### Northern Coastal Basin

Surface Water Improvement and Management Plan

Prepared by

Paul J. Haydt

and Frazel, Inc.

St. Johns River Water Management District Palatka, Florida

December 2003Northern Coastal Basin Surface Water Improvement and Management PlanExecutive Summary

iii 

## EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Overview

The St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) initiated the Northern Coastal Basin (NCB) project in 1995 in response to genera l water quality concerns and the closure of historic shellfish harvesting ar eas. Potential negative impacts from current and anticipated growth on coastal resources, particularly she llfish harvesting, highlighted the need for a dedicated program to address surface water quality and estuary issues. In addition, a number of water bodies in the NCB are listed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (303d list) as not having sufficient water quality to meet their designated us es. SJRWMD is legislatively

mandated to assess these water bodies and determ ine the potential need for establishment and implementation of pollutant load reduction goals (PLRGs). Through a series of workshops and public forums, management agenci es, local governments, and stak eholders were requested to identify issues and provide listings of reports and related studies for the portions of the NCB within their jurisd iction. This was used for developmen t of an initial NCB Reconnaissance Report (Bonnie Holub & Associates 1998).

The Reconnaissance Report was used as a resour ce guide in development of the NCB Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) Pl an by a team of SJRWMD staff members and Frazel, Inc. The purpose of the NCB SWIM Plan is to set forth a proactive course of action, identifying the projects that address both estu arine water quality and habitat protection, and the effort needed to accomplish them, consistent with the levels and trends of available funding. Input on the draft SWIM Plan was solicited for, and provided by, government and agency

stakeholders and other interested parties, through a se ries of meetings held throughout the NCB. This document represents the culmination of that effort.



### Northern Coastal Basin Summary

The NCB is located on the northern Atlantic coas t of Florida. The NCB extends nearly 100 miles from lower Duval County, just south of the urba n center of Jacksonville, Florida, south through

the coastal watersheds of St. J ohns, Flagler, and Volusia counties to Ponce de Leon Inlet, near the city of New Smyrna Beach.

The NCB covers four “planning units,” which can be an individual, usually large, tributary basin or a group of small adjacent primary tributary basins with similar characteristics. The major planning units comprising the NCB, from north to south, are the Tolomato River (9D), the Matanzas River (9C), Pellicer Creek (9B), and th e Halifax River (9A). For the purposes of this management plan, the Tolomato and Matanzas ri ver basins are treated as one basin and are referred to as Tolomato/Matanzas. This combination provides general consistency with the

federal Guana-Tolomato-Matanzas National Estu arine Research Reserve (GTMNERR) Program, which encompasses parts of the estuar ies in both of these planning units.Northern Coastal Basin Surface Water Improvement and Management Plan

iv • The Tolomato/Matanzas River planning unit is located within northeast Florida, in portions of Duval, St. Johns, and Flagler counties, and has a contributing drainage area of approximately 127,000 acres, within 37 basins. Portions of the Tolomato/Matanzas River planning unit are designated as Class II waters, which is the standard for commercial and

recreational shellfish harvesti ng. In 1995, extensive shellfis h harvesting areas were reclassified from “conditionally approved” to “cond itionally restricted” for shellfish harvesting due to high coliform bacteria levels. The net re sult was a closure of vi rtually all the primary shellfish harvesting areas avai lable for either commercial sale or recreational usage.

The Tolomato River north of St. Augustine ha s good but degrading wa ter quality, and urban

runoff and other sources of sediment load impact the Tolomato/Matanzas River planning unit. It has a contributing drainage area of approximately 102,000 acres. The system as a whole has high average total suspended solids and somewhat elevated turbidity. Overall development in the planning unit and the corresponding increas e in human-related activities may be the causes of increased fecal colifor m bacteria levels and other water quality parameters in the receiving waters.

• The Pellicer Creek planning unit is located south of St . Augustine and includes southern St. Johns County and northern Flagler County. Pellicer Creek, which forms the boundary between St. Johns and Flagler counties, is the onl y natural watershed drainage feature in this planning unit. Pellicer Creek is designated by th e state of Florida as an Outstanding Florida Water (OFW). The Pellicer Creek planning unit consists of vast wetlands, many miles of which were drained for pine plan tations or real estate development, and to reduce mosquito breeding sites. Commercial shellf ishing for oysters and clams has historically occurred in the southern St. Johns County porti on of this planning unit.

Pellicer Creek is a 303(d) listed water body with a variety of water quality constituents exceeding limits, including lead, nutrients, colif orm bacteria, dissolved oxygen, and iron. The

man-made canals of Palm Coast are also colle ctively identified as a 303(d) listed water body. The water quality parameters of concern at Palm Coast are cadmium, lead, selenium, nutrients, coliforms, dissolved oxygen, silver, and thallium.

• The Halifax River planning unit includes portions of Fl agler and Volusia counties along the northeast Florida coast and encompasses an ar ea of nearly 208,000 acres , within 33 basins. Major drainage into the estuary comes from Bulow Creek, the Tomoka River, and Spruce Creek, and their natural tributaries. Rose Bay, which is a large embayment partially isolated from the main part of the Halifax River by an abandoned causeway and the present U.S. 1 causeway, also contributes drainage to the Halif ax River. Both the Tomoka River and Spruce

Creek basins are listed as OFWs.

The Halifax River unit has several 303(d) listed water bodies, including the Halifax River for nutrients, coliform bacteria, copper, lead, and ir on; Rose Bay for nutrients, coliform bacteria,Executive Summary

v and dissolved oxygen; the Tomoka River for lead , nutrients, and iron; the B-19 canal network for nutrients and dissolved oxygen; and Spru ce Creek, with a variety of constituents exceeding state water quality crite ria, including lead, nutrients, coliform bacteria, dissolved oxygen, and iron.



### Overall Management Strategy

The basic strategy of restoring, protecting, and managing the surface water resources of the NCB is through the use of a priori tized, objective, applied, sustai nable ecosystem or watershed approach with periodic public review and i nput. The NCB SWIM Plan is organized around a project delivery system of goals, init iatives, strategies, and action steps.

In this system, goals are broad-based and identi fy objectives of SJRWMD. Initiatives are general categories that have been used to divide the plan into distin ct subject areas developed by SJRWMD staff in conjunction with the NCB Advisory Group. Strategies are more-detailed descriptions of the underlying work proposed to achieve results. They identify the approaches

and methods that will be used to implement the initiatives. Action steps represent specific activities under each strategy sugge sted to reach project deliver y. Each action step includes a schedule for completion and an estimate of the funding requirements needed to accomplish the action step. These action steps, as well as the strategies and ini tiatives referenced above, are not mutually exclusive and may be undertak en concurrently and/or sequentially.

The plan focuses on five primary initiatives:

1. Water quality. This initiative consists of three dis tinct but interrelated strategies: water quality and flow monitoring; hydrodynamics, and water quality modeling, a prioritization process based on water quality enhancemen t opportunities for improving both 303(d) listed surface waters and degraded waters identifie d by SJRWMD so that they will meet and maintain their designated classification (i.e ., OFW, Class II, Class III water quality standards).

2. Watershed master planning. Watershed master planning is an evaluation of stormwater management in the geographic area and iden tification of problem areas, with detailed remedial actions derived using hydrologic mode ls simulating water volumes and flows under a range of climatic conditions.

3. Stormwater retrofit and master plan implementation. This initiative consists of development and implementation of a prioriti zed stormwater retrofit program focusing on areas built prior to 1983; support for the deve lopment of local government land acquisition programs for buying land to site facility construc tion; and evaluation of available federal and state funding sources and ot her partnering opportunities.Northern Coastal Basin Surface Water Improvement and Management Plan

vi 4. Compliance and rules enforcement. This initiative consists of strategies to collect and evaluate compliance information from existing permitted stormwater quality treatment systems. Information gained from a complia nce monitoring program to evaluate proper system operation can be compared with water qu ality monitoring results to specify where inplace treatment devices are pr oviding the necessary pollutant reductions, and where

additional treatment is needed to maintain the water resource.

5. Resource assessment, protection and restoration. This initiative consists of strategies to evaluate existing data on NCB habitats and implement additional data collection efforts, if necessary, to identify and provide habitat protection and restoration in the NCB.

A number of strategies and associated action step s were developed to fulfill these initiatives. The strategies for each initiati ve are listed as follows:

Water Quality Initiative

• Examine the existing water quality monito ring network and, if necessary, design and implement a more integrated network.

• Develop and assess water quality and hab itat protection target s using hydrologic and hydrodynamic water quality models and water quality and biological indices, where appropriate.

• Develop and assess water quality and hab itat protection target s using hydrologic and hydrodynamic water quality models, where necessary.

• Enhance, where necessary, and maintain surface waters.

Watershed Master Planning Initiative

• Evaluate and refine existing watershed master plans.

• Assist in the development and endorsement of local master stormwater plans and implementation schedules.

Stormwater Retrofit and Master Pl an Implementation Initiative

• Prioritize stormwater retrofit programs.

• Partner with local governments to implement stormwater plans.

Compliance and Rules Enforcement Initiative

• Implement existing compliance monitoring programs.

• Assess and manage resources and funding to support the requiremen ts of current and emerging National Pollutant Discharge Eliminat ion System (NPDES) regulations, pollutant load reduction goals (PLRGs), and total maximum daily load (TMDL) regulations.

Resource Assessment, Protection, and Restoration Initiative

• Complete habitat mapping and resource assessments.

• Protect and manage import ant estuarine habitats.Executive Summary

vii • Provide habitat enhancement and restoration.

The successful implementation of this NCB SW IM Plan will require staff resources and dedicated funding both from SJRWMD and, even more important, from outside sources. To accomplish all of the action steps in this amb itious endeavor, it is estimated that full implementation of the NCB SWIM Plan will cost $9.51 million over the next 5 years to complete. At current funding levels, SJRWMD will provide $3 million over the 5-year planning period. The remaining funds will have to be appr opriated from other sources. In the event that full funding does not become available, the tim eline for completion will be extended according to the levels of funding provided. The NCB SWIM Plan also calls for a re-evaluation every 3 years, at which time appropriate adjustments w ill be made. The completion of diagnostic studies previously outlined and an evaluation of management options must be completed before a more accurate total program cost can be set.

The following table shows funding estimates by initiative.

Initiative Yr 1 Yr 2 Yr 3 Yr 4 Yr 5

Water quality $295K $655K $615K $615K $615K

Watershed master planning $90K $40K $200K $200K $200K

Stormwater retrofit and master plan implementation $565K $1.115M $1.065M $1.065M $1.065M

Compliance and rules enforcement $105K $25K $25K $25K $25K

Resource assessment, protection,

and rest o r ati o n $215K $220K $165K $140K $ 5 65K

Total $1.27M $2.05 5 M $2.07M $2.04 5 M $2. 4 7M

In addition to the activities defined in this pla n, local government has a role in maintaining water quality in the NCB, through the improvement and maintenance of projects under their jurisdiction. Ongoing capita l improvement programs are costly, but necessary, and provide a good example of local governments’ commit ment to good water qua lity. These local governments have identified over $77 million in their 5-year land acquisition and capital improvement programs that would directly benefit the NCB.Northern Coastal Basin Surface Water Improvement and Management Plan

viiiContents

ix 

## CONTENTS

Executive Summary.............................................................................................................. ......... iii

INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................... ........1 Surface Water Improvement and Management Act.............................................................1

Northern Coastal Basin Plan Evolution ...............................................................................1 Acknowledgments............................................................................................................... .2

SECTION A. DESCRIPTION OF THE WATER BODY SYSTEM..............................................3

A.1. General Overview......................................................................................................3 A.2. Hydrography.............................................................................................................. 6 A.2.1. Water Quality ................................................................................................7 A.2.2. Hydrology, Hydraulics, and Water Quality...................................................9 A.3. Planning Unit Descriptions .....................................................................................11 A.3.1. Tolomato/Matanzas River Planning Unit....................................................11 A.3.2. Pellicer Creek Planning Unit.......................................................................16 A.3.3. Halifax River Planning Unit........................................................................19

SECTION B. LAND USES AND REGULATED ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE NORTHERN

COASTAL BASIN .................................................................................................................. 23

B.1. Land Use and Land Cover.......................................................................................23

B.2. Point Sources of Pollution.......................................................................................24 B.3. Nonpoint Sources of Pollution ................................................................................24 B.4. Permitted Discharge Facilities.................................................................................24 B.5. Surface Water Discharge Facil ities Operating With a Permit.................................24 B.6. Surface Water Discharge Facil ities Operating Without a Permit............................25

B.7. Multi-sector General Permit Facilities ....................................................................25 B.8. Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems..............................................................25 B.9. Compliance Schedules and Recommenda tions for Point and Nonpoint Sources of Pollution Adversely Affecting the Public Interest..............................................25

SECTION C. GOALS, INITIATIVES, AN D STRATEGIES FOR RESTORATION OR

PROTECTION..................................................................................................................... ....27 C.1. Water Quality Initiative...........................................................................................29 C.1.1. Strategy: Examine the existing wa ter quality monitoring network and, if necessary, design and implement a more integrated network.................29 C.1.2. Strategy: Develop and assess wate r quality and habitat protection targets using hydrologic and hydrodynamic wate r quality models, and/or water quality and biological in dices, where appropriate ..................................31 C.1.3. Strategy: Enhance and maintain surface waters ..........................................32 C.2. Watershed Master Planning Initiative .....................................................................33Northern Coastal Basin Surface Water Improvement and Management Plan

x C.2.1. Strategy: Evaluate and refine existing watershed master plans ..................33 C.2.2. Strategy: Assist in the devel opment and endorsement of local master stormwater plans and implementation schedules....................................34

C.3. Stormwater Retrofit and Master Plan Implementation Initiative ............................34 C.3.1. Strategy: Prioritize st ormwater retrofit programs .......................................34 C.3.2. Strategy: Partner with local governments to implement stormwater plans ........................................................................................................35 C.4. Compliance and Rules Enforcement Initiative........................................................35 C.4.1. Strategy: Implement existing compliance monitoring programs ................35 C.4.2. Strategy: Assess and manage resources and funding to support the requirements of current and emergi ng NPDES regulations, PLRGs, and TMDL regulations ..................................................................................36 C.5. Resource Assessment, Protect ion, and Restoration Initiative .................................37 C.5.1. Strategy: Complete habitat mapping and resource assessment ...................37 C.5.2. Strategy: Protect and mana ge important estuarine habitats.........................37 C.5.3. Strategy: Provide habitat enhancement and restoration ..............................38

SECTION D. COMPLIANCE OR PENDING STUDIES AND PROGRAMS RELEVANT TO

THE NORTHERN COASTAL BASIN...................................................................................39 D.1. SJRWMD Northern Coastal Basin Program ...........................................................39

D.2. SJRWMD Stormwater Mana gement Cost-Share Program .....................................39 D.3. SJRWMD Bathymetric Survey Project...................................................................41

D.4. SJRWMD Tidal Mode l Development Projects.......................................................41 D.5. U.S. Geological Survey Fisheries Resources Survey..............................................42

D.6. Guana-Tolomato-Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve.........................42 D.7. Florida Inland Navigation District ..........................................................................42 D.8. Rose Bay Restoration ..............................................................................................43 D.9. Local Environmental programs ...............................................................................44 D.10. Land Acquisition and Management ........................................................................45 D.11. Northeast Florida Blueways ....................................................................................46

D.12. Public Education......................................................................................................46 D.13. Water Supply...........................................................................................................4 7

SECTION E. RESEARCH AND FEASIBILITY STUDIES NEEDED TO REACH

RECOMMENDED STRATEGIES .........................................................................................49

SECTION F. MEASURES NEEDED TO M ANAGE AND MAINTAIN THE NORTHERN

COASTAL BASIN .................................................................................................................. 59 F.1. Background .............................................................................................................59 F.2. Impaired Waters List...............................................................................................59 F.3. Watershed Management Program ...........................................................................60 F.4. SJRWMD’s Role in PLRG Development and the TMDL Verification Process ....61Contents

xi SECTION G. SCHEDULE AND FUNDING RE QUIREMENTS FOR RESTORATION AND

PROTECTION..................................................................................................................... ....65

Bibliography ................................................................................................................... ...............73

Appendices I. Implementation Partners..........................................................................................75 II. Surface Water Discharge Facilities Operating With a Permit.................................77 III. Facilities Possessing Mu lti-sector General Permits ................................................79 IV. Local Government Capi tal Improvement Projects..................................................81Northern Coastal Basin Surface Water Improvement and Management Plan

xiiFigures and Tables

xiii 

## FIGURES AND TABLES

Figures

1. The Northern Coastal Basin..............................................................................................4

2. Planning units 9A–9D, Northern Coastal Basin ...............................................................5

3. SJRWMD surface water quality monitoring sites ..........................................................10

4. Northern Coastal Basin physical monitoring sites..........................................................12

5. Tolomato/Matanzas River Basin.....................................................................................13

6. Northern Coastal Basin shellfish harvesting areas..........................................................15

7. Pellicer Creek Basin....................................................................................................... .17

8. Halifax River Basin........................................................................................................ .20

9. Duration of Northern Coastal Basin tota l maximum daily load and pollutant load reduction goal components and process milestones .......................................................64



### Tables

1. Planning units in the Northern Coastal Basin...................................................................6

2. Northern Coastal Basin 303(d) listed water bodies ..........................................................8

3. Major categories of land use and land cover in the Northern Coastal Basin..................23Northern Coastal Basin Surface Water Improvement and Management Plan

xivIntroduction

1 

## INTRODUCTION

Surface Water Improvement and Management Act

In recognition of the need to place additio nal emphasis on the restoration, protection, and management of the surface water resources of th e state, the Florida Legislature, through the Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWI M) Act of 1987, directed the state’s water management districts to “design and implemen t plans and programs for the improvement and management of surface water” (Section 373.451, Florida Statutes [ FS ]). The SWIM legislation requires the water management di stricts to protect the ecological, aesthetic, recreational, and

economic value of the state’s surface water bodies, keeping in mind that water quality degradation is frequently caused by point and non point source pollution and that degraded water quality can cause both direct and i ndirect losses of aquatic habitats.

Under the SWIM Act, water management district s prioritize water bodies based on their need for protection and/or restoration. This prioritization proce ss is carried out in cooperation with the Florida Department of Environmental Protecti on (FDEP), the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Department of Communi ty Affairs, and local governments. The St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) ranked the Northern Coastal Basin (NCB) as the sixth priority SWIM program. Priori ty water bodies 1 through 5 are current SWIM

programs.

Following the selection of the priority water bodi es, and in accordance with the SWIM Act, a SWIM Plan must be drafted, reviewed, and appr oved before state SWIM funds can be spent on restoration, protection, or management activities. Also, recent changes to the SWIM Act that occurred in the 2003 legisl ative session (Chapter 2003-265, Laws of Florida ), mandate that plans “shall be updated as necessary to ensure that they effectively addr ess the restoration and protection needs of the priority water bodies and that they reflec t current scientific understandings and budgetary adjustments.” Furthe r, while SWIM plans are still reviewed by FDEP, they are no longer subject to FDEP a pproval. Water management district governing boards provide the sole approval of these plans. SWIM plans must be updated at a minimum of once every 3 years.



