quality standards as 

specified in Chapter 62-302, F.A.C., and groundwater standards as specified in 

Chapter 62-530, F.A.C., whichever is more stringent. All field activities including 

on-site tests and sample collection, whether performed by a laboratory or another 

organization, must follow all applicable procedures described in DEP-SOP-001/01 

(January 2002). Alternate field procedures and laboratory methods may be used if 

they have been approved according to the requirements of Rules 62-160.220, and 62-

160.330, F.A.C. 

B. Water Quality Data. Records of monitoring information shall include all applicable 

laboratory information specified in Rule 62-160.340(2), F.A.C. including the 

following: 

1) Date, location, and time of sampling or measurements; 

2) Person responsible for performing the sampling or measurements; 

3) Dates analyses were performed or the appropriate code as required by Chapter 62-

160, F.A.C.; 

4) Laboratory/Person responsible for performing the analyses; 

5) Analytical methods used, including MDL and PQL; 

6) Results of such analyses, including appropriate data qualifiers, and all compounds 

detected; 

7) Depth of sampling; 

8) Flow conditions and weather conditions at time of sampling; and, 

9) Monthly flow volumes. 

Also the following records must be kept on file for reference during the duration of the project 

but are not required to be submitted in annual reports. 

10) Field sampling and laboratory quality manuals 

11) Sampling and analysis notes, as required under Ch. 62-160 FAC and NELAC 

Quality Systems (1999), respectively. 
EFA Permit 

South Florida Water Management District 

File No. 0192895, STA-3/4 & Assoc. Works 

Issuance Date: January 9, 2004 

Page 25 of 35 

C. Hydraulic Retention Time. Calculations for reporting which require averaging of 

measurements shall be weighted by flow value. In order to account for the estimated 

hydraulic retention times within the STA, comparison of the moving annual average 

inflow and outflow levels for all parameters established in the start-up monitoring 

program of the monitoring plan shall be calculated by comparing the outflow data 

from one 12-month period with the inflow data from the 12-month period which 

begins one month prior to that of the outflow data. 

D. Performance Evaluation. 

1) The operations status of the STA, stating whether the STA is in start-up, 

stabilization, or normal flow-through routine operations; 

2) A comparison of inflow water quality data with outflow water quality data using 

the student’s t-test with a 95% confidence intervals; and, 

3) Beginning with the second Annual Report, a A comparison of performance of 

current reporting year with performance in previous years. 

E. Herbicide and Pesticide Tracking. The permittee shall provide, in each annual report, 

information regarding the application of herbicides and pesticides used to 

exclude/eliminate undesirable vegetation and pests in the wetted area of the treatment 

cells. Such reporting shall include the names, concentrations, locations, and quantities 

of all herbicides and pesticides used. 

F. Implementation Schedules. The Annual Report When appropriate, the permittee shall 

provide details include information on: 

1. Implementation of the WQBEL and activities required by this permit and affecting flows and loads

 to STA-3/4;

2. Source Control implementation and optimization ;

3. STA design modifications affecting implementation of the WQBEL and activities required by this 

permit;

4. Improvements, enhancements, and strategies that have been initiated and/or completed within the 

previous year; 

5. Any delays in the implementation of the improvements, enhancements, or strategies, the duration 

of the delays, the reason(s) for the delays, and the expected timeframe for their resolution; 

 6. The operational status of the STA, stating whether the STA is in routine operations or start-up

stabilization. If the facility is in start-up non-routine operations during the reporting period, the report 

shall also include the date at which the facility entered start up or stabilization phase and the length of 

time it remained or is expected to remain in that phase; Achievement of effluent limitations set forth in 

the TBEL and/or

7. Implementation of STA Recovery Plans;
EFA Permit 

South Florida Water Management District 

File No. 0192895, STA-3/4 & Assoc. Works 

Issuance Date: January 9, 2004 

Page 26 of 35 

8. Whether revisions and/or additions to the requirements of this permit improvements, enhancements, 

and strategies are recommended; 

9. Whether the facility was operated within or outside of the operational envelope; and

10. Implementation of remedial measures in the event of noncompliance with permit conditions.

ECP implementation;

2) BMP implementation and optimization;

3) STA optimization; 

4) Project design modifications; 

5) Implementation of remedial measures in the event of noncompliance with permit 

conditions;

F. The permittee shall report with the monthly DMR if operation of facilities is impacted by or constrained due 

to requirements under the Endangered Species Act or Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The report should 

include the species involved, an estimate of the number of individuals involved, actions taken to avoid 

deleterious impacts on the endangered species, the affect those actions had on compliance with any 

condition of this permit, and an estimate of when facility operation will no longer be impacted or 

constrained. 

31. Removal of Parameters. Upon demonstration that a specific parameter(s) is not present 

or is found consistently in compliance with Class III Water Quality Standards, the permittee 

may request a modification to the monitoring program as appropriate. A minimum of one 

year’s worth of data, for those parameters being sampled quarterly or more frequently, will 

be required prior to the Department approving any modification to the monitoring program. 

Parameters sampled semi-annually or annually will be examined on a case-by-case basis. The 

Department may approve a reduction of the monitoring frequency or waive the monitoring 

requirement for parameters that consistently are reported as in compliance with state water 

quality standards. 

32. Addition of Parameters. If the Department has reason to believe that additional 

parameters exist that may cause or contribute to water quality violations in the project area, 

those parameters shall be added to the monitoring section of this permit as a permit 

modification. 

33. Public Health, Safety, or Welfare. Data from the Everglades Nutrient Removal Project, 

STA-1W, STA-2, STA-5, and STA-6, as well as, the monitoring and compliance 

requirements of this permit, provide reasonable assurances that discharges authorized by this 

permit will not pose a serious danger to the public health, safety, or welfare. If warranted by 

additional information, the Department may include additional monitoring or compliance 

conditions in this permit, in accordance with Specific Condition 26 and Subsections (9)(g) 

and (11)(a)2, of the EFA. 
EFA Permit 

South Florida Water Management District 

File No. 0192895, STA-3/4 & Assoc. Works 

Issuance Date: January 9, 2004 

Page 27 of 35 

34.Emergency Suspension of Sampling. Under hurricane, tropical storm warnings, or other 

extreme weather conditions, the permittee’s normal sampling schedule may be suspended if 

necessary. The permittee shall notify the Department’s Southeast District and Water Quality 

Standards and Special Projects Program at the addresses and telephone numbers listed in 

Specific Condition No. 3, above, of any anticipated sampling suspension associated with 

hurricanes, tropical storms, or other extreme weather events that may require deviation from 

the normal sampling schedule. Within 14 days following the cessation of emergency 

conditions, the permittee shall notify the Department of when normal sampling is expected to 

resume. 

Discharge Limits and Monitoring:

Table 2: Discharge Limitations and Associated Monitoring Requirements

Discharge Limitations Monitoring Requirements

Parameters (units) Daily 

Minimum

Daily 

Maximum

Other

Monitoring 

Frequency

Sample 

Type

Sample 

Point

 Not to exceed 10 

as a geometric 

mean (GM) 

annual average in 

more than two 

consecutive years

18 as a flowweighted 

mean 

(FWM) 

annual 

average Phosphorus, Total (as P) 

(ppb) -- --

See Footnote 1,2,3,4 below

Weekly

GM – based 

on grab 

samples 

collected 

when 

discharge 

occurs 

FWM - 7-

day flow 

proportioned 

composite

outflow

Phosphorus, Total (as P) 

(ppb) -- -- Report5

Weekly

7-day flow 

proportioned 

composite

inflow

Oxygen, Dissolved (DO) 

(mg/L)

Report

See Specific Condition 23 Weekly Grab

(Meter)

Inflow/ 

outflow

1

 All outflow TP monitoring results shall be reported as separate weekly values without rounding to whole numbers. The results shall also 

be reported as FWM annual averages that are calculated based on the FWM of the weekly values. The results shall also be reported as GM 

annual averages that are calculated based on all sample point weekly values collected when discharge occurs in the previous 12 months. All 

FWM and GM annual averages shall be reported to the nearest whole number (i.e., 10.5 ppb shall be reported as 11 ppb; 10.49 ppb shall be 

reported as 10 ppb.

2 The discharge shall not cause phosphorus concentrations in the receiving waters to be altered so as to cause or contribute to an imbalance 

in natural populations of aquatic flora or fauna. The discharge shall not cause phosphorus concentrations in the receiving waters to exceed 

the criteria in Rule 62-302.540(4)(a), F.A.C. Beginning at the end of April after the permit effective date and at the end of each April 

thereafter, the permittee shall report the FWM annual average using data it collected for the prior 12 months. Beginning at the end of April 

after the permit effective date and at the end of each April thereafter, the permittee shall report the GM annual average using data it 

collected for each of the prior 3 years.

3 In the year following any two consecutive years where the TP GM annual average exceeds 10 ppb, the permittee shall report quarterly the 

GM of all monthly TP values for that year. If that mean exceeds 10 ppb, the permittee shall provide a report to both FDEP and USEPA by 

the fifteenth of the month following the quarterly report of its evaluation of why that mean is as high as it is and the specific steps it is 

taking to ensure that the TP GM for that year will not exceed 10 ppb.

For the TP FWM WQBEL, the permittee shall report quarterly the average of all monthly FWMs for that year. If that average exceeds 18 

ppb, the permittee shall provide a report to both FDEP and USEPA by the fifteenth of the month following the quarterly report of its 
EFA Permit 

South Florida Water Management District 

File No. 0192895, STA-3/4 & Assoc. Works 

Issuance Date: January 9, 2004 

Page 28 of 35 

evaluation of why that average is as high as it is and the specific steps it is taking to ensure that the TP FWM annual average for that year 

will not exceed 18 ppb.

4 If the facility does not meet the FWM WQBEL in any year, the permittee shall report the annual load of TP discharged by the STA into 

the Everglades that is in excess of the WQBEL load (based on 18 ppb). If the facility does not meet the GM WQBEL in any year, the 

permittee shall separately report the annual load of TP discharged by the STA into the Everglades that is in excess of the WQBEL load 

(based on 10 ppb) for that year and the previous two years. 

5 All inflow TP monitoring results shall be reported as separate weekly values without rounding to whole numbers. All results shall also be 

reported as monthly averages and as FWM annual averages. The monthly averages and FWM annual averages shall be calculated based on 

the FWM of the weekly values and shall be reported to the nearest whole number (i.e., 10.5 ppb shall be reported as 11 ppb; 10.49 ppb shall 

be reported as 10 ppb). 

MONITORING REQUIRED: 

Key for Table: 

Sample Type: G = Grab sample 

 FPC = Flow proportionate composite sample 

 INSITU = In Situ field sample 

 CAL = Calculated parameter 

 PR = Pump record 

 TB = Tipping bucket 

 HYDRO = Hydrolab 

Sample Locations: Inflow Sites = G-370 and G-372 Pump Stations 

Outflow Sites = G-376B, G-376E, G-379B, G-379D, G-381B and G381E Structures 

Sample Frequency: W = Weekly 

 BI-W = Once every other week (26 samplings per year) 

 Q = Quarterly 

 DAV = Daily averages of continuous sampling 

 DAC = Daily accumulation of continuous sampling
EFA Permit 

South Florida Water Management District 

File No. 0192895, STA-3/4 & Assoc. Works 

Issuance Date: January 9, 2004 

Page 29 of 35 

TABLE 2- STA-3/4 START UP PESTICIDE MONITORING 

DEP ANALYSIS GROUP "AA" and "BB" 

 

Chlorinated acids Water Units Sediment Units Sampling Locations 

2,4-D Yes ug/L Yes ug/Kg See key for inflow and 

outflow sites 

2,4,5-T Yes ug/L Yes ug/Kg See key for inflow and 

outflow sites 

2,4,5-TP Yes ug/L Yes ug/Kg See key for inflow and 

outflow sites 

Organochlorine compounds 

ALDRIN Yes ug/L Yes ug/Kg See key for inflow and 

outflow sites 

ALPHA BHC Yes ug/L Yes ug/Kg See key for inflow and 

outflow sites 

BETA BHC Yes ug/L Yes ug/Kg See key for inflow and 

outflow sites

GAMMA BHC Yes ug/L Yes ug/Kg See key for inflow and 

outflow sites

DELTA BHC Yes ug/L Yes ug/Kg See key for inflow and 

outflow sites

CARBOPHENOTHION Yes ug/L Ye ug/Kg See key for inflow and 

outflow sites

CHLORDANE Yes ug/L Yes ug/Kg See key for inflow and 

outflow sites

DICOFOL Yes ug/L Yes ug/Kg See key for inflow and 

outflow sites

DIELDRIN Yes ug/L Yes ug/Kg See key for inflow and 

outflow sites

DDD-P,P' Yes ug/L Yes ug/Kg See key for inflow and 

outflow sites

DDE-P,P' Yes ug/L Yes ug/Kg See key for inflow and 

outflow sites

DDT-P,P' Yes ug/L Yes ug/Kg See key for inflow and 

outflow sites

ENDOSULFAN ALPHA Yes ug/L Yes ug/Kg See key for inflow and 

outflow sites

ENDOSULFAN BETA Yes ug/L Yes ug/Kg See key for inflow and 

outflow sites

ENDOSULFAN SULFATE Yes ug/L Yes ug/Kg See key for inflow and 

outflow sites

ENDRIN Yes ug/L Yes ug/Kg See key for inflow and 

outflow sites

ENDRIN ALDEHYDE Yes ug/L Yes ug/Kg See key for inflow and 

outflow sites

HEPTACHLOR Yes ug/L Yes ug/Kg See key for inflow and 
EFA Permit 

South Florida Water Management District 

File No. 0192895, STA-3/4 & Assoc. Works 

Issuance Date: January 9, 2004 

Page 30 of 35 

outflow sites

HEPTACHLOR EPOXIDE Yes ug/L Yes ug/Kg See key for inflow and 

outflow sites

METHOXYCHLOR Yes ug/L Yes ug/Kg See key for inflow and 

outflow sites

MIREX Yes ug/L Yes ug/Kg See key for inflow and 

outflow sites

TOXAPHENE Yes ug/L Yes ug/Kg See key for inflow and 

outflow sites

TRIFLURALIN Yes ug/L Yes ug/Kg See key for inflow and 

outflow sites

CHLOROTHALONIL Yes ug/L Yes ug/Kg See key for inflow and 

outflow sites

CYPERMETHRIN Yes ug/L No ug/Kg See key for inflow and 

outflow sites

PERMETHRIN Yes ug/L No ug/Kg See key for inflow and outf

sites

PCB'S 1016,1221,1232,1242,1254,1260 Yes ug/L Yes ug/Kg See key for inflow and 

outflow sites

Organophosphorus & nitrogen compounds (water insol)

