patrickbdevaney/mia9 · Datasets at Hugging Face

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that it does; such data does not exist. This model was used to help define
performance measures for the natural system and to evaluate the performance of
different alternative plans. However, defining acceptable performance of any
Summary
Final Feasibility Report and PEIS April 1999
xvi
particular alternative plan by ridged adherence to outs from the Natural System
Model is an improper use of such output.
Water Quality Restoration Targets. Many water bodies in south Florida are not
currently meeting water quality standards. The State of Florida and the
Miccosukee and Seminole Tribes are required under the Federal Clean Water Act to
identify those water bodies periodically. Total maximum daily loads for those
pollutants causing those water bodies to not meet standards and remediation
programs to assure that standards will be met must be developed. The current
schedule for developing these standards has the potential to delay implementation
of certain features of the recommended Comprehensive Plan until those targets are
developed and remediation programs are implemented. In addition to this program,
several water bodies have been prioritized by the state’s Surface Water
Improvement and Management Program, including the development of pollutant
load reduction goals. There is some concern as to the degree to which remediation
programs have been limited, and that some load reduction goals may not be
protective enough to achieve ecosystem restoration. The comprehensive integrated
water quality plan feasibility study included in the recommended Comprehensive
Plan will include prioritizing the development of both water quality standards and
pollution load reduction goals consistent with the Restudy implementation
schedule. Recommendations will be made for optimizing the design, construction,
and operation of plan features to assure that water quality restoration targets are
achieved. Existing water quality criteria will be reviewed, and additional water
quality criteria may be developed to complement future detailed planning and
design activities undertaken to implement recommended Comprehensive Plan
components.
Technology Uncertainties. Most of the recommended Comprehensive Plan’s
features are tested and proven reliable means to manage water. However some of
the facilities proposed such as aquifer storage and recovery and seepage control
have not been implemented on such a large scale. A series of pilot projects are
proposed in the recommended Comprehensive Plan to address the uncertainties of
these technologies. Results from these studies will help direct future detailed
planning and design related to implementation of these types of facilities.
This Comprehensive Plan makes no claim that all the questions have been
answered, that all the uncertainties have been addressed, or that all the issues have
been resolved. No plan could do all these things. We have improved our
understanding of this complex system and know that there is much more to learn.
The Comprehensive Plan is a roadmap -- and a very important one -- that provides
critical direction and organizational structure for restoring and protecting the south
Florida ecosystem. The Implementation Plan contained in this Comprehensive Plan
recommends a phased approach to project construction that provides for substantial
region-wide benefits and a feedback mechanism through adaptive assessment to
Summary
Final Feasibility Report and PEIS April 1999
xvii
ensure that implementation of project features continues to achieve desired
objectives. The adaptive assessment and monitoring process, including independent
scientific peer review, will serve as a system “check” as projects are constructed and
operated. Enough flexibility has been built into the Implementation Plan such that
project design and sequencing will take into account system responses and new
information as it becomes available.
WHY RESTORE THE EVERGLADES?
Why restore the Everglades? The answers to this question are overwhelming.
The Everglades is to south Florida what the Rockies are to many western states;
the old growth forests are to the Pacific northwest; the Adirondack, White and
Green Mountains are to the northeast; and the Mississippi River is to the nation's
heartland. The Everglades epitomizes the region's sense of definition and place,
both substantially and spiritually (by providing clean water and recreation and by
providing a sense of hope for the quality of the region's future). The Everglades is
unlike any other place in the world. It attracts the eyes of the world.
We are now at an important crossroad in our efforts to restore this
internationally important ecosystem. If we act now with courage and vision to
implement this technically sound comprehensive restoration plan, we will be
successful and we will leave a proud Everglades legacy. If we fail to act, our legacy
will be one of lost opportunities for all future generations. The world is indeed
watching as we make this choice.
This page is intentionally left blank.
Table of Contents
Final Feasibility Report and PEIS April 1999
xix
CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN FLORIDA PROJECT
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW STUDY
FINAL
INTEGRATED FEASIBILITY REPORT
AND
PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
*SUMMARY...................................................................................................................... i
SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Study Authority.............................................................................................................1-3
1.2 Study Purpose & Scope ...............................................................................................1-7
1.2.1 Study Purpose..................................................................................................1-7
1.2.2 Study Scope .....................................................................................................1-8
1.2.3 Report Organization..........................................................................................1-9
1.3 Study Area ...................................................................................................................1-9
1.3.1 Kissimmee River Basin...................................................................................1-10
1.3.2 Lake Okeechobee ..........................................................................................1-13
1.3.3 Upper East Coast ...........................................................................................1-13
1.3.4 Everglades Agricultural Area ..........................................................................1-15
1.3.5 Water Conservation Areas..............................................................................1-15
1.3.6 Lower East Coast Area...................................................................................1-17
1.3.7 Biscayne Bay..................................................................................................1-18
1.3.8 Everglades National Park ...............................................................................1-19
1.3.9 Florida Bay, Whitewater Bay, and the Ten Thousand Islands .........................1-20
1.3.10 Florida Keys....................................................................................................1-20

that it does; such data does not exist. This model was used to help define

performance measures for the natural system and to evaluate the performance of

different alternative plans. However, defining acceptable performance of any

Summary

Final Feasibility Report and PEIS April 1999

xvi

particular alternative plan by ridged adherence to outs from the Natural System

Model is an improper use of such output.