### Northern Coastal Basin Plan Evolution

SJRWMD initiated the NCB project in 1995 in re sponse to general water quality concerns and the closure of historic shellfish harvesting ar eas. Potential negative impacts from current and anticipated growth on coastal resources, particular ly shellfish harvesting , highlighted the need for a dedicated program to address surface wate r quality and estuary issues (SJRWMD 1997). In addition, a number of water bodies in the NCB are listed on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 303d list by the state of Florida as not having suffi cient water quality to meet their designated uses. SJRWMD is legislatively mandated to assess these water bodies andNorthern Coastal Basin Surface Water Improvement and Management Plan

2 determine the potential need for establishment and implementation of pollutant load reduction goals (PLRGs).

As a precursor to management plan developm ent, SJRWMD sponsored a series of estuary workshops to update and inform community leader s, resource managers, and technical staff on current management efforts and estuary issues . One of the short-term objectives identified through the workshops was the development of a r econnaissance report as an information source and guide with recommendations to aid in de velopment of the NCB Watershed Management

Plan.

The Northern Coastal Basin Reconnaissance Re port (Bonnie Holub & Associates 1998) is a compilation and summary of information provid ed by state, federal, and local agencies, universities, private institutions , and individuals within and ou tside the NCB. Data, reports, documents, and information about ongoing programs in the NCB were identified and included in the report.

To develop the NCB Watershed Management Plan, the reconnaissance report was used as the primary resource by a team of SJ RWMD staff members and Frazel, Inc., to develop a draft plan. Input on the draft plan was soli cited for, and provided by, gover nment and agency stakeholders (Appendix I) and other interested parties, thr ough a series of three workshops held throughout the NCB. This document represents the culmination of that effort.



### Acknowledgments

The NCB SWIM planning project was managed a nd edited by Paul Haydt, NCB Interagency Program Manager for SJRWMD. Denis W. Frazel, Ph.D. (Frazel, Inc.), assisted with the development and preparation of the NCB SWIM Plan through the collaborative efforts of SJRWMD staff. Editing of the final document wa s provided by Martha Friedrich. Special thanks are due to the following SJRWMD staff for their individual and collective efforts:

Jessica Babel, P.E., Supervising Professional Engineer Getachew Belaineh, Ph.D., Engineer Scientist Nancy Christman, Intergovernmental Coordinator Chandy John, Ph.D., Engineer Scientist Ken John, Assistant Department Director Jan Miller, Environmental Scientist III Fred Morris, Ph.D., Supervising Engineer Scientist (retired) Joel Steward, Technical Program Manager Chris Basci, GIS AnalystSection A

3 

## SECTION A

DESCRIPTION OF THE WATER BODY SYSTEM

A.1. General Overview

The NCB is located on the northern Atlantic coast of Florida (Figure 1). The NCB extends nearly 100 miles from lower Duval County, just south of th e urban center of Jacksonville, Florida, south through St. Johns, Flagler, and Volusia counties to Ponce de Leon Inlet, near the city of New Smyrna Beach.

The NCB encompasses over 680 square miles of co astal lowlands interspe rsed with numerous creeks and small rivers draining east to form a series of shallow bays and lagoons. These are separated from the Atlantic Ocean by a barrier island system with three inlets: St. Augustine, Matanzas, and Ponce de Leon.

The NCB is composed of a variety of lands capes, with development throughout the region. Residential, commercial, and industrial land s occupy approximately 23% of the total NCB

watershed. This area includes the intensively urbanized ar eas around St. Augustine Inlet, throughout the Daytona Beach area, and the urbani zed area in the vicinity of Ponce de Leon Inlet. Interspersed between these urbanized areas are sections of public conservation and undeveloped lands consisting of natural communitie s, including uplands, floodplain and riverine wetlands, and tidal marshes. Wetlands, wetland fore st, and open water cover more than 29% of the area; upland forest, agriculture, and open/rang e lands make up more than 41% of the area; and open water covers nearly 7% of the area (SJRWMD 2000).

The natural hydrology of the NCB ha s been altered by a combination of water control structures, dikes, drainage ditches, and man-made canals. The Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) runs the entire length of the NCB’s coastal lagoons.

SJRWMD is divided into 10 major basins that are subdivisions of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) defined hydrologic units. Th e NCB, or major basin “9,” is further subdivided into four planning units. A planning unit can be an individual, usually large, tributary basin or a group of small adjacent primary tributary basins with si milar characteristics. The major planning units comprising the NCB, from north to south, are the Tolomato River (9D), the Matanzas River (9C), Pellicer Creek (9B), and the Halifax Rive r (9A) (Figure 2). For the purposes of this management plan, the Tolomato and Matanzas rive r basins are treated as one basin and will be referred to as Tolomato/Matanzas. This combination provides general consistency with the

federal Guana-Tolomato-Matanzas National Estu arine Research Reserve (GTMNERR) Program, which encompasses parts of the estuaries in bot h of these planning units . Areal details on the three planning units in the NCB are listed in Table 1.Northern Coastal Basin Surface Water Improvement and Management Plan

4Section A

5Northern Coastal Basin Surface Water Improvement and Management Plan

6 Table 1. Planning units in the Northern Coastal Basin

Planning

Unit No. Planning Unit Name Area (acres) Area (square miles)

9D/C Tolomato/Matanzas River 125,521.3 196.1

9B Pellicer Creek 102,050.6 159.5

9A Halifax River 208,122.0 325.2

Total 435,693.9 680.8

Source: Adamus et al. 1997

The major planning units described above contain 83 distinct watersheds described by SJRWMD as “7.5-minute quad basins.” A 7.5-minute quad ba sin is the smallest delineated area in the drainage basin data layer mainta ined by SJRWMD. Details of the naming conventions, as well as maps of these hydrologic areas, can be found in Adamus et al. 1997.

The NCB contains over 87,000 acres of managed public conservation areas, ranging from the 40,000-acre Guana River Marsh Aquatic Preserve to the 6-acre Addison Blockhouse State Historic Site. Approximately 55,000 acres of these lands occur w ithin the federally designated GTMNERR Program.



### A.2. Hydrography

The NCB is located within the Upper East Coast Drainage Basin (part of the Florida East Coast Basin as defined by FDEP), which covers 467,195 acr es. The majority of the watersheds in this basin drain by way of small tidal creeks into shallow co astal lagoons, toward th e Atlantic Ocean. Tidal exchange is accomplished through four ocean inlets located in or near the borders of the NCB. At the northern extreme of the Upper East Coast Drainage Basin, th e St. Johns River flows to the Atlantic Ocean at Mayport. Five river miles west of the in let, the ICW connects to the St.

Johns River.

Moving approximately 15 miles south of the St . Johns River, the ICW crosses into the NCB where it joins and becomes part of the Tolomato River. North of St. Augustine, the Tolomato

River connects to the Guana River and flows to the Atlantic Ocean via the St. Augustine Inlet. South of St. Augustine, the Matanzas River is a lagoonal estuary with the flow of water discharging to the Atlantic O cean by way of the Matanzas Inle t. The Matanzas River estuary connects to the Halifax River estuary, to the so uth, via an artificial channel created as an

extension of the ICW.

The Halifax River extends south from the artifici al channel north of Daytona Beach, exiting the

NCB at the Ponce de Leon Inlet. Tidal flow in this area also originat es through the Ponce de Leon Inlet. Six causeways that cross the Halifax River estuary within a distance of 10.5 miles

inhibit circulation in the area.Section A

7 A.2.1. Water Quality

Under Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act, each state must prepare a list of waters that are not of sufficient quality to meet their designated uses. These lists are required to be submitted to EPA for review and approval every April of even- numbered years, that is, every 2 years. It is

those water bodies in the NCB that appear on the 303(d) list that will automatically receive the highest priority for establis hment of PLRGs and TMDLs (total maximum daily loads) for restoration and protection (Table 2). Details on the PLRG and TMDL process are provided in

Section F.

The 303(d) list is developed from data provide d from a number of sources, primarily the EPA STORET databases, USGS, and the Florida De partment of Health. The STORET databases contain water quality data from a variety of sources including FDEP, the water management districts, local governments, and volunteer moni toring groups. EPA has re quested that states merge their reporting requirements under the Clean Water Act for Section 305(b) surface water quality reports and Section 303(d) lists of impaired waters into an “Integrated Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment” report. Following the publication of the status reports and further data evaluation, FDEP will produce an assessment report integrating the 303(d) list and the basin-specific 305(b) report for this area. An updated 303(d) list for the NCB will be submitted to EPA by FDEP in 2006.

An individual state 305(b) report, which is a biennial assessment of the water quality of a state’s waters, provides a summary of water quali ty by water body type — good, fair, or poor — displayed on maps organized by hydrologic units (FDEP 2000). The summary data that are contained in these reports are developed from comp arisons of a variety of water quality indices, described below, known as the Water Quality In dex (WQI), the Trophic State Index (TSI), and

the Stream Conditi on Index (SCI).

The WQI, developed by FDEP, represents an average of six water quality index categories (water clarity [turbidity, tota l suspended solids], dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen demand, nutrients [total nitrogen and to tal phosphorus], bacteria [fecal a nd total coliforms], and biological diversity). It is a per cent value ranging from 0 to 100, with low WQI values repr esenting the best quality and high WQI values having the worst qual ity (Hand et al. 1988). Over the years, FDEP has modified the WQI to accommodate blackwa ter streams and springs. (Note that a WQI presented in the 305(b) report for a water segm ent could represent anywhere from only one category to all six. Consequentl y, some care must be exercised if WQIs within or between watersheds are compared.)Northern Coastal Basin Surface Water Improvement and Management Plan

8 Table 2. Northern Coastal Basin 303(d) listed water bodies*

Water Body Name Water Body ID Priority TMDL

Year Impairment Parameters County

Tolomato/Matanzas River Planning Unit

Cracker Branch 2553 Low 2011 Coliforms, dissolved oxygen,

iron St. Johns

Guana River 2320 Low 2011 Coliforms, dissolved oxygen St. Johns ICW (Matanzas River) 2205C Low 2008 Coliforms, nutrients St. Johns Matanzas River 2363H Low 2011 Coliforms, nutrients Flagler Matanzas River 2363I Low 2011 Coliforms, nutrients Flagler Pellicer Creek Planning Unit

Pellicer Creek 2580B Low 2011 Lead, coliforms, nutrients, dissolved oxygen, iron Flagler

Palm Coast 2363D Low 2011 Cadmium, lead, nutrients, coliforms, dissolved oxygen, silver, selenium, thallium Flagler

Halifax River Planning Unit Halifax River 2363A Low 2011 Nutrients, coliforms Volusia Halifax River 2363B Low 2011 Copper, lead, nutrients, iron Volusia

Rose Bay 2672 Low 2011 Nutrients, coliforms, dissolved oxygen Volusia

Spruce Creek 2674A High 2006 Nutrients, dissolved oxygen,

iron Volusia

Spruce Creek (OFW portion) 2674 High 2006 Nutrients, coliforms, dissolved oxygen, iron Volusia

Tomoka River 2634A Low 2011 Lead, nutrients, iron Volusia

Tomoka River 2634 Low 2011 Nutrients, coliforms, dissolved oxygen, iron, lead Volusia

Unnamed ditch (B-19 Canal) 2666 Low 2011 Nutrients, dissolved oxygen Volusia

Note: ICW = Intracoastal Waterway OFW = Outstanding Florida Water TMDL = total maximum daily load

*Table 2 is provided to show the most current Norther n Coastal Basin (NCB) 303(d) list, approved 11/24/98 (EPA 1998). Although the state of Florida has submitted a year 2000 305(b), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has not yet released an updated 303(d) list for the NCB regi on. The only current adopted and draft 2002 303(d) lists of impaired waters in Florida are Group 1 waters heds. The NCB is listed as a Group 5 watershed.Section A

9 The TSI is a water quality parameter ranging from 0 to 100 on a log scale, especially developed for Florida lakes (Huber et al. 1982). It is also used for estuarie s as a measure of the degree of eutrophication, or nutrient enrichment of a wate r body, with water bodies classified as good (0 to <50), fair (50 to <60), or poor (60 to 100). Hi storic TSI calculations use annual averages of either total nitrogen and phosphor us concentrations (depending on which is the limiting nutrient in the system), or an average of th e two values, in a ddition to chlorophyll a . The calculation also included Secchi disk transparency values; th e calculation method was revised by FDEP to provide consistent TSI values without the inclus ion of a transparency value. Here again, low values indicate good water quality while high values indicate poor water quality.

Finally, the SCI is an assessment tool develo ped by FDEP for determining the biological

condition of a stream. The SCI is used in mon itoring efforts and is an aggregation of seven

different measures of the macr oinvertebrate community struct ure. Sampling consists of 20 sweeps of the most productive habitats found in a 100-meter stretch of stream, using a dip net. Organisms collected are brought back to the labo ratory for identificati on. A higher diversity of taxa of organisms indicates better stream condition health. Although FDEP uses this index,

SJRWMD scientists have not used this assessment tool in the NCB.

The most current status and tre nds of water quality in the NCB is provided in Miller and Sigua (2003). This report summarizes data colle cted between 1997 and 2000 for the TolomatoMatanzas River estuary and the Pellicer Creek watershed and waterways in northern Flagler County. It also contains data collected between 1991 and 1999 in the Halifax River estuary and its tributaries in Volusia County.

SJRWMD, as well as Palm Coast Community Service Corporation, Volusia County Environmental Management Divi sion, and the GTMNERR, maintain sampling programs in the NCB that expand on the sampling conducted by FD EP. Figure 3 shows th e SJRWMD and local agency water quality monitoring locations in the NCB.

A.2.2. Hydrology, Hydraulics, and Water Quality

The hydrologic boundaries of the NCB are the water divides along th e boundaries of the watersheds that discharge to the NCB estuarie s. The watersheds consist of the uplands and marshes to the west of the estuary and the mars hes and barrier island to the east. Rainfall on the uplands collects in tributarie s or runs off directly into the marshes and the estuary.

The NCB is a series of tidal la goons interconnected by narrow, main tained dredged channels (the ICW), with inlet connections to the sea and extensive marsh areas . Circulation and transport of suspended and dissolved substances in the estuar ies and channels are dr iven primarily by tides and winds. The amplitudes of inlet tides range fro m 1.8 feet at Pablo Creek to 2.1 feet at St. Augustine to 1.5 feet at Ponce de Leon Inlet. Ti des from adjacent inlets meet in the areas between inlets, causing tidal “null zones” that move back and forth in concert with the inlet tides. The tidal amplitude at Ormond Beach, for example, is only 0.2 feet. Flushing in these null zone

areasNorthern Coastal Basin Surface Water Improvement and Management Plan

10Section A

11 is reduced, resulting in longer residence times fo r pollutants. However, models of the system developed so far have not been completely calib rated and therefore circul ation and flushing have not been fully quantified.

The northern tidal boundary of the NCB, south of Pablo Creek, receives tidal energy from Mayport, the inlet at the mouth of the St. Johns River. A water divide between north and south, defining the northern boundary of the NCB, crosse s the ICW at a location west of Palm Valley.

Measurements of water levels at Pablo Creek ha ve established tidal characteristics at this location, which are used as the northern bounda ry of the NCB for modeling purposes even though it is outside the management boundary of th e NCB. The southern boundary of the NCB is

located at Ponce de Leon Inlet. Tidal characteristic s one-half mile south of the inlet, at the U.S. Coast Guard station, have been measured for modeling purposes.

Circulation and water quality in the NCB are driven by ocean wate r levels, rainfall, wind events, boat wakes, runoff, evaporati on, groundwater seepage, and inputs of substances from the surrounding environment. Eventually, for a useful de scription of the system to be developed, all significant inputs need to be measured simulta neously over a suitably long period of time. Current NCB physical monitoring sites are shown in Figure 4.



### A.3. Planning Unit Descriptions

A detailed description of each planning unit is provided in Sections A.3.1–A.3.3. A map of the planning unit accompanies each section. Note that the dimensional scales may vary from map to

map.

A.3.1. Tolomato/Matanzas River Planning Unit

The Tolomato/Matanzas River planning unit — planning unit 9D/C — is located within northeast Florida, in portions of Duval, St. Johns, and Flag ler counties (Figure 5). Local municipalities and residential areas in this unit include Ponte Ve dra, Vilano Beach, St. Augustine, St. Augustine Beach, St. Augus tine Shores, and Crescent Beach. The Tolomato/Matanzas River planning unit is compos ed of the Tolomato, Guana, and Matanzas River watersheds and has a contributing draina ge area of approximately 127,000 acres, within 37

basins.

Within the Tolomato River watershed, major freshwater drainage from the west arrives to the Tolomato River through Smith Creek, Sweetwate r Creek, Deep Creek, Marshall Creek, Stokes Creek, and Casa Cola Creek. Capo Creek, Jones Creek, and Sombrero Creek drain west from the Guana peninsula on the barrier island to the To lomato River. Ximanies Creek, Pancho Creek,

and Robinson Creek also drain into the Tolomato River. The Guana River converges with the Tolomato River, the Matanzas River, and Salt Run from the south before flowing into the Atlantic Ocean at the St. Augustine Inlet. Tidal effects are observed th roughout this waterway, converging between the two inle ts to a tidal minimum just north of Palm Valley Bridge.Northern Coastal Basin Surface Water Improvement and Management Plan

12Section A

13Northern Coastal Basin Surface Water Improvement and Management Plan

14 Major freshwater drainage to the Matanzas Rive r estuary comes from the San Sebastian River, Moultrie Creek, and Moses Creek, as well as in flow from overland urban runoff, and Pellicer

Creek contributes with flows east to the Matan zas River lagoon. Both th e St. Augustine Inlet in the north and the Matanzas Inlet, located 14 miles south, tidally influence the estuary. The Matanzas Inlet is a natural tidal inlet that, with the exception of the Stat e Road A1A bridge over the inlet, has been unaltered and is not actively maintained for navigation.

Regionally significant habitat area s include the Guana River corri dor, including the Guana and Tolomato estuaries; the Guana Marsh wate rshed; the ICW, Fish Swamp, and wetlands, flatwoods, and hardwood forest in between.

A.3.1.1. Historical Uses

St. Augustine, settled in 1565, is Am erica’s oldest continually occ upied city, with more than 400 years of continuous settlement. The last severa l decades have seen an increase in coastal residential development in Ponte Vedra, Vila no Beach, St. Augustine, and St. Augustine Beach. Uplands on the western edge of the Tolomato/M atanzas River planning un it have traditionally been used for agriculture and silviculture.

The waterways within this unit have been altere d, beginning with the digging of a series of canals connecting the Matanzas and Halifax rive rs in 1881. The canal system was eventually continued north through the Tolomato River to provide a safe inland channel for small vessels. These canals now comprise portions of the ICW.

Commercial shellfishing for oyste rs and clams has historically o ccurred in the northern St. Johns County portion of the planning unit (Figure 6).

A.3.1.2. Current Uses

The expansion of urban areas into former agricult ural and silvicultural lands in the northern and

western Tolomato/Matanzas River watersheds is occurring at an increasing pace, although the watersheds are currently still only moderately developed. Reside ntial and commercial uses are clustered predominantly in the Ponte Vedra ar ea, Vilano Beach, and along U.S. 1 and SR A1A near St. Augustine.