ALACHLOR Yes Ug/

L 

yes ug/Kg See key for inflow and 

outflow sites

AZINPHOS METHYL Yes Ug/

L 

yes ug/Kg See key for inflow and 

outflow sites

CHLORPYRIFOS ETHYL Yes Ug/

L 

yes ug/Kg See key for inflow and 

outflow sites

CHLORPYRIFOS METHYL Yes Ug/

L 

yes ug/Kg See key for inflow and 

outflow sites

DIAZINON Yes Ug/

L 

yes ug/Kg See key for inflow and 

outflow sites

ETHION Yes Ug/

L 

yes ug/Kg See key for inflow and 

outflow sites

ETHOPROP Yes Ug/

L 

yes ug/Kg See key for inflow and 

outflow sites

FONOFOS Yes Ug/

L 

yes ug/Kg See key for inflow and 

outflow sites

MALATHION Yes Ug/

L 

yes ug/Kg See key for inflow and 

outflow sites

MEVINPHOS Yes Ug/

L 

yes ug/Kg See key for inflow and 

outflow sites

NALED Yes Ug/

L yes ug/Kg See key for inflow and 

outflow sites

PARATHION METHYL Yes Ug/

L 

yes ug/Kg See key for inflow and 

outflow sites
EFA Permit 

South Florida Water Management District 

File No. 0192895, STA-3/4 & Assoc. Works 

Issuance Date: January 9, 2004 

Page 31 of 35 

PARATHION ETHYL Yes Ug/

L 

yes ug/Kg See key for inflow and 

outflow sites

PHORATE Yes Ug/

L 

yes ug/Kg See key for inflow and 

outflow sites

FENAMIPHOS Yes Ug/

L 

yes ug/Kg See key for inflow and 

outflow sites

BUTYLATE Yes Ug/

L 

no ug/Kg See key for inflow and 

outflow sites

AMETRYN Yes Ug/

L 

yes ug/Kg See key for inflow and 

outflow sites

ATRAZINE Yes Ug/

L 

yes ug/Kg See key for inflow and 

outflow sites

METRIBUZIN Yes Ug/

L 

yes ug/Kg See key for inflow and 

outflow sites

PROMETRYN Yes Ug/

L 

yes ug/Kg See key for inflow and 

outflow sites

SIMAZINE Yes Ug/

L 

yes ug/Kg See key for inflow and 

outflow sites

METOLACHLOR Yes Ug/

L 

yes ug/Kg See key for inflow and 

outflow sites

METALAXYL Yes Ug/

L 

no ug/Kg See key for inflow and 

outflow sites

HEXAZINONE Yes Ug/

L 

yes ug/Kg See key for inflow and 

outflow sites

NORFLURAZON Yes Ug/

L 

yes ug/Kg See key for inflow and 

outflow sites

DISULFOTON Yes Ug/

L 

yes ug/Kg See key for inflow and 

outflow sites

DEMETON Yes Ug/

L 

yes ug/Kg See key for inflow and 

outflow sites

Urea and other pesticides 

BROMACIL Yes Ug/

L 

yes ug/Kg See key for inflow and 

outflow sites

DIURON Yes Ug/

L 

yes ug/Kg See key for inflow and 

outflow sites

LINURON Yes Ug/

L 

yes ug/Kg See key for inflow and 

outflow sites
EFA Permit 

South Florida Water Management District 

File No. 0192895, STA-3/4 & Assoc. Works 

Issuance Date: January 9, 2004 

Page 32 of 35 

TABLE 3 - EFA ROUTINE MONITORING PROGRAM 

PARAMETER UNITS SAMPLE

TYPE 

SAMPLING 

FREQUENCY

SAMPLING 

LOCATION 

Alkalinity mg/l G BI-W See key for inflow and 

outflow sites 

Ammonia mg/l G BI-W See key for inflow and 

outflow sites 

Chloride mg/l G BI-W See key for inflow and 

outflow sites 

Dissolved Oxygen 

(See Attached Administrative

Order AO-008-EV) 

 See key for inflow and 

outflow sites 

Mercury 

(See attached Mercury 

Monitoring Program) 

 See key for inflow and 

outflow sites 

PH SU INSITU W See key for inflow and 

outflow sites 

Specific Conductance Umhos INSITU W See key for inflow and 

outflow sites 

Temperature Deg C INSITU W See key for inflow and 

outflow sites 

Turbidity NTU G BI-W See key for inflow and 

outflow sites 

Total Phosphorus mg/l FPC/G W See key for inflow and 

outflow sites 

Start-up Sites (see Spec 

28.B.1) 

Total Nitrogen mg/l G BI-W See key for inflow and 

outflow sites 

Total Dissolved Phosphorus mg/l G BI-W See key for inflow and 

outflow sites 

Nitrate + Nitrite mg/l G BI-W See key for inflow and 

outflow sites 

Total Dissolved Nitrogen mg/l G BI-W See key for inflow and 

outflow sites 

Ortho-Phosphate mg/l G BI-W See key for inflow and 

outflow sites 

Total Dissolved Solids mg/l G BI-W See key for inflow and 

outflow sites 
EFA Permit 

South Florida Water Management District 

File No. 0192895, STA-3/4 & Assoc. Works 

Issuance Date: January 9, 2004 

Page 33 of 35 

Sulfate mg/l G BI-W See key for inflow and 

outflow sites 

Flow CFS PR DAV See key for inflow and 

outflow sites 

Flow CFS CAL DAV See key for inflow and 

outflow sites 

Rainfall Volume Gal TB DAC Rainfall Sampling 

Station 

TABLE 4 COMPOUNDS OF CONCERN MONITORING PROGRAM 

Parameter Medium Units Sample 

Type 

Sampling 

Frequency 

Sampling 

Locations 

DDD Surface Water 1 ug/L G 0, 6, 12, and 24 mths 2 G-376B, G-379B, 

and G-381B

DDT Surface Water 1 ug/L G 0, 6, 12, and 24 mths 2 G-376B, G-379B, 

and G-381B

DDE Surface Water 1 ug/L G 0, 6, 12, and 24 mths 2 G-376B, G-379B, 

and G-381B 

ATRAZINE Surface Water 1 ug/L G 0, 6, 12, and 24 mths 2 G-376B, G-379B, 

and G-381B 

CHLORDANE Surface Water 1 ug/L G 0, 6, 12, and 24 mths 2 G-376B, G-379B, 

and G-381B 

SIMAZINE Surface Water 1 ug/L G 0, 6, 12, and 24 mths 2 G-376B, G-379B, 

and G-381B 

TOXAPHENE Surface Water 1 ug/L G 0, 6, 12, and 24 mths 2 G-376B, G-379B, 

and G-381B 

ARSENIC Surface Water 1 ug/L G 0, 6, 12, and 24 mths 2 G-376B, G-379B, 

and G-381B 

COPPER Surface Water 1 ug/L G 0, 6, 12, and 24 mths 2 G-376B, G-379B, 

and G-381B 

LEAD Surface Water 1 ug/L G 0, 6, 12, and 24 mths 2 G-376B, G-379B, 

and G-381B 

ZINC Surface Water 1 ug/L G 0, 6, 12, and 24 mths 2 G-376B, G-379B, 

and G-381B 

1 Sediment monitoring for these parameters will be conducted in accordance with Table 1 

2 Samples will be collected at Start-Up (0 months) and 6, 12, and 24 months thereafter. 
EFA Permit 

South Florida Water Management District 

File No. 0192895, STA-3/4 & Assoc. Works 

Issuance Date: January 9, 2004 

Page 34 of 35 

DONE AND ORDERED on this 9th day of January, 2004, in Tallahassee, Florida. 

STATE OF FLORIDA 

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 

 _________________________________ 

 Jerry Brooks 

 Deputy Director 

 Water Resource Management

FILING AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT 

FILED, on this date, under Section 120.52(7), F.S., with the designated deputy clerk, receipt of 

which is hereby acknowledged. 

 ____________________________________ 

 Jaro Joseph Date

PARTIES REQUESTING NOTICE: 

Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, c/o Dexter Lehtinen, Esq. 

Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, c/o Kelly Brooks, Esq. 

United States Sugar Corporation, c/o Bubba Wade 

Seminole Tribe of Indians of Florida, c/o Stephen A. Walker, Esq. 

Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative, Roth Farms, Inc., and Wedgeworth Farms, Inc., 

 c/o William H. Green, Esq. 

Keith Saxe, Esq., U. S. Department of Justice 

Michael Stevens, U.S. Department of the Interior (fax) 

Jeffrey J. Ward, Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative 

Philip S. Parsons, Landers & Parsons 

Helen Hickman, Brown & Caldwell 

Tom MacVicar, MacVicar, Frederico, & Lamb 

Charles Lee, Florida Audubon Society 

Samuel B. Reiner, II, Esq., Lehtinen O’ Donnell, Vargas & Reiner, P.A. 

Michelle W. Smith, Esq., Earl, Blank, Cavanaugh & Stotts 

COPIES FURNISHED TO: 

Bob Pace, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
EFA Permit 

South Florida Water Management District 

File No. 0192895, STA-3/4 & Assoc. Works 

Issuance Date: January 9, 2004 

Page 35 of 35 

Jim Quinn, FL. Dept. of Community Affairs 

Charles Oravetz, Nat. Marine Fisheries Service 

Laura Kammerer, FL. Dept. of State- Historical Resources 

Don Klima, U.S. Advisory Council on Historic Preservation 

John Childe, Friends of the Everglades 

David Reiner, Friends of the Everglades 

Col. Robert Carpenter, USACOE, Jacksonville 

Richard Bonner, USACOE, Jacksonville 

Lloyd Pike, Esq., USACOE, Jacksonville 

Richard Harvey, USEPA, West Palm Beach 

Philip Mancusi-Ungaro, Esq., USEPA, Atlanta 

Roosevelt Childress, USEPA, Atlanta 

Gina Fonzi, USEPA, Atlanta 

Dan Scheidt, USEPA, Athens 

Eric Hughes, USEPA, Jacksonville 

Janet Bussell, The Everglades Foundation 

Mark Musaus, Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge 

Mike Zimmerman, Everglades National Park 

Ken Haddad, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 

Joe Walsh, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Vero Beach 

Steve Coughlin, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, West Palm Beach 

ADDITIONAL COPIES FURNISHED TO: 

Chris Flack, Governor’s Office 

Henry Dean, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Sheryl Wood, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Gary Goforth, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Neil Larson, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Ron Bearzotti, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Kirk Burns, Esq., SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Ernie Barnett, FDEP, Tallahassee 

Jerry Brooks, FDEP, Tallahassee 

Frank Nearhoof, FDEP, Tallahassee 

Temperince Morgan, FDEP, Tallahassee 

Tom Atkeson, FDEP, Tallahassee 

John Outland, FDEP, Tallahassee 

Herb Zebuth, FDEP, West Palm Beach 

Inger Hansen, FDEP, West Palm Beach 

Jennifer Fitzwater, Esq., FDEP, Tallahassee 

John Mitnik, FDEP, West Palm Beach 

Shelley Yaun, FDEP, Tallahassee 

Eric Bush, USACOE, Jacksonville 
Florida Department of 

Environmental Protection 

Bob Martinez Center 

2600 Blair Stone Road 

Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400 

Charlie Crist 

Governor 

Jeff Kottkamp 

Lt. Governor 

Michael W. Sole 

Secretary 

"More Protection, Less Process” 

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EVERGLADES FOREVER ACT 

CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION AUTHORIZATION 

PERMITTEE: ATTENTION: 

South Florida Water Management District Ms. Carol Ann Wehle

3301 Gun Club Road 

P. O. Box 24680 

West Palm Beach, Florida 33416-4680 

Permit Number: 0131842-009-EM Date of Issue: January 29, 2009 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 5/6 (STA-5/6) Expiration Date: September 4, 2014 

County: Hendry, Palm Beach, and Broward 

This permit is issued in accordance with the Everglades Forever Act (EFA), Section 373.4592, Florida Statutes 

(F.S.), authorizing operation and maintenance activities for the existing Stormwater Treatment Area 5 (STA-5) and 

Stormwater Treatment Area 6 (STA-6), hereinafter referred to as STA-5/6, and construction of the Compartment C 

Build-Out consisting of Cells 5-4A-B, 5-5A-B, 6-4. The above named permittee is hereby authorized to initiate the 

activities described on the application, associated drawing(s), plans, and other documents attached hereto or on file 

with the Department and made a part hereof necessary to meet the requirements of this permit. The activities 

authorized by this permit must be conducted in conformance with all the provisions of this permit. This permit is 

accompanied by Administrative Order AO-011-EV, which is incorporated herein by reference. Failure to comply 

with all permit conditions and documents referenced herein shall constitute grounds for revocation of the permit and 

appropriate enforcement action. 

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: 

This permit authorizes the operation and maintenance of Stormwater Treatment Area (STA) 5/6, and the 

construction of Compartment C Build-Out. Operation of Compartment C Build-Out is not authorized at this time. 

STA-5/6 and Compartment C Build-Out are a component of the Everglades Construction Project (ECP), 

construction, operation, and maintenance of which is required by the Everglades Forever Act (EFA), Section 

373.4592, F.S. The STA-5/6 facility and Compartment C (Figure 1) consist of the following: Inflow Structures; 

Inflow Works; Interior Treatment Works; Outflow Structures; Outlet Canal and associated Bridges; Seepage 

Collection and Return Systems; Re-hydration Pump Stations and Structures; the G-351 Structure; the G-357 Divide 

Structure; the G-404 Pump Station; Diversion Structures (G-406, G-407 and G-408); the G-409 Pump Station; the 

G-411 Divide Structure; the G-508 Pump Station and associated Bridge; the Southern L-4 Levee Gap; Deer Fence 

Canal Bridge and Deer Fence Road Improvements; Rotenberger Hydropattern Restoration; Structure Removal; 

Recreational Facilities; and Structural, Operational and Vegetation Enhancements. Initial construction of this 

facility was previously authorized and completed under Florida Department of Environmental Protection 

(Department) EFA Permit No’s 0131842-001 and 0236905-001. Structural, operational and vegetation 

enhancements have been conducted in accordance with the October 2003 Everglades Protection Area Tributary 

Basins Long-Term Plan for Achieving Water Quality Goals and subsequent revisions (Long-Term Plan, Exhibit A). 

