Florida Administrative Code › 62 - DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION › 62 - Departmental › Chapter 62-302 - SURFACE WATER QUALITY STANDARDS › Section 62-302.531 - Numeric Interpretations of Narrative Nutrient Criteria

Current through Reg. 50, No. 138; July 16, 2024
(1) The narrative water quality criteria for
				nutrients in paragraphs
				 62-302.530(47)(a) and
				(b), F.A.C., applies to all Class I, Class
				II, and Class III waters.
(2) The
				narrative water quality criterion for nutrients in paragraph
				 62-302.530(47)(b),
				F.A.C., shall be numerically interpreted for both nutrients and nutrient
				response variables in a hierarchical manner as follows:
(a) Where a site specific numeric
				interpretation of the criterion in paragraph
				 62-302.530(47)(b),
				F.A.C., has been established by the Department, this numeric interpretation
				shall be the primary interpretation. If there are multiple interpretations of
				the narrative criterion for a waterbody, the most recent interpretation
				established by the Department shall apply. A list of the site specific numeric
				interpretations of paragraph
				 62-302.530(47)(b),
				F.A.C., may be obtained from the Department's internet site at
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/water/wqssp/swq-docs.htm
or by writing to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Water
				Quality Standards and Program, 2600 Blair Stone Road, MS #6511, Tallahassee, FL
				32399-2400.
1. The primary site specific
				interpretations are as follows:
a. Total
				Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) adopted under Chapter 62-304, F.A.C., that
				interpret the narrative water quality criterion for nutrients in paragraph
				 62-302.530(47)(b),
				F.A.C., for one or more nutrients or nutrient response variables,
b. Site specific alternative criteria (SSAC)
				for one or more nutrients or nutrient response variables as established under
				Rule  62-302.800, F.A.C.,
c. Estuary-specific numeric interpretations
				of the narrative nutrient criterion established in Rule
				 62-302.532, F.A.C., or
d. Other site specific interpretations for
				one or more nutrients or nutrient response variables that are formally
				established by rule or final order by the Department, such as a Reasonable
				Assurance Demonstration pursuant to Rule
				 62-303.600, F.A.C., or Level II
				Water Quality Based Effluent Limitations (WQBEL) established pursuant to Rule
				 62-650.500, F.A.C. To be
				recognized as the applicable site specific numeric interpretation of the
				narrative nutrient criterion, the interpretation must establish the total
				allowable load or ambient concentration for at least one nutrient that results
				in attainment of the applicable nutrient response variable that represents
				achievement of the narrative nutrient criterion for the waterbody. A site
				specific interpretation is also allowable where there are documented adverse
				biological effects using one or more Biological Health Assessments, if
				information on chlorophyll
a
levels, algal mats or blooms,
				nuisance macrophyte growth, and changes in algal species composition indicate
				there are no imbalances in flora and a stressor identification study
				demonstrates that the adverse biological effects are not due to
				nutrients.