According to the 2000 census, St. Johns County is the second-fastest growing county in the state of Florida. Much of the new development will increase stormwater discharges into the ICW.

There are a number of domestic and industrial wastewater facil ities with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits to discharge to surface waters. Most of the facilities are domestic wastewater treatment plants.Section A

15Northern Coastal Basin Surface Water Improvement and Management Plan

16 A.3.1.3. Conditions Leading to the Need for Restoration and Protection

Portions of the Tolomato/Matanzas River planni ng unit are designated as Class II waters, which

is the standard for commercial and recreational shellfish harvesting. In 1995, extensive shellfish harvesting areas were re-classified from “conditi onally approved” to “conditionally restricted” for shellfish harvesting due to elevated coliform bacteria levels. The net result was a closure of virtually all the primary shellfish ha rvesting areas north of St. Augustine.

The Tolomato River north of St. Augustine ha s good but degrading wa ter quality (FDEP 1998). The Matanzas River has degraded water quality.

Urban runoff and other sources of sediment load impact the Tolomato/Matanzas River planning unit. The system as a whole has high average total suspended solids and somewhat elevated turbidity. This likely reflects both natural and man-made tributary loading and/or scouring and resuspension due to strong tidal current veloci ties, wind-generated waves, and boat wakes.

Overall development in the planning unit and the corresponding increase in human-related activities may be the causes of increased fecal co liform bacteria levels and other water quality parameters in the receiving waters. An increase d density of septic systems associated with continued development may also have an impact on water quality.

A.3.2. Pellicer Creek Planning Unit

The Pellicer Creek planning unit — planning unit 9B — is located south of St. Augustine and includes southern St. Johns County and norther n Flagler County (Figur e 7). Pellicer Creek, which forms the boundary between St. Johns and Flag ler counties, is the on ly natural watershed drainage feature in this planni ng unit. It cuts throu gh the marine terraces and ridges as it flows east into the Matanzas River. Local municipalitie s and residential areas in this unit include the towns of Marineland and Beverly Beach, the city of Palm Coast, and the northern portions of Flagler Beach. The Pellicer Creek planning unit has a contributing drainage area of approximately 102,000 acres, within 13 basins. Conn ection to the Halifax Ri ver to the south and to the Matanzas River estuary to the north is through the ICW.

Major freshwater drainage to the Pellicer Creek planning unit comes from Pellicer Creek, inflow from overland urban runoff, and drainage from the network of man-made stormwater drainage

canals in the Palm Coast area. The natural st reams and creeks include Long Creek, Hulett Branch, Mulberry Branch, Homi ny Branch, Black Branch, and the Iroquois Waterway. The manmade drainage canals include the Lehigh Canal, Ditch 10, and the St. Joe Canal.

Pellicer Creek is designated by the state of Flor ida as an Outstanding Florida Water (OFW). At a program level, an OFW designation is applied to waters that are deemed worthy of a special protection because of their natura l attributes. While nearly 90% of OFWs are within state or federally managed areas such as parks, nationa l seashores, national wild life refuges, marineSection A

17Northern Coastal Basin Surface Water Improvement and Management Plan

18 sanctuaries, wild and scenic rivers, or aqua tic preserves, water not under state or federal management may also be designated as an OF W. These are called “Special Water” OFWs.

For a water to be designated as a Specia l Water OFW, the Environmental Regulation Commission (ERC) must make tw o “findings.” The ERC must find “that the waters are of exceptional recreational or ecolo gical significance and that th e environmental, social, and economic benefits of the designation outweigh th e environmental, social, and economic costs” (Section 62-302.700(5), Florida Administrative Code [ F.A.C .]). The ERC concurred that Pellicer Creek met the findings necessary for a Special Water OFW designation, which then became effective June 18, 1992.

Other regionally significant ha bitat areas in this planning unit include the Graham Swamp corridor: Matanzas River estuary marshes, wetland s, flatwoods, and hardwood forest west of the Matanzas River; Hulett Branch and Swamp; and silviculture and wetlands west of U.S. 1, including the Pringle Branch and Swamp.

A.3.2.1. Historical Uses

The Pellicer Creek unit consists of vast wetlands, many miles of which were drained for pine plantations and real estate deve lopment and to reduce mosquito breeding sites. Pellicer Creek itself is maintained as a preserve and has been left largely undisturbed.

Commercial shellfishing for oysters and clams has historically occu rred in the southern St. Johns County portion of this planning unit (see Figure 6).

A.3.2.2. Current Uses

Commercial and residential uses cu rrently take up only about 7% of the Pellicer Unit, with Palm Coast being the major residential development. Based on current growth and the future land use plan for Pellicer Creek, residential areas could po tentially increase to 22% of the total area by the year 2020. Most of the western portions of the unit remain under silvicultural use.

A.3.2.3. Conditions Leading to the Need for Restoration and Protection

Pellicer Creek is a 303(d) listed water body with a variety of water quality constituents exceeding limits, including lead, nutrients, coliform bacteria, di ssolved oxygen, and iron. Recent analyses by SJRWMD showed high coliform c ounts, well above both th e Class II shellfish harvesting criteria and the Class III marine recreational criteria. The source of these bacteria is not yet clear (Miller and Sigua 2003).

The man-made canals of Palm Coast are also collectively identified as a potential 303(d) impaired water body. The water quality parameters of concern at Palm Co ast are cadmium, lead, selenium, nutrients, coliforms, di ssolved oxygen, silver, and thallium.Section A

19 High densities of onsite sewage treatment and di sposal systems (OSTDS) along the barrier island in north Flagler County may contribute bacteria and nutrient input to the water of the Pellicer Creek planning unit.

Shoreline erosion is a significant concern in the narrow, channelized (ICW) portion of the southern Pellicer Creek unit. Wave energy due to boat traffic causes continuous resuspension of sediments and resulting increase s in total suspended solids.

A.3.3. Halifax River Planning Unit

The Halifax River planning unit — planning unit 9A — includes portions of Flagler and Volusia counties along the northeast Florida coast (Figure 8). Local municipalities and residential areas in this unit include southern portions of Flagle r Beach, Holly Hill, Ormond Beach, Port Orange, Daytona Beach, South Daytona, and Ponce Inlet. The Halifax River drainage basin encompasses an area of nearly 208,000 acres, within 33 basins.

Major drainage into the estuary comes from Bu low Creek, the Tomoka River, Spruce Creek, and their natural tributaries. Rose Bay, which is a la rge embayment partially isolated from the main part of the Halifax River by an abandoned cau seway and the present U. S. 1 causeway, also contributes drainage to the Halif ax River. Tidal flow primarily originates through the Ponce de

Leon Inlet to the south. There is also tidal ex change of water through the ICW to the north, connecting with the Matanzas In let through the Matanzas River.

Important habitat areas include the Spruce Creek and Tomoka River/Bulow Creek corridors, including the estuarine marshes around Ponce Inle t; Tiger Bay, and Bennett Swamp; silviculture, wetlands, and flatwoods west of Interstate 95; and wetlands, flatwoods, and hardwood forest

north of the Tomoka and Halifax rivers.

Both the Tomoka River and Spruce Creek basi ns are listed as OFWs and fall under morestringent SJRWMD surface water and environmenta l resource permitting rules. The rules were promulgated in 1998.

A.3.3.1. Historical Uses

Mosquito impoundments, residential development, or silviculture has alte red a majority of the estuary’s historic watershed dr ainage. A 1,100-acre mosquito impound ment is still located west

of the ICW and north of the Tomoka River Basi n, though the dike wall has been breached in several places and active management of the impoundment ended in the early 1980s.

A.3.3.2. Current Uses

Ormond Beach, Holly Hill, Daytona Beach, and Bethune Point are all relatively densely populated residential areas. All of these municipalities discharge tr eated wastewater effluent intoNorthern Coastal Basin Surface Water Improvement and Management Plan

20Section A

21 the Halifax River; however, discharge volumes ha ve been, and continue to be, reduced due to

local water conservation and wastewater effluent reuse and diversion programs.

A.3.3.3. Conditions Leading to the Need for Restoration and Protection

The Halifax River unit has several 303(d) listed water bodies. These include the Halifax River for nutrients, coliform bacteria, c opper, lead, and iron; Rose Bay for nutrients, coliform bacteria, and dissolved oxygen; the Tomoka River for nut rients and iron; the B-19 Canal network for nutrients and dissolved oxygen; and Spruce Cree k, with a variety of constituents exceeding limits, including lead, nutrients, colifo rm bacteria, dissolved oxygen, and iron.

SJRWMD sampling found varying degrees of colifo rm bacteria concentration at Halifax River sites, generally well within Class III standards, whereas samples from sites within the tributaries

often failed to meet Class III standards.Northern Coastal Basin Surface Water Improvement and Management Plan

22Section B

23 

## SECTION B

LAND USES AND REGU LATED ACTIVITIES

WITHIN THE NORTHERN COASTAL BASIN

B.1. Land Use and Land Cover

Current Based on 1995 land use data, the predominant la nd uses in the NCB are silviculture and agriculture, comprising 41% of the basin. Wetlands and wetland forests comprise 29% of the

basin. Urban and suburban land uses have become more predominant, with continued expansion along both the ICW and coastal areas at 23% of th e land area. Table 3 shows the percentages of land use and land cover, based on 1995 land use data. Detailed geographic information system (GIS) overlay maps of land cover, wetland vegeta tion cover, future land uses in the 100-year floodplain, and others are found in the N CB Reconnaissance Repor t (Bonnie Holub & Associates, Inc. 1998).

Future Urban development is expected to continue ex panding westward from the coast. Sizeable areas designated for silviculture, agricu lture, and conservation remain in each of the three counties in the basin but may be subject to development pr essure. Currently, nearly 29% of the NCB is wetlands. Under the future land use plans for th e overall NCB, only 18% of the wetlands would be preserved in conservation or recreation/open space.

Table 3. Major categories of land use and land cover in the Northern

Coastal Basin

1995 Estimates Land Use/Land Cover Category Acreage Percentage

Urban and suburban 90,760 20.8

Public facilities/industrial 9,130 2.1

Agriculture 8,710 2.0

Barren land 2,380 0.5

Rangeland 18,240 4.2

Upland forest 151,410 34.8

Wetland forest 82,560 19.0

Other wetlands 42,560 9.8

Open water 29,830 6.8

Total 435,580 100Northern Coastal Basin Surface Water Improvement and Management Plan

24 

### B.2. Point Sources of Pollution

Prior to 1983, the major point sources of pollu tion in the NCB were from sewage treatment plants. Currently, point-source dischargers includ e domestic and industrial wastewater facilities that are regulated through the NPDES program described in Section B.5.



### B.3. Nonpoint Sources of Pollution

Nonpoint sources of pollution in the basin, wh ich can degrade ground as well as surface water quality, include stormwater runo ff or leaching of pollutants into groundwater from agriculture, silviculture, and urban/suburban land uses; atmospheric deposition; sediment loading and turbidity from shoreline erosion; and septic ta nks. Septic tanks (OSTDS) are prevalent in some

areas of the basin and have been identified as a potential sour ce of nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus), pathogens, and other pollutants that can pose a thr eat to public health. Surface waters can be adversely affected directly by sy stem drainfields washed away by floodwaters or via runoff from areas where system failures result in ponding of untreated or inadequately treated wastewater on the ground. Surface waters can be adversely affected indirectly through seepage of groundwater contaminated by system discharges.

There are known septic tank problems in the Ponte Vedra area, on Anastasia Island, on the

barrier island east of Palm Coast. Areas in the Ha lifax River watershed that have been identified by the Volusia County Health Department as ha ving potential septic tank problems include the barrier island Ormond by the Sea, nei ghborhoods around Ormond Beach along the Tomoka River, Port Orange, Rose Bay, and along Spruce Creek. OSTDS failure rates in Flagler, St. Johns, and Volusia counties exceed st ate failure rates (SJRWMD 2000).



### B.4. Permitted Discharge Facilities

There are a number of domestic and industrial wastewater facil ities in the NCB with NPDES permits to discharge to surface waters. The volum e of discharges to surface waters from these facilities compared to their permitted capacities varies, with some facilities discharging to surface water only during wet weather conditions and others discharging to surface waters exclusively (SJRWMD 2000).



### B.5. Surface Water Discharge Fac ilities Operating With a Permit

The Clean Water Act requires wastewater discha rgers to have a permit establishing pollution limits and specifying monitoring and reporting requirements. Appendix II lists surface water discharge facilities currently ope rating with a permit. There are 20 domestic and eight industrial

wastewater facilities within the NCB that are permitted through the NPDES program that discharge into the su rface waters of the state. The industria l discharges consist of five concrete batch plants, two unspecified industrial wast ewater producers, and one petroleum cleanup discharge.Section B

25 The NPDES program for wastewater discharges has been in existence at EPA since the 1970s and was delegated to Florida in 1995. Phase I of the NPDES stormwater permitting program began at EPA in 1990 and was delegated to the state of Florida in October 2000. The pretreatment program governs indus trial wastewater discharges to municipal wastewater plants.

Industrial facilities may also qualify for NPDES permits for discharge to surface waters.



### B.6. Surface Water Discharge Facilit ies Operating Without a Permit

According to information provided by FDEP, no point-source surface water discharge facilities in the NCB are currently operating without a permit.



### B.7. Multi-sector General Permit Facilities

Industrial facilities not covered by an NPDES permit are currently covered under the federal multi-sector general permit (MSGP) for stormwater discharge associated with industrial activity. The MSGP divides the regulated industrial activ ities into 30 sectors of related activity and specifies both general and sect or-specific requirements for each. The permit, developed by EPA and then adopted and renamed by FDEP in Oct ober 2000, consists of the original 1995 issuance and the subsequent modifications and correctio ns. There are currently 72 MSGP permittees in the NCB (Appendix III).



### B.8. Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems

The NPDES stormwater program regulates point-s ource discharges of storm water from certain municipal and industrial sources, including certain construction ac tivities. Designated large and medium municipal separate storm sewer systems, or MS4s, are a publicly owned conveyance or system of conveyances (e.g., ditches, curbs, ca tch basins, underground pipe s) that are designed for the discharge of storm water to surface wate rs of the state. An MS4 can drain, and be operated by, municipalities, counties, drainage dist ricts, colleges, military bases, or prisons, to name a few examples. These f acilities were previously required by EPA to obtain NPDES permits. In the state of Florida, Phase II perm itting must be completed in 2003 and the permitted program should be implemented by 2008. According to FDEP (Fred Noble, pers. comm.), there are currently no municipalities within the NCB that are listed as Phase II permitting candidates.



### B.9. Compliance Schedules and Reco mmendations for Point and Nonpoint Sources of Pollution Adversely Affecting the Public Interest

FDEP takes short-term enforcement actions agains t facilities when necessary and reports these actions on a monthly basis to EPA. Currently, none of the facilities with in the NCB is under any ongoing enforcement action for which a compliance schedule has been established.Northern Coastal Basin Surface Water Improvement and Management Plan

26Section C

27 

## SECTION C

GOALS, INITIATIVES, AND STRATEGIES FOR

RESTORATION OR PROTECTION

The Water Resource Implementation Rule (Chapter 62-40, F.A.C .) calls for SJRWMD to play a major role in the development of watershed- specific water quality targets and PLRGs.

Specifically, Section 62-40.432, F.A.C. (Surface Water Protection and Management), states:

(2) Watershed management goals shall be developed by the District for all

watersheds within the boundaries of each Di strict and shall be consistent with the Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) program and the EPA National Pollutant Discharge Eliminatio n System (NPDES) program. Watershed management goals shall be included in the District Water Management Plans.

And further: 1. Each District shall develop water body specific pollutant load reduction goals for non-SWIM water bodies on a priority basis according to a schedule provided in the District Water Management Plan. 2. The list of water bodies and the schedule shall be developed by each District, giving priority consideration to water bodies that receive discharges from stormwater management systems that are required to obtain a NPDES municipal stormwater discharge permit. 3. The Districts shall consider economic, environmental, and technical factors in implementing programs to achieve pollutant load reduction goals. These goals shall be considered in local co mprehensive plans submitted or updated in accordance with Section 403.0891(3)(a), F.S

.

Specific Authority 373.026, 373.043, 373.418, 403.061, 403.087, F.S

.

Surface water management goals of SJRWMD that apply to the NCB SWIM Plan include the following:

• To preserve natural and func tional components of the ecosy stem while restoring, where feasible, those conditions and components of the degraded porti ons of the system

• To preserve or restore the quantity and quality of water necessary to support thriving biological communities containing appropriate diversities of native species within the estuarine systems of the NCB

• To pursue the development and implementation of stormwater management plans for each of

the tributaries within the NCB (SJRWMD 2000)

The mission of the NCB SWIM Plan is thus to pr eserve and protect the estuarine ecosystems in the NCB consistent with the goals of SJRW MD. The mission will be accomplished through theNorthern Coastal Basin Surface Water Improvement and Management Plan

28 use of a prioritized, objective, sustainable ecosystem or watershe d approach with periodic public review and input. Through priori tization, projects will be chosen which are most in need of protection and/or restoration. Su stainable restoration and enhan cement techniques alone or in combination will minimize the public’s financial a nd material liability toward the management and operation of these systems. An ecosystem-wate rshed approach will take into consideration the cause and effect of the problem within its land-based context a nd establish successful applications for enhancement or restoration.

The NCB SWIM Plan is organized around a project delivery system of goals, initiatives, strategies, and action st eps. In this system, goals are broad-based and identify objectives of

SJRWMD. Initiatives are general categories that have been us ed to divide the plan into distinct subject areas developed by SJRWMD staff in conjunction with the NCB Advisory Group. Strategies are more-detailed descriptions of the unde rlying work proposed to achieve results. They identify the approaches and methods that will be used to implement the initiatives. Action

steps represent specific ac tivities under each strategy suggested to reach project delivery. Each action step includes a schedule for completion and an estimate of the funding requirements needed to accomplish the action step. These action steps, as well as the strategies and initiatives referenced above, are not mutu ally exclusive and may be unde rtaken concurrently and/or sequentially.

The consensus of the NCB SWIM Plan team is that the plan should focus on the following five primary initiatives:

Initiative 1 — Water Quality

This initiative consists of three distinct but interrelated strategies: water quality and flow monitoring; hydrodynamics and wate r quality modeling; and a prioritization process based on water quality enha ncement opportunities for improving both 303(d) listed surface waters and degraded waters identified by SJRWMD so that they will meet and maintain their desi gnated classification (e.g., OFW; Class II, Class III water quality standards).

Initiative 2 — Watershed Master Planning Watershed master planning is an evalua tion of stormwater management in the geographic area and identifica tion of problem areas, with detailed remedial actions derived using hydrologic models simulati ng water volumes and flows under a range of climatic conditions. For SJRWMD, impl ementation often includes assisting local governments in coordinating their plan implementation through buying the land and providing funds for constructing the proj ect. (Details of the land acquisition program are described separately in Section D.)

Initiative 3 — Stormwater Retrof it and Master Plan Implementation This initiative consists of developm ent and implementation of a prioritized stormwater retrofit program focusing on ar eas built prior to 1983; support for the development of local government land ac quisition programs for buying land to siteSection C

29 facility construction; and evaluation of available fede ral and state funding sources and other partnering opportunities.