These improvements and enhancements were designed to optimize performance as needed to achieve the 

phosphorus water quality standard. Additional enhancements to STA-5/6 may occur as part of the adaptive 

implementation process envisioned in the Long-Term Plan. STA-5/6 and Compartment C are Stormwater 

Management Systems (SMS) as defined in Subsection 373.403(10), F.S., and therefore state surface water quality 

standards do not apply, pursuant to Section 373.4142, F.S. 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 5/6 

FDEP File No.: 0131842-009-EM 

Page 2 of 29 

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Operation and maintenance activities authorized by this permit involve maintaining water levels within the existing 

components of STA-5/6 (5-1A-B, 5-2A-B, 5-3A-B, 6-1 & 6-2) to optimize efficiency of the treatment area. 

Optimization of the treatment wetland is defined by its performance at removing the pollutants, particularly 

phosphorus, for which the project was designed and providing regional flood control and water supply. Other 

operation and maintenance activities include: water quality and vegetation monitoring; preparation and submittal of 

monitoring reports; vegetation maintenance; and maintenance of the water control structures (including canals and 

levees). Construction activities authorized by this permit involve the creation of Cells 5-4A-B, 5-5A-B and 6-4, 

located between the existing STA-5 and STA-6. The creation of these Cells (Collectively Compartment C) will 

unify the existing STA-5 and STA 6 facilities, effectively creating one large STA (STA-5/6). Operations of the 

Cells 5-4A-B, 5-5A-B and 6-4 (independently or in connection with Cell 6-2) are not authorized under this permit.

STA-5/6 is designed to treat inflows delivered from the L-2/L-3 Borrow Canal which includes agricultural runoff 

and discharges from the C-139 Basin and C-139 Annex. After introduction to STA-5/6 through inflow structures, 

water is treated within the existing treatment cells utilizing natural, passive physical and biological processes for 

nutrient removal. Treated water exits STA-5/6 (via the STA-5/6 Outflow Structures) into the STA-5/6 Discharge 

Canal. Assuming normal operating conditions, the treatment path culminates with discharges from the northern 

Flow-ways (5-1 and 5-2 and 5-3 prior to completion of Compartment C Build-Out) directed either to the Miami 

Canal (via the STA-5/6 Outlet Canal) or to the Rotenberger Wildlife Management Area (WMA) via the G-410 

Pump Station. Discharges to the Rotenberger WMA are for the purpose of hydrologic restoration of the 

approximate 29,000-acre WMA. Discharges from the remainder of the STA-5/6 are directed south via the L-3 

Canal downstream of the G-407 Diversion Structure. Wetlands and surface waters located within the receiving 

water bodies (Rotenberger WMA, Miami Canal, L-3 Canal, the Northwestern portion of the WCA-3A, the L-4 

Canal, and the L-3 Canal Extension) are all Class III waters; and the Rotenberger WMA is an Outstanding Florida 

Water, pursuant to Rule 62-302.700(9)(f)48, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.). 

PROJECT FACILITIES: 

The individual ECP components included in this project are as follows: 

I. Inflow Structures and Inflow Works

The L-2/L-3 Canal, located along the west side of the STA-5/6 Project is the primary conveyance/inflow canal for 

STA-5-1 and 5-2. STA-5, Flow-ways 3 through 5 (STA 5-3, 5-4 and 5-5) and STA-6, Sections 4 and 2 (STA 6-4 

and 6-2) will receive flows via the newly constructed Inflow Canal upon completion. The remaining segment of the 

L-3 Canal south of G-406 and north of G-408 will become the STA-5/6 Seepage Canal. The function of the L-3 

Canal section, south of G-408, along the west side of STA-6, Section 1 will remain an inflow/conveyance canal. 

A. STA-5

Structures G-342A-M consist of a series of gated concrete box culverts that control inflow into STA-5. North of the 

G-508 Pump Station, the G-342A and B direct flows into Flow-way 1 and G-342C and D direct flows into Flowway 2. Structures G-342A-D are situated along the western perimeter levee adjacent to the L-2/L-3 Canal. South of 

the G-508 Pump Station are the G-342E-M structures, which consist of a series of gated concrete box culverts that 

control flows from the STA-5/6 Inflow Canal. G-342E-H structures serve Flow-way 3, G-342I and J will serve 

Flow-way 4 and G-342K and M will serve Flow-way 5. Water is conveyed eastward from these structures to the 

upstream end of each flow-way, and distributed to the treatment area by means of a spreader canal. Each of the nine 

G-342 E-M structures consists of a single 10-ft x 6-ft box culvert fitted with a 10-ft x 6-ft control gate at its 

upstream end. The G-342E and F structures, which currently direct flows into Flow-way 3, will provide a 

connection from the Inflow Canal to the STA-5/6 Seepage Canal (aka the L-3 Canal). These structures may be used 

for deliver of water to the Inflow Canal under certain conditions; however, they will normally remain closed. 

Structures G-353A and B control discharges to Cell 5; structure G-353C controls discharges to Cell 3. 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 5/6 

FDEP File No.: 0131842-009-EM 

Page 3 of 29 

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B. STA-6 

After completion of the G-508 pump station, flows to the STA-6 treatment cells will be pumped south by the G-508 

pump station from the L-2 Canal to the Inflow Canal and then routed through the inflow structures. Emergent 

treatment cell, STA 6-4, has one inflow structure, G-342N, which consists of two gated 10-ft. x 8-ft. box culverts. 

Flows to STA-6, Section 2 (STA 6-2) SAV treatment cell will be delivered through Cell 6-4 and controlled by three 

gated 8-ft. x 8-ft. box culverts (G-396A-C) installed within the west levee of the treatment cell. Inflow works to 

STA 6-1 include three 8-ft.x 6-ft. gated box culverts (G-353A-C) within the east levee of the L-3 Canal to direct 

untreated water from the L-3 Canal to the existing inflow/distribution canal. 

II. Interior Treatment Works 

A. STA-5 

The STA-5 interior works are divided into parallel treatment flow-ways, each consisting of two treatment cells in a 

series flowing in an easterly direction. Flow-way 1 (Cells 1A and 1B), Flow-way 2 (Cells 2A and 2B) and Flowway 3 (Cells 3A and 3B) provide approximately 6,095 acres of effective treatment area. For Compartment C, Flowway 4 (Cell 4A and Cell 4B) and Flow-way 5 (Cell 5A and 5B) will provide approximately 4, 126 acres of 

additional effective treatment area. The western cells (“A” Cells) of each flow-way consist of emergent vegetative 

communities (EMG); the eastern cells (“B” Cells) consist of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) communities. 

Due to topography, a portion of treatment area located on the west side of Flow-ways 3, 4 and 5 has been identified 

as ineffective. A confinement berm and spreader canal will be constructed around this area to direct flows from the 

inflow structures to the effective treatment areas. 

Water flow and water elevations are controlled and directed through the STA-5 Flow-ways via interior levees, 

canals, and the synchronized operation of water control structures (G-343A-O) located between the EMG Cells and 

SAV Cells. These intermediate structures, G-343A-O, consist of concrete box culverts with upstream gates that 

control water levels in the western EMG treatment cells and flow into the eastern SAV treatment cells. Each of the 

G-343A-J structures consists of a single gated 10-ft x 8-ft high box culvert; structures G-343A-D controls Cell 1A, 

G-343E-H controls Cell 2A and G-343I-J controls Cell 3A. Each of the G-343K-O structures will consist of a 

single gated 10-ft x 9-ft box culvert; structures G-343K and L controls Cell 4A and G-434M-O controls Cell 5A.. 

All gates are single leaf slide gates with the exception of Cell 3A, which has double leaf gates. Local and remote 

operation of the G-343 gates is possible. 

Due to topographical challenges, north-south intermediate flow control berms and overflow weirs are provided 

within STA 5-4A and 5-5B. The berms are approximately 2-ft. high with 50’ wide concrete “keyway” weirs. 

Flow-way 5-4 has eight weirs (G-522E/W to G-525E/W) and Flow-way 5-5 has 12 weirs (G-526E/W to G531E/W). These berms and weirs are intended to increase detention time and re-distribute flows internally to 

improve treatment. 

B. STA-6 

STA-6 consists of a wetland marsh system which utilizes biological treatment technology in the removal of 

nutrients from stormwater non-process wastewater that enters the facility. Wetland vegetation within the STA is 

managed in conjunction with hydrologic operations to maintain optimal performance levels within the facility. The 

approximate effective treatment area of STA 6-1 (both cells) is 870 acres, STA 6-2 is 1,387 acres and STA 6-4 is 

530 acres for a total effective treatment area of 2,787 acres. The western cell, STA 6-4, consists of an emergent 

vegetative communities (EMG); the eastern cell for this treatment flow-way, STA 6-2, consists of a submerged 

aquatic vegetation (SAV) community. STA-6 Section1, Cells 3 and 5 were created using an existing wetland area 

for treatment. 

Water flow and water elevations will be controlled and directed through the Cells 6-4 and 6-2 via an interior levee, 

canals, and the synchronized operation of water control structures (G-396A-C) located between the EMG and SAV 

Cells. These intermediate inflow structures, G-396A-C, consist of concrete box culverts with upstream gates that 

control water levels in the western EMG treatment cell and flow into the eastern SAV treatment cell. Each of the G-
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 5/6 

FDEP File No.: 0131842-009-EM 

Page 4 of 29 

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396A-C structures consists of a single gated 8-ft x 8-ft box culvert. Local and remote operation of the G-396 gates 

is possible. Water flow and elevations for STA 6-1 are controlled through the inflow/outflow structures and 

distributed via the interior canals; both Area 6-1, Cell 3 and Cell 5 are single treatment cells. 

III. STA-5/6 Outflow Structures 

Outflow structures will be regularly operated to maintain interior stages at desired levels. Structures will be fully 

closed when interior stages fall below prescribed levels, for maintenance or when it is desirable to prevent 

discharges. Newly constructed outflow structures and discharges from Cell 6-2 (Compartment C Build-Out) will 

require a separate operational authorization and are not authorized to discharge under this permit. 

A. STA-5 

The G-344A-K outflow structures consist of gated concrete box culverts controlling outflows from the flow-ways to 

the Discharge Canal. These structures are situated along the eastern perimeter levee. Flow-way 1 (G-344A-B) and 

Flow-way 2 (G-344C-D) convey treated water from these structures east to the STA-5 Discharge Canal where 

discharges may be directed either to the Miami Canal (via the STA-5 Outlet Canal) or to Rotenberger WMA (via 

the G-410 Pump Station). G-344E-F structures serve Flow-way 3, G-344G-H serve Flow-way 4 and G-344I-K 

serve Flow-way 5. Treated water from Structures G-344E-K is conveyed east to the STA-6 Discharge Canal for 

delivery south to the L-3/L-4 Canal. Each of the G-344 structures consists of a single gated 10-ft x 10-ft box 

culvert. 

B. STA-6 

For STA 6-1, six outflow structures, G-393A-C (Cell 3) and G-354A-C (Cell 5), located along the east perimeter 

levee release treated water into the STA-6 Discharge Canal. Each structure has a weir structure and gate. The G352A-C structures, also situated along the east perimeter levee, convey outflows to the Discharge Canal from STA6-2. These three 10-ft. x 10-ft. structures includes a multi-leaf operable gate to allow release of water from the 

upper section of the water column to reduce scouring of the collection canal. STA 6-4 will discharge into STA 6-2 

through the STA-6-2 inflow structures (G-396A-C). 

IV. Discharge Canal, Outlet Canal and Associated Bridges 

The Discharge Canal for STA-5/6 is located between the eastern levee of the STA and the Rotenberger WMA. This 

canal will be continuous along the east side of STA-5/6 and will be able to deliver flows to the north (Miami Canal 

or Rotenberger WMA) via the STA-5 Outlet Canal or to the south (L-3/L-4 Canals). A Divide Structure, the G411, will define the limits of the STA-5 Discharge Canal to the north and the STA-6 Discharge Canal to the south. 

This structure will normally remain closed. The STA-5 Outlet Canal extends south along the eastern boundary of 

the Rotenberger WMA to connect with the Miami Canal downstream of the G-372 structure (STA-3/4 inflow pump 

station) to ensure that treated water from STA-5 is not directed into STA-3/4 for re-treatment. 

Treated water is directed to the Discharge Canals via the outflow structures along the eastern perimeter levees. The 

STA-5 Discharge Canal is located on the east side of STA-5, Flow-ways 1 and 2 and continues north along the 

western and northern boundary of the Rotenberger WMA, ultimately connecting to the Miami Canal south of the G373 divide structure. The canal adjacent to STA-5 Flow-ways 4 and 5 will complete the connection of the STA-5 

Discharge Canal (north section) to the STA-6 Discharge Canal (south section). 

 

In order to provide a means for vehicles to cross the STA-5 Discharge Canal and maintain a continuous access to 

the Miami Canal, a bridge was constructed across the STA-5 Discharge Canal adjacent to the northeastern portion 

of the Rotenberger WMA. Access along the west side of the Miami Canal follows the new East Perimeter Levee of 

the Rotenberger WMA. The L-3 Levee Access Bridge was also constructed over the STA-6 Discharge Canal to 

provide greater flow capacity and access to the L-3 canal and levee. 

V. Seepage Collection and Return Systems 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 5/6 

FDEP File No.: 0131842-009-EM 

Page 5 of 29 

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The function of the northern seepage collection canal is to collect and return seepage to the upstream (western) 

portion of the STA-5, Cells 1A and 1B. This seepage collection canal is located between the northern perimeter 

levee of Flow-way 1 and the adjacent private property to the north, and extends from the L-2 Canal to the STA-5 

discharge canal. The northern seepage canal has two separate operational sections with a divide structure, G-360B, 

controlling water levels and limiting drawdown in the western section of the canal. This structure has a 36” culvert 

pipe with a 3-ft x 6-ft flashboard riser/weir plate and is located just east of the G-349A seepage pump station. No 

operation is envisioned for the G-360B, although flashboards may be added or removed to alter the weir crest 

height. 

After completion of Compartment C Build-Out, seepage along the west side of STA-5, Flow-ways 3, 4 and 5 and 

STA 6-4 will be collected in the STA-5 Seepage Canal (formerly the L-3 Canal). Water levels will be controlled by 

G-508 seepage pumps. 

Seepage return pump stations G-349A and G-349C are located on the north perimeter levee. G-349A is 

approximately 0.5 mile east of the L-2 Canal and controls the water levels in the western section of the seepage 

canal; the G-349C, located at the northwest corner of Cell 1B, controls the eastern section. Each station has two 

pumps with a discharge capacity of 18-27 cfs depending on headwater and tailwater stages, for a combined capacity 

at each station of 36-54 cfs. 

