Placement: New Business
Action Requested: Discussion
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Request Council Support the City Manager in Sending Letter to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Clarifying City's Position Related to Potential Statewide Stormwater Rule Change
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Submitted By: Amy Eason, P.E., Executive Project Manager - Stormwater
Strategic Plan Link: The City's Vision to preserve unique natural resources including the St. Lucie River.
Executive Summary (General Business): Proposed regulations would require reductions in total nitrogen and phosphorus which staff supports, but would exempt existing conceptual SFWMD ERPs from meeting the new requirements which staff opposes.
Presentation Information: No prepared presentation, but staff is available to provide clarification and answer questions.
Staff Recommendation: Request that the Council support staff's recommendation to allow the City Manager to send a letter to FDEP clarifying the City's position related to new BMAP/TMDL Regulations
Background: In March 2009, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) adopted Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) for the St. Lucie River and Estuary and set targets for restoration. The stakeholders within this watershed developed the "St. Lucie River and Estuary Basin Management Action Plan" in February 2020, which was adopted by the Legislature under Final Order OGC Case No, 20-0042.
The City currently has approximately 14 major developments with Conceptual Environmental Resource Permits (ERPs), which total approximately 27,000 acres. This equates to approximately 35% of the City limits. In relation to the watersheds within the TMDL/BMAP, these ERPs represent 10% of the City's watershed contributing to the St. Lucie River and Estuary. Please note that these numbers do not include the conceptual ERPs that St. Lucie County or Martin County currently have approved.
Issues/Analysis: The notice of change tha...
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