Initiative 4 — Compliance and Rules Enforcement This initiative consists of strategies to collect and evaluate compliance information from existing permitted stormwater quality treatment systems. Information gained from a compliance monitoring program to evaluate proper system operation can be compared with water quality monitoring re sults to specify where in-place treatment devices are providing the necessary pollu tant reductions and where additional

treatment is needed to maintain the water resource.

Initiative 5 — Resource Assessm ent, Protection, and Restoration This initiative consists of strategies to evaluate existing data on NCB habitats and implement additional data collection effort s, if necessary, to identify and provide habitat protection and rest oration in the NCB.

In its mandate to address broad ecosystem needs, the NCB SWIM Plan attempts to accomplish comprehensive protection strategies in the less- developed portions of the NCB and to accomplish sustainable restoration strategies for resources or resource areas that are proven to be degraded. The intent is to also provide cooperative f unding for projects addres sing long-term water body protection and restoration.



### C.1. Water Quality Initiative

C.1.1. Strategy: Examine the existing water qua lity monitoring network and, if necessary, design and implement a more integrated network

The purpose of this strategy is to examine the existing water quality monitoring program within the NCB and determine whether gaps in data collec tion and synthesis exist. The aim is to ensure the provision of useful information for assess ing water quality relative to state water quality

standards and shellfis h consumer health standards, de veloping water quality objectives, documenting resource problems and problem areas su ch as bacterial contamination in shellfish harvesting areas, and veri fying remedial actions.

The existing water quality monitoring program consists of two tiers, ambient monitoring and event-specific monitoring. The purpose of the ambi ent monitoring is to generally characterize water quality in the NCB and identify water quality problems and trends. The event-specific monitoring, in conjunction with the ambient monitoring, is aimed at pollution source identification and the development of PLRGs a nd, if necessary, other resource-based water quality targets.

Implementation of this strategy will include the participation of and input from a variety of stakeholders and agencies that have water quality responsibilities in the ba sin. In particular, both

the Jacksonville and the Orlando FDEP district offi ces will be providing input to this process asNorthern Coastal Basin Surface Water Improvement and Management Plan

30 they complete monitoring associated with Phase II of the watershed cycl e during calendar year

2005.

C.1.1.1. Action Steps

1. Assemble and evaluate existing water quality da ta pertaining to the NCB, including shellfish harvesting areas. Query federal, state, a nd local agencies for all available data.

a. Using the data, determine water quality trends in the NCB a nd document trends to provide a quantitative basis for recommenda tions on continuation or termination of specific monitoring stations. Recommendations should be based on the health of each specific area, the directions of trends in specific paramete rs, and the likelihood that water quality can be improved. b. Review current water quality collection efforts by these agencies.

2. Based on the analysis and s ynthesis of existing data and current sampling programs by the queried agencies, establish a long-term colla borative water quality monitoring effort. The program will be capable of providing the data needed to support analyses of spatial and temporal trends, calibration of water quality models, and ch aracterization of potential or current water quality problems. Care will be ta ken to ensure that water quality sampling will not be duplicative of existing efforts by other agencies and that the monitoring program will be compatible with existing samp ling networks of other agencies.

Special consideration will be given to the collection of even t-specific monitoring data, as necessary to calibrate water quality models . Specific bacteria event sampling will be considered in shellfish harvesting areas since th e highest concentrations of bacteria occur in association with high runoff and stream flows caused by rainfall. Also as part of cooperative sampling efforts, consideration will be given to common field and laboratory analytical methods, split sampling, etc., so that there is a high degree of confidence in the combined

dataset. Information that is collected will be entered into the STORET database in a timely manner to allow access by other agencies and programs.

Part of the planning for the monitoring networ k will be the identification of water quality targets needed to meet project goals. This w ill include a clear statement of the monitoring network objectives (the multiple uses of the da ta), the costs for establishing and operating the network, and a methodology for justifying a nd scheduling periodic modifications to procedures (e.g., station locations and termination of activities).

3. Once the monitoring plan is finalized and coor dinated with other agencies, implement water quality sampling according to the plan design. Coordinate sampling among responsible agencies, as appropriate. Coor dinate resources and include a volunteer component, where applicable.Section C

31 The data derived from the water quality monitori ng network will be used to monitor trends in water quality and to develop statistical or mechan istic models used to assess pollutant levels and sources and the effectiveness of remediation strategies. These data and models will also be useful in helping to determine PLRGs. In particular, a plan with goals and PLRGs for improving water quality in shellfish ha rvesting areas will be developed.

4. Assemble and assess existing data on tributarie s, determine further data needs, and develop a monitoring plan to determine tributary loadi ngs. Prioritize the tributaries and establish a monitoring schedule, coordinating with manageme nt initiatives to maximize data value and usefulness for trend analyses and water quality modeling purposes.

C.1.2. Strategy: Develop and assess water qualit y and habitat protection targets using hydrologic and hydrodynamic water quality mo dels and/or water quality and biological indices, where appropriate

The purpose of this strategy is to develop a basi nwide set of water qualit y and habitat protection targets that utilize land use, water quality, wate r quantity, and other data to estimate, quantify, and compare sources of pollution in the basin and their impact on the estuary.

Used together, these models and other indices will be capable of characterizing pollution nonpoint loads from the tributary basins dischargi ng to the NCB and their transport and fate in the estuarine system. The magnitudes of point-sou rce discharges from tributary pollution sources will also be estimated. Output from these analys es will assist in describing interrelationships between physical, chemical, and biological processe s in the estuary; determining the nutrient and pollutant assimilative capacity of the estuary; pr ioritizing areas for water quality remediation; verifying impairments of waters; testing PL RGs; and predicting the effects of various management and conservati on protection strategies.

Model development should be carefully scheduled with long-term and short-term data collection so that all of the necessary data are availabl e when needed for the models. In addition, basic models (rainfall/runoff and hydrodynamics) need to be completed before advanced models (water quality). This NCB SWIM Plan envisions at least 8 years of closel y coordinated work to complete the development of water quality (e.g., eutrophication and bacteria) models for use in analyzing cause-and-effect relationships on watersheds and in the estuary.

C.1.2.1. Action Steps

1. Review the objectives of proposed modeling an d the applicability of existing and proposed support data and prepare a planning documen t for chartering under the SJRWMD Project Delivery Initiative. This document and the ch artering effort should clarify the purpose of various modeling components (watershed and hydrodynamic; physical, chemical, and biological), the deliverables, time schedules, and budgets.Northern Coastal Basin Surface Water Improvement and Management Plan

32 2. Next, select the most appropriate modeling pa ckage and environmental indicators. Include a review of the hydrologic, hydrodyna mic, and water quality models partially completed in 2002 and 2003. The acquisition and/or review of other water quality/quantity modeling efforts and water quality and biologi cal indicators may be included.

3. Once the appropriate models a nd tools have been selected fo r SJRWMD application, identify data that are not currently available and de velop a plan for the acquisition of the data, including the associated costs. This further da ta collection and monitoring will be in addition to current ongoing m onitoring activities.

4. Following acquisition of a suitable database, calibrate and validate the models and tools. Once confidence has been established, review out put results and use the results to describe the operating characteristics of the water body, su ch as changes in water levels and flows, salinity, local flushing, nitroge n and phosphorus cycles, algal bloom development and dieoff, the effects of null zones on flushing, wa ve-induced erosion (boat wakes), bacteria

distribution in shellfish harves ting areas, and other features necessary to understand problems

and alternative solutions.

5. Finally, use models and tools to run various scenarios. Review output results and quantify both point and nonpoint pollution sources (e.g., wastewater effl uent, septic leachate) and effects in particular areas of the NCB, such as shellfish harvesti ng areas. Update the management plan with recommendations for sp ecific actions to solve problems and meet basin goals. Identify areas of good-to-exc ellent water quality and recommend for conservation purposes, as appropriate.

C.1.3. Strategy: Enhance and maintain surface waters

Many areas in the NCB require protection and/or enhancement. These include water bodies designated as impaired by FDEP, Class II she llfish waters, and Outs tanding Florida Waters. Some are recognized for possible TMDL allocations. Still others are identified to be in decline based on SJRWMD or FDEP water quality data but are not yet “listed” by FDEP. Those water bodies will qualify for special consideration and evaluation. Wh ere appropriate, enhancements will be encouraged and projects will be proposed to avoid the necessity of the TMDL process.

As a result of the modeling process and subse quent evaluations (described in Section C.1.2), pollution sources will be reviewed and prioritized from a basinwide perspective to identify areas for remediation or restoration to improve water quality. PLRGs will be estimated for highest priority basins according to a schedule deve loped along with the modeling, with emphasis on stormwater management and shellfish harvesting areas.

Maintenance of the many drainage canals and tr ibutaries in the NCB is generally focused more on flood protection than on water quality. As a resu lt, the continua l erosion of the sidebanks of these canals is a likely source of turbidity and suspended solids delivered to the major surface waters of the basin. Following best management practices (BMPs) and carefully regulatedSection C

33 maintenance schedules and procedures is a co st-effective way for municipalities to reduce sediment scour and transport and to minimize water quality impacts to receiving water bodies.

C.1.3.1. Action Steps

1. Develop criteria for assigning relative priorities to surface water bodies.

2. Use a decision-making, matrix approach to assign priorities to surface water bodies.

3. Develop adaptive management projects, us ing the most current methods to create interventions, enhancements, and restoration projects.

4. Coordinate with appropriate agencies to i nvestigate Class II designa ted waters and problems with septic tank leachate, sewage treatment effluent, fertilizer reduction, and other nonpoint pollution sources associat ed with urbanization.

5. Coordinate with appropriate agencies to develop and implement BMPs for water bodies identified to be in steady decline.

6. Facilitate development of a BMP manual or guidelines fo r regional drainage network maintenance programs. Focus drainage network maintenance documents on resolving downstream impacts to water qualit y and reducing sediment loading.

7. Encourage the maintenance of drainage conveya nces consistent with BMPs that maximize water quality benefits to receiving waters . This can be accomplished through technical assistance and cost-sharing w ith appropriate entities.



### C.2. Watershed Master Planning Initiative

C.2.1. Strategy: Evaluate and refine existing watershed master plans

This strategy is essentially the evaluation of st ormwater management of local watershed master planning initiatives. Stormwater master planning is primarily a local government responsibility, yet many local governments have neither the manpow er nor the funding mechanisms available to adequately update, develop, or implement the wate r quality aspects of these master plans. By assuming a watershed approach to master plan ning, a more comprehensive hydrological rather than political boundary assessment can be accomplis hed. This work falls within the regional purview of SJRWMD. It is thus appropriate for SJRWMD to provide for independent reviews of existing plans and identify areas for improvement.

C.2.1.1. Action Steps

1. Examine coverage of stormwater plans. Prep are a comprehensive listing of completed and pending watershed master plans, along with th e status of completion or implementation ofNorthern Coastal Basin Surface Water Improvement and Management Plan

34 each study. Identify capital improvement plans an d existing stormwater network maintenance

programs.

2. Evaluate and refine existing stormwater plans for flood abatement, water quality improvement, and regional adequacy.

3. Develop a standardized master plan outline as an aid for local government use in subsequent planning efforts.

C.2.2. Strategy: Assist in the development and endorsement of local master stormwater plans and implementation schedules

Local plans will serve as the implementation sc hedule for retrofit and maintenance initiatives. SJRWMD models may be used to assess and pr edict the effects of proposed management strategies.

C.2.2.1. Action Step

1. Assist local governments in the development of master plans that wi ll address water quality improvements. This assistance may include ac tivities such as faci litation, planning, costsharing, and technical design or review.



### C.3. Stormwater Retrofit and Master Plan Implementation Initiative

C.3.1. Strategy: Prioritize st ormwater retrofit programs

The purpose of this strategy is to design a nd implement a Northern Coastal Basin-wide stormwater retrofit plan focusing on pre-1983 deve lopment, prior to stormwater regulations. Evaluation of existing stormwater coverages and management plan s will be used to establish clear targets for stormwater trea tment in developed watersheds. A ranking matrix based on these targets will be utilized to pr ioritize the areas for retrofitting. The variables in the matrix will include, but not be limited to, existing nutrient loading; expected retrofit system removal efficiency; design, construction, and operation an d maintenance costs; and receiving water body priority ranking (such as PLRG s, shellfish harvesting areas, and TMDLs/303d list). Due to the fast-paced development occurring within most of the NCB area, a supporting land acquisition program and assessment of available federal and state funding sources will be developed.

C.3.1.1. Action Steps

1. Develop a ranking matrix to assist in priori tizing areas for optimal retrofit potential using existing maps of developed watershed areas that receive some level of stormwater treatment.

2. Coordinate with local government land acquisi tion plans for stormwater retrofit opportunities that encourage recharge and reuse of stormwater runoff, where appropriate.Section C

35 3. Assist local governments seeking federal and state funding for land acquisition, design, and construction of regional stor mwater retrofit projects.

4. Where feasible, encourage and cost-share w ith local governments to proactively install alternative stormwater treatment mechanisms, especially where land availability is limited. Give priority to local governments that consider broad-based, rather th an individual, retrofit opportunities.

C.3.2. Strategy: Partner with local govern ments to implement stormwater plans

The purpose of this strategy is to provide as sistance and incentives to local governments to implement stormwater plans through su ch means as cost-share funding, technical assistance, legislative initia tives, mapping, and other servi ces provided directly by or contracted through SJRWMD.

C.3.2.1. Action Steps

1. Establish and coordinate an interage ncy NCB Stormwater Management Group.

2. Provide assistance to local governments base d on a prioritized schedule developed by the NCB Stormwater Management Group.



### C.4. Compliance and Rules Enforcement Initiative

C.4.1. Strategy: Implement existing compliance monitoring programs

The purpose of this strategy is to collect compliance monitoring information for permitted stormwater management systems with regard to flood protection and water quality controls to ensure they are operating properly. The effectiven ess of the regulatory programs is measured, in part, through a compliance monitoring program. Compliance monitoring to verify the proper construction of new systems and the appropriate ma intenance of established systems is necessary to ensure that the systems are constructed a nd maintained to allow for their proper function. Enforcement action may be necessary to requir e responsible parties to bring noncompliant systems into conformance.

C.4.1.1. Action Steps

1. Assess existing permitted nonpoint sources of water pollution (e.g., stormwater ponds) and provide compliance or additional treatment alternatives to reduce the impact from these sources, where warranted. Give priority to stormwater treatment systems in OFWs.

2. In order to develop a streamlined system and prioritize the activities in compliance and enforcement for permitted stormwater management systems, establish a protocol based uponNorthern Coastal Basin Surface Water Improvement and Management Plan

36 system size and type, watershed land use and density, and proximity and degree of impairment of the receiving surface water. Im plement programs using information from all available sources, monitor the programs, and ad just the programs to develop an efficient system for compliance monitoring.

C.4.2. Strategy: Assess and manage resources a nd funding to support the requirements of current and emerging NPDES regulations , PLRGs, and TMDL regulations

The NCB Impaired Water Bodies candidates have been identified, per the FDEP 303(d) list, which must be verified before proceeding w ith the development of TMDLs. Chapter 99-223, Laws of Florida (the Florida Watershed Restoration Act) , provides FDEP with the authority to develop and implement TMDLs. The process (m ethodology) for determining impairments is set out in Chapter 62-303, F.A.C. (Identification of Impaired Surface Waters).

Water management districts are responsible fo r nonagricultural storm water (unless FDEP maintains that responsibility), and the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs is responsible for working with farm interests a nd managing agricultural st ormwater runoff. Of particular importance in the watershed management plan will be the focus on innovative and incentive-based voluntary approach es to address nonpoint sources.

The identification of management activities bein g implemented or scheduled that would address the parameters of concern is part of the pr ocess in the FDEP Integrated Water Resource Management Program. If there is reasonable assu rance that water qualit y standards would be attained following implementation of the manageme nt activities, the water is not placed on the

verified list.

FDEP uses the Watershed Management Program, an iterative five-phase cycle, to develop and implement TMDLs. The 5-year cycle provides th e structure for focusing resources on specific basins, verifying impaired waters, conducting ta rgeted monitoring that will provide the data

needed for model calibration a nd verification, and developing TMDLs for impaired waters. Basin management plans are a critical product of the Watershed Management Program because they provide the roadmap for implementation of the TMDLs and will serve as the basin-specific, consensus-driven implementation plan.

C.4.2.1. Action Steps

1. Investigate the need for a re-evaluation of SJRWMD rules to increase the protection of watersheds potentially targeted for drinking water supply, areas surrounding receiving waters that are designated as impaired waters, and high recharge areas.

Water resource restoration efforts, includi ng development and implementation of BMPs, retrofitting, habitat protection and restoration activities, e nvironmental infrastructure improvements, and issuance of permits, provide increased protection. Specific rule revisions may not be required. However, more-stringent criteria reflective of waters not meetingSection C

37 specific standards may be necessary. SJRWMD may recommend appropriate BMPs for agriculture and storm water.

2. Coordinate with FDEP to define the ro le of each agency in the TMDL, Watershed Management Program process. Details of this coordination effort are discussed in Section F

of this document.



### C.5. Resource Assessment, Protectio n, and Restoration Initiative

C.5.1. Strategy: Complete habitat mapping and resource assessment

To protect and preserve unique or significant habitats and res ources, it is essential to first inventory both natural and dist urbed habitats in the watershe d. Once a baseline assessment has been made, impacts to the system will be quantifie d and specific biological targets will be set.

C.5.1.1. Action Steps

1. Establish a habitat mapping and classifi cation program for the NCB which includes shorelines, marshes, intertidal and submer ged/benthic areas, a nd disturbed habitats. Coordinate this step with the GTMNERR and other management agencies, using analytical methods and innovative technologies, including re mote sensing, to assess conditions of these

habitats.

2. Evaluate sediment deposition and quality and implement sediment management plans, as required. Place particular emphasis on shellfish harvesting areas since sediment resuspension and sediment transport can smother shellfish beds.

3. Describe and assess floral a nd faunal species of concern, in cluding fisheries resources. The

aim is to link the locations of species of concern to habitat maps and water quality patterns.

4. Establish functional hab itat and biological targets for estuarine ecosystems.

C.5.2. Strategy: Protect and manage important estuarine habitats

The purpose of this strategy is to protect im portant estuarine habitats within the NCB. Coordinated and sustained acqui sition efforts are the key to protecting these sensitive

watersheds.

C.5.2.1. Action Steps

1. Identify land protection and acquisition needs.

2. Coordinate and support land acquisition in itiatives both within SJRWMD and in collaboration with outside agencies.Northern Coastal Basin Surface Water Improvement and Management Plan

38 3. Support the coordination of land management initiatives with appropriate land managers, agencies, or stakeholders.

C.5.3. Strategy: Provide habitat enhancement and restoration

Coastal estuarine habitats have been impacted through such anthropogenic activities as dredge and fill for development; dredging of boat basins, inlets, and navigation channels; mosquito control; and recreational boating acti vities. The purpose of this stra tegy is to enhance or restore the function of the degraded areas through select ive habitat enhancement programs and projects.

C.5.3.1. Action Steps

1. In coordination with the GTMNERR and othe r management agencies, support efforts to develop effective strategies w ith clear targets for habitat protection and, where appropriate,

enhancement and restoration.