Additional water may be routed into the northern seepage canal via the G-348 structure. G-348 is a single 48” 

culvert located near the northeast corner of STA-5 and serves to transfer seepage flows from the discharge canal 

seepage canal to the northern seepage canal. The discharge canal seepage collection canal is approximately 3.3 

miles in length and extends from the northeast corner of STA-5 to just south of the Manley Canal. The discharge 

canal seepage collection canal is located between the discharge canal and adjacent farm fields. A flap gate on the 

west end of the pipe prevents unintended increases in stages east of G-348 during delivery of supplemental water to 

STA-5 (via G-349B to the northern seepage canal). 

VI. Re-hydration Pump Stations and Structures 

Pump station G-507 is located on the northeast side of STA-5, at the point that the discharge canal bends to the east. 

The purpose of this pump station is to provide supplemental water to the STA by moving water from the STA-5 

discharge canal into STA 5-1B during periods of drought. The station has a discharge capacity of 51 cfs and is 

operated manually. 

Pump station G-349B (39 cfs capacity) is also located on the northeast side of STA-5, at the point that the discharge 

canal bends to the east. The purpose of this pump station is to provide supplemental water to STA 5-1A and STA 

5-2A by moving water from the STA-5 discharge canal into the north seepage collection canal during periods of 

drought. In this mode, pump stations G-349A and G-349C will be activated to pump the water from the seepage 

collection canals into STA 5-1A and 5-1B, respectively. Gated structure G-519 (2-36” culverts) connects STA 5-1A 

to STA 5-2A for water supply and is operated manually. 

 

Pump station G-350B (39 cfs capacity) is located at the southeast corner of STA 5-2B at the confluence of the 

isolated canal area (between Flow-ways 2 and 3) and the STA-5 Discharge Canal. Drought water supply will be 

provided directly from the STA-5 discharge canal to the isolated canal area between Flow-ways 2 and 3, via the G350B pump station. Culvert structures G-520 (2-48” culverts) and G-521 (2-48” culverts) will connect from this 

isolated canal to STA 5-2A and STA 5-3A respectively, for water supply. Both structures have manually operated 

gates. 

Pump station G-509 (100 cfs capacity), which is being constructed as part of the Compartment C Build-Out is 

located on the eastern levee between STA-5, Flow-ways 4B and 5B at the discharge canal. Drought water supply 

will be pumped directly from the STA-6 Discharge Canal to STA 5 Cell 4B and Cell 5B for delivery to the other 

cells, both SAV and EMG, through gated 36” culvert structures (single or dual). All nine culvert structures G-510 

through G-518 have manually operated gates. 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 5/6 

FDEP File No.: 0131842-009-EM 

Page 6 of 29 

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VII. G-351 Structure 

The G-351 structure, which includes two gated 10-ft. x 9-ft. box culverts, will divide the STA-5/6 Inflow Canal 

from the remaining section of the L-3 Canal to the south of G-408. This structure will normally remain closed 

allowing the two inflow canals to operate at different levels. Under certain conditions, the G-351 gates may be 

operated to allow connection of the STA 5/6 Inflow Canal to the L-3 Canal for delivery of water to the flow-ways. 

VIII. G-357 Divide Structure 

G-357 is a two barrel box culvert with a twin lift gate control system. This structure prevents 

water movement between the Miami and L-4 canals during the operation of the G-404 pump 

station. 

IX. G-404 Pump Station 

G-404 is a pump station with a total capacity of 570 cfs. G-404 is located at the confluence of the Miami Canal and 

the L-4 borrow canal. It functions to direct water into and move water westerly in the L-4 borrow canal in order to 

supply treated water to locations that historically received water from the L-3 borrow canal. 

X. Diversion Structures 

There is a single diversion structure (G-407) located within the L-3 Canal that may be operated to allow bypass

diversion of stormwater wastewater around STA-5/6 to WCA-3A via the Seepage/L-3 Canal. Diversions Bypasses

may be necessary during certain events that compromise the safe operation of the facilities, when stage elevations of 

waters, rates of inflows, or the duration of sustained inundation creates conditions threatening the survival of marsh 

vegetation and the treatment efficiency of the project, to avoid hydrological and nutrient overloading the STA or 

when water supply needs require it. The G-407 Diversion Structure, which is located near the southwest corner of 

STA 6-1, is the southernmost diversion structure. This structure has two gated 10-ft. x 9-ft. box culverts and 

provides access over the L-3 Canal.. During normal operations, G-407 will remain closed. 

Two other structures, G-406 and G-408, can be operated to facilitate diversion bypass of stormwater wastewater 

around STA-5/6. The northernmost structure, the G-406, is located just south of the Deer Fence Canal. This 

structure includes two 10-ft. x 9-ft. gated box culverts and an overflow weir at elevation 21.75 ft. NGVD. 

Operation of the gates diverts flow from the north (the L-2/L-3 Canal) to the Seepage/L-3 Canal, by-passing the G508 Pump Station and Inflow Canal. The weir controls upstream water levels in the L-2 Canal. When the G-508 

pump station is unavailable, the G-406 structure may be used to deliver water to the STA-5/6 Inflow Canal (via the 

G-342E and F structures) and/or south to STA-6 (via the G-408, G-351 and inflow structures); the G-407 would 

remain closed during these routine operations. 

The G-408 Diversion Structure is located between G-406 and G-407 at the northwest corner of STA 6-1. This 

structure has two gated 10-ft. x 9-ft. box culverts and divides the Seepage/L-3 Canal located along the west side of 

the project from the L-3 Canal to the south. When the G-508 pump station is unavailable, the G-406 structure may 

be used to deliver water to the STA-5/6 Inflow Canal (via the G-342E and F structures) and/or south to STA-6 (via 

the G-408, G-351 and inflow structures); the G-407 would remain closed. 

XI. G-409 Pump Station 

G-409 is a pump station with a total capacity of 190 cfs. G-409 is located south of STA-6, 

Section 1, upstream of the G-155 structure on the existing levee which connects to the L-28 

levee immediately to the east. It functions to supply irrigation water to the Seminole Tribe of 

Florida's Big Cypress Reservation. 

XII. G-411 Divide Structure 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 5/6 

FDEP File No.: 0131842-009-EM 

Page 7 of 29 

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The G-411 Divide Structure is located within the discharge canal at the northeast corner of STA 5-3B. This 

structure divides the discharges from STA-5, Flow-ways 1 and 2, and the remaining flow-ways for STA-5 and all of 

STA-6. The G-411 structure has two gated 10-ft. x 8-ft. box culverts that will provide flexibility on directing 

discharge flows either to the north or south. Under normal operations, the structure will be closed to direct 

discharges from Flow-ways 1 and 2 to the Miami Canal and all other Flow-ways / cells to WCA-3A via the L-3 

Canal Extension. 

XIII. G-508 Pump Station and associated Bridge 

Pump Station G-508 draws water from the L-2/L-3 Canal and releases it into the STA-5/6 Inflow Canal for delivery 

to the treatment areas. This pump station is located in the northwestern corner of STA 5-3 at the confluence of the 

L-2/L-3 Canal and Deer Fence Canal. This pump station serves Flow-ways 3-5 and STA-6-4/6-2. G-508 pump 

station includes three-470 cfs pumps (plus one back-up pump) and two 110 cfs pumps (1,630 cfs total inflow rate), 

two-25 cfs seepage pumps (plus one back-up pump), a pump station enclosure and an intake canal. A north-south 

bridge will be constructed over the intake canal to provide a continuation for access along the east levee of the L-3 

Canal. 

XIV. Southern L-4 Levee Gap 

The G-404 pump station is located at the confluence of the Miami Canal and the L-4 borrow canal and directs water 

westward in the L-4 canal for water delivery to western WCA 3A and the Seminole Tribe of Florida's Big Cypress 

Reservation. Directly north of the point that the existing L-3 extension canal turns south, a small canal connects the 

L-4 borrow canal to the L-3 extension canal. 

XV. Deer Fence Canal Bridge and Deer Fence Road 

 Deer Fence Canal Bridge is a 100 ft. two lane pre-stressed concrete bridge (Deer Fence Canal Bridge). 

Approximately 170 ft. of limerock road connects the bridge to Deer Fence Road. Deer Fence Road from the East 

line of County Road 835 right-of-way East has been paved (approximately 200 feet); Deer Fence Road from the end 

of the pavement to Deer Fence Bridge has been graded. A surface water management system associated with the 

paving of Deer Fence Road and two 72 inch culverts in the S&M Canal have been constructed. The Deer Fence 

Bridge and Deer Fence Road improvements provide the U.S. Sugar Corporation access to its Unit 2 Ranch. The 

two 72 inch culverts in the S&M Canal are necessary to access a 500 acre wetland tract to the north. 

XVI. Rotenberger Hydropattern Restoration 

The G-410 pump station allows a portion of STA-5 discharges to be routed to the Rotenberger WMA and 

ultimately-to the Miami Canal via Rotenberger WMA discharge structures G-402A-D. The remainder of STA-5 

discharges are directed to the Miami Canal via the STA-5 Discharge and Outlet Canals. 

Project features include 240 cubic foot per second (cfs) electric powered pump station (G-410) consisting of two 

48-inch vertical axial pumps. Discharges from the G-410 pump station are distributed in Rotenberger WMA 

through a one-mile long spreader canal which is parallel to the west perimeter levee of the Rotenberger WMA. The 

spreader canal is connected to a 2-1/2 mile long borrow canal, for a total spreader canal length of 3-1/2 miles. 

Discharges out of Rotenberger WMA are directed into the Miami Canal via three 54-inch diameter gated culverts 

(G-402 A-C) and one 42-inch diameter gated culvert (G-402D), along the east side of Rotenberger WMA. There is 

also a 1/4 mile long collection canal upstream of each gated culvert. 

The District operates the G-410 pump station to achieve an initial hydro pattern restoration target based on a 31-

year average stage prediction by the Natural Systems Model (NSM). The NSM and the South Florida Water 

Management Model are currently the best available technology to estimate historic water levels within the 

Everglades, including Rotenberger WMA. Data will be collected during restoration and recommendations will be 

made for operational modifications to maximize environmental benefits to Rotenberger WMA. 

XVII. Structure Removal 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 5/6 

FDEP File No.: 0131842-009-EM 

Page 8 of 29 

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Over time, the following structures have been removed from STA-5/6: G-155; G-350A re-hydration pump station; 

and G-604. The G-600 pump station will also be removed. The G-601, G-602 and G-603 structures are no longer 

operated. 

XVIII. Recreational Facilities 

In fulfillment of the public access and recreation requirements of the EFA Subsection 373.4592 (4)(a) F.S., and as 

further described in Subsection 373.1391(1)(a) and (b) F.S., recreational facilities are proposed at STA-5. The 

proposed recreational facilities shall be designed to ensure compatibility with the restoration goals of the ECP and 

the water quality and hydrological purposes of the STAs. The proposed STA-5/6 facilities include the following: 

• An information kiosk, trailhead, a composting toilet, an asphalt parking area with parking for vehicles with 

trailers, landscaping, pedestrian gates, signage and fencing as needed to define public access areas and to 

protect sensitive equipment 

• One multi-use trail on top of the levee to accommodate all user groups, hiking, biking, equestrian, and bird 

watching 

• One Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant boardwalk/viewing platform with associated bird 

blind, providing enhanced recreation opportunities for bird-watching, photography, hiking, biking and 

waterfowl hunting. 

LOCATION: 

STA-5/6 resides on District-owned lands between the C-139 Basin and C-139 Annex to the west and the 

Rotenberger Wildlife Management Area (Rotenberger WMA) to the east. 

The project is located within the following property descriptions in Palm Beach, Broward, and Hendry County: 

• STA-5/6 Inflow and Outflow Structures, Inflow Works, Interior Treatment Works, Seepage Collection and 

Return Systems, Re-hydration Pump Stations and Structures, STA-5 and STA-6 Discharge Canals and 

Recreational Facilities. Sections 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 33, 34, 35, and 36, Township 46 South, 

Range 34 East; Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 35 and 36, 

Township 47 South, Range 34 East; and Section 1, Township 48 South, Range 34 East, Hendry County, 

Florida and Section 6, Township 48 South, Range 35 East, Palm Beach County, Florida 

• STA-5/6 Outlet Canal. A parcel of land located in Sections 19, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 and 35, 

Township 46 South, Range 35 East together with a parcel located in Section 2, Township 47 South, Range 

35 East, Palm Beach County, Florida 

• G-357 Structure. Section 6, Township 48 South, Range 36 East, Broward County, Florida 

• G-351 Inflow Structure. Section 26, Township 47 South, Range 34 East, Hendry County, Florida 

• G-406 Diversion Structure. Section 33, Township 46 South, Range 34 East, Hendry County, Florida 

• G-407 Diversion Structure. Section 1, Township 48 South, Range 34 East, Hendry County, Florida 

• G-408 Diversion Structure. Section 26, Township 47, Range 34 East, Hendry County, Florida 

• G-404 Pump Station. Sections 6 and 7, Township 48 South, Range 36 East, Broward County, Florida 

• Southern L-4 Gap. Section 9, Township 48 South, Range 35 East, Broward County, Florida 

• G-409 Pump Station. Section 12, Township 48 South, Range 34 East, Hendry County, Florida 

• G-411 Divide Structure. Section 1, Township 47 South, Range 34 East, Hendry County, Florida 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 5/6 

FDEP File No.: 0131842-009-EM 

Page 9 of 29 

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• G-508 Pump Station and Bridge. Section 33, Township 46 South, Range 34 East, and Section 4, Township 

47 South, Range 34 East, Hendry County, Florida 

• Deer Fence Road Improvements. Sections 31 and 32, Township 46 South, Range 34 East, Hendry County, 

Florida 

GENERAL CONDITIONS:

In accordance with Subsection 373.4592(9)(g) of the EFA, this permit may include any standard conditions 

provided by Department rule which are appropriate and consistent with the EFA. 

1. Enforcement. The terms, conditions, requirements, limitations and restrictions set forth in this permit, are 

"permit conditions" and are binding and enforceable pursuant to Sections 373.129, 403.141, 403.727, 403.859 

through 403.861 F.S. The permittee is placed on notice that the Department will review this permit periodically 

and may initiate enforcement action for any violation of these conditions. 

2. Scope of permit. This permit is valid only for the specific requirements of this permit processes and operations 

applied for and indicated in the approved drawings or exhibits. Any unauthorized deviation from the approved 

drawings, exhibits, specifications, or conditions requirements of this permit may constitute grounds for 

revocation and enforcement action by the Department. 