Water Quality Restoration Targets. Many water bodies in south Florida are not

currently meeting water quality standards. The State of Florida and the

Miccosukee and Seminole Tribes are required under the Federal Clean Water Act to

identify those water bodies periodically. Total maximum daily loads for those

pollutants causing those water bodies to not meet standards and remediation

programs to assure that standards will be met must be developed. The current

schedule for developing these standards has the potential to delay implementation

of certain features of the recommended Comprehensive Plan until those targets are

developed and remediation programs are implemented. In addition to this program,

several water bodies have been prioritized by the state’s Surface Water

Improvement and Management Program, including the development of pollutant

load reduction goals. There is some concern as to the degree to which remediation

programs have been limited, and that some load reduction goals may not be

protective enough to achieve ecosystem restoration. The comprehensive integrated

water quality plan feasibility study included in the recommended Comprehensive

Plan will include prioritizing the development of both water quality standards and

pollution load reduction goals consistent with the Restudy implementation

schedule. Recommendations will be made for optimizing the design, construction,

and operation of plan features to assure that water quality restoration targets are

achieved. Existing water quality criteria will be reviewed, and additional water

quality criteria may be developed to complement future detailed planning and

design activities undertaken to implement recommended Comprehensive Plan

components.

Technology Uncertainties. Most of the recommended Comprehensive Plan’s

features are tested and proven reliable means to manage water. However some of

the facilities proposed such as aquifer storage and recovery and seepage control

have not been implemented on such a large scale. A series of pilot projects are

proposed in the recommended Comprehensive Plan to address the uncertainties of

these technologies. Results from these studies will help direct future detailed

planning and design related to implementation of these types of facilities.

This Comprehensive Plan makes no claim that all the questions have been

answered, that all the uncertainties have been addressed, or that all the issues have

been resolved. No plan could do all these things. We have improved our

understanding of this complex system and know that there is much more to learn.

The Comprehensive Plan is a roadmap -- and a very important one -- that provides

critical direction and organizational structure for restoring and protecting the south

Florida ecosystem. The Implementation Plan contained in this Comprehensive Plan

recommends a phased approach to project construction that provides for substantial

region-wide benefits and a feedback mechanism through adaptive assessment to

Summary

Final Feasibility Report and PEIS April 1999

xvii

ensure that implementation of project features continues to achieve desired

objectives. The adaptive assessment and monitoring process, including independent

scientific peer review, will serve as a system “check” as projects are constructed and

operated. Enough flexibility has been built into the Implementation Plan such that

project design and sequencing will take into account system responses and new

information as it becomes available.

WHY RESTORE THE EVERGLADES?

Why restore the Everglades? The answers to this question are overwhelming.

The Everglades is to south Florida what the Rockies are to many western states;

the old growth forests are to the Pacific northwest; the Adirondack, White and

Green Mountains are to the northeast; and the Mississippi River is to the nation's

heartland. The Everglades epitomizes the region's sense of definition and place,

both substantially and spiritually (by providing clean water and recreation and by

providing a sense of hope for the quality of the region's future). The Everglades is

unlike any other place in the world. It attracts the eyes of the world.

We are now at an important crossroad in our efforts to restore this

internationally important ecosystem. If we act now with courage and vision to

implement this technically sound comprehensive restoration plan, we will be

successful and we will leave a proud Everglades legacy. If we fail to act, our legacy

will be one of lost opportunities for all future generations. The world is indeed

watching as we make this choice.

This page is intentionally left blank.

Table of Contents

Final Feasibility Report and PEIS April 1999

xix

CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN FLORIDA PROJECT

COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW STUDY

FINAL

INTEGRATED FEASIBILITY REPORT

AND

PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

*SUMMARY...................................................................................................................... i

SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Study Authority.............................................................................................................1-3

1.2 Study Purpose & Scope ...............................................................................................1-7

1.2.1 Study Purpose..................................................................................................1-7

1.2.2 Study Scope .....................................................................................................1-8

1.2.3 Report Organization..........................................................................................1-9

1.3 Study Area ...................................................................................................................1-9

1.3.1 Kissimmee River Basin...................................................................................1-10

1.3.2 Lake Okeechobee ..........................................................................................1-13

1.3.3 Upper East Coast ...........................................................................................1-13

1.3.4 Everglades Agricultural Area ..........................................................................1-15

1.3.5 Water Conservation Areas..............................................................................1-15

1.3.6 Lower East Coast Area...................................................................................1-17

1.3.7 Biscayne Bay..................................................................................................1-18

1.3.8 Everglades National Park ...............................................................................1-19

1.3.9 Florida Bay, Whitewater Bay, and the Ten Thousand Islands .........................1-20

1.3.10 Florida Keys....................................................................................................1-20