2. Facilitate habitat restorati on initiatives in cooperation with and through cost-sharing with local governments and other agencies. Projects may include disturbed habitat enhancement, exotic vegetation control, shoreline revegetati on and stabilization, and salt marsh and benthic

habitat restoration and enhancement.

In particular, coordinate with the Florida In land Navigation District on the management of the many dredge spoil areas located throughout the ICW portions of the Northern Coastal Basin to maximize cooperative management goals.

3. Coordinate with mosquito control authori ties to implement source reduction programs that

maximize natural resource functions.

4. Develop and implement programs to restore natural hydrologic patterns.Section D

39 

## SECTION D

COMPLETED OR PENDING STUDIES AND PROGRAMS

RELEVANT TO THE NORTHERN COASTAL BASIN

D.1. SJRWMD Northern Coastal Basin Program

The current NCB Program operated by SJRWMD coordinates with 15 local governments and several regional, state, and federal management agencies to monitor a nd assess estuary health, respond to current issues, and address future ma nagement needs. Since fiscal year (FY) 2001, SJRWMD has provided either materi al or technical assistance to a number of active management plans and projects throughout the N CB. The projects are listed below.

• Graham Swamp Reconnection

• Flagler Beach Master Stormwater Plan

• Bulow Creek/Korona Canal Stabilization Project

• Tomoka Salt Marsh Restoration Project

• Riviera Oaks Stormwater Project

• Downtown Daytona Beach Stormwater Management Plan

• 11 th Street Stormwater Park

• Colonial Lakes Stormceptor

• South Street Watershed Project

• B5/B6 Stormwater Park

• Reed Canal Watershed Project

• Southwind Stormwater Park

• Memorial Stormwater Park • Rose Bay Sewer/Septic Removal Program

• Buschman Stormwater Park

• Halifax Canal Stormwater Project

• Rose Bay Watershed Restoration Project

• Harbour Oaks Canal Stormwater Project

• Marineland Acres Stormwater Improvements

• Daytona Beach B3 Stormwater Park

• Ken Burns Stormwater Park

• Daytona Beach Bay Street Stormwater Improvements

• Port Orange Depot Stormwater Park

• Port Orange Reuse Augmentation Project

• Matanzas Marsh Acquisition Project



### D.2. SJRWMD Stormwater Ma nagement Cost-Share Program

Since the initiation of the Stormwater Manageme nt Projects Cooperative Cost-Share Program in FY 1995–96, SJRWMD has provided $2.8 million to cost-share 126 stormwater management projects with local governments. Local gove rnments and other nonprofit organizations may apply for assistance to promote flood control, demonstrate BMPs, or implement stormwater utilities. Applications are ranked according to a list of criteria which includes support of SJRWMD’s mission, cost-sharing ab ility, financial need, severity of the problem, ecosystem impacts, availability of a dedi cated funding source, regulatory im pacts, and community benefit. Following are details of current cost-share pr ojects for municipalities within the NCB.Northern Coastal Basin Surface Water Improvement and Management Plan

40 City of Flagler Beach Water Quanti ty and Quality Abatement Program Funding amount : $35,000 Projected completion date : October 2003 Description : This water quality and quantity pr ogram will involve the design of BMP measures to abate the flooding problem at localized areas of the city (Mirror Lake watershed), as well as to increase stor mwater storage and improve treatment of stormwater prior to its entering the ICW.

Maria Sanchez Stormwater Conveyance System (City of St. Augustine) Funding amount : $50,000 Projected completion date : October 2003 Description : The project includes upgrading the ex isting eight outfall pipes that empty

into Maria Sanchez Lake. This lake has served as a stormwater treatment facility for the surrounding 82 acres. This improvement will ul timately reduce pollutants present in the

surface water that flows into the Matanzas River.

Marineland Acres Stormwater Management Program (Flagler County) Funding amount : $50,000 Projected completion date : October 2003 Description : Phase I includes pretreatment of nuisance storm water into a multilevel system that includes collection of rainwater in a system of retention ponds. The collected

storm water will then be transmitted to an existing drainage ditch north of Washington

State Park to an outfall to the ICW.

West St. Augustine Drainage Improve ments System (St. Johns County) Funding amount : $50,000 Projected completion date : September 2003 Description : This project is to provide flood reli ef and water quality improvements to West St. Augustine and the Oyster Creek draina ge basin. Oyster Creek is a tributary of

the San Sebastian River and the Matanzas River.

Wild Olive Stormwater Improvements (City of Daytona) Funding amount : $50,000 Projected completion date : October 2004 Description : This project consists of roadway improvements to an existing public street, Wild Olive Avenue. The project will provi de drainage, flood prev ention, treatment, and recharge. Currently, the storm water flow s untreated into the Halifax River.

Holly Hill SRF Stormwater Improvements — Phase II Funding amount : $50,000 Projected completion date : October 2004 Description : This project is the second phase of a two-phase program that will help in solving several flooding problems in the city. Phase II will provide drainage improvements and/or stormwater quality improveme nts to eight separate areas of the city.Section D

41 Standish Drive and Royal Palm Avenue Baffle Boxes (Ormond Beach) Funding amount : $40,000 Projected completion date : October 2004 Description : The project is part of a 10-year pr ogram of drainage and infrastructure upgrades and retrofit. Specifically, solids separa tors will be installed just upstream of major outfalls to the Halifax River.



### D.3. SJRWMD Bathymetric Survey Project

A bathymetric survey of the NCB was perfor med to meet the hydrodynamic and water quality model requirements of the NCB program (John and Morris 2003). The survey was conducted between July 20, 1999, and October 20, 2001. The surv ey area extended from the SR 202 bridge (Oak Landing) in the north to the SR 44 cause way in New Smyrna Beach in the south, near Ponce de Leon Inlet. The survey also included th e Guana River to the Guana Dam, the tidal part of Deep Creek, San Sebastian Creek upstream to th e narrows north of the SR 16 bridge, Pellicer Creek to Faver-Dykes Park, the Tomoka River to Priest Bridge, Rose Bay, Strickland Bay, and Spruce Creek.



### D.4. SJRWMD Tidal Mode l Development Projects

The NCB is a complex water body with inlet conn ections to the sea, extensive wetting and drying areas (marshes), and a narrow maintain ed channel (the ICW) running along its entire length. Ultimately, a numerical model of salinity , water quality, bacter ia, eutrophication, and sediment for the entire NCB will be needed to assist in answering management questions.

As a first step in the process, a two-dimensi onal finite element model (RMA-2) (John and Morris 1999) was developed to improve understanding estu arywide water movement and the impact of pollution load sources in response to c oncerns about the adverse effects of stormwater/wastewater discharges on coastal wa ter resources, particular ly shellfish harvesting areas. This initial modeling revealed that tid e- and wind-driven flows are the predominant transport mechanism in the Tolomato and Gu ana rivers. In addition, model tracer studies confirmed the suspected presence of a tidal null zone located between Oak Landing and Palm Valley Bridge.

In 2002, an orthogonal curvilinear finite-differen ce computational grid was developed for the entire area of the NCB for the purpose of accura tely describing the geometry while minimizing the number of cells required for model testing (Driscoll et al. 2002) . This tidal model was tested with respect to accurate propagation of tidal harm onics through the system, using the curvilinear hydrodynamic model MIKE 21C. Tidal calibration comp arisons versus targets were found to be satisfactory.Northern Coastal Basin Surface Water Improvement and Management Plan

42 

### D.5. U.S. Geological Survey Fi sheries Resources Survey

This cooperative project being conducted by USGS will establish baseline fish occurrence and

distribution estimates for the NCB. Seasonal variat ion in fish occurrence will be estimated from samples collected monthly over several years. Ha bitat will be assessed at sampling stations, and an attempt will be made to relate th ese results to the entire study area.

The project study area includes the estuaries from Ponte Vedra sout h to Ponce Inlet. The project will occur during fiscal years 2001–2006. Required ta sks for this project include a literature review of comparable work conducted in other estuaries; monthly colle ction, identification, and measurement of fish using standardized techni ques developed by the Florida Marine Research

Institute habitat characterizati on at fish sampling locations; an alysis of resulting data using multivariate statistical techniques; development of a reference collection of NCB fish species; and preparation of semi-annual progress reports, journal articles, and a USGS final report.



### D.6. Guana-Tolomato-Matanzas Nation al Estuarine Research Reserve

The GTMNERR was established on August 19, 1999, under Section 315 of the Coastal Zone Management Act. This act established the National Estuarine Research Reserve System, where healthy estuarine ecosystems that typify different regions of the United States can be designated and managed as sites for long-term research a nd used as a base for estuarine education and interpretation programs. The GTMNERR is the 25 th National Estuarine Res earch Reserve in the country and the third in Florida.

Within the reserve area are two aquatic preserves, two state parks, a state garden, and two water management preserves. Waters within the Guan a portion are designated as Class III recreational waters and within the Matanzas portion as Clas s II shellfish waters. Additionally, waters within the two aquatic preserves are designated as OFWs. The following are priority resource management issues within the GTMNERR:

• Increased scientific unders tanding of natural system s and human interactions

• Lack of public understanding of estuarine ecosystems and values

• Altered land use within the watershed

• Degradation of water quality and system health

• Increased and conflicting us es of estuarine resources



### D.7. Florida Inland Navigation District

The Florida Inland Navigation Distri ct (FIND) performs the functions of the “local sponsor” of the ICW project in Florida, a state/federal navi gation project. In this capacity, FIND provides all lands required for the navigation project, includ ing rights-of-way and lands for the management of dredged materials removed from the wate rway channel during dredging activities.Section D

43 Funding assistance is provided to other gove rnments within FIND through the Waterways Assistance Program. The purpose of th e Waterways Assistance Program is to develop waterway improvement projects, including na vigation channel dredging, cha nnel markers, navigation signs or buoys, boat ramps, docking facilities, fishing a nd viewing piers, waterfront boardwalks, inlet management, environmental education, law enforcement equipment, boating safety programs, beach re-nourishment, dredge material manage ment, environmental mitigation, and shoreline

stabilization.

FIND also provides dredged material manageme nt to control sediment inflow into the waterways. Each long-range dredge d-material management plan in cludes a general identification of the source of the sediments entering the wate rway channel. This sediment inflow is being addressed by FIND and other government agencies through cooperative projects involving inlet management, stormwater control, and shorelin e stabilization. If successful, sediment inflow

reductions will save local and federal maintenance dredging funds, increase the length of time to fill the upland sites to capacity, reduce the impa ct of suspended sediments on the environment of Florida’s waterways, and increase retainage of these sediments in beach and upland systems.

In the past, dredged material was deposited on s poil islands located all along the ICW. Many of those spoil islands have now become ecologically important habitats, and FIND has a role in how the spoil islands will be managed.



### D.8. Rose Bay Restoration

SJRWMD has worked with the loca l citizens and governments to form a coalition of agencies to seek solutions to pollution problems and to restor e Rose Bay. The coalition has developed a fivepoint restoration plan that is currently being implemented. The fi ve strategies, and the activities accomplished to date for each strategy are as follows:

1. Control stormwater runoff pollution

Working with SJRWMD, Volusia County, and th e Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), the city of Port Orange has addresse d stormwater discharges into Rose Bay. By combining projects with road improvements and sewer installation, the city has provided

stormwater treatment thr oughout the bay’s watershed.

Projects to retrofit (upgrade) stormwater swales (also known as shallow ditches) in the

communities of Harbour Oaks and Allendale have provided the neighborhoods with improved drainage and water quality treatment. Port Orange, Volusia County, and SJRWMD have formed partnerships to buy and develop land wh ere storm water is being stored and treated before it is discharged into Rose Bay.

The city of Port Orange, with SJRWMD assistan ce, has completed a project that allows water from four stormwater ponds to be diverted to the city’s reuse irriga tion program. The project reduces the volume of storm water going into Rose Bay by up to 1.2 million gallons of stormNorthern Coastal Basin Surface Water Improvement and Management Plan

44 water per day, increases the ci ty’s reuse water supply, and provides additional floodwater storage capacity.

2. Eliminate leaking septic systems from discharging into Rose Bay

The communities of Harbour Oaks and Allendale have been annexed into the city of Port Orange. Through the Port Orange Water Utilities and with state legisla tive assistance, citysupplied sewer service will be provided to resi dences and businesses in the Rose Bay region. Sewage treatment service access to all residents was completed in 2002.

3. Replace the existing U.S. 1 bridge and remove the current causeway to re-establish natural water exchange

FDOT completed construction of the Rose Bay bridge replacement in March 2001. SJRWMD coordinated with FDOT to design the removal of a causeway and a replacement bridge span to

maximize restoration of water flow and circulat ion in the bay. Construction of a causeway replacement bridge began in May 2001 and was completed in 2002.

4. Remove accumulated sediment to restore estuary habitat

SJRWMD is coordinating with USACE and Vo lusia County to develop and implement a dredging and habitat restoration plan that accomplishes region al resource management goals. USACE is developing a Section 206 environmental restoration project to restore estuary habitat by removing accumulated sediments in Rose Bay. Constr uction is scheduled to begin

in the summer of 2004.

5. Remove the old causeway that is east of U.S. 1

SJRWMD and USACE are coordinating with the Halifax/Indian River Task Force to remove an abandoned causeway that currently restrict s water circulation and flow in the bay. Removing the old remnant causeway is the final component of the Rose Bay Restoration Plan,

and construction is schedule d to be completed in 2005.



### D.9. Local Environmental Programs

Guana-Tolomato-Matanzas Shellfish and Water Quality Task Force The mission of the Guana-Tolomato-Matanzas (GTM) Shellfish and Water Quality Task Force is to restore and maintain water quality in the GT M rivers for safe harv esting of shellfish in compliance with FDA requirements and state of Florida Class II water standards (NOAA 1998).

The GTM Task Force has developed a three-phase action plan outline to address shellfish and water quality issues. The three phases are immediate response, comprehensive analysis, and remediation and implementation. In 1997, the task force presented the results of Phase I and suggested initial directions fo r Phases II and III (SJRWMD 1997).Section D

45 Volusia County Conservation Programs In 2000, Volusia County established, by a voter referendum, a conservation lands acquisition program entitled Volusia Forever. This is a 20-year, ad valorem tax-based program the mission of which is to finance the acquisition and im provement of environmentally sensitive, water resource-protected, and outdoor recreation lands, and to manage those lands as conservation stewards in perpetuity. The program is exp ected to generate $99 million over its lifetime.

The county, in partnership with SJRWMD, id entified an area of roughly 55,000 acres that became the county’s overriding conservation land ac quisition priority. The Volusia Conservation Corridor, as it has been named, sits essentially in the middle of the county and connects lands north of the city of Deltona and east to the city of Edgewater. Th ese lands include habitat needed

for federal- and state-listed endangered and threatened species. Preliminary groundwater modeling and natural res ource assessments have indicated th e potential for additional water supply development; thus, it provides for water res ource development. The land is also critical in providing flood protection for existing and fu ture populations, protecting surface and groundwater quality, and providing resource-based recreation for both residents and visitors.

A subprogram of the Volusia Forever Program is the Small Lot Acquisition Program. This longterm program acquires parcels in old, pl atted subdivisions, sometimes called “ghost subdivisions,” that have ecological value. The program was initiated several years ago to utilize funds received from developers who negatively impact ed wetlands to acquire lands that provided wetlands enhancement, floodplain restoration, and habitat preservation. Volusia Forever monies now supplement the existing monies received from developers.

The Halifax River Task Force is an advisory board to the Volusia County Council and has existed for 14 years. Members of the task fo rce collaborate on an annual river cleanup subcommittee, a stormwater subcommitt ee, and a restoration subcommittee.



### D.10. Land Acquisition and Management

The acquisition of environmentally sensitive land to preserve and protect water resources is an important ongoing initiative of SJ RWMD. The development of land management practices that maximize multiple uses in order to provide th e greatest public benefit is undertaken at appropriate sites. Some urban lands have b een acquired for water resource protection and enhancement purposes.

The NCB is a physically and biol ogically diverse region. However, rapid urbanization continues to threaten the natural ecosystem and to increas e the extent of habita t fragmentation. SJRWMD strives to improve and protect wetlands and estu arine areas by preserving habitats needed by wetland- and estuarine-dependent species and protecting rechar ge and runoff areas. This is accomplished by identifying environmentally sensitiv e areas, then submitting them for review to the state’s Conservation and Recreation Lands (C ARL) Program, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and othe r appropriate entities. These areas are prioritized accordingNorthern Coastal Basin Surface Water Improvement and Management Plan

46 to their ecological importance and availability fo r purchase or the development of other types of protection, such as conservation easements. Any of the identified areas in ne ed of restoration will be reviewed at this time. Finally, SJRWMD supports ongoing acquisition programs in the purchase of identified lands and, where appropria te, adds these identified areas to the Florida Forever Work Plan (SJRWMD 2001).

SJRWMD’s ongoing development of land management practices to maximize multiple uses is provided where recreation, education, water qua lity improvement, and preservation are all important land uses that are not necessarily mutually exclusive. SJRWMD reviews the land uses on existing public land and makes recommendations to public agencies concerning appropriate land management practices to maximize public use without causing environmental damage. SJRWMD also supports public agencies in their efforts to provide appropriate public access to the lakes, wetlands, and streams in the NCB.



### D.11. Northeast Florida Blueways (D uval, St. Johns, and Flagler Counties)

The Blueways project consists of two phases th at, combined, represent the Northeast Florida Blueway. The intent of the Blueway is to bridge the protection gaps to he lp secure the ecological character of the region and en sure recreation opportunities fo r both residents and visitors.

The initial phase of the Northeast Florida Bl ueway, Phase I — Pablo Creek, was approved by the Acquisition and Restoration C ouncil in 2000. The Phase II propos al, which is within the boundaries of the NCB, includes the undeveloped la nds on the east and west sides of the ICW in St. Johns County. The Tolomato and Matanzas rivers make up the majority of this stretch. The proposal includes about 18,170 acres of private lands and 9,985 acres in public ownership in St. Johns County. A significant part of this area, the 8,500-acre Ma tanzas Marsh, was purchased by

SJRWMD in 2003.

A proposal for extending the Blueway through Fl agler County is currently being actively pursued by SJRWMD, the GTMNERR, and Flagler County.



### D.12. Public Education

The SJRWMD Office of Communications and Gove rnmental Affairs provides education to the public through the following:

1. Support of Florida Yards, Ne ighborhoods and Ponds activities 2. Brochures and fact sheets provide d in coordination with utilities 3. Storm drain marking and educational presentations 4. Stormwater pond education 5. Environmental Landscaping distance l earning classes (community colleges) 6. Green Building seminars and CEU programs fo r contractors, builders, and home buyers 7. The Watershed Action Volunteer programSection D

47 8. Community water festivals coordina ted with interested organizations 9. Support of youth education programs 10. Support of the University of Florida Sea Gran t extension program in Flagler and St. Johns

counties

In addition to these activities, SJRWMD, in c oordination with the GTMNERR, is constantly seeking to improve public awareness by initia ting and expanding communication opportunities, including working groups and outreach program s. SJRWMD also develops and maintains intergovernmental partnerships through th e stormwater cost-share program, the WaterWatch government monthly mailer, coordina tion with legislative delegations and local elected officials.