3. Limitation of rights. The issuance of this permit does not convey any vested rights or any exclusive 

privileges. Neither does it authorize any injury to public or private property or any invasion of personal rights, 

nor any infringement of federal, state, or local laws or regulations. This permit is not a waiver of or approval of 

any other Department permit that may be required for other aspects of the STA-5/6 project which are not 

addressed in this permit. However, this permit is in lieu of other permits under Part IV of Chapter 373, F.S., 

pursuant to Subsection 373.4592(9)(c), F.S. 

4. Limitations upon title. This permit conveys no title to land or water, does not constitute State recognition or 

acknowledgment of title, and does not constitute authority for the use of submerged lands unless herein 

provided and the necessary title or leasehold interests have been obtained from the State. Only the Trustees of 

the Internal Improvement Trust Fund may express State opinion as to title. 

5. Liability. This permit does not relieve the permittee from liability for harm or injury to human health or 

welfare, animal, or plant life, or property caused by the construction or operation of this permitted source, or 

from penalties therefore; nor does it allow the permittee to cause pollution in contravention of Florida Statutes 

and Department rules, unless specifically authorized by an order from the Department. The permittee shall hold 

and save the Department harmless from any and all damages, claims, or liabilities which may arise by reason of 

the construction, alteration, operation, maintenance, removal, abandonment or use of any system authorized by 

the permit. 

6. Operation and maintenance responsibilities. The permittee shall properly operate and maintain the STA and 

systems of treatment and control (and related appurtenances) that are installed and used by the permittee to 

achieve compliance with the conditions of this permit, as required by Department rules. This provision 

includes the operation of backup or auxiliary facilities or similar systems when necessary to achieve compliance 

with the conditions of the permit and when required by Department rules. 

7. Access Rights. The permittee, by accepting this permit, specifically agrees to allow authorized Department 

personnel, upon presentation of credentials or other documents as may be required by law and at reasonable 

times, access to the premises where the permitted activity is located or conducted for the following purposes: 

A. Access to, and the right to, copy any records that must be kept under conditions of the permit 

B. Inspection of the facility, equipment, practices, or operations regulated or required under this permit 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 5/6 

FDEP File No.: 0131842-009-EM 

Page 10 of 29 

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C. Sampling or monitoring of any substances or parameters at any location reasonably necessary to assure 

compliance with this permit or Department rules 

Reasonable time may depend on the nature of the concern being investigated. 

8. Noncompliance. If, for any reason, the permittee does not comply with or will be unable to comply with any 

condition or limitation specified in this permit, the permittee shall immediately provide the Department with the 

following information: 

A. A description of and cause of noncompliance 

B. The period of noncompliance, including dates and times; or, if not corrected, the anticipated time the 

noncompliance is expected to continue, and steps being taken to reduce, eliminate, and prevent recurrence 

of the noncompliance. The permittee shall be responsible for any and all damages which may result and 

may be subject to enforcement action by the Department for penalties or for revocation of this permit 

9. Records as evidence. In accepting this permit, the permittee understands and agrees that all records, notes, 

monitoring data, and other information relating to the construction or operation of this permitted source which 

are submitted to the Department may be used by the Department as evidence in any enforcement case involving 

the permitted source arising under the Florida Statutes or Department rules, except where such use is prescribed 

by Sections 403.111, F.S. and 403.73, F.S. Such evidence shall only be used to the extent it is consistent with 

the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure and appropriate evidentiary rules. 

10. Changes in Law. The permittee agrees to comply with changes in applicable Department rules and applicable 

Florida Statutes after a reasonable time for compliance; provided, however, the permittee does not waive any 

other rights granted by Florida law. However, this section cannot be used as a basis to extend the time to 

comply with the permit’s total phosphorus WQBEL.

11. Transferability. This permit is transferable only upon Department approval in accordance with Rules 62-

4.120 and 62-343.130, F.A.C., as applicable. The permittee shall be liable for any non-compliance of the 

permitted activity until the transfer is approved by the Department. 

12. Permit at Work Site. This permit or a copy thereof shall be kept at the work site of the permitted activity. For 

the purposes of this permit the work site shall be defined as the South Florida Water Management District 

Headquarters located at 3301 Gun Club Road in West Palm Beach, Florida. 

13. Records Retention. The permittee shall comply with the following: 

A. Upon request, the permittee shall furnish all records and plans required under Department rules. During 

enforcement actions, the retention period for all records will be extended automatically unless otherwise 

stipulated by the Department 

B. The permittee shall hold at the STA or other location designated by this permit records of all monitoring 

information required by the permit, copies of all reports required by this permit, and records of all data 

used to complete the application for this permit. These materials shall be retained at least five years from 

the date of the sample, measurement, report, and application unless otherwise specified by Department rule 

C. Records of monitoring information shall include the following: 

1. The date, exact place, and time of sampling or measurements 

2. The person responsible for performing the sampling or measurements 

3. The dates analyses were performed or the appropriate code as required by Chapter 62.160 F.A.C. 

4. The person responsible for performing the analyses 

5. The analytical techniques or methods used, including but not limited to MDL (Method Detection 

Limit) 

6. The results of such analyses, including identification of potential outlier values 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 5/6 

FDEP File No.: 0131842-009-EM 

Page 11 of 29 

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14. Requests for Information. When requested by the Department, the permittee shall within a reasonable time 

furnish any information required by law which is needed to determine compliance with the permit. If the 

permittee becomes aware that relevant facts were not submitted or were incorrect in the permit application or in 

any report to the Department, such facts or information shall be corrected promptly. 

15. External Agency Requirements. Should any other regulatory agency require changes to the permitted 

system, the permittee shall notify the Department in writing of the changes prior to implementation so that a 

determination can be made whether a permit modification is required. 

16. Sovereign Lands. The permittee is hereby advised that Florida law states: No person shall commence any 

excavation, construction, or other activity involving the use of sovereign or other lands of the state, title to 

which is vested in the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund or the Department of 

Environmental Protection under Chapter 253, until such person has received from the Board of Trustees of the 

Internal Improvement Trust Fund the required lease, license, easement, or other form of consent authorizing the 

proposed use. Therefore, the permittee is responsible for obtaining any necessary authorizations from the 

Board of Trustees prior to commencing activity on sovereignty lands or other state-owned lands. 

17. Artifacts. If historic or archaeological artifacts such as, but not limited to, Indian canoes, arrow heads, pottery 

or physical remains, are discovered at any time on the project site, the permittee shall immediately stop all 

activities which disturb the soil and notify the Department and the State Historic Preservation Officer. 

SPECIFIC CONDITIONS: 

1. Addresses. Reports and notices submitted to the Department in accordance with this permit, unless otherwise 

specified, shall be submitted to the Department’s Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration, 

Restoration Planning and Permitting Section, 2600 Blair Stone Road, MS 3560, Tallahassee, Florida, 32399-

2400, telephone no. (850) 245-8346 and to the Department’s Southeast District Office, Water Resource 

Management and Environmental Planning, 400 North Congress Avenue, Suite 200, West Palm Beach, Florida 

33401, telephone no. (561) 681-6600. Electronic copies of reports and notices required by this permit shall be 

sent to RPPS_Comp@dep.state.fl.us. 

2. Related Permits. The Department and the permittee acknowledge the issuance of other permits related to STA5/6. STA-5/6 previously operated under EFA Permit No’s. 0131842 and 0236905 and portions of the facility 

currently operate under NPDES Permit No’s. FL0177954 and FL0473804. Additional related permits include 

Department Permit No. 0289306 which authorizes temporary dewatering activities associated with the STAs and 

Non-ECP structures, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 404 Permit No. 199404532. An additional 

authorization by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is anticipated to be issued subsequent to the completion of 

the Compartment B and C Environmental Impact Statement. This STA-5/6 EFA permit, upon issuance, shall 

supersede and replace the former STA-5 and STA-6 EFA Permits issued by the Department. 

3. Public Use. The recreational facilities located within the STA-5/6 Project shall be maintained to ensure 

compatibility with the restoration goals of the ECP and the water quality and hydrological purposes of the STAs. 

This permit does not absolve the permittee from the responsibility of obtaining other permits (federal, state, or 

local) which may be required for the activities occurring at these sites.

Conditions for Construction, Operation and Maintenance 

4. Project Construction. The permittee shall ensure that Compartment C is constructed consistent with the design 

documents. During any construction and modification of Compartment C and associated works, the permittee 

shall take all reasonable precautions to minimize the suspension and transport of soils, levee materials, and 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 5/6 

FDEP File No.: 0131842-009-EM 

Page 12 of 29 

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roadway materials into waters adjacent to or downstream of the construction site. In addition, during 

construction, the permittee shall perform turbidity monitoring in accordance with Specific Condition 25. 

5. Project Operation and Maintenance. The permittee shall operate and maintain STA-5/6 consistent with the 

design documents, as may be modified and reflected on the record drawings, operations criteria, and operation 

plan required by Specific Condition 10. Operation of the individual components of Compartment C Build-Out 

(including Cell 6-4 once hydrologically connected to Cell 6-2) are not authorized under this permit. The 

treatment cells existing at the time of permit issuance (STA-5-1, 5-2, 5-3, 6-1 and 6-2) are authorized to maintain 

existing operation. 

 

6. As-Built Certification and Record Drawings. Within 60 days after completion of any construction for the 

existing Cells of STA-5/6, or Compartment C, the permittee shall submit a written statement of completion and 

certification by a registered professional engineer or other appropriate individual as authorized by law. 

Construction is considered complete when the associated construction contract is completed and closed out. The 

statement of completion and certification shall be based on on-site observation of construction or review of asbuilt drawings for the purpose of determining if the work was completed in compliance with permitted plans and 

specifications. This submittal shall serve to notify the Department that STA-5/6 is ready for inspection. 

Additionally, if deviation from the approved drawings is discovered during the certification process, the 

certification must be accompanied by a copy of the approved permit drawings with deviations noted. Both the 

original and revised specifications must be clearly shown. The plans must be clearly labeled as “as-built” or 

“record” drawing. All surveyed dimensions and elevations shall be certified by a registered surveyor 

7. Contaminated Sites and Residual Agrichemicals. The Permittee shall address all contaminated sites within 

the project footprint in accordance with all applicable Department statutes and rules including but not limited to 

Chapters 62-770, 62-780, and 62-785, F.A.C. The Permittee shall address any agricultural chemical residuals in 

the project footprint in accordance with the “Protocol For Assessment, Remediation And Post-Remediation 

Monitoring For Environmental Contaminants On Everglades Restoration Projects” (Protocol) dated March 14, 

2008 so that risk to the environment is minimized based upon the projected use of the property. Regardless of 

any remedial action plan, the Chapter 62-777, F.A.C. cleanup target levels, or the Protocol, the Permittee shall 

address all contamination within the project footprint, to minimize to the maximum extent practicable any 

detrimental impacts to Threatened or Endangered species. As a corrective action, the Department may require 

limitations on property access or use as part of the Permittee’s Land Management Plan for the project area. All 

corrective actions must be completed prior to initial operation or use of the project. Documentation of 

completion of corrective actions must be submitted to the Department no later than 90 days prior to the initial 

operation or use of the completed project, unless the Department approves an alternative schedule. The 

Permittee shall secure written concurrence from the Department that the corrective actions have been completed 

based upon applicable protocols and the projected land use, prior to initial operation of the completed project. If 

contamination is discovered after initial operations, the Permittee shall send to the Department at the address 

listed in Specific Condition No. 1 an assessment and remedial action plan for Department approval. Upon the 

Department’s approval, the Permittee shall implement the assessment and remedial action plan and provide 

quarterly reports to the Department on the progress of the remediation until the cleanup is completed to the 

Department’s satisfaction. 

8. Vegetation and Operational Enhancements. Vegetation and operational enhancements shall be implemented 

to optimize performance as needed to achieve the total phosphorus WQBEL of this permit criterion in the EPA. 

Vegetation and operational enhancements shall be coordinated with the Department to determine whether a 

modification to the permit is required. 

9. Pump Station Maintenance. Maintenance requirements for the pump stations include operation of the pumps 

for approximately 2 to 4 hours per month, as necessary, to maintain their mechanical integrity. Therefore, 

temporary operation of the pump stations for maintenance purposes is allowed and is not subject to the discharge 

criteria of the specific conditions of this permit. However, the permittee shall document all such temporary 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 5/6 

FDEP File No.: 0131842-009-EM 

Page 13 of 29 

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maintenance operations, and shall include all such discharge flows and loads as a part of the monitoring 

requirements of this permit. 

10. STA Operation Plan and Modifications. Upon completion of and compliance with the scheduled Long-Term 

Plan improvements and enhancements requirements specified herein and within 90 days of the completion of 

any additional Long-Term Plan improvements and enhancements (the Compartment C Build-out), the permittee 

shall submit to the Department, at the addresses listed in Specific Condition 1, an updated Operations Plan for 

the STA-5/6 facility, as applicable, subject to modification under the conditions set forth below. 

 If at any time changes to the STA-5/6 Operations Plan are warranted to optimize facility operation, and upon 

verification of data to be supplied by the permittee that justifies the need for such modification, the Operations 

Plan may be modified as mutually agreed upon by the Department and the permittee. The Operations Plan shall 

also include the information described in A-H, below. 

 Under emergency conditions that threaten the safety of life, property, or the STA-5/6 facility, the permittee may 

modify the operations of STA-5/6 and immediately employ any remedial means to protect life and property in 

accordance with the emergency provisions of Chapter 373, F.S. The permittee shall notify the Department 

within 48 hours of such occurrence and shall provide data justifying the need to employ the emergency 

modifications to operations of STA-5/6. 

A. Minimum Water Level Targets to Avoid Dryout. In accordance with the relevant design documents, 

the permittee shall, to the maximum extent practicable, maintain a minimum static water level of 0.5 feet 

above the average ground elevation of the treatment cells to avoid dryout of the treatment cells, subject to 

available water from the upstream watershed. 

 

B. Responding to Dryout Conditions. The permittee shall evaluate and correct potential adverse dryout 

effects on the water quality performance of STA-5/6. If the compliance requirements in this permit are 

not met due to dryout conditions, then the permittee shall propose modifications to the Operations Plan 

and Monitoring Plan as appropriate and submit the revised plan(s) to the Department for review and 

approval. 

C. Maximum Water Level Targets. The permittee shall ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that 

maximum water depths of 4.0 feet above the average ground elevation of the treatment cells will not be 

exceeded in order to avoid long-term damage to the treatment vegetation and protection of project levees. 