### D.13. Water Supply

Water supply is generally outside the scope of the NCB Program; however, there are concerns about the cumulative impacts of groundwater withdrawals on the western borders of the NCB. Other opportunities to resolve wa ter supply issues involve coordi nation of efforts to greatly

reduce or eliminate treated freshwater efflue nt from being discharg ed to, and adversely impacting, the more brackish estuar ies. In the event of water use issues in the NCB, the program manager will coordinate with SJRWMD’s Department of Resource Management, which is responsible for consumptive use permitting and water use regulation.Northern Coastal Basin Surface Water Improvement and Management Plan

48Section E

49 

## SECTION E

RESEARCH AND FEASIBIL ITY STUDIES NEEDED

TO REACH RECOMMENDED STRATEGIES

Contained within the action steps listed below ar e the research and feasibility studies that are needed to reach the recommended strategies outl ined in Section C. The action steps briefly

describe the research and feasibil ity studies and associated tasks to reach the targeted strategy.



### Water Quality Initiative

Strategy: Examine the existing water quality mo nitoring network and, if necessary, design and implement a more integrated network (C.1.1)

The purpose of this strategy is to examine the existing water quality monitoring program within the NCB and determine whether gaps in data collec tion and synthesis exist. The aim is to ensure the provision of useful information for assess ing water quality relative to state water quality

standards and shellfis h consumer health standards, de veloping water quality objectives, documenting resource problems and problem areas su ch as bacterial contamination in shellfish harvesting areas, and veri fying remedial actions.

The existing water quality monitoring program consists of two tiers, ambient monitoring and event-specific monitoring. The purpose of the ambi ent monitoring is to generally characterize water quality in the NCB and identify water quality problems and trends. The event-specific monitoring, in conjunction with the ambient monitoring, is aimed at pollution source identification and the development of PLRGs a nd, if necessary, other resource-based water quality targets.

Implementation of this strategy will include the participation of and input from a variety of stakeholders and agencies that have wa ter quality responsibi lities in the basin.

Action Steps (C.1.1.1)

1. Assemble and evaluate existing water quality da ta pertaining to the NCB, including shellfish harvesting areas. Query federal, state, and lo cal agencies for availability of data. a. Using the data, determine water quality trends in the NCB a nd document trends to provide a quantitative basis for recommenda tions on continuation or termination of specific monitoring stations. Recommendations should be based on the health of each specific area, the directions of trends in specific paramete rs, and the likelihood that water quality can be improved. b. Review current water quality collection efforts by these agencies.Northern Coastal Basin Surface Water Improvement and Management Plan

50 2. Based on the analysis and s ynthesis of existing data and current sampling programs by the queried agencies, establish a long-term colla borative water quality monitoring effort. The program will be capable of providing the data needed to support analyses of spatial and temporal trends, calibration of water quality models, and ch aracterization of potential or current water quality problems. Care will be ta ken to ensure that water quality sampling will not be duplicative of existing efforts by agenci es and that the monitoring program will be compatible with existing sampling networks of other agencies.

Special consideration will be given to the collection of even t-specific monitoring data, as necessary to calibrate water quality models . Specific bacteria event sampling will be considered in shellfish harvesting areas since th e highest concentrations of bacteria occur in association with high runoff and stream flows caused by rainfall. Also as part of cooperative sampling efforts, consideration will be given to common field and laboratory analytical methods, split sampling, etc., so that there is a high degree of confidence in the combined

dataset. Information that is collected will be entered into the STORET database in a timely manner to allow access by other agencies and programs.

Part of the planning for the monitoring networ k will be the identification of water quality targets needed to meet project goals. This w ill include a clear statement of the monitoring network objectives (the multiple uses of the da ta), the costs for establishing and operating the network, and a methodology for justifying a nd scheduling periodic modifications to procedures(e.g., station locations and termination of activities).

3. Once the monitoring plan is finalized and coor dinated with other agencies, implement water quality sampling according to the plan design. Coordinate sampling among responsible agencies, as appropriate. Coor dinate resources and include a volunteer component, where applicable.

The data derived from the water quality monitori ng network will be used to monitor trends in water quality and to develop statistical or mechan istic models used to assess pollutant levels and sources and the effectiveness of remediation strategies. These data and models will also be useful in helping to determine PLRGs. In particular, a plan with goals and PLRGs for improving water quality in shellfish ha rvesting areas will be developed.

4. Assemble and assess existing data on tributarie s, determine further data needs, and develop a monitoring plan to determine tributary loadi ngs. Prioritize the tributaries and establish a monitoring schedule, coordinating with manageme nt initiatives to maximize data value and usefulness for trend analyses and water quality modeling purposes.

Strategy: Develop and assess water quality and habitat protection targets using hydrologic and hydrodynamic water quality models and/ or water quality and biological indices, where appropriate (C.1.2)Section E

51 The purpose of this strategy is to develop a basi nwide set of water qualit y and habitat protection targets that utilize land use, water quality, wate r quantity, and other data to estimate, quantify, and compare sources of pollution in the basin and their impact on the estuary.

Used together, these models and other indices will be capable of characterizing pollution nonpoint loads from the tributary basins dischargi ng to the NCB and their transport and fate in the estuarine system. The magnitudes of point-sou rce discharges from tributary pollution sources will also be estimated. Output from these analys es will assist in describing interrelationships between physical, chemical, and biological processe s in the estuary; determining the nutrient and pollutant assimilative capacity of the estuary; pr ioritizing areas for wate r quality remediation; verifying impairments of waters; testing PL RGs; and predicting the effects of various management and conservati on protection strategies.

Model development should be carefully scheduled with long-term and short-term data collection so that all of the necessary data are availabl e when needed for the models. In addition, basic models (rainfall/runoff and hydrodynamics) need to be completed before advanced models (water quality). This NCB SWIM Plan envisions at least 8 years of closel y coordinated work to complete the development of water quality (e.g., eutrophication and bacteria) models for use in analyzing cause-and-effect relationships on watersheds and in the estuary.

Action Steps (C.1.2.1)

1. Review the objectives of proposed modeling an d the applicability of existing and proposed support data and prepare a planning documen t for chartering under the SJRWMD Project Delivery Initiative. This document and the ch artering effort should clarify the purpose of various modeling components (watershed and hydrodynamic; physical, chemical, and biological), the deliverables, time schedules, and budgets.

2. Next, select the most appropriate modeling pa ckage and environmental indicators. Include a review of the hydrologic, hydrodyna mic, and water quality models partially completed in 2002 and 2003. The acquisition and/or review of other water quality/quantity modeling efforts, and water quality and biolog ical indicators may be included.

3. Once the appropriate models a nd tools have been selected fo r SJRWMD application, identify data that are not currently available and de velop a plan for the acquisition of the data, including the associated costs. This further da ta collection and monitoring will be in addition to current ongoing m onitoring activities.

4. Following acquisition of a suitable database, calibrate and validate the models and tools. Once confidence has been established, review out put results and use the results to describe the operating characteristics of the water body, su ch as changes in water levels and flows, salinity, local flushing, nitroge n and phosphorus cycles, algal bloom development and dieoff, the effects of null zones on flushing, wa ve-induced erosion (boat wakes), bacteriaNorthern Coastal Basin Surface Water Improvement and Management Plan

52 distribution in shellfish harves ting areas, and other features necessary to understand problems

and alternative solutions.

5. Finally, use models and tools to run various scenarios. Review output results and quantify both point and nonpoint pollution sources (e.g., wastewater effl uent, septic leachate) and effects in particular areas of the NCB, such as shellfish harvesti ng areas. Update the management plan with recommendations for sp ecific actions to solve problems and meet basin goals. Identify areas of good-to-exc ellent water quality and recommend for conservation purposes, as appropriate.

Strategy: Enhance and maintain surface waters (C.1.3)

Many areas in the NCB require protection and/or enhancement. These include water bodies designated as impaired by FDEP, Class II she llfish waters, and Outs tanding Florida Waters. Some are recognized for possible TMDL allocations. Still others are identified to be in decline based on SJRWMD or FDEP water quality data but are not yet “listed” by FDEP. Those water bodies will qualify for special consideration and evaluation. Wh ere appropriate, enhancements will be encouraged and projects will be proposed to avoid the necessity of the TMDL process.

As a result of the modeling process and subse quent evaluations (described in Section C.1.2), pollution sources will be reviewed and prioritized from a basinwide perspective to identify areas for remediation or restoration to improve water quality. PLRGs will be estimated for highest priority basins according to a schedule deve loped along with the modeling, with emphasis on stormwater management and shellfish harvesting areas.

Maintenance of the many drainage canals and tr ibutaries in the NCB is generally focused more on flood protection than on water quality. As a resu lt, the continua l erosion of the sidebanks of these canals is a likely source of turbidity and suspended solids delivered to the major surface waters of the basin. Following BMPs and caref ully regulated maintenance schedules and procedures is a cost-effective way for municipali ties to reduce sediment scour and transport and to minimize water quality impacts to receiving water bodies.

Action Steps (C.1.3.1)

1. Develop criteria for assigning relative priorities to surface water bodies.

2. Use a decision-making, matrix approach to assign priorities to surface water bodies.

3. Develop adaptive management projects, us ing the most current methods to create interventions, enhancements, and restoration projects.

4. Coordinate with appropriate agencies to i nvestigate Class II designa ted waters and problems with septic tank leachate, sewage treatment effluent, fertilizer reduction, and other nonpoint

sources associated with urbanization.Section E

53 5. Coordinate with appropriate agencies to develop and implement BMPs for water bodies identified to be in steady decline.

6. Facilitate development of a BMP manual or guidelines fo r regional drainage network maintenance programs. Focus drainage network maintenance documents on resolving downstream impacts to water qualit y and reducing sediment loading.

7. Encourage the maintenance of drainage conveya nces consistent with BMPs that maximize water quality benefits to receiving waters . This can be accomplished through technical assistance and cost-sharing w ith appropriate entities.



### Watershed Master Planning Initiative

Strategy: Evaluate and refine existing watershed master plans (C.2.1)

This strategy is essentially the evaluation of st ormwater management of local watershed master planning initiatives. Stormwater master planning is primarily a local government responsibility, yet many local governments have neither the manpow er nor the funding mechanisms available to adequately update, develop, or implement the wate r quality aspects of these master plans. By assuming a watershed approach to master plan ning, a more comprehensive hydrological rather than political boundary assessment can be accomplis hed. This work falls within the regional purview of SJRWMD. It is thus appropriate for SJRWMD to provide for independent reviews of existing plans and identify areas for improvement.

Action Steps (C.2.1.1)

1. Examine coverage of stormwater plans. Prep are a comprehensive listing of completed and pending watershed master plans, along with th e status of completion or implementation of each study. Identify capital improvement plans an d existing stormwater network maintenance

programs.

2. Evaluate and refine existing stormwater plans for flood abatement, water quality improvement, and regional adequacy.

3. Develop a standardized master plan outline as an aid for local government use in subsequent planning efforts.

Strategy: Assist in the development and endo rsement of local master stormwater plans and implementation schedules (C.2.2)

Local plans will serve as the implementation sc hedule for retrofit and maintenance initiatives. SJRWMD models may be used to assess and pr edict the effects of proposed management strategies.Northern Coastal Basin Surface Water Improvement and Management Plan

54 Action Step (C.2.2.1)

1. Assist local governments in the development of master plans that wi ll address water quality improvements. This assistance may include ac tivities such as faci litation, planning, costsharing, and technical design or review.



### Stormwater Retrofit a nd Master Plan Implementation Initiative

Strategy: Prioritize stormwater retrofit programs (C.3.1)

The purpose of this strategy is to design a nd implement a Northern Coastal Basin-wide stormwater retrofit plan focusing on pre-1983 deve lopment, prior to stormwater regulations. Evaluation of existing stormwater coverages and management plan s will be used to establish clear targets for stormwater trea tment in developed watersheds. A ranking matrix based on these targets will be utilized to pr ioritize the areas for retrofitting. The variables in the matrix will include, but not be limited to, existing nutrient loading; expected retrofit system removal efficiency; design, construction, and operation an d maintenance costs; and receiving water body priority ranking (such as PLRG s, shellfish harvesting areas, and TMDLs/303d list). Due to the fast-paced development occurring within most of the NCB area, a supporting land acquisition program and assessment of available federal and state funding sources will be developed.

Action Steps (C.3.1.1)

1. Develop a ranking matrix to assist in priori tizing areas for optimal retrofit potential using existing maps of developed watershed areas that receive some level of stormwater treatment.

2. Coordinate with local government land acquisi tion plans for stormwater retrofit opportunities that encourage recharge and reuse of stormwater runoff, where appropriate.

3. Assist local governments seeking federal and state funding for land acquisition, design, and construction of regional stor mwater retrofit projects.

4. Where feasible, encourage and cost-share w ith local governments to proactively install alternative stormwater treatment mechanisms, especially where land availability is limited. Give priority to local governments that consider broad-based, rather th an individual, retrofit opportunities.

Strategy: Partner with local government s to implement stormwater plans (C.3.2)

The purpose of this strategy is to provide as sistance and incentives to local governments to implement stormwater plans through su ch means as cost-share funding, technical assistance, legislative initia tives, mapping, and other servi ces provided directly by or contracted through SJRWMD.Section E

55 Action Steps (C.3.2.1)

1. Establish and coordinate an interage ncy NCB Stormwater Management Group.

2. Provide assistance to local governments base d on a prioritized schedule developed by the NCB Stormwater Management Group.



### Compliance and Rules Enforcement Initiative

Strategy: Implement existing comp liance monitoring programs (C.4.1)

The purpose of this strategy is to collect compliance monitoring information for permitted stormwater management systems with regard to flood protection and water quality controls to ensure that they are operating properly. The effectiveness of the regulatory programs is measured, in part, through a compliance monito ring program. Compliance monitoring to verify the proper construction of new sy stems and the appropriate maintenance of established systems is necessary to ensure that the systems are cons tructed and maintained to allow for their proper function. Enforcement action may be necessary to require responsible parties to bring noncompliant systems into conformance.

Action Steps (C.4.1.1)

1. Assess existing permitted nonpoint sources of water pollution (e.g., stormwater ponds) and provide compliance or additional treatment alternatives to reduce the impact from these sources, where warranted. Give priority to stormwater treatment systems in OFWs.

2. In order to develop a streamlined system and prioritize the activities in compliance and enforcement for permitted stormwater management systems, establish a protocol based upon system size and type, watershed land use and density, and proximity and degree of impairment of the receiving surface water. Im plement programs using information from all available sources, monitor the programs, and ad just the programs to develop an efficient system for compliance monitoring.

Strategy: Assess and manage resources and fundi ng to support the requirements of current and emerging National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System regulations, pollutant load reduction goals, and total maxi mum daily load regulations (C.4.2)

The NCB Impaired Water Bodies candidates have been identified, per the FDEP 303(d) list, which must be verified before proceeding w ith the development of TMDLs. Chapter 99-223, Laws of Florida (the Florida Watershed Restoration Act) , provides FDEP with the authority to develop and implement TMDLs. The process (m ethodology) for determining impairments is set out in Chapter 62-303, F.A.C. (Identification of Impaired Surface Waters).Northern Coastal Basin Surface Water Improvement and Management Plan

56 Water management districts are responsible fo r nonagricultural storm water (unless FDEP maintains that responsibility), and the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs is responsible for working with farm interests a nd managing agricultural st ormwater runoff. Of particular importance in the watershed management plan will be the focus on innovative and incentive-based voluntary approach es to address nonpoint sources.

The identification of management activities bein g implemented or scheduled that would address the parameters of concern is part of the pr ocess in the FDEP Integrated Water Resource Management Program. If there is reasonable assu rance that water qualit y standards would be attained following implementation of the manageme nt activities, the water is not placed on the

verified list.

FDEP uses the Watershed Management Program, an iterative five-phase cycle, to develop and implement TMDLs. The 5-year cycle provides th e structure for focusing resources on specific basins, verifying impaired waters, conducting ta rgeted monitoring that will provide the data

needed for model calibration a nd verification, and developing TMDLs for impaired waters. Basin management plans are a critical product of the Watershed Management Program because they provide the roadmap for implementation of the TMDLs and will serve as the basin-specific, consensus-driven implementation plan.

Action Steps (C.4.2.1)

1. Investigate the need for a re-evaluation of SJRWMD rules to increase the protection of watersheds potentially targeted for drinking water supply, areas surrounding receiving waters that are designated as impaired waters, and high recharge areas.

Water resource restoration efforts, includi ng development and implementation of BMPs, retrofitting, habitat protection and restoration activities, e nvironmental infrastructure improvements, and issuance of permits, provide increased protection. Specific rule revisions may not be required. However, more-stringent criteria reflective of waters not meeting specific standards may be invoked as nece ssary. SJRWMD may recommend appropriate BMPs for agriculture and storm water.

2. Coordinate with FDEP to define the ro le of each agency in the TMDL, Watershed Management Program process. Details of this proposed coordination e ffort are discussed in

Section F of this document.



### Resource Assessment, Protection, and Restoration Initiative

Strategy: Complete habitat mapping and resource assessments (C.5.1)

To protect and preserve unique or significant habitats and res ources, it is essential to first inventory both natural and dist urbed habitats in the watershe d. Once a baseline assessment has been made, impacts to the system will be quantifie d and specific biological targets will be set.Section E

57 Action Steps (C.5.1.1)

1. Establish a habitat mapping and classifi cation program for the NCB which includes shorelines, marshes, intertidal and submer ged/benthic areas, a nd disturbed habitats. Coordinate this step with the GTMNERR and other management agencies, using analytical methods and innovative technologies, including re mote sensing, to assess conditions of these

habitats.

2. Evaluate sediment deposition and quality and implement sediment management plans, as required. Place particular emphasis on she llfish harvesting areas since sediment re-suspension and sediment transport can smother shellfish beds.

3. Describe and assess floral a nd faunal species of concern, in cluding fisheries resources. The

aim is to link the locations of species of concern to habitat maps and water quality patterns.

4. Establish functional hab itat and biological targets for estuarine ecosystems.

Strategy: Protect and manage impo rtant estuarine habitats (C.5.2)

The purpose of this strategy is to protect im portant estuarine habitats within the NCB. Coordinated and sustained acqui sition efforts are the key to protecting these sensitive

watersheds.

Action Steps (C.5.2.1)

1. Identify land protection and acquisition needs.

2. Coordinate and support land acquisition in itiatives both within SJRWMD and in collaboration with outside agencies.

3. Support the coordination of land management initiatives with appropriate land managers, agencies, or stakeholders.

Strategy: Provide habitat enhancement and restoration (C.5.3)

Coastal estuarine habitats have been impacted through such anthropogenic activities as dredge and fill for development; dredging of boat basins, inlets, and navigation channels; mosquito control; and recreational boating acti vities. The purpose of this stra tegy is to enhance or restore the function of the degraded areas through select ive habitat enhancement programs and projects.Northern Coastal Basin Surface Water Improvement and Management Plan

58 Action Steps (C.5.3.1)

1. In coordination with the GTMNERR and othe r management agencies, support efforts to develop effective strategies w ith clear targets for habitat protection and, where appropriate,

enhancement and restoration.