D. Operational Envelope. The permittee shall ensure to the maximum extent practicable that authorized 

operation of the existing components of the facility do not exceed the operational envelope for STA-5 and 

STA-6 (this permit does not authorize operations for Compartment C Build-Out), as set forth in the 

existing STA-5 and STA-6 Operations Plans. 

E. Phosphorus Uptake Optimization. Operations shall be conducted to distribute the flows and water 

levels within STA-5/6 to optimize the phosphorus reduction performance and shall be updated as 

necessary to include the results of the permittee’s Process Development and Engineering (PDE) program 

being implemented as a part of the Long-Term Plan. 

F. Operations Plan Modifications. The STA-5/6 Operations Plan should be reviewed and may be revised 

as appropriate based on operational experience, research results, downstream monitoring and upstream 

levels of service. 

G. Hydropattern Restoration. STA-5/6 shall be operated in such a manner as to be consistent with the 

activities proposed to restore the hydropattern of the EPA, as described in Specific Condition 11 below. 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 5/6 

FDEP File No.: 0131842-009-EM 

Page 14 of 29 

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11. Hydropattern Restoration. In accordance with Subsection 373.4592(4)(b), F.S., the permittee shall operate the 

STAs in order to improve and restore the Everglades water supply and hydroperiod. The permittee shall operate 

the ECP to provide additional increased flow to the EPA through the modification of historical operational 

practices for regulatory releases from Lake Okeechobee and the Water Conservation Areas. The STAs shall be 

operated to achieve the goal of providing additional flows to the EPA and shall, to the maximum extent 

practicable, be coordinated with and consistent with the Lower East Coast Water Supply Plan, the Lake 

Okeechobee and Water Conservation Area Regulation Schedules, Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan 

(CERP), and the entitlement of the Seminole Tribe of Florida to surface water withdrawals under the Water 

Rights Compact (P.L. 100-228). 

12. Rotenberger WMA Restoration. This permit authorizes discharges to Rotenberger Wildlife Management 

Area, according to the following terms and conditions: 

Operation and Maintenance of Rotenberger Wildlife Management Area Hydropattern Restoration 

A. Project Operation and Maintenance. The permittee shall operate and maintain the Rotenberger Wildlife 

Management Area Hydropattern Restoration Project consistent with the following: 

 The conceptual Design Document for the Everglades Protection Project, dated February 15, 1994 

• The General Design Memorandum for STA-5 and Rotenberger Tract Restoration, dated July 1996 

• The final engineering plans for Rotenberger Wildlife Management Area Hydropattern Restoration, 

submitted to the Department on May 15, 2000 

• The Summary of Revised Hydrologic Simulations for Rotenberger dated August 15, 2000 

By operating in accordance with these documents, the objectives of the ECP will be achieved, as outlined in the 

EFA, 373.4592(9)(e) and 373.4592(9)(h), F.S. To the extent that there is a conflict with the above documents, 

the permit conditions shall control. 

1. Emergency Releases into Rotenberger. Water releases from STA-5/6 or other sources, if available, 

into Rotenberger may be made on an emergency basis for the purpose of extinguishing wildfires 

within Rotenberger. 

2. Pump Stations Testing and Maintenance. Maintenance requirements for the pump stations include 

operation of the pumps for approximately 2 to 4 hours per month, as necessary, to maintain their 

mechanical integrity. Therefore, temporary operation of the pump stations for testing and maintenance 

purposes is authorized. 

If the permitted facilities are demonstrated to be not achieving compliance with the requirements of this permit, 

the permittee shall modify the Operations Plan as appropriate. The Rotenberger Wildlife Management Area 

Hydropattern Restoration Project, including applicable operation and maintenance activities, may be further 

modified for standard engineering practices pursuant to Subsection 373.4592(9)(j)(3) of the EFA. 

B. Monitoring and Reporting. 

1. The permittee will monitor headwater and tailwater stages, and pump information at the G-410 pump 

stations and utilize appropriate pump discharge relationships to estimate surface inflow to the 

Rotenberger. 

2. The permittee will monitor headwater and tailwater stages at the G-402 structures and utilize 

appropriate stage discharge relationships to estimate surface outflows from the Rotenberger. 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 5/6 

FDEP File No.: 0131842-009-EM 

Page 15 of 29 

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3. The permittee will monitor rainfall and ET at nearby stations in order to estimate these components of 

the Rotenberger water budget. 

4. Annual estimates of inflows and outflows will be reported in the annual South Florida Environmental 

Report. 

13. Implementation of Source Control Programs. 

A. Implementation. The permittee shall continue to implement source control programs in each of the 

contributing basins in accordance with the Long-Term Plan, Chapter 40E-63, F.A.C., and other applicable 

programs. Basins that do not presently include source control programs shall be monitored to determine if 

such programs are necessary in the event that phosphorus loads to the facility from these basins limit the 

facility’s ability to achieve the WQBEL permit effluent limit. 

B. Performance. On an annual basis, the permittee shall evaluate the performance of source controls in the 

contributing basins and include the findings in the annual report required in Specific Condition 298. The 

report shall include phosphorus loads from the basins and shall describe trends and compare current loads to 

those determined necessary to achieve the WQBEL permit effluent limit. 

C. Improvements. If the WQBEL permit effluent limit is not achieved and if the assumed inflow 

concentration used to develop the Amended Determination remedy inflow loads determined necessary to 

achieve the permit effluent limit are is exceeded, the permittee shall submit a report explaining the cause(s) 

for the excessive concentration and schedules and strategies for source control improvements necessary to 

achieve the WQBEL permit effluent limit in the annual report. 

14. Minimization of Wetland Impacts. In accordance with Subsection 373.4592(9)(e)3, F.S., of the EFA, the 

permittee shall provide reasonable assurances that any wetland impacts associated with STA-5/6 activities will 

be minimized to the maximum extent practicable and consistent with the documents on file with the 

Department.

15. Water Quantity and Flooding Impacts. The permittee shall be responsible for ensuring that STA-5/6 is 

operated so as not to adversely affect adjacent lands with regards to flooding impacts and water supply needs of 

the region. The permittee shall hold and save the Department harmless for any and all damages, claims, or 

liabilities, which may arise from water quantity and/or flooding impacts resulting from the construction and 

operation of STA-5/6. 

Phosphorus Conditions

16. Phosphorus Standard. Pursuant to Subsection 373.4592(4) (e)2, F.S., the Department adopted a 10 parts per 

billion (ppb) numeric criterion for phosphorus in the EPA, which was approved by the United States 

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on January 24, 2005. The compliance methodology for determining 

achievement of the phosphorus numeric criterion was revised and adopted by the Department on May 5, 2005, 

and the revised rule (62-302.540 F.A.C.) was approved by the U.S. EPA on July 27, 2005. Achievement of the 

criterion shall be determined through the WQBEL limitation set forth in Table 1 below. 

17. Start-Up Phase. During the initial Start-Up Phase of a new cell or new flow-way, the permittee shall monitor 

phosphorus concentrations within the facility to demonstrate that the project is achieving a net reduction in 

phosphorus. Portions of STA-5/6 may operate independently of each other. Under those circumstances, StartUp Phase operation and monitoring within the new treatment area shall be performed as follows:

 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 5/6 

FDEP File No.: 0131842-009-EM 

Page 16 of 29 

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i. Establishment of Marsh Vegetation. The permittee shall manage water depths in the treatment 

cells to facilitate the recruitment of marsh vegetation in accordance with the Operations Plan, 

which may include recirculating waters within the STA. 

ii. Start-Up Monitoring. On a weekly basis, the permittee shall monitor total phosphorus at the 

upstream side of inflow structure(s). Total phosphorus shall also be monitored on a weekly basis 

on the upstream side of the outflow structures. 

iii. Phosphorus Start-Up Test. The Phosphorus Start-Up Test for an individual flow-way or cell is 

based on when the above samples demonstrate, over a four-week period, a net reduction in 

phosphorus occurs. This net reduction shall be deemed to occur when the 4-week geometric mean 

total phosphorus water column concentration from samples collected at the applicable outflow 

structures is less than the 4-week geometric mean total phosphorus water column concentration 

collected at the applicable inflow structure(s). 

iv. Discharge Operations. Discharge operations, from an individual flow-way or cell that has passed 

the Phosphorus Start-Up Test described above, may commence once Initial Start-Up Phase 

documentation and all supporting data and analyses are submitted to the Department via regular or 

electronic mail. For flow-ways that have not met these tests within six months after issuance of 

the permit, the permittee shall submit status updates regarding progress toward and identifying 

strategies and timelines to achieve this test. 

v. Initiation of Individual Flow-way (Stabilization and Routine Operation) Discharges and 

Monitoring. Once flow-through discharges from a flow-way begin, the permittee shall initiate 

routine water quality monitoring for that flow-way consistent with the monitoring program 

described in this permit. 

18. Stabilization Phase (Flow-through Operations)– An STA enters the Stabilization Phase after each of three 

antecedent conditions: (1) once flow-through operations begin following the initial start-up of a new treatment 

cell; (2) when a treatment cell is undergoing implementation of Long-Term Plan enhancements that may have 

adverse impacts on STA performance, or (3) when a treatment cell undergoing for recovery activities 

associated with a major event that compromises the structural integrity or performance of the STA. During the 

Stabilization Phase the treatment vegetation will be maturing and the STA performance will generally be 

improving toward achieving the permit effluent limitation. However, the overall performance of the STA is 

extremely difficult to evaluate and predict. It is anticipated that the treatment vegetation will require one to 

three years after flow-through operations begin for the affected cells to continue to improve toward achieving

the permit effluent limit. During the stabilization phase the effluent limitation shall apply. Once the facility 

achieves the effluent limitation it shall enter the Routine Operations Phase. During the Stabilization Phase, 

exceedance of the effluent limitation is anticipated; however, the STA shall be deemed in compliance as long as 

the actions described in this condition and all other applicable permit conditions are met. 

If a flow-way is determined to be incapable of operating or performing effectively as a result of the impacts 

caused by one or more of the above mentioned circumstances, within 60 days the District shall submit strategies 

and timelines identified as being the most effective in restoring the impacted flow-way(s) and achieving the 

permit effluent limit. The District’s strategies and timelines shall include, at a minimum, the following:

1. Identify the cause of the incident which resulted in the facility not achieving the effluent limitation;

2. A statement that the facility was being properly operated at the time of the incident;

3. The period of the anticipated stabilization phase; and,

4. Any remedial steps employed to ensure that the stabilization period will be as minimal as possible..
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 5/6 

FDEP File No.: 0131842-009-EM 

Page 17 of 29 

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The timely submittal and implementation of these strategies and timelines in conjunction with the Department’s 

review and approval of such submittals and compliance with all other applicable conditions set forth in this 

permit shall constitute compliance. 

In addition to the reporting associated with this condition and as part of the annual reporting requirements of 

the permit, the District shall provide an assessment of the facility and the steps being taken to meet the WQBEL 

specified in Table 1 below permit effluent limit. As part of the first annual report following any adverse impact 

to the facility, and each subsequent year until the facility achieves the permit effluent limit, the 12 month rolling 

flow-weighted mean TP concentration of the STA outflow shall be assessed as to whether there is a trend in 

improvement of performance relative to prior years. If the trend analysis that is applied to this data indicates 

that there is not a trend in improvement of performance, the permittee shall report as to the causes behind the 

lack of performance improvement. If during a subsequent annual report the trend analysis applied to these data 

indicate that there is not a trend in improvement of performance after the affected flow-way has been in flowthrough operation for 24 months, the annual report shall include any remedial measures necessary to achieve 

improved facility performance by the end of next year, and shall provide an estimate of when the permit 

effluent limit shall be achieved.

19. Routine Operations Phase - During the Routine Operations Phase, discharges from the STA shall meet the 

permit effluent limitations set forth in Table 1 below. 

20. Operational Envelope. As a part of the annual reporting requirements in Specific Condition 28, the District 

shall provide an annual assessment as to whether the existing components of the STA-5/6 facility are operating 

within or outside the operational envelope. The assessment shall be based on annual inflow volumes and 

phosphorus loads and shall compare flows and loads to the corresponding maximum values contained in the 

operational envelope described in the current STA-5 and STA-6 Operations Plans. If the annual inflow volumes 

or phosphorus loads exceed the corresponding maximum values of the operational envelope during an annual 

compliance period, the District shall conduct a review of potential causes and include this review in the annual 

report. The review shall include a comparison of the relationships between rainfall, runoff, and phosphorus 

loads from the compliance year with historical data. Departmental concurrence shall be obtained prior to 

initiating Lake Okeechobee regulatory or water supply releases that would result in an exceedance of the 

maximum levels of flow or phosphorus loads contained in the operational envelope. 

Factors Impacting Compliance

21. Factors Outside the Permittee’s Control. In the event that non-compliance or failure to achieve the WQBEL

performance objectives results for any of the reasons other than those below, the permittee shall take 

appropriate remedial measures. 

A. Anomalous Rainfall. Compliance with the effluent limitation shall not be tested in water years when the 

rainfall in the source basins fall outside the range of values that occurred during the period of model 

simulation if sufficient supplemental flows are not available to maintain wet conditions in STA-5/6. A 

joint field inspection between the Department and the District will be undertaken to verify if the facility has 

resulted in dryout conditions that would impact compliance. In these instances, results from adjacent years 

will be treated as consecutive for purposes of testing compliance. The Department may make similar 

adjustments where emergency discharges occur.

B. Random Variation. The permittee shall report any statistical uncertainty in the methodology using 

acceptable scientific methods.

CA.. Other Factors. Unavoidable legal barriers or restraints, including those arising from actions or 

regulations not under the control of the permittee (e.g. Lake Okeechobee Regulation schedule and WCA3A Regulation schedule). 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 5/6 

FDEP File No.: 0131842-009-EM 

Page 18 of 29 

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B. Emergency Conditions. Discharges from STA-5/6 outflow structures or diversion bypass of waters 

through G-407 as defined in the project description shall also be allowed in accordance with the emergency 

provisions of Chapter 373, F.S., or when water conditions within STA-5/6 may damage existing marsh 

vegetation. When a diversion bypass event or series of proximal diversion bypass events is anticipated due 

to aforementioned conditions, the permittee shall notify the Department of the anticipated event.

Conditions for Parameters Other than Total Phosphorus 

22. Comparison of Outflows to Inflows. For all water quality parameters indicated in Table 2 of this permit other 

than total phosphorus, mercury, and dissolved oxygen, inflow and outflow samples collected at water quality 

monitoring sites shall be used to determine compliance with this specific condition. Compliance with this 

specific condition shall be evaluated as follows: 

A. If the annual average outflow concentration does not cause or contribute to violations of applicable Class 

III water quality standards, then the STA shall be deemed in compliance with this condition. 

B. If the annual average concentration at the outflow station causes or contributes to violations of applicable 

Class III water quality standards, but is of equal or better quality than, the annual average concentration at the 

inflow stations, then the STA shall be deemed in compliance with this condition. 

C. If the annual average concentration at the outflow causes or contributes to violations of applicable Class III 

water quality standards, and also exceeds the annual average concentration at the inflow station, then the STA 

shall be deemed out of compliance with this condition. 

23. Dissolved Oxygen. The dissolved oxygen parameter shall meet the requirements set forth in the Everglades 

Marsh Dissolved Oxygen Site Specific Alternative Criteria (DO SSAC, Exhibit C). Compliance with the DO 

SSAC shall be evaluated annually using a statistical analysis to compare dissolved oxygen levels at the 

outflows to predicted model values. The specific methods for determining compliance are set forth in the DO 

SSAC which was adopted by Secretarial Order on January 26, 2004, and approved by the U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency as a revision to the State of Florida’s water quality standards on June 16, 2004.

24. Turbidity Monitoring. Effective means of turbidity control, such as, but not limited to, turbidity curtains or 

the discontinuance of flow activity to and from the affected cell(s), shall be employed during all construction or 

maintenance activities that may create turbidity so that turbidity shall not exceed 29 NTUs above background in 

the receiving waters. Turbidity controls and/or preventive operation procedures shall remain in place until all 

turbidity has subsided and the turbidity level at the point of discharge to receiving waters meets state standards. 

Turbidity monitoring equipment and personnel trained to use it shall be available on site at all times during 

construction or maintenance activities that result in project-generated turbidity levels in the receiving water 

body. The permittee shall monitor turbidity levels at least twice daily at a minimum of 4 hours apart during 

these activities as follows: 

A. Monitoring samples shall be taken at the following locations: 

1. Background Sample(s): At affected cell/flowway inflow monitoring stations or at least 1000 feet 

upstream of any construction or maintenance activities that may generate turbidity within a canal or 

conveyance feature outside of the treatment facility. 

2. Compliance Sample(s): Upstream of the affected cell/flowway outflow monitoring stations or no 

greater than 150 meters downstream of any construction or maintenance activities that may generate 

turbidity and within any visible plume. 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 5/6 

FDEP File No.: 0131842-009-EM 

Page 19 of 29 

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B. Turbidity monitoring results shall be summarized quarterly (every three calendar months) by project 

component, beginning with the first calendar month in which construction or maintenance projects occur 

that could generate turbidity in receiving waters and continuing until all maintenance is completed. 

Monitoring data with supporting documents shall be submitted to the Department quarterly during the 

period of actual construction. The reports shall clearly identify the following information: 

1. Permit number 

2. Dates and time of sampling and analysis 

3. A statement describing the methods used in collection, handling, storage and analysis of the samples 

4. A clear description of project component activities taking place at the time of sampling 

5. A map indicating the sampling locations 

6. A statement by the individual responsible for implementation of the sampling program concerning 

the authenticity, precision, limits of detection and accuracy of the data 

C. Monitoring reports shall also include the following information for each sample that is taken: 

1. Water depth 

2. Depth of sample 

3. Weather conditions 

4. Water level stage and direction of flow 

In the event that project-generated turbidity levels in receiving waters exceed 29 NTUs above background 

in the receiving waters, project component activities contributing to elevated turbidity levels shall 

immediately cease, and the Department shall be notified immediately. Work shall not resume until the 

work can be conducted in compliance with the aforementioned turbidity standard. In such cases where 

turbid conditions will be attributed to activities associated with dewatering, the District shall comply with 

the turbidity requirements set forth in the dewatering permit issued by the Department in lieu of the above 

requirements. 

SPECIFIC CONDITIONS FOR MONITORING PROGRAM

In accordance with Subsection 373.4592(9)(h), F.S., the following monitoring conditions are intended to assess the 

water quality of the discharges of STA-5/6, and achievement of the WQBEL specified herein, permit effluent limit, 

and to measure progress towards achieving state water quality standards.

25. Monitoring Program. Monitoring performed in accordance with this permit shall include the vegetation and 

water quality and quantity parameters listed below and in Table 2. 

A. Long-Term Plan Monitoring Program. The permittee shall continue to implement the portions of the 

PDE component of the Long-Term Plan that are related to this permit. This program shall evaluate the 

effectiveness of the STAs in improving water quality and maintaining designated and existing beneficial 

uses of the receiving waters. Results of the monitoring efforts shall be reported as part of the annual South 

Florida Environmental Report (SFER). 

1. Aerial Vegetation Photographs and Mapping. Aerial vegetation photographs and mapping 

shall be conducted in accordance with the PDE components of the Long-Term Plan. 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 5/6 

FDEP File No.: 0131842-009-EM 

Page 20 of 29 

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2. Mercury Monitoring Program. The permittee shall monitor mercury in accordance with the 

approved Mercury Monitoring Plan, which is hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of 

this permit as Exhibit D. 

3. Routine Research and Monitoring Program. The permittee shall conduct long term monitoring 

at the outflow monitoring stations, the inflow monitoring stations and report the results to the 

Department, in accordance with the annual reporting requirements of this permit. Data from this 

program may provide the basis for additional permit compliance requirements. The permittee shall 

also conduct monitoring at additional stations as defined in the PDE element of the Long-Term 

Plan. 

26. Diversions Bypasses. The District shall notify the Department within 48 hours of any 

unanticipated diversions bypasses of flow through the G-407 gated structure. The District shall 

notify the Department as soon as practicable in advance of anticipated bypasses diversions, with 

the exception of routine maintenance activities. The submitted notification shall include a 

description of the circumstances related to the bypass diversion and a projection of the 

anticipated duration of the bypass diversion. All diversions bypasses occurring through the G407 structure shall be monitored for the parameters Total Phosphorus and Calculated Flow listed 

in the Table 2 below. As soon as practicable after cessation of all bypasses diversions, the 

District shall submit a summary of the data collected from the table below and identify the 

duration of the bypasses diversions. Bypasses shall be limited to the shortest time possible and 

are not allowed solely to achieve the WQBEL. Bypasses are subject to and must meet the 

requirements of F.A.C. Sections 62-620.610(20), (21), and (22). 

Parameter Units Sample Type Frequency

Total Phosphorus mg/l Grab Weekly

Flow CFS Calculated Daily Average

27. Inspection Reports. The permittee shall submit annual inspection reports to the Department evaluating the 

integrity and functionality of the above-ground levees and structures, including pump stations. Annual 

inspection reports shall be prepared by field staff trained by a Professional Engineer and reviewed by the 

designated superintendent of the area prior to submittal to the Department. The cover letter of the inspection 

report should summarize site conditions and work that was completed in response to inadequacies that may have 

been found during regular inspections. Every five years, at a minimum, each permitted facility shall have an 

inspection by a Professional Engineer registered in the State of Florida, and the subsequent inspection report 

shall be signed and sealed by that Professional Engineer and submitted to the Department. A Professional 

Engineer or the District’s Dam Safety Officer shall review and approve major repair plans or remedial work 

associated with inadequacies identified during routine and formal inspections. All reporting shall be submitted to 

the Department in March with the initial 5-year inspection report for STA 5-1, 5-2, 5-3, 6-1 and 6-2 due in 2012. 

The second 5-year inspection report for STA 5/6, including the Compartment C Build-out components, will be 

due in March 2017. 

28. Annual Monitoring Reports. All studies, monitoring reports and technical submittals required by this permit 

shall be submitted to the Department in an “Annual Report”. The annual reporting requirements under this 

permit shall be incorporated into the SFER and submitted to the Department no later than March 1 of each year. 

Each Annual Report shall present the information for the previous water year, from May 1 to April 30. If 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 5/6 

FDEP File No.: 0131842-009-EM 

Page 21 of 29 

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additional reporting modifications are required, and upon approval by the Department, the permittee may modify 

the Annual Report submission date to coincide with multiple reporting requirements and time periods needed for 

data acquisition and analysis. In addition to the permit number, and name of the permit administrator, the 

Annual Reports shall contain, at a minimum, the following information: 

A. Quality Assurance and Quality Control. Sampling and monitoring data shall be collected, analyzed, 

reported and retained in accordance with Chapter 62-160, F.A.C. Any laboratory test required by this permit 

shall be performed by a laboratory that has been certified by the Department of Health (DOH) under 

Chapter 64E-1, F.A.C., where such certification is required by Rule 62-160.300, F.A.C. The laboratory must 

be certified for all specific method/ analyte combinations that are used to comply with this permit. The 

analytical method used shall be appropriate so as to determine if the sample complies with Class III surface 

water quality standards as specified in Chapter 62-302, F.A.C. All field activities including on-site tests and 

sample collection, whether performed by a laboratory or another organization, must follow all applicable 

procedures described in DEP-SOP-001/01 (February 1, 2004). Alternate field procedures and laboratory 

methods may be used if they have been approved according to the requirements of Rules 62-160.220, and 

62-160.330, F.A.C. 

B. Water Quality Data. Records of monitoring information shall include all applicable laboratory information 

specified in Rule 62-160.340(2), F.A.C. including the following: 

1. Date, location, and time of sampling or measurements 

2. Person responsible for performing the sampling or measurements 

3. Dates analyses were performed or the appropriate code as required by Chapter 62-160, F.A.C. 

4. Laboratory/ Person responsible for performing the analyses 

5. Analytical techniques or methods used, including method detection limit (MDL) and practical 

quantification limits (PQL) 

6. Results of such analyses, including appropriate data qualifiers, and all compounds detected 

7. Depth of sampling 

8. Flow conditions and weather conditions at time of sampling 

9. Monthly flow volumes 

 In addition, the following records must be kept on file for reference during the duration of the project but 

are not required to be submitted in annual reports. 

10. Field sampling and laboratory quality manuals 

11. Sampling and analysis notes, as required under Ch. 62-160 FAC and NELAC Quality Systems (2003), 

respectively 

C. Performance Evaluation. The Annual Report shall provide a performance evaluation for STA-5/6 

containing the following information: 

1. The operations status of the STA, stating whether the STA is in start-up, stabilization or routine 

operations 

2. A comparison of inflow water quality data with outflow water quality data an appropriate statistical 

test with a 95% confidence interval and based on statistical distributional assumptions (e.g., Student's 

t-test or Mann-Whitney test); 

3. A comparison of outflow phosphorus concentrations with the permit effluent limit for STA-5/6 and 

between the current reporting year and previous years 

4. An assessment of the inflow volumes and phosphorus loads during the year relative to the anticipated 

operational envelope contained in the STA-5 and STA-6 Operations Plans. 

Calculations for any reporting which require averaging of measurements shall be weighted by flow value. 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 5/6 

FDEP File No.: 0131842-009-EM 

Page 22 of 29 

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D. Herbicide and Pesticide Tracking. The permittee shall provide in each annual report, information 

regarding the application of herbicides and pesticides used to exclude/eliminate undesirable vegetation and 

pests within STA-5/6. Such reporting shall include the names, concentrations, locations, and quantities of all 

herbicides and pesticides used, and a statement certifying that the permittee has adhered to manufacturer 

application guidelines. 

E. Implementation Schedules. The Annual Report shall provide details on the following: 

1. Implementation of projects the WQBEL and activities required by this permit and those affecting 

flows and loads to STA-5/6 

2. Source Control implementation and optimization 

3. STA design modifications affecting implementation of the WQBEL and activities required by this 

 permit;

4. Improvements, enhancements, and strategies that have been initiated and/or completed within the 

previous year 

5. Any delays in the implementation of the improvements, enhancements, or strategies, and the duration 

of the delays, the reason(s) for the delays, and the expected timeframe for their resolution.

6. The operational status of the STA, stating whether the STA is in Start-up, Stabilization or Routine 

Operations. If the facility is in Start-up Stabilization operations during the reporting period, the report 

shall also include the date at which the facility entered the Stabilization that Phase and the length of 

time it remained or is expected to remain in that phase; 

7. Implementation of STA Recovery Plans;

8. Whether revisions and/or additions to the requirements of this permit are recommended; and

9. Implementation of remedial measures in the event of non-compliance with permit conditions; and 

10. Whether the facility was operated within or outside of the operational envelope per Specific Condition

 20. 

F. The permittee shall report with the monthly DMR if operation of facilities is impacted by or constrained due 

to requirements under the Endangered Species Act or Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The report should include the 

species involved, an estimate of the number of individuals involved, actions taken to avoid deleterious impacts 

on the endangered species, the affect those actions had on compliance with any condition of this permit, and an 

estimate of when facility operation will no longer be impacted or constrained.

29. Removal of Parameters. Upon demonstration that a specific parameter(s) is not present or is found 

consistently in compliance with Class III Water Quality Standards, the permittee may request a modification to 

the monitoring program as appropriate. A minimum of one year’s worth of data, for those parameters being 

sampled quarterly or more frequently, will be required prior to the Department approving any modification to 

the monitoring program. Parameters sampled semi-annually or annually will be examined on a case-by-case 

basis. The Department may approve a reduction of the monitoring frequency or waive the monitoring 

requirement for parameters that consistently are reported as in compliance with state water quality standards. 

30. Addition of Parameters. If the Department has reason to believe that additional parameters exist that may 

cause or contribute to water quality violations in the receiving waters, those parameters shall be added to the 

monitoring section of this permit as a permit modification. 

31. Public Health, Safety, or Welfare. Pursuant to Subsection 373.4592(9)(h)3, F.S., discharges from STA-5/6 

shall not pose a serious danger to the public health, safety, or welfare. If warranted by additional information, 

the Department may include additional monitoring or compliance conditions in this permit, in accordance with 

Subsections 373.4592(9)(g) and (11)(a) 2, F.S. 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 5/6 

FDEP File No.: 0131842-009-EM 

Page 23 of 29 

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32. Emergency Suspension of Sampling. Under hurricane, tropical storm warnings, or other extreme weather 

conditions, the permittee’s normal sampling schedule may be suspended if necessary. The permittee shall 

notify the Department of any anticipated sampling suspension associated with hurricanes, tropical storms, or 

other extreme weather events that may require deviation from the normal sampling schedule. Within 14 days 

following the cessation of emergency conditions, the permittee shall notify the Department of when normal 

sampling is expected to resume.

Renewals and Modifications

33. Permit Renewal. At least 60 days prior to the expiration of this permit, the permittee shall apply for renewal 

of this permit. Renewal may be for a period of up to 5 years in accordance with Subsection 373.4592(9)(f), 

F.S. 