2. Facilitate habitat restorati on initiatives in cooperation with and through cost-sharing with local governments and other agencies. Projects may include disturbed habitat enhancement, exotic vegetation control, shoreline revegetati on and stabilization, and salt marsh and benthic

habitat restoration and enhancement.

In particular, coordinate with FIND on the management of the many dredge spoil areas located throughout the ICW portions of the Nort hern Coastal Basin to maximize cooperative management goals.

3. Coordinate with mosquito control authori ties to implement source reduction programs that

maximize natural resource functions.

4. Develop and implement programs to restore natural hydrologic patterns.Section F

59 

## SECTION F

MEASURES NEEDED TO MANAGE AND MAINTAIN

THE NORTHERN COASTAL BASIN

This section describes the process by which SJ RWMD will support FDEP in the establishment of TMDLs in the NCB by establishing PL RGs as required by Chapter 62-40.432, F.A.C.



### F.1. Background

The NCB spans parts of three counties (St. J ohns, Flagler, and Volusi a; see Figure 1) and contains some relatively densely populated areas.

Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act requires states to develop a list of waters not meeting water quality standards or not supporting their desi gnated uses. Chapter 62-303, F.A.C ., sets forth the process for verifying impairments and de veloping the list of impaired waters. The state submits these impaired waters as its 303(d) list to EPA. Verified impaired waters will only be kept off the 303(d) list if “reas onable assurance” can be provided to demonstrate that existing and proposed management actions and/or regulatory re quirements can be expected to attain designated uses. Both FDEP and EPA must appr ove the documentation of reasonable assurance. EPA guidelines specify that waters need not be included, or listed as verified impaired, if other federal, state, or local requirements have or are expected to result in the attainment and maintenance of applicable water quality standards.

The 15 water bodies referenced in this section ar e on the state’s current 30 3(d) list as impaired waters (see Table 2, Section A). As part of the watershed cycle, these waters will be assessed by FDEP through the methodology esta blished in Chapter 62-303, F.A.C. If these waters are verified as impaired through this process, or if there are insufficient data to fully assess these waters, FDEP will maintain them on the updated 303(d) list that will be submitted to EPA.

If the assessment results indicate that any of thes e previously listed wate rs meet designated uses, then FDEP will delist those waters. Any waters that are verified as impaired but for which FDEP cannot identify the pollutant source will be moved to the planning list until additional data can be collected in the next cycle.



### F.2. Impaired Waters List

As required by the 1999 Florida Watershed Restorat ion Act, the planning list will be submitted to EPA for informational purposes only and wi ll not be used in the administration or implementation of any regulatory program. The lis t is extremely important, however, as it drives monitoring in the watershed and is th e precursor to the verified list.Northern Coastal Basin Surface Water Improvement and Management Plan

60 The planning list is the first st ep of a two-step process to de velop the state’s 303(d) list of impaired waters. As part of the watershed ma nagement approach, these potentially impaired

waters will be further assessed to verify whether they are impair ed. This verification process will

involve FDEP with local stakehol ders to collect additional data as needed to complete the assessment. Initially, monitoring will be fo cused on verification of any impairment.

Once the additional monitoring is completed, the da ta will be assessed and FDEP will develop a verified list of impaired waters. This list of waters for which FDEP will develop TMDLs will be adopted by Secretarial Order. Once adopted, the list will be submitted to EPA as the state’s 303(d) list for the basin.



### F.3. Watershed Management Program

The Watershed Management Program (WMP), within the context of Chapter 99-223, Laws of

Florida , is based on a five-phase cycl e that rotates through the state’ s basins every 5 years. The WMP is the vehicle by which FDEP is organizing the task of administering the TMDL process statewide. The five phases of the WMP cycle are as follows:

Phase 1 — Initial basin assessment Phase 2 — Coordinated monitoring Phase 3 — Data analysis and TMDL development Phase 4 — Basin management plan development Phase 5 — Initiation of implementation of plan

All of the NCB is within the WMP’s fifth rotational grouping. The fifth rotation of the WMP begins in the state’s FY 2004 and c ontinues until the end of FY 2008.

FDEP is the lead agency res ponsible for the establishment of TMDLs and has organized the process into 12 steps:

1. Develop a planning list of surface waters or segments for which TMDL assessments will be

calculated. 2. Develop a priority ranking and schedule for analyzing the list. 3. Adopt by rule a methodology for determining impaired water bodies based upon objective, quantitative, and credible data, studies, and re ports, including water management districts. 4. Develop a list of those water bodies or segments for which TMDLs will be calculated and

submit the list to EPA. 5. Conduct a TMDL assessment using verified criteria in coordination with the water management districts and other agencies. 6. Develop TMDL calculations af ter first coordinating with ap plicable local governments and water management districts. Some TMDLs may be based on PLRGs. 7. Develop allocations based on TMDL calculati ons (the maximum amount of water pollutant from a given source or categor y that may be discharged in combination with other discharges).Section F

61 8. Adopt TMDLs by rule and submit to EPA. 9. Serve as the lead agency in coordi nating the implementation of the TMDLs. 10. In cooperation with the water management dist ricts and other interest ed parties, develop BMPs to reduce pollutant loads from nonpoint so urces into the affect ed water body and adopt by rule. The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will develop BMPs for agricultural nonpoint sources. (This effort will incl ude routine tracking of the effectiveness of the BMPs, record keeping, and water quality monitoring.) 11. Re-evaluate established TMDLs and implemen tation plans on subsequent cycles of the rotating basin program and revise as needed. 12. Report to the Governor and th e Legislature and make recomme ndations for statutory changes to implement the TMDLs more effectively, if needed.

Some of the above steps have been complete d. Throughout the process, FDEP recognizes the need to coordinate with local governments, wa ter management district s, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services , and other interested parties.



### F.4. SJRWMD’s Role in PLRG Deve lopment and the TMDL Verification

Process

Based on EPA guidelines, certain waters may not be included, or listed as verified impaired, if regional or local remedial or rest orative programs have or are expect ed to result in the attainment and maintenance of applicable water quality stan dards. In accordance with the Florida Watershed Restoration Act, FDEP will not pl ace waters on the verified list if proposed or existing pollution control mechanisms are expected to result in the attainment of water quality standards.

SJRWMD has the primary role of developing PL RGs, presumably providing the technical basis for the state’s development of TMDLs for const ituents of concern. The data and information obtained on completion of the action steps desc ribed in Section C will form the basis for SJRWMD’s development of PLRGs.

Figure 9 is provided to show SJRWMD’s com mitment to assist FDEP with upholding any applicable legislative, administra tive, and court-decreed time frames.

Strategy. SJRWMD’s primary strategy for meeting th e goals of the TMDL and the WMP is to initiate new and/or continue existing programs aimed at reducing the discharge of stormwater pollutants to potentially impaired surface waters.

SJRWMD is conducting a stormwater treatment assessment in developed watersheds, and in select subbasins will prepar e descriptions of retrofit oppor tunities and other potential enhancement activities. This work will be comple ted the in first year of the NCB SWIM Plan implementation.Northern Coastal Basin Surface Water Improvement and Management Plan

62 Priorities for remediation will be set based on the highest pollutant-contributing basins, or basins having no stormwater treatment. Once these remedi al programs are in place (over the span of several years), monitoring will be continued to m easure the effect of the pollutant load reduction

strategy.

If planning and feasibility of re trofit systems for a particular li sted water body result in low expectations for the success of the retrofit pr oject, SJRWMD will report these findings to FDEP so that the process for the calculation of the TMDL can commence.

GIS-based models will be used as appropriate to identify source basins and to prioritize remedial

treatment schedules.

Monitoring. SJRWMD will review the planning list of potentially impaired water bodies in the NCB, review the data used to produce the list, and add new data into STORET or provide it to FDEP so that this new information can be used in the full assessment in the verification process.

If FDEP needs additional data and/or additional sites to be monitored (over and above those SJRWMD is currently monitoring) for its verifi cation process, it can en ter into a contractual agreement with SJRWMD to provide those data. Prior to implementing such a monitoring effort, SJRWMD will coordinate sampling strategies of FDEP and other agencies to ensure that the information and approach are consistent with existing requirements or policies regarding the

verification of BMPs.

SJRWMD will encourage local governments and ot her stakeholders through its existing outreach programs to participate in the strategic monitori ng, including the develo pment of the strategic monitoring plan, and to conduct some of the monitoring as well. SJRWMD is aware that monitoring will be long term in th e verification process and accepts the responsibility to continue monitoring water quality in the NCB.

SJRWMD will monitor sites that have received stormwater retrofits by SJRWMD to determine the effectiveness of the BMP, or pollution control strategy, employed. SJRWMD understands that long-term remedial action ve rification is a part of the WMP and will maintain and monitor its own projects.

Land purchase. SJRWMD will expand its urban land acqui sition activities to correspond to the needs of the listed water bodies, as possible, by pu rchasing lands for stormw ater retrofit systems. Innovative treatment systems and in-line treatmen t devices will be encouraged if no lands are available or land costs are prohibitive. Funding for land acquisition will be pursued through the Florida Forever program and appropr iate state and federal agencies.

Retrofitting. Projects within the NCB will be prioritized as described above for candidacy for

retrofit where no treatment exists. Stormwater retrofits will rely on st andard BMPs as standalone or in treatment-train conf igurations. Innovative stormwater treatment devices or strategies will be considered and encouraged, where appropriate.Section F

63 Local government assistance and partnering. Local governments have completed comprehensive stormwater master plans in many basins. SJRWMD will continue to assist these efforts to develop, refine, and implement the plans through cooperative funding and legislative

initiatives.

SJRWMD has already embarked on many cooperative agreements to implement water quality projects in the NCB, as listed in Section D.

Funding. SJRWMD will continue its existing f unding strategy, which involves obtaining assistance through the following sources:

• Legislative initiatives

• Ad valorem

• Grants

• Federal funding

• SWIM funding

• PartnershipsNorthern Coastal Basin Surface Water Improvement and Management Plan

64 Fiscal Year 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

FDEP’s Watershed Management Program (WMP) Activities

Phase I — Basin Assessment

Phase II — Monitoring

Phase III — Data Analysis

TMDL Development

Phase IV — Basin Management Plan

Phase V — Plan Implementation

Planning list verification process

Long-term monitoring

Begin second round of WMP

SJRWMD Activities

Strategic modeling, priorities

Land acquisition

Remedial interventions

Setting PLRGs for the NCB

Figure 9. Total maximum daily load and pollu tant load reduction goal components and process milestonesSection G

65 

## SECTION G

SCHEDULE AND FUNDING REQUIREMENTS

FOR RESTORATION AND PROTECTION

Using the research and feasibility studies from Section E to accomplish the initiatives and strategies set forth in Secti on C, the following schedule and funding requirements have been devised. At current funding levels, SJRWMD w ill provide $3 million over the 5-year planning period. The remaining funds to complete the pro posed implementation schedule will have to be appropriated from other sources. In the event th at full funding does not become available, the timeline for completion will be extended accord ing to the levels of funding provided.

The NCB SWIM Plan also calls for a re-evaluat ion every 3 years, at which time appropriate adjustments will be made to both the budget and th e schedule. The diagnostic studies previously outlined and an evaluation of management options must be completed before a more accurate total program cost can be set.

In addition to this schedule and the re-evaluatio n, a yearly work plan will be developed and refined according to the final SJRWMD budget a nd approved funding from project partners. The yearly work plan will also include an evaluation of the outcome of ongoing and completed projects and action steps within each initiative.



### Water Quality Initiative (C.1)

Strategy: Examine the existing water quality mo nitoring network and, if necessary, design and implement a more integrated network (C.1.1)

Schedule and Funding

Action Step Time

Frame (months) Yr 1 Yr 2 Yr 3 Yr 4 Yr 5

1 — Assemble and evaluate existing water quality data 6 $30K $50K

2 — Set watershed water quality targets and design enhanced monitoring program 6 $15K

3 — Implement new sampling plan 24–60 $125K $175K $175K $175K

4 — Assemble and assess existing data on tributaries 12 $50K

Total $45K $225K $175K $175K $175KNorthern Coastal Basin Surface Water Improvement and Management Plan

66 Strategy: Develop and assess water quality and habitat protection targets using hydrologic and hydrodynamic water quality models and/ or water quality and biological indices, where appropriate (C.1.2)

Schedule and Funding

Action Step Time

Frame (months) Yr 1 Yr 2 Yr 3 Yr 4 Yr 5

1 — Develop planning document for proposed modeling 6 $30K

2 — Select appropriate modeling package 4 $30K

3 — Identify unavailable data and develop an acquisition plan 60 $120K $200K $200K $200K $200K

4 — Calibrate and validate models 36 $100K $100K $100K $100K
5 — Review model output; quantify pollution sources 36 $30K 30K $30K

Total $180K $300K $330K $330K $330K

Strategy: Enhance and maintain surface waters (C.1.3)

Schedule and Funding

Action Step Time

Frame (months) Yr 1 Yr 2 Yr 3 Yr 4 Yr 5

1 — Develop prioritization criteria 4 $25K

2 — Prioritize surface water

bodies 1

3 — Develop adaptive management projects 12 $20K

4 — Coordinate with FDEP to

evaluate Class II waters 8 $25K

5 — Implement BMPs for “at risk”

water bodies 60 $100K $100K $100K $100K

6 — Facilitate development of BMP manual for drainage network

maintenance 8 $30K

7 — Encourage maintenance of drainage conveyances 36 $10K $10K $10K

Total $70K $130K $110K $110K $110KSection G

67 

### Watershed Master Planning Initiative (C.2)

Strategy: Evaluate and refine existing watershed master plans (C.2.1)

Schedule and Funding

Action Step Time

Frame (months) Yr 1 Yr 2 Yr 3 Yr 4 Yr 5

1 — Examine coverage of stormwater plans 6 $30K

2 — Evaluate and refine existing plans for flood abatement and water quality improvement 12 $60K

3 — Develop a standardized master plan outline 6 $40K

Total $90K $40K

Strategy: Assist in the development and endo rsement of local master stormwater plans and implementation schedules (C.2.2)

Schedule and Funding

Action Step Time

Frame (months) Yr 1 Yr 2 Yr 3 Yr 4 Yr 5

1 — Assist in the development of master plans 36 $200K $200K $200K

Total $200K $200K $200KNorthern Coastal Basin Surface Water Improvement and Management Plan

68 

### Stormwater Retrofit and Master Plan Implementation Initiative (C.3)

Strategy: Prioritize stormwater retrofit programs (C.3.1)

Schedule and Funding

Action Step Time

Frame (months) Yr 1 Yr 2 Yr 3 Yr 4 Yr 5

1 — Set retrofit targets and prioritize areas for retrofit 6 $50K

2 — Provide land acquisition

assistance 12 $50K

3 — Assist local governments seeking funding 48 $50K $50K $50K $50K

4 — Encourage cost-sharing 60 $500K $500K $500K $500K $500K Total $550K $600K $550K $550K $550K

Strategy: Partner with local government s to implement stormwater plans (C.3.2)

Schedule and Funding

Action Step Time

Frame (months) Yr 1 Yr 2 Yr 3 Yr 4 Yr 5

1 — Establish and coordinate an NCB stormwater management

group 60 $15K $15K $15K $15K $15K

2 — Assist in the implementation of master plans 48 $500K $500K $500K $500K

Total $15K $515K $515K $515K $515KSection G

69 

### Compliance and Rules Enforc ement Initiative (C.4)

Strategy: Implement existing comp liance monitoring programs (C.4.1)

Schedule and Funding

Action Step Time

Frame (months) Yr 1 Yr 2 Yr 3 Yr 4 Yr 5

1 — Assess existing permitted nonpoint sources 6 $30K

2 — Establish compliance protocol for priority watersheds 12 $50K

Total $80K

Strategy: Assess and manage resources and fundi ng to support the requirements of current and emerging National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System regulations, pollutant load reduction goals, and total maxi mum daily load regulations (C.4.2)

Schedule and Funding

Action Step Time

Frame (months) Yr 1 Yr 2 Yr 3 Yr 4 Yr 5

1 — Review SJRWMD rules to ensure protection of watersheds 6 $25K

2 — Implement special agreement

with FDEP 36 $25K $25K $25K $25K

Total $25K $25K $25K $25K $25KNorthern Coastal Basin Surface Water Improvement and Management Plan

70 

### Resource Assessment, Pr otection, and Restoration Initiative (C.5)

Strategy: Complete habitat mapping and resource assessment (C.5.1)

Schedule and Funding

Action Step Time

Frame (months) Yr 1 Yr 2 Yr 3 Yr 4 Yr 5

1 — Establish a habitat mapping and classification program 60 $50K $50K $50K $50K $50K

2 — Implement a sediment assessment plan 60 $20K $50K $50K $50K $50K

3 — Describe and assess species

of concern 24 $100K $100K

4 — Establish functional biological targets for estuarine ecosystems 36 $20K $20K $20K

Total $170K $200K $120K $120K $120K

Strategy: Protect and manage impo rtant estuarine habitats (C.5.2)

Schedule and Funding

Action Step Time

Frame (months) Yr 1 Yr 2 Yr 3 Yr 4 Yr 5

1 — Identify land acquisition

needs 60 $25K $25K $25K

2 — Coordinate and support land acquisition initiatives 60 $10K $10K $10K $10K $10K

3 — Coordinate land management

initiatives 60 $10K $10K $10K $10K $10K

Total $45K $20K $45K $20K $45KSection G

71 Strategy: Provide habitat enhancement and restoration (C.5.3)

Schedule and Funding

Action Step Time

Frame (months) Yr 1 Yr 2 Yr 3 Yr 4 Yr 5

1 — Support local habitat protection programs 60 $25K $25K $25K $25K $25K

2 — Conduct habitat restoration projects 60 $50K $100K $100K $100K $100K

3 — Coordinate source reduction programs with mosquito control 60 $25K $25K $25K $25K $25K

4 — Develop and implement programs to restore natural hydrologic patterns 60 $20K $20K $20K $250K $250K

Total $120K $170K $170K $400K $400KNorthern Coastal Basin Surface Water Improvement and Management Plan

72Bibliography

73 

## BIBLIOGRAPHY

The following bibliography lists all references specifically cited in the preceding text. An extensive listing of reference sources for the NCB can be found in Bonnie Holub & Associates (1998). A separate technical re ference document is currently in preparation by SJRWMD.

Adamus, C., D. Clapp, and S. Brown. 1997. Surface water drainage basin boundaries: SJRWMD: A reference guide . Technical Publication SJ97-1. Palatka, Fla.: St. Johns River Water Management District.

Bonnie Holub & Associates, Inc. 1998. Northern Coastal Basin reconnaissance report. Panacea,

Fla.

Driscoll, A., C. John, F. Morris, and P. Victor. 2002. 2-D curvilinear tidal model for the Northern Coastal Basin, northeast Florida. AWRA Sp ring Specialty Conference — Coastal Water Resources, New Orleans, La., May 13–15, 2002.

[EPA] U.S. Environmenta l Protection Agency. 1998. 1998 303(d) list . Web site: http://oaspub.epa.gov/waters/state

.

[FDEP] Florida Department of Environmental Protection. 1998. 1998 Florida water quality assessment: 305(b) report. Tallahassee, Fla.

———. 2000. 2000 Florida water quality assessment: 305(b) report. Tallahassee, Fla.