34. Permit Modifications for STA Optimization. Pursuant to Subsections 373.4592(3)(b)-(e) and (9)(j), F.S. and 

the PDE component of the Long-Term Plan, the permittee may submit proposed modifications to STA-5/6 

through the adaptive implementation process identified in the Long-Term Plan. Within 30 days after receipt of 

such a submittal, the Department shall notify the permittee as to whether a permit modification is necessary. 

Minor modifications can be processed in letter format. The Department shall determine whether the 

modification is minor or major based on the nature and magnitude of the proposed modification and the 

potential for the modification to have environmental impacts that are significantly different from those 

previously considered by the Department for the activity, pursuant to Rule 62-343.100, F.A.C. The permittee 

shall be required to publish a notice of application pursuant to Subsections 373.413 (3) and (4), F.S., as 

applicable, for any requested permit modification determined to be major in accordance with this specific 

condition.

354. Department Review and Approval. Where conditions in this permit require Department review and approval 

of remedial actions or plan modifications to be implemented pursuant to this permit, the Department will 

consult with the permittee to ascertain whether mutual agreement can be reached. If mutual agreement on the 

remedial actions or plan modifications cannot be reached, the action of the Department will be deemed final 

agency action and will be subject to judicial or administrative review, as appropriate. 

MONITORING REQUIRED: 

Key for Table 1

Sample Type: G = Grab sample 

 FPC = Flow proportionate composite sample 

 INSITU = In Situ field sample 

 CAL = Calculated parameter 

 PR = Pump record 

 RG = Rain Gauge 

Sample Locations: 

Inflow Sites = STA-5: G-342A-D, G-342E&F and G-351 

 STA-6: G-396 B and G-353B 

Outflow Sites = STA-5: G-344A-D; G-344F; G-344H and G-344J 

 STA-6: G-352B, G-354C and G-393B 

Diversion Bypass Site = G-407 

Sample Frequency: W = Weekly 

 BI-W = Once every other week (26 samplings per year) 

 Q = Quarterly 

 DAV = Daily averages of continuous sampling 

 DAC = Daily accumulation of continuous sampling 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 5/6 

FDEP File No.: 0131842-009-EM 

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DISCHARGE LIMITATIONS: 

Table 1: Discharge Limitations and Associated Monitoring Requirements 

Discharge Limitations Monitoring Requirements

Parameters (units) Daily 

Minimum

Daily 

Maximum

Annual Average Other

Monitoring 

Frequency

Sample 

Type

Sample 

Point

Not to exceed 10 

as a geometric 

mean (GM) 

annual average in 

more than two 

consecutive years

18 as a 

flowweighted 

mean 

(FWM) 

annual 

average

Phosphorus, Total (as P) 

(ppb) -- -- 

See Footnotes below1234

Weekly 

GM – based 

on samples 

collected 

when 

discharge 

occurs 

FWM - 7-

day flow 

proportioned 

composite 

outflow 

 

1

All outflow TP monitoring results for this parameter shall be reported as a monthly average and as an annual average separate weekly values

without rounding to whole numbers. The results shall also be reported as FWM annual averages that are calculated based on the FWM of the

weekly values. The results shall also be reported as GM annual averages that are calculated based on all sample point weekly values collected 

when discharge occurs in the previous 12 months. All FWM and GM annual averages shall be reported to the nearest whole number (i.e., 10.5 

ppb shall be reported as 11 ppb; 10.49 ppb shall be reported as 10 ppb. The “monthly average” is a flow-weighted mean of the weekly effluent 

samples. The “annual average” shall be computed for each water year (May-April) and is equal to the flow-weighted mean concentration for the 

water year. 

2 The discharge shall not cause phosphorus concentrations in the receiving waters to be altered so as to cause or contribute to an imbalance in 

natural populations of aquatic flora or fauna. The discharge shall not cause phosphorus concentrations in the receiving waters to exceed the 

criteria in Rule 62-302.540(4)(a), F.A.C. Beginning at the end of April after the permit effective date and at the end of each April thereafter, the 

permittee shall report the FWM annual average using data it collected for the prior 12 months. Beginning at the end of April after the permit 

effective date and at the end of each April thereafter, the permittee shall report the GM annual average using data it collected for each of the prior 

3 years. The 10 ppb effluent limit represents the phosphorus criterion set forth in Rule 62-302.540(4)(a), F.A.C. and is consistent with Section 

301(b)(1)(C) of the CWA. A water quality based effluent limitation (WQBEL) for phosphorus shall be established in accordance with Rule 62-

650 F.A.C. and Section 373.4592 Florida Statutes by December 31,2010 and will be a major permit modification. It is recognized that the 

ultimate WQBEL to be developed may be higher than a flow-weighted mean of 10 ppb. The antibacksliding provisions of the CWA and NPDES 

regulations do not apply to an effluent limitation with a delayed compliance date, until the date of compliance. In this case, restrictions on 

backsliding would not apply to the 10 ppb permit effluent limit until the established WQBEL takes effect at the end of the compliance schedule. 

 

3 In the year following any two consecutive years where the TP GM annual average exceeds 10 ppb, the permittee shall report quarterly the GM 

of all monthly TP values for that year. If that mean exceeds 10 ppb, the permittee shall provide a report to both FDEP and USEPA by the 

fifteenth of the month following the quarterly report of its evaluation of why that mean is as high as it is and the specific steps it is taking to 

ensure that the TP GM for that year will not exceed 10 ppb.

For the TP FWM WQBEL, the permittee shall report quarterly the average of all monthly FWMs for that year. If that average exceeds 18 ppb, 

the permittee shall provide a report to both FDEP and USEPA by the fifteenth of the month following the quarterly report of its evaluation of why 

that average is as high as it is and the specific steps it is taking to ensure that the TP FWM annual average for that year will not exceed 18 ppb.

4 If the facility does not meet the FWM WQBEL in any year, the permittee shall report the annual load of TP discharged by the STA into the 

Everglades that is in excess of the WQBEL load (based on 18 ppb). If the facility does not meet the GM WQBEL in any year, the permittee shall 

separately report the annual load of TP discharged by the STA into the Everglades that is in excess of the WQBEL load (based on 10 ppb) for that 

year and the previous two years.

5 All inflow TP monitoring results shall be reported as separate weekly values without rounding to whole numbers. All results shall also be 

reported as monthly averages and as FWM annual averages. The monthly averages and FWM annual averages shall be calculated based on the 

FWM of the weekly values and shall be reported to the nearest whole number (i.e., 10.5 ppb shall be reported as 11 ppb; 10.49 ppb shall be 

reported as 10 ppb). 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 5/6 

FDEP File No.: 0131842-009-EM 

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Phosphorus, Total (as P) 

(ppb) -- -- Report5

Weekly 

7-day flow 

proportioned 

composite 

inflow 

Oxygen, Dissolved (DO) 

(mg/L) 

Report 

See Specific Condition 23 Weekly Grab 

(Meter) 

outflow 

Oxygen, Dissolved (DO) 

(mg/L) 

Report See 

Specific Condition 23 Weekly Grab 

(Meter) inflow 

Flow (cfs) 

-- Report 

See 

Specific 

Condition 

17 

Report 

See Specific Condition 17 Continuous Recorder 

Inflow/ 

outflow 

 

6 During bypasses diversions, Grab sampling will be conducted at G-407, see Specific Condition 26 7 Total Nitrogen (TN) is calculated from TKN and nitrate-nitrite values (TN=(nitrate/nitrite) + (TKN)). 8 During diversions bypasses,G-407 will be monitored for flow, see Specific Condition 26 

Table 2: STA-5/6 Routine Monitoring Program 

PARAMETER UNI

TS 

SAMPLE 

TYPE 

SAMPLING 

FREQUENCY 

SAMPLING 

LOCATION 

Dissolved Oxygen mg/l INSITU W Inflow and outflow 

Mercury See attached Exhibit D 

 Mercury Monitoring Program 

pH SU INSITU W Inflow and outflow 

Specific Conductance μmhos INSITU W Inflow and outflow 

Temperature Deg C INSITU W Inflow and outflow 

Total Phosphorus 

(water)6

mg/l FPC/G W Inflow, outflow and bypass diversion

Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen 

(TKN) 7

mg/l G BI-W Inflow and outflow 

Turbidity NTU G See Specific 

Condition 24 

Inflow and outflow 

Nitrate + Nitrite mg/l G BI-W Inflow and outflow 

Sulfate mg/l G BI-W Inflow and outflow 

Flow CFS PR DAV Inflow and outflow 

Flow8 CFS CAL DAV Inflow, outflow and bypass diversion

Rainfall Volume in RG DAC Rainfall Sampling Station 

Deleted: monitoring results shall be 

reported as monthly average and as an 

annual average. The “monthly average” is 

a flow-weighted mean of the weekly 

effluent samples. The “annual average” 

shall be computed for each water year 

(May-April) and is equal to the flowweighted mean concentration for the 

water year. 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 5/6 

FDEP File No.: 0131842-009-EM 

Page 26 of 29 

Printed on recycled paper.
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 5/6 

FDEP File No.: 0131842-009-EM 

Page 27 of 29 

Printed on recycled paper.

DONE AND ORDERED on this 29th day of January, 2009 in Tallahassee, Florida. 

STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT 

OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 

____________________________________________ 

Jerry Brooks, Director 

Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration 

JB/em/swf/kje

FILING AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT 

FILED, on this date, under Section 120.52(7), F.S., with the designated deputy clerk, receipt of which is hereby 

acknowledged. 

_____________________________________________________

Clerk Date 

ELECTRONIC COPIES FURNISHED TO: 

PARTIES REQUESTING NOTICE: 

Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, c/o Dexter Lehtinen, Esq. 

Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, c/o Kelly Brooks, Esq. 

United States Sugar Corporation, c/o Bubba Wade 

Seminole Tribe of Indians of Florida, c/o Stephen A. Walker, Esq. 

Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative, Roth Farms, Inc., and Wedgeworth Farms, Inc., 

 c/o William H. Green, Esq. 

Keith Saxe, Esq., U. S. Department of Justice 

Jay Gelderman, Esq., U.S. Department of Justice 

Michael Stevens, U.S. Department of the Interior 

Jeffrey J. Ward, Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative 

Philip S. Parsons, Landers & Parsons 

Helen Hickman, Brown & Caldwell 

Tom MacVicar, MacVicar, Frederico, & Lamb 

Charles Lee, Florida Audubon Society 

Leslie Feliciano, Katz Barron 

ADDITIONAL COPIES FURNISHED TO: 

Jon Steverson, Governor’s Office 

Jeff Koons, Commissioner, Palm Beach County 

W.T. Maddox, Jr., Commissioner, Hendry County 

Stacy Ritter, Commissioner, Broward County 

Pam Repp, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

Sharon Kocis, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 5/6 

FDEP File No.: 0131842-009-EM 

Page 28 of 29 

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Jim Quinn, FL. Dept. of Community Affairs 

Charles Oravetz, Nat. Marine Fisheries Service 

Laura Kammerer, FL. Dept. of State- Historical Resources 

Don Klima, U.S. Advisory Council on Historic Preservation 

Johanna Mattson, Dept. of Community Affairs 

Ray Eubanks, Dept. of Community Affairs 

Laura Kammerer, Dept. of State, Div. of Historical Resources 

Ray Scott, Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services 

Rebecca Elliot, Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services 

John Childe, Friends of the Everglades 

David Reiner, Friends of the Everglades 

Col. Paul Grosskruger, USACOE, Jacksonville 

Lloyd Pike, Esq., USACOE, Jacksonville 

Philip Mancusi-Ungaro, Esq., USEPA, Atlanta 

Roosevelt Childress, USEPA, Atlanta 

Gina Fonzi, USEPA, Atlanta 

Dan Scheidt, USEPA, Athens 

Eric Hughes, USEPA, Jacksonville 

Janet Bussell, The Everglades Foundation 

Sylvia Pelizza, Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge 

Mark Musaus, Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge 

Mike Zimmerman, Everglades National Park 

Mary Ann Poole, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 

Joe Walsh, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Vero Beach 

Mike Anderson, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, West Palm Beach 

Sheryl Wood, SFWMD, West Palm Beach 

Gary Goforth, Gary Goforth Inc., Stuart 

Joe Albers, SFWMD, West Palm 

Ken Ammon, SFWMD, West Palm 

Terrie Bates, SFWMD West Palm 

Ron Bearzotti, SFWMD West Palm 

Kirk Burns, SFWMD West Palm 

Linda Crean, SFWMD West Palm 

Deb Drum, SFWMD, West Palm 

George Hwa, SFWMD, West Palm 

Nicole Howard, SFWMD, West Palm 

Delia Ivanoff, SFWMD, West Palm 

Julianne LaRock, SFWMD West Palm 

Neil Larson, SWMD, West Palm 

Pam Lehr, SFWMD, West Palm 

Linda Lindstrom, SFWMD West Palm 

Paul Linton, SFWMD, West Palm 

Jeremy McBryan, SFWMD, West Palm 

Chip Merriam, SFWMD West Palm 

Tracey Piccone, SFWMD West Palm 

Kathy Pietro, SFWMD West Palm 

Dean Powell, SFWMD West Palm 

Garth Redfield, SFWMD, West Palm 

Sherry Scott, SFWMD West Palm 

Sean Sculley, SFWMD, West Palm 

Susan Sylvester, SFWMD, West Palm 

Stuart VanHorn, SFWMD, West Palm 
Permittee: South Florida Water Management District 

Project: Stormwater Treatment Area 5/6 

FDEP File No.: 0131842-009-EM 

Page 29 of 29 

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Georgia Vince, SFWMD, West Palm 

Eric Summa, USACE 

Jim McAdams, USACE, Jacksonville 

Alisa Zarbo, USACE, Jacksonville 

Lauren Aiello, FDEP 

Brian Dougherty, FDEP 

Judy Warrick, FDEP, Division of State Lands 

Steve Watson, FDEP Division of Recreation and Parks 

Tracy Robb, FDEP, West Palm Beach 

Greg Knecht, FDEP, Tallahassee 

Kenneth Hayman, FDEP, Tallahassee 

Daryll Joyner, FDEP, Tallahassee 

Ernie Marks, FDEP, Tallahassee 

Frank Nearhoof, FDEP, Tallahassee 

Stacey Feken, FDEP, Tallahassee 

Tom Atkeson, FDEP, Tallahassee 

John Outland, FDEP, Tallahassee 

Chad Kennedy, FDEP, Tallahassee 

Dianne Hughes, FDEP, Tallahassee 

Inger Hansen, FDEP, West Palm Beach 

Doreen Irwin, FDEP, Tallahassee 

Kelli Edson, FDEP, Tallahassee