Hand, J., V. Tauxe, and M. Friedemann. 1988. Water quality assessment fo r the state of Florida. Tallahassee, Fla.: Florida Departme nt of Environmental Protection.

Huber, W.C., P.L. Brezonik, J.P. Heaney, R.E. Dickinson, S.D. Preston, D.S. Swornik, and M.A.

DeMaio. 1982. A classification of Florida lakes. Water Resources Research Center

Publication 72. Gainesville: University of Florida.

John, C., and F. Morris. 1999. 2-D finite elemen t hydrodynamic and transport model application to Tolomato and Guana rivers. Second Northern Coastal Basin Estuary workshop. October 7–8, 1999.

———. 2003 (draft). Northern Coastal Basin bath ymetric survey — Oak Landing to Ponce de

Leon Inlet. Technical memorandum. St. Johns River Water Management District, Palatka,

Fla.

Miller, J.D., and G.C. Sigua. 2003 (d raft). Status and trends of water quality in the Northern

Coastal Basins. Technical memorandum. St. Johns River Water Management District, Palatka, Fla.Northern Coastal Basin Surface Water Improvement and Management Plan

74 [NOAA] National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 1998. GTMNERR final environmental impact statement and management plan. Silver Spring, Md.

[SJRWMD] St. Johns River Water Management District. 1997. Guana-Tolomato-Matanzas Shellfish and Water Quality Task Force progress report. Palatka, Fla.

———. 2000. District water management plan . Palatka, Fla.

——— 2001. Florida Forever work plan. Palatka, Fla.Appendix I

75 

## APPENDIX I

IMPLEMENTATION PARTNERS

The St. Johns River Water Management District recognizes the importance of coordination with the many government agencies and other stakehol ders that may be affected by, or have some jurisdiction over, resources within the Northe rn Coastal Basin Surface Water Improvement and Management planning area. A list of those entities is provided below. A description of the responsibilities for these governmental units is given in Chapter 8 of the Year 2000 District Water Management Plan (SJRWMD 2000).

Agencies

Federal U.S. Army Corps of Engineers U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service U.S. Environmental Protection Agency U.S. Forestry Service

U.S. Geological Survey Guana-Tolomato-Matanzas National Estuarine

Research Reserve National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

State Department of Environmental Protection Department of Community Affairs Public Service Commission Department of Health Department of Transportation Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs

Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Regional St. Johns River Water Management District East Central Florida Regional Planning Council Northeast Florida Regional Planning Council Florida Inland Navigation District

Counties St. Johns County Volusia County Flagler County

Cities and Towns Beverly Beach Palm Coast Daytona Beach Ponce Inlet Daytona Beach Shores Port Orange Flagler Beach South Daytona Holly Hill St. Augustine Marineland St. Augustine Beach

Ormond Beach Unincorporated Communities Crescent Beach St. Augustine Shores

Ponte Vedra Beach Vilano Beach

Ponte Vedra

Stakeholders Guana, Tolomato, Matanzas Shellfish and Water Quality Task Force Palm Coast Community Service Corporation

Special taxing districts Mosquito control districts University of Florida Whitney Laboratory Florida Audubon Society

Sierra Club Halifax and In dian River Task ForceNorthern Coastal Basin Surface Water Improvement and Management Plan

76Appendix II

77 

## APPENDIX II

SURFACE WATER DISCHARGE FACILITIES

OPERATING WITH A PERMIT

Name City County Planning Unit

Domestic Wastewater Beverly Beach WWTF Beverly Beach Flagler Pellicer Creek
Flagler Beach WWTF Flagler B each Flagler Pellicer Creek
Palm Coast WWTF Palm Coast Flagler Pellicer Creek

Inlet Beach WWTF Inlet Beac h St. Johns Tolomato/Matanzas
Marsh Landing WWTF Ponte Vedr a St. Johns Tolomato/Matanzas
Players Club WWTF Ponte Vedra B each St. Johns To lomato/Matanzas

Ponte Vedra WWTF Ponte Vedra Beach St. Johns Tolomato/Matanzas
Sawgrass WWTF Ponte Vedra B each St. Johns To lomato/Matanzas
Blacks Ford WWTF St. Augustine St. Johns Tolomato/Matanzas Frog Hollow Mobile Home Park and Campground WWTF St. Augustine St. Johns Tolomato/Matanzas

St. Augustine WWTF St. Augustine St. Johns Tolomato/Matanzas
State Road 16 WWTF St. Augusti ne St. Johns Tolomato/Matanzas
Anastasia Island WWTF St. Augustine St. Johns Tolomato/Matanzas
Mill Creek Elementary School WWTF St. Augustine St. Johns Tolomato/Matanzas
St. Augustine Island WWTF St. Augustine St. Johns Tolomato/Matanzas
Daytona Beach/Bethune Point Daytona Beach Volusia Halifax River
City of Holly Hill Holly Hill Volusia Halifax River
City of Ormond Beach Ormond Beach Volusia Halifax River
City of Port Orange Port Orange Volusia Halifax River

Industrial Wastewater
Concrete Batch (CB) Plants
Florida Rock Industries, St . Augustine St. Augustine St. Johns Tolomato/Matanzas Rinker Materials, North St. Augustine Facility St. Augustine St. Johns Tolomato/Matanzas

Tarmac, St. Augustine St. Augustine St. Johns Tolomato/Matanzas
Cemex/Daytona Beach CB plant Holly Hill Volusia Halifax River
Rinker Materials/Ormond Beach CB plant Ormond Beach Volusia Halifax River

Other Industrial Palm Coast Membrane Softening Facility Palm Coast Flagler Pellicer Creek

VCDSWM/Tomoka Farms Road landfill Daytona Beach Volusia Halifax River
Petroleum Cleanup

BP station 24650 Ormond B each Volusia Halifax River

Note: WWTF = wastewater treatment facilityNorthern Coastal Basin Surface Water Improvement and Management Plan

78Appendix III

79 

## APPENDIX III

FACILITIES POSSESSING

MULTI-SECTOR GENERAL PERMITS

Facility Name City County Planning Unit

Kanthal Palm Coast Palm Coast Flagler Pellicer Creek
Sea Ray Boats Inc. Palm Coast Flagler Pellicer Creek
Sunbelt Chemicals Palm Coast Flagler Pellicer Creek
Treworgy Yachts Inc. Palm Coast Flagler Pellicer Creek

Anastasia Island Wastewater Treatment Plan t St. Augustine St. Johns Tolomato/Matanzas
Apac-Florida Inc., Jacksonville Division St. Augustine St. Johns Tolomato/Matanzas
BFI Waste Systems St. Augustine St. Johns Tolomato/Matanzas
BFI Waste Systems St. Augustine St. Johns Tolomato/Matanzas

Camachee Cove Yacht Harbor Inc. St. Augustine St. Johns Tolomato/Matanzas
Domestic Wastewater Treatment Facility St. Augustine St. Johns Tolomato/Matanzas
Luhrs Corp. St. Augustine St. Johns Tolomato/Matanzas
Nine Mile Road Inc. St. Augustine St. Johns Tolomato/Matanzas
Nine Mile Road Inc. St. Augustine St. Johns Tolomato/Matanzas
Northrop Grumman Corp. St. Augustine St. Johns Tolomato/Matanzas
Potomac German Auto South St. Augus tine St. Johns Tolomato/Matanzas
Sawgrass Wastewater Treatment Facility Pont e Vedra Beach St. John s Tolomato/Matanzas
St. Augustine Marine St. Augustine St. Johns Tolomato/Matanzas
St. Augustine Ready-Mix Plant St. Augustine St. Johns Tolomato/Matanzas
St. Augustine-St. Johns County A/P St. Augustine St. Johns Tolomato/Matanzas

State Road 16 Wastewater Treatment Plant St. Augustine St. Johns Tolomato/Matanzas
VAW of America Inc. St. Augusti ne St. Johns Tolomato/Matanzas
Xynides Boatyard Inc. St. Augusti ne St. Johns Tolomato/Matanzas
Airborne Express Daytona B each Volusia Halifax River
Classic Painting Ormond B each Volusia Halifax River
Crane Cams Inc. Daytona B each Volusia Halifax River
Daytona Beach International Airport Daytona Beach Volusia Halifax River
Daytona Beach International Airport Daytona Beach Volusia Halifax River
Daytona Beach Jet Center Daytona Beach Volusia Halifax River
Daytona Beach Public Works Dayt ona Beach Volusia Halifax River
Daytona Beach Vmf Daytona B each Volusia Halifax River
Daytona Ready-Mix Plant Daytona Beach Volusia Halifax River
Federal Express Corp. Daytona Beach Volusia Halifax River
Federal Sign Daytona B each Volusia Halifax River
FRS Daytona Beach Daytona B each Volusia Halifax River
Holly Hill Salvage & Junk Holly Hill Volusia Halifax River
Nascar Aviation Department Dayt ona Beach Volusia Halifax River

Ormond Aviation Inc. Ormond Beach Volusia Halifax River
Ormond Beach Airport Ormond Beach Volusia Halifax RiverNorthern Coastal Basin Surface Water Improvement and Management Plan

80 Facility Name City County Planning Unit

Ormond Beach Municipal Airport Or mond Beach Volusia Halifax River

Rams Aviation/Ormond Beach Inc. Or mond Beach Volusia Halifax River
River Bend Investment Group Ormo nd Beach Volusia Halifax River
Roadway Express Inc. (T710) Dayt ona Beach Volusia Halifax River
Seven Seas marina and boatyard Da ytona Beach Volusia Halifax River
Southside Auto Parts South Daytona Volusia Halifax River
Speedway Auto Parts Daytona Beach Volusia Halifax River

Sunrise Aviation/Mac Charter Ormo nd Beach Volusia Halifax River
Tanning Research Laboratories Ormo nd Beach Volusia Halifax River
Tomoka Farms Road landfill Dayt ona Beach Volusia Halifax River
United Parcel Service Inc. Dayt ona Beach Volusia Halifax River
Volusia County sheriff’s aviation hangar Daytona Beach Volusia Halifax River
Waste Management Inc. of Florida Ormond Beach Volusia Halifax RiverAppendix IV81APPENDIX IVLOCAL GOVERNMENT CAPITALIMPROVEMENT PROJECTSOne of the important roles thatlocal government plays in maintaining water quality in the Northern Coastal Basin (NCB) is throughthe improvement and maintenance of stormwater water facilities, drainage easements,catch basins, and other facilities under theirjurisdiction. Ongoing capitalimprovement programs are costly, but necessary, and provide a good example of local governments’commitment to good water quality. Listed below, by SWIM Plan Initiative and responsible entity(in alphabetical order), are thetentative 5-year capital improvementprojects of local governments in the NCB. Projects listed include those that have been identifiedas well as those that are actually scheduled to begin. The costestimates for each project are a cumulative total for the 5 years,beginning with FY 2004. Projects preceded byan asterisk indicate priority projectswithin the Halifax River planning unit.ProjectEntityCost EstimateWater Quality Initiative ProjectsEstablish the present hydrodynamic station on the lower Tomoka River-USGS 02247598, as apermanent, real-time tidal monitoring station for use by the public (boating, recreational fishing, etc.)and park management (dragline ditch restoration, marsh-grass planting, etc.)Tomoka Park $50,000Re-install a water level recorder on the Korona Canal at Old Kings Highway to monitor water stageand tributary discharge to Bulow CreekTomoka Park $10,000Increase water quality sampling to 12 events for six of the 34 sample locations in the Halifax River Volusia County $15,000 (annually)Watershed Master Planning Initiative ProjectsStormwater Master Plan updateOrmond Beach $100,000Develop Stormwater MasterPlan Palm Coast $100,000Stormwater Master Plan update Port Orange $100,000Stormwater Master Plan update South Daytona $100,000Stormwater Retrofit and Master Plan Implementation Initiative Projects*B-3 Pond and Wilder Boulevard outfall drainage improvements Daytona Beach $3,344,000*Madison Avenue stormwater improvements Daytona Beach $2,495,000*Stormwater Master Plan projects for downtown redevelopment Daytona Beach $1,931,300Northern Coastal Basin Surface Water Improvement and Management Plan82ProjectEntityCost EstimateBay Street/Palmetto Avenue/Charles Street drainage improvements Daytona Beach $8,198,000Lenox/Grandview drainage and outfall improvements DaytonaBeach 4,799,423Bel Aire/Waverly drainage improvements DaytonaBeach 1,635,100Oleander/Riverview/Glenview drainage improvementsDaytona Beach 1,145,000Hartford Avenue drainage and outfall improvements DaytonaBeach 1,550,000Kennedy Street stormwater (4thand Flagg Street pond) Daytona Beach 91,000Fairview Avenue Stormwater Management Plan Daytona Beach 655,300Ocean Dunes drainage improvements Daytona Beach 1,700,000Fourth Street drainage improvements DaytonaBeach 1,800,000Mirror LakeFlagler Beach 235,000South Flagler AvenueFlagler Beach 177,000Venice ParkFlagler Beach 185,000Palm CircleFlagler Beach 130,000Joyce and Connecticut swale construction Flagler Beach 75,00011thStreet swale construction Flagler Beach 60,000Marineland Acres stormwater improvements Flagler County 2,000,000Nova Canal watershed improvements Holly Hill 350,000*Lisa Lake sediment dredging Ormond Beach 500,000*John Anderson drainage improvements OrmondBeach 2,000,000*Rockefeller Drive outfall water qualitystructure OrmondBeach 150,000*Sanchez Avenue ditch piping and outfall improvement and Sanchez Park boat ramp parking gradingand stormwater runoff controlOrmond Beach 360,000South Ridgewood drainage improvements OrmondBeach 800,000Live Oak Avenue outfall water qualitystructure OrmondBeach 100,000Rockefeller Gardens drainage and outfall improvement Ormond Beach 800,000Melrose Avenue water quality structure Ormond Beach 100,000New Britain water quality structure Ormond Beach 100,000Alanwood, Ridgewood, and Sanchez drainageimprovements Ormond Beach 700,000Alcazar, Buena Vista, and Seville drainageimprovements Ormond Beach 850,000Roadside swale rehabilitationPalm Coast 1,564,000Aerial Photography/Lidar with contours Palm Coast 350,000Appendix IV83ProjectEntityCost EstimateDrainage pipe replacementPalm Coast $750,000Benchmark and Vertical Datum Project Palm Coast 300,000Drainage system inventoryPalm Coast 300,000Street Valley gutter drainage improvements Palm Coast 770,000Culvert and mitered end rehabilitationPalm Coast and PalmCoast CommunityService Corp.1,430,000Canal control structure access and rehabilitationPalm Coast CommunityService Corp.253,000Lehigh Canal rehabilitationPalm Coast CommunityService Corp.1,450,000*Cambridge Canal, Rose Bay drainage basin Port Orange*B-19 retention basinPort Orange 750,000*The Cove/White Acres regional retention Port Orange 750,000Land acquisitionsPort Orange 250,000Storm sewer reconstructionPort Orange 200,000Installation of drainage pipePort Orange 16,827Storm drainpipe liningPort Orange 990,350Drainage cost participationPort Orange 250,000Area A outfall, U.S. 1 baffle boxes Port Orange 500,000*Reed Canal stormwater management facility South Daytona 150,000*Boston Avenue stormwater improvements South Daytona 200,000*48” Palmetto Avenue (2283) South Daytona 150,000Sauls Road deep ditch piping South Daytona 300,000Palmetto improvements “F” and “E” South Daytona 395,000Violet “A”South Daytona 420,000Steele “A”South Daytona 500,000Anastasia “B”South Daytona 660,000Myrtle “A”South Daytona 600,000Greenacres/Palm View/Sheri storm water South Daytona 600,000Segrave Street 1600 and 1700 blocks South Daytona 200,000Northern Coastal Basin Surface Water Improvement and Management Plan84ProjectEntityCost Estimate36” Halifax CenterSouth Daytona $100,00036” Palmetto extension 2400 block South Daytona 100,00015” Sandusky CircleSouth Daytona 30,00024” Palmetto Avenue (2185) South Daytona 80,00018” Palmetto Avenue (2003) South Daytona 60,000Reef Road drainage outfallSouth Daytona 10,440North Vilano Beach stormwater drainageimprovements St. Johns County 500,000St. Johns County stormwater retrofit improvements St. Johns County 5,000,000*North Peninsula swale project and stormwater improvement, Phase I Volusia County 500,000*Raleigh Drive, Atlanta Drive, Culverhouse Drive, Derbyshire Road, and Carmen Avenue flooding Volusia County 310,000*Reed Canal spoil disposal/sedimentation basin Volusia County 225,000*Tomoka Farms at Old Daytona Road culvert replacement Volusia County 200,000Airport Road retention areaVolusia County 225,000Daytona High Ridge Estates Volusia County 225,000Village of Pine Run — Oak Lane box culvert/Pine Tree Drive culvert Volusia County 330,000Korona Canal, Phase IIVolusia County 200,000Compliance and Rules Enforcement Initiative ProjectsStorm system cleaner vac truckOrmond Beach $200,000Street sweeper vacuum system South Daytona 180,000Walking excavator and dump truck Daytona Beach 330,000Excavator and dump trucksPalm Coast 274,000Small vac truckPalm Coast 142,000Resource Assessment, Protection, and Restoration Initiative Projects*Saltmarsh habitat restoration Tomoka Park $600,000*Inventory the flora and fauna of the estuarine marshes of Tomoka River and Bulow Creek Tomoka Park 30,000*Determine the taxonomic status (morphological and genetic analysis) and population distribution ofthe Atlantic saltmarsh snake in the estuarinemarshes of the Tomoka River and Bulow CreekTomoka Park 30,000*Restore the natural hydrology of Bulow Creek by the removal of the large sandbar obstruction in thechannel at the mouth of the Korona Canal. Project includes installation of sediment control structuresin the Korona Canal to prevent future sediment depositionEast Volusia MosquitoControl District100,000Appendix IV85ProjectEntityCost Estimate*Shoreline stabilization within county parks along the Halifax River and exotic plant removal andnative plant re-nourishment within county parks along the Halifax RiverVolusia County $40,000Acquire the 1,100-acre impoundment and other wetlands and upland tracts identified for the optimumboundary of Bulow Creek State Park and Tomoka State Park in the Multi-Park Unit Management PlanTomoka Park 2,000,000Spruce Creek Basin acquisition (10 parcels) Volusia County 3,168,792Tomoka River acquisition (1 parcel) Volusia County 1,808,606Halifax River Basin acquisition (4 parcels) Volusia County 1,950,000Central Park land acquisition Ormond Beach 100,000Habitat preservation of the Russell property OrmondBeach 1,300,000Habitat preservation of Alligator Island Ormond Beach —Habitat preservation of DodsonCreek Ormond Beach 320,000Habitat preservation of parcel 4238-01-31-0010 Ormond Beach 500,000Habitat preservation of the Goldyparcel Ormond Beach 90,000Habitat preservation of Sun Country Ormond Beach 365,000Habitat preservation of the Wolcott property Ormond Beach 190,000Moultrie Creek shoreline stabilization St. Johns County 250,000Summerhaven shoreline revegetation St. Johns County 110,000Fort Mose land acquisition St. Johns County 407,000Total$77,121,138Note: — = no information supplied